Wine and Dine 2015

Getting super excited!

As many of us are prepping for our last long run before the race, I want to share one piece of advice that someone much more informed gave me when I was prepping for my first half marathon.

There is very little you can do in the last weekend to dramatically improve your performance, but it is very easy to hurt your performance. In other words, take it easy! Let your body heal and get into peak condition. Trust your training. And above all, have fun!

Good luck to all everyone especially you first timers! You picked a great race for your first. I have run every one of them and it is by far my favorite.

Sounds like great advice! In fact, I am thinking of ditching my 5k in the morning as it is supposed to be POURING rain. I can run in the rain but I really don't want to get hurt. I can run at home on Sunday after the rain passes us.
 
Just a couple of questions for the group. I am staying at the Swan, so for race transport would it be better to walk to the Boardwalk or Yacht Club? Will Event buses be at the regular bus stop locations?

I would definitely think it would be easier to take an event bus from BW or BC.

I haven't stayed at the BW or BC for this race so I don't know where the pick up is specifically, but at other resorts there is a big placard announcing Event Transportation and a volunteer at the stop.

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time. They do stop the busing and I hear people complaining every year about missing the start because they were only "a little late". The pre-party is fun, and you paid for it. Might as well get there and enjoy it.
 
Burnout? I've been burnt-out since July. I did a short speed season before jumping back into the fire.

You've stumped me a bit, because I'm big fan of downtime between training cycles. In other words, find another cross-training sport like rowing, cycling, swimming, snowshoeing, kayaking, for a few weeks after the season. I plan some indoor rowing after W&D, maybe even go to a few indoor regattas in February. Shh, I've been sneaking on the erg for 10-15 minutes twice a week.

I would expect you to be quite burnt out by the end of Tink. I would drop back and do a bare minimum mileage to get to Princess and try to squeeze it into the Tink training plan. My minimum would still be three runs a week, sorry.

I personally can't do that kind of volume month after month if I am racing any of them. I have an ability to eat pain, get into the zone, during a race. I wouldn't hear, "There's a sinkhole ahead." I would run right into it. Those "A" races leave me drained.

As for speed, I include it as part of my 1/2 marathon build-up. I have found that if I don't train at the 5k and 10k pace I get good at running long, slowly. If you are new to running like couch to 1/2 marathon it's a tough row to hoe. My advice to new runners was to spend some time getting good at 5k's. It's very difficult to handle building up to 14 X 800 meters at 10k pace and get all the long runs in. A much better plan is to spend a season playing with 5k's and 10k's, getting the body really strong, with plenty of hills, core work, weights and 10k pace intervals. This isn't a dig, because doing nothing is a lot worse than jumping right into the 1/2 marathon. ;)

I'm trying right now to keep my endurance up (I realized earlier I made it sound like I'm blowing off my training; but that was unintentional. I only realized that my body held endurance because I didn't run for 1.5 weeks after 12 days on vacation; but I've been trying like hell to at least run 2-3x a week) and just came back from a 'quickie' :D around the neighborhood. About 3 miles. A little over 36 minutes, so not fast. But I don't typically run in my neighborhood (more country 2 lane road environment with too much fast moving traffic) and so I really couldn't get in my grove. But as much as my mind said "just get it over with and let's get on with the day" my body said "thank you". The rail trail is flat but the neighborhood run is not. Small hills, gradual elevation changes, road camber, etc. I actually got a little runner's high. Brought a tear to the eye. lol.

Mentally, I'm done. I'm sick of running. But I guess the old body has other ideas? lol

Because this (the gap between W&D/Princess/Tink) is over winter, I'm not sure what else I can do. Cross country ski? Snowshoe? Do you think 3x 1 hr every week is still enough to maintain endurance between the three? My fear, again, is the realism of holidays plus running burn out. Add in icky weather and it's going to get harder and harder to convince myself to run. I know this. But I'm trying like heck to figure out a way not to let the training suffer.

I think that I'll do as you suggested- get good at 5k's and maybe even a 10k. That'll be something to focus on, and won't take me 2-2.5 hours every time I lace up. That's another thing that was really getting to be a drag, once I crossed 10 miles, I started to dread the run. I think 8-10 miles is my sweet spot. Long enough to be a long run- short enough not to have my mind start rebelling at the very thought of running.
 
I wanted to add in something that occurred to me today:

for those of us who suffer from exercise induced asthma or adult reactive airway disease but don't typically need an inhaler- bring it anyway. These past few weeks I was running indoors, but ran today outdoors. The air is a little brisk (not bad- was a pleasant run) but just that and dry enough that as I was running I kept thinking "something's off. this feels kind of hard". I pushed on. By the time I got home about 35 minutes later, I realized what was up. I had that tight, itchy, burny throat and chest and was starting to wheeze. :crazy2: I go literally ages without even glancing in the direction of an inhaler, but I had to use it today.

I know that the weather in FL prob won't be the type likely to trigger most people; but just be safe. Try to add it to your do not forget to pack list.

This has been a noob runner PSA. Return to your regularly scheduled activities now, nothing to see. :rolleyes1
 

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time. They do stop the busing and I hear people complaining every year about missing the start because they were only "a little late". The pre-party is fun, and you paid for it. Might as well get there and enjoy it.
I will have plenty of time, as I hate to be late. I already have worked out the worst case of it only being a 3 mile 'walk/jog' warmup from the hotel to the start. :crazy:
 
Solo here! I'll be wondering around the after party alone too if anyone wants a buddy.
I am a solo runner .What time will you arrive? Since I am sensing that we need to be there atleast by 8. I just don't want to stand around alone for 2hrs:guilty:
 
I wanted to add in something that occurred to me today:

for those of us who suffer from exercise induced asthma or adult reactive airway disease but don't typically need an inhaler- bring it anyway. These past few weeks I was running indoors, but ran today outdoors. The air is a little brisk (not bad- was a pleasant run) but just that and dry enough that as I was running I kept thinking "something's off. this feels kind of hard". I pushed on. By the time I got home about 35 minutes later, I realized what was up. I had that tight, itchy, burny throat and chest and was starting to wheeze. :crazy2: I go literally ages without even glancing in the direction of an inhaler, but I had to use it today.

I know that the weather in FL prob won't be the type likely to trigger most people; but just be safe. Try to add it to your do not forget to pack list.

This has been a noob runner PSA. Return to your regularly scheduled activities now, nothing to see. :rolleyes1

Putting "Hufflepuff" in my shower kit right now! Thank you.
 
And now, some random thoughts:
Don't forget to pack your phone charger or Garmin charger. Don't want a dead battery during the race. SOP for us is to charge overnight prior to race day.

As I think I said before (sorry to go there again): my RoadID says "my race, my pace" at the bottom. It is there to remind me that it is me, what my body can do today, and the clock.

I recall reading somewhere that it is not unreasonable to have 3 goals: base goal, I'm having an awesome day goal, and I had a not so awesome goal.

Decades ago, I took up the sport of Olympic-style competitive shooting. I can recall seeing match results from around the country where I'd say: I could have beaten that. But you know what: I didn't. I wasn't there. Those shooters won those matches. If I want to do something about it, I should go compete against them in person. YOU did it; it does not matter what others think. They didn't.

For fun, DW and I have been memorizing the mile markers of the course, with some leeway to tag them to something memorable, if we could. As you set out on your runs this weekend, when you're a mile from the end of your run, just remember the mile 12 marker: directly under the Stormalong Bay water slide. Imagine what it will feel, smell, sound like to run that last mile. Savor it.

My last run longer than about 7 miles was almost 3 weeks ago now. The injury from the Hershey 1/2 relay prevented the 10-13 miles planned for last weekend. But I am trying to look at it as a forced taper. I may just head out for 6-8 tomorrow (and enjoy the fall colors of the trail), then a swim on Sunday, rest Monday, swim Tuesday, run Wednesday (off work), travel Thursday, and 1-2 mile early am shakedown BWI to DHS Friday morning.
 
I think that I'll do as you suggested- get good at 5k's and maybe even a 10k. That'll be something to focus on, and won't take me 2-2.5 hours every time I lace up. That's another thing that was really getting to be a drag, once I crossed 10 miles, I started to dread the run. I think 8-10 miles is my sweet spot. Long enough to be a long run- short enough not to have my mind start rebelling at the very thought of running.

I need to get back on the bike. There are a few mountain centuries to revisit. It will most likely take me two years to really build the cycling back up.

I have too many others projects that are going take a bunch of time. My running is going to come way down in volume, 5-6 mile long runs I fear. This is my last 1/2 marathon for a while, I think. That's why I want cool weather.
 
As I think I said before (sorry to go there again): my RoadID says "my race, my pace" at the bottom. It is there to remind me that it is me, what my body can do today, and the clock.

I LOVE this!!

My RoadID says #NeverEverQuit - I stole it from my baseball team. It was the phrase our new manager gave the team at the start of the season. You may win, you may lose, but you'll never get to the finish line (or the World Series!) if you quit.
 
If there's anybody who lives in or is down in Florida right now (maybe @Keels), can you tell me what the evenings/nights have felt like the past couple days? Looking at the forecast, it's beginning to look like it's most likely going to be above average temperatures next week/weekend. I know things can still change (which is why I'm focusing on temperatures - not paying attention to rain chances yet), but I'm a little concerned about how this will make it feel for race night. How bad has the heat/humidity been once the sun's gone down?
 
If there's anybody who lives in or is down in Florida right now (maybe @Keels), can you tell me what the evenings/nights have felt like the past couple days? Looking at the forecast, it's beginning to look like it's most likely going to be above average temperatures next week/weekend. I know things can still change (which is why I'm focusing on temperatures - not paying attention to rain chances yet), but I'm a little concerned about how this will make it feel for race night. How bad has the heat/humidity been once the sun's gone down?

The humidity really starts dying down as the sun goes down - the worst part of the day has been from Noon until about 4.

At night, I don't think it's really dipped much below the mid-70s in the past couple of days. It hasn't been humid, but it has been warm with a cool breeze. THAT SAID -- I haven't been outside much after 10 p.m. or so.

I'm doing a nighttime test-run probably on Tuesday or Wednesday (at 10) to make the call on if I run in the shirt I made or I run in a tank and save that shirt for the after party.
 
Have it thanks!
In G, depending on things may drop back.... To be determined;)

Little story, with fair warning. My first race ever was the JJ5k. I was a horrible runner and had only run like 1.5 miles before that. I finished, slow and exhausted and confident I would never run further than a 5k. But I bought a 1/2 marathon wine glass initially to "remember the weekend" since there was not a lot of 5k merchandise options at the time (read: none). But, every time I used that glass I kept remembering seeing the half runners, until I knew I had to figure out how to run so I could run this race...and now I have done like 5 disney races and am already signed up for 3 more. Don't ever discount yourself for "just" a 5k :)

PAR-TAY in H

Great story! Thanks for sharing it!


Getting super excited!

As many of us are prepping for our last long run before the race, I want to share one piece of advice that someone much more informed gave me when I was prepping for my first half marathon.

There is very little you can do in the last weekend to dramatically improve your performance, but it is very easy to hurt your performance. In other words, take it easy! Let your body heal and get into peak condition. Trust your training. And above all, have fun!

Good luck to all everyone especially you first timers! You picked a great race for your first. I have run every one of them and it is by far my favorite.

Haven't been able to run in 2 weeks... Does that count as taper?!?!

I am a solo runner .What time will you arrive? Since I am sensing that we need to be there atleast by 8. I just don't want to stand around alone for 2hrs:guilty:

I'm a solo runner also!..... Along with,
what , about 10,000 friends I haven't met yet! (Isn't that how that expression goes?!)

Really loving everyone's stories and excitement, keep it coming!!!
 
If there's anybody who lives in or is down in Florida right now (maybe @Keels), can you tell me what the evenings/nights have felt like the past couple days? Looking at the forecast, it's beginning to look like it's most likely going to be above average temperatures next week/weekend. I know things can still change (which is why I'm focusing on temperatures - not paying attention to rain chances yet), but I'm a little concerned about how this will make it feel for race night. How bad has the heat/humidity been once the sun's gone down?

I ran in 75 degree temperature 70 % humidity last night on a little race pace test. I will likely need to slow my best race pace 30 seconds per mile. It's totally bearable for someone acclimated. You just need to take the edge off your effort. Many people treat this as a run party, not a race anyway, so it should be pretty good if we see about 75 or cooler.

Near term forecast for Kissimmee predicts 89, 90, 90 degree highs for Sun., Mon., Tues. That could mean 82-84 degree race start temps. If we see that on Nov. 7, it will present problems for many. It's still way too early to tell. I would bring a cool costume/outfit as a backup. I have a feeling it's going to be hot at race start.

I found a weather site that has predicted Jet Stream and surface winds and temp images:
http://www.weatherstreet.com/states/gfsx-300-forecast.htm
 
Who's running the half solo? I am solo in corral E... anyone else?
Running solo in Corral E, though I may have a couple friends move back from D. Fiancee will be at the after party too. But happy to say hi to fellow DISers!

I will be solo in E as well, with DW meeting me at the after party. Was so close to D, but happy with where I am. Hoping to run into some fellow DISers
 
I am a solo runner .What time will you arrive? Since I am sensing that we need to be there atleast by 8. I just don't want to stand around alone for 2hrs:guilty:

I have no idea yet. I tend to be anxious so I'm sure I'll be there early.
 
I have made it a policy in life to always have fun wherever I go, or I don't go. That being said, two weeks ago Sunday I was running a trail, tripped and hit my head on a rock, was unconscious until my husband found me, and spent the night in the ER with a subarachnoid brain hemorrhage and hip flexor problems from the fall. The positive was that I had already finished 10.5 of a 12 miler! I still ran the Atlanta 10 miler this past Sunday... slowly but I finished. Another reason to rejoice! I'm still planning to do Jingle Jungle and W&D. Maybe not as strong I had planned, but this time will be not for speed, but for mental (and brain) toughness.

Um, I realize I am late to this party but.....you don't really need to prove your mental toughness to me!! A subarachnoid hemorrhage and you ran a 10 miler not long after that! You're not a woman, you are a BEAST!
 
Because this (the gap between W&D/Princess/Tink) is over winter, I'm not sure what else I can do. Cross country ski? Snowshoe? Do you think 3x 1 hr every week is still enough to maintain endurance between the three? My fear, again, is the realism of holidays plus running burn out. Add in icky weather and it's going to get harder and harder to convince myself to run. I know this. But I'm trying like heck to figure out a way not to let the training suffer.
I have been spinning a lot this cycle as my cross training (Les Mills RPM actually) and I think it has been pretty good cross training.
 
Just a couple of questions for the group. I am staying at the Swan, so for race transport would it be better to walk to the Boardwalk or Yacht Club? Will Event buses be at the regular bus stop locations?

Just want you to know...
I was in Quebec maybe 18ish years ago. First time in Canada as an adult. Anyway, we walked into a bar and before even looking at the menu, I ordered a Molson Golden. The bartender looked at me like I had three heads. We eventually left without ordering anything (by jumping out of the window, but that's a different story).

Anyway, if they're both host resorts, Boardwalk is probably a few hundred yards closer. No huge difference though.
 














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