About the marathon...........

[littlegreydonkey]

Hi all - I'm so jealous of all of you, I did the half last year and it was fantastic - and, cant remember who is doing it for the t-shirt, but you think that's good, wait till you see the medal and the little stuffed running Donald (I'm doing the full in a few years because I have to have the mouse shaped medal). Even now I'm tearing up remembering how excited I was when they started us - no-one starts a race like a duck shouting 'run fast'. Anyway, the point of me coming on is to say don't worry too much about race etiquette in this one: just try and estimate your time well ( I think you only need proof if you're going to do it under 2.5 - and if you're going that fast you'll probably have entered at least a 10km beforehand for proof), even say you'll be a little slower than you think and Disney will do it all for you. You get put in corralls with other people in your time so no-ones pushing past anyone or tutting - and any runner who criticises a walker (unless they're in front of the elite runners which is 100% a no-no - but would mean you're in the front row!!) anyway is just a nasty person, there's room for us all. Also, the run walk thing is great: my first half I trained by running 4 minutes, walking 1 for as long as possible, then decreasing the running the more tired I got. On the day I ran 10 miles straight and ran/walked the last 3. Never underestimate the power of being there on the day to speed you up. Anyway, that's long enough: good luck everyone.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by wiskband
AKA...............
was wondering, do they need to know about astimated finish time from all of us?????

No, not from everyone. Only if you believe you will finish the 1/2 marathon in less than either 2:15 or 1:45......at least that's how it was last year. They use "proof of time" from previous races to determine which "start corral" (grouping) that you are placed in....with 8000 people starting the 1/2 marathon at the same time, they want the *runners* to have open road ahead of them, and *walkers* who don't feel rushed to get out of a jack-rabbits path!

Now, when I signed up for the full this time, I think I did have to estimate my finish time.....I used my previous 1/2 marathons as a way of justifying my estimate. Again, with 16000 participants, I'm sure they are trying to make the start as smooth as possible for everyone. Once the race gets under way, the crowds will quickly disperse on the course.

(I still can't believe I'm doing the whole thing!! But I've got the Donald medal....and darn it! I want a Mickey now!!!! )

 

[wiskband]

Ok I ust doubled my exisiting distance by using the walk the first two minutes then jog the rest technique. I like this way, I am totally sweating but I usually can only run 2 miles which is probably becuase I have no time to run I always want to run at least 2 miles and the kids are asking me for a drink etc. so I do two miles at a very fast pace. but I like this walking then jogging thing. I think that may be my new way of training.
ANyway, while I was running I had many other questions about the marathon so..........I am gonna poat antoehr thread...........
see ya there,
renee

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by wiskband
...... so I do two miles at a very fast pace. but I like this walking then jogging thing. I think that may be my new way of training.

Remember, you need to train at (or near) a pace that you can maintain for the entire distance! Killing yourself to run those few miles as fast as possible isn't really the best approach! I am SO GLAD that you tried the walk/run technique. I'm considering that for the 2nd half of the full marathon this year....glad to know it really is effective!!!!

 

[wiskband]

It definitely worked! I think I could have kept going, I was just tired (sleepy) and I already had it in my haed that doubling my distance would be good for a first try!

I did this in exactly 50:10 seconds I fogot, how long do we have to finisht he half? Anyway, At this pace the whole 1/2 would be 3 hours and 20 minutes? Is that right? I am so bad at math. lol


thats about 13 minute miles.........(once again I think) which would be under the time.....Is the time 16 minute miles?


O my need more info
lol
renee

 

[karebear1]

You're right- in order to finish the marathon on time you have to have a consistent 16 minute mile.

 

[Debbie]

So....that leads to my question. Tell me about the Sweeper Car/Van/Truck/Bus. If I am slow (say 3:35, 3:45, 3:55) do I get to finish? Am I swept into oblivion? Do I have to return the t-shirt?

 

[karebear1]

From what I understand, you will not get a medal if you don't finish in the right time. However, you get to keep the t-shirt and mylar blankie etc. and the sweepers won't pick you up unless you're REALLY SLOW.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Thanks for all of your encouragement about my knee. I have actually begun water training and wondered if it would do any good as water workouts and actually on land are totally so different!

I am also wondering if the "start" is when the first shot is given or is it considered that I am at the back and when my "chip" and me cross the start line that is my start? I guess I wonder how much time I will need to add to my precious minutes to complete this 1/2 marathon before I don't get that medal. If I must compensate time/pace I guess I should train for it now.

Did it take long to cross the start line from the back corral?

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by Tiger Lily 03
I am also wondering if the "start" is when the first shot is given or is it considered that I am at the back and when my "chip" and me cross the start line that is my start?

You actually get 2 times....there is the "gun time".....from when the gun goes off until you cross the finish line....and your "course time"....the time you cross the start until you cross the finish. From the start of the gun, I'd bet there was 10 minutes before the last of the participants actually crossed the start. There was quite a mob at the beginning....

I also answered the "sweeper" question on the marathon part 2 thread....so duplicate info here....

long and short of it is, according to one person we met, she did NOT maintain the 16 minute pace, DID NOT get "swept up" and DID receive her medal anyway.

 

[karebear1]

AKA- That's so cool that she still got the medal! AND- it gives me greta hope- because I know I can complete the marathon- just wasn't sure if I could do it in the time they said it needed to be done. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!