Wk of Feb 26--2007 WISH Walking/Running Club

[Honeibee]

Good morning everyone. It's about one degree here.

I did my 45 min @ 3.7 @ 1% with 10 min @ 2%. Today I was still tired. Not "RFT", but close.

Lily - It IS sad about Mist. She is such a sweetheart. Perhaps massive doses of TLC will work. Only time will tell. So every day I do a little more with her. And I make sure I give her lots of kisses and petting. Thanks for that exercise. My PT gave me that one and I KNOW it's not as easy as it sounds!

Krista - "mussels"....Honestly, I LOVE your posts! I think you're so cute! You used fish to go downhill??? I'm sorry but I couldn't resist. You and Bree look like you have so much fun. I am envious that you have someone who shares your interest. And yes, lets have some bike pictures and hey, how about some Tri pics too?????

OMG everybody! Jen thinks we're nice! Thanks Jen, that's very sweet. We really are, but we tease too.

Kevin - Oh come on! You KNOW we respect you as a true professional! We were just messing with ya! (See Jen, what you have to put up with!) Seriously, I am so new to all this, I heed the advice of all you experts. I learn so much here. I am grateful to you all for sharing.

Dave - Excellent on the TM training! Even more excellent on the snuggling with DW!

Monte - Excellent! Keep up the good work!

OMG! The aliens took SUNNY! I think you might be wearing yourself out beating yourself up so much. Sunny, you do a lot. Don't be so hard on yourself. Maybe it's the winter doldrums. BTW, I LOVE the LC!

Mel - What??!?!?! You're not a rebel!?? I really thought you were! Hee hee. You're right, I think I just have to do what I think Kevin said, slide it a little to accommodate my schedule.

Cam - I'm always happy to see a post from you! I don't know what to say either about your breathing. Maybe it's something that needs to be built up?? I have no idea but I hope you find out soon so you can fix it.

OK, off to finish Kevin's race report...


Judy

 

[keenercam]

Colleen -- We spend every Thanksgiving at HH DVC and LOVE it there. It is so peaceful and my kids say it is their favorite place on earth (they've been on cruises and to WDW MANY times and yet love the freedom and serenity of Disney's HH resort). That being said, I have no idea what it is like on-season. The resort only has 104 units, so it never feels busy or crowded but I am not sure what it is like in June at the Beach House or on the beach.

Thanks to everyone on the breathing stuff. Of course, I love Carrie's answer best. I'd like to think it is normal and part of the learning process. For some reason, my breathing patterns are very difficult to moderate. I have been working on it for weight lifting -- the breathing out on the exertion part of the exercise and at my yoga/pilates class. I tend to hold my breath when exerting myself. Am trying to unteach that. I'll definitely ask my cardiologist when I see him to be sure nothing else is going on. The type of surgery I had has never been done before and I guess none of us really considered whether there might have been long term damage to my heart either from the condition (no one has ever survived that condition, much less nearly ten years) or from the surgery (which took over 9.5 hours). None of us wants to think I am not perfectly normal (cardiac wise, that is! We all know the rest is hopeless ) so I hate to even ask him, but I will.

Tiff -- I was so bummed to see that that great anniversary sale was only for flights through 4/30! I am still hoping to get to the Chicago Distance Classic on a great DING fare and also to DL. BTW, great job on the swimming!

Thanks to everyone who shared info re: Calif. airports, though I have to tell you, I'd get so freaked out if I booked for Ontario, Can rather than Ontario, Cal!

 

[Honeibee]

OK yes I'm back already because I just have to say.....

OMG Kevin! You should have warned me!

I was just reading your race report over at my desk while I had my lunch. It was so exciting and so moving! I stopped eating! (Shocking for me, yes.) I was sitting here with tears running down my face with a fork full of salad just poised in midair.

OMG, it was so great! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Oh I can not wait for next year. This is going to be incredibly exciting!

Off to find tissues now and fix my face.


Judy

 

[lilouisianagal]

Okay I'm just not as talented as yall are at keeping track of names and posts. A few *ahem* stupid questions, to put me in the same camp as Jen.

What exactly is a chip? I get what they do (time you from your start to your finish) I think, but what do they look like and where to they go?

What's a Garmin? I think (using context clues woot) that its some sort of GPS system that tells you how far you've been and can give you pacing from that, but thats just a guess. Somebody help the novice out here please.

And a bit more long-term questions: Yall keep refering to "training for the marathon" as in you aren't doing that now. How does your training differ from what you are doing now? And what exactly is tapering? Something about running less?

What exactly counts as "hills"? I'm from flat-land down here and I consider the WDW course to have hills and its about the same as where I'm jogging. Is that completely off?

To whoever came up with that idea of IC, I sooo agree. And sometimes I gotta wonder about the cookey thoughts that I have when I'm jogging.

Cam- I've noticed even in the short 5 weeks that I have been walking/jogging that sometimes my muscles hold me up, sometimes my breathing, and sometimes my overall fitness (heart I guess) depending on my pace. I did find that there is a wogging pace that will let me "jog" right under my asthmatic wheezing level so that I can build up stamina without killing myself. If in doubt, take it easy though.

TigerLily- LOL I tried that one leg-eyes closed thing and was fine for ohh about 5 seconds then I about fell over. I love it! What is the alphabet thing?

AmyBeth- but it is spring...70 degrees sunny with light puffy clouds. hehehe I love the south.

What the heck is DING???

Either yall are rubbing off or all this jogging is going to my head because I'm thinking I might do *gasp* When I was first considering (by a HUGE stretch of the imagination) doing the Full someone recommended signing up for both the full and the half and then deciding on one...I thought they were nuts. Buttttttt I'm thinking now that that would be very realistic if I'm considering doing the Goofy (as my first race over 5K btw), that way I could chicken out of one if I really needed to (though I dont think that my IC would let me *sigh*). Sooo let me hear from all of you goofy goofy people who did Goofy as your first marathon.

 

[lilouisianagal]

Oh yeah I forgot *doi* I got to jog 6 miles today for the first time. I started out reAL slow-like (okay it was a woggle) but by the last two miles it was like my body kicked in and found a really nice jog pace (I swear I had no choice in the matter). I still gotta say that I feel like a lil kid out there just acting like a runner (*smiles and waves to all the real runners*). My abs are killing me today though and I'm not sure if its because I did my crunches yesterday without anything keeping my feet down or if it was from riding 3 hrs (my upper thighs are definitely sore from that though). Now I gotta go hunt down Kevin's report to read while I eat lunch.

 

[Calcio]

Hello lilouisianagal

In 2006 I did the marathon, my first ever marathon, as part of the Goofy Challenge. I wrote a small novel about the experience in the Feb 12 thread, post #12:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1028153

Good luck if you decide to do this. Also if this is what you'd like to complete on January 6 and 7 you should start easy training and building as soon as possible.

Good luck

Craig

 

[solotraveler]

Judy-- First off, expert?? No. Giver of hopefully helpful advice, yes.

And tears?!!? Seriously?? Now I feel bad. I'm glad you enjoyed it, though. Reading through it for me is kind of an out of body experience.... "Wait, you mean I did that?!?

Lillouisianagal-- Here are some answers for you as best I can remember..

- Chips are little plastic doodads that you attatch to your shoe during the race. It records you start and finish time as well as any splits along the course. It's helpful for people not right on the start line to get the most accurate time it took them to run the course.

- A Garmin is exactly what you think it is. Garmin is just the brand most of us use. I LOVE mine.

- I guess you could say I am training for the marathon now by continuing to run and get into better shape. WHen in "full training mode," (Usually 20 weeks out for full marathoners) running takes center stage and the mileage really picks up. Tapering is running less as you close in on the race day-- usually 2 to 3 weeks before, the distances drop off to help your legs totally recover.

- Hills to me are any change in elevation really, small to large, long to small. If someone is training "hills," they then to be fairly steep-- makes for a real challenge. Yep, the WDW course has some hills, both up and down, but they are fairly small. It is a "net" flat course, though.

- 6 miles is a wonderful distance, great job!

Back to lunch-
Kevin (Solotraveler)

 

[AmyBeth68]

First of all CAM....did I ever tell you that you are my hero?! 'Kay I know that sounds like a song (and it is and it's cheesy that I'm using it but girlfriend you SOOO ROCK! I know that way back when I first started lurking around here I read a post about your surgery. BUT my goodness....sometimes I forget as you are such an athlete and I come to forget the obstacles you had to overcome to get to where you are. Thanks for inspiring us all here! I know that everyone agrees!!!

lilouisianagal: NO FAIR...do not throw that warm southern weather in my chapped lips and wind-burned face. UGH! hahahahah j/k I do envy you.... this is me green with envy-----> . As for your questions....I'm still newbie but I can tell you that my hills are pretty darn hilly, don't you like my techno jargon. I should go out and take pics ....but I don't trust myself running with the camera. As for the garmin...you definitely figured it out. My DH says he'll buy me one when I reach 6 miles . I thought that was mighty nice of him! You can get them on Amazon maybe?! Not sure but everyone seems to have one so they'll probably know where to get the best deals!

I am training to train....well actually I'm training for a 5K first to get me into the running pattern. But most marathon training plans have you anywhere from 16 - 22 weeks. Those are very specific from building up your miles to the tapering (yes that is backing off on the long runs prior to your marathon). At least that's what I've been reading in my training books. Training to train is really about getting your steps in, running 3 - 4 times per week and doing cross training to build your core muscle groups and leg/arm muscles to help carry you through those long runs once you reach them. I think that about sums it up....but I'll leave it to the experts to give you more nitty gritty details!

My run today....went really really well . I was scheduled to do a 30 minute run. So earlier today I decided to read up on running hills and breathing techniques. I decided to really pay attention to my breathing and to try to make friends with my BFHs. I also have no clue how far I ran since I tried a new course...I feel that this helped because I wasn't worrying about my pace and splits, I was just concentrating on my technique today. I think my plan worked. I did an out and back run so that I'd get equal time up and down hill. I start off right away with a steep but short hill. It went great, I kept my breathing pattern/rhythm really steady and then flew down a nice long hill. From there I was into gently rolling territory. I NEVER stopped to walk or check my watch. All I did was concentrate on my out out in in breathing to the rhythm of my heal strikes. I have to say that I felt the best I've EVER felt running. I finally checked my watch to find that I was already out 15 minutes so I reversed course and kept on chugging away. Of course I had to come to my BFH eventually...the nice long downhill I got to do early on wasn't looking so friendly. But I just followed my new principles of not looking too far up the hill....only slightly tilting my body forward....lifting my knees slightly higher than normal....and continuing my breathing rhythm with nice deep belly breaths. I found this really helped. I have to admit that about 3/4 up the hill I got RFT and had to stop. But I decided to just take a few seconds to regain my deep belly breaths and then I continued running it. At this point I knew I lost a little time but I had my short steep hill coming and I sprinted down and made it back to my starting point EXACTLY at 30 minutes. That's an even split which felt great!

Hope I didn't bore you guys with my detailed run....but for those of you new to hills, it may help?!

 

[wtpclc]

What exactly is a chip? I get what they do (time you from your start to your finish) I think, but what do they look like and where to they go?

The ones that you "borrow" for teh race (IE if you don't buy your own) are about het size of a quarter adn are plastic.

What's a Garmin?

You've gotten most of it. *most of us useGarmin Forerunner 201. Amazon is your best bet. They can do intervals and pace and auto laps and darn near anything you'd want, but carry you across that finish line.

And a bit more long-term questions: Yall keep refering to "training for the marathon" as in you aren't doing that now. How does your training differ from what you are doing now?

Again, you have most of it. We usually say "training to train". Maeaning getting ready for that 16 to 22 weeks of dedication. RIght now, I'm less strict with rescheduling runs or feeling like I cannot miss a run. By then, running will be close to first priority.

And what exactly is tapering?

For teh MfM full plan, we peak at 20 miles, tehn havea normal lighter week as always follows teh long runs, then our LRs get shorter asn do our during the week work outs. Our last LR is 20 minutes the day before race day.

What exactly counts as "hills"?

If you're a flat lander, find some overpasses to do. You will definitely feel those at WDW.

What the heck is DING???

Southwest airline specials. You know, *ding* you are free to move about teh country.

Either yall are rubbing off or all this jogging is going to my head because I'm thinking I might do *gasp*

I'm no expret, but if you're doing 6 now, I can see Goofy in your future. Especially, if you take it easy on the half. I'm savign that for a possible 2008, although I think I might miss cheering for teh half.

Oh and Miss Louisiana Girl - Rub that 70 in our "chapped lipped wind-burned faces" (lol) again an you may find your self swimming with the gators. (please note intended sarcasm and humor)

Amy -WTG on keeping the same pace uphill as down. Wow! You rock!

Solo -You're explanation of the Garmin forgot to include how you protect it with your life, even as you are falling into a semi-frozen ditch. (I love MI)

Judy - I think I was RFT almost every workout last year. Hang in there. It will ge better.

 

[keenercam]

Amy -- You are really sweet and you made me cry, but please do not mistake my little achievements for more than they are. I want to be sure you know I WALKED the half! And, believe you me, not with a lot of time to spare. And truly, I am not sure I would have beat the sweepers if it hadn't been for my sweet 1/2 buddy, Rhonda, and all the WISHers who supported and encouraged before, during and after. So, thank you, thank you, thank you, for your very sweet comments, but I am really still a beginner and definitely a work in progress.

Every single person here who has the courage to start (training to train), the passion to endure (the months it takes to train), and the strength to show up at the START line is my hero. :

 

[littlegreydonkey]

Hi chatty folks, I've only been gone 15 hours and there's pages to get through. So....

Sunny: Know what you mean about hating the running, I've felt kind of like that since I got back. Doing an actual event did help though, but (and don't shout at me here) be careful that you've not got the first stages of overtraining syndrome. You do push yourself very hard, which is great, but sometimes the body fights back and one of the first signs is hating exercise. Maybe have a search online for some info on the problem and see what you think. In the meantime, why not start the taper for your half now and really take a rest during it that might be all it takes to revive you.

Cam: I agree that you should see your doc, but if he gives you the all clear there could be two reasons for your breathing probs. You're running too fast - I know it sounds obvious, but try and drop back a fraction and see what happens, the other option is that you're just overbreathing for your state of fitness. If you've always huffed and puffed your way through runs before it can seem like what you're meant to do and so you do it without realising. I do it all the time!!!! Next time it happens make a conscious effort to slow your breathing and lengthen your breaths - use all those pilates tricks they teach you - you could find that you keep running at the same pace but it suddenly feels so much easier.

L-Angel: what everyone else said about chips and stuff. And yes, training to train basically means just building up your fitness, getting used to moving, and creating exercise as a habit in your life so you know when you fit it in best, what to do with the rest of the family while you're out pounding pavements for 2 hours etc, while you still have time and freedom to miss a few runs. When you're training proper, you don't have so much of that freedom, especially after about week 10, then the running kind of comes first for a bit. If it's already an established habit in your life, that makes this bit a lot easier.

Anyway, I may pop in tomorrow before I fly, if not see you all in a fortnight. Will hug Tokyo Mickey (eyeore, tigger, stitch etc) for you all. Helen

 

[AmyBeth68]

Cam....walking or running....you are an athlete! I only know a handfull of people who have ever completed a half or full marathon. And most of them are here on the Wish boards and the other two are in my k-boxing class. I mean...out of all the people I know there are just the few of you who have actually made this accomplishment. You guys are all athletes! You got your medal girl! You are a true inspiration (((HUGS)))!

 

[wtpclc]

Anyway, I may pop in tomorrow before I fly, if not see you all in a fortnight. Will hug Tokyo Mickey (eyeore, tigger, stitch etc) for you all. Helen

Don't forget Pooh Bear!!!!! Have a great trip Helen!

Cam - What Amy said! We know how hard you worked to get there and how far you came. Please don't belittle that accomplishment. And now you're going for the full. Sounds like even more courage to me.

Every single person here who has the courage to start (training to train), the passion to endure (the months it takes to train), and the strength to show up at the START line is my hero.

You're dead on there!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Sunny - I hate running too! Did that make you feel better?

Wow, so much to catch up on since last night!

Sunny-- If it helps, i hate running too.
Kevin (Solotraveler)

Christa, Speedy, Helen-- You mean you hate running, too Phew, I thought I was in the wrong group. Looks like this is the place for me!

MelR-- that alt. map is really interesting (and terrifying). Look at how long mile 5 and 19 look due to the incline. I can't believe that course has mile long uphills. Here's where I say "see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya"

OK, Christa has inspired me to enjoy running in a whole new light. When the ice age ends (or the temps get above 20 degF) I'm going to plan a house hunting run. I'll bring my camera and pick out my favorite Lexington houses. The goal will be to find houses, not log miles (but of course I'll wear my Garmin). In the mean time, I'm claiming this house:

http://livinglively.com/clipart/House_Of_Golf.pps

If the link works it will ask if you want to open it with PowerPoint, unless you don't have PowerPoint and then it probably won't work!!!!!

 

[gatorphipps]

Christa -- Those pictures are wonderful. And somehow it doesnt' surprise me that you and Bree make friends whereever you go. And all 3 of your babies are beautiful!
Okay, so here is my question. Many of you know I had a very serious heart condition for almost 10 years, that was cured in January 2005. One of the symptoms of that condition was constant breathlessness and a lack of oxygen in my blood. Of course, all of that is zillions of times better than it was, but I can't quite figure out why I still don't seem to be able to sustain a jog very long and it is obviously something to do with the breathing. I mean, it's not my muscles -- my legs aren't screaming for me to stop or slow down or anything like that. It is literally the gasping for breath that is forcing me to keep my jogging intervals short. What can I do to improve this? I am seeing my treating cardiologist in a couple of weeks (can't wait to show him my Donald medal!) and will ask him, but I am hoping someone here might have some advice.

I have to make a disclaimer and say see your cardiologist...and you are..so, when I started running I had the same problem. I just started running as far as I could then walk..then I pushed it a little longer each week. You are such an AWESOME person! to you with the doc appointment.

 

[gatorphipps]

Heather - Yikes! I missed your post and wondered what everyone was talking about. Be careful! That osunds liek an awfully busy road. You need to make it to that family reunion this year! BTW, when is that?

Heather..I missed this too! What was said..I cannot find it. Be careful!

 

[gatorphipps]

OK! Now that I have finished reading all the posts and answering some, I will post my work out for the day.

Judy - first of all "mussels"... I must have been thinking about food..big surprise!

I biked today. I got some tri shorts and a tri top...I may not be fast but I will look like I know what I am doing. I had to "tri" out my tri shorts. What a diff! They have padding and it feels so much better on the ol bum. Did 14 miles. I feel good about this b/c my tri is 12 miles. Will swim in them tomorrow so I need to wash them...or do I?
To all those who hate running or are thinking about running 2007..here are pix of me and DH getting our Goofys! What a feeling!

[/IMG]

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

AAAArrrrgggggghhhh: I just lost a huge post I had been working on trying to reply to everyone on the thread.

Phooey: I'll try to remember everything I was trying to say.

Cam - please be careful. You don't want to mess around with your health. It may be nothing, and you have to just work on your breathing, but you just don't want to take the risk. Plus, we don't want anything to happen to you!

Kevin - thanks so much for posting your marathon report. I thought it was wonderful, and I hope my marathon experience is as good as yours. I know what you mean about having a hard time going up to meet people (like fellow WISHers). I am a little introverted that way.

Sunny - IC, inner commando That's great! I had read it as inner child. Inner commando certainly gives a different context doesn't it.

Judy - congrats on your raise. That's awesome baby!

Jen - welcome! This group is wonderful! I joined a month ago, and they have been so supportive as I try to get back into running! Well, all except for Lily who keeps nagging me about tracing the alphabet...

Christa - thanks for posting all the pictures. They are a lot of fun! Your girls are very cute. I wanted to post pictures of my princesses (DD5 and DD8 ), but I can't seem to figure it out.

Amy - you are kicking butt with your training and X-training. WTG!

Cam and Tiff - you guys are way too kind. Seriously... no, I don't think I'm any different than many people on this thread just trying to the best we can juggling family, work, and personal stuff. Sometimes it's hard though - as you all know.

lilouisianagirl - Welcome too! Don't worry about any questions at all...

OK, if I missed anyone, I am truly sorry.

 

[princessmomma]

Every single person here who has the courage to start (training to train), the passion to endure (the months it takes to train), and the strength to show up at the START line is my hero. :

 

[lilouisianagal]

Gator- thanks for the pics!

Kevin thanks for that article. Now I have even more questions though!

Calcio- I had stumbled onto your report back in the days of considering half vs. full, but I hadn't read it in a while. Thanks! It gives me a realistic look at Goofy.

More questions on the WDW marathon and marathon general:
What exactly is gel? What does it taste like? When should it be used?

What sort of food do they provide on course? How often?

What do you bring with you when you are running a marathon?

Kevin, you refer to in your race report that the course splits and then rejoins...huh?

What is team in training? is it the same as TNT?

How often are toilets (or portipotties) located on course?

What exactly do those numbers mean when you refer to pacing? (ie 5/1, or 4:15 group)

And whats this about tracking on the web?

And to all yall in cold weather, you have my upmost sympathy. I get chapped lips here, I can't even imagine trying to train up there. And we just have nutsy weather. It will be 29 in the morning, 75 and sunny in the noon, start pouring midafternoon, and be freezing in the night. So at least you're consistent! Have a great evening everyone!