Marathon Weekend 2025

[nancipants]

So far my training has been going well. I haven’t missed many runs and even the ones I struggle through, I’ve finished. I did a half marathon yesterday at marathon pace, which is my longest run of the training block. I feel good today other than my legs being a little sore this morning and feeling more hungry/thirsty than usual. But we went to Magic Kingdom today and walking around feels fine, even GOOD. After my last (and only) half, standing up was a struggle, so I’m pleased with this easy recovery!

I spoke too soon. My feet are killing me now.

 

[The Expert]

SAFD: Training was going well until we went to Florida on Thanksgiving for 9 days. I had adjusted my schedule but still had a few runs in there, mostly on days we thought might be "down" days with family. Yeah, right. Our stays with various parents turned into a litany of to-do list items, tech training, moving boxes and unpacking. Finally, we moved to Kidani, where my dad and step-mom joined from Missouri for four days of sleep-in, kid-free park days. I figured I'd be able to at least skip away to the gym a few mornings. Instead, my body went haywire with surprise heavy PMS symptoms, including raging migraines for three days straight. I feel so drained from the whole thing and while I knocked out today's 6 easy miles, it was a struggle. And my stupid left quad/right hamstring tightness was back, ugh! I'm hoping I'm just tired from the trip and my body will remember what to do soon.

I don't have any other travel or obligations until I leave for MW, so this will be my focus!

 

[Herding_Cats]

I spoke too soon. My feet are killing me now.

unsolicited advice:
-epsom salt soak for your feet
-roll your feet on a tennis ball, frozen water bottle, golf ball...whatever you have available
-compression socks
-get off your feet!

 

[nancipants]

unsolicited advice:
-epsom salt soak for your feet
-roll your feet on a tennis ball, frozen water bottle, golf ball...whatever you have available
-compression socks
-get off your feet!

I’m off my feet now! Just bad timing with scheduling a trip to MK the day after the half, but I’m chalking it up to learning to operate on tired legs.

 

[LorrieAnn5]

SAFD: Five weeks left!!! My training plan includes two long runs of 3 hours. I had to adjust my pace on my first attempt due to a lingering head cold. I really hope I an get back on track by the end of this week.

I'm realizing that I should make my manicure appointment soon. Good looking nails will surely make me run faster.
I have a throw-away bathrobe to wear in the coral, but I need to find some stretchy gloves, ear/headband, and maybe another layer or two that I can wear in the AM (aka middle of the night) and then ditch.

 

[Disneyhanna]

SAFD: Training is going pretty well! I was a bit nervous going into this block as I had some shin problems (diagnosed shin splints but I think there was an early stress reaction) so I took about 8-10 weeks off in May-July other than maybe a few miles per week. I even had trouble walking for over a month but finally after about a couple months the symptoms left as soon as they came. Needless to say I didn't have much ramp up to the marathon plan and was worried about the quick turnaround to running double digit long runs, but muscle memory is real and I adapted well. Knock on wood but no issues since.

The side effect of marathon training is having a ton of endurance in the parks. I've left my friends/family in the dust on my past couple trips, they're tired and hurting after 20k step days and I'm bouncing off the walls with energy!

Just finished my 20 miler today (after getting home from WDW on Wednesday) and am satisfied with where I am. I'm pleased to have gotten to the point where the 8 mile weekday runs are truly a breeze (meanwhile post-marathon I find even the 2-3 mile runs a struggle ). I have 12, 20,12 left in my plan, but I'm mostly going to focus on staying healthy. I've traveled every month since September and to my surprise people seem to be a lot healthier this cold/flu season? At least, so much less coughing and audibly sick people compared to the prior few years. I've come home healthy from all my trips whereas the last couple years I always came down with a nasty cold (or worse) after traveling. I came home healthy from Dopey to Dumbo this past January (a miracle honestly) and hoping for the same next month...

 

[marty3d]

SAFD: November was great - December has been a bit more of a challenge due to weather and other commitments. I'd built in an extra week into my plan to accommodate and I'll need all of it. I have a 20 mile run in 2 weeks and that will be my peak - should give me a good idea of my fitness level.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Sorry to hear about so many of our gang having issues with training/conditioning/health. I hope most of it can be resolved or overcome by MW time.

Went to get the DW fitted for Hokas for after her surgery. One of the women at the shoe store saw my Goofy shirt and she is going for her 3rd or 4th Dopey and had done 20 miles this morning. (Gads.) She says she does 4x a 5-mile neighborhood loop so that she passes by her water and fuel every 5 miles. She's a stick; I hate to think how fast she runs.
Meanwhile, here's a whole wall of running shoes that I can be looking at, and thinking back to all of your shoe comments and recommendations.... nothin' in my noggin, to borrow a phrase. Seriously, couldn't remember anything. OTOH, I have plenty of shoes for now and should make it to spring before I legit need to be looking at any new pairs.

I still haven't tried an Uncrustable as a post-run snack, but I've found my flavor for when I do! Just saw this at the store the other day.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD: Training has been going well. I have been able to stick to my plan pretty consistently. I have the planned simulation in two weeks as my last major hurdle, the last went well so I am feeling good - except one issue.

During my last simulation I wore running tights for the first time this year and for whatever reason ended up with the absolute worst chaffing I have ever experienced. And let’s just say it is in a very unfair area. I have very rarely even had any chaffing, so to have such a severe case is so frustrating. When I was running that day it did not seem that bad but then when I took a bath, OOUUCCHHH! It has been a week and I am still working through it and a bit anxious with longer runs this coming weekend and the final simulation the following week. I do not want to miss any runs but I also want it completely healed before MW.

I have clearly disrespected the running gods and I apologize!

 

[Psymonds]

SAFD: training is not ideal, but getting the long runs in. not getting as many midweek runs as hoped in.

yesterday's run was not great, and I'm hoping it's my only rough patch on the long runs. I still got the mileage in but I had to downshift for quite a few miles to back of what I felt was redlining.

 

[Psymonds]

SAFD: training is not ideal, but getting the long runs in. not getting as many midweek runs as hoped in.

yesterday's run was not great, and I'm hoping it's my only rough patch on the long runs. I still got the mileage in but I had to downshift for quite a few miles to back of what I felt was redlining.

and some of it may be the mental fitness of proving to myself I can do this and pushing on when I'm not feeling it mentally, but in the end i was proud of finishing the mileage when

1. I did not feel great getting up
2. neither did DS7 so I got out the door later than I wanted to
3. at least 2 miles I was looking for the next available bathroom

 

[Disneyhanna]

During my last simulation I wore running tights for the first time this year and for whatever reason ended up with the absolute worst chaffing I have ever experienced. And let’s just say it is in a very unfair area. I have very rarely even had any chaffing, so to have such a severe case is so frustrating. When I was running that day it did not seem that bad but then when I took a bath, OOUUCCHHH! It has been a week and I am still working through it and a bit anxious with longer runs this coming weekend and the final simulation the following week. I do not want to miss any runs but I also want it completely healed before MW.

I use like 4 strips of KT tape on my long runs as a result of less than ideal chafing. I have most of the problem spots figured out but sometimes things will still surprise me. Today, my Garmin chafed the bottom of my hand??? Guess I need to bend my wrist at a different angle

One thing I forgot to say I am still figure out is shoes. I love my Brooks Ghost 15s EXCEPT they seem to go dead really fast. They're fine for shorter runs (10 miles or less) but for long runs? Forget it! The bottoms of my feet hurt after mile 10 once the shoes hit 100ish miles. I thought it was a fluke on my first two pair as they were the ones I took to Marathon Weekend that got sopping wet. But it happened on my next two pair as well. I got a fresh pair and the cushion was nice and soft and got me through my long runs with no problem. But now I had to order another new pair (so hard to find sizes now, I switched to my size in men's which was a nice discovery) so I can have two for marathon weekend as I'm already over 60 miles on the new pair! I'm used to getting to at least 200 miles before I retire my shoes from long runs (and more like 300-400 miles for regular runs) so I'm disappointed. But so far I haven't found anything that I like as much yet, as the fit of the shoe itself is perfect, no blisters or rubbing or lost toenails.

I tried the Ghosts 16s and they feel so tight. I've never liked an even model Ghost, though. The cushion on the Glycerin 21s is great but the tongue rubs the top of my foot. Tried a few others and just didn't like them, I'll have to go back to the drawing board after Marathon Weekend. I do like my Endorphin speed 3s but don't trust taking those on a long run, I'm on my feet too long. Sometimes those rub my heel randomly too. 1st world probs, right?

In better news, I discovered a new favorite gel. I love Huma gels and today I tried the mango flavor, AMAZING! Tastes like mango lassi, goes down so easy! I like it even better than the apple and cinnamon flavor. Only downside is they are expensive for regular use...

 

[FFigawi]

SAFD: My training was going well until I got to London for business last Friday. It’s been cold and wet every day since then, which means I haven’t done much running. The rest of the week looks better. Hopefully that means I’ll get some miles in before leaving on Friday night.

 

[SheHulk]

In better news, I discovered a new favorite gel. I love Huma gels and today I tried the mango flavor, AMAZING! Tastes like mango lassi, goes down so easy! I like it even better than the apple and cinnamon flavor. Only downside is they are expensive for regular use...

I like Huma gels too! I may have overdosed for life on Gu about 5 years back, and have been experimenting with other things ever since. I love the apple Huma and the mango. The apple ones basically taste and have a consistency like sweetened applesauce.

The Philly Marathon had Xact fruit bars as their on-course nutrition this year. They were at the Expo so I took a sample and bought some for the half that weekend. They were good, a good consistency and tasted more natural than a jelly bean. But you need a *lot* of water with it in order to not get GI upset from a solid block of sugar all at once. They are also pretty pricey.

 

[runwithperseverence7]

SAFD: The month of November was tough for me. I was dealing with some right outer thigh/hip flexor pain and tightness. So I switched up my run/walk intervals and dropped down to 30/30. I also rearranged some of my weeks and threw in a few days of rest back to back to get the inflammation to go down. It’s finally settled down so I’ve been slowly building my RW intervals back up. I’m hoping to be at 90/30 or 2:00/30 by MW. My 20 miler a couple weeks back was rough but I made it through. I’m slower than I had been training at earlier in the fall so that’s been getting me down. But I keep reminding myself that I’m not going for a fast time goal. Next 2 weeks are busy in my personal life so trying to figure out how to do my long run and my simulation next week. And I’ve got a 5 miler Saturday that I will be doing alone since my friend forgot to register. I’m supposed to do a 20 miler next week but i may push to 22 and then go into my taper.
I applaud all the RD MW veterans for putting in the work during the holidays. This has been the toughest part. Usually when I’m training I dont hit peak weeks until February. Looking forward to getting the last simulation done and tapering.
Now I need to go get my Christmas shopping done!
Edit to say that rain is moving in and I’m not motivated to go out and run in it today. So I think I’m going to stay in and do a video workout and run tomorrow.

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: a general comment to those who may be struggling… as I recall in my Dopey and Marathon training years, this is about the time it feels worst. IDK if it’s the mix of holiday season, weather changes, and high mileage converging, or if it’s the natural way of long distance training, but in my experience, these are the couple/few weeks when things start to feel like they’re derailing. So let me offer this news to those new to this and a reminder to the veterans: this is just part of the cycle. It is almost certainly NOT an indicator of what’s to come. You’re testing your body in new ways, testing new gear, pushing limits - there will be some unpleasantness in that. But you’ll get past it, learn from it, and be ready to rock race day! You’ve got this,

As for me, training is okay: as good as I can expect these days. Battling chronic soft tissue and joint pain is my new normal, which truthfully makes long distances a whole lot less fun than they used to be… but I’m getting it done. I’m “only” doing the half, but W&D was atrocious, so finishing my 10-miler last week without feeling like I’d been run over by a truck was a nice surprise! I’m at WDW now and after walking a couple parks yesterday, I’m gearing up for a short run this morning, which feels promising.

 

[PrincessV]

One thing I forgot to say I am still figure out is shoes. I love my Brooks Ghost 15s EXCEPT they seem to go dead really fast. They're fine for shorter runs (10 miles or less) but for long runs? Forget it! The bottoms of my feet hurt after mile 10 once the shoes hit 100ish miles. I thought it was a fluke on my first two pair as they were the ones I took to Marathon Weekend that got sopping wet. But it happened on my next two pair as well. I got a fresh pair and the cushion was nice and soft and got me through my long runs with no problem. But now I had to order another new pair (so hard to find sizes now, I switched to my size in men's which was a nice discovery) so I can have two for marathon weekend as I'm already over 60 miles on the new pair! I'm used to getting to at least 200 miles before I retire my shoes from long runs (and more like 300-400 miles for regular runs) so I'm disappointed. But so far I haven't found anything that I like as much yet, as the fit of the shoe itself is perfect, no blisters or rubbing or lost toenails.

I tried the Ghosts 16s and they feel so tight. I've never liked an even model Ghost, though. The cushion on the Glycerin 21s is great but the tongue rubs the top of my foot. Tried a few others and just didn't like them, I'll have to go back to the drawing board after Marathon Weekend. I do like my Endorphin speed 3s but don't trust taking those on a long run, I'm on my feet too long. Sometimes those rub my heel randomly too. 1st world probs, right?

I totally get this and wonder if you’re also a forefoot striker? I am, and getting 200 miles out of a shoe is about all I can ask - the forefoot cushion disappears so quickly in most shoes. I landed in the ASICS Cumulus 25s and the forefoot bottoms out around 120 miles, but they’re a previous year model so lower price if you can find them. The 26 is an entirely different beast: narrower, firmer, and rockered. Not a fan.

 

[azrivest]

SAFD: Training has been a struggle since I started in August. I've been suffering from a self-diagnosed peroneal tendonitis in my left ankle. I mostly feel it in the morning when I get up and my muscles aren't warmed up. So I've been doing the bare minimum this training cycle to try to not make the pain any worse, which has meant to sticking to only 4 runs a week. As long as I don't feel during my runs, I go.

I have two long runs left on my plan, one 16-mile and one 18-mile. I'll do as much as I can, as long as it's not painful. As @GollyGadget wisely told me tho, it's better to be healthy and undertrained than injured, so that's what I'm focusing on. And after marathon weekend, I'm taking a full 4 weeks off with no running whatsoever.

 

[kps7795]

SAFD: I hope that this doesn't come across as obnoxious, but my training is going even better than I could have hoped. The Hanson's marathon plan works (for me, at least) exactly like it's supposed to. I am definitely feeling a bit tired due to the cumulative fatigue, but I feel extremely strong. The funny thing is that I was seriously doubting myself only a month ago before the leftover summer heat had broken, but everything changed once our temperatures dipped. I went from having to adjust my paces due to the high T+D to holding myself back on my runs. On my 16 mile long run this past Saturday, I was actually having trouble keeping to my intended pace in the last couple miles.

My biggest pleasant surprise is how good I feel running 50+ miles/week. I didn't think that I would be injured, but I thought that I would be feeling drained because of the mileage and keeping up my strength training and mobility.

 

[Dopey 2020]

SAFD going well I think, I feel like I’ve plateaued so I think any time goals will be dependent on weather and how my body feels that day. Ran my mini dopey 5/5/10/20 last weekend, capped it at 18 because I was beating myself up for no gain. Feeling a bit groggy today still, DD wanted her car over winter break so this past weekend was get up Friday, run 5 miles, get things set sound the house, get ride to airport in Hartford, fly to Daytona where she met me, turn around and drive 1177 miles back north in PR time. Let’s just say yesterday didn’t see a lot of activity rings getting closed. Heading out now for 10 to get back into it, another mini dopey in 1-1/2 weeks, then it’s taper time.