My W.I.S.H. Wish.....

[Scrappy_Tink]

Okay, I've only been here for a couple of days, and I am so envious of you'all that can do the Special Disney marathons, they sound so challenging and Fun!

I'm sad because Im soon-to-be 52 years "young" and have real bad arthritis in my knees....future knee-replacement bad. I know, even though I can walk, I will never be able to run a marathon or participate in these special events. I've looked around the different threads and was wondering....do they ever have events that you can walk, instead of run? If not, would anyone be interested in having a non-running special WISH's event? when I lived in Germany, they had Volksmarches (walking events) throughout the country. Maybe we can have a WISH's Volksmarch....start in Germany and maybe do some type of "amazing race" type challenges or scavenger hunts along the way in each country or park. Just throwing some ideas out there to stay motivated towards a goal, and meet other WISH and DISers.

 

[lisah0711]

Okay, I've only been here for a couple of days, and I am so envious of you'all that can do the Special Disney marathons, they sound so challenging and Fun!

I'm sad because Im soon-to-be 52 years "young" and have real bad arthritis in my knees....future knee-replacement bad. I know, even though I can walk, I will never be able to run a marathon or participate in these special events. I've looked around the different threads and was wondering....do they ever have events that you can walk, instead of run? If not, would anyone be interested in having a non-running special WISH's event? when I lived in Germany, they had Volksmarches (walking events) throughout the country. Maybe we can have a WISH's Volksmarch....start in Germany and maybe do some type of "amazing race" type challenges or scavenger hunts along the way in each country or park. Just throwing some ideas out there to stay motivated towards a goal, and meet other WISH and DISers.

to the WISH boards! There is a group of WISHers called the "Scream Team" that cheer the WISH runners on. They come out in force for Marathon Week-end in January. You certainly don't have to be a runner to be part of the WISH team -- they are a very welcoming group! As are most Dis'ers.

You might be able to do a Disney race if you can walk a 16 min/mile pace. They have 5K events at all the races -- that's 3.1 miles. I see you are from Colorado. You might think about the Tinker Bell 5K in January -- there will be WISH'ers there (but not like at WDW for Marathon Week-End).

Or try a local race that is walker friendly to get a feel for how things are and how that works for your knees. Shorter races may be just the thing for you.

Honestly, I will be 51 in a couple of weeks, overweight, and got swept at the Princess in February. Not everyone who goes out there and tries this has an easy time right off the bat. It is harder for us to get moving and you can't compare yourself to a younger, thinner person. But, I have been amazed at what I can do that I never thought I could do and finished my first half marathon a few weeks ago walking in 4:18. Now I'm training for a sub 4 hour time in September and the Tinker Bell Half in January.

Have you checked out Jeff Galloways plans? He has plans for people who walk and speed up, I think he calls it shuffling. I myself do not run the whole time but use run/walk intervals. It's a lot easier on my body!

I do think your idea is a good one but I don't know anything about the logistics of trying to set up something like that at WDW.

Good luck!

 

[ohMom]

to WISH!!

Lisa already gave you some great input, i just wanted to add that I'm a walker, there are lots of us walkers, don't let that discourage you!! but if that's not possible with your arthritis and knee then please join in the cheering crowd...the energy from the crowd is such a pump-you-up when you are struggling on the course!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Thanks so much for the responses and input!! I got a little tickled about the Jeff Galloway plan "shuffling".....for some reason it reminded me of that new zombie show that was on called The Walking Dead. They had advertised that they needed "shuffle on" parts. That's about hoW fast I can go ! LOL

That all being said....I always wanted to be a cheerleader. Never thought I'd have to wait till I was 52

Think I will practice up with my walking and see how far/fast I can go 3.1 miles doesn't seem long at all.

Thanks again for your suggestions!

 

[lisah0711]

Thanks so much for the responses and input!! I got a little tickled about the Jeff Galloway plan "shuffling".....for some reason it reminded me of that new zombie show that was on called The Walking Dead. They had advertised that they needed "shuffle on" parts. That's about hoW fast I can go ! LOL

That all being said....I always wanted to be a cheerleader. Never thought I'd have to wait till I was 52

Think I will practice up with my walking and see how far/fast I can go 3.1 miles doesn't seem long at all.

Thanks again for your suggestions!

"Shuffling" is a pretty good description of what I do, too. You don't even have to "run" -- just walk and walk faster during your intervals. It's all about what finding what works for you!

Good luck!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My sweet boyfriend is 35 and has back and knee problems. He wanted to do a half marathon with me so we just worked on getting his walking pace up to a 16 minute mile. I walked it with him and we had a blast (we finished in 3:30). Believe me, you can equally enjoy a race event whether you're walking or running.