To Infinity and Beyond - Becoming a Better DopeyBadger (Comments Welcome)

[Sleepless Knight]

I want to get back into the groove, and get back into shape. Then once I get there, then I'll make some decisions on what/how I want to run. After 12.5 years of good hard racing, I've still got to answer the question of what motivates me to get me out the door. Once I'm out there, I guess I'll let you know.

The other day in our men's group at church, we were discussing an idea about how to continue to grow. One thought that was share was to always find something "good" that you don't want to do, and then do it anyways. This challenges your brain and helps you to continue to learn and grow instead of becoming stagnant.

But the real challenge here is that once we do something it may no longer challenge us enough and we should find something else. Now obviously, this is not an argument or reason to stop exercising. Rather an acknowledgment that motivation and why we pursue these kinds of endeavors may need to evolve and change over the years in order to help us continue to learn and grow.

BTW, don't do this. I was dumb and it was a stupid decision.

I chuckle at this because it reminds me of my idea to run the 2017 Avengers Half on just 3 weeks training. While I had run 7 half marathons to that point, little did I know that decision to run on 3 weeks training would wind up causing me to run a Marathon and Dopey. That plan broke down a few of my preconceived running notions which wound up being a good thing. However, that also nearly ended my running "career" a few weeks later.

To your greater point, dumb and stupid decisions carry risk. I wound up injuring myself about 6 weeks after that race because I was not training smart. I had gotten away with a short training plan and overestimated my own abilities. I got too excited and began to over train which resulted in injury that could have derailed my plans for the 2018 Star Wars race weekend and thus also effectively end my marathon goals before I started.

Coming to understand why I ran helped me become a better runner, which in turn helped me gain more self confidence in my own personal life.

 

[DopeyBadger]

That looks absolutely brutal.

LOL, yes. Yes it was. But it truly paled in comparison to how painful that first marathon was. I was so woefully undertrained for that, and am actually quite lucky I wasn't seriously injured. Although it makes for a great story all these years later. A story of, "Don't do that. Do this." Link to a recap of the lead-up and carnage of that first marathon (link).

That's almost as many miles as I completed in my Dopey training plan (which was only about 40% of the scheduled miles)

It definitely makes it harder when things get thrown in our way.

The other day in our men's group at church, we were discussing an idea about how to continue to grow. One thought that was share was to always find something "good" that you don't want to do, and then do it anyways. This challenges your brain and helps you to continue to learn and grow instead of becoming stagnant.

But the real challenge here is that once we do something it may no longer challenge us enough and we should find something else. Now obviously, this is not an argument or reason to stop exercising. Rather an acknowledgment that motivation and why we pursue these kinds of endeavors may need to evolve and change over the years in order to help us continue to learn and grow.

Very well said.

I chuckle at this because it reminds me of my idea to run the 2017 Avengers Half on just 3 weeks training. While I had run 7 half marathons to that point, little did I know that decision to run on 3 weeks training would wind up causing me to run a Marathon and Dopey. That plan broke down a few of my preconceived running notions which wound up being a good thing. However, that also nearly ended my running "career" a few weeks later.

To your greater point, dumb and stupid decisions carry risk. I wound up injuring myself about 6 weeks after that race because I was not training smart. I had gotten away with a short training plan and overestimated my own abilities. I got too excited and began to over train which resulted in injury that could have derailed my plans for the 2018 Star Wars race weekend and thus also effectively end my marathon goals before I started.

Coming to understand why I ran helped me become a better runner, which in turn helped me gain more self confidence in my own personal life.

Such a great cautionary tale and life lesson.

 

[avondale]

You've been quiet on here for awhile, so if you have important stuff happening, please don't feel the need to respond to this.

I have a relatively urgent family situation that I have to travel for, so I'm probably going to miss a fairly key long run in my training plan. I'm wondering if you can suggest how to adapt.

The planned long runs, past and future:

• 100 min, two Sundays ago
• 120 min, last Sunday
• 140 min, planned for this Sunday
• 100 min, following Sunday (cut-back week)
• 160 min, Sunday after
• 180 min Sunday after
• 210 min Sunday after
• after that, there's a cut-back week, then another 210 min LR, then tapering

It looks like because of conditions, I'll be doing perhaps 60 min this Sunday instead of the planned 140 min. I was thinking of just making this a cut-back week for the LR, but then that means 4 weeks of increase until the next cut-back week.

The rest of the runs in the training plan during the week I will be able to do more or less as planned.

Do you have a suggestion for how to adapt the LRs with this hiccup? Thanks!

 

[DopeyBadger]

You've been quiet on here for awhile, so if you have important stuff happening, please don't feel the need to respond to this.

I have a relatively urgent family situation that I have to travel for, so I'm probably going to miss a fairly key long run in my training plan. I'm wondering if you can suggest how to adapt.

The planned long runs, past and future:

• 100 min, two Sundays ago
• 120 min, last Sunday
• 140 min, planned for this Sunday
• 100 min, following Sunday (cut-back week)
• 160 min, Sunday after
• 180 min Sunday after
• 210 min Sunday after
• after that, there's a cut-back week, then another 210 min LR, then tapering

It looks like because of conditions, I'll be doing perhaps 60 min this Sunday instead of the planned 140 min. I was thinking of just making this a cut-back week for the LR, but then that means 4 weeks of increase until the next cut-back week.

The rest of the runs in the training plan during the week I will be able to do more or less as planned.

Do you have a suggestion for how to adapt the LRs with this hiccup? Thanks!

New job has been super busy. Used to have some time during the work day to relax and check in on the DIS. After 3 weeks, I haven't once had a moment to check anything personal. Not to be unexpected in a new position where they're very happy to have my help.

Original plan

• 100 min, two Sundays ago
• 120 min, last Sunday
• 140 min, planned for this Sunday
• 100 min, following Sunday (cut-back week)
• 160 min, Sunday after
• 180 min Sunday after
• 210 min Sunday after
• after that, there's a cut-back week,
• then another 210 min LR,
• then tapering

Adjusted

• 100 min, two Sundays ago
• 120 min, last Sunday
• 60 min, planned for this Sunday (now a cut back week)
• 140 min, following Sunday
• 160 min, Sunday after
• 120 min Sunday after
• 180 min Sunday after
• 120 min Sunday after
• then another 210 min LR,
• then tapering

This seems like the right approach to me. Make the current week the cut-back, and then reduce the 2x 210 to one 210 and the other a 180. There is likely a minimal difference between 2x 210 min and a 210 and 180 (with other things the same).

 

[avondale]

New job has been super busy. Used to have some time during the work day to relax and check in on the DIS. After 3 weeks, I haven't once had a moment to check anything personal. Not to be unexpected in a new position where they're very happy to have my help.

Original plan

• 100 min, two Sundays ago
• 120 min, last Sunday
• 140 min, planned for this Sunday
• 100 min, following Sunday (cut-back week)
• 160 min, Sunday after
• 180 min Sunday after
• 210 min Sunday after
• after that, there's a cut-back week,
• then another 210 min LR,
• then tapering

Adjusted

• 100 min, two Sundays ago
• 120 min, last Sunday
• 60 min, planned for this Sunday (now a cut back week)
• 140 min, following Sunday
• 160 min, Sunday after
• 120 min Sunday after
• 180 min Sunday after
• 120 min Sunday after
• then another 210 min LR,
• then tapering

This seems like the right approach to me. Make the current week the cut-back, and then reduce the 2x 210 to one 210 and the other a 180. There is likely a minimal difference between 2x 210 min and a 210 and 180 (with other things the same).

Thank you! I see what you are suggesting, and it makes sense. I'll see how things go.

I hope you get settled in at work. I have spells of "constant busy" depending on the time of the semester, and it's really draining. I appreciate you taking the time for this!

 

[dobball23]

New job has been super busy. Used to have some time during the work day to relax and check in on the DIS. After 3 weeks, I haven't once had a moment to check anything personal. Not to be unexpected in a new position where they're very happy to have my help.

Good luck with the new job!

 

[LSUlakes]

New job has been super busy. Used to have some time during the work day to relax and check in on the DIS. After 3 weeks, I haven't once had a moment to check anything personal. Not to be unexpected in a new position where they're very happy to have my help.

Hope the new job is going well and you are enjoying it! I was looking at some of the other journals, and I think page 442 is probably by far the longest running journal! Lots of good discussions and information in all of these pages.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Good luck with the new job!

Thanks! Starting to get settled in, but things haven't calmed down yet. For instance on Thursday I have meetings from 9:30-10:30, 10:30-11:00, 11:30-12:30, 1:00-2:00, 3:00-4:00, and then Friday is 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-2:00. These people like their meetings. Old lab job had a 1 hr meeting once per month. Lot more collaborators, and I'm working for three different PIs now.

Hope the new job is going well and you are enjoying it! I was looking at some of the other journals, and I think page 442 is probably by far the longest running journal! Lots of good discussions and information in all of these pages.

Thanks! Looks like we're at 8,827 posts and just short of 800,000 views after a little over 9 years (Jan 2016 to present).

Roxymama was 2015-2019 at 4,904 posts and 319,000 views
Ariel was 2015-2017 at 2,423 posts and 308,000 views
Sarah is 2017-present at 3,277 posts and 282,000 views
Gisele was 2016-2021 at 2,594 posts and 240,000 views
Jenna was 2017-2020 at 1,358 posts and 135,000 views

I'd say we were the OGs when the DIS migrated the runDisney forum into training journals. Once the weather calms down and the job calms down, I'll be back at it blogging regularly again. Bout to turn 40 this year, so the body will need a refresher as I turn the page into a new chapter.

 

[The Expert]

I hear you on the meetings! I changed roles this fall and went from almost zero to a few days a week that look like yours. It's tricky figuring out how to get your actual work done sometimes! Give yourself time to figure out what works best for you and try not to stress about it. We'll be here when you get back.

In the meantime, I'm so grateful for the longevity of your (and other) training journals. I've often gone back and read old race and training reports. I've been thinking about doing Chicago and had a great time reading the 2018 trip report you wrote when all the DISers did that race together. The institutional knowledge on these forums is so valuable!

 

[LSUlakes]

Bout to turn 40 this year, so the body will need a refresher as I turn the page into a new chapter.

41 over here. It's not all that bad to be over 40 so far lol. The good news, your BQ standard is exactly what it was when you were 30... 10 years ago or so lol. I'm not sure exactly what it is now, but I think when I was 30 or 35 it was 3:05:00 and at 40 it went up to 3:10 or 3:15, and now its back to 3:05 or something like that. So basically still need a 3:00:00 time to make sure to get in.

 

[LSUlakes]

So I decided to look it up for Boston
2013-2019
Ages 18-34 - 3:05:00
Ages 35-39 - 3:10:00
Ages 40-44 - 3:15:00

2020-2025
Ages 18-34 - 3:00:00
Ages 35-39 - 3:05:00
Ages 40-44 - 3:10:00

2026
Ages 18-34 - 2:55:00
Ages 35-39 - 3:00:00
Ages 40-44 - 3:05:00

So basically while I have aged 10 years, to get into next years marathon I would still have the same BQ time I was never close to when I was 31 lol. I am not sad that I looked this up... I 3:15:00 feels almost achievable maybe but 3:05:00, I probably have a better chance of winning the lotto.

 

[flav]

So I decided to look it up for Boston
2013-2019
Ages 18-34 - 3:05:00
Ages 35-39 - 3:10:00
Ages 40-44 - 3:15:00

2020-2025
Ages 18-34 - 3:00:00
Ages 35-39 - 3:05:00
Ages 40-44 - 3:10:00

2026
Ages 18-34 - 2:55:00
Ages 35-39 - 3:00:00
Ages 40-44 - 3:05:00

So basically while I have aged 10 years, to get into next years marathon I would still have the same BQ time I was never close to when I was 31 lol. I am not sad that I looked this up... I 3:15:00 feels almost achievable maybe but 3:05:00, I probably have a better chance of winning the lotto.

I find it so depressing. I remember a friend telling me, you will see, it is easy… referring to her experience when a solid 15 minutes slower was a sure ticket into Boston.

ETA: Think about runDisney A corral cutoff allowing a 45 yo woman to make Boston…

 

[DopeyBadger]

I hear you on the meetings! I changed roles this fall and went from almost zero to a few days a week that look like yours. It's tricky figuring out how to get your actual work done sometimes! Give yourself time to figure out what works best for you and try not to stress about it. We'll be here when you get back.

The bright side is my supervisors recognize it and give me some flexibility to prioritize my time.

In the meantime, I'm so grateful for the longevity of your (and other) training journals. I've often gone back and read old race and training reports. I've been thinking about doing Chicago and had a great time reading the 2018 trip report you wrote when all the DISers did that race together. The institutional knowledge on these forums is so valuable!

It's a nice resource for me too. Nice to relive some of the old races by reading my thoughts.

So I decided to look it up for Boston
2013-2019
Ages 18-34 - 3:05:00
Ages 35-39 - 3:10:00
Ages 40-44 - 3:15:00

2020-2025
Ages 18-34 - 3:00:00
Ages 35-39 - 3:05:00
Ages 40-44 - 3:10:00

2026
Ages 18-34 - 2:55:00
Ages 35-39 - 3:00:00
Ages 40-44 - 3:05:00

So basically while I have aged 10 years, to get into next years marathon I would still have the same BQ time I was never close to when I was 31 lol. I am not sad that I looked this up... I 3:15:00 feels almost achievable maybe but 3:05:00, I probably have a better chance of winning the lotto.

The important one is the next age bracket because they still allow a 10 min increase instead of 5.

 

[SarahDisney]

Roxymama was 2015-2019 at 4,904 posts and 319,000 views
Ariel was 2015-2017 at 2,423 posts and 308,000 views
Sarah is 2017-present at 3,277 posts and 282,000 views
Gisele was 2016-2021 at 2,594 posts and 240,000 views
Jenna was 2017-2020 at 1,358 posts and 135,000 views

Third place! Wow. I can't decide if this is good or bad.

I'm glad things are settling in at the new job. But oof that's a lot of meetings. Gosh. People need to learn to send emails instead of booking meetings.

 

[FFigawi]

Third place! Wow. I can't decide if this is good or bad.

I'm glad things are settling in at the new job. But oof that's a lot of meetings. Gosh. People need to learn to send emails instead of booking meetings.

Definitely good

 

[DopeyBadger]

Third place! Wow. I can't decide if this is good or bad.

I'm glad things are settling in at the new job. But oof that's a lot of meetings. Gosh. People need to learn to send emails instead of booking meetings.

Agree with @FFigawi, definitely a good thing.

 

[dis_or_dat]

I know you're super busy at work, but wondering what you thought of this method that's been getting some attention lately?

https://sites.google.com/view/sub-threshold/home

 

[DopeyBadger]

I know you're super busy at work, but wondering what you thought of this method that's been getting some attention lately?

https://sites.google.com/view/sub-threshold/home

Seems feasible to me. I think many recreational runners would struggle with sticking with the paces, because everything is slower than threshold pace (60 min race pace). The idea being that doing more workout slower runs (10 mile to 30k pace) intervals instead of a fast and tempo run would necessitate less recovery before the next workout. But lots of recreational runners tend to overrun their paces, especially their easy days. The plan does maintain the idea of 20% hard and 80% easy. Although it MUST be done on 6 days per week, and might even be 7 days per week. So yes, "recreational" runners, but I would say it's a high end recreational runner with lots and lots of experience.