Both 5k and 1/2?

[Koda]

I am 46, and got back into running about a year ago. I ran a 1/2 marathon last May, and am very excited for the Disney 1/2 in January! My teenage DD and her friend are running the WDW 5k on Friday.

My question: I would kind of like to run the 5k with my DD and her friend on Friday, but am worried that it will tire me out for the 1/2 on Saturday. The day before my last 1/2, I rested, and I felt pretty good during the 1/2. I have been running 15-20 miles/week all Summer, and will start adding longer runs to my training this Fall.

Do you think I should try the 5k as well as the 1/2? It would be really fun, but I don't want to poop out at the end of the 1/2.

 

[Ariel484]

I say go for it! If you're concerned, maybe try to do a few back-to-back runs to gauge how your body handles it before pulling the trigger and signing up (i.e. a 3-miler followed by a 6-8 miler the next day).

I truly think with a 15-20 mile base you'll be more than ready. Maybe take it a bit easier on the 5K if you're worried about tiring yourself out...bring a camera and take pictures with your daughter, friend and characters, and soak it all in. Well, bring a camera anyway!

This (doing the 5K in addition to other marathon weekend events) is not at all uncommon. Many people run the 5K in addition to the half, or in addition to the half AND full (which is what I'm considering right now). You can do it!

 

[ludari]

I am 46, and got back into running about a year ago. I ran a 1/2 marathon last May, and am very excited for the Disney 1/2 in January! My teenage DD and her friend are running the WDW 5k on Friday.

My question: I would kind of like to run the 5k with my DD and her friend on Friday, but am worried that it will tire me out for the 1/2 on Saturday. The day before my last 1/2, I rested, and I felt pretty good during the 1/2. I have been running 15-20 miles/week all Summer, and will start adding longer runs to my training this Fall.

Do you think I should try the 5k as well as the 1/2? It would be really fun, but I don't want to poop out at the end of the 1/2.

I don't think doing both runs will tire you out. I always run the 5K before I do the halfs and I am the same age as you. I have friends that are older that do the same thing. We look at the 5K as a warm-up/fun run before the 1/2. We are also more likely to wear a costume for the 5K.

 

[John VN]

What is your goal for the 1/2M?

If you are going for a PR, it might not be the best to run a fast 5K the day before but a relaxed 5K would help keep your legs freed up.

As Ariel484 wrote, try to do a few back to backs to see how you feel. Plenty of time for experimentation.

 

[Reep]

I am 46, and got back into running about a year ago. I ran a 1/2 marathon last May, and am very excited for the Disney 1/2 in January! My teenage DD and her friend are running the WDW 5k on Friday.

My question: I would kind of like to run the 5k with my DD and her friend on Friday, but am worried that it will tire me out for the 1/2 on Saturday. The day before my last 1/2, I rested, and I felt pretty good during the 1/2. I have been running 15-20 miles/week all Summer, and will start adding longer runs to my training this Fall.

Do you think I should try the 5k as well as the 1/2? It would be really fun, but I don't want to poop out at the end of the 1/2.

I did this last year at the Disneyland race. Ran the 5k slow with my young daughters, then the half alone. I also couldn't resist hanging at the park for 3-4 hours with them to show off their medals, before I went back to rest. Having said that, it did affect my performance in the half, but not completely.

My legs felt tired earlier than usual (mile 5 instead of mile 9) and I struggled to stay on pace and ended up dropping a minute or two off my goal time in the second half, and really had to struggle to get that. The funny part was that I think God honored my sacrifice of running with my girls (not that it wasn't a blast anyway), and even though I didn't run my best race, I ended up first in my age group for the first time ever at Disney.

So, this year, I'm going solo. Next year, I will run the 5k with them again and run the half the next day, but I will probably head strait for the hotel room after the 5k and rest my legs.

FWIW, I'm 48. Given we are in the same age group, if you are fast then I suggest that you run the 5k and spend the rest of the day celebrating at the parks. Make sure and eat lots of fatty foods, but not too much water. Okay?

 

[jimandami]

I think you will be fine to RUN the 5K and the 1/2, but not to RACE the 5K and then the 1/2...does that make sense? As others have said, I would just treat the 5K as a training run to loosen up your legs.

 

[Koda]

Thanks for all of the replies and advice! I think I will try the 5k as well as the 1/2. As long as I am there, I want to experience as much of the rundisney magic as I can!

Reep, don't worry about me being a threat to you in the 1/2! I plan on stopping for every photo-op available. I am getting so excited!!! This race is very motivating.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[RunRookie]

I was 51 in January and I ran both the 5K and the Half (it was my first Half Marathon). I ran the 5K with my 13-yr old son, my cousin, and his 13-yr old daughter. We had a great time! We did not run it hard, just jogged the route, enjoyed the views as we went around Epcot, and we took several walk breaks (the kids did not train for this had hadn't run or walked 3 miles before).

It was a great experience. After which we had breakfast at Kona Cafe. I relaxed most of Friday at the Expo and spent two hours at Hollywood Studios to see the Christmas lights.

I had no issues with the Half the next day. I got a good night's sleep, had my pre-race breakfast, and was on the buses by 3:30am. I think you will be fine.

To be honest, I think you would be more affected by a full day at a park on Friday than doing the 5K and taking it easy the rest of the day.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I have a duel race in Oct 'Living Dead Challenge' where its a 5K the night before the half the next morning.

I plan to train once it gets closer of a shorter run then longer run the next day to adjust to the double run (I typically run every 2 days) which if I do a Disney 5k/Half would be roughly the same..

Not sure if that would help to figure out pace/speed on particularly the 5k run

-em