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

[dismagiclover]

Just finished my 18 miler in sub freezing temps and wind. I guess I can't complain though because it sounds like you have it worse, Frank. It went well and now I only have the 20 miler left for the super long runs. It's crazy to me that I can think of a 14 miler as a shorter run It's starting to feel like I really am going to do this thing!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Stupid question...but how do we find out which corral we are in? My submitted time was 55 min for a 10k.

TIA

 

[rubato]

So, it sounds like most people are stopping at 20 mile training runs. Is it just overkill that I did the 22 miler and am planning a 24 miler? I just figured I'd be more prepared that way. I don't know if I should change the 24 miler to something else now. Advice please

 

[FireDancer]

Stupid question...but how do we find out which corral we are in? My submitted time was 55 min for a 10k.

TIA

It will be on your waiver once they are available online. The waiver will have your starting corral and your bib number. If you have run a faster time since you submitted your time you can bring proof with you and if the new time is fast enough to move you up a corral they will do that at the expo.

This is based on past years, I can't guarantee it will not change but it is highly unlikely that it will.

So, it sounds like most people are stopping at 20 mile training runs. Is it just overkill that I did the 22 miler and am planning a 24 miler? I just figured I'd be more prepared that way. I don't know if I should change the 24 miler to something else now. Advice please

The majority of programs I've seen top off at 10 miles for a half and 20 for a full. Mine (Hal Higdon's Intermediate) has two 20 milers, this week and in two weeks. It isn't wrong to do 22 or 24 but I personally don't think it is necessary.

Faster runners will often run longer because you want to run at least one run that is over two hours. Generally speaking the body can store about enough glycogen for about two hours of work (one hour in the muscles and an additional hour in the liver). Since a marathon will take longer than that you will want to run at least once but in reality at least a couple of time past the point of glycogen depletion so you are aware of how it feels when you hit that point. This is what people are talking about when they say they bonked or hit the wall.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

So, it sounds like most people are stopping at 20 mile training runs. Is it just overkill that I did the 22 miler and am planning a 24 miler? I just figured I'd be more prepared that way. I don't know if I should change the 24 miler to something else now. Advice please

Jeff Galloway told me to go over the 20 mile threshold that Hal Higdon sets only because I get really bored and lose a lot of motivation at the ending longest run. So, for my half marathon in September, I was bored out of my mind by mile 10. So, I will be going up to 28 miles with my longest run before the WDW Marathon. I hope it works because I really do not like fighting through the last several miles all out of just wanting things to be done.

I do trust Jeff Galloway with his expertise because his 30 second intervals have made a huge difference to me. So, I do trust that I will be in better spirits by the end of the Marathon. I don't know about others, but jumping up to the Marathon distances from doing the Half Marathons has been quite an adjustment. When I surpassed the 13 mile mark, it was just unbelievable that I had to go further than that. I am getting a bit adjusted now, Thankfully but I really think that the WDW Marathon will be my first and last Full.

 

[FFigawi]

So, it sounds like most people are stopping at 20 mile training runs. Is it just overkill that I did the 22 miler and am planning a 24 miler? I just figured I'd be more prepared that way. I don't know if I should change the 24 miler to something else now. Advice please

I don't think 24 miles is necessary either. My training plans top out at either 20 or 22, and that's plenty for me. It's not much less time on my feet as the full marathon, giving me the opportunity to make sure my fueling plan works as expected.

 

[rubato]

I've done an 18, 20 and 22. I'm scheduled to do the 24 on the 17th. If I don't do the 24, should I do another 22 or a 20? I definitely hit that wall on both the 20 and the 22, so I'm very aware of that. I also worked through it on both runs and pushed past it. Originally, the plan I am using had me doing the 18 and 20, but then, a 21 which I pushed up to a 22. Then, I added the 24 and tweaked the whole plan. So, I don't want to taper too quickly. I think that running my last really long run on the 17th is wise. That gives me a full 3 weeks before Goofy.

 

[cewait]

It will be on your waiver once they are available online. The waiver will have your starting corral and your bib number. If you have run a faster time since you submitted your time you can bring proof with you and if the new time is fast enough to move you up a corral they will do that at the expo.

This is based on past years, I can't guarantee it will not change but it is highly unlikely that it will.

A slight correction unless this year brings a change, you will know your race number not the corral with the issuance of the waiver. The corral is on the bib issued at the expo. It's not hard to get an idea of where you are and in the past WDWM has leaked corral info out. Once the waivers aer out we need to set up a waiver thred along with expected times. From there we should be able to get a feel for corrals. In real general terms the corrals have been about 2000-2500 folks - but that was before the realignment of the start.

So, it sounds like most people are stopping at 20 mile training runs. Is it just overkill that I did the 22 miler and am planning a 24 miler? I just figured I'd be more prepared that way. I don't know if I should change the 24 miler to something else now. Advice please

Jeff Galloway told me to go over the 20 mile threshold that Hal Higdon sets only because I get really bored and lose a lot of motivation at the ending longest run. So, for my half marathon in September, I was bored out of my mind by mile 10. So, I will be going up to 28 miles with my longest run before the WDW Marathon. I hope it works because I really do not like fighting through the last several miles all out of just wanting things to be done.

I do trust Jeff Galloway with his expertise because his 30 second intervals have made a huge difference to me. So, I do trust that I will be in better spirits by the end of the Marathon. I don't know about others, but jumping up to the Marathon distances from doing the Half Marathons has been quite an adjustment. When I surpassed the 13 mile mark, it was just unbelievable that I had to go further than that. I am getting a bit adjusted now, Thankfully but I really think that the WDW Marathon will be my first and last Full.

In all seriousness, jeff limits first timers to 23 or 26 depending on the program and the date issued. I would seriously re-evaluate running 28. It's been my experience with runners that that is an invitation to injury. For a first time runner I would seriously look at a 20 -23 mile cap. I could be persuaded that a longer run is in order if your running log demonstrated several weeks of 50-70+ mile weeks; but most of us are not in that camp.

I tend to agree with Frank that after a few marathons are under one belt that limiting long runs to 3 hours or so is in order. For me I would not run a training run any longer than 3-3:15 any more; but then I also know what demons I will be fighting on race day and have a full tool set of mental and physical work arounds that I know work for me personally.

Just my opinion and experience on the subject - but if I were your coach I would cut your shoe laces at mile 23 . (OK really not). As with all things in this arena, YMMV and the fact that we are all an experiment of one makes no 'correct' answer.

 

[cewait]

I've done an 18, 20 and 22. I'm scheduled to do the 24 on the 17th. If I don't do the 24, should I do another 22 or a 20? I definitely hit that wall on both the 20 and the 22, so I'm very aware of that. I also worked through it on both runs and pushed past it. Originally, the plan I am using had me doing the 18 and 20, but then, a 21 which I pushed up to a 22. Then, I added the 24 and tweaked the whole plan. So, I don't want to taper too quickly. I think that running my last really long run on the 17th is wise. That gives me a full 3 weeks before Goofy.

No pull back weekends?

Maybe there are and just not listed. Since you have run a 20 and a 22 and have worked through some of the demons I would set your cap at one of these distances. I would also have your last long run on Christmas Weekend giving you three full weeks of taper. Stopping at the 17 is really four weeks.

Hope this helps

 

[FireDancer]

A slight correction unless this year brings a change, you will know your race number not the corral with the issuance of the waiver. The corral is on the bib issued at the expo. It's not hard to get an idea of where you are and in the past WDWM has leaked corral info out. Once the waivers aer out we need to set up a waiver thred along with expected times. From there we should be able to get a feel for corrals. In real general terms the corrals have been about 2000-2500 folks - but that was before the realignment of the start.

Thanks for the correction. I must have gotten the Disney waiver mixed up with another race that lists the corral and the number.

 

[rubato]

No pull back weekends?

Maybe there are and just not listed. Since you have run a 20 and a 22 and have worked through some of the demons I would set your cap at one of these distances. I would also have your last long run on Christmas Weekend giving you three full weeks of taper. Stopping at the 17 is really four weeks.

Hope this helps

Sorry, I didn't add those weekends in. Yes, I'm only doing those long runs every 3rd weekend.

I was planning the 24 miles on the 17th, a 14 miler on the 24th and a 10 miler on the 1st. So, you're saying I should do the longer one on the 24th? To me that seems to be cutting it close.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I've done an 18, 20 and 22. I'm scheduled to do the 24 on the 17th. If I don't do the 24, should I do another 22 or a 20? I definitely hit that wall on both the 20 and the 22, so I'm very aware of that. I also worked through it on both runs and pushed past it. Originally, the plan I am using had me doing the 18 and 20, but then, a 21 which I pushed up to a 22. Then, I added the 24 and tweaked the whole plan. So, I don't want to taper too quickly. I think that running my last really long run on the 17th is wise. That gives me a full 3 weeks before Goofy.

I would personally do a couple lower mileage weeks (I would do 14 miles next weekend and 10 on the 17th) and then 20 on Christmas weekend, and then taper. I feel like every training run past 20 miles at this point is just asking for trouble. I overtrained for my first half and ended up with a dislocated cuboid bone, which led to me spraining my ankle during the actual event. It sucked. I've always erred on the side of caution since then.

YMMV. I'm far from the most experienced person here, but there's my two cents.

 

[rubato]

I would personally do a couple lower mileage weeks (I would do 14 miles next weekend and 10 on the 17th) and then 20 on Christmas weekend, and then taper. I feel like every training run past 20 miles at this point is just asking for trouble. I overtrained for my first half and ended up with a dislocated cuboid bone, which led to me spraining my ankle during the actual event. It sucked. I've always erred on the side of caution since then.

YMMV. I'm far from the most experienced person here, but there's my two cents.

I did a 14 this last weekend and will be doing an 8 this coming weekend. I completely agree about injury. No thanks. I'm already nursing a pulled glute, I don't need to be adding to that! I guess I didn't make it clear that I wasn't running those long distances in a row.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I did a 14 this last weekend and will be doing an 8 this coming weekend. I completely agree about injury. No thanks. I'm already nursing a pulled glute, I don't need to be adding to that!

Actually, I just looked at the calendar and I'm totally wrong! I would agree with you to start your taper after the 17th. I have my longest run scheduled for the 26th, but I'm just running the half this year so I am purposely doing a shorter taper. I would still personally trade in the 24 mile run for a 20 mile. If you've done 22, you know you can do 26... and especially if you're already nursing an injury, I wouldn't push past 20 miles just to prove that you can.

Coach, are you sure that it's a 3 week taper from Christmas weekend? Am I counting weeks completely backwards?

 

[FFigawi]

Coach, are you sure that it's a 3 week taper from Christmas weekend? Am I counting weeks completely backwards?

I was going to mention that too. Charles, I think you're a week behind on your calendar. If a last long run is on the weekend of Dec 25/26, there are only two full weeks until the race on the weekend of Jan 8/9.

 

[cewait]

Thanks for the correction. I must have gotten the Disney waiver mixed up with another race that lists the corral and the number.

Good ol RNR Races....




And for the calendar challenged among us...
YES, I admit that the calendar at work still says November... Or at least that IS my story.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

A slight correction unless this year brings a change, you will know your race number not the corral with the issuance of the waiver. The corral is on the bib issued at the expo. It's not hard to get an idea of where you are and in the past WDWM has leaked corral info out. Once the waivers aer out we need to set up a waiver thred along with expected times. From there we should be able to get a feel for corrals. In real general terms the corrals have been about 2000-2500 folks - but that was before the realignment of the start.

In all seriousness, jeff limits first timers to 23 or 26 depending on the program and the date issued. I would seriously re-evaluate running 28. It's been my experience with runners that that is an invitation to injury. For a first time runner I would seriously look at a 20 -23 mile cap. I could be persuaded that a longer run is in order if your running log demonstrated several weeks of 50-70+ mile weeks; but most of us are not in that camp.

I tend to agree with Frank that after a few marathons are under one belt that limiting long runs to 3 hours or so is in order. For me I would not run a training run any longer than 3-3:15 any more; but then I also know what demons I will be fighting on race day and have a full tool set of mental and physical work arounds that I know work for me personally.

Just my opinion and experience on the subject - but if I were your coach I would cut your shoe laces at mile 23 . (OK really not). As with all things in this arena, YMMV and the fact that we are all an experiment of one makes no 'correct' answer.

My training program has 40+ miles per week at this point. I actually talked to Jeff in person and he said 28 miles so I went with it. The Hal Higdon Plan though has a max of 20 miles. I wouldn't hate to stop at 20 - after all I just did 18 miles and although I started out not happy about running that distance, for some reason after the 4 mile mark, I was feeling great and actually felt like running a lot more! I haven't really been sore and my IT band hasn't acted up at all. If you think 20 is sufficient and I won't have to push myself those last 6.2 miles fighting boredom and grumpiness that the race isn't over already, then I will stick with Hal's plan since I do trust your opinion. I just need to find a different type of motivation for the last 6 miles I guess.

I am definitely not wanting to get into the overtrain category...never been there yet and never want to be. After all, I do have the Princess a month after.

 

[KAA1972]

Has anyone ever stayed at Bonnet Creek resort for marathon weekend? We will have a car so we could drive to the start. I am once again... rethinking my resort choice... uggh! We just did 8 days at WDW in a value with our two year old and I just don't think I can do that pre-race or even post-race for that matter.....

Not to mention -- Disney lost our reservation and it took us 4 hours to check in.

 

[cewait]

My training program has 40+ miles per week at this point. I actually talked to Jeff in person and he said 28 miles so I went with it. The Hal Higdon Plan though has a max of 20 miles. I wouldn't hate to stop at 20 - after all I just did 18 miles and although I started out not happy about running that distance, for some reason after the 4 mile mark, I was feeling great and actually felt like running a lot more! I haven't really been sore and my IT band hasn't acted up at all. If you think 20 is sufficient and I won't have to push myself those last 6.2 miles fighting boredom and grumpiness that the race isn't over already, then I will stick with Hal's plan since I do trust your opinion. I just need to find a different type of motivation for the last 6 miles I guess.

I am definitely not wanting to get into the overtrain category...never been there yet and never want to be. After all, I do have the Princess a month after.

What I cannot predict is what those 6 miles will feel like on race day but running a 28 will not necessarily be a predictor either. I am concerned about over distancing a marathon in training for a first time runner. I think that since you had an issue with the last 3 in the first half you ran that a 23-24 mile long run seems like a good compromise. Really there are no magical absolute truths in this, rather it is a lot about creating the tools to get through the mental game.

 

[verticalchaos]

1 month today is the 5K!

We're almost there!!!!