Marathon Weekend 2019

[John VN]

A Disney triathlon would be a dream come true for me, but I really don't think it is safe to swim in Bay Lake with the alligators and brain-eating amoebas and what-not. Not sure if any body of water on property is safe for that matter. But we can dream!

ear plugs, nose clips, goggles - amoebas' no problem

0% fat, swim fast - alligators no problem

for some reason Kenny Chesney's song comes to mind ....

 

[jennamfeo]

I need someone to talk me off my ledge.

I'm registered for the half marathon in January. I'm not a regular runner, but running a half marathon and running down Main Street are bucket list goals. I'm doing Jeff Galloway's beginner plan and Monday was an 8 mile run - and the last mile or so wasn't pretty. My legs started to feel really sluggish, the run portions were mind over body, and, while I finished, I started wondering how on Earth I am going to be ready to tack 5.1 miles onto the distance that I just did. The logical part of my brain keeps telling me that I still have 2+ months of prepare and to trust the plan. But to be honest, some self-doubt is creeping in.

Please, someone whose do this, tell me that this is normal!

Okay, just to flip side the amazing advice everyone else has told you.... I ran my first Disney Half with very little training because I had trouble sticking to a plan. (I mean, I hadn't ran farther than 4-6 miles before my first half...) And you know what happened? I ran some, I walked some, I loved it, I hated it, and I finished. You hitting 8 miles with two months to go, and what seems like a lot more motivation and will power than me, should be totally fine. Remember your "Why" and trust your training. Bad runs happen. Self doubt happens. But remember that "You Run This Body" and you get to tell it what it can and cannot do.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Remember your "Why" and trust your training. Bad runs happen. Self doubt happens. But remember that "You Run This Body" and you get to tell it what it can and cannot do.

I love this because the mind is such a powerful part of a runners arsenal. I was so terrified before my first half that I made a lot of mistakes during training and early on in the race. I tried to make up for lost time, I tried to run as fast as I could to start the race so I could bank time for the finish. Those mistakes nearly ended my first half and running career about a half mile into my first race.

But I didn't want to quit. I decided to start going at what I had trained at and determined that I would only be removed from the course because they had to sweep me. I might fail, but I would fail on my terms. So I kept going. My mind wanted to finish more than my body did so I refused to quit. About 3 hours later, I crossed that finish line roughly 10 minutes ahead of when my training pace said I would cross the finish line.

I'm still not very fast. But I have since done things that I never even believed were possible for me as a runner. Training never goes according to plan. Good runs happen. Bad runs happen. Missed runs happen. But put in the training, trust your training, and you will accomplish your goals. The cumulative effect of training over months adds up in the end.

 

[LSUfan4444]

ear plugs, nose clips, goggles - amoebas' no problem

0% fat, swim fast - alligators no problem

for some reason Kenny Chesney's song comes to mind ....

Before it moved to Haines City, Ironmam held a 70.3 distance race at Disney World. Swam right there in Bay Lake without an issue.

 

[sandam1]

First off, I want to thank everyone for their kind words. This novice runner SERIOUSLY needed them yesterday.

While I am sure the view from your ledge is lovely, come on down!

And to think that I'm afraid of heights!

But also worth looking at if you were properly fueled, using the right intervals, etc.

This was actually the first long run that I tried adding fuel to and I think that I actually waited too long to start eating. I think that I'm going to need to play around with that a bit. I don't like the idea of gels, so I'm working on finding actual foods that are reasonable to carry.

I assume you have the two shorter runs during the week and the long run on the weekend. I've heard multiple interviews with Jeff Galloway where he explains that the two shorter runs during the week maintain your fitness and the long run on the weekends extend your fitness to the level where it needs to be at.

I am doing the 2 short runs although they have been suffering (less running, more walking, slower pace) as they have been occurring after a 60 minute personal training session. I'm going to try to focus on getting to the gym early and knocking them out ahead of time for the next two weeks and see if that helps in the next long run.

You hitting 8 miles with two months to go, and what seems like a lot more motivation and will power than me, should be totally fine. Remember your "Why" and trust your training. Bad runs happen. Self doubt happens. But remember that "You Run This Body" and you get to tell it what it can and cannot do.

Thank you for the words of wisdom. I guess that I let my mental gremlin out of its box and it was wrecking havoc on my mindset. But don't worry - I beat him into submission and the box now has a lock on it.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I am doing the 2 short runs although they have been suffering (less running, more walking, slower pace) as they have been occurring after a 60 minute personal training session. I'm going to try to focus on getting to the gym early and knocking them out ahead of time for the next two weeks and see if that helps in the next long run.

Strength training for runners is a tricky thing. There are all sorts of opinions on it. The most consistent one I've seen is to make sure that the strength training is complimenting the running and not leaving you too sore.

Now, this does not mean strength training is bad. It helps overall fitness and can certainly help you reduce injury risk. In my case, I've found that it helps me to better deal with the time I spend on my feet during a race.

I guess that I let my mental gremlin out of its box and it was wrecking havoc on my mindset. But don't worry - I beat him into submission and the box now has a lock on it.

Don't worry if your mental gremlin escapes the locked box and makes a comeback. They like to do that more often than we wish they would. But remember that you're stronger than your mental gremlin. I believe that part of why we train is so that we learn how to deal with a tough run if race day itself becomes a tough day. And sometimes we have to power through them. But all that is worth it when we accomplish that goal.

 

[roxymama]

@sandam1 RE fueling. Everyone is an experiment of one. But if you are looking for a good place to start and then tweak from there...I was advised to try taking fuel at the ~45 minute mark of a run and then each subsequent 45 min. Making sure that I was ingesting enough fluid to match up with whatever form of fuel I was taking. I personally like gels but that's not everyone's cup of tea. I like using the minute marker instead of the mile marker to take my fuel. That way if I'm having an especially slow paced or easy paced day I don't accidentally end up waiting too long to take my fuel.

And one thing to remember is that training is by design going to tire you out until you get to peak week. Then you start tapering and your legs will start getting a little rest for multiple days.
Also draw from those days at disney when you are on tired feet at the parks and you are having fun so you keep going for hours. Same thing, but running. Have fun out there even when you are tired and you will find the finish line

 

[lhermiston]

This was actually the first long run that I tried adding fuel to and I think that I actually waited too long to start eating. I think that I'm going to need to play around with that a bit. I don't like the idea of gels, so I'm working on finding actual foods that are reasonable to carry.

Have you tried chews? I think Gatorade and a few other companies (Clif?) make them. They’ve been my go to for running fuel.

My only advice on fueling is not to wait until you’re already struggling to fuel. With chews, I try to parse them out according to the distance I’m running. I might pop one in at miles 4, 8 and 12 of a half, for instance.

Play around a little and see what works best for you.

 

[LdyStormy76]

This was actually the first long run that I tried adding fuel to and I think that I actually waited too long to start eating. I think that I'm going to need to play around with that a bit. I don't like the idea of gels, so I'm working on finding actual foods that are reasonable to carry.

Sport beans recommend that you take an entire package at a time, however I have found that I do better taking one at a time at specific intervals. You will need to play around with different types of fuel - blocks, chews, beans, gummies, etc - to find what works best for you for both fuel type and frequency.

The other thing to work on is hydration in conjunction with fueling. Some people do great with water stations, others prefer to carry with them. If you decide to carry do not worry if the bottle that works best for you is not a ‘running’ bottle. I struggled to find something I could easily carry and ended up with a bottle designed for toddlers; it worked great at my last half and was easy to refill without slowing down.

 

[disneyhorselover]

Well I finally did it, bit the bullet and registered for the marathon!! I did Goofy 2015, marathon 2017, and then dopey 2018, so after dopey, only one day of early wake up sounds like a breeze!!

My sister and I will be down there the whole weekend though, and were hoping to make signs and cheer during the half. What is everyone’s favorite spectator spot?

 

[a-mad]

Hi all... I don't know if this is going to be a future topic of discussion or not, but my FP+ window is coming up in a little over a week, and as a complete novice at this (my last visit to WDW was in 2013), I could use a bit of advice. I have an idea of which attractions I want to get for each park, each day, but are there a couple of useful tips that some of you could dispense that might be good for a first timer?

For example, we will be at AK at the beginning and near the end of our 7-day stay, and a work colleague said I should first try and get a FP+ for FoP for the end of the trip as opposed to the beginning, as I would have a better shot at it (given not as many people would have access to that day yet), and then try and get what I can for that earlier day.

Any other little tips or advice would be great. I'm guessing my order will be something like FoP, Slinky Dog Dash, 7 Dwarves and Frozen Ever After then fill in the blanks after that....

Thanks!

 

[LSUfan4444]

For example, we will be at AK at the beginning and near the end of our 7-day stay, and a work colleague said I should first try and get a FP+ for FoP for the end of the trip as opposed to the beginning, as I would have a better shot at it (given not as many people would have access to that day yet), and then try and get what I can for that earlier day.

Id recommend this as well. Start with the hardest to get FP+ (Slinky Dog, Aliens Swirling Saucer, flight of passage, Navi River Journey and Mine Train) from later in your trip and then book easier to get FP+ last (Splash Mnt, Pirates, etc)

 

[lahobbs4]

Did anyone else stock up yesterday on running candy? I love the 50% off Halloween candy. Loaded up on my tootsie rolls (only those long, skinny ones) and tiny boxes of Lemonheads. Not sure why those are the things I crave!

 

[Bree]

This was actually the first long run that I tried adding fuel to and I think that I actually waited too long to start eating. I think that I'm going to need to play around with that a bit. I don't like the idea of gels, so I'm working on finding actual foods that are reasonable to carry.

I couldn’t handle the texture of the gels I tried. They made me gag. Sports Beans are tasty, but they stick to my teeth. I moved to HoneyStinger gummies. If you like fruit snacks, you’d like these. I just tried a new gel last week after a couple runners here (@KSellers88 is one) mentioned them. The brand is Huma and wow was it good. I’ve tried blueberry and chocolate for flavors so far without issue.

am doing the 2 short runs although they have been suffering (less running, more walking, slower pace) as they have been occurring after a 60 minute personal training session. I'm going to try to focus on getting to the gym early and knocking them out ahead of time for the next two weeks and see if that helps in the next long run.

Try moving your run or training to different days. Sixty minutes is a really long personal training session and to add a run on top of that might be too much right now??? If you can’t switch things around, running at a slower pace probably won’t hurt you. You’re getting the miles and endurance in!

Did anyone else stock up yesterday on running candy? I love the 50% off Halloween candy. Loaded up on my tootsie rolls (only those long, skinny ones) and tiny boxes of Lemonheads. Not sure why those are the things I crave!

If there is candy in my house I will eat it and eat it and eat it LOL!!!!

 

[SarahDisney]

So ... the Minnie 10K medal is veeeerrry shiny. Like, if it was possible to be too shiny, it would be. And I dont love the cream color on the ribbon.
I hate the marathon medal less than I did before I saw it in person, but I still dont like it.

Also, they were offering discount codes for dopey, goofy, half, and full at nycm expo. $50 off the challenges, $30 off the individual races.

 

[rteetz]

So ... the Minnie 10K medal is veeeerrry shiny. Like, if it was possible to be too shiny, it would be. And I dont love the cream color on the ribbon.
I hate the marathon medal less than I did before I saw it in person, but I still dont like it.

Also, they were offering discount codes for dopey, goofy, half, and full at nycm expo. $50 off the challenges, $30 off the individual races.

That’s the same as the wine and dine goody bag.

 

[huskies90]

Also, they were offering discount codes for dopey, goofy, half, and full at nycm expo. $50 off the challenges, $30 off the individual races.

Is it a code anyone can use? If yes, they SHOULD be allowed to be applied to existing registrations. Basically, these codes (and the additional 5K and 10K bibs that were release) are signifying that the races are not selling and they are lowering prices to increase sales similar to what they do with resort rooms. Those of us who paid full price early should not get penalized for signing up early and should be allowed to apply the same discount.

 

[camaker]

I couldn’t handle the texture of the gels I tried. They made me gag. Sports Beans are tasty, but they stick to my teeth. I moved to HoneyStinger gummies. If you like fruit snacks, you’d like these. I just tried a new gel last week after a couple runners here (@KSellers88 is one) mentioned them. The brand is Huma and wow was it good. I’ve tried blueberry and chocolate for flavors so far without issue.

I will second the recommendation for Huma Gels. They solved the problem I was having with too many gels turning my stomach during marathons. The apples & cinnamon and lemonade flavors are great, too. I also really liked the Honey Stinger gummies. The only issue I had with them was that they made my fingers sticky and I find that to be disproportionately irritating during a race.

 

[Simba's Girl]

I need help deciding on weather to get a tank or t made for my costume. I prefer to run on the cooler side and will be coming from New England so I'm just not sure which to get made.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I need help deciding on weather to get a tank or t made for my costume. I prefer to run on the cooler side and will be coming from New England so I'm just not sure which to get made.

I would go with a tee.