Marathon Training Thread

[TheBYUGuy]

Next day, yup. But we are all too sore to walk much.

nik, congrats on a great race and a new PR! I haven't talked with him myself, but my brother allegedly ran the half marathon on Saturday, followed by the full marathon yesterday. So if you saw someone who looks kind of like me with a bigger nose and more of a receding hairline, now you know who that was.

More importantly, how was O'hana (or however you spell it)?

[Pheidippides]

nik, congrats on a great race and a new PR! I haven't talked with him myself, but my brother allegedly ran the half marathon on Saturday, followed by the full marathon yesterday. So if you saw someone who looks kind of like me with a bigger nose and more of a receding hairline, now you know who that was.

More importantly, how was O'hana (or however you spell it)?

Ah, the goofy challenge. I'm doing that next year.

We are eating at Ohana in an hour.

[Pheidippides]

Btw, I take back every bad thing I have ever said about Nike running shoes and the Lunar Glides in particular.

[Moliere]

Btw, I take back every bad thing I have ever said about Nike running shoes and the Lunar Glides in particular.

I'll never run in Nikes again. My sophomore year in high school I got a stress fracture while wearing Nikes. It probably had nothing to do with the shoes (or at least little to do with them) but I still hold a grudge to this day. Kind of like how I'll never buy a Ford car again after being stranded once on the freeway in one.

[happyone]

Congrats on the PR

[Pheidippides]

I'll never run in Nikes again. My sophomore year in high school I got a stress fracture while wearing Nikes. It probably had nothing to do with the shoes (or at least little to do with them) but I still hold a grudge to this day. Kind of like how I'll never buy a Ford car again after being stranded once on the freeway in one.

Lol. Same reason I'll never buy a Dodge again or fly on Delta.

[Guest]

Niku,

Congrats on breaking the 4 hour barrier. I am jealous as that is one marathon, along with New York, that I really want to do. As for Nike's, I agree that they make a crappy running shoe. I will not run in anything other than a Saucony Grid Triumph. I am 6'0 and hover between 190 and 200 lbs and I need a cushioned shoe and the Grid Triumph my friends is like running on clouds. I won't buy anything else.

[Pheidippides]

Okay, here's the write up. Note that the sum of the mile splits may not quite add up because I accidentally hit the lap button a couple of times while reaching for a water bottle.

I went into this marathon with some pretty low expectations, to tell you the truth, at least from a personal performance perspective. I'd had some sloppy/uneven training, I went into this heavier than I wanted by a good bit (damn you holidays!) and my wife and I spent a good bit of time at Epcot the day prior, complete with the walking and such. I even told my boss that I was going to take it easy this time and not really worry about going fast, just to enjoy the race.

On the bright side, I managed to get a full 6.5 hours of sleep the night before, and that was on top of 8 hours the night before that. So I was well rested.

Woke up at 3, got dressed (note for cowboy - I used my running sleeves with great success) and was on the bus from my hotel by 3:30. I'm at Epcot by 4. Some idiot is out doing strides in the parking lot. Hey, dude, you aren't starting for at least an hour and a half. All you are doing is wasting energy, and this is a Marathon, not a 5k.

The weather is perfect, which is to say cold. About 40 degrees, and I'm cold in my cheap Wal-mart jacket. I'm also nervous - I have to pee three times (and a total of 12 times - no kidding - before the gun; it's weird to pee in trees and fields in full view on Disney property) before we leave the bag check area (which was cool, btw - DJ and music and stuff). At 4:30 they start leading us down through service roads to the starting line, which is about a 15 minute walk to another DJ with a giant screen.

I'm in corral B - second to start, not including wheelchairs - and they are diligent about checking corral assignments. Only time I've ever seen Disney employees get pushy - they made dang sure there was no corral jumping. Later on several runners (including me) commented on how well the corrals worked.

They do a course preview on the screen (I miss most of it while peeing) and interview a few people (including a Japanese guy in a Minnie Mouse dress - he's run marathons in several cities in the dress). They have a professional come in and sing the national anthem - he's quite good - and then who should appear but The Mouse (with Minnie, Donald and Goofy). Mickey counts down and Blam! fireworks from a few spots right next to the corrals and the start line and wave one is off. Two minutes later, we do it again - complete with fireworks - and I'm off.

Mile 1 - Bit crowded, which is to be expected with 17,000 runners. The road is pretty packed so I opt to run on the grass shoulder, which was trampled by the half marathoners yesterday (thanks Coach!). Looking for SHW, but can't see her because of the crowd. There's a HS band about half way to the end - nice of them to get up so early. Slow mile, which is just the right way to start. Pace: 9:29

Mile 2 - Things thin out a bit. I'm still running on the shoulder. Not a ton to see here, so I put my headphones on and cruise. We reach the entrance to Epcot parking right at the end of the mile. So far feeling pretty good. Pace: 8:44

Mile 3 - Hey, what's that!? Looks like a couple of the turtle floats from the Main Street Electrical Parade! Earphones off - it's the MSEP theme too! Awesomeness! I crack a smile - hard not to for such a bit of nostalgia from my own childhood - and feel great. This is going to be a great, great day. We enter Epcot itself - more than a few cast members there to cheer us on - and run through Mexico and Norway, hanging a left just before China down to our first real backstage area. Pace: 8:39

Mile 4 - Backstage is kinda boring. More cast member to direct - pretty damn cheerful for shy of 6:00 am. Seeing a few costumes on runners - a Mickey one is well done, using running gear with a few additions - but not as many as I thought. We circle around back to the starting place. Pace: 8:42

Mile 5 - And there's the missus! Nice to have her and only her here to cheer me one. It's a bit of road running until our next park - Magic Kingdom - so I give one last look to the HS band, the three crazy people in dog costumes cheering from an over pass, and the others, and put in the earphones. Pace: 8:30

Mile 6 - And what is my first song but my favorite Anthrax tune, Madhouse. And then Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden. And Free Bird. Couldn't have picked three better kick-ass "go" songs than those three. Time to fly. Pace: 8:16

Mile 7 - Flying so fast I forgot to take my gel! Oops - better late than never. Starting to see lots of characters now. Over the course of the race I think I saw every major character and plenty of minor ones. Some are set up for photo ops - I'm carrying a camera for the ops if I decide to take it easy. No stopping for me now, though. Just starting to see a hint of sun in the distance. Still flying along and passing a ton of people. Pace: 8:35

Mile 8 - Have to pee, but I'm not willing to wait for a porta-john, so I cruise to the side and let it fly at the end of the mile. Quick, too. Plenty of guys are doing the same. No biggie. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too are probably close enough to sneak a peek if they really want to. Pace: 8:21

Mile 9 - Coming up on the Magic Kingdom. My wife is waiting at the monorail station. She's not paying attention and almost misses me, but I yell at her. At this point I'm feeling magnificent and banking good time. Pace: 8:44

Mile 10 - Bit of an underpass here as we go past the Contemporary Resort, but it oddly doesn't take much out of my legs. More spectators now that we are at some of the recommended stops and cruising by the hotels. Space Mountain is right in front of us, and I remove my earphones in preparation for the Magic Kingdom. Pace: 8:17

Mile 11 - And it's the Magic Kingdom! We enter from a back gate and head up main street - a bunch of people waiting there to cheer us on. Lots of characters here - Buzz Lightyear, Alice (a hot little number - I'm told a huge line of male runners formed for the picture op later), and plenty more. The best part is circling around the back of the castle and then running right through, with a photographer on the other side to capture the moment. Awesome - I can't help but crack another smile of joy. Out through the other end of the park to the backstage again, where we are greeted by a pirate ship float and Jack Sparrow. Pace: 8:34

Mile 12 - I'll be eternally damned if I'm going to let a chick in a Tinkerbell outfit (complete with broad beautiful wings) beat me. Eat my dust! Pace: 8:25

Mile 13 - Tons of people and characters (among them a hotty Mary Poppins (yes, I have a vintage Julie Andrews thing), who I chatted it up with later at breakfast). And SHW again. She sees me this time. Feeling fantastic and more than a bit cocky, I jinx myself by screaming out "PR!" as I pass her. Pace: 8:16 Half Marathon split: 1:53:08 This actually is a half PR (I've never actually raced that distance), and I've "banked" 7 minutes against a 4:00:00 time.

Mile 14 - I'll be eternally damned if I'm going to let a chunky dude in a Tinkerbell outfit (well, really just tiny wings) beat me. Eat my dust! Pace: 8:09

Mile 15 - This is kind of a boring stretch between the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. We're running past a water treatment facility, which is a bit smelly. Disney has done a great thing here (and again after Animal Kingdom) by putting out a ton of signs with puns, word games, funny questions, and general trivia about stuff that keeps my mind occupied. Really makes the miles fly. Still tons of characters, even though we are on back service roads in the middle of nowhere. Pace: 8:24

Mile 16 - My legs are still feeling way fresh. I am also enjoying the decision to go with all caffeinated gels this time. My hydration plan is also working well - I'm drinking at every stop and I have my own water and gatorade. I've also figured out how to drink from regular cups while running at speed. I grab a banana too - tasty! Pace: 8:33

Mile 17 - Finally in Animal Kingdom, but not to the real park areas yet. They have a few animals out from the quarantine pen - is that safe for us? But they are cute. And just at the end of the mile more characters. Pace: 8:40

Mile 18 - Nice run through the Asia section of the park, right past Expedition Everest. Have to pee again - can I hold it? I'm also feeling tired, but push on through. Small bumps as we go over bridges and things, which is not helpful. Nobody in the park yet - it's still shy of the 9:00 opening. Pace: 8:41

Mile 19 - Out of Animal Kingdom and back on the road. I'm still feeling great. Gotta hold the pace until 20 - that would be much better than TOU, when I started to fade at 18. Pace: 8:41

Mile 20 - Start chatting with a guy running the Goofy Challenge (both the full and the half the day before). Nice guy - schooteacher from PA. Nice to run with him, until I clumsily drop a water bottle and have to stop to pick it up. Pace: 8:39

Mile 21 - This is the one boring part, by the ESPN WWOS. We double back on our own path at the 20.6 mile mark - cheerleaders and an announcer at the turnaround. Small hill that has my screaming for mercy too. Finally pee right at the end of the mile. Pace: 8:46

Mile 22 - Now I'm going to start walking through water stations. Haven't really hit the wall per se, but quads are on fire, but otherwise I don't feel all that bad. Last stretch of no parks. Pace: 10:03

Mile 23 - Entering Hollywood Studios - I'm tempted to get a photo with Mr. Incredible and Dug (Squirrel!) but I'm having a good mile. We run through the back through part of the backlot tour. Interesting to see a sign warning cast members they are about to enter guest areas and to watch their Disney appearance. Pace: 9:48

Mile 24 - And now my quads are shot. I have plenty of time banked, though, and am confident in a PR, but that last mile got me pretty good. Walking for water stops still. Time to exit Hollywood Studios - the park is open and there are guests cheering on. Pace: 8:56

Mile 25 - Worst part of the race. Boardwalk and hotels, and my legs are on fire. From here on in, I walk maybe about a quarter of each mile plus water stops. Pace: 11:14

Mile 26 - And we're in Epcot again. I run past the World Showcase (still closed to the public) and the beautiful princesses waving from their countries. Awesome. I stop to walk to charge up for the last bit at Mexico, and a guy yells at me that we're almost finished - what am I doing? He's right. I'm a wimp. Tough it out, sucker. We're there! Pace: 11:09

Mile 26.2 - Exit Epcot and there we are. I hear the crowds in the bleachers. Time for a last sprint, and amazingly I have something left. More proof that I should have toughed it out in miles 25 and 26. My wife is right there, cheering and running. PR in the bag! Pace: Better than 9:10, and the last 100 yards is fast. Total official time: 3:55:20

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/63059981

I jumped, screamed, and pumped my fist once I crossed the line. And cried too. It was awesome. A nice girl put a super heavy and shiny medal around my neck, somebody unseen put a mylar blanket around my shoulders, and I met up with SHW. We had a great (if expensive - ouch!) couples massage after a breakfast (with aforesaid Mary Poppins, among others) while people were still finishing up.

My description here, delayed as it is, can't possibly do the race justice. This was easily the most fun marathon I've ever run. I've convinced SHW to do the half next year, and I'm going to do the Goofy challenge. Disney has a way of putting things together that makes them special in a way nobody can.

I am a little disappointed in miles 25 and 26 - I had a bit of a mental lapse there and could have done better. I am happy, however, that my training and experience is paying off. This was the easiest of my marathons by far. If I drop down to 175 and mentally learn how to soldier through the last few miles (which are easier and easier all the time), I think I can really drop some time.

There's lot more that I can say about this marathon, and perhaps I will add an epilogue later. For now, let me leave you with the most important lesson I learned this time:

****WARNING*****

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

Please remember to use body glide between your butt cheeks if needed, and also to put underwear in your bag with your change of clothes. Otherwise, you may end up walking around a theme park commando with a horrible butt rash, occasioning an embarrassing but necessary purchase of butt rash paste usually reserved for infants.

[Moliere]

Okay, here's the write up.

EPIC! Especially the last paragraph.

Reading this almost makes me want to run a marathon.....almost.

[BigPiney]

Awesome. You have come close to convincing me to do one.

[Pheidippides]

Awesome. You have come close to convincing me to do one.

If either you or EJ do one, this is the one to do. I've liked all three of mine but this one was in a different class from the other two.

And don't do just one. My first one was rewarding, but my second and third were insanely fun.

[Eddie]

Okay, here's the write up.

Great write up - what a great race!

I generally like running in solitude, honestly preferring to run alone versus with someone. But I have to admit that your write up has me thinking I need to pick a race one of these days that is more of a big city race with a whole pile of runners.

Love seeing the development over time - recognizing what is the same and different from previous races, etc.



I often wonder why so many races are held on Sunday rather than Saturday. Not from a religious perspective - but from the perspective of I need a day after the race to recover before I go back to work.

[happyone]

Great write up Niku - It didn't convince me to run a marathon thou. THat is one experience I think I'll pass on in this life

[Pheidippides]

Great write up - what a great race!

I generally like running in solitude, honestly preferring to run alone versus with someone. But I have to admit that your write up has me thinking I need to pick a race one of these days that is more of a big city race with a whole pile of runners.

Love seeing the development over time - recognizing what is the same and different from previous races, etc.



I often wonder why so many races are held on Sunday rather than Saturday. Not from a religious perspective - but from the perspective of I need a day after the race to recover before I go back to work.

I think it's to allow for a packet pickup on the weekend as well. That's just a guess.

I think you've hit the nail on the head when you talk about race progression. The biggest difference between me now and me a year ago (when I ran my first - hard to believe it's only been a year) is experience. It makes a ton of difference, and I take great joy in trying to calm the fears of the marathon virgins around me.

These races give amazing meaning to my running too. I'm planning on running at least two a year for as long as I can. It should be noted that, among the 17000 runners, there was a 65 year old man who beat me by twenty minutes. And a 70 year old who finished his first.

I love these big ones. I love small ones too, but these big ones are special. I did run in solitude - it was all about me vs me - but I did it with 17000 friends.

One more story I forgot. The night after the race my wife and I were chatting with one of the Goofy participants. He was probably about 55 or so, from England, and a bit faster than me. He met by chance a woman from Spain or France or Germany (forgot which country) who had entered four marathons but never finished one. She would think herself injured or get too tired and not be able to mentally push herself. They ran together until about mile 18 or so when she wanted to drop again. This man - who qualified for and ran Boston last year - stopped at a medical tent with her, cheered her up, encouraged her, and walked her in for the last 8 miles at great cost to his own time. It was enough to get this woman to finish for the first time in this her fifth marathon, and with her family and kids waiting at the end too. They all collapsed in a heap of tears of joy and forgotten frustration.

Stories like that are not unique in these kind of races, and that makes them special.

[Eddie]

One more story I forgot. The night after the race my wife and I were chatting with one of the Goofy participants. He was probably about 55 or so, from England, and a bit faster than me. He met by chance a woman from Spain or France or Germany (forgot which country) who had entered four marathons but never finished one. She would think herself injured or get too tired and not be able to mentally push herself. They ran together until about mile 18 or so when she wanted to drop again. This man - who qualified for and ran Boston last year - stopped at a medical tent with her, cheered her up, encouraged her, and walked her in for the last 8 miles at great cost to his own time. It was enough to get this woman to finish for the first time in this her fifth marathon, and with her family and kids waiting at the end too. They all collapsed in a heap of tears of joy and forgotten frustration.

Stories like that are not unique in these kind of races, and that makes them special.

That is awesome.

While I don't know the story, I'll never forget passing a woman in the last half mile or so of Ogden last year. She must've been at least 50 years old and was supported between two young men who had to be in their 20's, 6'+ foot tall and muscular. All with bib numbers so these guys had either already finished the race or stopped to help her. Her feet were walking but I don't think they were supporting any weight as they made their way to the finish.