New runner; race questions

[Abbeysdaddy]

Hi All-

I decided to change my life and started running almost a year ago. I would like to run a 10k or half marathon sometime in the near future....I am reading these posts about the Disney marathons and I would like to make my first race a Disney one. Can someone share the dates or website to find information? Anyone like me looking to run their first at Disney?
thanks all!

 

[rubato]

The website is: http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/sports/rundisney/

Starting with Disney is a great way to go. I had so much fun in January. Good luck!

 

[jmasgat]

I ran my first race at Disney--the Minnie 15k (no longer run). It was a great motivation to know I was going to run someplace I liked.

Disney doesn't do 10k. They do 5k, halfs and fulls. The biggest race weekend is marathon weekend in January.

Good luck in picking a race and training, and don't forget to jump in and ask lots of questions.

Maura

Maura

 

[crewmatt]

Good Job!

My only caution would be to do a few 5k's or 10k's or something around your local area (or even a short hop away) so you can get used to the various fun little quirks of running a race without the large investment of time and expectations. You really dont want to go down to disney having no idea how to hit a water stop, or whether the shirt you're running in will cause all kinds of discomfort after 13 miles. Save the big goal for disney, but certainly run some smaller local races around your area so you can figure out the logistics/etc. Don't want to spend 1000's of dollars for a disney race and go down and hate it because you got run over in a water stop, or couldnt swallow a gu, something that could be entirely avoided and prepared for.

 

[johde]

I'm going to agree with Matt. Since you have the time to get ready, I would plan on a couple of training races before Disney. I'm finally doing Disneyland this September and so far I've done 8 races, 3-5K's, 1-4 miler, 1-10K, and 3 Half Marathon. I'm not saying you need to do that many, it took me a couple of years to get the money together for the trip. At, this point, I know the routine of racing, I've improved to the point I know I won't get swept.

In my mind, Ideally I would say 2 races would be good. One, would be a smaller local race where you can get a good idea of what your goal pace might be. I would also try to find a large race. Disney is going to have several thousand people in the race. Running another large race gives you a feel on how to handle crowds especially at the start.

 

[Abbeysdaddy]

Great feedback folks, I truly appreciate it. I hope/plan to run a couple of 5 and 10k races over the next several months in my area....I never considered the art of reaching for water as I ran; as I read you comments I thoguht of that Sienfeld episode when the racer grabbed a cup of hot coffee from Kramer's hand! Thanks again for the feedback!