Half Marathon Advice Needed

[MaryJ]

I have registered for the WDW Half Marathon. I have never participated in a half marathon (5K Race for the Cure is my only race to date) so I expected that the WDW half would be a first. Then I saw an article in yesterday's local paper about a half marathon that would take place in my area in October. The local YMCA is offering a training program to prepare for this event. I think it sounds like an excellent way for a beginning runner/walker (me) to get into shape, but I am worried about peaking too soon for the WDW event. So, I'm asking the "experts" here what they think. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks!
Mary

 

[momof2minnies]

I don't know that you could peak too soon.I think your training would just continue based on knowing you can do it.

Linda

 

[DisneyWacker]

For a half marathon, I'm not sure that is an issue. If you are just doing it for "fun", then I would just try to make sure you get in the best shape possible by establishing a routine building up to the event. I'd set a schedule that includes 2 longer runs every week, then short runs on the other days. Build up to the half-marathon probably by running at least 10 miles or so once about a week before. Then for the last week prior slow down a bit by doing just short runs so you can recover before the race.

This is what I did for the Marine Corps Marathon and it worked out pretty well. My goal was just to finish in 4 hours without injury or a long recovery period after. I was not in it to compete though. For a competetive training regime, I'm sure there would be much longer runs involve and a much more rigorous schedule.

 

[Cruella de mom]

I think you should do it. There are way more pros than cons. Having a group to train with makes it fun. You won't peak too soon. You will enjoy the Disney Half even more because of the added confidence and the base of training.

The only trick will be your recovery. You will need to be very diligent immediately after the October half. Get an ice bath and eat and drink as quickly as you can after. Then take a couple days off to rest. The third day you will run an easy slow run to work out all the rest of the lactic acid. You won't feel like running, but you will feel better even as you run. Then jump right back into your training plan.

Chances are that whoever is running the program at the Y will be glad to help you work out a training schedule for after the October Half into Disney. They would be my first choice because they will know how your training has gone up to that point. Some people need to run 5 days a week and others need more rest days so it just depends.

The most important thing to do is listen to your body. When you are so tired that walking to the grocery store you cling to the cart, then its time to take a day off. Rest is important in a training program.

Good Luck!

 

[scoolover]

If you are not a racer, I wouldn't even thing about peaking. I would sign up for any race that sounds like fun and go for it. I also agree with the above post that if you do this other half, it will relax you a bit and allow you to enjoy the Disney race more.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I think no problem doing both and take the training program.

I would disagree with 2 long days a week. I would do only one. I would also do my longest run(10 miles) 2 weeks before the 1/2. I would do about 6 miles the week before and than race week. I feel give yourself some rest before the race and if something goes wrong(injury) on your long run, you have 2 weeks to recover vs only one.

Worse thing you can do is too many miles and get injuried. My 2 cents.

 

[Big Vic]

Do it. I'm running a 1/2 in Nov, maybe another in Dec, and the WDW 1/2 in January.

Take a little time after your race to let your body recover. Start back slowly, and you shouldn't have any problems.

Have fun, and

 

[TnTsParty]

I say do it - I am doing a half in November and then the full in January (actually using the half as one of my long runs for marathon training) so it works out perfect. In your case I think you will be that much better for the Disney half since you will know you can do the full 13.1 miles.

 

[wdw4us]

I’ve only run one ½ and that was at Disney last January. My sons DGF did a local ½ here in town in November and then did the ½ in Disney. Our course locally was pretty hard and she did fine. She gave us the courage to feel a bit more confident that we could do it since none of us had ever done a ½ marathon. We had trained a lot more than her and she did quite well for her first time. I was afraid that I would not want to continue to train after the local ½ if I didn’t do well or was injured in the process.

One of my co-workers trained with a local running store – same as the Y for you and loved it. Got a lot of advice, pointers and free stuff.

I say Go for it!
denise

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Training with a group is definitely a plus if you can do this. I'm glad to hear that you are ready to make a go of it. This must mean that the knee problem is better? If you want to train with the group and continue so that WDW is your first half there could be a lot said for that experience. I LOVED that WDW was my first. There is nothing like doing the first event at Disney. If you do the one at home, make it fun and do as the others suggested. Have fun!

 

[MaryJ]

Lily,
I'm still having some trouble with the knee, but it is getting better. Ken and I joined a gym and I have been working with a trainer twice a week. She is studying to be a PT and is very cautious about not doing too much with my knee.

I went to see a 3rd doctor to get yet another opinion in June. She said that there was no reason why I couldn't begin to train. She sent me to PT but I only went 3 times as the therapist said there wasn't anything that she could do for me that I wasn't all ready doing at the gym with the trainer. So, that being said, I keep working on the quads trying to bulk them up as the doctor said that's the best remedy for my knee.

I did go to train with the group on Tuesday, but they were a bit too much for me. They started out doing a 5/5 split running and walking. My endurance is not so good, so running for 5 minutes isn't going to happen right now. I did what I could and then I walked. I stayed in about the middle of the pack most of they way, but by the last 10 minutes my knee was starting to swell some, so I only walked at that point. I came home, put ice on it and took an anti-imflammatory medicine (voltaren) that was prescribed by my doctor before going to bed. Next morning, there was some clicking and popping, but it's been worse. By mid afternoon, it felt fine.

I'm going back out tonight, but I think I will try the walking group.

Thanks for all the good thoughts and encouragement!

Mary

 

[mkymsehi]

Mary,

Sign up. The more you train, the better you get.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Mary, I think if you keep at the walking and continue strength training that we will see you at the finish line as well as along the way. You are doing the right thing by doing what you can and I envy you having a PT.

 

[tigger2esq]

I have to say, I did a half in sept before my first disney half in jan back in 2001/02 and having completeed the full 13.1 mi distance once really helped with the mental aspect of the disney race. I am a runner and with the firs thalf only ran 10 miles and walked in the last 3 (I just wnated to see how far I could get and where I was at with my training) it was awesome but it did put me out of commission for at leat a week before I got back on the training horse. good luck!