Goofy Training Panic

[Cruella de mom]

Ok. I need the experienced Goofy athletes to tell me what to do.

I did not schedule ANY back to back runs during my training. Several people told me I didn't need to and that running back to back is more likely to cause injury. So I left a rest day before all my long runs. Now I am in a panic. Did I train enough?

I do run 3 days in a row every week and I even run "doubles" once a week every other week.

Do you think I should add a back to back next week? (its a cut back week)

Cecilia

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I think it is up to the person. I never have done any back to backs for my previous 2 Goofys(and for my 3rd attempt). I personnally would only get more injuried because of it. I think it help you more to know how it feels you will feel after doing the 1/2 and getting ready for the full next day. I do know lots of people who do do b2b LSD's.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I do b2b Only every other week on LRs and only after mile 12 AND I do them ever so slowly. I am not one to want injury. I'm just tyring to get the "feel" of it. With our snow mess here I may not get the last 2 in this time. I will at least focus on the LR portion and continue with my weekly training.

Try not to bust any race records for the half and as long as you've been training steady you should be good to go.

 

[cewait]

I only ran a couple back to back long runs for the first Goofy and none the second. This weekend or next just throw in a half to third distance run either the day before or the day after your long run just so you get a feel for the dead leg start the following day. Honestly, if you are well trained for a full you will do fine in the Goofy. Before the weekend prioritize your weekend. Either take it easy on the half or the full or both. That will take the pressure off the other race.

Just for information, in training for both Goofy's I have run max long run of 16-17 miles and only a couple back to back longish runs. Goofy 1 I set PR's in both the half and full. 2007 I set a PR in the half and was on pace for a PR in the full when I had a shoe issue about mile 10 in the full (I was also 10 days post shoulder op). Or maybe it was the margaritta Saturday afternoon. Anyway I ended up totally wasted by mile 15 and walked the full in.

 

[scoolover]

I was in that boat and three weeks ago I did a 6 miler and a 13 miler on back to back days just for the heck of it. I felt great after. The next week I did 18 and this week I did a 5 then an 18.

I am not concerned with the dack to back thing too much. I only wanted to see how I would feel on day two. I was fine. I would not worry too much unless you are looking for some PR's.

 

[skfulkers]

Cecilia--I think you should be fine. Like everyone is saying, I think it comes down to how much your body can handle and how hard you plan to attack the races.

Last year, I probably overtrained for Goofy. I ran back to back on the weekends every weekend, and by the end of training, I was TIRED. I definitely pushed it to the max and had to be very careful about watching for any signs of injury. If I did it again, I believe I would run back to back every other weekend or maybe every third weekend just to get used to it, but definitely not every weekend.

I would stick with what you have done and not try to introduce anything new now. If you are planning to take it easy in the half on Saturday, you'll be fine. Heck, you're in awesome shape. You won't have any problems with Goofy.

Steve

 

[hoosmi]

Yeah, so I've done both plans (but haven't done the Goofy yet!)

I started with the back-to-back plan. I was fine until I hit 8/18 for the weekend. For the first time, I learned where my ITB was. I pretty much whimpered the entire last 2 miles. That scared me half to death!

I decided to re-evaluate my goals and have since either eliminated or reduced my Saturday run so I can make sure I can handle my Sunday LR. My thinking is that if my ITB will act up under long distances, I'd rather limp the last couple miles of the full than try to go into the Goofy limping.

You know what? Goofy is scary no matter how you look at it- you're worried about not doing back-to-back, and I'm worried because I did do back-to-back! This medal better be fabulous!

Jen in GA

 

[Cruella de mom]

Hi Everyone-

Thank you for all the advice and encouragement. Goofy is scary. When way more experienced marathoners tell you that your crazy, it kind of turns your stomach. I completely flip flop from confident to terrified - sometimes in a matter of minutes.

This medal better be fabulous!

No Kidding!

Cecilia

 

[cewait]

This medal better be fabulous!

It will bring tears to your eyes

 

[gatorphipps]

Said it b/4 and will say it again.....
I thought Goofy was no biggie....with that let me explain and give my humble opinion.

I was well trained and took it slow.
By slow this is what I mean....
My ave 1/2 time is under 2 hours, but in the Goofy, I ran with friends and finished 2:30.....My ave full is btwn 4:12 (WDW 2007 in the heat) and 4:22, but in the Goofy, I ran with DH (who's knee was hurting) and finished at 5 hours. If I ever did it again, I may try to go faster, but that was my 1st and I wanted it to be fun.

I personally did back to back LRs every other week, but I think you will be fine. Just don't go out and try to win the race. By that I mean don't try to run both races fast. You are well trained and ready for this race. I would not mix up the training too much at this point b/c you will risk getting hurt. I think if you take it easy on the 1/2 and then do what you feel like on the full, you will be fine.

Good luck! Don't worry about it too much b/c that will mess with your mind. And this could mess up your race. IMHO, after mile 20 it is total mind games anyway.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

I have been doing back to backs personally. My cousin finished the Goofy this year and she recommended it. HOWEVER, I wouldn't change your plan now though! I'm sure if you just take the weekend slow and concentrate on having fun you'll be just fine! This coming for a total Goofy newbie...! Good luck!

 

[rKyDeX]

I like running a back-to-back schedule. I used Hal Higdon's Intermediate plan in training for the 2007 WDW amd MCM marathons and really enjoy running Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday-Saturday-Sunday. I monitor my heart rate and run progressive intervals on Tue and Thu. Wed is at an easy recovery level. Sat is at pace according to the miles planned and Sun is at marathon pace.

In training for 2008 Goofy, I modified the Sat runs to equal half the distance of the Sun long run. It's worked for me so far. My plan is to run comfortably for both races - 2:15 for the Half and 5:00 for the Full.


Chester
W.I.S.H. Half-Fast Missing Link Marathon Team

 

[AmyBeth68]

Sorry...I'm being lazy and cutting and pasting this from the Mileage thread . But I wanted to add my training in here. I am by NO MEANS an expert Cecilia..but thought I'd jump in here and post what I'm doing. Believe me when I tell you I go back and forth between confidence and outright terror! I know what my body can and cannot handle...and having run the marathon injured last year...I knew that was something I wanted to avoid at all costs.

Not sure why on earth I decided to the Goofy thing . Just a glutton for punishment. That and I have a very persuasive running partner...thanks Scott! Anyway...here's my plan. I know it's way light on miles...but I'm happy to report that I feel strong and I'm pleased with my pace.

Here's what it should have looked like if I stuck totally to the plan we developed. Every other week was pull back so I could allow my muscles to heal and prevent injury. Unfortunately LTO and between illness, Pilates certifiation and weather that has been... I didn't actually hit the totals as listed on a few weeks..."best laid plans" as they say! WTS This is close to accurate...I didn't go back and actually add up the miles (being totally lazy). Also..keep in mind that my sat half distance is actually a walk/run combo...I plan to just totally take it easy for the half . Aiming for a slow and easy half and hopefully a decent full of under 5 hours (goal is 4:30). Here it is starting 10 weeks into training or so...when the miles began to ramp up. I came in with a weak base due to the injury...

25/20/28/20/31/20/34/20/37/let the taper begin

I know this is less than impressive mileage BUT...I do supplement with cardio XT twice a week (biking, ski machine, elliptical, etc). I also do approx. 6 days a week of Pilates. So I'm feeling like I"m in the best shape of my life. MPM has been solid and I'm pretty much on target for an ok marathon time if the stars align. BIG FAT "IF" . And that's knowing that survival is ultimate goal that weekend LOL!

Happy training my fellow people!

Sooo...after a boring and long winded post my non-experienced answer to your question is that your mileage is impressive...your training is stellar and I think you are going to be fine without the B2B. Stick with what has been working for you...you'll do awesome C.

 

[ScoJo15]

Ok...since my buddy posted up there I guess I need to chime in too (Hi Amy!)

I'm the furthest thing from an expert, but my personal experiences have left me with the philosophy that if you can run a 14 mile long run...you can do a marathon (or Goofy for that matter). Unless, of course, you are trying to qualify for Boston or finish with a first digit less than 4. I personally run my LR's around the 9 mpm mark and will be running with Amy...taking it easy during the half and shooting for a nice finish in the 4's for the full.

This has led me to structure the training this year with the idea that it's better to be a little conservative with the miles, totally avoid injury and show up at the race with very fresh legs. 26 or 13+26 is going to feel like doo doo afterwards anyway, regardless if you run 50 miles a week or 25.

I'm sure there are a bunch of people who would disagree with me...but hopefully I'll come back after Goofy with a very positive report, after running a very enjoyable half and full (and not have pushed myself to the limit in the three months prior).

I've been walk/running half of the long run distance on back to back days (ex. 6 on Saturday followed by 12 running on Sunday) and I'm with you on not wanting to push towards injury. I highly doubt that I'll do the 9/18 combo I have scheduled just because I think it's too much of a push into the injury zone. I'm confident that I can pull off the half and full combo...it's so different when you are out there racing...believe me, I'm not gonna quit on Sunday just due to aching legs...they're gonna ache anyway, regardless of how many they walked or ran the day before.

Moral of the story? I don't think you need to add in that extra back to back week...I've seen your race recaps and have followed along with your training on the events thread and I'm confident that you are going to do just great!!

Best of luck to you!!

 

[10nis]

You got so much great advice

I did not run b2b.....I suffered and managed shin splints for 2+ years and physically could not run on b2b days. I basically trained for a marathon, using Hal Higdon.

I ran w/ my neice and we decided the only way we were going to survive the full marathon on Sunday is if we took it very easy during the half. So, we walked one full mile--I think mile 8? And we walked up all of the overpasses at the end of the half marathon. It worked, we finished both races--had a fantastic, fun time! We were both sore during the full marathon, we started using the biofreeze on our legs around mile 13 and that stuff is the freaking BOMB!! Also got a massage after the full and I think that helped us recover and we had only minimal limps the next day!

One word of caution! When you are running the half and the full there are these roundy turns --- they are entry/exits to the main street. Anyway, these turns have a sideways incline to them. It was very uncomfortable for me to run on this awkward incline. Finally--I figured out, if you run on the side of the road, in the grass, it is much more level!

Good luck and remember to have fun!

 

[Cruella de mom]

Thank you everyone!

Some days I get completely paniced about doing this race. Other days I feel confident and start thinking about finishing times!

Your encouragement really really helps thanks! ANd I am going to remember that about the Biofreeze as well!

Cecilia