Marathon Weekend 2023

[azrivest]

I volunteer to participate in further research on this I loveee hot tubs.

If Billy says we need to do this for heat acclimation training, then I'll need to grit my teeth and do it. Such hard times

 

[DopeyBadger]

Taking a look at the magic mile calculator (will do a new magic mile this week for better data) but in September I was 11:26, and my most recent half marathon in May I had a 2:58 finish time. By that math I should probably be slowing it down to 14:45-15mm. Add on inconsistent training in September-October...I think I need to cool my jets a bit.

Cool your jets by a lot. Galloway has the long run pace at 16:52 min/mile when you do an 11:26 magic mile. He also has that spot on your HM time from May as well. My calculator suggests:






Essentially, if the 2:58 HM and 11:26 magic mile are good indicators of current fitness, then when you've been running at a 14 min/mile that's almost you running at marathon tempo. The 12-13 min/mile weekday runs is like running 5k-10k PR level pace. So slowing down will help a lot.

 

[Livelovedance]

SAFD: I'm in for my first Dopey. This was a long term stretch goal of mine, so I can't believe it's actually happening, and I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to do it.

My goals:
- Complete the training
- Finish all 4 races feeling good
- Plan and execute 4 race outfits/costumes in advance that I'm happy with
- Stop for character photos I'm interested in, even if the lines are long
- Get enough rest each day so I can enjoy the entire process
- Allow myself to purchase something special to commemorate my first Dopey Challenge*
- Make time for great medal photos before flying home Sunday

*I always said if I ever ran the Dopey Challenge I'd purchase the huge Lasting Commemoratives framed castle that holds all 6 medals, your bib #, and a photo. Unfortunately that's no longer an option, but maybe I can get a special drawing from Art of Disney or another framed option at the expo.

Goals for race day
1. To complete my first Dopey challenge using my current 1:15/30 intervals, stopping for photos and having a great time
2. To be able to walk at work the following day

SAFD a week late, with my posted goals from this thread and my training journal:

Pre-Race Goals:
Complete the training - So far so good. Only 17 more training runs to go, and there’s only one more double-digit mileage run left. I did the majority of this plan on the treadmill which was a learning curve in itself. I‘m still not really hitting the targets in my progression runs, but I’m getting the time and mileage in. Now I just need to stay healthy enough to finish up these last few weeks!

Plan and execute 4 race outfits/costumes in advance that I’m happy with - Somehow I always seem to forget about race outfits, so preparing to post this helped me get moving on this goal a little. I finalized my character choices today and ordered some items I would need. So far I have one costume that’s about 95% done (once the headpiece comes I’ll be able to take a look at it and see if it’s good as is or needs an addition, but the clothing part is all set). I know what I’ll need for the other 3, but I have to keep looking for the right tops that aren’t too expensive and test them out. I also need to start collecting some throwaway gear.

The rest of my goals are race weekend dependent, so I‘ll just leave them here:

Race Weekend Goals:
- Finish all 4 races feeling good
- Stop for character photos I’m interested in, even if the lines are long
- Get enough rest each day so I can enjoy the entire process
- Allow myself to purchase something special to commemorate my first Dopey Challenge
- Make time for great medal photos before flying home Sunday
- Complete my first Dopey Challenge using my current 1:15/30 intervals, stopping for photos and having a great time
- To be able to walk at work the following day

 

[Baloo in MI]

Good morning runDisney All-Stars!! It is time for SAFD.

Today we are going to talk about HEAT…. The last few MW’s have been pretty warm. Right now the temp is showing average temps of 49 -72. Do you do any heat training? For those living in the warmer climates is this even an issue for you? For those of us coming from colder climates how do you prepare for the warmer temps of Florida. Also if you have not yet shared your meet up plans but would still like to, please include that at the end of your response.

My answer: Heat is my kryptonite! And I have really struggled running MW after training in the cool/cold fall and early winter of Michigan. I have tried putting on several layers and run on the treadmill to try to simulate heat and I have placed a portable heater at the treadmill and cranked it to simulate heat. Not sure if these have actually helped. Mostly, I just head down to Florida hoping for the best and being ready to slow down as necessary.

Oh, this officially starts the temperature conversation!

 

[HangWithMerida]

SAFD: Well, it was 68F when I started and 75F when I finished my run yesterday with our standard 95-98% humidity. So, I don’t so anything to prepare except hope for an unseasonably cool weekend. I really dislike the heat and it has a huge effect on my running, but I’m in a better position than most to not be in shock when I step off the plane in FL and it’s like summertime.
Almost every race weekend, I overhear people on the course cursing the heat and especially the humidity. Some people seem surprised that it is warm and are totally overdressed. The last weekend I did was Princess 2022 and, for me, it wasn’t too bad. Race temps in the 60’s, but absolutely soupy humid. Both my husband and myself thought it wasn’t too bad but people were struggling hard only a few miles into the half.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD:
I'm starting heat acclimation training next Sunday. That'll give me 2 full weeks (plus 1 day) of it before we head down to FL. I am usually OK with heat....last year was hot but not too terrible (I feel like the SS 10k was worse?? maybe because it was 99% humidity during SS and the humidity burned off during the full of MW?) I got a free handheld water bottle from brooks on black friday when I ordered my kids more shoes that I'm going to pack, and a nathan vest as well just in case the heat is supposed to be truly horrendous. I'm actually more concerned about it being unseasonably cold.

Also count me in on participating in the hot tub heat acclimation strategy! Except we leave too early for it to actually work.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

SAFD: I grew up in Orlando and have been here since Thanksgiving, so heat and humidity are par for the course for me. I find cold much more difficult to deal with and am just hoping that marathon day doesn't happen to fall on the one day a year when it's below freezing.

 

[Bree]

SAFD:

HEAT - I live just outside east Orlando. It never gets any easier with the weather here. The humidity is what kills me the most. I’d take dry heat over this wet swamp any day.

MEETUPS - I feel like we had a structured form every year that we used that was put into a spreadsheet?

Running - Dopey with Goof Troop
Race mornings - Yes
HH Friday - Yes
DATW Monday - Yes

 

[HangWithMerida]

I find cold much more difficult to deal with and am just hoping that marathon day doesn't happen to fall on the one day a year when it's below freezing.

I will happily ditch every cute costume and t-shirt for cold weather gear if I could get a cold race! Below freezing would probably be a bit much. But, Could we get some 40’s?

 

[Herding_Cats]

I will happily ditch every cute costume and t-shirt for cold weather gear if I could get a cold race! Below freezing would probably be a bit much. But, Could we get some 40’s?

NO. I'm going to FL to get AWAY from the cold.

 

[FFigawi]

SAFD: I live in Dubai. It’s never cold here.

 

[lukemorenus]

I will happily ditch every cute costume and t-shirt for cold weather gear if I could get a cold race! Below freezing would probably be a bit much. But, Could we get some 40’s?

Yes! ... but just on Sunday, LOL

 

[HangWithMerida]

NO. I'm going to FL to get AWAY from the cold.

Well, you will almost certainly get what you want. I hope you’re happy.

@lukemorenus That’s a compromise I can get behind! You have a deal.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Yes! ... but just on Sunday, LOL

This would be acceptable.

Well, you will almost certainly get what you want. I hope you’re happy.

Yes. Very happy.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: Fortunate that I split my time between Atlanta and Dallas right now so pretty hard for me to complain about running in the cold (it doesn't stop me from complaining of course), but also means that my body isn't ready for the suana that has been marathon weekend lately. Making sure I hit all my training runs is enough of a challenge so I don't worry about trying to acclimate to the heat. For the most part I don't usually go into these races with fast time expectations so I can adjust as needed.

Oh, this officially starts the temperature conversation!

Considering we are less than a month out now, I was wondering when it was ok to start obsessing on this and stalking the long range forecast. Appreciate you giving me the green light!

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

I’m terribly behind on posting, but have been trying to catch up on the posts.
DH and I should definitely be able to make the HH meetup (we have a 12:35 lunch reservation at Ale and Compass, so we’ll stroll over after). We should also be at the meetup on Saturday. I’m not running on Sunday, but DH and DS are, and I’ll go over with them, so we’ll probably be at that meetup, too.
I’m still recovering from major surgery this summer, but was able to complete the Space Coast Half (VERY slowly, mostly walking). Until then, the most I’d gone since surgery was seven miles, so that was quite a big jump. It was extremely hot and humid that day, but I’d rather have hot than cold. (Of course, the day after the race was cloudy and cool—perfect for racing, but that was our beach day!). I’m pretty proud of making it through 13.1 though. One surgeon said she thought I MIGHT be able to complete a turkey trot by then, but not a half. The trauma surgeon gave me permission to try, though, and although I was prepared to pull myself off the course if needed, it gave me a boost to be able to finish. I’m registered for the half only for MW, and the half only for PW. I now have some confidence that I can do those, even if it’s really slowly. Recovery hasn’t been a linear process, so I’m just hoping to be feeling good on those days.
I haven’t done costumes yet, but am about to get going on them. I was going to start yesterday, but our weekend took an unexpected turn when we adopted a new dog on Friday afternoon. We lost our sweet boy of 14 years to cancer almost a year ago, and I haven’t been ready to adopt again. DH convinced me to go see this boy at the shelter Friday, and he couldn’t wait for me to feel ready; he needed a home now. He came home with us, and we’re all getting to know each other. Of course, that resulted in a bundle of emotions for me, but we’re all getting settled now. His name is Barney. He’s 8 1/2, his owner died, and he was sent to live with someone who already had pets. The cat there scratched his eye and punctured his backside, and he was surrendered to the shelter. He was not comfortable there, and the shelter director was keeping him in her office so he could relax more, but it had been almost three weeks, and he needed a home. Now, he has one. Obviously, you’ll need to see pictures:

 

[DisneyParrothead]

Don’t forget electrolytes and salt! I take tablets with me in the parks to make sure I get water and electrolytes throughout the day. I can break up the tablets and they fit in those Dasani water bottles.

 

[azrivest]

His name is Barney. He’s 8 1/2, his owner died, and he was sent to live with someone who already had pets. The cat there scratched his eye and punctured his backside, and he was surrendered to the shelter. He was not comfortable there, and the shelter director was keeping him in her office so he could relax more, but it had been almost three weeks, and he needed a home. Now, he has one.

All the feels for this. Welcome home Barney Thank you for giving this dog a 2nd home

Our Newf was put down right before the pandemic and we haven't had the courage to get a new fur baby since then. Our next dog will 100% be a rescue.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

All the feels for this. Welcome home Barney Thank you for giving this dog a 2nd home

Our Newf was put down right before the pandemic and we haven't had the courage to get a new fur baby since then. Our next dog will 100% be a rescue.

I’ve already made him reservations for Best Friends for both Disney trips. I’m a little worried that he won’t understand, and will think he’s being sent away again. . I wish I knew how to explain it to him.
I'm so sorry about Newf. I miss Hank so very much, and I had a lot of feelings about bringing another dog into our lives. I think Hank would approve, though. He came to us from the same shelter.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

SAFD: I live in Colorado. The heat does not bug me as much as humidity. That is what kills me. I am not going acclimate to that no matter what... but I just went to disneyworld over Thanksgiving and I did a run in my costume.. so that had to help.