Newbie: Questions about training for marathon

[chipper10]

Hi, everyone! I'm a newbie on this board. I posted some questions about the Disney marathons on the Parks board the other day, and they referred me over here.

I am interested in running either the 5k or the Half marathon at Disney next year. (I don't know if I'm being over-ambitious with the half marathon.)

What is your training schedule like? Would it be possible to be ready for a half marathon or 5k by next year? Or am I way over my head?

I used to be very athletic in high school, but I was never a runner. (I did dance, softball, and basketball.) But since college and post-college, I have put on a few pounds. I am working out almost every night and I'm currently using the Diet Power program to monitor what I am eating. This way I can make better choices.

Anyways, would it be possible to be ready by next year? I could care less about how good I do..... It's more about taking control of my eating/weight and accomplishing something great.

What type of training / how long each day should I be doing?

Thanks for any help you can give me! I really appreciate it!

 

[KristinandChris]

Hi! I'm new as well and I just started training for the 1/2 marathon in 2010. I also haven't done much running since high school/college 10+ years ago and two 5ks the past few years. I ran the first 5k without much training so if I were you I'd go for the 1/2 marathon since it is a year away.

I'm starting with the couch to 5k program (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml) because I had a baby 3 months ago and I found I wasn't able to just "jump" into running. I think my body is still adjusting to the extra baby weight! The program is 9 weeks but you could certainly adjust it. After I complete that I'll probably start training for the 1/2 marathon. For me, the issue is finding time to run with working and taking care of DD. Luckily I'm a teacher so as soon as summer hits I can run outside instead of inside on the treadmill. My DH started training a couple of months ago and is already running 6-7 miles at a time!

I also ordered this book: http://www.amazon.com/Non-Runners-M...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233026343&sr=8-1 along with two others that are very similar. Good luck!

Hi, everyone! I'm a newbie on this board. I posted some questions about the Disney marathons on the Parks board the other day, and they referred me over here.

I am interested in running either the 5k or the Half marathon at Disney next year. (I don't know if I'm being over-ambitious with the half marathon.)

What is your training schedule like? Would it be possible to be ready for a half marathon or 5k by next year? Or am I way over my head?

I used to be very athletic in high school, but I was never a runner. (I did dance, softball, and basketball.) But since college and post-college, I have put on a few pounds. I am working out almost every night and I'm currently using the Diet Power program to monitor what I am eating. This way I can make better choices.

Anyways, would it be possible to be ready by next year? I could care less about how good I do..... It's more about taking control of my eating/weight and accomplishing something great.

What type of training / how long each day should I be doing?

Thanks for any help you can give me! I really appreciate it!

 

[deekaypee]

Nicole and Kristin:

Welcome to WISH and congratulations on setting some running goals. Completing the 1/2 marathon in 2010 is entirely do-able if you start now. We've got several WISHers who went from non-runners to finishers in a similar time frame.

Lots of people have had success working with the Couch Potato to 5k (C25K) program mentioned. It will safely train you to run a 5K distance, and then you can build your miles from there. I'm not familiar with the book you bought, Kristin, but am certain it has tons of good advice. I also recommend John Bingham's Marathoning for Mortals.

At this point, both of you are "training to train." In other words, you are getting your bodies ready to train for your endurance event, but your training for the 1/2 won't begin until later on this year. (16-20 weeks out, depending.) C25K is a great way to do this, as it has you moving from Walk-Run intervals (WR) to RW to Run in a little over two months. You do this 3x a week, no more than 30 minutes a session plus warm-up and cool-down. Thin allows you to get used to putting foot to pavement (or treadmill, depending on your situation.) After you graduate C25K, you'll be able to build on that foundation, increasing your time and distance by no more than 10% each week. Sticking to the 10% rule will help you prevent injury. Many training programs for a half will stop at 10 miles, as the event itself, plus your adrenaline, will help see you through to the finish. (At least once in your training you won't think that's true, but trust me, it is! )

There's a lot more I could say, but the absolute best advice I can give you is to come over to the Events/Competition part of the WISH forum in addition to this main part of WISH. There's lots of overlap between the two with regards to healthy lifestyles, but the E/C is specific to doing races. On the E/C we have threads with information on Disney marathon weekend and other events, different training questions, discussions about gear, etc. I invite you to post on the weekly thread, where you'll get a variety of responses to your questions and can get to know other WISHers who will be at WDW in January. Start here to get an overview on this subforum. The weekly thread link is here.

Also, we're starting up the 2nd year of our Miles/Minutes challenge. We join smaller teams (threads) and track our mileage and minutes for running, walking, and cross-training. It's a friendly competition, with all teams earning bragging rights, and getting support from fellow WISHers as we train for Disney and other racing events. There are several threads on this right now, so look around. And, of course, feel free to start your own thread.

Okay, I've probably overwhelmed you with information, so I'll stop now. It's just so exciting, and I know you're going to have a great year training!

 

[KristinandChris]

Thanks so much for the great advice! I've done two days so far of the couch to 5k and I'm doing day three later on today.

I've been on the Events board as well and it's great. I'm very excited to complete the 5k program and move on to training for the 1/2 marathon.

Thanks again - look forward to chatting with you over the next year!

By the way, Nicole: my middle name is Nicole, small world

Nicole and Kristin:

Welcome to WISH and congratulations on setting some running goals. Completing the 1/2 marathon in 2010 is entirely do-able if you start now. We've got several WISHers who went from non-runners to finishers in a similar time frame.

Lots of people have had success working with the Couch Potato to 5k (C25K) program mentioned. It will safely train you to run a 5K distance, and then you can build your miles from there. I'm not familiar with the book you bought, Kristin, but am certain it has tons of good advice. I also recommend John Bingham's Marathoning for Mortals.

At this point, both of you are "training to train." In other words, you are getting your bodies ready to train for your endurance event, but your training for the 1/2 won't begin until later on this year. (16-20 weeks out, depending.) C25K is a great way to do this, as it has you moving from Walk-Run intervals (WR) to RW to Run in a little over two months. You do this 3x a week, no more than 30 minutes a session plus warm-up and cool-down. Thin allows you to get used to putting foot to pavement (or treadmill, depending on your situation.) After you graduate C25K, you'll be able to build on that foundation, increasing your time and distance by no more than 10% each week. Sticking to the 10% rule will help you prevent injury. Many training programs for a half will stop at 10 miles, as the event itself, plus your adrenaline, will help see you through to the finish. (At least once in your training you won't think that's true, but trust me, it is! )

There's a lot more I could say, but the absolute best advice I can give you is to come over to the Events/Competition part of the WISH forum in addition to this main part of WISH. There's lots of overlap between the two with regards to healthy lifestyles, but the E/C is specific to doing races. On the E/C we have threads with information on Disney marathon weekend and other events, different training questions, discussions about gear, etc. I invite you to post on the weekly thread, where you'll get a variety of responses to your questions and can get to know other WISHers who will be at WDW in January. Start here to get an overview on this subforum. The weekly thread link is here.

Also, we're starting up the 2nd year of our Miles/Minutes challenge. We join smaller teams (threads) and track our mileage and minutes for running, walking, and cross-training. It's a friendly competition, with all teams earning bragging rights, and getting support from fellow WISHers as we train for Disney and other racing events. There are several threads on this right now, so look around. And, of course, feel free to start your own thread.

Okay, I've probably overwhelmed you with information, so I'll stop now. It's just so exciting, and I know you're going to have a great year training!

 

[chipper10]

Thank you for all the help in getting started. My DH and I bought an eliptical a few weeks ago, and it is really kicking my butt. I have been following the Diet Power program since December 29th and so far I am down ten pounds.

I want to make a change in my life. My DS is 2 and I don't want him to have a mommy that can't play with him or keep up with him.

 

[FireDancer]

I agree with the PPs and think you can do it. I went from my first 1 mile + run to the WDW half in less than a year. I was athletic and played sports but just wasn't a distance runner. Once you finish that first 5K, no matter the time, you will get hooked, that's what happened to me.

The previous recommendations are all good programs. I would caution you against trying to go from zero to half too fast. Baby steps and do what is comfortable, the programs mentioned will help you in those respects.

Good luck both of you.

 

[3DisneyKids]

You CAN do this. I went from a total non-runner to the Half in 6 months. A year and I was in much better shape for my second Half. But it is definitely do-able. GOOD LUCK!