Training update, weeks one and two

I wrote out a training plan for the Buffalo Half Marathon, focusing on a few things that I need to target more to hopefully push me past my rut and closer to a nice shiny PR.  It includes faster paced intervals, longer tempo runs, and higher mileage than I've been doing as of late.  I'm also supposed to be supplementing my running with more strength training, to provide better overall fitness, help with endurance/power, and hopefully help avoid injury.

Week one was tough, no lie.  I wrote in three major workouts:

• 6x.25 @ 9.0 mph(6:40) on the treadmill. incline 1%
• Tempo/progressive run: 6 miles starting at 7.8-8.3 and back down until mileage was finished. incline 1-1.5%  did 6.3 miles.
• Long run of 10 miles.
• Overall mileage: 40.0

I do a lot of my pace runs on the treadmill in order to keep it controlled.  I actually did better with the interval workout than I thought I would and decided to throw a seventh rep in.  My long run felt good, and I was happy with a sub 9:00 pace.  

Love my Pro Compression socks for tough
workouts!

My tempo run KICKED. MY.  BUTT.  I hurt. I probably was pushing the pace too much with how tired I was after, but it was so motivating to succeed and push the pace, things I haven't been feeling much of lately.  I failed on the strength training.  My week was ridiculously busy, with something pretty much every evening after work, so fitting in my runs was a challenge.

Week two:  

• 8x.25@ 9.0 (6:40) inc 1.5%
• Tempo/progressive run: 7 miles starting at 7.8-8.3 and back down until mileage was finished. incline 1-1.5% 
• Long run of 12 miles
• overall mileage 42.3

My tempo run from week 1, which I did on Sunday, left my legs dead for a few days and I didn't do my next workout until Thursday, the intervals.  I was nervous about increasing the incline .5, but was able to do the 8 reps, so I was happy.  The long run was strong on Saturday.  

Fastest 7 mile run ever!

The tempo was today, and I was quite nervous about it. After how I felt last week, I was anxious that adding .7 on was going to be too hard, but I nailed it.  I even spent more time at a higher incline.  Comparing my Fitbit Charge HR 2 data from both runs (I know, not totally accurate, but I figure good for comparison), I spent less time in my "peak" heart rate zone.  That just confirms that the run was easier. So I'm already showing improvement.

I also did better with strength training. I did the P90X3 pilates workout and a butt/leg strengthening workout.  The pilates was a great core workout, leaving me a little sore for a day or two.  I did the legs/butt today, so we will see how that goes.  

Hoping my next two weeks of training go as well.  This week is going to be a hard one to fit runs in, but I'm determined to make it work.  I start an online Graduate class this week, may get called to jury duty, have my normal teaching and coaching schedule, on top of driving out to a State Championship meet for my gymnasts all day Sunday.  So getting the longer workouts may be trickier than normal, but will just make it more rewarding when it gets done.

The Goofy Challenge that Wasn't

One week ago I finished my third marathon, my first one in three years.

The path to getting there left a lot to be desired.  I had high aspirations for this race, even thought about making it a Boston qualifying attempt, but life got the way, and slowly that dream drifted away and was replaced with lower expectations and revised hopes.

I signed up for the Goofy Challenge with my husband the day the registration opened.  This would be my husband's first marathon, so why not run a half the day before?  We were going to run/walk the half together, stop for all the character pics, and actually enjoy a Disney race versus always trying to PR or go for a decent time.  Then we would both do our own thing for the full.

My running at the midpoint of 2016 felt flat and uninspired.  I sought out a coach (who is awesome and I am hoping to use again this year) to target some races in September, but one was derailed by a calf cramp that left me in pain for my back up race and through much of October. I went into the Wine and Dine weekend undertrained and stressed, teaching was taking a lot out of me, and trying to juggle school, coaching gymnastics, running, and life continued to take a toll.  I woke up my first morning in Disney in November sick.  I tried to race the 10k and realized early on that my body was not going to allow it.  I ended up pulling back in the 10k and running the half for fun, having a great time, but not getting the race times I had been hoping.

I spent most of December on the treadmill, trying to recover from my illness and I don't like running when it's dark, so due to my schedule it was often the only option.  Then the week before Christmas I started sparking a fever, missing my last 20 miler, after once again feeling very undertrained.  Just a few days before Christmas the fever came back, even higher this time, leading me to go to the doctor and get diagnosed with bronchitis. I was forced to slow down my training runs, cutting many short.  I pushed on, trying to stay optimistic, hoping for the best.

My husband left for Disney Tuesday night.  We had gotten the Race Retreat, so we had the VIP expo pass, so he took advantage and went and got me race merchandise he thought I would like.

Expos are way more expensive now that we both run

 I didn't go down until Thursday night.  My school was amazing and actually let me leave early because a storm was entering the area and I was worried it would cancel my flight.  I ended up landing in MCO before my flight even would have taken off.

One of my fav routes:  the lake at Pop

We had a great room at POP for my first night there.  I did a nice cool run around the resort to shake out my legs and we checked out before heading to the expo so I could pick up my bib.  We were switching to Beach Club, one of our fav resorts, for the rest of the trip,

I was impressed with the amount of merchandise left at the expo when we arrived, and the ease with which I got my bib.  I heard horror stories of the first day of pick up, but luckily by Friday there were no issues.  I got my stuff, we hit up Epcot for bit, where we got the notice that the half was cancelled.

Opening of the Expo on Friday

To state I was devastated is an understatement.  I was looking forward to the fun half almost more than the marathon, so to find out it was cancelled was disappointing.  It was amusing when we went back to the resort because there were tons of upset half marathoners in the resort bar and up getting to talk to some nice people.  I guess when runners can't run, they drink, right?

We're going to run when we don't have to!

Making our own photo stops

We got up in the morning and went out to run a few miles. I had debated doing 13 miles on my own, but was clinging to the idea of a marathon PR, so I decided against it.  It was truly awesome to see all of the people out running that morning, some in costume, some with their bibs.  There were spectators out, people providing race support, as we circled the Boardwalk area, and people went out to officially earn their race medals.  It made me want to keep running, but I restrained myself.

We laid low most of the day, getting lunch at Portabellos in Disney Springs, hitting up the expo so I could return my Goofy stuff and see if they had any marathon stuff, and we hit up Magic Kingdom for a bit.

Sunday we made sure we were on the first bus and I was THANKFUL we had the race retreat.  It was only 40 degrees with wind chills in the 20's.  Plus some super nice people had a pile of throw away clothes to pick from, so I got extra pants and my husband found retro Buffalo Bills sweatshirt.  Go figure!

We stayed in the race retreat as long as possible and then started the nearly 30 minute walk to the corrals.  I always forget how long it is, but it was nice not to have to wait too long before starting.

In usual Disney splendor, we were set on our way with great fireworks and fanfare.  Of course my nervous bladder acted up, and I stopped at the first set of porta-potties. I felt so much better after that and was able to get in a groove as people spread out.

I worked hard to maintain my new modified goal pace, a good PR pace.  I always like to go way too fast at the beginning, so it was hard to reign in my enthusiasm.  I felt good.  I hit the Magic Kingdom mile 5ish) feeling awesome, slightly below pace, and happy.  I stopped for my castle pic, and loved the miles through the park.

The ensuing miles were boring, and around mile 7 I felt my bronchitis starting to bother me bit.  I kept looking forward to Animal Kingdom, roughly mile 11, looking for some entertainment.  I saw my husband in a little out and back part of the course and noticed him grimacing a bit.  I hoped he was ok, and continued on.

At this point I was still rocking my pace.  I was noticing some pain in my hip/butt area, and I think the hills in Animal Kingdom really aggravated it.  Leaving the park I was focused on the next destination, ESPN.

Around mile 16 I started putting more walk breaks in to try and get my leg to hurt less.  My pace dropped, but I was still trying really hard to hold on to my PR,but ESPN got the best of me.

I literally squealed for Donald!

I stopped for few pictures, and by the time I came out of the complex I knew my PR hopes were gone.  At times I feel like I looked drunk.  My leg was not quite working right, to the point where I bet I looked drunk at times, and of course mile 20/21 were into a major head wind.

My husband texted me around this time saying he was struggling, and I guess misery loves company, because it made me feel better that I wasn't the only one hating life.  I pushed to get to my favorite parts of the course, Hollywood Studios, through the boardwalk, around the world in Epcot, and to the end. 

Trying to act like I'm not in pain

 At this point my walk breaks were frequent and not just through water stations like they were up until mile 20 or so,

The finish is so close!

but I was able to run across the finish line smiling and giving Minnie Mouse a high five.


While I sat waiting for my husband to finish I felt a rush of disappointment.  I didn't achieve any of my goals.  I felt like I had failed, and I fought to keep the mindset that it is our struggles that make us stronger, better.  This struggle proved that I wouldn't let anything beat me, not bronchitis, not physical pain, not stressful life.

Woooo!  Minnie Mouse!!!!

Now I'm looking to 2017, figuring out some new goals, some new hopes.  I am going to try for a half PR sometime this spring, and I have Chicago in October.  The hubs and I just signed up for Wine and Dine Half again, and we are considering returning to marathon weekend in 2018, both thinking about seeking redemption, and we have the transfer to use from the cancelled half.  Not sure if I want to go for Dopey again, like I did for the inaugural year, or do Goofy,  I am just hoping 2017 brings me a better running year so I can go into whatever race feeling more confident and prepared!

Tink Half Marathon Weekend: getting there and expo!

Being from New York, travelling to California took nearly 12 hours.  We were up at 3-3:30 am on Wednesday morning and didn't arrive in Cali until after 11:00, which would correlate to 2pm our time.  It was a long morning and was quite a relief when we landed at SNA.  We will always try to fly to SNA from now on.  Last time we did LAX, and it was a nightmare trying to get to Anaheim from there.  SNA was an easy airport to get through and an easy drive.

We decided to rent a car as the hubs found a cheap deal online.  We got stuck in a little traffic, which was easy to reroute around, and soon we were at the Tropicana.

We booked there through Jim and Pat Stone (Acclaim Travel) and got a great deal.  It is on South Harbor, pretty much across the street from the pedestrian walkway to Disney.  It's location was ideal- it was a 10-15 minute walk to the downtown area, with a few restaurants around so we didn't have to drive anywhere.  

The rooms were decent for the cost and had a fridge and microwave, a major plus.  There was a nice pool and hot tub area.  There was parking, which you paid a nightly fee for, and if it was full there was valet who helped out, all of whom were very friendly and greeted us whenever we came back.  The only thing I wished it had was a continental breakfast, but that is a small flaw for us.

For the expo I started to hear that people would be getting there around seven AM.  I was shocked.  I was thinking 8 or 8:30, an hour and a half or so before the doors opened, but apparently that would be too late.  I got up around 6:15, did a quick run, then headed over and got there around 7:15.  A bunch of people were already there.

DLand has it right as far as expos.  They took us to the basement of the hotel where they had lines taped down.  I was given an orange wristband and put in the third row.  I sat down and prepared for a long wait, which wasn't too bad as I had some good conversations with people around me.  Around 9 they started moving people.  They took the first two lines upstairs and shifted everyone over.   About 10 minutes later we also went upstairs and joined them in more lines outside of the expo.  When 9:30 hit we went inside and found more lines outside the official merchandise area.  They let a few people in at a time, but we were moving fairly well.  When I got in it was very relaxed in there, unlike the Princess mayhem.  I was able to look over everything and didn't have to rush for everything.  There were no ladies fighting over wineglasses, but sadly there was no Tinkerbell Tervis.  I grabbed capris, the blue jacket, a hoodie for the hubs, the wineglass, a tank, and a water bottle.  Check out was easy, but expensive (thank god for the VISA discount), and I went back downstairs for my bib.

Bib pick up was uncrowded and easy as well.  I was surprised when they put two C2C bands on my wrist.  I had thought I would get my blue one when I return to DWorld for Wine and Dine, but something was up and we got them there.  I took mine then, but plan on bringing it to Wine and Dine because I feel that is where I will have earned it.

ANYWAYS, there was another line for preordered merchandise and that is where I picked up my first preorder jacket that I absolutely LOVE.  Hopefully RunDisney keeps going in this direction and makes nice preorder stuff.

I finally was able to go back upstairs to meet the hubs in the expo area.  He had already paid to get the back of our medals engraved with our times so we just wandered a bit.  We had time to kill because I had randomly signed up for the RunDisney NB virtual que and got 10:30 and 11:00 slots.  My time came late and I went in and tried on the Tink shoes.  I had always loved them and had heard this might be the last chance for them.  I ended up liking the feel of them and bought them.  The hubs passed when he tried on.  He liked the Mickey shoes, but they were too supportive for him.

After that we found the RunDisney beer cups that a bartender had and both enjoyed a Pixie Hollow drink.  The hubs was happy because he had gotten a few at our last few DWorld races and was hoping to get a Dland one.  It was nice to sit on a comfy couch, put my feet up, and actually enjoy a relaxing moment at an expo.  So different from the insanity at Princess, where we rushed out after getting through the merchandise lines because it was just so frustrating.

The Enchanted 10k

I wanted this race.  I had trained hard, hoping for a big PR.  The year before I had run the race in just under 47:00 and just missed placing.  This year I had training runs that suggested I could go sub 45:00.  I was flying high and hopeful.

I got on the second bus out of the resort.  I get really nervous about getting to the race on time, so I'm always down at the bus stop and in line pretty early.  Thus, my awful early alarm...

 

The Hubbie snapped a pic before I left.  First time I ever wore a sparkle skirt for a race.  This was my best attempt at a "costume".  I told him he did not have to go to the race and he happily went back to bed while I trekked across the resort to the bus stop. 

There's not much to do before a Disney race, so I stood in line and got some princess character pictures.  

I finally decided it was time to drop my stuff off at bag check and move to the corral.  My nerves were starting to kick in and I wanted to make sure I was somewhere near the front.  

Once we finally started running I felt pretty good.  I passed someone I knew and said hi, but even being close to the front, I still had to do a lot of zigzagging and weaving to find a spot were I could find my own pace and stride.  The first mile was a 7:31.

The second mile starts with a sharp turn and then a run up an overpass.  I took the hill moderately hard, passing people along the way, and then picked up speed down the other side.  I still felt pretty good, but new I wasn't on pace for a sub  45:00.  7:32 second mile.

Mike three is boring.  I hung on but was beginning to feel discouraged.  7:31.  Mile 4 is when you get to finally run into Epcot.  I love running around the world, though it's not completely flat so I find it hard to keep a consistent stride/pace.  Random hills of varying degrees pop up, annoyingly, just to mess with your legs.  7:37.

Going into the boardwalk area is where I really lost it.  I don't know if I just mentally gave up or what, but as I ran apart one of my favorite parts of the course I struggled to keep my pace up.  Once I saw the 7:56 flash on my Garmin I was heartbroken.  I tried to urge myself to go faster, but that's when I realized my goal was out of reach.  

Mile 6 is through some backstage stuff before you get to re-enter Epcot with a great finish past Spaceship Earth and out the the parking lot/finish line.  7:57

I still had something left in my legs and pushed through the last few tenths, finishing with a 6:33 pace as I finished in a 47:10.  I was very disappointed.  I'm not sure if I just peaked early, if the A1A Half I did the week before took more out of me than I thought, or if my vacation in FL tore me down, but I was way off my intended time.  I walked through the finishing area and tried not to be too cranky, but it was hard.  

I returned to my hotel room and at least got to look forward to an excellent buffet breakfast at Beach Club's Cale May.  What better way to recover and refuel for the next day's half than stuffing myself full of delicious food?

 Luckily I tend to have a strong stomach so I am able to enjoy some questionable prerace activities.  And Minnie loved my skirt!