Training for Goofy

[deleckidesign]

For those that have gone goofy, how does the training differ from that as opposed to just the full? And has anyone done their first full and first goofy at the same time?

My mom is wanting to do the half next year and I'm wanting to do the full...so I'm thinking maybe I should just do both since I know she just plans on walking the half.

 

[minniebeth]

I'd love to know more about this as well. My DH is thinking about doing his first full next year, but wants me to train to walk the 1/2. I told him I didn't want to hold him back, but didn't want to walk the 1/2 for the first time on my own. (chicken) So he's concerned about doing both...

 

[rubato]

This was my first full and first Goofy. I think each person's training is different, but what worked for me was to do back to backs. My long run was on Saturday, so I always did half that amount on Friday. My longest back to backs were an 11/22 weekend. I also did a Tuesday and Wednesday back to back, but a shorter distance. Usually anywhere from 4 to 8 miles those days depending on the week.

Everyone recommends either doing both races a little easy, or only racing one of them. I don't think there's anyway you could really push yourself through both. I chose to race the half and enjoy the full. But, a lot of others do this in reverse and just take it easy for the half so they have a lot left for the full.

 

[FFigawi]

Tandy's right. There's no one way to train for Goofy. I have not done any back-to-back long runs while training for Goofy. I use my regular marathon training schedule which is fairly high mileage, and that's worked well for me so far. I'm also one of the people that doesn't race either race. I run them both at my regular training pace, about a minute slower than my marathon race pace.

 

[Duanerice]

This was my first full and first Goofy. I think each person's training is different, but what worked for me was to do back to backs. My long run was on Saturday, so I always did half that amount on Friday. My longest back to backs were an 11/22 weekend. I also did a Tuesday and Wednesday back to back, but a shorter distance. Usually anywhere from 4 to 8 miles those days depending on the week.
.

This is me except I ran 5 days a week. As you can see, not everyone does back to backs.

I couldn't walk the half. People that walk the half or full amaze me. That would tear me up. I had an IT band issue a few years ago and had to walk about 8 miles and it killed my feet and legs. I was so sore. You use different muscles. So, if you plan to walk the half make sure you practice walking a half.

enjoy, it is a lot of fun!
Duane

 

[stampingoddess]

In 2010 I did my first Goofy and simply followed my traditional marathon training. Nothing special. The only thing that I did slightly differently is that I started my training earlier and added a fall marathon in October, otherwise, nothing extra. Definately no back-to-back long runs on the weekends.

 

[John VN]

Agree with Tandy and John. You have to find what works for you so you do not injure yourself while training.

DW and I walked the 5K and Half together at a 16m/m pace but I left her at mile 11 to make sure I finished under 3:30 for the Half. We walked together 3 times a week but on Sunday's I would start walking up to 3 hours earlier so I could be back at 5:00AM for her start. I also bicycled a lot and then we had the indoor recumbent and the TM.

Did some shorter back to back just to get the feeling in the legs.

Last year's Up and Away 5K was our first event, then we had the W&D Relay in Oct. and the Space Coast 1/2M in Nov. That meant this year was our 2nd 5K, 2nd 1/2M and my first Full.

DL later this year for the C2C, W&D hopefully, ? regarding Space Coast but definitely the whole enchilada again next January.

 

[cewait]

The best thing I can offer is that marathon training is an experiment with a population of 1. I am in the camp of no or limited back to back running in an effort to minimize pre0race injuries. But in trade for that I run (and coach) really intense mid week workouts. As a first time Goofy runner, I DO encourage 1-3 back to back runs, generally on lighter mile weekends, to get a feel for the dead leg start. Actually, with a local runner, this year we had her run the back to back, backwards. Regular long run followed by a half distance long run the following day. The feedback received was that she got a feel for what to expect on Sunday and was able to pull off with the run without feeling like she was missing something.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I agree... With all said already!

I am not fast so cannot speak racing.

I have done the 6 Goofy events. For each I trained just a bit differently. I was trying to see if any one way made a big difference for me. I did back to back and then only marathon training. For me, I have discovered that the back to backs were not completely necessary. At the time though I just had to try that. As already mentioned, you will need to figure out what works for you and respond to your training as you go. Coming here for help and exchange of ideas is a great thing too.

I think that the biggest favor you can do yourself now is to get in the base training of strengthening and stretching with your running/walking to build up your distance and speed, but the real running/walking will be as you select your calendar program to follow that will get you to the event. I have found that my strength training seems to take more of a back seat as the official calendar begins for the event training.