Marathon Training Thread for 12/5-12/12

[wiskband]

HI all............
So I get on the treadmill last night and was going for 2 hours at least I only got to an hour, I got the worst stomach cramp in my side..........

What would I do on race day if this happens.....
I have heard of WALK IT OFF.but that wasnt the case last night not sure what happened.Good news is I did 4.25 miles in 60 bad news is I didnt yet get my coolmax socks yet! yikes feet were a hurting. I stopped by sports athority today and couldnt find them but they had other names I didnt buy not cause I am cheap but because Ill wait to spend the money the the coolmax because you all swear by them (besides, I would feel funny returning socks so didnt want to take a chance lol)

Anyway gonna hit the treadmill again this evening, not sure how long I will go but gonna try some other sneakers out..what kind of sneakers are you all using by the way?
Just curious.

renee
back on track

 

[Debbie]

With Saturday's long walk, Sunday was a rest day. Monday, LIFE got in the way as I had to do a funeral home visitation. Today, I walked for an hour in heavy winds. I did this as soon as I got home because that works best for me. My hip has been bothering me, though. Got home and had DH put some liniment on it. Heck, even my ankle has been bothering me! Have to admit. I had a gleeful thought that once this is over, I WILL be, too (walking, I mean). We'll see if I'm a true athlete, or just someone who will do this for a.......medal?

I've always just worn my regular old bra. It has worked for me, and I think that if I changed to (a more appropriate) something else, I might be in trouble.

Sneakers: I have three pair. One pair (Saucony running), I'll do my daily walks, but not my long walk. The shoes don't have enough support for me and they really bunged up my knee in the spring and as a result I now wear orthotics in all of my shoes.

The second pair (Saucony walking) I wear regularly. The last two times that I have walked with a specific pair of socks, I've ended up with sore feet. The socks must just rub the wrong way in those shoes.

The last pair (Ascics running) I wear regularly, too. These are my newest pair (6 weeks) and will be the pair that I walk in.

I tend to rotate shoes once a week. That way, I'm getting miles on the shoes, but they'll be broken in just fine when it come time to do the marathon.

Mary Liz gave me some cotton knit gloves that she got at the Niagara ½ Marathon. I love them. I find that they are perfect for keeping me warm and easy to roll off the back of my hands to cool down.

I've been experimenting with the gels/bars for energy. I found out that the Clif gels don't do a thing for me and the Clif bars that I have tried aren't something that I will use, either, I don't think. Candy doesn't do it, so I will stick to the PowerGels.

Oh, and I've discovered that I like wearing my fanny pack....on my fanny. It is slightly "heavy" and I like the support that my large, er, fanny gives it.

Happy training, everyone!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I did 4 miles instead of 6 today--My sniffles make my body sleepy tired even with a good night's sleep. I plan on hitting the hay earlier this evening (I had to watch Amazing Race last night)...Hopefully, I can shake it off before my 20 miles on Saturday.

Intervals did make the Treadmill time go quicker--but I just didn't feel up to the extra 2 miles

 

[tw1nsmom]

I was able to get my short walk in at the mall yesterday. The roads are a sloppy mess, so training outside is unfortunately no longer an option. Today I'm going to do a four mile mall walk, and probably three miles tommorrow and friday. Saturday I'm going to try for another 8 mile walk. I'll definitely have to get up early for that. I had planned on doing my walks in the morning all week, but it hasn't been the greatest of weeks (more problems with DS's school). I've been mall walking while they're in school, but I can't really acheive any speed at that time of day because of how many people are at the mall. Saturday the mall opens at 7am and the stores at 9am. Hopefully I finish the 8 miles before it gets too crowded.

Debbie - I totally know what you're talking about. I'll look forward to not being so focussed on walking. I don't have a treadmill, so winter walking is a real challenge for me. After the marathon I'm going to spend a good majority of my exercise time on my recumbant bike.

Everyone's doing such a good job! I'm really proud to be a part of this group.

Dawn

 

[karebear1]

Everyone did a great job yesterday. I was supposed to walk 2 miles- I did 1. I think I am going to make an executive decision and just walk through the shin pain. If I don't do this, I just don't see me getting the time I need to to finish the marathon. So- I'm pushing through the pain.

Debbie- I think that the closer we all get to this marathoner, that all our bodies are falling apart to one degree or another. Probably because of the increase in distance. I understand what you are saying about continuing to walk. I think when this is done, I will continue to walk, just not at the major distances I do now. In the bakck of my head I am thinking that I might want to do this in 2006 and make it a tradition. I guess we'll see if that happens or not come January 22 when I get home from my vacation!

Lisa- I hiope you are feeling better. I'm impressed that you even did the 4 miles!

Dawn- WTG with mall walking! I'm in awe of all of you that have small children and are still doing this! Thre is no way that I could have done this when my kids were little!

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

Good morning everyone

Today is mild here and I am off of work so I was planning on this being the day for my long walk this week, but yet again life is getting in the way. DD is home from school sick today so probably no long walk for me unless she feels better later and goes to school for the afternoon. If nothing else I will get on that hated treadmill today. Hopefully the weather will be dry either Fri or Sat so I can get my lomg walk in then instaed. I am planning on just getting out there and walking for 2 1/2 hours and then driving my course to see how far I went. I am hoping for at least 10 miles in that time!

Keep moving everyone!

Cheryl

 

[karebear1]

OK- SO I'm weak! <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSYYYYYYYYUS' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_4_163.gif' border=0></a>

I walked for 1.5 miles in 28 minutes- and have to gived my shin a break. I'm gonna try to go back and do the same 1.5 miles in the same amount of time later this evening. I'm beginning to get a little discouraged as to my physical ability to do this at all. Has anyone else ever had shin splints? How long do they take to heal?

 

[geetey]

Has anyone else ever had shin splints? How long do they take to heal?

Karen, I am so sorry these shins are giving you such trouble.
I used to get shin splints all of the time. Here's what you need to do IF you are going to continue to walk on them (not recommending you continue to work out, as I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on the internet ). Get a pair of long tube socks and pull them up above your shins. Now tape around your shins/calves with sports tape. This will provide very firm support for your shin area and still allow you to train.

Remember to ice your shins, after each walk!
Try to walk on soft grass, dirt trails, or asphalt - NO concrete!! Softer is better for shin splints.
Stretch your calves EXTREMELY well before and after each walk, and a couple times each day
Anti-inflammatory treatment will help (ibuprofen for 5-7 days)
Make *sure* you have good running shoes!

I know some of this isn't 'standard' practice, but even as a fit high schooler, I would get terrible shin splints (especially from running stairs for volleyball), so they would tape me up for practices.

I hope this helps, Karen! PM me if you have any other questions!

 

[geetey]

I've discovered that I like wearing my fanny pack....on my fanny. It is slightly "heavy" and I like the support that my large, er, fanny gives it.

Happy training, everyone!

I have discovered the same thing, Debbie!

Shoes:
I have New Balance shoes (wide feet).

My *real* pair of shoes - for THE DAY - are New Balance W1050WB. My other pair of New Balance shoes are W765BY. I love the wiggle room for my toes and both provide great support. The 1050 have more cushion so my body doesn't 'feel' the impact as much when my heel hits.

 

[10nis]

Karen..I have been suffering from shin splints on and off for about 8 weeks. I am training to run the full marathon. I have NEVER had shin splints before this epsiode. Back in October I took off about 6 days from any impact sports--I swam to get in my exercise. I also had to take 5 days off last week bcs I feared I was going to get a stress fracture if I continued to run on it. (left leg is where I am injured) I have the anterior shin splint--which is down the middle of my shin, more toward the top of the bone. If the pain is toward the inside of your leg, lower down..those are classic shin splints. I have read and heard that overpronating can be a huge cause of those shin splints. Also, worn our shoes, walking on hard surfaces (concrete is the worst), & training on hills. (overpronating is when your foot rolls in towards your ankle as you you walk or run--you can get shoes or even inserts that provide stability for this if you do overpronate)

The things I have done to help it heal and also to strengthen the muscle...
ICE -- I ice it sometimes 5 times a day. I put ice in a ziploc bag, double bag it and place it on my shin. I wrap an ace bandage around my leg to hold it in place. I leave it there until it melts which can take a while. I also do "ice massage" at night--I put water in a styrofoam cup, 3/4 of the way full. Then you freeze it, when you are ready to massage you tear off the styrofoam leaving enough of the cup to hold on to and then massage that ice block into the area. This is GREAT for any thing that needs to be iced. It penetrates deeply.

stretching...wall push ups. If you stand with your feet about 4 feet away from the wall and do "push ups" against the wall this stretches out that calf muscle. Start with 10, I do them very slow--keep your heals down on the floor as you stretch forward. You might have to start out with your feet closer to the wall. another stretch-- I lay on my back with my leg up in the air at a 90 degree angle to my body. I use a face sized towel--throw it around my foot and pull gently down on my toes. This is a tough stretch of the calf so be careful!

Some easy things you can do to try and strengthen....place about 1/3 of your foot (toes) under a heavy piece of furniture and lift up with your toes. Another easy one.. draw the alphabet with your large toe in BIG letters. Alot of my research also indicates working with an exercise rubberband is very helpful.

I would wait until you aren't so inflammed to do the strength exercises.

I also taped--without the tube sock(great idea)! I put 3-4 strips of the white athletic tape lengthewise down my shin. It didn't stay on for the entire run but it did help support it while it stayed on ( I sweat too much!) I recently bought a "shin support" from Road Runner Sports. I wore that today for the first time during my 9 mile run. It was okay--a bit awkward to run in bcs the limit it puts on the calf.

I think I have solved my problem as my shin is not hurting nearly as bad this week at last week. Seems I underpronate, my shoes (Asics 1090) have a bit of motion control for overpronators. So... I put some inserts in them and it feels better. In October when it flared up was when I first switched to these Asics. Now it flared up when I started on a new pair. I am trying a different pair of shoes--i have them ordered (Mizuno Wave Creations) Ifyou live someplace close to a specialty running store they will assess your gait and let you know what type of shoes will help you. It also helps if you take in a pair of your old shoes.

If you search shin splints on the internet you will get a load of info.

Hope this helps, sorry it is sooooo long...

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Nurse those shin splints Karen!! Cross train if you can to keep your cardio going and rest that leg...race day would be the day to push through the pain--NOT NOW!!!! Ice it, try that special leg brace that 10nis was speaking about. I have heard that it works very well.

Seems most of our team is having IT band issues (the muscle on the outside of your thigh) or knee issues...either real ones (meaning serious) or minor ones (alleviated by a brace)...I have to wear that little knee strappy thing or it feels like my knee cap will fall off.

We want to see you finish Karebear!

 

[karebear1]

geetey and 10nis- THANK YOU, THANK YOU ,,THANK YOU for the additional ideas on healing these shin splints! I have been doing the strectching and icing (sometimes) But I will definetly be MORE conscientous about doing this more then I already have. I like the idea of taping (over the sock ! <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSYYYYYYYYUS' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_3_31.gif' border=0></a> ) I think that may really help. I'll go get some of that tape and wrap this puppy up tonight when I walk! This is the first time I have ever had shin splints- of course, that may be explained by the fact that I have never been as physically active in my entire life as I am now! I tend to bo somewhat of a girlie girl when it comes to possible bad injuries. I have a high threshold for pain- can tolerate it really well usually- but this is just weird. Anyway- I'll let ya know how it works in the next few days. Send me some of that pixie dust and prayeres everyone- I need some favors and blessings spread my way so I can do this marathon.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Karen - I hope the wrapping helps tonight and the pain goes away.

I did another mall walk today. I did four miles in a little less than an hour. I don't really trust the time/mileage though. Either I underestimated the mileage of my neighborhood walks, or they overestimated the mileage of a lap around the mall. I've never even come close to that kind of time before, and I know I wasn't even walking my fastest (another day of dodging/slowing down for shoppers). I'm not sure at this point how I'm going to figure out how fast I really can go. Pedometers don't work for me because at different points in my long walks my stride changes.

 

[decaff38]

Well, I'm on a roll. I dropped 3 #s and have been faithfully folowing the walk/run 1/2 Marathoning for Motals plan. It feels so good to be doing what I am supposed to be doing to get ready. We have had freezing rain for a couple of days but the temps have been around 30 and here we barely wear jackets at that temp. Yesterday i was in Target and found a Jogbra (dry)for 11.00 and Champion dry running pants for 12.00. They fit great!! I checked with my "trainer" (a guy that runs marathons often) and showed him the copy of the trining plan. He felt it was pretty good. He felt the last week might have a bit too many miles in it. He said we should really cut back that week. He also felt it is best at days 6,5,4 we should be eating protiens alone and then switch to carbo loading days 3,2,1 and eat about 2/3 of a regular breakfast on race day. I think I will give it a try next week because a week from Sat. the plan says a 10 mile walk/run. If it goes well , I will post.

We're hanging in there!! The medal is calling us!! Great training to everyone!!

 

[TriMom]

I agree with Lisa that we are all begining to show some wear and tear from all of our training. I'm not having any specific problems, but my legs just feel worn out. My 8 miles today has left me more sore and achy than my 16 last week. Hang in there everyone! We should only have about a week and a half of hard training left. Then we should start our tapers. WE CAN DO IT!!!

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

Well DD got to feeling better and went to school for the afternoon so I did get to get a walk in but not as long as originally planned, but from what my body is telling me right now, my legs and feet ACHE, that is a good thin and from reading what others are saying next week is the week I should be planning on 10 miles. I did get in 6.4 miles in 1 hour 32 minutes and 30 seconds and that was including my 5 minutes of slower warmup walking so I was happy because that was averaging around a 14.5 minute mile. I'll definitelly take it! I just kept of the shirt Auntmeme designed and kept repeating in my head we will not be swept, We Will Not Be Swept.

Karen I hope your shins start feeling better quickly!!! Sending prayers and pd
your way!!!

Keep moving everyone! WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!

Cheryl

 

[Rachael Q]

Do you realise that one month from now, we will be done and celebrating on Pleasure Island!

And perfect timing we got a postcard from a fairy godmailer today asking us if training was going well, because there was only a month left!

Rachael

 

[MelanieC]

Ok, guys. I think I'm coming now that I am back from 2 weeks at WDW and I know DD did not win her Cheerleading competition and needed to be back in WDW this week.

I don't want to take much time off work though because I was just off and I need to save my time for 2 weeks in the summer.

So the question is, what should I do?? Take off Friday and come in Thursday night and go home Sunday. Splurge and take 2 days off and come in Thursday night and go home Monday. Take Monday off and come in Friday night and go home Monday?

I see that a few people are going to Jelly rolls on Friday night. What is everyone doing on Sunday. I have Season Passes so going to the park is an option. I'll be by myself so I would love to hook up with some people to do something with so I'm not sitting in a room by myself. Anyone else going alone?

Going to go check on hotel now. I also have to start the treadmill tonight. I haven't trained since June. I will be walking the marathon definately since I haven't trained in so long.

 

[Tinks]

I ran today and it felt like I had on lead shoes. Ugh! It was only 3 miles, too. Some days are like that, you know. The gut in front of me on the stair machine was wearing those silky long shorts with the word "money" on the booty, but he had his skivvies ..sorta, well, up there...so I was reading the word "Moey" the whole 3 miles! It was good for a quick laugh I'm doing 6 miles on Saturday. Hopefully the lead will be gone by then. Then...only 2 more long runs before taper!!!! Wow!

MelanieC, I would say come in Friday night and leave Monday. That is only one day off then, right? If you could, I would extend it, of course, to going home Tuesday so you can enjoy one full park day after your race. It all depends on how much time off you want to give up.

Good luck with training, everyone! 30 days!!!!!


The GUY in front of me, not the "gut." Actually, he didn't have much of a gut so I felt I had to edit

 

[karebear1]

I taped my calf and walked 2 miles today in 38 minutes. SLOW. THere was still alot of pain, but it was tolerable at least- and I finally got to the 2 mile mark.