Wk of Feb 5--2007 WISH Walking/Running Club

[chimera]

Hello everyone!

For those new to us, we're a group of people who are planning to participate in walking/running events throughout the year. Some of us are training for the 2006 Disneyland Half and for the 2007 WDW Half/Full marathons. We'll also be posting news/training for various other events throughout the year. We range from non-running beginners to triathletes. Come join us, whether you're training for an event or walking/running for fitness!

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
http://www.irongirl.com
http://www.marathonguide.com
http://www.marathonwalking.com
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com
The John Bingham site:
http://www.waddleon.com/
Jeff Galloway's site:
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

Race Etiquette with Miss Road Manners

Pacing Calculator

 

[chimera]

As Nancy mentioned, the weather outside was frightful yesterday, so I need to squeeze my 8 miler in today.

Our newspaper says Jeff Galloway is going to be here for the Sarasota marathon in a couple weeks. Unfortunately, they published the wrong dates for the race

I'll check back in later!

 

[jodistar]

Morning Everyone,

Yesterday I ended up getting my sneakers - good thing because the sneakers that I was using just weren't giving me enough support. The store that I went to was very good and helping me pinpoint the proper sneakers for me .

While I was there I told them how I was training for the Disney Marathon and they actually had customers that had done it before, they had a couple of numbers hung up on the walls and one of the runners had donated their medal from running the marathon. I just thought that it was really cool

I will be doing some training today - but not for a little bit, I have to let my stomach settle after breakfast.

So have any of you delt with a family member not totally believing that you would be able to finish the marathon? I'm having that problem now and it is a real downer.

I will update this posting - after my workout.....Have a great Sunday everyone!

Jodi

 

[MelRhoads]

Jodi - about 2 months b/4 goofy, my mom asked me "how far is a marathon? I told her "26.2 miles" and she said "you can't run 26 miles" to which I replied "26.2 and I'm going to!" (I said it with a chuckle, b/c I knew that i could!!!!

Can't think about the 50k yet! (I'll post race rpt later) It was actually 32miles instead of 31.07!!!!!!!! Which to me was a big difference!

 

[jodistar]

Jodi - about 2 months b/4 goofy, my mom asked me "how far is a marathon? I told her "26.2 miles" and she said "you can't run 26 miles" to which I replied "26.2 and I'm going to!" (I said it with a chuckle, b/c I knew that i could!!!!

Can't think about the 50k yet! (I'll post race rpt later) It was actually 32miles instead of 31.07!!!!!!!! Which to me was a big difference!

Thanks Mel - I know that I can do it too (with training). My DH is the one that seems to have the doubts about me being able to do it. My mom has only given me strange looks about the marathon - I can't wait to prove them both wrong .

Was the goofy your first marathon? Although, I'm not quite that brave I would some day like to do both.

 

[MickeySP]

Gonna try and keep up here this time.

I signed up for next year but for the full this time. I am not sure I haven't bitten of more than I can handle. But gonna give it a go.

Right now I am just getting back up to speed, I was such a lump for January. So back to it, plus I WILL drop the last 37lbs if it kills me.

I have an appt with my Exercise Physiologist to work out a training program, so hopefully it will be realistic.

How hard is it to go from the 1/2 as a first timer to a full, I am not sure how to amp up mentally either.

My Mom thinks I am crazy, my son just shakes his head. Although he is gonna do the DL 1/2 with me in September. I am betting that will be a great gage for my training.


I really enjoyed my time at the Marathon and can't wait to do it again.

 

[chimera]

Ya know...I assumed these threads would be pretty lively before the marathon weekend, then would settle down after the races were over as we all got back to 'real life'. Boy was I wrong Does this mean running is now part of 'real life'? I may have to go back to my work-at-home job just to keep up

Nancy...woohoo! Great pace, especially under such miserable conditions! sounds like a cool route too! So are ya gonna join us for Minnie?

Cam...wtg on your rain run! The park sounds really cool! The girls are fine, thanks for asking. I'm mailing DD13's registration for the Minnie 15K tomorrow. She's got soccer practice 3 days a week now, so we figure she can just train up for the distance on the weekends. The wild todd will be 3 at the end of this month so we're gearing up for that She's chosen a pirate ship cake for her birthday instead of the princess cake we all thought she'd want

Dona...when I first started, some very wise folks around here told me to increase my distance and the pace would follow. Be sure to keep the 10% rule in mind...no more than 10% increase each week.

Lisa SP...wtg on registering for the full!

Jodi...hang in there, your family will come around. I got plenty of weird looks, but I think my mom's learned to cover pretty well when I make wild pronouncements of things I'm planning to do . Personally, I'm still having some trouble applying the word 'athlete' to myself. I think many of us get programmed not to boast or brag and sometimes end up diminishing our own accomplishments. Just believe you can do it...we all know you can!

MelR...wow...can't wait to hear about your race!

Krista...I'll be thinking about you guys this evening. Go Steelers! Too bad we can't have a WISH team SuperBowl party.

Carrie...how you doin'? What's next for y'all?

My 8 miles was a borderline stonker this morning. It was cold and windy which is never my favorite way to run. I ended up with a 14:09 pace but was kinda bummed by that. My 8's when I was training for WDW were 14:12 and 14:13 and that was at w3/r1. Today was w3/r2. I expected a better pace for the extra running so I'm kinda disappointed. Lots of new things since last time though...new shoes, Clif Bloks, new route. I did feel better toward the end of the run. There's a point at the end of my route with the LR about 1.5 miles from home that I usually feel pretty physically fatigued and I get home on orneriness alone. Not so much today. I actually had negative splits (13:50, 13:58) the last 2 miles .

Love the Clif Bloks! Much easier to carry than the honey and crackers from last time. Don't know that I felt much differently but hard to tell. They're a little softer than your average gummy bear/worm, so there's a bit of stickage to the teeth. I'm using strawberry...kinda tastes like Smuckers jelly. I tried the Cran-Razz at the Expo...they were a bit less sweet. Overall, a big for the Bloks!

I'll be heading up to POR for a PA conference in Orlando on Wed. I'm going to try to check-in with y'all while I'm there.

Good training everyone!

 

[MelRhoads]

Jodi - Goofy was my first marathon. I did several other types of races (100 mile bike ride 2 adventure races) during my training. On the weekends that I had those races, I counted them as my long runs. It worked out fine! You can do it. Just find a plan and train and you will be ready!!!!!

OK, now for the race report.

Sarah, EC, and I got there about 40 minutes b/4 race start. I think it was around 35 degrees. We went into Turner Bend Store (a little necessity store on the mulberry river in the ozarks) and signed a form (which basically was a liability waiver and so they could keep track of the number of starters) We decided to start early (b/c we knew we would be really slow compared to the other 50k people and we didn't want to miss the food at the end like we did last year (last yr we did the 25k, but the food was at the top instead of the finish). Our plan was to walk the hills (really mountains) and run the flats and downs. We figured our pace would be pretty slow since there we around 5 miles of steep hills. I'll post the elevation chart at the bottom (each color change is a 500 ft elevation gain or loss) So we started about 20 minutes early. There were 3 other women who also started at the same time we did. Since it is a free race, you keep your own time, so we stood where a small banner was (near a campsite, along a forrest road) and said "ok, let's go" and pushed the start button on the garmin. We started off jogging (b/c every faster step could get us done faster) and the 3 other girls started off walking. We jogged maybe 100ft. b/4 the hill was too steep and we started our first 2 1/2 mile climb. At 5 miles we got to the first aid station. THERE WAS NO STRAWBERRY CAKE THIS YEAR. We had kind'of prepared ourselves for this, but we were still pretty sad about that whole deal! Anyway, by then we saw a lady who we recognized and we caught up to her a passed. (She runs these thing all the time. She is in her 50's and we are pretty much on the same page w/ pace. I congratulated her on winning the senior trail runner series award, and she said "oh, you mean the old lady thing?" Anyway, we made the 10 mile aid station w/o much trouble and then to the 15 at the top pretty slowly. We signed in at the overlook and used the bathroom and ate some food and turned around and took off for the finish line (16 miles away!!!) We decided at that point to take it in 5 mile sections, b/c I know i can go 5 miles (so that was our plan the rest of the day).

There's not really that much to report. The fun parts were seeing all the other weirdos who would go out and run 32 miles for free fun. EC actually took trekking poles so we had fun counting the number of people who mentioned them and we counted the number of people who ran by w/o talking (they were no fun) We also counted the number of people I thought I knew and how many I got right or wrong. EC's name, as many of you know, is Sarah. She carried a hydration pack b/c she used this as her LR for a marathon in 3 weeks (which I am going to do too - my first ever girls trip) and as training for her next adventure race. Since she was carrying my fleece, I started calling her "Sherpa" Obviously a play on names about the backpack, but no one really laughed. That is funny isn't it?

At about mile 29.5 our husbands came riding up on their mountain bikes. That was totally awesome! They rode the worst part, but when they turned around to go down the hill, there was NO WAy they could go slow enough to stay w/ us, so they went back down and got the car. We got free hotdogs and soda and honey buns and stood by the fire with the ozark mountain residents . I got a hole burned in my favorite fleece (bummer) I'm pretty sore today, but it was really fun AND HARD. I'm not sure that I can do the 50 miler in april. by the end my feet and hands were really swollen! I know I'll have to put an extra pair of shoes in a drop bag if I do the 50 mile!!!!!!!! Our overall pace was 13:40 (which was 20 seconds faster than we planned) I'm pretty sure we came in close to the end. In fact, they were pulling up the mile markers while we were on the course (The first thing I thought about that was "I'm telling the WISHERS!" It was a little discouraging though) but we still did it and made it back in time for the free food!!!!!!!! If they ask for feedback, I'm going to remind them about the strawberry cake

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Okay--I will be better with the thread this week. Last weeks' thread ran away from me I couldn't catch up to well.

Welcome to all the newbies--I'll find out who you are soon.

I began training for Minnie this week. Training disrupted by kidlet illness. So I didn't cross train this week. I did 3 miles on the treadmill yesterday b/c it was blustery rainy all morning long .

I did pretty good and I think weights will be a good thing. I finished in less than :40--but I cheated...I kept the distance from my 5 minute walking warmup 'cause I was too lazy to tack on extra distance at the end. I was doing 3:2 intervals as well. On my 3 minue runs and on the walks actually--I started at 5.0 for the runs and increased every 1 minute by 0.1 and then would start the next interval 0.1 higher than the last (example: 5.0, 5.1, 5.2 then 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and so on). did the same with walking--began at 4.0, 4.1--then 4.1, 4.2 I topped out at 4.3 b/c it felt very fast.

I've also been sampling workouts without the aid of a knee compression bandage and no cho-pat straps for me since disney (left them at the med tent). Very weird as my knee feels like jello trying to do some of the stuff on its own.

The weights are getting up there--I think in most spots at least double if not more--than what I started out with at the gym in December. Time to get the doc to refill out the "blue" form (which for some reason is white ) and get that updated.

I don't want to jinx myself in how well I am doing b/c in the past--everytime I posted something specific..something bad happened.

So we will have to wait until May to truly see how I faired in training.

 

[MickeySP]

Mel - I am thoroughly impressed WTG!! The idea of doing anything that daunting right now is unreal.

Jodi - you bet, my whole family thought I was muts when I announced I was doing the 1/2 last Easter. Now they think I am trully round the bend doing a 5or 10K each month plus signing up for the full in WDW next year.

I will have to try the Clif Bok, the gel is just too bizarre for me. I used it but it just felt like I was coating my tongue, the ick factor was huge. I am not sure it actually help anyway.

I have added weight training in to be able to withstand 26.2 miles, boy what a difference it makes. Totally different muscles are screaming. One kills me it looks like a chin up stand but you rest on your elbows and either pull legs out horizontal or knees up to your waist. I really think this guy is trying to kill me.

I added in the elipitical this time but still cn only do about 35-40 minutes before it just feels too much. I am not sure if I should slow the pace between 64-70 and go longer or if it is better to keep it there and do less time.

Thank goodness it is an off day.

 

[littlegreydonkey]

Morning all - wow Mel well done, I think I told you last year about my friend who entered a cross country 50k and now has a cup with her name on as she was the only woman mad enough to do it - and so won the female race!!! She's going back to compete for her title again this year.

Jodi - ignore all disbelievers (as opposed to Dis-believers which is us lot and a far more positive crew!!) especially at the moment when you're training to train - they tend to shut up when you head out for training proper and don't come back for four hours!!! So long as you know you're going to do this thing you will do it.

Re the blocks and gu etc - I didn't train with them as I can't bear them, but I did suck them up on the day as I felt I needed them. This is not good training practise (for those who don't know this already) as you're not supposed to do anything on race day that you didn't do in training - but as I'd used them before and had no reactions to them I knew I'd be okay to take them. I'd say everyone doing the full should try them at least 2-3 times in training to see if you can use them - if you don't like them fine, but at least you know if you feel on the day you need that extra bit of energy whether you can take them without upsetting your stomach/blood sugar etc. I definitely think they were what stopped me hitting the wall. Although I didn't take any of the packets until I could see the next water stop - you suck them down then glug the water to take the taste away.

Hope everyone else is okay - I did my two hours yesterday. Ran 1.48 of it, then walked the last 12 minutes. Still a bit nervous about what's going to happen during the half, I know I'll get round it's just how rubbish I'm going to feel that's worrying me! Am hoping the fact that it's an actual race will make all the difference and I'll fly round (well, as much as 2.20 halfer flies!!!). Helen

 

[jodistar]

Hi Everyone,

Had a wonderful workout this morning. Here it is:

Treadmill - 65 minutes, 5 miles, going from 3.8 - 5.5 in five minute intervals
Abs (on stability ball) - 30 reps, 4 sets
Seated leg Curl - 25 pounds, 12 reps, 3 sets
Leg extensions - 25 pounds, 12 reps, 3 sets
One Leg extensions - 10 pounds, 12 reps, 3 sets (each leg)

That's it - although, at the time I felt like I could keep on going.

Jodi

 

[TiffJ]

Hi all! Today was my 1st day back to walking. It was freeeeeeezing. I only did 1.55 miles because of the wind gusts cutting through my body like an icy knife. I didnt push it too hard for fear of re-injury. Including warm up my avg pace was 15:12. I'm not thrilled, but considering how long I've been out & not wanting to hurt myself it was o.k. After that was swimming. I did 550 yds. It's getting better.

Mel-that's a great pace! And neg. splits too, WTG!!! I love the Clif Bloks too!I'm jealous you get to go to WDW so often. I keep telling DH we need to move down there

MelR-wow you are an inspiration. Doing a race like that is incredible! Sorry you didnt get your strawberry cake

MickeySP-WOW! What incredible job you have done with your weightloss. I can't wait to meet you at DL. I am considering going for the full next year too. Got to think about it for a while.

Jodi-if you put in those steps I know you will be able to do it. I've gotten alot of strange looks about my new obsession, but I've had an unbelievably supportive DH. He already knew I was a little insane & knew that if anything could inspire me to actually do it, WDW would be it!

Helen-great job on the 2 hrs!

Keep up the training everyone! Have a great week!

Lisa-great to see you back. Good job with the workouts!

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone! I will be back tomorrow to catch up on all the posts, but just wanted to report that we are back from the polar bear plunge and it wasn't too bad! The air temp was in the 40s but the wind was brutal. The waves were very very high and I almost got taken down as I was coming back out of the water. Wondering whether I'd have felt warmer if I still had those 60+ pounds! Talk about everything having something to do with training. I thought alternately "don't lose your footing. It will mess up your training" and "Good thing I've been training. I'm stronger and the waves aren't taking me under AND I can run faster in and out of the water!"

Here we are afterwards:

 

[littlegreydonkey]

Wish I looked that glamorous in a swimsuit after a paddle - let along one with big waves!! Well done Cam.

 

[MelRhoads]

Cam- AWESOME Picture!!! You look great. That pic is one of those family treasures! I'm glad it wasn't too bad, but hey, you are an endurance athlete, so being cold and wet for a little while was just a normal day for you I think you can confidently say you did a duathalon today. You swam and you ran!

Here are some water related smilies

Here is a cup of hot chocolate to get warm!!

 

[MickeySP]

Cam - you are a very brave woman!! Just a bit too cold for me.

Just thougt I would post my before and after shots:
BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

[TEK224]

Cam - Glad you survived the "plunge". You look great!

MickeySP - Wow! Congrats! You look great, too!

MelR - Glad to hear the race went well! 32 miles is awesome!

Jodi - Just stick with it. My family and friends thought I was nuts to try a marathon. I did the Goofy at WDW and it was my first marathon AND my first half. It was tough, but I just put my mind to it and knew I was going to finish no matter what. In fact, the photog took my picture in MGM with the big hat in the background (I didn't even know he took it - never saw him). But the look on my face was, I think, a look of focus, determination and pain! At that point all I wanted to see was the finish line. YOU CAN DO IT!

For you early risers (those who work-out at 4:30- 5 AM) How do you do it? I am usually not a morning person at all. I've even set 3 alarm clocks and still have a hard time getting up early to get work-outs in before work. I'm much better at night, but sometimes work gets in the way and by the time I get home there is no motivation.
Funny, because I have no trouble getting up for a race or event, but getting up for the routine stuff just doesn't happen

Terri

 

[MelRhoads]

MickeySp - I can't see your pics! I tried safari and explorer and they don't show up w/ either browser. I would love to see them.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Good Morning Everyone:

First of all - whoo hooo STEELERS!!! Not a pretty game, but they won. OK, I got that out of my system. After growing up in Pittsburgh in the 70's, I just had to get that out.

I had a great walk yesterday. I drew inspiration from the posts on this board and decided to do a long walk (LW). I did 3.9 miles in 55 minutes. Felt absolutely great. We were having a big, wet snowfall. I was covered with snow, could barely see, had my music on, and I felt like I was in my own little world. Christa - I was thinking of you during my walk. The roads were starting to get slippy from the snow, I was wet and covered with snow, and I was thinking about your muddy long run on Saturday. Thanks for the inspiration - it felt really good. I'm going to go back down to my 1/2 hour walks this week so as to not overdo it, but the hour long walk felt really good yesterday.

Cam - great job on your walk in the park, and did I say WAHOOO STEELERS!!! Also congrats on your Polar Plunge. Great job for a great cause, and what a cute picture with your family.

Nancy - Congratulations on running the 5k at Universal Studios. You are really a committed runner going out in those conditions.

MelR - Wow, I am very impressed with your 32 miler. Way to go!!! Too bad about no strawberry cake!

Jodi - I haven't actually told anyone that I'm training for the marathon yet. I'm kind of keeping it to myself in this early stage. I know my DW will support me, but at this stage she would probably roll her eyes and say "OK, I've heard this before, we'll see if you keep it up for more than a month." Don't get discouraged about people not believing you at this point. You have a long way to go in your training. Draw support from your friends here, and your DH will come around as he sees your committment to your training. Just think how great it will be for him to see you finish the marathon next January! Use that for inspiration too. Picture in your mind the feeling of crossing the finish line and celebrating with your DH!

MickeySP - Congrats for signing up for the full marathon! You are ahead of me at this point. I haven't signed up for anything yet, nor have I ever done a 1/2 marathon. You have lots of time to train, and I'm sure you can do it.

Mel

I think many of us get programmed not to boast or brag and sometimes end up diminishing our own accomplishments.

- this is so, so true. I know I've had to learn that it's OK to think I've done something well. I still struggle with it - in all aspects of life I look for reasons or excuses that an accomplishment is not that special. Sometimes it's important to say, "you know, that was pretty good or special." Congrats on your 8 mile long run Mel! Say hi to Goofy for me at WDW.

Lisa - great job with your run yesterday.

OK, have a great day everyone...