Dopey Challenge 2020 – Choosing a Training Plan

We’re fast approaching the Wine and Dine Challenge and before we know it, we’ll be closing in on January’s races. We’re putting in lots of miles (truth!) and building our endurance, speed, and strength (I like to think so anyway). We’re following the training plan we selected after a couple of weeks of research back in late summer. How did we decide on this particular plan and what is it? I’ll explain.

Dopey Challenge 2020 – Choosing a Training Plan

The most important aspects we considered when deciding on a training plan were that it needed to be both adequate and realistic. We want to be prepared for our events and complete them in relative comfort. We also don’t have unlimited training time and need quality training versus a large quantity of miles. We can fit in long runs on weekends and prefer the longest of those be scheduled on Sundays. We also have time for speed work, tempo runs, and strength training, but in relatively limited time windows.

There are a lot of free training plans available on the interwebs and as I plied my mad Google skills on the hunt for race prep perfection, I quickly became overwhelmed. Information overload! I kept coming up with new plans to run by Joseph and he, never having completed a marathon (or the associated training for said event), kept agreeing to whatever new idea I presented. To narrow down the choices, I went straight to Dopey veterans for advice. First I found 2-3 Dopey Challenge Facebook groups (I like this one and this one the best) and then I searched for some tips on YouTube and BOOM! Just like that we found Hal Higdon’s Marathon Training – Dopey Challenge plan. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!

This plan is exactly what we needed. Plenty of rest days, plenty of tempo runs and time for speed work. The maximum miles per week reaches 42.5 which sounds like a LOT but is manageable. We can get it done without killing ourselves or taking days off from work. We just finished week 5 of the 18-week plan and we’re feeling strong and optimistic (after escaping from one large angry dog!). An important component to this plan is that in a few weeks we will start to run consecutive days of short, medium and long runs to get ourselves ready for the actual challenge of running a 5K, 10K, half, and full marathon over four days. That’s what makes this plan perfect. Hal Higdon, you’re the bombdiggity!

If you’re interested in watching our YouTube version of this info, check it out here (our little channel could use some love). If you are training for a runDisney event, I’d love to hear from you!

WDW Marathon 2020 – Proof of Time

I was born a procrastinator. If my mom hadn’t been induced on her due date with me, I would have procrastinated my own arrival I’m sure. I always say it’s because I work better under pressure, but that doesn’t apply to today’s example. I procrastinated (or maybe I just didn’t think ahead) – and there was a price to be paid for my inaction.

As I’ve mentioned before, we try to always submit a proof of time for runDisney races that accept it (half and full marathons). For the Wine & Dine Half, we used a 10K time from last fall – easy peasy! When Joseph and I registered for the Dopey Challenge and the marathon portion of the entry asked for proof of time from either a half or full marathon run after January 2018, I realized I should have thought of this much sooner…like last winter! We skipped a favorite December half in Lafayette, Louisiana last year and we should not have done that. Now I needed half marathon race times for Joseph and I and didn’t have them. I checked the deadline for submission – October 8th.

I’d just have to find a half for us to run before the deadline. Easier said than done! I checked the half marathon calendars for four states and found only one possibility – The Walkons Independence Bowl Kick Off K’s Half Marathon in Shreveport on September 28th. I got us registered and started waiting for some fall weather. It never came. Everyday the meteorologist on TV kept saying the temperatures were 10 degrees above average with no break in sight. September 28th arrived with a low of 76-degrees and a projected high in the low-to-mid 90’s. With a 7:00 am race start, we could at least hope to finish the race before the thermometer hit 80.

WDW Marathon 2020 – Proof of Time

In spite of the hilliness of the course, which started at mile 3, we made good time in the early miles. We grabbed water at every opportunity and snacked on Sport Beans somewhere around mile 7. Shortly after that, we mixed some Tailwind into our water at the next aid station. After that, we (mostly I) had issues and we slowed WAY down.

Backing up for a second, our original plan was to finish in 2:15 to 2:20. We’d done it before and were sure that if we had any break in the heat, we could do it again. When the weather was making our training runs nearly unbearable, we cheered ourselves up by believing there was no way the low temperatures could keep being in the mid-70’s. It was almost October – we were bound to catch a break! Oh, it was not to be.

If only we could have kept our average for the first 8 miles going. We would have finished in just under 2:17. Instead, we started taking walk breaks and whining (again, mostly me) about pain, heat, and generally feeling like we were running on the surface of the sun. We crossed the finish line together (I did ask Joseph to leave me to die a few miles earlier, but he stayed with me to the bitter end) in 2:27:26. The temperature when we started was 78 and 80 when we finished with 80% humidity. On a funny note, I still scored a 3rd place age-group prize from Orangetheory Fitness. I managed to beat some of the other old ladies, so there’s that.

Proof of time has officially been submitted for Dopey 2020. Maybe we won’t be in the last corral. We’ll see. Technically, our time was too slow to really make a difference, but we’re hoping for a bit of pixie dust anyway.

I dusted off the old YouTube channel and put this all in video form, which you can find here if you’re interested. I promised Joseph I’d buy him pizza at his favorite restaurant and after 13.1 miles, nothing could have tasted better!

Guess what this weekend’s weather is supposed to be? Yup, lows in the 60’s. Back to training for the Wine and Dine Challenge. Anyone else going to be there with us?

ASICS Studio App Review

ASICS Studio App Review

Now that the Fairy Tale Challenge is behind us, I’ve been having issues with motivation. I don’t want to get on the treadmill.  Not even a little bit.  I had been lifting weights twice a week, pre-Princess weekend, and I don’t want to do that either.  Not doing anything is not a viable option as Raymond has registered us for a 60-mile cycling event in May and I need to be ready.  Plus, I’m certain I’ll have another runDisney event in my future…just have to decide on one.

Enter the ASICS Studio AppASICS Studio App Review

I’m pretty sure it was an ad in my Facebook feed that sent me to the app store to check out ASICS Studio. I knew ASICS owned the Runkeeper app I’ve been using to track my outdoor runs for years, so I figured I might like this new offering.  What I wasn’t expecting was that I’d like it enough to pay the subscription price for access the entire contents.

What does the app offer?

Audio Workout Coaching.  Choose from Strength Training, Treadmill, Fusion (strength + cardio), Outdoor Running, Indoor Cycling, and Elliptical workouts.  Within the Strength Training and Fusion categories, you can choose what (if any) equipment you’d like to use.

What I loveASICS Studio App Review

The trainers are very motivational.  So far, I’ve completed ten workouts:  Seven running, two strength-training and one indoor cycling workout.  I feel the trainers do an outstanding job of helping me stay focused, use good form, and push harder than I would if left to my own devices.  For example – I rarely run on an incline on my treadmill because my outdoor runs are almost always on hilly terrain.  I completed (barely) a 40-minute treadmill workout called “Hill Yes” with Coach Erin and it was brutal!  It made me realize that I can (and should) get an awesome hill run in on my treadmill from time to time.ASICS Studio App Review

If you need a new challenge or motivation to push harder to improve speed or endurance (or both), these workouts may be just the ticket.  As an added bonus, you can tell the app what you’re trying to accomplish (run faster, lose weight, build muscle, etc.) and it will recommend workouts to you, making the ASICS Studio experience more personalized.

What I’d change

While there are currently 26 classes available for treadmill workouts, there are only 8 classes for indoor cycling.  The longest cycling workout is 24 minutes.  I’d like to see more and longer options for indoor cycling. (I do see new classes added all the time.)

There are (today) 61 classes for strength training of all different lengths.  Some use only body weight and some require simple equipment like dumbbells, bench, yoga mat and/or kettle bells.  While I’ve only tried a couple short strength classes after running, I wish the trainers would allow about 5 seconds to change positions between exercises.  I’m no spring chicken, so for example, getting from laying on the ground to standing up and grabbing weights for the next exercise sometimes uses up a chunk of the time I’m supposed to be doing that next exercise.

Final Thoughts

From what I can tell, subscription prices vary depending on the length of time purchased.  I went for the one-year plan which ends up being about $8/month.  This is way less than a gym membership would be and I can exercise anywhere with this app, including when I travel.  Post-workout, those encouraging emails from ASICS Studios are great and help keep me motivated. So far, the app has exceeded my expectations and is not only getting me back on track with my workouts, I’m quickly improving both my running speed and endurance.  Now, if it’ll just stop raining every weekend, I can get those much-needed cycling miles in!

What’s your favorite workout app?

runDisney – The Road to The Dark Side

When last I mentioned my future runDisney plans, I was whining about my treadmill and hoping to register for the 2017 Star Wars Dark Side Challenge.  Good news on both fronts!  I’ve made peace with my treadmill, have registered Joseph and I for the Challenge, and we’ve got just four months left before the big event.

runDisney – The Road to The Dark Side

Both of my children have started running and have frequently given their time generously to keep me company on my weekend long runs.  Megan’s had some knee trouble lately, but back in the early fall, she let me run with her for her very first 5K.  I was extremely proud and know that she’s got lots more races ahead of her!  She’s run 9-10+ miles with me a couple times, so I’m hoping a Disney half-marathon is in her future.  Princess 2018 maybe?  That would be perfect!

Back to the Dark Side.  When registration opened in August, I registered Joseph and I for the two races that make up the Challenge – The Star Wars 10k on April 22nd and The Star Wars Half Marathon on April 23rd.  Next we needed to find a race close to home to use for proof of time.  While proof of time is not mandatory, sending in official race results to runDisney from a 10k or half marathon helps determine a runner’s starting corral.  No proof of time = start at the very back of the pack.  I found a 10k, the Black Bear Grin and Bear It, and we ran as fast as we could on a chilly November morning.  Proof of time?  Check!

Fearing we’d lose momentum after the 10k and with the winter ahead, I found a half marathon in Lafayette, Louisiana and asked Joseph if he wanted to run it with me.  He didn’t even hesitate – we were a go!  So last weekend, during an extreme cold snap, we bundled up for the race!  Raymond and Joseph’s girlfriend, Lyndsey, found a spot along the race course where they’d see us three times without ever having to move.  Post-race, we spent the weekend enjoying Cajun Country and all the great food to be found there!  My friend, Karen, from Just Me and My Running Shoes (great blog for Disney fans & running moms!) also ran the half and I had a wonderful time catching up with her!  She’s the sweetest!

Photo courtesy of Karen Seal

Now I’m back to worrying about losing steam.  I’ve got my eye on another half marathon in February in Minden, Louisiana for St. Jude’s.  I hear it’s a hilly, but beautiful course.  I’m not concerned about how fast we’ll run during the Dark Side Challenge, I’m more about making sure we’re comfortable during the races so we can enjoy all the Disney details and soak up the atmosphere.  Keeping up a good training program will help maintain fitness and increase the chances of having smooth, easy races.  That’s my theory anyway.

How about you?  Are you eyeing a runDisney event in the future?  Got any training tips for us?