New runDisney website & Jeff Galloway

[Texas84]

Kinda cool

http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/sports/rundisney/

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Sept. 2, 2010) - Jeff Galloway, one of America's foremost marathon trainers, has been named the official training consultant to Disney's series of endurance events, which has been rebranded runDisney.

Galloway, a 1972 Olympian and founder of the popular Galloway Marathon Training Program, will offer his running and training expertise to beginners as well as experienced runners, helping runners of all ages lead more active lifestyles. Galloway's unique training methods and tips will be available to runners through online runDisney videos and programs, as well as through special Galloway appearances at all runDisney events.

The runDisney brand brings together all four current Disney marathon and half marathon weekends to create a unique series of destination races that offer one-of-a-kind running experiences for the more than 75,000 people who compete in runDisney events annually. All runDisney events feature various races through Disney theme parks, signature Disney characters and entertainment, first-class event management and exclusive race medals. The upcoming lineup of runDisney events include the Disneyland Half Marathon (September), Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon (October), the Walt Disney World Marathon presented by CIGNA (January) and Disney's Princess Half Marathon presented by Lady Foot Locker (February).

 

[joel_maxwell]

Wow. that is cool for Jeff. I have used his training schedule for this W&D half. It is my first time using his schedule and techniques. Ill have to see how I feel in a month to determine if Ill use it again for the Full in February.

 

[Christi22222]

All of this sounds intriguing, but I am confused as to what "runDisney" actually is. How does "branding" the races change anything? Hmmm, I'll be curious to see what they plan to do with going in this direction.

As for Jeff Galloway, I think he is a great choice. First of all, because his program works for runners of so many levels and is very unintimidating for folks. Especially women, who are a big segment of the "fitness" running movement we are currently in. Second of all, I had the great pleasure of meeting and chatting with Jeff Galloway when he was the speaker for the Durango Marathon for which I was the volunteer coordinator. He is very humble, very knowledgeable, and incredibly open to other runners and their thoughts. While he happily explains why he promotes the run-walk-run method, he fully gets that running is sooo personal and other plans can work great, too. He just wants to help folks do anything that works for them to get them out the door and feeling like a "real" athlete. That is such a barrier for so many folks. And I didn't sense an ounce of elitism. You would never guess he is an Olympian because he just presents himself as an everyman, so it's very easy to relate to him. Kudos to Disney for picking someone that is such an obvious fit for the runners drawn to Disney running events. Even if you don't choose to follow his training methods, he is a terrific inspiration to just get out that door and run!

 

[Ariel484]

jmaxwell007 (and anyone ele), I would be really interested what you think of Galloway's plans...do you do the run/walk intervals like he suggests? I would love to know what people think. :shrug:

 

[Christi22222]

Hi Ariel,

I think Galloway training is great if it fits *you*. Do I do it? No, I will admit I don't. But that's because I work better at just getting in a steady rhythm and going. Walking doesn't feel like a break to me. It feels like an interruption. Not that I don't ever walk, mind you! But usually the wheels are close to falling off and it's a self preservation tactic. And that is actually Galloway's intention, to get a runner to avoid hitting that point by resting/walking earlier. Eons ago when I did my first marathon I did it with a loooong time runner who was retired. He liked to play with training plans and experiment with what worked and what didn't. I would call him a fast mid-packer. He decided to try the Galloway method at the Marine Corps Marathon one year. He calculated very carefully what his finishing time should have been for weather and training level if he had run like he normally does. And then he proceeded to race using the Galloway method. He ended up with a fairly statistically even finishing time to what he thought he would have had. So he concluded that you wouldn't necessarily be faster or slower. It is just a different method. So if you like the idea of breaking it down to "all I have to do is run 9 minutes, and then I get a break," then this plan will work well for you as it is a good psychological fit. Also, I think this plan works really really well for beginners because it is so much less intimidating to break runs into smaller portions. My guess is that this plan could potentially be easier on your body, as well.

If you have specific questions, I am sure that you could get answers from Jeff Galloway himself at his website. He has an article in Runner's World magazine every month, too, and sometimes explains the benefits of his method.

I hope that was a little helpful. Hopefully some folks who have tried it personally will chime in. I know there are lots of them!

 

[Ariel484]

Thanks Christi...I can see pros and cons to it for me personally, but I think I'm pretty similar to you in that I sort of find walking to be an "interruption"...it's just hard for me to get going again. Thanks for your reply! :wave:

 

[mraphael]

I have been using the "Galloway" method for a couple of years now. I used it to go from NEVER running to running my first half marathon (Disney 2010). I am currently training for my first full marathon (Disney 2011) using the same method. I am actually training through my local running store which is one of the official Jeff Galloway training stores.

I like the method because at the end of every long distance run, I feel good. I don't feel tired, my legs are not sore to the point of not being able to do anything and it's as if I haven't run all those miles. What I have also seen is an improvement in my times due to the fact that I am not fatigued at the end of my races.

For my shorter runs during the week, I run only. I may throw a walk break in depending on heat, getting in my water, etc.

I agree with the fact that there are people who can't run-walk-run. Every person is different. I reccomend getting one of his books from the library and reading more on what he believes what he does. Next weekend, I will be meeting Jeff as he makes a visit to our store. Looking forward to listening to more of what he has to say!

 

[Wilt Dasney]

jmaxwell007 (and anyone ele), I would be really interested what you think of Galloway's plans...do you do the run/walk intervals like he suggests? I would love to know what people think. :shrug:

I don't walk during my runs unless I feel like I have to...but so far my longest distance is 6 miles. I don't know how well the no-walking method will suit me as my WDW training ramps up, so I'm open to the idea of implementing more walking breaks if the longer distances prove too much for me to run.

For me, it takes a little bit of a mental "kick" to start running again when I've backed off to a walking pace, so I prefer to just keep running. Even though it probably takes more effort overall, it "feels" more steady than having to force myself to start running again does. So far, it works for me.

 

[joel_maxwell]

I have been using the "Galloway" method for a couple of years now. I used it to go from NEVER running to running my first half marathon (Disney 2010). I am currently training for my first full marathon (Disney 2011) using the same method. I am actually training through my local running store which is one of the official Jeff Galloway training stores.

I like the method because at the end of every long distance run, I feel good. I don't feel tired, my legs are not sore to the point of not being able to do anything and it's as if I haven't run all those miles. What I have also seen is an improvement in my times due to the fact that I am not fatigued at the end of my races.

For my shorter runs during the week, I run only. I may throw a walk break in depending on heat, getting in my water, etc.

I agree with the fact that there are people who can't run-walk-run. Every person is different. I reccomend getting one of his books from the library and reading more on what he believes what he does. Next weekend, I will be meeting Jeff as he makes a visit to our store. Looking forward to listening to more of what he has to say!

As stated before, Im using his method for this half. I used another slightly more demanding schedule for last winters 2 halves.

My thing about the run-walk-run is that I would be an example of one of those guys who just couldnt bring myself to walk until I started running in the summer heat. LOL. It broke me. Now looking to compete in a Full in February, Ill be training in a lot colder weather. I wouldnt need to walk from a break from the heat or sun.

I am going to trust his method but try and customize it a little more. He would recommend that I run-walk-run 4to1 (run 4 minutes, walk 1). I think Im much stronger than that as a runner so I think that I might try a similar ratio but do something like, run 4 miles, walk 1-2 minutes, run 4 miles so on and so forth over a 26.2 course.

What ratio do you try to do?

 

[joel_maxwell]

jmaxwell007 (and anyone ele), I would be really interested what you think of Galloway's plans...do you do the run/walk intervals like he suggests? I would love to know what people think. :shrug:

see below.

Hi Ariel,

I think Galloway training is great if it fits *you*. Do I do it? No, I will admit I don't. But that's because I work better at just getting in a steady rhythm and going. Walking doesn't feel like a break to me. It feels like an interruption. Not that I don't ever walk, mind you! But usually the wheels are close to falling off and it's a self preservation tactic. And that is actually Galloway's intention, to get a runner to avoid hitting that point by resting/walking earlier. Eons ago when I did my first marathon I did it with a loooong time runner who was retired. He liked to play with training plans and experiment with what worked and what didn't. I would call him a fast mid-packer. He decided to try the Galloway method at the Marine Corps Marathon one year. He calculated very carefully what his finishing time should have been for weather and training level if he had run like he normally does. And then he proceeded to race using the Galloway method. He ended up with a fairly statistically even finishing time to what he thought he would have had. So he concluded that you wouldn't necessarily be faster or slower. It is just a different method. So if you like the idea of breaking it down to "all I have to do is run 9 minutes, and then I get a break," then this plan will work well for you as it is a good psychological fit. Also, I think this plan works really really well for beginners because it is so much less intimidating to break runs into smaller portions. My guess is that this plan could potentially be easier on your body, as well.

If you have specific questions, I am sure that you could get answers from Jeff Galloway himself at his website. He has an article in Runner's World magazine every month, too, and sometimes explains the benefits of his method.

I hope that was a little helpful. Hopefully some folks who have tried it personally will chime in. I know there are lots of them!

I would agree with this for the most part in anything from a half marathon and shorter. I dont need a walk break in good running conditions tempature wise. In my experience over the last 3 months, I have come to the conclusion that walking for about 30 yards 3 or 4 times during a 10 mile run is critical. I like the small break. If it was 30 degrees outside, I probably wouldnt need that walk break. Keep running to stay warm right? :lol:

To answer your question Ariel, I would say that Jeff's schedule worked great for this W&D coming up. We were all training in the summer months and most if not all of my runs were in 95 degree heat. I needed a 30 second break on runs of 4 miles or 10 a few times. My times came in about what they should if you are considering the heat and the extra time needed for that calculation.

With the more traditional schedules, I would show up on the week or 2 weeks before the race and i wouldnt feel like I would get my legs back with the typical decline in distance that the schedule would call for. My best times would be that last weekend with a 13 mile run 2 weeks before (For instance, I came in around 7:45 over 13 miles 2 weeks before one of my races and only 8 over 13.1 during the race) This Jeff schedule seems to add a few weeks of the easy long weekends with the MM instead. It is a nice break from the roughly 30 minute or 4 mile runs on T and TH.

Im not sure if I answered your question. :lol: I guess it depends on what season it is for me and what type race im training for. I wouldnt try and run 26.2 without stopping.

 

[Texas84]

Works pretty well for me. I do a 4:1 ratio right now. But my goal is to do a 5K without stopping. I might pick up his marathon book next year and start training for a half.

 

[mraphael]

As stated before, Im using his method for this half. I used another slightly more demanding schedule for last winters 2 halves.

My thing about the run-walk-run is that I would be an example of one of those guys who just couldnt bring myself to walk until I started running in the summer heat. LOL. It broke me. Now looking to compete in a Full in February, Ill be training in a lot colder weather. I wouldnt need to walk from a break from the heat or sun.

I am going to trust his method but try and customize it a little more. He would recommend that I run-walk-run 4to1 (run 4 minutes, walk 1). I think Im much stronger than that as a runner so I think that I might try a similar ratio but do something like, run 4 miles, walk 1-2 minutes, run 4 miles so on and so forth over a 26.2 course.

What ratio do you try to do?

I train for all my races in heat. I live in S. Florida and we pretty much don't get a break in the heat until October or November. So, when we got the COLD in Orlando for last year's half, it was quite a shock. I only got to run in cold once before the race....

My current ratio is 3:1, and that is based on running a Magic Mile. Basically, run mile as fast as you can (so that you are panting to catch your breath at the end) and that time will put you in a ratio that is good for you.

 

[Ariel484]

Oh I absolutely need to walk a bit for longer runs but I just wasn't sure about walking every 4 minutes :shrug:...just curious if others do that. It sounds like it works well for a couple of you guys, so that's great to hear! I would definitely consider trying this if I decide to go for the full in 2012 (currently I'm training for the Princess Half in February).

 

[joel_maxwell]

I train for all my races in heat. I live in S. Florida and we pretty much don't get a break in the heat until October or November. So, when we got the COLD in Orlando for last year's half, it was quite a shock. I only got to run in cold once before the race....

My current ratio is 3:1, and that is based on running a Magic Mile. Basically, run mile as fast as you can (so that you are panting to catch your breath at the end) and that time will put you in a ratio that is good for you.

I have done 3 MM. I have decreased my time each run by about 20-30 seconds for that particular mile. Im happy with that.

I wish you had the opportunity to train in good cold weather. I mean it is a complete adjustment to get excited to go run in 20 or 30 degree weather, but I would boldly say that from what I have experienced this past year, the fatigue and recovery from running 5-6 strong miles in 90 degree heat is like running 12 in cold weather... if not a bit more exhausting. Im looking forward to running in cold weather again to see how it differs since I have now experienced both.