Wk of Feb 12--2007 WISH Walking/Running Club

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Glad to catch up on everyone's posts--for "this" week. I let last week run away again. I must admit I will have to read Calcio's post later though (SORRY!!!).

Training is going well for me. This week was my oldest's turn to have the stomach bug--so it has finally finished with our family YEAH!!!!

And---so we hated the kid's races last year. The kids were bored, when is it going to start---blah blah blah. 2+ hours later--my 3yo is the last finisher to cross the line. Any slower--and they would have put the mats down for the babies and she'd be running into the diaper zone. My little joke--we are DONE with the kids races. My kids want the medal...they are hoofing 3.1 miles....it will take LESS time than waiting in the madness in the parking lot. Last year they were double in size--cannot imagine what will happen next year.

So---why do I mention this..buwahahahahaha---the brainwashing is coming along nicely--on Friday evening..we went to Rack room shoes and each of my girls got...their first pair of "running shoes". Now they can run like mommy--got cool shoes like mommy. Oh yeah baby!!! My evil plan of creating mini-me athletes is working. Buwahahahahaha.

On Saturday morning--the drill was as follows...set up jogging stroller and then do a warm up---then walk..no girls don't run yet--we must warm up our muscles...we walk to the bike path and cross the one street that is on it. Then on your mark get set go---look at them....GO!!! I must says--even on little feet--it is amazing what a difference proper footware can make. My 3yo wasn't doing the stompy-stomp and my 5yo--I think she was able to run faster with a shoe that is more suitable for running than something with Dora and boots on it. With some rest breaks--the girls ran I think about a quarter of a mile--but that may be optimistic. Dummy me didn't think to turn on the garmin. My thought--they don't even know what a "pace is". Um--hello, GPS--distance...yeah--duh! I'm trying to remember what the distance was--but it was a lot further than the "dash" distances at the kid's races--so wtg girls! Then they settled in the stroller--all tuckered out--for mommy's 4 mile run. At least I think it was four miles. I decided to program intervals into my garmin and it doesn't cumulate on the 101--so all i have is all the run distances for each individual interval--and then my guess work on the walks--so I wrapped it up about where timewise I figured I would finish 4 miles. I think I'll go back to just pressing the start button and doing the intervals myself--though it was cool to have all the beeps on when to stop and when to start again.

 

[xterratri]

Lisa- it does keep track of cumulatative distance(at least my 201 does), it's just a matter of where you have to look to find the information. After finishing you press reset to store the data. Then you go to 'last run' in the 'history' section. If you scroll down through the data, it includes the rest time and distance plus it totals it for time and distance. If you just go and look at the data 'by day' it doesn't have the 'rest' information. Way to go on getting the girls running.

I only rode 93' on the trainer today. I thought I felt great after yesterday's LR but did notice that my pace/cadence for a given heart rate was a touch off today. It just felt a little harder too. I wore my WDW marathon short for the first time ever today. I thought the bike room would be chilly since there was snow inside the deck door. Silly me as I was dripping sweat by 15 minutes into it.

Back to lurking now. I have a pharmacology test tomorrow I need to do a little more for.

 

[Calcio]

Steve, Lisa, Jodi, and any other fools, er Goofy Challengers

Good for you guys. It absolutely is doable, but make sure you are physically and mentally prepared. To be honest and transparent, the last 12 miles of the marathon were pure hell for me on January 8. Yes, I wasn't sufficiently trained, and yes, I had gone a bit too fast in Saturday's half and the first half on Sunday's full, but from the turn off World Drive to the finish it wasn't pretty. Notice 0-13.1 took 2:15 and 13.1 to 26.2 took 2:32. That's a fair representation of the deterioration in my physical condition. By the end I was barely moving and I was hurting all over. Actually from about 15 on I was barely moving and hurting all over. The best part was a volunteer at the mile 21 water stop shouted "you all look great." I told her "I don't feel so great," to laughter from the volunteers.

On the other hand. I made it, and you can too. Sometimes I feel a bit apologetic about falling off so much in the last half of the full marathon, but hey I had good reason.

The best part by far is my friends and family, my colleagues at the College and my undergraduate students (we're a small College and word travels fast) all know that I did 13.1/26.2 back to back. They all think I'm more than a little crazy and I'm happy to have that reputation. Now before or after I'm training I get stopped and asked about the double, and I absolutely love it . When you finish the Goofy you'll have the same reputation for being a bit crazy .

For you Steve, the primary reason I'm stepping back to the full alone is that I'd never done a full marathon before this Goofy thing, and I would like to see what I'm capable of with fresh legs on Sunday morning. I hope I'll be way farther along before my legs implode. I'd like to run 2:10/2:10 and that may be out of my capability, but I'm shooting for that.

I suspect I'll have at least one more Goofy in this body, but not in 2007. It's other peoples turn to give a try this year.

Good luck to all of you.

Craig

 

[jodistar]

Tonight - I also did 20 minutes of Winsor Pilates

 

[MelRhoads]

Craig - that you for sharing your race report. It is wonderful to hear from you again, and I loved reading about your race experience/life lessons.

Stephen - don't worry about goofy, you can totally do it. I'm w/ craig on not doing both races next yr, but only doing the full. my reason is b/c i enjoyed the full course better than the 1/2 and b/c I want to leave more time to play next yr. and not spend 2 days racing. You can do goofy. I'm not avoiding it nxt yr. b/c it was so aweful and hard, but rather b/c i did it and next yr i want to play more!!!! Good luck. I;m glad to see you and krista back!!!!

 

[RunningLilo]

Hey guys!
I've got a quick question I need help with. Has anyone come across a good DVD for post running stretching? I HATE HATE HATE to stretch and will only do it if I have someone to follow. I want one that is pretty short but will do a good job. It can even be the cool down after a normal exercise video. But PLEASE no Richard Simmons suggestions!
-Dena

 

[perfectmatch300]

I have had some good walking and x-train the past few days. Finally, I think, starting to get over my cold. I was at an 18 min mile pace for my walk today which was a full min better than I did on my 5K last week.

DH's Mom is not doing well. He is still in NY, not enjoying the snow at all! He is supposed to come home tomorrow, but I am not sure that is a good idea based on both the weather and his Mom's condition. She is 89 and I am not sure she will pull through. We will have to decide in the AM.

Still trying to decide about the Minnie. Been a bit distracted lately with having to deal with MIL's illness. Aslo, my too slow pace in the 5K has me a bit put off. I will have to decide soon, even if I just sign up for the 1 mile. I do want to enter something.

 

[TXBelle]

Nancy-Here's extra PD for your MIL and DH

Your posts earlier motivated me to go outside and exercise. I did 4 miles r/w, then I came back and got on my mountain bike and rode 4 miles before it got dark. I'm off to the gym in the morning to ride the stationary bike.

 

[chimera]

Craig...great to see you back! Thanks for sharing your experience with such candor.

Amy...I have a bit of a reclusive personality so I trained alone and I did the half essentially alone. BUT...I never have FELT alone in this because of all of the support here from this group. During my training runs, I always think of what to post and how to describe the run to the group. During the half, I wore my WISH shirt and scarf (albeit under multiple layers ) to help feel part of the team. And I did see other WISHers on the course...I got to run through the castle with Tammy and chased Heather for a good part of the race. I always knew the WISH team was out there with me.

Cam...I know exactly what you mean. My work schedule is probably more in my control than yours is, but I'm so worried about the time it would take me to train for the full. My 12 mile training run time was 2:53 so I'd be looking at regular 3 to 5 hour long run commitments on Saturdays. I already feel guilty about how much time training takes away from family time (though DH keeps telling me I shouldn't ). I'm hoping when I get to a point where I can run more I'll be faster and can really plan to train for the full.

Dave...Amy has an excellent idea about the birthday pins. You can get your DD's a birthday pin at any park. Then when the girls walk around, cast members and guests will be continuously wishing them happy birthday. We did it for DH on his birthday last August...he had pins from MK, AK and EPCOT. When we had dinner at Le Cellier, the server gave him a birthday card and he got a special surprise phone call from Goofy! You might want to give each DD a separate day to celebrate her birthday so they can each enjoy the glory

Lynne...if you need any help on that pharmacology test, holler!

Nancy...give our best to Barry and his mom.

Lisa LP...congrats on getting your girls started! DD13 is going to do the Minnie with me...I'm really looking forward to it, though I'm sure I'll only see her at the finish line

Dena...wtg on your 5K! Where are you in FL...we might be able to hookup for some races sometimes? Stay warm tonight!

Steve...welcome back! Go Goofy!

I need to get a bit serious over the next few weeks since my next half is only 3 weeks away. I am feeling lonely about this race...I won't have anyone along on the course that I know...unless I can convince y'all to come down for it . I don't know what the weather will be like that weekend, but after tonight's freeze, we'll be warming up to near 80 for this weekend

 

[AmyBeth68]

If you have used Jeff Galloway's training methods, I have a question for you!

Can somebody please explain his run/walk method to me? I don't know why I'm confused , but I think that he encourages us to run for x number of minutes and then walk for x number of minutes continuously throughout our entire distance. Now is this only for the LR and Race or for training runs as well? I don't know why I'm confused but I'd be really curious to hear from anyone who has run using his training plans. I'm really beginning to seriously think about the Full Marathon and the idea of walking "breaks" feels a little safer to me LOL!

So please, let me know if this method worked for you and help me demystify it. TIA!!!!

edited to add:
I found an article in Runners World that demystified it for me. The person who wrote the article gave me a better understanding of the different ways you can use Galloway's methods. I think I'm going to try it this week on my LR and maybe even on my training runs to compare with last week's effort. What i plan to do is run 1 mile....walk 60 seconds.....run 1 mile etc. I'll be able to compare this week's runs and distance to last weeks to see if this is a viable option. I'll also be able to see how I feel physically at the end of the run in comparison. Did anybody use this method for the marathon? Thanks!

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Amy--I don't use Jeff Galloway's program, but I use John Bingham's run/walk program, I would imagine they are pretty similar. I did run 4 minutes and walk 1 for all my training runs--tempo and long, as well as the half marathon. I finished the half in 2:41 and I wasn't too extremely tired or sore after the race, yes my legs were a little tender and steps were especially fun, but I wasn't hobbled over when I walked, like some people I saw in the parks. Was this a credit to walking every little bit to give my legs a break or just sticking to my training plan? I don't know, but my experience was awesome and I plan on using the r/w program for the half I'm doing in April, I'll probably bump it up to 6/1, but I'll follow the same pattern--run for 6 minutes and walk for 1. I've read in different running books and running magazines that it's good for your legs to walk every little bit, whether it be every 4 minutes or every 15--just to give your legs a little bit of a break. There is NO shame in walking!! Let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to tell you what (little bit ) I know.

I ran a whopping 2 miles on Saturday, I'm really on my way now. I had terrible back pain, I could hardly stand up straight on the treadmill, I couldn't figure out what the problem was. Yes, I'm not very faithful to my pilates, but my abs aren't that weak! I figured out what the problem was, thankfully and I should be good to run tonight. While I'm talking about it, I encourage everyone to find some type of core strenghtening training exercises, it will help you tremendously in either the half or full marathon. You don't realize how much energy it takes when you run or walk hunched over because your abs and back can't support your body for that long of a distance. Stephen said he really noticed this in his full, he does a bunch (I have no idea how many reps) of ab exercises and push-ups every night and he said his upper body was not tired at all during the full, but he saw a lot people running that looked like they were in pain.

Cam--Did you watch the Pro Bowl? That's the last little bit of football we'll get until training camp in August. I think I'm in depression now.

Dena--I don't have any suggestions, just wanted to say that I LOVE Richard Simmons!!! I used to do the "Sweatin' to the Oldies" with my Mom when I was in high school.

Nancy-- for your Mother-in-law and for the decisions you and your DH have to make. Know that your Wish family is thinking of you and praying for you.

Melissa--Thanks for the welcome back, it's nice to be back.

Okay, I better go, I have to get some work done today. Happy training everyone!!

 

[princessmomma]

[What i plan to do is run 1 mile....walk 60 seconds.....run 1 mile etc. Did anybody use this method for the marathon? Thanks!

Hi Amy,

I ran like this in my marathon, sort of, I stopped at every water stop and walked and drank. The early stops were more like a 30 second stop but as the race progressed my walk time increased as well. There seemed to be water stopped almost every mile towards the end. Can't remember so well now.

My sister has ran 4 or 5 marathons and she runs 10 walks 1 minute (after about 5 miles) for her races. It seems to work for her because she is bringing in 3:52 - 4:03 marathon times.

Lisa and Craig, good to hear from you both. Craig, I enjoyed your race report.

Colleen

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Craig - I really enjoyed your thoughtful post. That was a great thing to read on a Sunday. Thanks for sharing. When I saw you were at Wellesley, I wondered if you worked at the college. What is your field? Based on your post, I'm guessing something in the languages (Italian?) or maybe English. Before I moved to Rochester (last January 2005), I was a professor at Middlebury College in Vermont. I attended a few (3) meetings down at Wellesley.

OK, I'm having a bad case of the Mondays today. I'm getting bummed because my shin splint problem is coming back again - same leg (left) and exact same spot about the middle inside of the shin. I felt it a little on my workout yesterday when I ran for the first time. However, my DD5 climbed up on my legs yesterday putting all of her weight right on the spot of my shin, and I was in incredible pain. I've felt it ever since then. I'm really dissapointed. This is the exact same problem that I tried to run through last year. I ended up hobbling around even when I was just walking. I plan on taking a rest day today, and going back to walking after that. Shoot!

Any thoughts or advice?

 

[keenercam]

Dave -- You really have to stretch that leg, but rest it otherwise. That and aleve is what my doctor recommended. Howard has had some success running through the pain and having it diminish, but I think that is rare. Whenever you are sitting down, I'd suggest stretching then flexing that foot. Also, stand on the edge of a step with the edge at the ball of your foot and go up on tiptoe and down again. I used these same stretching exercises to get past achilles tendonitis and shin splints. The shin splints were definitely the result of not enough stetching in my case. They were worse if I didn't warm up enough before I walked at a quick pace or jogged. I know how painful they are, and hope you find some relief. DO NOT push yourself! Sending and and :

 

[MelRhoads]

Dave - so sorry to hear abou the shin splints!!!!! Don't let it get you too down, we have probably all experienced injury setbacks at some point in the training. I think the sticking w/ it despite the adversity is what makes the training harder than the race!!!! After you take a nice rest, anti-inflams and do some stretching and you feel ready to go again, maybe you can find a plan to allow you to gradually incorporate the running. Maybe you are experiencing muscle soreness from the running since you haven't been working those muscle groups, but rather the ones you use for walking . Don't give up!!!!! The only reason you are experiencing shin pain today is b/c you are an athlete now and you have a sports injury!!!! Basically what i am saying is.. You have been doing great and have really developed a healthy habit. As you continue your training, you will be able to find a healthy balance that will allow you to increase your endurance and manage/avoid injury. (sorry. was that too much unsolicited girly advice????)

Jodi - great workouts this weekend. you are on fire!!!! WTG!!!

Judy - hello..... any news?

Cam- you are so hard core!!! I love the image of you sitting at your desk dreaming about running and doing stretches!!

The boy was sick this weekend He seems to be doing a little better today, but of course he just breaks my heart!!!!!! Right now he is driving a die-cast metal car into my favorite h2o bottle and knocking it down saying "Mom, I beat the bad guy!!!" maybe he is on the mend!

Sunny - after you are done shoveling, check in!!

 

[wtpclc]

OK, tried to read through all of teh 6 or 7 pages since my last check in, but this is way hard. Thansk fro everone's pd. An dpd to all of you with injuries or life issues.

AmyBeth - You may be too fast for us come January, but dh and I will run with you. I know so many who run alone and if you can do it in training, I KNOW you can do it at WDW. Having someone to share iwth is so special, though. We're shooting for a sub 5 hours this year (including pictures. )

Cam - I think you're over this already, but just in case you're not... Do I need to remind you wher dh and I were this time last year. I was going to Curves maybe twice a week. That's it. DIdn't start running until March 7. You are so far ahead. I KNOW you can do the full!!!!! What's Howard doing?

Mel - Way too much planned vacation for me this year to take another trip, but mom anda dad will be arrivin in a couple weeks. Shall I send them to your race? They're already talking about a marathon trip for next year.

OK, had dinner with Mom, dad, db and dsil to celbrate the end of dad's last chemo treatment Friday. Can I get a woo hoo!!!? ANyway, my db was just ripping on me for knowing what songs were playing and taking pics. I should have been focused like Scott who doesn't remeber teh gospel choir making nay sounds, doesn't remeber CHip, Dale or Pluto, even though he slapped on of their hands... Don't know why it got to me (probably because big brother always does), but I just wanted to shout, "If I Uwan't really running, how'd I get to the finish line?!" Mind you, this is the same brother who signe dup for text message updates within 10 minutes of gettign my e-mail, was upset race day because we were supposed to finish before th 11 am church service started (according to our 20-mile pace) and was worried when we didn't. He runs the projector so had to check his messages during the children's sermon. I know, it's just his way, but it still gets me. Grrr... I just kept saying I followed the Penguin's advice and took lots of pics (over 120).

So, I go from my family to the ILs. They thought we were crazy for trying and thought we were crazy for wanting to do it again. So, we get there and they look at aour pics and say, "Couldn't you just walk the haf and get teh Goofy?" Just walk 13 miles, that's all. Thanks, think I'll wait on that. SOunds like perhaps a good 08 goal.

OK, did 3 miles Thursday and will do anothe r3 tonight. My foot is still sore when I run, but not too bad. We'll see. I sent the doc my pics today, so I'm hoping tha twill also be a reminder to call me on teh x-ray results. I really like her, but my past docs have been so bad about that stuff, that it doesn't hurt, right?

BTW - Anyone seen solo??

Happy training all!

 

[keenercam]

Melissa -- You are so cute! I can't believe you called me "hardcore"! I am so flattered! It's so strange to me that I do sit here at my desk and the sun is shining, and I think to myself "I'd love to get out for a training session." It is so bizarre! Sorry DS was sick over the weekend, but it definitely sounds like he is doing better! How cute! I think I have a crush on him!

Carrie -- Don't let anyone get to you with their negativity or "suggestions"! It's funny, how we who have done it are more impressed than those who haven't. Isn't that strange? I always would have said "OMG, you did a 1/2 marathon?" or "OMG a MARATHON!?" and would hold people in such high esteem for doing something so momentous and courageous. Having survived a 1/2, but more importantly perhaps, the training for a 1/2, I have even MORE respect than ever for the people who have done it or the full or the Goofy. So, what is wrong with these people who make these comments from a sitting position and who have probably not run 5 miles in the past month? I'd just like to see your DB make the commitment to the training schedule tht it takes to do an endurance even and then drag himself out of bed on event day and keep moving! (where is that socking someone in the nose "smilie"?)

Congrats to Dad for finishing chemo! Sending and prayers for all good things for him.


I overslept this morning once I heard both kids' schools are closed due to snow. Didn't get to the gym until 6:45. Did 45 minutes WL/ST (boy, it is amazing, how some stuff is really, really hard and other stuff isn't -- my legs seem to be stronger than I'd expected, but my arms are still very weak).

Then did 2 miles on the TM. For the first 15 minutes I did w3/r2 at 4.2/5.2, then the rest at 4.2 for a total of 2 miles in 27:00. Not as fast as I'd like, but working on speed and endurance at the same time is kind of new for me (or maybe re-newed).

I am constantly wondering when is the next time I can get to the gym and what can I do. I know I am supposed to do WL/ST no more frequently than every 48 hours. I know I am supposed to build in rest days for wogging, too, but my schedule is so unpredictable that I seem to seize the opportunity to get on the TM whenever I have time. I am really going to have to figure out a structured schedule and try to stick with it.

 

[Calcio]

Dave

I've never had shin splits, and know I'm lucky there, so I have not first hand knowledge of treatment other than ice, stretching and rest.

I have noticed, however, that shin splits are usually a function of running either too much or too hard before your body has had a chance to adjust and build strength, and/or running on hard surfaces. I suspect if you try to run on softer surfaces and back off the pace or time you'll get some relief.

I've never been up to Middlebury College. I know it's a really good College in a beautiful setting, but it's a long way from here and I've never had a reason to make the trip. So what are you doing in Rochester?

And actually I'm at the complete opposite of Wellesley College. I do live and work and live in Wellesley, but I'm a professor of finance at Babson College, on the other side of the town. This is my 9th year at Babson, and I really love my job, the students, and the campus, but I grew up in Colorado and I just can't adjust to New England weather.

Good luck with those shin splits. The other thing I know about them is they hurt big time.

Craig

 

[MelRhoads]

And actually I'm at the complete opposite of Wellesley College. I do live and work and live in Wellesley, but I'm a professor of finance at Babson College, on the other side of the town.

All this time, I thought it was philosophy!!!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Carrie: PD for your Dad and big congrats that he's finished chemo! I'll definitely keep him in my thoughts! I really relate to your post about the family comments. My sis...whom I love dearly and who happens to be my best friend....is really bringing me down LOL. She told me, when I mentioned my aspiration for WDW marathon, "why do you set your goals so high, you'll just be disappointed when it doesn't happen". Yeah...thanks sweetie for those inspiring words of encouragement. I love her so much....but why does she do this to me? Then she laughed at me b/c I'm "training" for a 5K. She says...all I need is 2 weeks to get ready for a 5K...I'll run with you she tells me. The sick part is she'd run with me and probably pace faster. But why make fun of me for training. UGH! 'kay...vent over! Sorry!

Cam: Funny that I was thinking yesterday that I felt like getting out there and running but it was my REST day. Seemed to be day dreaming about exercise or reading my Bingham books all day. I've never disliked rest days before LOL. Guess I'm getting the running bug. Today was XT and I did 60 minute kickboxing....but I really wanted to run. Tomorrow is my run day. Should be beautiful with all the snow on the trees...it'll be peaceful and quiet. I can't wait!!!

Melissa: Hope your little guy is feeling better! PD to him too! Boy there are soooo many illnesses going around here at my kids' school. I'm sure our turn is coming! UGH!

Dave....take care of those shin splints. I know they can hurt so badly! PD coming your way for speedy recovery!!