From 0 to 26.2 .... running the Disney marathon

[Dolce27]

Another great update! I bet that does get annoying running circles around Epcot. It makes you feel like you aren't going anywhere. If it makes you feel better I would have laughed at your joke at mile 5 (or was it mile 6) Now I'm not making excuses for the Mr. Annoyings, but Mickey and Donald in their golf gear were pretty dang adorable! I'm a bit worried to hear about the rest of the race, but since I know you got the medal I know it has a happy ending.

Like I said: I had no problem with the cold. The early time. The running. But ENOUGH of EPCOT! Spaceship Earth is beautiful at night but I want to see the castle! I would love to run the castle in the dark as well but unless I suddenly develop Elite running capabilities - that will never happen. I was watching the 1/2 marathon videos and thinking that the MK in the dark would be a fun run. Only the Elites with their 4 - 5 minute per mile pace reach the MK before daylight during the full-marathon.

Your report of the race is so much fun to read. I've already talked with my TnT coordinator and I will be running (aka walking) Mickey with them next year!

Thank you! One of my co-workers is TnT. She was actually one of the TnT Coaches for the 1/2 marathon last Sat. I forgot that she was going to be down there for that until she e-mailed me at work the other day asking how I did. I told her it was cold and she replied that I didn't need to tell her that as she had to stand in the sleet for Saturday's half. She plans to run it next year, said it's more fun to run it than to coach it. I have no idea if she's going for the full or the half. I need to ask.

 

[Dolce27]

What an excellent report! I was there cheering people on and taking photos at the start, and then on Main Street, and outside AK (and behind the drummers in Africa) and by the Sorcerer's hat at the Studios. I also was too late in signing up for the half marathon. But I didn't have the drive to sign up for the full. I will be doing the Wine and Dash 1/2 Marathon in October and haven't decided if I should do the 1/2 or Full for Marathon Weekend 2011.

Thank you. Wow, you were moving around a lot. Was it difficult with the road closures, ect... to reach all of those locations? Good luck to you for the Wine and Dine in Oct. I work for a CPA firm and am unable to have a life before Oct 15 so that is one race I'll never run. I'm really disappointed that Disney discontinued the Tower of Terror 13k. That was later in the month and I would have ran it this year. Can't wait to see you in 2011 for whichever race you show up for.

I agree! Excellent details about the pre-race work.

Thank you!

 

[Dolce27]

Way to go on your accomplishment! I have run the full 4 times (including the inaugural goofy in '06) everything you are describing is bringing back memories.
Although I do not envy the weather you had to run in this year, I think that the wdw marathon is such a great race. I'd do it every year if my husband would agree to spend the money.
I commend you on training alone and without music, that really says alot about your inner strength and determination.

Can't wait to hear the rest of the story!

Thanks. The weather really wasn't bad once I began moving. It took awhile before I tossed the throw away layer but the only real problem I had was after Animal Kingdom - I was wishing for my 2nd pair of gloves back but I tossed them at Mile 8. It was biting cold during that stretch but really only my fingers felt it. I took my fingers out of the finger holes in my gloves and fisted my hands attempting to keep them warm.

Thank you for your compliment. About music, I'm a serious music lover and honestly thought I'd have problems training without it as I began my training. Nope, no problems. I don't miss music at all. I'm able to get lost in my own thoughts.

Phew! Glad you were able to get into the race retreat ok.

Your joke was funny...maybe people were laughing on the inside-too tired to LOL?

I can't believe some people had shorts on in that weather either, it made me more cold just looking at them!

LOL!! Oh my gosh you crack me up, "Are we running to EPCOT again?!?" And then the Spaceship Earth balloon!!!

Thanks for your thoughts on the proof of time/expo thing. Hopefully it is a non-issue.

... back to that EPCOT thing. From a different angle, you could tell that it wasn't the real Spaceship Earth. But, as we turned on a road and should have been heading toward the MK and away from EPCOT, I saw the ballon at an angle in the distance that made it look like the real mccoy. I'm directionally challenged as it is, but I was certain that we should not be running past EPCOT for a third time in order to reach the MK. So, if you go for the full, you are warned that EPCOT never seems to end!

Yes, fingers crossed about proof of time being a non-issue for 2011 since I'll be right there with you to make changes.

 

[cmp1111]

Wow, I'm still just amazed! Congratulations! I'm so sorry about the injury - that must have been frustrating.

 

[dismagiclover]

Great update and I love the detail. Like I've said before I want all the info I can get about what the marathon is like. It's pretty impressive that you kept on going for 13 miles with your IT band feeling like it was. That is something to be proud of!

 

[liznboys]

I'm one of those who doesn't like the Clif Bloks and Sport Beans because they get stuck in my teeth. They taste better than Gu and Clif Shots though!

That hitting the wall thing sounds awful. I'm glad not everyone experiences it though.

You did great despite your injury! I can imagine the frustration you felt though, wanting to just RUN! I have had a few injuries over my first year of running and I've felt that frustration too. Why can't our bodies just do what we want them to do?!?! waaah!

You will meet your goal next year I bet!

 

[aharbin88]

I really appreciate all the detail you've given! The full marathon is not necessarily something I am interested in at this point, but I am considering the half next year. Along with you and a few others on this thread, I don't consider myself athletic in the least. If I had written this 15 years ago, I could have said something different, but many, many, many years of little to no exercise have taken their toll. I don't enjoy exercise, so I've always preferred dieting to exercise for weight maintenance. Now that I'm in my 30s, I have realized that diet alone can't do it anymore, and I need to get in shape.

I HATE running. With a passion. It is the single most-disliked thing I can think of. Because of that, running a half marathon would not only be a physical challenge, but would also be a mental one. An emotional one. A psychological one. I would like to think of this a quarter-life crisis, and if this is the worst thing I can do shake up my life, then, well, good.

Sorry. I'm sure you weren't expecting to hear a total stranger give you all these details, but I just wanted to thank you for telling us your journey to get where you are today. Just out of curiosity, what do you do when you're *not* training? I realize that you're always sorta training, but how is your routine different when you have a race coming up and when you don't?

Also, do you have favorite gear? I know you gave us a link to those really funny shirts (If I do this, I am SO getting the "This sounded good 6 months ago" shirt!) and the aids, but what about other gear? Like clothing, shoes, accessories? By accessories, I mean things like something to maybe keep your keys and things in while you run. Unless you ran near your home, I would imagine you would have at least keys with you, if not maybe even money, ID, cell phone, a key card to a gym, etc. I've always wondered where runners put things like that when they're running. I did a few short runs this week, and one day I wore my iPhone on my hip to use as an iPod. It was so annoying! It pulled my pants down, and it flopped some and was just generally irritating. I know you said you didn't use an iPod during training, but I would still think you might need a "holder" for other items you might have with you. I just wondered if you had any recommendations.

I will stop here, but again, I really appreciate you writing this journal. It was very helpful!

 

[Dolce27]

Wow, I'm still just amazed! Congratulations! I'm so sorry about the injury - that must have been frustrating.

Thank you. It was very frustrating but I refused to let it bother me too much out there. I think the fact that I went into the marathon injured vs. being injured on the course had a lot to do with my attitude. I knew that I’d have to walk. When that time came, I just put a smile on my face and kept going. Had my IT band gone out on me for the first time during the marathon … well, then, it may have not have been so pretty.

Great update and I love the detail. Like I've said before I want all the info I can get about what the marathon is like. It's pretty impressive that you kept on going for 13 miles with your IT band feeling like it was. That is something to be proud of!

Thank you. If I ever recall any more “problem” spots or anything about the course, I’ll PM you. I think I covered most everything. It’s easy for me to forget as it was my first marathon and my first Disney marathon; I was so caught-up in everything. I’m sure I’ll recall more course details after 2011 but by then you’ll have completed it yourself. When you build up your training at the end of the year, preparing for 2011, train with aid and figure out what does and doesn’t work for you. Hopefully that will prevent you from hitting “the wall”. I think miles 18-21 are the worst on the course as I explained in the post.

 

[Dolce27]

I'm one of those who doesn't like the Clif Bloks and Sport Beans because they get stuck in my teeth. They taste better than Gu and Clif Shots though!

That hitting the wall thing sounds awful. I'm glad not everyone experiences it though.

You did great despite your injury! I can imagine the frustration you felt though, wanting to just RUN! I have had a few injuries over my first year of running and I've felt that frustration too. Why can't our bodies just do what we want them to do?!?! waaah!

You will meet your goal next year I bet!

I agree, who does our body think it is? Doesn’t it know that we control it. *sigh* Well, live and learn. About Cliff Blocks, I normally don’t care for things stuck in my teeth (really, who does?) but for the Cliff Blocks, it never seems to be stuck for long and since I like the taste, I don’t mind.

About the “wall”. I did have one of the runners working at the running store who told me that she fueled properly (or, at least, thought that she was fueling properly) and still hit the wall during her first marathon. I won’t hit high enough mileage again until November to have to worry about it for me. Hopefully I remain lucky and don’t have to deal with it. You’re right: it doesn’t sound like fun.

 

[Dolce27]

I really appreciate all the detail you've given! The full marathon is not necessarily something I am interested in at this point, but I am considering the half next year. Along with you and a few others on this thread, I don't consider myself athletic in the least. If I had written this 15 years ago, I could have said something different, but many, many, many years of little to no exercise have taken their toll. I don't enjoy exercise, so I've always preferred dieting to exercise for weight maintenance. Now that I'm in my 30s, I have realized that diet alone can't do it anymore, and I need to get in shape.

I HATE running. With a passion. It is the single most-disliked thing I can think of. Because of that, running a half marathon would not only be a physical challenge, but would also be a mental one. An emotional one. A psychological one. I would like to think of this a quarter-life crisis, and if this is the worst thing I can do shake up my life, then, well, good.

Sorry. I'm sure you weren't expecting to hear a total stranger give you all these details, but I just wanted to thank you for telling us your journey to get where you are today. Just out of curiosity, what do you do when you're *not* training? I realize that you're always sorta training, but how is your routine different when you have a race coming up and when you don't?

Also, do you have favorite gear? I know you gave us a link to those really funny shirts (If I do this, I am SO getting the "This sounded good 6 months ago" shirt!) and the aids, but what about other gear? Like clothing, shoes, accessories? By accessories, I mean things like something to maybe keep your keys and things in while you run. Unless you ran near your home, I would imagine you would have at least keys with you, if not maybe even money, ID, cell phone, a key card to a gym, etc. I've always wondered where runners put things like that when they're running. I did a few short runs this week, and one day I wore my iPhone on my hip to use as an iPod. It was so annoying! It pulled my pants down, and it flopped some and was just generally irritating. I know you said you didn't use an iPod during training, but I would still think you might need a "holder" for other items you might have with you. I just wondered if you had any recommendations.

I will stop here, but again, I really appreciate you writing this journal. It was very helpful!

Good luck on your training for the half! (I ignored the “considering” part) I used to say that ‘I hate running’. But, now that I’ve actually learned how to run – I really do enjoy it. I could never be a sprinter. Ever. But I do enjoy distance. Not necessarily a lot of 26.2 mile distance, but I could easily do a 10 miler each week-end now and enjoy it.
Curious: how far into your 30’s are you? I turned 31 the week before the marathon and joked that I was running the marathon for my b-day. None of my friends are runners. One would just shake her head at me and say ‘Only you would run 26 miles for your birthday.’ So, I didn’t become a ‘runner’ until I was 30 years old.

As for training now: What I’m doing now is developing a routine since I didn’t run before I began my marathon training. Currently I can’t run due to my injury. I hate this. I haven’t ran since the marathon. I’m going to see a specialist about my leg on Thursday to determine the severity of my injury and what needs to be done about it (praying no surgery!). I think that it wasn’t a serious injury to start out with but since I was a month out from the marathon and determined to complete the marathon, I may have pushed the injury too far with my continued training. I’m still having some pain in my leg and, as I just said, I haven’t ran in almost two weeks. I can do things such as climb and descend stairs but the continued pain that I’m feeling in my IT band has me seriously concerned that I’m going to have a rough time getting over this injury. What my current off-training plans are:

Yoga, Pilates and light lower weight training. I should have been doing this from the start. All are very beneficial to runners and can help to prevent injury. I’m trying to do this about 4 -5 days/week.

If I were running, I’d just be doing low miles about three times a week right now such as 3,3,6 and then work up to maybe a 5,5,10 until I’m ready to start building up for the 2011 marathon. I’m no expert on running or training. I read what I can and then figure out what my body takes to.

As for running gear: go to a running store and be fitted for a running shoe. VERY important. The sales consultants are trained to fit a shoe to your foot. Wearing the wrong shoe can cause injury. What they’ll do is ask you to take off your shoes and walk for them barefoot. Then they’ll ask for you to jog for them barefoot. Next they’ll come out with a few different shoes for you to try on. The shoes are 1/2 size larger than what you’ll normally wear- your foot swells when you run. Then they’ll have you run in the shoe and ask you questions about how you feel in the shoe. Different shoes are made for different ways people’s foot strikes the ground. We all run differently and this is what the shoe person is looking for.

As for carrying stuff on me: I can’t wear things around my waist. Drives me nuts! I did have one thing around my waste for the marathon and that was only large enough to hold my cliff shot blocks. The style was similar to this Slim Pocket Race Number Belt http://www.fuelbelt.com/accessories/race.html but it wasn’t a race number belt and was intended to hold things such as the Cliff blocks. That worked, but only that. As for ID, ect.. scroll down the page, next to the bottom, the Shoe Pocket: http://www.fuelbelt.com/accessories/pockets.html#shoe I wear that on one of my shoes and it holds my ID, credit cards, ect… As for car keys, during the summer months I ran in wicking capris that had a pocket and my keys never bothered me in my pocket. During the winter months, it was always cold enough to wear my light wicking running jacket (that I wore in the marathon) and I’d keep my keys in that pocket as my running pants didn’t have pockets. Again, never a bother to me. Iphone. I didn’t carry it during the summer months. I was in a park that was populated and family–orientated, surrounded by upper-scale housing divisions. I felt safe and often would only have to yell if I needed help. After the time change, I changed running locations and I wanted my iPhone on me for safety reasons as I was running in the dark. At Best Buy I found an IPod Arm band. I couldn’t find one like this at the Apple store. What made this different from what I’ve seen sold at the Apple store is there isn’t a plastic cover over the front. I have one iPod armband with a plastic cover over the front that I used with my iPod Nano while doing the C25k program. What would happen is when I sweated, sweat would get trapped in there with the Nano. The Nano was completely enclosed and the moisture was trapped and it began missing up my Nano. With this one found at Best Buy, there wasn’t a plastic cover on the front and it allowed more ‘breathing’ room for the iPod (or in my case, iPhone). So, I ran with the iPhone strapped to the upper back of my left arm.

As I mentioned in my first post, you’ll want to begin working on your “running” wardrobe and purchase a wicking t-shirt or a tech shirt to wear. Doing maybe 2 – 3 miles in a cotton shirt will be fine but when you begin building on miles, you don’t want to wear cotton to run. Also, something else that you’ll find at running stores, Body Glide. It looks like a stick of deodorant. You put it anywhere that you might chafe. Also, I put it on my feet. I’ve never had a blister. You also need running socks. The combination of running socks (also found at running stores) and Body Glide should keep you blister free – or at least it did me!

 

[carissanboys]

Hello! Thanks for the link to your TR. I'll be back later to read.

 

[carissanboys]

Just finished reading. Thank you for adding so many details about your training and the marathon! Not all of it even makes sense to me right now as I'm just starting out, but I'm sure I'll be returning to this thread as I learn more and my running journey continues.

And for the record, I've always enjoyed walking alone so I imagine running will be the same for me. Being a homeschooling mom to three boys with a husband gone a lot, I cherish my alone time. It's meditation for me.

 

[oceanrose]

Thank you for this TR! I am considering the WDW marathon in 2011, and I have never run before. so this is a great guideline for me!!

 

[zoegirl]

Dolce, it's so funny that you talk about people hitting the wall after running through AK. Every time I have run the race I hit the proverbial wall in the AK parking lot and it stays with me until I hit that sidewalk right outside the DS. I know it's not hydration or nutrition or even proper training, for me it was completely mental. My DH always meets me in the AK parking lot with an ice cold (b/c it's usually hot during the race so water stations serve warm water & power aid.....yuck) grape gatorade. Knowing I'm going to see him gives me something to look forward to and run towards, and also you usually see Safari Mickey & Minnie right there which is such a cool moment and so exciting b/c I'm getting so tired at mile 19/20 . When I leave that area I always felt so let down and alone . Seems like when I would hit the Boardwalk I would perk up b/c the end was so near. I never thought of that tunnel in DS as the tunnel of doom. i always thought it was cool to look at the costumes hanging up and there were usually a few seamstresses working that would wave as we ran by. Now that overpass you were talking about? I'm one of the ones that think it's a killer. Seems like we're running on a flat surface for most of the race and that hill comes towards the end so for me it was murder on my hamstrings. The out and back wasn't too bad. I would usually keep a look out for other W.I.S.H.ers so that kept my mind occupied.
Reading your story has taken me back......thanks again for sharing with us.

I hope that your drs visit goes well and that the problems you're having are not too serious that you can't recover quickly.

 

[eyor44]

Hey Dolce
Wonderful report! I have only read about 1/2 so far, but excellant advice you are giving out.

One thing I have to thank you for is when you posted your 1/2 marathon on the other thread. All I had heard prior to that was hydrate, hydrate and then you posted your experience with too much hydrating. I remembered what you said and was very careful to follow what I had done during my training and not deviate from it. Thank you so much for the information.

I will read the rest tomorrow.

 

[Pongo53]

Dolce, what a wonderful account of the marathon. Thank you so much!

I concur regarding Spaceship earth. I ran my first Marathon at the Disney this year, and every time I turned around it seemed I was at Epcot. I too thought the hot air balloon on the way to WDW parking was Spaceship Earth yet again, and it almost killed my spirit. I really wanted to get to Main Street USA so much, and feared I had to endure Epcot once more. (Is it true that Epcot stands for 'Everyone Pleads, "Cancel Our Tickets'"? or "Empty Promises Cannot Obfuscate Truth"?) Anyway, I finally figured out that the real Spaceship Earth does not have Mickey's arm protruding from it or a large fire underneath it, and settled in for the approach to WDW.

I'm so sorry you had the ITB kick in. I had that on my long runs in early December, and knew I'd be done for if it happened in the race. There is just no going on once it starts. I can't believe you were able to speedwalk to the end. Great work and determination!

BTW, we are from Texas, too, Houston actually, and ran the Disney instead of the Houston which was one week later. Houston had perfect weather and the top six men all beat the course record.

You know all too well the weather we had, but for all that it was fun and we made it, but I wish Mickey had worked a little magic--my wife was borderline hypothermia after finishing and no warm tents, no real shelter at all. Her shivering just would not stop.

Also, since it was our first marathon, we started in a general corral, and while it did not hurt my pace--I was just trying to finish and did so in 5:20. But starting with loads of walkers in front really hurt my wife's run, holding her way back at the start from what she normally does. We plan on getting a time on a fast course so that she can start in a front corral next year.

She's running the Princess, I'll have to check if that time will count for a marathon corral.

I'm going to reread your posts tomorrow or so, and see if I need to add any more comments. Thanks again for our post!

 

[aharbin88]

Good luck on your training for the half! (I ignored the “considering” part) I used to say that ‘I hate running’. But, now that I’ve actually learned how to run – I really do enjoy it. I could never be a sprinter. Ever. But I do enjoy distance. Not necessarily a lot of 26.2 mile distance, but I could easily do a 10 miler each week-end now and enjoy it.

That is what I want to be able to say: I enjoy it. Right now I don't. After starting to run recently, I have learned that it's not my muscles holding me back, it's my cardio stamina. I'm doing some form of cardio almost every day to try to build up some endurance. I feel that once I get the huffing and puffing out of the way, I will enjoy it more than I do now. I do see that running definitely clears your mind. Despite the fact that I'm cursing myself for doing this the whole time I'm running, I also realize that it's very peaceful.

Curious: how far into your 30’s are you? I turned 31 the week before the marathon and joked that I was running the marathon for my b-day. None of my friends are runners. One would just shake her head at me and say ‘Only you would run 26 miles for your birthday.’ So, I didn’t become a ‘runner’ until I was 30 years old.

30? Did I say 30? I meant 29. I'll be celebrating 29 for the 3rd time this year.

As for training now: What I’m doing now is developing a routine since I didn’t run before I began my marathon training. Currently I can’t run due to my injury.

Yoga, Pilates and light lower weight training. I should have been doing this from the start. All are very beneficial to runners and can help to prevent injury. I’m trying to do this about 4 -5 days/week.

If I were running, I’d just be doing low miles about three times a week right now such as 3,3,6 and then work up to maybe a 5,5,10 until I’m ready to start building up for the 2011 marathon. I’m no expert on running or training. I read what I can and then figure out what my body takes to.

I'm glad you mention yoga and Pilates. Those are the time of exercises that I actually enjoy. I have done those regularly in the past, so I feel confident that I can incorporate those into a running regimen.

Now, here's where my running ignorance comes in. I know you're not running now, but you recently ran a marathon. That makes me think that you could "easily" start running higher miles right off the bat. Why start at 3,3,6? Is it because you haven't ran? Or do most people cut their mileage way down after marathons?

Will you run other races this year? Like 5Ks, 10Ks, halves?

What training books would you recommend?

As for running gear: go to a running store and be fitted for a running shoe. VERY important. The sales consultants are trained to fit a shoe to your foot. Wearing the wrong shoe can cause injury. What they’ll do is ask you to take off your shoes and walk for them barefoot. Then they’ll ask for you to jog for them barefoot. Next they’ll come out with a few different shoes for you to try on. The shoes are 1/2 size larger than what you’ll normally wear- your foot swells when you run. Then they’ll have you run in the shoe and ask you questions about how you feel in the shoe. Different shoes are made for different ways people’s foot strikes the ground. We all run differently and this is what the shoe person is looking for.

As for carrying stuff on me: I can’t wear things around my waist. Drives me nuts! I did have one thing around my waste for the marathon and that was only large enough to hold my cliff shot blocks. The style was similar to this Slim Pocket Race Number Belt http://www.fuelbelt.com/accessories/race.html but it wasn’t a race number belt and was intended to hold things such as the Cliff blocks. That worked, but only that. As for ID, ect.. scroll down the page, next to the bottom, the Shoe Pocket: http://www.fuelbelt.com/accessories/pockets.html#shoe I wear that on one of my shoes and it holds my ID, credit cards, ect… As for car keys, during the summer months I ran in wicking capris that had a pocket and my keys never bothered me in my pocket. During the winter months, it was always cold enough to wear my light wicking running jacket (that I wore in the marathon) and I’d keep my keys in that pocket as my running pants didn’t have pockets. Again, never a bother to me. Iphone. I didn’t carry it during the summer months. I was in a park that was populated and family–orientated, surrounded by upper-scale housing divisions. I felt safe and often would only have to yell if I needed help. After the time change, I changed running locations and I wanted my iPhone on me for safety reasons as I was running in the dark. At Best Buy I found an IPod Arm band. I couldn’t find one like this at the Apple store. What made this different from what I’ve seen sold at the Apple store is there isn’t a plastic cover over the front. I have one iPod armband with a plastic cover over the front that I used with my iPod Nano while doing the C25k program. What would happen is when I sweated, sweat would get trapped in there with the Nano. The Nano was completely enclosed and the moisture was trapped and it began missing up my Nano. With this one found at Best Buy, there wasn’t a plastic cover on the front and it allowed more ‘breathing’ room for the iPod (or in my case, iPhone). So, I ran with the iPhone strapped to the upper back of my left arm.

As I mentioned in my first post, you’ll want to begin working on your “running” wardrobe and purchase a wicking t-shirt or a tech shirt to wear. Doing maybe 2 – 3 miles in a cotton shirt will be fine but when you begin building on miles, you don’t want to wear cotton to run. Also, something else that you’ll find at running stores, Body Glide. It looks like a stick of deodorant. You put it anywhere that you might chafe. Also, I put it on my feet. I’ve never had a blister. You also need running socks. The combination of running socks (also found at running stores) and Body Glide should keep you blister free – or at least it did me!

This is great info. I know I need better shoes, but I am going to hold off a bit to make sure I stick with it before I make the investment.

Sooo, chafing, huh? This running thing is looking more and more appealing.

I know this is a delicate question, but where should I be worried about that? The things that come to mind are places where your clothing could be tight against your skin and start rubbing (your bra, your shorts/pants, heels of your shoes). Maybe where my upper thighs touch scared1:). Is there some other place that I haven't thought of? Or is this just a lesson that I'm going to have to learn on my own? Meaning, what bothers me might not have bothered you, and vice versa.
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I downloaded a C25K app, but I haven't started that one. I have been using another running app that was similar to it, but not exactly the same. I live near the bulls-eye of this winter storm that's hitting the South, so I hope to give the C25K a trial run once we thaw out. I'll let you know how it goes! Thank you so much for your advice!

 

[Dolce27]

Just finished reading. Thank you for adding so many details about your training and the marathon! Not all of it even makes sense to me right now as I'm just starting out, but I'm sure I'll be returning to this thread as I learn more and my running journey continues.

And for the record, I've always enjoyed walking alone so I imagine running will be the same for me. Being a homeschooling mom to three boys with a husband gone a lot, I cherish my alone time. It's meditation for me.

I promise that it will begin making sense to you soon. Good luck with your training and yeah, I bet that you will enjoy running alone if you enjoy walking alone. Some people need to run with others while some are fine going out solo. There isn't anything wrong with training either way.

Thank you for this TR! I am considering the WDW marathon in 2011, and I have never run before. so this is a great guideline for me!!

Good luck to you and your training! I can't wait to see you there!

Dolce, it's so funny that you talk about people hitting the wall after running through AK. Every time I have run the race I hit the proverbial wall in the AK parking lot and it stays with me until I hit that sidewalk right outside the DS. I know it's not hydration or nutrition or even proper training, for me it was completely mental. My DH always meets me in the AK parking lot with an ice cold (b/c it's usually hot during the race so water stations serve warm water & power aid.....yuck) grape gatorade. Knowing I'm going to see him gives me something to look forward to and run towards, and also you usually see Safari Mickey & Minnie right there which is such a cool moment and so exciting b/c I'm getting so tired at mile 19/20 . When I leave that area I always felt so let down and alone . Seems like when I would hit the Boardwalk I would perk up b/c the end was so near. I never thought of that tunnel in DS as the tunnel of doom. i always thought it was cool to look at the costumes hanging up and there were usually a few seamstresses working that would wave as we ran by. Now that overpass you were talking about? I'm one of the ones that think it's a killer. Seems like we're running on a flat surface for most of the race and that hill comes towards the end so for me it was murder on my hamstrings. The out and back wasn't too bad. I would usually keep a look out for other W.I.S.H.ers so that kept my mind occupied.
Reading your story has taken me back......thanks again for sharing with us.

I hope that your drs visit goes well and that the problems you're having are not too serious that you can't recover quickly.

Yep. Just something about that stretch outside of the AK. I think it's a problem for most people. I think if you've trained properly and are fueling properly, it becomes a mental problem. (It just seems so endless and boring in comparison to the rest of the course) I think if you haven't trained properly and/or fueled properly you'll have physical problem's through there as well since that's hitting the milage where lots of people may hit the wall. That's really sweet of your husband to be there in that area for you as support.

The Tunnel of Doom: Maybe I won't think of it as that next year if it's normal weather. I just recalled this one couple, whose TR I read, had mental problems through there and when I went through... I could see it. No one was working inside when I went through. It took me longer to pass walking injured vs running through. It's just kind of dark inside and if someone is having any mental problems with the course (you're in what? Mile 23 at that point?) I can see how that long stretch of darkness can be a mental issue.

The overpass. I did notice it. But walking, I was fine with it. Running it, it's going to be a pain in the ... at that point. I was surprised that it was just a gradual incline as when reading people's TR's, I expected this huge curved overpass that you had to use your glutes to climb, ect.. I was surprised to see that no, it's just a gradual, straight incline that when you're tired and beginning to hit that # of miles, it's one that is really going to drag you down. It was that type of constant gradual incline that caused my IT band injury during that 18.3 mile training run. Like 80% of my run that day was just like that AK overpass - picture me running back and forth on that overpass for 3 hours and voila! Injured. (Update on my injury in a minute)

I hope that you get a chance to come back and run for 2011.

 

[Dolce27]

Hey Dolce
Wonderful report! I have only read about 1/2 so far, but excellant advice you are giving out.

One thing I have to thank you for is when you posted your 1/2 marathon on the other thread. All I had heard prior to that was hydrate, hydrate and then you posted your experience with too much hydrating. I remembered what you said and was very careful to follow what I had done during my training and not deviate from it. Thank you so much for the information.

I will read the rest tomorrow.

Hey, girl! I'm glad that I'd been able to help you out with that info for the half this year. And you did great on the half!

Dolce, what a wonderful account of the marathon. Thank you so much!

I concur regarding Spaceship earth. I ran my first Marathon at the Disney this year, and every time I turned around it seemed I was at Epcot. I too thought the hot air balloon on the way to WDW parking was Spaceship Earth yet again, and it almost killed my spirit. I really wanted to get to Main Street USA so much, and feared I had to endure Epcot once more. (Is it true that Epcot stands for 'Everyone Pleads, "Cancel Our Tickets'"? or "Empty Promises Cannot Obfuscate Truth"?) Anyway, I finally figured out that the real Spaceship Earth does not have Mickey's arm protruding from it or a large fire underneath it, and settled in for the approach to WDW.

I'm so sorry you had the ITB kick in. I had that on my long runs in early December, and knew I'd be done for if it happened in the race. There is just no going on once it starts. I can't believe you were able to speedwalk to the end. Great work and determination!

BTW, we are from Texas, too, Houston actually, and ran the Disney instead of the Houston which was one week later. Houston had perfect weather and the top six men all beat the course record.

You know all too well the weather we had, but for all that it was fun and we made it, but I wish Mickey had worked a little magic--my wife was borderline hypothermia after finishing and no warm tents, no real shelter at all. Her shivering just would not stop.

Also, since it was our first marathon, we started in a general corral, and while it did not hurt my pace--I was just trying to finish and did so in 5:20. But starting with loads of walkers in front really hurt my wife's run, holding her way back at the start from what she normally does. We plan on getting a time on a fast course so that she can start in a front corral next year.

She's running the Princess, I'll have to check if that time will count for a marathon corral.

I'm going to reread your posts tomorrow or so, and see if I need to add any more comments. Thanks again for our post!

Oh, wow! I'm sorry to hear about your wife's condition! I was wondering how everyone who had to stand out in the could for a couple of hours (before the race even stared) did when I was out in it for only 30 minutes (b/c of my access to the race retreat tent) and I couldn't feel my feet for the first two miles in. I'm assuming that standing around at the beginning had something to do with her body temp being so off-kilter? Once you start running, you usually warm up pretty quick.

I was lucky enough that the temp in the Dallas area had been in 30's for a few weeks going into the marathon and, in fact, it was in the teens while I was at Disney. I did my last long training runs in the 30 degree temp's and I already had a good idea for how I needed to dress for that weather, ect... Down in Houston, you guys have a much hotter and humid climate than we do in Dallas. Normally your Houston climate would be more suited for training for a FL marathon but this year proved to be an exception. After my first two miles in, I was warmed-up and fine. Even walking the last half I was doing good body temp wise except for that one stretch where my hands were ice cold and I couldn't warm them for anything. I even had my running jacket partly un-zipped as I crossed the Finish Line.

I hope that the 2011 will be warmer - but not hot! I think starting out in the upper 30's - low 40's and ending in the upper 50's would be decent running weather.

That hot air balloon! I think that was a cruel trick! I was never at an angle to see the protruding Mickey's arm until I was close on it. Had I seen that from the beginning, I would have been 'Wait a minute!' Nope, it wasn't until I was close to it that I finally realized that a) it was shrinking in size and no longer as big as the real SE and 2) there was a Mickey's arm on it when the real SE no longer had one. It was then that I was finally close enough to see the basket and all. It was a moment and I was thankful that I wasn't going insane!

As for corral placement: If your wife can get a good time in the Princess, then yes, she can submit it to move-up for the 2011 full-marathon. I will not be able to use this year's 2010 full-marathon time to sign-up for the 2011. Because I had to walk 1/2 of the course injured, my time was bad. I came in at 5:50:something. Had I run the entire thing, per my training, I expected to come in at around 4:10. Huuuuge difference for my capabilities to complete a marathon vs what I actually did due to injury. I'll be running the Dallas Running Club's 1/2 marathon again this Nov and will use my time from that race to submit to Disney in order to bump me back out of the general corral (which I'll have to sign-up for now) and into (hopefully) corral B. Since I have all year to train, and now I'm an established runner, I'm going to work on speed drills. My goal is to try to avg out for a 9 mile/minute pace for the 2011 marathon which should get me in just under the 4 hour mark.

Back to that- you can do any half marathon this year and submit to Disney for the 2011 to get bumped up if your time is good enough for you to be bumped out of the general corral.

 

[Dolce27]

That is what I want to be able to say: I enjoy it. Right now I don't. After starting to run recently, I have learned that it's not my muscles holding me back, it's my cardio stamina. I'm doing some form of cardio almost every day to try to build up some endurance. I feel that once I get the huffing and puffing out of the way, I will enjoy it more than I do now. I do see that running definitely clears your mind. Despite the fact that I'm cursing myself for doing this the whole time I'm running, I also realize that it's very peaceful.

As for the love to run: check that you're not going out too fast. Running gets old quick if you're starting out too fast and burning out. When I'm at the right pace for me, I can relax, I'm not breathing hard and I can enjoy the sights around me and think. If I'm trying to run too fast, I'm already having labored breathing one mile in and I can't focus on anything but the run.

Back off on your pace. You'll naturally pick-up your pace w/o speed-work the longer you run. Do this: Go out to a marked trail/path/whatever. Take a stopwatch. Start the stopwatch at mile 1 and then hide it from your sight.

Don't at it for anything.

Begin running and work to keep at a pace that you feel comfortable at. If your breathing starts to become labored, back off. Run as far as you can and hopefully you'll be able to stop on a mile marker. If you can only do 1 mile at this point, that's fine. Try to get to mile two if you can at this point. Then stop and look at the stopwatch. If you've only done 1 mile, than that's your current pace. If you've done two or more miles, toss that time into an online pace calculator like the one found here: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/4/4_1/96.shtml That will give you your avg pace. As a new runner, don't worry about speed work yet. Just worry about learning to run distance. Keep at this pace and go from there.

Two of the things that I learned this past year as a new runner: 1) The longer I ran, I naturally picked my pace for shorter runs. I can now do what? 3 - 4 miles at a 8 1/2 minute pace before burning out and I had to teach myself to start out at my normal pace of 9'1 - 9'3. 9'3 was my body's comfortable pace when I first began learning how to run. 2) The higher mileage your run, you'll have to slow your natural pace down a little bit. Mine didn't slow down much, but - I don't know - maybe once I was hitting 15 mile or more runs, I was slowing down at the beginning to save energy for that high of milage.

This is something that you have to figure out and learn as part of your training. Now that my body is trained for distance, I'm going to focus on some speed work this year but first you just need to focus on training for distance.

30? Did I say 30? I meant 29. I'll be celebrating 29 for the 3rd time this year.

I guess that I'll admit to having passed 29. People for some crazy reason think that I'm still in my early 20's confused3 I don't see it but if they're crazy enough to believe it... who am I to argue) At the age of 27 I planned a huge 30 b-day at Disney. 11 days at the Boardwalk Inn, Illuminations cruise, the whole works! I decided if I'm turning 30, it darn well was going to be at the Happiest Place on Earth (similar philosophy to this marathon Jan 10: If I'm running 26.2 miles, it's darn well going to be at the Happiest Place on Earth! ) So, in a weird way, I was looking forward to my 30th b-day because it was a huge bash that I saved up to spend lots of $$$ on at Disney. But no one told me about 31! You mean, my age continues to climb past 30?! And I don't even want to think about 32 at the end of this year. Going off to cry now....

I'm glad you mention yoga and Pilates. Those are the time of exercises that I actually enjoy. I have done those regularly in the past, so I feel confident that I can incorporate those into a running regimen.

VERY important for a runner to strengthen and stabilize their core. My biggest mistake. Going into my training last August, I had good intentions of doing both on my non-running days as cross-training. But, running four times/week, working a full-time job, ect... guess what I always talked myself out of doing? Big mistake.

Now, here's where my running ignorance comes in. I know you're not running now, but you recently ran a marathon. That makes me think that you could "easily" start running higher miles right off the bat. Why start at 3,3,6? Is it because you haven't ran? Or do most people cut their mileage way down after marathons?

I just tossed those miles out as a starting point for me. I'm currently in off-season since I'm not training for anything at this moment. The official 2011 marathon training will not start until 16 weeks out from the marathon. After you do a marathon, you're supposed to take a week or so off from running to allow your body recovery and then slowly get back in. Here's the thing about double-digit runs: they're tough on the body. Almost all (there are a few exceptions) marathon training plans have you only train up to mile 20 before you taper. You don't run the 26 miles until race day.

I was reading an article on Runners World and the reason for this: All runs over (I think they said) 16 miles seriously increases your chance of injury. That high of miles is really rough on the body. Now, people do it all the time. I can direct you to a website with some seriously hard-core runners that constantly do 20-something mile runs.

I have no desire to be that hard-core of a runner. I enjoy running now and I want keep it up for both the mental physical rewards that it brings. But, unless I'm training for a marathon, I don't expect to run anything more than 10 miles on a week-end for a long run and 4 -6 miles for a week-day run. I'll be running just to keep fit and conditioned, not to build for a long distance race.

Now that I'm off running, injured: Yes, I'll have to start out with really low miles to build back up. I've now been off running 2 weeks (tomorrow) and am losing my conditioning. It's going to be another 2 -3 weeks before I'll be allowed to run again (more about that in a minute). 8 - 10 mile runs is nothing to me now, either physically or mentally. I think (but still a newbie runner here) that will help me to maintain a strong base so that I'll easily be able to build back up next August when I switch back into a marathon training schedule but not be too tough on my body. I'm still learning what all works for my body.

Will you run other races this year? Like 5Ks, 10Ks, halves?

I plan to do a 1/2 marathon again this Nov and I will need that time for corral placement for the 2011 Disney Marathon. I also plan to run the Dallas Turkey Trot in Nov. It's the largest Turkey Trot in the nation. I believe there were close to 40k running it this last Nov. You have the option to run a 5k or the 8 mile. I ran the 8 mile with chipped time last November. I might see about a couple of 5k's this fall. I don't have any desire to run anything in Texas summers. Originally I wanted to do the new Rock n' Roll 1/2 this March. It's the inaugural but two things are preventing me from doing that: 1) I'm injured and can't train right now 2) It's on March 14 and I work for a CPA firm. March 15 is a major tax deadline and I can promise you that on Sunday, March 14, I will be at work. Actually, about 5 of us at work wanted to run this 1/2. Why can't the IRS be accommodating and move that stupid deadline for us?? (mean government! )

What training books would you recommend?

Really, the only thing I read was 'Run Your First Marathon: Everything You Need to Know to Make It to the Finish Line' by Grete Waitz (she's won the NYC marathon numerous times). Most of my info came from internet research. Also, one of the partners at my firm is a runner. She's done full-marathons but now sticks primarily to 1/2 marathons. She's also mentored people in full-marathons before so when I have a new training idea or need advice on how my training is going, I'll run thing past her.

This is great info. I know I need better shoes, but I am going to hold off a bit to make sure I stick with it before I make the investment.

Shoes are IMPORTANT! Seriously, the wrong shoe can cause you injury. Don't train too far before being properly fitted. My first shoes that I was fitted for were Nikes and they were under 100.00. Shoes should be #1 on your list for running.

This running thing is looking more and more appealing.

I promise! It's not so bad! If I can do it, I promise that you can do it!

I know this is a delicate question, but where should I be worried about that? The things that come to mind are places where your clothing could be tight against your skin and start rubbing (your bra, your shorts/pants, heels of your shoes). Maybe where my upper thighs touch scared1:). Is there some other place that I haven't thought of? Or is this just a lesson that I'm going to have to learn on my own? Meaning, what bothers me might not have bothered you, and vice versa.

It's different for everyone. You'll figure it out fast - I promise! When I first started - and I was only at the 3 mile range at this point - I had problems with this one area that my sports bra was rubbing at (it was the strap area) and also on underside of one arm. I'd put bodyglide there but after awhile, those spots no longer bothered me. Primarily, I use it for my feet. It's prevented me from getting blisters. I put it all over my feet and heels and up toward my ankles and I only run in wicking socks that I purchase at the running store. Blisters can knock you out of running.

NOW -for a bit more "delicate" info that some readers might want to skip... (I'll let you know when you can read again)....


*****

There's one guy on this board who is a runner. I was looking at his WISH journal. He has chafing in a very awkward area for him that he spoke of specifically in his journal. I do advise him to purchase some bodyglide. I'm not a guy and that just sounded painful.

Your butt checks.. yes, that's another problem area. And it will cause blood. There are two options: only run in compression underwear or shorts/tights where you're not wearing normal underwear. Armour (Under Armour - http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens <--link to their website. Search for the underwear section. I'm not going to directly link to that.) has underwear designed for running that should help prevent chafing. You will get wedgies from running distance and that will create chafing. I ran in non-compression running capris and running pants for training (but I ran in compression tights for the actual marathon) so I had to wear regular underwear. Buying a second thing of bodyglide designated for that one spot - and only that one spot - was cheaper than buying a few pairs of the expensive Armor underwear. *ahemI.renamed.it.buttglide.ahem*


***

Finished with the TMI for those that wanted to skip reading that part.

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I downloaded a C25K app, but I haven't started that one. I have been using another running app that was similar to it, but not exactly the same. I live near the bulls-eye of this winter storm that's hitting the South, so I hope to give the C25K a trial run once we thaw out. I'll let you know how it goes! Thank you so much for your advice!

I used the C25k podcasts as it helped for someone to tell me when to run and when to walk vs trying to track that myself on a watch or stopwatch. Good luck to you with the program. It worked for me. Like I said, work on your pace. The huffing and puffing is probably just that you're a newbie and you haven't learned how to control your pace yet. You'll do fine. I promise! I expect to see you at Disney for 2011