First off, thanks for all the replies so far. I don’t have a lot of runners in my local circle and it’s great to have a group to bounce ideas off of and get feedback from. Convincing DW that this is, if not a good idea, at least not a terrible one, is going to be the real challenge.
First i am going to say only you know that answer to that, you know your body. However i get the madness and the looking for opinions. You and I seem to be on a bit of a similar running path of the last few months (hopefully get to meet you at disney bummed about the chicago shake out run). Mind you my answer is going to be based on how I feel, which may not be how you feel. I would say no. I know you mentioned some PF flare up and i personally am a little burnt out. Chicago took a lot out of me and i am using Disney as training for the 50k. I am even considering real time off from running after the 50k. I might do some Orange theory for a month or two. I am burnt out and my back is now starting to bother me, so i just want to get through Feb.
Now i have said i might do the Disboards Ragnar in May if that decision gets made. I would have to run but in March but i am still looking forward to some time off. I am thinking the summer will be runs during the week and long bike rides on the weekends.
Just my $0.02 hoping you are not as beat up as me.
I’m hoping to see you at WDW, as well! There are definitely times I feel a little burned out these days with the busy fall season, but I’m trying to balance that feeling with the opportunity to take my current fitness a little further. If I take a break after Goofy, it’ll be a much taller hill to climb to get my fitness back to this point. The PF is very minor and more twinges here and there than an injury right now, but I would definitely see how it responds to Goofy before committing to the 50 miler. I hope you get the opportunity to run the Ragnar. Relays with a good group of people are great fun!
So I have to own being one of the people asking if you are going to do a 50 Miler next...
I would say do it. If your fitness has you completing 50k and you have Goofy upcoming then you could handle the 50 miler. And 15 hours is very generous, which would allow you to go slow. Still, you mentioned having some PF issues recently. 50 straight road miles is going to have an impact on a sore PF. More concerning could be a secondary issue from favoring an injury (this is my ankle doctor talking through me). Ultimately you need to decide, but my thought would be to rest your body more and then shoot for the distance in the spring. I would guess NC has a ton of 50 Milers just waiting for you to toe the line. Good luck in what ever you decide and congrats again on the 50k!
Slow would definitely be the name of the game. I also think I’ll be much better able to manage pacing and fatigue in a road race. I’m less worried about the PF in a road situation and I’m almost positive this isn’t a secondary issue. It seems to twinge on me when I over flex my foot. I think that’s what happened this weekend with all of the variability in strides due to the trails and stepping on roots on occasion. Surprisingly, the ultra situation in NC is relatively limited and almost all of them are on trails. Finding this one on roads was a nice surprise.
Do it! DH is doing it too! I should just send you his race schedule, lol. It will be his first time at this race but all his friends do it and love it. Pretty much the same group of locals that ran Seashore with you will be out there. Goofy would be the perfect taper into a 50 miler.
I’ve got to be careful or you guys are going to report me as a stalker! I promise not to shoot for the Badwater Cape Fear this year if he’s going to run it again! Maybe we’ll get to meet at this one, though.
How many toenails do you have left?
I kind of think if you are considering any 50 mile "appealing" than maybe you should do it.
Coming off my first marathon, no other marathon was "appealing" enough yet to sign up for it. So if you are already in a good head space then might as well capitalize on it.
As long as you have most of your toenails still.
“Appealing” is a strong word. Maybe “intriguing” would be a better word. Once I’ve accomplished something my inclination is to look for the next natural step, hence my tag line. Just finished a 50k? Time to look at a 50m! It just happens.
Strangely enough, toenails haven’t been an issue for me. I got one black toenail after my first half marathon. It never fell off and I’ve not had another since. Hopefully this doesn’t jinx me!
Not a bad idea at all. When training for a 50-mile race, you need lots of time on your feet. You could use Goofy as your last peak run, though the hours are flipped from a typical training plan. If you sign up for the race, and I think you should, I'd recommend something like this for your next few weeks of long runs before a taper:
12/22 3 hours
12/23 2 hours
12/29 3-4 hours
12/30 2-3 hours
1/5 4-5 hours
1/6 2 hours
1/12 2-3 hours (half)
1/13 5-6 hours (full)
Thanks! This definitely helps me put some things in perspective and tentatively plan. I’ve been kind of winging it since my Chicago plan ended. Apparently it has worked so far, but I hate to be off the beaten path, preferring to have a proven plan to follow.
