13.1 Before I Hit 40 - Running my 1st 1/2 Marathon at Disney uptd 09/30

[If U Had Wings]

You know you had a lot of other options. You could've simply not shown up. You could've given up when it got hard. BUT YOU DIDN'T! IMHO it doesn't matter if you were last or first, you did it! And so what if you see how underprepared you've been. Now you know what you need to do and you can enact that change! Look at this as a learning experience, as motivation. Don't be down on yourself. This is a big accomplishment. I have a 5K I was hoping to run this weekend but instead I will walk it with my friends and family and I fully intend to pat myself on the back when I'm done! LOL I, for one, am incredibly proud of you Crissy. You soldiered on.

Thanks. I'm trying to be more positive about finishing. I'd probably be happier if I wasn't thinking of October and doing twice the mileage. I'm always my own worst critic. I keep telling myself that even in the Olympics someone has to come in last.

Good luck with your 5K this weekend! I'm sure you'll do great. Hopefully you'll have some great weather for it.

And my fingers/hands swell the longer I walk too. Funny. I also ache in that same place you're talking about...and I have no idea what it's called either! Ha!

Congratulations, m'dear. To quote a very wise man, "Keep moving forward."

I'm glad I'm not the only one with the fingers/hands. I swear I had Mickey Mouse hands at the end of the race. I tried to do some research on it yesterday but really it could be anything. Too much water, too little water, not enough salt etc.

Crissy, I think that's a fantastic acchievement!! First: you did what you signed up for and did not cicken out! Second: you walked 10 km at quite some speed. A 17 minute mile is no easy stroll, but quite serious walking. And Third: you aren't planning on givin up on the marathon.

Congratulations!

Nope, no giving up! At least now I'm aware of my weaknesses. I really want to work on my walking speed as well as my running. I'd be happy if I could knock 3 minutes or so off my pace. Just in case. There is always a chance the humidity could be a factor in Disney.

I think that you still have some time for serious training and if you use that time, you will be able to finish the half marathon. And I am sure that even if you are amongst the last once again, you will be much less lonely at Disney.

I would think there would be more walkers/back of the packers at Disney. I think that's one of the things that was bugging me a bit. I felt very conspicuously slow. It would have been nice to have some company there at the end.

And do take a few days to rest properly now. I am sure your training will be much more beneficial for you if you start it with a rested body than if you force yourself to do something while you still are sore from the race

I was going to start my training program yesterday, but really it was impossible. I did a bit of research, and it said to rest one day for every mile you did. So I should be okay to start my regular plan this weekend. Until then I'm just doing some slow leisurely walks. My legs actually feel better when I'm up and moving a little bit.

Crissy, you have done something I and about 5 billion (with a "B") have never done!! You should be very proud of yourself and the fact that you went out there, did not leave the course, and stayed out there doing something you know you want and need to!!

I hope that in about 3-4 months I can say I've finished a race of ANY length!!!

You ROCK!!!

Thanks. Walking I actually felt pretty good until the last mile or so. That when the legs were starting to feel a bit tired out. I'm glad I did it though. I'll be working even harder for the half. (Okay, as I didn't work at all for the 10K I'll be working way harder for the half. ) I want my shiny medal!

I'm with Tink, you never gave up.

You kept going, and that's the most important thing. And quite frankly, some race had to be your first one, and it's not necessarily going to be the best experience.

But you know what? The awesome thing about that is that it can't get worse, and you have no where to go but up!

I am so glad I did this race before the Disney one. I was feeling overwhelmed and nervous before this one, and there were only about 400 people racing the 10K. I can't imagine how it's going to feel when there are thousands of people.

That is true about being last! I don't have to worry anylonger about what it would be like to finish there. I can only improve!

 

[TarzansKat]

That is true about being last! I don't have to worry anylonger about what it would be like to finish there. I can only improve!

When people come into my place of work and are expounding on how horrific their lives are, I always tell them, "can't get any worse, and you can only go up."

You can always tell the true pessimists by their response.

Of course, now I've been known to say to people, "better than the alternative," and really, truly mean it.

You will be awesome, and I have every confidence that you're going to do great with your training now.

 

[jgive]

I Have been following your PTR because I too will be running in the Wine & dine. Congrats on your 10k! You haves major accomplishment under your belt. Even though you know you have some training to do before October you still want to participate in the race. Many people would have been dismayed and decided not to run in October. You can do this!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm so proud of you. I really am!! You did it! I don't know if I could have kept going but you did and you should be really proud of yourself!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Good luck with your 5K this weekend! I'm sure you'll do great. Hopefully you'll have some great weather for it.

Thanks. It's on rain or shine. Obviously I'm hoping for the latter. Because if it's the former, I'll be soaked. I'm anti-poncho.

 

[TarzansKat]

I'm anti-poncho.

Even though it's a preservative?

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Even though it's a preservative?

I still feel past my freshness date.

 

[TarzansKat]

I still feel past my freshness date.

Sorry for the hijack, Crissy.

In your defense, I think running in a poncho would be a nightmare. Talk about no breathability! You'd be as sweaty as a drunken pirate.

 

[If U Had Wings]

When people come into my place of work and are expounding on how horrific their lives are, I always tell them, "can't get any worse, and you can only go up."

You can always tell the true pessimists by their response.

Of course, now I've been known to say to people, "better than the alternative," and really, truly mean it.

You will be awesome, and I have every confidence that you're going to do great with your training now.

I feel like I'm going into the half with the blinders off now. I really thinking I'm looking at it far more realistically now, and that's a good thing.

I Have been following your PTR because I too will be running in the Wine & dine. Congrats on your 10k! You haves major accomplishment under your belt. Even though you know you have some training to do before October you still want to participate in the race. Many people would have been dismayed and decided not to run in October. You can do this!

I'd be lying if I said that the thought of bailing on the marathon didn't cross my mind. I think during the last mile or so I was asking myself what in the world I was thinking of, and how in the world was I going to do twice the miles.

I had a nice little chat with myself at that point, and reminded myself of my friends that have done a half, and that I still had nearly 4 months to go. It helped. I may have reminded myself too that I've already shelled out over a $100 dollars for the privilege of running in Disney, and I have no intention of just throwing that money out the window.

I'm so proud of you. I really am!! You did it! I don't know if I could have kept going but you did and you should be really proud of yourself!

Thanks LL! I'm just happy that the hardest part didn't hit me until well after the half way point. It was much easier to remind myself that I was more than half way through the course. Those signs were a mixed blessing. On the one hand they gave good motivation to see the miles drop away, but on the other hand they really started to feel really far apart towards the end.

Thanks. It's on rain or shine. Obviously I'm hoping for the latter. Because if it's the former, I'll be soaked. I'm anti-poncho.

Even though it's a preservative?

I still feel past my freshness date.

Sorry for the hijack, Crissy.

In your defense, I think running in a poncho would be a nightmare. Talk about no breathability! You'd be as sweaty as a drunken pirate.

I don't mind the hijack at all. My SIL actually brought along a poncho and put it on when the rain picked up during the race. I myself can't imagine how horrible to put a poncho on in that humidity. I just let myself get soaked. Felt 100% better.

 

[UsMcWifeForever]

I am late to the party here just found your PTR today. I love that you are training for a 1/2 marathon. I am also training, to run the Disney princess 1/2 in 2012. I just strated the couch to 5k program (on week2 now) and i feel great after week 1 i was able to run a mile non stop. Running one mile was like a marathon to me. I just kept telling myself i did it!!!!! Good luck to you!!! I am cheering you on

 

[If U Had Wings]

I am late to the party here just found your PTR today. I love that you are training for a 1/2 marathon. I am also training, to run the Disney princess 1/2 in 2012. I just strated the couch to 5k program (on week2 now) and i feel great after week 1 i was able to run a mile non stop. Running one mile was like a marathon to me. I just kept telling myself i did it!!!!! Good luck to you!!! I am cheering you on

Welcome!

Congrats on starting the c25k program! You'll really be amazed at how you progress. When I started those first week 1 runs were killing me. When I ran 20 minutes without stopping the first time I got all teary. It felt wonderful though!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

When I started those first week 1 runs were killing me. When I ran 20 minutes without stopping the first time I got all teary. It felt wonderful though!

I still have this program sitting there, waiting for me. Can I just say...I'm terrified to start. I just feel so sure that my lungs are going to set fire to themselves. I think I also have it in my head that women my size simply can't run.

UGH. I need to get on this!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I still have this program sitting there, waiting for me. Can I just say...I'm terrified to start. I just feel so sure that my lungs are going to set fire to themselves. I think I also have it in my head that women my size simply can't run.

UGH. I need to get on this!

Tink, believe me, if I could do this you can too. I was (and still do) feel really self concious out there being my size. It's part of the reason why I tend to either run at the crack of dawn or later at night. Less people out there. I learned at the race this weekend though that there are all sizes and shapes of people out there running. I was amazed.

The first day out the door is the hardest. I swear the hardest part of running mentally doing it. I always find that the hardest part. I had always been the girl in school with no athletic ability, always picked last. I had given up early on. It's very hard for me to get past that way of thinking. I think that's why I cried a bit the first time I ran those 20 minutes.

If you haven't already read it, I highly recomend John Bingham's book "The Courage to Start". It's not really a how-to running book, but about why we run when we are not the typical athlete. I've found it to be amazingly encouraging. I started rereading mine this week to get me going again. What it talks about really hit home for me.

Always feel free to just shoot me a pm, or on facebook for a little cheerleading. Believe me though, the first day out is the hardest to do. It's challenging after that, but easier.

 

[maroo]

Still following you...lurking, I know...bad me!

I just want to give a little advice...I pushed to hard at the end of my training and have ended up with a pretty severe case of plantar fascitis (sp?). I am headed back to Disney for the weekend and am having to rent an ECV per doctors instruction because the bottom of my feet are still so inflammed from the overtraining I did for the half.


Anyway...the half was awesome and I am so glad I did it...but if I had to do it all again, I would not have pushed so hard at the end - I would have been fine with the training I had already done and been able to finish!


Good luck and keep up the awesome work!!!!!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Still following you...lurking, I know...bad me!

I just want to give a little advice...I pushed to hard at the end of my training and have ended up with a pretty severe case of plantar fascitis (sp?). I am headed back to Disney for the weekend and am having to rent an ECV per doctors instruction because the bottom of my feet are still so inflammed from the overtraining I did for the half.


Anyway...the half was awesome and I am so glad I did it...but if I had to do it all again, I would not have pushed so hard at the end - I would have been fine with the training I had already done and been able to finish!


Good luck and keep up the awesome work!!!!!

Thanks Maroo! I'll be sure to keep that in mind. I have to be really careful with my feet, as I have a neuroma in one of my feet that I do not want to start acting up.

I was thinking of you while I was pushing along. It gave me inspiration in that last mile. I'm drawing a bit of a blank. Did you run or a combination run/walk? I'm still debating what tactic I want to push for. I'm thinking I might be better off trying for a run/walk plan.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Love, Love, LOVE the quote in your signature.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Love, Love, LOVE the quote in your signature.

Thanks. It's going to be my new mantra. A friend of mine reminded me of it recently, so I had to go and reread "The Courage to Start". I'm feeling very energized to get out there and start my training plan now. Hopefully my body will be feeling the same way tomorrow. I'm less sore today, but still having some difficulties. I need to stretch more next time when I'm done.

 

[UsMcWifeForever]

I am going to have to pick that book up!! Sounds like a good read.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I am going to have to pick that book up!! Sounds like a good read.

I find it just amazing. I am normally not a big cryer. I don't cry in sad movies, and even during sad events in my own life don't usually bring me to tears. For some reason this book gets me every time. It just hits so close to home, about how I view my own life, and makes running seem like such a logical progression.

 

[aprilisis]

That book sounds great! Thanks for the tip. I'm going to dowload it.