Walkers Wanna Compare Notes??

[escape]

Merry Christmas, dear fellow WISHers in training for events in 2008, 2009 and thereafter! My wish is for everyone to have a safe, injury-free and happy holiday.

The following is my report for the 20-miler (THANK GOD IT'S DONE!). Sorry, it is long...

I went to Dallas over the weekend to do the 20-miler with my training buddy, Cindy. We had both missed the 18-miler a couple of weeks ago due to my back problem (better now) and her recurring knee problem (tendonitis) so we were a little concerned about our ability to pull this off. Her doctor told her that she needed to stop running for now and to just concentrate on the bike or eliptical (which also hurts her knee).....and that she may not be able to do the marathon at all.

For the half-marathons we've completed recently, we were doing W3/R1 intervals up until about the last 3 miles then just walking. Cindy was determined to keep this 20-mile training date and decided to try W4/R1 intervals. Unfortunately, we had mixed results. After 3 miles, her knee was giving her fits so we decided to walk the rest of the way.

I'm not a fast walker...that's why I have to run a little. Cindy is normally a faster walker and runner than I am but with her knee problem, she can't walk fast either. We had slowed down to about a 16-17 min/mile and I knew that this wasn't going to cut it in the real deal. I decided to try to keep the W4/R1 interval and just get ahead of her a little and then come back to join her - zigzagging back and forth.

After 13 miles, her boyfriend was able to join her and I was able to go out on my own. I don't like to leave her while training because she stayed with me in the WDW '07 half when she could have easily gone ahead of me....and I greatly appreciated that. Anyway, I still did some zigzagging but at longer intervals.

I finished the 20-miler (THANK GOD!) in 4 hours and 54 minutes and then I walked back to where she and her BF were which was maybe a quarter mile back. I didn't think we had much further to go to get to her car so I thought this little walk back would serve as a cool down. Little did I know that we had about a mile and a half to go as I was not familiar with this route.

I ended up doing 21.67 miles. My feet were very sore and I couldn't wait to get out of those shoes. I developed a couple of blisters so I'm going to have to re-think my feet preparation for the full. Cindy ended up doing 19 miles with a ~17-min/mile pace. I'm very worried about her doing the full as is she. We're hoping with a little rest, icing and drug therapy, she can complete it. Of course, there are no guarantees that I can even finish. We were lucky, temp-wise, for this training. If it's hot and humid on race day....well, I just don't even want to think about it. I still have bad memories of the '07 half.

End of report. Done. I am now in taper madness mode.

 

[nepatsfan73]

Merry Christmas to all the WISH Walking Wonders.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Merry Christmas!

I know I'm almost too late, but I hope Santa was good to each and every one of you!

Back to training tomorrow!
Maria

 

[wdw4us]

Good Morning all. Holiday is done and what little gifts we bought were enjoyed by the kids. Miranda and are suppose to walk this morning but I'm beat from entertaining 19 people yesterday. I could barely climb up the stairs last night to go to bed. And to top it off today it's pretty chilly so I may do the ellip and call it a day. SHE can run outside but I'm taking it easy today.

Have a good one all, hope you can relax.

denise

 

[Hockeychic]

Hey there gang.

Hope you all had a wonderful Xmas and wish you all nothing but the best in 2008. DBIL got to be home for Xmas which is wonderful....but the MIL was there .....j/k anyhoo, training is finally going I just hope it isn't too late. I had a pretty good base before so I hope I can get back some cardio in the next 2 weeks.....like I have said a million times just looking to finish in 3.29 hours.....

Hope Santa was good to you all. I am off work till Jan 2nd so lots of time to get training and packed cause 2 weeks tomorrow I will be in WDW!!!!!

Kim

 

[Hockeychic]

Sorry keep forgetting to ask. Is there parking at the start of the 1/2?????

Thanks Kim

 

[windwalker]

Good morning team.

I finally got my pretty princess out of lounge mode and we are heading out before she changes her mind. I'd like to to 10 today.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas. You know I was good

We leave in a week and a half, EEEEK


Have a wonderful day, walk strong.

Going Goofy Panda

 

[padisneyfan]

HAPPY BOXING DAY TO KIM.

Kim--I have no answer about the parking.

I am back to work today. Yesterday the weather was perfect for walking, but didn't do any. I thought about going for a walk, but decided I needed a nap instead. Since I did a big Christmas dinner on Sunday and Christmas eve made seafood lasangna and DS#1 left Christmas morning to go to his GF, we went to the Chinese Buffet for our Christmas meal. It was just 3 of us and I might make that a new tradition. I was surprised how many people were there. Later we went to see National Treasurer which we really liked. I'm glad we got there early as it was a full house by the time the show started.

Plan to do at least 3 miles today.

Nancy

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Kim: You can drive to and park at the start/finish.

Glad everyone had a great Xmas.

Good news that Linda's hand she badly bruised(and we feared was broken) isn't.

More and more I find out I am almost certain I will have to have microfracture surgery. The surgery itself isn't bad, just have to have patience on recovery. Something I have never been able to have in the past. No sports for 6-9 months and complete healing can take up to 2 years. Looks like no races in 2008(and 2009)

 

[windwalker]

Robert, does that means no beer till you can race again? Did sweet Linda injure her hand wacking you?

Erica had 6 miles on the schedule for us and come hell or weasel attack we were gonna do 6, no more no less. It was a really nice day 47 degrees, sun and no wind. I got to warm the way I was dressed.

Yes there is the whole Epcot lot to park in for the half and the full. You will not have a problem at all finding parking.

Taper Panda

 

[klh-or]

I've really, really fallen off my training, and I was a long shot to begin with. I got a bad cold/bronchitis about three weeks ago that leveled me for a while, and I've just never gotten back in the swing of it. At this point, I can safely say there is NO WAY I will make pace nor likely the full 13.1 miles. I'm not saying that to be negative or solicit reassurance...just the facts. So, now what do I do? I leave in two weeks for DW. Do I plan to start and get as far as I can? My longest walk was 9 miles and that was 4 weeks ago at 18.5 minutes per mile. Do I forego the 1/2 altogether and be happy with all I've learned about training, etc., and then put the pedal to the metal for training for the 1/2 in Eugene, Oregon on May 3? Also feeling good that I'm able to take a vacation to DW (my first) and actually have the energy and stamina (thanks to the training I've done thus far) to enjoy the parks for the full time without wimpin' out?

It started with 4 of us "Sole Sisters" doing this. One had to drop out because of financial issues (we are on the west coast). Another suffered a stress fracture to her foot and is still in the recuperation phase. That leaves my 19-year-old daughter and I, and she had the same coughing crud I had, and she is also behind schedule on training.

I want to be realistic and smart about this, but I'm having a giant emotional struggle!

Feedback anyone??

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Karla: If you are 100% healthy, it might not be bad to start and just enjoy being at the Disney race. It will give you some experience for the future.

Linda and I probably won't start either race due to my injury. If I was 100% healthy and undertrainied, I would start and let the chips fall where they may.

Go luck in May

 

[windwalker]

Karla you will do better than you think, but it's your choice. Sadly we have lost several of our brave athletes. The journey we are all on is tougher than people who have never started realize.

Robert if Linda wants to do it without you we will be her honor guard.

Looks like the Adventurer's Club is the going to be the place for Sunday night after the marathon, at Pleasure Island.

Jeanne, Nancy, Kim, Stacey, Denise, Miranda, Wendy and Maria are you princesses ready? I know Erica is feeling pretty confident.

Walk strong everyone.

Taper Panda

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Dave: Will let you know. Not sure on anything. We are afraid that a reinjury is probable and I wouldn't be able to enjoy WDW by being in wheelchair. Will be doing that 2 days after I get home with surgery. This might be my last chance to walk around for many months.

Great job to all.

15 day forecast show 76 when we arrive on 1/9

 

[jeanneg]

Karla: as long as you are healthy I would say go for it. You will not get any of your fee refunded so pick up your freebies and give it a shot....just for the fun of it. Do not stress yourself with any unrealistic expectations....just do it for the experience and excitement of the event. If you can do 9 miles in training, you can definitely do 13 with race day excitement. As long as you're not nursing an injury, I would say just go and have fun. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised. And if you do find that you're lagging behind and need to drop out, that's OK also. Last year I had a blast just cheering for my daughter and everybody else....plus I was able to enjoy all the parks without being sore! I can't tell you how inspiring it is to watch this event. Last year at this time doing any sort of a marathon was the furthest thing on my mind. Meeting and talking to all the other participants.....many that were my age and shape....inspired me to wonder if prehaps I could do it also. Then I found the WISH team, and I was hooked. Even if you decide not to compete, go and simply enjoy the event. I promise you will come away from it with tremendous energy and motivation.

Robert: I will be so sad if you and Linda are not able to be there this year. I will keep you both in my prayers....miracles DO happen.

I am as ready as I am ever going to be. My 20-miler was good even though I was very sore afterwards. I'm not sure I had another 6.2 miles in me, but I'm banking on race day excitement to get me through. I am excited to go and do this now. This will probably be my one and only full marathon, so I am going to go and just enjoy it. If I can do 20 miles strong, hopefully I can struggle with the last 6. Mentally, I want this so bad I think I can do it.....and I think it might even be easier than my training sessions. I also know I have good supportive friends nearby that will get me through this if I start to falter. I WILL do this, I WILL!

 

[windwalker]

Jeanne I'm sad that so many of my new friends are not going do the races again after this time. I hope all of you have a weak moment and sign up again.

Erica and I plan to make the January an annual event and this year the Minnie, not sure after the Minnie closes what else we will do besides January, maybe the ToT will be our other annual. We need our WISH fix.

Robert did I understand correctly, you and Linda are still coming to Disney and doing the Expo and the parks just not the races?

How is everyone else doing today?

Taper Panda

 

[Hockeychic]

Good morning team!!!!!

Thanks Nancy!!!! How did your 3M go???

Karla, I agree with everyone else. I am so undertrained it is crazy but I am going to go for it anyways. I will certainly pay for it after the race but I am determind to get it done. The atmosphere will pull up your pace believe me, when I did the Minnie my training pace was where I would just finish in the 2.5 hours and I finished in 2:07 ish....so the people around you will pull you across the finish line.

Robert, so sorry to hear about Linda, glad to hear her hand it not broken, also so sorry to hear you probably won't be starting. It just won't be the same without you, I hope you guys are able to give er a try. I hope we are still able to meet for dinner after expo????

Dave: I am so not ready, actually Mike and I are going out today...since I am off...did I mention that we are going to do anywhere between 14 - 20K just for a mental boost.

Jean WTG on your 20m....you rock!!!!

Well off to go grocery shopping, have to be home by 10 for the World Jr Hockey game.....not sure if there are any hockey fans on our team, sorry not sure what time US plays but they won 5 -1 and Canada won 3 - 0....go north america!!!

Kim

 

[wdw4us]

Miranda and I have trained but with the holiday it's been tough and honestly with the snow we've been lazy.

My training yesterday consisted of shopping for 30 songs on Itunes!

The MOST i have done is 6.1 miles hardly anything to write home about. But when I was done that, I felt pretty good. I have a co-worker who insists that if you can do 6 miles you can easily do the 1/2 - we'll see.

I say go for it! What have you got to lose - nothing! You won't get a refund - trust me I checked when $$ was tight and you may even surprise yourself.

Our group has gotten smaller, one because of illness, one because of injury so these things happen.

I am anxious to get there, get it done and think positive for the medal.

denise

 

[jeanneg]

Jeanne I'm sad that so many of my new friends are not going do the races again after this time. I hope all of you have a weak moment and sign up again.

Taper Panda

I'll let you in on a little secret.....I'm getting through these last weeks of training telling myself I will never have to do this again. The reality is....I probably will! And if this truly is my last full marathon, I will certainly be back for the shorter events. Both Nancy and I will be doing the Minnie in May and if the dates work out, we'll also do TofT (it could conflict with an important conference for John). I will continue to do half-marathons because they require relatively little training, so Nancy and I just may decide to do the Donald next year. It's really not the event that's so hard, it's all the training leading up to it. Plus, when you're a walker it just takes that much longer. I'm also seriously thinking about doing the Polar Bear thing in upstate NY next January (although John thinks it's outright dangerous) so I just have to wait and see. But don't worry, I will definitely be back for the shorter races.....you can't get rid of me that easily!

 

[padisneyfan]

Morning everyone.

Karla and Denise--- I think you both will be surprised on race day how the adrenaline does help you to get through the race if you are healthy. My friend who did the half with me in Oct, her longest walk had been 5 miles but she made it through the half in 3:30 and it was a very hilly course. She felt good after the race and wasn't even sore the next day.

Robert--- I'm sorry that you won't be able to do the Goofy. But you are still coming to WDW right? Glad Linda's hand is not broken.

Kim-- I'm jealous another day off. We are hockey fans, but I don't watch it much on TV. On the other hand, DH always has a hockey game on. However, I don't think the World Jr. games are shown in our area. Thanks for asking about my 3 miler, I ended up doing 4 miles instead all on the TM since it was dark and rainy until I got home. I don't know if I will time to do another short walk this week, but will get my LW in over the weekend.

Jeanne---If it works out I would be willing to do the Donald in 2009. At least I can have some sort of normal life if I am training to do a half. Spending hours walking when I have so many other things that need done is getting old. I'm surprised that no one in my family has started a revolt against me because I can't do something because I need to spend 3-5 hours walking on weekend day. The only upside has been it has gotten my out of alot of yard work this year which I hate.

Dave--- Soon you will be surrounded by all your lovely princesses. After 26.2 miles with Jeanne and I you might see us turn into Ugly Witches. So beware.

Nancy