Hi Everyone!! Thank you for all the amazing info in this thread. I have popped in a few times in the last few months and even posted but I found it very hard to follow. Since I knew there was some really great info and since I wanted to join in, I decided to go back and read all 300+ pages to get caught up. I also decided since I was at it and to prove I read every page, I will answer all the QOTD’s:
1) Taper – Yes. To build/store strength and energy for race.
2) WDW Marathon Advice – It’s not like any race you’ve ever done.
3) Charity Group – Nope.
4) Recovery – (longest run = half marathon) I am good a few hours after race.
5) Advice for Beginners – Don’t over think. Just get out there. Start slow and build up.
6) Training Plans – None. I just wing it.
7) Worst WDW Attraction – Tomorrowland Speedway. Wasted prime real estate.
8) Run/Walk Method – No. I’m a continuous runner.
9) Race Medals – Hanging in my closet for now until my wall display goes up (Xmas present).
10) Icy Roads – Nope. Way too dangerous.
11) Determining Race Schedule – Not a huge racer. Right now RunDisney and POT races are my focus.
12) Run at WDW – Outside of RunDisney, I don’t bring running stuff on vacation.
13) Chaffing – Only minor. Wearing compression gear helps in winter and minimal gear helps in heat.
14) Shirtless in Heat – Yep. Not really self-conscious or care what others think. More comfort, less chaffing, less laundry.
15) Journal – Just track runs on the Nike app.
16) Scenic Route – I don’t run on vacation so pretty much a beautiful Spring/Fall day in CT tops the list.
17) Favorite WDW Snack – Grand Marnier Slushy.
18) Race Search – Running in the USA.
19) Carry Water on Runs – Nope. But with long runs coming this summer, I will need to.
20) See Super Blue Blood Moon – No.
21) Running Shoes – Whatever feels comfortable. I usually buy last year’s models. Currently in Asics Nimbus 19 from Running Warehouse on clearance.
22) Running Shoe Color – I Don’t Care. Especially if I got them cheap on clearance.
23) Holiday Themed Race – Never done one.
24) Sleep – Don’t really track it but I usually get 6-7 hours a night.
25) Other Workouts – Yes. Strength training (upper body).
26) Popcorn – Not a popcorn fan. If I make it, it is in the microwave.
27) Lundi/Mardi Gras – Did not celebrate
28) Favorite Surface – Asphalt. I am a road runner.
29) Track – I haven’t run on a track in years. There is a track nearby if I needed one.
30) Skipping a Workout – Yes if I can’t fit it in my schedule or bad weather - too cold/icy, etc.
31) WDW Attraction Bring Back – Soarin’ Over California. Soarin’ Over the World doesn’t do it for me.
32) Spring Time Adjustments – Less layers.
33) Least Favorite 5K Mile – Mile 2.
34) Most Difficult Transition – Half to Full. Never done it but doing it for the first time in January.
35) Trip Planning for Disney Races – Definitely plan for park time which is why I’m not doing Dopey
36) WDW Hard Ticket Event – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
37) Watch Winter Olympics – A little. Was it me, or was Curling on at least one station ALL the time?
38) Pre Race Routine – Get to bathroom as late as possible and try to get as close to front as possible.
39) Race Practice – I like to run the course ahead of time if possible so I can be prepared for hills, etc.
40) Favorite/Special Finisher Medals – No. Not really.
41) Bad Decision – Continuing to play softball through bad hamstring injuries. Kept re-injuring and never fully recovered. It will forever impact my running.
42) RunDisney Events – 2 completed -
Castaway Cay 5K in 2015 and the WDW Half in 2018. Planning on Goofy in Jan 2019 and the Rival Run Challenge in Apr 2019.
43) Wrong Turn on Run – No, but I did get caught in a gated community. The exit gate was closed and had to turn around trying to find another exit - there was none, and had to head back to entrance.
44) Expos – Sure. I like to shop and check stuff out.
45) Character Meals – They are all pretty much the same. Chef Mickey’s has been a family tradition. I’ve gone every year with my (now college age) kids since they were little.
46) Races downtime – We have races all year long but less in the summer/winter.
47) Running Movie – Meatballs. “Wudy da Wabbit” upsets Camp Mohawk in the final event - a 4 mile race through the woods to win for Camp North Star.
48) Race Prep vs. Maintenance – To me, they are the same.
49) March Madness – Alma Mater = 4 time National Champion UConn Huskies!!! #built4banners
50) Marathon on TV – I’ve watched some of the NYC marathon in the past.
51) ATHLINKS.com – Never heard of it until I saw this post.
52) Time Change – Yes. I enjoy afternoon runs.
53) Race Prep vs. Maintenance – To me, they are the same.
54) WDW 4 Hour Ride – Toy Story Mania
55) PR Treat – A beer. But that is every race.
56) Fear of Finishing – I always fear some injury will pop up causing me to bail out.
57) Fueling – Don’t run long enough distances to fuel mid run. As I prepare for Goofy, I will need to start.
58) Compression Socks – I started wearing compression calf sleeves on long runs. They do seem to help.
59) Good Friday – I worked. Both my kids were home from college for a short Easter break – both go to Catholic schools.
60) April Fool’s – No pranks outside of the crazy April weather.
61) Only One Race to Run – WDW Half Marathon.
62) Challenges – My first challenges will be in 2019 - Goofy and Rivals Run.
63) Motivation – Myself.
64) Four Year Old on Tower of Terror – Yes. Why not?
65) Running Socks – Typically Target (C9) running socks. I just got a couple pairs of Asics Nimbus to try.
66) Running Hats – Cold, yes, warm, no. If I am running in the rain I sometimes wear a baseball hat.
67) Music While Running – Yes and now I can stream on my Apple Watch 3 w/cellular
68) No Running on Vacation Guilt – No, I do not run on vacation.
69) Favorite WDW Drink – Grand Marnier Slushy.
70) World Major Marathon Choice – NYC.
71) Worst Race Conditions – My last half on 4/29 was in the cold and rain. Nothing like Boston, though.
72) Practice Fueling – Just starting to practice as I prepare of the Disney Marathon
73) One Race – Half Marathon. It is a perfect distance for me.
74) Balance Running/Life – This is tough. I run when I can. Usually right after work or at lunch if I can.
75) Dress for Running – As little as possible. Shorts/tech shirt always. Long sleeve warm compression shirt under tech shirt below 50. Sweats/tights and hat and gloves below freezing.
76) Next Big Running Goal – Complete my first marathon (Disney Marathon 2019).
77) Warm Up Routine – A few simple stretches and I am off.
78) Post Race Cool Down – Just some walking and drinking water.
79) Favorite WDW Queue – Space Mountain. Timeless. Love the Star Tunnel and accompanying music.
80) Morning/Afternoon Runs – Not a morning person. At lunch if possible or after work.
81) Star Wars Character/Scene – All the Tatooine scenes in New Hope and Return of the Jedi.
82) Hill Running – I live in CT. Hills are everywhere and inevitable.
83) Breaks During Running – Never in the past but starting to practice taking breaks on long runs.
84) Yasso 800 – Never heard of it before reading this post.
85) Peak – Turning 50 this year, so I believe I am well past my peak. Just trying to minimize the decline.
86) Foam Rolling – Never done it.
87) Run in the Heat – I am OK in the heat and I will run at lunch when it’s 95°. Tip: Stay hydrated!!
88) Why Running – Just trying to stay in shape.
89) Fall Marathons – Never done one.
90) First Disney Experience – Going with my family in 1976. I was 8. So many memories of that trip.
91) Athlete Inspiration – I appreciate great athletes but can’t say I’ve been inspired by any of them.
92) Memorial Day – A couple of long runs but not much else.
93) Hydration – When I am thirsty, I drink lots of water.
94) GPS History – Runkeeper on iPhone, Nike (TomTom) GPS watch, Nike Apple Watch 3LTE
95) Race Mileage Tracking – I let the GPS watch do the work.
96) Running Shirts – Not Picky. Usually get them cheap from TJ Maxx/Marshalls.
Monthly Miles: Jan - 67, Feb - 78, Mar - 99, Apr - 113, May - 156
) and all the other discussions and bonus questions, but to keep my post relatively shorter, I just answered the QOTD's.
Hooray! I'm so glad for you. I've BT/DT and it was truly the worst time of my life, bar none, so I get it. I wish you abundant peace and happiness as you move forward into the next chapter!
