Expedition Everest Challenge May 5 @ 9:30 2012

[sbsmommy]

Well, I'm back to running inside again b/c we got the dreaded snow back. I really was spoiled to even BE outside running in March so i guess i can't complain too much but it was a VERY good learning experience for me!! I'm now running WITH a 1 incline ALWAYS so I am more prepared and I've started on the Galloway run/walk/run plan to see if my lungs can handle that way better. Once it warms up again I'll be back outside. I still havn't gotten into the doctor. I need a full physical so I had to book when they are doing physicals. I'll definitely fill you all in on what she tells me. THanks for asking

Yuck on the snow. We had 27 degree weather last week and the snow is all gone. It was unbelievably warm for March - just like summer. It's more March-like now and there were snow flurries yesterday.
Good job on the incline!

Does anyone know how big the clear plastic bag is that we get to check stuff in before the race? I'm wondering if it is big enough for a small backpack. Trying to plan what to take that I might need after the race.

 

[Cripey]

Yuck on the snow. We had 27 degree weather last week and the snow is all gone. It was unbelievably warm for March - just like summer. It's more March-like now and there were snow flurries yesterday.
Good job on the incline!

Does anyone know how big the clear plastic bag is that we get to check stuff in before the race? I'm wondering if it is big enough for a small backpack. Trying to plan what to take that I might need after the race.

The gear check bag is pretty big...you shouldn't have any problems putting a backpack in there.

 

[sbsmommy]

The gear check bag is pretty big...you shouldn't have any problems putting a backpack in there.

Great - thanks! I thought it looked like it from what I could see in one of the videos on Youtube, but wanted to confirm.
Now to find a checklist of what to take to the race. I know I saw one somewhere but now I forget where...

 

[wakica]

if you find it again, can yo post the link to it here? I have no clue what to take??

 

[jeanigor]

if you find it again, can yo post the link to it here? I have no clue what to take??

Here is a rather comprehensive list (complied more for longer races, but the same sort of ideas apply)

DIS W.I.S.H. Packing List Thread

 

[wakica]

PERFECT!!! Any list is better than none b/c I have no idea what I might need so now I can just go through and select what will be helpful.

Thanks

 

[KigerKat]

I am sold on the Jeff Galloway method!! I did the 1 min run/walk training, and I did not get as worn out as I did when I was doing the C25K program. I did have to skip 2 runs because my ankle was starting to bother me, but I was able to get through it just fine.

I did try to pay attention to my posture while I was running, and I honestly believe my posture was fine, so the only other reason why I can think my ankle hurts is that it is weak. I've googled some ankle strengthening exercises to hopefully build it up.

 

[debbieandroo]

PERFECT!!! Any list is better than none b/c I have no idea what I might need so now I can just go through and select what will be helpful.

Thanks

That was super helpful -- I hope I remember to look at those lists BEFORE I leave home.

I am sold on the Jeff Galloway method!! I did the 1 min run/walk training, and I did not get as worn out as I did when I was doing the C25K program. I did have to skip 2 runs because my ankle was starting to bother me, but I was able to get through it just fine.

I did try to pay attention to my posture while I was running, and I honestly believe my posture was fine, so the only other reason why I can think my ankle hurts is that it is weak. I've googled some ankle strengthening exercises to hopefully build it up.

Congratulations! Glad your ankle is doing better.

Won't it be funny, after you've run the Wine and Dine, to look back at these first few months of training? Well, I hope it will be funny!

 

[wakica]

I hope those ankle strengthening exercises work for you. Maybe I should find some hamstring exercises. lol. I'm going to book in for some massages to see what my massage therapist thinks - they aren't in PAIN - just not happy like my other leg is. LOL. Maybe it's just weak on that side and needs to be strengthened up.
oh the joys of trying to be in shape hey???

 

[KigerKat]

I sure hope I can laugh after W&D!

Right now, I really need to work on getting a grasp of the time concept of how far away those other runs will be. No, I cannot do a 10 miler or 1/2 marathon next week or next month. But if I keep up the training, it IS possible. Today is the last day to register for the ToT 10 Miler before the price goes up, and I keep having second thoughts about if I can do it or not. I really wish the deadline wasn't until after the EEC, but then again if I could just understand that event is 6 months away and I have all that time to train.

And I KNOW that if I can do 10 miles, I can do 13. I just need to believe it, too.

 

[KigerKat]

Can someone explain the "gear bag" to me?

DH and I were just talking about this yesterday, and he was planning on getting a locker to store his camera and tripod in. Are these gear bags the only things we can use to store stuff in while we are racing?

 

[sbsmommy]

I don't think you are supposed to put anything valuable in the gear bag. To use a locker - you would have to go into the park first wouldn't you? So that would be OK if you were already going to AK that day or to another park and had hoppers.

 

[boxdoc2]

Can someone explain the "gear bag" to me?

DH and I were just talking about this yesterday, and he was planning on getting a locker to store his camera and tripod in. Are these gear bags the only things we can use to store stuff in while we are racing?

When you do packet pick up they will give you a bag. At the race you can "check" anything that you don't want to take with you on the run. Part of your bib is your claim ticket which stays with your bag. The tent is constantly manned, but as was said in the previous post I wouldn't leave any valuables in it just in case. But it's nice to have sandals, dry clothes, etc upon your finish.

I should clarify that this has been the procedure for my previous RunDisney races. I have not done EEC. Yet!

 

[KigerKat]

I don't think you are supposed to put anything valuable in the gear bag. To use a locker - you would have to go into the park first wouldn't you? So that would be OK if you were already going to AK that day or to another park and had hoppers.

When you do packet pick up they will give you a bag. At the race you can "check" anything that you don't want to take with you on the run. Part of your bib is your claim ticket which stays with your bag. The tent is constantly manned, but as was said in the previous post I wouldn't leave any valuables in it just in case. But it's nice to have sandals, dry clothes, etc upon your finish.

I should clarify that this has been the procedure for my previous RunDisney races. I have not done EEC. Yet!

Are the lockers available for use after regular park hours? This being our first RunDisney Race, we have no idea what to expect. DH will definitely want to use a locker, but we're not sure if there will be a lot of confusion going on before hand that might make it too difficult to get a locker when we arrive for the race.

I wonder if we could get a locker before the park closes at 7PM to use during the race? Or would we be risking getting the locker cleaned out after park closing?

Also, what time is everyone planning on getting there?

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Are the lockers available for use after regular park hours? This being our first RunDisney Race, we have no idea what to expect. DH will definitely want to use a locker, but we're not sure if there will be a lot of confusion going on before hand that might make it too difficult to get a locker when we arrive for the race.

I wonder if we could get a locker before the park closes at 7PM to use during the race? Or would we be risking getting the locker cleaned out after park closing?

Also, what time is everyone planning on getting there?

I've never used the lockers, but personally I wouldn't risk leaving stuff in the locker during the day and then going back for it after the race.

According to this page: http://wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/Lockers.htm there are lockers located outside the entrance to Animal Kingdom. It seems like you might be able to put some stuff in there right before the race and get it afterward, but keep in mind that it's a good walk from the start area over to the park entrance. And then after you cross the finish line near Everest you'll have to walk back out to the lockers to get your stuff.

When you use the gear bag check you leave it with the volunteers at the start area, and then during the race they transport all the bags inside Animal Kingdom so you pick up your gear bag somewhere in Dinoland. I wouldn't put anything irreplaceable or extremely fragile inside the bag, but I typically check my camera, phone, and wallet. For safety, I put my stuff inside another bag so it's not visible through the clear plastic of the gear bag, then I'll wrap a sweatshirt around everything for some extra padding in case the bag gets tossed around.

 

[PrincessV]

No, I cannot do a 10 miler or 1/2 marathon next week or next month. But if I keep up the training, it IS possible.

I know this wasn't directed to me, but thank you for that post - I needed it today! More below...

I've never used the lockers, but personally I wouldn't risk leaving stuff in the locker during the day and then going back for it after the race.

I agree - I know they clean lockers out "at park closing" and with the race so much later than AK's closing time, I suspect things would disappear.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Morning all! How's the training coming along?

I seem to have hit a big 'ol brick wall. No "bad" runs, but I'm just wiped out, period; I feel completely depleted of all energy and I swear, every joint in my body is angry. We popped over to WDW for an overnight this past weekend and I suspect the combination of a lot of sun, record-setting pollen counts, and perhaps a few cold germs being fought off is to blame. Also, it's been HOT and I'm frustrated with having to slow down to accommodate that when I'm wanting so much to be faster. It's one of those days when the prospect of my scheduled 40-minute run is daunting and the thought of ever running 10 miles makes me want to cry! Thanks KigerKat for the reminder that that 10-miler is a long way down the training path. I just have to suck it up, channel Scarlet O'Hara, and get through today; I'll worry about the rest tomorrow.

 

[Cripey]

Morning all! How's the training coming along?

I seem to have hit a big 'ol brick wall. No "bad" runs, but I'm just wiped out, period; I feel completely depleted of all energy and I swear, every joint in my body is angry. We popped over to WDW for an overnight this past weekend and I suspect the combination of a lot of sun, record-setting pollen counts, and perhaps a few cold germs being fought off is to blame. Also, it's been HOT and I'm frustrated with having to slow down to accommodate that when I'm wanting so much to be faster. It's one of those days when the prospect of my scheduled 40-minute run is daunting and the thought of ever running 10 miles makes me want to cry! Thanks KigerKat for the reminder that that 10-miler is a long way down the training path. I just have to suck it up, channel Scarlet O'Hara, and get through today; I'll worry about the rest tomorrow.

Sorry you're having trouble...we definitely all have those days...sometimes weeks! The best advice I can give you came from my trainer when I was experiencing the same thing...take a break if you need it. It's ok once in a while to say "you know what, I just don't have it today...at all"...especially if you've really been hitting it hard lately. I look at it as my body's way of telling me "this is your warning...take a break now or I'll MAKE you take one!" (injury!) Now, there's a fine line between that and giving up too easily too often...sometimes you do need to just suck it up and get out there (those runs really build mental toughness and character)...but only you know yourself good enough to make that call. The times I've decided that an unplanned rest day was a good idea, my body thanked me for it and I got back on schedule felling stronger. I hope you start feeling better about it soon!

 

[NitroStitch]

Rough runs are so frustrating, and they tend to make me dread the next run, just remembering how tough the last one was. Sometimes I have to remind myself to slow down and run much slower than my usual pace - at least I'm still getting a run in. Sometimes I have to run a shorter run when I really feel awful. At least I got a run in. Sometimes the walk breaks need to be longer, or some combination of all those strategies.

Good luck getting over the speed bump and getting back into a little more energy and enjoyable running again. You can do it!

 

[tiki23]

I'm getting faster and stronger! My 5k training run/walk tonight was 37:13, which is almost 2 minutes faster than my last one. I ran about 2/3 of it - which is amazing to me....never thought I'd be doing this!

Really getting excited for the EEC and to meet some of my fellow WISH-Dis'ers.

 

[PrincessV]

I hope you start feeling better about it soon!

Good luck getting over the speed bump and getting back into a little more energy and enjoyable running again. You can do it!

Thanks guys! Running hasn't been the problem so much as feeling run-down aaaaalllll day long. I definitely think it's allergies (I have horrendous allergy problems and the pollen counts here are off the charts) dragging me down. So, naturally, I went outside for a run last night. I'm totally paying for it today with chest and sinus congestion, but it was worth it! My son and I opted to ditch the prescribed Galloway intervals and go with a "run 'til we're too winded to converse, then walk 'til we're ready to run again, repeat" approach... interesting. Turns out we can comfortably run several minutes at a time! BUT my overall average pace came down almost a full min/mile. Whether that's due to running slower during the longer run portions, or because I was with my shorter-legged (though not by much) child, I don't know. But with the heat, a 13:30 pace turned out to be a good thing, in any case. Think I'll keep this approach for one short run each week to work on improving cardio strength.

I'm getting faster and stronger! My 5k training run/walk tonight was 37:13, which is almost 2 minutes faster than my last one. I ran about 2/3 of it - which is amazing to me....never thought I'd be doing this!

Awesome!!!