Donald's Defiant Dashers 2011

[airman]

All you East Coast Ducks, keep your heads down and stay safe.
Check in when you can to let us know everyone is fine.
Joe

 

[Big Vic]

Good morning Ducks! Long time no talk (Haven't had much, if any, training to report). Just started trainng for a local 1/2 marathon in Nov, and will be participating in the WDW 1/2, and Marathon Relay. It's going to be a busy fall.

Looks like everyone is training hard for their upcoming races. Keep up the great work!

Hoping all of our east coast Ducks are safe and doing well. Please be careful.

Take care.

 

[Maddykins06]

Glassboro, South Jersey is O.K.
A few tree branches down, had lots of rain & wind, but all is well.

Thank you & hoping everyone else is well!

 

[CALIFLADY]

Hey Ducks!

I didn’t drown. I just went covert. More like a serious lurker.

Truth be told, I’ve been avoiding the WISH website for most of the past month due to my injury. It’s tough reading about everyone’s progress when you know you should be making some before the impending half marathon. So I had to sit back, switch gears, and rehab instead.

On August 1, while out running, my left calf was rather tight. Right near the end of the 5-mile run, I felt something “pop” in my calf. Then I limped home. Luckily, I was only two blocks from the house.

The orthopedist diagnosed it as “calf strain”. I suspect what this means is I slightly tore the Achilles’ tendon on the upper end (the end that attaches to the calf muscle). He had me wear one of those big black boots for 10 days to totally immobilize the tendon. When I took it off and started walking, I had no pain at all. I’d describe it as “weak” or ”tired”, but no pain. My left calf had atrophied by over one inch in circumference. You could actually see that my left calf was smaller than my right calf in a mere 10 days!

I then went to the physical therapist, who had me do stretches twice a day for my calves, hamstrings, hip flexors, and my IT bands. I’ve never stretched this much in my whole life. But I now see the benefits and I’m a believer. Anyhow, she let me start using an elliptical machine at my gym that allows you to set the stride length. I did 45 minute daily workouts on that for about a week. Boring!

She then let me try running on the treadmill for 10 minutes last Friday for the first time! Of course, she set the speed at around a 13 minute pace. All went well, so she let me run 20 minutes a day over the weekend at the same slow pace. Again, everything went well. My leg feels stronger just after four short runs! I told her I’m more interested in distance than speed, so this morning, she said I can progress up this week to 30-40 minutes, keeping it slow. I’ll see the orthopedist on Thursday and the physical therapist on Friday. Hopefully, these will be my final visits.

So now my task is to figure out how to ramp up to the W&D Half in less than 5 weeks. Eeek! I obviously know that beating last year’s time is out of the question. But I really want to run it – not walk it. Aerobically, I’m fine at a slower pace. I just want to avoid injury. Am I stupid to think I can run 13 miles on this calf in 5 weeks?

To all the East Coast Ducks - Hope y'all are keeping your feathers dry after Irene came through. And best of luck to all the Ducks heading out to the West Coast this weekend for the Disneyland Half! That includes Joe and his beautiful bride. I'm really glad everyone's training is coming along, despite my injury and jealosy. Keep up the GREAT work!

 

[disney_runner]

Califlady, I totally hear you on the rehab thing. After 4 months of nothing doing on my right leg (pre-then-post knee surgery), I've totally lost muscle in my quads. BIG time loss. It's downright depressing when even your best friend points it out to you (hey, your right leg looks smaller than your left leg!). It's a long slow road, and I totally understand!! But take your time.

I'm glad you've already realized you won't be getting a PR. And if you're goal is to run it, albeit slowly, then try. All you can do is see how it feels in the next 5 weeks I know, I'm scared too! But promise that at your first feeling of "ouch," you will walk? Personally, my goal is to run at least half on Oct.1. Any more is gravy. Good luck to you, and be careful, mmmkay?

 

[AUdisneyDad]

Good Morning Ducks! I hope everyone on the east coast made it through Irene this weekend and that you all are safe. Here is an Irish wish for you:

Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

Though I have not had the honor of personally meeting any of the Ducks several of you helped me through a very trying time this year with your thoughts, prayers and yes pixie dust and for that I am greatful. So I hope the wish above brings at a smile upon your face and know that you are in my family's thoughts and prayers.

For all the Ducks heading out to the west coast for the half this coming weekend GOOD LUCK!!! and safe travels to all of you.

Tim

 

[Maddykins06]

You brought tears to my eyes Tim.
Thank you!

I sincerely hope one day I have the extreme pleasure of meeting you & all of the other Ducks!
Sláinte chugat.

 

[airman]

Hello to all my Duck friends. I sounds like everyone made it through Irene over the weekend, except for a couple window leaks.

Renee: I'm glad your calf is on the mend and back training for the W&D.

Tim & Karin: I look forward to meeting you in future Disney races. Watching the electrical parade and WISHES with Liz, Carissa & Augie during Marathon weekend in January was a high point of the trip.

I am getting pretty excited about my trip to DL this weekend, I've already packed my bag.
This is the most comfortable I've felt before a half since I started running. (I hope that's not a bad sign)
Debbie is doing really good with her training and it will be fun sharing this with her.
I will be posting on FB as much as I can this weekend. Anyone still not my friend, here is the link to my page: http://facebook.com/jreyno
I think a little buddy is making the trip west with us.

Have a good week everyone.
Joe

 

[LadyDooley]

well, we made it through the earthquake and hurricane as well as the NJ rivers flooding.. I am very thankful for that!!

BEST WISHES TO ALL who have yet to check in. I hope many get their power back on soon..

ANd last of all Running wishes to those heading out to the lovely west coast for fun sun and a bit of a run!! I am green with envy that I could not be there!!

 

[carissanboys]

We are fine here in Southeast Virginia. As Joe alluded to, had a couple of leaky windows (one really bad) and some downed fence. We lost power and internet for a several hours, but overall we faired pretty well. Our town was hit hard with over 11 inches of rain and heavy winds. But it helped to mostly put out the wildfire we've had for several weeks/months.

Now if I can just get back to working out...

 

[CALIFLADY]

Califlady, I totally hear you on the rehab thing. After 4 months of nothing doing on my right leg (pre-then-post knee surgery), I've totally lost muscle in my quads. BIG time loss. It's downright depressing when even your best friend points it out to you (hey, your right leg looks smaller than your left leg!). It's a long slow road, and I totally understand!! But take your time.

I'm glad you've already realized you won't be getting a PR. And if you're goal is to run it, albeit slowly, then try. All you can do is see how it feels in the next 5 weeks I know, I'm scared too! But promise that at your first feeling of "ouch," you will walk? Personally, my goal is to run at least half on Oct.1. Any more is gravy. Good luck to you, and be careful, mmmkay?

Tanya - Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm pretty hard on myself at times. I need to stop and realize that I'm not getting younger and it's okay to not PR everything at my age now.

I ran 2-1/2 miles on the treadmill on Thursday and I feel a bit of soreness today, so I'm gonna rest for a while. It'll just take time. This whole event is teaching me sooo much: about myself, about injuries, about stretching, about age.

Not only am I running the W&D, but I'm also slated to run the Donald in January and the Princess in February, so it would be stupid to blow it out again now. Too much at stake in the next six months.

Have a GREAT time in California, Joe! WISHing you and Deb the best of luck. Make the Ducks proud!

And to all the Ducks - have a super Labor Day weekend. Stay cool and run smart!

 

[marathonmommy]

Hi Ducks!
Up early this Saturday morning. Getting ready to go out and do my first 16 miler. Two friends will be joining me. I usually don't like running with people, but for this distance - it's worth a try. To me, 16 miles is LONG! Hope I make it.

Wishing all of my fellow Ducks the best. Joe, have fun on your trip.

 

[Big Vic]

Good morning Ducks!

Sitting here watching the first band of rain from TS Lee head our way. Forecast to be a very rainy weekend. Maybe upwards of 10" of rain.

Joe - Have fun in CA.

Laura - Hope your 16 miler goes well.

Everyone - Keep up the great work.

 

[AUdisneyDad]

Joe: How was the trip to California? How was the race? A coworker and his wife both ran the half and loved it (It was their first time out to Disneyland and both set PR's).

Vic: I was down in Destin this past weekend watching the storms roll in. I tried to run Saturday but the wind and sand mixture was lethal to the uncovered flesh.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and good luck training.

Tim

 

[Maddykins06]

Has anyone had hip pain before?
After my 9.5 miles on Sunday my hip was super sore & still is even when walking. Feels like I bruised it, but I know I didn't.

Research on web seems to point towards tight ITB or bursitits.
Seeing PCP tomorrow, but was wondering if anyone had experience w/this?

I've got the Philly half on the 18th & hubby wants me to skip it.
Thoughts?

 

[airman]

Hi to all my Duck friends!
We had a great weekend at DL. The half marathon was pretty good, but their were a couple of hiccups. The corrals were awful, to get into corral D we had to enter the back of corral E and try to push our way forward. Disneyland definitely lacks the benefit of space, the race started with a 3/4 of a mile run to California Adventure and with all of the construction it was very congested. The first 4 miles were through both parks and I had a tough time getting through the walkers. Debbie didn't have any problem weaving through people, she's stealthy like that. Once we made it out of the parks it was wide open road race. On the streets was pretty uneventful, mostly views of business parks and warehouses. The school bands, cheerleaders and scouts did help moral. The run through Angels stadium was pretty cool and we ran past the arena where the Mighty Ducks play hockey. I thought of you guys when I passed the Ducks sign. Debbie did awesome for here first half marathon, she finished at 2:49. Through the parks I would look forward and she would be in front of me and I would have to speed up to catch her. I finished at 2:34, not great but a finish is a finish. For some reason my left ankle started hurting earlier in the week and 2 days walking the parks didn't help things. During the run the pain moved up into my knee. I don't think I did a very good job training this summer. I logged a lot of miles, but didn't do any cross training in between my 3 days a week runs. I have to fix that and get into a better training routine. I am taking it a little easy this week and get back into training this weekend for the W&D.

Renee: I can only speak about the hotel we stayed at. It was the Anaheim Desert Inn, not a bad place, the beds were a little hard. The hotel is about 100 feet from the crosswalk that takes you to the center of both parks, so getting around was pretty easy. Price wasn't too bad ($109 + all the California taxes).

We had a lot of fun touring the parks, we got to ride the new Little Mermaid ride that is being built in the new Fantasyland construction at WDW, it's pretty cute. The Aladdin show needs to come to Florida, it was really good. For everyone not on FB here is my photo album from the weekend.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2095431543170.2111841.1166784296&l=c8893534c8&type=1

Check out the picture of the steak I had from Club 33, it was the best fillet I have ever had.

Have a good week with training everyone. I am looking forward to heading south at the end of the month.
Waddle on!
Joe

 

[airman]

Hi everyone,
I just downloaded the DL run from my Timex GPS watch.
Here is a link to the map.

http://www.trainingpeaks.com/sw/PPDZG5MAALBDCWGMSVNSP2AB6I

It was cool to look at the course from above to get a better idea where I ran.
I like seeing my mile split times, but I haven't figured out how show that on the watch.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Joe

 

[CALIFLADY]

Has anyone had hip pain before?
After my 9.5 miles on Sunday my hip was super sore & still is even when walking. Feels like I bruised it, but I know I didn't.

Have you been stretching your hip flexors? This is done by essentially going all the way down to the floor in a lunge. Google it. How's it been feeling this week?

And yes, I think your husband is mad!!! Skip a race that you've trained so hard for?!? He's obviously not a runner.

I don't think I did a very good job training this summer. I logged a lot of miles, but didn't do any cross training in between my 3 days a week runs.

Renee: I can only speak about the hotel we stayed at. It was the Anaheim Desert Inn, not a bad place, the beds were a little hard. The hotel is about 100 feet from the crosswalk that takes you to the center of both parks, so getting around was pretty easy. Price wasn't too bad ($109 + all the California taxes).

I think this is an interesting observation about your training. Following you here and on FB, it appeared you did quite a few medium-to-long runs this summer, which really should have prepared you well. And you even stated that you felt better prepared for this half than any before. A good lesson - maybe for many of us. Thanks for the perspective.

And thanks for the hotel information. Since I won't be running the Tinkerbell Half, my only shot at the C2C is the Disneyland Half next September. Liz doesn't know it yet, but I'll be working on her through 2012 to come join me in Anaheim in September so she can get her C2C, too. First I'll start with the "I'll pay for the room and we can bunk together" strategy. I'll work some pixie dust in somehow. Still working on my plan. But like I said, this is all hush-hush with Liz so far. Sssssshhhhh....

I ran 7 miles this morning! Woo hoo! My plan was to run 6, but once I got out there and was running so slow (so as to not agrivate the calf muscle too much), 7 seemed really reachable. In fact, 8 or 9 was in my reach, but luckily the "Stupid Flag" went up and I stopped at 7. No need to get injured again. But the good news in all of this is that running the W&D Half is entirely within reach now. So I'm happy!

Joe and Augie - Are we meeting in DHS on Friday, 30 September for an elevator and limo ride?!?

Quack on, Ducks, and have a GREAT weekend!

 

[airman]

Joe and Augie - Are we meeting in DHS on Friday, 30 September for an elevator and limo ride?!?

We should get to PO Riverside around noon and then off to the Expo. After that Hollywood Studios for the rest of the night. So yes ToT & RnR are on the schedule. I'm looking forward to being hurtled down an elevator with you.
I took a 3 mile walk at the park yesterday and plan on going on a run for the first time since the DL half on Tuesday.
Have a good week everyone.

Joe

 

[ahoff]

Friday night at MGM sounds good to me!!

Congrats on the DL Half, Joe!