Marathon Weekend 2016

[emindc]

Thanks. I plan to drive. I was just budgeting time for the expo itself -- I think I have a reasonably good idea of how long it takes to make one's way around the World and how far you sometimes have to walk from parking.

I don't really have any other place I have to be -- flight arrives at about 11 a.m. and I'm staying at POP Century -- so I was just wondering. Thanks!

Liz

 

[cburnett11]

First off thanks to everyone for their input. I'm cautiously optimistic, but know I'm going into unchartered territory. I was able to complete a 22 mile training run this past weekend and I will be doing a 26 mile training run in a few weeks. But I know that training is not racing. And I know weather, nutrition, and really just about anything can change things quickly in distance running.

I would just have a plan B just in case.

Yeah I need to come up with a plan B. It may be to be ready to call and tell them we are running late.

As @Waiting2goback said in the post above you are assuming everything goes according to plan. I'm not saying it wont, but like you I had a similar half time before my first full, and had some decent training going into the full with a similar finish time goal. I ended up with a 4+ hour time. The course I ran was much more difficult that Disneys, so that could be the difference for you achieving your goal. As far as realistic expectations for your first, you first goal should be to finish (I know that sounds crazy, but its worth placing on the list). Then follow with 4 hours, 3:45, ect... Good luck with the remainder of your training.

3:45 is really a stretch because someone asked me and all the calculators says something like 3:47. But really my goals are consistent with what you said. Finish, under 4, and then whatever happens.

What a bunch of Negative Nancys...@cburnett11, you can do it, you will do, believe in yourself.

I believe in myself now, but we'll see what I think in January. LOL

Technically I am a Rancorous Ryan not a Negative Nancy. I think the main point is 1 marathon isnt' the same as 2 half marathons and until you actually do a marathon it's hard to tell exactly how your body is going to react. Also there are a lot of things that happen on race day that you might not be able to control.

As mentioned above, I fully know about the unknowns so to speak. I will at least do one 26 mile training run, but respect that is different than the actual marathon.

I think I am a fairly similar runner to you and I did my first marathon this past January at Disney. I had submitted a 1:50 half for POT, got in the E corral, and was off well before 6. I don't remember exactly when. You are very wise to run cautiously and work your way into the race. A marathon is a whole nuther beast from any other race. My advice would be to set your goal for sub-4 hours for your first marathon. That's what I did and I ran 3:52. Even though I ran cautiously, the last 5k was still pretty brutal. You should realize you don't know what shape you will be in after the race. I was in a lot of pain and barely able to walk. It took me close to an hour to shuffle to the monorail, stopping periodically to rest and having to ask people to hoist me back to my feet and push me on my way. I would leave a LOT of time for you to get back to your hotel. Plus, you'll want to leave some time to enjoy the moment and amenities at the finish. You will have earned it, take some time to glory in it...

You appear to be a faster runner than me, but I think we are both male and I'm going to be 50 in 2 days. I think I've run now for 3.5 years. Both of my kids were strong XC runners (at one time), so I used to think I knew a lot about running... but when I started actually running myself I learned that I really had known very little.

I tend to want to move after my long runs and longer races. Again I haven't done a marathon, but if I take it to easy I will end up locking up and feeling crappy for a couple days.

 

[Kathymford]

I will just add that for my first half marathon ... everything went wrong. Things I had never even thought of. And I considered myself an experienced (10k) DL RunDisney'er. It definitely had an impact on my performance.

 

[LSUlakes]

First off thanks to everyone for their input. I'm cautiously optimistic, but know I'm going into unchartered territory. I was able to complete a 22 mile training run this past weekend and I will be doing a 26 mile training run in a few weeks. But I know that training is not racing. And I know weather, nutrition, and really just about anything can change things quickly in distance running.

Are you running a 26 mile training run for the mental part of "I know I can run this far" or have you been advised to do so? Very few runners (even elite) run that far for training, for many reasons, but two important reasons are the recovery time and increased odds of injury.

 

[cburnett11]

Are you running a 26 mile training run for the mental part of "I know I can run this far" or have you been advised to do so? Very few runners (even elite) run that far for training, for many reasons, but two important reasons are the recovery time and increased odds of injury.

Purely my choice for the mental part of "I know I can run this far". No one told me that it was the best way, but no one said it was always bad either. It will be done at a very slow pace and will be done 4 weeks out from race date... with me essentially have a 4 week taper. I do monitor my form to try and avoid injury. That is certainly something I will keep in mind during that training run and I will quit if I feel like I'm falling apart. On my 22 mile run Saturday, I could feel it in my legs the last 2-3 miles and I was extra cautious about my form finishing up. Fortunately I felt completely fine Monday morning and again the following day.

For all of my halves (again I know that the marathon is a different beast) I have run 14-15 right before tapering... I guess it's mental with me.

 

[LSUlakes]

Purely my choice for the mental part of "I know I can run this far". No one told me that it was the best way, but no one said it was always bad either. It will be done at a very slow pace and will be done 4 weeks out from race date... with me essentially have a 4 week taper. I do monitor my form to try and avoid injury. That is certainly something I will keep in mind during that training run and I will quit if I feel like I'm falling apart. On my 22 mile run Saturday, I could feel it in my legs the last 2-3 miles and I was extra cautious about my form finishing up. Fortunately I felt completely fine Monday morning and again the following day.

For all of my halves (again I know that the marathon is a different beast) I have run 14-15 right before tapering... I guess it's mental with me.

http://runnersconnect.net/coach-corner/why-you-shouldnt-use-marathons-as-long-runs-in-training/

Since you mentioned no one said it was bad either I posted the link above for a few reasons why. I think your timing of 4 weeks out is ideal for your last 20+ mile run, but I would imagine 3 weeks out is ~16 miles... For many people that is still a challenge of a run regardless of how in shape you are. I don't mean to be negative about your idea of doing the 26 miles, but its a high risk low reward option. Talk with other runners and get their advice on the subject, and if you still feel its worth it despite the risk, go for it.

 

[Neoflynn]

Kind of on-topic question...
Does anyone here wear glasses but not contacts? I started wearing glasses several years after college so I never had to wear them for athletics. But now I only wear glasses when needing to drive/watch movies/see anything far. I've found I need them for running because I want to see what's coming up at a distance.
My current pair SUCK for running because they are kind of slidey. I've made a new eye appt to get my prescription upped anyways and I've seriously considering getting a pair of sport sunglasses with a prescription. Anyone have any tips about that?
I would go contacts but my doctor says they will weaken my eyes...there's a reason I only wear my glasses sometimes. If I wore them all day at my computer and in my house my eyes would get even more dependent on them. Eventually in about 10 years I'll probably have to switch to wearing them all the time.

Sorry for rambling. FYI My hubby has a pair he got for cycling but I don't know what to look for for running.

I wear prescription glasses both regular and sunglasses and while my sunglasses stay in place pretty well my regular glasses would continuously slide down my nose so I invested in one of these

I don't have this exact one but same idea, and its a saving grace holds them in place and you I don't even notice it anymore. just make sure it has the adjustable slide so you can tighten it up as much as you want.

 

[Waiting2goback]

What a bunch of Negative Nancys...@cburnett11, you can do it, you will do, believe in yourself.

I want to be clear. I was not trying to be negative. I was afraid to post it because I didn't want it to come across that way. I think cburnett11 will do it too. But, just as Wine and Dine just showed us, so many things are out of our control when we are running 26.2 miles. When someone is running their first full marathon and planning a reservation where everything has to go perfect to get to the reservation on time I just think it's cutting it too close for me.

I would personally be stressed out during the race worrying about the reservation and I wouldn't even want to think about it. My first reservation after the race is that night at 9pm. If I am not finished with the race by then it means I'm in a hospital somewhere.

So, if Plan B is to be ready to call if running late, because someone is tracking as it was suggested, then it's a different story. These races are supposed to be fun, not stressful.

Anyone who knows me knows I am constantly trying to talk people into running and when they tell me they can't do it I do all I can to convince them they can. I also just really struggled with my first marathon. Cramps in both hamstrings at mile 18. My sub 4:00 marathon goal turned to "just let me finish this please".

I hope I explained myself a bit more this time.

Sorry if this question has been asked already . . . I tried to search but couldn't find anything.

How long should I allow for the Expo? Of course I have to get my packet and other essentials. I have been to expos at other running events, so I assume many of the vendors are the usual suspects I have seen elsewhere. But I thought I'd mosey through anyway. I expect to get there mid-day on Friday. How long should I allow? Hour? Two? Rest of the day? Thanks.

Liz

Liz, it really depends on what you want to do. You can stop by and meet Jeff Galloway, if you are a run/walk person. His line can get long. They do have a speaker series. I listened to Fitz Koehler at last year's ToT. It was pretty cool. If you just want to get your packet and take off then an hour or less is easy. If you want to shop and listen to experts speak, you could be there for hours.

As for my run yesterday, I have tomorrow off too. Assuming no more sick kids are home I am planning to get that 10 miles in tomorrow.

I was supposed to be finding an episode for someone on Marathon Training Academy. It was like 30 pages ago and I can't remember who it's for. I just wanted to say I didn't forget. I have been trying to find it but haven't had luck yet. I ran into phone issues so I was without a phone for a few days. I will find it eventually because it is bugging me. With all the long runs coming up I will have plenty of time to listen and find it.

 

[SarahDisney]

So ... is it weird that I'm telling myself that I have to run at least 3.65 miles tomorrow because that's what will get my shoes up to 200 miles?
I'm willing to go a little farther if I have the time and energy (plan for tomorrow was supposed to be anywhere from 40 minutes to 4 miles, depending on how I feel), but 3.65 is my new minimum. Because of the shoes.
That's not weird, right?

 

[Baloo in MI]

http://runnersconnect.net/coach-corner/why-you-shouldnt-use-marathons-as-long-runs-in-training/

Since you mentioned no one said it was bad either I posted the link above for a few reasons why. I think your timing of 4 weeks out is ideal for your last 20+ mile run, but I would imagine 3 weeks out is ~16 miles... For many people that is still a challenge of a run regardless of how in shape you are. I don't mean to be negative about your idea of doing the 26 miles, but its a high risk low reward option. Talk with other runners and get their advice on the subject, and if you still feel its worth it despite the risk, go for it.

Thanks for this article. After reading it it has me rethinking my last few long runs before the taper. For me it ended with a 24 miler and two weeks later a 26 miler and then the taper. I am thinking I may pull this back some. Dopey will be my third marathon so I know I can do the distance. Given I just did a marathon in October a little less milage/more rest may be more beneficial. Really apprecaite the article!

 

[FFigawi]

I want to be clear. I was not trying to be negative. I was afraid to post it because I didn't want it to come across that way.

I don't think you were being negative at all. It's good for experienced runners to be supportive of newer ones in helping them achieve their goals, but it's just as important to offer words of advice and wisdom/caution too.

 

[cburnett11]

I want to be clear. I was not trying to be negative. I was afraid to post it because I didn't want it to come across that way.

I didn't take your comment as negative at all. I asked for input and got a variety of great tips and suggestions. I certainly won't sweat it if I am late to my ressie or have to cancel (no show) cause I'm still on the course. The initial reason for this trip is for me to experience my first marathon. The great byproduct of the trip is that my favorite people will be there with me for that day and the week afterwards. I hope I can make it to the late breakfast to download things with them, but if it doesn't happen I'm not gonna be upset... I'll be in Disneyworld right?

 

[cburnett11]

Since you mentioned no one said it was bad either I posted the link above for a few reasons why. I think your timing of 4 weeks out is ideal for your last 20+ mile run, but I would imagine 3 weeks out is ~16 miles... For many people that is still a challenge of a run regardless of how in shape you are. I don't mean to be negative about your idea of doing the 26 miles, but its a high risk low reward option. Talk with other runners and get their advice on the subject, and if you still feel its worth it despite the risk, go for it.

I've read a lot of Gaudette... In fact he ironically got me up to my first half. I'll definitely think about this article and will bounce it off a couple experienced runner friends that know me well. Actually for what it's worth, my 3 weeks out is 10, 2 weeks out is 15, and 8 days out is 10. My hardest weeks always are followed by a bit of a recovery week. Also, my weekly mileage outside of the long runs is fairly light compared to others on here. That can be a positive or negative, but in my case I view it as a way to recover between my longest runs.

 

[cavepig]

So ... is it weird that I'm telling myself that I have to run at least 3.65 miles tomorrow because that's what will get my shoes up to 200 miles?
I'm willing to go a little farther if I have the time and energy (plan for tomorrow was supposed to be anywhere from 40 minutes to 4 miles, depending on how I feel), but 3.65 is my new minimum. Because of the shoes.
That's not weird, right?

Not weird at all! With running I have found nothing is weird!

 

[Baroncoop]

GAHHHHH!!!!!! I need to know my corral and bib number! I mean... technically I don't, but .... I NEED IT!

 

[Z-Knight]

omg, omg, omg!!! It has started.

I got the first runDisney email today for the marathon and it has awesome info!!!! ...on the chear packages...sigh, so close.

 

[roxymama]

omg, omg, omg!!! It has started.

I got the first runDisney email today for the marathon and it has awesome info!!!! ...on the chear packages...sigh, so close.

And now I begin to stalk my email inbox all day. Even knowing that it does not contain anything like bib #...I still will stalk it

 

[rteetz]

omg, omg, omg!!! It has started.

I got the first runDisney email today for the marathon and it has awesome info!!!! ...on the chear packages...sigh, so close.

Just got it as well!

 

[RunDisneyDad]

Haha...glad I'm not the only one who gets excited when the sender is listed as RunDisney.

 

[cavepig]

I figure we'll know bib numbers before the email actually gets sent