I don't know if I can do this

[OhhBother]

I've signed up for the TOT 10-miler, but I'm not sure I'll physically be able to do it. Tonight was my three-mile run on the Galloway plan for beginners. I did 20/40, and my pace was 21:44 per mile. I feel absolutely pathetic about it and don't know if I can physically get to where I need to be in three months.

Is it possible to get my time down to a 16-minute mile and distance to 10 miles by September? Or am I kidding myself? I really want your honest feedback.

Thanks.

 

[jmasgat]

Well, a couple of things before we let the old panic set in.......

How long have you have been on your plan? If you're at the beginning, then you shouldn't expect to be at the mileage/speed that you will be at the end. I tell this to myself all the time...."this is why we train"

Also, what were conditions like for you on this run? Was the weather hot/humid? Were you tired? Do you have any injuries? Many things can contribute to a bad run. And don't stew over a bad run or two. It happens to everyone, and stewing about it only causes you to worry about the next one.

Maybe this still isn't the case for you, and I will be honest and say I don't know where you'll be in 3 months, but I will say don't give up trying.

Good luck.

Maura

 

[billdob62]

I would say...yes! You have three months to get this done, and I believe it is possible to knock 1 1/2 minutes off your time each month. Of course, it is going to take a lot of time and dedication on your part, but the more you run, the better shape you will be in, and hence, the more you can push yourself.

Good luck!

 

[windwalker]

I will be glad to help but I need to know some things. First off are you carying some extraa weight? If so you might want to concentrate of just walking right now and getting stronger. Trying to run to soon in a program has been the downfall of many with good intentions.

Have you been fitted for the proper shoes? Are you increasing your water intake? I would advise you right now to give up soda and cut way back on the fried food. Try to start eating a more clean diet that is not composed of processed food. Start with lean meat, fish and chicken and frozen or fresh veggies and fruits. Your'e body is like an engine if you try to run it on junk it doesn't perform very well.

Yep you guessed it, I'm talking about a life style change. There is plenty of help on here for making a change and that is what it takes to be where you want to be.

Dave

 

[cewait]

All the above....

Looking at your hometown and seeing the time of day you mentioned, I am guessing that you are having a few heat issues. Try going out in the morning just before sunup or slightly later.

Make sure you have shoes fitted to you and your gait. Improper shoes will not cause the slowness but they can lead to injury

Work on speed on your 2 mid week runs. Have access to a tread mill? If so do one of the midweek runs on 5-7% incline. No holding on and your effort should be one where yoga re huffy-puffy. No mill, head to the high school track. Your goal right now is to go from one 50 yard line all the way around the track to the other side. Effort - Hard and breathing huffy puffy or 1-2 words per breath. Do not worry about speed initially as much as turnover. I am betting that you are only take 120-140 steps a minute. We need to get you up to 160-180. Measure this by counting the number of times you right (or left) leg strikes the ground in a minute. Double that number. To do this, try shortening your stride just a bit. Just try to feel like you are hitting the middle of your foot when your foot lands and not the heal. Shortening the stride will help with turn over but will also lessen the breaking action and lower stresses on the knee and hip.


You can do this (to borrow from the WaterBoy). There is no reason to get down just yet. Speed will come to you as you become fitter possibly tone up the legs and the temperatures fall.

 

[erinna]

My first RunDisney event was a WalkDisney. If you feel like you're about to give up, consider working on walking at 15 minute mile instead. Walking is great for your health and a good bridge to running if that's your long-term goal.

And, honestly? I may walk the ToT even though I could run it. I want to be able to appreciate what's around me more than I want to PR in WDW!

 

[ZellyB]

Don't give up! I also started the Galloway method back the first of May. I was in a more strenuous training schedule than you (I had some history of running walking already), but the first few weeks on the long runs I really struggled. I was getting down on myself and thinking I couldn't do it. But, what I found was that in a few weeks time, my stamina and endurance changed dramatically. What was a real challenge for me a few weeks before now became much easier. You are making progress!! It's just hard to recognize it sometimes when you are in the middle of it. The great thing about Galloway for me is that you have permission to adjust however you need to for it to work for you. So, don't beat yourself up and if you need to let up for a little while, do it. You are gaining endurance, sometimes you just don't see it right away.

 

[OhhBother]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I guess I should tell you a bit more about me. I'm 40 and am 98 pounds overweight. That's the bad news. The good news -- I was 200 pounds overweight. Since June 2009, I've lost 152 pounds. More bad news -- I moved to Louisiana last year and have since gained back 50 pounds (that's how we get to my current status at 98 pounds overweight).

I initially started running in 2010 at a heavier weight than I am now. I successfully did C25K and ran several 5Ks, including the Halloween 5K at Disney in 2010. At my lowest weight (216 pounds), my fastest 5K time was 39 minutes.

I have proper shoes, and I'm eating a healthy diet (back on track after a year off plan). I haven't had soda of any kind since 2009 -- I only drink water, skim milk and the occasional orange juice. I've been back in weight-losing mode for about a month -- lost 2.2 pounds this week and am down nine pounds overall since recommitting.

I'm just frustrated at my lack of conditioning and am not sure how long it will take me to get back in shape enough for this race in three months. I'm running on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and taking tennis lessons on Wednesday. What activities would you recommend for Monday and Friday? I do belong to a gym, so I have access to equipment there.

Thanks for your advice. I want to think this is in the realm of possibility -- I did two miles at a 15:50 pace last week. But i was so slow last night that I'm doubting myself.

 

[cewait]

I am hanging it on hot and humid. I know that evenings near the gulf are tough.

With regard to what else... I would look to a strength training. Engage a trainer for a few sessions if needed. Look for one with additional certifications that include something a sports specialty. You are looking for someone who will help set up a program that includes some instability work; once you get to the point you can do it with little chance of injury. It will help your running and tennis

 

[Rose&Mike]

I second (or third) the heat as a factor. Do you have access to a treadmill? Could you do a workout indoors and see how you feel? That might boost your confidence as well. You have put in the work and had better times in the past, you can do this again!

One thing that really helped me when I was rehabbing was pool running. It is a good cardio workout without the impact. I put a float belt on and "ran" in the deep end of the pool. At first I could only do 30 minutes--it really wore me out. That is a possibility for a cross training day if you access to a pool.

The good news is that you will be so ready for whatever Florida throws you in September. The bad news--it could still be warm and muggy. But that's what you will have trained in, so it shouldn't slow you down.

Every year when it warms up here and gets humid I go through the frustration of feeling sooooooooo slow and sluggish. But by the fall when the temps improve I see the rewards of the effort.

The other thing, if you keep losing your times should keep improving. I think you know that from experience.

You can do this. It's hard in the summer in the heat. Make sure you are getting enough fluids and electrolytes. It will be so worth it in the end.

 

[Mickeyfan74]

Hello Ooh Bother,

I think you can do it! I too did my first ever WDW Half and walked the 13.1miles. Now I did train myself for 6 months to get to a 15 minute mile pace. The biggest thing for me once I had a decent time was the sheer endurance. Getting used to walking for at least 2 hours got me through the half.

I am signed up for TOT also with a friend. If you need a walking buddy for TOT let me know and we'll walk it with you.

 

[RunRookie]

I agree with all the comments here. You can certainly accomplish your goal with Desire, Discipline, and Determination. Losing 152 lbs is a HUGE accomplishment and I congratulate you on being able to reach such an awesome milestone! I am encouraged by that as I am on a quest to lose 160 lbs myself and still have 45 left to go.

I have to doubly agree to heat being a factor. It is hard for me to run in very humid conditions. Dry heat I can handle much better than humid air. I slow way down to compensate as I like to keep my heart rate down. If you can run on a Treadmill in a controlled climate, you might find that you can perform better. Especially your speed work. But doing a lot of running outdoors will help train your body to work more effectively in those conditions and will make you stronger.

I will add one more thing to the suggestions already offered. Make sure you keep one day as a TOTAL Rest Day. Your body needs time to recover as it builds itself up. That recovery time is just as important as your workout days. The body rebuilds during rest (rest days, while sleeping, etc.) So get plenty of sleep, mark one day (or two) as rest days, and enjoy the benefits of your hard work!

You will have a lot of fun at TOT! And when they put that medal around your neck, people will have to wear shades to keep from being blinded by the SMILE on your face and the pride in your heart!

 

[es45]

You've already received great advice from PPs about the heat, training, and your endurance; I just wanted to throw in my support and encouragement. You can do it!