Marathon Training Thread- 12/13-12/20

[decaff38]

Things always get a bit crazy the week before Xmas and this year is no different. My husband decided to fly my step son in from Montana for Xmas so we had to get that all arranged. Fell in to place like we planned it 6 mo. ago. Weird! Must be ment to be. It will be fun to have all the kids her for the holidays.

I have been soooo good Santa should bring me something nice! I have stayed on my training plan, added a 20 # clippie and today--I did 10 miles on the treadmill in 2 hours 48.5 minutes!!! (16.8 min. miles) I walked for the first 30 min. then ran for 10 and walked for 10. As it wore on I ran for 5 and walked for 10 or what ever I felt like i could handle. I am sooo glad that 10 miler is done. 1 -8 mile next week and it is really taper time!! I have what feels like the beginning of blisters where my big toes connect to my foot. When I finished I got a bag of ice and set my feet on top! It really felt good. I didn't use vasaline on my feet (I forgot to) I am going to give it a try next week though.

Had a blow out fight with the 17 yr old over taking off of school to see her boyfriend wrestle. Had to realy be hard nosed about it. She doesn't know she will be gone for a week in Jan. She gave in and went to school. Only 3 days to go and I won't have to come up with goofy reasons why they can not miss any days. They are both A students and very responsible so I am reasonable when they ask for a time off. Not this week!!

Hubby is driving me nuts!! He is getting ready to start his own business in the spring. I want so much to tell him he'll be relaxing in Florida in 3 weeks so he will calm down but I just can't til Sat. am.

So sorry to hear that there are those in pain. I've made it through so far without anything major but I do feel for all of you . Just keep doing what you can and take care of those injuries. Swimming is such a good training with minimal inpact. It should keep your fitness level up or even improve it

Love the battle story from TriMom!! I relate after running during hunting season.

Sorry ,TwInsMom for all your school trouble . You will probably be the best person to teach your children anyway. Kindergarten should be a good place for them next fall. Regular school seem to understand these issues better.

Great Training to all and to all a wonderful rest day!!

Happy Holidays!!!

 

[Debbie]

Dawn, I'm so sorry that you and-more importantly-your little guy have had to endure this from the school. I have such a wonderful staff at our school, that it is even hard to picture educators being like that. Birthday parties? Excluded? How ridiculous. It is heartbreaking to watch your child be excluded from the group for any reason. And for the school to (by lack of doing anything) encouraging it IS discouraging. You seem ready to homeschool, so, maybe, that was the plan all along.

Beckie, it won't be long before the secret is out! You must be SO excited!

Lisa! You rock, girl! Look at you go...despite the downfall of that wall.

TriMom....you sound like a real athlete. You are determined to do the best that you can.

Jackie and Tammy, we win by starting, and we win by doing OUR best, whether that be 13 steps or 13 miles.

Melanie, you are on track, I'd say!

I did my first walk this week on Wednesday....I did 1½ miles. It felt good to be out there, and, while I wanted to do more, I promised myself that I would restart slowly. So that was it. Today, I did 3 miles. The time is the pits, but, it's getting back. The hip is still tender, but I can go up and down stairs without wincing every step now. It's amazing to me to be saying that I just did the 3 miles. In 2001, my sister and my 2 youngest girls went to Disney. We stayed at the All Star Music hotel, and I could barely walk to the parking lot or the food court! WOW!!!!

Remember everyone. In the words of the Kris Kringle to the Winter Warlock....just put one foot in front of the other....

 

[NancyK]

Went out early and did my 10 miles in 2.5 hours. The weather is cold here and with the wind it's even worse. I noticed the only other walkers/runners out there this morning were people middle-aged and older. Guess we're made of stronger stuff (or we're really dumb). Three weeks from now, we'll be getting showered and heading back to the parks! Have a great training week everyone!
Nancy

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

TAPER TAPER TAPER

Just finished by longest walk 11 miles - wimped out and did on the treadmill but I am really thinking it is NOT going to be 17 degrees and windy in Orlando in 3 weeks - so it was better to walk the distance than to get out there and not go as far.

My "hammies" are talking to me - I did the 11 mi in 2 hours 33 min but I really truly don't think I can keep that pace for 13 miles. oHmom hoping we can cross the finish together but we'll just see how it goes.

I have been reading all the posts just not much time to post- EVERYONE is doing so good - 3 weeks and it will be over!!! Yes- I will be glad - but yes - I have made so many friends that it will be so good to meet everyone and just relax!

Gotta run - tigerlily I will send that file to you today - did you also see if you email Karebear that she has a scanned Mickey too.

Keep up the good work - see you soon!!

 

[wiskband]

about the packet/registration


I havent receieved anything officila like may of you have. I did call them twice ( last time this past week ) They send me a booklet with lots of info and an "official race card and pick up wavier" It has the number that will be assigned to me on it........
anyway, is this what you al recieved? Just wondering if this is the packet everyone is talkign about or is this something different.
Also, in the book it says saturday is the race pickup number day.......do we all have to do this? and is it at epcot or wide world of sports?



thanks
renee

 

[ibouncetoo]

Yes, this is the packet we all received. You have to have the wavier with you to turn in at Wide World of Sports, when you pick up your race materials. The "Expo" at WWS is Friday 9a-8p and Saturday 8:30A-7P.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

3 weeks! Whoo Hoo!
I have not been able to get in much outside walking and indoor TM is just not calling to me. I was outside today for the better part of the day removing snow.
I have read everyone’s successes and problems. I too haven’t had a ton of time to post and cheer everyone along. PD, prayers, and positive energy to all. We all need it in some way.

I did a snow workout this morning again. I reshoveled what I did from 5:30 this morning and then some. It has been snowing all day here. We do have quite a bit, but I took it easy and enjoyed my “walk” with a little “exercise” thrown in at the end when I lifted or kicked out what remained on my shovel. It is not too heavy except in a couple of places where it was/is wet. I knew enough when to come in. My feet got cold. The rest of me was toasty warm from the fine workout. Mother kept hawking me and at one point opened the door and said it was 20º outside and perhaps I should think about coming inside. I love her! So when I came in I dutifully gave her my very warm hands to show that I indeed was warm. For all you friends/kids/moms//family people, it never really ends. She is 86, I am 54. She still worries about me. I am blessed! Had my hot cocoa and settled down to shred tons of credit card advertisements sent in one or the other of our names. I have put off this task way too long. Then back out to scrape away the rest that had accumulated. I am done with that task for the day.

No church for me today either. I did my praying as I was enjoying the beauty outdoors. It is so peaceful when I do the shoveling without the snowblower going. That will be later when the menfolk come home and need to get in or out of our drive. They get the bigger part.

I have transferred some of my workout to the gym where I am using the cross trainer/elliptical and then do a machine circuit for strengthening. I have been trying to keep my “core” muscles strengthened and also try to make sure I get in those really good stretches after I workout. So far all seems to be working for me. I am feeling anxious as I haven’t exactly gone on those last long treks, but I am doing what I can.

I am proud of ALL of us. We have really come a long way!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

65 minute workout today!!!!!! Wahooo!!!

Swimming half a mile and elliptical for 30 minutes...no pain, no pain, no pain

Minor ache in the **** from I guess my back being tired by days end (no pun intended )--but it feels great to feel refreshed after workouts once again!!!!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OH--and I got my race packet number...7575...

FYI on those 20K plus numbers...the half marathoners are given a different batch of numbers (starting in the 20,000s) and you are assigned in a different set of corrals than the full marathoners--if you look at the map--we start slightly askew in EPCOT and don't merge on the course until maybe mile 2 or 3. The reason for the big jump in numbers is so that runners who think they might wish to continue on past the half-way mark will be easily spotted by their 5 digit number and pulled from the course. Now whether or not they will get a Donald--I don't know! Make sure you are in the Half-Marathon start area--supposedly if a Full person goes into the Half corrals or the Half person goes in the full corrals--then your chip will not register at the start--which means it won't have a start time to calculate your finish time and thus Disney won't think you sweated your way through the whole thing. I'm sure everything is clearly marked--but that has me worried now that my stinkin' chip won't work right.

 

[wiskband]

tomorrow is the big day! I got my special socks, I am going for the 10 big ones........ tomorrow evening that is.......
baby is sick so I will have to wait till hubby gets home so I can lock myself in my room and then just do it....I will taper off after tomorrow.........
Ill post then and let you knwo how it goes............

renee

 

[LittleMissMickey]

Wow, everybody! We are getting so close! I am packing my bags, as I leave TOMORROW! I'm sorry I haven't posted, I've been busy graduating (ALL DONE!) Now the excitement is building for the next few weeks in the World. So excited to get there and see the different parts of the course... Contemporary Hill, Anybody?!

I am going to put the Home Depot Mickeys on my shirt for the race, since my shirt distinctly says "Do Not Iron." I'm also using them to make my nametag, because it is Sunday and I am just getting around to this business. It will look much like all of yours, though.

Still planning on JR on Friday night before the marathon. I will arrive there around 7 or 8. PLEASE contact me if you are in WDW and looking for something to do.

I can't wait to meet all of you. I have butterflies in my tummy!!! It's really sneaking up fast!

Keep up the good work and stay healthy!

Ashley

 

[Rachael Q]

Did my 10 miler today. Didn't feel too bad during it. I ran 4, walked 1 minute and it took me 2 hours 17 minutes and 40 seconds. I will take that.

Then I came home and had a cold bath, followed by a warm bath, and they laid on the bed to read my book.

I had been reading for 10 minutes, when I suddenly felt very, very nauseous. I stood up to get a glass of water and *****stop reading now if you get queasy easily**** from no where started throwing up. Lasted about 20minutes. So I went back to bed and slept when I was done. Then I woke up with a headache. So now I need to work out whether:
I started running too soon after I ate breakfast
Did I drink too much and over hydrated
Did I drink too little and was dehydrated
Did I drink too much powerade, and should I drink more water
Did I push too hard

I still have the headache now but it is getting duller so is going away.

Now I am into taper. Although the taper program is still quite lengthy...next week is 8 miles (I don't call that tapering).

See you all soon

Rachael

 

[Susan--Ontario]

Hey Ashley,

Have a very safe trip and don't get worn out before the marathon running all over Disney. The Friday night I think we're scheduled to see Illuminations but if I'm not tuckered out I may wander over to Jellyrolls and try and find you guys. If not, we'll see you on Saturday night.

Rachael, I don't run any part of my walk but I discovered early on that if I don't eat many carbs within a half an hour of my walk I too will be sick. I usually cook up some pasta and eat that. I think that they will have bagels for us at the finish line. This past walk (10 miles) I started feeling nauseous at about the 7 mile mark. I realized that I need to take more carbs with me as all I had was power bars which I guess has too much protein in it. I wish we had the Snickers marathon bars here in Canada so I could give them a try.

See you soon!!

 

[Auntmeme]

Good monday morning everyone

Congrats to all of you who have completed your last long one before the race YOu are awesome!

I managed a 4.25 yesterday on tm since it was raining and then it snowed - first one of the season Plans call for shopping today, maybe a walk later if dh is home, too cold for ds to sit in stroller - only in the teens Hopefully can manage a long walk tomorrow -we'll see what life brings.

Dawn- hugs to you & your son so sorry for how that school has treated you. I hope you give them h--l!

Melanie - where do you live in PA? we will also be at CBR - do you wan tto plan to meet to take the bus at 3am? oh my is that am

A safe trip to Ashley - hope to see you at jelly rolls!

Trimom - love the walking/reenactment story - must have been very odd

Becky - the surprise will be such a joy- I guess you were very good this year

Lily - great crosstraining - did you send us your snow? love your story about your mom!

Have a great Monday everyone

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Did my 10 miler today. Didn't feel too bad during it. I ran 4, walked 1 minute and it took me 2 hours 17 minutes and 40 seconds. I will take that.

Then I came home and had a cold bath, followed by a warm bath, and they laid on the bed to read my book.

I had been reading for 10 minutes, when I suddenly felt very, very nauseous. I stood up to get a glass of water and *****stop reading now if you get queasy easily**** from no where started throwing up. Lasted about 20minutes. So I went back to bed and slept when I was done. Then I woke up with a headache. So now I need to work out whether:
I started running too soon after I ate breakfast
Did I drink too much and over hydrated
Did I drink too little and was dehydrated
Did I drink too much powerade, and should I drink more water
Did I push too hard

I still have the headache now but it is getting duller so is going away.

Now I am into taper. Although the taper program is still quite lengthy...next week is 8 miles (I don't call that tapering).

See you all soon

Rachael

Barring illness--it could have been too much sugar aka powerade--a bunch of us were feeling sick post 20 though no one actually got sick--we all determined that between Gu and Gatorade--our bodies were just sick of it. Your breakfast should be a light meal as well--I'll assume it was...as long as you start out slow--then that shouldn't have been the cause of your problem.

When the numbers go down--it's tapering Of course, our daily runs are going up while the long runs are going down--so hmmmm...where's the taper?

Edited to add:
Just read Susan's post and agree you should always eat something promptly upon work out--carbs are good--but stick to the light stuff...don't go wild for the cookies They'll be in the tents too--bagels--PB&J sandwich--bananas are good post long run snacks. I would still perhaps cut down a little on the powerade and make sure you are drinking the water.

 

[MelanieC]

Hello everyone,

I haven't walked since Thursday night. I got something they call black toe where you're toe rubs under your toenail. My tonail was in so much pain on Friday. I went to NYC to see the Christmas Spectacular on Saturday and we got quite a bit of walking in around NYC. My toe seems to be healing nicely now and it's only very slightly sore. Yesterday it started itching so I believe that's a good sign. It was the same toe on each foot. I bought new running shoes on Friday because I found out this can be caused by your feet swelling and not having enough room in your shoes. Your toes rub in your shoes and you get a blister or bruising under the toe nail. I have to start walking tonight in these new shoes. I'll take it easy tonight and just go a few miles. Unless they don't hurt at all while walking. I'll take it one step at a time. I normally wear 7 to a 7.5 in sneakers. The ones I was using were 7.5 so I thought that was good. I just bought size 8 and they fit snug with a little extra room in the toes. They feel very comfortable!

I also ordered my coolmax bras and undies. Yesterday I bought Nike Dri-fit pants (they go mid calf) and a dri-fit shirt ( It's the compression type but I bought a mans x-large and it fits snug but not as tight as the womens). I'm big chested so the womans and smaller mens sizes were just too tight. I also bought the Nike Dri-fit socks but they were the no-show type. I normally like the low cut socks and I'm not suer I'm going to like them. I liked how the Nike socks felt though. They were very thin and I prefer a thin sock over a bulkier sock. The other sock I was looking at was something callled a elite something (mabye power-elite?) with coolmax. I may buy some of those too and test out both before I go. The feet must be comfortable so that's important. I like the pants I bought because they are tight fitting so they won't move up and down my leg while walking. That really annoys me.

For the life of me, I can't find GU or Body Glide locally. Is vaseline the same or is body glide just a lot better? Also, is it important to have a stopwatch or do they post the time elapsed on a screen. How would you use a stopwatch? Just elapsed time?

Lisa - I'm glad your feeling better. Hope you continue to get better.

Meme- I live in Bucks Co. too. I live in Quakertown. I definately want to meet with everyone to ride the bus over that morning. YIKES 3am sounds so early!!

Dawn- I hope things get better as far as school goes.

Renee- Good luck with the 10 miles!!

Rachel - Sorry to hear you got sick. I know that when I did 8 miles. I didn't eat prior to my run (in the evening ) and between mile 7-8 I started to feel a little nausious. I also need to make sure I bring water down to the treamill with me. I keep forgetting. After a good 2 hour walk I really needed the water.

Keep up the great job everyone! It's getting so close now!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My coach sent me an e-mail--I had earlier said not to yell at me--so he said he wasn't yelling--but strongly advising me to back off.

So do you guys have any tips at all for slow and steady--I have this mental compete thing in my head and even though I am cross training--he is still concerned for further injury and says I need to take the relaxed and loose route.

Do you guys have anything. I have started a subtle version of the "Think system" like from The Music Man--since I really have nothing else fun today.

 

[Rachael Q]

Lisa and Susan, Thanks for the tips. I don't think my breakfast is a problem. I had what I normally eat before I ran. A small plain yogurt, half a banana, and half a bagel with peanut butter. Then when I get back I eat the other half of the bagel, and the banana.

It hasn't caused a problem before. But usually I eat about 2 hours before I run, and yesterday it was only an hour. I don't think this was the problem though, because I didn't feel at all ill during my run. I normally eat within 15 minutes of finishing my cool down and stretching. And yesterday was quite a bit longer, so that could be the reason.

I also think I drank too much powerade. I normally drink about 50/50 each of water and powerade. Yesterday I think I drank more powerade and less water so I need to keep an eye on that.

Lisa,
I am not really sure what to suggest for you back. About 5-6 years ago I sprained my lower back. It was very frightening and painful. When I first hurt it (I fell and my whole body twisted at a very funny angle) I had no feeling in my legs, and of course I panicked. The doctor said all along it was just my body's reaction to the stress and my body was stopping me from being able to do anything else. And he was right.

Anyway the point is...after a week I was able to move again, and both the doctor and the physio suggested water activities. I was quite fit and active back then, but not training for a marathon. I did 3 session of 45 minutes each, a week at a low to moderate intensity. I went to a pool that did water running. It was very good. The running muscles in my legs still got a good workout, but there was no pounding on my back. Also the water supported me, and I was wearing flotation devices, so other than my arms and legs, my butt and back did nothing.

I still go occasionally now, when I get a flareup. The worst thing I can do is not do anything. Then my back gets stiff and harder to use! I had some links that might be relevant, I will see if I can find any.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Rachael

 

[TammyNC]

Wow, everyone is doing great. For those of you experiencing some problems, I'm sure you'll work through them and be fine. I have been taking notes on clothing and will be checking out the ideas this evening.

I believe that no matter how I do in the 1/2 it will help me realize that I need to focus a little more on myself and not just everybody else.

Keep up the great work, it is so encouraging to read everyone's post.

 

[CDoobee]

Well, I still am unable to do much of anything. My ribs are better, but my foot still hurts. Gosh, it's been 4 weeks and they said they didn't see a fracture, so I don't know why it still hurts. Grrrrrr! Anyway, I've been out to a couple of malls, (shopping, not just walking) so I got some walking in. I can't go very fast, as I'm still limping. I'm afraid to try to walk outside. I'm afraid I'll fall or otherwise hurt myself again and not even be able to walk at the parks (not to mention the half!). Right now, I'm just hoping to improve enough in the next couple of weeks to be able to walk the parks without pain. I still don't know if I will even start the half or not. Of course, if I'm still limping by then, at least all the bystanders will know why I get swept so early!

Debbie