Running Renaissance: WDW Marathon 2025

[SheHulk]

We traveled to Italy a few years ago, and none of us in the family speaks Italian at all. So we got on the internet to get some downloadable images with important phrases we could have on hand on our phones, even if we didn't have service. One of the websites gave a list with helpful Italian phrases for concepts like, "Hello", "thank you", "please", "where is the bathroom", etc. The last item on the list was how to say: "Those drugs aren't mine!" in Italian. Made me wonder what we were in for, traveling there, but luckily that one never came up. Hopefully you don't encounter too many cows on the road.

 

[GollyGadget]

@flav & @azrivest - thank you both for your expertise! Language differences are so interesting to me.

@SheHulk - I'm glad you didn't need to know that last phrase . That is way more questionable than some cattle in the streets.

 

[michigandergirl]

I have to admit, as far a marathons go, I feel like "too many cows on the road" would be the least of my problems and might just be a welcome distraction.

 

[SheHulk]

I have to admit, as far a marathons go, I feel like "too many cows on the road" would be the least of my problems and might just be a welcome distraction.

Depends how fast they are moving! Many years ago, someone got hit by a deer running in the road in a local half marathon here.

 

[GollyGadget]

Road to Paris - Week 15/18

Planned:
M - Easy 4
Tu - Easy 7
W - Rest
Th - 4x5K uphill + 4x200 R
F - Easy 5
Sa - Easy 9
Su - Long 13 + M Tempo 4

Completed:
M - Easy 4
Tu - Easy 7
W - Rest
Th - 4x5K uphill + 4x200 R
F - Easy 5
Sa - Easy 9
Su - Long 13 + M Tempo 4

Total miles: 49.55
Strength sessions: 2
Whew! What a week! Most total miles and longest run of the training block. There wasn't a lot notable this week, just business as usual.

On Tuesday I really didn't feel like doing my strength workout but I just kept thinking about needing a "bien gainé" and not collapsing on the hills.

Thursday's run was tough as usual. I am getting more consistent and faster with the uphills but I don't think it's ever going to be easy.

Until Saturday, all of my runs were done in the early am. I'm not really a fan of morning running though and I was over it by Saturday so I delayed that run until late afternoon. I like pretending it was for heat acclimation but I know that it's just because I wanted a lazy morning.

Sunday's run was another doozy but I was fully prepared for it to go that way. I climbed just over 1440 ft which is remarkably close to the advertised 436 m on course. Mine were consistent up and down but race day will be two massive relentless uphills. I don't think I'll ever stop being nervous for those. To make matters worse, I was just reading this course preview which mentions 16% grade

https://marathonpourtous.paris2024.org/en/news/2024/a-rollercoaster-like-route/42

It's a bit contradictory to some of the information shared on the official route page so I'm not sure what to believe

https://marathonpourtous.paris2024.org/en/useful-information/route
Oh well, not much I can do about it. I've been doing loads more hills than usual and actually strength training so I'm way better prepared than typical.

I've been "practicing" my French on social media. It's still not great, but I'm usually able to get the gist of most messages. And I'm certainly doing better than Instagram who thinks I need to "reduce my look during the ribs". Pretty sure they're telling me to reduce my pace during the uphills, but what do I know

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

"Even the pros tremble" .... How comforting

 

[jmasgat]

As an avid cycling fan who is experiencing Tour de France withdrawal, the word "côte" is familiar.....and in this case, not welcome!

 

[GollyGadget]

As an avid cycling fan who is experiencing Tour de France withdrawal, the word "côte" is familiar.....and in this case, not welcome!

All I know about TdF is that it has some intense climbs

 

[GollyGadget]

In case y'all aren't fervent followers of Des's insta, there's been a report of cows interrupting a run so maybe my French will be useful

https://www.instagram.com/stories/d...rce=ig_story_item_share&igsh=amVqYWIyNXBsZzE0

 

[GollyGadget]

Okay, seriously, why does my feed include so much cow content now???

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[accm]

Not to pile on to your cow feed algorithm, but I went to Brazil while training for my first Dopey, and ended up training in a field surrounded by cows. They were a nice distraction from the awful heat/humidity and the never ending hills.

 

[GollyGadget]

Not to pile on to your cow feed algorithm, but I went to Brazil while training for my first Dopey, and ended up training in a field surrounded by cows. They were a nice distraction from the awful heat/humidity and the never ending hills.
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View attachment 879428

I'm all for a friendly cow behind a fence. What I don't need are loose cattle.

 

[Blue Caterpillar]

Where I live its open range, so while on the main highways cows are normally behind fences, they still get out sometimes. And on the lesser used roads, you really have to keep an eye out. They are so big I find them intimidating! And I also hate running across all the cattle guards on the roads. I see why cows won't cross them!

 

[GollyGadget]

Where I live its open range, so while on the main highways cows are normally behind fences, they still get out sometimes. And on the lesser used roads, you really have to keep an eye out. They are so big I find them intimidating! And I also hate running across all the cattle guards on the roads. I see why cows won't cross them!

I totally get the cattle guard thing. Seems like a great way to twist an ankle.

 

[NYC_MW]

Watching the opening ceremony pre-show and getting excited for you!
Also joined the much pared down Strava challenge in solidarity

 

[azrivest]

Same, I thought of you yesterday too!

Running in the midst of all the Olympic excitement will be such a cool experience!!

 

[GollyGadget]

Road to Paris - Week 16/18

Planned:
M - Easy 4
Tu - Easy 7
W - Rest
Th - 4x5K uphill + 4x200 R
F - Easy 5
Sa - Easy 7
Su - M Tempo 9

Completed:
M - Easy 4
Tu - Easy 7
W - Rest
Th - 4x5K uphill + 4x200 R
F - Easy 5
Sa - Easy 7
Su - M Tempo 9

Total miles: 43.55
Strength sessions: 0

Well, I might as well address the total lack of strength training this week first. There's been a LOT going on at work and last week was easily the most stressful of my career. Lots of folks being let go and org changes. In fact, I still don't know who my manager is. In light of all that, something had to give and last week it was the strength training. I will do something this week but also going to start pulling back a bit as race day nears.

At least the running got done! Started off the week a bit rough. Tripped and nearly injured myself on Monday and Tuesday was just not feeling the early AM run. I did eventually settle in, on mile 5 of 7 .

Thursday was a real doozy. I actually got a bit lightheaded after my first rep but seemed to be okay for the rest. It was the first time I really struggled with the R repeats too. I think (and hope) it was just the weather/humidity.

Friday AM had mandatory meetings to learn about our new direction where very little was actually shared. I was quite annoyed that I postponed my run for that nonsense. It was very warm and humid by the afternoon. I was going to run on the treadmill while watching the opening ceremonies but decided that would be boring and I should go outside. More heat acclimation training I suppose? The run was better than those earlier in the week at least.

I knocked out my Saturday run before my volunteer shift. It was already quite warm but at least it was only 70s and not 90s like it was later in the day. Sunday was another good day to run in the am and even so I still ended the run covered in sweat crystals . Other than that, the run went great and I was a tad faster than the same workout two weeks ago . Because of all the hills, I've been doing these workouts based on effort instead of pace.

Only one more tough workout to go and one more week until I leave. My partner tells me it's still too early to be on weather watch, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been routinely checking . There's really been no surprises yet, it's summer and it will be warm.

I read that the race will be televised on local tv but not sure if it'll be available across the pond or not. I'll let y'all know if I hear of any sources.

ETA - I think you can sign up for a free account from France TV and stream on their site but as has been discussed, my French translation skills are not great. https://www.france.tv/

 

[GollyGadget]

Road to Paris - Week 17/18

Planned:
M - Easy 4
Tu - Easy 7
W - Rest
Th - 4x5K uphill + 4x200 R
F - Easy 5
Sa - Easy 7
Su - Long 9

Completed:
M - Easy 4
Tu - Easy 7
W - Rest
Th - 4x5K uphill + 4x200 R
F - Easy 5
Sa - Easy 7
Su - Long 9

Total miles: 39.59
Strength sessions: 1

Remember when I told you that I was going to get back to strength training? Well, I tried. I went back to the very first video of the 6 week program thinking it'd be easier. It was, sort of. But then I was sore for several days after so I decided that was enough and I'll just resume again in a few weeks.

Monday was a really good run. It was the first Monday run I remember where I wasn't beat up from sunday's run. Tuesday was also pretty good except for the giant puddles that I needed to dodge.


Thursday was ROUGH. It was sunny, hot, humid and I had to delay my run a bit for more mandatory meetings. (in case y'all were curious, I still have a job but no idea my manager or job responsibilities. It's probably still very similar but it's been a stressful few weeks. Very happy to be getting away for a bit ). In addition to all of that, I was also experiencing velociraptors in my uterus. And if that's not enough, I got very lightheaded after my first rep. It did get better but not great. If it hadn't been better, I definitely would have called it. We had storms every night Monday-Thursday so I'm guessing that my disturbed sleep wasn't doing me any favors.

Anyway, enough about Thursday. The rest of the week went well. Still humid but I was able to get all the miles done early in the am.


Just a few more days until I take on the roads of Paris! Still hard to believe it's real.

 

[RuntheMouse]

So excited for you! Have the time of your life and soak in every second!!!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Can't wait to read all about it!

 

[jmasgat]

Have a phenomenal trip and race!