Is this possible

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Hey guys,

So I am doing Goofy again this year (I need one of those it seemed like a good idea at the time tees I think )

Anyway, it has been a really tough training season for me - what between working full time, going to school full time, volunteering, colds, and injuries - I just haven't been able to get my training going. But I was just about keeping up and have done up to 14 miles so far. I was supposed to do 16 this weekend, but I got a chest cold (one of those nasty ones that just takes hold of your lungs and refuses to budge) and I just don't think I will manage 16 miles (apparently you need functioning lungs to do such a thing). So I am going to have to push it back to next week. Which would be fine but because of finals and final papers being due at school I will no longer be able to get in a 20 mile run.

Last year I was so well trained - probably over trained since I did b2b runs every week, but I am afriad I am not going to be able to do Goofy with only 18 miles and no b2b runs under my belt. I could miss the 18 mile run and skip straight to 20 after 16, but I am afraid of injury (which I am pretty prone to).

So anyway I know I tend to ramble on when I post but I am freaking out a little bit right now

Thanks as always for your help,

Kirsty

 

[FFigawi]

I'm not sure what your training plans calls for, but there might be a way to get a 20-mile run in between now and then. Starting Nov 27th, you could do 16, 18, 14, 20, and still have three weeks to taper. Or, if you're like me and prefer a two week taper, you could do 16, 18, 14, 16, 20. Or you could just max out and 20 and be perfectly okay too. You've done a marathon before and know what it takes to finish one, so not hitting 20 won't be the end of the world. I wouldn't sweat the b2b runs either. They're certainly helpful but I don't think they're absolutely required.

 

[FireDancer]

I'm not doing Goofy but my 20 mile long runs aren't until the weeks of December 5th and 19th. If I were behind a bit I would just worry about getting one in. Like John pointed out there is enough time to go from 14 to 20 and still taper between now and marathon weekend.

The other thing to think about is what pace you are hoping for. If you have decided that because of your schedule you are just going to go slow to finish I think your training base, even slightly compromised, would be fine. I think generally speaking anyone doing Goofy is not really going to push too hard in either because unless you are an ultra marathoner that many miles in a weekend are not going to be done anywhere near 100% of marathon pace.

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Thanks for the input guys. The real problem isn't the amount of weeks left, it is the fact that I have finals for two of them, and running copious amounts of miles turns my brain into goo! I can't risk running many miles on those weeks and messing up my grades

Frank - you are right I am not aiming for a pr or anything here - just a medal (well 3 medals )

John - Does doing a 2 week taper work for you? do you still feel fresh going in? Because I might be able to make that work

Thanks again,

Kirsty

 

[bunnyfoo]

I was just about to post a similar question. I'm behind on my training as well. I've basically not run any serious distance for about 3 weeks now because of some knee pain. My chiro who's treating it wants it to get better before I start running LRs again. My last LR was 14 miles and I'm thinking of jumping back in this weekend with 3 miler and an 8 miler. Hopefully those will go well. But I hear ya! Maybe just keep that "better undertrained than overtrained and injured" saying in the back of your mind

 

[FireDancer]

Thanks for the input guys. The real problem isn't the amount of weeks left, it is the fact that I have finals for two of them, and running copious amounts of miles turns my brain into goo! I can't risk running many miles on those weeks and messing up my grades

Frank - you are right I am not aiming for a pr or anything here - just a medal (well 3 medals )

John - Does doing a 2 week taper work for you? do you still feel fresh going in? Because I might be able to make that work

Thanks again,

Kirsty

I have found that I find solutions to a lot of problems, mostly work related, during a long run. It frees up my mind to concentrate on just a problem and work through it. If I want to completely block everything out and just run I pick up the pace and work on my posture and breathing.

Concentrate on quality over quantity for those weeks. While total miles are important concentrate on the long run and you can take some of the shorter runs and do some track work, hill work, or fartleks. They would take less time and be less miles but would address areas the long run doesn't.

 

[FFigawi]

Thanks for the input guys. The real problem isn't the amount of weeks left, it is the fact that I have finals for two of them, and running copious amounts of miles turns my brain into goo! I can't risk running many miles on those weeks and messing up my grades

Frank - you are right I am not aiming for a pr or anything here - just a medal (well 3 medals )

John - Does doing a 2 week taper work for you? do you still feel fresh going in? Because I might be able to make that work

A two week taper worked great for me at this year's Goofy. The longer I taper, the fatter I get and the more sluggish I feel. I'd rather pile on the miles and then have a short but very restful period instead of having a longer and more gradual decline. Plus, for Goofy, I wasn't trying to PR in either race. I ran about a minute or 1:30 slower per mile than I normally do, and that really helped keep my legs fresh over the course of the weekend. I finished the full on Sunday feeling better than I have at almost any other marathon I've ever done, and I give all the credit to the short taper and the slower pace.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Hi Kirsty!

I know where we sit on each other's insanity level, but for what it's worth, I totally think 18 miles is fine. I did get in my 20 mile long run last year, but I pushed it up really early (the first weekend of December if I remember correctly) and then did almost no running between then and the Goofy. I found out I was pregnant in mid-November and started feeling rough almost immediately, so I got in the 20 mile run while I still could and then couldn't run almost at all for a few weeks. Luckily, I started feeling back to normal the week before marathon weekend and I was fine for the races!

I say get in the miles you can, focus on your finals, and don't sweat it. You've done one Goofy and we know that it's at least 50% in your head.... you know what it takes and how to get through it.

 

[TnTsParty]

I think you will be fine Kirsty - you survived Goofy last year and the biggest challenge is usually the not knowing in your mind if you can do it and you KNOW you are able to go those distances. I am with you on the "this sounded like a good idea when I signed up for it..." I haven't done any back to back runs this year and hopefully will be able to make it through without that. If I were you I would stick to the 18 miler and forget about the 20 miler especially if you are afraid of injury. I agree with Sarah and try to put your mind at ease and not freak yourself out over not being trained enough.

 

[bounceliketigger]

Kirsty- are you training in your Bikilas? If so, your legs are probably much stronger & your stamina much greater than you think. So if you wear sneaks for Goofy you're going to be ahead of your game!

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Thanks guys - I knew you guys would all help me feel better

Vicky - Sorry to hear you are having problems also. Take it slow on your long runs and don't hurt yourself. Good luck and see you in Jan

Sarah - Now what are you saying about my insanity? You are right it's such a head game - I did it once; I can do it again.... I hope

John - I am going to think about the 2 week taper. My family are coming to Disney to visit for 3 weeks before marathon weekend, so I was hoping to have it out the way, but I might be able to make it work.

Frank - Running helps clear my head too; unfortunately when I finish running my brain stops working for 24 hours

Shannon - I am so sorry i haven't emailed you back - like I said it has just been insane around here Yep, I am training in my bilikas, but I also want to do goofy in them I get shin splints just putting on my sneaks so it is really my only option.

Tricia - Thanks for the encouragement, you are right. And if it isn't so cold it might even be pleasurable this year

Thanks again guys

Kirsty

 

[escape]

Kirsty,

It can be done. I'm proof positive!

My longest walk/run was 16 miles before the Goofy last year. I didn't train like I should and I had some foot issues starting the month before the marathon weekend. I figured that I could at least do the half but the full was questionable.

Like I thought I would, I did complete the half and felt OK afterwards. I really didn't expect to finish the full but I thought...what the heck, I'll start off trying. I ended up doing OK and actually felt good throughout the race. I was quite surprised that I did so well but I was thankful that I did. Although it was VERY cold, the temps actually helped me. I honestly don't think I could have finished in the heat of the previous years. Now, a little warmer would have been nice, though!

Hang in there! You can do it!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Kirsty based on your training and past work I too will say you can get it done. You may need to slow it down. Take it easy on Saturday, go out easy Sunday and if you feel good you can always put on the speed as you feel it.