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

[flav]

I loved my experience at Marathon Weekend. I also told my husband to take my credit card away if I talk about registering for next year

Disney has all the credit cards information it needs

 

[DopeyBadger]

I'm sorry you didn't have the race you'd hoped for. Marathons can be rough. We all know it. There's just so much in the lead-up and during. But take solace in knowing if there's one place to have a marathon not go as well as you'd hoped, it's at Disney. Primarily because it affords itself to being able to pivot easily from a PR effort to a "goof-off and get pictures" effort if the circumstances dictate it. It's honestly one reason it's the best marathon to do for beginners and veterans alike.

Have fun at the 2026 marathon weekend!

 

[GollyGadget]

There's a reason so few folks complete a marathon, it is tough! Great job pivoting your expectations and making the most of the situation.

 

[azrivest]

Hi everybody, I'm still here!

I've been quiet since the marathon, as I've been on a real downer. I took two weeks completely off following the marathon to try to heal my leg and my hamstring was still hurting. I dug out Billy's Princess Plan he made for me in 2022 to see if I get a few runs in before Princess Weekend. I tried a Control Hold workout on Sunday and my legs just wouldn't have it. Anything faster than 5k pace hurt my right leg.

I got to see a PT this Monday. He told me it's basically my weak glutes that are causing my hamstrings to be overloaded. That was slightly depressing to hear considering how I tried to do as much strength training as I could leading up to the marathon, including a month of band exercises for the lower body.

I've been focussing on the exercises he gave me. Restrengthening my glutes should reduce the load on my hamstrings. I'm already feeling much better since Monday.

Now, I just need to find the motivation to run again. I don't think I've ever gone into a race with so little training. I'm about to run 22.4 miles simply coasting on my fitness from the marathon... My injury combined with really, really, really poor winter running conditions outside have reduced my motivation to almost 0. Like, I am done running outside in the snow and the cold, I just can't this year. Thank goodness I've found the series Abbott Elementary which makes running on the treadmill tolerable!

 

[SheHulk]

Hi everybody, I'm still here!

I've been quiet since the marathon, as I've been on a real downer. I took two weeks completely off following the marathon to try to heal my leg and my hamstring was still hurting. I dug out Billy's Princess Plan he made for me in 2022 to see if I get a few runs in before Princess Weekend. I tried a Control Hold workout on Sunday and my legs just wouldn't have it. Anything faster than 5k pace hurt my right leg.

I got to see a PT this Monday. He told me it's basically my weak glutes that are causing my hamstrings to be overloaded. That was slightly depressing to hear considering how I tried to do as much strength training as I could leading up to the marathon, including a month of band exercises for the lower body.

I've been focussing on the exercises he gave me. Restrengthening my glutes should reduce the load on my hamstrings. I'm already feeling much better since Monday.

Now, I just need to find the motivation to run again. I don't think I've ever gone into a race with so little training. I'm about to run 22.4 miles simply coasting on my fitness from the marathon... My injury combined with really, really, really poor winter running conditions outside have reduced my motivation to almost 0. Like, I am done running outside in the snow and the cold, I just can't this year. Thank goodness I've found the series Abbott Elementary which makes running on the treadmill tolerable!

I just started watching Abbott Elementary too! It's such a low-stakes, easy watch. Enjoy learning all the stereotypes about Philadelphia!

Want to send positive vibes. I'm sure it's tough to keep your chin up... walk the races as much as you can. Take in the atmosphere and look fabulous! I wish I had learned my lesson about strength training earlier. It sounds like you have been doing more than me though, so maybe this is my cue to pick it up!

 

[azrivest]

Race report: Montreal Underground 5k!

Because I am known for making smart decisions... I signed up months ago, was planning on DNS because of my leg, and decided last minute to do a race this morning anyway. I had some ppl from the running group going and figured I could at worst walk it.

The Montreal Underground 5k is an actually really cool race that takes place at the beginning of February each year. For those of you that have never visited my city, downtown Montreal is covered by a network of over 30 kilometers of tunnels, that connect the subway to office buildings, residential towers, shopping centers, universities, etc. It's about the only place a race can be held in the middle of winter It also have over a thousand steps to go up and down, so it's definitely not a place to PR.

As usual when I do a race in Quebec, I question why I do it. I showed up in my Elsa costume from Princess 2023 and I was the only person dressed up as something other than a recreational runner. I get some pretty weird looks in the subway let me tell you. But I was here to have fun!



I was wearing a Dottie skirt and a Sparkle headband, two staples of rD costumes. A woman came up to me, recognizing the costume and saying she had done Dopey a few weeks ago. We chatted about the weather at Marathon Weekend. I was happy to find a kindred spirit.

The race went well, and my leg held up good. I wasn't hurting at the end. Nothing much else to say except that it was 5k of running in malls and up and down staircases. I could feel that my fitness level is still high following my marathon. It's my injury that is keeping me back from running any faster, but that's okay.

I finished in 39:20 alongside one of my running group companions, and got my uniquely Canadian medal, a tuque:


My leg pain has been up and down this week. I really need to focus on glute exercises, even more than what my PT gave me.

Thanks for reading and happy running everyone!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

What an interesting race! Just the idea of that many stairs in a 5K makes me tired though. Great job!

 

[jmasgat]

I love the idea of this race, even though it weirdly reminds me of the type of race nightmares I usually have--running in buildings, through rooms, and other places where you never run.

I've been in the Montreal Underground......way back around the time of Expo 67 (yes, I am that old) The main thing I remember--and perhaps not correctly--is that I rode not on a railed vehice, i.e. train or tram, but a rubber wheeled bus/vehicle. I thought that was cool and unique.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I love the idea of this race, even though it weirdly reminds me of the type of race nightmares I usually have--running in buildings, through rooms, and other places where you never run.

I have had these dreams too! Is this a thing??

 

[SheHulk]

I love the idea of this race, even though it weirdly reminds me of the type of race nightmares I usually have--running in buildings, through rooms, and other places where you never run.

I have had these dreams too! Is this a thing??

I used to have them all the time! But I haven't in years now.

 

[marty3d]

Race report: Montreal Underground 5k!

Because I am known for making smart decisions... I signed up months ago, was planning on DNS because of my leg, and decided last minute to do a race this morning anyway. I had some ppl from the running group going and figured I could at worst walk it.

The Montreal Underground 5k is an actually really cool race that takes place at the beginning of February each year. For those of you that have never visited my city, downtown Montreal is covered by a network of over 30 kilometers of tunnels, that connect the subway to office buildings, residential towers, shopping centers, universities, etc. It's about the only place a race can be held in the middle of winter It also have over a thousand steps to go up and down, so it's definitely not a place to PR.

As usual when I do a race in Quebec, I question why I do it. I showed up in my Elsa costume from Princess 2023 and I was the only person dressed up as something other than a recreational runner. I get some pretty weird looks in the subway let me tell you. But I was here to have fun!

View attachment 936803

I was wearing a Dottie skirt and a Sparkle headband, two staples of rD costumes. A woman came up to me, recognizing the costume and saying she had done Dopey a few weeks ago. We chatted about the weather at Marathon Weekend. I was happy to find a kindred spirit.

The race went well, and my leg held up good. I wasn't hurting at the end. Nothing much else to say except that it was 5k of running in malls and up and down staircases. I could feel that my fitness level is still high following my marathon. It's my injury that is keeping me back from running any faster, but that's okay.

I finished in 39:20 alongside one of my running group companions, and got my uniquely Canadian medal, a tuque:
View attachment 936814

My leg pain has been up and down this week. I really need to focus on glute exercises, even more than what my PT gave me.

Thanks for reading and happy running everyone!

Wow - that sounds like a very different race! I’ve never heard of it but now I want to do it in 2026!

 

[The Expert]

Wow - that sounds like a very different race! I’ve never heard of it but now I want to do it in 2026!

Me too!

 

[azrivest]

My leg was on the mend, and I had to go and do stupid s$ at the cheer gym.

I've been doing Masters Cheer at DD's gym since September and I LOVE it. I understand why A is into her 3rd year of competitive All Stars. I'm pretty good too honestly, running and strength training have made me a good all-around athlete. I'm stronger compared to the other moms.

Yesterday there were only two of us at practice because of the snowstorm. I tried taking my flyer in a shoulder sit, which is usually a really easy stunt for me, and my leg... gave out. Knocked me over on the cheer mat and having trouble breathing because of the pain gave out. So 6 days out from the Expo and I now have trouble walking and climbing stairs.

I am going to be on complete rest until Thursday. Luckily I already had another PT appt scheduled for Monday.

Cross your fingers for me please!

 

[nancipants]

Noooooooooooooooooooooo

Hoping your leg mends quickly!

 

[azrivest]

My PT says I'm good! No PRing for me this weekend, but if I take it easy, I should be okay. He says it seems to be mostly an irritated nerve and all the progress I made following my first visit shouldn't be lost. Here's to PRing in fun!

 

[flav]

Have a good weekend

 

[WillRunForPizza]

My PT says I'm good! No PRing for me this weekend, but if I take it easy, I should be okay. He says it seems to be mostly an irritated nerve and all the progress I made following my first visit shouldn't be lost. Here's to PRing in fun!

Yay! That's a relief - and Disney is the perfect place to PR in fun anyway!

 

[azrivest]

Have a good weekend

Thought you would enjoy this picture. I went out for a test run in our 80 cm of snow yesterday