REGISTRATION INFO! PLEASE READ!!2005 Marathon Update- WISH WALKERS!

[kamgen]

Hi everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
We just returned from our wonderful WDW trip and now I am working diligently to get things settled for the marathon!
Thanks to all of you who have posted the updated info! The list and the website will be updated within the next few days and I will have more info shortly in terms of registration, rooms, etc.
As of now, we are looking to block rooms that will hopefully fit everyone's budget. The room blocks will be for Friday-Monday.

The date is January 9th, 2005
The WISH WALKERS events would be Saturday and Sunday, with check in on Friday or Saturday. So far we are considering having a Welcome Reception on Saturday and all WISH Walkers and family would be invited to attend...I am not sure of all the logisitics yet, but I will post it soon!
The entry fee for the actual marathon is $80 per person for the 1/2.

REGISTRATION IS JANUARY 12, 2004!!!!!!!!!! YOU MUST REGISTER YOURSELF!

Once you have registered, you will need to email me that you are a confirmed attendee....I will then have you on the final list....


And for those of you nervous about it......you can walk it! You do not need to run...and you don't need to finish.....the idea is that we set a goal together and we do our best......

I will post more info as it plans out! This will be a busy week, so stay tuned!

 

[welovedis]

Although I'm not a WISH Walker, I wanted to just post a reminder that the registration period this year starts on January 12th (the day after the 2004 marathon!) so be prepared to register for the 1/2 very soon. The date is one week away and the 1/2 typically fills up within a few days.

Good luck to everyone that is planning on doing this.....I will be happy to report back after my trip to WDW.

 

[wovenwonder]

Welcome Home Kamy --- and HAPPY NEW YEAR to YOU too!

 

[catherine]

I wish that I could join in this event. It sounds like it is going to be a lot of fun (as well as hard work!). Unfortunately I don't think that logistically I will be able to attend. We are planning on spending Christmas and New Year with DH's family in California and Utah, returning to the UK on the 5th Jan. I don't think that we'll be able to spend any time in Florida, so I guess I am going to miss it

 

[A1A1]

I just have a question. I thought you had to keep the race pace or you'd be picked up by the sweeper. I read here in this thread that you do not need to finish, just to walk. I am confused. Can someone help me?????

I am concerned that I won't be able to keep that pace for so long.

 

[TammyNC]

Thanks for all of your hard work in getting all of the information out. I have been reading also that the 1/2 fills up very quickly so I will be registering as soon as possible on the 12th. Does anyone know what time they will open the registration up?

I know it is a year away, but I'm getting excited and it really has my motivation going.

 

[kamgen]

A1A1- It is true that you do need to keep a pace in order to not be "sweeped" up....but from my stand point, and many others, this is not about how fast you can finish, or even if you finish at all...it is about going for it! Giving it a try and pushing yourself towards a goal!
If you do not finish and are "sweeped", at least you know you gave it your all! Think positive....together we can do it!

Tammy- Here is the official registration info!

REGISTRATION - OPENS JANUARY 12, 2004!
There are three ways to register for this event:
Click on the "Register" button above and follow the steps to register on-line
Click on the "Register" button above and follow the steps to print a registration form and mail to the address provided
Call (407) 939-7810, option 4, to have a registration form mailed to you.
* Register online and receive monthly email updates from the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon Weekend staff!

 

[A1A1]

Still have questions about this "sweeper". How soon do they determine that you aren't keeping pace. I fear the humiliation of the sweeper. I would keep walking the 13 miles until I got there regardless of the time, but if they won't let me do that, I'm not sure if I should do it at this time. I felt I was walking pretty quickly last night. I think I was doing a 20 minute mile. Treadmill was set at 3+ mph. I have very short legs, and think the only way to get myself in line with the pace is to jog/walk it. Can people really walk a 4 minute mile for 13 miles....or is it really for jogger/runners?

Sorry for all the questions, but I have never done anything like this before.

 

[kamgen]

A1A1- You do not have to keep a 4 minute mile! From what I was told, the average pace you need is 13-14 minute miles.....I have also heard that somepeople have refused the sweeper.....
I have never done this either, but I am sure someone here can answer questions in more detail.
Hope you will walk with us! We have a year to train...we can do it!

 

[welovedis]

A1A1-I can speak only from own experience here, but this is what I did. I started exercising in October 2002 and was over 75 pounds overweight (5'6", 231 pounds). I could barely walk 1/2 mile at a 3 mile per hour pace, so when I joined a women's gym I asked for help and told them I wanted to walk or run a 1/2 marathon in 1/04.

They started me with simple walking programs, such as walking for 30, 45 even 60 minute intervals with some parts being as fast as I could walk, others being a slower-paced walk, etc...

I though that I could *never* finish the 1/2 marathon in the required time. Now I am looking forward to a better than a 14 minute mile per hour finish--due to a injury in November-otherwise I would be run/walking the thing and do about a 10-11 minute mile. I think if you are seriously considering doing this you should read as much as you can on the subject. If you belong to a health club, ask for guidance from the trainers there.

I really like the information I have received from the site:
www.halhigdon.com There are many different training plans and there is even one for a 1/2 marathon walk training. Keep in mind this is usually done the last 12 weeks before a race, so perhaps you can train for something locally (with no time limit) first to see how you do. If there are no local races or walks scheduled in your area, just plan on doing your own "race" on the scheduled day and time yourself to see how you do.

I really think most anyone here could train to do this easily. The sweeper is at the very end of the pack and they do keep track of each participant with a "chip" that records your pace during the marathon. If you pass a mile marker point and are below the 16:00 minute mark, you will get swept. I felt that when I registered I would have a spot in the 1/2 no matter what, so maybe that what some here might choose to do.

So to answer some of the questions: you definitely CAN walk the whole 13.1 miles as long as you walk at least a 16 minute mile. And there are lots of people who walk the entire thing. There is a group I below to called team penguin disney on yahoo groups. I have gotten lots of questions answered there from people who are race veterans and have "been there, done that". Many people that are part of that group are walking instead of running this year due to injuries or lack of time to train, etc... If you walk you won't be the only one! You only need to be going 3.75 MPH in order to stay on track, so that is not too bad!

I hope this info helps & GOOD LUCK with your training!

 

[geetey]

Thanks for the information, Karen! I agree that Hal's web site provides lots of really good information! I am going to be following his plan - starting with the walking and then moving to the novice, over the next year so I can walk/jog the half marathon. I too believe it is completely doable!

I hope you will give us LOTS of info about WDW's marathon when you get back! Is it true that there is a Mickey or a Donald medal, depending on which marathon you participate in?

 

[kamgen]

Karen- THANKS!!! I put the link to Hal's site on the WISH WALKERS training page! Thanks again!!!

 

[welovedis]

No problem, glad I could offer some help & wish I could be part of the 2005 marathon but 3 trips since May 03 is just enough for our budget-lol!

You receive a Mickey medal for finishing the full marathon and a Donald medal for the 1/2. I'll be happy to post a pic of it when I get back and share my race packet with Kamy to give more info on what we experienced.

Just another aside, the weekend can be really fun for the whole family if they offer another family fun 5K and kids events. my 7 yo DS is running the 400 yard dash for kids and my DH (who never ran in anything--except maybe into Olive Garden or the ice cream store-LOL-he agrees!) is running the 5K--both events are on Saturday. When I made a lifestyle change and started eating better and exercising regularily it just spilled over to both of them. Perhaps the weekend can be a goal for a whole family!

Ok--I better stop posting & start packing! I have nothing packed yet-aaaahhhh!

 

[geetey]

Thanks for the info, Karen. OF COURSE Mickey is for the full marathon. They are trying to entice us to go for the full!

Good luck on your half marathon! I can't wait to see the pic of your medal! Now get packing!!

 

[jtbdas]

Karen, thanks for the update, looking forward to finalizing the registration process.