Anyone done a 1/2 marathon walking????

[sjams]

Hi, my friend and I are considering doing a half marathon walking. First off I need to tell you we are both beginners and would have to start out slow. We are doing this to give us a kick in the a** to get moving and to have an end result that we both want, a trip to WDW! We would like to do the Minnie Marathon in May but were wondering if this could be accomplished. Does anyone have an advice in this area????

 

[Disney Doll]

Yes, I did the WDW 1/2 Marathoin i january 2006 walking. It took me 3 hours,25 minutes and 26 seconds(but who's counting ). For that race, you have to have at least a 16 minute/mile pace, so it's quick.

It can be done, and you really feel like it is a great accomplishement.

 

[WDWFAN9]

I did! I walked the Jan 2006 half marathon, finishing in 3:29:27 (chip time). It was a blast. I followed a 14 week training program by John Bingham, author of Marathoning for Mortals. It is very do-able. I was a 50yr old couch potato before I got started, now I am a 51yr old athlete (using the term generously!!). This year I will complete 4 half-marathons in 4 states, and I am registered for the WDW full next Jan

The half-marthon requires a 16 min pace, the Minnie requires a 15 min pace. If you don't maintain that pace you are "swept", not allowed to continue. Check out the WISH forum, under events/competitions. There are several threads about these events. You'll find lots of good info, and plenty of support.

 

[lesroi]

I did one (well, more than one really!) My sister and I started the 2005 Disney World half, but we got swept (part of that big debaucle at mile 10 - if you do a search you might find more info.) mainly because I really wasn't pushing it. I was thinking if they let us get to mile 10 they would let us finish. We were walking up to the barricade as it was being raised. Darn that Contemporary Hill! (But I digress...)

Oops! They aren't kidding about that 16-minute mile!

So, we went to Vegas 2 weeks later and I walked the half-marathon there. (I was determined to FINISH one in January 2005!) It is a great feeling when you're done!

I am doing the Disneyland half in September and am really working hard on my speed. I am only 5'2" and a bit on the Pooh-sized side, so speed is not my forte! I am doing it with my 3 sisters and my husband.

Do it! You'll have a great time and feel good about yourself to boot!

Tracy

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How FUN!!!!! I am going to have to time myself. I wonder how long it takes me to do a mile. hmmm.....

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

I did the WDW half in 06 with mostly walking. I also did the Minnie race in May 06. Be aware that the Minnie race this year was a 15K (about 9 miles) - NOT a half marathon. There was a survey after Minnie weekend where Disney inquired about interest in an actual half-marathon event but this year's weekend did not include one.

FYI - if you are interested in the Disney Half in 07, you had better register NOW!! It is currently listed as 95% full on the website and could be closed at any point.

I had NEVER done any kind of race before the half in January and was very nervous. It turned out to be a fantastic experience. The training was time-consuming (especially for walkers since it takes that much longer to get the mileage in) but it was worth it to cross the finish line and receive that gorgeous medal!

Please do join us on the WISH boards (on the sub-board for Events/Competitions). We have a "running" weekly thread for those of us training for various races. Most are doing either the half, full or both at WDW in January. We love newcomers so come on over and join the fun!!