Official 2013 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Thread

[BabieDuckie]

My wife and I both do Weight Watchers and there are some challenges when you are training for a half marathon. I have done 10 half marathons and my wife has done 25 half marathons so we have a great deal of experience with WW and training. I am also a head coach in the running group I am in (500+ members) so our WW experience goes beyond just the two of us.

The main recommendation I would make is to eat according to your training plan, count the activity and use all of the activity points you earn through the training.

Many people will try to under eat during a run or bank the activity hoping to lose more weight. We have found that you will either plateau or actually gain weight by doing this. Your body needs the fuel during the run as well as after the run to begin the recovery process.

Remember that you are not gaining endurance during the long runs. The endurance and stamina are gained during the recovery period after the long run has been completed and that recovery starts immediately. That's why you need to eat something with both carbs and protein within 30 minutes of your run.

One of the main problems with WW and endurance running is the WW program is not designed to have people doing more than 30 minutes of activity a day. On long run days you could be out there for 3+ hours and gain 20-30 activity points. The WW program does not cover this type of activity. That is why we had to develop our own way of handling the activity earned and the food consumed. The simplest way to look at it is to think you are not on WW during your run and that you need to use ALL the activity you earned that day.

My wife lost 100 pounds on WW and the majority of that was done while training for and completing half marathons.

I hope this helps.

This helps a lot! Thanks for the advice! I had a feeling I was going to have a slight conflict with WW and fueling my body with what it needs during training. I think what I might do is focus more on training, and less on counting points. I'll still make healthy food choices and watch my portions with certain foods. The most important thing for me right now is that I reach my goal of being able to complete a half maraton and doing it in a healthy way. I have no doubt that I will lose some weight because of the combination of healthy food choices and exercise. It may not be a significant amount of weight loss, but it will still be progress.

 

[longhorns2]

Jeffreelancer, Thank you so much for posting this! I have done WW off and on for years, and have run 3 halves. During the half training I lose pretty much nothing. I don't gain, but I don't lose.

My suspicion has always been that I am not eating enough, but I was finding it hard to trust that I really could eat those 15-20 activity points I earned on the long run days. In fact, I would often guesstimate less activity because it just seemed so wrong. I know our bodies need the fuel, but you would think the 70lbs of fat I am hauling around would be enough, right? LOL

Anyway, thank you. I am going to start eating ALL those activity points (I usually earn 6-7 on a typical workout day... not even talking about training days) and pray that helps get me over this long plateau I have been sitting on.

 

[kim3339]

Reg #'s jumped again to 88%. So if you on the fence or haven't registered yet, better hurry before it sells out.

 

[DisNorth]

My wife lost 100 pounds on WW and the majority of that was done while training for and completing half marathons.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for posting Jeff. I've been considering joining WW and your post really helps.

Reg #'s jumped again to 88%. So if you on the fence or haven't registered yet, better hurry before it sells out.

Wow! It's filling up quickly. good thing I'm registered.

I just need to start training more consistantly

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Reg #'s jumped again to 88%. So if you on the fence or haven't registered yet, better hurry before it sells out.

GAH! I was on the fence, but that just pushed me over. I was supposed to run it with my running buddy, but she's not too motivated to sign up (ive mentioned it several times already) and I wasn't sure I wanted to do my first 1/2 marathon alone, but I guess I am.

 

[kim3339]

GAH! I was on the fence, but that just pushed me over. I was supposed to run it with my running buddy, but she's not too motivated to sign up (ive mentioned it several times already) and I wasn't sure I wanted to do my first 1/2 marathon alone, but I guess I am.

Don't worry about being alone on your 1st race. Out of all the races and Disney races I've done, I've only done 1 w/ friends. You will meet so many people along the course, trust me, you will never feel alone. In all the different races that I've done, I find that the DIsney races are the friendliest. I haven't found 1 yet where I haven't meet or talked to someone new.

You won't regret it, you'll have so much fun!!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Thanks, I'm going for it! I figure she'll either jump on board or come cheer me on.

 

[Leskash75]

I am registered and nervous. I am running/walking a 1/2 in September at home. I am currently training about 16 min a mile. I am hoping to get to 14 by the race day. I am so nervous about getting swept. I am hoping to get a good time in September to move up corrals.

Any advice to newbie?

Also thanks for the WW advice. I do WW also.

Jeff - you advise to eat AP but what about WPA points.

Saturday I did the longest run ever of my life - and I was proud of myself - and I earned 13 AP. I had already had all WPA for week. I did not lose either.

 

[kim3339]

I am registered and nervous. I am running/walking a 1/2 in September at home. I am currently training about 16 min a mile. I am hoping to get to 14 by the race day. I am so nervous about getting swept. I am hoping to get a good time in September to move up corrals.

Any advice to newbie?

Saturday I did the longest run ever of my life - and I was proud of myself - and I earned 13 AP. I had already had all WPA for week. I did not lose either.

Congrats on your long run on Sat!! I'd love to say don't be nervous, but I still get nervous at races. Just make sure to not give into the nerves and use it to move you foward. If you're at 16 now, you should be fine by Jan. Also, you can move up corrals at the expo as well. If you're 1/2 doesn't go as you planned and you do a 10K anytime before the expo and bring in proof, you can move up.

As for advice, when you're training, don't increase you weekly mileage by more than 10-15% ~ it can lead to injuries. One of the big ones that I always repeat in my head for the 1st mile or so is to run your race. Don't worry about how fast/slow the people around you are going, just get into the pace that you're comfortable w/ and keep at it. If you start running at the pace of the other runners, you'll could go to fast and tire out or too slow and maybe not be able to make it. It doesn't matter how many people pass you, b/c you are going to finish. Don't foget to try and push yourself during training, b/c it can only pay off race day. A lot of people also break the race into smaller chunks like 2 5's and a 5k. It'll sound a lot better than 12 miles to go. The #1 thing also is to remember to have fun. You only get 1 1st race!

 

[longhorns2]

92% full ladies! Sell out by the end of the week, if not sooner. I am so excited for this!

 

[Leskash75]

I made reservations at Castle Inn in January. I have older children so need a larger room. Has anyone stayed at this property? how is this is in relation to starting line?

 

[longhorns2]

Here's a good map showing where hotels are located. Starting line is on Disneyland Dr.

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

Doesn't look to far to me! Finish line is the yellow box under the Green box with Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotel. At least that was the deal last year I was told!

HTH

I booked my plane tickets today. Room: booked. Plane: booked. Registration: done. Tickets: getting them July 30 (upgrading to an AP that day) Training: yeaaahhhh, about that....

I got the ok from the PT to get started running again. I did 2 half miles runs last week, two one mile runs, and then today--- drum roll--- a full 2 miles! I'm feeling good! Finally. My darn ITB was really really bad. Hoping that I can get be in full training mode come September per the plan.

 

[kim3339]

I made reservations at Castle Inn in January. I have older children so need a larger room. Has anyone stayed at this property? how is this is in relation to starting line?

Here's a good map showing where hotels are located. Starting line is on Disneyland Dr.

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

Doesn't look to far to me! Finish line is the yellow box under the Green box with Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotel. At least that was the deal last year I was told!

It's not that far. If you just walk up to Katella and down Harbor, you're there. The Finish Line was at the parking lot on the corner next to PP and the staging area is in the same place.

I got the ok from the PT to get started running again. I did 2 half miles runs last week, two one mile runs, and then today--- drum roll--- a full 2 miles! I'm feeling good! Finally. My darn ITB was really really bad. Hoping that I can get be in full training mode come September per the plan.

Yay!!

 

[Leskash75]

I am waiting to book plane tickets to see what SWA has. they only are doing reservations until 1/4/13 right now. Hopefully can cross that off list next month.

then i just have to figure out the rest of the vacation since we are going to stay for a few days after.

I don't mind walking but I would like to not walk far - either on this day or if I want to come back from park later that week.

i reserved in march for 129 - 3 beds so i thought was a good deal.

 

[Leskash75]

Awesome that you got the okay to get back to training.

 

[longhorns2]

I am waiting to book plane tickets to see what SWA has. they only are doing reservations until 1/4/13 right now. Hopefully can cross that off list next month.

then i just have to figure out the rest of the vacation since we are going to stay for a few days after.

I don't mind walking but I would like to not walk far - either on this day or if I want to come back from park later that week.

i reserved in march for 129 - 3 beds so i thought was a good deal.

SWA is good to go! Today they opened up flights until Feb 13. I booked mine!

 

[kim3339]

I don't mind walking but I would like to not walk far - either on this day or if I want to come back from park later that week.

i reserved in march for 129 - 3 beds so i thought was a good deal.

$129 for 3 beds is a great deal! The walk from the corner of Harbor to the corner of DL Dr (across the street from the parking lot), is about 1/2 mile to give you an idea. That's the shortest way to/from the race. The walk to the parks are about the same, maybe a little less. Hopefully weather won't be bad, so the walks will be good.

SWA is good to go! Today they opened up flights until Feb 13. I booked mine!

I just replied to someone on the DL thread ~ watch in Oct. Last year they had a huge sale, one of their rates based on mileage sales. I'm in Cali so it was cheaper, but I got my RT for only $70. I'll have to check out times for that weekend though to figure everything out.

 

[longhorns2]

I think I bought my Princess tickets last year with that sale. It's awesome if it happens again. I have DING on my computer, so fingers crossed. My tickets for Tink are rapid rewards points, but if I could somehow manage to get Tink and Princess paid on RR points, I am going to be partying like a rock star.

 

[kim3339]

I love those points!! B/w points and some left over vouchers, I got a trip to Vegas for $2.50! I just wish they would fly from CA to MCO faster so I could use them for WDW.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

It's official .... I AM IN! So excited and nervous all at the same time.


So, what's next?