October 2015 Running Challenge

7lenny7

As often is the case, I went out with a plan in mind but exceeded the plan. This time I was going to mile intervals at slow/HM pace/slow/HM pace/slow but ended up with 1.11 slow, 3.25 at 20 seconds LESS than HM pace, and 1.25 slow. All in a cool raining night. It was wonderful and I felt great! I had to force myself to slow down that last mile.

I can't believe it's only 4 days to the HM! It seemed so far in the distance for so long and now it's almost here. Getting VERY excited! My key for the next few days is SLEEP! That 14 inning world series game tonight did NOT help. Go ROYALS!!!

@kristinegift, thanks for posting the photos...beautiful!!!

10/01 - Camping
10/02 - Camping, hiking
10/03 - Camping, hiking
10/04 - 5.6 miles running, hiking
10/05 - 7.9 miles
10/06 - Rest
10/07 - 9.7 miles
10/08 - 5.0 miles
10/09 - Rest
10/10 - 18 miles <-- New PR!
10/11 - Life Day
10/12 - Life Day
10/13 - Packing
10/14 - Packing
10/15 - Deer Hunting
10/16 - Deer Hunting
10/17 - 5 miles (preceeded by deer hunting)
10/18 - 15.1 miles
10/19 - Rest
10/20 - 8.5 miles
10/21 - Rest
10/22 - 6.8 miles inc 5 mi@8:53
10/23 - 5.8 slow, easy miles
10/24 - Rest
10/25 - 10.2 Miles
10/26 - Rest
10/27 - 5.6 miles

Goal: 150 Miles
Progress: 102.2 Miles
Remaining: 47.8 Miles (will not make it)

shanaber

I was going to take a rest day today after the crappy run I had yesterday but it was just too perfect out not to go for a 'little' run. I went thinking I would just see how it felt, walk a little, run a little if my legs weren't cooperating. My legs were fine and it was as perfect out as it looked. Slightly overcast, cool with a lovely breeze!

Date.......Miles......Total
10/01.......8.45........8.45 - +Strength Training
10/02.......0.00........8.45
10/03.......6.12......14.57
10/04.......4.47......19.04
10/05.......5.39......24.43 - + Agility
10/06.......4.70......29.13 - + Strength Training
10/07.......0.00......29.13
10/08.......5.12......34.25
10/09.......7.57......41.82
10/10.....10.90......52.72 - Early long run
10/11.......0.00......52.72 - Dog beach Sunday, a little walking, a little running. Hot even on the beach
10/12.......6.29......59.01 - + Agility
10/13.......6.16......65.17 - + Strength Training
10/14.......0.00......65.17
10/15.......4.40......69.57 - + Strength Training
10/16.......4.19......73.76
10/17.......9.10......82.86
10/18.......0.00......82.86 - Dog beach Sunday, a little walking, a little running
10/19.......6.79......89.65
10/20.......3.65......93.30 - Dreadmill run at the hotel gym
10/21.......0.00......93.30
10/22.......4.65......97.95 - Dreadmill run at the hotel gym
10/23.......5.42....103.37 - Home and running outside again!
10/24.......0.00....103.37
10/25.....13.20... 116.57
10/26.......5.12....121.69 - + Agility
10/27.......5.22....126.91 - + Strength Training




These are my upcoming races, let me know if you are going to be running too:
11/21/15 - USA Invitational Half, San Diego, CA
12/27/15 - Holiday Half, San Diego, CA
02/07/15 - Surf City Half, Huntington Beach, CA
02/20/15 - Special Edition Divas Half, Temecula, CA

patrikc333

@karllundy don't make me hungry!

btw, can I ask to the people who run >10miles what is their average bpm and cal estimates? I'm losing a bit and I see quite a difference between my fitbit and HRM strap right no

parfia

When will the November challenge be up? Only started running last week so too late to join in on this one

patrikc333

01/10 - 10.3km
02/10 - 13.1 miles
03/10 - 10.3km
04/10 - 22.1 miles
05/10 - 10.3km
06/10 - 13.1 miles
07/10 - 13.3 miles
08/10 - 10.3km
09/10 - 13.2 miles
10/10 - 10.3km
11/10 - 22.2 miles
12/10 - 10.3km
13/10 - 13.1 miles
14/10 - 13.3 miles
15/10 - 10.3 km
16/10 - 12.3 km
17/10 - 12.3 km
18/10 - 26.2 miles - Amsterdam Marathon
19/10 - 12.3 km
20/10 - 13.1 miles
21/10 - 13.4 miles
22/10 - 10.3km
23/10 - 13.4 miles
24/10 - 10.3km
25/10 - 22.3 miles
26/10 - 10.3km
27/10 - 13.2 miles
28/10 - 13.4 miles

tot 526/500km

wet HM today, heavy rain from the beginning to the end, but another good run. pace was +1 sec slower than last week, but feelings were completely different - I felt again in control, my legs were also asking for more and I could feel they were powerful and full of energy - still a little bit of struggle with my left quad, but starting at a turtle pace to warm up seemed to be the right solution, after 2 minutes I can move it with no probs

lots of deers, they are quite scary when I look at them with the lamp, the horns look pretty big in the shadowed light - I thought I was also going over a dead rat, but luckily it was a leaf, but that made me jump! should really sleep more! but I had a positive flux of energy from yesterday run for the whole day yesterday - was ages I didn't feel like that!

it's an effort, especially now in winter, but it's great to be out there, alone (at least for me), planning my day and releasing some stress out. As mentioned before, my good inner voice is telling me to try a 50k, and I know I'll listen to it soon or later - I need a new challenge and something to aim for, unfortunately I'm never happy and always looking forward to something else, that is good because "we live only once", but it is also bad because sometimes it is also good to enjoy the moment, breath, and rest a bit - I must find this balance.

I saw a video of me running, well...I am embarrassed! I look like a duck.

now rest a bit, 10k tomorrow, then it'll be friday and soon November

kristinegift

patrikc333 wrote: »

btw, can I ask to the people who run >10miles what is their average bpm and cal estimates? I'm losing a bit and I see quite a difference between my fitbit and HRM strap right no

I don't use an HRM, but for a run that is probably more accurate than a fitbit if your fitbit is going off steps alone. And as for calories, that's going to vary widely per person (some people on my friend list can burn the same as me in a workout but run about half the distance). For 10 miles, I usually burn ~1050 calories, but then again I'm short (5'3"/about 1.6 meters) and a girl.

patrikc333

kristinegift wrote: »

patrikc333 wrote: »

btw, can I ask to the people who run >10miles what is their average bpm and cal estimates? I'm losing a bit and I see quite a difference between my fitbit and HRM strap right no

I don't use an HRM, but for a run that is probably more accurate than a fitbit if your fitbit is going off steps alone. And as for calories, that's going to vary widely per person (some people on my friend list can burn the same as me in a workout but run about half the distance). For 10 miles, I usually burn ~1050 calories, but then again I'm short (5'3"/about 1.6 meters) and a girl.

thank you - got a fitbit HR, and the average bpm are now significantly different from the HRM strap - I always use that, but had to replace it and since I'm losing weight and nothing else has changed I just want to verify it's not the strap

I should have specified weight/height you are right

so I reverse the question

for someone around 69kg, 2 hours running ish, 135-140 average bpm, how does 1200 cals sound like (measured by the HRM)?

kristinegift

patrikc333 wrote: »

kristinegift wrote: »

patrikc333 wrote: »

btw, can I ask to the people who run >10miles what is their average bpm and cal estimates? I'm losing a bit and I see quite a difference between my fitbit and HRM strap right no

I don't use an HRM, but for a run that is probably more accurate than a fitbit if your fitbit is going off steps alone. And as for calories, that's going to vary widely per person (some people on my friend list can burn the same as me in a workout but run about half the distance). For 10 miles, I usually burn ~1050 calories, but then again I'm short (5'3"/about 1.6 meters) and a girl.

thank you - got a fitbit HR, and the average bpm are now significantly different from the HRM strap - I always use that, but had to replace it and since I'm losing weight and nothing else has changed I just want to verify it's not the strap

I should have specified weight/height you are right

so I reverse the question

for someone around 69kg, 2 hours running ish, 135-140 average bpm, how does 1200 cals sound like (measured by the HRM)?

That sounds about right if that's about 10 miles. But if you are going farther than that, it may be a bit of an underestimate. Are you not wanting to lose weight, or is the weight loss your goal? If you are losing weight without meaning to, add in some foods or fats. You're still in recovery from your marathon, so you probably need a bit extra to rebuild anyhow.

kristinegift

10/1: 8 miles am and 6.2 pm with the Thursday crew
10/2: Rest day
10/3: 10 miles with Saturday crew
10/4: 13.1 miles - Princeton Half Marathon (new HM PR: 1:43:38)
10/5: 5 miles recovery style
10/6: O Holy Rest Day........
10/7: 7 miles hills
10/8: 10 miles (am), 6.4 miles (pm) with the Thursday crew
10/9: Rest day
10/10: 20.5 miles
10/11: 4 miles
10/12: Rest day
10/13: 8 miles, very hilly!
10/14: 7 miles speedwork
10/15: 8 miles (am), 3.4 miles (pm) with the Thursday crew
10/16: 2 miles to shake off the drove-for-3.5-hours feeling
10/17: 13.1 miles - Baltimore Half Marathon (1:44:24)
10/18: Rest/Lazy Day
10/19: 5 miles
10/20: XT: 15 miles indoor bike (aka: 1 episode of Blindspot)
10/21: 7.7 miles speedwork (2ish mile warm up, 3.5 miles speedwork, 2ish mile cooldown)
10/22: 5.2 miles (am), 4.6 miles solo and 6.4 miles with Thursday crew
10/23: O Holy Rest Day!
10/24: 6.2 miles
10/25: 16 miles
10/26: 6.2 miles
10/27: XT: 5k walking/taking pictures of the canal trail because FALL IS THE BEST SEASON
10/28: 7.5 miles attempted tempo run

It's just too dark, y'all! I went out with a headlamp and I still couldn't get anywhere near my target tempo pace because I was too worried about slipping on leaves (it rained last night) or tripping on sticks/acorns/cracks in the sidewalk. I think next week's speedwork will have to be on the treadmill, because that's the only way I'm going to get actual speed into the workout. It was still a decently paced run, but about 20 seconds slower than my goal. I was also super bummed that the rain held off... I just got a new Saucony jacket (Speed of Lite; got it for $28 on Amazon and it's usually $95!) that has a water repellant coating, and I really wanted to try it out! Oh well

196.5/220

patrikc333

kristinegift wrote: »

patrikc333 wrote: »

kristinegift wrote: »

patrikc333 wrote: »

btw, can I ask to the people who run >10miles what is their average bpm and cal estimates? I'm losing a bit and I see quite a difference between my fitbit and HRM strap right no

I don't use an HRM, but for a run that is probably more accurate than a fitbit if your fitbit is going off steps alone. And as for calories, that's going to vary widely per person (some people on my friend list can burn the same as me in a workout but run about half the distance). For 10 miles, I usually burn ~1050 calories, but then again I'm short (5'3"/about 1.6 meters) and a girl.

thank you - got a fitbit HR, and the average bpm are now significantly different from the HRM strap - I always use that, but had to replace it and since I'm losing weight and nothing else has changed I just want to verify it's not the strap

I should have specified weight/height you are right

so I reverse the question

for someone around 69kg, 2 hours running ish, 135-140 average bpm, how does 1200 cals sound like (measured by the HRM)?

That sounds about right if that's about 10 miles. But if you are going farther than that, it may be a bit of an underestimate. Are you not wanting to lose weight, or is the weight loss your goal? If you are losing weight without meaning to, add in some foods or fats. You're still in recovery from your marathon, so you probably need a bit extra to rebuild anyhow.

that's for a bit more than a half marathon

no more weight loss or I'll disappear! I noticed some unexpected loss since I changed the garmin HRM strap about 2 months ago, and I've always eaten everything back

apparently it's a common problem, it works fine for about an year and then it has spikes and becomes unreliable - that happened to mine as well

I bought the improved" version and I'm testing it

running everyday makes also quite difficult to find the right weight due to water retention and very early wakes up (plus I drink 3-4 liters of fluids the night before)

ddmom0811

Oct 1 - cycling class
Oct 2 - rest - traveling
Oct 3 - rest
Oct 4 - 13.1 HM!
Oct 5 - rest - traveling
Oct 6 - cycling class
Oct 7 - 4.71 + strength training
Oct 8 - 3.01 slow and steady
Oct 9 - strength training
Oct 10 - 34 mile bike ride
Oct 11 - 40 mile bike ride
Oct 12 - 5 miles
Oct 13 - cycling class
Oct 14 - 5.21 miles + strength training
Oct 15 - 4.25 + cycling class
Oct 16 - Strength training
Oct 17 - 34 mile bike ride
Oct 18 - 77 mile bike ride.
Oct 19 - rest
Oct 20 - 5.06 miles + cycling class
Oct 21 - 4.66 miles
Oct 22 - cycling class
Oct 23 - 5.1 miles
Oct 24 - 34 mile bike ride
Oct 25 - 41 mile bike ride
Oct 26 - rest
Oct 27 - cycling class - couldn’t run in the morning due to some type of police helicopter search. Never did find out what they were looking for.
Oct 28 - 4.2 miles -Must have turned off alarm and fell back asleep, but luckily woke up in time to get a few miles in.





@kristinegift - wow those pictures are beautiful! I've been in Florida for about 30 years and since I teach I never get away in the fall... so I really miss seeing the seasons. Thanks for going back to take the photos!
@patrikc333 - Your mileage is amazing. I've nearly injured myself jumping over what I think is something and it turns out to be a leaf or stick. And this usually happens right when a car or rare person is out and I jump up and over looking like I'm trying to do some type of Cirque de Soleil move. Then I just get right back into my rhythm as if that was just part of my usual routine.
@7lenny7 - You are going to do great on your HM! Your enthusiasm is contagious!

9voice9

@kristinegift - Thanks for the pics! They're beautiful. Down in Middle Georgia, we get mostly browns with a bare handful of yellows and oranges, and the rare red. This is the time of year I miss being in Tennessee on the Cumberland Plateau....

7lenny7

patrikc333 wrote: »

for someone around 69kg, 2 hours running ish, 135-140 average bpm, how does 1200 cals sound like (measured by the HRM)?

I looked through my past several runs for something close to to this and found:

8.56 miles, 1:31:00 time, 138 BPM, 1600 calories (as determined by Garmin using MET values, not HR) and I'm 213 pounds.

Since calorie burn is linear with time spent doing a constant activity and with weight:

1600 * 120/91 (min/min) * 152/213 (lb/lb) = 1505 calories for a 152 lb man (69kg) running for 2 hours at the same pace.

So to me 1200 sounds low. Granted my GPS doesn't use HR for calculating calories, but my rate of weight loss suggests to me that if anything, 1505 might even be a bit low. One variable not taken into account is pace. Garmin rounds pace to the next slowest pace in the table of MET values, which for the run above is an 11:30/mile pace when I actually as running 10:39. Interestingly, if you calculate the calorie burn per mile based on the MET values, in some cases you're actually burning LESS calories for a fixed distance the faster your run. Your calorie burn rate is greater, but you don't run for as much time.

Again, MET values are only estimates but in my mind, they're the best estimate we have. You do have to consider the variables though if you want to be really accurate (I don't) which include the grade of your route, paved vs. trail, and wind.

Because I'm an engineer and dig this sort of stuff, I created a table for myself to easily reference my burn rate for various paces running and walking, all based on my current weight:

9voice9

ddmom0811 wrote: »

I've nearly injured myself jumping over what I think is something and it turns out to be a leaf or stick. And this usually happens right when a car or rare person is out and I jump up and over looking like I'm trying to do some type of Cirque de Soleil move. Then I just get right back into my rhythm as if that was just part of my usual routine.

"I meant to do that!" -- PeeWee Herman

9voice9

@Stoshew71 - I think I remember you posting sometime back about creating a BPM playlist for yourself for pacing. How did you calculate the BPM you wanted/needed for the pace you wanted? And what software did you use for calculating the BPM of the songs (and/or adjusting it)?

7lenny7

@parfia, you can still join in this month if you like. @stoshew71 usually posts the new challenge thread the day before the month starts. He'll post a link in this thread when he's ready. Welcome to the group!

Mari33a

01/10 3miles
02/10 0
03/10 0
04/10 0
05/10 3miles (joined challenge)
06/10 3miles
07/10 3.5miles
08/10 0
09/10 0
10/10 0
11/10 3.5miles
12/10 3miles
13/10 3.5miles
14/10 3miles
15/10 0
16/10 3.5miles
17/10 0
18/10 3.5miles
19/10 0
20/10 3.5miles
21/10 3miles
22/10 0
23/10 4miles
24/10 0
25/10 0 had planned to run but weekends are unpredictable
26/10 0 too stormy
27/ 10 too stormy
28/10 5 miles

patrikc333

@7lenny7

great thanks - super useful, actually 1500 is what fitbit HR is estimating btw, so I might have confirmation of what I was suspecting and a reason of my weight loss

7lenny7

patrikc333 wrote: »

@7lenny7

great thanks - super useful, actually 1500 is what fitbit HR is estimating btw, so I might have confirmation of what I was suspecting and a reason of my weight loss

I forgot to mention that anyone can use the burn rates from my table if you just multiply by your weight and divide by mine. I can create a custom table for anyone too, just shoot me a message.

Stoshew71

7lenny7 wrote: »

@parfia, you can still join in this month if you like. @stoshew71 usually posts the new challenge thread the day before the month starts. He'll post a link in this thread when he's ready. Welcome to the group!

Correct! I will probably link it in here on Friday morning.

You can still join in and just log some runs and get to know some people in here @parfia.
There's no runcrastination in here. ;-)

jtarmom

10/2 - 4.16 miles
10/3 - 6.22 miles
10/5 - 3 miles
10/7 - 3.23 miles
10/10 - 3.28 miles
10/11 - 12 miles
10/16 - 2.5 miles. slow and painful.
10/19 - 3.23 miles - knee complained a bit at the beginning but wasn't sharp and went away
10/23 - 1 mile
10/25 - 13.1 miles, 2 hrs 22 min

Knee problems magically went away on Saturday, and I ran the Niagara International Half Marathon on Sunday I'm in a little pain now, but PT scheduled in an hour. I'm going to rest and concentrate on losing some more weight and getting stronger over the winter (while running too of course) and then back to training again in march!

skippygirlsmom

kristinegift wrote: »

patrikc333 wrote: »

btw, can I ask to the people who run >10miles what is their average bpm and cal estimates? I'm losing a bit and I see quite a difference between my fitbit and HRM strap right no

I don't use an HRM, but for a run that is probably more accurate than a fitbit if your fitbit is going off steps alone. And as for calories, that's going to vary widely per person (some people on my friend list can burn the same as me in a workout but run about half the distance). For 10 miles, I usually burn ~1050 calories, but then again I'm short (5'3"/about 1.6 meters) and a girl.

I don't use a HRM either, I'm 5'6" 120 lbs female and I burn about 930 calories for a 10 mile run that between a 10:15 - 10:30 pace.

Stoshew71

9voice9 wrote: »

@Stoshew71 - I think I remember you posting sometime back about creating a BPM playlist for yourself for pacing. How did you calculate the BPM you wanted/needed for the pace you wanted? And what software did you use for calculating the BPM of the songs (and/or adjusting it)?

So for everybody's reference: The playlist (which i didn't create but some other great people did that I stole) can be found on the middle of this page:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10228828/good-running-form-overstriding

It will say music for running 180 bmp. And the reason for 180 (beats per minute, or steps per minute) is explained in the few videos and links just above it.


So, since I didn't create the playlist myself, I am not sure what technology was used to modify the music to do that. I just know the technology of how to download it into my phone. :-)

However, I did a quick google search.
On apple platforms there seems to be a piece of software called Garageband that will do this.
http://apple-garageband.wonderhowto.com/how-to/change-tempo-garageband-speed-up-slow-down-songs-413337/

On windows there's a software called Audacity:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQYgiLRR9c8

Or Logic pro X
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPnTvh_n2-E


On Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hipxel.audio.music.speed.changer&hl=en


Again, I never used any of these (yet). I just did a google search, so i cannot endorse or badmouth any of these or any others. Good luck and let me know if you come up with anything.

Stoshew71

This is an interesting link for what this guy did for his marathon playlist.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-the-ULTIMATE-MP3-Mix-for-Running-a-Mar/

This link is blocked at my work location, so I am not sure what it is. But the people that left comments in the link above state that here: http://podrunner.com/ You can download music at various bmp tempos.

Ericsmi

10/1---4.50 miles
10/2---3.41 miles
10/3---2.61 miles
10/4---8.14 miles
10/5---3.06 miles
10/6---Rest Day
10/7---4.48 miles
10/19---3.38 miles
10/28---3.58 miles

Stoshew71

Date Miles today. Miles for October

10/1 6.6 miles - 6.6
10/2 6.75 miles - 13.35
10/3 22.1 miles - 35.45
10/4 REST DAY
10/5 10.75 miles - 46.2
10/6 10.5 miles - 56.7
10/7 6.6 miles - 63.3
10/8 10 miles - 73.3
10/9 6.75 miles - 80.05
10/10 3.88 miles - 83.93 <<< Warrior Dash
10/11 REST DAY
10/12 10.25 miles - 94.18
10/13 10.5 miles - 104.68
10/14 6.75 miles - 111.43
10/15 10.5 miles - 121.93
10/16 5.75 miles - 127.68
10/17 20 miles - 147.68
10/18 REST DAY
10/19 10.5 miles - 158.18
10/20 11 miles - 169.18
10/21 6.65 miles - 175.83
10/22 11 miles - 186.83
10/23 5.79 miles - 192.62
10/24 20 miles - 212.62
10/25 REST DAY
10/26 REST DAY
10/27 11 miles - 223.62
10/28 4 miles - 227.62 << Treadmill & Recovery Day



Rare treadmill moment. Didn't feel like doing another cold and rainy run. Plus it was recovery day anyway. 4 recovery miles in 37:04 at 9:15 even (6.5 mph) and 2% incline.

patrikc333

spotify has a brilliant service for running - you can chose your running pace and then it selects songs

9voice9

Stoshew71 wrote: »

9voice9 wrote: »

@Stoshew71 - I think I remember you posting sometime back about creating a BPM playlist for yourself for pacing. How did you calculate the BPM you wanted/needed for the pace you wanted? And what software did you use for calculating the BPM of the songs (and/or adjusting it)?

It will say music for running 180 bmp. And the reason for 180 (beats per minute, or steps per minute) is explained in the few videos and links just above it.

I guess my main question was, "Why 180?" But it appears that 180 is the "magic number": most of the elite runners are using that cadence - and the biggest difference between them and us plebes is the length of their stride.

Is that the way you'd understand it?

I was thinking that my cadence would be dependent on my height & my stride length, my desired pace, etc....

snha

10/1 4.75 -- I would like to do 6+ miles in the coming days, so, am resting tomorrow!
10/2 rest day
10/3 6.51 -- first 10k, longest run (time), and farthest run (distance)
10/4 rest day--this was a horrible day, could not get any exercise done and felt miserable
10/5 no running, but good elliptical workout
10/6 5.53 -- excellent run. the weather was cool and crisp, my muscles cooperated and all went well
10/7 3.11 -- recovery run? that's what i thought of this one. felt good though!
10/8 5.61 -- very good run.
10/9 3.11 -- a little over 9 minutes mile pace!
10/10 rest, the elliptical hour
10/11 5.00
10/12 rest, great elliptical session
10/13 6.52 — very nice run: farthest I went since i started running; fastest 10K (well, second and faster at 10:33 per mile.
10/14 3.2
10/15 3.37
10/16 no run today — good elliptical session though
10/17 2.25 — shake up run getting ready for my 5K race tomorrow
10/18 5.65 — I ran a 5K race in 25:49 (not a PR but very close to one, 25:19 three weeks ago). Pace was 8:16. But, and this is special, I did not feel satisfied and went for a 2.54 mile run!
10/19 rest from running, but a good elliptical workout
10/20 4 miles--very comfortable pace--10:30 a mile.
10/21 no run
10/22 no run
10/23 2.14 -- very short run, but so glad I managed to get it in
10/24 7.29 — farthest run 7.29 miles, fastest 10k 1:04, and longest run: 1 hour and 16 minutes.
10/25 3.12
10/27 4.50 -- upped monthly challenge to 80 miles
10/28 3.11

SAfricaChick

Ohhim wrote: »

SAfricaChick wrote: »

Are you doing the Disney World Marathon on 10 January? I am doing that as my first marathon and scared stiff!! Mmmm I have NEVER run more than 40miles / week! How many marathons have you done?

Yes - I live nearby and was originally going to run it this past January, but deferred to 2016 as they wouldn't let me move up from the 4:45 corral to the 3:45 corral after running a fast (1:46) half last November as it was past the deadline. I've done 2 other marathons this year (Pittsburgh/Clearwater Distance Classic), and had done one marathon prior and a handful of halfs. It should be a fun race and a flat easy course from everything I've seen. Weather that time of year is usually just about perfect, although the humidity can occasionally spike, and the last 1/4 of the marathon is into the sun around sunrise, so bring your sunglasses, a visor, hope for clouds, or prepare to squint.

Thanks for the advice! Appreciate it! I have a HM this week-end in New Orleans and then I'll turn my attention more fully to my prep for January. All of a sudden it feels a lot closer than I am comfortable with!
I only dream of the mileage you are putting in, so I'll have to up that quite a bit!