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

[Disney Yooper]

I'd welcome advice and thoughts! I felt like I was doing great with training up until July. I was running about 14:00/mile (which was great for me since I started at near 17). Breathing was good too. I was running 5 min walking 2. Then I got shingles and feel like I haven't been the same since. I did take about 2 weeks off. Then I tried to start where I left off. Oh I did raise the incline on treadmill about that time after reading on here that it should be inclined a little. I've been doing two 3.25 milers and trying to increase my long run by 1/2 mile each week. In July I was up to 6.5, so I went back down to 5.5 and am working my way up. Unfortunately these runs seem very hard since July. Breathing isn't as easy (have asthma too) and I'm slower- about 15:30. I'm back up to 6 for my long run. I also went down to 4 min run, 2 min walk. I'm feeling very discouraged by all this. I've actually started to doubt my ability to make it in time for the Jan half. Should I see if I can switch my registration to the princess? Or is this doable?

You have plenty of time to improve. Don't give it up. Just take one run at a time. Adjust as needed for yourself.

 

[dreams91]

You have plenty of time to improve. Don't give it up. Just take one run at a time. Adjust as needed for yourself.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I haven't given up yet. Maybe I'll try to change my intervals back to 3/2 until my body is ready.

 

[runningmomof5]

Hi Cherie,
Please do NOT doubt yourself. I know it is easier said than done but you can do it! I only started running last May and in August I was feeling very discouraged. I have asthma too and running with the humidity we had was difficult so I did lots of treadmill training. With encouragement from my family and after reading lots of running blogs, I persevered and just last week, I completed my 1st half-marathon. I started off like you 17min/mile and it was a hard road to get faster. To be honest, I am no "road runner" but my pace for the half was 13h20/mile so I did improve over the 6 months of training. I do 3/1 intervals... So please keep it up. The feeling that you will have when you approach the last few miles is amazing and will be worth the ups and downs of training!!! Keep it up, you'll do great!

 

[JJSWDW]

I started running at the very end of 2010. Did mostly treadmill until April. Got up to 7 miles inside with 2.5% incline. Switched to running outside and it was awful. Barely got a mile before my shins and calves were killing me. I was totally demoralized. Kept working at it until our summer vacation in June, then succumbed to doubt and gave up for a month. I was ready to eat the registration fee and cancel the trip.

However, nothing like a little old fashioned sibling rivalry to get going again. My older brother is also training for the half in January and he was still going. I tried to make excuses like he has more time because he doesn't have kids, etc. But in the end I couldn't give up if I knew he was still doing it. So in July I picked up training again. Switching to allow for walk intervals was huge. It really takes 2-3 miles before I get in a grove. It's still tough after those miles but everything is looser and the run intervals get longer.

Today I set a new PR for running outside at 7.19 miles. This is the most I have ever run outside in my life. Even when I was young I never went more than 3 miles and that was several decades ago! In fact I probably could've pushed another mile or so but felt the need to stop to avoid any injury or such.

My point: Never give up! Never surrender! I am not a runner, nor built like one. I spend most days at a desk and have some extra pounds on me from years of not exercising. As long as your health permits, seek out training advice and keep trying!

-J.

 

[dreams91]

Thanks for the stories and encouragement. I am going to try to keep going. I will slow it down for a bit and hope to find my groove again.

 

[Ronda93]

Hi Yooper! I'm on a MfM plan, too. We can keep each other company. 9 miles coming up!

Ronda

 

[LumberDad]

Just did my first 50K trail run last weekend. I got an email for the Disney 1/2 marathon and showed it to my wife and she was all for me doing it. If I am going to travel all the way to FL for a marathon I might as well do the whole thing, so I am in for the Goofy. Guess I should have a good base training started.

 

[jmasgat]

LumberDad Boy, you sure live up to the "go big or go home" attitude! But it sounds like you'll be in good shape. Where was your trail race? I am starting to make a mental note of 50k races in hopes of doing one (don't know when, exactly, but I have hope!)

Maura

 

[CaptHomer]

Ran 12 miles on Saturday (longest I have ever run) as part of my training plan. Woke up Sunday morning and could barely walk on my right leg. The top of my knee cap was killing me. I spent all day yesterday icing it. It didn't hurt when I went to bed but was sore this morning, not as bad as yesterday morning though.

I have a scheduled track workout tonight. I think I am going to have to skip it which I don't won't to do. Hopefully it will be better so I can do Wednesday's workout.

Question: How do you veterans handle these nagging little injurys in the middle of your training program? Do you make up the missed workouts or do you just pick up like you didn't miss anything?

 

[LumberDad]

LumberDad Boy, you sure live up to the "go big or go home" attitude! But it sounds like you'll be in good shape. Where was your trail race? I am starting to make a mental note of 50k races in hopes of doing one (don't know when, exactly, but I have hope!)

Maura

It was near Milwaukee WI, part of North Face Endurance. Great race but running a trail race is a lot harder than road running. You have a trail run in Hell MI I would like to try.

 

[CamS]

Hi CAm, thats a great time for first half race, well done.
I always just try to do what feels good, if its hurting too much, I stop.

Yeah I agree. Don't push yourself too hard on those first runs after a race.

I tend to try and take the first week after a half easy, doing more cardio/strength training then running.

Cam I would suggest running the 1/2 at a training pace--versus a race pace......except I am lousy at doing that! I think since you have a good base already and have done a half, you probably won't need more than 1-2 days to recover, particularly if you are doing a run/walk race. Don't know what you're training plan is like, but I think if you just take the first couple runs after your next half easy, then you';; probably be fine.

Thanks All

 

[Disney Yooper]

Hi Yooper! I'm on a MfM plan, too. We can keep each other company. 9 miles coming up!

Ronda

Sounds good to me. Have you run a full marathon before?

 

[stitchfan18]

It was near Milwaukee WI, part of North Face Endurance. Great race but running a trail race is a lot harder than road running. You have a trail run in Hell MI I would like to try.

I ran the marathon at their first road event in Kansas City about 3 weeks ago. If there trail races are as great as the road race, then I'm sure it was a great time. I'm thinking about doing the 50k next year if they come back.

 

[Tinkerboy00]

We are a week behind our training plan, so this weekend will be our longest run to date ever for our first Marathon at the end of October.

I would love to finish the Marathon in 5 hours (yes I'm slow) but am just making it my goal to finish in an upright position.

I think we are going to run/walk the half for Goofy and then use the Goofy Marathon to improve on our time from this first one in Oct.

 

[FFigawi]

Question: How do you veterans handle these nagging little injurys in the middle of your training program? Do you make up the missed workouts or do you just pick up like you didn't miss anything?

Don't try to make them up. That's often a recipe for an overtraining injury. Just rest up, get better, and get back at it. If you have to take a step down in mileage when you return, that's better than pushing too hard and re-injuring yourself.

 

[CaptHomer]

Don't try to make them up. That's often a recipe for an overtraining injury. Just rest up, get better, and get back at it. If you have to take a step down in mileage when you return, that's better than pushing too hard and re-injuring yourself.

Thanks John. I am going to give it a shot tomorrow and see if I can go without any pain. Not really having any now. I am trying one of those knee stablizer belts (don't know what to call it) that goes under your kneecap.
High in the lower 80s tomorrow should looking forward to that. Hope it cooled off in Houston as well.

Homer

 

[FFigawi]

It is cooling off here. Finally. It's supposed to be around 60 tonight, great conditions for tomorrow's long run.

 

[Ronda93]

Sounds good to me. Have you run a full marathon before?

No. I trained up for one in April (St Louis). The temps were so warm they closed the full course and made the slowpokes take the half turn. Mickey will be my first. You?

Ronda

 

[pilk]

just checking in, I have been lurking but haven't had time to post much on DIS. Last week I was away for a training requirement for work. Usually when our team goes to Tobermory for training something goes wrong. This year was my turn. My DW pulled her calf muscle and has a hard time walking now. She has been to the doctor and is getting massage therapy. Then while I am gone the dog blows out her knee. Not sure how bad the dogs knee is but she will be going for a consult and possible surgery on Monday. So far my knees has been good and no problems, hopefully they stay that way.

As for the training this have been good. In addition to my regular work schedule I am also called in for emergency duties. I had to cut a 90 min bike ride short when I was biking to work one morning when the cell phone started ringing with a callin duty. But, so far it hasn't gotten in the way of my actual run days.

Welcome to those that have joined the group.

Congrats to those that have completed races, overcome personal challenges, or are having good training days.

Jon

 

[Ronda93]

Our weather continues to be fabulous. Dry, but fabulous. Morning lows in the 50s. Every morning. I'm loving it.

This weekend was nine miles. First six were at a Ronda-quick pace, 11:30-40. Then the last three miles I really slowed down. Didn't feel like it at the time, but they were 12:30 or so. Something must have changed in my stride, too, as the cadence shot up as well. BUT, the moving parts felt fine.

Hope everyone had a great training weekend!

Ronda