I won't give in till I reach the end... and then I'll start again (comments welcome)

[azrivest]

3 weeks to go until the Wine&Dine challenge

Summary:

• Running Distance = 18.97k/11.79 miles
• Running Time = 2:22
• Yoga Time = 1:00
• Hammer Time! = none

Wow, when I compare this mileage to some of my previous weeks, I'm almost ashamed haha (I'm not. This was a 100% conscious decision). Got my 5 runs in, but I'm considering taking it easy for a few days.

I'm trying to recuperate from my marathon but it's hard. I have so many pains, especially in my feet. 1) I have a kind of pinched nerve in my big toe which makes it uncomfortable to walk or go up/down stairs. Don't really feel it when running tho. 2) I have peroneal tendonitis in my other foot. This is a leftover from a volleyball injury in my high school days that flares up from time to time. 3) My hamstring injury from August is still noticeable. We did a few bird dog & pigeon poses during yoga and it seems to help.

I'm on a business trip again, visiting Belgium and Germany. I won't have that much time for running as I'll be working during the day and travelling in the evenings. I went for a run yesterday afternoon to help get over the jetlag.

But with all these nagging pains, I'm wondering if I should take more days off to help my body heal before W&D, or is active recuperation the best? Being on a business trip, I don't have access to my regular tools like my foam roller, or my ice packs.

 

[GollyGadget]

Do the runs make any of the pain worse? If so, definitely take more time off. Otherwise, just use your discretion and take things easy.

Also, I can't believe it's less than 3 weeks until wine and dine!

 

[azrivest]

7 days to go until the Wine&Dine challenge

Summary last week:

• Running Distance = 22.65k/14.1 miles
• Running Time = 2:43
• Yoga Time = none

I was on a business trip in Germany and Belgium last week. Managed to get 4 of my 5 runs in. Nothing to say except that I feel slow. My plan has prescribed HR zones instead of prescribed paces and I feel I'm generally slower for the same average heart rate. But the idea of using a HR zone based plan was to limit the amount of stress I'm putting on myself in October.

My niggles and naggles come and go. My left foot still bothers me, but my hamstring seems much better.


Summary this week so far:

• Running Distance = 9.02k/5.61 miles
• Running Time = 1:06
• Yoga Time = 1:15

This week has been HARD. I am dead tired. I've been in bed by 8 pm all week, my body battery never goes past 75-80, I go to bed before my kids and my vo2Max went back down to 40. We've had a really nice indian summer since I came home on Saturday. Despite that, I couldn't manage to go out the door for my run on Tuesday, even tho the weather was glorious. And I was disappointed too, cause my plan had me do a fartlek run which looked really fun:


Tuesday: Did a simple 30 minute easy pace run.
Today: Progression run:
5:00 in Zone 1
15:00 in Zone 2
8:00 @ SSP
4:00 @ LTP
2:00 @ CV
5:00 in Zone 1
Didn't know how I was going to manage that this morning but I got it in! It's amazing what the human body can do.

7 days before W&D, and I have never been so underprepared for a race. I haven't done any race-specific training at all. My fitness level should be able to handle 13 miles at easy pace anyhow, I'm not worried.

Happy running all, and looking forward to meeting those that will be in Disney next week

 

[SheHulk]

Have a great time!

 

[GollyGadget]

I'm also feeling a bit under prepared. I haven't run more than 10 miles since June . But, I'm also taking it easy for the half, so I'm not too worried.

 

[HangWithMerida]

7 days before W&D, and I have never been so underprepared for a race. I haven't done any race-specific training at all. My fitness level should be able to handle 13 miles at easy pace anyhow, I'm not worried.

If your fitness level can handle the mileage and you aren’t shooting for any specific time, you’re not underprepared. The marathon is a big distance and it was your first time doing it. Keep doing what you can and focus on recovery. I have faith that you will feel fine come race day.

 

[azrivest]

W&D recap

I had a blast this weekend, despite some of the negative aspects. Will I do W&D again? Not sure. I had chosen this weekend thinking the courses would be different than what I've done before, and that was finally not the case. Still glad I got to experience it

Some thoughts...

- The Virtual Queue: didn't end up being an issue. I was able to grab a VQ as soon as my plane landed in MCO. I got called back around 1:30, so gave me enough time to check-in at ASMu, take the bus to the Expo, get my bib and shop around.

- The Merch: I didn't buy much cause I wasn't a fan of the look or fit of most of it. But I was super happy that there was still plenty of availability and sizes when I was let in. (I did end up going back the next day to buy the sparkly Spirit Jersey it was too sparkly to pass up) I did do one silly thing tho. I bought some new Brooks Adrenaline 22 at the Expo. They were too pretty to pass up and they were going to look so nice with my Mirabel costume.



- The Resort: ASMu was fine for a solo traveller, since I could keep the Murphy bed up and have a table to work and eat. I was at the back in the Country Fair section and that was a loong walk back to my room. I usually roll my eyes at ppl that complain about the size of the resorts. I might have been one of those ppl this weekend

- Friday: rope-dropped AK. After the compulsory FoP + Navi rope-drop combo, went to Everest, which I happily rode 4 times in a row without waiting via the single rider line. Why? Just cause I could.

- Saturday 10k: so fun. My goal was to run it at my regular easy pace, so about 7-7:10 min/km. Ended up running it in 1h05 which was really great considering the heat. I was proud of myself. I was also super happy to see pre/post-race characters again.

Spent the rest of the morning at HS, doing Tower of Terror twice in a row then walking around to get as many medal pics as I could. Again, just cause I could. Cause my kids weren't there to whine about Mommy wanting yet ANOTHER pic. After that, really enjoyed the meetup with the other DISers

Total Saturday steps: 30 612

- Sunday HM: not so fun. First half of the race was nice, running in Epcot, Boardwalk and a long time in HS. It was raining through most of that, which I didn't mind since it being cloudy kept the sun away. While I was in HS, it started clearing up, just in time for that loooooooong stretch of highway. Like others, I appreciate the fact that we can spread out on those sections, but the out and back was killer. So it was super humid, on wet asphalt, with the sun beating down on us.

For the first time, I tried run/walk with regular intervals. I knew the heat was going to be killer. I programmed 90:30 intervals on my watch while waiting in the corral and so glad I did. Coming from Montreal with not much heat acclimation, that humidity was brutal. I had absolutely no performance goals. I finished just under 3h00, when my PR Half this year was 2h16.

And I also broke the #1 cardinal rule of racing, which is nothing new on race day. I did wear my new Adrenaline's and they held up just fine. I wasn't worried, seeing as Adrenalines are my stable easy day shoes.

- After-hours not for me. Not as a solo traveller anway. I ended up doing a counter-clockwise loop of Epcot. I got to ride SE, Soarin', LwtL and Remy before park close. After 9, squeezed in Frozen and TT. I then wanted to wait for characters, but when I I saw the 1h+ line for Miguel, I decided to call it quits. I had been up for 21 hours at that point and my legs were not going to stand it. I also wasn't fitting it too much with the crowd, which was getting rowdy. I also wanted to get a little sleep before my big tour the next day.

Total Sunday steps: 47 691

I did the Keys to the Kingdom tour in Magic Kingdom at 8:30 am on Monday. For a Disney fan, it was incredible. The backstage part is what interests many people, but for me it was mostly the hidden details that our guide mentioned throughout the park, kinda like what you see on The Imagineering Story on D+. I ended up staying at MK from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Total Monday steps: 20 090

Can't wait for Princess! @DopeyBadger, when you're done with your marathon, I'll be asking for another training plan. My goal for Princess is to finally break that 1h 10k milestone. Hope to see some of you there

 

[DopeyBadger]

Great recap! Sounds like overall it was an enjoyable experience.

My goal for Princess is to finally break that 1h 10k milestone.

If the weather is agreeable. Princess is about 50/50 when it comes to weather.

 

[azrivest]

If the weather is agreeable. Princess is about 50/50 when it comes to weather.

Managing my expectations. Good to know thanks

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Love the shoes! Totally a reasonable purchase

 

[azrivest]

Now that W&D us behind us, time to look towards Princess. We finally got the last parts of our wardrobe delivered today for the 5k. Can you guess our costume theming?



We're missing some accessories. I also want my husband to pimp the kids costumes with some LED lights. Nothing as cool as G, but at least so they'll stand out in the dark.

So exciting!!! I can't wait to share the race experience with my family

 

[flav]

Can you guess our costume theming?

Love Wreck-it Ralph! I did suggest Vaneloppe as a costume for fast DD! She choose Flash McQueen, Buzz Lightyear and Woody instead.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Now that W&D us behind us, time to look towards Princess. We finally got the last parts of our wardrobe delivered today for the 5k. Can you guess our costume theming?

View attachment 717669

We're missing some accessories. I also want my husband to pimp the kids costumes with some LED lights. Nothing as cool as G, but at least so they'll stand out in the dark.

So exciting!!! I can't wait to share the race experience with my family

What about a light up gold hammer for Fix-It Felix? Battery pack could be in a fanny pack backwards on the back, you make the connection to the hammer look like a belt of some sort, and then use the LED wire underneath a plastazote foam base to make the hammer. I believe Vanellope has a wand when she's in the pink outfit at the end of the movie. So you could maybe do something similar there.

 

[azrivest]

What about a light up gold hammer for Fix-It Felix? Battery pack could be in a fanny pack backwards on the back, you make the connection to the hammer look like a belt of some sort, and then use the LED wire underneath a plastazote foam base to make the hammer. I believe Vanellope has a wand when she's in the pink outfit at the end of the movie. So you could maybe do something similar there.

Yeah I've already thought of the hammer for J. I was going to ask if they're allowed by runDisney or are considered a weapon. I know it'll be in the hands of a 10 year-old boy but still, you never know So yes, the light-up hammer would be great. And Felix wears a utility belt, so we could hide the battery pack there.

My daughter insisted on being Taffyta and not Vanellope but doesn't want to wear the strawberry hat:

Since the dress is supposed to be sparkly, I thought we could sew some fairy lights all over, or along the edge of that white hem?

 

[DopeyBadger]

Yeah I've already thought of the hammer for J. I was going to ask if they're allowed by runDisney or are considered a weapon. I know it'll be in the hands of a 10 year-old boy but still, you never know So yes, the light-up hammer would be great. And Felix wears a utility belt, so we could hide the battery pack there.

Highly likely that you'd be fine. It's more things that look like actual weapons that are a no. But a foam light-up hammer is unlikely to be an issue based on what I've seen in the past.

My daughter insisted on being Taffyta and not Vanellope but doesn't want to wear the strawberry hat:

Since the dress is supposed to be sparkly, I thought we could sew some fairy lights all over, or along the edge of that white hem?

White fairy lights on the dress hem would work well. Light up gloves too.

 

[azrivest]

Light up gloves too.

Ooo great idea. We'll get to work on that

 

[DopeyBadger]

Ooo great idea. We'll get to work on that

These were cheap and worked for G's Scarlet Witch costume (link). These were much too large and didn't work as well (link).

 

[azrivest]

Back to Princess!

Got home from WDW on Tuesday. I had such a great time. It was my first solo trip, and never did I feel bored. The races weren't my best and that's perfectly all right. It was humid and I hadn't trained for them, so I concentrated on enjoying them. And being alone meant I could spend entire hours getting that perfect PhotoPass medal pic in front of the park icons. I'll do a collage and post it soon. I love my medal pics I loved W&D but I still prefer Princess, both for the theming and the courses.

I re-started the training plan that Billy built for me last year. My paces should be about the same. I'm feeling a lot more tired going into this year's plan, but I also ran two races, a marathon and 19.3 miles, in the last 6 weeks, which I had not done last year.

My ultimate goal for Princess Weekend is to run the 10k in under 1 hour. If the conditions are right, I might squeak it in. Last year, I ran it in 1:01:45 and I gave it a 98% effort. I couldn't have done much better.

Weekly Summary:

• Running Distance = 13.41 miles
• Time = 2:34

Monday

• MK day from 7am to 10pm, with 20k steps/9.1 miles
• Did the Keys to the Kingdom tour. It was a highlight for me at WDW. In my top 2 experiences ever, along with the 2022 Princess HM.

Tuesday

• Travel day

Wednesday

• Completed: 3.01mi/4.84k in 30:58

Thursday

• Rest day

Friday

• Planned: 5.25k @ EB + Strides
  • Completed: 3.27mi/5.26k in 39:36

Saturday

• Planned: 2 km WU + 6 x 4 min @ CV w/ 2 min sec RI @ WU + 4 x 100m @ R w/ 1 min RI + 2 km CD
  • Completed: 6.29mi/10.12km in 1:12:00
  • CV interval paces: 9:14, 9:12, 9:14, 9:51, 9:22, 9:38
    I really faded in the last 3. I couldn't run the whole 4 minutes.
  • R interval paces: 7:35, 8:08, 8:57, 8:26
• Problem with doing the same training plan is that I can compare with my previous performance. Was two minutes slower than last year.
• Went out with my Asics Magic Speeds. I only have 90 miles in them, but I might retire them soon. They just aren't as good as the Saucony Endorphin Speeds. That full plate makes a difference.
• Overall, this training run was really hard. Based on yesterday's run, I would never have hit that 1h. (I know i know it's weeks away).

Sunday

• Rest day
• Did 12 minutes of 30:30 intervals with the kids.
• I don't want to push them, but I will force them to go out once in a while to gradually get used to running for a longer period. Yes, we can walk the whole way and we will if that's what in the cards on Feb 24th. Still, they wanted to sign up for the 5k, so they need to learn to work for it a little bit. And they both have ADHD, so believe me they definitely have the energy to run a 5k.

 

[azrivest]

Oh yeah one of my editorial notes... I read a woman gloating about her "kills" on the Rise and Run podcast Facebook group and it got me so riled up.

I am the kind of person who doesn't like not being the best. In running, I'm a middle-of-the-pack runner at best. Running teaches me humility every day. I'll never BQ and that's fine. The aspect that attracted me the most to rD races is the fact that it's supposed to be about the pleasure of running and the overall accomplishment. NOT your group placement or your finishing time. It brings me back to why I love running. So it really irks me when I see people boast about "beating" other people, especially in a runDisney race.

 

[GollyGadget]

Oh yeah one of my editorial notes... I read a woman gloating about her "kills" on the Rise and Run podcast Facebook group and it got me so riled up.

I am the kind of person who doesn't like not being the best. In running, I'm a middle-of-the-pack runner at best. Running teaches me humility every day. I'll never BQ and that's fine. The aspect that attracted me the most to rD races is the fact that it's supposed to be about the pleasure of running and the overall accomplishment. NOT your group placement or your finishing time. It brings me back to why I love running. So it really irks me when I see people boast about "beating" other people, especially in a runDisney race.

Those people irk me too! I've never seen them at other races but I definitely noticed a "dls" shirt last weekend. Why is this a thing at runDisney of all places?

My opinion is that these people are trash. If they had any pride whatsoever, they'd start with people of similar fitness and try to beat those folks, not the ones they know they're already faster than. I mean, really, what's the point in that?