In Training: Marathon Weekend 2013 (Dopey Challenge)! 1/17 - LINK TO TRIP REPORT!

[Ariel484]

Week 14: Run #3 (9-mile loop)
Friday, November 30, 2012
Weather: Overcast, temperatures in the mid-high 40s

19 miles completed/33 miles planned for the week
316.1 miles completed so far in training

Can you believe tomorrow is DECEMBER?! What is happening? Where is the time going?

Splits:

Mile 1 - 9:54
Mile 2 - 10:13
Mile 3 - 11:02 --> Gu chomp/walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 4 - 9:52
Mile 5 - 10:18 --> walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 6 - 9:55
Mile 7 - 11:00 --> Gu chomp/walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 8 - 9:55
Mile 9 - 10:07 --> walk/water break at the beginning of this mile

Total time: 1:32:18 for 9 miles
Average pace: 10:15/mile

For the first 2 miles of this run I felt like a ROCK STAR. No soreness or stiffness whatsoever, and I felt strong and fast. I felt like that feeling wore off a big after my first walk break, but I still felt good throughout and managed to keep a good pace. Hopefully this didn't zap me too much before tomorrow's run. And boy...it was so nice to run outside (instead of on the treadmill) in warmer weather. Tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Happy Friday! 40 days until Marathon Weekend!

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Week 14: Run #4 (14 miles - one 10.3-mile loop + one 3.7-mile loop)
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Weather: Overcast, temperatures in the low 50s

33 miles completed/33 miles planned for the week
330.1 miles completed so far in training

Splits:

Mile 1 - 10:11
Mile 2 - 10:26
Mile 3 - 11:02 - Gu chomp/walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 4 - 10:26
Mile 5 - 10:51 - walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 6 - 10:25
Mile 7 - 11:27 - Gu chomp/walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 8 - 10:33
Mile 9 - 10:59 - walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 10 - 10:32
Mile 11 - 11:54 - Gu chomp/walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 12 - 10:45
Mile 13 - 11:25 - walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 14 - 11:03 - walk break somewhere in here

Total time: 2:32:03
Average pace: 10:52/mile

I was SO looking forward to this run, I think because it was a step-back week ("last week I ran 18 miles, this week I only have to run 14!" --> yes, you know your brain is warped when you use the words "only" and "14 miles" in the same sentence ) and it was nicer out. But overall, the run was pretty crappy. My legs felt like they had no energy right from the beginning, and in the later miles the bottom of my left foot felt like one giant blister...which was odd because I got home and didn't have ANY blisters at all.

I THINK I can explain away these issues - the dead feeling in my legs could be due to my running too fast on Friday and the blister-like feeling could be because it was warmer out = more feet sweat (what a lovely image for your Monday morning! ). I'm not sure that I can do anything about the blister-like feeling, and this sort of worries me because it'll be warm in Florida...if I get blisters at any point during Marathon Weekend it will be INCREDIBLY unpleasant, for sure. Maybe it's time for new socks?

I can pretty easily correct running too fast on Friday, though. This is a good thing for me to start thinking about and practicing anyway. I forget if I've mentioned it here, but as I think more and more about Marathon Weekend I sort of feel like a lot of how it will go is going to depend on how Saturday goes - that is, how I run the half marathon and how I recover from it. On the first page of the thread I mentioned that I don't really have any specific time goals - I just want to be able to complete the races feeling good, with a smile on my face, and with tons of excellent character pictures to show for it. But I am starting to realize that I really need to be careful with how I run the half marathon. If I run too fast (similar to what I did on Friday) I'm afraid that I'll trash my legs for the marathon on Sunday...and let's face it, my legs are going to be trashed enough, ya know?! On the flip-side, I don't want to run the half too slowly...being on my feet longer than necessary doesn't seem like a great way to prepare myself to run the marathon the next day either.

I put this question out on the Marathon Thread in the WISH section of the board and folks responded with what I was already leaning toward - running the half at "training pace," which I think is about normal half marathon pace + 60-90 seconds/mile. Going off of the half marathon that I ran in November, that would put my pace at about 11-11:30/mile - not too fast, not too slow. A couple of thoughts here...

1. If this is "training pace"...well, obviously this is not what I have been doing. Maybe I have been doing these Friday runs AND my long runs too fast?

2. If these were "normal" races - i.e. not at Disney - this plan would be airtight. But these ARE Disney races, thus there's a big unknown factor - CHARACTERS. If anyone has read my 2011 Princess Half and 2012 WDW Full reports, you know that I LOVE to stop for lots of character photos during these races. So that's an unknown when it comes to these pace goals.

At any rate, it's definitely something to think about. In the meantime, I think my Friday and Saturday/Sunday runs will be more enjoyable if I slow down. I do think that I have my recovery plan down pretty well...though oddly enough I skipped the ice bath on Saturday and pretty much felt fine afterward. I think I got lucky there.

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Week 14: Rest Day
Sunday, December 2, 2012

Big happenings today - I got all of my Christmas shopping done (not hard when you only have to shop for 3 people and they only want giftcards )...and one of my stops was the Disney Store! Wahoo! Somehow I walked out without anything for myself...shocking!...

...however I DID buy myself a new camera at Best Buy! I went back and forth on it for about a week and got a pretty decent deal...so now I just need to learn all of the bells and whistles before Disney!!

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Week 15: Strength Training
Monday, December 3, 2012

Here it is...my first 40-mile week. I'm trying not to think about it too much and just take it one day at a time, but...I'm a bit nervous. I was supposed to have a 40-mile week when I was training for the 2012 marathon, but I never got the 20-miler in due to an intense snowstorm, so this is uncharted territory for me. We'll see how it goes!

Strength training was good this morning...one of those sessions where I started out feeling just so-so and felt better and more energized when I was done. It also helped that I got to the gym 20 minutes earlier than normal - i.e. closer to the time that I actually SHOULD be getting to the gym each morning.

I listened to the music from Spectromagic! while doing IronStrength this morning. I cannot WAIT for that parade to come back...that music gives me chills.

Happy Monday! 37 days until Marathon Weekend!

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Scouting the Courses: 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon (Sunday, January 13, 2013) - Part 1

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the marathon, this years course is a little different from the one I ran in January.

2012 course:

I almost hate to admit this (because I dont want to cast a negative light on this for anyone else that is running the race, ESPECIALLY first-timers), but when I saw the new course map I was pretty upset with a few of the changes. If you don't want to hear my whining, skip this next paragraph...if not, here's what I didn't like about the new course:

1. The beginning of the course. In the video announcing the new course, runDisney (specifically Mickey himself) exclaimed that "this year [runners] will be getting to the Magic Kingdom earlier than ever...surprise!" or something like that. Basically what this means is that the first portion of the course is exactly the same as the half marathon course - down Epcot Center drive and then up World Drive to the Magic Kingdom. I'm not super upset about it anymore, but I don't like it for 2 reasons: 1. It's exactly the same as the half course (and thus exactly the same as the Princess Half course) - I liked that the beginning of the half and full course were a bit different, and 2. No more early-morning run through Epcot. I cannot explain - or believe - how disappointed I was by this. Epcot is (at the moment) my least favorite park, yet running through it at 5:30AM - in the dark with the countries lit up as they are during Illuminations - is one of my favorite memories from the 2012 Marathon. I'm still pretty disappointed that Disney took this part of the course away.

2. When I heard that the course was changing, I assumed that a portion would go through the new portion of Fantasyland...and from the looks of things it doesn't. Maybe they couldn't work it out logistically just yet? Who knows. Or maybe I'm reading the map wrong and am in for a surprise!

Onto happy thoughts, yes? Let's look at the course.

Just like the half, I'll be taking the monorail over from the Grand Floridian. I don't think I'll be under as much of a time crunch for the full - I have heard that transportation the morning of the half is INSANE, and I didn't experience any of that the morning of the 2012 marathon. So I guess I'll be on the monorail by 4 at the latest (knowing me it'll be more like 3:30...you just never know). Same as the previous day - transfer at the TTC to Epcot, use the bathroom before heading to the staging area in the Wonder Lot, etc. Same set-up as the previous day: tents, a DJ, characters, and porta-potties.

And same long walk to the corrals.

Goofy runners get one bib to use over the course of both days, so whatever corral we're in for the half will be the one we're in for the full. Again, I'm hoping we'll move up at least one corral. If we're in C we'll start running at 5:43 AM.

(I bought the official pictures for the race...and I'll probably buy the Goofy package this year. ).

Again, the beginning portion of the course now matches the Princess/WDW Half marathon course...so we'll head past Spaceship Earth and up Epcot Center Drive toward the Magic Kingdom. I'm expecting some good characters along World Drive, just like during the half. Last year we met a few good ones here during the marathon.

Last year we ran past the Magic Kingdom entrance gates, not under them...you can see in the picture below that the gates were already open to traffic when we ran by. So maybe we'll go under the gates this year since we'll be at this part of the course earlier.

Once we pass the gates we'll hit the TTC. Last year this area was FILLED with spectators...hoping for the same this year! And take note that there are REAL bathrooms here (I skipped them during the marathon due to the huge lines).

Just like the half we'll pass the Contemporary and go under the water bridge. I'm sure a lot of runners will be happy to get this hill out of the way at mile 5 rather than mile 10 like the 2012 course!

Almost to the Magic...

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Scouting the Courses: 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon (Sunday, January 13, 2013) - Part 2

And now it's time! We head into the Magic Kingdom through a Cast Member-only entrance (I'm not expecting the Christmas decorations to greet us there, unfortunately. Race weekend is too late this year ).

Same drill...running right down the middle of Main Street USA! Volunteers to your right, spectators to your left. Stop for a picture (keeping good runner etiquette rules in mind!):

And then take a right into Tomorrowland.

Expect a character out in front of the Lunching Pad&possibly hit the real bathrooms by the Merchant of Venus! And then on into Fantasyland.

Someone will most likely be out in front of the Mad Tea Party&

&and you may meet other friends as well before heading back to the castle!

There will definitely be characters out by the castle (most likely Cinderella characters).

Then we run through the castle and are greeted with a crowded Main Street!

I actually have a video of me and my brother during this portion of the race:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wWa4Yginp0

Once you get back down to Main Street make sure to stop for your picture in front of the castle (as far as I know they won't use personal cameras for this):

The rest of the MK portion goes through Liberty Square (most likely some Princess and the Frog characters here&I'm hoping for Colonial Mickey) and Frontierland (please please please have Bullseye out!!). Then we leave Magic Kingdom&but not before meeting some friends backstage!

All of this just in the first hour or so of the race (probably more than an hour if youre a character lover like I am). After passing the golf course...

...we'll come up to a new area of the course. A lap around the WDW Speedway!

This new area of the course really doesn't do much for me. Actually I'm a little nervous for the banked turns on the track and lack of shade&but I also think there are a few good things about this change. For me, it's a part of WDW that I would have never seen otherwise since I'm not a racing fan. And I'm just now realizing that it breaks up one of the 2 main sections of the older course that I know people hated. This portion the trek down Bear Island Road was tough due to, I think, the number of non-park miles (on the old course it was miles 12-16) and the letdown of leaving Magic Kingdom&so it's nice that they've changed this. Perhaps there will be Cars characters out and about?

Anyway, after the track we'll be back on Bear Island Road. Like I said, a lot of people hate this stretch but I actually enjoyed it. I remember lots of shade from the trees and feeling cool and refreshed. But best of all it was home to my greatest character meet OF ALL TIME...

Anyhoo, I know for sure there will be a decent number of characters along the portion of the course to keep runners smiling.

And then we'll be in Animal Kingdom! On the way in to the park expect some animal friends out to greet you, along with some characters.

I need to get my own Tree of Life photo this year&

My biggest regret from last year's race is not sneaking off the course to take a spin on Expedition Everest. If the timing works out I'd LOVE to do it this year - because when else can you do that?! - but I don't think it'll happen. I think we'll be in Animal Kingdom way too early. Sadness.

Anyhoo, the course heads out of Animal Kingdom near the front of the park. I'm sure Jammin Jungle Minnie and Mickey will be out for photos.

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Scouting the Courses: 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon (Sunday, January 13, 2013) - Part 3

And now the second awful part of the course Osceola Parkway. This was my least favorite part last year - it was late in the race (miles 18-21) and ended with a giant out-and-back. Out-and-backs SUCK during races.

I almost actually wanted to crawl into the grave...(just kidding):

BUT...this is another area of the course Disney has changed. The out-and-back is still there in a way, but it's broken up with a jaunt through ESPN's Wide World of Sports. Fine by me.

Looks like we're spending a decent amount of time here...almost 2 miles (more time than we'll spend in any of the parks). I'm very, VERY glad the out-and-back at mile 20/21 is gone from last year, but I'm nervous about the twists and turns within the WWoS, as well as lack of shade. I'm looking forward to our promised surprise at mile 20 though...my guess (and hope) is that it will be TONS of rare characters.

After WWoS we'll head toward Hollywood Studios.

This area was really fun last year. Loudspeakers were blasting "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond and the runners were singing/shouting along at the top of our lungs while guests in their cars on their way to the DHS parking lots were honking and shouting encouragement at us. Really cool.

We enter the park behind the Tower of Terror...aka the best ride EVER.

Pass some characters and then you're at the Streets of America. There's another video taken on Hollywood Boulevard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ddMORmtXUE

Before heading out of the park there's another REAL bathroom on the left. I have to say, this was my most disappointing park last year as far as characters went. It was a huge letdown...at least I'll be better-prepared this year.

We exit near the front of the park and head toward the Boardwalk, crossing the bridge near the Swan and Dolphin to run in front of Yacht and Beach.

And after running past Epcot hours earlier, we finally enter the park through a Cast Member-only entrance near the UK pavilion. Mile Marker 25 is in France.

It's time to head around the World Showcase (the long way)...there's a small incline in the American Adventure that you have never noticed before, I'm sure. You'll notice it during that 26th mile. I think most of the usual World Showcase characters will be out, and most likely no one will stop for them. At this point it's all about finishing! Upon exiting Epcot the gospel choir will be to your right...

...just across from Mile Marker 26!

Just a quick right turn and there's the finish!

But this is me...I'll surely stop for photos with friends. If Mickey and Minnie are out in their track suits I will weep tears of joy (if I'm not already doing that).

Just like the half there will be an official finisher photo area:

I cannot WAIT to get my hands on these little beauties!

(source)

Some notes...

1. Just like with the half, be aware of the sloped roads and know that not a lot of time is actually spent IN the parks. But with the new course Disney has cut out lots of back roads during the marathon, which I'm sure will make a lot of people happy.

2. You'll notice I didn't mention the fuel stops...once again, I bring fuel for me and my brother and don't rely on Disney for it. There are 4 on the course and I do remember grabbing a banana from one near mile 20 because I was STARVING.

TTFN folks!! I can't wait to run this course in less than 40 days!

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[steph0808]

1. If this is "training pace"...well, obviously this is not what I have been doing. Maybe I have been doing these Friday runs AND my long runs too fast?

I know you are doing a modified Higdon plan, and I am doing his Novice 2.

My long runs (except for when I sub in a half marathon for a long run) have all been done 60-120 seconds slower than my expected marathon pace. I don't know what your expected marathon pace is, but I know your mid-week runs are around a 9:50 pace and your long runs are around a 10:50 pace, so a minute slower, which is good. But if your marathon pace is going to be 10:30 or 10:45 (not including character stops), you are running the long runs too fast. I find if I push harder on the long runs, I am just more tired the next time I run. Plus with the higher mileage, I don't think I can go any faster on my long runs! haha.

I know that Higdon's Intermediate 2 is a good plan for Goofy. What he does is that Friday mid-length runs (what you are doing - 8-10 miles) are done at marathon pace in order to tire your legs out for your long run the next day. And then the long runs are supposed to be done anywhere from 30-90 seconds slower than marathon pace.

 

[Ariel484]

I know you are doing a modified Higdon plan, and I am doing his Novice 2.

My long runs (except for when I sub in a half marathon for a long run) have all been done 60-120 seconds slower than my expected marathon pace. I don't know what your expected marathon pace is, but I know your mid-week runs are around a 9:50 pace and your long runs are around a 10:50 pace, so a minute slower, which is good. But if your marathon pace is going to be 10:30 or 10:45 (not including character stops), you are running the long runs too fast. I find if I push harder on the long runs, I am just more tired the next time I run. Plus with the higher mileage, I don't think I can go any faster on my long runs! haha.

I know that Higdon's Intermediate 2 is a good plan for Goofy. What he does is that Friday mid-length runs (what you are doing - 8-10 miles) are done at marathon pace in order to tire your legs out for your long run the next day. And then the long runs are supposed to be done anywhere from 30-90 seconds slower than marathon pace.

I wouldn't really say I have an expected marathon pace because I know I am going to stop a lot for photos. Clearly I'm doing something wrong with how I'm pacing the long runs, because the 14- and 18-milers were not so great.

For awhile I thought I would go with Intermediate 2 for Goofy - because, like you said, it's supposed to be really good - but I really just don't want to run 5 days per week right now. But I see what you're saying about the documentation for that plan...race pace run followed by a slower long run. I definitely want to change something. Maybe keep the Friday runs around 10:00-10:30 and then do the long runs at 11-11:30...for whatever reason I have been feeling like I need to keep my long runs under 11:00/mile. No clue where I got that from.

Thanks for your input!! I definitely needed to re-read Higdon's documentation. How's training going for you? I keep checking runDisney.com to see if they've posted waivers/corrals yet...no dice.

 

[steph0808]

Training is going pretty well here - I am getting worn out though with the mileage getting up there! I just cannot wait until the taper!

For reference, my long runs are around 11:15-11:30 pace (one tough 17-miler was 12:18 because I had to walk the last three miles because of IT band/ knee pain).

I also don't look at my Garmin that much - just when it beeps at each mile. That way I just run by feel (I do check my heart rate every so often to make sure I'm not working too hard). I figure as long as I get the miles in, it doesn't matter how slow or fast I run them.

 

[Ariel484]

Training is going pretty well here - I am getting worn out though with the mileage getting up there! I just cannot wait until the taper!

For reference, my long runs are around 11:15-11:30 pace (one tough 17-miler was 12:18 because I had to walk the last three miles because of IT band/ knee pain).

I also don't look at my Garmin that much - just when it beeps at each mile. That way I just run by feel (I do check my heart rate every so often to make sure I'm not working too hard). I figure as long as I get the miles in, it doesn't matter how slow or fast I run them.

Great! Glad to hear your training is going well. I hear you, I also cannot wait until taper starts. 3 weeks from now I will be a very happy camper. I'll be even happier if the weather stays decent until then...I'm sure you can relate, being in PA.

I think I'm having trouble with pace because I've gotten a lot faster this year...my normal pace used to be more like 12:00-12:30/mile and I would be ecstatic when I ran a 3-miler at an 11:00/mile pace. Obviously this is not a bad "problem" to have at all, but it's been a struggle to figure out just how I should train. This weekend will definitely be an experiment!

You're totally right about just getting the miles in no matter what the pace. I never used to care until recently...I think with my pace changing I've gotten more competitive with myself or something. It's weird. But I'm really not running the races at Disney with any particular goal in mind so I just need to chill...

 

[Ariel484]

Week 15: Run #1 (5 miles on the treadmill)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012

5 miles completed/40 miles planned for the week
335.1 miles completed so far in training

Not a bad run at all today. In fact, for the first half of the run I felt AMAZING physically, which was very helpful since I was so mentally not with it today. I kept trying to point out to myself how good I felt, and I think that helped. The second half of the run wasn't as amazing, but still good. Just 5 more of these 5-mile treadmill runs...oy. I might need to mix it up with an after-work 5-miler outside here and there.

Total time: 49:26 for 5 miles
Average pace: 9:53/mile

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

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[Ariel484]

Week 15: Run #2 (5 miles on the treadmill)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012

10 miles completed/40 miles planned for the week
340.1 miles completed so far in training

Awful run today. Everything was fine except for the fact that it was approximately 1000 degrees in the treadmill room today. By the end of the run I felt overheated and miserable...which stinks, because if the temperature was bearable I think it would have been a pretty good run. Stupid treadmill.

Total time: 49:47 for 5 miles
Average page: 9:58ish/mile

I only have 4 more of these 5-mile treadmill runs left, but I think I may need to start mixing it up here and there - treadmill run on Tuesday, run outside before/after work on Wednesday? Not sure.

Onto happier thoughts...35 days until marathon weekend!!!

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[matilda]

I did the Goofy this past January it was my first full, goodluck. I am only doing the full this year so I feel your pain. I did not over do it and never did any of the back to backs and the highest I ran was 19 miles in training. I was very very nervous the night in between both races and after praying and telling myself I will do the very best I can I felt a calm come over me and I was fine. I did great till mile 22 and then walked the rest. I felt fine but my brain was saying run and my legs were not listening. My best advice is be confident, you have done all the hard work already. Take this time and enjoy it as it truly is a surreal experience. I am so proud of my Goofy accomplishment and it inspired me to do the marathon in 2013. Take the half a little easier then you normally would then get a good nights sleep and I promise you will be fine. GOODLUCK

 

[Ariel484]

I did the Goofy this past January it was my first full, goodluck. I am only doing the full this year so I feel your pain. I did not over do it and never did any of the back to backs and the highest I ran was 19 miles in training. I was very very nervous the night in between both races and after praying and telling myself I will do the very best I can I felt a calm come over me and I was fine. I did great till mile 22 and then walked the rest. I felt fine but my brain was saying run and my legs were not listening. My best advice is be confident, you have done all the hard work already. Take this time and enjoy it as it truly is a surreal experience. I am so proud of my Goofy accomplishment and it inspired me to do the marathon in 2013. Take the half a little easier then you normally would then get a good nights sleep and I promise you will be fine. GOODLUCK

Hi Matilda! Thanks for the good luck wishes. : I'm hoping to have the calm come over me just like you did! Thank you so much for the advice...I'm hoping that the confidence will be there the morning of the marathon!

Thanks so much for your message...I always like to ready about people that have done Goofy before having a good experience. It's very reassuring. :

 

[Ariel484]

Week 15: Strength training
Thursday, December 6, 2012

Good strength training session today. I felt pretty strong and good throughout...except for the planks at the end. Blech! I think a big part of the reason I felt good today was that I finally went to bed EARLY last night...by early I mean 10PM, which is still too late, but better than when I normally go to sleep (10:30-10:45). I feel so much better.

Despite the fact that it's only the first week of December, the Christmas festivities are starting this weekend for me. We have lots of coordinating to do with various family members (which I'm used to...comes with the territory growing up with divorced parents ) and dinner with my dad is up first on Saturday. He wants to ear weirdly early for some reason - 4:30 - so it seems like it would be best to make Saturday my rest day and tackle my 20-miler on Sunday. I'm sure I would be much more pleasant at dinner if I'm not completely wiped from running for 3-4 hours earlier that day, and it's probably a good idea to give myself a weekend off from back-to-back runs every once in awhile...

...HOWEVER, the big unknown factor is weather. Currently there's a 60% chance of rain tomorrow, a 30% chance of rain on Saturday, and a 60% chance of rain on Sunday. I've gotten over my aversion to running in the rain for the most part, but boy, it sure would be preferable to run 20 dry miles rather than 20 wet ones. I guess I'll look at the radar tomorrow evening and make the call then.

Continued in Next Post

 

[geaux_half]

Scouting the Courses: 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon (Sunday, January 13, 2013) - Part 1

2. No more early-morning run through Epcot. I cannot explain - or believe - how disappointed I was by this. Epcot is (at the moment) my least favorite park, yet running through it at 5:30AM - in the dark with the countries lit up as they are during Illuminations - is one of my favorite memories from the 2012 Marathon. I'm still pretty disappointed that Disney took this part of the course away.[/URL]

Great job on your training and report to date! I ran Goofy in 2010....aka Disney on Ice. It was definetely the coldest weather that this southern boy has run in. It was also the first that I heard of hand warmers...I headed back to the expo after the half on Saturday to buy hand warmers for the marathon Sunday.

I also enjoyed the early morning run through Epcot to get things started.

Keep up the great training job! That's so cool that you're staying at a monorail resort. It's on my radar as well...seems to make alot of sense to do race weekend.

 

[Ariel484]

Great job on your training and report to date! I ran Goofy in 2010....aka Disney on Ice. It was definetely the coldest weather that this southern boy has run in. It was also the first that I heard of hand warmers...I headed back to the expo after the half on Saturday to buy hand warmers for the marathon Sunday.

Every time I hear about the 2010 Marathon Weekend I shudder a bit. Good for you for making it through...and going Goofy while doing it, no less!

I also enjoyed the early morning run through Epcot to get things started.

Great pictures! I always laugh a little bit when I see the characters in their cold-weather gear.

Keep up the great training job! That's so cool that you're staying at a monorail resort. It's on my radar as well...seems to make alot of sense to do race weekend.

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm excited to stay on the monorail...first time ever for me! We'll see how the transportation goes...I've never had trouble taking a bus to a race but I could see there being long lines at the monorail...!!

 

[Ariel484]

Week 15: Run #3 (10 mile out-and-back)
Friday, December 7, 2012
Weather: Upper 40s and overcast

20 miles complete/40 miles planned for the week
350.1 miles completed so far in training

So I mentioned after last week's 14-miler that I realized I needed to dial down my pace a bit on these longer runs...today was my first day truly trying to do that. I set out for this run with a goal over keeping my overall pace between 10:30 and 11:00/mile (for my 20-miler I'm going to shoot for 11:00-11:30).

Splits:

Mile 1 - 10:11
Mile 2 - 10:29
Mile 3 - 10:38 --> Gu chomp/walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 4 - 10:24
Mile 5 - 10:24 --> walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 6 - 10:24
Mile 7 - 10:52 --> Gu chomp/walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 8 - 10:19
Mile 9 - 10:42 --> walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 10 - 10:33

LOL at miles 4-6

Total time: 1:44:58 for 10 miles
Average pace: 10:30/mile <-- spot on!

I must say...I am totally digging this new strategy (aka how I should have been doing longer runs all along). Very enjoyable run today...it felt very good.

In other news...

My dad wanted to change tomorrow's Christmas "dinner" (as much as one can call 4:30PM dinner ) to a late lunch, so we'll be eating at 1PM. It takes us about 45 minutes to get to this place, so to get the 20-miler in tomorrow I'd need to be out running by 7AM or so, and I just don't see that happening. I also don't see myself running later in the day, so I'm pretty sure the 20-miler is happening on Sunday. I really like getting the long runs done on Saturday and having all day Sunday to be a total lazy slob before the work week starts, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. It'll probably be good to have a rest day in between anyway - and I am definitely doing the long runs the week before Christmas back-to-back, so this is okay.

I also got my new running skirt in the mail today. It's REALLY pretty - I like it even better in person than online - but the cut of the skirt just isn't working for me, so I'm exchanging it. Sadness.

LASTLY...I got something else in the mail...my Magical Express info!!!!

WOOHOO! 33 days!

Continued in Next Post

 

[steph0808]

Awesome job on the run!! We also got our Magical Express info in the mail today! (But I was supposed to get my brother's info too but didn't - have to call and check on that!)