New here, looking for advice on 5K in January!

[CindyMomto2]

I thought I'd post here also, I didn't see the events section when I first went to WISH!

Hello,
I am new to the boards and very excited about the upcoming 5K run in January and the trip to Disney with the kids. We're staying at POP for 3 days, 1/10-1/13. We're FL residents so we're not too far from home.

I was a competitive swimmer growing up and have not been much of a runner. I am determined to start off with the 5K run and maybe next year in 2009 build up to the half marathon. A friend and I are currently just walking as our training program. We're up to walking the 3.2 miles every other night with no problem. So soon we'll have to start doing some running too.

I've always had problems with shin splints when I run so I know we have to start off slow. What are some tips? We're thinking we should just run 1/2 mile for a few weeks and do the other 2.5 still walking and slowly build up to more running? Do you think we should definitely already be running at this stage?

Also, have you found any cute Disney running outfits? All I saw on their website was a tank top for women.

How does it work with your family members getting into Animal Kingdom that day? I assume the park is not open then? It will be my husband with our 2 kids who will be 2 and 4 at the time. Are they better off just staying at the hotel and sleeping?

What about going to pick up the race packet. Is it chaotic? I think POP is close to wide world of sports, is that the headquarters to pick up everything?

How early do you all get up on race day in order to make it there on time?

I'd love to hear any tips to make it go a bit easier. It will be me, my friend Carissa, and my brother in law Ben who will be running. He will be a fresh Army retiree, so a 3 mile run is easy for him.

Sorry so many questions!
Cindy

 

[Maherae]

Cindy,
There is no such thing as too many questions! A lot of them will be explained in the FAQ stickie at the top of this board. On the weekly training thread, you'll find lots of help with shin splints, and anything else with training(what to eat, wear...)
Yes, packet pick up is at WWoS. Don't worry, there will be buses running to it. Last year, when I went on Thursday, the line was waaaaaay long. Friday morning, you could just walk into the Milk House! Of course, we'll be at the race Friday morning.. It's very organized. The Expo will be huge, if you haven't been to one before. Lots and lots of vendors, speakers and FREE stuff as well as merchandise..and of course the OFFICIAL WDW merchandise section.

I'll be walking the 5K this year. the start AND Finish will be in the AK parking lot, so your family can be there. I wouldn't think there would be enty in the park itself, though.

There will be quite a few WISHers at Pop. We have bright green shirts that have WISH on them. If you see one..come up and say, "Hi!"

Come join us on the weekly thread! Anne

 

[westcliffemom]

Welcome!

I'm @ Pop also, 9-13!

My friend has shin splint issues, when she did the Go Red For Women 5k with me, she walked around the parking lot before it started to warm up for her shins. It helped so she wasn't going fast without a warm up.

I don't have any Disney running clothes, all I see are the Disney run on the website, and I'm a walker.

I don't have the answers to the rest of your questions, as this is my first marathon weekend. But keep asking, this is a good place to find out.

Have fun in your training!

 

[Cindylou]

Hi Cindy,

Suggestions to keep the shin splints at bay: be sure to have quality running shoes, try your runs on a soft surface rather than cement or asphalt, warm up or stretch your shins prior to running. (I tap my toes.)

Lots of luck.
Cindy

 

[ggeorgiagirl]

Hi Cindy!

I will be there with my kids, too! I am hoping that they will let them cheer us on! At the 5K in May, my son was waiting for me about half way...it was wonderful. I wonder how we can find out if they are allowed in the park to cheer? Maybe they can be at the finish line!

I signed my son (5) and my daughter (2) up for the family fun runs...are you doing the same? I might have to get them baby WISH shirts designed!

The morning of the 5K in May was not busy...I just picked up my packed, filled it out, and checked my bag (they have people there to watch your stuff). I am not sure if they always do that...but I am assuming that they do. This time, I will try to pick up my packet on Thursday.

LOVE!
Beth

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I have shin splint issues. I would agree to train on softer ground. I would work on some stretchs on your calfes after your walk/run. Tight calves cause shin splints.

Disney doesn't really have any good training clothes.

I know AK will be closed at the time of the race. I would have your family get some sleep and meet up after you get done and are back at your room.

WWoS is where all packet pickups are at. The 1/2 and marathoners will be there in line. Expect 34,000 other runners to be getting there packets on Thurs,Fri, and Sat. I have done the Goofy the last 2 years and show up on early Thurs. The lines can be long but move quickly.

I would expect to get there around an 1/2-1 hour before race time.

 

[aldisneygrl]

I thought I'd post here also, I didn't see the events section when I first went to WISH!

Hello,
I am new to the boards and very excited about the upcoming 5K run in January and the trip to Disney with the kids. We're staying at POP for 3 days, 1/10-1/13. We're FL residents so we're not too far from home.

I was a competitive swimmer growing up and have not been much of a runner. I am determined to start off with the 5K run and maybe next year in 2009 build up to the half marathon. A friend and I are currently just walking as our training program. We're up to walking the 3.2 miles every other night with no problem. So soon we'll have to start doing some running too.

I've always had problems with shin splints when I run so I know we have to start off slow. What are some tips? We're thinking we should just run 1/2 mile for a few weeks and do the other 2.5 still walking and slowly build up to more running? Do you think we should definitely already be running at this stage?

Also, have you found any cute Disney running outfits? All I saw on their website was a tank top for women.

How does it work with your family members getting into Animal Kingdom that day? I assume the park is not open then? It will be my husband with our 2 kids who will be 2 and 4 at the time. Are they better off just staying at the hotel and sleeping?

What about going to pick up the race packet. Is it chaotic? I think POP is close to wide world of sports, is that the headquarters to pick up everything?

How early do you all get up on race day in order to make it there on time?

I'd love to hear any tips to make it go a bit easier. It will be me, my friend Carissa, and my brother in law Ben who will be running. He will be a fresh Army retiree, so a 3 mile run is easy for him.

Sorry so many questions!
Cindy

Hi! I am running the 5k in January too! I have been following the Couch to 5k running program. (www.coolrunning.com). It has been very helpful to me. I am only in my second week of training, and I did my first 5k today! I ran about 80% of the time, which is waaaay more than what I have done in training. I finished in 36 minutes.

I have shin splint issues, and I have to say since doing the c25k plan, my shins have not bothered me at all.

I haven't seen any Disney running outfits, but maybe someone else on here has.

AK will be closed at that time of the morning, so they can only get in IF they are running with you.

Yes, you will pick up your packet at WWoS. I plan on getting mine on Thursday because I am OCD about having everything in order ahead of time. I emailed the WWoS and they said that they would have their own buses that transport us to the race that morning. I am not sure how early we will need to leave, but I think we will find that out at the Expo if not before.

Don't worry about all the questions, that is what we are all here for!

 

[ggeorgiagirl]

WHAT??!! did you say 34,000 people? Are you serious? I honestly thought that it was going to be a slow weekend!

 

[nepatsfan73]

WHAT??!! did you say 34,000 people? Are you serious? I honestly thought that it was going to be a slow weekend!

Well, I at least plan on doing the 5K and half "slow". I only plan on doing these events so I can see characters without lines. I don't want to spend money on character meals as I'll be solo.

 

[aldisneygrl]

WHAT??!! did you say 34,000 people? Are you serious? I honestly thought that it was going to be a slow weekend!

There are 16,000 runners in either the half or the full marathon, and 18,000 in the other. I don't know how many they allow for the 5k, but you have to figure there may be some overlap. Some people are planning on doing two races.

 

[DianeL]

Well, I at least plan on doing the 5K and half "slow". I only plan on doing these events so I can see characters without lines. I don't want to spend money on character meals as I'll be solo.

Bill! I'm trying to get faster so someday (in the not so near future!) I hope to get fast enough to be able to stop and get some photos with the characters AND get fast enough to beat the lines to those characters LOL

I'm still slow enough I require a few character meals over our Marathon Weekend trip

BTW, I LOVE Wendy's photo with the dwarves If I could only keep up with her I'd probably get at least one photo. Perhaps we should make Wendy our own personal pacer. Who cares about the 2 hour half or the 5 hour full. We need a Character Photo Pacer!!! Someone who can keep us on pace to be able to get in photos and still make the finish What's the chances of getting on of those Character Photo pass people to keep up with us to carry the camera so we don't have to? LOL