It's Not the Years, It's the Mileage - birthday marathon training journal

You might surprise yourself! When I first started running and really had no idea what I was doing, I signed up for a 10K just to see what a non-Disney race was like. It was in the 20s at the start. I run well in the cold, and I decided to just follow this runner who appeared to be about the same speed as me out of the start line. I just watched her back and kept following and ended up with a 1:10:20 PR. NONE of my training indicated I could do anything close to that at that time.
 
You might surprise yourself! When I first started running and really had no idea what I was doing, I signed up for a 10K just to see what a non-Disney race was like. It was in the 20s at the start. I run well in the cold, and I decided to just follow this runner who appeared to be about the same speed as me out of the start line. I just watched her back and kept following and ended up with a 1:10:20 PR. NONE of my training indicated I could do anything close to that at that time.
Yes, I feel like I need a pacer! :P
 
I'm in the middle of peak week, so this is the perfect time to think about what I'm doing next, right? :D

(I'm signed up for the Princess Challenge. The 10k will be with friends for fun, and I will probably also do the HM at an easy pace. But that's not what this post is about.)

Since I got my new Garmin, I've been watching the race time predictions get lower and lower. I don't actually believe that I can run a sub 33 minute 5k, but I'll take Garmin's faith in me! The really intriguing prediction, however, is the 10k. It's been getting lower and lower, and is currently predicting 1:08:31. As you may know, the POT for Disney HMs is a 1:08:00 10k. I thought it would take me years to even think of that, but maybe that can be my next big goal?
Sounds like a great goal and with the Garmin prediction it seems within reach👍
Go for it !
 
I haven't updated in a bit, so I need to catch up! I had my peak week/7 straight days of running and didn't miss anything! Now I'm slowly descending into taper madness. :P

December 18 - December 30

December 18 - HM tempo
4.55 miles, 1:02:16, avg pace 13:40.
Interval 1 - 12:28
Interval 2 - 12:41
Interval 3 - 12:59
Interval 4 - 6:39 (13:14 avg pace)
My notes say "this was hard!" It was in the 60s, so sweaty again. My knee felt okay.

December 19 - 4 miles easy
4.06 miles, 58:25, avg pace 14:23
My knee hurt at the start but felt better the longer I ran.

December 20 - 3 miles easy
3.15 miles, 46:13, avg page 14:39
No notes.

December 21 - 1.5 hours easy
6.09 miles, 1:30:37, avg pace 14:53
Practiced running with my marathon skirt!

December 22 - 3 hours easy
12:05 miles, 3:00:05, 14:57 avg pace
My longest run time-wise this training cycle (by two minutes!).
My notes say "Ow my body." I fueled with my normal routine and everything was fine. I did have to stop and pee at mile 9.

December 23 - 4 miles easy
4 miles, 1:01:27, avg pace 15:22
I did this run on the treadmill, hence the lower average pace. I was SO sore and did NOT want to run, so I sucked it up and jumped on the treadmill to watch the first part of Love Actually. (I finished while working.)

December 24 - 3 miles easy
3 miles, 46:56, avg pace 15:39
On the treadmill again. Went nice and slow. Walked a bit of the last mile. I was so tired and sore. But I did it. 7 straight days of running!
Thankfully, by this time, my knee had stopped bothering me! (Now it's back to my usual calves and shins, which thankfully are easier to stretch.)

December 25 - rest
YES. PLEASE. AND FOOD.

December 26 - HM tempo run
4.53 miles, 1:00:17, 13:19 avg pace
Interval 1 - 13:05
Interval 2 - 12:33
Interval 3 - 12:34
Interval 4 - 6:07 (avg pace 12:16)
I guess I warmed up after that first run interval! :D I don't remember the circumstances, but I was probably just stiff and still slightly sore. Tested out my new shoes I got for Christmas, as well as some other new gear!

December 27 - 3 miles easy rest
Was supposed to run this day, but skipped due to extenuating circumstances.

December 28 - rest 3 miles easy
Moved yesterday's run to this day.
3.01 miles, 44:36, avg pace 14:50

December 29 - 2 hours easy
My last long run of the training cycle!
8 miles, 1:56:28, 14:33 avg pace.
Decided not to run the extra 4:30 to get to an even 2 hours. Figured 8 miles was enough. :D
Following my regular fueling plan, but also had my husband meet me outside after about 70 minutes to hand me a banana. I eat bananas pre-run sometimes so I know they're okay on my stomach, but I wanted to test out eating one during the run. It was fine, and a nice snack! I'll definitely be taking them on the marathon course.
I wore my Crowned Athletics black bra, which I've worn before while running, but wanted to test it out for the marathon. It felt really comfortable and supportive so I'm going to use that as part of my marathon sports bra.
Overall, I felt great during this run. I was still sore and tired, but I listened to a new playlist and it made the time go by super fast. Some of my miles were under 14 minutes and I deliberately slowed down the last mile. :)

December 30 - 3 miles easy
3.02 miles, 46:47, avg pace 15:39
My calves are super sore, so I used :15/:30 intervals and went super slow and easy. I need to stretch like crazy today and tomorrow!

I was supposed to do 4 miles tomorrow, but I think I'm going to move it to Wednesday. We're not staying out super late for NYE, and I don't have to work NYD, so I figured running that day would be easy.

And that's it! Now I have to just stay healthy for the next 12 days and not get injured, and not freak out. Easy, right? :P
 
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Thank you! I keep trying to tell myself that, but the anxiety is coming on hard. (Doesn't help that I had a huge fight with my mom the day after Christmas and I'm still anxious about that fallout.) If I don't throw up at least once before next Sunday, it'll be a miracle. :P
I'm still mentally in la-la land where I'm going to Disney, but my brain isn't recognizing the whole "I'm going to run a ton of miles" part. So my anxiety will likely hit me like a truck at some point next week.
Image of I'm in a glass case of emotion!
 
I'm still mentally in la-la land where I'm going to Disney, but my brain isn't recognizing the whole "I'm going to run a ton of miles" part. So my anxiety will likely hit me like a truck at some point next week.
Image of I'm in a glass case of emotion!'m in a glass case of emotion!
Let's buy each other a drink at Hurricane Hanna's. :P
 
@Herding_Cats Bummer! But @The Expert's idea is great!



I tried on my "cold weather" clothes this morning. For me, that will be anything colder than 40 at the start. I usually warm up pretty quick once I'm running, but I don't know if that will be the case when the sun isn't up yet, so I figured I should be prepared. My outfit is a black short-sleeve shirt, black shorts, and a sheer Minnie Mouse polka dot skirt. I can wear arm warmers if it's slightly cold (aka in the 40s/50s at the start - what I'm used to), and I have throwaway gloves, hat, and balaclava to keep my extremities warm in the corral and if needed on the course. If it's colder than 40 at the start, I'll wear an old black long sleeve runDisney race shirt under my marathon shirt, and a pair of tights over my shorts. Then I can peel off the warmer layers if needed during the race. I don't mind tossing the shirt since it was free, but it can fit in my shorts pass-through if I decide I want to keep it until I see my husband at AK. The tights can also fit in the pass through, or I can tie them around my waist. It looks ridiculous, but at least the skirt hides some of the bulkiness. :D

Speaking of the tights - I ordered a pair of black Janji tights after Christmas that still haven't been delivered, so I'm assuming they're lost in transit. I ordered a second pair that should hopefully arrive next week. If not, at least I already have a purple pair - not the right color, but it will keep me warm.

I organized all my fuel yesterday. Separated the individual servings of Tailwind into snack size baggies and labeled them according to water stop where I'd be refilling. I've got two extra servings to give to my husband just in case. I'm also bringing two applesauce pouches to eat if needed, or if I just want a pick me up, and I'm planning to take the on-course bananas. I also told husband I want a fountain coke (NOT a bottle) waiting for me at AK. I might only take a few sips, but I don't care. :P I looked up where he could get me one that early (Isle of Java next to Flame Tree, if anyone else is interested) and it's on the way to the Boneyard, so he has no excuses. :D I just need to add my pre-race fuel (Cheerios) and post-race fuel (Uncrustable) the night before.


I'm starting to feel like running around the house and screaming like Macauley Culkin. Or, like hysterically crying. So I'm doing neither and pretending I'm fine. IT'S FINE!!!
 
I also told husband I want a fountain coke (NOT a bottle) waiting for me at AK. I might only take a few sips, but I don't care. :P I looked up where he could get me one that early (Isle of Java next to Flame Tree, if anyone else is interested)
This is very useful information! My husband has been instructed to find me a fountain coke in AK and stir out most of the bubbles. 🤣
I'm starting to feel like running around the house and screaming like Macauley Culkin. Or, like hysterically crying. So I'm doing neither and pretending I'm fine. IT'S FINE!!!
It's fine. You're fine. I'm fine. All of this is fine. Just a quick little jog around Disney. No big deal.
 
I'm starting to feel like running around the house and screaming like Macauley Culkin. Or, like hysterically crying. So I'm doing neither and pretending I'm fine. IT'S FINE!!!
For things that I don't want to do or that I'm really anxious about, I try to put that out of my mind and just proceed step-by-step with what's in front of me. Then all of a sudden the event is there and you didn't worry about it (much). Good luck!
 
For things that I don't want to do or that I'm really anxious about, I try to put that out of my mind and just proceed step-by-step with what's in front of me. Then all of a sudden the event is there and you didn't worry about it (much). Good luck!
This is what I'm doing. I'm ignoring the fact that by this time next week, the marathon will be over, and just focusing on what needs to be done today.
 




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