Marathon Weekend 2023

[Disney at Heart]

SAFD: Training has been miserable this summer. The majority of it has been at T+Ds in the 155-172 range and it feels like I've had more trouble with the conditions than in past years. It's been bad enough that I haven't been able to complete anything over 10 miles or so without walk breaks in the 2nd half of the run, even with T+D-adjusted pacing. Frustrating.

The one ray of sunshine is that we had about a week of "Fake Fall" this month where T+Ds plummeted all the way to the 125-135 range. During that brief interlude from running on the face of the sun I was able to complete runs up to 16 miles at prescribed pacing, giving me a much needed boost of confidence that all hasn't been lost this summer.

The acid test comes in a 50k trail race next Saturday. T+Ds are currently forecast to rise from the 130s up into the 150s during the race. At least I'll be under tree cover most of the time and not baking under direct sun. Definitely not ideal, but it could be worse. Fingers crossed!

Glad you had a brief interlude from the heat to give you confidence. Fall is on the way! I hope your Saturday race is cool with a low dew point and that you do great!

@princesspirateandrunner What an ordeal! Prayers for healing and getting yourself back to normal.

 

[accm]

SAFD: training had been going really well until this past week. I don’t know if I pushed too hard at work or what, but I was too tired during the week to do anything. And then this weekend I’ve been fighting allergies/some cold, so that derailed my week. I have a half coming up in 2 weeks, and this last week was supposed to be my peak week. I’m trying to decide between doing last week’s runs this week, or just continuing on with the plan.

 

[The Expert]

SAFD: training had been going really well until this past week. I don’t know if I pushed too hard at work or what, but I was too tired during the week to do anything. And then this weekend I’ve been fighting allergies/some cold, so that derailed my week. I have a half coming up in 2 weeks, and this last week was supposed to be my peak week. I’m trying to decide between doing last week’s runs this week, or just continuing on with the plan.

Sudden fatigue plus congestion... have you tested for Covid? I think I'd rule that out before deciding whether to push it.

 

[jpeterson]

Sudden fatigue plus congestion... have you tested for Covid? I think I'd rule that out before deciding whether to push it.

Agree with this. I had a "cold" a couple weeks ago. I tested negative for Covid twice. But after about 5 days I got a positive test back. I would definitely keep an eye on that.

 

[accm]

Sudden fatigue plus congestion... have you tested for Covid? I think I'd rule that out before deciding whether to push it.

Agree with this. I had a "cold" a couple weeks ago. I tested negative for Covid twice. But after about 5 days I got a positive test back. I would definitely keep an eye on that.

I took a test today and it was negative. I plan on keeping an eye on it and taking it easy if needed.
The extra fatigue from work isn't much of a surprise though - I took over for a coworker that quit, but haven't given away any of my previous tasks. So I'm on my feet walking in steel toed boots for the majority of the day. I'm hoping things will stabilize soon.

 

[BigEeyore]

@princesspirateandrunner oh my goodness! That's a lot - I'm so sorry you have had to go through all of that. Hopefully you are on the mend!

SAFD: Currently at peak Chicago training, I am on track to run over 140 miles for August. Not going to sugar coat it - training in the summer has been miserable and discouraging. I am a good minute/mile slower than I used to be, and on my long runs I am really struggling mentally and physically to get through them. Humidity here (GA) has been in the upper 90% and that has been killing me. So I'm getting the miles in, but it isn't pretty!!

 

[kps7795]

@princesspirateandrunner oh my goodness! That's a lot - I'm so sorry you have had to go through all of that. Hopefully you are on the mend!

SAFD: Currently at peak Chicago training, I am on track to run over 140 miles for August. Not going to sugar coat it - training in the summer has been miserable and discouraging. I am a good minute/mile slower than I used to be, and on my long runs I am really struggling mentally and physically to get through them. Humidity here (GA) has been in the upper 90% and that has been killing me. So I'm getting the miles in, but it isn't pretty!!

I can tell you that you're getting down on yourself when you compare your current running state to what you're used to, but I want to tell you that you are inspiring me to get through my own running woes and push through. Great job with your summer training!

 

[matt and beth]

SAFD: At about 41 miles per week now. Sore achilles and two sore knees that compression sleeves are helping to keep in check. One internally sore *** from some crazy slip and sliding on a massive hill. All is normal here.

 

[DopeyBadger]

I’m trying to decide between doing last week’s runs this week, or just continuing on with the plan.

Better to be safe than sorry. With 2 weeks until race day, the runs you do this week will have a minimal impact on fitness prep for the race itself. So I wouldn't do peak this week and have even a smaller taper. Instead, take solace in knowing that all the other training you've done to date doesn't disappear quickly. So just ease back into training when it's appropriate and then let the race come to you slowly. You could consider some brief strides the week of the race just to give some juice to the legs.

 

[Cabius]

SAFD: Training has been going very well overall. I've seen big improvements in my overall fitness, though I've really only gotten about 90%-95% of my planned mileage in due to mild illness or scheduling issues. I feel like I'm trending really well toward my HM on 9/25, at which point I'll have built up a base of 25-30 miles/week with lots of time left before the January race.

 

[fatmanatee]

Medals!

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...edals-for-walt-disney-world-marathon-weekend/

 

[luv2cheer92]

These medals are stunning!!!!

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: It’s late August in Florida… I hate myself for registering for a Jan. marathon. Nothing “fall” like to be seen, just incessant, infernal heat, humidity, and potential for hurricanes. I’m over it already.

Sorry to say that giant, neon “30” medal isn’t inspiring me to run more. I really should have better considered my hatred of the 90s before registering lol!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Yes!!!! I Like all of them (minus the part on the marathon medal that says “I did it!” )

 

[Naomeri]

I love the medals!!

 

[azrivest]

I almost regret not signing up

I love when the medals keep the same theming over the weekend.

 

[runningDisneygirl]

Am I the only one who is extremely disappointed with the medals.... I mean they are definitely on theme. but I just feel like they are way less impressive than past years.

 

[kps7795]

These medals are stunning!!!!

Agree to disagree. I am so disappointed for the "special" 30th Anniversary medal.

 

[camaker]

Yes!!!! I Like all of them (minus the part on the marathon medal that says “I did it!” )

My thought exactly. I don’t know why they insist on slapping “I Did It” on just about everything. It also doesn’t really fit with their philosophy of handing out medals to those who didn’t quite do it, either.

 

[jpeterson]

My thought exactly. I don’t know why they insist on slapping “I Did It” on just about everything. It also doesn’t really fit with their philosophy of handing out medals to those who didn’t quite do it, either.

Maybe "I did it" refers to starting, not finishing...