I want to do the 5K at Disney in 2012...

[mickeymedic]

Am I crazy? I am not a runner. I never have been. But DH and I are actively working on getting in shape. I have joined Curves to build strength and stamina. DH has started running again. We have a treadmill - which is great in this winter weather. This spring I look forward to running with DH outside.

DH ran cross country in high school. Over the past 12 or so years, he has gotten really out of shape (unless, of course, you count round as a shape). So I am very excited that he is taking an interest in his health. He recently quit smoking. And now he's starting to run again. I'm very proud of him.

I actually need to gain 5-10 pounds - hopefully all muscle. I have a long way to go before I can think about running long distances. But I figured if I had an attractive goal, I just might be able to do this.

The idea of running through one of my favorite places in The World motivates me. Am I crazy? Is it realistic for me to think that I could run a 5K? I've never been a runner so I truly have no idea. Sorry if I sound naive. In this case I really am.

 

[stampingoddess]

No, you are NOT crazy. A 5k is a great goal that is very attainable. Good luck and go for it!

 

[momoflizandains]

You are not at all crazy. My sister and I did the 5K in 2010. We were worried about sweepers, keeping pace, etc. The 5K doesn't have any of that (that we noticed). It was so much fun; people were having a great time and no one was extremely serious. I liked it so much I signed up for the half this year and finished a bit over a week ago. Running, walking, or both, you can definitely do it!! Good luck and have fun!

 

[mickeymedic]

Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[natale1980]

Forget 2012 - Go for 2011! If you have 8-9 weeks (or less) you could do it quite easily with the C25k!
Have fun!

-nat

 

[Nicolepa]

I started the C25K in June and ran my first 5K in September. Before that I had never run unless someone was chashing me. Now I run 2-3 miles 2-3 times a week.

If anything your goal is too far away. You could very likely get bored with running before 2012. I would find a local 5K for the summer and train for that. Once you complete that you'll be hooked!

 

[minniebeth]

If I can do it, anyone can do it! My DDs and friends and I just did the 5k 2 weeks ago during the WDW Marathon Weekend and it was a lot of fun. I was so concerned with keeping pace with the 16 minute mile, but it was not a problem at all. I was so uptight, but if I knew what I know now, I would have just enjoyed it more!

I walk a lot but did a little jogging about 3 weeks prior to the weekend, so if you are actually training, you will do great!

 

[hops&dreams]

Try the Couch to 5k program. It is very, VERY doable. I downloaded the mp3's from runningintoshape.com, and I love it.

I just started running again, training for a half marathon in May. I've never been a runner before, but I've always wanted to. This year, I decided to stop wanting and start doing. I mean, what was I waiting for?!?

So, my overall goal is to participate in the 2012 WDW Marathon weekend. I'm hoping to train for the goofy. We'll see! I'm going to get this (local) half marathon under my belt first and see how I feel about what I really want to do in Florida. But the idea of doing both that weekend (the goofy is doing the Half marathon on Sat and the full marathon on Sun) is really sounding awesome to me right now!

In addition to the c25k (Couch to 5k), another training site that's helped me a lot is halhigdon.com. Lots of info and tips for beginners. The best advice I got was to take the plunge and buy a good pair of running shoes. They can cost a lot, but you can also get them on clearance for not too bad ($50-$100), and I see it as an investment in myself and my health.

Good luck, and keep with it! Good for you and your DH. My DH is not in this with me, but I'm hoping if I finish the half, he'll start training with me in the spring.

 

[gnargle2988]

Just wanted to post my experience....sorry it is a little long.
In January 2010 I went on a Disney cruise with my best friend (it was our "We haven't gone on spring break in our past three years of college and January is cheaper to travel than April trip"). She is a runner, I was not at all. So when she read about the Castaway Cay 5k, she wanted to do it. I wasn't really interested but I figured I was in decent shape so why not try it. Well I started out good and that lasted about 3 minutes. Then I started slowing down and told her to keep going, I was going to run it slower than her. But I was still not the last one and that lasted about another 3 minutes. At which point I could not run and had to slow to a walk. Shortly after that I lost the rest of the group. And I did not really understand the layout of where we were running so I got lost. I finally showed up at the ship an hour or so later to discover that my friend, frantic that I was lost, had told many different cast members that she thought I was lost or something to that effect. When I got back on board and they scanned my key card one of the security officers commented that my friend was looking for me and was pretty frantic. I was humiliated. It did not help that that cruise started at the end of the Disney marathon weekend so there were quite a few runners on board. I was pretty sure I would never run again.

Then I decided to do the Disney College Program one more time. I found out I would be moving in January 10th, the Monday following marathon weekend. A friend I met on my first program then informed me that he was running the 1/2 marathon with his sister. They had been training since late spring. I was kind of interested, I had always wanted to do a Disney race but never put the effort into training. But since I was going to be in Florida on the 10th and the 1/2 was on the 8th, I signed up in mod October. And then I started training. Nothing like a $135 race fee to motivate you to train. At the beginning I could only run for 1 mile at more of a jog/walk pace. I completed the 1/2 in 2 hours and 10 minutes. So it can be done, I certainly was not a runner when I started, now I feel like I am missing something if I go more than a day without running.

I say give it a try. Running and completing the 1/2 marathon was something I never thought I would be able to do and it feels so great to have accomplished it. Good luck!

 

[RENThead09]

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

The disney races were the exact thing that I need to try and unleash the runner that was hidden inside of me.

Once you pay that fee, you have that commitment in your head. Add in the motivation of cool Disney finisher swag, and you will be hooked.

I started with a 5k. followed by a half marathon. and a full marathon. and two more half marathons. and now I am tryin to get goofy!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!! It is already in your brain. Listen to your brain. Let it run free! hahahaha And just have a BLAST while you do it.

 

[mickeymedic]

Thanks everyone for your replies and support. I will have to look into the C25K program. I'm actually hoping to do the Castaway Cay 5K on our cruise in September. I'll keep you posted on my progress!

 

[KellyJeanDVC]

I just wanted to pipe in and say I think it is an awesome goal.

Last year I weighed almost 300 pounds and I decided I wanted to run a half marathon in WDW (the Wine and Dine). People thought I was nuts.

But I did it and it was such a rewarding experience. I will even be back this year to run it again!

I started a blog about it if you want to read the details of how I got started. The link is in my signature.

Good luck to you! The minute you get one of those medals around your neck you'll be addicted to the Disney races.

 

[FireDancer]

2012? No problem. When I decided to do my first 5K I was barely able to run a mile and it took me just under a month to work up to 3.1. That first 5K was slow but I finished without having to walk which at the time was my goal.

 

[RemembertheMagic98]

You can do it!!!!

I am currently in training for the Princess Half in 2012 Trust me, I am not a runner, but I really want to learn how to run a distance race. Granted I plan to jog/walk at least 1 5K this spring and a 10K this fall, i know I will be ready for the half!

As Walt said, All you have to do is BELIEVE!

Best of luck on your journey

 

[mufasa0505]

Definitely look into C25K. I started in December and had trouble running 90 seconds. I'm on week 8 of the program and just did a 28-minute straight run. We're going on the 2/25 Magic cruise and I plan to run the Castaway Cay 5k. It's kept me motivated.

 

[Carnie]

I am wanting to do this too! I just completed Day 1 of the C25K on my iPod and it was not as bad as I thought.

I also used to be of the mindset that not only would I only run when I was being chased, but I would only run if that thing was going to eat me.

I recently suffered a miscarriage, and I need to do this for me and my baby.

My goal is to complete a local 5K this May, and depending on how that goes, either do a 5K or the half come January.

 

[mickeymedic]

I am wanting to do this too! I just completed Day 1 of the C25K on my iPod and it was not as bad as I thought.

I also used to be of the mindset that not only would I only run when I was being chased, but I would only run if that thing was going to eat me.

I recently suffered a miscarriage, and I need to do this for me and my baby.

My goal is to complete a local 5K this May, and depending on how that goes, either do a 5K or the half come January.

Sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I'm thinking I need to download C25K. I looked it up and it looks totally doable. I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis - and I am determined to keep active. I work at a physically demanding job and I cannot imagine having to change careers. I know that someday I might not have a choice - but I plan to do everything possible to keep all myself moving.