Good luck on the marathon training! My mind is always blown when I think about those that do marathons or even half marathons. I can see myself maybe working my way up to a 10k, but no matter how much weight I lose I could never see me running that distance!
Slow clap for all you distance runners!
True story: I started going to WDW annually around new years in the mid-nineties when the WDW Marathon started. I was in my early 20s and skinny but out of shape. We'd stay at the Boardwalk and go to Epcot and I would see the runners. We continued this tradition for about 10 years, until I had kids, and although it seemed like an awesome thing to do, I never really thought of it as a possibility. I never thought I could do a race like that. Fast forward to 2010, and I was now overweight, and decided to get in shape. I still thought running was never going to happen for me. I have asthma, and it just seemed impossible. Then in 2013, my sister asked me to do the Princess Half with her, and after researching it, I realized walking parts was common, and I figured I could give it a shot. Then they announced the first Enchanted 10k, and on a whim I decided to do the Glass Slipper Challenge. So we registered and in late 2013 I did my proof of time 10k. My first timed running event. My sister ended up deferring, so I did the GSC alone and though I was injured, I loved every minute and was hooked. I've done it 3 times now, as well as the Avengers Infinity Gauntlet once, and that was a blast - and got me my Coast to Coast. I never thought I'd be a runner, and honestly some days I still feel like I am not a real runner, because I am so much slower than my friends (they run halves well under 2 hours). But, the fact is i love it. It is my me time, it makes me feel like I am doing something to stay healthy, and it gives me a sense of accomplishment. So never say never -- you may find yourself running longer and longer distances as you keep training. It is addictive.
Marathon!? AWESOME! Which race did you sign up for and when is it? Apprehension is normal -- but you're going to do great and finish. Your first race will always set a PR, so no stress!
Baby steps. You're working your way to that awesome 5K in two weeks. And I think once you get done you'll get the 'bug' and want to do more. Disney's 10K races are fun - if you can find a way to do one I'd highly recommend it. Rock n Roll also does great races as well...
Thanks
Marine Corps Marathon in October in DC. I lived there for about 10 years, and knew if Disney wasn't my first, I wanted Marine Corps to be. The apprehension comes from the time limit. At Disney, I know I am safe, because I start fairly forward in the corrals so the time buffer means I can walk the whole thing and finish within the time limit. But this full, you have to keep a 14 min/mile pace and be to two different sweep points by a set time. Now, I normally am faster than 14 min/miles, but who knows what will happen with that distance? Its the barrier of knowing I have to run the first 17 (the first sweep point - actually a redirection to a shorter course) in order to make it. Once you make the 21.5 mile mark and you're over the 14th street bridge I should be good, because from there you're allowed 16 min/mile and I can walk that. My training plan has me running mostly around 11 min/mi which will be slower for me (I usually run 10-10.5) but the slow down is intended to prevent injury.
I absolutely agree, Disney's 10k races are my favorite. I've done Princess (Enchanted 10k) and Avengers which was Captain America but has been renamed this year I believe. They were both so fun. Lots of great park time and cool places to run.
It's funny, on our last
Disney Cruise I saw the info on the
Castaway Cay 5K and said who would go on a cruise to run a 5K... that's the opposite of what I want to do.
Last week I told my wife I want to run the Castaway Cay 5K on our cruise next March.
Btw, thanks for the follow on Instagram – really like all the running and Disney pics... very motivational.
The Castaway Cay 5k is fun, you do get a medal, but it is not chip timed, which was fine by me, because it was HOT! I think high 80s with high humidity. I walked A LOT. The cool thing is, at least when I did it a few years ago, participating allows you to be among the first people off the boat, so you see the island quiet and serene before the throngs of people come ashore. But as
@SarahDisney said, there is no shade, and the course is not a scenic as one might think, though the walk to it is. A large part of it is running along a runway.
@courtneybeth - enjoy your races this weekend! I am sure you'll do great
Eventually you'll find a balance of knowing what you can eat in restaurants vs making something at home. Tuna sammiches are fairly easy and healthy - it's my go-to lazy dinner. 
