Wk of Jul 30--2007 WISH Walking/Running Club

[Jen117]

Mel - Did you check out Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN? It is quite popular. There are also several in Wisconsin, but I forget the official names. I can look that up if you want.

 

[RedSonya]

Sonya - My plan is to finish up around that time. Some others have said they will be doing about that time.

Craig, Howard, Sonya and anyone else I have missed........
I HAVE A PLAN!
We all need to at least start together and if someone wants to pull off, no pressure to stay with the group.
The 1st of the marathon is "slow" anyway due to the crowds.

I guess we need to be in the same corral...I put my 4:25 Charlotte marathon time down....actually, my 2:10 1/2 marathon may have given me a better start point. Oh well...too late!

What do you gals and guys think?

I think it would be great to start the race with anyone hoping to finish in the 4:30 range and break off as needed. Buddies for encouragement can't hurt!

I was just thinking about Grandma's Marathon is Duluth the other day as I was running. I think I'd like to try it, it is a fun little city to visit! When you get to that state on your runnng journey I'll join you!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I don't have a lot of time to repsond just now, but I cannot let this pass:

Goofy seems like SUCH a BIG challenge... but that's the whole point, right??

Everyone, You can do it! If I can do it you can! Really! If it helps in your mind, do as I did. Take your time. Keep training smart and steady. Don't push for speed during the event do that during the training weeks, that gives the good base. Don't go for the PR during the event. Go for the FUN! It is fun! Keep telling yourself that. Remember the mind need to be convinced.

Keep putting in the steps/XT.

This will apply to all events that weekend. We are all going to do this!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Jodi- I just wanted to wish you luck with your ice cream 5K this Sunday. Eat some for me OK? Oh yeah, and have a good run too.

 

[Jen117]

RedSonya - Duluth is a gorgeous city. I am about 3 1/2 hours south. All the marathon runners around here run Grandma's if they can. Duluth is so hilly tho, I would be scared my legs would fall off. I may eventually try the 1/2 tho.

 

[Kristi1357]

Kristi – Very cool..your GREAT tickets & Backstage passes for GooGooDolls. I saw them a few days before you here in Jersey, but we were way back in the lawn seats.

Here's a pic of me & my Goo Goo Dolls. It was like 95 degrees and humid - hence the really bad hair. But hey, it's proof!

(I have no idea why the picture has that line through it - tried this 5 times and this is how it finally posted - argh!)

I did ask Mike (guy on right) if he's ever run Disney. He hasn't, but said he thinks that would be a fun course to run. So just maybe, I convinced him to join with us one day. Now that would be cool!

And lawn seats aren't so bad. As long as you can hear them - they are so good live!

(done with my GGD rant...continue posting about pertinent running things!)

 

[msblrobs]

Sara – I hope DH enjoyed his dinner. And I'm SURE he LOVED his dessert! How in the world are you keeping the secret about the cruise from DDs? I'd be so excited that my kids would wonder why I was How can you pack their stuff without them knowing? I hope you have an awesome time enjoying the anticipation!

DH said the mashed potatoes were the BEST he had ever tasted! Dessert turned into breakfast because I kid you not, I was asleep by 8:15 last night. Remember, I am up at 4:00 a.m. everyday, so I have an excuse. The kids' suitcases are slowly being filled in the basement. They'll never have a clue. I will be walking (running) on air this weekend!!

Sunny - Thanks for checking in. Sending continued your way.

Judy - WTG!!

Carrie - You'd better hold onto the shoes so you don't regret getting rid of them at some point in the future.

Dave - Congrats on the race.

It's actually going to be favorable for running outside this weekend, so I am looking forward to that. Happy training to all and best of luck to those tackling races this weekend!!

 

[TiffJ]

It is so much hotter this summer than last & I'm sick of it!!!!!!

o.k rant over. I went out this a.m. later than normal because of getting kids to school & wasnt done till 8:00 that was way too late! I may have to resort to the dreadmill

I got my DL packet today I have so got to do some more planning for that trip. I do have my carry-on where I can start throwing stuff in it.

I met Parker's teacher last night. I love her. As she was talking to us she mentioned she was an Auburn fan. I am & DH went to Auburn. Then I noticed she was wearing a silver Mickey head bracelet. Not only is she a WDW fanatic, she is a DVC owner Boy are we going to have stuff to talk about! And her DH works at the same company as my DH. And most importantly, Parker loves her.

Today was my last day home alone with Seth. They do phase in days for kindergarteners so he starts Monday. I know he is going to love school but I'm going to miss the little bugger.

Judy-congrats for putting in the steps ! I almost quit at 1.5 miles today but I thought, I only have 6 weeks, I have to "put in those steps" so I finished it out. So, how many voices do you hear in that head of yours

bekah-congrats to you too for getting out there. Just taking the first steps is half the battle. Good luck with increasing your swim distance. I know you can do it

Sunny-I am so sorry you are going through all of this. We are here for you anytime you need to vent, whine, complain, cry. Just please dont leave us

Jen-I'm glad that inhaler seems to be helping

Kristi-great pic!!!!!


Do you guys realize that we only have 5 months until WDW marathon weekend hits us again! I cant wait!!!!! (although my pocketbook can )

Good luck to those doing races this weekend!

Matt-Have fun at the world

Christa-Yea for signing up

 

[goofyguy1958]

WORK.......

Now... the shoes I had been wearing are the ones I ran the marathon in. So....what should I do with them?? I'm sort of attatched to them, it being my first marathon and all. I'm torn. Any thoughts?

Do you have a lawn to mow? I always retire my running shoes (about every 3 months) to the lawn and work them until they are completely green. My wife calls me the Imelda of running shoes.

Mel, a couple of PA eve3nts: Broad Street run (10 miles - downhill (sligtly) all the way in May- I have done this 10 times), Philadelphia Distance Run (half marathon in Sept. - I have done this 11 times and it is my favorite race ever), Philadelphia marathon (the Sunday before Thanksgiving), Steamtown Marathon (Second Sunday of October - doing it this year for #2 and hopefully Boston Qualifier), Harrisburg Marathon (end of October5), and the list goes on and on and on.

Tomorrow I do a 16 miler and then have 6 days to get in another long run before heading home for 2 weeks. Am I showing my excitement?

 

[monte]

Monte, how long do you have for the wl challenge? Wasn't your DH thinking that going to WDW for the marathon might cut into your funds? Here's $200 that could help! Incentive for you?
Krista, Hines looks great!! I'm so glad you included him in your siggie!
MelR, I must say, I was thinking that YOU might be pregnant with your downer post. Just not like you. But, that said, don't stop posting when things are not going well! We're here for the good, the bad, and the ugly!!
Sunny, I'm repeating this for you..don't stop posting when things are not going well! We're here for the good, the bad, and the ugly!! Just let us know you are out there!
Judy, yay!!! You are back on track now!!
Dave, you are doing an excellent job with your training! or re-training...Slow(er) and steady will get you there!!
Sara, yes!! Please share the recipe for French Toast Loaf! Many years ago, I bought a WDW cookbook that well worth the money spent!! some fabulous recipes..
Christa, soooo glad you are feeling better! Are antibiotics a wonderful thing?? Congrats on signing up!!

The challenge ends on June 2, 2007, so the $200. won't be in my hands til then, so if I don't make it in Jan.07, I can always shoot for Jan.08 (I'm thinking of opening a savings account for my Disney trips.)

 

[Calcio]

A Helluva Day (excuse my language as necessary)

Friday was a good one:

7:20 a.m.

My day begins. I'm pulling the cars out of the drive way so Martha can go to work and a Deputy Sheriff pulls his car ACROSS the drive way. He asks for Lesley Stephenson. I'm not her. Martha walks out. She's not her. The deputy asks if Lesley is asleep, I say no, and ask her to come out front. He is holding papers, clearly to serve Lesley with papers for a civil lawsuit, for her auto accident last June. Lesley comes out and turns white. I thank the gentleman, and he says "take this to your insurance company right away." We read the lawsuit and the poor contraparty has not been paid for her hospital costs associated with the crash, so THANKFULLY she is only asking for her costs reimbursed. I'm in my insurance agent's office at 9 a.m. and he says, "this is faster than usual, they often wait nearly 3 years to file the papers." Gee thanks. "The attorney's will take care of this, don't worry (be happy)."

10:30 a.m.

The phone rings, and it's the Suffolk County (Boston) District Attorney's office. I nearly pass out. It seems the 17 year old kid who hit my wife's car in April, he had no license, is in court today, charged with driving without a license. The deal was HE was driving the car of A FRIEND, who only had a 4 day old learners' permit, the "Experienced" child teaching his friend to drive. The DA wants to know if our car was repaired and who paid for it. I tell them my understanding that the father of the idiot kid who had the permit and owned the car had paid for the repair. The DA's office thanks me.

11:20 a.m.

My first full physical in years. I'll be 50 in 29 days (dear god!), so I get the full work up. My height the same as always. My weight, well, grrrrrrrrrrrr. The highlight of the day, no doubt, is passing my prostrate exam. It's a helluva day when having a finger up you whoop-si-daisy is the best thing that happens all day. I also need a sonogram for a family history of aorta aneurysms, plus a colonoscopy for being 50. Plus the usual blood work. Luckily these will all happen in the next 3 weeks. Are we having fun yet?

2:50 p.m.

AHHHHHHHHHHH! I get to run on a beautiful and relatively cool day. The plan is 8 easy miles. I'm doing fine, but at 28 minutes I get a very sharp SHWING up my left calf, the one I'm always struggling with. I stop, stretch, drive home, ice massage, stretch, and take it easy. Wonderful. I have been really pushing this week, so maybe just backing off will let it improve, but maybe not. How long to January 7?

At least I had a bottle of Pol Roger in the refrigerator waiting for when Martha and Lesley got home from work.

So . . . are we having fun yet?

On the words of the immortal bard, one Jimmy Buffett , "if we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."

I trust everyone else's day was better than mine. It had to be.

Fell free to laugh all you want. The more champagne we drank this evening the funnier it became.

Craig

 

[Maherae]

Monte,

The challenge ends on June 2, 2007

So sorry that the WL challenge won't help you out with '07...rats!! Hope something will work out!!

 

[KeenHo]

Howard

I applaud your goals for the half and full, but I would counsel you to be very careful on full marathon day, as starting too quickly will demand repayment with large amounts of interest later in the race. With your sub-2 capabilities I suspect your "easy" half will be perhaps 30 seconds per mile slower (which feels super easy) or around 2:06. Don't underestimate what that will take out of you for Sunday's full. I'm worried that starting about 10:15 per mile with a group could cause you to get to empty soon, making the last part of the full marathon horrible.

Because . . . that is what happened to me. Flat out I'm probably capable of 1:58 or 9 per mile for the half. This year I did the half in 2:05, just over 0:30 slower per mile, it felt easy, I never strained, and all day Saturday I felt fine.

Sunday I go through the first 13.1 in 2:15 and feel excellent. My wife gets the text message I'm at the 1/2 way point, with an anticipated finish in 4:30. Her reaction, correctly, is "no way." After turning towards the Animal Kingdom the hammer fell and my legs turned to jelly. The 2nd half of the marathon was done in 2:32, and it was really ugly. I never knew my quads could hurt so much, or that getting up an overpass could be physically impossible.

Just be careful with your early pace on marathon day. I wasn't and wham! No fun at all.

Also, last year they had pacers running time goal groups, and the 4:40 group passed me at mile 18. If those guys are at it again, I may try to hang with the 4:30 group after we clear the EPCOT congestion. That is of course if they're not past me already by then.

Ciao

Craig

Craig:

Thanks for the advice. When I ran the Delaware Marathon on May 21, I went out fast (in error). Most of my first 8 to 9 miles were under nine minute miles. I hit the 13 mile mark at around 2:05. I knew I had to slow it down, which I did but it came a bit late.

I was having "stomach problems" mid-race so I didn't fuel up as I should, I did hydrate though. I prematurely hit "the Wall" at around mile 16. I simply ran out of steam. I had nothing. I walked almost 3/4 mile to the next water station where I took on some diluted gatorade. It helped me. I picked back up running and made to Cam for a power bar and some real (full strength fluids). From there on in I ran and finished strong.

I managed a time of 4:41:03 but the second half took (roughly) 2:36 to finish. I learned a lesson (or two, or three) that day.

Here is what I learned:

1.) Go out at a pace that I can sustain.
2.) Fuel Up (Bloks, Energy Bar, Jelly Beans - SOMETHING) every half hour (or sooner) with no fail.
3.) Hydrate at every water stop. Do not carry two water bottles (frozen). They were too heavy and I ended up giving them to my DS to hold for me. I felt like I was being weighed down. I later took on a single belt and bottle with Powerade. It was a much better option.

I am hoping to finish the Half in WDW in January '07 in something close to 2:30. I know how much effort it takes to get a sub-2 half. I killed myself doing it here in Wilmington (with major hills on the course) in March. However it was my goal to get a sub-2 race. AND I DID IT!!

My goal for the WDW Half in January is not time related. It is to finish it, have fun and not take myself out of the Full Marathon the next day.

I still have a lot to learn. In the last 5K race I ran a few weeks ago, my first mile was sub-8 minutes. I finished it with a time of 26:00. I get all swept up in the start of these races. I need to look ahead to the finish and keeping some energy in reserve.

Keep teaching me... I need all the knowledge and support you can muster.

With Appreciation,

Howard

 

[KeenHo]

Kevin: Thanks for the note. I hope we can get a group together to at least pace ourselves. If someone peals off, great...no pressure. We are here to help each other, right? I am not sure what Cam listed as my estimated completion times for the Full and Half in WDW. I'll do some research and try to post it later on.

Thanks again, everyone, for your congratulations on my Grad School acceptance. I am now picking my first two courses!! How cool is that?

Train well!

Howard

 

[goingthedistance]

Everyone who was talking about joining up as a pace group:

I think I would be interested too. Last year I did the 1/2 in about 2:25-2:30 (dont remember exactly, and too lazy to look it up right now). I am a little over 5:10 for 26.2 right now, but I will imagine that I will be faster in January. We need to revisit this idea as January gets closer.

We might want to talk about a pace group for the walkers and 14-15 minute pace athletes also. I think we would all be able to benefit from support while on the course.

Before I can do any of that though, I need to book hotel and air and make ADR's and...sheesh, so much planning to do still! Come on Southwest rates for January!

Doing 15 tomorrow morning. It's the middle part of the Duke City Marathon course. That is the area of the course that gave me problems last year, because it is somewhat hilly.

I forget who was talking about doing a race in every state, but one of the most difficult (in the course and in the entry) runs in the state of New Mexico is this weekend. It is the La Luz Trail Run. It caps out at 400 people because it is basically a run up the mountain. Any more people than that and it becomes dangerous, and this race fills quickly. I am not doing that this year, but I might try next year. The joke at the running club about La Luz is "It's only one hill!" The course is 9 miles with an elevation change of about +5000 feet. Other Albuquerque races are the Duke City Marathon (late October), the New Mexico Marathon (Labor Day Weekend), and the Fiesta de Albuquerque Marathon (if it was not a one-time thing for the Tricentennial.) The Fiesta de Albuquerque was the one with all the hot air balloons.

Happy training everyone!

Paul

 

[TEK224]

DAve - Glad you and the girls had a great time!

Bekah - Way to go on the 4 miler!

Judy - I'm impressed with your willpower. I wish I could get up early for my training. I am so NOT a morning person.

Lily - You are so right! It's all about the fun. I got through both races and had a ball. I was exhausted when I finished, but it was a good kind of feeling. I hope to be in better shape for it this time, so I'm not as tired afterward, but I enjoyed every bit of it.

(During the Goofy, I got a blister on the side of my foot, to go with my shin splints. It was a big blood blister about the size of a half dollar. I still have the indentation on my foot from when it popped. I happened to notice it again yesterday and thought to myself, "there's my Goofy battle scar". It may have hurt at the time, but now it's like I wear it as a badge of honor. I earned that scar!

Tiff - That's so cool about Parker's teacher. Guess she wouldn't give ya a hard time about going to WDW. You guys can compare notes.

Mel - Another race I'm thinking about doing in 2007 is the Nike Women's Marathon in SF. I think it is very walker friendly, in that the time limit is 8 hours. And everyone who finishes gets a necklace from Tiffany's.
Remember, it's all about the bling!

Terri

 

[Calcio]

Howard

Be assured that you aren't the only runner who has gone out too fast and imploded in a race. I suspect everyone has a story to tell like yours.

Remember during your training you are always a bit (or more) fatigued since you are training all the time. On race day your are (1) well rested and fresh from tapering so you feel all revved up and (2) excited about finally starting the race you have been training for. Put these together, the gun sounds, and ZOOM. We've all done it. When you start too fast the bear will find you. He'll make you carry him to the finish, and he weighs about a million pounds.

Registered already? What courses? That's another thing to get justifiably excited about.

Craig

 

[monte]

Yesterday I rode 14 miles, on a stationary bike and it took an hour. Not too bad.

 

[Houstonmouse]

When you start too fast the bear will find you. He'll make you carry him to the finish, and he weighs about a million pounds.

That is too funny Craig!! I just about spit my gatorade out at the screen.

I had my first outdoor run today since starting training. I found it WAY more difficult than the treadmill. I have been able to run 3 miles on the TM in 35 minutes. Outdoors today, I ran 3.5 miles in 44 minutes. And I actually had to walk some of that. I had a few issues. My shins started off hurting, but I worked through that in the first mile and they felt fine after that. But then, my thighs just felt like tree stumps. I never really felt in the zone. Lastly, it is so hot and humid here in Houston (even at 7 am when I started) that my breathing was more labored. Overall, I feel I did okay, but wow, this outdoor run just kicked my butt. I have to keep telling myself, baby steps, because right now I can't imagine running the 1/2 marathon in January if 3.5 miles is going to do me in!

Tracey

 

[KelNottAt]

Good morning.

Isn't today's weather so much better? I did my regular walk today. It felt great compared the last week. 4.93 miles in 1:06:00. (13:24) As usual, nothing remarkable about the distance or pace.

Well, one little thing, I guess. I jogged about 100 yards. Don't know what came over me. I have never ever ever in my life enjoyed or succeeded at running or jogging. (My legs are slightly crooked and different lengths.)

It wasn't so bad. But, I sure could feel more BAM BAM BAM pounding on the pavement. I might continue to work in little stretches of jogs as I train. I'm so petrified of possibly being swept that I think it would be worthwhile to be ready if I have to catch the minimum pace.

Have a great weekend everyone.