Am I nuts???

[goldcupmom]

I printed out the form for the Duke City 1/2 on 10/22. I've been walking steady 5 - 7 miles with lots of hills several times a week. Today I did 6 w/ my WW leader & another that was about 1/2 uphill. The course is level, at a lower elevation (almost 1000' lower) and they don't sweep the 1/2. I know I can finish.... can't I???? Sunday we're doing 8 miles+. I know my time will stink, but should I??? My mind keeps telling me I'm an old, fat woman, why would I do something crazy like this. I have a week to decide if I should mail this in or not.

HELP!!!! Have I totally lost my mind????

 

[keenercam]

Julie -- GO FOR IT!!! I know you can do it! You walk so much more than many people who successfully complete these events. I really, really can't wait to hear how it goes. BTW, the training plan I follow has 1/2 marathoners doing their longest walk at 10 miles, I think, so you are very close to there already, with several weeks left to go before the event.

 

[Maherae]

Oh, Julie ...what Cam said!!! ESPECIALLY since you won't have to worry about a particular time as there are no sweepers!!! What a fun way to build your confidence up!! I'm so excited for you!! Get rid of your IFC (Inner Fraidy Cat) and get the (IC) Inner Commando (borrowed from Sunny!! ) This old, fat woman just completed her first 1/2 and so can you!!! Anne

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

You go! You will do it. You've been putting in the steps and have the time you need to complete it. Enjoy it!

 

[DianeL]

ANNE!?!?!?! That was your 1st Half?!?!?!? Oh my you were kickin' pavement and taking no prisoners with your pace. I thought you were a veteran with you get up and go.

Listen to them Julie. It's a HUGE boost to your confidence. Afterwards you start to plan your next race and your next one after that

You'll love saying over and over to yourself "I'm a Half Marathoner!"

Best of luck and HAVE FUN!!!!!!

 

[monte]

Julie,

I just started long distance walking last year, (I recently turned 47), I'm no "spring chicken" and I'm about 45 pds. overweight. I must tell you that it was the most rewarding feeling when I crossed the finish line and recieved my Donald Duck medal...since then I've completed a 10k and another 1/2. My goal is to complete the full WDW marathon in 2008 and receive my Mickey Mouse medal.
Don't let self doubt stop you...go forward and enjoy yourself. If you already walk 8+ miles, you can definately finish a half. Please let us know how the marathon was. Congratulations and welcome to the looney bin

 

[MickeySP]

GO FOR IT!!!

Believe me when that adrenaline kicks in, you will feel like walking forever.
I loved my 1st, in Jan, and now am addicted. I am 46 and need to shed about 40lbs, so chubby chicks can do it easily!

 

[goingthedistance]

I feel that I am quite qualified to give my opinion on whether or not you can do the Duke City 1/2 Marathon.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

I did the Duke City marathon (full) last year and it was my first marathon ever. The course is very flat (especially the 1/2 portion). My wife did the 1/2 last year, developed a cramp in her leg, could barely walk for 2 miles or so, thought about quitting, (didn't quit), felt better and finished with a PR! It is a very time friendly course because they keep the finish line open and the 1/2 course open for the duration of the full marathon (7 hours I think). You will not get swept at all.

Recommendations: I carried water with me, and I needed it because some of the stations ran out of water. But again, I did the full so I was on the course a lot longer than you will be.

Today was the last LR of the season for my running club that is specifically set up to train for Duke City (most of us actually train for something else...) so we will have a 3 week taper before Duke City. I would probably get in a 10 miler if I were you next weekend and then have a 2 week taper. Most training programs have a 2-3 week taper.

I am not going to do the full at Duke City...I will either do the half or a relay. Hope to see you at the start line!

Paul

 

[DianeL]

Recommendations: I carried water with me, and I needed it because some of the stations ran out of water. But again, I did the full so I was on the course a lot longer than you will be.

Paul? Should she be worried about GU? Do they have it on the course? Then again I never saw it on DL's course and I know it was there. I'm not sure if it's really needed for the Half or if it's just my "safety blanket" having GU. I just feel better having mine and I usually have 2 bottles (I have a amphipod water belt with a GU bottle). So whatcha think? Something she should be concerned with?

Just brining it up because when we attempted the Half in 2005 we had no clue GU/gel even existed. Now I don't do a LW without grabing one.

Hi I am Diane and I am addicted to my Chocolate Clif Shot. At least that is what Susan says as we both rip open packets and pour them on our sundaes

 

[goldcupmom]

OK, tomorrow we're doing just over 8 miles. Then I'll decide for sure. Except for heavy breathing on the 1/4 mile uphill (steep & covered in about 5" sand from the recent rains), I didn't feel anything after doing 6 on Thurs, 6 on Friday then 2 more Friday night.

Paul, thanks so much. I've not seen another from ABQ on here! Next weekend I'll be in FL, so I'm hoping, if I decide for sure to do the Alameda to Montano & back Bosque route on Friday before I leave. I know Paseo to Montano & Back is 6.52, but I haven't calculated adding in the other segment. I'm guessing about 2 miles more total.

 

[goldcupmom]

Ok, I guess I can do this. Today we did 8.1 miles in 1:58:52. I have a couple of 'hot spots' on the balls of my feet and my calves are a bit sore, but nothing major, and I didn't feel any of it while walking.

 

[goingthedistance]

Ok, I guess I can do this. Today we did 8.1 miles in 1:58:52. I have a couple of 'hot spots' on the balls of my feet and my calves are a bit sore, but nothing major, and I didn't feel any of it while walking.

It's always nice to see someone local on the boards. There was another couple from ABQ on the DCL double-dip cruise meet that we took in May. It truly is a small world after all. (everybody sing with me...It's a small world after all...)

Good job there on the more than 8 miles in under 2 hours. You will be fine. I dont know what kind of socks you use, but remember that "cotton kills." Might help you with those hot spots.

It's approx 1 mile from Paseo to Alameda, so if you add to Alameda and back there's your 2 additional miles. There are mile markers on the trail every 1/4 mile or so. Just south of Paseo is mile marker 7 north, and just before Alameda is 8 north. I think Montano is about 4 north? Don't really remember. Another option to get 8 miles in that will introduce you to the middle part of the Duke City course is to park Kit Carson/Tingley Beach and run north along the trail to the Nature Center. Then you start near 1 south and go to about 3 north. That will be 8 miles round trip (Approx) and you will be doing the middle 8 miles of the Duke City course. Just a thought.

For those who are completely lost, here is a link to the Duke City Marathon course http://www.dukecitymarathon.com/courseinfo.html
As you can see, the 1/2 is flat while the full has that nice hill at the turn around.

Back on topic, going completely from memory here, but I think there was a nutrition stop at the Duke City course at the 1/2 marathon turn-around and at the full marathon turn-around. I know they at least had oranges and bananas at the 6.5 mile mark, and I know they had GU at the 13.1 point. I THINK they had GU at 6.5, butI really dont remember for sure. Personally, I know what I like and what I am used to, so I carry that with me on LR's. I generally take a Gel every 5 miles, so for a 1/2 I would carry 2. But that's just me. I know people who use a gel every 4 miles, so they would carry 3. Do whatever works for you. Race day is not the day to experiment with anything in my opinion.

Diane, I think they ran out of gels on the course at DL before we got to them. I remember seeing a disproportionate amount of Cliff Shot wrappers in the parking lot of the baseball stadium.

Paul

 

[DianeL]

Paul???

Are you the Paul with Rebecca or yet another?


Good luck Goldcupmom!!! Be sure to let us know how you do as we'll be thinking of you!!!