The Official 2013 Wine and Dine Half Marathon Thread

[peachygreen]

I did not manage to get my 7.5 mile run in this weekend while traveling. Too much time on the road and doing other things on vacation.

My schedule calls for a 3 Magic Mile run this Saturday and 9 miles next Saturday so I'd like to get the 7.5 mile run in this week. I think I'm going to try to run it tonight or tomorrow night if unpacking takes too long. I did get some good 3-4 mile runs in this week while on the road, most of them on killer hills. I also got in some nice hiking, swimming and work on a high ropes course (which does nothing for my running but was a good workout none the less).

 

[DEA]

Hey folks. I thought I had signed up for this thread a while back, but I apparently did not. So... hi. I'm running W&D 2013, as is my wife (myweegirls on the boards).

When you guys go for your runs (long or otherwise), do you prefer 76 degrees in the morning with 80%-90% humidity or 89 degrees later with 65% humidity?

The morning long run helped me avoid at least the sun and a lot of the tourists/traffic, so I started 6:30am and by the time I finished the 15 miles everything was getting crowded. It's long run season in DC now, I guess. I looked like I went swimming--there's nothing grosser than wanting to wipe the sweat off your face but your shirt is completely soaked! Yuck.

And I came home all set to watch Tangled but my dvd player broke. Oh well, I settled for Cars on ABCfamily.

Given the choice of the two, I'd probably go with the lower humidity. I know I'm going to sweat, whether it's in the 70s or in the 90s, so I'm a lot more concerned about evaporating the sweat off my body as efficiently as possible, and lower humidity lets that happen.

It's been a while since I've run in DC proper, but I have fond memories of the shady portions of Rock Creek Park, especially the area by the zoo, on summer mornings.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Awww man! When I saw all of those 7-mile runs completed this weekend I felt very lazy and a little envious! Mad that I didn't push to train last week because it is so inspiring when several people are virtually running with you . Congrats to all of the fantastic weekend runs and here's a a great week ahead! Anyone running 7 again next weekend?

the training plan for the race on the run disney site calls for a 6.5 mile run this Saturday so im sure a lot of people will be doing that much

 

[Figment1990]

When you guys go for your runs (long or otherwise), do you prefer 76 degrees in the morning with 80%-90% humidity or 89 degrees later with 65% humidity?

The morning long run helped me avoid at least the sun and a lot of the tourists/traffic, so I started 6:30am and by the time I finished the 15 miles everything was getting crowded. It's long run season in DC now, I guess. I looked like I went swimming--there's nothing grosser than wanting to wipe the sweat off your face but your shirt is completely soaked! Yuck.

And I came home all set to watch Tangled but my dvd player broke. Oh well, I settled for Cars on ABCfamily.

Well, for me, I nearly always choose lower humidty and hotter temps, hopefully with the sun setting vs. the sun rising and higher humidity. However, that's partially b/c I'm extremely unmotivated to get out of bed in the morning to do anything other than drink coffee so it's just too much effort. But when I went for a run in Disney on vacation last spring, it was HUMID as heck, but I wanted to run around the Poly and Grand while the sun was rising so much and it was the weekend of the Boston marathon so I got up early and did it.

Awww man! When I saw all of those 7-mile runs completed this weekend I felt very lazy and a little envious! Mad that I didn't push to train last week because it is so inspiring when several people are virtually running with you . Congrats to all of the fantastic weekend runs and here's a a great week ahead! Anyone running 7 again next weekend?

Well, last week I only did one dinky 4-mile run and then a bunch of hiking in the Rocky Mountains because we had visitors and traveled around a bit. Since I essentially missed a week of training runs, I am now working on week 3 of my 12-week training schedule. (I started my training a couple of weeks early in order to accommodate a couple of "off" weeks so I'm not too worried.) Anyway, I've added a little mileage to my maintenance runs this week to help me get back on track. I ran 3.25 on Sunday and 4 miles today. I'm thinking I'll aim to do 4-5 tomorrow, 4 on Wednesday or Thursday, and then I have my 7 mile long run on Saturday. Already looking forward to some yoga class and stretching on Sunday. Also, I've decided when I hit the halfway point of my training in completing my week 6 runs, I am getting a deep tissue massage. It will be incredibly motivating to push through 9 miles

I know! I felt lazy too, even though I know I had a very good excuse (very ill). But I'm doing 6 next weekend and 7 the weekend after. I'm not going up to 9 until mid-september. I have a 10k the very last weekend of september and I want to rock it, so I'm working on some speed until then and adding in more mileage to my short runs. From there I'll do another 9.5 miler, 10, and 11 before the W&D. No 12.5 or 14 for me this year. I did some pilates last night and man did that help relieve some hip pain I'd been having! Don't forget your XT, stretching and core work everyone.

 

[peachygreen]

When you guys go for your runs (long or otherwise), do you prefer 76 degrees in the morning with 80%-90% humidity or 89 degrees later with 65% humidity?

The morning long run helped me avoid at least the sun and a lot of the tourists/traffic, so I started 6:30am and by the time I finished the 15 miles everything was getting crowded. It's long run season in DC now, I guess. I looked like I went swimming--there's nothing grosser than wanting to wipe the sweat off your face but your shirt is completely soaked! Yuck.

And I came home all set to watch Tangled but my dvd player broke. Oh well, I settled for Cars on ABCfamily.

I prefer to run at night even if it means it is a little warmer and less humid.

With that says, I do almost all my long runs in the morning because if I wait for the sun to go down and the kids to go to bed I am running way too late at night. Of course trying to get a long run in before the sun comes up in Houston means I have to start some of my long runs at 3:30 am.

 

[aggielawyer]

Balloon Ladies revealed--- anyone have concerns about the not-so-scary balloon ladies? Here's some answers!

http://margaritasmilesandmouse.blogspot.com/2013/08/bursting-balloon-lady-bubble.html

Thank you so much for this. I am so worried about getting swept. I'm still over 19 min/mile (embarrassed to even put that here) but I'm praying that 3 more months training, plus lower temps, plus hopefully lower humidity means I'll be OK.

(and I have to throw in a friendly Gig 'em )

 

[aggielawyer]

When you guys go for your runs (long or otherwise), do you prefer 76 degrees in the morning with 80%-90% humidity or 89 degrees later with 65% humidity?

Maybe it's a newbie error, but I run in the mornings, average temp 77 and 90+% humidity (it's been as high as 96% I think...at that point it might as well just rain). If I don't get it done first thing in the morning, I won't do it later.

 

[Kat73]

Personally I think I'm getting used to the 80+ weather by now. (still looking forward to the fall, though) Generally speaking, I run 2/3 of the week somewhere between 1 and 3pm. I hate getting up early on my day off, so that's not going to happen unless I'm training for a day race and want to get a few early practice runs in. I've been lucky lately that the humidity hasn't felt brutal. I'm a mess by the time the run is over, but I feel OK.

Today I tried running at a 2/1 pace, a little different for me but the person I'm running wine&dine with runs at this and I want to be able to pace myself to something similar. Tried to hold it back to a 12 minute mile, so that I wouldn't wear myself out too fast, but it felt like I was holding myself back. I don't like this pace LOL. We'll see if it gets any better.

 

[MightyDuck001]

Maybe it's a newbie error, but I run in the mornings, average temp 77 and 90+% humidity (it's been as high as 96% I think...at that point it might as well just rain). If I don't get it done first thing in the morning, I won't do it later.

Not at all--a lot of people are always saying to run really early in the morning to beat the higher temperatures during the summer but I think people get so focused on temperatures they forget about humidity and the "feels like" temperature.

Personally, I hate the humidity and always run during the week after 6:30. Last year I thought Wine & Dine was absolutely perfect! I love the night races. After spending time on the highway during the marathon with no shade and just relentless sun beating you into the pavement, I'd take a night race over that any day.

 

[kristenrice]

I did one of my best runs ever tonight. I just came off of my fourth consecutive 12-hour day and I was ready for a rest. It rained most of the day, but the sun came out about 30 minutes before I punched out. It was an omen. It cooled down to 72 degrees and the sun was shining so I took off my work boots and laced up my new running shoes. I had a route in mind and I wasn't exactly sure how far it was, but I knew it was more than 4 miles. I was hoping to run for an hour but I was not 100% sure how far my path would take me. I walked for 2 minutes to warm up and then started my 4/2 intervals. When I got home, I had completed 5.11 miles in 1:00:24. That is an 11:49 pace!!! It's not my farthest run or my best pace, but it is by far the farthest I have gone at that pace. I think the key for me must be doing my runs at night instead of in the morning. My night runs have been consistently quicker than my morning runs. I don't really care about my time, as long as it is under 13 minutes. I am really more concerned about adding distance, but in order for me to find time in my day to run 5+ miles, I have to be able to do it in a reasonable amount of time.

I'm not sure when my next run will be. I have a 5K with DD10 on Thursday and she tries to keep up with me. I tend to slow way down for her. She likes doing the intervals too, but she does the 3/2 instead of 4/2. I'm not sure if I will try to run tomorrow or not. I don't work tomorrow, but perhaps I should do another after-work run on Wednesday. We shall see...

 

[peachygreen]

I ran 5 tonight. Not the 7.5 I probably should have run, but it's really hard for me to get anything longer than 5 miles at night during the week. I am still trying to decide what to do this week. The 5 felt okay. It's really hot and humid out there tonight.

 

[jeanigor]

Thank you so much for this. I am so worried about getting swept. I'm still over 19 min/mile (embarrassed to even put that here) but I'm praying that 3 more months training, plus lower temps, plus hopefully lower humidity means I'll be OK.

(and I have to throw in a friendly Gig 'em )

That's part of training, to improve yourself. More reasonable temps usually mean better times.

Not at all--a lot of people are always saying to run really early in the morning to beat the higher temperatures during the summer but I think people get so focused on temperatures they forget about humidity and the "feels like" temperature.

Personally, I hate the humidity and always run during the week after 6:30. Last year I thought Wine & Dine was absolutely perfect! I love the night races. After spending time on the highway during the marathon with no shade and just relentless sun beating you into the pavement, I'd take a night race over that any day.

I thought last year's temps and weather conditions were darned close to ideal. Far better than the past years and races in the sunshine.

 

[funnybunny921]

Saturday I did my 3 - next weekend is 6.5 and I am a little scared. That is uncharted territory for both me and my husband.

On happier news I called in a booked one signature event this morning for the food and wine festival. It isn't the best timing (as I am sure drinking the week before a race is a no-no)

Anyway keep up all the great runs people - and remember summer is coming towards an end. the heat will get better soon.

 

[capeseal]

I did one of my best runs ever tonight. I just came off of my fourth consecutive 12-hour day and I was ready for a rest. It rained most of the day, but the sun came out about 30 minutes before I punched out. It was an omen. It cooled down to 72 degrees and the sun was shining so I took off my work boots and laced up my new running shoes. I had a route in mind and I wasn't exactly sure how far it was, but I knew it was more than 4 miles. I was hoping to run for an hour but I was not 100% sure how far my path would take me. I walked for 2 minutes to warm up and then started my 4/2 intervals. When I got home, I had completed 5.11 miles in 1:00:24. That is an 11:49 pace!!! It's not my farthest run or my best pace, but it is by far the farthest I have gone at that pace. I think the key for me must be doing my runs at night instead of in the morning. My night runs have been consistently quicker than my morning runs. I don't really care about my time, as long as it is under 13 minutes. I am really more concerned about adding distance, but in order for me to find time in my day to run 5+ miles, I have to be able to do it in a reasonable amount of time.

I'm not sure when my next run will be. I have a 5K with DD10 on Thursday and she tries to keep up with me. I tend to slow way down for her. She likes doing the intervals too, but she does the 3/2 instead of 4/2. I'm not sure if I will try to run tomorrow or not. I don't work tomorrow, but perhaps I should do another after-work run on Wednesday. We shall see...

I'm always impressed with your intervals times. Great job getting those 5 miles done. How did the new shoes feel?

I hope you have a great time racing with your DD. I keep waiting for mine to want to do a 5k with me. She's only 5 but I'm already excited to do some mother/daughter races. Definitely hoping she'll participate in a Run Disney 5k with me in 2015, at least.

 

[kristenrice]

I'm always impressed with your intervals times. Great job getting those 5 miles done. How did the new shoes feel?

I hope you have a great time racing with your DD. I keep waiting for mine to want to do a 5k with me. She's only 5 but I'm already excited to do some mother/daughter races. Definitely hoping she'll participate in a Run Disney 5k with me in 2015, at least.

LOVE the new shoes!! What a difference from the Brooks! They are just as comfortable as the cheaper Saucony's I had been wearing, but I am under the impression that they are a "sturdier" shoe. Maybe the salesguy lied (say it ain't so!) but he explained to me that the Saucony Grid Cohesion 6 ($55) which I had been using are a good shoe, but they are cheaper because they are not designed to last as long as the more expensive ones. He said that the Triumph 10's ($130) are a similar shoe but they have "more" in them. My plan is to wear my Cohesion's on my shorter runs (3-4 miles) because they already have >100 miles on them. Then, I will use my Triumph's on my longer (>4 mile) runs. That way, I can keep my feet adjusted to both shoes without wearing them out before the race. I am not planning on buying another pair before we go, but if a nice discount or coupon comes along, I may have to. I honestly don't try to look at the price of the shoes when I try them on. I try to go by fit and comfort. That's what had me in such a quandry...Even though I never had problems with my Cohesion's, I just could not comprehend that a $55 shoe would get me through a 1/2 marathon without falling apart. I *know* that price should not be a factor, but I decided to get a more expensive pair anyways, just to ease my mind.

 

[kristenrice]

LeCellier at 4:10???? Too early???

We need to use Disney transportation (staying at AKL) so I was planning on taking the shuttle from Epcot to the WWoS around 7pm. The only dinner reservation they have at LeCellier is 4:10pm. Obviously, that gives us plenty of time. I figured we could fuel with a steak (protein) and that delicious pretzel bread (carbs) and we'd have ample time to digest. I'm a little concerned that it is too much time, though.

I plan on napping at the resort in the afternoon and a 4:10 ADR means leaving the resort no later than 3pm. That's not much of a nap. If I eat at Epcot (or at one of the Epcot area resorts), how late of an ADR can I make and still have enough time to get to the WWoS on time??

 

[jeanigor]

LeCellier at 4:10???? Too early???

We need to use Disney transportation (staying at AKL) so I was planning on taking the shuttle from Epcot to the WWoS around 7pm. The only dinner reservation they have at LeCellier is 4:10pm. Obviously, that gives us plenty of time. I figured we could fuel with a steak (protein) and that delicious pretzel bread (carbs) and we'd have ample time to digest. I'm a little concerned that it is too much time, though.

I plan on napping at the resort in the afternoon and a 4:10 ADR means leaving the resort no later than 3pm. That's not much of a nap. If I eat at Epcot (or at one of the Epcot area resorts), how late of an ADR can I make and still have enough time to get to the WWoS on time??

I think it all depends upon how much time you plan on taking to eat dinner. I usually aim for dinner around 5, but that also gives my tummy enough time to settle down and allows me to enjoy the race.

 

[Ariel484]

LeCellier at 4:10???? Too early???

We need to use Disney transportation (staying at AKL) so I was planning on taking the shuttle from Epcot to the WWoS around 7pm. The only dinner reservation they have at LeCellier is 4:10pm. Obviously, that gives us plenty of time. I figured we could fuel with a steak (protein) and that delicious pretzel bread (carbs) and we'd have ample time to digest. I'm a little concerned that it is too much time, though.

I plan on napping at the resort in the afternoon and a 4:10 ADR means leaving the resort no later than 3pm. That's not much of a nap. If I eat at Epcot (or at one of the Epcot area resorts), how late of an ADR can I make and still have enough time to get to the WWoS on time??

I have a 4:30 reservation at Via Napoli...so I hope it's not too late!

Is a steak going to be too heavy for you? It would be for me, I think.

 

[jenny_nichole]

Hi all,

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I do check in to see how all of you are doing with your training. It's fun to read about your training progress. I am following the Galloway schedule for beginners, so my longest run so far has been 6 miles. So far, I'm really enjoying it.

I do have a couple of questions:

Costumes
Do you have plans to dress up for the race?

I googled "Disney running costumes" and searched on etsy and there are a lot of great ideas out there. I decided to keep it simple and I am going as "Minnie". I'm sure it's super-common, but also cute & easy. I bought a red sparkle running skirt from etsy(~$17) and plan on using an existing red running tank, both of which I plan to affix removable white dot Avery labels to serve as the polka dots. I also have a black visor that I hope to somehow attach Minnie ears too.

Here's a bloggers link with awesome ideas:
http://www.according-to-kelly.com/2011/08/what-should-i-wear-how-should-i-wear-it-2/

So if you are dressing up, do tell.

Finish Line Party/Race Start Logistics
So I saw that spectators can enter Epcot at 7pm and that participants can park at Epcot for free at 7pm or later. They will have shuttles available from Epcot to the WWoS from 7-8:30pm:

Guests not staying at a Host Resort will need to provide their own transportation and those driving personal vehicles will be required to park at Epcot®. THERE WILL BE NO PARKING AT ESPN WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS COMPLEX OR DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM® THEME PARK ON RACE EVENING. For runners driving to Epcot® on race evening, the race shuttle from Epcot® to the sports complex will begin at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. The parking fee at Epcot® will be waived for runners and spectators arriving after 7:00 p.m. on race evening. Please allow enough time to ensure you are parked at Epcot® no later than 8:00 p.m.

So my question is this:
Can runners enter Epcot and take in the sights for an hour or so(~7-8pm), before taking the shuttle over to the sports complex? I thought it would be fun to walk around w/dh for a little bit before I head over to find my corral placement. Would there be enough time for that? Since runners get a wristband, we would be allowed in at 7 with the other spectators, right? I don't want to try to cram too much into a small window of time and then be rushed to get to the start line. Any thoughts or experiences?

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[kristenrice]

I have a 4:30 reservation at Via Napoli...so I hope it's not too late!

Is a steak going to be too heavy for you? It would be for me, I think.

I think it all depends upon how much time you plan on taking to eat dinner. I usually aim for dinner around 5, but that also gives my tummy enough time to settle down and allows me to enjoy the race.

Well, I did some more looking around...what about Garden Grill? I know it is an all-you-can-eat, but I am looking more at the variety than the quantity. I'm thinking that the breads, chicken and veggies (in moderation) would be a good way to fuel up. I like the idea of being able to have a bit of several things instead of one plated meal of just chicken, or just beef.

As far as the timing goes, if we catch the shuttle at 8pm from Epcot over to the WWoS, we should be there in plenty of time, correct? Unfortunately, DH has been a police officer for 25 years and I have been a paramedic for 15 years...we have learned to eat quickly and on the fly. When it is just the two of us, it is a leisurely dinner if it takes 45 minutes! So a 6pm dinner would be over by 7pm which would leave us a 1-hour cushion to get to the shuttle.

This is our first race so I really have no idea what to expect. I certainly do not want to be late in getting to the corrals, but I also do not want to be so early that we are sitting around for more than 2 hours.

I have found that my morning runs (on a nearly empty stomach) are almost a full minute/mile slower than when I run at night after eating all day. I'm thinking that if I eat at 6 (4 hours before race time), I should have plenty of time to digest it and not worry about GI surprises.

I know that I want to avoid CS dinner if at all possible. That means I need to hurry up and find an ADR so that we are not forced to eat a CS meal.