OK, I was "referred" here from WISH board...

[Papa Deuce]

First, let me say, I was medically cleared to start this. I'm 85 pounds overweight. I have lost 11 pounds since the Super Bowl, when I started dieting. I want to run.... the Disney HALF MARATHON next year.

I can run about 250 FEET, that is right... 250 FEET, right now.

How to begin, that is my question.

 

[TiffJ]

Welcome!!!! You have come to the right place. Please join our weekly threads for the walking/running club. We are all training for different things. I just did the 1/2 marathon this year for the first time & it was an amazing experience. Right now is the time to lose the weight you want (and it sounds like you have a good start on that) and start building up your endurance & aerobic levels. We call this the "train to train" period. If you are having trouble with the running, you could start out walking. Many of us walked it. Or do walk/run intervals.

There are several good links on the first post of the weekly thread. Alot of us used the Marathoning for Mortals book by John Bingham. It has good doable training plans in it & its a good read. He's a normal person & relates good to the rest of us. You will definately need some kind of training plan. For the half it usually starts about 14 weeks prior to the race.

There were people of all sizes & athletic abilities at the race this year. I literally started from doing nothing last July to walking the 1/2 in Jan. (and I am still about 50 lbs overweight) It is a very welcoming environment. I have been to local races that were all "real runners' and it wasnt nearly as welcoming. But be careful, its addictive. I decided after the 1/2 that if I didnt have something to train for I would go back to sitting on the couch. So now I'm doing the Minnie Marathon 15k in May and the DL 1/2 in Sept! And my mom who is turning 65 this year is doing them all with me too! It has turned into a family event.

Come join our weekly thread & ask away. There are alot of new people that have joined us in the last couple of months & several "pros" there to help you through the training.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Welcome!!!! You have come to the right place. Please join our weekly threads for the walking/running club. We are all training for different things. I just did the 1/2 marathon this year for the first time & it was an amazing experience. Right now is the time to lose the weight you want (and it sounds like you have a good start on that) and start building up your endurance & aerobic levels. We call this the "train to train" period. If you are having trouble with the running, you could start out walking. Many of us walked it. Or do walk/run intervals.

There are several good links on the first post of the weekly thread. Alot of us used the Marathoning for Mortals book by John Bingham. It has good doable training plans in it & its a good read. He's a normal person & relates good to the rest of us. You will definately need some kind of training plan. For the half it usually starts about 14 weeks prior to the race.

There were people of all sizes & athletic abilities at the race this year. I literally started from doing nothing last July to walking the 1/2 in Jan. (and I am still about 50 lbs overweight) It is a very welcoming environment. I have been to local races that were all "real runners' and it wasnt nearly as welcoming. But be careful, its addictive. I decided after the 1/2 that if I didnt have something to train for I would go back to sitting on the couch. So now I'm doing the Minnie Marathon 15k in May and the DL 1/2 in Sept! And my mom who is turning 65 this year is doing them all with me too! It has turned into a family event.

Come join our weekly thread & ask away. There are alot of new people that have joined us in the last couple of months & several "pros" there to help you through the training.

Is that the same guy who wrote "The Courage to Start"? I am reading that now.

 

[solotraveler]

Is that the same guy who wrote "The Courage to Start"? I am reading that now.

Yep, same guy. For beginning runners, his stuff is the best bar none.

I agree with absolutely everything Tiff said. That's some stellar advice right there.

Some other things I would add as well:

-- Congrats on the weight loss and keep up the good work. Now is the time to work on taking some weight off since once you hit the start of the official "training plan," it's going to be really really tough. (Exersice takes energy and energy comes from food, etc.)

-- For some additional info, I would go to the official website and brose around (www.disneyworldmarathon.com), read the FAQ on this board and search through the old threads for training info from last year. They are all loaded with great information. The Disnwy Marathon official site will have all the details about registration. Register early.

-- I would begin to incorporate some running/walking into your current weight loss regimine If you can jog 250 feet, do that... then walk til you feel up to jogging again then walk again, then jog again. Then next time, try to go 251 feet. Three times a week is all I'd recommend to start. These intervals do wonders for the endurance of most people.

-- While I don't think you need running shoes yet, you will. And when you do make sure to go to a running store and get fitted. It may end up costing more this way, but you'll get a pair that fit and feel good.

I'm sure some other people will jump in here with other ideas as well.

Welcome to the club!
Kevin (Solotraveler)

 

[AmyBeth68]

Welcome Papa Deuce! You will find that this is such a friendly and helpful group of people. Some folks are experienced runners and others are newbies (like me). It's really a great, supportive environment so I'd encourage you to join the weekly walking/running thread once you get into your training routine. I get very motivated reading what others are doing AND getting encouragement keeps me going when I'm having a rough week.

I am also using John Bingham's "Marathoning For Mortals". There are some other wonderful websites that are listed on the first page of the walking/running thread.

Best of luck to you and CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[MickeySP]

Welcome!!

You can do it, everyone has to start with a first step.

There are plenty here with tons of experience with great advice. All I can say is it can be done. I started out at 347lbs and did my first 1/2 last January. Now 163 lbs lighter I am doing my 2nd 1/2 in Boston tomorrow. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Slow & steady - listen to your body - don't push too hard to fast. Disney is a 16:00 minute a mile pace so it is so doable.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Papa Deuce, Welcome!Yes, what everyone has said so far is spot on. Please join us on the weekly thread. It is definitely meant for those of all ability levels. Don't feel overwhelmed when those fast folks get to posting. They were slow once, (I think). The wealth of information and support from all ability levels makes the thread the best resource around.

Shoes are most important for sure. When you try on a pair, if they do not feel good right then, they will not break in so move on to another pair. Don't feel overwhelmed at the running store either. They have a better ability to fit shoes than the generic sports stores.

You have plenty of time to get the pace and distance training. Right now is training to train. I will be the one on the weekly thread to keep encouraging you to register for the half b4 it fills. This is part of the training process...commitment and wonder. Enjoy it.

I'll look for you on "the other side."