Hi everyone!

We’re 12 weeks away from the WDW Marathon. WOW! That’s THREE MONTHS! To everyone registered for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: whether you are training for your first 5K, your first Dopey Challenge, and everything in between, I hope you are all feeling a great sense of accomplishment as we tack on mile after mile each week. We are all working toward that start line and there will be no greater feeling than that finish line (in the Epcot parking lot no less!)

<12 Weeks Until the WDW Marathon Training Week Update

Even though I am full of positivity and excitement for our races, I must admit: I needed a break  from running this week. After a not-so-great race, I felt defeated. How could I have done everything right by increasing (almost doubling) my mileage, incorporating strength training, and (hah) attempting to eat right, only to watch everything go to hell on race day? I am someone who expects positive results from working hard, and when something doesn’t go according to plan I get frustrated. I realize that this is also an incredible growth opportunity. Everyone I’ve spoken with about my poor performance has been very sympathetic, but also encouraging and challenging me to move forward and show that marathon who’s boss.

I’ve taken some time to reflect and refocus, I read my October Runner’s World cover to cover, and I received my October Stridebox, which is always a treat. I also spoke with a coach at my treadmill studio to talk about working together and coming up with a personalized training plan to tackle the rest of my marathon conditioning.

For now, here’s what my training week looked like:

Monday: Rest.

Tuesday: Rest.

Wednesday: Rest.

Thursday: Rest.

Friday: Rest.

Saturday: Rest.

Sunday: Rest.

After a week off, I’m rearing to get my legs back in the groove. I’m signed up for my treadmill class this week and will be hitting the pavement again soon. In the meantime, I’m grateful for my running journey and all I’ve accomplished so far, and look forward to what I will accomplish in these next 12+ weeks.

Here’s to our next training week. Happy Running!
Gina / Will Run for Disney