Marathon Weekend 2016

[Waiting2goback]

Boards been a little slow lately... How is everyone doing? Only a few more days to the big weekend! Do you feel prepared for the race you are signed up for and are you looking forward to making the trip to Disney? One last set of question. Where are you coming from? Are you driving or flying? How long will your trip take you?

My answers.
Still a little sick, but improving ever so slowly.
I trust my training has prepared me for the distance despite a few set backs. A little concerned about hitting my time goal. Very excited about the trip and spending time with my family!
Baton Rouge, LA. Driving, about 11 hours of car time.

Hope everyone is doing well!

1. Healthy so far. My kids have all been sick but I have avoided it and hope to continue.
2. I do not feel prepared. I will finish. I just am not in the shape I was before I had to take a break because of my foot. I am going for fun, to finish, and to hopefully be able to walk after the race.
3. I am not as excited about this trip as I was for ToT in 2014. I don't know why. I don't know if it is because I'm not as ready as I want to be or if it is because work has been so bad this month and it is just got me in a bad mood. But I trust I will be fine once I get on the plane.
4. I am coming from MA. I actually fly out of Providence. It's just under 3 hours. I leave 7am on 1/8 so I figure I will be at the Expo by noon, or 1pm if I stop for lunch.
5. Sadly I am only there til Monday.

Blister & shoe question for those who are more experienced with marathoning...

Background: I normally wear New Balance stability running shoes (as suggested by my local running store after a fitting when I started running a year and a half ago). Bought a pair of Hoka One Ones about 2 months ago on clearance because I'd been wanting to try them. My right knee has been feeling funky ever since I slightly hyper-extended it on a long run about a month ago. So, I did a few short runs and one 20 miler in my Hokas. My knees felt better in the Hokas than the New Balance. But, I feel like my foot strike is more balanced in the NBs.

Problem: The Hokas are a half size larger than what I usually wear, and it seems the additional room for my toes has caused me to get two blisters between my toes. I've never had this problem before.

Questions:

1. Should I go back to my trusty old New Balance shoes for marathon day? I know they won't cause blisters, but I'm worried my knees will not feel great doing the full in those shoes; or...

2. Should I get a pair of runners toe socks and try to stick with the Hokas I've been using for the last 30+ days? I've always hated toe socks in general (hate having fabric between my toes), but I feel like this might be a better option since my last 20 miler was in my Hokas. Will toe socks help prevent blisters between my toes?

I wouldn't try the socks for the marathon unless you can run a fairly long run in them beforehand. Have you tried the Hoka's with Bodyglide all over your toes or even Vaseline? If it were me I would do the NB for the race. I would rather deal with knee soreness than blisters. Motrin can help with knee soreness after a race, it doesn't help with blisters. I had blisters after my first marathon. They lasted a month. I couldn't get rid of them.

 

[IamTrike]

Blister & shoe question for those who are more experienced with marathoning...

Background: I normally wear New Balance stability running shoes (as suggested by my local running store after a fitting when I started running a year and a half ago). Bought a pair of Hoka One Ones about 2 months ago on clearance because I'd been wanting to try them. My right knee has been feeling funky ever since I slightly hyper-extended it on a long run about a month ago. So, I did a few short runs and one 20 miler in my Hokas. My knees felt better in the Hokas than the New Balance. But, I feel like my foot strike is more balanced in the NBs.

Problem: The Hokas are a half size larger than what I usually wear, and it seems the additional room for my toes has caused me to get two blisters between my toes. I've never had this problem before.

Questions:

1. Should I go back to my trusty old New Balance shoes for marathon day? I know they won't cause blisters, but I'm worried my knees will not feel great doing the full in those shoes; or...

2. Should I get a pair of runners toe socks and try to stick with the Hokas I've been using for the last 30+ days? I've always hated toe socks in general (hate having fabric between my toes), but I feel like this might be a better option since my last 20 miler was in my Hokas. Will toe socks help prevent blisters between my toes?

Yes the injiji socks work great. I had issues with blisters between my toes even with bodyglide Toes socks cleared that all up. Since your last 20 ws in your hoka's I'd lean towards them with injiji socks. Just get some runs in in them.

I have to wear thicker socks with Hokas, I'm guessing it's the all over wide shoe. I love Injinji socks & wear them exclusively for running. If I wear regular socks I get toe blisters & I have tried repeatedly with different socks & shoes. I like the women ultra thin Run with compression around the arches.

+1

 

[wdwjoe13]

-Feeling good, but a few things are on our mind:
1. The weather in WDW of course. Love the current forecast and hope it holds on
2. After not having to run inside since last winter, two snow storms this week have taken us off the roads and inside. Unfortunately with the Holidays and snow, the fitness center on campus was closed for a few days. Hit the track inside for 5 miles today and feeling much better.
3. We have twin boys that just turned a year (why we missed the races last year). My wife is stressed about weaning the boys as we count down towards the trip. That plus having 3 under the age of 5 leads to more sickness in the house->we are drinking plenty of Green Tea this week.
-Can't wait for WDW. Excited to take the twins for the first time-they are doing the diaper dash and our 4 year old is trained up for his 200 meter dash
-Leave on Tuesday 1/5 from Omaha. About a two hour layover in STL before arriving in MCO at 5:35 pm.

Love these posts from everyone, especially all of us worrying about the weather. Loved the post above with the unrealistically extended forecast.

 

[tri4life]

Any word yet on the merchandise? Usually by now there's something on Disney Parks Blog but we're getting to close a week out and still nothing. If my memory serves me right they released photos of the stuff for W & D weeks ahead. I know it will be the same kind of items as normal but dang Disney give us something to look at.

Dopey #3 we're coming for ya!!!

 

[SarahDisney]

Any word yet on the merchandise? Usually by now there's something on Disney Parks Blog but we're getting to close a week out and still nothing. If my memory serves me right they released photos of the stuff for W & D weeks ahead. I know it will be the same kind of items as normal but dang Disney give us something to look at

Story of my life. This lack of merch preview is actually causing me problems. It'd be much easier to pack if I knew what we may be able to buy at the expo.

 

[kevdad]

Boards been a little slow lately... How is everyone doing?!

Thanks for getting this started! Great day on the thread. Maybe we should have a question of the day going forward, even post-race weekend?

 

[gjramsey]

training has gone mostly well. Got 2 out of 3 20 milers in. Had some tightness in a hammy that had me concerned for a while. Didn't get many speed/tempo runs in the last 5 weeks. Did some real speed work for the first time tonight but still not as fast as I was pre-tightness.

Most of the long run training this season has not been focused as much on time or pace, so training has been more relaxed compared to previous years marathon training.

Flying in from Houston next Thursday night, about 2 hours airtime. We are still trying to decide on renting a car or not. We fly out at 6:30am Monday morning, and feel like a car would be a little better then the magical express....

 

[RunningPrince]

Got a bit of a twinge in left knee and top of left foot after trying to break in back-up shoes (identical to current shoes) during second Dopey simulation - took a few days off and it seems to have resolved.

Training going ok - moved to 10K maintenance runs 4x/week before next long run (Dopey) and then Castaway Cay Challenge and Rebel Challenge - what's a taper? lol

Flying in from Sacramento (via Denver - watching weather closely) next Wednesday - first flight out at 5:30am and will arrive in Orlando at 4pm. Staying at BCV and will head straight to Expo first...

 

[Baloo in MI]

Boards been a little slow lately... How is everyone doing? Only a few more days to the big weekend! Do you feel prepared for the race you are signed up for and are you looking forward to making the trip to Disney? One last set of question. Where are you coming from? Are you driving or flying? How long will your trip take you?

Hope everyone is doing well!

Fun! Ok, my answers:
1). I do feel prepared, but am SUPER anxious.
2). This will be my first solo trip and will be a very different trip for me, but I am excited to be at Disney!
3). I am coming from Okemos, MI (land of the MSU Spartans - Go Green!)
4). I am going by bus, plane and Disney's Magical Express; and it should take me about 8 hours all told.

One week to go!

 

[DOOM1001]

I'm starting to look at forecasts and found it interesting they have the low for Monday the 11th at 38 degrees,it's been a while since Florida got anything significantly cold and to just have 38 showing around marathon weekend has me thinking we might actually have the chance for some cold mornings.Last year I was hoping for low temperatures like this and I got my wish,luckily I only ran the half and full which had the warmer temps of the weekend,although Saturday was still more than cold enough for me but at least it wasn't the bone chilling Frozen 5K on Thursday or the Trembling 10K on Friday which I didn't get to run but was there as a spectator.I'll be very happy if I see lows of 50-55 for Marathon morning,no colder,no warmer,I think this is just a tad higher than what we got for the half last year and right around what we got on Marathon morning but I think I was still in popsicle mode after spectating on Friday cause walking to the half on Saturday after getting off the bus felt more like 30 rather than the upper 40's,Sunday was much better though!!

 

[PCFriar80]

Boards been a little slow lately... How is everyone doing? Only a few more days to the big weekend! Do you feel prepared for the race you are signed up for and are you looking forward to making the trip to Disney? One last set of question. Where are you coming from? Are you driving or flying? How long will your trip take you?

My answers.
Still a little sick, but improving ever so slowly.
I trust my training has prepared me for the distance despite a few set backs. A little concerned about hitting my time goal. Very excited about the trip and spending time with my family!
Baton Rouge, LA. Driving, about 11 hours of car time.

Hope everyone is doing well!

1. Feeling good for the 1/2, running my 11th Donald. Always get nervous about the small things....weather, health, and travel. Aiming for a 2:05...not getting any younger.
2. Always enjoy this trip to Disney especially after the holidays.
3. Coming from Hartford [BDL]; around a 3 hour flight arriving 1/6 staying at BCVs and coming home on 1/14!

Update on the weather [weather channel] has it trending to the warmer side for now and watching that humidity in the 70% range.

 

[cavepig]

2. Should I get a pair of runners toe socks and try to stick with the Hokas I've been using for the last 30+ days? I've always hated toe socks in general (hate having fabric between my toes), but I feel like this might be a better option since my last 20 miler was in my Hokas. Will toe socks help prevent blisters between my toes?

I love injinji toe socks, my toes smash into each other and would get bad blisters until I switched. It only took me like 2 runs to get used to them. Make note that they sell different thicknesses. I get the mid-weight, thickest, as I need all the cushion I can get. For about a year I wore mediums too but then when I went up in shoe size I switched to larges.

-Leave on Tuesday 1/5 from Omaha. About a two hour layover in STL before arriving in MCO at 5:35 pm.

We leave Tuesday from Omaha too but earlier. We are doing the no snow storm dance so we don't have flight delays, it's looking good now!

 

[LSUlakes]

Good morning folks! Great responses from everyone on my little series of questions yesterday. Since it seemed to go so well, lets play the game again.

Question of the Day (QOTD)
So here it is, you just crossed the finish line of your last race and received your medal. You are on top of the world and already thinking about the next one! What are 3 things you are going to do / looking forward to doing post race?

ATTQOTD:
1. Huge my wife and daughter.
2. Drink a Bear Republic - Racer 5 IPA at our resort or nearest location. (Love that beer and we no longer get it in Louisiana. Its been many years since I've had one.)
3. Spending some time in the parks with my family with my new hardware.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

3. Looking forward to Disney. It is a 3 generation family event and since I'm not doing any multi day races, that leaves 2 park days. A little anxious because we're staying at Saratoga Springs rather than our usual home POFQ, but I suspect the full kitchen will make up for it.

We're staying at SSR too @OldSlowGoofyGuy, it is our home resort...if you haven't been there before you will like it! It's nice to be so close to Disney Springs, just a bridge/boat ride away from good food and drinks

my turn...
2. Super excited my family is a bit Disney obsessed (we have a separate Christmas tree just for mickey ornaments) so its always a fun trip and hoping our 4 year old will get a little more out of it this time

We do a second Disney Christmas tree as well @Neoflynn...only Disney ornaments allowed, although this year I added some flair with a bunch of our runDisney medals. They look great on the tree!

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

Question of the Day (QOTD)
So here it is, you just crossed the finish line of your last race and received your medal. You are on top of the world and already thinking about the next one! What are 3 things you are going to do / looking forward to doing post race?

Awesome, a new question! You're onto something here @LSUlakes!
1) High fives, hugs and kisses for my wife as she will be finishing one second in front of me...her first marathon!
2) Coffees, beers & cupcakes
3) 'Ohana!!!!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Good morning folks! Great responses from everyone on my little series of questions yesterday. Since it seemed to go so well, lets play the game again.

Question of the Day (QOTD)
So here it is, you just crossed the finish line of your last race and received your medal. You are on top of the world and already thinking about the next one! What are 3 things you are going to do / looking forward to doing post race?

ATTQOTD:
1. Meet up with the family
2. Snap some pictures with Dopey and my daughter
3. FINALLY, get to enjoy some peanut butter dessert. Oh, it feels like its been soooo long...

 

[LSUlakes]

Awesome, a new question! You're onto something here @LSUlakes!
1) High fives, hugs and kisses for my wife as she will be finishing one second in front of me...her first marathon!
2) Coffees, beers & cupcakes
3) 'Ohana!!!!

Glad you are enjoying it. My production at work is at an all time low, but I'm very entertained. We are also going to Ohana for dinner Sunday night. 6:40PM I may fall asleep at the table after stuffing my face!

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

Glad you are enjoying it. My production at work is at an all time low, but I'm very entertained. We are also going to Ohana for dinner Sunday night. 6:40PM I may fall asleep at the table after stuffing my face!

We are 6:45 at 'Ohana...I'll either nudge you awake or steal your pot stickers

 

[team weasel]

1 - Hug my husband. This is our first half marathon and we've put a lot of work into it.
2 - Wear my medal proudly.
3 - Buy my annual pass! This has been the "twinkie on the stick" for me. Run a half, get a season pass.

 

[SunDial]

Good morning folks! Great responses from everyone on my little series of questions yesterday. Since it seemed to go so well, lets play the game again.

Question of the Day (QOTD)
So here it is, you just crossed the finish line of your last race and received your medal. You are on top of the world and already thinking about the next one! What are 3 things you are going to do / looking forward to doing post race?

ATTQOTD:
1. Huge my wife and daughter.
2. Drink a Bear Republic - Racer 5 IPA at our resort or nearest location. (Love that beer and we no longer get it in Louisiana. Its been many years since I've had one.)
3. Spending some time in the parks with my family with my new hardware.

Pretend I won the Superbowl and find the nearest camera and yell "I am going to Disney World" Oops already there.

1. Find the med tent and ice wrap the knees. I don't really need to. Been doing this for the last 2 1/2 years. I even wrap them after every training run. Stay on the proactive side of recovery.
2. Find family or friends to cheer or hug. And get my chocolate milk. Can't drink beer or alcohol for that matter. Dont mix well with heart meds.
3. Rest a little, then go play anywhere in the world the group I was with wanted to go. We also have a group celebration dinner in Disney Springs.