Well, lets start with training for the Goofy Challenge. It was going well. I was using my scheduled half marathons for training runs. By the time I made it to NWM, I was feeling ok and my max mileage was 17 miles. I was training for the Goofy Challenge after all. However, around mile 8, my IT band was ANGRY! I hobbled the last 5 miles.
I started doing lots of stretching and rolling (I use a stick). I managed to PR my next run two weeks later! Wohoo!!! I finished up 2012 with two more runs without issue. However, during some training runs my shins started to hurt – like hurt to touch – hurt. Not so much pain during running as afterwards. I decided to take it easy through January.
THEN, I got ready to fight with the Goofy Challenge. I was SO worried I was going to get swept! I got in with a group called Run Disney So I Can Eat Disney. They are a wonderful bunch of people! I would not have survived without them. I actually feel like I did better during the full than the half. Towards the last three miles of the half, I was ready to die. It wasn’t until mile 21 in the full that I wanted to die. Maybe it was because I got to ride Expedition Everest half way through.
How many people can say they rode a roller coaster in the middle of a full marathon?!Also, through this WONDERFUL RDSICED group, we had a Three Little Pigs bacon challenge. At mile 24 (and a half-ish) we had a tent where we could eat bacon and get something to drink. Of course I wanted beer! Who else can say they ate bacon and drank beer during the middle of a full marathon!? I also met a really nice guy who stuck with me the whole way. He was part of the group as well. As we are finishing off our last two miles, he magically comes from behind me with another beer! I was jealous. He snagged it from a stranger who was double fisting ha. He shared it with me and we pounded out the last little bit.
After I got home, I thought, “Wow, I could change my P.F. Chang’s Rock N Roll Half to the full and qualify for Marathon Maniacs!” So, that’s what I did. It hurt. A lot. My calf seized at around 11 miles and even then I was run walking. Running was completely out of the question. Then, I strained my groin as I do often. It was a miserable run, but I finished and got my Double Down medal.
As for now, I’ve fallen in love with TRX, suspension training. I do that often since I’ve been advised to take it easy. I haven’t done more than 5 miles since the full. However, I’m looking forward to the Arizona Distance Classic. It will feel good to run again!
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