New to the W.I.S.H. Board w/ some questions

[AUdisneyDad]

I am trying to get motivated again and am just having a hard time doing so. I was training for the ING half Marathon in Atlanta and injured my foot and have just gotten the o.k. to start training again .

My first question is about the different groups: how do you join one? I just don't want to intrude in a group. I know there are different groups for different goals: lose weight, train for a race, just be healthy in your daily life. I am looking for all of this. I need to lose weight, I've registered for the TOT 13k and the WDW Half Marathon and I want a healthier body so that I can set a good example for my child. Here is a summary of myself, male, 29, and overweight (roughly 65 lbs.).

My second question is about the TOT 13k and Half Marathon. Has anyone ran either/or/both races? What do I need to expect? How do I need to train for them? Incorporate Lots of speed work, lots of hill work, or about 50/50

Any information/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[SAHDad]

I am trying to get motivated again and am just having a hard time doing so. I was training for the ING half Marathon in Atlanta and injured my foot and have just gotten the o.k. to start training again .

My first question is about the different groups: how do you join one? I just don't want to intrude in a group. I know there are different groups for different goals: lose weight, train for a race, just be healthy in your daily life. I am looking for all of this. I need to lose weight, I've registered for the TOT 13k and the WDW Half Marathon and I want a healthier body so that I can set a good example for my child. Here is a summary of myself, male, 29, and overweight (roughly 65 lbs.).

At the top of this forum is a stickied thread ("Welcome to the Wish Team") that has a link on how to get joined up with a team. AFAIK, there are people on all abilities and goals on every team, so you should fit in with any of them.

My second question is about the TOT 13k and Half Marathon. Has anyone ran either/or/both races? What do I need to expect? How do I need to train for them? Incorporate Lots of speed work, lots of hill work, or about 50/50

Any information/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I've run the WDW half, though not the ToT. The half is flat - almost pancake flat. Doing hill work will help with your speed somewhat, but since the biggest hills on the course are the entrance and exit ramps, you don't have to worry about hills so much. Speedwork is generally useful, but I don't know enough about your base to recommend it - if you are already running 4 or 5 times per week, and have completed several half-marathons, then yes, you should consider speedwork.

Since you have been out for a while (it sounds like) you really should work first on regaining your base, rather than trying to incorporate hills or speedwork into your running. After all, no sense in getting sidelined again when you have just gotten the green light.

 

[AUdisneyDad]

Thanks, if the "Welcome to the Wish Team" thread was a snake i would be in a lot of trouble. I completely did not see it.

When I hurt my foot i had built up to a long run of 9 miles @ a 10:05 pace. Not to bad considering that I was and still am close to 300 lbs not to bad. I have started a very moderate training plan: 2 - 2.5 miles three days a week and 5 miles on the weekend just to build my base back up. I also have not really been paying alot of attention to the pace. I just get to the point where I feel comfortable and try to maintain it. My plan is to do this for two more weeks and then increase to 3 miles three times a week and 6 miles on the weekend with emphasis on pace. So far I haven't had any problems from the previous injury. The only issue is that I seem to not be motivated when I'm out there, i dread it most mornings. I guess I have not found the zone again.

As for the hill work, pretty much every where I run has hills incorporated into the route. I'm located in North Central Alabama and we are pretty hilly for the most part so not to many options other than a treadmill or track to get a flat surface.

Thank you for input it is appreciated very much.

 

[ironz]

Hey there, AUDisneyDad...

I'm not in charge of the teams or distribution of members, but if you would like to log your hours and miles of training with the Donald's Defiant Dashers team, AKA Triple D's, AKA Ducks...you would be quite welcome! I'm a co-captain, and "keeper of the spreadsheet".
We've had 5 people stop posting, so would welcome a new member to fill in some gaps, if you would like. Obviously depending on what whoever is distributing members says.

Welcome!! I'll be doing the 1/2 in January as well. It's a good race, mostly flat with a few overpasses. I run about your pace.

 

[deekaypee]

Welcome AUdisneyDad!

I just love that you want to be healthy for, and an inspiration to, your children. You're not alone in using Disney events to motivate you in adopting a healthier lifestyle.

I've done both the 1/2 and TOT races. They're both flat, although I don't remember if the 1/2 has a lot of those nasty exit ramps. Maybe I blocked it out. So doing hill work and speedwork as part of your regular training is good, but you don't need to add additional hill work. (Although it sounds like you can't avoid it.)

As far as teams go, I guess I'm still organizing the team rosters at this point.

Any team would welcome you, but Betsy got here first. So you'll be with the DDDs. They're a great team, and I think you'll find many of the ducks can help you with your goals of training for the races and losing weight. Just go over to the team thread and introduce yourself. And don't forget that you can post on the weekly thread, too, to get any advice and get to know people better. And the Lean Meaners thread is available for people who are looking and losing a little weight and getting, well, lean if not mean!

Oh, and for any other WISHers out there, we have plenty of rooms on the teams for people wanting to join! (Hint, hint) Just go to this thread!

 

[AUdisneyDad]

Thanks for all the help ironz and deekaypee. I'm heading over to the DDD thread right now!!!

 

[ksoehrlein]

Welcome to WISH! I'm also an Alabama resident, but I'm closer to Birmingham. If you're ever interested in coming down for a race in my neck of the woods, let me know. We've had a bunch of 5Ks and 8Ks lately, and the Bham Zoo is hosting a 5K tomorrow morning. It would be fun to meet a fellow WISHer!

 

[AUdisneyDad]

I am actually in the B'ham area also. I guess where I was raised I consider Central Alabama and B'ham North Central. But anyway I am in the same area as you.