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

[GollyGadget]

I’ll start my training for marathon weekend in early September as well! Between now and then, it’s all just running what I feel like with some weekly mileage goals to make sure I have a good base.

It’s so important to take breaks! Fall running is much more enjoyable anyway.

 

[azrivest]

I’ll start my training for marathon weekend in early September as well! Between now and then, it’s all just running what I feel like with some weekly mileage goals to make sure I have a good base.

It’s so important to take breaks! Fall running is much more enjoyable anyway.

I didn't sign up for Dopey thinking about the training schedule, but I'm really happy thinking about it. Last year, most of my marathon training was in August/early Sept so , and Princess Weekend training was mostly in Jan/Feb which are the worst winter months here.

Dopey training will be mainly in Oct-Nov-Dec, which should be that sweet spot before we get too much snow. I'm hoping for some nicer fall running too

 

[SheHulk]

I didn't sign up for Dopey thinking about the training schedule, but I'm really happy thinking about it. Last year, most of my marathon training was in August/early Sept so , and Princess Weekend training was mostly in Jan/Feb which are the worst winter months here.

Dopey training will be mainly in Oct-Nov-Dec, which should be that sweet spot before we get too much snow. I'm hoping for some nicer fall running too

This timing was a huge factor for me choosing the WDW Marathon as my first (and 2nd-5th and 7th) marathon to begin with. I knew a fall marathon would mean long runs in the summer and I just was not able to tolerate that at that time. Training for Chicago right now, and I think this is the only time I train for an early fall marathon. It's good because I won't be training hard my entire school semester when I'm most buy, but the weather really is the most important thing for me.

 

[GollyGadget]

Dopey training will be mainly in Oct-Nov-Dec, which should be that sweet spot before we get too much snow.

This is such an underrated benefit of marathon weekend. It does get a little cold and snowy but it’s way better than Jan & Feb. I remember training for Princess one year and countless laps on the 1/8mi track because the outdoor trails were impassable.

This timing was a huge factor for me choosing the WDW Marathon as my first (and 2nd-5th and 7th) marathon to begin with. I knew a fall marathon would mean long runs in the summer and I just was not able to tolerate that at that time. Training for Chicago right now, and I think this is the only time I train for an early fall marathon. It's good because I won't be training hard my entire school semester when I'm most buy, but the weather really is the most important thing for me.

I’ve debated running Chicago and probably still will someday but training in August is a huge deterrent.

 

[nancipants]

This is such an underrated benefit of marathon weekend. It does get a little cold and snowy but it’s way better than Jan & Feb. I remember training for Princess one year and countless laps on the 1/8mi track because the outdoor trails were impassable.

Hehe, and here I am in Orlando thinking that Princess is the perfect time for a race because I know it's not going to be super hot anymore when I need to start training, whereas it's still somewhat hot in Orlando in October.

 

[striker1064]

When is Chicago again?

googling

EARLY October?! Blergh.

EDIT: Okay but wait, that means you start training in June, and June can still be kind of mild and pleasant depending on where you are.

Oh... this is how it happens, huh.

 

[SheHulk]

When is Chicago again?

googling

EARLY October?! Blergh.

EDIT: Okay but wait, that means you start training in June, and June can still be kind of mild and pleasant depending on where you are.

Oh... this is how it happens, huh.

Actually it was fine until about a week ago! But now I'm looking ahead to the rest of July & August and I'm anticipating our mild June temps are not coming back. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!
---back to your regularly scheduled training journal...

 

[azrivest]

I'm still on an irregular training schedule. I'm trying to follow RunFitMama's In Summer training plan, but she only programs 3 runs a week and I want to do 4. At least I feel validated by Billy to limit my training runs to maintenance. I have done some longish-er runs when I go with my run group.


Week of July 3rd
3 runs for a total of 12.4mi/ 4h13
3 strength workouts
Temps have been muggy like many other places in the northeast
I did my second trail workout - 8k with 1,864 ft of ascent in 1h32. I walked many of the steepest climbs and that's okay. It was a good practice.
We had our yearly office party on Friday, and since I drink so well with others, I wasn't in any capacity to run on Saturday. I also had to catch a plane to Brussels on Saturday night to visit some of my belgian clients.
I didn't go running on Sunday but I walked 14k+ steps all over the city.

Week of July 10th so far
3 runs for a total of 9.66mi/1h49
0 strength workouts But... but... Brussels and beer!
I enjoyed the really nice dry weather in central Belgium, with running temps in the low 60s. I'm looking forward to going home, except to go back to 150T+D temps

Here are some pics from my running views:

(Vauxhall in Brussels Park)

(Cinquantenaire Arcade in Jubelpark)



I found a Skyliner in Namur that I obviously had to try

 

[GollyGadget]

If you’re drinking beer from a stein, it counts as an arm workout.

 

[azrivest]

The last two weeks of July have been surprisingly good. Still enjoying not having a strict schedule to adhere to. Even though it's hot, it's been raining almost every day, so I haven't had to run in full sun a lot.

Week of July 10th after my update
Travelled back home on Saturday.
Went for a 10k with my run group (which ended up being 10.55k since I looped for slower runners)
So 4 runs for that week

Week of July 17th
Only 3 runs, but the last one was a doozy. Went trail running on the Saturday on a very technical trail. Vert was "only" 1400ft. Trail was super technical with roots and rocks so I couldn't run fast, even on the downhills. And all that rain has made the trails really muddy. Took my time and finished (5 miles in 1h49), which is a win for me in trail running

Week of July 24th
Five runs this week
On Thursday, Garmin registered my run at 4:17 am. I woke up in the middle of the night and my phone was telling me that they were expecting downpours at 6am. Even if I don't mind running the rain, I'm not that much of a masochist. Why not go run in the middle of the night instead? Came back home after that run and napped lol
Yesterday, was going to go for 4 miles but extended that to 6 miles, for fun. It's amazing that my fitness has reached a point I can just add on 2 miles to a run and not feel it's the end of the world.
This morning, went on a quick run before we dropped our daughter off at gymnastics camp. This was trail workout #4 for the summer, with an "easy" 550ft of ascent.

Since DD is at sleepaway camp all week, I'll try to go out for a few more trail runs since I'll have so much time on my hands. I'm not 100% confident for Jay Peak, but that 1400ft run gave me good experience. I'm betting that I can finish the 11-mile run in the 4-hour range if all goes well and the trail isn't too technical.

 

[azrivest]

The world is screwed up right now. When I read everyone's comments about the high T+Ds, we haven't experienced those in a few weeks up here in the North East. It's been quite the opposite, and we're only a few hundred miles north. This photo gives a good idea of my general conditions on the trail yesterday:


Mud mud mud everywhere from all the rain we've had in the last few weeks. July has been one of the rainiest months on record, even though up north, the forest fires are still raging. It's insane. I'm not complaining though, much prefer the rain to the unbearable humidity some of you have been having.

Pretty proud of the work I've been doing on the trails this summer. Yesterday, I went out for a 7.7 mile run with 1,600 ft total ascent. I was super slow (~19 min/mile), especially because of all the mud which prevented any kind of running whatsoever.

My runs haven't always been easy, as work has majorly sucked this summer, so much so that my mental health is in the dumps and I'm on the verge of quitting. But I get my 4 runs a week done and that's a win for me!

 

[azrivest]

I was shopping for fuel and decided to classify all the fuel I've been using in a table, if it interests anyone else. I only use gels or liquid fuel, as I find it too inconvenient to chew (gummies or bars) when I'm running.

		Serving (g)	Calories	Carbs (g)	Sodium (mg)	Caffeine (mg)
Liquid IV	Powder	16	45	12	510
Maurten 100	Gel	40	100	25	85
Maurten 100 Caf	Gel	40	100	25	22	100
Maurten 320	Not snot	80	320	79	200
Tailwind Lemon	Powder	27	100	25	310
Tailwind Tropical	Powder	27	100	25	310	35
Skratch Limeade	Powder	22	80	20	380	50
Skratch Matcha	Powder	22	80	20	370
Gu Espresso Love	Gel	32	100	22	60	40
Gu Smores	Gel	32	100	22	60
Gu Salted Caramel	Gel	32	100	22	125	20

Looking at this chart made me realize how little sodium I take in when I run, since I mostly use Gu's or Maurten 100 when I'm actually running.

 

[azrivest]

Two weeks to go before my big trail race!

Only managed three runs this week, but yesterday's was a doozy. I ran 10.32 miles in 3h27 with 1,959 ft of ascent. Still a far cry from the 3500ft I'm supposed to do at Jay Peak.

It's going to be my last trail workout. Next week, we're taking a road trip with the kids to take advantage of the last extended weekend before school starts on the 31st. We're taking them to Legoland New York And then we'll putter around the Albany area, so I won't be able to fit in a trail run. It'll probably be early runs on the hotel treadmill.

Have a great week everyone!

 

[azrivest]

Oh yeah I forgot to add... I signed up for the Fairytale Challenge on a whim, just because of how my family's schedule is finally gonna work out in the winter.

It felt sooooo exciting to input my POT from my May 10k B corral here I come!

 

[GollyGadget]

I ran 10.32 miles in 3h27 with 1,959 ft of ascent.

You go girl!

Here I am proud when I get 200 ft

 

[azrivest]

Race is in 2 days...

Not much has happened since my last big run two weeks ago. I've been doing mainly easy 45 minute runs, and I skipped 3 days in a row because of our roadtrip to Legoland
The kids had a blast, while as I didn't think it was worth the detour. Glad I experienced it but won't go again.

My mindset going into my race on Sunday is to have fun first and foremost. No time goals and no big ambitions. Even the race director wrote it in his email:

This is a HARD course. You are on a mountain. The terrain varies from gravel roads (@ 100ft of pavement) to single track, to mowed ski trails. There will be rocks, mud, ruts, rickity bridges and maybe even bears (not kidding). This is not the day to be a hero and try to PR. Go out steady, stay moving, enjoy the views, use the aid stations and the enjoy the energy of your fellow runners.

And nothing that will put me at risk of getting injured either. I need to start training for a 48.6 mile multi-race challenge after this!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Good luck!

 

[striker1064]

Good luck and have fun! Really looking forward to your report on this one.

 

[azrivest]

I did it. Incredible but true.

To quote Billy, this race was either going to be a wonderful achievement, or crash and burn:

Well, inspirational or dumb. We'll find out together.

I was worried this was going to be the dumbest idea I've ever had racing wise, especially considering all the rain we've had this summer. Most trails were super muddy. I had given myself permission to DNF if the conditions got too hard or if I became too tired. I was not going to injure myself severely right on the cusp of Dopey training.

My final time was 3:32:39.87, which I am so proud of, considering the overall elevation looked this:

There was never any flat part on the course, except for maybe the first 800m. This was the hardest race I've ever done, maybe even considering the marathon I did in October.

I'll do a full race report later this week. Right now I need a nap.

 

[RuntheMouse]

My final time was 3:32:39.87, which I am so proud of, considering the overall elevation looked this:

There was never any flat part on the course, except for maybe the first 800m. This was the hardest race I've ever done, maybe even considering the marathon I did in October.

That’s no joke! Nice job! Can’t wait for the write up.