Hansons Marathon Method

Training for the Disneyland Dumbo Double Dare I am using the Hansons Marathon Method.  In the past I've used other training methods and after reading this book have decided that I am going to follow this and see how things go.

The training plan basically has you running 5-6 days a week but the miles are more evenly spread between the days instead of like the plans I've followed in the past with most miles for the week coming from the long run.  A lot of what I read made sense to me since the training seems similar to what I did while competing in college.
I've written down all the workouts in my notebook with paces for my goal time based on what I ran Rochester in.  Knowing that I ran Rochester in 1:53 and 1:51 the year prior (both with little training) I've set my goal to be a 1:45 at Disneyland.  Of course weather will play a factor but I am going to train for that time.  If all goes well I will follow the Hanson Method for Dopey in January with a few little tweaks due to the 4 day event that Dopey entails.

More New Shoes

I love the smell of new shoes and figured with the training I plan to do this summer to prepare for the Disneyland Dumbo Double Dare that I should have 2 or 3 pairs of shoes.  I already have some Puma Yugo's (discontinued) and Brooks Green Silence (discontinued) that are more for racing in instead of the miles I plan to put in.  That being said I am still really drawn to the lightweight, nothing there shoes because of their comfort.
Mom and I went to DSW because I know what I like when I try the shoe on, and according to her my face lights up and she can tell it's my right fit shoe.  I tried on just about every pair of running shoes they had in the store and it came down to 2 of the last about 7 shoes that I tried on (as always, the last pair).  Between the two shoes I went with the Saucony Cohesion 6.  The other pair I was on the fence about because they were more cushiony feeling but were slipping in my heel a bit.  

 They have a little bit of my favorite lime green neon with a bold blue.   They lace like traditional shoes (I've gotten used to the asymmetrical lacing of my Green Silence).  Best part of the news is they are a "less expensive" shoe since they are so simple.  Grand total was just over $50 (probably the least I've spent on a pair of shoes, including past favorites that were on clearance).

 They have plenty of "grooves" in the sole that allow for a full range of motion and flex easily while running/walking.  I love me a comfy right out of the box shoe.

New Socks and Shoes

When I went to pick up my packet stuff for the Rochester Flower City Challenge Half Marathon at Fleet Feet I decided I was going to buy myself a new pair of shoes.  After trying on all the pairs the guy brought out for me that fit my "criteria."  My criteria is it be comfy like wearing socks and I told him what I had been wearing and that I wear crocs for just about everything else in my life.  The shoes were all nice, but not exactly what I was hoping for.  As I was about to go home without a pair of shoes I spotted my favorite shoe on the shelf. 

Hello beautiful new shoes!  I love the Brooks Green Silence and this is my 5th pair of the beauties.  They are discontinued (I went online to see if I could order a pair and they were all gone).  This happens every time I fall in love with a shoe.  After the guy went in the back stock room he came out with the lone pair left in my size and called the other Fleet Feet store in Rochester to see if they had a pair to hold for me as well (no luck on that).  I've read that having a pair of sport specific socks can make a huge difference in blisters and all that jazz so I decided to try out a pair of these balega's.  Still determining if I like them better than my Target 6 pack of cotton socks.  A few long runs will be the determining factor for the socks.  

 Currently I just finished up week 3 of training for the Disneyland Dumbo Double Dare and am looking forward to the workouts that start in week 6 and visiting my sister in Colorado for a good chunk of the summer (quality training with the altitude).