Goofy Support Group (AKA Goofy Challenge 2010)

[timmac]

Been too long since I've checked in on this thread!

This week was my last "hard week" of training for a while.

Sunday: 11 miles at hard (better than HM) pace
Monday: 4 miles
Tuesday: Cross training
Wednesday: 8 miles
Thursday: 18 miles
Today: rest

I'm now 15 days out from showtime at the NH marathon. Probably have one more middle-distance run between now and then, with a few shorter fun runs just to keep moving, but nothing too strenuous.

Was planning on doing the Bay State Sun Half Marathon in October with a friend of mine, however, she informed me this morning that registration is already full! Bummer, right? Well, out of bummer comes something even better apparently.

Now, I was also planning on running the Manchester NH marathon in Nov, and suggested that she might might want to do the half there instead. After some thinking and discussion, it occurred to me this might be an awesome opportunity to do the marathon relay, each of us doing a half! Since this is obviously a great idea, we're pretty psyched now!

I'm waiting for a response from the race director, since the web site doesn't specifically mention it, but I'm hoping to register both as the first half of the relay, and as an individual... that way I can hand off the bracelet, but still finish out the remainder of the race, best of both worlds.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Reporting in: W4D5 Goofy training

50 min biking at the gym - done!

timmac - DH and I are doing the Manchester half on Nov 1st. Have you done it before? The race website says the course is hilly and challenging......

off to check FB before making it an early night to bed. Six miles scheduled for tomorrow, followed by a massive amount of xt (laundry and cleaning out a spare bedroom).

Take care everyone.

 

[timmac]

timmac - DH and I are doing the Manchester half on Nov 1st. Have you done it before? The race website says the course is hilly and challenging......

I haven't yet done it, so we'll see how it goes. Knowing the area very well though, I have a pretty good idea where the worst hills are... I'm thinking miles 7-8 on the far east might be troublesome, then mile 15ish heading towards Goffstown. Other than that, I'm not too concerned, really. Hills are part of running... can't fight 'em, just gotta run 'em. Look forward to seeing you there!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

A little over 4.5 miles on the TM today. Starting each mile with 2 minutes running then the balance at mph. So, my mile time was averaged about 13.5 minutes. I did that for 4 miles--the rest was warm-up/cool down.

After catching my breath I headed out to the gym for the leg press and a bit of strength training. It may have been a mistake to do the presses after the TM. My legs were a bit wobbly, even on the first set, and I had to drop the weight from 90 pounds to 70 pounds. The rest of the strength training went pretty well--though admittedly I left my poor legs alone!

Debra-glad you found a balance that makes your knee happy. Don't push it. Slow and steady and your pace, not the pain will return. Good luck to your DOOD (Dude?!) and his Ultra.

Pat-- XT=laundry & cleaning. Thanks for the laugh!!

 

[Hockeychic]

Hey everyone!!!!

Todays 4M is done and in the bag. 6M on for tomorrow.

How you all doing.

 

[Duanerice]

Hi All,
Hope everyone is doing well.

Had a tough 2 days. Last night was the first hill run. I use a bridge in town because everything is so flat. It is about 2 miles over and back. Going over is real steep, coming back is a longer rise but not as steep. Problem is I went at 5:30 pm. Brutally hot and humid with no shade.

Went out late today. Didn't get out until 7:45 am. My legs were jelly. Not used to running hills I guess At 2 miles I was ready to quit. REALLY ready at 5 miles as I ran past my car. Stopped and had some G2 and really thought about bagging the run. Couldn't do it. Yea I was hot, but it was not a dangerous hot. I have stopped running because it felt medically dangerous. Those in the hotter climates know what i am talking about.

Anyway I made it. Walked a bit and I never do that but I was going to finish. Even used the kids area at the park where they have all those water toys. Just stuck my head under there for a few minutes. What a difference that made.

Anyway, glad I finished. Not a run to be proud of time wise but I am glad I finished.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[chimera]

Duane...I feel your pain, or at least your heat/humidity.

5 yesterday, 9 this morning. Not fabulous, not terrible. DH and I were talking about the first year I trained for the half (2005). When I was getting up into the 8s and 10s, I needed a long nap and most of Saturday to recover. Now it's just part of the day.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Reporting in: W4D6 Goofy training.

Schedule called for 6 miles, but somehow DH and I ended up doing 7.15 instead. Oops!

 

[Maherae]

Yay! Week 4 of Goofy Training successfully completed!! Got the cycling done yesterday, and the TM done today.

DK/Debra, we'll be rooting for DOOD tomorrow!! Simply amazing!! Please try incorporating stretching your ankle several times throughout the day. Take care of it now, so it's not a bigger issue later!!

Christine, (much easier to type, btw!!) I can only DREAM of 90 pounds at this stage of my training!! You were wise to give your legs a rest!!
Duane, WTG!!! Goofy is going to be so much mental work, and you just put your nay saying brain in its place!! Proud of you!!!

Sarah, good to hear that you, too, are using your brain with your training!! Nap all you want right now..better a cold than something worse, like Christine says!

timmac, oh, I hope the race director gives the ok for your relay/full! Sounds like an interesting idea!

Everyone, let's keep pushing forward! A new week awaits us!! Anne

 

[syko]

Debra New rules where brought in this year, one of them was the wearing of shoes. As you are allowed to ram and tip over another chair they think that if you have shoes on then your feet will be protected......when I crashed my feet stayed in the chair.


Today I was doing really well 9 miles in 42 mins, then we heard a loung bang, and we had a flat in my DD's trailer. We did had not puncture kit, so to get back we put the side of the trailer with the flat on to my foot and I pushed all the way home.
My DH kepted trying to take the strain, but by him doing that it was harder for me, so in the end I just told him to be a stabilizer and let me do the work.....it was less painful!!!!!!
I still managed 9mph, so my final time was 18.5 miles in 1:54.

 

[tiberius]

Debra - By my experience the toughest part of a 3 loop ultra is going out for that 3rd loop. Good luck to you both for your runs!

As for me, today I did my longest bike ride ever, right around 60 miles. Tomorrow is just an ordinary long run.

 

[Maherae]

Wow, Richard! Great job!!
Syko..you are one tough team mate!! I think that should count as cross training, also!!

Anne

 

[Hockeychic]

Hi gang, just checking in with some training update.

Got in 6M today. 1:35 a little under marathon pace but we had 2 stops to stretch the shin splints I seem to deal with on and off, 1 potty break and 1 stop to help rescue a dog.... and it was extremely hot. Those are my excuses

Hope everyone had a great training day!!!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Kirstie-Louise-- Glad you and your daughter did not get hurt--well, other than the additional muscle strain.

Duane--way to hang in there. I am glad you know where the limits of danger lurk and do not flirt with them.

HockeyChic--Way to go on the 6 miles!! 4 MPH is my outdoor training time lately, although I do hope to add some running.

Weekend training went fine. 75 mins on TM yesterday doing an incline workout. I wanted to go for 100 mins, but I had to get to my son's football game.

Sunday is my typical long walk (outdoors) day, but I pretty much had a rest day today due to schedule conflicts. I did a 2 mile walk with a group of friends that was sponsored by our local Panera. I organized a team of 10 to help one friend who really needs some encouragement along the lines of fitness. I think he was pretty impressed that he finished--he told me he would not have been able to do it last year. Today was his birthday. I think we are likely to participate in events like this together in the future.

I had a thought today. I came across the bag I will use to check for after the races. The pattern on it is a bit unique, especially as compared to the bags many tend to use from the Expo. I was looking at the bag hoping it would be easily identified when the thought hit. Since I will be carrying my camera, I can take a picture of the bag before I drop it off. Then, when It comes time to retrieve it, I can show the picture to the volunteer who is nice enough to retrieve it. BTW I also take a picture of my luggage before I check it at the airport "just in case" I don't see it on the other end.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Apparently it's been a while since I checked in on this thread...

Tina - My 2008 Half buddy! You're doing Goofy this year! I'm still training with Galloway, so I'm following his plan until my marathon in Richmond on 11/14, then winging it until January.

Sarah - So glad you weren't seriously injured in your accident, but what a bummer about the car. Hope you recover quickly and are able to get back to training without any pain.

Syko - Congratulations on the return to training! Hope you get replacement parts soon.

Richard - Great job on the 60 mile bike ride. I'm in awe of all of you who do multiple sports. It's all I can do to train for just the running portion, although I do look at the bike longingly on occasion!

Duane - Good for you for recognizing when it was time to take it easy.

Anne - You are so amazing! When you decide to do this, you go all out. Cycling, cross training, what an athlete!

I can't report anything as impressive. DH and I took last week off, not intentionally, it just happened that way. Our LR with the group Saturday was a VERY HILLY 10 miles that was actually 11 miles. Did I mention that it was hilly? And I don't mean a couple of hills, I mean ALL hills, no flat sections AT ALL. If you haven't gotten the message yet... Usually the 10 mile runs don't bother me the next day, but when I got up this morning my calf muscles actually screamed at me. Did a 2 mile walk with the dogs this evening as a recovery, plus called it a B2B. Either 4 or 5 on tap for tomorrow - found a track we can use, so we're planning to head there after work.

Jackie

 

[Hockeychic]

Christine, great idea on the taking photos of luggage I travel alot and never thought of that....I would be that person going....ya um it is a black suitcase with wheels on it

Jackie: WTG on taking on the hills, DH and I are now adding hills, I know they say disney is a flat course but they fail to mention the overpasses I hate those things

Just finished W5D1. I had to move my training around this week. DS is doing his first full on Sunday so we have just taken out the Monday rest day and moved all the workouts forward a day...so no rest till Sunday.....when I will be cheering for DS and Vicky (bunnyfoo)

Have a great one all.

Kim

 

[DianeL]

5 yesterday, 9 this morning. Not fabulous, not terrible. DH and I were talking about the first year I trained for the half (2005). When I was getting up into the 8s and 10s, I needed a long nap and most of Saturday to recover. Now it's just part of the day.

MEL! That was me too! LOL How far we've all come huh? YAY all of us!!! Hope the 9 treated you well! Nice back to back!

Anne? You'll see me, I'm sure I'm just trying to have some running under my hydration belt so when that bus honks I can RUN!

Debra! How was DOOD's race?!?!?!? Hope you had a great weekend of training! I took care of being a slacker for the weekend! But I feel much better so back to the gym and the schedule today

Sara Rose! Wow! On the workout with the arm and I hope today finds you feeling better.

PAT! Love your consistent posting/training! Keep it up!!! I figure if Chris sees you posting he'll forget that I promised too Team Work Pat! You post and I'll slack LOL Ok enough with slacking I have a pile of work to do on this desk.

Later Gators!

 

[tiberius]

Richard - Great job on the 60 mile bike ride. I'm in awe of all of you who do multiple sports. It's all I can do to train for just the running portion, although I do look at the bike longingly on occasion!

Jackie - You know, there is something to be said for an exercise where you get to sit down and coast along every now and then. Although the good thing about swimming, biling and running is that the training for each one complements the others.

Anne - Thanks for the kind words.

 

[TnTsParty]

I had a thought today. I came across the bag I will use to check for after the races. The pattern on it is a bit unique, especially as compared to the bags many tend to use from the Expo. I was looking at the bag hoping it would be easily identified when the thought hit. Since I will be carrying my camera, I can take a picture of the bag before I drop it off. Then, when It comes time to retrieve it, I can show the picture to the volunteer who is nice enough to retrieve it. BTW I also take a picture of my luggage before I check it at the airport "just in case" I don't see it on the other end.

Just checking in - haven't been around lately but I have been putting in some training.

Christine Just saw this and wanted to post a reply - neat idea about taking a pic of your unique bag- good idea for the airport as well. The only problem with that at the Disney races (well the marathon in particular) I know last year they gave us a clear bag and you could ONLY check in stuff using that bag. I am not sure if its like that at every race or only the big marathon in January because I have never had to check a bag in besides at the marathon) the other times my DH held whatever I needed as he waited for me. So not sure if I helped or not - anyone else have a better answer on the checked bags?

 

[deekaypee]

Hello Goofy Guys & Gals!

Timmac: Wow, you've got a lot of hard and high-mileage miles in your training plan, as well as events between now and January. You're sure to be prepared. Also, kudos for you for contacting the RD about the Manchester NH. Hope it works out for you!

Pat: Oh, how I'd rather do 6 miles than your household-chores XT. Ewwww. And it sounds like you'd rather do 7.15.

Christine: Like you, I do my strength training after I run. And then I tend to be cautious on the weights. I still feel like I'm getting the benefit from the weight training, and I'm sure you are too! I love the story about you helping/inspiring your friend to do what he didn't think was possible (and in time for his birthday). You're one of those people who embody the WISH spirit!

Kim: Woo hoo on your b2b LSD. Thatta girl! And I'm particularly touched that you found time to rescue a dog AND keep within pace. I'm with you--dislike the overpasses. Not even the hill part, although I'm not fond of those either, but the sloped entrance/exit ramps.

Duane: I think you should be proud of doing your runs under those hot conditions, though, and for taking steps to ensure you did them safely.

Mel: Yay for your b2b and for seeing all the improvement you've made. Sometimes it's hard to see how far we've come. And a special to DH for helping you see what a warrior you are.

Anne: WTG with week 4! And...week, already? My, isn't time flying by! And I'm continually impressed with the variety in your training plan.

Kirstie-Louise:

...As you are allowed to ram and tip over another chair

Wow, oh wow, oh wow. That sounds dangerous. A whole new insight into the sport. You're one tough cookie--fast, too, from the sounds of it.

Richard: 60 miles. And is there anything like an ordinary long run? I'm waiting for mine....

Jackie: See..from my perspective, doing all hills as your LR IS impressive (if also a little crazy ). You're going to rock Richmond with such training!

Diane: Hmmm, I just can't see you as slacking. Especially since you're doing such a fabulous job cheering us all on! Not to mention your own training has been so consistent, with regular improvements!

As for me: Okay, so I finished my b2bs with no pain. I'm really working on the stretching--truly, Anne, I am! Also did some XT and weight training this weekend, so I'm feeling in a groove for the beginning of the week. Yay!

Mini-Ultra Report for DOOD
In the bigger news, for DOOD (yes, pronounced Dude), who's also doing the Dopey with me. Or at least on the same days.... He finished his first 50K ultra. Woo hoo. That's the good news.

The bad news is, there was some "slight" misrepresentation of the event. It was billed as a pavement and trail race that was friendly to both beginners and experienced ultramarathoners. Apparently, what they mean by pavement and trail was a 10% pavement/90% split. And what was friendly about the race? Well, the finishing time was 8 hours, and all the organizers and participants were very friendly....

The trails weren't really running trails--more like gullies, small ravines, paths overgrown and filled with roots, and monkey hills. Nothing like our local trails. And hills, lots and lots of steep hills everywhere. We knew something was up when a lot of the racers were wearing vertical running shirts. And the RDs give out an annual award to the "runner most injured on the course"--this year, a 25K participant broke a bone in his arm. Needless to say, this was NOT the race DOOD thought he'd signed up for, and he hadn't trained for this kind of trail/running challenge. Nor had he brought his trail running shoes...

So when I didn't see him or his friend hit the 25K point until 3:30, I knew he wasn't going to make his goal time of 5 1/2 hours. t was no surprise when the fastest time for the 50K--a course record--was 4:02. I'd done a little of the trails for my run while I was spectating, and I can't believe anyone could do 50K on that course that fast. Wowsa!

Back to the good news...DOOD finished the race in 6:52:57 (and his friend in 7:23:28, as they parted ways in the last 6 miles of the course). His Garmin said his pace ranged from 4.5 mph to 8.0 mph. He wasn't as tired afterwards as he was after his training LSD, although his quads, abductors, and arms hurt. And his "dogs were barking," according to him and his feet were the only part that needed icing.

Anyway, I'm so very proud of him for toughing out a race that was entirely different from what he planned for or trained for. He had a great time, IMO, and even managed to enjoy the experience. (That said, he's not signing up for another one soon.) And to put things all into perspective...he finished 50K ultra trail run/hike/climb in less time than it took me to finish last year's marathon. Now I think I hate him.