The Dopey Palindrome Challenge, FW connection UPDATE 1-12-2015

[bama_ed]

What a nice training run this morning! (an oxymoron I know)

We had some rain come through Bamaland on Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. This morning, Saturday, was clear and cold for the first time this fall. I say cold, not cool, because after evening lows in the 60s for the last several days it got down into the high 40s this morning. Wow, that feels good to a struggling runner like myself.

The temp makes a big difference to me - it might be mental but doing a 3-mile training run (you skinny people don't laugh at me) at 70F is so much more work than doing one at 49F as the sun is coming up. I remember when I did my Disney Full Marathon back in Jan 2004 the starting temp was 39F which once a Clydedale like me gets going feels really good.

Hope all you runners are coming along (including you Kris - hope your recovery is progressing). Only 3 months to go!

Bama Ed

 

[garneska]

Bama ed great job on the run. I thought the same this morning perfect weather for a long run, but alas not for me. I had some complications from my fall. I have managed to recumbent bike and today I managed 15 min on the elliptical. That was definitely different on my ankle but managed. I did not want to push it so was happy with that.

I am not allowed to run till after I see the dr on oct 21. Well depends on what the dr says but am hoping to run then. The good thing is I still have a few weeks to get the ankle stronger on the elliptical.

My arm finally had a break through a few days ago. The therapy has helped. I can now move the arm and it hurts a lot less. Can't do a lot of weight though. I did use 2 lb dumb bells for a shoulder press.

Hope everyone is enjoying the break in the weather. Can't wait to join you all. Am not giving up. I think I can still do my goofy just won't be near as fast as I would like.

 

[John VN]

Kris-I was hoping to read that things were going well but found your post rather sad. Please take care in your return to running.

BamaEd-Envious of those temperatures. Surely must make you feel like Superman after the hot runs.

3 months to go.

 

[garneska]

I ended up with 2.5 weeks completely off. Like sit in a recliner with my leg up. I was hoping for one week like that and then up on the elliptical and back to running in no less than 3 weeks.

The good thing is I am able to do some cardio. Really hoping I can run after I see the dr.

 

[John VN]

I ended up with 2.5 weeks completely off. Like sit in a recliner with my leg up. I was hoping for one week like that and then up on the elliptical and back to running in no less than 3 weeks.

The good thing is I am able to do some cardio. Really hoping I can run after I see the dr.

Just a little info that might help.....

I had a bicycle crash in April, 2011. Upon landing after being ejected from my bicycle I heard 2 cracking noises. One was my C-6 and the other my right clavicle. BTW, the bike was OK!

Having a half marathon later in the year I wanted to get back training ASAP even though I had to have a neck collar on 24/7 for 16 weeks. Wound up also have slippage and compression of C-5, C-6, C-7. My neurosurgeon said no when I told him I had to get back on the road ASAP until I mentioned that I don't run but do speed walk using the Chi Walking method by Danny Dreyer. Very low impact on feet, ankles, knees and on up so he said OK. That half marathon was walked in 2:11:10 without stress thanks to the training in the neck collar for 15 weeks and then collar free.

The reason for this little history of mine is to mention that Chi Walking and Chi Running is low impact and this method might help in getting you back on the road without injuring further.

Good luck.

 

[bama_ed]

Lovely clear cool morning. Finished a 6.5 mile training run this morning. Still doing a walk-run technique.

As the training runs on the weekends get longer, it's getting tougher to lay out some routes. Since the Half at WDW is very flat (the gradual ramps on & off World Drive by EPCOT and the road under the waterway by the Contemporary are the only grades) I don't feel compelled to build a lot of hills into the training runs as I did when I trained for local Halves which have hills in them. But with the longer runs I'm forced to do a few hills (walk up, jog down) as I HATE looping short runs together. I much prefer an out-and-back on different routes or at worst the same route.

Also signed up for a local Half in March so if I can manage the WDW Half in January I should be able to maintain until March when I'm running in front of family and friends.

Hope all you other Fort runners are getting ready. Lace 'em up and hit the road!

Bama Ed

 

[John VN]

bama_ed- you are right about not needing extensive hill work. Go for the steady flat distance and the few elevation changes will take care of themselves. I'm thinking you will have a blast at your local half.

Kris- hope things are better for you.

AFM- last bike ride this AM. 5K or 10K tomorrow early then 1+ mile swim and off to Panama City Beach for Ironman Florida next Saturday. After that I will be spending time getting ready for Space Coast Half Marathon, the big Palindrome Weekend and Celebration Marathon. Will be taking all those distances slow since my knees have been giving out on me when I am just walking. Haven't hit the ground yet like I used to do but it sure ain't fun.

Train smart and HAVE FUN!!!!!

 

[garneska]

I waited till today to post. I did a 6 mile run outside. My ankle was fine. I am a little slow but was pleased with running outside. I started about two weeks ago with treadmill running and short miles. Today I was outside and did 6 and then some walking for time on feet. I feel good, am hoping to stay that way. I am still doing therapy on my arm. I have all movement back but still getting to full strength. I am wearing a brace on my ankle when I run. Will see how that works out for longer runs but it is ok.

Bama ed, I agree with john no reason to worry about hills. I know I tend to get injured running hills too much so I don't and just deal with it at the races.

John, good luck on the IM next weekend. I bow down to your awesomeness. I have done two tris. I enjoy them but swimming is still difficult. I am fine in the pool but tend to panic in open water and I don't get much open water practice. Please let us know how it goes.

We will be at the fort next week. I will do my 7 miler on Sunday there. Then enjoy some special plans for hubby's bday.

Stay safe everyone!

 

[John VN]

Kris- Glad to read you are doing better.

 

[garneska]

McFlurry John, how was the IM?

I had a nice 7 miler today at the fort. It was nice and cool. I was a little slow but am feeling a little under the weather so will take it.

Bama Ed hope you are staying injury free.

Keep going fort runners.

 

[bama_ed]

McFlurry John, how was the IM?

I had a nice 7 miler today at the fort. It was nice and cool. I was a little slow but am feeling a little under the weather so will take it.

Bama Ed hope you are staying injury free.

Keep going fort runners.

Feeling pretty good right about now Kris. Just came in 10 minutes ago from an 8-mile training run. Recovering now with a big cold glass of Diet Coke and a small bowl of M & M's (regular not peanut).

So many variables to consider when doing a longer training run. Leggings or shorts? Short sleeve or long sleeve? Temperature/time of day? Other family obligations? Expected duration of run? Sunglasses or no? Earphones/music or no?

I lucked into it today - feels like I guessed all the right answers. My answers were shorts, long, after lunch, after church, under 2 hrs, yes to sunglasses, no to earphones.

Hope you get to feeling better. John, what have you been up to?

Bama Ed

 

[John VN]

Fort Runners.....glad to read you are out and about getting things done. Smart training results in good event results, but more importantly..... staying healthy!

ASM.....the Ironman started off with a 2.4 mile swim cancellation, wind and rip currents, a 112 mile VERY WINDY and COLD bike then a 26.2 mile STILL WINDY AND COLD suffer fest. Not being properly trained took its toll and today I am paying off the debt.

My Palindrome training will now begin in earnest with the prime objective being to finishing the 5K on Castaway Cay feeling fresh enough to do a marathon the following day.

Keep on plugging away all.

McFlurry John

 

[garneska]

John,

Am not surprised that swim was cancelled, am sure the bike and run were no fun either. We were driving to disney in the RV with the winds. I was a bit scared (got the RV this year so i still freak out a bit during the drive), but my hubby did a great job driving it. I just stayed quiet.

Anyways since this is the running thread thought i would post some running news. Thankfully all good. I am up to 10 miles. I did it this morning. Boy the weather was not great. It was 50 but the wind and no sun, it felt cold. I actually thought i might get too warm excepting it to warm up but i only unzipped my long sleeve for a few min and then i zipped back up. I even wore my gloves for most of it.

My cold is getting better, hoping the cold weather does not cause too many issues. I am a bit sore as i had a massage yesterday and was sore from that, so doing 10 was a bit tough. Next week i am up for 12 miles and then i get a recovery run.

Bama Ed, hope you are doing well.

John keep on plugging away.

Do we have any other runners on the fort boards??

I know i read Bama Ed gets in on Jan 8, i will be in on Jan 4. John, when are you arriving?

Stay healthy and train smart.

 

[John VN]

Kris- sounds like you're heading in the right direction. Slow and easy does it. Might not be first but crossing the finish line is what counts.

My knees are still giving me fits. Went back to new Asics Gel Nimbus 16 after trying the Altra and they seem to be better. Just got back from an early 4 miler and will see how things go.

DW and I get to FW next weekend for a quick stay and I will try a SLOW 1/2M on Saturday morning. We make it in on the 7th in January, will park at WWoS for the Expo and then head to the fort.

 

[bama_ed]

I'm here, I'm here.

I waited to respond until today because I ran some yesterday to get caught up on my mileage. Ok so I'm a little behind on my mileage. But I'm only 3 miles behind now.

Hard to run on a weekday now that we rolled the clocks back. When I was young (in my 30s and early 40s) and running several Halfs and Wholes, I used to train exclusively in the early mornings. But now that I am old, I MUCH prefer training in the afternoons. But now that the clocks have rolled back, it's dark about the time I get home after work.

I had to leave the office early yesterday and got home in time to clock a few miles. So now I'm only 3 miles short of being on schedule.

When I'm on my runs (particularly on the long run weekends) I think of the miles going by and where I would be if I were at Disney at that point. For example, if I pass Mile 4 on a training run, that's about where the MK Toll Booth is (leaving from EPCOT). On Mile 6 (when I'm jogging through my neighborhood), I say, "this would be in Frontierland". I have an 9.5 mile (plus the elusive 3 = 12.5) coming up this weekend and that will take me all the way to the MK, back down World Drive, and into EPCOT.

Also my routes have hills and I keep telling myself that WDW don't hardly have no hills (for those of you from Walker County my grammar choice will sound normal).

So plugging along. Reading all these live trip reports in the last month (and looking forward to more around Thanksgiving) makes me wish it was post-race in January on Saturday afternoon. You'll find me with my medal around my neck doing this:



Bama Ed

PS - I've already scoped Sosa Family Cigars in DTD for a Celebration stogie. That is, if John will drag me across the finish line before the Balloon Ladies....

 

[John VN]

BamaEd-Seems like many of us do the same "point in race comparison" when out training. During an event I sometimes think about where I would be when training. Go figure.

NOTE....I might be crawling across finish lines since my knees are still giving me fits. Going to be some very slow weekend races.

correction for previous post.....will be doing the Space Coast Half Marathon next weekend then the following weekend a short stay at FW with a half thrown in on Saturday morning.

 

[garneska]

I had planned to do a 5 miler on Sat and 12 miler on Sun, but then i checked the weather forecast and said no way to 12 miles on Sun. Did not want to run for 2 hours in the rain and cold. I flipped my days. I did 12 on Sat outside in beautiful weather and 5 on Sun on the dreadmill. I think it was actually better Goofy training. I was sore from my 12 miles and had a rough nights sleep but i did my 5 miles. The first few miles were all about getting the legs going but by mile 4 i was back in pace.

It was also my first ice bath for this training season. I take an ice bath after 12 miles. Occassionally after a 10 miler if i am feeling really sore. Now that is going to be a sight at the fort. This will be my first year staying at the fort for the Marathon. I normally stay at the polynesian. I have access to an indoor tub and ice machine.

At least I was thinking at the end of the summer when we got the RV. I wondered how i would take my ice bath at the fort. I have a kids blow up pool. Will use the air compressor to fill it. Will have to buy ice at the comfort station and use the extra hose the fort gives you. It will be a two day show. One is early after the half and then afternoon for sunday. I do drink a beer to get through it, including Sat morning. The hard part will be containing my language.

I hope everyone is doing well on their training plans. Hang in there John. I hurt more than i would like from my 12 so i think my marathon will be slow as well.

Bama Ed hope you adjusted your schedule due to this weather.

 

[John VN]

Kris-funny how different actions after a marathon soothe the body. Piping hot shower for me using the 10 gallons in the water heater with both electric and gas going to heat the incoming water for an extended shower.

 

[garneska]

So glad for the recovery weekend. I did 9 on sat and 6 today. My knee is sore but I think that is from massage.

Hope everyone is getting along on their training. It is getting close. Will be back at the fort in two weeks. But next weekend I have 14 and 6.

On a side note, took the dogs for pics today. Yeti was a complete pain but am hoping we got some good ones. I wanted to do it last year before Mal was in the cart but it did not happen. Am glad I got them this year. Would be very upset if I did not have a professional pic before she was gone.

Just keep running! Just keep running!

 

[John VN]

Post the pictures ASAP.

Just keep running, just keep running, I wish.....

Walked the Space Coast Half Marathon in Cocoa earlier today with DW and knees are still smarting. Took 3 hours to drive home, had dinner and now I will wash the dishes. Think I'll go out 0630 tomorrow for a 5K. Will be at FW this weekend and go for 14 miles if knees recuperate.

yup, only 5.5 weeks