Can pooh sized people do EE 5k?

[Lilmattie13]

Here is an odd question. Can a pooh sized person do the Expedition Everest 5k?
My husband and I are going in Sept and wanted to do this race however we are pooh sized and not sure we would be able to do it and really do not want to stand out, looking ridiculous. Are there any people that just walk the race?
I have searched the threads and read various reports on the EE 5k but these are always from runnners who did it with ease.
Has any larger sized person tried to walk the race? I would love to try and be involved in something like this as I used to run 5k's over ten years ago.
But after marriage, two kids and the need for now two knee replacements, I would only be able to walk the race.
I know there are some 5k's you can walk but then there are some races that are strictly a running race.
I am hoping that by asking this question maybe others would want to participate even if they arent stellar athletes anymore.
Well I look forward to the responses.

Also in regards to the EE race in particular, how hard are the obstacle course items? Are they doable again by a pooh sized person?
thanks everyone.

I just am worried to go ahead and register and spend so much money only to make a negative memory if it is horrific. I dont want to tarnish my magic place lol

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Some of your questions might be answered in the Expedition Everest thread here. Hope this helps with some of your questions.

 

[Lilmattie13]

Thanks so much. I have read any and all info on the race. I have seen others talk about it but they have been athletes who are doing ongoing races. Even in the video it showed the finer tuned athletes lol

I am wondering about those people who perhaps did the race and werent exactly regular 5k dooers. I want to know if it is doable.

I guess what scares me is the time limit as well as the obstacle course. I mean I can move however obviously not at the rate or with the skill of an athlete.

I just would really like to experience this and do think it would be fun but again I fear that if it is horrible it will put not only a damper on the vacation itself but also make a bad memory, which I would hate to do.

Plus where I am thinking of roping my husband into this, I wouldnt want to make him feel uncomfortable.

I am really hoping more people see my thread and offer up some additional info. Well we will just have to see.

Thanks again.

 

[chimera]

Pooh sized people do the full marathon every year and many walk it. Train up to walking the distance so you don't have to worry about that part of it. You can definitely get comfortable with regular walks up to 5 miles between now and September for the race. Are you doing any walking now?

 

[Cruella de mom]

I definately think Pooh sized people can do it. But you should train to at least 5 miles. The first part of the race is a 5k and I know we passed plenty of walkers even people walking right out of the gate.

Here's the thing, once you finish the 5k and the obstacle course then you have to walk back into the park and find the answers to several clues. This is Additional walking and for some people (those that didn't know the park) it required quite a bit of walking. I would plan on it being at least one more mile.

Dh and I used the free tickets to scope out the park that morning. We walked around familiarizing ourselves with the landmarks and paying attention to quirky names of "background" buildings (buildings with no ride, shop or restaurant) This paid off big time during the scavenger hunt as we were able to run right to our clues.

This race had to distinct groups of people, the racers and the people having fun. The winners were definately very fit runners but they were a very small minority of the people that were there. Dh and I were a little sorry that we didn't have a couple friends to race againest that were more our level. If we did it again, we would each team with one of our kids and make it a fun inter family competition rather than worry about what everyone else was doing.

This is definately a race for every fitness level. Dh and I met the people that set up the obstacle course and they told us that Disney gave them specific instructions that the course should be fun and exciting but not too challenging. They want everyone to be able to enjoy their races. Don't you just love Disney?!

Do it, A race is a great way to motivate yourself to get out the door for a run or a walk. And this was a very fun race plus you get to see AK after dark which was very cool.

Cecilia

 

[Lilmattie13]

I registered my husband and I for the race.

Oh boy, I am hoping it will be ok.


My concern I guess was the time especially if we arent able to do the 15 min mile. If we fall behind what happens. Seeing the time limit there scared me a little.

I like the plan of going to the park in the morning and scoping things out. That is definitely what we will be doing.

Hearing the obstacle course is meant to be fun and the Disney staff made sure it was fun leads me to believe they are not going to enforce strict completion of it in a certain way. I mean I was think, holy cow, what if I cant stay on the balance beam, or with my knees, what if I cant crawl on them under the length of net. So hearing that they arent too much of sticklers on the course makes me feel a little better.

I am excited and while I have come to terms with the fact that I will never be able to truly run again like I had in the past, I am hoping to once again get healthy both in body and spirit and adapt to be able to include myself once again in a race like atmosphere.

We will see. I will definitely have some kind of lime green mickey so I can look for fellow dis'ers to help me on. You guys are always a great support not only with my disney obsession but with makes the days a little brighter.

 

[Lilmattie13]

One more question. I read somewhere that it would help to try to get in an early wave so that way there would be others starting a little later than myself so I wouldnt fear not being done in time for the course to close.

Is there someone I should ask about this? When I pick up the numbers is it already predetermined what wave you start in? Can that be changed at all? If so who do I talk to?

Thanks again everyone for all your help.

 

[SamSam]

I just want to say......go, have fun, don't worry about anything.
DH and I are going to do EE, and we will be walking it and doing it just for the fun. Actually, Dh agreed to do it (in a weak moment), but I'm holding him to it because I know he will have a good time.

 

[windwalker]

Walkers Rock! Don't say "I'm a walker" with your head down, there are a lot of walkers on here that are loud and proud of being fit and strong. There really are a lot of us who walk by choice. I believe there are more Wishers who walk or walk/run than run.

We have fought for race time limits that are walker friendly. You can plan on being able to walk any of the races without any problem. The secret to success is to begin a program of regular walking.

Walking Panda

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

i just wanted to stop by and say good luck I have never done EE so I cannot help you with any of your questions but I think it is a great thing that you are doing to try and stay healthy and I know everyone on this board supports you.

Don't worry about being the only pooh sized person there, there are people of all shapes and sizes at all races and no one will laugh at you for trying something new, fun and exciting, and trust me when you cross that finish line and get your medal and people are cheering, you won't be worrying about your size and you will be so proud of yourself (and that is when the addiction to Disney races starts )

When I first started doing Disney races I was certain I was going to get "swept" and everyone was going to be olympic marathon racers but they were just ordinary people like you and me, so don't worry have fun

Good luck with your training and let us know how you get on

Kirsty

 

[StitchAttack]

Hearing the obstacle course is meant to be fun and the Disney staff made sure it was fun leads me to believe they are not going to enforce strict completion of it in a certain way. I mean I was think, holy cow, what if I cant stay on the balance beam, or with my knees, what if I cant crawl on them under the length of net. So hearing that they arent too much of sticklers on the course makes me feel a little better.

A few parts of the obstacle course were hard in my experience, but the cast members are there to help you and they encourage you to skip certain things if don't want to do them. I'd say about half of the people doing EE skipped at least one or two obstacles. The whole objective was to have fun, not to make everyone suffer like they are at marine boot camp. Trying the balance beam and falling off and crawling in the grass and mud under the rope nets was fun in my opinion. Everyone was just having a good time laughing at themselves and their friends.

One more question. I read somewhere that it would help to try to get in an early wave so that way there would be others starting a little later than myself so I wouldnt fear not being done in time for the course to close.

Is there someone I should ask about this? When I pick up the numbers is it already predetermined what wave you start in? Can that be changed at all? If so who do I talk to?

You shouldn't worry about it at all. The way the course is laid out they can't close it or sweep you. In fact I don't even think there are sweepers and I don't know how they could sweep you anyways. The 5K and the scavenger hunt are all throughout AK (they overlap for most of the way) and since the park is already closed there is no rush to get people off the course to open things back up.

The whole spirit of EE was not like a race at all, it is truly more of an event / party than a race. The object isn't to finish fast, but to have a good time with all of the various parts. The walk/run through AK is cool. The obstacles are fun, but the best part is the scavenger hunt and the after party.

 

[Lilmattie13]

That is so cool to hear. This is what I need to hear encouragement from those who did it and what their experiences were with it.

I told my dh that we are signed up as a surprise for father's day. I was totally expecting him to freak out but he was so thrilled. I was so shocked by his response. It actually proved to be a nice gift for me even though it was a surprise gift for him.

So with that said it is time to get walking. I have had such trouble with my knees but I mapped out about a four mile route from my house and am planning to start walking it this week. I will need to go slow but will work up to it.

Kind of looking forward to doing this with just my husband. With two children its not often you get to do things alone with the hubby anymore.

 

[Lilmattie13]

bump

 

[Lilmattie13]

Been walking but still a bit panicked about not being able to do the 15 miin mile thing. Hopefully I will be able to improve on this prior to the EE 5k. We will see.

 

[SamSam]

Been walking but still a bit panicked about not being able to do the 15 miin mile thing. Hopefully I will be able to improve on this prior to the EE 5k. We will see.

Hey, you have almost 3 months before EE. You CAN do it! Dh and I will be walking it ( I talked Dh into and won't let him back out); our intention is just to have fun.
Hope to see you there!

 

[Lilmattie13]

So heres another question. How do the dis people show themselves? I know of the lime green mickey heads but where do you put them?

Can anyone give me some creative ideas to display the lime green mickey so I can stand out and meet some of these great people on the dis boards?