Category Archives: disney’s tower of terror 10 miler

Chicago Marathon Week 17/Walt Disney World Marathon Week 2

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Let my kick off with some good news! I have hit my minimum fundraising goal for Chicago!! Now, just because I’ve met the minimum doesn’t mean I can’t still accept more donations! Every little bit helps – remember, we’re fighting brain tumors here!! If you’d like to donate, the link is in the sidebar – “Sponsor Me!” So that’s a big monkey off my shoulders as for some reason Chicago requires that the funds be in before the race (most others I’ve looked at give you about a month afte the race to finish raising the money) – although before today’s donations that pushed me over the top, the amount was such that I could have finished it off on my own. (Note to self: remember the struggle this amount was when you start thinking about another race for charity since this amount was minor compared to a lot I’ve seen out there!)

So I should be super pumped. And I am pumped that my friends and family are awesome and have supported me in this.

But I’ll be honest. I’m sitting here watching Spirit of the Marathon in hopes that some kind of inspiration will strike regarding Chicago. Because really? I’m extremely ho-hum about it right now.

Tower of Terror 10 Miler? Super pumped!

Walt Disney World Marathon? Super pumped!

Chicago Marathon? Meh. (And if you know me, you know I really don’t like that “word” so for me to use it…you get the idea.)

I have no real clue why. At first I thought it was getting my 18-miler done on Monday. But I looked back at stuff and I actually felt good and pumped after my 18-miler for Disney 2012. Maybe the heat and humidity has something to do with it – it’s rough to want to get out there when it’s so soupy. But I’ve been ok through the summer, so I don’t know. Other than a banged-up knee from a fall – non-running related – I’m not injured. So that’s not it. I haven’t been following the training schedule exactly, so I don’t think it’s overtraining.

Maybe it’s just general end-of-summer blahs. The last few weeks of summer were truly magical with getting to see the outdoor staging of Into the Woods at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park and falling in love with that all over again – and being thoroughly charmed, inspired and transported four times over its run. It was truly a dream few weeks. And then I hit the nightmare of getting ready to go back to school – it’s slightly less nightmarish due to one change, but I am still already fighting with myself to go every day. So that probably plays into it – while running should theoretically be an escape and a good one, when I’m so uninspired to do one thing that’s such a major part of your daily life time-wise, it’s hard to get inspired in pretty much everything else. Though then again I am still really happy at and enjoying my time at Disney immensely (and wish there was some way I could *just* work there, though that’s completely impossible).

In talking (ok, texting) with my friend Rick today, I did ponder that perhaps not knowing exactly what I’m working for is contributing to this blah-ness. It’s very easy to get pumped about Disney races as you get to see the bling ahead of time. You know what you’re working for. (And yes, I’ve come around and am totally excited about the Mickey 20 medal!!) It’s hard to be pumped for something you’re working as hard for as you do for marathon bling and not know what you’re going to get. I understand they might want it to be a surprise, and if there was a way that it could be a total surprise to EVERY RUNNER out there, I might be ok with it. But here’s the thing… Inevitably faster finishers will go back up the course wearing their medals and so anyone after them can see it. Surprise ruined. And if it’s ugly? And you’re at Mile 20 or wherever your wall is? I don’t know…I might end up having a long chat with myself about why I’m torturing myself for *THAT*. Or my stubborn streak might kick in and be all “Oh no. You trained. You are finishing.” and then never look at the medal again. Of course this is all speculation as I likely won’t see the Chicago medal until a faster runner crossed my path wearing it. (At least I’m not getting a fleece-lined poncho?? :P Oh, BTW, you now get a choice of bag check/no fleece-lined poncho or no bag check and early exit and fleece poncho for NYC. So it seems like they’re listening…but I don’t trust NYRR one iota right about now.)

So yeah…I’m just not feeling the pumped upness for Chicago. Hopefully it will come back. Soon.

So training wise…I did 18 on Monday. It went ok – some ITB twinges after Mile 16, but overall ok.

I had every intention of doing a run after school today, but the temperature and humidity combined with no snack (long story…let’s just say McDonalds up here needs to learn to put up signs when they are out of something like ice cream…no, I do not want fries or an apple pie when I had asked for a McFlurry – and I wasted too much time standing in line to find this out so that I couldn’t have gone elsewhere, stood in line, gotten something, and still had time to get a run in before i had to go meet a friend briefly) meant that didn’t happen. So I’ve got everything set out for tomorrow morning – an easy, early morning run. And I will make myself get out and do it.

Maybe just doing it will bring some enthusiasm back.

A girl can dream, right?

Chicago Marathon Week 8 Day 3

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With the heat we’re having this summer, I’m quickly getting into a pattern on run days: wake up around 4am, eat something, go for my run, come home and shower (Starbucks after the run on the way home), then take a nap. Hey, whatever works, right?

Today was listed in my training plan as “4 miles at race pace”. OK. Yes, I should have figured out about what my race pace should be and feel like by now, but I’m really bad at that. So ok, I just went to the McMillian Calculator to see, and based on my Broad Street pace my marathon race pace should be 12:46 minute miles. My primary thing is figuring out the correct running and walking speed. That’s tough. For me anyway. But I try. :)

I debated which park to go to for my run today. Central Park has a built-in 4 mile loop, which would make things easier, but that’s a long subway ride, and with trains running on a Saturday (or Sunday?) schedule, even longer to wait for an A train at the time I was leaving. So I opted to go to Prospect Park. To make up the difference, I ran up the center road about 1/2 way and turned around to go back to the main road. It was humid this morning – heck, even going down into my subway station it was almost unbearable until I got to track level; it felt like they’d done the washing with steaming hot water – craziness. Outside in spite of it playing with raining off and on (it was to “on” by the time I finished) it was steamy, and I probably started off too fast, so I had to do some walking in the middle. BUT I didn’t have to use my inhaler!! (Warm-up and cool-down totaled 0.65 so the total for this run was 4.65.)

Ultimately, the 4 miles took me 50 minutes, which was a 12:30 pace! Ok, so it’s a bit faster than the calculator. But I did it. And I felt good. I think if I can control my pace in the beginning and slow it down a touch I’m about right on where I should be. So yay!

The breathing was so much better today, even with the humidity. I’m not totally ready to say it’s the diet, but it’s definitely looking like wheat/gluten might have been part of the asthma issue all along. We’ll see how things continue.

Training mileage: 103.73
Weight: 176

Chicago Week 7 Days 1-3

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The weekend as it turns out took more out of me than I’d thought, and when Monday morning came I learned how much. My hip/piriformis was ouchie when I woke up, and I couldn’t get myself out of bed for the run. So I decided to listen to my body and take a rest day.

Then Tuesday, again I just couldn’t get out of bed. So I napped a little longer and took another rest day. I tried to focus on my nutrition and hydration more – something I need to do a lot more of.

Two URDs (unscheduled rest days) in a row aren’t necessarily ideal, but this morning I learned that they actually were a blessing in disguise.

I mentioned before that I’m getting to product test for Skechers GoRuns? I got home last night and found a box from Skechers at my door! I’m testing the GoRun Rides!

I was a little surprised to see that they were solid black as Skechers are usually pretty colorful, but hey! Let’s give them a whirl!

It made me eager to try them out!! Still, it was tough getting up and out the door this morning, but I knew I needed to do it. And so I did.

50 minutes. 3.88 miles. Done and dusted. And the hip/piriformis thing? No pain!! Woot!

So far I’m liking the Skechers. Granted, I tend to be a midfoot or forefoot striker anyway, so there’s likely not going to be a significant difference there. They do feel a little lighter, and I an definitely feel the ground better in them. I know when you transition, you’re supposed to do it slowly, but I did all of this morning’s run in them and felt fine. We’ll see what happens as I progress. But so far so good.

Training miles: 83.32
Weight: 177.6

Chicago Marathon Week 5 Days 5, 6 and 7

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Wow, am I really done with 5 weeks of training?!?!?!? How crazy is that???

Friday I ended up just doing a good bit of walking around, more than usual. Yoga didn’t happen, but with walking as much as I did and stretching out, I’m ok with that!

Yesterday I got my little butt out of bed and went to run in Prospect Park. Part of the fun of weekend running in Prospect is if you’re there early enough you get to run while bike races are going on. Very cool. Got just over one lap done for 3.4 miles. And it proved that yes, I need to make sure my butt is running with hills periodically during my training!

Not that that happened this morning. Because of a race in Central Park (yes, you can still run in the park…I just didn’t feel like going up and dealing with it, especially since I would have just wanted to do 2 laps of the middle loop), I opted to go for my long run favorite place – along the Hudson. It was a little humid, but there was usually a breeze, so that was extra nice! Got in 8.66 nice and feeling-good miles and even managed a negative split for the training run. Translation: I went faster than I should have for a LSR. Oops!


The RoadID finally arrived and survived its first run! Woohoo! Really, everyone who runs, bikes, etc. should have a RoadID!

And in the seen on my run category? The Space Shuttle Enterprise AND the Disney Magic. I’m torn as to which was more exciting. :)

It’s been a good week. Onto Week 6.

Training miles: 62.86
Weight: 177.4

Shiny shiny!!!

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RunDisney finally released the medal for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler!

Isn’t it pretty?

The elevator moves, and as the right side of the picture shows, there are GLOW IN THE DARK features!!!!

I cannot wait to get that around my neck!!!

Of course, that’s a little ways away. Specifically it’s…

Woohoo!!!

Of course I have a few things before that!

Like the Clare Fund Run 10K tomorrow. I’m ready I think. I’ve got my route there plotted out – definitely a challenge considering the MTA is doing their usual fuckery with the trains on the weekends. I’m hoping I can do well in it. My PR is 1:14:57, which is a 12:05/mile pace – that’s from the Mini 10K last June, which was in Central Park and included Harlem Hills. My NYRR bib pace, which was set at the Japan Day Run (4 miler), is 11:16. If I can hit somewhere between those two, I’ll be extremely happy. Given that it’s a flat course on the boardwalk, I’m hopeful! (For reference, at Coogan’s 5K, which also included hills (oh did it include hills), my average pace was 11:54. I could definitely live with that.) I still try to be in the camp of “have fun and finish”, but I’d really like to be able to get into a timed corral for Tower of Terror (I doubt I’d be able to move up for Broad Street), and a sub-12 minute mile would definitely do it. So that’s what I’m shooting for.

My leg is feeling better today, and I’ve toyed with maybe doing a gentle run later on, but I’m leaning towards stretching, maybe some yoga…just chilling for another day and really giving it my all tomorrow. I’ll update you with what I end up doing.

I did go over to the More/Fitness Women’s Half expo for a little while today. I remembered from last year that it was a bit better than the expo for the NYC Half (skipped that one this year) – though it’s still minute compared to Disney’s. I managed to get some nice samples – a Jenny Craig snack bar, which I think I’ll have pre-race tomorrow; some Playtex Sport tampons (sorry boys…they’re a necessity…well, some form of protection is); a little recipe book for grapefruit stuff that looks YUMMY; some Aveno products; and a couple of NoGii bars, but I had to be careful with those as out of the 5 samples they had out of the adult bars, 3 of them contained peanuts. You’d think that if they’re going to worry about gluten allergies they’d worry about peanut allergies as well, but apparently not. Even the “Chocolate Caramel” has peanuts in it. Not cool NoGlii. Not cool. (Though the berry paleo bar was good I must admit.) I doubt I’ll spend money on them and put it into Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s pocket, but it was interesting to try. I dropped my name in some drawings – not that I’ll win, but it’s nice to try. And tried the wheel at SkirtSports – where I got $5 off any purchase today, which would have been awesome if I could have bought anything. Oh well.

Now it’s just chill-out time. :)

Happy running!!

Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like…

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…registering for a Villain-themed race!

Yep! My Happy Valentine’s Day To Me gift was registering for Disney’s Tower of Terror 10 Miler!! I’m so excited!!!

Villains!

Studios!

After Party!

Cannot wait!!! It’s gonna be incredible!!!

And then today I got all registered for Philly’s Blue Cross Blue Shield Broad Street Run which is also a 10-Miler. So that will be my first! I’m really excited about it!! I’ve heard really good things, and it sounds like a lot of fun!

So today I really buckle down and get my shrinking rear back in gear (beyond those killer caterpillars I mean) and get training!

Woohoo!!!

Plans and Goals!!

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I was doing some poking around on the runDisney Tower of Terror 10 Miler page for what their proof requirement is going to be. Proof of time is required for an estimated finish of 2:00:00 or less. And it has to be from a 10K or longer from AFTER July 1, 2011! That’s like, only 7 months ago. My best numbers put me at like 2:00:57 per the McMillan calculator, and that was the NYC Half last year, so it wouldn’t matter anyway.

I’ve got a 10K in April – the Rockapulco Spring 10K, which looks to be pretty flat as opposed to Central Park where my 10K PR was set. (Or maybe I’m just being very wishful in my thinking and basing it off of the fact that the Rockaways are BEACH. Per McMillan, I’d need a 1:11:37 10K to estimate a 2:00:00 10 miler. That may actually be doable…my 10K PR is 1:14:57, and that was on hills.

Of course I could just run 2:00:00 or better at Broad Street too… And the 10K is part of that training plan.

I want to be in one of the higher corrals for ToT – one that requires proof of time. And so my path is clear…

ROCK the training for Broad Street!!!

I’m going to use Higdon’s Novice 2 (but with the long run mileage from Intermediate 1 – which really doesn’t make a lot of difference) and keep my intervals. 3/1 or 3:30/1 seem to be working well. Since I’ve taken this week off – a cold, which though in my head tends to aggravate the airways and make me wheezy – so I should be good and rested. XT will be my Butt and Balance/Yoga Abs combination. And starting tomorrow, at least 5 of Coach Jenny’s Killer Caterpillars. If I can work my way up to more, so be it. But I think this combination will help make me stronger – and hopefully a bit faster, especially if I can buckle down and do as many of my runs as possible in Central or Prospect Park where I have to contend with hills.

And also? Buckle down with my focus on weight loss. But do it healthfully. No crash diets – watching calories, not overdoing it on splurge days. I’ve lost a bit, but this week in particular I’ve slid. I have managed to not go get ice cream tonight (seriously…this would not be as much of a problem if the bodega around the corner didn’t carry Ben & Jerry’s!) by having a little bread with nutella and a banana…and brushing my teeth immediately afterwards. But it’s been a big struggle. I know I’m not body hungry…I’m mouth hungry, which is dangerous.

I’ve been using My Fitness Pal, and I like it…but I’m wondering if doing Weight Watchers via meetings would be better. I think I need the accountability of that weigh-in thing where someone else is reading it so I can’t just say “Oh I’ll ignore this week’s numbers”, you know? I just have to figure out if there’s a meeting that would consistently work with my schedule (unless anyone knows if you have to go to the same meeting every week?) and make that decision. Hmm…

I do know I’m going to invest in a crockpot! My ROTE friends are always making the BEST sounding recipes (that work with WW as many of them are on it), and I think if I get one and make things, I can make good meals to be refrigerated and/or frozen. I know I’ve tried to do the soup thing before (oh yes, this blog is well after my adventure of learning that you don’t blend hot stuff…when I moved to NYC I was still finding dried bits of broccoli from that ill-fated soup attempt), but these are like…MEALS. So that’s something anyway.

So…training plan in the calendar and laid out in my head – all of it including the XT; crock pot decision made; 95% of the way to joining WW…

I’m feeling good about things. :D

Making some decisions

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So I’ve spent the past few days (between work, sleep, etc. – not exercising yet…I’ll do a light run tomorrow) thinking about what I want this next year to look like running-wise as well as other things. While this blog will remain primarily about my running, I’m trying to integrate more, so I’ll probably touch on some different things as well.

I got a training journal from Believe I Am and have started filling it out in terms of goals. I’ve selected three to focus on for the year.

First: Finally finish a novel and/or play that I’ve been working on.
I’ve got a couple of novels in various stages of development as well as maybe a quarter of a play. In training for the marathon (and teaching and working at Disney) I let myself get away from the creative side of me, and I want to get that back. I’m committing to a minimum of writing for an hour three times a week – and in some cases “writing” may be spent detailing a character to get to know that character better and/or research if necessary into something. If it means I need to fit another Gotham class into my schedule and budget, I’ll do my best to do it.

Second: Be more active socially.
And I mean both in the general sense of the word as well as in causes I believe in. It’s too easy to let myself get isolated and not get involved – either with causes or people. I want to stretch myself and make an effort. And if that results in finding someone to hang out with on a regular basis, so be it. A relationship isn’t the end goal here. Just putting myself out there and being more involved in life.

Third: Get myself to a healthy BMI.
To be at the top of the range for my height, I need to drop 40.2 more pounds. My thinking is I’d like to go a little lower, but I’ll get there and evaluate how I look and feel. Thing number one with this will be healthier eating – more fruits and veggies and less fried things and take out. Also related food-wise? Stop over-rewarding myself for runs. Yes I need to refuel, but I don’t need a big old treat every single time. In addition to my running, be much better about my XT. I’m still contemplating joining a yoga studio, but I think that starting Monday I’m going to (assuming I can find either my print out or the version online) do the 4-week training schedule for Bob Harper’s Inside Out series. Work on my strongs in places other than just my legs. Also be more consistent about stretching and strengthening my pelvic area.

So there we have it. Goals for the year laid out. :)

And then some other decisions… Like in terms of racing.

I’ve decided NYC is out. I have to draw a line somewhere, and the cost is just too much. There are plenty of other people who don’t think it’s too much and will continue doing it. That’s great for them. I have to go with what feels right to me. And for me, if I’m going to spend that kind of money on a race, I’d rather go somewhere fun and exciting. Your mileage may vary, and that’s fine. I just don’t feel strongly enough that I HAVE to do NYC that I’m willing to cross the maximum line I set, even for “only $2″.

I know I’d mentioned San Francisco. And I do want to do it. But not in 2012. Even though I’ve read that they are generous with the time limit, I would be heartbroken if this is the year they decide to get uber strict and I wasn’t able to knock off those 33 minutes (18 of moving time if I go by my Garmin, which I paused for potty breaks). I’d rather get a good solid year of training under my belt, see what that does at Disney 2013, and THEN do SF in 2013.

So it looks like it’ll be one marathon for me in 2012. And I’m ok with that. :)

So here’s the plan:
* For the next 4 weeks, start back with some light running and do Bob’s DVD series. Weekend runs will be in the 4-6 mile range.
* February 14, I will start using Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Half Marathon plan – with Coach Jenny’s 4/1 intervals – to train for the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia in May. Registration opens in February for that and believe me I’ve got it marked on my calendar.
As part of that, I’ll be doing a 5K (slightly earlier than the plan says, but it’s one of my favorite races and it’s fun) on March 4 – Coogan’s Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks; and a 10K on April 14, the Rockapulco Spring 10K.

* May and June will be more of a focus on XT while maintaining a base until I will start training for Disney’s Tower of Terror 10 Mile race on July 10, again using Higdon’s Novice 2 HM with Jenny’s intervals (assuming I like it and it works). Again, I’ll be trying to find a 5K and 10K to fit in there somewhere. If I can’t, I’ll do “time trials” on my own. :)

* That will fishtail into my training for the Walt Disney World Marathon, January 13, 2013. 20th Anniversary bling, baby!!
Part of that training (again, Higdon Novice 2 Marathon with Jenny’s intervals) calls for a Half Marathon, and I’m about 99% decided on Philly in November. It’s not so horribly far to travel (and there are affordable options between train or decent, safe bus), usually some Front Runners do either the half or the full, and some ROTEars are considering it as well. I think there’s a 5K and/or a 10K or two in there as well…but I don’t have the plan right in front of me.

I do plan during June to run the NYRR Mini 10K and of course the Pride Run – so clearly running training will be going on, just not as formalized as for the other races.

I’m feeling good about my decisions and what I’m going to be working towards. I feel like working to get the 9 races I needed in for the now-not-happening NYC Marathon really wore me down and kept me from focusing as clearly as I should have on other specifics. I’m hoping that limiting the number of races this year will help me to focus more on not only mileage but also strengthening what needs to be strengthened and truly being at the best place I can for WDW 2013.

Forward ho!