Newbie seeking info on Minnie Marathon

[cdotla]

I am a couch hermit, currently thinking about starting up some type of fitness program.

I am 34 yrs old, a mom of 2 toddlers (2 and 4 yrs old), and have not seen a gym or done any exercise in probably 6 years.

Is it at all realistic for me to start training soon and expect to do the Minnie Marathon in May? (The last time I ran was back in junior high!)

I would love to hear some general comments and feedback from those who did the Minnie Marathon in the past.

Also, I have some specific questions I can't seem to find the answers to:

1. Is it true that 2008 will be the last year for the Minnie?

2. If you want Disney transportation to the race do you have to stay at AKL?

3. Are there characters, DJs and choirs on the route like at the January Marathons?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kristi1357]

I did my first race ever, the Minnie 15k, in 2006. I was also 34 years old. Before that I never exercised! I started working out at the end of January and was fine for the Minnie. So, yes, you can absolutely do this.

There is not much entertainment along the course. I think I got pics with 2 characters each year. But, it is the final 9.3 miles of the marathon course which means you go from AK's parking lot, to MGM, then onto Epcot. I was never bored, or even needed my mp3 player.

The rumor is that this is the last Minnie.

There is no transportation for the race. You can always stay at AKL or just cab it from wherever you are. It also may be possible to hitch a ride with some other WISHers.

 

[cdotla]

I did my first race ever, the Minnie 15k, in 2006. I was also 34 years old. Before that I never exercised! I started working out at the end of January and was fine for the Minnie. So, yes, you can absolutely do this.

Thank you, thank you! This has given me motivation: I CAN DO THIS!!!

Now I can start planning and preparing!

If there is a WISH group doing the Minnie, how do I join? I can't seem to find it.

Thanks!

 

[Maherae]

cdotla,
Once you post on this board..you are a member! Please join us on the weekly training thread. There are lots of WISHers doing the Minnie. There will be a thread appearing soon, I'm sure, with names and where people are staying.

The first year we had a fantastic goodie bag, a Minnie Marathon pin, and a really small expo. For characters on the route, we saw Annie from Toy Story and Mrs. Incredible at MGM, then Pocahantas, Belle and Cinderella at WS..and that was it. We did have music in the stretch along WWoS.

The second year the goodie bag was almost nothing, no Minnie Marathon pin, and the expo was bigger. It was horrible as far as characters along the route. I only saw Wendy and a character from Mulan at MGM.

I think we have a Minnie thread, but it has just gotten bumped down with all of the Marathon Weekend posts. I'll go in search of it.... Anne

 

[angietuck2]

You can definately do this you have plenty of time.

Join us on the Minnie Marathon Team list thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1692994

Last year we arranged rides to the start, coordinated meetings and encouraged each other through the training there.

But join us on the weekly thread too!!

angie

 

[cdotla]

I need some more advise/encouragement here.

Since making the tentative decision to do the 15k, I spoke today with some friends who are runners to see if I could recruit them. One actually did 2 marathons before, although she says she is now horribly out of shape. Everyone of them said that they could not get ready to do a 15k in time!!!

Geeez - if THEY can't get ready in time and they have run before, how can I do it???

Is it too unrealistic? Should I start with the 5K? Great to be ambitious but I don't want to fail either. (I have never been an athlete of any kind, haven't exercised in about 6 yrs and I typically have a hard time following through with exercise intentions. That is why I thought a goal like this would get me going).

Would appreciate any further thoughts/opinions.

 

[ms.mightyduck]

Is it too unrealistic?

When I joined the gym today, the woman behind the desk told me she does half marathons and said I have enough time to train to walk a half at this point. It takes a commitment of a few days a week, I think. I have seen several schedules and settled on one that fits my schedule. I want to do the Minnie, but my husband isn't sold on another trip to WDW. If I don't do the Minnie, I'm walking a half that same weekend.

Everyone I've spoken to here has said they think it can be done if you have the time to commit to the training.

If you look through, you'll see a few threads from us newbies who have dropped by in the last two weeks, so there are a lot of ideas on those, too.

 

[Kristi1357]

I was the biggest couch potato and I have asthma to boot.
Oh yeah, I have bad knees, weird toes, lymphodema, etc.
Many times when I trained for that first race, I was in tears thinking I'd never be able to do it.
I did add in some 1 min. running intervals just to be safe from the sweepers.
If I can do it, anyone can!

I also don't see why they are discouraging you.
Anyone that wants to get into better shape should be encouraged!

And the Minnie pace requirement is a 15 min./mile.
You wouldn't necessarily even have to run, just walk fast, for 9.3 miles.

 

[cdotla]

OK - maybe this is possible! Thanks for the feedback.

Since I have never run before in my life, the concept of a 15 minute mile just has no meaning to me. I have no idea if that is fast or slow - LOL!

However, to hear someone say that you can actually WALK a mile that pace has me calmed down. While I haven't exercised in years, one thing I excell at is walking!!! As long as I could fall back on a power walking pace and not get swept I could do this!

OK - I am going to formally sign up now on the Minnie Thread for the 15k!

Now, my only problem is finding a training schedule! A number of people have mentioned a weekly training post. The only one I can find is one dated Jan12 but doesn't seem to have in it the info I hoped to find. Am I missing a Minnie training post out there?

 

[Maherae]

cdolta
You are going to be fine. Deep breaths... I am a back of the pack walker with a 14:30 pace. I have two Minnie medals and am going for my third. I've walked two half marathons and hobbled another one. WISHers will be with you every step of the way.

The weekly training thread is where we share our ups and downs with training..for whatever we're training for..where we can ask and get all kinds of information. Please, ask away. We've got all sizes, shapes, speeds and experience. The question you ask, may be one a lurker has always wanted to ask. Right now, those that participated in the WDW marathon weekend are sharing their experiences, but we'll be focused on Minnie soon enough.

There are lots of books and programs out there, as you will find out. A lot of us have used Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham as he was like a lot of us...in his 40's overweight, couch potato when he started training. His book has lots of information as well as schedules to walk, walk/run, and run a half and full marathon. We can show you how to cut it down for a 15K.

As for your friends, some people are very serious about their times when they do events. They would never consider doing an event where they couldn't do as well or better as they have done in a previous similiar event. So, if your goal is to attain a 9 minute mile for the Minnie, then they are right..you don't have enough time to train. But if your goal is get moving, to get serious about an exercise program and to reward yourself with an awesome medal at the finish, then you WILL be able to do this. I was 70 pounds overweight and started training in January 06 with a 20 minute mile. I completed the inaugural Minnie in May.

The most important thing is to decide if you really want this. You must respect the miles, take your training seriously, and not rush the process. Hope this helps! Anne

 

[chimera]

Weekly training thread for Jan 20:

WISH Walking/Running Club

Please join us! We don't bite until taper week

 

[westcliffemom]

However, to hear someone say that you can actually WALK a mile that pace has me calmed down. While I haven't exercised in years, one thing I excell at is walking!!! As long as I could fall back on a power walking pace and not get swept I could do this!

Now, my only problem is finding a training schedule! A number of people have mentioned a weekly training post. The only one I can find is one dated Jan12 but doesn't seem to have in it the info I hoped to find. Am I missing a Minnie training post out there?

I walked the Minnie 15K last year. It can be done! It was a blast!

I modified a Marathon for Mortals half training plan.

 

[jmasgat]

cdotla

You can do it! I'm in the same boat, and I have a good 10+years on you! Here's a thread to the training plan I am doing. It takes 13 weeks, and you don't start out doing all runs--just walk/run combinations.

http://www.gate-riverrun.com/grrtrainingsch07.pdf

Just remember--everyone has different goals and capabilities. While your marathoner friends may have been thinking 7"7-minute miles", it's okay to think 11 or 12 or 13++++.

Just start! I know for me it was a daunting challenge, but now that I have started, it seems possible. I'm not there yet, but feel like I can/will be by May.

Maura

 

[Valentine]

You can so do this!!! You said you were a mom with 2 toddlers???? Okay... now.. I can't imagine that you have as much couch time as you think you do!! I walk only. I don't run. I did my first minnie with very little training.. okay.. really none... I don't advise that... and it wasn't intentional. I actually only signed on to do the 5k... but I got so excited by the idea I went back to the expo and signed up for the minnie, which was the very next day...I finished it... and I felt it! LOL!! But... If you do train...get out there and walk.. and don't let ANYONE tell you that you can't!!!

You are a WISHer... and as I was told.. No WISHer gets left behind!!!

Kathy

 

[cdotla]

Wow - thank you everyone for psyching me up to do this!!! Did I ever come to the right place!!!

jmasgat - thank you for the link to the training plan. This is exactly what I was looking for! I spent a considerable period of time researching but never found a plan from beginner to 15k. Now I have it - thank you so much!!!

I hope to start soon. After just dreaming up this idea on the weekend, I still have to get shoes, gear and an ipod. I have never run before so this is all new. I am hoping to start by next weekend which will still give me 12 weeks to complete the training program.

I can't express my thanks enough to the incredible and inspiring people on this board!!!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I am so happy you will be joining us! I guarantee you will have the best time of your life as you are training and learning how do this type of event. You will be doing yourself and your family a wonderful service as you improve your health and become a good role model!

You do have time. You can do this. Stick with the WISH Team and we will get you there.

 

[oynk]

Hi,

I'm a long term Disney addict, but just found information about the Minnie Marathon. I can't seem to find a definite answer about a particular question though.

The original article I stumbled across listed a 1 mile walk, but that seems to be gone. I walk every morning with a friend, and we do about 3 miles in 30-45 minutes, so I know we can walk that fast and that far, but the few times we've tried to add a bit of running, we can't jog very far.


Is it permissible to walk the entire thing (5k or 15k) as long as you keep up the 15 mile pace? Will there be other people walking?

 

[MiniGirl]

Hi,

Is it permissible to walk the entire thing (5k or 15k) as long as you keep up the 15 mile pace? Will there be other people walking?

I'll be walking the 15K as will several other WISHers. Many will be walking the 5K as well. It absolutely is permissible.

Oh and to the DIS and the WISH forum. It is a great and encouraging place to be.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

You will have such fun! WISH Team is the best. I'm glad you've found us.

There will be many of us walking our way through. Join in.

 

[smileyk8]

hey, welcome to the friendliest place on the web! I couldn't believe my luck when i stumbled across this board and i know you'll have an equally brilliant experience of it. I'll see you at the minnie then- fellow wisher