In Training: Marathon Weekend 2015 (Dopey Challenge)! **COMPLETE**

[Ariel484]

Week 10 of 10-miler Training
Monday, April 21, 2014 - Sunday, April 27, 2014

18.8 miles complete/18ish miles planned
153.05 miles completed in 10-miler Training so far
204.15 miles completed in 2014 so far

Monday, April 21: Strength Training (ChaLEAN Extreme Push 3) + Ab Ripper X (18)

MEB! MEB! MEB!

Since I was at work I followed the Runner's World Twitter feed for updates from Boston. GO MEB! Wish I could have watched the race on TV.

ANYWAY...after waffling over whether or not to take the full week off of strength training, I decided to just go for it today. Ended up with a pretty good workout...and now I'm definitely shutting it down for the week so that my legs won't be totally drained for Saturday's race. Then I did Ab Ripper X!

When I was getting ready in the locker room a lady came up to me and was like, "That's some ab workout you do!" and then she started asking me some questions...making it sound like she wants to join in sometime...hmm. We'll see. I can't say I'm really looking for a workout buddy right now! I swear I'm not unfriendly or anti-social...I just kind of feel like it’s MY time, ya know? Plus, it's really hard for me to make small talk before I've had coffee.

Also, today was online check-in day for our cruise! Our dining is booked and our port arrival time is secured...90 days until we set sail for the Bahamas!

Tuesday, April 22: 4-mile run on the treadmill

This was one of those runs where I really wasn't feeling it at the beginning, but I felt great at the end. Love when that happens!

My legs were definitely feeling heavy after yesterday's strength training session. I am definitely making the right call in not doing another one until after race day!

For today's run I ran 5 minutes/walked 1 minute until I was done...fiddling with the speed a lot as usual to mix things up. Total time for 4 miles: 43:23, 10:50/mile pace. Nice and relaxed...the first 0.5 miles or so was tough (heavy/stiff legs) but after that I felt very relaxed and comfortable. Just a nice way to start the day!

The lady that asked me about Ab Ripper X talked to me about it a bit more in the locker room again...I wasn't in the same workout room she was in today but she said she tried some of the moves and they were hard. I feel a little bad because I wasn't super chatty with her (I just never am in the morning)...I hope she wasn't offended!

Weird aside - I drank a TON of water today. I have a 32-ounce Nalgene bottle I keep at my desk and I'll try to drink 2 of those today. Normally I get close but don’t quite make it. Today I've drank about 2.5 of them easily! I wonder if allergies are starting to get to me?? Ugh.

And of course, today was general registration day for Marathon Weekend! SO EXCITING!!

As I write this, the 10K is sold out. I can't believe Goofy isn’t even 50% full yet!!

Wednesday, April 23: 30-minute tempo run (2.8 miles completed) + Extreme Abs

Not much to say about this run...it felt good though!

I have officially decided that I HATE the Extreme Abs DVD. I'm just really not good at it. I'm going to stick with it for a bit to see if my hatred for it is BECAUSE I'm not good at it...we'll see.

Also, after the yoga chatter here yesterday, I signed up for a yoga class! It's scheduled for 3PM on Sunday...should be a nice way to recover after Saturday's race.

Random dog pictures...I always take Archie for about a 1-mile walk when I get home. Today we met friends! Yay!

This poor baby squirrel was TERRIFIED of Archie (who was being very gentle around him...I was a proud dog mama!):

Thursday, April 24: 2-mile run on the treadmill + Ab Ripper X (18)

Ridiculous outfit for me this morning - mint green tank top with baby blue shorts, along with a blue Sweaty Band. May have been a cute outfit for a 4-year-old...for a 30-year-old, probably a little ridiculous.

Anyway! Last run before the race! This was honestly the toughest run of the week for me - I feel like sometimes I struggle with these shorter treadmill runs just as much as I do with the longer ones. I think I feel like they should be over immediately because the distance is so much shorter, so that makes it seem longer in my mind. Or something. I'm not making sense. Coffee hasn't kicked in yet.

So I did run 5 minutes/walk 1 minute again...total time for 2 miles was 21:33, about a 10:45/mile pace. Then I did Ab Ripper X, 18 reps per move. I think I'll move up to 19 next week.

In the locker room today I had a different lady ask me if I run every day… Um, no way could I handle that! Then she asked if I do weights, etc. Getting lots of questions about my gym schedule this week, which is interesting.

When I got home I had an exciting little package waiting for me...Raw Threads had a 22% off sale on April 22nd for Earth Day, so I got the Minnie Bow hoodie. It's ADORABLE! I seriously am addicted to all of this cute running stuff...Raw Threads, Sweaty Bands, Sparkle Skirts...love it!

Friday, April 25: Rest Day + Packet pick-up!

Dumb! Dumb day for me!

Today was my work-from-home day, and normally I try to spend those getting a lot of stuff down around the house (in between working)...so today I did, like 5 loads of laundry, vacuumed, cleaned up...DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A REST DAY TO YOU?! I realize those aren't super strenuous chores, but I think I overdid it a bit. DUMB!

Today was also packet pick-up for tomorrow's race! I was thinking...since I want to go for a fast time, I should probably take gels for the race instead of chomps for fuel. I like chomps, but they take a long time to chew, and I can't run and chew at the same time without choking. So gels it is!

Yeti gels!

I found a couple of tops that I liked and purchased...will have to post pictures later. One was 25% off and I used a coupon in my race bag for the other to save 20%! I liked this one too but didn't buy it...maybe I'll grab it sometime this summer (cameo appearance from my black Adrenalines!):

Other than that...had pizza for dinner and tried to drink a decent amount of water. Got to bed around 11:30...not bad. Race day tomorrow!

Saturday, April 26: Cleveland 10-miler

RACE RECAP!

Sunday, April 27: Hot Yoga scheduled, Rest Day taken

This is on my agenda for tomorrow. Hope it's a good class! I might move to an earlier one (the one I currently have scheduled is at 3PM).

ETA: Well, I canceled my yoga class reservation. I woke up and my quads are soooooo sore from yesterday's race. If I had to hold Warrior 1 right now I'd cry. Some other time!

Time to start training for the next race!

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

RACE RECAP: 2014 Cleveland 10-Miler
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Weather: 54 degrees, sunny with some wind

This is the 5th year I have run this race, and it holds a lot of history for me.

This is the first long-distance race I've ever run and it had been on my radar for awhile. I'd been running since spring of 2008 (I think) and was finally making some decent progress toward the end of 2009. Then in January 2010 I fell down some stairs at my house and couldn't walk for a week - I was depressed and could feel all of the gains I'd made running-wise slipping away. By the time I could run again I'd gained weight (emotional eating?) and lost endurance, but I stubbornly signed up for the 10-miler anyway. The race was HORRIBLE - I finished in 2:00:42 (12:00/mile pace), which isn't a bad time at all...but the whole thing was such a struggle (and, I'll be honest, I was annoyed that I'd been so close to getting under the 2-hour mark just to miss it ). I'd come to the race with my brother, cousin and a friend, and knowing that they had waited for me at the finish for probably 15-20 minutes was humiliating. I felt sad, embarrassed and out of shape. I hadn't drank any water on the course or taken in any fuel, so I was also incredibly nauseous and exhausted. I felt sick and awful all day.

I reflect back on that first 10-miler in 2010 a lot, probably more than any other race I've run. I think it was really a catalyst for me in a lot of ways - after it was over I found myself determined to get better at this running thing. I started researching how to fuel and drink during runs, how to get faster, and more distance races to sign up for. And I kept coming back to this one, trying to get better. 2011 showed a slight improvement (1:54:11, 11:24/mile pace), but I didn't see the big gains in pace until 2012 (1:39:07, 9:54/mile pace - right after I'd lost about 30 pounds) and 2013 (1:37:15, 9:44/mile pace) - by then running had become a habit, and it wasn't good enough for me to just finish this race. I wanted proof that I was getting better. Somehow this race has become my benchmark for how I'm doing with running.

(Brief aside...2012 and 2013 were also weird for me because I arrived to the race LATE - like, so late that one time I arrived at the starting line just as the race was beginning. Both times I didn't have time for the all-important pre-race bathroom stop! So I was definitely focused on doing better there as well.)

ANYWAY...that brings us to today. 10 weeks of training in the books! What would it bring??!

I was out of bed by about 7:15...got my coffee and bagel/peanut butter together and left by about 7:35.

Adorable Mickey mug from my sweet mother-in-law:

The race starts and ends in this really pretty park west of Cleveland. Gorgeous views of the lake and the city skyline, and lots of really cool, old houses to look at. It's a nice setting.

I arrive a bit after 8AM for the 8:30 start and parked near where I knew the finish was, as close to the exit as possible so I wouldn't get stuck in a traffic jam later. The race starts at the upper edge of the park and finishes at the lower edge, so to get to the start I had to walk up this BIG hill. I knew this from past races, and I did do better with arriving early enough this year, but still not good enough. By the time I got up to the start I had just enough time for the pre-race bathroom break this year however...I was in the bathroom during the Moment of Silence for last year's Boston Marathon victims AND the National Anthem! I felt terrible about that!

I literally walked out of the bathroom, to the start, and 5 seconds later it was go time!

My A+++++ goal for this race (doable but sort of a stretch) was to finish in 1:35...overall pace of 9:30. I thought the best way to possibly do this was to hold a 9:40 pace for the first 5 miles and then try to whittle it down to an average 9:30 pace for the final 5. If I couldn't do this, breaking my PR would be good enough for me!

We started and my legs felt zapped of energy almost immediately. This is where I began to think I really screwed up my rest day yesterday. Another way I screwed up was by throwing my little plan out the window almost immediately and running a 9-minute mile for mile 1!!!!!! TOO FAST! My splits are a little wonky in my watch (my overall distance came out to 9.85 at the end of the race...weird?! I didn't cut any corners!) but it's obvious I did the first few miles of the race way too fast. I was starting to feel pretty drained by mile 4.

Mile 1: 9:02
Mile 2: 9:35
Mile 3: 9:33 --> walk/water/gel at the beginning of this mile
Mile 4: 9:53
Mile 5: 9:29 --> walk/water at the beginning of this mile

Official split for the first 5 miles: 47:11, 9:26/mile pace

The sun was really beating down - not a cloud in the sky. I think I would have felt better wearing a hat (even though I don't really liked wearing them to run) and short sleeves (my race outfit was a long-sleeved top and my black SparkleSkirt...which is always awesome).

So anyway...I started way faster than I planned to. I started thinking maybe I could still negative split this race...hahahaha. Silly Shannon.

Also...somewhere in here I passed a dead squirrel on the road (EW! Poor squirrel) and a cop that was directing traffic for the race WHILE SMOKING A CIGAR. DUDE...you're on the job and I don't want to inhale your smoke!

Mile 6: 10:01
Mile 7: 9:37 --> walk/water/gel at the beginning of this mile
Mile 8: 10:15...super losing it at this point

At the beginning of Mile 9 I was expecting some magical burst of energy - that's what happened to me the last 2 years - but it never came. Also, they changed the course this year. Stupid me assumed it would be the same so I didn't even look at the course map, but there were definitely new hills in the 8th and 9th miles that I didn't remember from past years. They weren't like climbing Mount Everest or anything, but I still was not pleased. My calves felt weak and my quads were on fire.

Mile 9: 9:56 --> walk/water break at the beginning of this mile
Mile 10: 9:25 --> I WANT THIS TO END!!!!

Official split for the second 5 miles: 48:05, 9:37/mile pace

Total time for 10 miles: 1:35:16, a 9:32/mile pace!! And a new **PR**!!

Obviously I'm really excited by these results...also a little puzzled. It didn't feel like a good race, and I'm wondering what the deal is with my watch reading 9.85 miles instead of 10...normally in a race I'll add to my distance with wide turns and weaving. But I didn't weave a ton today and tried to really pay attention and not take wide turns. Hmm...

WELL STILL! I'm claiming this as a my new PR! I think I'll wait to send anything to Disney until after my next few races. Hopefully I can learn from this one and do things a bit differently in the future. Good day overall though!

5 years of the 10-miler:

Post-race FOOD...a caramel frap (YUM!):

And a delicious post-race brunch at First Watch, my and Will's tradition.

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Cleveland 10K Mini-Training

The 10-miler is dunzo, so on to my next major race of 2014...the Cleveland 10K!

This 10K is part of the Cleveland Marathon weekend. I've run the half marathon the past 3 years...each year hasn't been a great experience for one reason or another, so I decided to try the 10K this year just to change things up. Plus, I've never run an official 10K before - automatic PR!

From Cleveland Marathon Weekends past...

As a 10K runner I know I will get a cotton t-shirt with my entry...and new for this year, 10K finishers are also getting finisher medals (they look exactly like the ones in the picture above, except different colors and obviously they say "10K" instead of "half marathon"). More bling for me!

I'm calling this section "mini-training" because the race is sooooon - May 18 soon. So I really only have 3 weeks to dedicate to "training" for it, where the plan I'm using is an 8-week plan. My mini-plan comes from the one, the only, Mr. Hal Higdon - it’s weeks 6, 7 and 8 of his Intermediate 10K Plan (dropping out the Thursday run so that I'm running 4 days per week).

Since I just completed the 10-miler I'm sure I'll be fine endurance-wise - in fact, my two long runs before the 10K will be a 7- and 8-miler...less than what I just trained for. The speedwork and tempo runs will be interesting - one of each, but the speedwork is 0.25-mile repeats instead of the 0.5-mile repeats I completed for the 10-miler - this should probably be okay because I've been doing the 0.5-mile repeats at 5K pace, and I'm supposed to do the 0.25-mile repeats at that same pace. But the one tempo run I'm going to do is a whopping 50 minutes long. Yikes!

I'm still going to keep my 2 days of strength training + 3-4 days of ab work each week. If I could add in another day of strength training that would be awesome, maybe on Friday or Saturday? Maybe add in a yoga class once a week? Maybe not - just not enough time to do everything. Have to have one day of rest each week too...non-negotiable.

One challenge I'm going to run into is that we're going out of town next weekend for my husband's cousin's wedding. It'll be a very short trip - flying to DC on Friday after work, then back home on Sunday afternoon. We aren't planning on checking any bags, and it's such a short trip, so I think I'm going to try to cram all of my runs in before we leave, with my long run on Friday (my work-from-home day). This means I have to move my second-longest run of the week (5.5 miles) to the treadmill and likely will skip a strength training session. Booooo...but it's gotta be done.

Really excited for this race overall! I know parts of the course having run other races around Cleveland, so I know it should be relatively flat. Like I said, it's my first race at this distance so it'll be an automatic PR. Originally I was hoping to finish in an under and hour - wasn't sure if I could do it - but today at the 10-miler I ran the first 10K in 59:39 (!!) so I definitely should be able to do that here in a dedicated 10K race. I'm still going to make that my main goal for now, though.

The other fun part of this day is that after the race and my traditional First Watch post-race brunch with Will...I'm going to the Lady Gaga concert with my cousins that night! I LIVE FOR THE APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE…*I know, I know, people hate Gaga...I love her!*

This post needs pictures!!! So we'll go back to the 2012 Marathon, which I ran with my brother Craig. Right around the 10K mark we met the 3 Little Pigs…

...and Professor Ludwig Von Drake! Hooray for rare characters!

10K Mini-Training

COMPLETED

Week 1 (4/28 - 5/4): 18.45 miles completed
Monday: 3-mile run
Tuesday: 5.5-mile run scheduled, 3.3 miles completed
Wednesday: Strength Training (ChaLEAN Extreme Push 1)/Ab Ripper X (19)
Thursday: 10x400 @ 5K pace...5.15 miles total
Friday: 7-mile run - travel to DC
Saturday: Rest Day - DC
Sunday: Rest Day - travel home from DC

Week 2 (5/5 - 5/11): 21.25 miles completed/21ish miles planned
Monday: Strength Training (ChaLEAN Extreme Push 2)/Ab Ripper X (19)
Tuesday: 3-mile run/Extreme Abs
Wednesday: Strength Training (ChaLEAN Extreme Push 3)/Ab Ripper X (19)
Thursday: 50-minute tempo run...4.25 miles completed
Friday: 6-mile run
Saturday: 8-mile run
Sunday: Rest

Week 3 (5/12 - 5/18): 13ish miles planned
Monday: 5x400 @ 5K pace...2.75 miles total + Extreme Abs
Tuesday: Strength Training planned, unscheduled rest day taken (lazy!)
Wednesday: 3-mile run + Ab Ripper X (20)
Thursday: 1-3-mile run planned, unscheduled rest day taken (recovery from being sick Wednesday night)
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: Rest Day
Sunday: CLEVELAND 10K!
Continued in Next Post

 

[ZellyB]

When I was getting ready in the locker room a lady came up to me and was like, "That's some ab workout you do!" and then she started asking me some questions...making it sound like she wants to join in sometime...hmm. We'll see. I can't say I'm really looking for a workout buddy right now! I swear I'm not unfriendly or anti-social...I just kind of feel like it’s MY time, ya know? Plus, it's really hard for me to make small talk before I've had coffee.

I could totally understand wanting that solo time. But, clearly that ab workout you did really impressed her!

And woohoo on the 90-day mark for your cruise!!

And of course, today was general registration day for Marathon Weekend! SO EXCITING!!

As I write this, the 10K is sold out. I can't believe Goofy isn’t even 50% full yet!!

We got in for Goofy! I honestly expected Goofy to go first, so I was shocked at how quickly the others went instead.

Also, after the yoga chatter here yesterday, I signed up for a yoga class! It's scheduled for 3PM on Sunday...should be a nice way to recover after Saturday's race.

Way to go! I still haven't even managed to go find my P90X yoga DVD.

This poor baby squirrel was TERRIFIED of Archie (who was being very gentle around him...I was a proud dog mama!)

What a good dog!!

Love the Minnie bow hoodie. I've got to buy something from there!

Hope the race went well!

 

[ZellyB]

Great job on your race and congratulations on a new PR!! Wish it would have been a more enjoyable race for you, but the scenery along the way looks fantastic. Your next race is coming up quick, but as you said, you should be easily prepared for it. Love all your medals and I think it's really neat that it's a race you run every year. How gratifying to see all your improvement year over year.

 

[Outonarun]

Congratulations on your fantastic PR!! Way to go!!

 

[annmarieda]

I'm sure they'll do something for ToT #5. Totally agree, WDW in the fall is pretty awesome!

I feel like they must save the bigger stuff for every 5 years. I CANNOT imagine being perfect for 20 years at all!

I hope they do something at the 5 year... but if they don't... they don't.

You'd think they'd have it down by now! I feel like there were more kinks for the night ones compared to the day races so hopefully it'll be okay for you.

I kinda think that there have been so many day time races and so few night time that maybe that is why? I mean... they did the ToT half for a year or two and that was at night... and then Wine and Dine has been going how many years? EE I am not sure it counts totally since it is kinda a different beast given it is a 5k obstacle course. I guess it just makes sense to me that they are still fine tuning their night time races.

Also...I was at D-I-C-K's Spotings Goods for packet pick-up (not sure if the Dis will blur out the name of that store) and they had a lot of Avengers dry-fit t-shirts and socks and things, so it should be easy to put a costume together.

I saw some at a packet pick up too... I think dh will be going with spiderman. I figure I will just put to use my rawthreads shirt I got. Maybe not a marvel hero... but a disney hero/princess works, right?

I know! I think they need to tweak the number of Dopey runners to open up more 5K and 10K spots. Of course, Dopey is their biggest money-maker so I can't see them doing that.

It is really amazing how many people they get to sign up for it. I was talking with dh recently about how I was getting a tad frustrated by how many race registrations were in the first part of the year. Then it hit me... tax refunds. I suspect that Disney is pretty calculated in what they can charge and when they can charge it. I wonder... if the dopey didn't open until July... maybe not as many people would spare the expense?

I hope it fits you better this year!!

Thanks, me too.

They have them at the Disney expos, so maybe you could try one there? I'm with you, I need hair to stay out of my face but I really don't love wearing hats or visors.

I am with you on the hats and visors... I should wear them more given the rain here... but I would far prefer a band. I have seen various booths at expos with some as I passed by...but I just haven't felt it was ok to try them on.

Week 10 of 10-miler Training
Monday, April 21, 2014 - Sunday, April 27, 2014

18.8 miles complete/18ish miles planned
153.05 miles completed in 10-miler Training so far
204.15 miles completed in 2014 so far

Way to push past your goal!!!

MEB! MEB! MEB!

ANYWAY...after waffling over whether or not to take the full week off of strength training, I decided to just go for it today. Ended up with a pretty good workout...and now I'm definitely shutting it down for the week so that my legs won't be totally drained for Saturday's race. Then I did Ab Ripper X!

Isn't it funny... waffling often ends with some of the better work outs.

When I was getting ready in the locker room a lady came up to me and was like, "That's some ab workout you do!" and then she started asking me some questions...making it sound like she wants to join in sometime...hmm. We'll see. I can't say I'm really looking for a workout buddy right now! I swear I'm not unfriendly or anti-social...I just kind of feel like it’s MY time, ya know? Plus, it's really hard for me to make small talk before I've had coffee.

I could imagine that would be an awkward conversation...

online check-in day for our cruise[/URL]! Our dining is booked and our port arrival time is secured...90 days until we set sail for the Bahamas!

Tuesday, April 22: 4-mile run on the treadmill

This was one of those runs where I really wasn't feeling it at the beginning, but I felt great at the end. Love when that happens!

LOVE feeling better in the end.

For today's run I ran 5 minutes/walked 1 minute until I was done...fiddling with the speed a lot as usual to mix things up. Total time for 4 miles: 43:23, 10:50/mile pace. Nice and relaxed...the first 0.5 miles or so was tough (heavy/stiff legs) but after that I felt very relaxed and comfortable. Just a nice way to start the day!

Sounds like a nice run!

The lady that asked me about Ab Ripper X talked to me about it a bit more in the locker room again...I wasn't in the same workout room she was in today but she said she tried some of the moves and they were hard. I feel a little bad because I wasn't super chatty with her (I just never am in the morning)...I hope she wasn't offended!

sounds like you have a friend.

Weird aside - I drank a TON of water today. I have a 32-ounce Nalgene bottle I keep at my desk and I'll try to drink 2 of those today. Normally I get close but don’t quite make it. Today I've drank about 2.5 of them easily! I wonder if allergies are starting to get to me?? Ugh.

allergies... ugh!

And of course, today was general registration day for Marathon Weekend! SO EXCITING!!

As I write this, the 10K is sold out. I can't believe Goofy isn’t even 50% full yet!!

Open on closed same day... craziness!!!!

Wednesday, April 23: 30-minute tempo run (2.8 miles completed) + Extreme Abs

Not much to say about this run...it felt good though!

Thursday, April 24: 2-mile run on the treadmill + Ab Ripper X (18)

Ridiculous outfit for me this morning - mint green tank top with baby blue shorts, along with a blue Sweaty Band. May have been a cute outfit for a 4-year-old...for a 30-year-old, probably a little ridiculous.

I try to make myself match as well as possible..but there are definitely times I head out and realize I must look completely ridiculous. It happens...

Anyway! Last run before the race! This was honestly the toughest run of the week for me - I feel like sometimes I struggle with these shorter treadmill runs just as much as I do with the longer ones. I think I feel like they should be over immediately because the distance is so much shorter, so that makes it seem longer in my mind. Or something. I'm not making sense. Coffee hasn't kicked in yet.

You made sense. I think distance becomes a mental trick. I know I ALWAYS struggle with mile 3... it takes forever. Then somehow I get to it and it seems like mile 4 happens in no time. I think when I set out thinking I might run 8 to 10 I figure it will be a long haul and I settle in. 4 to 6 and I know I will be done sooner so I am more anxious. All a mental game....

In the locker room today I had a different lady ask me if I run every day… Um, no way could I handle that! Then she asked if I do weights, etc. Getting lots of questions about my gym schedule this week, which is interesting.

Well, you probably look like you know what you are doing...and are inspirational. I know I like to follow what you are doing... I am sure others are curious too.

When I got home I had an exciting little package waiting for me...Raw Threads had a 22% off sale on April 22nd for Earth Day, so I got the Minnie Bow hoodie. It's ADORABLE! I seriously am addicted to all of this cute running stuff...Raw Threads, Sweaty Bands, Sparkle Skirts...love it!

I didn't realize it was off anything? I thought it was just off the hoodies. OH!! I am super sad now. I have that minnie bow shirt. LOVE it!!!

Friday, April 25: Rest Day + Packet pick-up!

Today was my work-from-home day, and normally I try to spend those getting a lot of stuff down around the house (in between working)...so today I did, like 5 loads of laundry, vacuumed, cleaned up...DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A REST DAY TO YOU?! I realize those aren't super strenuous chores, but I think I overdid it a bit. DUMB!

Oh no... that doesn't sound like rest.

Today was also packet pick-up for tomorrow's race! I was thinking...since I want to go for a fast time, I should probably take gels for the race instead of chomps for fuel. I like chomps, but they take a long time to chew, and I can't run and chew at the same time without choking. So gels it is!

Yeti gels!

I recently won a case of accel gels... not a fan. I am not sure how I could run and suck on one of those. Plus the taste Are the Yeti ones good?

I found a couple of tops that I liked and purchased...will have to post pictures later. One was 25% off and I used a coupon in my race bag for the other to save 20%! I liked this one too but didn't buy it...maybe I'll grab it sometime this summer (cameo appearance from my black Adrenalines!):

Yay for new tops!!!

 

[Ariel484]

I could totally understand wanting that solo time. But, clearly that ab workout you did really impressed her!

I guess so? I just hope I didn't come off as unfriendly.

And woohoo on the 90-day mark for your cruise!!

So excited!!!

We got in for Goofy! I honestly expected Goofy to go first, so I was shocked at how quickly the others went instead.

YAY!!! Aren't you so excited?! I expected Goofy to fill quickly too! I wonder if many people that were just going to do Goody decided to just throw in the 5K and 10K and go Dopey instead? That's what happened to me!

Way to go! I still haven't even managed to go find my P90X yoga DVD.

Well...I need to go back and update but I ended up canceling my yoga class. My legs are just too sore today!

What a good dog!!

He is!!!

Love the Minnie bow hoodie. I've got to buy something from there!

Hope the race went well!

Just a warning...Raw Threads is addicting!! Their stuff is so cute and the fabric feels sooooo good.

Great job on your race and congratulations on a new PR!! Wish it would have been a more enjoyable race for you, but the scenery along the way looks fantastic. Your next race is coming up quick, but as you said, you should be easily prepared for it. Love all your medals and I think it's really neat that it's a race you run every year. How gratifying to see all your improvement year over year.

Thank you!! I wish I would have enjoyed it a little more too, but my ultimate goal was to PR and I did that, so I guess I can't complain too much!

I love the medals too! They're not quite Disney medals, but they are still pretty great. It's ALL about the bling!!

Congratulations on your fantastic PR!! Way to go!!

Thank you!!!

I hope they do something at the 5 year... but if they don't... they don't.

I hope they do too! I think if they don't people will be upset...they have set a precedent by doing things for all of the other races.

I kinda think that there have been so many day time races and so few night time that maybe that is why? I mean... they did the ToT half for a year or two and that was at night... and then Wine and Dine has been going how many years? EE I am not sure it counts totally since it is kinda a different beast given it is a 5k obstacle course. I guess it just makes sense to me that they are still fine tuning their night time races.

I think you must be right! Night races are really not all that common, they must be hard to set up. This will be Wine & Dine #5!

I saw some at a packet pick up too... I think dh will be going with spiderman. I figure I will just put to use my rawthreads shirt I got. Maybe not a marvel hero... but a disney hero/princess works, right?

Absolutely! I'd say they are heroes in their own ways!

It is really amazing how many people they get to sign up for it. I was talking with dh recently about how I was getting a tad frustrated by how many race registrations were in the first part of the year. Then it hit me... tax refunds. I suspect that Disney is pretty calculated in what they can charge and when they can charge it. I wonder... if the dopey didn't open until July... maybe not as many people would spare the expense?

Wow, I never thought of that! I bet you are completely right. Sneaky Disney...

Thanks, me too.

I'm just glad they are FINALLY giving us ladies the option to get women's cut shirts! Even my smaller local races have had them for years.

I am with you on the hats and visors... I should wear them more given the rain here... but I would far prefer a band. I have seen various booths at expos with some as I passed by...but I just haven't felt it was ok to try them on.

Well at least you could see them up close and see what you think (and save on the shipping costs).

Way to push past your goal!!!

Isn't it funny... waffling often ends with some of the better work outs.

Yes, totally! I 100% agree.

I could imagine that would be an awkward conversation...

It kind of was!

LOVE feeling better in the end.

Sounds like a nice run!

Me too! Those kinds of runs are always pretty great.

sounds like you have a friend.

I guess I do...

allergies... ugh!

I finally broke down and bought some Claritin yesterday. UGH!

Open on closed same day... craziness!!!!

I know! I think I'm the most surprised by the half closing so quickly. I know it's popular, but...!!!

I try to make myself match as well as possible..but there are definitely times I head out and realize I must look completely ridiculous. It happens...

I do too, but it doesn't always work out very well! I need to invest in more black shorts. That would probably help me look less crazy.

You made sense. I think distance becomes a mental trick. I know I ALWAYS struggle with mile 3... it takes forever. Then somehow I get to it and it seems like mile 4 happens in no time. I think when I set out thinking I might run 8 to 10 I figure it will be a long haul and I settle in. 4 to 6 and I know I will be done sooner so I am more anxious. All a mental game....

It totally IS a mental game. I always struggle for the first 0.5 miles or so and then once I'm warmed up it gets a little better...

Well, you probably look like you know what you are doing...and are inspirational. I know I like to follow what you are doing... I am sure others are curious too.

That's a nice way to think about it!

I didn't realize it was off anything? I thought it was just off the hoodies. OH!! I am super sad now. I have that minnie bow shirt. LOVE it!!!

No no, don't worry! I misspoke, it WAS only certain hoodies. I know because one of my friends REALLY wants one of their new Yeti shirts and that wasn't part of the sale.

Oh no... that doesn't sound like rest.

Nope!

I recently won a case of accel gels... not a fan. I am not sure how I could run and suck on one of those. Plus the taste Are the Yeti ones good?

The Yeti ones are are salted caramel...I liked them!!

Yay for new tops!!!

And they are SHORT-SLEEVED tops! Yay for nicer weather!!

 

[steph0808]

Awesome job on the 10-miler and congrats on the new PR!

So jealous of your cruise check-in - I would love to do a Disney cruise! Maybe in a few years, I can convince DH to do a land/sea Disney vacation with the kiddo, which will be here before your cruise - if you only have 90 days until the cruise! I only have 70-some days before my due date! Yikes!

Keep up the great work! I am living vicariously through you until July/August when I can run again (let's face it, my body is just too huge and weird for me to run comfortably). Now off to the treadmill to walk a few miles!

 

[TinyDancer]

Congrats on your PR!!
Nice race recap

LOVE LOvE LOVE the Minnie hoodie!! I NEED that!!

 

[Ariel484]

Awesome job on the 10-miler and congrats on the new PR!

THANKS!

So jealous of your cruise check-in - I would love to do a Disney cruise! Maybe in a few years, I can convince DH to do a land/sea Disney vacation with the kiddo, which will be here before your cruise - if you only have 90 days until the cruise! I only have 70-some days before my due date! Yikes!

I hope you get to do one someday! It's such a different way to vacation. I hope my husband loves it...because I have other itineraries that I want to go on!!

70 days!!! That's so exciting!

Keep up the great work! I am living vicariously through you until July/August when I can run again (let's face it, my body is just too huge and weird for me to run comfortably). Now off to the treadmill to walk a few miles!

Is there a jogging stroller in your future?!

Way to go on keeping active. I absolutely cannot imagine running while pregnant. I know some women can do it, but like you said, it seems uncomfortable!

Congrats on your PR!!
Nice race recap

Thank you!!

LOVE LOvE LOVE the Minnie hoodie!! I NEED that!!

GAHHHH ME TOO. I wasn't sure about the bow stuff at first, but I really like the Minnie one...and the Ariel one...and the Tiana one...and the Rapunzel one...ahhh!!! I need more money!

Gotta say, I think it's clever how they clearly represent these characters without being super obvious (since I'm sure they don't have legal clearance from Disney).

(Hmm...no love for Daisy from Raw Threads? )

 

[Ariel484]

Odds and Ends

Now that I'm a little less out of it from Saturday's race, here are some things I forgot to mention!

1. 10-miler training reflections: Overall I'm happy with how training went - I feel like I can't complain much because I did meet my goal of setting a new PR.

But I just went back through and realized that I missed more runs than I thought I did. Of the 39 training runs I had planned I completed 30.5 of them (the 0.5 being that last speedwork session I bailed on halfway though). Of course 4 of those missed runs came the week I was sick, and I don't regret missing those - there was no way I could have, or should have, run that week. But I'd definitely like to do better with completed my scheduled runs going forward.

One thing I was thinking about Thursday/Friday was sort of psyching me out - I've done 3 slow runs each week plus one speedwork/tempo run...how is this preparing me to run close to a 9:30 pace for 10 miles?! I mean...HH says to do those other runs slowly, so I was doing the right thing, but I was really starting to doubt my training. Again, it worked out - I got my PR - but the splits tell the story. I started too fast and was fading toward the end. So that was a mental fail on my part, and it makes me wonder if goal race pace runs during would have helped me? Like...how was I suddenly supposed to run this pace when I hadn't had any practice doing so?! Goal race pace runs are part of my training plan for my next big race (which I'll talk about in a second), so we'll see!

Weird aside about this medal - it doesn't have the year/date of the race anywhere on it. I thought that was odd.

2. The Next Big Race - Registered!
Right now my main focus is on training for the Cleveland 10K (less than 3 weeks away already!), but my next long-distance race is a fall half marathon. And I registered for it on Friday!

This will be the first time I've run this race. It's point-to-point inside Cleveland's park system, so it sounds like a really nice course. This race and Saturday's 10-miler are part of the race company's "distance journey," so by completing both I'll get a bonus medal!

They had the medals at packet pick-up on Friday...the races medals are pretty impressive (actually just as big as my awesome Wine & Dine medal from 2013...not as thick and heavy, but still), but the bonus sun medal is comically small. The concept art below is definitely not done to scale. Oh well!

The half ends in the town right next to mine, so that'll be nice. I'll park at that city's high school and take a shuttle to the start (had to reserve a spot to do so) and then it should be a quick, 10-minute ride home.

I have a very specific time goal for this race, and the training plan I am going to use DOES have goal race pace runs. So I'm curious to see if those help!

3. The Spirit of Minnie: So last week I mentioned that I got a super adorable Minnie hoodie from Raw Threads!

As much as I'd love to wear this for one of the races during Marathon Weekend, I know from past experience it'll be WAY too hot. I have my marathon outfit planned out, and I'm sure I'll re-wear the outfit I had on for the Royal Family 5K, but beyond that I haven't decided anything.

Ever since I decided I wanted to run the Dopey Challenge (basically since they first announced it over a year ago) I've been looking at new SparkleSkirts!! For awhile I was dead set on the PinkMiniTech. It's pink, it represents my girl Minnie...can't go wrong!

But before I pulled the trigger I started looking at the RedMiniTech...the more classic representation of Mickey's #1 girl:

On Friday, after registering for the half, I pulled the trigger and ordered...the RedMiniTech!!! I have a black Nike Dri-Fit sleeveless running top, and I'm thinking about picking up a pair of Minnie ears (the ones with the red and white polka dot bow). So at some point during Marathon Weekend I'll be representing Minnie! As an added bonus with this skirt, I can wear it for the 4th of July race I'm planning on running, paired with a blue Nike Dri-Fit sleeveless top. How very patriotic!

I think the obvious time to wear my Minnie-like outfit would be during the 10K, but isn't EVERYONE going to be dressed as Minnie during that race?! Right now I'm thinking this will be my outfit for the half marathon instead, and maybe I'll wear what I wore for the Royal Family 5K for the WDW 10K. I can see myself carrying the ears most of the way and just throwing them on for pictures, or - more likely - investing in a red and white polka dot Sweaty Band to match my skirt. I'm pretty sure I'll go the Sweaty Band route just because I'd get more use out of a Sweaty Band than a pair of ears. Plus...here are the contenders:

L - Lil' Bow Peep
R - Do The Polka Dots

I think there's an obvious winner...isn't the Lil' Bow Peep the cutest?! The Minnie-like bow is too perfect. Sweaty Bands normally has a booth set up at the Wine & Dine expo so I'll probably pick it up there.

It's funny, I normally don't dress up for these races, but it's kind of fun to represent the "spirit" of some of my favorite Disney characters!

4. Ouch: Still sore from Saturday's race. Boo! At least I'm walking somewhat normally.


I thought I had more to say, but I forget what it was. Happy Monday!

Continued in Next Post

 

[ZellyB]

We are also really trying to figure out this training pace thing. We are running at a faster pace than in the past and really running them at what we want our race pace to be. But, then I'm paranoid that we are going too fast and we will end up hurt. I find it all very confusing, honestly. And Galloway isn't that great at explaining it in his book. We finally decided we would just train more at race pace and listen to our bodies and if we feel we are pushing too hard, we will pull back.

I love those medals. They are so pretty!!

I have the pink Minnie sparkle tech and love it, but I remember also debating about whether or not to go with the more traditional Minnie print. I think you made the right choice. It's darling. And, I agree that the Lil' Bo Peep band is the way to go.

I've also been starting to do some looking around for what I want to do for our Goofy run. I think I found a contender, but still trying to decide for sure. Plus, of course, this year having to plan for two different race outfits. Since our condo has a washer and dryer, Chris thinks we should just wash the clothes and wear the same outfit both days. Men. Doesn't he understand the importance of getting new outfits for each race?

 

[KelleyK75]

Congratulations on your PR!

 

[jbuckent]

Odds and Ends

One thing I was thinking about Thursday/Friday was sort of psyching me out - I've done 3 slow runs each week plus one speedwork/tempo run...how is this preparing me to run close to a 9:30 pace for 10 miles?! I mean...HH says to do those other runs slowly, so I was doing the right thing, but I was really starting to doubt my training. Again, it worked out - I got my PR - but the splits tell the story. I started too fast and was fading toward the end. So that was a mental fail on my part, and it makes me wonder if goal race pace runs during would have helped me? Like...how was I suddenly supposed to run this pace when I hadn't had any practice doing so?! Goal race pace runs are part of my training plan for my next big race (which I'll talk about in a second), so we'll see!

I never understand this as well. I don't really follow training plans very well, I attempt to complete the miles, but the pace business just confuses me too much. My next race isn't until 7/4, a 10k, right now 6 miles is my long run so I'm focusing on trying to beat my time each week until then. The past two weeks I finished in 70 & then 73 minutes. Last 6 miler wasn't going good and I quit at .8 miles and decided I'd just walk 3 miles. During that walk I started playing with my phone and looked at my fitbit data and decided I wanted to climb the ranks and pass two people which pushed me to run and complete the 6 miles. My time would have been much better had I not given up. So my goal is to run the 10k with a 10 min mile and submit that for wine & dine. I don't think I'll be able to do that though if I have easy runs, I think they all need to be improvement runs to actually improve. I wonder what the theory is behind easy runs.

 

[Ariel484]

We are also really trying to figure out this training pace thing. We are running at a faster pace than in the past and really running them at what we want our race pace to be. But, then I'm paranoid that we are going too fast and we will end up hurt. I find it all very confusing, honestly. And Galloway isn't that great at explaining it in his book. We finally decided we would just train more at race pace and listen to our bodies and if we feel we are pushing too hard, we will pull back.

It IS confusing. I'm glad it's not just me! I found this article that lists the benefits of doing long runs slower, but still totally doesn't explain how that translates to running a goal pace on race day. I guess it does have to do with injury prevention like you said. And other things that happen in the lungs and whatnot...SCIENCE! I think "listening to your body" is a good rule to follow!

I love those medals. They are so pretty!!

They are!! Not too bad for non-Disney medals.

I have the pink Minnie sparkle tech and love it, but I remember also debating about whether or not to go with the more traditional Minnie print. I think you made the right choice. It's darling. And, I agree that the Lil' Bo Peep band is the way to go.

Yes, I remember admiring your PinkMiniTech in your race report! Let's be honest...I'm sure I'll pick up the pink one at some point! It's just so fun!

I don't know about you, but I can't see myself ever buying the more embellished skirts. I think I'll stick to the basics...the other ones are definitely awesome-looking but I will NOT handwash them! (Although I think they sell special bags that you can wash the skirts in??)

I've also been starting to do some looking around for what I want to do for our Goofy run. I think I found a contender, but still trying to decide for sure.

Big decision!!! FYI...Raw Threads has "39.3" shirts in Goofy colors...

Plus, of course, this year having to plan for two different race outfits. Since our condo has a washer and dryer, Chris thinks we should just wash the clothes and wear the same outfit both days. Men. Doesn't he understand the importance of getting new outfits for each race?

Chris, Chris, Chris... There are photos to be taken! Trip reports to write! It's very practical of him, but still...

Honestly, I feel a little funny wanting to re-wear my Royal Family 5K outfit. That will be the first time I've repeated a race outfit! #runDisneyProblems I think it's okay though since 1. I never posted a "real" trip report featuring that race, and 2. The outfit is just so darn cute - hello, Raw Threads Mermaid shirt (with matching SparkleSkirt and Sweaty Band, natch)!!!

Congratulations on your PR!

Thank you so much!!

I never understand this as well. I don't really follow training plans very well, I attempt to complete the miles, but the pace business just confuses me too much.

It confuses me too. That's (one of the many reasons) why I love Disney races - since I go into them without time goals I don't feel as much pressure to try to stick to certain paces.

My next race isn't until 7/4, a 10k, right now 6 miles is my long run so I'm focusing on trying to beat my time each week until then. The past two weeks I finished in 70 & then 73 minutes. Last 6 miler wasn't going good and I quit at .8 miles and decided I'd just walk 3 miles. During that walk I started playing with my phone and looked at my fitbit data and decided I wanted to climb the ranks and pass two people which pushed me to run and complete the 6 miles. My time would have been much better had I not given up.

The mental battle with running is VERY real. Yes, your time probably would have been better, but at least you FINISHED even when you really didn't want to! That counts for something in my book.

So my goal is to run the 10k with a 10 min mile and submit that for wine & dine. I don't think I'll be able to do that though if I have easy runs, I think they all need to be improvement runs to actually improve. I wonder what the theory is behind easy runs.

Are you doing any kind of speedwork runs? I know that is supposed to help. I keep reading people saying things like "if you want to run faster...run faster!" (Like...thanks? ) So is 1 day per week of faster running really enough?!

I feel like a lot of these training plans have features that I *know* are supposed to be right, but I don't totally understand why. Example (not speed-related): Most marathon training plans only have you train up to 20 miles. I know this is "right" and I've (successfully) done training plans up to 20 miles twice...but I still don't totally get it! I know it's partially because going beyond 20 increases your risk for injury, and since you're doing your long run slower it's comparable to the time you'd spend on your feet during the race (since you'd be going at race pace - faster than your long run)...and adrenaline is supposed to help you tack on that extra 10K to finish the marathon...but isn't it a big difference to go from 20 to 26.2??! Training confuses me sometimes.

Aaaaand I'm babbling. Because I don't get it! Oh well, they are the experts, not me, so I'll just try to follow their instructions and hope it works out!

 

[Ariel484]

Odds & Ends...part 2!

5. Just remembered what I wanted to include in my last post...not sure how I forgot because it's RIGHT on my desk, DUH!

I just pulled this bad boy out of the closet yesterday...my Dooney from Marathon Weekend 2013!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this bag. The print is freaking adorable.

Running Mickey!!

Maybe this year's print will be for Goofy #10?? After all, this one was a special print for the 20th marathon!

Whatever they come out with, I hope I like it. I didn't super love last year's...

(AHHH there are so many things in the above blog post I know I'll buy!!! The Dopey "I Did It!" shirt...the bag - if I like the pattern...the Vinyl...)

As much I love the bag, I forgot how small it is! I had to switch to a smaller wallet...so if I get one for 2015 I'll most likely upgrade to a bigger model. Goodbye money!!!

Disney Dooneys...Sweaty Bands...Raw Threads...SparkleSkirts...so many pricey running things I like!!

Continued in Next Post

 

[steph0808]

It IS confusing. I'm glad it's not just me! I found this article that lists the benefits of doing long runs slower, but still totally doesn't explain how that translates to running a goal pace on race day. I guess it does have to do with injury prevention like you said. And other things that happen in the lungs and whatnot...SCIENCE! I think "listening to your body" is a good rule to follow!

I've found that doing Higdon's plan with one race pace run per week (or once every other week) to be sufficient. I don't know why it works, but it does.

For my half marathon in November, I ran my mid-week short runs around 30-60 seconds slower than race pace (9:30-10:00/miles). My long runs I ran a full 2-3 minutes slower (11:00-12:00/miles), depending if I was on the treadmill or outside (I am a slowwwwww treadmill runner). For my half, I ran 9:05/miles! And I don't do speedwork either! I think it is more your base and fitness (plus any taper) that allows you to run faster on race day.

 

[Ariel484]

I've found that doing Higdon's plan with one race pace run per week (or once every other week) to be sufficient. I don't know why it works, but it does.

For my half marathon in November, I ran my mid-week short runs around 30-60 seconds slower than race pace (9:30-10:00/miles). My long runs I ran a full 2-3 minutes slower (11:00-12:00/miles), depending if I was on the treadmill or outside (I am a slowwwwww treadmill runner). For my half, I ran 9:05/miles! And I don't do speedwork either! I think it is more your base and fitness (plus any taper) that allows you to run faster on race day.

Thanks for your input! I think if I'd have one goal race pace run per week that would have helped me with pacing during the race. That's a great pace for your half, I'd love to get mine down to that!

I'm pretty sure I'm going to use HH's Intermediate Half Marathon plan, and that one DOES have goal race pace runs, so hopefully they will be beneficial for me.

 

[ZellyB]

Love the D&B bag.

I'm usually a real cheapskate when it comes to purses because I tend to get bored with them quickly. But, if they actually did do some kind of Goofy print, I might be obligated to get one. Better start setting some money aside for that. Although, by the time we arrive at the Expo they would probably all be gone. Is the expo the only place to buy them?