I Did It!!!

[kristenrice]

I officially registered DH and I for the Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon!

I can't believe that in just 6 months, I'll be participating in a 13.1 mile run! I never in a million years thought I could run 3 miles, let alone 13. I am still not sure that I will be running the entire way. So far, my longest run has been only 6.25 miles. I'm hoping to just finish the race. I started a training program that uses the run/walk method and if I can stick to that, I'll probably be doing the whole race in run/walk fashion.

I have us booked in a value studio at AKV and waitlisted for the elusive standard studio at BWV. It sure would be nice if that WL comes through, but I am not holding my breath. Besides, we haven't stayed at our "home" since 2010 and I am a little homesick.

We have RR points on SWA to cover our flights which should be released this weekend. Then, in a week, our ADR window opens. Eventually, I will get around to going to Target to buy gift cards for our AP's. I usually love the planning part, but I am so focused on training for the run, I keep forgetting that this will be the first F&W for DH and the Christmas decorations might be up when we are there. I'm also hoping that the TOWL is still open to all DVC members because DH has never been there either. Yikes! So many things to get excited about.

 

[JimMIA]

If you can run a 10K, you can run a Half -- same animal, just more of it. Actually, you'll probably find the half a nice, relaxing run -- much easier run than a 10K.

For training, think time spent running and distance. Forget speed, it will come automatically and it's not important anyway.

Race experience will help you greatly. I'd stay away from 5K's because they tend to be sprints, which will hurt your mental preparation. If you can run some 10K races prior to the half, that will help a lot on keeping your head in the early going.

If you can find a 15K, 20K or half at home prior to the F&W, do it. If you can get one or two of those longer distances, focus on holding back early.

Distance running is at least 50% mental. Developing the mental discipline to run slower than you normally run in the early going is the key to running the longer distances. Everybody is fast the first five miles. But you'll pass them starting about mile 8, and a lot of those folks won't finish at all.

On race day, just go out slow and stay slow -- don't get caught up in the excitement of the event. Remember that a "race" is only a race for the elite runners.

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[kristenrice]

If you can run a 10K, you can run a Half -- same animal, just more of it. Actually, you'll probably find the half a nice, relaxing run -- much easier run than a 10K.

For training, think time spent running and distance. Forget speed, it will come automatically and it's not important anyway.

Race experience will help you greatly. I'd stay away from 5K's because they tend to be sprints, which will hurt your mental preparation. If you can run some 10K races prior to the half, that will help a lot on keeping your head in the early going.

If you can find a 15K, 20K or half at home prior to the F&W, do it. If you can get one or two of those longer distances, focus on holding back early.

Distance running is at least 50% mental. Developing the mental discipline to run slower than you normally run in the early going is the key to running the longer distances. Everybody is fast the first five miles. But you'll pass them starting about mile 8, and a lot of those folks won't finish at all.

On race day, just go out slow and stay slow -- don't get caught up in the excitement of the event. Remember that a "race" is only a race for the elite runners.

Good luck and have a great time!

Thanks for the great advice and encouragement. We have the Fifth Third River Bank run next weekend here in Grand Rapids. It's a 25K but there is also a 5K and 10K. At the beginning of the year, a group from work decided to honor a fallen co-worker (he died suddenly while doing EMS relief efforts after hurricane Sandy) by fulfilling his New Year's resolution to run/participate in 10 5K's in 2013. So, I am part of that crew. My 9 year old daughter wanted to join too so I do the 5K's with her now. So far, we've done 3 and we have 2 more this month. I thought about doing the 10K, but unfortunately, I have to work that weekend and I have already maxed out my vacation time for the year.

I don't think anything I do would be considered a sprint. Regardless of the distance I go, I try to stay around a 12:30 pace. A lot of folks have suggested joining a running club, but they are also the people that insist that you are not really running if you are above a 10 minute mile pace. I really like running by myself. I don't even run with DH...he's too fast. He started running about a year before me so he is always below the 10-minute mark. His goal is to run the entire 13.1 miles. Me? I just want to participate in it, enjoy it, and finish it! I want that medal!!

 

[AmyB2006]

Yay!!! My first half is going to be the PHM. I can't wait. I just started the C25K program. I'm only in my 2nd week, but I have plenty of time to train.

Good luck to you!!! I want to do the Wine and Dine next year after the Princess one.