Month of June - WISH Walkers and Runners Training Thread

[chimera]

Hello everyone!

For those new to us, we are a group of people who are planning to participate in walking/running events throughout the year. For most of us, the ultimate goal is to train and compete in the annual WDW Half/Full marathons. We'll also be posting news and training for various other events throughout the year. We range from beginners to triathletes. Come join us, whether you're training for an event or walking/running for fitness.

New WISH Team members. If you read one thing over and over, believe this. Being part of this team is fantastic. Part of the ride you get for the event is what I call the roller coaster. There will be lots of ups and downs. The more you post here, the more you will find yourself enjoying the ride. It is an incredible journey. Don't be afraid, shy or whatever to come here and just post up anything.You don't have to know us right away, or all of us at all. You will get to know some of us. It makes the event you are enjoying have MORE meaning and we love to have you.

Have a great month WISHers!

 

[chimera]

Wow, I haven't been over here in awhile. How's everyone doing? What's everyone up to this summer?

 

[jmasgat]

Hi Mel,

Thanks for starting the thread....although it doesn't get too much traffic!

Summer is here, it seems. Time to attempt a backyard transformation. I am not a gardener--so maybe I need to take the same approach I took to start running. Go slow, don't try to do too much at once, and deal with the inevitable failures! Looking at putting in ornamental grass--so I think I'll just try one section and see how it goes.

Training goes on--still trying to work up the courage to do another tri. I know I can complete it, but I will feel like a failure if I don't improve on my result from last year. Silly, I know, and I wish I could stop witht the competitive stuff. Guess I need more work on that particular goal!

So let's hear from a few others....

Maura

 

[FFigawi]

Summer is here and that means it's time for our marathon team training to start again. Our first long run was held last weekend, and we had probably 65-70% new runners come out and join us. Their excitement and eagerness to get going and through to their first marathon is one of the best things about being one of the coaches. I'm not crazy about having 31 more weeks of my alarm going off at 430am on Saturday, but having a new group around always makes it worthwhile.

 

[MouseDogMom]

We had our first run of the marathon training last Saturday as well. Over 300 members so far! John - We only run 28 weeks, so not quite as many early mornings! And we start at 7:00 until July, so my clock usually goes off around 5:30. Tried a new pace group, but it's going to take some getting used to. I think there were probably 70-80 people in our group alone, and unmanageable doesn't begin to describe it!

Maura - If you want to practice on my yard first, feel free!

Jackie

 

[FireDancer]

June feels like the start of summer around here and the weather has followed suit. That weird lull that happens between the end of the spring long races (halves and fulls) and the beginning of the shorter summer races and fall long race training is over. The weather has been pretty hot here and as a result the running moves to late in the evening for me.

I had really let my yardwork go this spring. Partly because I had a lot of other commitments and partly because the weekend I was free the weather didn't cooperate. I am heading to South Bend with a friend this weekend for the Sunburst races on Saturday (I'm doing the 10K) and I have signed up for a 6 other 5Ks and 10Ks in June including running another 5K on Sunday.

Just remember when the temperature spikes that it is ok to slow down a bit and run smart but the miles still have to get into the legs if we want to run/jog/walk well in the fall. Good luck all.

 

[wtpclc]

Summer brings tri season, yay! Love minimizing the runs and adding swim and bike! So much easier in the heat for me! HOpe the lake's warm enough for open water swims soon!

John - SO great of you to coach. I love the enthusiasm of first timers, but I don't think even that could get me pup at 4:30 ona aSaturday!

Maura - Marathon trianing is life trianing. Everything, everywhere. SO, why do I do all my gardening in 1 day????

Jackie - 70 to 80 people? Wow!

Mel - Good ot see you!

Frank - Great advice!

 

[DianeL]

Just remember when the temperature spikes that it is ok to slow down a bit and run smart but the miles still have to get into the legs if we want to run/jog/walk well in the fall. Good luck all.

Frank, I read your post to Kirsty-Leigh and had that in my head last night. I went out after work. I did a couple of trips over the same course last night to stay in the shade was much as possible and get in some incline training (only because that is where the shade is, I thought!). That final turn to head back was a big sigh of relief and a big I have how much farther to go still! Dang heat! Left my cap in the car with the powerade. Took the water but was dreaming of the powerade. Thanks for the reminder that the time will slow in the heat. It actually was seconds faster than Sat but boy did it FEEL like it was 3 minutes slower a mile

So anyhoo, I managed to get in my miles last night. Tonights the gym again. I'm still plugging away at the miles and still begging the cyclists to just run me over and end the pain

Stay cool out there! Oh and I'm closer to Maura so I get dibs!

 

[FFigawi]

We had our first run of the marathon training last Saturday as well. Over 300 members so far! John - We only run 28 weeks, so not quite as many early mornings! And we start at 7:00 until July, so my clock usually goes off around 5:30. Tried a new pace group, but it's going to take some getting used to. I think there were probably 70-80 people in our group alone, and unmanageable doesn't begin to describe it!

Jackie

Yeah, we're going a little longer than usual this year. The Houston marathon is not until the very end of January in 2011, two weeks later than normal. Since most of our new runners are aiming for that as their first marathon, our program goes all the way until then. You'd think that a marathon that has been around for 30+ years and aspires to be one of the best around would be able to book their expo convention center several years in advance in order to keep their same weekend, but you'd be wrong.

That's great that you had 300 people out. We had about 70, which is pretty good considering it was a holiday weekend. I expect that all 200 people in the program who have signed up so far will be out this week.

 

[geaux_half]

John - Does your program have a backup race as Houston just announced they're going to the lottery for both the half and full this year? They will have guaranteed spots for those that have run the marathon for 10+ years.

 

[FFigawi]

John - Does your program have a backup race as Houston just announced they're going to the lottery for both the half and full this year? They will have guaranteed spots for those that have run the marathon for 10+ years.

We've been talking about that all day. Many of us feel strongly that we should skip Houston altogether and choose another winter marathon to run in. It's not a very well run or runner-friendly marathon to begin with, and this, coupled with the large price increase, is just one more reason to go somewhere else. People are talking about Austin or Cowtown in Feb, Dallas in Dec, Kingwood in Jan, New Orleans in Feb, among others. I'm trying to convince people to come run Goofy with me, but haven't found many takers yet.

 

[MouseDogMom]

John - That's tough! Our program has multiple target races - the training schedule is a huge spreadsheet with columns for each race and varying distances for each weekends depending on which race you're running. Could you choose a couple of different races? DH and I always complain that even though Disney is an official target race, it's actually after the end of our season so that by the time you hit the high mileage weekends most members (and group leaders) have lost interest and quit showing up. That's why I'm doing Marine Corps for my full this year!

Tried a new run last night. Discovered that a local pub sponsors a weekly run through downtown. They now have 200-300 people every week show up to run 3-5 miles and then hang around for trivia, bingo, or other activities that the pub schedules for the runners, as well as a $1 buffet. Who can resist? It helped that last night was warm, but not humid, so it was a good time to try it out. After 10 runs you get a free shirt; 25 gets you a free beer mug.

Jackie

 

[jmasgat]

Jackie I am constantly amazed by the number and scope of the running activities in your area. Not the same around here, although honestly, I am not a "people runner" so I don't know if I'd join groups anyway. But I would definitely be in for beer and a $1 buffet!

Bought new shoes today. Switching from my Saucony Rides, which I liked, to an Asics Cumulus 12 wide width. I am really trying to find a way to deal more structurally with my propensity to callus/blister the sides of my big toes and balls of my feet. Maybe the wider toe box will help. We'll see.

Need to (well, maybe "need" isn't exactly the right word) pick a June race to do. Have my eye on a local 10 miler at the end of the month.

DS graduated this past weekend and I survived clean=up detail at the all night party that the parents host at school. Now need to get him to Orientation and then school in August and then........Empty Nest. Welll, of kids, anyway. There's still the dog and of course, DH
Maura

 

[FFigawi]

Jackie - we've got a bar here that offers the same program. You used to get free beer and shirts after less than 10 runs, but they had to raise the limit to keep from being overwhelmed. As far as other target races go, we've got all kinds of races that people are training for. Throw in the different levels people are at, and our long run schedule gets quite complicated. Our main focus is Houston and San Antonio, but thanks to the new lottery system, we're extending the season to include Austin and New Orleans too. Still, we've got people training for DLR, Chicago, Marine Corps, New York, Richmond, Dallas, Disney, San Francisco, and probably others as well. Our long runs in August-Nov generally have distances from 6-20 miles and almost all distances in between. Needless to say, it's an organizational nightmare to keep track of everyone, locate the water stops for everyone, etc.

 

[deekaypee]

Okay, folks, it must be summer, as I'm here! Seriously, I've gotten into this really bad habit of only checking my DIS subscriptions instead of the board (and sadly enough, not all the subscriptions come through). So I thought I'd at least post here & have the DIS remind me how much I love the general forum and all my WISH buddies!

Maura: WTG with your new garden. I actually think that gardening must be good for patience and a counter-balance for a competitive nature. Of course, I'm only speaking in theory, as MY competitive and have-it-done-yesterday nature won't let me get invested in a green space where Mother Nature would teach me a lesson.

So...do you have a tri in mind, one that would set the stage for your tri-umphant return (I have no doubts)?

Oh, let me know how you like your Asics. I have the same blister/calluses problems in the same areas. I wear NB 1225, very big toe box, but am always curious about other shoes.

And congratulations on DS's graduation and your soon-to-be Empty Nest. I suspect that dogs are easier to clean up after than teens.

John: It just occurred to me that while your race training is in a lull during the summer (due to your location), the marathon training is picking up. Wow, I'd be a red-hot mess. No wonder you're up so early. Btw, thank you for mentoring new runners – it really does make a world of difference.

And now that you've posted info on the organizational logistics, something I've never thought about as a solo runner, I have a headache. Kudos to you all!

Jackie: Congrats on trying a new pace group! That's great news for you, and I'm so proud of you! You're just hitting one goal after another. I hope you see it as a reward for getting up so darned early! (Or at least a sign of your progress and dedication.) That pub run is also a good incentive. Oh, and that's a huge running group!

Frank: It looks like you're not having a lull at all with your races. Woo hoo! How did you enjoy Saturday's 10K in South Bend?

Carrie: That's the attitude! Swimming, biking, & XT (in general) as a way to handle the heat. Do you have a favorite place to swim?

Diane: I'm just like you during the summer. I will find the shadiest route and doing an absolutely boring out and back loop to stay in the shade. And sadly enough these days, if I have to choose between shady hills and sunny flat routes, I choose hills. Not that I have much choice about hills around here.

AFM: Oh, not much. Just short runs these days, no more then 6-8 miles on weekends, and no races planned due to a spotty summer travel schedule.

I should see if there's any races at the places I'm going – there's an idea! Part of the challenge is that a lot of this summer's travels is with family, who in general find the running to interfere with the other recreational activities even when it's done before they're awake!

In other news, DOOD is on a research trip this month (my turn next year), so I'm using the time away to go refined sugar-free this month. Boy, was I cranky the first few days. Be glad I wasn't posting here!

 

[MikeofRose&Mike]

I have been lurking on this board for a while and thought I should introduce myself. DW is a regular on Disboards. We are training for Wine & Dine. It will be her first half. I ran a local one this spring. I feel like I know many of you from reading these threads.
Maura - our DS went away to college last spring. There is a lot of support on the community boards.
John - Memphis is supposed to have a very runner friendly marathon and half marathon. Water stops every mile and hot showers at the end. Best of all it is the first weekend in December, so you can recover over he holidays instead of train. Or use the mini there as a tune up for the full in January.

 

[FFigawi]

Thanks for the suggestion about Memphis. I'll have to look into it. In the meantime, I went and signed up for Austin, as did our head coach and a lot of our runners. Houston is not getting any good press over this at all.

 

[WDWMarathonManiac]

I am so excited to find you guys! I have run the half or full (or Goofy!) every year for the last 10 years! The WDW marathon weekend has become the highlight of my year. It is so comforting to know that I'm not alone in loving races at Disney as much as I do.

I am currently training for the full in 2011 after having run my first Goofy last year. Other than the above races, I have also ran these races at WDW:

The WDW Triathlon
Florida Ironman 70.3
Expedition Everest

 

[MouseDogMom]

Welcome Mike & MarathonManiac! It's always good to see new faces. There are many, many of us who love the Disney races.

John - I think a couple of our group are looking at Memphis. I like the idea of a pre-holiday race. I hate training through the holiday season. In reality, I usually take the idea of taper very seriously, and only do a short long run on the weekend!

Maura - I have to admit I'm really enjoying the empty nest life. Just don't tell DD! She stayed in Greenville for the summer, and I was actually pretty happy with that decision. We've gotten used to life without her, and it was going to be a very big change having her back home!

Am trying to increase my weekly runs from 3x to 4x. Probably wouldn't have been so difficult if I hadn't taken two weeks off. Today isn't so bad, but yesterday I felt like I'd just run a marathon. I'm hoping to try a new group run tonight, since DH has to work until late.

Jackie

 

[FFigawi]

Jackie - I signed up for Austin last night as my protest against Houston, but I'll give some serious thought to Memphis too. I actually like training through the holidays because it keeps my taper short. Two weeks is about all I can stand.