Official Dopey 2017 Thread

[Chasing Dopey]

... discipline is better than motivation...

I like that.

Official training starts tomorrow. It'll be my first test in over two weeks trying to knock out some ITBS. Fingers crossed!

 

[AmynVal]

One thing that keeps me motivated is seeing how everyone else is doing with training. Whether we're training for a 5K, 10K, half, etc. it's fun to see what everyone else is doing and their personal victories. Come join us in the Strava disboards group. All paces and training levels are welcome.

https://www.strava.com/clubs/DISboards_Community

That's awesome I didn't know this existed. I'm currently trying to figure out if I want to use strava or runtastic. I paid for the runtastic pro but so far I'm not to sure about it, but I haven't been using it very long in its defense.

 

[DopeyBadger]

That's awesome I didn't know this existed. I'm currently trying to figure out if I want to use strava or runtastic. I paid for the runtastic pro but so far I'm not to sure about it, but I haven't been using it very long in its defense.

I used Runtastic for years. I liked the web interface and voice feedback it gave me. However, I did end up hitting a snag with it after some time. I was finding that what I could do in training wasn't matching up to what I could do on race day. And oddly enough it looked like I was terrible at tangents in races because most races were a good 5% higher in total distance (i.e. 13.1 mile race was 13.8 to 14.0 on my Runtastic). I always chalked it up to tangents and maybe bad races with misappropriated distances. Then it occurred to me, Runtastic was the problem. It was outputting the distance traveled at about 105% of the actual distance covered. So when I thought I ran 10 miles in training at a 9:00 min/mile (thus 90 minutes), I actually ran 9.5 miles at a 9:30 min/mile (still 90 minutes). It was odd and disconcerting. With the being said, my wife and BIL also used Runtastic during this time and never had issues like I did with it.

Once I switched to a Garmin watch everything changed and my training distances and paces became highly reproducible down to a couple of meters. I would know as I run the same route every day and start and finish at almost the exact same spot with the exact same mileage.

I've never used the Strava phone based system to record my runs so I can't speak to its functionality. But I do like the Strava website from the standpoint that I can use my Garmin watch and it uploads automatically to the Strava group. It's a nice feature because it allows multiple people using different watches/phone based GPS systems to be able to group together under one system.

 

[surfde22]

I used Runtastic for years. I liked the web interface and voice feedback it gave me. However, I did end up hitting a snag with it after some time. I was finding that what I could do in training wasn't matching up to what I could do on race day. And oddly enough it looked like I was terrible at tangents in races because most races were a good 5% higher in total distance (i.e. 13.1 mile race was 13.8 to 14.0 on my Runtastic). I always chalked it up to tangents and maybe bad races with misappropriated distances. Then it occurred to me, Runtastic was the problem. It was outputting the distance traveled at about 105% of the actual distance covered. So when I thought I ran 10 miles in training at a 9:00 min/mile (thus 90 minutes), I actually ran 9.5 miles at a 9:30 min/mile (still 90 minutes). It was odd and disconcerting. With the being said, my wife and BIL also used Runtastic during this time and never had issues like I did with it.

Once I switched to a Garmin watch everything changed and my training distances and paces became highly reproducible down to a couple of meters. I would know as I run the same route every day and start and finish at almost the exact same spot with the exact same mileage.

I've never used the Strava phone based system to record my runs so I can't speak to its functionality. But I do like the Strava website from the standpoint that I can use my Garmin watch and it uploads automatically to the Strava group. It's a nice feature because it allows multiple people using different watches/phone based GPS systems to be able to group together under one system.

You write way too much.

No, just kidding. I do enjoy reading your in depth analysis of just about everything. You are always very educational, but seriously, try to do it fewer words.

 

[DopeyBadger]

You write way too much.

No, just kidding. I do enjoy reading your in depth analysis of just about everything. You are always very educational, but seriously, try to do it fewer words.

LOL! I know, I know...

It comes with my occupation. Being a Quality Assurance Manager for a pharmaceutical company means I have to be thorough and leave little to interpretation. Sometimes it's hard to turn off...

 

[AmynVal]

I used Runtastic for years. I liked the web interface and voice feedback it gave me. However, I did end up hitting a snag with it after some time. I was finding that what I could do in training wasn't matching up to what I could do on race day.

I use my Apple Watch and paired with the strava app and it would subtract the times I "had" to walk. Then when I would finish it would show me faster than I actually am.

 

[sammykster]

How is it going for everyone? I'm hoping to get clearance from my doctor Friday so I can get back at it! Fingers crossed - I'm starting to panic about other upcoming races before Dopey even.

 

[croach]

How is it going for everyone? I'm hoping to get clearance from my doctor Friday so I can get back at it! Fingers crossed - I'm starting to panic about other upcoming races before Dopey even.

Good luck at the doctor tomorrow! Hoping you get that good news. Things are going good with training so far. I'm learning to like morning running more and more.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

How is it going for everyone? I'm hoping to get clearance from my doctor Friday so I can get back at it! Fingers crossed - I'm starting to panic about other upcoming races before Dopey even.

Training has officially begun, and the left knee (ITBS) is holding up ok so far. It gets a little tight here and there, but I continue to strengthen the hips and do some active isolated stretching at least a couple times a day. I'm also making some small changes to my running technique to better use the glutes and hamstrings. I think it's made a huge impact, even if it still doesn't quite feel right. I do feel like both glutes firing now, which has been an issue for me.

But I'm happy as a speckled pup on a red wagon to be able to train again!

I'll be sending good vibes your way tomorrow. Good luck!

 

[Tardisblue]

How is it going for everyone? I'm hoping to get clearance from my doctor Friday so I can get back at it! Fingers crossed - I'm starting to panic about other upcoming races before Dopey even.

Staring at the training calendar is overwhelming. I'm doing Chicago in October and then re-focusing on Goofy (not trying to hijack the Dopey thread). Giving the Hanson method a try this go around and I'm slightly concerned about the number of days each week that they have scheduled to run.

 

[opusone]

Staring at the training calendar is overwhelming. I'm doing Chicago in October and then re-focusing on Goofy (not trying to hijack the Dopey thread). Giving the Hanson method a try this go around and I'm slightly concerned about the number of days each week that they have scheduled to run.

Just take it one day and one week at a time, and make sure you keep the correct pacing for each run, and you will get through it. It IS a lot, and there will likely be a couple of workouts that don't go quite as planned, but if you stick to the plan and let the cumulative fatigue theory work, you will likely be happy with the result.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Staring at the training calendar is overwhelming. I'm doing Chicago in October and then re-focusing on Goofy (not trying to hijack the Dopey thread). Giving the Hanson method a try this go around and I'm slightly concerned about the number of days each week that they have scheduled to run.

The only other advice I'd add to @opusone 's is to make sure to choose the correct pacing for your current fitness level (using a recent ideal condition race is typically the best place to start). From my experience, it is better to train at where you are, then where you want to be. Otherwise, don't worry about the weeks ahead and just focus on this week. It may seem daunting at first but the plan does a good job guiding you to those end levels.

 

[AmynVal]

For the strava group that I just became part of. Disregard when my runs say race. It always wants to take out the times I'm walking and it makes me faster. By putting race in the run it counts all the time I've spent doing the miles. On the flip side of seeing you guys I need to get my mileage game in gear.

 

[marn913]

I have been reading this thread for a while, but am hopping in now. I am registered for the Dopey. I have been stalking the Dopey schedule for a few years. This year, the timing works perfectly with my schedule (college professor) and my kids' school break. Kids go back the day after the marathon, but Will have a recovery week to rest up. We will also celebrate my younger daughter's birthday during the trip! I am currently training for a 50K in September and hope to keep up my conditioning through the fall to be ready. I live in the Midwest, so keeping up long miles through December can be tricky.

 

[Stroller Boy]

Definitely planning on making it 4 for 4 on Dopey Challenges in 2017. I have started a journal to help with my 2017 goal of finishing the entire 2017 Dopey faster than I finished my first Marathon.

Just finding this thread and haven't gotten through all of the posts yet (apologies up front if this is redundant!). As I started reading the posts I was wondering how many "perfectly Dopey's" there are here. I'm signed up for the 4th year of pain myself. Dare I say this, but has anyone else had (or have) a combined time goal? I do realize it's probably not a great idea to do this, but most of us are competitive types (even if it's just with yourself) and probably can't resist.

Okay, I'll continue on reading the other posts and see that this all has been covered 100 times! Did you know that if you look up redundant in the dictionary it says "see redundant".

 

[Stroller Boy]

Nice, right now I'm training for Vineman Full Ironman in July. Once I finish that I'll just extend my long runs and probably start looking at speed work more

Good luck with Vineman! Stay safe out there.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Just finding this thread and haven't gotten through all of the posts yet (apologies up front if this is redundant!). As I started reading the posts I was wondering how many "perfectly Dopey's" there are here. I'm signed up for the 4th year of pain myself. Dare I say this, but has anyone else had (or have) a combined time goal? I do realize it's probably not a great idea to do this, but most of us are competitive types (even if it's just with yourself) and probably can't resist.

Okay, I'll continue on reading the other posts and see that this all has been covered 100 times! Did you know that if you look up redundant in the dictionary it says "see redundant".

I can only speak to myself, but Dopey is essentially my "A" race. The WDW Marathon is still the only full marathon I've ever run and that may continue for a few more years. I have tried to set a goal for myself because initially, in 2011, my goal was to finish the 2012 WDW Half. Then in 2012 it became finish the 2013 WDW Marathon. In 2013 it was finish the 2014 Goof...I mean Dopey Challenge. This worked out really well for me and I achieved numerous fitness goals along the way, but in 2014 and 2015 just having the goal to finish the 2015 and 2016 Dopey Challenge allowed me to stagnate a bit, so I decided I needed to start making new goals. Goal #1 will always be to finish in good health, but I need a bit more of a carrot out in front to prevent myself from getting a little too happy in my accomplishments.

I believe it is covered in other portions of the thread, but I believe the "perfectly Dopey" count sits somewhere around 900. @opusone, I believe, has done an analysis of past finishers to arrive at that number and I believe you can find the more detailed analysis a couple pages back.

Welcome to the thread!

 

[Stroller Boy]

LOL! I know, I know...

It comes with my occupation. Being a Quality Assurance Manager for a pharmaceutical company means I have to be thorough and leave little to interpretation. Sometimes it's hard to turn off...

Oh man, you and I run around the same speed, are both perfectly Dopey, AND work in the same industry? Although, I'm from CT, so there's the difference.... you have MUCH more money than I do due to all the extra taxes you don't have to pay.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

LOL! I know, I know...

It comes with my occupation. Being a Quality Assurance Manager for a pharmaceutical company means I have to be thorough and leave little to interpretation. Sometimes it's hard to turn off...

This explains a lot.

 

[Stroller Boy]

I can only speak to myself, but Dopey is essentially my "A" race. The WDW Marathon is still the only full marathon I've ever run and that may continue for a few more years. I have tried to set a goal for myself because initially, in 2011, my goal was to finish the 2012 WDW Half. Then in 2012 it became finish the 2013 WDW Marathon. In 2013 it was finish the 2014 Goof...I mean Dopey Challenge. This worked out really well for me and I achieved numerous fitness goals along the way, but in 2014 and 2015 just having the goal to finish the 2015 and 2016 Dopey Challenge allowed me to stagnate a bit, so I decided I needed to start making new goals. Goal #1 will always be to finish in good health, but I need a bit more of a carrot out in front to prevent myself from getting a little too happy in my accomplishments.

I believe it is covered in other portions of the thread, but I believe the "perfectly Dopey" count sits somewhere around 900. @opusone, I believe, has done an analysis of past finishers to arrive at that number and I believe you can find the more detailed analysis a couple pages back.

Welcome to the thread!

Right after I asked the "how many" question, I found there is a website http://perfectlydopey.com/. They are showing 864 left, but as with anything else is probably subject to the calculation skills of the creator.

I'm with you on the goal. I have used Marathon Weekend as a year long motivation for training since 2008. Started with the half having not run a mile since I was in my teens (asthma issues), but a Disney trip sounded fun... like with others, that led to a full, which led to Goofy, on to Dopey and a handfull of tri's including Ironman Louisville last year. For the kid who ran "only when chased", RunDisney has been great to me (despite the pricing). So I do look forward to the trip, the running and finishing healthy. I've added in a new goal as I've recruited a number of first timers and have paced them on various races to achieve their goals while I get my Dopey on. Helps to keep my pace honest and since I can never experience another first half/full marathon, it's awesome to see thier face and share in their victory! Except for 2015 when I had nobody to run with and put a 6:28 combined..still not sure how or why I did that... just ran comfortable the whole time and let the time take care of itself.

Great group here, looking forward to keeping up on the posts!