I want to run the Disney Full Marathon in 2009

[tinkerbell of winter]

Obviously I have never run a marathon, which is why my goal is to run the Full Marathon in 2009. I know that is really planning ahead, but I am looking for advice now so that I start out right. I have run a 9.3 mile race, the Boilermaker in Utica, NY (1:56:06), and I am running the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon this labor day weekend. I am looking for training suggestions, should I do half marathons throughout the year to use as training for the full in 2009? I do not run fast, but I would like to first work on distance and then work on speed. Any training tips are welcome, what has worked for other people going from the couch to marathon running (which is sort of what I am working on, in January I was on the couch, now i'm running a 1/2 marathon in a few weeks). Any and all suggestions are welcome!!

 

[getnthinr]

As mundane as this advice sounds... I'd get a good book (maybe two). The one that seems most popular on this forum is "Marathoning for Mortals" which you can pick up at any bookstore or online at Amazon. Another favorite of mine is "The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer." These books not only include training and racing advice, they have answers to questions you don't even know you have yet -- about chafing, about running injuries, about goal-setting, about mental preparation, etc..

My other advice is to check out the weekly training thread (Wk of [date]--WISH Walking/Running Club) where you'll hear firsthand about every person's experiments with training and racing, and likely make some new friends.

Good luck! I've finished a few Disney marathons now and always love them. I think Disney is a great first marathon.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I agree with Wendy on getting a book(or 2) and reading what it takes and the commitment that follows. From personal experience, I would work on endurance and than worry about speed. I find if you can keep your pace for a long time, the time will come.

I think you should design a goal of time. It can be just to finish, 6 hrs, etc. WDW Marathon is an experience so don't get too caught up in finishing exactly your goal. 1st goal should be to finish and enjoy the ride. After that everything is gravy. That's what I do

 

[Cindylou]

Hi Tink,

Since you have 15 months between your 1/2 marathon and WDW 2009 you could do a couple different things. Since you have a good base of miles already you could continue your training and run a full marathon this winter or next spring.

If you think that you want WDW 2009 to be your first marathon then I would after a couple weeks recovery from VA Beach keep your long run between 8 and 12 miles to keep a bit of your endurance, but add speed work into your training. 1 day of speed work, 1 tempo run, 1 long run and 1 or 2 other short runs per week. Every 4th week or so I'd skip the LR to give your body a rest. Plan a few 5 or 10K races or even another 1/2 marathon to monitor your progress. Then around next Labor Day start in with a 18 week marathon training plan which will bring you to January.

That's just my 2 cents. I'm sure other people might have different ideas.

Best of luck.
Cindy

 

[tiberius]

I have to agree with all the others in front of me here!

I also plan to run the WDW 2009 Marathon as my first full marathon. I ran 1 half last April after following the training plans in the previously mentioned Marathoning for Mortals. I have already registered for a 10 mile and 2 half-marathons for this fall--and may run a few others. Good luck in your training, you have plenty of time before you need to do much more than your current level of training.

I hope I will see you there in 2009!