Marathon in Jan 2010

[southernbelle5672]

Hey everyone! I am new here but I have decided that running in marathons is something that I would really like to try. It turns out that DW is having a marathon the exact weekend I was going to be there in January. I really think that is fate!! I was wondering if anyone can give me some info. Would you start with the 5k? What is it like?

 

[wtpclc]

Starting with a 5K is a good place to start fro gettign a feel fro how races work. I recommend reading Running for Mortals fo info and a trianing plan. If you relly want to "Got the Distancee" tee, hee, as in marathons adnhalf marathons, Marathoning for Mortals is a must. They are both by John "The Penguin" Bingham and are both pratical for trainign and inspiration. remeber, though, 5Ks tend to be much faster than half and full marathons. So, if you find yourself way back int eh pack, don't worry, you'll do better on longer distances.

 

[getnthinr]

I absolutely agree with Carrie. Don't let your performance in a 5K dictate whether or not you try a marathon. I am routinely shut out of local 5Ks because they are geared to runners -- and I am primarily a walker. But you can walk the WDW marathon -- a 16-minute/mile pace is all that is required, which should be very doable if you begin training this early.

Hang out here and you'll pick up all the scoop -- from use of Body Glide to training schedules to the best resort race transportation.

Good luck, whatever your decision.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I would definitely start out with some smaller races - 5K, 10K and then work your way up from there. If you haven't done a race before the distance could surprise (or not) you.

What's your fitness background like? If you already workout regularly, you might be able to transition easily between distances. A couple of long time runners I know have told me that they spent a few years on smaller distances and gradually transitioned to a marathon. For me, (in my old age ) that seems to be the best plan. That said, I know a lot of people who've jumped right into a marathon without doing any other races.

Whatever you decide, my adivce is to make sure you go to your local running store and get fitted for a proper pair of shoes. Good running socks also make a big difference too but they aren't cheap. Also make sure you integrate some type of cross training into your running routine and don't forget to do a core workout. From experience, your knees, back and hips will thank-you

Good luck! And keep us posted on your progress!

 

[southernbelle5672]

I would definitely start out with some smaller races - 5K, 10K and then work your way up from there. If you haven't done a race before the distance could surprise (or not) you.

What's your fitness background like? If you already workout regularly, you might be able to transition easily between distances. A couple of long time runners I know have told me that they spent a few years on smaller distances and gradually transitioned to a marathon. For me, (in my old age ) that seems to be the best plan. That said, I know a lot of people who've jumped right into a marathon without doing any other races.

Whatever you decide, my adivce is to make sure you go to your local running store and get fitted for a proper pair of shoes. Good running socks also make a big difference too but they aren't cheap. Also make sure you integrate some type of cross training into your running routine and don't forget to do a core workout. From experience, your knees, back and hips will thank-you

Good luck! And keep us posted on your progress!

Thanks for the advice!! I do work out about 2-3 times a week and I play tennis for a team. But, my stamina is not very good when it just comes to running on the treadmill. Will it look strange if I do a walk/run combo at the 5k?

 

[southernbelle5672]

Starting with a 5K is a good place to start fro gettign a feel fro how races work. I recommend reading Running for Mortals fo info and a trianing plan. If you relly want to "Got the Distancee" tee, hee, as in marathons adnhalf marathons, Marathoning for Mortals is a must. They are both by John "The Penguin" Bingham and are both pratical for trainign and inspiration. remeber, though, 5Ks tend to be much faster than half and full marathons. So, if you find yourself way back int eh pack, don't worry, you'll do better on longer distances.

Thanks! I will definitely pick up that book.

 

[wtpclc]

Thanks for the advice!! I do work out about 2-3 times a week and I play tennis for a team. But, my stamina is not very good when it just comes to running on the treadmill. Will it look strange if I do a walk/run combo at the 5k?

Absolutely not! In fact, there are run/walk and walk/run plans in both books!

 

[southernbelle5672]

I absolutely agree with Carrie. Don't let your performance in a 5K dictate whether or not you try a marathon. I am routinely shut out of local 5Ks because they are geared to runners -- and I am primarily a walker. But you can walk the WDW marathon -- a 16-minute/mile pace is all that is required, which should be very doable if you begin training this early.

Hang out here and you'll pick up all the scoop -- from use of Body Glide to training schedules to the best resort race transportation.

Good luck, whatever your decision.

Yes, I feel like I would be able to keep that pace without any extra training at this point. If that's the case, would you start out with the half marathon? The only problem is the one at DW is closed

 

[wtpclc]

Thanks for the advice!! I do work out about 2-3 times a week and I play tennis for a team. But, my stamina is not very good when it just comes to running on the treadmill. Will it look strange if I do a walk/run combo at the 5k?

Absolutely not! In fact, there are run/walk and walk/run plans in both books!

 

[wtpclc]

Yes, I feel like I would be able to keep that pace without any extra training at this point. If that's the case, would you start out with the half marathon? The only problem is the one at DW is closed

OK, confession time. Dh adn I went from ZERO exercise (OK, I did curves 3xs per week, but he did nothing) to full marathon in 10 months. Buy Marathoning fr Mortals and look at the beigniing weeks of training. Do you think you could do 5 miles now? If so, you could try fo rthe full. I don't recommend it, but it sounds liek you're in decent shape. The full is possibel.

The half is a better fit, but... If you went through a tour company or got with a charity, though, there may still eb openings.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Thanks for the advice!! I do work out about 2-3 times a week and I play tennis for a team. But, my stamina is not very good when it just comes to running on the treadmill. Will it look strange if I do a walk/run combo at the 5k?

Sounds like you're in much better shape than I was when I started running last year

I did my first 5K doing a run/walk combo. I don't think it looks weird because there are usually a mix of runners and walkers anyway.

One other piece of advice is to do a majority of your running outside. It's a lot different than the treadmill. The first time I went outside, I was like there's wind

OK, confession time. Dh adn I went from ZERO exercise (OK, I did curves 3xs per week, but he did nothing) to full marathon in 10 months. Buy Marathoning fr Mortals and look at the beigniing weeks of training. Do you think you could do 5 miles now? If so, you could try fo rthe full. I don't recommend it, but it sounds liek you're in decent shape. The full is possibel.

The half is a better fit, but... If you went through a tour company or got with a charity, though, there may still eb openings.

The DIS Unplugged team was suppose to secure some entries to the 1/2 and full but I haven't heard anything about it recently. Last year, Disney re-opened registration to the 1/2 in the fall (October - I think). But... I think a majority of Disney hotel rooms had been booked by that time. I only remember that because someone on my team wanted to stay at a Disney resort but said everything had been booked up.

 

[monte]

Good luck! Start training now and you should be fine. I'm actually training for the Goofy in 2011, then DL half in Sept. 2011 because I want that coast to coast medal.

Keep training!