~Philadelphia Marathon 11/23/08~

[Optimator]

Hey everyone! Just been too lazy to post the last couple of days.

Colleen (if you're checking in from WDW), Chester, and Steve - I'M EXTREMELY JEALOUS!! I'm not "Mr. Christmas Spirit" or anything but for some reason this year I'm really bummed about not getting to see all the decorations and Holiday stuff. I guess I blew it by not suggesting to DW (or miracle of miracles even trying to plan myself!) an early December trip.

On the bright side, only a few more weeks until we go (without the kiddies too!).

Cindy - I was kicking myself for not knowing about the 10k in Fairfax when I started reading your report. Then I was glad I didn't know by the time I was done reading.

You asked last week what marathon I ran in May. It was in Frederick, MD. Nice, small race. It's the same weekend as Minnie.

Sara - Hooray for the packet (but do you really know anything now that you didn't before ).

Stop the presses - The packet has finally arrived. I guess that means there will be an attempt at a LR this weekend .

I didn't know that we didn't have to train until the packet arrived!! I could have had a few weeks of rest. Rats!

Lou - WTG on the great run! Glad you're feeling like your old self again. My unsolicited advice: take it real easy on your 20 miler this weekend. A good pace means nothing, but aggravating an injury sure could take some of the fun out of the upcoming race.

Jodi - My, how you paint a vivid picture! I hope your tummy is feeling better. We have some friends that are running the half. Kathy was telling me that she thinks they have late ressies for dinner at Boma the night before . I love the food there but it always does a number on my system (Boma Belly, I call it). I see multiple Jodi-stops in their future.

Kathy and I are getting each other our marathon weekend trip to Disney for Christmas, so no other gifts. Well, she couldn't help herself so I got a couple of "Happy December" presents from her last week. She beat me to the punch and got a copy of Chi Running. I was just at the bookstore a couple of nights before looking at it for her but didn't have any cash (She's a meticulous statement checker so I can't use a credit card if I want to surprise her). I'm sure I'll be a changed man the next time you see me!

Dave - Way to keep getting at it. Running in that much snow, up hills? Hard core!

Chester - I'm happy that you are feeling fine. Enjoy your weekend. You may be longing for the solitude of a nice long run from the sounds of it. What are Tracy's plans for the marathon? Is she going to give it a go?


I got 5 TM miles in Weds PM for my first miles this week. I hope to get a couple more runs in this week with a 12 mile LR over the weekend. I'm trying to figure out a schedule to get one more 20 miler in. There's only a couple of viable days left with work, holidays, travel, etc.

I'm also starting to struggle with race strategy. Do I cruise through both races and try to enjoy things or cruise through the half and push it as much as possible for the full (pride is an ugly trait, don't you think?)? Any thoughts?

 

[Jodi]

Hey dudes!

How's everyone doing today??

Mike - So happy the ChiRunning book is at least in your home at this point . Listen, disregard all the stuff if that's not your gig, but really take some of the technique he has in there & try to apply it to your running - I know Kathy'll get it . Didn't know you were w/o kidlings this trip, what fun!! Should make for a less stressful kind of run, no? Race strategy? Oh man, I KNOW that ? wasn't directed to me!! . I have 2 theories, here goes. 1. Run 1/2 quickly to be on my feet less time, a little over 2 hours goal, then just try & get thru the full, take walk breaks after 15 miles or so & finish in time to catch my flight . 2. Take the 1/2 easy & "save up" energy for the full & try to run the whole thing. Trouble w/ #2 is that I don't think my "save energy" idea's going to work 'cause by mile 18 @ MCM I was DONE & that's w/ a full taper b4, so....I'm leaning w/ #1...BTW, I was holding back on my "JodiStopStory", you want vivid, I'll give you vivid, my friend!!! Sorry to offend all those faint of heart & w/ delicate sensibilities .

Lou - I've had, uh, belly issues for a while...scroll back thru some posts back during MCM training & you'll get the gist of that real quick . Glad I'm not the only one; perhaps you & I should look into Techwear Depends or somethin'? Glad your feeling super, but I'm w/ Chester & Mike to go easy from here on in.

ChesterCamper - Wow, you guys've got a full house in that camper this weekend! Have a great time. Don't worry about all that trainin' crap, it's all good, just ask your DS. .

CLW & Dave - Really WISH you were going to be there in Jan Stop running in the snow, Dave, you'll get damaged! CLouWho - stop working so much, it's Christmas time!

Colleen - We're not speaking 'cause you're in WDW & I'm in Connecticut OK, have fun...

Sara - Are you really not going to post again until after Christmas?? You're a female Scrooge!! BTW, are you going to run or anything this weekend?? I'm following your lead...

Steve - Have ya'll caught up on the since you've been back? Gotten any running in w/ all that snow?

I have to be @ DS school tomorrow @ noon, but meeting my parents @ my house around 11:30 so they can come w/ me to get him & watch them sing Christmas Carols @ school & all that holiday poop. I'm torn as to whether or not I should take the day off & run 2.5 hours tomorrow a.m. b4 the school thing, or if I should just wait until Sat. & do the whole 20 miles. Trouble is I'd like to have Sat. to bake cookies (that should be interesting) & do last minute shopping, but 2.5 hrs is NOT going to get me 20 miles. Can I splite my LR up? 14-15 miles Fri. & maybe another 5 Fri. afternoon or Sat. a.m.? That's soooo cheating, though. Sun. it's going to rain & we're supposed to go to the Patriots game, so that's out.... Someone make up my mind for me, STAT, 'cause I'm so aggrevated right now. Tomorrow woulda been perfect if it wasn't for my kids dopey school thing!! (Nice mom)

 

[rKyDeX]

Jodi
Your talents are needed at the "Last Minute Advice For First Time Marathoners?" thread. They are discussing restrooms in the parks and port-o-lets. It sounds like it's time for an expert to chime in.

Mike
Tracy is not going to even try. But, she is planning to start training for the Minnie.

Her bib will probably be used by one of the fathers on DD's soccer team.

Lou
My sister is a licensed Civil Engineer. She studied soils in college and now works as an Engineer in Stormwater Management for Sarasota County.


I finally got a mid week run in last night. It was an 8 mile cruise at 10:45mpm. Tonight I'm shooting for 5 miles at increasing intervals. I'm going to layout a 10 mile run through Ft Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge for Saturday morning on map my run. 20 miles on tap for Sunday. I'll probably split that into 3 loops through the neighborhood.


Looking forward to seeing my WISH Buds soon,

Chester
W.I.S.H. Half-Fast Missing Link Marathon Team

 

[SilverE]

Steve - Have ya'll caught up on the since you've been back? Gotten any running in w/ all that snow?

Laundry: Check.
Running: 5 more inches of snow today, and the kids were all home due to (another) school cancellation.

We haven't had a white Christmas here in southern Maine in 6 years, so although the scenery looks beautiful and it really does add to the holiday spirit, did we really need snow during the only December I was training for a marathon!

I truly believe that I will be exclusively treadmill from here on out until my running shoes touch the pavement of the Epcot parking lot in January. Off to the club tomorrow (final LR!) for a scheduled 20+ on the TM; there better be some good programs on cable.

Hope everyone is well

 

[SilverE]

Can I split my LR up? 14-15 miles Fri. & maybe another 5 Fri. afternoon or Sat. a.m.? That's soooo cheating, though. Sun. it's going to rain & we're supposed to go to the Patriots game, so that's out....

Split it up over the two days, bake some cookies, close the book on the long runs, and enjoy the Pats game on Sunday (take an umbrella). There, that's it, you are done. Start your taper and enjoy the holidays. You'll be fine for the Goofy, whether you go with your scenario #1 or #2. You'll be OK, you have a lot of miles in the bank from your MCM training; enjoy the two days of the Goofy.

There, my two cents. And try not to sit there figuring splits in your head while your son and his classmates are singing Christmas tunes .

 

[SilverE]

Yep, tonight I'm a posting fiend.

Colleen, Chester: I hope you are enjoying WDW. I heard a cold front came through recently; hey, it's warmer than where I am now.

Dave: Way to go on the mileage. I know I couldn't be that motivated in the snow/colder temps without a race right around the corner.

Mike: You need to have that checkbook with you for DW's gifts; remember, the check memo line should always read "running shoes." Good luck on that last 20-miler.

Cindy: A race where cars are cutting you off; what's up with that? I'm with you on the 10K distance; it's a painful run for a PR!

Sara: I got my race packet late as well. I'm with you on the drudgery of those last long mileage days. If you truly are taking a break from the boards, I hope your holiday was fun and relaxing.

Have a good night, all. I'm looking forward to putting some faces together with some names in three weeks.

 

[Optimator]

Mike: You need to have that checkbook with you for DW's gifts; remember, the check memo line should always read "running shoes."

Steve - Check Book? You mean there's an actual book? I can't tell you the last time I wrote a check.

Jodi
Your talents are needed at the "Last Minute Advice For First Time Marathoners?" thread. They are discussing restrooms in the parks and port-o-lets. It sounds like it's time for an expert to chime in.

Chester - The last thing we need is to let Jodi loose on a bunch of newbies She's likely to dispense some sage advice like "Lean on the Dumbo topiary and drop a deuce if you need to" .

I'd much rather be running through FW and over to the Wilderness Lodge than anywhere around here. Have fun!


Jodi - Split the run up if you need to. That's not cheating. Or do whatever you have time for, pretend like you're enjoying all the Christmas stuff and don't fret anymore about the run. Either way, enjoy the weekend.

I've got an idea for marathon weekend. I'll wear your chip on the other foot for the half and run fast. You wear my chip for the full and go all out. That way we both can take it easy for one race and enjoy it!


My best laid plans to run today were foiled by a sick princess. Kathy's training has been hit hard this week by those darn children as well.

On the bright side: They had the work Christmas party today and a). I didn't have to go and b). I get to eat leftover goodies all night .

 

[msblrobs]

Jodi - I guess I am going to have to attempt a LR this weekend since I have been diligently carbo loading for the last two days . It will be on the TM so I can't say how long it will be due to time constraints. I agree with Mike that you should just do what you can and not sweat it.

Steve - Wow, you are a posting fool! Sorry the snow is making the training difficult. I'm right there with you my friend. I think you're the only one here we have to put a face with...We're even cooler in person

Mike - I take comfort that you and Kathy are in the same boat as I am trying to train with 3 young kids at home over the holidays . DD6 asked me the other day if I was going to run with you guys at WDW and I told her "no, Mike would smoke me ." I told her I wanna run with Jodi after she goes with plan A with the walk breaks after the first 15 miles for the full Enjoy the leftovers tonight ! about the Dumbo topiary

Dave & Cindy -

Well, everyone else seems to be at WDW

I am feeling pretty good today so I am actually inspired to try to put in some respectable miles tomorrow. Running has felt good this week but I haven't been able to do all that much of it. Unfortunately, I suffer from lots of food allergies and the holidays tend to wreck havoc on my body which makes it difficult to muster up the energy for 20 miles. I hope everyone has awesome LR's this weekend as the icing on the cake before we can take a breather and enjoy the holidays .

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Good Morning All!!

Sara - I'm with you on the carbo loading, although mine seems to involve lots of cookies - I'm going to have to start running more or eating better, or else I'm going to need some new pants before the new year

Dave - Wow, running in the snow and up hills. Great job - I feel lazy.

Colleen and Chester – I hope you are having a great time in WDW. I am a bit jealous. I think its because I really want to see the castle. Or just b/c you are in Disney and I'm not.

Alright...I'm FIRED UP today! I did a 10-mile run this morning and knocked it out in 1:26:47 (8:40 pace). No groin pain...no knee pain...no feet pain!! Other than stopping to tie a shoelace I never stopped running under 9:00/mile. I think this is the best mid distance run I have had since September for the Philly 1/2 Marathon. That's also the last time I ran this far without any pain.

Lou - It's great to read posts like yours. I can "hear" your excitement in your words. Congrats. Reminds me of times when I've felt that excited about running and remembering those things can motivate me to push through some of the terrible runs.

Hey dudes!
CLW & Dave - Really WISH you were going to be there in Jan Stop running in the snow, Dave, you'll get damaged! CLouWho - stop working so much, it's Christmas time!

I WISH I was going to be there too. I'm getting really excited for you all. I am, however, really looking forward to the Minnie - Jodi - are you still planning on going? I'm sure by the time you read this whatever running you were going to do will already have gotten done. Knowing that you don't really care about getting any PRs during the Goofy, I'm sure you will be fine with whatever running you can get in. Have fun at the Pats game. I'm jealous.

Steve - Another 20 on the treadmill Best of luck.

Chester - The last thing we need is to let Jodi loose on a bunch of newbies She's likely to dispense some sage advice like "Lean on the Dumbo topiary and drop a deuce if you need to" .

Mike - Sorry to hear that your daughter is sick.

Well, this may be my last chance to post before Christmas as my computer room at home becomes the guest room. Christmas is at my place this year. I don’t really have much family (just my dad and sister) but it will still feel crowded because DH Matt and I live in a fairly small 2 bedroom condo. And we have four cats. And my sister is bringing her two cats. No, Matt and I did not intentionally acquire 4 cats to share our small condo with, but we each had 2 cats when we met. Our 4 cats have lived together for over 2 years now and are mostly ok with each other, but there are still attacks and various other problems. We actually had to put one of the cats on Prozac for awhile because she was so stressed out – I’m not kidding. So bringing my sister’s cats into the mix should be interesting, to say the least (the six cats have met before, but only when Dsis’s were very small kittens).

As for my running, I’ve only managed to run twice this week for a total of 9 miles. I’m going to try to run both Sat and Sun – I’ll probably need to in order to escape cat hell.

Good luck to everyone trying to get 20 milers in – I don’t envy you.

Wow - that was a long post - sorry about that!

I WISH everyone a happy holiday!

 

[Jodi]

Hey My Peeps!!

CLWho - any chance you can float some of those kitty prozacs my way for the holidays? . Sounds like you're going to have a very "close" Christmas!! Enjoy yourself & get a run in here & there if you can, don't sweat it! Yes, defeinitely planning on doing the Minnie!

Mike - Is there a problem w/ creating my own TopiaryToilet??? . Someones gotta let the newbies know it's ok to pull down their pants down on the side of the road . Hope the princesses feel better , nothin' fun about that. You'll find time for that run, don't worry. I always knock my boy out w/ Benadryl when he's sick . Listen, I'll run w/ your chip during the 1/2 & push it, but YOU have to wear mine for the 26! I've always wanted to run @ under 4 hours & that's prolly the only way it'll ever happen .

Steve - Holy crap!! 20 miles on the dread? What are you gonna watch "Gone With the Wind" this time?? You are nuts! Allright w/ the snow already, it's getting a little silly now, no? Can't wait to meet you, too . We're gonna have so much fun, running 'til it hurts!

Sara - Yeh, what's up w/ the involuntary carbo loading?? , I'm feelin' ya! I hope you get lots & lots of miles in tomorrow, you've got to run for both of us. Hope you do run/walk the full w/ me. Not sure I can make it to 15 w/o walk breaks, though. How'd you handle the Goofy? This is unkown territory for me, anything could happen (you might read about it in the paper the next day) ...

Lou - Don't forget, slow down you wild man!!

To all those in "The World" this weekend. And what's w/ everyone going w/o kids & spouses???? Can someone tell me this next time b4 I book flights??

Thanks for all the advice on my training. I ended going 11 miles this am, nice a slow, a little under 10mm miles (all the ones under 10 mins. were downhill ). I'll do another 11 or 12 tomorrow & that's that!! I was encouraged by my run today & tried to count my blessings that I COULD run, some people can't....that didn't work for very long, though & I became agitated & argued w/ myself in my head & swore loudly @ the people in the cars that I was dodging & that were getting way too close. There's not enough room for me, the snowbanks AND the cars...besides, why were the streets so crowded today? Doesn't anyone work anymore??? Happy Holidays .

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

OK, I just have time for a quick post, and then I'm buzzing out of here. I was able to run almost 5.5 miles today outside. When I was done my Garmin said the pace was 8:33 mpm!!! Whoo hooo! Maybe those hill workouts are paying off.

Cindy- I heard your e-mail read about the Minnie Marathon on the podcast while I was running. That was you wasn't it? How many other Cindy's are there in Arlington, VA asking about the Minnie Marathon. So now I'll have to send postcards to you and Jodi when I am on the 7 day cruise I'm gonna win???

OK, sorry this was all about me. I'll post more later.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Cindy- I heard your e-mail read about the Minnie Marathon on the podcast while I was running. That was you wasn't it? How many other Cindy's are there in Arlington, VA asking about the Minnie Marathon. So now I'll have to send postcards to you and Jodi when I am on the 7 day cruise I'm gonna win???

Yup, that was my email. I actually haven't heard it read yet because I only ran 5 miles yesterday and that didn't get me far enough into the email show for them to finish all the voicemails. So don't tell me what their answer was!!! I'm using the anticipation as motivation to get me out of bed to run early tomorrow before the fam shows up. Actually, I submitted the question a few weeks ago and the answer doesn't really matter anymore (except to me to prove that I was right) since I already decided that I was right, was able to convince my sister that I was right, and forced her to cough up the extra 45 bucks for the earlier flight. If the Podcast team thinks that I was wrong (which I seriously can't imagine happening), oh well, we still get extra time at Disney!

Oh and btw, I'll be sending you and Jodi postcards when I win the cruise!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Good Morning TEAMmates:

OK, I'm just getting ready to head out the door to join the Fleet Feet crew for my long run. It's warming up around here. It's supposed to get so warm this weekend that I'm worried about it melting all our snow for Christmas. Oh well, we'll see what's left. Have a great day everyone.

 

[SilverE]

The Last Long Run is finished; Merry Christmas to me!

22 long, slow miles on the treadmill (Oh, you evil machine, I loathe you; but I need you! No I don't: I hate you; no I love you!) Ooops, sorry; typing my thoughts again

I was able to watch The French Connection and Cool Hand Luke on cable, two movies I had not seen before in their entirety.

I stuck the pushpin on Mile 22 of WDW Marathon map; looks like that gets close to MGM (sorry, "Hollywood") Studios.

Anyhow, I guess I am now tapering. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Happy training (3 weeks to go!)

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Great job on the 22 miler on the Dreadmill Steve. Ah yes, I remember feeling good about getting closer to MGM studios last year. Mile 23 had Darth Vader standing there with some Stormtroopers.

I ran 10.25 miles today, and felt really good. Finished in 1:29 min for 8:44 mpm . These Fleet Feet people are pushing me along. I ended up running 5 days this week for a total of almost 29 miles. Sweet. Have a great day everyone.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Jodi - I hope that your run part 2 went well today.

Steve - wow. You must be relieved.

Dave - Nice pace and weekly mileage.

I'm eating some post run soup. My sister and her cats are running late (which is good). I ran 8.7 miles at a little over 10 min. miles. I was trying to run pretty slow and keep my heart rate low. I was thinking of running longer but was really getting cold. The wind chill was 39 - that's so warm - its been in the 20s for most of my recent morning runs - I guess I just wasn't dressed warmly enough.

I heard my question read on the podcast. It's funny, Bob kind of misread it. What I was really asking was for them to back me up on my thinking that Dsis and I needed to spend the extra money to take an earlier flight because we wouldn't have enough time if we took the later (cheaper) flight.

Happy Holidays all!

 

[lourodrigis]

Chester - SW Management is where it is at these days. Regulations related to SW are killing developers and making a lot of work for civil engineers. Good luck on the 20 miles tomorrow.

Steve - I can't believe Maine hasn't had a white Christmas in 6 years. I picture snow on the ground in Maine all winter. 20 miles on the TM. You must have a lot of discipline. After 5 miles I want to turn the thing off.

Sara - Good luck on your LR. Sorry about the food allergies. I can imagine how hard that would be this time of year with all of the goodies lying around that are made with lots of nuts and who knows what.

Cindy - It's tough to get LRs in around the holidays. Hopefully you'll get some decent miles in this weekend before it gets hectic. Yeah...I was fired up on Wednesday (and today..read below). I was pretty down about my Philly Marathon time and being injured for so long. It felt great to run a long distance and not feel that dragging pain and see the quick miles pile up.

Jodi - I hear you. You crack me up. Good luck on your run today.

Dave - Good luck on the LR.

Well, I knocked out my final big 20-mile LR today. Although I fully intended to run easy (and listen to all of your advise) I knew once I got started I would want to try to pretend I am in WDW for the marathon. My last 20-mile LR was before the Philly Marathon in October and that's when I got hurt so part of me wanted to show that I could bang this thing out and go to WDW fired up. I did it but it wasn't easy.

I flew through the first 10 miles in 1:29:21 for a 8:59 pace (that included one stop at van to get more water and eat a banana). I did something different this week...I tried to keep running when drinking water. Problem was I didn't drink as much as necessary which hit me later.

I was pretty intent on getting to Mile 18 under 2:46 because that was my time for the LBI 18-miler this summer. I hit Mile 18 at 2:42:40 (9:03 pace)! That's my fastest 18 miles ever. Then I had a hiccup. At 18.25 miles I start feeling dizzy like I am going to faint. Now, I'm along the Schuylkill River with no ID and cell phone! So I stop running and drink the last 6+ oz of water I have. I started to walk again and thought about walking the rest of the way but I could see my van on the other side so I decided to jog easy as the dizziness went away. As I got close to the Art Museum it is Mile 19 and I see the Rocky statue and decide to run the last mile even though I am out of water and a little dehydrated.

I finished the last mile in 9:17 for a total time for the 20 miles of 3:02:27 (9:06 pace)! I know I was probably crazy for doing this but I so wanted to know I could keep up a pace that could get me close to a 4 hour finish for WDW.

Right now I feel great! No groin pain. I drank four 16-oz waters on the way home to fill up the gas tank. Now I am ready for Christmas and WDW!

Sorry for the long post. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

 

[Optimator]

Hey Guys!

Lou - Good to see you followed our advice. NOT!!! Glad that you will be heading south ready to go with lots of confidence. 90% mental and all that stuff.

Steve - Maybe some relationship counselling is in order for you and your TM. Then again, maybe it will realize you're just using it for your own personal gains and bail on you! Good job on the run!

Dave - Excellent job this week. Let's see, I'm running Goofy in 3 weeks and put in less than 20 miles this week. You're running for fitness/enjoyment/blah/blah/blah and did 29. What's wrong with this picture? WTG!

Cindy - You don't need no stinkin' podcast to know the secret to booking flights to Disney (Jodi, take note): Leave as early as absolutely possibe. Stay as many days as you can. Leave as late as you dare! What else are you going to do with the money? Save for the future or something lame like that?

I was almost tricked into thinking it was warmer than it was this morning too. I grabbed my gloves at the last minute and was glad it did.

Jodi - How're the folks? Was DS singing as much fun as you thought it would be? I've got one word for your ongoing issues: DEPENDS!

Sara - Did you get a chance to put some miles in? Did you carry your packet with you? Are the kids fired up for Christmas? BTW, I'll run with you any race you want. You just have to promise not to act all pissed at me!

Chester and Colleen - Are you having fun yet?


I had 12 miles scheduled for this morning, did 13.5. All went well except for a little stretch around mile 10 when I realized I kept going faster and faster. I slowed down a bit and finished just fine. I feel more like I went 20 though but everything's good.

Happy Sunday to everyone!

 

[SilverE]

total time for the 20 miles of 3:02:27 (9:06 pace)!

Lou: 20 miles, a dizzy spell near the end, and still a 9:06 pace? On a training run? Man, you are smokin'! On race day I'll be gasping "Hey, there's Expedition Everest" and you'll already be showered, had a snack, and napping back in your hotel room. Nice effort!

 

[Optimator]

Sara and Dave -

I'm old and feel fortunate if I can find my way home every day.

My feeble mind (and Mel's post on the weekly thread) seems to remember you both having birthdays recently or soon?

Happy Belated Birthday or Happy Birthday soon!!