New Runner

[vincev33]

Hey everyone. I am new to the world of running. I am running in my first ever race in February as part of a newly formed team to raise money and awareness for Give Kids The World village. I am only doing the family 5k, but I am still a little nervous. I have been training using various couch to 5k apps. What advice would you give to someone new to running and especially someone new to running during a run Disney event? Thanks!

 

[jmasgat]

Welcome! Congrats on signing up and taking that, sometime scary, step forward.

First advice is to make sure you have the right gear to train with,i.e. the right shoes and clothing. Get yourself properly fitted at a running store for shoes and find non-wicking clothing to run/walk in.

Next, find a training plan that works for you (experience level, amount of running/walking) and stick with it. Don't worry if the occasional run/walk go bad, it happens. Trust that the training will get you to the finish line.

Be realistic about what your goal is for your first race. If it's "finish on two legs with a smile", then you'r already okay. If you decide to aim for a certain time, let your training suggest what that might be and don't get too invested in it. The family 5k is not officially timed anyway.

Disney races are big and sometimes chaotic. You have to learn to go with the flow (literally) and also to get up early!

Check out the Princess thread for info and to share your progress. As it gets closer to the event, people usually ask very specific questions and the answers can be very informative.

Finally, take a deep breath, try to relax and know that you have lots of support here on the board, and we have ALL been first time racers at one point in our lives. You will have fun.


Maura

 

[cewait]

Shoes, I cannot emphasize enough that a trip to a running shoe store (not a large big box store) is important. Running in the incorrect shoes can make the sport unpleasant or worse, lead to injury.

Run slow.... In the beginning, most new runners run too fast. Relax, smile, and run at a pace that will allow you to be conversational.

Enjoy the trip

 

[goofeygirl]

Hey everyone. I am new to the world of running. I am running in my first ever race in February as part of a newly formed team to raise money and awareness for Give Kids The World village. I am only doing the family 5k, but I am still a little nervous. I have been training using various couch to 5k apps. What advice would you give to someone new to running and especially someone new to running during a run Disney event? Thanks!

First of all...don't refer to what you are doing as 'only' ...when you wrote 'I am only doing the family 5k' there is no 'only'...I remember I was on a bus one time in Disney and I saw a fellow with his Goofy on and we began talking and he asked what I did and I said 'I only did the half' and he corrected me on using the word 'only' as if I feel like I had to diminish what I had done...so the same to you.

The 5k is great fun! The advice you have received so far is spot on. I might add this thing about costumes though. Disney is one of the races where costumes are abundant and I see that moreso in the 5k than any of the other races. I will be doing the 5k also and wearing a Snow White or Cinderella outfit and my cousin will be Minnie Mouse/Pirate sort of thing. So if a costume sounds remotely interesting than consider it for this one.

You will love it!...oh and take your own camera with you too if you have a small enough one that can slide into a belt...lots of photo ops.

 

[RangerPooh]

I'm a new runner ( mostly jog/walker), and completed my first 5k in May. It was Disney's Expedition Everest Challenge, and it was a great experience. I agree with everyone's comments about "only". You should be proud of your accomplishments! Regardless of your time you should be proud that you got out on the course and completed the race. Not everyone does that.

My advice is to not feel discouraged if people pass you or if you have to walk. You're going at your own pace. I also recommend that if you can snag a picture with a character (if you have time) do it! I wanted to do this during the EEC but thought I was running low on time and didn't. And have fun!

 

[vincev33]

Thank you everyone for the info and positive thoughts!! I have heard shoes were really important. I just purchased a really good aid of running shoes that I am training in, but I need to get to a running store and get fitted. I will subscribe to the princess thread too.

Thanks again!!

 

[goofeygirl]

Keep in mind that you will probably be paying around $100 - $150 for a great pair of sneakers. Your feet are what carry you so take care of them.

Yes what the other poster said, walking is fine. My cousin (the one who will be either Minnie or a Pirate) is not only planning on walking this but strolling it! She has NEVER done any race at all in her whole life. I had to pull her arms and legs and twist them sideways to get her to sign up for this back in April.

Do your own pace. You will realize that very quickly. When the race starts everyone wants dash because they are caught up in the adrenalin. Don't worry about that. Your concern is you.

The Disney 5k is fun. Once you get into Epcot. I did it this year with my father and we walked at a normal walking pace because that's all he could do. There were people strolling along behind us...stopping taking photos...the atmosphere was wonderful!

It will be dark when you start. If you are slow like us, it will be sunny when you finish.

The medal (not made of medal) is Pluto I think this year and its cute. I would advice you to wear your medal throughout that day afterwards. That is what I do. After I finish a race I wear that medal all day...just cause.

Get your sneakers. Get dri fit type clothing. Go out walking. Get a gps watch that can track your time and write down what you do each day so you compare yourself each day, week, month. Take it easy. Enjoy.

 

[mrsdrake625]

Congrats on an awesome new sport and hobby!!

A few practical tips that I found helpful and maybe you will too -

Definitely do get wicking clothing, since you're starting to train in winter. Cotton keeps sweat up next to your body and will chill you, wicking material dries you off so you can stay warm. Anything like "dri fit" or polyester blend, wool, are all good - just avoid cotton at least on the layer closest to your body.

One layer tight and close to your body should wick away sweat; the next layer should keep heat (mid layer, a fleece vest or pullover would be a great item here) and an outer layer if you wear one keeps precipitation off of you. Hat and gloves are helpful for keeping you warm without a ton of bulk.

Wash in cold water and anything compression or super stretchy you might want to line dry (including sports bras). That will help them last longer since you'll be getting good use out of them! we also use tide Active and really like that, helps get the funk out. Haha.

Target C9 and Old Navy Active actually have great quality workout apparel that's cute and affordable. It doesn't have to cost a lot to be effective. I would definitely get a quality sports bra - second only to your shoes in importance! There is a great article on either competitor magazine or runners world magazine with some really good buying advice, I'll try to find it if you're interested.

Anyway I think anyone here would be able to tell you how great running has been in our lives when we stuck with it. I know I tried and quit way too many times before I stuck with it. Don't give up! Come in with a plan and stick to it. Don't be afraid to take a rest day or walk etc. if you need it. It's not easy but if it was, it wouldn't be worth doing

So jealous you get to go to Princess weekend! And I also agree about the "only" comment - you're not only committing to do the race, but to train for it too. That's not a small commitment in terms of the time and habits you are changing. That really is an accomplishment to be proud of. Any idiot that tells you otherwise forgets that we all started the same way - pushing across that finish line in disbelief that we actually made it. And then immediately wanting to do more.

 

[vincev33]

Thanks again everyone! I have been training on a treadmill and have done 3-5k's this week. I probably could have done more and that is where the "only" comment is coming from. There is no way that I would have ever pictured myself doing that amount of running I a week just a couple of months ago when I started this journey. This racing thing is all about raising money for a great cause for me. Although I am now seeing how addictive it can be. I really like the Asics shoes I recently purchased at Kohl's, but I will look at going to a running store for a fitting as well. Can anyone post the link to the Princess weekend thread? The only one I was able to find was one about which hotel are you staying at.

Thanks Again!!!

 

[vincev33]

Congrats on an awesome new sport and hobby!! A few practical tips that I found helpful and maybe you will too - Definitely do get wicking clothing, since you're starting to train in winter. Cotton keeps sweat up next to your body and will chill you, wicking material dries you off so you can stay warm. Anything like "dri fit" or polyester blend, wool, are all good - just avoid cotton at least on the layer closest to your body. One layer tight and close to your body should wick away sweat; the next layer should keep heat (mid layer, a fleece vest or pullover would be a great item here) and an outer layer if you wear one keeps precipitation off of you. Hat and gloves are helpful for keeping you warm without a ton of bulk. Wash in cold water and anything compression or super stretchy you might want to line dry (including sports bras). That will help them last longer since you'll be getting good use out of them! we also use tide Active and really like that, helps get the funk out. Haha. Target C9 and Old Navy Active actually have great quality workout apparel that's cute and affordable. It doesn't have to cost a lot to be effective. I would definitely get a quality sports bra - second only to your shoes in importance! There is a great article on either competitor magazine or runners world magazine with some really good buying advice, I'll try to find it if you're interested. Anyway I think anyone here would be able to tell you how great running has been in our lives when we stuck with it. I know I tried and quit way too many times before I stuck with it. Don't give up! Come in with a plan and stick to it. Don't be afraid to take a rest day or walk etc. if you need it. It's not easy but if it was, it wouldn't be worth doing So jealous you get to go to Princess weekend! And I also agree about the "only" comment - you're not only committing to do the race, but to train for it too. That's not a small commitment in terms of the time and habits you are changing. That really is an accomplishment to be proud of. Any idiot that tells you otherwise forgets that we all started the same way - pushing across that finish line in disbelief that we actually made it. And then immediately wanting to do more.

Thanks for all the great advice. Since I am a guy do I need the sports bra? I could lose a couple of pounds, but I don't think I am that bad.
I am a little worried about running the princess weekend as a guy. I signed up for the fundraiser fairly late and had to take whatever they had left. They swore to me that guys would be running this weekend. I talked my wife into joining me as we'll just in case. . We are looking at costumes because we threw out a challenge for our friends that if they got us to $2,000 by Halloween we would dress in costume for the run.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I ran across a RunDisney post on the DIS a few months ago and after looking at the site for 20 minutes registered for the Neverland 5k in DL in January, during the Tinker Bell half weekend. The idea of running through Disneyland was to good to pass up.

I hadn't ran in probably 20 years but am now running 3-6 miles 3 days a week and quickly becoming addicted and now want to run a 10k. I'm not sure what program you're using but I use Runkeeper and love it, I started with a beginners 5k trainer but finished it last week and just started a 10k in under 60 minute trainer (I'm optimistic ) for the Disneyland 10k in August (Jan sign up can't come soon enough).

I'm also a guy and kind of wish they wouldn't call the Jan/Feb events the Princess and Tinker Bell but I also think it's cool they have women focused events and it doesn't bother me enough not to do it. The pictures I've seen look like it's mostly girls (85%ish) but we definitely won't be the only guys, plus I'm single so I'm okay being surrounded by girls.

 

[paxsarah]

Thanks for all the great advice. Since I am a guy do I need the sports bra? I could lose a couple of pounds, but I don't think I am that bad.
I am a little worried about running the princess weekend as a guy. I signed up for the fundraiser fairly late and had to take whatever they had left. They swore to me that guys would be running this weekend. I talked my wife into joining me as we'll just in case. . We are looking at costumes because we threw out a challenge for our friends that if they got us to $2,000 by Halloween we would dress in costume for the run.

I did Princess weekend for the first time this year (I had done January marathon weekend a couple of times before that) and there were plenty of guys, especially during the 5k. You will feel right at home, and the atmosphere is so fun (it was also my first Disney 5k). There are so many possibilities for the two of you do fun costumes together!

 

[jmasgat]

Can anyone post the link to the Princess weekend thread? The only one I was able to find was one about which hotel are you staying at.

Thanks Again!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3066181

 

[mrsdrake625]

Thanks for all the great advice. Since I am a guy do I need the sports bra? I could lose a couple of pounds, but I don't think I am that bad.
I am a little worried about running the princess weekend as a guy. I signed up for the fundraiser fairly late and had to take whatever they had left. They swore to me that guys would be running this weekend. I talked my wife into joining me as we'll just in case. . We are looking at costumes because we threw out a challenge for our friends that if they got us to $2,000 by Halloween we would dress in costume for the run.

Oh dear... yeah, your screen name is vince, isn't it??? glad you have a sense of humor!

I think it's awesome you want to run the "girls" race. There were plenty of guys in the pictures I saw. They do place the men further back in the corrals, I think so that the first finisher is a woman, but there is some debate about that so I don't know if they'll do it that way again this year.

 

[budbeerlady]

Hola!!!!

Don't say only doing a 5k. I kept doing that also to myself. I might runner slower than turtles in peanut butter but I am running. I started in Sept to do the Mickey 5k this weekend with my running Dd. I am not fast, I am only a 14 min mile on a good day. But at the end I am a runner no matter what my speed.

Good shoes and the correct clothes. No one wants to be dying of heat if they can help it or freezing to death. I found alot of decent deals at our local Tj Maxx. My struggle is to layer up. I constantly think I am going to be cold and then end up baking toward the end of my runs. I need to do lighter layers.

For me it was getting the first 5k under my belt before I went to Disney. Dd and I did a local small (62 people signed up) 5k to see if I could even do it. I was so nervous I wouldn't finish that I made myself ill before. Fun times! But I had read to set 3 goals for each race, 1 easy, 1 expectation and 1 goal type. For my 1st 5k #1 was to show up, #2 was to finish in 50 min and #3 was to finish in 45 min. It was a trail run and I started out too fast, got nervous and was freaking. So I switched to a 3/1 run/walk. And I finished, I didn't die and I finished under 45 min. Even though I didn't "run" the whole thing I was pretty pleased with myself for even getting it done.

And its addicting, we just did a brutal hilly trail race 5k last weekend. It took me 45 min but again I didn't die (told myself I would pass out before I would die) and I was happy to be just at 45 min. Next year I want to do something like 40 or 35 for the same race. I want to see I improved!

I am sure I will end up walking a little of this Disney 5k, my mind messes with me and I get nervous. I need to trust my training more than I do, its my struggle.

If you have the money to spend I love my Garmin 10 watch. Its purple and it makes me feel like a runner. But the best part aside from guessing how far I ran is that I can look back online at my runs and see that I am improving! I couldn't even do 5 min when I started couch to 5k. Now I go for 30.

Congrats on running and enjoy your race, trust the training you have put in to get there!

 

[bumbershoot]

Yay you, OP!

Keep in mind that you will probably be paying around $100 - $150 for a great pair of sneakers. Your feet are what carry you so take care of them.

Another thought on that....make sure you buy from a store that has a nice return policy. You don't want to pay 150 for a pair of shoes and 2 weeks later find out they are horrible for your feet and running style! If you have a Road Runner Sports in your area, go there. Good return policy and they want to make sure your feet are happy.

...you're not only committing to do the race, but to train for it too. That's not a small commitment in terms of the time and habits you are changing. That really is an accomplishment to be proud of. Any idiot that tells you otherwise forgets that we all started the same way - pushing across that finish line in disbelief that we actually made it. And then immediately wanting to do more.

So darned true!

I started with a couch to 5K program (from coolrunnings) something like 1.5 years ago. I had to do it a few times. i had to repeat weeks 4 and 5 multiple times to make sure my lungs could handle it. And my muscles. And my everything. Then suddenly I got bitten by the running bug.

I recently did a Disney 10 miler. When I got on the bus I felt like I didn't belong there. But when I crossed that finish line I felt an affinity to ALL runners; we had all put in the training and crossed the finish line (or got hit by injury or illness, but we all TRIED at the very least) and even though I wasn't the first or the last, I was THERE and so were all those other people. It's a neat feeling.

Thanks again everyone! I have been training on a treadmill and have done 3-5k's this week.

Ah, but that's OK! I did the vast majority of my training (from the beginning) on the treadmill. I learned that my limit is 8 miles; beyond that and I start having rage issues, LOL. And I still only run 3 times per week, even while training for the January Half (and the 5K with my son). No "only" about that!

We are looking at costumes because we threw out a challenge for our friends that if they got us to $2,000 by Halloween we would dress in costume for the run.

I did a local female-centric run, and they allow men and boys to run, but they are supposed to wear pink. I never thought a pink tutu would look good on a man, but I was surprised! I recommend that.