Disney; Here we come

So, we leave for the world of the mouse tomorrow afternoon. Here's the summary of where I am, in terms of preparation for this race:

1. Training is done.
2. Training went well.
3. Injuries are none.
4. Excitement is high.
5. Confidence is higher.

Objective for this weekend's 26.2 mile journey:

BUST it.

All I want for Christmas is another 22 miler

I don't remember Mariah Carey's rendition of the song containing that line, but it should have been there.

Disney Marathon training is starting to wind down for the season as I am now well into the "3 weeks until race day" window. I know I've mentioned it before, but I don't really subscribe to a 3 week taper as some runners do. Instead, I'll end up running another 22 miler on this coming Friday/Saturday morning and that will (or at least, should) cap the long runs before I toe the line at Disney on Jan 9. I say "should" because I'm not one to hesitate throwing in another long one if I feel that I need it.

As training goes, everything continues to rock on without issue. My mileage continues to hover between 45-55 per week, and I still (praise God) remain injury-free. As I look back at my training schedule and logs, this buildup has been the most grueling, yet rewarding training cycle I've completed since I started the whole "marathon-thing". It's been loaded with tough workouts, which I love, tougher workouts, which I don't love quite as much, and long distance tempo/fast-finish workouts, which I now hate so much, I think I love them in a way...

Strange.

I should finish up this week with about 50 miles again, and then head into next week with the goal of notching down mileage and long runs to about 38 miles total for the week. The following week will see my decrease take me down to about 34 miles. Two days later, Disney marathon.

Yeah baby.

To all of my fellow runners that will be heading down to Orlando, FL around Jan 8-9, stay strong in these final two weeks of training. Don't do anything stupid (I need to take this advice myself, now that I think about it:)) and trust the training that has gotten you this far. With three weeks until race day, there is very little additional physiological benefit that can be realized by increased training now, but injury can definitely be a real risk. Again, don't try to make up for lost workouts that you missed back in October - it's not worth the risk to your body. Be smart, train smart, recover, and on Jan 8 or 9, RACE.

Ronald McDonald on my feet

I have found the new kicks that will take me to the Finish line of the Disney Marathon in January. Great reviews on the new Brooks Green Silence.

Really looking forward to getting them in, on and out for a run. I'll keep you posted on how they hold up. Until then, here's a lovely photo from your neighborhood McDonalds...

UPDATE - 10/29/10 @00:20

Lucky for me, I found an alternate color scheme. Looks about as "unusual" as the ones above, but at least no one will ask me for a free Happy Meal.

Lookin for some new kicks

I have completely trashed my #1 rule of running:

"Never run in shoes that have over 350 miles on them."

How badly have I violated Rule #1?

562.5 miles (as of lunchtime today)

Yeah, the Nike LunarFly+'s are about ready to be led out to pasture. But darn, they are so comfortable, I just hate to stop running in them.

Hasn't everyone had a special pair of running shoes that you just KNOW your feet were made for? I can't think of many others I've had in the past, but this pair of LunarFly's are absolute BUTTER.

I know what you're saying, and you're right; I can go buy another pair, true. But how many times have you gone out and bought the EXACT same shoe, brought it home, put it on, and realized that it felt completely different than it's cousin, the worn-out pair? Sounds stupid, I know, but I'm just reluctant to do it.

Another problem I'm having is this: I'm running the Disney Marathon on Jan 9, and right now I have no training shoe to run it in. All of my Asics Kayano's and 3120's have over 450 miles on them, so I've got to do something here to score a pair of shoes to run the race in. New pair of the LunarFly's? Not so fast...

The "Fly's" are technically a neutral racing shoe. They have absolutely zero support in them, yet are light as a feather. I can run pretty fast in them during a 5k, 10k, even a half marathon.

BUT, they're not meant to be worn for a full 26.2 miles. They weren't designed for that, and my feet weren't designed to run without any support for that kind of distance either. That's the biggest reason I haven't gone out and bought another pair of them. I've got to find a shoe that is light, yet stable enough to run the marathon (and 3-4 more marathons I'm planning on running between Jan 30 and Apr 1).

I bought a pair of the Nike LunarGlide's a few weeks ago, but I haven't been able to get too excited about them either. They're lighter than a standard training shoe, but still weigh in around 11+ ounces. Not heavy, but alot heavier than the 6.5 ounces I've been used to for the past 550 miles.

Any peeps out there have a favorite racing shoe that is light underfoot, yet still providing basic support? Let me know what you're running in these days because I've got to get something lined up so I can get them broken in by Jan 9.

Guess I could just run barefoot...

nah

Theme Park Mayhem

enturing off the topic of running for a post (I know, I know; unusual, huh?), my wife and I took our three boys to Six Flags over Georgia Tuesday for some quality bonding time in 98 degree heat and 94% humidity... it was flaming that day. Anywho, we had a great, great time. Did some quality coaster time on these gems at Six Flags...

The Georgia Scorcher: (our new favorite roller coaster)

Mind Bender:

Georgia Cyclone: 

Great American Scream Machine: (a classic)

2010 Walt Disney World Marathon

A great video someone took during the 2010 WDW Marathon. Very good quality. Well done!

2011 Walt Disney World Marathon ... I'm in.

In 2008, my family and I were in Disney as I ran Goofy's Race and Half Challenge at Disney, our family had such an incredible time, I really had to get into the race again for 2011. I am not doing the Goofy again primarilly because of the hassle involved with race day logistics X 2. I'm no longer wondering about WHETHER I can do it, I truly just don't want to fool with the half marathon on Saturday. Instead, I'll concentrate my energy and preparations on having a PR-type of marathon race on Sunday.

I'm looking for about 4 miles later today. Training is over for the marathon on Sunday, but I am looking to just loosen up my legs and the mental fatigue you feel when you drop your mileage this much.