First Goofy Need training advice

[280paul]

I am running goofy for the first time. This will be 8th marathon, I will be running NYC 11-4. Can someone please recomend a good training program taking me from 11-4 to Goofy.

Thanks
Paul

 

[srp1103]

Looking for the same info. I have run 3 half-marathons in the past 2 years. Anyone who has participated in the Goofy Challenge I would love to hear your story! I am thinking of running a full in December (would be my first) then the Goofy challenge. Any and all advice accepted!

Thanks!
Stacie

 

[MouseDogMom]

Not exactly a training plan, but experience from someone who did my first Goofy after running my second full marathon in early November prior to Goofy in January. I didn't really follow a plan, I just continued doing a couple of short runs midweek and a 10 mile long run on the weekend. I did a very cold, very hilly half in December (which actually set me back a little - took a long time to recover from that one), but other than that, I didn't do much to prepare. I'd intended to do at least one longer run before January, but it never happened. On Sundays, DH and I would try to do a 3-4 mile walk, just to get our legs used to back to back activity, but we never did back-to-back runs.

As for Goofy, if I hadn't been stupid, it would have gone well. I went way too hard on Saturday, and went out too fast on Sunday for where I was at that time. The second half of Sunday was ugly, but I finished, and I have 3 beautiful medals to show for it!

Good luck!

Jackie

 

[riggins]

I ran the Goofy in January and used John Bingham's full plan and just added a few back to backs - I did a 7 mi/14 mi, 8 mi/16 mi, and a 9 mi/18mi, but the week I was doing 20 miles, I didn't add a 10 the day before. It just felt like overkill and I was afraid of hurting myself. I felt great through the half and up to mile 20 of the full. It was ugly after that, but I made it.

When I was searching for a training plan, a lot of other Goofy's were following one of Hal Higdon's intermediate plans because they have a lot of back to back days.

Good Luck!
Leslie

 

[srp1103]

Thanks Jackie and Leslie for sharing and for the advice!

 

[scoolover]

My opinion on the Goofy is that if you are in shape to run the full, that is good enough unless you are going for a goofy record or something. The best part is that if you are in full shape the half will be a blast if you take your time and enjoy it. Then you just have to rest up and finish the full. I wouldn't go hammering around MK after the half though. That could make for a long full the next day! You could throw in a couple back to back 10 milers to see how you respond during training. That wouldn't be the worst thing.

 

[jmasgat]

Paul I'm in the same boat as you.....also doing New York and then Goofy. Somewhere on one of the other posts, one of the more experienced runners suggested taking a week or 2 off heavy training then doing some long runs of varied lengths up until Goofy. I plan to do the same. Take November off of long runs and then do the last several weeks of my plan....something like 15, 18, 15, 20, 13, 10.

I think it's important to make sure I have time to recover. The Goofy won't be about speed--just finishing in good shape. So I'm more interested in being healthy.

Maura

 

[FFigawi]

Paul I'm in the same boat as you.....also doing New York and then Goofy. Somewhere on one of the other posts, one of the more experienced runners suggested taking a week or 2 off heavy training then doing some long runs of varied lengths up until Goofy. I plan to do the same. Take November off of long runs and then do the last several weeks of my plan....something like 15, 18, 15, 20, 13, 10.

That was probably my post. I've run Goofy twice after doing a mid-November marathon. Took a week or two off, then ran 15-20 each week in December before a 2-week taper for Goofy. It was more about maintaining fitness without getting hurt than building a new base.

 

[snickerboo]

You people put me in awe! Good luck to everyone in the Goofy!

 

[lilouisianagal]

I've done Goofy 3 times (signed up for 2013 ). The first time I had never raced longer than a 10K. I've always used MfM (Bingham), but I modify it to always have at least a half distance day the day before my long run, similar to riggins, but I did it every week. It gets your body and mind used to the recovery period (or lack thereof ) . Definitely ice and vitamin C after the half and DON'T GO OUT TOO HARD!!! I did that the second year and made it through both races in PR times, then crashed with a virus Sunday night because it killed my immune system. Not a happy Disney trip after that.

As for making through the races feeling good: make sure to include lots of cross training. The year when I slacked off on that (but maintained the same training schedule), the races just weren't as enjoyable. Good luck!

 

[MouseDogMom]

I did that the second year and made it through both races in PR times, then crashed with a virus Sunday night because it killed my immune system. Not a happy Disney trip after that.

I had a similar experience, but I think mine was a combination of the arctic temperatures and the weakened immune system. We'd planned for Monday to be our one commando park day, but ended up coming back to the room after lunch for me to crash. I napped until dinner! Had the worst cough I've ever had, and was sick for a week after. It definitely takes a toll on your body.

Jackie