Marathon Weekend 2025

SAFD: I was out for a couple of weeks with a bad cold, but I'm finally better so looking to finish strong. I have the BMW half marathon coming up in Dallas this Sunday, then I imagine my coach will give me some longer runs to finish out before taper. My longest to date has been 18 mi right before I got sick. It went pretty well, but I would like to do at least one more long run. Thankfully I haven't had any injuries this fall- been consistent about foam rolling, stretching, and doing some PT at home for a weak hip flexor. Here's hoping things continue going smoothly!!
I'm running the Dallas BMW Half Marathon this Sunday as well! I'm also doing the 8K on Saturday to complete the weekend series. The best part is that my two running besties are flying in from FL and Chicago to run with me (and both are also doing Dopey next month)!

I came home healthy from Dopey to Dumbo this past January (a miracle honestly) and hoping for the same next month...
I was literally the only person out of 10 in my running group from MW in January to not contract COVID or the flu from the trip. I was able to do Dopey to Dumbo as a result. I think it's because I carry hand sanitizer with me everywhere at WDW and I sanitize my hands after I touch literally any surface that isn't in my room.

SAFD: My training cycle was going decently well up until Sunday. I had some plantar fasciitis issues in August that went away with bumping down to a 3-day training week and learning to not walk around barefoot anywhere ever. Lol. I bumped up to 4-day training weeks with back-to-backs on the weekends after W&D and everything was great until my 18-miler on Sunday. The last three miles, I started to feel the familiar twinge of my IT band injury resurfacing from the last couple of training cycles. Super frustrated. I've taken three days off and got my doc to call in a steroid dose pack to reduce inflammation. I am going to attempt to do 3 easy miles tomorrow and then hope I can get through my 8K and half marathon here in Dallas this weekend. Trying to stay optimistic that I can get a 20-miler in on 12/21 and then start tapering. At least I've gotten to 18 if I can't do another super long run. My running coach has been great in adapting my plan.
 
I'm running the Dallas BMW Half Marathon this Sunday as well! I'm also doing the 8K on Saturday to complete the weekend series.
the elevation of the dallas HM course makes it phenomenal for a reverse split.

i always ran the incline at the first half a bit slow and then push it a bit at the one around 7 mile mark. then, when you hit gaston ave., put the hammer down. you can ride that all the way to city hall.

edit: well, looks like the course changed a bit. the approach to downtown on ross is downhill but the return up commerce is on an incline.
 
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the elevation of the dallas HM course makes it phenomenal for a reverse split.

i always ran the incline at the first half a bit slow and then push it a bit at the one around 17 mile mark. then, when you hit gaston ave., put the hammer down. you can ride that all the way to city hall.
Folks around here swear by CIM in Sacramento "downhill the whole way"
 

Last year for the Princess, I got my last minute bib from Give Kids the World. Someone didn't fulfill their fund-raising obligation (as in probably raised nothing) so at that point, they just wanted to recoup costs. No idea if they may still have any.
As for the castle in the dark, here is from 2022. (Yikes I was heavier then. Need to get back to training to try to get the pounds whittled back off....)

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You're at the end of training. In my experience its more unusual to have nothing hurting at this stage than it is to have something pop up. I look at it as part of the body's way of reminding us we are doing something hard and my brain trying to get me to quit. Most of the time it's nothing and hoping that's the case for you. Don't stress if you have to miss a run or two or reduce the mileage to make sure it doesn't turn into anything serious. You've put in a lot of work already. It's almost time for your victroy lap in January and I know you will get there!
 
My knee is hurting. Why is my knee hurting?? Doesn't it know I have a marathon to run???
Whenever my knee or foot or hip or something starts to hurt - my first look is at how many miles my shoes have on them. If they are anywhere close to 300 miles (the mileage that my shoes start to get retired), then I blame the shoes and automatically move on from them.
But also like @GuinnessRunner said, you’re at the peak of running, you’re body may be tired from all of that, and once you start to bring down the mileage, you’ll be fine.
 
You're at the end of training. In my experience its more unusual to have nothing hurting at this stage than it is to have something pop up. I look at it as part of the body's way of reminding us we are doing something hard and my brain trying to get me to quit. Most of the time it's nothing and hoping that's the case for you. Don't stress if you have to miss a run or two or reduce the mileage to make sure it doesn't turn into anything serious. You've put in a lot of work already. It's almost time for your victroy lap in January and I know you will get there!
Thanks. :) I skipped today's tempo run and am RICEing my knee. It's not that bad, but annoying enough that I don't want to aggravate it further.
Whenever my knee or foot or hip or something starts to hurt - my first look is at how many miles my shoes have on them. If they are anywhere close to 300 miles (the mileage that my shoes start to get retired), then I blame the shoes and automatically move on from them.
But also like @GuinnessRunner said, you’re at the peak of running, you’re body may be tired from all of that, and once you start to bring down the mileage, you’ll be fine.
Yeah, I am definitely nearing the end of life for one of my shoes. I didn't realize it was close to 300 until I logged them with my half marathon and was like, well, I'm glad I'm getting new shoes for Christmas! I'll have to stick to my other 150ish mile shoes until then.
 
You're at the end of training. In my experience its more unusual to have nothing hurting at this stage than it is to have something pop up. I look at it as part of the body's way of reminding us we are doing something hard and my brain trying to get me to quit. Most of the time it's nothing and hoping that's the case for you. Don't stress if you have to miss a run or two or reduce the mileage to make sure it doesn't turn into anything serious. You've put in a lot of work already. It's almost time for your victroy lap in January and I know you will get there!
Agreed. At this point, you are trained or you aren't. A few more or a few fewer runs aren't going to make a ton of difference.
 
How do the Speed 4s compare to the Speed 3? I liked the Speed 2, but absolutely LOVE the Speed 3s.

I'll caveat I'm not smart enough in my shoe or running knowledge to really be able to speak with any authority on shoes or know what I'm talking about. This is purely a superficial "do my feet feel good running in them" take. The Speed 4 is definitely a different looking shoe than the 3 but my feet seem to enjoy running in both. Same nice combination of cushion and a lighter weight/breathable shoe. There's more structure in the shoe itself (meaning around the lip/laces), but both seem to have the same comfort level after a long run. I ran Dopey 2023 in Brooks Adrenaline and the 3 and 4 both feel like clouds on my feet compared to those!
 
I'll caveat I'm not smart enough in my shoe or running knowledge to really be able to speak with any authority on shoes or know what I'm talking about. This is purely a superficial "do my feet feel good running in them" take. The Speed 4 is definitely a different looking shoe than the 3 but my feet seem to enjoy running in both. Same nice combination of cushion and a lighter weight/breathable shoe. There's more structure in the shoe itself (meaning around the lip/laces), but both seem to have the same comfort level after a long run. I ran Dopey 2023 in Brooks Adrenaline and the 3 and 4 both feel like clouds on my feet compared to those!
I might have to take my speed 3s out for a longer run. I feel a bit unstable in them (just so springy) that I haven't tested them past 7-8 miles. I think I am nervous as they are the last shoe I wore before waking up with debilitating shin splints for over two months, but that's probably just coincidence :rotfl2:

Any other Chicago-rejects today? Glad I have Dopey to look forward to or I'd be feeling a lot more bummed.
 
Has anyone got and experience/feedback of the medal framing service at Disney Springs?

My family are so excited about this I haven't really got a say in it anymore. Apparently you leave them your medals (demand is big), they frame them with a photo or your bib and post it to you. The last part sounds slightly off to me as I'm in the UK and I've seen youtubers say Disney are pretty good at losing things they ship (although this would be a company in Disney Springs I suppose, not Disney).

I've got plenty of Marathon medals so its not the end of the world if something happens to the Dopey 6, but obviously I'd prefer it not to.
 
Has anyone got and experience/feedback of the medal framing service at Disney Springs?

My family are so excited about this I haven't really got a say in it anymore. Apparently you leave them your medals (demand is big), they frame them with a photo or your bib and post it to you. The last part sounds slightly off to me as I'm in the UK and I've seen youtubers say Disney are pretty good at losing things they ship (although this would be a company in Disney Springs I suppose, not Disney).

I've got plenty of Marathon medals so its not the end of the world if something happens to the Dopey 6, but obviously I'd prefer it not to.
I don't have specific experience with using Art of Disney for framing medals, BUT I can tell you what I've typically seen in the displays they have available. A lot of times, there's an animation sketch (that you can customize a little big with up to 3 color choices, choosing which sketch you want, and which artist in-house to complete it) and sometimes a pin. They DO keep your medals, and it can take awhile for it to get shipped to you. We usually get just the drawings done and get them about 1-2 weeks after we get back home. I've seen reports from people who did medal framing waiting 1-2months for domestic shipping (not international.) They shipping for us (in the US) is UPS, but I don't know if they also use that for their international shipping or not.

If you're nervous about having your medals get lost, to the point that you don't want to risk it, I would say to order a sketch (if you like that look), take some inspiration pictures of the displays while you're at the store, and get it framed when you get home in the UK.
 
If I wanted to get my finisher eats embroidered, where would be the best place? I’ve heard the Christmas shoppe at MK and I think I heard a place at DS does them too. My only concern is getting them back the same day. I plan on doing the parks after I finish the race because I want medal pics. We are leaving bright and early on the 13th. Would it be better for me to get them done at home? I’ve heard it can get backed up. Thanks!
 
If I wanted to get my finisher eats embroidered, where would be the best place? I’ve heard the Christmas shoppe at MK and I think I heard a place at DS does them too. My only concern is getting them back the same day. I plan on doing the parks after I finish the race because I want medal pics. We are leaving bright and early on the 13th. Would it be better for me to get them done at home? I’ve heard it can get backed up. Thanks!
The hat shop at MK is in the back of the Main Street Theater building, on the right as you enter MK. If you get them there early enough, you should get them back same day, though likely to take several hours. I've heard mixed information whether the embroidery place at Springs is still open, but if it is it may be less busy. I'm not sure but they may also be able to ship them to you? I've had other merch shipped home several times, so I don't know why they couldn't do that with ears.
 










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