DBF, Disney, DD, running and me...training tips needed

[wvjules]

DBF is not a Disney fan. He has no desire to go there at all. DD and I, of course, love Disney. My DD has started running every day which has inspired me. So DBF suggested that we train for a 1/2 marathon. I told him I would if we got to go to Disney and run the 1/2 there. (We also must do 4 days in the parks!) He agreed! So now I need train for a 1/2 marathon. And even though I have been going to the gym for a year, I am still horribly out of shape. (I should have pushed myself harder.) Now I have a great incentive to get in shape. I'm actually a little excited about getting out there and running.

Does anyone have any good websites for training schedules and tips? And any other pointers and insight you can add?

Oh, part of my inspiration for running was also from The Today Show. Last week they were talking to Natalie Morales and she said, "I run because I like to eat." That stuck with me. It will be my motto!

 

[SAHDad]

DBF is not a Disney fan. He has no desire to go there at all. DD and I, of course, love Disney. My DD has started running every day which has inspired me. So DBF suggested that we train for a 1/2 marathon. I told him I would if we got to go to Disney and run the 1/2 there. (We also must do 4 days in the parks!) He agreed! So now I need train for a 1/2 marathon. And even though I have been going to the gym for a year, I am still horribly out of shape. (I should have pushed myself harder.) Now I have a great incentive to get in shape. I'm actually a little excited about getting out there and running.

Does anyone have any good websites for training schedules and tips? And any other pointers and insight you can add?

Oh, part of my inspiration for running was also from The Today Show. Last week they were talking to Natalie Morales and she said, "I run because I like to eat." That stuck with me. It will be my motto!

First, head on over to the WISH section of the boards. Find one of the WISH teams (I recommend the Goofs, but I admit that I am biased), and join up. (The WISH teams are pretty informal, for the most part, and exist mainly to provide support and advice.)

Second, go and get yourself a good pair of running shoes. Go to an actual running store, and let them help you - your feet will thank you for it. And get good socks too. (Ditto for all other running attire, actually. Just remember - cotton is rotten, at least for running.)

Off the top of my head, I think Higdon has some half marathon training plans, John Bingham (the Pengiun) has a couple in his books ("No Need for Speed", "The Courage to Start" and others). I'll do some digging, and see how many I can find.

 

[OK!]

I'm training for my first full WDW marathon and have been following the novice training program from this site. I've done 8 half-marathons (it'll be 9 after the St. Louis half on April 11) and wanted to do the Mickey just once but had no clue how to go about training for it. It's been fun so far!

 

[wvjules]

That website is great! Thanks.

 

[Buckalew11]

No bettter place to do your 1/2 marathon IMHO. I started training in October by walking then my dad died in November and training was sporadic to say the the least. I tried to stay on top of it by at least walking most everyday in december that year--but with work and Christmas, it was tough.

I made it with no problems. I did a search on the sites mentioned and printed out a plan and walked and ran. It helps that WDW is mostly flat and going through the parks makes it more fun.
January is a tricky time of year weather wise. My year it was 80+ at the start. This year it was sleeting and COLD.
I think the WISH board is helpful. I didn't join a wish group though. You'll see a lot of WISH shirts and DISers there and also a lot of Team in Training. I preferred doing it on my own and will again when I sign up again, someday.

Has your DBF ran a 1/2 before?

 

[Becky2005]

I'm looking for training for the 2012 Princess 1/2 Marathon. Peer pressure I tell you! I saw pictures & videos of everyone's from this year.

It happens to be in March which happens to be the month of my DD's birthday, so we thought for her 18th that would be really fun.

She's my kid that hates to run but has to in gym class & is way faster than myself. She looked at it & got all excited to do it. I have no clue what I have just gotten myself in for but we will start training soon.

I did hear getting the good shoes is the first step, so we figured we would start once the weather is nice & I'm waiting to go get some good shoes.

 

[wvjules]

Brenda, no he has not run one before either. His BIL is a marathon runner so we will have him guide us along the way. (He did 1/2 and full in Disney this January.)

Becky, there is a place here called "If the Shoe Fits" they do the computer thingy to find the perfect shoe. I'll also have to look into the Princess 1/2.

 

[FireDancer]

I'm training for my first full WDW marathon and have been following the novice training program from this site. I've done 8 half-marathons (it'll be 9 after the St. Louis half on April 11) and wanted to do the Mickey just once but had no clue how to go about training for it. It's been fun so far!

Hal's site is the one I would recommend. Come join us on the WISH forum. The majority of people there are relatively new to running and many started just to do one of the Disney races.

Which of the halves are you looking at doing?

 

[wvjules]

Hal's site is the one I would recommend. Come join us on the WISH forum. The majority of people there are relatively new to running and many started just to do one of the Disney races.

Which of the halves are you looking at doing?[/QUOTE]

Either the first or second.

I'm not really sure.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Before starting to really train for my first half last year I read Marathoning for Mortals. It's a very motivational and informative book (with lots of training programs in the back). I highly recommend it.

I've been going back and forth about taking a solo trip and running the Wine and Dine half in WDW this November. It would be my dream to run at WDW at night so I'm really considering it!

 

[FireDancer]

Either the first or second.

I'm not really sure. [/QUOTE]

Fozzie, is that you .

The one in January is the premier event. It is part of the marathon weekend (5K on Fri, half on Sat, full on Sun) and if you are doing one it is the one I would recommend. It has the best support, most participants, and it a great experience.

The Princess in March is a woman focused event. It is a good event from the reviews (I haven't run it) but it is a bit smaller and the medal, while nice, isn't the same as the big Donald one you get for the half in January.

The newest half is the Wine & Dine. It is a night run and brand new so no one really knows how it is yet.

Before starting to really train for my first half last year I read Marathoning for Mortals. It's a very motivational and informative book (with lots of training programs in the back). I highly recommend it.

I've been going back and forth about taking a solo trip and running the Wine and Dine half in WDW this November. It would be my dream to run at WDW at night so I'm really considering it!

If you do the race in November you will probably win but might find the course support a bit lacking .

 

[wvjules]

I posted a Wish Journal! Its official now!

FireDancer, I plan on doing the 1/2 in January.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

If you do the race in November you will probably win but might find the course support a bit lacking .

Whoops! This whole time I'd been reading the first part of the date of when registration opened not the date of the half! Multi-tasking isn't always my friend (apparently neither is reading correctly ).

 

[Buckalew11]

I posted a Wish Journal! Its official now!

FireDancer, I plan on doing the 1/2 in January.

Plus, the race in January has good transportation from all the on-site hotels. Some of the other races have not in the past. Sometimes you needed to stay at a certain resort to have transportation.

Your DBF's BIL will be great for info. for you. My DH always does both and he helped me thru my 1/2. Be aware once you're there that there are a trillion running experts. My gosh, the stuff we have heard on the WDW buses over the years...you need boots for the BS all around,

The most fun part of the race for me was eating my words...I said I would NOT pee in the bushes once we were in, waiting for the start. But, as the masses did an exodus to the edge of the woods, so did I. The lesson I learned...be one of the first to go.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I used to love to run, but that was 15 years ago! I just started running again, but I'm trying the couch to 5k plan. Has anyone heard of it? I'm barely on the first week. I'm thinking of doing the January event in WDW.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

 

[eeyoresmom]

The January Half Marathon fills out super fast. Register ASAP. I ran the full in 2006. So much fun and well organized!

 

[FireDancer]

The January Half Marathon fills out super fast. Register ASAP. I ran the full in 2006. So much fun and well organized!

The races don't seem to be filling as quickly as in past years. If Disney does this year what they have in the past once the races reach 50% capacity they will start to show the progress. After the site redesign I wasn't sure if this would continue but they did show the % full for the princess so I think they will continue to do so.

 

[JVL1018]

I used to love to run, but that was 15 years ago! I just started running again, but I'm trying the couch to 5k plan. Has anyone heard of it? I'm barely on the first week. I'm thinking of doing the January event in WDW.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I did it and much to my surprise it worked for me! I never even ran 1/4 mile before starting that, Everytime I ran, I surprised myself.
I finished the program in January and promptly stopped running.

I decided this week to start up again and really stick with it. I didn't have to go back to the beginning though, I am on Week 5 day 2, which is two .75 mile runs.

 

[shellabell]

John Bingham has several books that give a lot of great tips, but are also funny and a great read. I used Marathoning for Mortals.

 

[wvjules]

We decided to start with the C25K program until we go to Europe. Timing is perfect. It takes 56 days, we leave in 57 (we started yesterday). Last night was strength training. Tonight was supposed to be the first run but rain has spoiled our plans so we will do lower body strength training then run tomorrow.

Here's this weeks' plan:

Monday - upper body
Tuesday - lower body
Wednesday - workout run1
Thursday - off (I have a hair appointment and it is eat out night)
Friday - workout run 2
Saturday - off
Sunday - workout run 3

Next week will be normal.

Monday - upper body
Tuesday - workout run 1
Wednesday - lower body
Thursday - workout run 2
Friday - off
Saturday - workout run 3
Sunday - off

I'm actually disappointed that I don't get to start actually running tonight. I never thought I would say that.

Before you ask - I'm afraid to run on a treadmill at the gym. Walking is ok, running is not.

When we return from Europe we will do the 12 Week Half Marathon training. Run for fun for a month or so along with our regular gym routine then pick it back up in preparation for the marathon. Waaahooo!

Where is the registration page? When do you need to register? Can my DD race? She will be *gasp* 15.