jhorstma
DIS Veteran
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- Aug 18, 2004
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- 508
Great choice on the Marathon!!! But... Christmas at Disney?
Marathon Weekend 2017!
- Thread starter Belle Ella
- Start date
Keels
The Official Keels of RunDisney
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Sure thing. Just shoot me a PM.
So - you can board the boat as early as 60 minutes before Illuminations up to 30 minutes before Illuminations. We were the last boat to leave the dock at Yacht Club this year, right at 30 minutes before the fireworks started. The driver takes you for a short tour out past the Swolphin and up to DHS before turning around and heading towards EPCOT. You are parked right past the pedestrian bridge between France and the UK. The view is GREAT. The boats are roomy and have snacks and bottled water and sodas, as well as comfy blankets to keep warm with.
Yup. Just shoot me a PM!
DopeyBadger
Imagathoner
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- Oct 15, 2015
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- 10,350
Hey fellow Marathon Weekend'ers! I don't believe I've posted it here, but we've got a Disboards community group on the Strava website. Come train with us and help keep each other motivated. All paces and distances are welcome!
https://www.strava.com/clubs/DISboards_Community
https://www.strava.com/clubs/DISboards_Community
True Romance
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2009
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- 696
Opinions needed: Doing the Dopey with a group of friends. A couple of us are doing Dopey and others are doing either the 10K or 1/2. Trying to decide on resorts. Leaning towards A of A in the family suite because of the extra space and 2 bathrooms. Might splurge on the Yacht Club. Since all the races start/end in Epcot, any advantage of the Yacht club? I don't think we can walk to the start line, please correct me if I am wrong there.
camaker
Anything worth doing is worth overdoing
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- May 8, 2015
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You definitely can't walk to the start line. They send out warning messages that you'll be DQ'd if you don't take the buses/monorail to the start. You could, however, walk to the resort after the race if you have park tickets. If you're an Epcot fan, it's really hard to beat the convenience of the Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk, though.
Dis5150
DIS Veteran
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- Jan 21, 2015
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Okay, I want to take a poll! Who uses (or has used in the past) the Galloway marathon plan successfully? I started out with it, switched to Higdon and am now considering switching back. I just don't have time to run 4 times a week. I used JG for my half training and really liked it. And today would be an opportune time to switch back since his marathon plan officially starts today. Anyone have any positive input for it?
BuckeyeBama
You are stronger than you think.
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Running less than 4x/week when preparing for a full marathon is asking for heartache, IMO. I don't like the Galloway plans for other reasons, but to say that Higdon's plans are better is a huge understatement.
I believe that the only plans worse than the Galloway plans are not having any plans at all. There - I said it.
Ariel484
DIS Legend
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Oh snap!!Running less than 4x/week when preparing for a full marathon is asking for heartache, IMO. I don't like the Galloway plans for other reasons, but to say that Higdon's plans are better is a huge understatement.
I believe that the only plans worse than the Galloway plans are not having any plans at all. There - I said it.
(FTR, I agree with you!)@Dis5150 I haven't used a Galloway marathon plan but I did use his plan for Dumbo last year. I didn't feel as strong running 3 days per week as I do when I run 4+.
But everyone is different.My biggest thing with Galloway is the emphasis he puts on the long runs - I sort of get why he does it, but the breakdown of the weekly mileage being SO heavy on long runs vs. the rest of the runs throughout the week is a head-scratcher for me. And I'm not about to do a long run that exceeds 20 miles. I'd be curious to know how many people follow the marathon plan AS WRITTEN and don't adjust some of the longest long runs down.
I'm starting out with the Galloway dopey plan and seeing how it goes. I sort of used his half marathon plan last year but modified it.
DopeyBadger
Imagathoner
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- Oct 15, 2015
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I used the Galloway plan for my first Dopey, but like @Ariel484 stated I was one of those that cut back on the longest mileage runs (capped at 20 miles for my 1st Dopey). I also used a 3x/week training plan for my first 5 marathons (Galloway or FIRST). In my opinion, the biggest difference will come on race day. You will likely have a better experience using a 4x/week plan than a 3x/week plan because you will be better prepared. The marathon will likely be slightly less painful and more enjoyable. There are BIG differences physiologically between the half marathon and marathon and why what works for one won't be easily translatable to the other.
I posted this previously when discussing Galloway vs Higdon Goofy plans but find it applicable here as well.
The marathon is a 99% aerobic event. The key to improving your experience in the marathon at the end of the race is to improve your aerobic base and endurance. This is accomplished with mostly easy running. My philosophies on training plans whether they be 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days per week or multiple runs per day are the same.
1) Have balance in the schedule. When you look at the schedule and the amount of time spent running it should be about 80% easy and 20% hard. Easy is defined as paces about 40 seconds slower than marathon pace and slower (Long Run or slower). Hard is anything at marathon pace or faster. *There is a grey area between my two definitions but most don't do training there.
2) Have balance in the schedule. When you look at the weekly mileage the longest run in the week from a mileage standpoint should be no more than 35% of the total mileage. If you're running 30 miles in a week, then the longest run should be no more than 10.5 miles. The more you have your long run consist of your total weekly mileage the more it increases your risk for injury and makes the recovery longer before the next run (increasing the chance of not being able to comfortably complete the next run).
3) Be wary of too long of duration of runs. Since you are doing run/walk the suggestion I've seen from Coach Jack Daniels is to not exceed 4.5 hours. Beyond that point you have diminishing returns and are increasing your chance of injury. You might say to yourself well how can I train for a 5, 6, 7 hr run with only a 4.5 hour maximum. The key if you're concerned is to boost the mileage/time spent training on the day prior to the long run with lots of easy mileage. It ensures you'll come into the long run not at 100%. This strategy will pay huge dividends at the end of the marathon where you're hoping to improve the most. The concept is referred to as cumulative fatigue. *For people who run and don't do run/walk my suggested max duration run is 2.5 hours.
4) Be more concerned with the time spent training and less concerned with the actual mileage. My philosophy is that (relative fitness training pace) X (time) is more important than actual mileage. My goal in marathon training is to complete as many runs per week between 60-90 minutes. Whether you run 15:00 min/mile or 5:00 min/mile my suggestion would be the same. However while the mileage completed by either person would be different, I believe their relative physical gains are the same if done at the same (relative fitness training pace) X (time).
Dis5150
DIS Veteran
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- Jan 21, 2015
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All you posted was very interesting. My head is a little fuzzy from being sick, so let me ask a couple of questions to see if I am understanding correctly what you are saying. My weekday runs have to be on the treadmill and my pace on the treadmill sucks. I can't seem to do better than a 15:00 min/mile where outside I am finally around or under 12:00 min/mile. Are you saying that I can continue to do 15:00 min/mile 3 days a week at 60-90 minutes each, then up my long run day mileage by no more than 35%? How would I increase my mileage as I get closer to my marathon? I can get in 3-4 weekday runs if I run 60-90 minutes. But Higdon's plan calls for increasing the mileage during the week up to 10 miles and I just don't have 2-2 1/2 hours a night to run on the treadmill. Realistically I could run 6 days a week if I could keep it 60-90 minutes. Would that be more beneficial to the marathon training, adding additional days later in the training, since I can't add mileage daily?
ZellyB
DIS Veteran
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I've used Galloway plans exclusively for all my running training plans. I've run 4 marathons using his training plans and I think I'm up to 7 or 8 halfs now. I can't ever remember for sure.
Running less than 4x/week when preparing for a full marathon is asking for heartache, IMO. I don't like the Galloway plans for other reasons, but to say that Higdon's plans are better is a huge understatement.
I believe that the only plans worse than the Galloway plans are not having any plans at all. There - I said it.
Hey!! Them's fightin' words.
Seriously, as someone who exclusively uses Galloway plans, I would disagree that they set you up for heartache. I would agree that they will not give you an optimal training program for someone with significant or challenging race goals. But, I think for a beginner who is strictly looking to complete their first marathon they are perfectly acceptable. For me, the significant appeal IS the 3 days a week running. We lead really busy and hectic lives (as do many of you) and so only running 3 days a week has been a decent path for us. That said, we are talking about adding in a 4th day of doing stair running. So, while I don't think they are for everyone, I truly think his numbers speak for themselves. His plans have helped thousands of people complete marathons - true, not particularly fast or spectacular ones, but completed regardless. Any given individual's goals along with their lifestyle and ability to stick to any plan (yes, even Galloway's) is the key to success in my opinion.Now, that said, for various reasons, I've never done a full 26 mile training run in preparation for a marathon. I've usually topped out around 21. But, many people in my Galloway running group certainly have and lived to tell the tale.
ZellyB
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And that, is why we haven't considered Higdon. His mid-week mileage is just so much that it would be very difficult for us to fit it into our schedules. Not impossible, obviously, but very difficult.
I'm with ya. That's ones of the big reasons I like the Galloway plans is because I can't always run 4+ days a week and the Galloway plans don't do that. I'm a soon to be college student and I'm not always going to have that time. Even now in the summer I don't always have that time.I've used Galloway plans exclusively for all my running training plans. I've run 4 marathons using his training plans and I think I'm up to 7 or 8 halfs now. I can't ever remember for sure.
Hey!! Them's fightin' words.
Now, that said, for various reasons, I've never done a full 26 mile training run in preparation for a marathon. I've usually topped out around 21. But, many people in my Galloway running group certainly have and lived to tell the tale.
ZellyB
DIS Veteran
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OH, and, and, during our training last year, my husband was training for our local full marathon while I trained for the half. He used the Galloway training plan as prescribed (including two long training runs over 20 miles) and got a PR on his marathon by I think 20 minutes from the one he ran back in 2009. That one he ran rather than doing the run/walk and he followed a Higdon plan. So there. 
AND, in case it's not coming across via computer, I'm totally joking around about being irritated, so nobody get all feisty with me! But, did want to share that it IS possible to follow the Galloway plans and be successful.
AND, in case it's not coming across via computer, I'm totally joking around about being irritated, so nobody get all feisty with me! But, did want to share that it IS possible to follow the Galloway plans and be successful.
DopeyBadger
Imagathoner
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Lots of great stuff here. I'll break up your text into more digestible points.
I think this is the most important part of everything you said. If you're willing to run 6 days a week for between 60-90 minutes, then I would do this. You will likely see the best benefits from training using this method. But we'll come back to this as running 6 days per week at 60-90 minutes is where you'd want to end up and not where you'd want to start.
Warning math is coming....
A way to look at it:
You can run 12:00 min/mile comfortably outside. We'd base you paces around something like this based on current fitness level and recent race times. But as an example only, let's say 12:00 min/mile ends up being your long run pace. If you max at 150 minutes (assuming running only and not run/walk) for a long run, then a 12:00 min/mile maxes at 12.5 miles (150 min / 12). To be 35%, this would mean you'd have a minimum weekly mileage of 35.7 (12.5 miles / 0.35). Since you're running 12.5 as the long run this leaves you with 23.2 remaining miles on Saturday and 4 weekdays. The 4 weekdays are 15:00 min/mile at 60 minutes (or 4 miles). That's 16 miles. So 23.2-16 = 7.2 miles for Saturday minimum (which at a 13:00 min/mile pace is roughly 94 minutes).
Most generic running training plans are written for the general masses. They're made to be easy to look at and easy for people to figure out without much outside input. But it doesn't mean that the timing of such plans works for everyone. Ideally everyone would write their plans in terms of total time used to complete runs and then the relative pace at which they should run it. Like this:
Monday - 45 minutes @ 60% VO2max
Tuesday - 60 minutes @ 75% VO2max
Wednesday - 15 minutes @ 50% VO2max + 25 minutes @ 80% VO2max + 15 minutes @ 50% VO2max
The problem is this looks very confusing. And when I first picked up the Jack Daniels running book he puts things in terms like this, but boy did it look like another language to me. I ran scared from that plan. But his methodology makes more sense to me now. It's based on time and relative pace based on your fitness.
So when Higdon says 10 miles. It's more like he's shooting for the middle of where he believes people that are choosing that plan will be in terms of time needed to complete 10 miles. Thus, a generic plan is usually not the best plan for everyone. I would completely agree that a 2.5 hour training run mid-week is brutal and very few people could realistically fit that into their schedule.
So, as I tell everyone, I'm willing to help you set something up that's custom to your schedule, desires, and current abilities that I believe will give you the best chance at an enjoyable marathon experience. Just send me a PM if you're interested. I do it free of charge because I want everyone to have the best running experience possible and find it to be a fun hobby trying to get all of the pieces to fit together.
I think this is the most important part of everything you said. If you're willing to run 6 days a week for between 60-90 minutes, then I would do this. You will likely see the best benefits from training using this method. But we'll come back to this as running 6 days per week at 60-90 minutes is where you'd want to end up and not where you'd want to start.
Warning math is coming....
A way to look at it:
You can run 12:00 min/mile comfortably outside. We'd base you paces around something like this based on current fitness level and recent race times. But as an example only, let's say 12:00 min/mile ends up being your long run pace. If you max at 150 minutes (assuming running only and not run/walk) for a long run, then a 12:00 min/mile maxes at 12.5 miles (150 min / 12). To be 35%, this would mean you'd have a minimum weekly mileage of 35.7 (12.5 miles / 0.35). Since you're running 12.5 as the long run this leaves you with 23.2 remaining miles on Saturday and 4 weekdays. The 4 weekdays are 15:00 min/mile at 60 minutes (or 4 miles). That's 16 miles. So 23.2-16 = 7.2 miles for Saturday minimum (which at a 13:00 min/mile pace is roughly 94 minutes).
Most generic running training plans are written for the general masses. They're made to be easy to look at and easy for people to figure out without much outside input. But it doesn't mean that the timing of such plans works for everyone. Ideally everyone would write their plans in terms of total time used to complete runs and then the relative pace at which they should run it. Like this:
Monday - 45 minutes @ 60% VO2max
Tuesday - 60 minutes @ 75% VO2max
Wednesday - 15 minutes @ 50% VO2max + 25 minutes @ 80% VO2max + 15 minutes @ 50% VO2max
The problem is this looks very confusing. And when I first picked up the Jack Daniels running book he puts things in terms like this, but boy did it look like another language to me. I ran scared from that plan. But his methodology makes more sense to me now. It's based on time and relative pace based on your fitness.
So when Higdon says 10 miles. It's more like he's shooting for the middle of where he believes people that are choosing that plan will be in terms of time needed to complete 10 miles. Thus, a generic plan is usually not the best plan for everyone. I would completely agree that a 2.5 hour training run mid-week is brutal and very few people could realistically fit that into their schedule.
So, as I tell everyone, I'm willing to help you set something up that's custom to your schedule, desires, and current abilities that I believe will give you the best chance at an enjoyable marathon experience. Just send me a PM if you're interested. I do it free of charge because I want everyone to have the best running experience possible and find it to be a fun hobby trying to get all of the pieces to fit together.
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