OFFICIAL Jan 2011 Half Marathon, Full Marathon, Dopey or Goofy Challenge Thread

[FireDancer]

Do people tend to show up at 4am for the bus? Or is it safe to show up at the end of the pick-up window.

I have this fear of showing up at 3:55am (or whatever time is just before the time that they say you have to at the bus stop) and not getting on the bus.

I always make sure to be at the bus stop at 4:00 to be safe.

 

[rubato]

I didn't realize that getting to the bus stop by 4 was okay. I just need enough time to get dressed and eat something, so I could, feasibly get up at around 3:15 or 3:30, which would be wonderful. My family is sleeping in for the half and I won't see them til I'm back at the hotel. They'll just meet me at the finish line for the full.

Another question I had. How long does it take, once you are finished, to get back to the hotel? I'm not staying at a monorail resort, so will be bussing it.

 

[crashbb]

I always make sure to be at the bus stop at 4:00 to be safe.

You say you are there at 4am "to be safe", but isn't 4am the latest you are supposed to be there?

 

[FireDancer]

You say you are there at 4am "to be safe", but isn't 4am the latest you are supposed to be there?

I meant I make sure to be there by 3:00. My bad.

The buses start at 3 and they say you need to be at the bus stop by 4. As long as you are at the stop you should be fine. I have never heard of people who were at the stop by 4 (not on the bus but at the stop) being left behind.

 

[FFigawi]

I didn't realize that getting to the bus stop by 4 was okay. I just need enough time to get dressed and eat something, so I could, feasibly get up at around 3:15 or 3:30, which would be wonderful. My family is sleeping in for the half and I won't see them til I'm back at the hotel. They'll just meet me at the finish line for the full.

Another question I had. How long does it take, once you are finished, to get back to the hotel? I'm not staying at a monorail resort, so will be bussing it.

I was in line at 4 the first day and 415 on the second day. Yes, I know they say you're supposed to be in line at 4, but given how long the line was, I felt safe they wouldn't leave me, or the dozens of people who came after me, behind.

As for getting back, it depends on where you're staying and what the weather is like. This year, I stayed at AS-S, and the line to get back after the race on Sat was ~200 people long. I was so cold that I hopped into the shortest line and called my wife to ask her to pick me up wherever that bus was headed. On Sunday, when the weather was much nicer, there wasn't a huge rush to leave, people were more spread out, and the lines were maybe 10-20 people deep. The lines after the half will always be longer than the full because the spread between the various runners is smaller.

 

[rubato]

As for getting back, it depends on where you're staying and what the weather is like. This year, I stayed at AS-S, and the line to get back after the race on Sat was ~200 people long. I was so cold that I hopped into the shortest line and called my wife to ask her to pick me up wherever that bus was headed. On Sunday, when the weather was much nicer, there wasn't a huge rush to leave, people were more spread out, and the lines were maybe 10-20 people deep. The lines after the half will always be longer than the full because the spread between the various runners is smaller.

Thanks. I guess it'll help if I'm speedy on Saturday. Get my medal and new wristband, and get out of there!

 

[cewait]

Thanks. I guess it'll help if I'm speedy on Saturday. Get my medal and new wristband, and get out of there!

I am a 3:30 busser or a little earlier. But then I meet several friends in the start area so it is a great time to talk. I tend to be up earlier than the times listed on the board. But then I want to go through all the 'normal' wake up activities. Coffee, visit to necessary room, etc.

I do a wierd thing, I shower before morning races. I know from previous discussions that maybe 20-30% of early race runners shower. For me it's a way to shake the cobwebs out and to wake up. It's funny as I tend to shower for halves and fulls but not anything shorter. I wonder if it has something to do with Mom's instructions about always having clean underwear?

 

[LadyDi13]

Recently our stationary bike went "belly up." Instead of replacing it, I was considering a treadmill, to make fitting my runs in a bit easier on my family. My husband hates me being out before the sun comes up (I do it anyway with all the reflective gear I can find) and I cannot leave an 8 and 6 year old alone in the afternoons, so sometimes I run at awkward times. I am also concerned that the DC area will have a winter like last year and the 18" of snow will prevent me from getting out there.
Is there a particular one that people like to use without breaking the bank? I usually do the research on my own but there are so many companies out there I don't even know where to start.
Thanks for any recommendations!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Recently our stationary bike went "belly up." Instead of replacing it, I was considering a treadmill, to make fitting my runs in a bit easier on my family. My husband hates me being out before the sun comes up (I do it anyway with all the reflective gear I can find) and I cannot leave an 8 and 6 year old alone in the afternoons, so sometimes I run at awkward times. I am also concerned that the DC area will have a winter like last year and the 18" of snow will prevent me from getting out there.
Is there a particular one that people like to use without breaking the bank? I usually do the research on my own but there are so many companies out there I don't even know where to start.
Thanks for any recommendations!

Could you join a local YMCA instead? They all offer free childcare and that way you could work with a trainer and get a workout plan together (which is also free). I wouldn't skimp on a treadmill if you must buy one - and they are usually over $1,000 but more realistically in the $2,000 range. You can't go wrong looking at the reviews on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref...407831,k:Treadmills&sort=reviewrank_authority

Good Luck! I don't have the space for a treadmill and my nephew loves going to the childcare at the YMCA when I do have to exercise when he is around so it is a win-win situation. Good for my budget and good for him. They really do so many fun things with the kids.

 

[verticalchaos]

Hey hey!!! Those of us doing the Half...

THREE MONTHS!!!!!!

 

[LadyDi13]

Could you join a local YMCA instead? They all offer free childcare and that way you could work with a trainer and get a workout plan together (which is also free). I would skimp on a treadmill if you must buy one - and they are usually over $1,000 but more realistically in the $2,000 range. You can't go wrong looking at the reviews on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref...407831,k:Treadmills&sort=reviewrank_authority

Good Luck! I don't have the space for a treadmill and my nephew loves going to the childcare at the YMCA when I do have to exercise when he is around so it is a win-win situation. Good for my budget and good for him. They really do so many fun things with the kids.

Thanks for the suggestion...I will look into it. I just went to the "Y" yesterday to pickup my race packet for a 5K I'm doing. My parents have a treadmill and I can go over there, but we all get distracted and spend too much time there. I have seen some less expensive treadmills at Costco, but am not sure of their quality.
I guess following your though process I can check out the county rec center too, as the "Y" is about 20 minutes from our house.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

3 mths to go! Was back at the gym yesterday.....at least if the weather is like it was last year, I can totally train here in CHicago!

All kidding aside, hope it was a once in a lifetime thing for the sleet, etc!

 

[cewait]

Recently our stationary bike went "belly up." Instead of replacing it, I was considering a treadmill, to make fitting my runs in a bit easier on my family. My husband hates me being out before the sun comes up (I do it anyway with all the reflective gear I can find) and I cannot leave an 8 and 6 year old alone in the afternoons, so sometimes I run at awkward times. I am also concerned that the DC area will have a winter like last year and the 18" of snow will prevent me from getting out there.
Is there a particular one that people like to use without breaking the bank? I usually do the research on my own but there are so many companies out there I don't even know where to start.
Thanks for any recommendations!

This is not a bad time to start looking for a used mill. I would look for a club quality mill... and make sure it works before paying. I find a great test is to bring an ipod and turn on music low - so that your could hear a conversation. Raise the elevation up to 2% and jump on the bed. If it sounds cheap/squeeky, etc think hard before committing. Then with the ipod still on low volume start up the machine and run. If the machine drowns out the ipod you may want to consider a different unit.

I am a big fan of heading out to the club rather than buying equipment, unless you know you will use regularly! Too many units end up as expensive clothes hangers. I had a 8 year old unit crap out last fall. The odometer on the unit showed thoughsands of miles. I was surprised. I went with a Life Fitness 7.0 unit. It has a club quality bed and a not so quality motor. It has about 600 miles on it over the last 11 months.

Finally, I am not a costco or other big box store fan when it comes to these units. While many units will work well they are not heavy enough for a decade of hard use by runners. Read the Runner's World treadmill reviews for thoughts on current models.

 

[LadyDi13]

This is not a bad time to start looking for a used mill. I would look for a club quality mill... and make sure it works before paying. I find a great test is to bring an ipod and turn on music low - so that your could hear a conversation. Raise the elevation up to 2% and jump on the bed. If it sounds cheap/squeeky, etc think hard before committing. Then with the ipod still on low volume start up the machine and run. If the machine drowns out the ipod you may want to consider a different unit.

I am a big fan of heading out to the club rather than buying equipment, unless you know you will use regularly! Too many units end up as expensive clothes hangers. I had a 8 year old unit crap out last fall. The odometer on the unit showed thoughsands of miles. I was surprised. I went with a Life Fitness 7.0 unit. It has a club quality bed and a not so quality motor. It has about 600 miles on it over the last 11 months.

Finally, I am not a costco or other big box store fan when it comes to these units. While many units will work well they are not heavy enough for a decade of hard use by runners. Read the Runner's World treadmill reviews for thoughts on current models.

Thanks for the advice. I guess my biggest hang-up with going to a rec center, club or the Y is the fact that by the time I drive there I could be halfway through a workout at home. I get home with the kids pretty early in the afternoons, so it is something to seriously consider.
I found out from my running partner today that there is a retailer "locally" who sells refurbished equipment, so if I can get DH to drive up to Maryland, I will look into that.
Thanks again.

 

[Belle1811]

Hey hey!!! Those of us doing the Half...

THREE MONTHS!!!!!!

I know, think panick is starting to creep in slightly though soooo excited about our holiday and of course the whole Marathon Weekend I'm just ignoring the nerves

Doing a 10K this morning, weather looks grey but I'll take grey over grey with added rain!! Prizes this morning are a T-shirt, medal and a cabbage, yes you did read it right a cabbage, so at 9K when I feel like collapsing I'll just think of that cabbage at the end, sure it'll spur me on

 

[verticalchaos]

I know, think panick is starting to creep in slightly though soooo excited about our holiday and of course the whole Marathon Weekend I'm just ignoring the nerves

Doing a 10K this morning, weather looks grey but I'll take grey over grey with added rain!! Prizes this morning are a T-shirt, medal and a cabbage, yes you did read it right a cabbage, so at 9K when I feel like collapsing I'll just think of that cabbage at the end, sure it'll spur me on

Good luck Belle1811! I had my first 10K last week (we only got a t-shirt...though I can take my bib # into the sport store sponsor and be entered to win one of 2 North Face gift certificates, so I'll do that today). I'm eyeing another one the first weekend in December...I'll be up to that level for long runs about in my training, so I won't be pushing to get through it.

I'm not sure the nerves have set in for me yet. (Ha...I had to retype that...I said "the nevers"...somehow I think that will come with taper madness.) A lot of the people in my running club are doing the NYC Marathon the first Sunday in November (obviously...we're in NYC), and I'm already getting to see the taper madness panic setting in on the women's listserve.

Today's a SRD (scheduled rest day), then running again tomorrow.

~ Beth

 

[evhorizon]

I do a wierd thing, I shower before morning races. I know from previous discussions that maybe 20-30% of early race runners shower. For me it's a way to shake the cobwebs out and to wake up. It's funny as I tend to shower for halves and fulls but not anything shorter. I wonder if it has something to do with Mom's instructions about always having clean underwear?

Interesting statistic. I've always showered before a race and never thought twice about it. Even when that means getting up at 2:45am for the Disney races to shower, have my energy bar, etc. and not be rushed. I guess I'm a creature of routine.

 

[rubato]

I always shower also. It's just part of my wake up routine, so why wouldn't I? I also will have to have enough time to eat and visit the necessary room (as Charles so delicately put it).

Belle: You will have to explain the cabbage. Why? If it was St. Patricks Day I might understand it, but even then, it's weird!

Beth: I have 2 rest days going and I want to run! I don't enjoy my "days off". I'm going to take it easy today and take a zumba class tomorrow. I'm still trying to make my calves feel better, so I guess it's needed rest, but I still don't like it!

 

[Belle1811]

Good luck Belle1811! I had my first 10K last week (we only got a t-shirt...though I can take my bib # into the sport store sponsor and be entered to win one of 2 North Face gift certificates, so I'll do that today). I'm eyeing another one the first weekend in December...I'll be up to that level for long runs about in my training, so I won't be pushing to get through it.

I'm not sure the nerves have set in for me yet. (Ha...I had to retype that...I said "the nevers"...somehow I think that will come with taper madness.) A lot of the people in my running club are doing the NYC Marathon the first Sunday in November (obviously...we're in NYC), and I'm already getting to see the taper madness panic setting in on the women's listserve.

Today's a SRD (scheduled rest day), then running again tomorrow.

~ Beth

Thanks very much Beth, back home now, did it in 1.01, my best 10k time is 58 mins so 3 mins slower but I'm not disappointed as I felt really good, in fact the best I've felt after a 10k so even though I was slower it's boosted my confidence for the half

rubato - I think the weirdness of getting a cabbage is what drew me to enter the race in the first place Apparently back in the day when the race began the organiser didn't have any money to pay for medals, trophies etc so gave everyone a cabbage from her farm and the cabbage thing has just stuck. So 10k complete and I am now the proud owner of a cabbage

 

[kim3339]

I know, think panick is starting to creep in slightly though soooo excited about our holiday and of course the whole Marathon Weekend I'm just ignoring the nerves

Doing a 10K this morning, weather looks grey but I'll take grey over grey with added rain!! Prizes this morning are a T-shirt, medal and a cabbage, yes you did read it right a cabbage, so at 9K when I feel like collapsing I'll just think of that cabbage at the end, sure it'll spur me on

Good luck, or should I say Congrats by the time you read this, on the 10K. I love the cabbage freebee. That has got to be one of the more unique things I've heard about at races!