The Running Thread - 2016

[michigandergirl]

Congrats @surfde22 !! Enjoy your new bundle of joy - they grow up so fast!

 

[camaker]

There are still 2016 marathon slots open. This is a problem because:
1. I said, "I'm not going to do another marathon" in front of lots of people.
2. It would be a solo trip which seems selfish when I have offspring that love Disney.
3. I'm going to the World in October anyway.

I keep watching the site hoping it will just sell out and stop tempting me.

One of you dear Disney runners please recommend a different East Coast Disney race that I can aim for... Princess? Star Wars? 2017 W and D?

Help! Don't want to make an impulse registration!!

I don't know that I can help you with selecting another race, but I can certainly help you rationalize going for the 2017 Marathon!

Your "problems" really aren't so problematic:
1. I think just about everyone who has ever run a marathon has said that they won't do another marathon. It's just something you say that nobody really believes, anyway. Kind of like "I'm only going to eat one Oreo".

2. It would actually be selfish to take your offspring on the Marathon Weekend trip! You don't want to spoil their Disney experience with your early bedtimes preventing fireworks-watching and the early wake-up calls disturbing their much-needed sleep. A solo trip for you would really be in their best interest.

3. That's great! You can get your fireworks in and binge on park time in October so there's less pressure to do that in January. That way you can focus on the running during Marathon Weekend. Of course, since walking post-race is the best recovery AND you're at Disney you might as well do that in the parks...

This really isn't the best place to come to get talked out of running a Disney race!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Hello all! I need some advice. I'm signed up for the Disney half in January. Training has been great up until this point, I made it to 7 mile long runs. However, summer weather has hit my area. I had been running in 55-65 degrees in the evenings. Now I'm trying to run in the mornings (coolest part of the day) in the 70s and I've been really struggling. This morning was the worst, I could only do 20 mins of my planned 60 min. Was I naive that I could change up my running schedule abruptly? Any advice? Is this normal? It's so hot My current plan is to start my training over and try to work back up.

First - I am going to assume that you did not take a long break after you hit the 7 mile long run sweet spot. The heat makes you feel worse, but not so much that you should have to stop after 20 minutes unless you are running too fast. This is really where the mental aspect of running kicks in. Slow down and accept that running is not going to be as much "fun" as it was when it was cooler until you acclimatize - and you will acclimatize. You may not be able to run as fast as you were before it got hotter, but your speed will improve and your distances will continue to get longer as long as you don't give up.

Go out and get in your training plan distances, just slow it down. Run based on heart rate or perceived effort, keeping runs at an easy effort/pace. Take longer walk intervals or shorter run intervals if necessary to keep your heart rate low, but put in the work. When the temps drop you will find running an absolute breeze because of the work that you did in the heat - but only if you keep putting in the work.

 

[PrincessV]

It is our first. He arrived at 1:02pm central today, and is currently sleeping soundly. He weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 20.5 inches long. Mom had a rough go of it, but is slowly getting better. Before long it will be time to start his training for the diaper dash in January. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.

CONGRATS!! And best wishes to mom for a quick recovery.

Hello all! I need some advice. I'm signed up for the Disney half in January. Training has been great up until this point, I made it to 7 mile long runs. However, summer weather has hit my area. I had been running in 55-65 degrees in the evenings. Now I'm trying to run in the mornings (coolest part of the day) in the 70s and I've been really struggling. This morning was the worst, I could only do 20 mins of my planned 60 min. Was I naive that I could change up my running schedule abruptly? Any advice? Is this normal? It's so hot My current plan is to start my training over and try to work back up.

FL runner here, so I run in extreme heat/humidity May through Oct. First, you will get acclimated, but only if you allow it to happen and don't fight it! Above all, S L O W down. I don't even look at pace in summer; I run at a pace that feels comfortable, whatever that may be. It's generally around 1:00-2:00 slower than my winter pace. Make sure you're taking in plenty of fluids AND electrolytes. Dehydration or electrolyte depletion can be a big issue. If you don't already, try taking walk breaks from the beginning of your runs - they help keep heart rate down, which helps with the heat.

 

[Princesspixi]

Hello! I just registered for the Walt Disney World Marathon! It will be my first marathon but not my first run Disney event. I did the Princess in 2011 and the Wine and Dine in 2012. I've been wanting to do the coast to coast challenge and even signed up for the Tinker Bell half for last year but couldn't get into the Wine and Dine so i didn't go to the Tinker Bell Any way next year I decided I will get that coast to coast medal (so that would be my bucket list item!) I'm doing the marathon and Tinker Bell. Since this is my first marathon I was wondering if any one has any tips (I tried looking through the pages but there are so many). Thanks!

 

[roxymama]

No official time yet but garmin had 29:58 for my zoo 5k. I only need to shave one minute to get back to my normal race pace! So excited about this post injury...longest I've run in a month.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Hello! I just registered for the Walt Disney World Marathon! It will be my first marathon but not my first run Disney event. I did the Princess in 2011 and the Wine and Dine in 2012. I've been wanting to do the coast to coast challenge and even signed up for the Tinker Bell half for last year but couldn't get into the Wine and Dine so i didn't go to the Tinker Bell Any way next year I decided I will get that coast to coast medal (so that would be my bucket list item!) I'm doing the marathon and Tinker Bell. Since this is my first marathon I was wondering if any one has any tips (I tried looking through the pages but there are so many). Thanks!

Welcome to the thread! Great place to learn lots of interesting things. Do you have any specific questions about running/Disney Marathon Weekend?

 

[DopeyBadger]

No official time yet but garmin had 29:58 for my zoo 5k. I only need to shave one minute to get back to my normal race pace! So excited about this post injury...longest I've run in a month.

That's awesome! Well on your way back to pre-injury days! Personally I would have been distracted by the zoo animals, so I think that's where the one minute went.

 

[FFigawi]

Hello! I just registered for the Walt Disney World Marathon! It will be my first marathon but not my first run Disney event. I did the Princess in 2011 and the Wine and Dine in 2012. I've been wanting to do the coast to coast challenge and even signed up for the Tinker Bell half for last year but couldn't get into the Wine and Dine so i didn't go to the Tinker Bell Any way next year I decided I will get that coast to coast medal (so that would be my bucket list item!) I'm doing the marathon and Tinker Bell. Since this is my first marathon I was wondering if any one has any tips (I tried looking through the pages but there are so many). Thanks!

The best tip I can give you is to choose a training plan which suits you (Higdon and Galloway offer the two best programs for novice runners) and stick to it. If you follow a plan, you're more likely to get to the starting line without injury and get across the finish line with a smile on your face.

 

[Princesspixi]

Welcome to the thread! Great place to learn lots of interesting things. Do you have any specific questions about running/Disney Marathon Weekend?

Not really. Just things I might not have thought of. I've run halfs before but never the whole thing.I can expect pretty much the same thing right?
Right now my only thoughts are that I need to run, a lot, to prepare. I haven't considered a training plan.

 

[camaker]

Not really. Just things I might not have thought of. I've run halfs before but never the whole thing.I can expect pretty much the same thing right?
Right now my only thoughts are that I need to run, a lot, to prepare. I haven't considered a training plan.

I'll echo what @FFigawi said above. Find a training plan that fits your lifestyle and that you can follow. You're right that you need to run a lot to prepare for the marathon and a structured training plan will ensure that you get the miles that you need while minimizing the risk of injury through their structured, progressive approach to adding mileage. I have used Higdon's plans with good success and a lot of people like Galloway, too.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Not really. Just things I might not have thought of. I've run halfs before but never the whole thing.I can expect pretty much the same thing right?
Right now my only thoughts are that I need to run, a lot, to prepare. I haven't considered a training plan.

The big thing I learned during my first marathon is that it's not just like doubling a half marathon (it wasn't for me anyway). I finished, but it wasn't necessarily with @FFigawi's previously mentioned "smile on (my) face". I mean it's hard to not smile when you finish your first (or any) marathon, but my legs and feet weren't smiling. I thought I was much better prepared for my first full marathon than I was for my first half; even with better preparation I more than doubled my time. The weather was a factor in that as well, but I was pretty shocked at the difference between the two distances.

There is a lot more time to question yourself and what exactly you are doing, even at a place like Disney where there is generally a lot going on. Finding a training plan is the biggest key to understanding and preparing for the race. Since you've run halfs before you have a good idea of what it will take, but I think having finished a couple halfs before my first marathon might have left me a little too confident about at least being able to finish. The back half of the marathon really has a way of exposing any shortcuts or shortcomings in training.

It's an awesome race and I have little doubt that you'll have fun and finish, that's just the little bit of advice I remember from my experience. I've run 4 marathons (not really extensive experience, I know) and the difficulty still catches me by surprise each time.

 

[Princesspixi]

The big thing I learned during my first marathon is that it's not just like doubling a half marathon (it wasn't for me anyway). I finished, but it wasn't necessarily with @FFigawi's previously mentioned "smile on (my) face". I mean it's hard to not smile when you finish your first (or any) marathon, but my legs and feet weren't smiling. I thought I was much better prepared for my first full marathon than I was for my first half; even with better preparation I more than doubled my time. The weather was a factor in that as well, but I was pretty shocked at the difference between the two distances.

There is a lot more time to question yourself and what exactly you are doing, even at a place like Disney where there is generally a lot going on. Finding a training plan is the biggest key to understanding and preparing for the race. Since you've run halfs before you have a good idea of what it will take, but I think having finished a couple halfs before my first marathon might have left me a little too confident about at least being able to finish. The back half of the marathon really has a way of exposing any shortcuts or shortcomings in training.

It's an awesome race and I have little doubt that you'll have fun and finish, that's just the little bit of advice I remember from my experience. I've run 4 marathons (not really extensive experience, I know) and the difficulty still catches me by surprise each time.

Thanks for the insight! I will be looking into a training plan to use. Thank you

 

[roxymama]

That's awesome! Well on your way back to pre-injury days! Personally I would have been distracted by the zoo animals, so I think that's where the one minute went.

. Mile two was a mud puddle that we all had to single file go around so I like to think I had it in me today to take off the minute BUT it could have been taken that mile easy that allowed for my fast finish. Who knows. But I'm happy

 

[croach]

2. It would actually be selfish to take your offspring on the Marathon Weekend trip! You don't want to spoil their Disney experience with your early bedtimes preventing fireworks-watching and the early wake-up calls disturbing their much-needed sleep. A solo trip for you would really be in their best interest.

This is top notch rationalizing. I applaud this.

 

[croach]

No official time yet but garmin had 29:58 for my zoo 5k. I only need to shave one minute to get back to my normal race pace! So excited about this post injury...longest I've run in a month.

Congrats!! Things sound like they are going in the right direction for you.

 

[dmross]

QOTD: My first race was a 5K. It was a nighttime Candlelight run to benefit the local hospital. It was lit with luminaries. I had joined a walk-to-run group in May, and we finished with this race. I remember that I was running 8 minutes, walking 1 minute at that point in my training, and I had worked up from running 15 seconds, walking 45 seconds. We started at walking and worked our way up to running. What an amazing sense of accomplishment! I looked it up on Athlinks, and I finished in 41:15 officially. Running really has changed my self image and my life!

I don't know that I can help you with selecting another race, but I can certainly help you rationalize going for the 2017 Marathon!

Your "problems" really aren't so problematic:
1. I think just about everyone who has ever run a marathon has said that they won't do another marathon. It's just something you say that nobody really believes, anyway. Kind of like "I'm only going to eat one Oreo".

2. It would actually be selfish to take your offspring on the Marathon Weekend trip! You don't want to spoil their Disney experience with your early bedtimes preventing fireworks-watching and the early wake-up calls disturbing their much-needed sleep. A solo trip for you would really be in their best interest.

3. That's great! You can get your fireworks in and binge on park time in October so there's less pressure to do that in January. That way you can focus on the running during Marathon Weekend. Of course, since walking post-race is the best recovery AND you're at Disney you might as well do that in the parks...


This really isn't the best place to come to get talked out of running a Disney race!

You got me. I should know better than to impulse post to a bunch of runDisney fans... I also had a poor performance in 2016 and some part of me wants to do better at the same race-to be better prepared and finish stronger.

 

[singastory]

I feel you and I'm learning to accept I'm slower now than I was 2-3 months ago because I'm working harder in the heat. I think it was Galloway that said you should slow down 30 seconds a mile for every 5 degrees over 60? Using that logic I'm right on pace. The way I see it a slower mile now in harder conditions should benefit me greatly when it's back cooler as my 'effort' will be less so there will be 'more to give' I am focusing more on improving intervals and distance more than time and not beating myself up when a 14 min mile in 82 degrees with crazy humidity is 'running hard' cause a few days later on a cool morning I'll run it in 12.5...

Where do you live? Is it more humid now as well because I wouldn't think the temp difference between 55-65 and 70 would be that much different if no added humidity went along with it. I guess I don't understand what the changes are that you were referring to either. What changes in your schedule are you referring to, the time of day you run? Why would you start your training over if you are at 7 mile long runs? You have plenty of time to train, why not just take your runs slower to deal with the heat and when the fall comes you can worry about speed once the temps drop.

I guess more info is needed to give a better recommendation.

First - I am going to assume that you did not take a long break after you hit the 7 mile long run sweet spot. The heat makes you feel worse, but not so much that you should have to stop after 20 minutes unless you are running too fast. This is really where the mental aspect of running kicks in. Slow down and accept that running is not going to be as much "fun" as it was when it was cooler until you acclimatize - and you will acclimatize. You may not be able to run as fast as you were before it got hotter, but your speed will improve and your distances will continue to get longer as long as you don't give up.

Go out and get in your training plan distances, just slow it down. Run based on heart rate or perceived effort, keeping runs at an easy effort/pace. Take longer walk intervals or shorter run intervals if necessary to keep your heart rate low, but put in the work. When the temps drop you will find running an absolute breeze because of the work that you did in the heat - but only if you keep putting in the work.

FL runner here, so I run in extreme heat/humidity May through Oct. First, you will get acclimated, but only if you allow it to happen and don't fight it! Above all, S L O W down. I don't even look at pace in summer; I run at a pace that feels comfortable, whatever that may be. It's generally around 1:00-2:00 slower than my winter pace. Make sure you're taking in plenty of fluids AND electrolytes. Dehydration or electrolyte depletion can be a big issue. If you don't already, try taking walk breaks from the beginning of your runs - they help keep heart rate down, which helps with the heat.

Thanks, everyone!! I guess the take away message is that I should be slowing wayyyy down. I'm up to 10 min run/1 min walk intervals but haven't paid much attention to pace up until now, it usually averages somewhere between 9:30 and 10:00 min/mi with my warmup/cooldown. I run the same way every time, I'm gathering that's a mistake! I also haven't paid attention to heart rate because while I'm physically fit, my heart rate while exercising is always super high. I'm dreading incorporating fluids into the run as I cramp easily, I try to stop eating/drinking right at 2 hours before I plan to run and I'm usually cramp-free. I'll work on bringing my intervals back down or just running slower in general as you've suggested. I appreciate your encouragement, I felt so frustrated yesterday!

 

[croach]

Thanks, everyone!! I guess the take away message is that I should be slowing wayyyy down. I'm up to 10 min run/1 min walk intervals but haven't paid much attention to pace up until now, it usually averages somewhere between 9:30 and 10:00 min/mi with my warmup/cooldown. I run the same way every time, I'm gathering that's a mistake! I also haven't paid attention to heart rate because while I'm physically fit, my heart rate while exercising is always super high. I'm dreading incorporating fluids into the run as I cramp easily, I try to stop eating/drinking right at 2 hours before I plan to run and I'm usually cramp-free. I'll work on bringing my intervals back down or just running slower in general as you've suggested. I appreciate your encouragement, I felt so frustrated yesterday!

Not encouraging you to not use fluids but consider salt tabs as a supplement to the fluids. I got some chewable tablets by Salt Stick yesterday and used them today. Worked well.

 

[opusone]

Not really. Just things I might not have thought of. I've run halfs before but never the whole thing. I can expect pretty much the same thing right? Right now my only thoughts are that I need to run, a lot, to prepare. I haven't considered a training plan.

Congrats on registering for the marathon! If you train properly, this will be a great experience, and you will have an incredible feeling at the finish line. That being said, there is a pretty big difference between a half and a full marathon:

1. The beating on your legs grows exponentially at some point once you get past 16, 18 or 20 miles. You don't experience this during a half.
2. You really need to focus on fluid, electrolyte and carbohydrate intake for a full marathon. During a half marathon, you usually have enough glycogen at the start in order to finish, so you just need minor fluid (and possibly electrolyte) intake with maybe one gel for refueling. This is not true with a marathon, so you need to figure out a good system of fluid and energy replenishment that works for you.
3. Mentally, the full marathon is a much bigger issue. I believe it is because of the much more severe breakdown of your body, plus the amount of time your body is using fat instead of glycogen for energy, so you are testing your mental frame of mind more when your body is working harder to overcome these physical stresses. I've always said that 20 miles is about halfway from a mental perspective.

I agree with everybody else on the importance of finding a good training program (Higdon or Galloway are good 1st marathon options), which if properly followed, should prepare you for #1 and #3 above. However, you need to experiment with #2 above in conjunction with your training program, especially important during the long runs.

Enjoy the training and testing new boundaries!