OFFICIAL January 2012 5K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Goofy or Dopey Challenge Thread

[CoasterAddict]

I'm doing the half....baby steps!!

We'll have to try to run into one another. I know we're book ending the race with some WDW time with our nephew so we'll be pretty busy but I'm sure we can figure something out.

I'm not one to give up when I put my mind to something so I'm sure I'll be fine but the more real this thing gets the more nervous I get. This is a long time goal I'm trying to cross off the list.

I'm doing the half and (probably) the relay with my sis, the whole family does the 5k. Four halfs and 1 full marathon medals in my collection to date and honestly, this year is the first time I've gotten serious about training. You'll be *fine.*

 

[Dagny]

I'm doing the half....baby steps!!

We'll have to try to run into one another. I know we're book ending the race with some WDW time with our nephew so we'll be pretty busy but I'm sure we can figure something out.

I'm not one to give up when I put my mind to something so I'm sure I'll be fine but the more real this thing gets the more nervous I get. This is a long time goal I'm trying to cross off the list.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am doing my first half in 12 days at the Wine & Dine. I have been really really worried about it. My goal is to just finish ahead of the sweepers! I did 10 miles on Saturday and averaged right at 14 minutes per mile, but that is on a treadmill. That is the longest run/walk I have ever done so I am still nervous about adding 3 more miles on top of that AND running outside in the heat and humidity!

The good news is that you still have time to train. I will tell you that I regret not sticking better to my training schedule for this race. I hope I do better for the two I am running/walking in January!

 

[slapwhitey]

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am doing my first half in 12 days at the Wine & Dine. I have been really really worried about it. My goal is to just finish ahead of the sweepers! I did 10 miles on Saturday and averaged right at 14 minutes per mile, but that is on a treadmill. That is the longest run/walk I have ever done so I am still nervous about adding 3 more miles on top of that AND running outside in the heat and humidity!

The good news is that you still have time to train. I will tell you that I regret not sticking better to my training schedule for this race. I hope I do better for the two I am running/walking in January!

Most of mine is treadmill as well....actually all but my 2 short runs this past week. I did find it to put a little more strain on my legs and feet but they felt fine the next day. Kept the same pace if not just a hair quicker since I didn't have the treadmill keeping pace for me.

I'm trying hard to stick to the training schedule. Problem is I have 3 weekends in WDW from now til then and don't know how I'm going to squeeze in my saturday long runs amidst Food & Wine, MK 40th and some special events in December. Gonna have to try to get up early I guess.

 

[Nayrb]

I did my 17 mile run yesterday, it took me longer than I wanted but I am happy that I finished. That is my game plan for the marathon, to be happy with the fact I get to go home with another medal.

But also wanted to add that after the run yesterday, I did the cold bath thing, and wow I am not nearly as sore as I have been after other longer runs.

Thanks so much for info about ice baths after a long run idea.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am doing my first half in 12 days at the Wine & Dine. I have been really really worried about it. My goal is to just finish ahead of the sweepers! I did 10 miles on Saturday and averaged right at 14 minutes per mile, but that is on a treadmill. That is the longest run/walk I have ever done so I am still nervous about adding 3 more miles on top of that AND running outside in the heat and humidity!

The good news is that you still have time to train. I will tell you that I regret not sticking better to my training schedule for this race. I hope I do better for the two I am running/walking in January!

We all worry about the sweepers - for me the other evil are parades! I see a parade at Disney and I run! The keep moving thing after your first 1/2 Marathon is so important and the parade made me stand in the same spot for a few minutes which was not good. So, parades are more scary then sweepers. I am sure you will never see a sweeper. I still haven't...but I imagine them in grim reaper costumes! I do all my training on the treadmill as well and my pace has always improved at Disney. Guess it is all the Pixie Dust - well that and the fact that a lot of people are around you. It helps with benchmarking. We will think nice and cool temperatures for the W&D! You will do great - the extra three miles do kind of suck - I won't lie but I am curious as to how running that late at night will be. Will I be more motivated to go to sleep or eat? Time will tell!

Regardless, I have a feeling that we will have cool temps in January for WDW Marathon Weekend. I am really pushing for snow in Atlanta Again!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Well, I ran my first official race EVER yesterday, a 5K which was hilly. I did it in 36:02. While I know it wasn't very fast, I was really pleased with how I did and that I ran the whole thing. Before May 1, I wouldn't run if you were chasing me. Although I'm psyched about it, it does make me realize I still have a lot of work to do before the 1/2. I'm thinking of doing another 5k and a 10k in october, and a 15K in november to start a progression.

woohooo, well done

Went to the doctor today, just a small ankle strain! Just have to rest and I'll be good to go Thanks for the help guys!

Thats great news

Have not posted much on this thread but have intently followed. Now that I'm into week 3 or whatever it is of my "official" training I'm starting to get a little nervous. Been run/walking for most of the year now and cant seem to comfortably get past about the 14:00-14:30 minute per mile pace.

Trying to figure out if I'm getting too wrapped up in the time per se and should just concentrate on finishing in front of the sweeper without needing oxygen at the end. First one ever and really want to finish this thing without too much stress.

It's been great following along with everyone else on this common journey.

Chris

I really wouldnt stress too much, every time I try to go quicker, I manage to get injured, just go with whats comfy and I bet you get quicker.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am doing my first half in 12 days at the Wine & Dine. I have been really really worried about it. My goal is to just finish ahead of the sweepers! I did 10 miles on Saturday and averaged right at 14 minutes per mile, but that is on a treadmill. That is the longest run/walk I have ever done so I am still nervous about adding 3 more miles on top of that AND running outside in the heat and humidity!

The good news is that you still have time to train. I will tell you that I regret not sticking better to my training schedule for this race. I hope I do better for the two I am running/walking in January!

!6 weeks and counting.

 

[RunRookie]

Well, I ran my first official race EVER yesterday, a 5K which was hilly. I did it in 36:02. While I know it wasn't very fast, I was really pleased with how I did and that I ran the whole thing. Before May 1, I wouldn't run if you were chasing me. Although I'm psyched about it, it does make me realize I still have a lot of work to do before the 1/2. I'm thinking of doing another 5k and a 10k in october, and a 15K in november to start a progression.

Congratulations!!!

You and I are on similar paths. In fact, I have a 10K this Saturday! I would say 'go for it'! I also have a 15K in November. What I did was schedule races so that their distances coincided with my training progression. So I have 4 races (scheduled between now and the end of November) that fall on my training plan as a Long Run. Those races become part of my overall training for the WDW Half.

 

[Dagny]

We all worry about the sweepers - for me the other evil are parades! I see a parade at Disney and I run! The keep moving thing after your first 1/2 Marathon is so important and the parade made me stand in the same spot for a few minutes which was not good. So, parades are more scary then sweepers. I am sure you will never see a sweeper. I still haven't...but I imagine them in grim reaper costumes! I do all my training on the treadmill as well and my pace has always improved at Disney. Guess it is all the Pixie Dust - well that and the fact that a lot of people are around you. It helps with benchmarking. We will think nice and cool temperatures for the W&D! You will do great - the extra three miles do kind of suck - I won't lie but I am curious as to how running that late at night will be. Will I be more motivated to go to sleep or eat? Time will tell!

Regardless, I have a feeling that we will have cool temps in January for WDW Marathon Weekend. I am really pushing for snow in Atlanta Again!

Aren't you supposed to tell me that the last 3 miles are the VERY best?

I have been doing my running/walking at night. When I was crazy enough to run outside, I had to wait until the sun went down or else I would have died from heat stroke (living in TX will do that to you). I finally gave up and moved inside to the treadmill in August when it was still 100+ degrees at midnight!!! I haven't left the treadmill since. I am actually really concerned about having to do a run in the morning. I am definitely a night owl. Mornings are not my thing let alone having to get up early to run 13 miles.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Aren't you supposed to tell me that the last 3 miles are the VERY best?

I have been doing my running/walking at night. When I was crazy enough to run outside, I had to wait until the sun went down or else I would have died from heat stroke (living in TX will do that to you). I finally gave up and moved inside to the treadmill in August when it was still 100+ degrees at midnight!!! I haven't left the treadmill since. I am actually really concerned about having to do a run in the morning. I am definitely a night owl. Mornings are not my thing let alone having to get up early to run 13 miles.

Im sure it will be fine, heck my body wont have a clue what the time is!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Congratulations!!!

You and I are on similar paths. In fact, I have a 10K this Saturday! I would say 'go for it'! I also have a 15K in November. What I did was schedule races so that their distances coincided with my training progression. So I have 4 races (scheduled between now and the end of November) that fall on my training plan as a Long Run. Those races become part of my overall training for the WDW Half.

Thats good, well planned I have to say!

 

[RunRookie]

Here in Illinois, we have the issue of cold/snow weather conditions as we head into the winter. I may have to go back to the treadmill towards the end of my training. I am not sure if I can handle 11-12 mile runs on the treadmill without going stir crazy.

Maybe I will have to bring the iPad so I can watch TV while running on the treadmill to keep my brain occupied. Or, I will have to invest in the layers necessary (which I might have to do anyway in case WDW is cold in January).

You might want to do some running at 5am so your body gets used to it, and, you get a feel for what kind of fueling you need to perform well at that early hour. Assuming that your 1/2 is starting in the morning.

 

[jmasgat]

Rick Unless the weather is really nasty or the footing is bad, it is still possible to do the LR outdoors (with the right gear). But last winter I was forced to do one 15 mile run on the TM. My solution--which I admit only works if you are at a gym--was to break the run down into three 5-mile segments. After 5 miles, when I normally stop for a gel break anyway, I switched treadmills. Not a big deal, but it's much easier to reach that small distance instead of the big one!

Maura

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Aren't you supposed to tell me that the last 3 miles are the VERY best?

I have been doing my running/walking at night. When I was crazy enough to run outside, I had to wait until the sun went down or else I would have died from heat stroke (living in TX will do that to you). I finally gave up and moved inside to the treadmill in August when it was still 100+ degrees at midnight!!! I haven't left the treadmill since. I am actually really concerned about having to do a run in the morning. I am definitely a night owl. Mornings are not my thing let alone having to get up early to run 13 miles.

Just being honest because so many people, including trainers stated that the extra three miles that you didn't train for in most training plans weren't a big deal. I have always found them to be a big deal. It is when my will is most tested on most of the courses and when I want the race to be over with. The DL Half has been the only race I have run twice and I must admit that extra three miles didn't seem nearly as bad the second time around. Perhaps because I kind of knew what to expect. So, I really hope that carries over into the WDW Marathon... The best miles in Disney for any race are when you go through the parks - even though more crowded than the rest of the course it is the most fun in my opinion.

 

[FFigawi]

I finally gave up and moved inside to the treadmill in August when it was still 100+ degrees at midnight!!! I haven't left the treadmill since.

Just a word of caution - it's not really a good idea to do all of your runs on a treadmill. Your body needs to get used to the effort and pounding it takes when running outside. Even on pavement, your feet, ankles, and knees are constantly adjusting to variations in the surface and working hard and building strength that you just can't get on a treadmill. Most of the people in our running group who have trained primarily on a treadmill end up suffering from shin splints or knee problems when they hit high training miles or the race outside.

 

[FireDancer]

Just a word of caution - it's not really a good idea to do all of your runs on a treadmill. Your body needs to get used to the effort and pounding it takes when running outside. Even on pavement, your feet, ankles, and knees are constantly adjusting to variations in the surface and working hard and building strength that you just can't get on a treadmill. Most of the people in our running group who have trained primarily on a treadmill end up suffering from shin splints or knee problems when they hit high training miles or the race outside.

I want to second that. You use the muscles in your legs very differently on the treadmill than you do when running outside. I personally hate the treadmill and managed to do all my training for the January 2011 marathon outside (though some runs were in snow storms). I realize some people don't loathe it as much as me and it can have it's place but it shouldn't be your primary tool, at least not for long runs.

Mirinda Carfrae, who won the Ironman World Championship last year and is one of the two strongest runners in long distance triathlons. She does her speedwork on the treadmill and all her other work on pavement or trails. That is probably the best use of the treadmill IMO.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

This is an amazingly inspiring video...............


http://youtu.be/1eCRx_ArgyA

re disney half and full maraton.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Just a word of caution - it's not really a good idea to do all of your runs on a treadmill. Your body needs to get used to the effort and pounding it takes when running outside. Even on pavement, your feet, ankles, and knees are constantly adjusting to variations in the surface and working hard and building strength that you just can't get on a treadmill. Most of the people in our running group who have trained primarily on a treadmill end up suffering from shin splints or knee problems when they hit high training miles or the race outside.

I do nearly all of my training on the treadmill, using the Hill Program and doing intervals so that there is significant incline and have never had shin splints or knee problems. I think that the key is making sure that you are not running on the treadmill at a zero incline. It has no purpose at all. My only issues have been because I either didn't keep moving after the race, or had too much fun in the parks before the race and my feet were too tired to go from standing up in lines all day to run/walk 26.2 miles. Both just beginners mistakes and since the Marathon I have had zero issues. I think the key with the treadmill is that you really have to get that cross training in. But, really that should apply to everyone. Circuit training and Cycling are just as important to my training as is the treadmill. It is boring, but sometimes can be pretty interesting at the gym. My favorite thing about the treadmill is that it really helps with my pace. I don't have to look at Runkeeper or my Nike+ stuff to know where I am at with time and if I meeting my goals, exceeding them or missing them. Like your style of running a race, doing intervals, race-walking or walking it is completely an individual thing. I know of more people getting injuries after training outside (because most don't cross-train or circuit train) than by doing treadmill training. I personally feel safer training the way that I do because I don't like running alone and my running group likes meeting at 4:30 a.m. which is not my cup of tea.

http://running.competitor.com/2010/12/features/treadmill-time_18361

You have to do what works for you and initially, it is all about trial and error and learning from your mistakes. Every race has been a learning experience which I think is why I keep signing up for them.

 

[Shannon84]

I am nervous beyond belief, but I am officially signed up for the marathon now I can't believe I am going to do a full marathon!!

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

So I got some sad news... due to my back injury last week I am officially out of the race. I had to scrap my 5K last weekend and the 10K this weekend, but was hoping to get the OK to re-start training in time. No such luck.

I am really bummed, but do not want to push so hard I get hurt even more.

So, I am shooting for next year January...

Happy training and race day to all of you!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

So I got some sad news... due to my back injury last week I am officially out of the race. I had to scrap my 5K last weekend and the 10K this weekend, but was hoping to get the OK to re-start training in time. No such luck.

I am really bummed, but do not want to push so hard I get hurt even more.

So, I am shooting for next year January...

Happy training and race day to all of you!

That is such a bummer! Sending tons of healing thoughts your way!