January 2012 racers - going from cold climates to Disney

[roomthreeseventeen]

The last time I raced Disney (W&D), it was still pretty warm in New York, so it wasn't THAT different, coming to Orlando.

I'm expecting January to be different, with the caveat that we all know it can be 25 and snowing in Orlando.

What do you think the best way for me to train for possible warm temps? It'll be my second full, as I'm running MCM on 10/30.

 

[FireDancer]

Since the race starts to early it isn't really that warm most years. I did my training in Cleveland and have done the half twice and full once and even the warmest year (it was in the 60's) it wasn't that big of a shock IMO. To be honest going from the 50's and low humidity in October to the 80's and humid for the W&D effected me and my time much more than going from snow to the 40's or 50's did.

I would bring clothing to cover everything from snow to the mid-60's for marathon weekend since you never really know what you'll get.

 

[fashionista311]

Well like you already said...it's Florida in January. The weather is a complete crapshoot

Others might have some more brilliant ideas then me - but what I've done is sneak in a few treadmill long runs (as boring as it is) where the room is warmer. I think it also helps to get down there a few days before and do a shakeout run or two.

But supposedly it takes two weeks for your body to acclimate to the heat (well, as much as you can acclimate to running in summer anyways) - so I think if it's a hotter day, and you train up north through the winter, you are kinda screwed regardless You know the drill - forget any time goals, adjust your pace, take in water and sports drink, etc etc and enjoy being hot on the run instead of freezing for once

 

[FFigawi]

I'm not sure there's a great way to train for the heat where it's cold. My tri friends who compete at the Ironman championships in Kona train for those conditions by biking indoors with the heat on and a hair dryer blowing on them. That's one option for you.

I think your best bet is to get to Disney a few days early, drink lots of water in the week before the race, and be realistic about what your pace and time goals will be if you have to back off because you're not used to exerting the extra energy required to run in the heat.

 

[crewmatt]

I'm from DC - a little warmer - more convenient commute to MCM.

Your fitness from MCM should carry over, so just get in some longer runs. I actually found that my runs pre-marathon in Disney were far superior to my runs around DC in the same timeframe.

For the most part you dress for the same comfort level - you'll just wear less at disney for the same body temp - now if its 80 in orlando at the start, I dont think there's really anything you can do to prepare for that - aside of the treadmill. And I'm willing to bet everyone else in line will be hurting just as much.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I really hate the treadmill, but if next winter is anything like this past one, I'm not going to have too much of a choice.

 

[bounceliketigger]

This whole discussion is the reason I'm turning into a big chicken about signing up for the full! Running outside in NJ for the past 2 winters has been flat out treacherous & i've done most of my training on the dreadmill for the past 2 Princess races. The weather turned out to be gr8 for both of those.

I was @ WDW for Marathon weekend on ice & was so happy not to be running!

Then for the W&D, as Frank said, it was warm & humid & BOY o BOY did I have trouble going from NJ autumn to that!

I just can't imagine having to train through the winter, early winter tho it will be, then have some wildly cold & possibly wet Orlando weather. Oh my, what to do?!