Marathon Weekend 2019

[roxymama]

You don't want to take the half really slow unless you've trained really slow during some of your long runs. Backing off your normal pace by more than a minute or two can cause problems with your gait and your stride, making you uncomfortable and potentially causing injury. I recommend taking the half at your normal long run pace, which shouldn't be too taxing on you.

That is sound advise. Even official race pacers train at the slower pace even though they almost all race much faster.
Run it at your long run pace when you are moving and make some character stops - and especially watch out for those first few miles!!!

 

[steph0808]

Injinji toe socks for the win!!

They prevent blisters, feel good even when wet, etc. etc. etc.

I won't run in anything else (I used to run in Smartwool toe socks, but I prefer the feel on Injinji now).

 

[TCB in FLA]

That is good to know, thanks! My usual pace for a half is about 10:30-11 minutes per mile and I was thinking of slowing down to 13 minutes per mile for race day using walk intervals, but maybe I will just plan on running a 12 minute pace and training at that pace during my mock Dopey training weekends. Right now the marathon distance seems so out of reach, but so did a half marathon when I first started running so I am committing to the training schedule and know I'll get there!

For this year’s Goofy, I started with a pace group that ran around my pace of my long runs for the half (my paces are similar to yours). I knew it would keep my nerves under control plus not overtax my legs. I stayed with them until MK, stopped for a potty break and castle picture, then just did my own intervals for the rest of the race, stopping for a couple of other pictures. At the end of the race, I felt good, finished smiling and had no problem the next day with the full.

I really think the key is training the way you plan to race. For example, on your back-to-back training sessions, take that shorter distance slower than you could go so you can save energy for the next day’s LR. Or try out run-walk in advance. After all, nothing new on race day!

 

[emilyindisney]

I am running Dopey and have been using the Galloway training schedule. It worked for me when I trained for the Princess Half last year so I am trusting it again. I usually run continuously with occasional walk breaks to hydrate/re-fuel but the heat and humidity in Connecticut this summer has really been hurting my stamina. Anyone else looking forward to the fall weather as much as I am?? Dopey will be my first marathon and I am also worried about being able to take it easy enough during the 5K-half to not be completely sore and miserable for the full. I am running the full with my husband (his first marathon as well) and I want to be able to put good effort into that race. Any advice from Dopey veterans on how to run the half marathon to conserve your energy and legs for the full? I am trying to get in the mindset of taking the half really slow and that it is only important to finish but it isn't easy to throw pace expectations aside completely. I was thinking of using a run/walk strategy for the half...any good apps that are good to use to signal the intervals to you? Thanks in advance!

Also from CT and a little embarrassed to admit that the heat/humidity has scared me into the gym and on the treadmill. I’m using an incline when I do so hopefully miles are miles and I won’t pay for this later. I suppose our humidity doesn’t hold a candle to Florida!

Glad I'm not the only one that runs 3 days a week with 3 - 4 cross training days. I feel like such a slacker here...

Same!

 

[Chaitali]

IIRC, my long run will top out at 3 hours, which should be 14-15 miles, but I do plan to do some walking and/or cross training on long run days to "make up" for the missed running time. The short long run definitely weirds me out a little, but I trust that if I continue to stay active after my longer runs, I can make it to the finish line on race day.

Ill be running just the marathon and following a @DopeyBadger plan. If this years plan follows last, it’ll be 15 weeks of continuous running maxing out at a 13 miles! I had great success at this years marathon and can’t wait to see how next years will go. Can’t thank Billy enough!

I'm using a @DopeyBadger plan for the first time and have to say I'm nervous about the "short" long runs too. But I used a more traditional plan last year and it didn't really work for me either so I think it's good to try something different. I think my long run will top out around 13 miles as well so glad to hear that worked for you, @TeeterTots . I run/walk and I'm not sure how many weeks training it will be. I'm already training for an October half and will just transition to the marathon training from there.

 

[Bree]

I feel an irrational need to try to bump up a corral to gain what- 5-8 more minutes?? So I signed up for a half next month!

I feel that need too. I have a half marathon on October 6th. I need <2:07 to bump up into C corral.

Does anyone have recommendations for men's socks? Right at about the 2 hour mark my socks become sponges and I can't imagine doing another 2 hours with the same squishy pair on. Currently Using either Hanes or Under Armour name brand. Does anyone ever run with an extra pair to change out or is that a pretty weird thing to do?

I live in FL and my rule is no cotton. That's my advice

 

[kleph]

I live in FL and my rule is no cotton. That's my advice

i strongly recommend a percale sheets exception to that rule.

 

[Bree]

i strongly recommend a percale sheets exception to that rule.

Hahaha! My MIL only buys percale sheets. I bring my own pillows and sleep between blankets.

 

[LSUlakes]

Good morning, runDisney all-stars!

Marathon weekend kicks off in just over 21 weeks, which means most of us will start official training in the next month (if you haven't started already!). With that in mind, this week's Sundays are for Disney is a paraphrased guest question from @CDKG - What is your training strategy? How many weeks? Run/walk or only running? How many miles are you topping out at for your long run?

Currently working on building a base to be ready to train for a marathon while having two 10 mile races for POT. The first is a night trail run so it probably wont go over well and I am still struggling on pace. Before the marathon plan starts I will hit 36 mpw as a max. I then take a week off for a trip to WDW and start up official marathon training on September 17. My second 10 mile race is October 7 and I will run that one and leave nothing in the tank. Plan calls for 15 on that day, but I think I will run a mile or two to warm up and maybe something after. Ill see how I'm feeling post race. I'm using a modified version of the 18/55 plan from Advanced Marathoning by Pfitz. Modified it to 17 weeks and some weeks reduced mileage to hopefully prevent injury. My plan at it sits todays calls out for a max of 55 miles in a week and I plan to hit 20 miles 3 times and maybe get 21 in for one of those. I will admit that my plan from where I am starting out at, is a bit aggresive and I risk a somewhat higher chance of injury than I would if I would have prepared properly over the last 6 months.

Does anyone have recommendations for men's socks? Right at about the 2 hour mark my socks become sponges and I can't imagine doing another 2 hours with the same squishy pair on. Currently Using either Hanes or Under Armour name brand. Does anyone ever run with an extra pair to change out or is that a pretty weird thing to do?

Not that I think the type of sock is really going to make a difference for this situation but I run with Balega and love them. On my long runs my socks are soaked and can be wrung out. I do not have that problem when it gets cooler outside but mid 70's and high RH% and my feet look like i just ran in a pool for a few hours. I have brought extra socks with me in the past and changed them mid run if my feet are getting beat up.

 

[leholcomb]

Run with me and you’ll be fine! I always track the balloon ladies too so I know where they are. I definitely understand being hesitant on doing rides but this is the only race it’s possible so if you want to do it do it.

@rteetz, how do you track the balloon ladies?

 

[rteetz]

@rteetz, how do you track the balloon ladies?

Usually their bib numbers and names get out on Facebook and such and then you can enter them into the tracker.

 

[jennamfeo]

I am currently finishing up a HM plan that ends in mid-September with a race that will get me a new PoT and hopefully bumped up a few Corrals. After that I will start my @DopeyBadger plan #4 to get me ready for Dopey. Things I am already terrified for: new paces, more mileage, longer distances... At least the weather will be nicer once I start this training plan.

 

[Livelovedance]

Usually their bib numbers and names get out on Facebook and such and then you can enter them into the tracker.

How often does the tracker update during a half marathon?

 

[PCFriar80]

How often does the tracker update during a half marathon?

Notifications are sent for when you cross the starting mat, 5K split, 10K split, 15K split and finish.

 

[UNCBear24]

I will be training for the WDW marathon using Hal Higdin's Intermediate 1 plan. It is a 18 week plan capping out with two 20 mile runs in December. I am just finishing his comparable half marathon plan for my second half marathon this summer. While adding that midweek semi-long run took some adjustment, it has been working well for me.

Currently, I am somewhere in between a run/walk and continuous runner. During training I walk the first minute of every mile (during races I take a one minute walk break at each mile marker). My race pace is usually between 10:30-11 min/mile. Making the leap from half marathons to a full marathon, I want to set myself up for success. One way to do this is to increase walk breaks. So, I think I am going to try 5 min/30 sec intervals as my miles begin to exceed 13.1. That way I can take walk breaks twice as frequently without sacrificing pace. Has anyone else tried a similar strategy when making this leap?

I run/walk anything at 14 miles or over. I'm hoping to break 4:20, so will probably incorporate a 4 minute/ 1 minute interval during the marathon. During training it will be more like a 3/2 interval. I like how the walk breaks keep my legs fresher for that last 10k. For the 10k race, I'll go as hard as I feel comfortable with in order get in the 48-49 minute range.

 

[cavepig]

Injinji toe socks here too. They can get sweaty & I don't notice, no blisters, no nothin'.

 

[Kerry1957]

So, I think I am going to try 5 min/30 sec intervals as my miles begin to exceed 13.1. That way I can take walk breaks twice as frequently without sacrificing pace. Has anyone else tried a similar strategy when making this leap?

I transitioned from 60 second to 30 second walk breaks this year while training for a HM with a @DopeyBadger plan. Galloway also recently changed his recommendations when he found that a 30 second walk is the most efficient walk duration. When I first went from 60 to 30 it seemed that I had "just" started walking when 30 seconds were up, but now it seems normal.

 

[a-mad]

Great question on training. My bro-in-law and I have been training for the Dopey similarly to the last two marathons we've ran. We typically do 2-3 runs during the week around 5-6 miles each time, then do a longer run on Saturdays. We've ran 18 miles the last two Saturdays and we will slowly increase throughout the fall but probably not go over 21-22 miles for our long run. We've been focusing our running on time more than distance so we can get more hours of running in, while keeping our pace quite slow to avoid injury or over-exertion.

It's been awesome getting everyone's input on training, socks, etc. The Dopey is going to be a completely different animal than anything I've ever done, so all the advice has been great!

 

[Barca33Runner]

Sundays are for Disney:

Don't have much to add on the training front. Most days I'll run, some days I'll cross-train, a few days I'll be lazy and do nothing. I've proven over 7 years that I can't come close to following anything resembling a plan.

Socks:

I wear Balega Enduro V-Tech Quarter socks exclusively for runs now. I've bought pairs for everyday wear as well. I never thought I'd wear quarters, but something about these socks just clicks for me. Balega makes some nice no-shows as well and I have a couple pairs of those, but they've been relegated to golf and everyday wear. I've tried a bunch of brands and didn't really dislike any of them, but I'll probably stick to Balega until/unless they drastically change this sock/the future updates of this sock.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Great question on training. My bro-in-law and I have been training for the Dopey similarly to the last two marathons we've ran. We typically do 2-3 runs during the week around 5-6 miles each time, then do a longer run on Saturdays. We've ran 18 miles the last two Saturdays and we will slowly increase throughout the fall but probably not go over 21-22 miles for our long run. We've been focusing our running on time more than distance so we can get more hours of running in, while keeping our pace quite slow to avoid injury or over-exertion.

It's been awesome getting everyone's input on training, socks, etc. The Dopey is going to be a completely different animal than anything I've ever done, so all the advice has been great!

I had heard about compression socks for years, but never seriously looked into them. However last year when I noticed that the 6 day a week running I undertook in order to run Avengers in a short training period that my calf soreness lingered into the next day. I tested a pair of CEP compression socks and immediately noticed a difference. They helped reduce soreness in recovery. I have since bought 2 more pair since I use them for recovery the day of a long run.