I know everyone is different but...

[escape]

cobbler, that sounds like a good plan! Although, you've got to have serious guts to do the Goofy. I'm always exhausted the day after race day, can't imagine doing a marathon after a half, or vice versa.

A lot of people who do the Goofy usually go at a slower pace for the half so that they are not exhausted the next day. If you go all out for the half then yes, you will be exhausted. Amy, when you go Goofy, I suspect we'll have to put you on a leash for the half to hold you back some.

cobbler - I think your plan to postpone the marathon may be wise although like someone mentioned, you might change your mind after the W&D half. Crazy things get in our heads after these Disney races. After I did my first half (at WDW), I swore I'd scratch this off my bucket list. I had a horrible experience. However, three days later, I signed up for the marathon for 2008. It happens.

As for training, maybe some others can share their experiences. For me, I always had a half-marathon or two or three planned down the road so that kept me in the training mode until the official training started for the marathon/Goofy.

 

[FireDancer]

Like Susie said, if you are doing the Goofy you run/jog/walk the half at a much slower pace then normal so you aren't tired before the marathon starts. You don't do the Goofy for time, you do it for medals.

I am use one of Hal Higdon's plans for what will be my second marathon in January. I also have 2 halves this fall but they are far enough out from the full that I can run at least one for a PR and still be recovered and back on the plan in plenty of time.

It sounds like you have a well though out plan cobbler.

 

[cewait]

Quick question for those of you that have done the goofy or even the marathon. Since I'll be giving myself about 14 months to train, what kind of plan do you follow. Most will have me finished long before the marathon. So what do you do after to maintain, do you just start the program over or what?

This is really great question and the answer is simple. Keep yourself in 10k condiition... or in a condition that you could go out and run 6 miles this weekend if you wanted. Doesn't mean you will run that far every weekend but it will keep you in a good base condition. Run 3-4 times a week; maybe 45 minutes to an hour on the weekdays and just a fun run on the weekend ... making sure to get a 6 mile run once a month or so.

Pick out a plan that works for you. Everyone has their favorite plan and frankly all can work well as long as they are appropriate for you, your capablilities and life. If you cannot find one that really fits look to combine the best of two plans.

Finally, work backwards from the marathon date and mark your planner noting the start of training date. You may have to jump into the plan 2-4 weeks into the plan if you have a good base.

Finally have fun.


Also - in the spirit of everyone is different.... I am not a sponsor of take it easy on Saturday of the Goofy. Frankly you are just not that tired if one understands recovery and has a decent training season. My first Goofy that was the plan but I had aan issue and ended up running the half fairly hard. The next day a little muscle soreness but it disappeared quickly. I do not believe the soreness to be any worse than adding an hour to the half and being on my feet that much additional time (not to mention the differing use of supporting muscle).

A theory to concider is that you come to the weekend to run two races. Only one race has any possibility of starting on fresh legs. Take advantage of the half. Not saying push to your ultimate race time but run a decnet half. Then on Sunday run a training pace full. It takes a good mile to warm up but after that you will not feel the effects of the previous day. The results speak for themselves.

 

[wtpclc]

Cobbler - When we are not trianing fro tri's or the full, we try to stay in shape for a half at all times. We do 45 min 2x's per week adn tehn our long runs rotate 5 miles, 8 miles, 5 miles, 10 (or half marathon) and repeat. If you just to 45 min 2x's per week adn then 5 on the weekend, you will stil be in decent shape to start full training. We've never gone Goofy, though. Your plan sounds great, although I will be so jealous of your coast to coast.