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

[The Expert]

Sharing a 2 BR for 6 adults and 1 child is tight. And the bathroom situation can be annoying. So having up to 3 showers going instead of 2 showers, and even more sinks can be a way to speed everyone up. Plus, the kitchen is just a little further away from the sleeping arrangements in the living room.

Have you ever tried AK Kidani? It has become our go-to for extended family trips. It also has the extra bathroom and I find the kitchen placement pretty good for keeping the bedrooms quiet. Plus, they have an awesome pool area with a huge splash playground. I have not been in the arcade there so can't judge that. I also love that you can park underneath/somewhat close to your room and Sanaa has a great to-go option if you decide not to cook one night. (Or it's a short walk or shuttle ride over to Jambo if you want more options.)

 

[DopeyBadger]

Sounds like a great trip! Congrats on the very successful costumes!

Thanks!

Have you ever tried AK Kidani? It has become our go-to for extended family trips. It also has the extra bathroom and I find the kitchen placement pretty good for keeping the bedrooms quiet. Plus, they have an awesome pool area with a huge splash playground. I have not been in the arcade there so can't judge that. I also love that you can park underneath/somewhat close to your room and Sanaa has a great to-go option if you decide not to cook one night. (Or it's a short walk or shuttle ride over to Jambo if you want more options.)

Yes, AKL is great too. I think the one downside is the living room bed is a pull out couch instead of a Murphy bed. But I think Steph mentioned they’re in the process of changing them out. Once that happens it might move AKL to #1.

 

[The Expert]

But I think Steph mentioned they’re in the process of changing them out. Once that happens it might move AKL to #1.

Yes, they are doing the refurb this fall/winter!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Monday, October 21st - Riviera Resort, EPCOT #2

So let's rewind the day's recap and go back to the Riviera resort. We left EPCOT midday when we were notified our room was finished. That's when Steph was like, hey, did we get a preferred view room? Turns out we did without her paying attention at the time of the reservation. LOL! Although once we saw the room we weren't complaining. Our room was in the 8500s in the middle of the west wing. Apparently the parking is more limited on the west side according to the guard, but we found a spot. Got the bags out and took everything up to the room. Again we had a 2-bedroom. The room is a significant upgrade over the SS 2 bedroom.

-SS - 2 toilets, 2 showers, one bathtub, 3 sinks,
-Riviera - 2 toilets, 2 showers, one bathub, one bath/shower combo, 4 sinks

that's a LOT of shower/bath for a room!

-SS - 2 queen, 1 king, 1 murphy, 1 tv bed
-Riviera - 2 queen, 1 king, 1 murphy, 1 tv bed

-SS - one balcony
-Riviera - two balcony

at SS, a 2br lock-off would give you 2 balconies as well

-SS - no luggage closets
-Riviera - very large luggage closet that fit all my costumes

We usually stay in a studio at SS, and there's definitely a closet in those, and although I wouldn't call it "very large," it fits hanging clothes and a couple of suitcases easily.

-SS - ceiling fans
-Riviera - no ceiling fans

-Riviera has more space in the living room
-Riviera has more space in the kitchen
-Riviera's laundry dryer dried clothes in 30 min (one cycle) vs 2.5 hrs (five cycles) at SS
-Riviera's oven gets to 400F in normal minutes vs 90(!) minutes at SS
-SS shower handle broke off while I was taking a shower and thankfully didn't hurt me

This is wild to me, and I really hope you called maintenance about all of these things.

RR is on my "bucket list" of resorts to stay at. SIL and I stayed in one of the buildings closest to it at CBR a couple of years ago and walked over to Prima Piatto for all of our breakfasts since it was closer than the food court at CBR. It's nice to get a direct comparison between the 2.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

Just catching up. Everything looks awesome! And I agree on Fantasia Gardens. It's the best mini golf course on property. My dad and I did the fairways side once when I was in college, and we hated it. We did the whole course just because we paid for it . Never done it since.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Yes, they are doing the refurb this fall/winter!

Nice! Then it might move up on our list given the relative cost.

that's a LOT of shower/bath for a room!

It is. And with 7 pokey people it can be a big help in the morning.

at SS, a 2br lock-off would give you 2 balconies as well

Good call. Don't know why we're not usually in one of those. Admittedly, we're not lounging on the balcony types. Gives me anxiety about the minuscule chance of falling off the balcony.

We usually stay in a studio at SS, and there's definitely a closet in those, and although I wouldn't call it "very large," it fits hanging clothes and a couple of suitcases easily.

Good call. I forgot about the one in SS. I'd say the one at RR was probably double in size.

This is wild to me, and I really hope you called maintenance about all of these things.

We did. Unfortunately, this is 2-3 times in a row where that was the occurrence for the laundry/oven. The handle falling off of the shower was definitely new though. Still useable, but given how heavy it was I wouldn't be surprised if it would have broken my foot if it had landed on me.

RR is on my "bucket list" of resorts to stay at. SIL and I stayed in one of the buildings closest to it at CBR a couple of years ago and walked over to Prima Piatto for all of our breakfasts since it was closer than the food court at CBR. It's nice to get a direct comparison between the 2.

Samesies. We've visited many times before, but wanted to see what it was like to stay there. I'm a numbers guy, so it's a little harder to justify the price difference to me. But Steph and G are notoriously convincing.

Just catching up. Everything looks awesome! And I agree on Fantasia Gardens. It's the best mini golf course on property. My dad and I did the fairways side once when I was in college, and we hated it. We did the whole course just because we paid for it . Never done it since.

Thanks! I think the only one we've got left to test is Summerland, but I suspect it's like the winter course. So I think the Gardens will end up the winner. Funny enough, BIL/SIL discussed the possibility of opening their own mini-golf course locally in our village. The idea was proposed to make it 36 or 54 holes with a challenging course like Fairways. We'll see where/if that goes anywhere.

 

[superchime]

Sounds like a great trip! I'm so glad your MIL is doing well, and the costumes looked amazing! Doing two parties is such a great idea.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Sounds like a great trip! I'm so glad your MIL is doing well, and the costumes looked amazing! Doing two parties is such a great idea.

Thanks! MIL did well, and everyone is already looking forward to the next trip.

The two parties worked out well with a group that had different priorities.

 

[RuntheMouse]

Great write up! I love all of your pics from party 2, you guys nailed them. Sounds like you had great experiences with the cast members too!

We are at WDW now, with a Saratoga/Riviera split stay too. Bummer we’re a few days behind you and didn’t get to see your amazing work in person!

Glad to read MIL is doing well!

 

[flav]

Hi Billy,

I am catching up since I also just came back from Florida.

The costumes were beautiful (I particularly liked the back to back picture in post #8,756).
Most importantly it is great to read that you had good moments all together. Congratulations

Thank you for the fun report.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Great report. Loved the pictures. The LEDs really added to the overall effect.

I had always been a one party night kind of person. In 2022, I went to the Christmas party with my friend's family and while I felt great about everything I got to do in that one night, It's not even remotely possible to do everything in one night. Something will get left out. If you're only going for one party, you have to pick and choose especially since unique and/or rare characters also mean long lines.

One thing we did in 2022 was choose the divide and conquer strategy where possible. My friends kids really wanted to meet Ariel and Eric and Belle, But the timing of their lines meant it was not possible to do it "quickly." So what we ended up doing was I stayed in line for Belle and then when my turn came closer, I let other people go in front until my friends got back from meeting Ariel. I will say this though. This works, but someone is going to "give up" something for another person.

This year, I applied the 2 night mentality to the Star Wars Nite parties at Disneyland. If possible, and I certainly recognize it may not be possible, two nights is the way to go. With all the unique character opportunities and the lines that accompany them, some thing has to give. But 2 nights allowed me to do everything really important and I only missed one photo op that I wanted to do, but it was also my lowest priority. I also opted for 2 costumes, which was a lot of fun.

 

[DopeyBadger]

The LEDs really added to the overall effect.

Agreed, they really took the costumes to the next level.

This year, I applied the 2 night mentality to the Star Wars Nite parties at Disneyland. If possible, and I certainly recognize it may not be possible, two nights is the way to go. With all the unique character opportunities and the lines that accompany them, some thing has to give. But 2 nights allowed me to do everything really important and I only missed one photo op that I wanted to do, but it was also my lowest priority. I also opted for 2 costumes, which was a lot of fun.

Agreed. Two parties allows the experience to be a little more relaxed. The time goes so much faster than you'd think. We spent nearly equal time in the MNSSHP as we did at DHS days later and DHS felt like such a longer period of time even though they were the same.

 

[dobball23]

@DopeyBadger I just signed up for a half marathon in early May. I'd love to go sub-1:32 for a new PR. The last two halfs I have done, I've gone out a little fast and haven't been able to hold it. I've typically felt good and then all of a sudden, I slow down.

2023: 6:52 pace for first 9 miles; ~7:30 pace for final 4 miles (with some walking!)
2024: 6:58 pace for first 10 miles; ~7:20 pace for final 3 miles

Do you have any tips on training to be able to extend my time at the faster pace a bit longer? My HM pace in my training is 7:09, but as you know I tend to go faster than my listed paces, so I think the ~7:00 min/mile should be attainable for me.

I know there are a thousand factors, including weather, nutrition, training, etc. But I'm hoping you might have some extra advice that might also help others who might be in a similar situation.

 

[DopeyBadger]

@DopeyBadger I just signed up for a half marathon in early May. I'd love to go sub-1:32 for a new PR. The last two halfs I have done, I've gone out a little fast and haven't been able to hold it. I've typically felt good and then all of a sudden, I slow down.

2023: 6:52 pace for first 9 miles; ~7:30 pace for final 4 miles (with some walking!)
2024: 6:58 pace for first 10 miles; ~7:20 pace for final 3 miles

Do you have any tips on training to be able to extend my time at the faster pace a bit longer? My HM pace in my training is 7:09, but as you know I tend to go faster than my listed paces, so I think the ~7:00 min/mile should be attainable for me.

I know there are a thousand factors, including weather, nutrition, training, etc. But I'm hoping you might have some extra advice that might also help others who might be in a similar situation.

So the first step is feasibility. That's where we'd look at your PRs and determine how likely it is to achieve the goal time. Based on a message from Jan 2024, your 5k, 10k, and HM PRs are clustered around the same VDOT value. But the HM PR of 1:32:38 is the best. That's where the first issue would be then. You haven't yet shown in any other distance that you can go under 1:32. So you'd want to run a mile, 5k, or 10k under that goal time at the other distance. 5:52 mile, 20:00 5k, 41:42 10k.

As it stands now, your 7:04 is your HM pace and your current fitness level. So what is a couple extra seconds right? If you run 6:52 pace, that's around 12km PR effort based on your fitness. Around 8 miles or so. If you run 6:58 pace, that's around 10 mile PR effort based on your fitness. So you can see why you would fade in those two previous efforts because those were feasibly max efforts at their respective distances that you were able to hold them.

But let's say between now and May you show a sub-1:32 is feasible by running some shorter distance faster than the race equivalent. Now comes race day. It's a maximal effort, so you'll need everything working in your favor. The weather primarily, but course design matters too.

Now let's say you're maximal on everything, and it just comes down to the pacing on race day. Look at the course design for someone with Strava Premium to find the Grade Adjusted Pace. Because not all race courses are meant to be run at even splits. Some should start fast, and others slow because of elevation. If the race was up a mountain, and then down, you wouldn't want to run even splits. The first half is slow, and the second half fast. Vice verse if the race was in a valley, then down then up would be fast then slow. Not because you're slowing due to fatigue, but just because of the course design.

Once you figure that all out, I would look at those other Strava Premium members and find the distance for people with watches like yours. This will give you the GPS distance the course measures. Then divide the goal time by that distance to determine an average pace goal. Once you've got the pace goal, the pace you should run for a HM should be close to even splits (after accounting for GAP) or +/- 1%. So if the goal was 7:01 pace, then I'd aim for the grade adjusted 7:05 to start, ease down over the first half, and then aim for sub 7:01 on the second half. It's way easier to speed up late, then it is to hold on to an overly aggressive pace. That means instead of a 10 mile at 6:58 + 3 mile at 7:20, maybe you could have done 3 mile at 7:10 + 10 mile at 6:58. Physiologically, once you light the fuse on the "explosive" it's really really hard to come back (obviously just a metaphor).

Thoughts?

 

[dobball23]

So the first step is feasibility. That's where we'd look at your PRs and determine how likely it is to achieve the goal time. Based on a message from Jan 2024, your 5k, 10k, and HM PRs are clustered around the same VDOT value. But the HM PR of 1:32:38 is the best. That's where the first issue would be then. You haven't yet shown in any other distance that you can go under 1:32. So you'd want to run a mile, 5k, or 10k under that goal time at the other distance. 5:52 mile, 20:00 5k, 41:42 10k.

As it stands now, your 7:04 is your HM pace and your current fitness level. So what is a couple extra seconds right? If you run 6:52 pace, that's around 12km PR effort based on your fitness. Around 8 miles or so. If you run 6:58 pace, that's around 10 mile PR effort based on your fitness. So you can see why you would fade in those two previous efforts because those were feasibly max efforts at their respective distances that you were able to hold them.

But let's say between now and May you show a sub-1:32 is feasible by running some shorter distance faster than the race equivalent. Now comes race day. It's a maximal effort, so you'll need everything working in your favor. The weather primarily, but course design matters too.

Now let's say you're maximal on everything, and it just comes down to the pacing on race day. Look at the course design for someone with Strava Premium to find the Grade Adjusted Pace. Because not all race courses are meant to be run at even splits. Some should start fast, and others slow because of elevation. If the race was up a mountain, and then down, you wouldn't want to run even splits. The first half is slow, and the second half fast. Vice verse if the race was in a valley, then down then up would be fast then slow. Not because you're slowing due to fatigue, but just because of the course design.

Once you figure that all out, I would look at those other Strava Premium members and find the distance for people with watches like yours. This will give you the GPS distance the course measures. Then divide the goal time by that distance to determine an average pace goal. Once you've got the pace goal, the pace you should run for a HM should be close to even splits (after accounting for GAP) or +/- 1%. So if the goal was 7:01 pace, then I'd aim for the grade adjusted 7:05 to start, ease down over the first half, and then aim for sub 7:01 on the second half. It's way easier to speed up late, then it is to hold on to an overly aggressive pace. That means instead of a 10 mile at 6:58 + 3 mile at 7:20, maybe you could have done 3 mile at 7:10 + 10 mile at 6:58. Physiologically, once you light the fuse on the "explosive" it's really really hard to come back (obviously just a metaphor).

Thoughts?

That all sounds reasonable and makes sense. My PRs at the distances you listed are all the same. Although I did run a 1:32:58 half since then, so not far off of my PR.

I think I'm hoping to be able to go faster -- partly because the ~7:00 pacing and below feels like I can/should be able to hold it for 13 miles -- but I might just not be there right now. Maybe I should do some specific 5K or 10K training to see if that helps me, and then phase that into half marathon training?

I always have a tendency to go out too fast in races (and even when training), so having the negative splits seems so foreign to me!

 

[DopeyBadger]

That all sounds reasonable and makes sense. My PRs at the distances you listed are all the same. Although I did run a 1:32:58 half since then, so not far off of my PR.

I think I'm hoping to be able to go faster -- partly because the ~7:00 pacing and below feels like I can/should be able to hold it for 13 miles -- but I might just not be there right now. Maybe I should do some specific 5K or 10K training to see if that helps me, and then phase that into half marathon training?

I always have a tendency to go out too fast in races (and even when training), so having the negative splits seems so foreign to me!

We've been training together for about six years now. So like it or not, we're getting close to your limit without major lifestyle changes. I think you're probably entering the phase like I have which is once you've near tapped out your potential, and there isn't much left to squeeze, then you know just about where your physical limitations lie. So then it's going to come down to race day and the little things between a 1:32 and a 1:33. I like your idea of trying 5k/10k (or even mile) specific training, but I'd also recommend racing more now. Like I said, the gains are likely minimal now. So if you do more racing, then you'll get better experience in the racing part of it and that's where you'll get that last little bit of juice from.

We've tried hard some of my best techniques on what you can do in training to try and stave off those fast finishes. Mostly centered around progression runs, and tempo runs with increasing paced segments. Really trying to ingrain that start slow to finish fast. I think if you race more, then you'll put less pressure on any one race, and instead can try different pacing strategies with less fear of ruining an entire training plan. You know me, I tend to suggest race less and train more. But I think you're ready for those last steps in trying to get everything out of what you've got.

 

[dobball23]

We've been training together for about six years now. So like it or not, we're getting close to your limit without major lifestyle changes. I think you're probably entering the phase like I have which is once you've near tapped out your potential, and there isn't much left to squeeze, then you know just about where your physical limitations lie. So then it's going to come down to race day and the little things between a 1:32 and a 1:33. I like your idea of trying 5k/10k (or even mile) specific training, but I'd also recommend racing more now. Like I said, the gains are likely minimal now. So if you do more racing, then you'll get better experience in the racing part of it and that's where you'll get that last little bit of juice from.

We've tried hard some of my best techniques on what you can do in training to try and stave off those fast finishes. Mostly centered around progression runs, and tempo runs with increasing paced segments. Really trying to ingrain that start slow to finish fast. I think if you race more, then you'll put less pressure on any one race, and instead can try different pacing strategies with less fear of ruining an entire training plan. You know me, I tend to suggest race less and train more. But I think you're ready for those last steps in trying to get everything out of what you've got.

Good advice! I will say I've made great strides and learned so much from your guidance. Do I have enough time to do mile/5K/10K training (and run a race if one locally coincides) and still aim for an "A" race for my May 4 half?

I am hoping to do Dopey again in 2026. Maybe I can work some races of any distance in over the summer/early fall before completely turning my attention to that.

It's interesting that you're suggesting I may have nearly peaked because I remember you noting at some point that 10,000 miles of running is something significant. While I ran before I had Strava, I really started to train once I signed up for it and I am just under 9,500 total miles.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Good advice! I will say I've made great strides and learned so much from your guidance. Do I have enough time to do mile/5K/10K training (and run a race if one locally coincides) and still aim for an "A" race for my May 4 half?

Yes. Just make the last 4-6 weeks of the training plan HM specific. The other time can be spent on mile/5k/10k specific. As for racing, a mile race can be done every few days, a 5k once per week, and a 10k once every 8-10 days or so as maximals. But an every other works too. I'd give yourself 5-7 weeks to get back into shape, then race a good bit, and then 4-6 weeks prior make it HM specific training, but you can still race during that time too.

 

[DopeyBadger]

It's interesting that you're suggesting I may have nearly peaked because I remember you noting at some point that 10,000 miles of running is something significant. While I ran before I had Strava, I really started to train once I signed up for it and I am just under 9,500 total miles.

Yea, from memory that average peak was at about 7,500 career run training miles (but like actual structured training more than just going out and running). Some hit peak sooner, and others later. The numbers, the length of time, and the career numbers all suggest you're pointing in that direction.

 

[DopeyBadger]

See ya later 2024, and hello 2025!

I'm out of practice on updating this journal, but 2024 was a challenging year all things considered. I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine now that things are starting to settle down again.

We were informed in Jan 2024 that our positions were being non-renewed and the lab was closing in May 2025. For some, it took 8-12 months to find something new. I waited until mid-November to start looking, because I had several projects that I felt deeply involved in that I wanted to see to the end (or at least as long as I could take them). I went through the process, and was happy with my options as it unfolded. I think I've found a good fit still at UW (which was my preference) and start the new position on Tues 1/21. It's bittersweet to say goodbye to the world renowned DeLuca lab after 18.5 years. But at the age of 94, it's been decided it's time. We've accomplished a lot (last I saw upwards of $500-750 million generated for UW), but it had to end at some point. I'm looking forward to the new journey.

On the running front, 2024 wasn't my best. I did the Disneyland Weekend in early January. G and I had a blast at the 5k. I ran a 43 min 10k (finishing 30th OA and 4th in AG) and then ran a disappointing to me 1:38 HM (125th OA, 25th AG). With everything going on personally, I decided to pull the plug on the marathon training plan aimed towards April. Which ended up being the right decision from a familial standpoint, but also because the weather on race day ended up being absolute trash. So it would have felt like a TON of wasted effort.

I meandered through most of the year, and finally got back into the swing of things in the mid-Summer with a goal of a mile and 5k efforts. The mile training went well. I wasn't nearly as fast as 2020, but was as good as the first Daniels run-through back in 2017(?). Ended up with a disappointing Hoot Hoot Hustle 5k attempt with the last mile at mile pace in 6:15. Wasn't even a Top 10 split, and paled in comparison to the 3x1 mile workout earlier in the year with multiple sub-6:10 splits. Decided to squeeze in one more mile attempt before leaving for MNSSHP and secured a 6:05 mile. My 4th fastest which felt great.

MNSSHP was definitely the highlight of the year. We worked so so hard on those costumes, and the payoff from G grinning ear to ear while wearing the costumes was worth it. We've already booked a return trip to Disney World with plans to do the Halloween night MNSSHP (not my first choice, but that's the way the calendar falls for us). Haven't started on the costumes yet, but G seems pretty solid on our idea at the moment. She wants to be a working cell phone that is scrolling through the Disney Food Blog, and then every other member of the family is to dress in elaborate Disney snack costumes. With the two new features being obviously a working cell phone scrolling, and then smells attached to each of the costumes. That's the blue sky, we'll see what happens. At least on paper, these should be significantly easier than the Amphibia costumes, but that remains to be seen. I sure hope so, because the time commitment last time was tremendous. We didn't want to get too worked up on MNSSHP and costumes until my new job was settled and we learned where I would end up compensation wise.

After MNSSHP, or better yet during, didn't go well. I didn't train during the trip, and then when I came back a few things came up that put me behind. It snowballed on me, and the time was lost. So I shut the training plan down. G and I still had a blast at her bi-annual GOTR 5k. One of her last as she's about to age out. And then I still ran the local turkey trot. I hadn't been running outside, and the training was purely easy. So I didn't have high expectations. Ended up running a 22:41 (7:26 pace) in a pretty hard effort in the moment. Highlight was the neighbor kid whom yells niceties at me nearly every training run now since I run by his house like everyday (he's in kindergarten). He met up with me about 100m from the finish and then we sprint raced it. Ended up going back and doing it a second time like 5 min later because he had so much fun doing it. But a 7:26 5k is disappointing given my marathon pace used to be 7:24. But that's what happens when you're out of practice. It'll take some time, but everything will return in due time.

So since MNSSHP I've just been biding my time on the treadmill and getting to watch some TV. I've been sticking around 3-4.5 hrs and 22-32 miles per week. But the effort has been really really easy. Like not breathing at all type easy, and the treadmill pace is likely way off my actual effort at this point since it hasn't been recalibrated to outdoors in a while. Looks like I did 116 miles (16 hrs) on the treadmill in December. In all of 2024, it was 1034 miles, 154 running hrs, and 26 hrs of weight lifting. The 1034 miles in a year represents the least I've done since 2013 which was 780 and my first full year of running. Although 2014, 2019, and 2020 were all similar at 1091, 1118, and 1175. Pales in comparison to 2016, 2017, and 2022 at 2500, 2582, and 2453. Most interesting, I wrapped 2024 at 19,771 career miles. So won't take long to cross off another goal and hit the 20,000 career mile mark!

With that, we look forward to 2025 and what's next. The new job starts next week. We'll see what comes with that, and where I'm pulled in terms of time management. Once the weather breaks and it isn't constantly frozen tundra out there, then I'd like to get back to outdoor training. And I'd like to get back into shape. Assuredly that means dropping some weight as I'm getting close to 25 pounds heavier than the 2021 Madison Marathon. Although all the clothes still fit reasonably well, but I can be better about my diet choices. I don't know about races yet. 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.