EE Challenge needing some training help pls

[Courtney892]

Hubby and I have are desiring more physical fitness, we're mid-30s and wanted a goal to commit to some kind of exercise regime. I love fast walking but am not very fond of running. Hubby has run some 10 & 20Ks years ago when he was in the military. We're both basically pretty healthy and active, so we thought it would be fun to do a Disney 1/2 marathon, but the only available one on the schedule is in California, so we decided to go for the EE Challenge in September basically cause it sounds like a BLAST and we think it will keep us on track with healthier eating and exercise as well as having something fun as a reward/goal.

This idea came to me on Tuesday, and I went out to a rack in town to get a baseline time. Easy 4 miles in 1 hour walking only, so I am not concerned about having the ability to finish the race (unless we get put in one of the last waves and have little time to complete the course before they close it down...is that actually a danger??)

Hubby's idea since we have so much time is to plan to run it all... I AM NOT A RUNNER. Don't even enjoy the process, but I thought it would be a better goal for us than to plan to walk it

First day out together today, we went 2 1/2 miles walking and running, and I was very unhappy with how much I was able to run. Probably only ran maybe 1/2-3/4 of a mile. It was pretty hot out but there was a breeze, and we didnt eat before going out because it makes hubby gag, but I got a terrible headache (the type I get when I don't eat meals on time) at 1.5 miles and I still have it now long after eating dinner. My time for the 2 1/2 miles was 36 minutes--don't laugh TOO hard it was day one with running added.

Feeling a little disheartened by the poor showing today. Several times hubby ended up walking back to meet me so he didn't get too far ahead...he has legs several inches longer than mine. I'm wondering if we'll end up running this 5K together or if he'll have to go ahead so as not to ruin his pacing. I like exercise as a companion sport...friend and I power walk as we catch up on eachother's lives, and I am concerned that if he is up ahead and I am forcing myself to run if I don't want to that it might not be fun or a togetherness activity.

Came here to get some training tips.


All Advice Welcome!


With regard to training plans, I went to the higdon site today, but his plans seem to either be for ppl needing to start out walking or who can run 1.5 miles from the get go. We're not in either category. Also, his 5K plan is only for 8 weeks out, so what do you do in the meantime? I definitely couldn't run for 1.5 miles at this moment, but I could power walk all day. Not really sure what I need to get better.

Anyone else training to run this thing or I guess any other 5k for that matter?

 

[laxdef69]

1) Congratulations on committing to be fit!

2) Remember that aerobically speaking, walking and running are both great for you, but they have tradeoffs. Running is harder work, so you will see results faster, but it is harder on your body.

http://walkingrunning.suite101.com/article.cfm/running_versus_walking

3) You may need to face the fact that if he is a runner and you are a walker, you will not be spending training time together. But you WILL be seeing results at the same time (if not at the same pace) and have an additional common goal/interest/topic/victories/setbacks to share.

4) I have some comments/opinions but I'll leave specific advice to the more knowledgeable among us...but you came to the right place for good advice!

Again, congratulations and welcome!

 

[StitchAttack]

Lots of people I know have used this program, called couch to 5K to start getting into shape for a 5K race (which EE is). It starts out slow with alternating walking and running and you build up your strength and fitness over time.

Coach to 5K

 

[MaryJ]

You will be in fine company....mine! DH and I trained for a half marathon together and he could run a much longer distance than I could. In fact, I just jogged .25 miles for this first time this week! I think we have decided that he will just go ahead and wait for me at the finish. We will continue on together from there. And I feel your pain about those headaches! That happens to me too if I don't eat. I found that half an english muffin with peanut butter gives me just the right amount of protein and carbs to get me through a run. Also, if it's hot take water along so you don't become dehydrated.

If you decide to tackle a half marathon in the future, many here, including myself have used the book Marathoning for Mortalsby John Bingham. It has several training plans in it.

 

[MichelleB]

First....don't feel bad. My DH and I just started "training" for our first half. He's 6 ft. 1 and I'm lucky to hit 5 ft. in height. It takes me 2 steps to equal one of his. We mapped out a 2 mile course and do it every other day (takes us 29 minutes - a long way to go, but we're just starting). I'm lucky to jog 3/4 a mile of the route where he found the other night he can jog the whole thing but it's a push. I know as I do it, things will progress and get better but it's sometimes disheartening knowing that I'm trying so hard and still he's having to pace down to my speed (we are a team and he said he'd prefer to stick together). The sad thing was this morning my DD13 decided she was going to go with us and the little turkey jogged the whole thing and then some because she'd jog back to us and retrace (she's not allowed to go around a bend or such where I can't see her). I told them both to go ahead but they wouldn't. I've got a great support system! Someone on here posted something that will forever stick with me:

"don't worry about finishing, worry about starting"

So, I say, start at your power walk and mix in jogging (I got good advice from a fellow runner to walk 1 min. and jog 1 min.). Just do it at your pace and don't worry.

 

[sk8ingmom]

I could have written your post! I've always been athletic, but never a runner. I work out all winter long (aerobics, hockey, etc.) then start "Couch to 5K" every spring. This year, I found podcasts of music that go along with the work outs, so I know when to walk or jog without looking at my watch every 5 seconds! Search "podrunner" on iTunes.

DH ran cross country in HS & college and has completed 4 marathons, so obviously he's on a very different level than I am. We "ran" EE together last year. He just went at my pace and we had a blast! We'll be back again this year.

...now I'm attempting the WDW 1/2 in 2010...