#ask messages

let’s go with a 1-foot and 1-inch sized white tiger (shrunk down to anatomically correct proportions to prevent any health issues). idk why i think it would be very cute if it existed.

I’m going to try and not make this answer a page and half but I apologize in advance. To completely understand the plot of KH3 and everything that happens in it, you need to know about the two main titles obviously but also the side games. If you don’t want to play every Kingdom Hearts game (which I understand, it’s a lot) I’d recommend to play at least the two main games and then read the story of ALL the side games (including the mobile game). It is a meme that the Kingdom Hearts plot is so confusing and while it is long, I personally think it was so confusing at the time because no one knew that the side games were actually important. 

Anyway, here is a video if you do decide to play the games How To Get Into The Kingdom Hearts Series for Beginners by SuperButterBuns. She has a series of almost all KH games For Beginners and they’re helpful explaining the game receptions, game play, design, and tips and tricks. Even if you don’t decide to play the other games, I still recommend watching. There is also The Entire Story of Kingdom Hearts by Frustrated Jacob if you decide NOT to play the other games. I must stress he spoils the entirety of the story (minus KH3, KH 2.8, Backcover, and the mobile game KHUx).

I love this game series, it has a very special place in my heart. I really hope you decide to play it! I hope this helps!

Hey there! So for my first half-marathon and both of my marathons, I used a free training plan from RunKeeper and modified it a little bit. For all of my other half-marathons, I kinda built my own training plan, and for my upcoming marathon I’ll be using a free RunKeeper plan. So I have a lot of experience with different plans which I can totally share!

How many days a week of running?

I typically do 4 runs a week, 5 if it’s a more intensive training program

These are usually divided into one tempo run, one interval run, one long run, and a slow jog the day before the long run

I organize it so Tuesday and Thursday are my tempo and interval runs, then Saturday and Sunday are my slow jog and long run

If I have a fifth run it’ll be Wednesday and it is usually a slower, shorter jog

How many days of strength training?

I like to add in strength training to my plans because it’s sooo good for working those minor muscles and improving your form!

I usually do 2 days of strength training a week, the Wednesday and the Friday

I focus on exercises to strengthen my core, back, shoulder, and minor leg and glute muscles

Strength training is my equivalent of crosstraining - if you’re not a fan, other good options are swimming, biking, yoga/pilates :)

Two workouts in one day?

I know this is popularly done but I frankly don’t have the time to make this work, so I usually don’t

The only time I do “two” workouts is if I have a run on the Wednesday in my program, and in that case I’ll go to the gym right after my run

Difference between half- and full marathon training?

Yes, definitely! Mainly mileage and distance, yes, but also in the number of runs and the intensity of interval training

Half-marathon training for me has a peak mileage of around 45-48 miles, whereas for marathon training it is around 50-55 miles

The longest run I do in half-marathon training is usually 14-15 mi, whereas for marathon training it’s 20 mi

Marathon training plans have more of the weeks with 5 runs and longer interval runs too

Marathon training plans have longer/faster “sim runs” - these are meant to be done the day before your long run to simulate how tired you’ll feel during the race. For half-marathon training it’s usually just a slow 6 mi, but for full marathon training I can do up to 8 mi at a tempo run pace

First half/full?

Hooray!! If it’s your first ever, I recommend giving yourself a full 16 weeks (4 months) to train; the free training plans on RunKeeper are a great start

However, once you start running more halfs, that can get shorter! I trained 6 weeks for a half-marathon once and it was my first trail and I ended up setting a PR!

For full marathons, I would highly recommend giving yourself 16 weeks, as well as working up to a mileage of 50 miles/week before starting the plan

Of course, it is also important to keep in mind that this depends on your goals! I am very competitive and I was determined to run my first half in under 1:50 and my first full under 4:00. If your goal is just to finish, you might find that you’re doing a lighter training load. My best advice is to compare and contrast different training plans that are free online and you’ll find lots of patterns in how they’re designed! In any case, below I’ve included some guidelines for building your own training plan too.

Guidelines for building your own training plan

1 tempo run, 1 interval run, 1 sim run, and 1 long run every week; include an extra, shorter sim run between the tempo and interval runs for your heaviest week

The first 1-2 weeks should be relatively easy, with no more than a 10 mi long run for half training and no more than a 12 mi for full training

Spend 3 weeks building up your long run distance, then take a week of recovery; repeat again starting at the long run distance you’re most comfortable with

Recovery week should be around 3-4 runs, all at a slow conversational pace, and no distance greater than 8 mi

Start tapering 2 weeks before your race. 2 weeks before don’t run more than 8 mi per run, 4 runs a week. The week before (week of), keep your runs to 40 minutes or less and do a slow and short shakeout run the day before your race (around 15-20 min)

Interval runs for recovery weeks should be slow 5 or 6 mi followed by 5x30s sprints with 2 min breaks in between at the end

Tempo runs for recovery weeks are slow runs

Good interval runs to include in half training: 16x400 m, 8x800 m, 10x1000 m, 5x1 mi, 3x2 mi

Good interval runs to include in full training: same as above, 2x4 mi, 2x5 mi, 3x3 mi, 4x2.5 mi

For interval runs, always warm up with a slow 2 mi before runs and cool down with a slow 1 mi after

For the other runs, just do some dynamic exercises before you get going

Incorporate 1-2 crosstraining days, such as lifting and swimming, per week

I got Joe, Blendin, and myself sunglasses.

Unless you mean “what happened” before that, like how is Joe blind and stuff. In which case… Remember that solar eclipse?