Week of July 17 - 2006 Half-Full Marathon Info/Training Thread

[chimera]

Hello everyone!

For those new to us, we're a group of people who are planning to participate in the 2006 and/or 2007 Disney Half or Full marathons. We range from non-running beginners to triathletes. Come join us!

Here's the Marathon FAQ, a great place to answer your marathon questions:
Disney Marathon FAQ
And some websites for further running/walking info:
http://www.runnersworld.com
http://www.coolrunning.com
http://www.halhigdon.com
http://www.running4women.com/
http://www.runnergirl.com/index.shtml
http://www.katherineswitzer.com/fitness.html
The John Bingham site:
http://www.waddleon.com/
Jeff Galloway's site:
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

Pacing Calculator

Race Report
Guess what, guess what?!?!?! New PR!!!!!! I was hoping for sub-48 minutes for the 5K. Clock time at finish: 45:01!!
First two miles were tough. I did intervals...W4/R1...first time outside. It was muggy and miserable. Started feeling a bit better after the second mile, which is normal for me. Doing a little math in my head, I realized I was going to beat my time last month of 48:48. More math I did, I started thinking I could get within 45 min. Got back to the parking lot and saw the clock...said 44:38, so I ran. I took it as fast as I could at that point watching the seconds tick and crossed just at 45:01. Since I started in the back of the pack, I'm thinking actual time may be just slightly less than 45. I started the Garmin correctly this time, but forgot to turn it off at the end. Garmin time was 45:15 for 3.14 miles! That's a pace of 14:25!
Other firsts today:
1. CoolMax. Wore a CoolMax shirt for the first time. I didn't really like the feel of it during the race and didn't think it was helping me much. Til I took off my number and felt how wet the shirt was. I hardly felt wet at all!
2. chafing. Yep...finally happened. Those darn chub rub thighs. I wore sausage shorts under running shorts last 5K with no problems. Guess I'll have to go back to the double shorts or pants and long shirt.
And I found out one very important thing...I look like a dork when I run . Krista, you'll appreciate this. Think Phoebe from that Friends episode where she and Rachel go running, then Rachel won't run with her anymore 'cause she looks like a freak. That's me! So anyone who wants to hang out with me during the half, you've been warned.
The evidence is in my finish photo:
http://www.photos-by-shack.com/getdata.php?id=14139

Craig...I apologize...I think I missed you last time. How's your training going? Do you have the whole summer off?

Steve...haven't tried running in the rain, but I did bop through someone's sprinklers during the race this am. I find Shook Me All Night Long to best match my pace

Krista...happy birthday!

MelR...I'm with you...I like a pool that I can see to the bottom, though we have some springs in the center of the state like that. At the beach, I don't go much beyond waist deep. I've never seen a shark at the beach, but we get squadrons of stingrays in the shallows that you have to step lightly around. They're gorgeous animals, but I don't want to scare one into stinging me.

Sunny...I think I met your Lunatic Commando this am. Never would've thought I had her in me. I think I hurt my leg with my sprint to the finish and I can now totally blame the LC!

Heather...wow...great pace, especially with all you were carrying!! I'm still trying to figure out what kind of pack to carry for the half. I'll need a camera, some snacks, illegal MP3 player...what else?

MelR...100 miles?!?!? You've got serious thrill issues, dude !

Christa...Double Chocolate Chunk cookies sound good to me! Congrats on your weekly mileage!

Liz...was your long run today?

Cam, Howard...How are you guys doing?

Shell...where ya been? How's the ankle?

Good training week to everyone!

 

[MelRhoads]

Chimera - Don't worry about the race photos! You do not look like a dork! (notice i didn't post any links to the triathlon pics!) Think long string bean with a hot pink swim cap (they gave them to us to wear to distinguish the different start waves). I have actually hypothosized that I have some type of mobility impairment because when I run i kick my feet out and my knees stay together. When I bike, my knees actually hit the top tube and when I swim I kick funny with my right leg! I bounced the theory off of phil (dh and doctor) I am no longer allowed to come up with medical theories!

Did 10 miles of all hills this evening. It was good. the pace was a little slower than I wanted, but marathon queen charity girl was kind and the college athlete had only done one 10 miler before. For once, we didn't have to slow down for me!!

 

[gatorphipps]

chimera - Great picture! Can tell you are kicking it! Congrats on your 5k!

Melissa - You are too funny! I run on my toes like I am a prancing pony! Bree & DH make fun of me! I tell them it is what makes me fast. (HaHa, Fast - yea right!)

Rest day today! Getting ready to wake up the DDs to dress them for church. Then have to go into the recording studio until 5 to record the National Anthem.

Later all!
Christa

 

[disnutt]

I have a question about training partners. I have a friend who has signed up with me to do our local Hartford half in October. However, she is not particularly committed to training and has rescheduled some of our training runs.

For instance, we are scheduled to do 6 miles today and had planned to do it in the a.m. However, she called last night to reschedule to this p.m. Not a real problem except I'm suspicious that this afternoon something will come up and she won't go leaving me to run alone at a time I don't feel like running.

How long would you put up with this? I usually try to accommodate friends. I work outside the home and she doesn't. I prefer to run before the family wakes up so my evenings can be spent with the kids. I think she looks at this as a break from her work day. (I'm NOT fanning the WOHM vs SAHM flame here just explaining her preference!)

Should I just try to do a short midweek run with her to promote friendliness and plan on doing my own long and lonely morning runs or just get over it? I am leaning toward the lonely runs because I don't want my hobby to take up too much extra time from the family. Advice please.

 

[kaf7878]

Hey everyone!

I've got 5 miles scheduled for today. Haven't done 5 in a while so it should be interesting Sounds like everyone is doing great!

Chimera-Great job on your PR!!! Love the photo!!!

disnutt-I would NOT reschedule your runs with a training partner. You may just want to be the lead partner by telling her when you are going to run each day. If she decides to join you that's great, otherwise go alone and tell her you'll catch her on the next run. That way nobody feels like they have to flipflop all the time. And if she really wants to run, she'll have to match her schedule with yours.

We are staying at OKW for the marathon. How exactly would I walk to the start??? I'm trying to picture it in my head but can't seem to find the route. Any insight is appreciated!!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Chimera-- Congrats! That is INCREDIBLE improvement and you don't look like a dork!!!! I've never seen that Friends episode, now I want to! I'm glad the LC is haunting other people, too. What do you mean by "illegal mp3 player"? Are they not allowed?

MelR-- Anger works, too. But the LC might be for hire when she's not in command. I'll check, but be warned, she's dangerous 100 miles? Hmmm, the first I ever heard of such things was a show on UltraMarathons on Fit TV last year. Do you do it straight through? There was one woman on the show that did her 104.8 in 29 hours, something. I thought that was insane at the time. My definition on sanity keeps slipping.... Maybe I'll try 100 miles some day, too Right now my distant, distant goal is the Boston Marathon. I need an 8:46 paced marathon to qualify............. (or I can just wait out the divisions until I'm 80 or something).

Christa-- DD cookies yum. I'm supposed to be eating "good", too. I've had 4 donuts since my 18 miler

Cam-- how's that Forerunner working out? I am so getting one some day!

I have no soreness from my 18miler. I stayed pretty active all day yesterday and stayed up unitl midnight after waking at 5am. Today I am a SLUG. I just can't get moving. No soreness just general body "i refuse to move"-ness. But I realized I never took a rest day last week ,so I'm resting.


Sunny

 

[MelRhoads]

Sunny and Christa - the 100 miler is still just a distant fantasy. I think there is a 30 hour cutoff. It is straight through, but there are aid stations and i am pretty sure you have to do drop bag too. I thought it would be totally doable after we did our last adventure race as i learned that i was able to race for 20+ hrs without a break. After that I did that 21 mile trail run. It used some of the same forrest roads as the 100 miler. I was miserable at the end. It took so much more muscle control to run the trails than the roads. I would have to have more time (like no kids or life) to train and the training would have to be on the trails. I'm definitely doing some of the longer trail runs this year though.

The link to to weird trail runners page here in arkansas is: runarkansas.com. Maybe some of you can plan your wonderful arkansas vacations around some of these!!!!

My husband has been working all weekend and he is on call. We (marathon queen and I) did a really hilly 10mi run yesterday and i was really ready for a good night's sleep. The pager went off about a million times last night. Husband is not back yet today. I am NEEDING a nap!!!!

 

[pollioni]

Good day Eh!!!

Its Rob from the great north (not white right now). Well I finally got out side to run. The temp got down to 23c/76f last night so when I got up this morning laced up the shoes and headed off. Overall a good run.

Going to try a new pair for shoes tomorrow. I am wearing a stiff shoe but I going to try a lighter more flexable shoe.

Chimera Running a PB is a great feeling and you should be very proud. Remember this whenever you are having a really bad run and try to bring yourself back to that feeling.

I will never run in cotton I always run in Dryfit/CoolMax and I also used to have chafing issues but I now never run without slapping on the body glide.

And about the picture, ITS GREAT, remember you just ran a PB and that you are running not posing for photos.

Disnutt Personally, I would stick to my schedule and say to your friend I running at this time. You are both training for an event and it is not just physical but also mental. By putting off runs you are mentally hurting your running attitude.

 

[agotta]

Wow everyone sounds like they are doing great.'

chimera-Great job with the 5K. Good tips too.

So I have decided that I can not run with DH. HE DRIVES ME CRAZY!! He would slow down, so I felt like I was running too fast, then he speeds up and I feel like I am running to slow. He through off whatever rythm I had. UGH!! I told him he is on his own for the marathon, just run ahead and I will be there when I get there. I feel like I am not progressing fast enough. I still can only run about a mile before I feel like I am just going to drop dead. At this rate I will never be ready for the marathon. DH had shin splints for 2 weeks and is still running at the same pace/time I am.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We are staying at OKW for the marathon. How exactly would I walk to the start??? I'm trying to picture it in my head but can't seem to find the route. Any insight is appreciated!!

You walk out the front entrance--cross a road...cross a median....get to a parallel road, turn right--and walk on up to the start. The road that runs in front of OKW and POFQ is parallel to a road that serves as an "entrance" of sorts to get into EPCOT--after you turn right on that road, it will curve to the left and go right in front of EPCOT parking lot.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I ran 1.7 miles continuous with the jogging stroller--evidently pushing a lot of weight and running at the heat of the day is a bit much.

But I must say I like the afternoon/evening workouts in general much better. Been finding I sleep better---nice to shower the night before and just wake up and go.

Chimera--to answer your question...back is doing great--except when I don't do my exercises. Been noticing the sacrum bothering me again---just got the Pilates DVD and was figuring out how to work it in. Decided to work it in TODAY . And the sacrum feels much better. As long as I work towards stregthening the core, it does great. When I ease up and let too many days pass...it kind of yells out me. All is good though

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Way to go on that PR and LOVE the finish photo!!!

 

[littlegreydonkey]

Morning all - not been in for a few days as going on holiday (Sydney for a week) in 30 minutes and of course, one week off means two weeks work beforehand. Failed on 3 hours this weekend, did 2, but a combination of eating white rice the night before (I kind of forgot I was running and I really can't run the morning after white rice) and the fact that Air Althea trainers have been discontinued so had to buy the last pair in the outlet mall which were size 8.5 - and I definitely need a 9 for long runs, meant I decided enough was enough at 2 hours.

AS for everything else. I'm still gonna stay at AKL the night before, I get so nervous the morning before a race I can't sleep anyway and have to get there at least an hour before to go to the loo three times, get changed, dump my bag etc etc so the 4am bus isn't too much of a problem. However, this year my holiday pillow (have to go buy a new one at Walmart for the week before when I'm offsite) is coming to the start with me and I'm going to sit happily down for 2 hours wrapped in many pool towels eating my breakfast then 'donate it' to the garbage pile. I found a nice comfy place next to a car a couple of years ago, very snuggly.

Liz: I've done the great Honolulu flat run/walk, basically just keep going down the main drag past all the shops and parallel to the beach till you can't go any further, then turn round - repeat until necessary!!! It's rather nice. Good luck.

Sunny: am in awe of 18 miles, I was supposed to be doing that by now but too lazy!!

Mel: congrats on PB

Everyone else, and I know there were lots of other things I was supposed to say, sorry but gotta go have shower - off to airport in 20 minutes now. Helen

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Hello--my all over the world wishers....

A DISer is looking for postcards from all 50 states for a project that she and her daughter decided to do together--if you are interested, check out this link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=864374

 

[perfectmatch300]

Mel, GREAT JOB on the 5K!!! I am so impressed with your progress! I thought you looked great in the photo, too! You are not going to have to worry about the sweepers at all at WDW!

 

[solotraveler]

Hi all!!

Chimera- Congrats on the PB!!! That's great!

Disnutt- If this is a regular thing with your training partner, I would stop rescheduling runs as well. If she is less committed than you or her schedule doesn't work well with yours, I think you can still be training partners- trade tips, encourage one another, complain about the heat-- but not actually run together.

Sunny/Mel- Wow, I am impressed. 10 miles of hills? 18 miles? I hope I'm there some day


This weekend didn't exactly goes as planned. I had planned to run 2 miles both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday I overslept and planned to run in the afternoon only to be foiled by a fierce thunderstorm. I did get my 2 miles in Sunday morning at 10:00 pace. I was a little disappointed. I think my body hates me for getting out the door that quickly. This week I am going to try and get up an extra 30-45 minutes early to try and wake my body up a little before my runs and see how that goes...


Happy Running/Walking/Jogging all!
Solotraveler

 

[TXBelle]

Mel- Way to go on the 5K! I love the picture! It shows pure strength and determination. You should be very proud of your PR.

Today I went to the gym and did 3 miles on the TM. I took it slower than usual since I did 5 miles on Saturday. I really wanted to push it, but I decided that a nice easy run/walk was the best way to ease back into it. I am starting to get really excited about starting the marathon training. Of course, as DH observed when I said that last night "Aren't you already training?" My answer is that I have been following the 1/2 marathon run/walk MFM program. On August 22nd I will begin the run/walk marathon training. I got out my calendar and plotted out each week up to the marathon. I am beginning to think that I really can do this.

Oh, I am too lazy to go back and see who asked this question, but iPods, MP3 players, and any type of headsets are not allowed on the Disney race course. That being said, I saw lots of people with them last year, and I did not personally see anyone from Disney enforcing the rule. There was plenty of entertainment along the course to keep you occupied. There was a band and Disney characters. Every mile is marked with a sign. When we ran by the wedding pavilion there were a lot of cast members wearing Mickey Groom and Minnie Bride hats. But my absolute favorite were the Parrotheads who moved to different points along the race course to cheer everyone on and the cheering squad from Team Canada who were in front of the Contemporary cheering all the WISH'ers after making it up the Contemporary hill. We will miss them this year.

As to Mel's question about fanny packs- I carried a light fanny pack with kleenex, lip balm, two Snickers marathon bars, and my room key. (I only ended up eating 1/2 a bar).

Heather

 

[disnutt]

Thanks to everyone who answered about my training partner problems. We did meet yesterday for a 6-miler but she complained about being undertrained (duh) for such a distance. We walked more than we ran.

I will be creating and sticking to my own schedule and she can tag along if she wants. I need to be consistent so that I can perform to the best of my ability come race day.

I can't figure out how to get back to read the names of the posters but who ever gave the info re: walking to the start from OKW. That's where I'll be so I may try that this year.

 

[plutosmyfav]

I just did a 10k on the TM in 53:33 (6.8 miles total) Someday I'll do that time on the road!

I also purchased our plane tickets leaving BOston. I haven't decided when we're returning yet, so I haven't purchased the return tix yet. We'll be arriving Jan 5th. So far I have ressies for POFQ for six nights starting onthe 5th. But there's time to change that a gazillion times before the trip Wow, now its official!!!! We're really going!!!!! I wonder if my virtual run to Disney will be complete intime for the trip.

Sunny

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Good afternoon, everyone!!

Mel--Thanks for the birthday wishes. Tomorrow is my birthday, the big 2-7, I feel like I'm getting so old! Oh, and by the way, awesome picture!! You look great!

I don't have much to report, just wanted to say hi and wish everyone happy training. I'm excited to get home tonight and go on my wog, Stephen got me a Garmin Forerunner 201 for my birthday and I am so excited to try it! I was going to go out yesterday, but we got thunderstorms and heavy rain. I don't mind a little rain, it feels refreshing and it makes you feel like a dedicated athlete, but I don't want to drown when I go out for a run either! Stephen also got me Marathoning for Mortals book, I'm looking forward to reading that and 2 outfits. I've lost 15 pounds and 2 dress sizes since January, it feels good to have a couple pair of pants that aren't hanging off me or having to roll them up to stay on my hips! I told Stephen it's been so long since I've had clothes that fit, I don't know what to do!

Sunny--how do you stay on the treadmill for that long? I get so bored, I listen to my mp3 player and read while I'm on it, but I still can't last much longer than 30-40 minutes.

I better go, I'm at work and it's almost 5:00. I'll check back in and let y'all know about my new toy. Stephen's going to run with me and help me pace, I go way too fast and get tired, but when I try to slow down, I feel like I'm clodding along. Anyone have any tips?

Krista