Marathon Weekend 2025

[kps7795]

I’m going to be fine, I’m going to be fine, I’m going to be fine.

Slipped on Tuesday afternoon. I was walking my dog and taking him to a favorite field to throw his ball. It has a steep hill on one side and we had a ton of rain/sleet/ice/snow pretty much that whole day so I decided to walk to the right of the hill. At least avoid the steep part. Feeling proud of my decision I confidently took a step at the top of the little hill and promptly lost footing with my left foot, slammed my right foot down and with all my strength held my body weight for a hot second on the one foot as my weight shifted backwards. I immediately felt significant tension/pressure in my right quad. It hurt like hell.

Tip toed down the rest of the hill and acted like nothing happened, repeating “I will be fine”. But walked home with a very sensitive leg. Going up stairs on my right leg super painful that night! RICE immediately, spent New Years Day following that plan strictly (and watching Squid Games).

Today at work it feels a bit better. Looks like according to the internet, a level 1 or 2 quad strain. So skipping out on remaining runs and replacing with walks, sticking with the rest and ice as much as I can and repeating I will be fine… Easily could have been so much worse, how dumb! I keep thinking I should have just fallen into the snow, I would have been wet and muddy but no I had to pretend I was the Karate Kid…. Taper madness has a full grip on me!

I'm so sorry that this happened to you and I hope that you feel better very soon!

 

[Disneyhanna]

Packing was crazy. Knowing that I am leaving first thing this Saturday morning and that I would be coaching these next two evenings, I did all my packing last night. My sitting room looks like a disaster area. But two suitcases and two carry ons later, I am pretty much all packed and ready to go with both cold and not so cold weather gear.

This makes me feel better. I am sitting at two check bags and one carry on and one roomy personal item, and was like this is too much I'm not sure how I'll roll 3 bags myself. Thinking about trying to condense one of the check bags into my 70L duffel because at least I can rest that on top of the check bag and push it. I'll have plenty of room coming home because the 4 sets of throwaways and some of the snacks I packed will be gone, but I'm sure I'll pick up other merch along the way!

 

[jrsharp21]

This makes me feel better. I am sitting at two check bags and one carry on and one roomy personal item, and was like this is too much I'm not sure how I'll roll 3 bags myself. Thinking about trying to condense one of the check bags into my 70L duffel because at least I can rest that on top of the check bag and push it. I'll have plenty of room coming home because the 4 sets of throwaways and some of the snacks I packed will be gone, but I'm sure I'll pick up other merch along the way!

I am a little concerned about the trip home. I know that I will be ditching at least two throwaway sweatshirts, but with 6 new rD shirts coming, a new rD jacket, and whatever else we buy, it may make for a tight squeeze. I did bring about 8 old rD long sleeve shirts for some morning runs and wear around before getting the new shirts. If all else fails, those old shirts may be sacrificed for the new gear.

 

[Kerry1957]

I am a little concerned about the trip home. I know that I will be ditching at least two throwaway sweatshirts, but with 6 new rD shirts coming, a new rD jacket, and whatever else we buy, it may make for a tight squeeze. I did bring about 8 old rD long sleeve shirts for some morning runs and wear around before getting the new shirts. If all else fails, those old shirts may be sacrificed for the new gear.

You should be able to wear at least seven shirts on the plane back home. Just take the top four or five off inflight!

 

[Zutroy]

I have a question that hopefully @DopeyBadger or others who are more experienced with the cold and tapers could help with. My plan was to do all of my runs at an easy pace leading up to Dopey next week. However, we are getting a taste of the cold front with a predicted low of 48 degrees for Saturday morning. I'm trying to figure out what to wear for the HM as the current prediction is 43 degrees and I was planning on running at my (Hanson's) long run pace until Magic Kingdom and then slowing down to my easy pace for the remainder. HERE IS THE QUESTION: is it stupid to run a portion of my Saturday run at long run pace to see if I am too hot wearing tights and a long sleeve shirt under my costume short sleeve shirt? I want to know if I will get overheated running at that pace, but I don't want to do something stupid and run too fast during the taper. Additionally, would it be dangerous to run at MP to see if I get overheated in the same outfit?

My understanding of an ideal taper is to maintain training intensity, but to decrease mileage overall. The Higdon plans usually have a two to three week taper, with the only change being the total miles run.

This morning I ran my 8 mile run at half marathon pace to see how hot my outfit was. Temp was 45 degrees, 73% humidity, and the sun was up. I wore a long sleeve 50% merino blend base layer with running tights and gloves. Ditched the gloves by mile 1. Conclusion: outfit was too hot at that pace, and shorts would have been perfect.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Doing some carb loading this morning…

And now outside, getting in my steps and trying to walk it off. I really need to get back to being diligent about cutting carbs and getting weight back off… just dang.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Just saw that Sunday night popped up as available for the same room category we have booked for Monday-Thursday. And now I'm trying to convince him to leave at day earlier than we had planned.

UPDATE:
He didn't say no. He also didn't say yes. But the absence of a clear "No" means that I just need to finagle all of the details and he needs to call his mom to see if she can come a day earlier to house-sit for us.

 

[runwithperseverence7]

I have been watching three of four weather apps and they all seemed to be trending upwards. As long as that winter storm stays north, I think we are going to end up with some pretty pleasant weather for the marathon.

I’m watching the one coming in January 5-6. Hoping that doesn’t affect us driving down on Tuesday.
Then it looks like my area might get some snow on the 10-11th while I’m in FL. My DH says he hopes not since we love snow. Would be our luck to miss the big one.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

You should be able to wear at least seven shirts on the plane back home. Just take the top four or five off inflight!

IYKYK

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

UPDATE:
He didn't say no. He also didn't say yes. But the absence of a clear "No" means that I just need to finagle all of the details and he needs to call his mom to see if she can come a day earlier to house-sit for us.

To quote Ron Weasley: “You’re a little scary sometimes, you know that. Brilliant, but scary.”

 

[DopeyBadger]

I have a question that hopefully @DopeyBadger or others who are more experienced with the cold and tapers could help with. My plan was to do all of my runs at an easy pace leading up to Dopey next week. However, we are getting a taste of the cold front with a predicted low of 48 degrees for Saturday morning. I'm trying to figure out what to wear for the HM as the current prediction is 43 degrees and I was planning on running at my (Hanson's) long run pace until Magic Kingdom and then slowing down to my easy pace for the remainder. HERE IS THE QUESTION: is it stupid to run a portion of my Saturday run at long run pace to see if I am too hot wearing tights and a long sleeve shirt under my costume short sleeve shirt? I want to know if I will get overheated running at that pace, but I don't want to do something stupid and run too fast during the taper. Additionally, would it be dangerous to run at MP to see if I get overheated in the same outfit?

Physically speaking there isn't a huge difference between Hanson's EB and LR pace. So doing a couple of miles at LR instead of EB isn't going to hurt you really at all. If you did a few miles (like 20-30 min or less) at MP, it won't matter much either. As @Zutroy mentioned, there are several training plans that have intensity runs the week of the race as well. For example, you might have done a 10 mile (120 min) MP run 10-12 days out from the race, but it isn't crazy to do like a 3 x 1 mile MP on the Mon/Tues before the race. Not saying you should, but that there are successful training plans that do it that way. Just keep in mind that a short 30-60 min run may not yield a similar effect as the whole HM/M will. But everyone's different in their tolerance and experience in the cold/heat and what they wear. So better to check and get some minimal learned experience and maybe minimally disrupt the taper, than it is to go in with zero knowledge and possibly hamper the race experience in my view. I'd also focus on your hands/head, and particularly what happens if that clothing gets slightly wet from spilled water consumption.

 

[nekonekoneko]

take your race day shoes and gear in your carry on. If your luggage is lost, at least you can hit up a local store for some park clothes, but it's harder to go replace your running gear.

3 years ago, my DW packed 10 pairs of shoes, and had no running shoes at all... We had to buy a pair at the expo, and they were spensiv!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

3 years ago, my DW packed 10 pairs of shoes, and had no running shoes at all... We had to buy a pair at the expo, and they were spensiv!

Pretty sure I don't even own 10 pairs of non-running shoes

 

[nekonekoneko]

Pretty sure I don't even own 10 pairs of non-running shoes

I own like 3. A pair of runners, a dress pair, and beach sandals. That's it She's over here trying to outdo Amelda Marcos...

 

[Dopey 2020]

Good thought on fuel. I can't remember what I did in the past. I thought that I had always packed mine in my checked luggage. Can you take fuel in your carry on? I guess since the packs are 1 to 2 oz, they should clear no problem. I have about 30 gels in luggage, I may put them in my carry on. I would just hate for TSA to say no and then have to ditch them at the airport.

I can say from experience I have never had TSA even glance at 20+ gels (knock on wood) over probably 10+ flights. I have never separated them out but I am pre-check so I wouldn’t know if that makes a difference.

 

[nekonekoneko]

And here's nekonekoneko with the still too early forecast.

Thanks, Jim!

It does look like that this polar vortex will be affecting the temps in the Orlando area. 5k morning temps look to be stabilizing around 37. The 10k is a little more uncertain, but the consensus is about 40. Then about 43 for the half. Saturday overnight into Sunday for the marathon gets wacky. I'm seeing anywhere from 32 to 50 right now for the temperature range at the start.

The models are showing different times for the vortex to rise back north from central Florida, and that's what's causing these uncertain ranges.

Back to you Jim.

 

[Dopey 2020]

@Herding_Cats @The Expert @Kerry1957 Thanks for the complete info package. I think I was slacking when it came time to post up - no planned costumes but do plan on all four morning meet-ups

 

[Herding_Cats]

Aaaand that's how you wrangle an extra day at Disney, folks! I'm *shocked* that a DVC night showed up this close to the weekend. DS1 said he would get up super early to drive us to the airport and then be in charge, MIL is coming over earlier and will relieve DS1 so he can drive back to college.

And DH says to me "Hey maybe we can use our extra day to get in line for that cookie place!" I swear we share a brain....it's what almost 20 years of marriage will do!

And now I have to switch flights, re-book the rental car, and then frantically finish the cleaning because I'm losing an entire day for that!

 

[lahobbs4]

Do you know if you can return an item that was pre-ordered once you pick it up at the Expo? I ordered a lounge fly but I'm not sure I want it after all!

 

[kleph]

I can say from experience I have never had TSA even glance at 20+ gels (knock on wood) over probably 10+ flights. I have never separated them out but I am pre-check so I wouldn’t know if that makes a difference.

i'd definitely would advise folks to expect TSA to be pretty rigorous right now given current events. plan on security taking more time and being very detailed when processing folks.

in fact, everyone should probably build a raceday buffer into their schedule to account for increased event security.