Marathon Weekend 2017!

[jhorstma]

Anxiety here too. Focusing on what I have done and what I know I can/will do clears the mind:
1. I will drive to WDW;
2. I will eat on Saturday (actually my biggest fear is catching a pre-race stomach bug);
3. I will be shoved out of bed early Sunday morning;
4. I will drive to Epcot, park, and walk to the start;
5. I will stop at the start line, wave to Mickey & crew, maybe bust out a move for the cameras, and then get to stepping;
6. I will run slowly for 5 minutes to warm-up and get my cardio up;
7. I will run to the first water stop, walk while drinking a cup of water, and then start running again;
8. I will repeat to TTC, Main Street USA, and Cinderella's Castle;
9. I will stop for a picture in front of the Castle;
10. I will start running again...

Beyond that, I will enjoy the journey.

 

[DerTobi75]

Wow @DopeyBadger thanks for that long answer!

Ok, I stick with my plan, there are a few interval runs left, so maybe I can do the racepace test then

 

[pixarmom]

I can totally understand the lost fitness one. Just keep in mind that as you enter the taper and start to lower your mileage from week to week it is a signal to the body. The body starts to do repairs and focuses less on being able to go fast. So an "easy" run may suddenly feel sluggish, but as our friend Admiral Ackbar would say:


View attachment 211358

Just always keep in mind the fitness is still there. Especially if you're still out there logging mile. The biggest thing not to do, is don't "test" the pace or don't "confirm" your fitness. At this point, be confident in your training and stick with the taper plan. It'll get you there as designed. Because if you do "test" or "confirm" you may very well waste that "race" effort on a day leading up to race day (hence the trap). We've all got this and we'll get through this taper madness together!

This is really helpful - thank you. After reading, I ran my easy 3-miler truly easy today. I always run negative splits and cannot stick to an easy pace throughout. So I covered the treadmill numbers and only increased speed gradually based on perceived effort alone and never to faster than marathon pace. (I know where I started in terms of pace, so it was never completely blind - I just wasn't constantly calculating speed/mileage/time.) I didn't try to test or confirm fitness, and I didn't feel sluggish at all! Great advice.

 

[JohnFilipoff]

During long run training I wore a water belt which conveniently held my gels. Trying to decide if I should use the belt during the marathon or not. It's very convenient to have water when you want it versus having to wait for the next station. I've run a few half's and I've never used the belt for those? What do most of you do? Belt or no belt? If no belt then where do you put gels?

 

[jhorstma]

During long run training I wore a water belt which conveniently held my gels. Trying to decide if I should use the belt during the marathon or not. It's very convenient to have water when you want it versus having to wait for the next station. I've run a few half's and I've never used the belt for those? What do most of you do? Belt or no belt? If no belt then where do you put gels?

I'm the same as you - belt for long runs, no belt for half's (no gels either). For the marathon I'll be wearing a belt for gels, aspirin, mini-bodyglide, phone (instead of wearing an armband), and water. Bulky yes, but it is a journey...

 

[IamTrike]

During long run training I wore a water belt which conveniently held my gels. Trying to decide if I should use the belt during the marathon or not. It's very convenient to have water when you want it versus having to wait for the next station. I've run a few half's and I've never used the belt for those? What do most of you do? Belt or no belt? If no belt then where do you put gels?

If you dress as Flynn Rider the satchel is an ideal gel storage device. I am okay with the cliff shots that they have on the course so I usually just carry 2 in my pockets one of which I take right before the race starts. I've also shoved them in a spi belt.

 

[PrincessV]

During long run training I wore a water belt which conveniently held my gels. Trying to decide if I should use the belt during the marathon or not. It's very convenient to have water when you want it versus having to wait for the next station. I've run a few half's and I've never used the belt for those? What do most of you do? Belt or no belt? If no belt then where do you put gels?

I use a handheld water bottle and yep, I use it for races, too. I like to take small sips throughout my race, so bringing my own and refilling as needed at water tables works great. I use either pockets in my skirt/capris or a belt with the little loops to hold gels.

 

[camaker]

During long run training I wore a water belt which conveniently held my gels. Trying to decide if I should use the belt during the marathon or not. It's very convenient to have water when you want it versus having to wait for the next station. I've run a few half's and I've never used the belt for those? What do most of you do? Belt or no belt? If no belt then where do you put gels?

I always run in a belt (Amphipod microstretch is my favorite), whether training or racing. During races I use it to hold my phone and car key (local races, not Disney). For a half marathon, I just put the gel I plan to use in my pocket. For a full marathon, the first two gels go in my pockets and the remainder go into the belt with the phone.

 

[hauntedcity]

During long run training I wore a water belt which conveniently held my gels. Trying to decide if I should use the belt during the marathon or not. It's very convenient to have water when you want it versus having to wait for the next station. I've run a few half's and I've never used the belt for those? What do most of you do? Belt or no belt? If no belt then where do you put gels?

Same thing here! I have a Fitletic belt that I only use for marathon training. I've never used it for a half marathon, but I did in 2015 for my first marathon.

My last long run last weekend was held on an indoor track, and I thought I'd try to limit water intake to every 1.5 miles, to simulate being on the marathon course. I wanted to see if I could handle leaving the belt at home. About mile 17-18, I realized that I'd want to have the belt along with me. I just want to make sure I always have a sip ready in case I need it.

 

[JohnFilipoff]

I use a handheld water bottle and yep, I use it for races, too. I like to take small sips throughout my race, so bringing my own and refilling as needed at water tables works great. I use either pockets in my skirt/capris or a belt with the little loops to hold gels.

Refilling while running? I would both lose the top and spill water all over. I guess I need to practice that.

 

[hauntedcity]

A nutrition question for everyone!

I usually have a gel every 4 miles. During a half marathon, that means bringing one gel for mile 4, and then using the course one around mile 8.

For the full marathon, it looks like we'll have 2 clif stops and 2 banana stops. Is a banana really a good substitute for an energy gel? I'd rather not lug 4 clif shots from the start, but that would be better than hitting the wall. I wish I could remember what I did back in 2015, but my brain don't good that work.

How do you guys view the banana? A replacement or little extra?

Doug

 

[PrincessV]

Refilling while running? I would both lose the top and spill water all over. I guess I need to practice that.

YES, definitely practice! I've got it down to a science now, but the first time was sketchy, lol! My system: as I approach the water station, I unscrew the cap and hold it in my teeth, get Nuun tab out of bottle's pocket and drop into bottle, grab cup of water from first table and pour in, grab cup from another table, pour in, toss cups, screw cap back on, go!

How do you guys view the banana? A replacement or little extra?

Neither - I pass on by and try not to slip on a peel! Gels only for me.

 

[pixarmom]

A nutrition question for everyone!

I usually have a gel every 4 miles. During a half marathon, that means bringing one gel for mile 4, and then using the course one around mile 8.

For the full marathon, it looks like we'll have 2 clif stops and 2 banana stops. Is a banana really a good substitute for an energy gel? I'd rather not lug 4 clif shots from the start, but that would be better than hitting the wall. I wish I could remember what I did back in 2015, but my brain don't good that work.

How do you guys view the banana? A replacement or little extra?

Doug

I seriously dislike bananas, unless they are frozen and covered in chocolate and rainbow sprinkles. But the WDW marathon bananas are the best ever. I was so excited to see those. I make myself eat a banana during long runs so that I'm ready for the WDW bananas. I tried all sorts of gels, blocks and beans long ago and learned that the banana is way better for me.

As for carrying stuff, I carry absolutely nothing. No gels, no phone, no music. I experimented with different gadgets, but in the end, decided I can't have anything around my waist, in my hand or in pockets. I always check course support before registering for a race to be sure they will have what I need at the necessary intervals. I feel like Disney has more than enough aid stations. I'm just super happy running without stuff!

 

[croach]

A nutrition question for everyone!

I usually have a gel every 4 miles. During a half marathon, that means bringing one gel for mile 4, and then using the course one around mile 8.

For the full marathon, it looks like we'll have 2 clif stops and 2 banana stops. Is a banana really a good substitute for an energy gel? I'd rather not lug 4 clif shots from the start, but that would be better than hitting the wall. I wish I could remember what I did back in 2015, but my brain don't good that work.

How do you guys view the banana? A replacement or little extra?

Doug

Bananas have around 27 grams of carbs from what I'm seeing so compare with your gels. But if you haven't done any test runs with them, I'm not sure the marathon is the place to start.

 

[UNCBear24]

A nutrition question for everyone!

I usually have a gel every 4 miles. During a half marathon, that means bringing one gel for mile 4, and then using the course one around mile 8.

For the full marathon, it looks like we'll have 2 clif stops and 2 banana stops. Is a banana really a good substitute for an energy gel? I'd rather not lug 4 clif shots from the start, but that would be better than hitting the wall. I wish I could remember what I did back in 2015, but my brain don't good that work.

How do you guys view the banana? A replacement or little extra?



Doug

I eat the banana as extra. I took 6 gels during the full last year. I will either pack my pockets full of gels or have a family member meet me during the race with some, so I don't have to carry all the gels from the start.

 

[Z-Knight]

 

[jack'smom]

How do I go about changing the age on one of my kids' registrations? I didn't notice the wrong birthdate until I tried printing her waiver. She is registered to run a kids race and she is 4, her registration says she is 8. That age difference changes her race from 200m to 400m. I've emailed rundisney about a different issue and never heard back after the response that they received my email.

 

[Wendy98]

I think ideally you should be running some of your training runs near race pace to get a feeling for it. When you hit the taper, it's really too late to effectively internalize what that pacing feels like. I know Higdon generally advocates a run at race pace at least every other week throughout the training plan. The plan @DopeyBadger set up for me had me running once a week at race pace on a 4 day a week running schedule (2 easy days, a tempo/race pace day and a long run intermediate pace day).

I do a dress rehearsal about 2 weeks out from a marathon. I run close to race pace, usually cutting it off after 20 miles. Not sure what your running experience is, but I would not try that if you are kind of newish. I probably will run my dress rehearsal Saturday, but will slow the pace down. I have this tear in a tendon in my foot (been battling it since May--it shouldn't get worse and I have been green lighted to run) and I don't want to aggravate it. I typically have a one week taper, saving myself for race day (I don't know how you Dopey people race those consecutive days!). When I taper, I keep the efforts the same, just cut back the mileage. So if I would normally do a 10 mile progression run, I might only do 6-8, but at a similar effort.

Running the longer runs near to race pace as been key for me getting my times down--first cycle of it I took off 35 minutes.

 

[rteetz]

How do I go about changing the age on one of my kids' registrations? I didn't notice the wrong birthdate until I tried printing her waiver. She is registered to run a kids race and she is 4, her registration says she is 8. That age difference changes her race from 200m to 400m. I've emailed rundisney about a different issue and never heard back after the response that they received my email.

Email rundisney. I had the same problem last year and that's what I did. I'm not sure why they didn't respond to your first email.

 

[2girlsR2good]

A fun clip discussing taper madness

OMG--I am so unprepared! I don't even know enough to know how to have taper madness! What am I supposed to be eating--is it really supposed to be different??? I am on the "finish standing upright (and don't get swept)" plan, so I know what I'm doing for the next two weeks in terms of running and that is a taper. But it didn't even occur to me to look at anything else...what are people doing? Do you sleep more? Drink more water (and less wine?) Eat differently? OMG--I am unprepared. What was I thinking?