Marathon Weekend 2016

[Keels]

NYC wasn't hit quite as badly as some other places last year, but we still had a decent amount of snow.
My general policy was that I didn't go out when it was actively snowing, but once I knew the streets (and park path) had been plowed, I walked to the park and ran there (I was hesitant to run on the streets for fear of being sandwiched between cars and snow). There was some running on snow involved because of black ice issues, but mostly it worked.

Of course, this probably only worked because at the time I was only running twice a week (and still fairly short distances) ... I'll have to wait and see how it works out this winter.

We were in NYC for Christmas and the husband and I ran pretty much every day up Lexington and in Central Park. It was amazing. Cold, but amazing. I've never been faster than I was that week. There are parts of the 10K loop in the park that make you feel like you can fly, I swear.

 

[MinnieMarathoner]

I have mixed feelings about the treadmill. I think it's a height thing but I find I'm slower on the treadmill than when I run road. For me the treadmill is also a mental thing. When I run outside I have lots of things to distract me. On a treadmill I have to fight through the urge to just push the stop button and and go do something else. I actually like the mental training aspect of it. I also like the fact that I can use the treadmill to push me to a specific pace. With a lot of the speedwork I was doing it was nice to be able to set the treadmill to know what pace I should be running.

I feel the same way. It is so hard mentally for me not to push the stop button when I start to get tired. If I'm outside, I still have to make it back to my house. Plus for treadmill is also having the bathroom near you at all times.

Speaking of treadmill vs. outside running. I have been running my long runs outside the past few weeks. It is constant hills around me, which I have grown accustomed to. I'm just curious how well that will translate over to Disney, which is flat (at least by my standards). My previous half marathons I did my long runs on a treadmill, so no real standard to judge by. Anybody have experience with this?

 

[Keels]

In other news - I'm heading back out to the MK area this afternoon, so I'll try to get more pictures of the Speedway area.

Lemme know if anyone wants pictures of anything else. @rteetz - I know you post a lot on the Rumors board, so let me know if there's anything I can check on!

 

[rteetz]

In other news - I'm heading back out to the MK area this afternoon, so I'll try to get more pictures of the Speedway area.

Lemme know if anyone wants pictures of anything else. @rteetz - I know you post a lot on the Rumors board, so let me know if there's anything I can check on!

I'd definitely check the speedway area again I've heard they have started paving one corner already.

Are you going into the MK? If so any updates on the castle ramps or adventureland veranda would be great. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[MinnieMarathoner]

I feel like I need to post this here because I am not sure many of my friends would care. I got my corral assignment for my hot chocolate race. It draws something ridiculous like 20,000 or 40,000 people or something. It takes over an hour to get through Corral A through W.

AND I GOT CORRAL C!!!! Sorry if this is not exciting for you all...but I'm over the moon. My first thought was "I get to pretend like I'm a fast runner" but then I thought...no no no, this is proof I am a fast runner...right? Anyways, who cares. I'm sure there are faster behind me who just didn't submit proof of time.

My hubby got F and that's not too shabby either!

Congrats! I did that race back in 2013. The best I had ever run a race, but a lot of it was I was so burnt out on races that I just wanted to get it over with. lol

 

[Keels]

I'd definitely check the speedway area again I've heard they have started paving one corner already.

Are you going into the MK? If so any updates on the castle ramps or adventureland veranda would be great. Thanks ahead of time.

Sent you a PM.

 

[SarahDisney]

We were in NYC for Christmas and the husband and I ran pretty much every day up Lexington and in Central Park. It was amazing. Cold, but amazing. I've never been faster than I was that week. There are parts of the 10K loop in the park that make you feel like you can fly, I swear.

Central Park is always a great place to run (even if, like me, you get lost pretty much the second you walk into the park). I wish I could run there more often, but there are so many places to run closer to me that it makes no sense.
But yeah, we had a pretty cold winter last year.

 

[LSUlakes]

I am finding the treadmill comments interesting. I have had a treadmill for more than twenty years. This is actually my second one and it is a pretty good quality one. For various reasons including convenience and safety I find the treadmill far more pleasant than running outside. we all have different preferences and I would rather run ten miles on the treadmill than have to run outside for even three miles and have to deal with the elements, cracked sidewalks and curbs, dogs, running past smokers, etc. For the cold weather in particular there is no way I will run outside. Just too miserable. Also, I have had chilblains and it is just not worth risking that. If it is below 50 degrees I don't like to even be outside.

Needless to say that I was miserable in the corrals in January and February at the marathon weekend and princess half!!! I much prefer warmer conditions. All that said I ran my fastest ever time in philly last March .....it was 27 degrees at race time. But man was I miserable!!!!!!!

I guess running on the sidewalk would be a downer. I rarely use them for the same reasons you dislike them. On the plus side the popular areas to run around town have very flat sidewalks and people that travel in the areas know that runners are everywhere so very few people speed down the road. Sure there is always that chance, but overall its a safe area for runners.

What I really wanted to comment about is smokers. It blows my mind that at a running event like a marathon, you have people cheering you along smoking. The cigar smoke is even worse and probably one of the worse smells to encounter while running. Don't get me wrong though, sometimes a nice cigar is nice to have, its just not something I want to smell while running. A double standard I guess...

Now for the weather part, 35-40 degrees is ideal running conditions in my book. It's interesting that your fastest time came on a cold time and I believe there is research that supports why that is. It may be a little uncomfortable while waiting to start your run, but the colder weather helps keep your core temps down. The cooler the body remains, the less energy your body uses on cooling you off = more energy for running. I found that during the winter I ran 15-30 seconds faster on any given run. Running just feels easier for me, but I understand some people hate it. At a temp of 40, I find after the first mile I am very warm and don't really require long pants or a long sleeve shirt. I may keep gloves on for a few miles, but they usually don't make it very far.

 

[BwoZoo22]

I do quite a bit on the treadmill too, but for completely opposite reasons. We had several months of temps over 95 (overnight LOWS of 90), so running on a treadmill while watching a movie was the only way I was going to get any running in! When we finally dropped back to the 80's, and now we are in the 70's, it felt wonderful getting back outside.

 

[michigandergirl]

Looking for ideas on where to eat breakfast on Saturday before the marathon. We won't have park tickets. I would like a good stack of pancakes or French toast. Any recommendations?

 

[AThrillingChase]

Thanks to the Hanson's training plan I am definitely in the best shape of my life. The big change though wasn't in my long run. It is shorter but the pace for that in training hasn't changed drastically. The big change has been the focus and duration of my midweek runs. Midweek tempo and speedwork runs are what really improved my running ability. If you want to get faster and improve your strength those are the workouts I'd be focusing on.

Thanks for posting this, that is helpful to know!

That link was hilarious. I'm still baffled by the hatred of treadmills though. I like training on the treadmill. If mine broke down I would be out buying a new one the same day. I started with the treadmill as a method of exercise for weight control and still view that as the primary purpose although I am also training for some upcoming races as well. I like the controlled temp environment and I watch tv or listen to music. I have never been bored.

I haven't heard others say this before so it may just be me, but when I do a longer run on a treadmill I feel disoriented afterwards. Like my body is still moving forward. It takes maybe 10-15 min to finally go away. But I have to stand there still for a minute holding the treadmill to get my bearings. I WISH I liked treadmills. I have a 12 mile run tomorrow and it is supposed to rain all day. I am considering doing a shorter run and pushing the 12 to Monday evening.

I usually run both, myself. I've tried MapMyRun, but I have more friends on RunKeeper and I need that positive reinforcement. It's not too different, except MapMyRun saves/gives you routes. RunKeeper is really just a tracker.

I am a big fan of runkeeper, and, the last month or two they have been pushing out a ton of updates that are upgrading things. I mostly just like it for tracking and seeing my mile per mile break down.

Oh thanks! Now I don't feel so bad for dragging him there.

A lot of them also come in souvenier glasses, so he gets those too!

Looking for ideas on where to eat breakfast on Saturday before the marathon. We won't have park tickets. I would like a good stack of pancakes or French toast. Any recommendations?

Captain's Grille at the YC or Grand Floridian Cafe are two of my favorites. But, CG has a buffet if you really want to load up. GFC pancakes have fruit on them and are huge, but no buffet style.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Also thank you everyone for the discussion on marathon training plans and distances. It was all very helpful and I am officially adding 2017 to my maybe list!

 

[BwoZoo22]

I haven't heard others say this before so it may just be me, but when I do a longer run on a treadmill I feel disoriented afterwards. Like my body is still moving forward. It takes maybe 10-15 min to finally go away. But I have to stand there still for a minute holding the treadmill to get my bearings.

I get that too. Experienced it after getting off extended boat trips also. A couple laps around the house (back bedroom, kitchen, back bedroom, etc.) helps me shake it, and cools me down. SOOO happy the weather has cooled down so I can run outside now. Just can't wait for the puppy to get big enough to run with me now!

 

[Pixie Heart]

AND I GOT CORRAL C!!!!

Wooohooo!!! You go, girl!
Congrats! That is AWESOME!!!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Also thank you everyone for the discussion on marathon training plans and distances. It was all very helpful and I am officially adding 2017 to my maybe list!

To this effect, I love sharing what physical transformations happened after I switched my training to Hansons. Below is a graph showing my Marathon (Red line) and Half-Marathon (Blue Line) finishing paces over time. The vertical lines represent when I started a certain training plan. I've used Galloway Dopey (Teal Line), FIRST - Furman Run Less/Run Faster (Green Line), and Hansons (Black Line).



In addition, I use a heart rate monitor with my Garmin 620 to help give me additional post-workout data. The graph below is my heart rate at different paces (in min/mile). The blue circular dots are during the last few peak weeks leading up to my May 2015 marathon when using the FIRST training plan. The red triangles are during the last few weeks leading up to my October 2015 marathon when using the Hansons training plan. As you can see above, I finished the May marathon in 4:55, whereas I finished the October 2015 marathon in 3:38. The corresponding lines in blue and red are a logistic regression line of best fit to show how at similar paces my heart rate was significantly lower. This was a sign that my body was seeing SIGNIFICANT improvements after only 12-14 weeks of training with Hansons. As a caveat, the dots/triangles were chosen from my training to best control for similar environmental factors (heat, humidity, elevation, and training load). I was able to use the heart rate lines to make an educated guess as to my finishing time. I punched my last race into McMillan and it said I would finish the marathon in 3:45 (never met the projected time before), and I punched it into the calculator I made based only on my heart rate and it said I would finish in 3:39.



I do believe the benefits I saw were not solely because of Hansons but also transforming my diet, and switching to running six days a week regardless of plan. Let me know if you have any questions. I say @AThrillingChase you move the marathon from the maybe, to the must do! Do it!

 

[CamColt]

Looking for ideas on where to eat breakfast on Saturday before the marathon. We won't have park tickets. I would like a good stack of pancakes or French toast. Any recommendations?

Kona Cafe! Especially if you like pineapple and macadamia nuts...best pancakes anywhere!

 

[Neoflynn]

Speaking of treadmill vs. outside running. I have been running my long runs outside the past few weeks. It is constant hills around me, which I have grown accustomed to. I'm just curious how well that will translate over to Disney, which is flat (at least by my standards). My previous half marathons I did my long runs on a treadmill, so no real standard to judge by. Anybody have experience with this?

I would say getting in more hill work will actually benefit you at Disney since its a flatter course, Hills will make you a stronger runner over all wich is why its recommended that you include some hill work even if your race is relatively flat. I'm not an expert or anything but from my personal experience when I do more hill work I feel stronger on flatter sections

Also thank you everyone for the discussion on marathon training plans and distances. It was all very helpful and I am officially adding 2017 to my maybe list!

might as well plan on signing up now, LOL, especially if you keep hanging out around here, this board has a way of talking you into things just ask @Keels

 

[Keels]

I would say getting in more hill work will actually benefit you at Disney since its a flatter course, Hills will make you a stronger runner over all wich is why its recommended that you include some hill work even if your race is relatively flat. I'm not an expert or anything but from my personal experience when I do more hill work I feel stronger on flatter sections



might as well plan on signing up now, LOL, especially if you keep hanging out around here, this board has a way of talking you into things just ask @Keels

Seriously. DON'T LET @FFigawi EVEN KNOW YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING!!!

He's the worst. Like.

THE.

WORST.

But not really. He's totally the best and I'm lucky to have him to pester with all my stupid questions and advice requests. He's an amazing mentor.






Also, if you tell him I said that, I'll deny it.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Looking for ideas on where to eat breakfast on Saturday before the marathon. We won't have park tickets. I would like a good stack of pancakes or French toast. Any recommendations?

Chef Mickey's
1900 Park Fare
Kona Café
Boma

But it could also depend on where you are staying. You may have a really nice place in your resort?

 

[margitmouse]

Just my opinion, but I didn't really have a great experience with my FitBit. Not only did it die four months after I got it, but I never got it replaced because customer service was so terrible.

I ended up relying on RunKeeper or MapMyRun more than my FitBit, because FitBit would consistently be off by anywhere from .2 - .5 miles.

After my FitBit died, I bought a Garmin ForeRunner 10 off Amazon for like $70, and it was the best purchase I've made. I've ended up upgrading to a Garmin Vivoactive, but I've also been able to dump running apps because I've found the Garmin devices to be more helpful and intuitive mid-run.

Personally, I don't care so much about my stats postrun. My thinking is the run is done, so what can I do to change that exact result. But the pacing features, lap details, etc., that I get on my Garmin are life savers.

@Keels- you've mentioned before how much you like your newer watch.
Do you find that your pace speed is pretty accurate moment to moment? I have a Timex run 20, which I really like but the moment to moment pace seems to jump around. I'd like to find something that can help me adjust my pace better than at every mile lap. Can you see/read the face easily while running? It looks pretty fun! And like the waterproof feature too. Any input you can share?

in response to someone's earlier comment- the free mapmyrun shows laps without the $30 upgrade. You just can't use the app like a journal and document weather and what you ate, stuff like that.
My free version stores the route I ran, distance , pace, and laps. My biggest objection is the inaccuracy...
I'm not sure how much better run keeper is but the people I run with, like it a lot.

I like what I've seen about the Garmin products and being able to keep the data on the computer. Do they store info in an App also?