Warriors WISHing for Spring!

[John VN]

JimB, way to go and this is for you, hope you don't mind as I am envious....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C95Cb2ByHNA, always brings tears to my eyes as my dad was a belly gunner in a B-17. Never made it to combat though.

Jeremy, great job and April will be a breeze.

Kate, awesome time just be careful with possible over doing it. Great thing for me with walking is that I have almost no pounding when contacting pavement so very little shock waves through legs.

Amanda, don't let a little code keep you from the Full only kidding. If you wish it, it will come.

AFUs, Kathy signed herself up for the Half in January and the Goofy again for me. Always working for more speed with Kathy and still making progress. Walking steps in the right direction. Kathy entered a time of 4:20:00 for the Full for me so today I went out for a 13.12 mile walk and got it done in 2:06:16. With 9 full months to go until Goofy, I am sure I will walk the 4:20:00.

 

[DrMomof3]

Jeremy - I'm so happy for you that you got a nice run on a nice day!!! And happy to hear your confidence is picking up. You can do it!!!
John - You continue to impress me. I never got my email but I found the code here on the DIS.

My news??? I'm officially signed up for the Marathon! I'm excited and a little nervous about getting those long runs in. I'm definitely full of excuses for why it's hard for me to get my runs done. Some of my excuses are even somewhat valid but I need to make my training a priority so I can DO this! I'm almost as excited that my DH signed up for the 1/2 marathon. We signed up together last year and he didn't train for it so chose (probably wisely) not to try. He has a tendency to start things too fast and gets injured (with exercising in general) so I'm hoping to get him to WALK the 1/2 marathon. All of the walkers here are so inspiring and he got to see the evidence first hand when he watched me run/walk the 1/2 in January. He gets a lot of joint pain, especially knees and ankles, so walking is a good options. I may even convince him to join us for some inspiration....

Amanda

 

[smileyk8]

Thanks for all of the support guys!

Jim way to go on the flying- 6-8 hours is totally doable, that's less than 2 marathons Congratulations on biting the bullet. Also big huge well done for registering for W&D- glad your back is (kind of!) holding out too.

Amanda for no pain!!! On such a long run too! You will be brilliant in the full and deserve to bring the mickey medal home after so much dedication already that has got you to where you are.

Jeremy your half in a few weeks is practically in the bag, you've done the recommended distance and the race day atmosphere will get you there.

John how on earth do you walk a 4:20 marathon and 2:06 half? That's close to my running time!?!?! You AMAZE ME! Yeah I'm aware I'm pushing myself now and in fact had to take a few walk breaks today, but only 1 more long run to go. thanks for your concern though.

Me my week's been a bit hit and miss as we travelled to ireland mid-week for a friend's wedding. I had to get up and do 6 miles on a REALLY short treadmill before the wedding. Worked pretty well as my fiance was best man so he was up early anyway. Today I had aimed to do 19- did 18.6 but felt tired by 13 and had to have a few walk breaks. I know that's ok, but I'm disappointed especially after reading in the marathon magazine not to go this year if you can't aleady run 15 comfortably. Well i never run 'comfortably'! Hoping it's hangover from lack of sleep.

Anyone know if it's ok to boost up the strength work so late in the day? I'm aware that my legs and glutes are still weak- lower back's sore so I guess that's my core too. Please don't let me sign up for another full!!!!

 

[John VN]

Beautiful Sunday morning Hello to all from SW Fl.

Got out this morning at 3:35 and tried the new shoes I bought on the way home from TIA yesterday. We sent our 9yo and 11yo DGSs back to dad in El Paso after a week of absolute bliss. Drove to WDW last Sunday in RV and stayed at FW. Hit Harry Potter on Monday and MK, EPCOT and HS on Tuesday came home on Wed. and then relaxed, except for my 13.12 on Thursday morning. At the 4 and 9 mile mark I called Kathy to send the boys out with some beans, GU and water as I past the house. Just like in a race they handed off the items and really enjoyed doing so.

The shoes didn't work out this morning, sad to say. Walked a 5K then stopped at house to put on the old pair and walked another 5K. Thought I might like the Brooks but I will stay with the Asics. After the second 5K Kathy joined me for another 5K. Going to go out later today for a nice bike ride to cap this first day of Spring off.

Kate: just getting those feet moving faster and faster without tripping , since I am the KLUTZ of the family. I must say I was feeling good yesterday when a couple of the salesmen where surprised with my fast feet while on the TM and outside. They said I was surely walking but moved like I was running. Got to get under 9:00mm pace by 2012 Goofy.

Have a good week all.

 

[johde]

Hi Warriors

John - Sorry to hear the shoes didn't work. I've got a pair I don't like for long runs either.

Kate - Hopefully the 19 miler was just a bad run, or a bad end of run. We all have them from time to time. Also, good luck on the dissertation.

Amanda - Congratulation on signing up for the full, and your husband signing up for the half. I walked my first half so I know there are some inspirational stories out there. If your husband wants to do some running. You could see if a Galloway style walk/run might work.

AFM - Thanks for the encouragement. I definitely feel better about April 3rd after the 10 miler. I'd feel a whole lot better if it was May something. Friday I got out and did .1 miles at about a 40:00 mi pace. For those that don't know, I live with my parents and help with the cooking and utilities. It was such a nice day, I convinced my mom to get outside for a little bit. She had a stroke a couple of years ago and suffers from mild Alzheimer's. She doing better now after changing up her medication. So we went to the one place I run to let dad get out a walk a bit and I walked with mom. We went from the parking lot to the end of an old steam train the set up and back. There are benches every 30ft or so in front of the train and mom was feeling good enough we didn't need to stop at every one. Considering six months ago when she was on that other medication she could barely stand up she doing real well. Dad went on walking and did about a mile. He didn't want to go to far because he knew mom would get antsy about getting back home. I think we're doing to try and get her out for a walk about once a week.

Saturday: My choir director at church had her wedding. After the wedding, I did 5 miles. The first half mile I walked as a warmup. The Next mile I was settling into the groove. I was testing out my run .11 mi/walk 1:00. From mile 1.5 to 4.5 my pace was in the 12:45-13:10 range which is right about goal pace. My hear rate was fluctuating between 55% (at end of walk) and 73% (at end of run) of Heart rate reserve. The final half mile, I totally ran at a 12:30 pace. I hadn't programmed enough interval into my Garmin for the entire workout.

This week Monday, I'm going to try and easy 5 miles at goal interval. Wednesday and Friday I have 2 options

Galloway Recommends Speed-work on Wednesday then a 6 mile Long Slow Run over the weekend.

Bingham/Hadfield Recommend a normal workout on Wednesday then 6-7 at race interval over the weekend.

I have a few days to decide. It may come down to whether I can get on the track Wednesday or now.

 

[DrMomof3]

Kate - Souns like you're doing great! I sometimes think that reading too much only serves to discourage us!
John - Sorry the shoes didn't work I have Brooks that I love but I have very flat feet and tried on tons of shoes before finding something comfortable.
Jeremy - Thank you for your words of encouragement, esp for my husband. I think watching me do the half really motivated him. I'm a Galloway devotee myself! No advice on your training but keep up the good work.

I was supposed to do a 14 mile run as my last long run before the More Magazine 1/2 in 2 weeks. I got up at 5:15am Saturday (and sadly my little guy got up, too). I made it 11 miles in 2:29:30 before I had to stop to feed my 2 younger kids breakfast (and change the stinky diaper - story of my life!!!). DH takes our oldest to his Sat morning activities. I was very frustrated that I couldn't finish my run. It makes me worry about doing the 20 milers for the marathon. Luckily I have a few months to work out the details. This was another treadmill run. I suppose I should be grateful that the Disney Channel had a Jake and the Neverland Pirates marathon going as it kept my side-kick entertained!
Now that I'm done complaining, the good news is that I'm only mildly sore today which is quite encouraging. I feel like I'm relying too much on my walk breaks compared to my training before the Disney race so I'm trying to do longer run intervals on the mid-week runs.

Amanda

 

[johde]

Amanda - don't worry too much about not getting the 14 miler in. I've finished both of my half marathons on long runs of 10 miles. This one I was hoping to get to 14 but the weather really cut into my long runs.

AFM - I got out Wednesday and did 4x800, and 1x400 speed-work. I was supposed to be 6-7x800 but it looked too much like rain. Tomorrow I'm going to try to get up early (for me), and do a race morning rehearsal, I've done most of the running this winter in the afternoon and want to make sure nothing is going to happen with a morning run (especially bathroom wise). The race has only one set of useful port-a-pots for the half marathoners at mile 7.5. I haven't needed to stop for a restroom break all winter, even in my 10 miler. The race starts at 8:30, I'm going to try and get up and 6:30 to eat some breakfast and hydrate a little bit, then might lay back down again but plan on getting go where I'm going to run about 8:15 to warm up for 6 miles. My Goals for the race are.

1) Not get Injured
2) Finish in under 3:07 (current PR)
3) Finish in under 3:00
4) Finish in under 2:55

A 2:50-2:55 is what I'm really hoping for and given good race conditions it should be possible. I've been checking Accuweather, and right now the forecast is for a low of 43 and a high of 68 on race day with a chance of rain. The temp. seems just about perfect for a half marathon if the rain would just move a little bit. The days before and after are clear. But as with any long range forecast, it could change quite a bit before then.

 

[DrMomof3]

Jeremy - I'm sending good thoughts for a wonderful race!!!

Amanda

 

[smileyk8]

Jeremy so pleased your mum's doing better on new meds, that sounds like a wonderful plan to get her outdoors once a week. Your progress is great and I think you can be confident about April!

John your goals look good! WISHing you all the best for your rehearsal.

Amanda 11 miles is still a brilliant distance for the half- as has been said most people really do only do 10. The fact that you're recovering so quickly is a wonderful sign! You're right though- I've moved my marathon magazine away from my bed as I'm having nightmares!

Me last long run done today! It went ok! Only covered 19.5miles but finished just short of 3 hours and it was less of a struggle. Tried to make myself go slower as I keep wearing myself out and then have to walk!!!! We'll see. Taper madness begins

 

[Bookwood]

Hi Warriors,

Sorry to be MIA for so long- it's been a really weird winter for me. I was just getting back in what I considered race form (for Princess) after the Panama Canal cruise when I broke my toe (Mid Feb) I stopped running to give the toe time to heal (didn't even put a shoe on for 2 weeks) and went off to try the Princess which went better than I expected. However since then I've been dealing with a knee issue (I'm pretty sure some of the smaller muscles that support the knee got week between the cruise and all the time off with the toe and is causing my knee to hurt- but it doesn't hurt until after I run when I'm sitting around.) I've knocked back my training to 2-3 miles 2-3 times a week and readded some leg strengthening exercises to try to get back to normal.

I'm starting a beginning running class tonight (checked with instructor and told her my story and she thinks I can get something from running with a group - which I've never done) so I'll have to see how it goes!

Happy training (and racing ) all!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

You are all getting it done!

I did Shamrock in Virginia Beach, West Virginia on te 20th. It was a pretty cold/windy start, but as time was going and sun was out, the weather was not as horrible for most of it.

I was debating going to do a local half event here on the 3rd, but probably won't. We've got a good amount of snow today. I'm not sure it will melt and be safe for my traveling. I don't know what I did to my knee, but it is giving me just a bit of twinge so perhaps it is best if I nix the thing. Good that I didn't register. Who knows, mabe a massive melt will occur and I'll get it done!

Jeremy, good luck with your event this weekend. It looks like the place you took your Mom and Dad is a geat trail and I'd probably like it.

Amanda, good luck with your event. I don't think you need to worry about not getting in that 14 miler. You can get it done. Now for the full, you need to figure out somehow a way to do your best to get to a 20 miler. (I won't tell you now that you can probably still do the full if you get in less. I won't just now.)

Kate, Yay for taper madness. Hope your event is great too. Enjoy the taper.

Jim, good job on all you are doing. You amaze me.

Pam, good luck with all classes and all. Hope the toe is better.

 

[johde]

Lily - Congratulation on the Shamrock. We only got about 1/2 an inch here. The weather in Xenia is supposed to be a little cool but not bad for Sunday. The Section of the Trail I went with mom and dad is near about 5 miles from home. The start of the trail is about 1 mile from home. I'll go up there to get do a different area to run. The Kenyon Earth Day Marathon and Half Marathon start there as well. It does a loop through towm before going onto the trail. I haven't done the race yet, but I've volunteered to help with packet pickup.

Pam- Hope you toe and knee heal quickly. I haven't had in major injuries but I have had the wandering aches.

Kate - Enjoy the taper. So did you ever think the words "only" and "19.5 mile" would apprear in the same sentence.

AFM - Did a short 3mi. run/walk mainly to keep my legs limber. I'm going to my sisters after work tomorrow. She and my brother live in the Xenia area. So I'm combining a trip to relative, and a free place to stay, with the race. Friday's I'm only going to go out for a real short run, maybe even just a walk. I want to go out and check out a couple of areas of the course. When I mapped most, the course it looked like a real flat course with long gradual changes in grade. One section not on the trail looked like it could have a couple of rolling hills.

 

[JimB.]

Jeremy - - Good luck in the Xenia race this weekend!! I was able to run that race last year and really enjoyed it. It's a small, but very well organized event. The course has some really long, straight VERY gradual grades in it. If I remember correctly, there are only a couple of small spots with any significant hills in them. I was hoping to do it again this year, but am not getting up to Ohio until this coming wednesday.

AFM - I'm averaging anywhere from 4.5 - 6.5 miles on my runs. It has gotten significantly warmer in the last 2-3 weeks, so I have to get acclimated to the weather again. More fluids, etc., etc. Also doing weights at the gym while my Lovely Bride is doing her treadmill thing.

I've been around 9:00 - 9:30 pace. I'm gonna' start putting in the occasional interval workout (ugh) to try and speed up a few seconds here or there. My feet have also begun to hurt lately, so I'm thinkin' it may be time to invest in new shoes. Bleh. More $$$ that I do not have to spend.

Next up for me - EE in May w/my DD

Ya'll are doing outstanding!! Keep up the great work!!

 

[goofy57]

Hello my fellow Warriors,

Long time no post. Gotta a 1/2 marathon this Saturday. Gonna try and go sub 2 for the first time. Have trained pretty hard fior this, so wish me luck

Decided to not go Goofy in 2012, only registered for the full Mary. Still on the fence about registering for the Wine & Dine this year. Enjoyed it last year even with all the boondoggles. I have signed for the Disneyland 1/2 for the third year in a row. Hope everyone's training is going well and all are healthy.

Stan

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Jeremy, good luck!

Jim, you sure are speedy. Glad things are going well now.

Stan, LOL "only doing the marathon" LOL. Hope you have fun. Glad your schedule for the year seems to be coming together.

Rest day today.

DH did some research, and took me with him to look at a new dog. We are now proud owners of a black and tan pug we named Agatha.
Our Agatha

 

[DrMomof3]

Kate - I'm sure you'll be brilliant!!!!
Pam - Glad you found a running class that is suitable. That sounds great!
Lily - Great race! Congrats on your adorable new dog. What a cutie!!!
Jeremy - Thinking good thoughts for you this weekend!
Jim - Amazing!!!!
Stan - I hope you're having a great race!

My race is tomorrow morning. For some reason I've been freaking out a little. I know I can finish but I'm worried that I'll be super slow. I know that it's an accomplishment to just finish but now I've started worrying about my times.

Amanda

 

[johde]

Hi Warriors

Thanks for all the good thoughts. Got back about an hour ago from Xenia and my Half marathon. I left a full Report on the Race Report Thread

The short version is new PR of 2:51:02 on a course that was hiller than I expected. Jim, those long gradual grades felt uphill both ways. Only a couple of spots felt like we were going downhill. It wasn't really hilly but I was expecting flat after the first couple of miles. That beats my prior PR set at the Columbus Marathon of 3:07:43.

Dad did pretty well with me gone for a few days. Mom was excited to see me when I got back. Not sure how things will go when I'm gone for 10 days this fall for Disneyland.

 

[Bookwood]

Congratulations on the new PR johde, I hope everything goes well for your DL trip!

I'm taking the week off as the knee has decided to act up again. (luckily it's spring break so I have lots of time to be off the legs all together.) If the knee isn't better by monday I'll have to call the Dr I'm tired of messing with injuries!

 

[DrMomof3]

Congrats Jeremy!
Sorry about your knees Pam.

My race was great! Nice weather - just a bit cold at the start - and nice setting. Central Park is lovely in spring. I posted a full report on the same thread as Jeremy.

Summary: I improved my 1/2 marathon time from 2:44:15 at Disney to 2:36:41 yesterday. Hills and all! I was thrilled that I lowered my per mile pace to just under 12 min per mile (11:58 compared to 12:31) in just 3 months!

Amanda

 

[smileyk8]

First of Stan 'boondoggles' is such an amazing word! I've never heard such craziness in my life but intend to put it into as many sentences as possible this weekend! How did the half go?

Amanda that is a terrific increase in pace! I haven't checked out your report yet, but will do. Congratulations your hard work totally paid off!

Pam how's your knee doing now? So sorry you had to delay for another week. Yep a doctor visit is definitely in order if it doesn't play ball!

Jeremy for your race! That's a great time on an unexpectedly hilly course. Sometimes I think long slow hills are worse when you don't get the downhill recovery. Glad your dad did ok too.

Lily congratulations on Agatha, I saw her picture on facebook- so cute. Also well done on the racing front, whoop whoop for shamrock!

Jim get some pretty shoes to make it worthwhile. Great work adapting to the heat though, I know I couldn't do runs in that!

Me I'm currently taped into an ankle lock to rest my foot before the marathon, so my training this weekend will be a 1 1/2 hour cycle rather than run oh well. I'm hoping that all the times I've told people not to worry, the hard work's been done will come true! We're aiming for me to run the last 3 short runs next week and then be ok for Sunday!!!! shudder. I know in my heart I just have to finish, but I'll be gutted if I have to walk large sections after all that training

On the up side I have a very pretty t-shirt from Asthma UK