It's decision time

[TEK224]

My plan has been to register for Goofy. I really want that official Goofy finish. Training hasn't been that great and I've held off registering, keeping an eye on the registration updates to know when it was getting full.

The events are at 96% full so I need to register now. So far my longest distance has been a half-marathon. So I'm a little worried about finishing the full. There's a month left and I don't know if I can build up enough to get to the finish line of the full. I'm really bummed about this.

I'm not a speed demon. Definitely a back of the packer. Part of me thinks if I can finish the half on Sat. feeling pretty good, then do the same on Sunday, building a little time chushion, then I could just suck it up and walk the last half of the marathon. I'd just hate to DNF again (and waste the registration money). The last two fulls I made it to mile 21 and 18 before I got swept. I just don't know how many more Goofy attempts I have in me. Plus there are some other races around the same time, in other locations, that I want to try.

I did 10 miles today and was a little sore, but not too bad. I'm doing another 10 tomorrow, to get the back to backs in. Next weekend I plan to go a little longer.

So, if I get the 10-15 milers in over the next few weeks, giving myself about 10 days to "taper" somewhat, do you think I have a chance at making it through the full? Or should I just bag the Goofy and do the half? I know it's ultimately my decision, and I hate to think about giving up on the initial goal, but was just wondering what others think.

Terri

 

[JCH]

My plan has been to register for Goofy. I really want that official Goofy finish. Training hasn't been that great and I've held off registering, keeping an eye on the registration updates to know when it was getting full.

The events are at 96% full so I need to register now. So far my longest distance has been a half-marathon. So I'm a little worried about finishing the full. There's a month left and I don't know if I can build up enough to get to the finish line of the full. I'm really bummed about this.

I'm not a speed demon. Definitely a back of the packer. Part of me thinks if I can finish the half on Sat. feeling pretty good, then do the same on Sunday, building a little time chushion, then I could just suck it up and walk the last half of the marathon. I'd just hate to DNF again (and waste the registration money). The last two fulls I made it to mile 21 and 18 before I got swept. I just don't know how many more Goofy attempts I have in me. Plus there are some other races around the same time, in other locations, that I want to try.

I did 10 miles today and was a little sore, but not too bad. I'm doing another 10 tomorrow, to get the back to backs in. Next weekend I plan to go a little longer.

So, if I get the 10-15 milers in over the next few weeks, giving myself about 10 days to "taper" somewhat, do you think I have a chance at making it through the full? Or should I just bag the Goofy and do the half? I know it's ultimately my decision, and I hate to think about giving up on the initial goal, but was just wondering what others think.

Terri

Is there are reason you are going straight from half to Goofy? I don't want to be a downer, but I'm just not seeing how you will be able to do 13.1 miles and then turn around and do 26.2 the next day if you have only gotten up to 15 on your long runs. You have less than a month to add quite a bit of distance. Why not just try for the full?

 

[cewait]

Terri,

I am a little confused by your post. The question seems to be should I push to the Goofy or run a distance I am comfortable with. Why not try the full and leave the Goofy for another year. In your post you mention that you are not really in a great training state and that your are afraid of the sweeper again.

I think a realistic answer may be the answer not mentioned and that is try to run the full. Note that for a first full, I am not a real fan of shorter long runs But you have been at longer distances in the past so you have some idea of what you are looking at.

A conservative play is run the half. I think a realistic stretch may be the full. If you want to push through and try the goofy regardless of outcome, I think it possible, just may not be as sure a thing as you would like to see at this time of the training season. I would hate to see you fail.

So conversely, in a way, if you want time to see where you are, the conservative play is enter Goofy and then be honest with yourself Friday night pre-race(s). It preserves your ability to run Goofy and gives you the last minute check that night how you feel and where you are both physically and mentally. Oh, and even more importantly, you will know what the weather man is brining on race day. A warmer than average forecast is not good for you if there is any question of pace. Anyway, if you hold the Goofy bib and if there is a qualms of going Goofy, then shoot for the full.

I may not have helped but you summed it up... really its all up to you. I hope that I gave you a little different view.

Hope this helps

 

[escape]

Hi Terri!

I'm thinking that you've completed several fulls before, haven't you? If so, you know what to expect. Didn't you have injuries that plagued you with those previous Goofy attempts? Any injuries going into this?

As always, Coach Charles has some good advice. Are you mentally prepared to train for Goofy from here on out?

Good luck with your decision. I know it's a hard one to make.

 

[TEK224]

JCH - I've done several halfs and attempted a few fulls, so I'm not unaware of the distance and commitment needed. Injuries played a part in a couple DNF's and right now training and motivation are the hurdle I'm trying to work through.

Coach, you make some good points. I could register for the Goofy and then decide race weekend whether to do one race or both. I considered the half because I KNOW I can do that distance. The full is a little more concerning. I just hate giving up on the goal.

Susie - I've only completed one full marathon before and that was part of the 1st ever Goofy Challenge. Yes, I had injuries (or was recovering from some) during the last 2 fulls. No injuries as of now. Just need to ramp up the training and motivation.

Thanks for the thoughts!

Terri


Thanks for the thoughts

 

[JCH]

JCH - I've done several halfs and attempted a few fulls, so I'm not unaware of the distance and commitment needed. Injuries played a part in a couple DNF's and right now training and motivation are the hurdle I'm trying to work through.

Thanks for the thoughts!

Terri


Thanks for the thoughts

Sorry, I just misread your post. I thought you meant your longest distance ever was a half, in which case you can see why I would question jumping from 13 to 39

 

[windwalker]

An option you may not have considered is to run the half and walk the full. A good brisk stride will be about 15 mpm giving you a one min cushion each mile. Or you could do a run/walk, I recommend if you do that that you do about 5 min intervals of each. Lots of people do the run/walk option.

Dave

 

[ironz]

I don't have any great advice, but wanted to chime in and say I hope somehow I run into you marathon weekend! We have exchanged PMs/posts about triathlon in the past.

One thing about the suggestion to sign up for Goofy and then try for just the full...what if you don't make it? Then you have a DNS and a DNF, which doesn't sound very fun and would be tough mentally, at least for me it would. I like the suggestion of doing a run/walk half and trying to walk or run/walk the full. It's going to hurt, no matter what, if your training isn't up to par. But I suspect it's going to be more mental.
Oh, I don't know...but let me know what you decide!

 

[TEK224]

I've thought about the prospects of signing up for the Goofy and then on race weekend deciding to just do the full. But I had the same concerns of what if I DNF'd the full? Then I'd have nothing to show for the weekend and would be totally bummed. I was undertrained when I did the first Goofy. And although I finished both events, I was 8 minutes over the time limit for the full, therefore no official time.

That first Goofy was my first ever 1/2 & my first first ever full. I have several 1/2's under my belt now and now what to expect (which isn't always a good thing ).

So, after going back & forth I think I'm going to register for Goofy, continue working on my training to get me through the half, so that I am feeling good at the end. Then for the full, I will do the run/walk intervals for as long as I can and then hoof it from that point on.

At least this way, I can at least finish the half and be eligible for the C2C at DL in Sept. Plus, if (when) I finish the full I'll be celebrating for the rest of the trip!

Thanks for the words of advice and encouragement! I really believe finishing the Goofy is going to be more mental than physical (although I'm sure I feel the physical part of it at the end).

Terri

 

[ironz]

Yay!! PM me when it gets closer...would love to meet you! Will definitely be cheering you on!

 

[johde]

So, after going back & forth I think I'm going to register for Goofy, continue working on my training to get me through the half, so that I am feeling good at the end. Then for the full, I will do the run/walk intervals for as long as I can and then hoof it from that point on.

If you're thinking about doing run/walk intervals for the full, I would try testing out various ratios now. Some people prefer longer ratios, like coach's recommendation of run 5/walk 5. Other people like shorter ratio's. I know Galloway recommends keeping your walk breaks to under 1 minute. The key to a successful run/walk ratio is keeping the run short enough so that you walk before you need to and walking long enough to get a good recovery without going so long as to kill your pace.

I know you don't have a large amount of time, but I would try experimenting at least 1 day a week with different run/walk ratios. You may even be able to try out a couple of them if your short days are long enough. IE - Doing 2 miles at one ratio and 2 miles at another ratio. Then a little bit closer to race day, I would do one of your long run at the ratio you've decided works best. I would still keep it fairly slow.

 

[cewait]

Actually, at this point in time I would be really careful about radically changing run/walk ratios, especially when making a large training leap at the same time. The idea of trying a couple closely related ratios out on a long run would not be a bad idea. I am not sure if I have recommended a long equal time ratio; more than likely quite the opposite. I am a huge believer in not locking into a long walk and have spoken against some who have tried things like running a mile walking a mile. In saying this, I would agree that Terri should consider taking some run time out of the ratio as she pushes miles up over the next two weekends - then carry that forward into race weekend.

I agree that one should also slow up training over the rest of the training cycle. Though, I am not a go slower than normal person on the half morning. I think it important to stick with a plan and pace trained. That lessens the likelihood of over stressing stabilizer muscles and gets you off your feet quicker.

I think we generally agree, I just wanted to throw out a few cautions and concerns

Terri, Good luck and hold your head big, breath deeply. Your race will come to you. Nice deep breaths when you feel the need to panic over race weekend...

 

[jbucci]

I know you made your decision and that I am late to this party, but wanted to chime in my good wishes

I say train as best you can the next few weeks, but don't push so hard you wind up injured. Do the half at a comfortable pace and see what you have left. For the full I would do intervals from the beginning (if you are comfortable with them) to keep you from burning out by the end.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Another late-comer WISHing you the best event and a Goofy finish!

I had an opportunity to listen to Jeff Galloway advising another person who felt under-prepared for their event and he advised them to do walk/run intervals of 1 min/1 min. I have subsequently used this advice as I've been rehabbing and coming back from that knee thing and found this useful and successful for me.

Big thing at this time is to not over-do and injure yourself as we are in the finish stretch of training. Stay healthy and injury free. Look forward to seeing you event weekend.

 

[cewait]

Another late-comer WISHing you the best event and a Goofy finish!

I had an opportunity to listen to Jeff Galloway advising another person who felt under-prepared for their event and he advised them to do walk/run intervals of 1 min/1 min. I have subsequently used this advice as I've been rehabbing and coming back from that knee thing and found this useful and successful for me.

Big thing at this time is to not over-do and injure yourself as we are in the finish stretch of training. Stay healthy and injury free. Look forward to seeing you event weekend.

I will add that Jeff was not well trained (or his partner wasn't) in the 10 W&D. He was running 30s 30s.

 

[johde]

I will add that Jeff was not well trained (or his partner wasn't) in the 10 W&D. He was running 30s 30s.

I've read that 30/30 is his standard ratio now for races. He's said it's easier on his body than 1/1. I've tried 30/30 a couple of times and didn't like it. I like a little longer walk break than that.

As far as trying a couple of different ratio's. I wasn't recommending it on the long day but on the short day. That being said, I've used multiple ratios on long runs before. Normally it will be an easier ratio for a couple of miles to warm up before transitioning into the ratio I want for the bulk to the training.