Mickeyd’s 2014 WDW Marathon training and PTR

[zanzibar138]

Oooh the first half-marathon, how exciting! Best of luck for it

 

[Minniemum]

Good luck for your first half marathon! Looking forward to reading all about it.

Great job on the internal flights, ADR's & locking in your accom.

 

[mickeyd78]

Run Melbourne Half Marathon

I’m pleased to report that on Sunday I completed the Run Melbourne half marathon – my first ever half marathon (and first ever race).

It was a chilly 6 degrees (C) when we started running just after 7am. My plan was to slowly run (jog) the first mile or so until the crowd thinned out and then revert to my Galloway run/walk intervals. That was the plan, but a couple of things happened along the way. First, I was running with some friends as part of a charity group and I wanted to run with them for a bit. After the first mile my legs were feeling great, and my breathing was easy, so I decided to keep running with the group. I wasn’t sure if I would regret this later – but the pace of the group seemed quite manageable. It wasn’t until about 4 kms in I realised that we were actually running at a 5:58min/km pace (about 9:30 min / mile), which was pretty fast for me.

Now that the sun was up the weather was perfect for running, clear sky and 10C. There was heaps of entertainment along the course, and running with the group was lots of fun. Before I knew it we were at the half way point and I was still feeling pretty good – still running. It was about this time that I lost the rest of the group without realising it. I was a bit worried that I had deviated so far from my race plan. In all my long run training I had used run/walk intervals and I had just run 11 km without any walk breaks. I was in the zone, focused on maintaining a consistent pace and conserving energy. I thought the others were just a few meters behind me, but after not seeing or hearing them for a mile I realised that I had moved ahead. I decided to keep going at my pace, knowing that the others were better runners than me and that they would catch up. I was thought it was quite likely that I would slow down dramatically in the last few kms.

In the end, I surprised myself. I was able to keep my steady pace right up to the end. The last km was the hardest – my legs, hips and back started tightening, but the pull of the finish line and seeing my family kept me going.

My official time - 2:08:01. I couldn’t believe it. I began the run thinking 2:30 would be achievable and I would have been happy with that time. The aim was really just to finish. So excited that I have now officially run a half marathon.

Not sure how I could possibly run a full marathon the next day – walking up and down stairs is hard enough right now – but there is another 5 months to work that out. I’m sure during the Dopey Challenge I will be sticking to my run walk intervals!! But Run Melbourne was a fantastic first race. I had lots of fun and now have a proof of time to get me out of the back corrals at WDW Marathon Weekend (as well as a fancy Run Melbourne medal).

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congrats on the spectacular run!


A friend of mine also participated in the run and, he too, did much better than expected. Seems to be the story of this half marathon so far!

Here's to you running the full marathon soon. Well done.

 

[zanzibar138]

Congratulations! What a great effort

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi!

I've been reading along with your PTR as I'm running the WDW Half in January.. it'll be my first ever race/endurance event, and I'll also be travelling quite a way to get there like you are

Congratulations on your first half marathon.. that's an amazing time!!



Emma x

 

[mickeyd78]

Where does the time go? It has been 8 weeks since my last update – so much for my intentions of more frequent posts! But this time I have a good excuse. Just over two weeks ago we welcomed our second child into the world, Jacob. A healthy little boy and a very happy time for our family – although the lack of sleep is catching up to us all.

When I last left off, I had just completed my first half marathon race, Run Melbourne, in July. I am still really stoked with my time for that race (2:08), which was much faster than I expected. However, running the whole race nonstop rather than following my normal run/walk/run took its toll on my poor legs and joints especially. It took about three weeks for me to get back to normal and back to running regularly.

Since then I have been following the Jeff Galloway Dopey Challenge training plan and haven’t missed a session (even with a wife in hospital with a newborn!). For some of my more recent long runs I have dropped my intervals from 1min:1min to 30sec:30sec. It hasn’t affected my time too much, but my legs feel so much fresher at the end. Today I ran 21.1km as part of my training. Using the 30/30 intervals I managed 2:20 – slower than my race time, but I feel human this afternoon and am confident I can get out and run some more this week. I can’t believe I’m now running 21.1km and calling it a training session!

Trip planning
This week I bit the bullet and booked myself in for a massage at WDW for the day following the full marathon. A little treat to myself, and I’m sure I’m going to need it.

 

[zanzibar138]

Congrats on the arrival of DS!

Glad to hear you're going well with your interval training. I found it to be the most frustrating thing feeling like I was capable of running a lot more, but having to back off because of my legs. But patience is a virtue, and I'm sure it will pay off big time on race day/s And I agree anything over 20km sure sounds like a big training session!

Good on you booking your massage too. I'm thinking of doing the same thing for me and my folks after our run (although ours will only be a measly 10km...)

 

[disneybarbie]

Congratulations on your new baby!

Sounds like your training is going well - the half marathon plan started last Tuesday so I'm 'officially' training now for January

Just wondered - where have you booked your massage for after the marathon? I am thinking of booking one at the Mandara Spa in the Swan... as we're staying at the Boardwalk it is the closest spa!


Emma

 

[mickeyd78]

Just wondered - where have you booked your massage for after the marathon? I am thinking of booking one at the Mandara Spa in the Swan... as we're staying at the Boardwalk it is the closest spa!


Emma

I almost booked at Mandara spa - it looks really nice, and there are discounts available. But I ended up booking at Senses at Grand Floridian, as we planned on spending the day at MK after the massage, and it's relatively easy to get to from POR transportation wise. To get to Mandara for us would have required a cab. We get 15% off at Senses with our Magic Your Way package.

If you are thinking of booking something, I'd get in quick. It's one of the busiest times for the spas!

 

[disneybarbie]

Thanks for the tip - I didn't think about how popular the spas are going to be that weekend!

I think I can get 10% off at Mandara with my D23 membership

Emma

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congratulations on your newborn. I hope everything is well and that mother and baby are happy and healthy.

 

[mickeyd78]

The continuing saga of my Dopey training. A sad and sorry tail at the moment.

First of all – sorry that it has been so long since my last update. There have been a few developments and I was waiting for some resolution before posting, but I shall wait no longer.

A few weeks after my last update in September, I developed some stiffness in my right heel / foot. At first it was very slight and as I warmed up during my run things loosened up and I was ok. The next run it stayed stiff a little longer, but loosened up after a few minutes. Buy the third run it was starting to get painful, more than just stiff, so I stopped running and rested it for a week. Unfortunately it remained sore, so I promptly took myself off to the physio. Initially she suspected Achilles tendonitis, and we spent a few weeks doing some strengthening exercises and stretches. Unfortunately after about 6 weeks I was still unable to run on it, so the physio referred me to a sports doctor.

The sports doctor’s initial assessment was bursitis, and he booked me in for an ultrasound to confirm and administer a cortisone injection. By this stage I was getting pretty down about the amount of training I had missed. The prognosis for bursitis was good – the doctor felt that the cortisone injection should get me back to running in a week or so. Unfortunately, the ultrasound showed nothing wrong with my bursa and no obvious tendon damage. I was pretty upset by this stage getting pretty down about the amount of training I had missed. A sore foot with a problem still undiagnosed. I felt like my Dopey goal slipping away. Not only that, but perhaps the prospect of running any of the races that weekend.

Next thing to rule out is a bone fracture, so the doctor sent me off for a bone scan – complete with a delightful radio-pharmaceutical injection (I was thinking I might end up glowing in the dark, but I didn’t). That was Tuesday, and I’m now waiting for the doctor to call back with the results. I really don’t know if it is a fracture, it doesn’t feel like one. However, there was definitely something different between my left and right heels on the screen during the scan. In the meantime, the doctor has given me a prescription anti inflammatory, which frustratingly work so well that my foot feels normal. I feel like I could go out and run but I know I’m still injured, and I don’t want to make things worse.

I have tried to keep my strength and cardio up as much as I can for the past 9 week without running (swimming, water jogging and seeing a personal trainer). But I suspect things are getting a bit late for me to be ready to run in January. Pending the outcome of the scan, I may not be able to run at all. I’m pretty down about it all right now. I have worked so hard to reach this goal, and was doing so well. I have never stuck to a physical goal they way I have for the WDW marathon weekend.

I considered cancelling the trip – but I am not beaten yet. I have my fingers crossed that whatever the outcome of the scans, I can at least get to the start line for the 5k and 10k – even if I have to power walk them (which was pretty much my plan anyway for the Dopey). I’m still praying that by some miracle I can do all four races, but it’s a long shot. I’m not concerned about times – just want to finish, even if I take the full 7 hours for the full. Maybe I’m dreaming, but it is a hard dream to let go of.

I’ll keep you updated with the outcome of the scan. I really just want to be part of the Marathon Weekend after all the work I’ve put in.

 

[zanzibar138]

I was just wondering how you were going with your training. Sorry to hear you've had a major setback

I was nearly crying with frustration for you reading your story, and know that it's especially hard when it feels fine, but you know that when you start running again it will flare up. AND when you've been doing so well up to that point too!

Please don't lose hope, and don't cancel your trip!

When my mum first started training for the half ironman (1.9km swim, 90km bike ride, 21km run), she got a stress fracture in her ankle. It was only found about 6 weeks later when she still couldn't walk, so she thought she better see the doctor. She lost a lot of ground in training, and had to really take it easy from then on, to allow her ankle to heal, and also to prevent further injury. As she was continuing with her other training, she did a lot of swimming and cycling, and actually used the cross trainer to help with her running, to get her body used to the action of running without the impact. With help from her coach and her sports doctor, she was able to complete the half ironman, with only a few months real training.

Of course I'm not a doctor, and I'm not saying that you'll be able to complete the Dopey challenge after such a setback. Just saying that people do overcome injuries and having to miss weeks of training, and still complete the event they set out to do. With the right support crew, you might still be able to at least aim for the half and be part of the Marathon Weekend after all.

I wish you all the best with your scan results, and really hope you get a diagnosis. At least once you know what it is you can work with your personal trainer to get an idea of what is realistic, and set a training program to work around the injury.

Please keep us updated on your progress. We're all here for moral support

 

[mickeyd78]

Thanks Zanzibar. I'll be sure to post back here as soon as I find out what it is!

 

[PrincessInOz]

So sorry MickeyD. It must be really frustrating to see all the hard work to date go by the wayside.

I hope you have a diagnosis soon so that you can figure out what you need to do to get better.

 

[mickeyd78]

The good news is there is no bony stress reaction/fracture. But the scan does show mild changes around the calcaneal tuberosity (the bone at the back of the heel) consistent with mild Achilles enthesitis (enthesitis is inflammation of the tendon to bone attachment). More strengthening exercises for me. Fingers crossed.

 

[PrincessInOz]

The good news is there is no bony stress reaction/fracture. But the scan does show mild changes around the calcaneal tuberosity (the bone at the back of the heel) consistent with mild Achilles enthesitis (enthesitis is inflammation of the tendon to bone attachment). More strengthening exercises for me. Fingers crossed.

Everything crossed for you.

But that's great news.

 

[zanzibar138]

The good news is there is no bony stress reaction/fracture. But the scan does show mild changes around the calcaneal tuberosity (the bone at the back of the heel) consistent with mild Achilles enthesitis (enthesitis is inflammation of the tendon to bone attachment). More strengthening exercises for me. Fingers crossed.

That's great news!

Here's hoping the strengthening exercises work

 

[mickeyd78]

A quick update. I've been doing my strength exercises and keeping up my cardio on the bike. My foot is about 90%. I did a 5 km walk on it and managed a 8:43 min / pace without too much trouble. So under the 10 min / km max pace. But the foot was a little stiff for a few days after.

I know I am undertrained for the challenge, but at this stage I am happy just to be taking part. I'm confident I can finish the 5k and 10 km. I'll see how far it get with the 1/2 and full. If I have to walk, that's ok. I'll be over the moon if I can finish what I have began.

So I fly out tomorrow morning. The bags are all packed. Looking forward to just having fun and soaking up the experience (and also to 9 days of park time after the marathon weekend)

Wish me luck!

I'll be sure to update on my progress.