Roxymama's 5k to Marathon, Time to Collect Another Castle

[Ariel484]

Congrats on an amazing 2016! IT's been awesome to see how far you have come!

I have set 2:45AM alarms to pre-order iPhones, so no judgement here on the 2AM wake-up call for make-up.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of GG when you're done...and I'll leave it at that for now.

 

[SarahDisney]

Reading through your 2016 recap, you definitely had some big goals, but you did a great job reaching most of them! It really has been very inspirational to read along with your journey and see you crush your goals (and have fun doing it)!

(Also ... my sister and I watched all 4 episode of Gilmore Girls non-stop on Saturday night. Started a little after 6, finished around 12:30am. We ate our way through mini egg rolls, popcorn, m&ms, and hot chocolate. And then I got up at 6am the next morning to run 7.5 miles. I'm kinda crazy.)

 

[michigandergirl]

Screw the marathon. Dopey 2018!!!

Yes! C'mon, everybody is doing it!!

 

[roxymama]

Congrats on an amazing 2016! IT's been awesome to see how far you have come!

I have set 2:45AM alarms to pre-order iPhones, so no judgement here on the 2AM wake-up call for make-up.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of GG when you're done...and I'll leave it at that for now.

Ahhhh, now I really want to know how it ends. I've been ignoring all twitter, etc for fear of being spoiled. Maybe I'll stay up late tonight finishing it.

Reading through your 2016 recap, you definitely had some big goals, but you did a great job reaching most of them! It really has been very inspirational to read along with your journey and see you crush your goals (and have fun doing it)!

(Also ... my sister and I watched all 4 episode of Gilmore Girls non-stop on Saturday night. Started a little after 6, finished around 12:30am. We ate our way through mini egg rolls, popcorn, m&ms, and hot chocolate. And then I got up at 6am the next morning to run 7.5 miles. I'm kinda crazy.)

Thanks for the kind words. I'm not usually a big goal-maker...very risk adverse human right here. Don't know what got into me this year, but I like it
Your snacking was VERY Gilmore-esque, so they would be proud. 7.5 miles after all that is to be Congratulated! Awesome!

Yes! C'mon, everybody is doing it!!

Haha, I think I need to get a marathon by itself under my belt before tackling the Dopey. Pencil me in for maybe 2019 or 20 or 21. I'd be more likely to do a "Happy" right now, which is cheering you all from my computer screen and the "Sleepy" which is not waking up early 4 days in a row. Although whenever there's a race I "shouldn't do" in my head, it never sells out and then it stares at me for days and weeks and months. And who knows what glue I'll be sniffing once I finish my first half.

 

[Ariel484]

definitely avoid social media. I am glad I did.

 

[rteetz]

You had an awesome 2016! I can't wait to see what you are able to accomplish in 2017. And I might have to agree with some others that a marathon or even Dopey might be in your future.

 

[roxymama]

Great news! My Disney Tsum Tsum advent calendar that was super discounted because it was not supposed to ship until 12/3...has shipped! And since it appears to be coming from the Walmart relatively close to me, it's supposed to arrive tomorrow! I'm so excited.
(Because let's be honest, I got it for myself under the ruse that it's for my kid)

So I guess, be prepared for Tsum Tsum reveals to go along with mileage updates in December.

 

[roxymama]

I stayed up and finished Gilmore Girls. I couldn't get to sleep because of my brain processing it. I'm still processing it. I'm drinking coffee. My brain is tired. Once my brain wakes up I'll find the spoiler tag tutorial and lay down some deep thoughts. Here's one initial thought that isn't a spoiler...

WHAT?

 

[SarahDisney]

I stayed up and finished Gilmore Girls. I couldn't get to sleep because of my brain processing it. I'm still processing it. I'm drinking coffee. My brain is tired. Once my brain wakes up I'll find the spoiler tag tutorial and lay down some deep thoughts. Here's one initial thought that isn't a spoiler...

WHAT?

I think that's basically everyone's reaction to the ending.

 

[Ariel484]

I stayed up and finished Gilmore Girls. I couldn't get to sleep because of my brain processing it. I'm still processing it. I'm drinking coffee. My brain is tired. Once my brain wakes up I'll find the spoiler tag tutorial and lay down some deep thoughts. Here's one initial thought that isn't a spoiler...

WHAT?

I think that's basically everyone's reaction to the ending.

I legit yelled, "THAT'S THE ENDING?!" and scared the dog.

 

[CherieFran]

I stayed up and finished Gilmore Girls. I couldn't get to sleep because of my brain processing it. I'm still processing it. I'm drinking coffee. My brain is tired. Once my brain wakes up I'll find the spoiler tag tutorial and lay down some deep thoughts. Here's one initial thought that isn't a spoiler...

WHAT?

Right? Somewhere in the middle the conversation with her dad, I put the pieces together and was just like, "surely not?"!

 

[roxymama]

Right? Somewhere in the middle the conversation with her dad, I put the pieces together and was just like, "surely not?"!

You caught on way sooner than me!...it makes sense thinking about that scene now, but I didn't see it coming.

 

[dis_or_dat]

Argh, will have to avoid this training journal until after i finish GG, which will be a while, since i'm saving them for my treadmill runs. Until then - great job!!!

 

[roxymama]

Argh, will have to avoid this training journal until after i finish GG, which will be a while, since i'm saving them for my treadmill runs. Until then - great job!!!

It's ok, you can keep coming here. I put my first thought-dump about GG on Ariel's journal. And I think everyone else who added their comments over there basically said everything I was thinking. And I liked @SarahDisney 's perspective so much that it made me change my mind a bit and now I'm not as "WHAT?" about the last episode (still a lil "what"?) So I don't think there's anything more I can add.

 

[dis_or_dat]

LOL, ok! I can't keep away. My friends have been texting me to discuss and it's all over a bunch of the blogs I read so I gotta get on the ball!

 

[roxymama]

December Plan!


The Tsum Tsum calendar arrived just in time! I only had to repeat 25 times that we weren't opening the whole thing today. It's so huge and has a cute little fold down mat to arrange your lil toys in a xmas scene. Let's see if I can convince the kiddo to keep it "nice" and not hide them all under the couch/tv/table, etc.
12/1 spoiler

Spoiler: Day 1 Tsum Tsum

Ok back to my PLAN for the month. I calculate my half marathon training should start in early January if we go with the 18 month time-frame (and I think we should since I will need something to keep me busy during the post holiday winter doldrums and also might as well take advantage since I have the time to train properly.)
But that leaves all of Dec to do anything I want!

Roxymama's "Dopey" December Training
No, I am not actually running the Dopey challenge in WDW this year. But I'm going to run 48.6 miles! Split across the entirety of the month. Solidarity with my fellow rundisney folks who actually get to go do the thing in Jan. It's a good number of miles and if I get more than that it will be just icing.
Way I figure it I should be hitting the following "medals"
Tonight - earn Pluto 3.1
Early next week - earn Minnie 6.2
Sometime during second full week of Dec - earn Donald 13.1
Then just have to get 26.2 cumulative the rest of the month.

I have 12/22 through 1/3 off of work. Yay for saving up vacation days! So I have no excuses not to make this happen. I'm not going to be overly aggressive on long run distance. I don't think I will or should go over 5 to 6.2 miles on any long run this month. I'm not going to be aggressive on pace either. I will stick with what I've been doing as a guideline but no need to go faster, I'm just trying to maintain my fitness here. (edited to clarify...I will still be doing easy runs on Tue, tempo type runs Thur and long runs on the weekend using my current paces.) My tempo runs will exist, but be shorter than what I was doing at the end of my last real cycle. The main goal is to keep the routine going...keep the fitness going...and have fun with it.
I do think I will use Tuesday at the gym as a chance to do some easy miles and then top them off with either a short trip on the bikes or a short circuit of the core zone in the gym (eek!)

@DopeyBadger Do I need to do some kind of fitness test at any point this month or first week of Jan to know what to base my next training cycle off of? Do you think what I've planned up above (even though I realize it is not a super specific day to day list of data) seem reasonable or smart? Is there anything you suggest for this month to keep me on the right track before diving into Tink-fun?
I'll have another post on 2017 goals and races and Tink-goal which I know will be more helpful to you (I'm not looking to get "faster" on purpose for this race...if I do naturally that is fine though.)

Ok, so stay tuned for more Tsum Tsum's and to see if I earn any fake medals this month.

 

[DopeyBadger]

I calculate my half marathon training should start in early January if we go with the 18 month time-frame

WHOA! Sounds like you are planning on training for Dopey then. An 18 month time-frame....

@DopeyBadger Do I need to do some kind of fitness test at any point this month or first week of Jan to know what to base my next training cycle off of? Do you think what I've planned up above (even though I realize it is not a super specific day to day list of data) seem reasonable or smart? Is there anything you suggest for this month to keep me on the right track before diving into Tink-fun?
I'll have another post on 2017 goals and races and Tink-goal which I know will be more helpful to you (I'm not looking to get "faster" on purpose for this race...if I do naturally that is fine though.)

LOL, I'm reading this and thinking well it would be nice to know her goals, and then bam you already knew what I was going to say. Looks like we're on the same wavelength.

That seems very reasonable. Looks like you were running around 60-70 miles per month before the 15k. So dropping down to 48.6 miles will definitely maintain those fitness gains. I would focus on lots of easy mileage this month. It will allow you to recover from the 15k, maintain fitness, and prepare yourself for the rigors of half-marathon training.

As for training paces, the choice is yours. Based on how the 15k went, I wouldn't change the training paces from the last cycle. Although I do remember you ran another race, was it a 5k? Did you beat the 27:57 predicted time? By all means if you want to run a 5k in late December (and it doesn't have to be official, but preferably outside), go for it. It will likely give us a better place to start then using a 15k from Nov or a 5k from further back. But don't be discouraged if you don't beat the 27:57 (or your 5k PR) because you won't have been in serious training mode so you may not have what it takes to hit it again (you could or could not). Don't take it as a negative though regardless.

 

[roxymama]

WHOA! Sounds like you are planning on training for Dopey then. An 18 month time-frame....



LOL, I'm reading this and thinking well it would be nice to know her goals, and then bam you already knew what I was going to say. Looks like we're on the same wavelength.

That seems very reasonable. Looks like you were running around 60-70 miles per month before the 15k. So dropping down to 48.6 miles will definitely maintain those fitness gains. I would focus on lots of easy mileage this month. It will allow you to recover from the 15k, maintain fitness, and prepare yourself for the rigors of half-marathon training.

As for training paces, the choice is yours. Based on how the 15k went, I wouldn't change the training paces from the last cycle. Although I do remember you ran another race, was it a 5k? Did you beat the 27:57 predicted time? By all means if you want to run a 5k in late December (and it doesn't have to be official, but preferably outside), go for it. It will likely give us a better place to start then using a 15k from Nov or a 5k from further back. But don't be discouraged if you don't beat the 27:57 (or your 5k PR) because you won't have been in serious training mode so you may not have what it takes to hit it again (you could or could not). Don't take it as a negative though regardless.

Oops on the months vs weeks. Math fail.

I did run a 27:49 5k on 10/8 (woot woot.) You are right that I am not sure I'd hit that if I went outside today, but maybe I will go do the same course later in December (that race was right down the street from me.)

I guess I can go ahead and fast forward to my Tink goals without a big ol' post about it. Why not?
I'd like to run the race at a strong pace similar to how I felt during my 15k (expanded out to half distance of course) but with stopping for at minimum 3-4 characters or things (like the castle pic!!!) and possibly a few more if lines are reasonable. I'm guessing most of the stops will occur during the first 10k since that's when we are in the parks and I've read the character stops are light or non-existing for the back half out in Anaheim. If I'm in one of the front two corrals, the line situation won't be as congested as it could be for later corrals (hopefully!!) But once outside the parks....let er rip!
So I'd like to think of it less as total time it takes me to run the whole thing as the goal and more on what paces I'll be running while I'm actually running. I realize that adds a weird kink to it.
Can I just train to the time I want to run if there were no stops? Let's say a 2:15-2:20ish if I wasn't stopping? Is that how that would work? Should I be throwing in some moments of walk during my long runs? I've never trained for a race where I planned on having stops.

I'd very very much like to run a half marathon later in the Fall without stops though. Whether that be in Chicago or out of town. For time.
*If I decide I even like half's, which I think that I will based on how I enjoyed my 15k*

I only really plan on doing one or two local 5k's maybe during the spring just to support my town. So I don't really have any aggressive race plans thrown in the middle of now and Tink.

I hope that makes sense. If I get faster, cool with me. But end game is to finish it feeling in-shape, strong, and with some kick left in my legs at least as close to the end as possible. And running that whole dang thing...while I'm not stopped for pics of course

 

[roxymama]

2017 GOALS! Let's Do THIS!

Ok, so I'd been staring at my list for an extended period of time. Afraid to write checks I can't cash while also trying not to sell myself short. So, after some thought....let's throw all my thought out the window! Last year I typed up some crazy (to me) goals in a list with little hesitation and much abandon. I was in some kind of mood. And then I did pretty good. So let's just do that again. Heaven help me!

2017: The year of quality over quantity. I'll hang up less medals, but I'll be so happy with the ones I earn. Hubby is going for serious Tri goals this upcoming year, including coaching and longer distances. He'd like to race a Fall half marathon too, so lots of moving pieces to think about.

1) Cross the finish line of Tinkerbell half marathon with a smile on my face. Feel strong. Enjoy it though...don't get so competitive that I forget to do the fun stuff during the race.
2) Finish a 10k in less than 60 minutes, race tbd.
3) PR in a Fall half marathon, race tbd.
4) Drink my new giant water bottle twice every workday! Learn to make water the routine. Eliminate soda from the house, ordering it at restaurants is still ok...but maybe I'll learn I don't NEED it and maybe I won't WANT it as much. Learn to hydrate/fuel for longer training runs instead of running "dry." Continue with healthy eating habits I learned this year.
5) Add in cross-training once a week either at home or the gym. Learn to swim for real this summer.
6) Crush my shamrock shuffle 8k time (I forgot about that race...but now I want another crack at it)

and a silly side goal if I get up the nerve...convince two other friends to race the Naperville sprint triathlon Relay with me in the runner spot.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Oops on the months vs weeks. Math fail.

Sounds like the sub-conscious to me. Guess we'd have to ask @FFigawi and @CheapRunnerMike...

I did run a 27:49 5k on 10/8 (woot woot.) You are right that I am not sure I'd hit that if I went outside today, but maybe I will go do the same course later in December (that race was right down the street from me.)

So I wouldn't change the training paces off that either then because that's really close to the predicted time.

I guess I can go ahead and fast forward to my Tink goals without a big ol' post about it. Why not?
I'd like to run the race at a strong pace similar to how I felt during my 15k (expanded out to half distance of course) but with stopping for at minimum 3-4 characters or things (like the castle pic!!!) and possibly a few more if lines are reasonable. I'm guessing most of the stops will occur during the first 10k since that's when we are in the parks and I've read the character stops are light or non-existing for the back half out in Anaheim. If I'm in one of the front two corrals, the line situation won't be as congested as it could be for later corrals (hopefully!!) But once outside the parks....let er rip!
So I'd like to think of it less as total time it takes me to run the whole thing as the goal and more on what paces I'll be running while I'm actually running. I realize that adds a weird kink to it.
Can I just train to the time I want to run if there were no stops? Let's say a 2:15-2:20ish if I wasn't stopping? Is that how that would work? Should I be throwing in some moments of walk during my long runs? I've never trained for a race where I planned on having stops.

Completely reasonable. The prediction says 2:09:15 without stops and I believe strongly we could get you to that fitness level by Tink. I'm not sure we'd necessarily need to change the training much. It really depends on how your body responds to starting and stopping and starting again. With standing around during that time. But because these stops would be limited (and someone else with more character experience starting from a similar corral position could chime in) I'd have to guess it would be 1-2 minutes of waiting max. Although the further back and more stops you take, the more people catch up to you, which therein makes the future lines of other characters longer (right?). Regardless, I'd say we could incorporate some starting stopping into the runs, but as long as we believe that it will be less than 2 minutes per stop I don't think you'd have to train for it. If it's going to be like 5-10-20 minute stops, then yea we might want to throw in a simulation or two just to see how your body responds to standing around and restarting.

2017 GOALS! Let's Do THIS!

Ok, so I'd been staring at my list for an extended period of time. Afraid to write checks I can't cash while also trying not to sell myself short. So, after some thought....let's throw all my thought out the window! Last year I typed up some crazy (to me) goals in a list with little hesitation and much abandon. I was in some kind of mood. And then I did pretty good. So let's just do that again. Heaven help me!

2017: The year of quality over quantity. I'll hang up less medals, but I'll be so happy with the ones I earn. Hubby is going for serious Tri goals this upcoming year, including coaching and longer distances. He'd like to race a Fall half marathon too, so lots of moving pieces to think about.

1) Cross the finish line of Tinkerbell half marathon with a smile on my face. Feel strong. Enjoy it though...don't get so competitive that I forget to do the fun stuff during the race.
2) Finish a 10k in less than 60 minutes, race tbd.
3) PR in a Fall half marathon, race tbd.
4) Drink my new giant water bottle twice every workday! Learn to make water the routine. Eliminate soda from the house, ordering it at restaurants is still ok...but maybe I'll learn I don't NEED it and maybe I won't WANT it as much. Learn to hydrate/fuel for longer training runs instead of running "dry." Continue with healthy eating habits I learned this year.
5) Add in cross-training once a week either at home or the gym. Learn to swim for real this summer.
6) Crush my shamrock shuffle 8k time (I forgot about that race...but now I want another crack at it)

and a silly side goal if I get up the nerve...convince two other friends to race the Naperville sprint triathlon Relay with me in the runner spot.

I like those goals. I'd say you've got 1, 2, 3, and 6 in the bag! And 4 and 5 are all up to you and consistency. Dependent on when you run the 10k I have a different attainable goal in mind, but I'll keep it to myself. Same for the HM time for the fall. I've got a time in mind that I think you could hit. Just depends on how life and training go!