Questions from a possible 2010 halfer -

[Twingle]

Hello everyone!

First of all, I wanted to say that this is such an amazing board - everyone is so supportive, and so many kudos and thanks are handed out it is a refreshing read.

I am thinking of walking/jogging the 2010 half, and I'm wondering if anyone is willing to share their stories? I know for me personally, I've always wanted to have the accomplishment of completing a race - and as a Disney enthusiast, I'd love to race in Disney. But - I am not a runner (right now!). I exercise on a regular basis, my weight is in proportion to my height (although I would be okay losing a few pounds and toning up also ) but I do not own a treadmill or belong to a gym.

I have concerns on where to even start. There is so much information out there that it is overwhelming. I know that there are recommendations for the c25k, but I didn't know if that would work for me since I'm planning on being a walker/runner.

I didn't know if anyone would be willing to post the step by steps of the actual race day? I believe that the race starts uber early, and I'm assuming that you go to the start line yourself, and than your family/cheer squad joins you later at the finish line?

Again, so many questions, and don't know where to start.
If you've gotten this far, thanks for reading. I'm eager to join your ranks, but not sure the steps to take!

Thanks again.

 

[jessily]

Hi! The Disney Half this past weekend was my first half and I thought it was a great race. I would recommend checking out John Bingham's book 'Marathoning for Mortals.' There are training plans in the back for walking, walk/run, run/walk, and running a half marathon. I believe the plans are 14 weeks long. I started out with the c25k back in March and then kept up a general fitness level (30-70 minute run/walks a few times per week with some cross training mixed in) until it was time to start the 14 week training schedule. I would highly recommend the book and training schedule for a new run/walker.

Welcome to the Wish Boards! I found lots of ideas and encouragement here over the past year

 

[DWGal210]

Hi Twingle, I'm with you!!

I've been seriously thinking of walking the 1/2 in January 2010 and so I'm getting as much info as I can at this point. Any info that people can provide would be great!!

 

[Maherae]

Twingle and DWGal210!

PLEASE come on over to the weekly thread and introduce yourselves! Lots of new to marathoning people will be joining in, you won't be alone!! We never tire of questions..there are lots of people with all kinds of experiences, all kinds of speeds.

I'm a back of the pack walker..and that's JUST walking..not race walking or power walking..just one foot in front of the other! but I've got a bunch of medals to prove that it CAN be done!!

Twingle, there will be race reports posted all during the next two weeks. You'll get a good sense of what race day is like from there. Disney does start super early. Roads closed at 4 a.m.! If you stay on property there are buses/monorails that will take you to the start. When you arrive at the start area..start looking around for the BRIGHT lime green WISH shirts. It was hard this year to find us, as it was so cold, we had jackets on!! But there were the WISH visors that were visable. You'll never have to be alone at a Disney race if you look for the WISHers!!

Once you've arrived at the start area and are ready to cross into the "Runners Only" area, you move through the Bag Check tents. This is where you drop off anything you want to have at the end of the race, i.e. another pair of shoes, shirt, whatever. You received a clear "goodie" bag during registration to use for this purpose.

On the other side, more milling about..This year was a new start area for the 1/2. CM's took groups for a 20 minute walk to the corrals at the start. You will be assigned a corral. It will be written on your bib..Corral D..or some letter. You are allowed to go into that corral or lower, only. The corral assignment is by the time that you indicated you would finish. You have to have proof of time if you think you are REALLY fast (will finish the half in less than 2:45 or the full in less than 5 hours).

There are people on the loud speakers chatting, music playing, then the singing of the National Anthem and eventually, you cross the start line! Every mile will have a big sign with what mile it is, along with a clock that started when the gun went off. There will be water stops manned with volunteers along the way. They will offer water/sports drink and encouragement. The volunteers are spread out to just hand you a cup, so you don't have to stop and pick it up from the table. There are crowds of people at various places along the route to cheer you, and there are places with no one but your fellow racers. There are a couple of medical tents strategically placed along the course, if you need help. They also hand out this stuff called "Bio-Freeze" which is a topical lotion to apply to places that hurt. It really helps!

Finally, you are through EPCOT and coming down the stretch with the Finish line in front of you! You cross the mat, get your medal, head towards the tables with water/sports drink, bananas/oranges, bagels/muffins..and then there are the photographers to take your picture with your medal!

Again, you walk through the Bag Check tents into the general waiting area. There are Family Reunion spots designated with letters. Most people use the first letter of their last name and meet their families there. WISHers use the W area!!

I agree with jessily..Marathoning for Mortals is a great place to start!! Hope this gives you an idea of what to expect!! Anne

 

[ksoehrlein]

If you're nervous about going it alone and you don't get queasy at the thought of fundraising for a good cause, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training is a very worthwhile and rewarding program. We started training for the half in September and became a pretty tight-knit group. In fact, 4 of us run/walked the entire event and crossed the finish line together, which was just incredible!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Hey Twingle! I'm in pretty much the same boat as you... but I actually registered yesterday for the 1/2! I figured I have a whole year to figure all the details out but I need immediate motivation to start running. I even started a pre-trippie already thats linked in my sig.

These boards are great...I've learned a lot. I won't give advice since I've never done it but I hope you decide to defintiely run/walk. We can be newbies together! I also just ordered 'marathons for mortals' based on recommendations from this board. I like how he gives walk/run tips.

Let me know what you decide to do!

 

[Kira G.]

I'll get around to posting my 1/2 story in the next few days, but one year ago I was in the same boat as you, and now I've completed 2 half marathons and earned my Donald medal last week. Many of us share that story, and if you are committed to making it happen you can do it for sure!

You should definitely pick up "Marathoning for Mortals" - the run/walk half marathon training plan really worked well for me. However, before you start that plan I highly recommend Bingham's other book, "Running for Mortals." He includes 5K and 10K run/walk plans in there, as well as having a ton of great information about strength training and nutrition that is not part of the marathon book.

What I did last year was work up to a 5K in April, then a 10K in June. I then began training for the Philadelphia Distance Run, a half marathon in September. That worked really, really well for me, and allowed me to build up my base before beginning the half marathon training plan. I lost a little ground after the half in September, and was not quite as consistent preparing for Disney, but with all that running under my belt for a year it was a great race for me last week as well.

You'll find what works for you, but those are my best recommendations. Again, welcome to an awesome journey - you're in a great place!

 

[momof2minnies]

I also recommend John Bingham, I read the book 3 times for motivation.I did not use his program because I started too late in training but he is awesome.

Also get a subscription to Runner's World, when I felt less than enthusiastic about getting out there all I had to do was read some inspiration.

Linda

 

[Twingle]

Just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to read and post. I really appreciate that, and I'm off to look into those books that were mentioned, plus join the weekly thread. I'm also going to get more information about the Team in Training, to see what the fundraising goals are.

Thank you again everyone!