rookie runner

[hops&dreams]

Hi!

I am new to running. I am planning to run a half in May, with a couple of shorter runs along the way (5K and 10K).

So, last year (2010), my husband and I took our daughter to Disneyworld for the first time, at the age of 6, which was PERFECT! It was a perfect trip for us. We got there on a Friday, and it just happened to be marathon weekend. It was cool to see the runners in the parks and riding back to their hotels on the monorail, and I thought "One day, maybe that can be me!" I had wanted to start running, and wanting to be a part of it there inspired me to start later that year. Because really, if you're gonna run a really long distance, why not at Disney, where they make it so enjoyable along the way?

Anyway, we're planning our next trip for the same week in 2012. So, I figured - Hey, I want to run at Disney! This is my chance!

So, do you think it's a doable goal? With a half planned in May, would that leave me enough time to properly train? (Ideally, I'd LOVE to run the Goofy - am I crazy?!?)

Am I setting my sights too high? Will I be able to enjoy my vacation the week afterward, or will I be sore and tired and hobbling through the parks?

Ugh, I think I just need someone to tell me that I'm not crazy because my husband insists that I am and he is very worried that I will not enjoy the rest of our vacation. My parents are behind me and my dad even offered to come down there and do the half with me on Sat (he would walk it).

I keep telling myself I can do it. Am I lying to myself?

 

[rubato]

Welcome to the world of running! It is very addictive, so your hubby better be on board. (I only say this because mine isn't so much).

I have run my whole life, but not more than 3 or 4 miles daily. In 2010, I was turning 40 and decided to run a half marathon as my birthday present. Ran that in April. Did great, but I was sore for a day or two. Then, in September, I got the Goofy bug. I signed up in October and had 18 weeks to train. At that point, I was running about 20 miles per week. I had to up that to about 40. It was a lot of training, I mean a lot! But, I did both races 2 weeks ago and was able to walk around Disneyworld for 7 days with almost no pain. My family did have to spend a little time dealing with all the race stuff (Expo, meets, both races), but, I was going just as strong as they were for the full 7 days.

You have 11 months to get ready for it, so yes, it is doable. How many miles per week are you running now? What are your goals for the races? Are you just wanting to finish, or do you have times in mind? Have you thought about doing a run/walk type racing? Would your husband do one of the races with you?

 

[John VN]

Unlike Tandy, I never ran in my life and still can't run but I do walk. Last January while leaving FW we passed many marathoners and I said to DW that in 2011 I want to do a marathon. We had walked the 5K 2 days earlier but the thought of completing a marathon at age 60 seemed pretty daunting.

Long story made short, 2 weeks ago we walked the 5K, then the 1/2M and on Sunday I walked my first Full in 4:56:28, not a runner's time but a good start.

Your desire to be a part of the 2012 Marathon Weekend and even completing a Goofy is in no way crazy providing you put in the time needed to prepare for the events. Setting a short term goal that is realistic such as a 1/2M in May is good and then if things go well reset for a Full and beyond.

If I can do it at 60yo, so can you with proper preparation.

Great members here will give free advice that can be very helpful so ask away.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

 

[FireDancer]

May to January is plenty of time between races as long as you train. Once you are a month or so into marathon training (depending on the plan you use of course) you are basically running a half a week because so many of the long runs are over 13 miles. I will be doing a half on March 26th and then on May 15th this year for example and am not worried about those being too close together.

Good luck.

 

[crewmatt]

Once you get into marathon training (and you're going to find this hard to believe when you run your first half marathon) you'll be able to participate (not race) in races upto half marathons with little fanfare. Obviously a full 100% effort for a personal best requires recovery afterwards, but if you view it as a controlled training run then thats great.

Now a half marathon in may you'll still even have time for a break before getting into the marathon builds. I'd train for the half (find a plan). Once thats done I'd take a week or two light training and then keep your build giong. Esp if you want to do the goofy you'll be glad for the extra base work.

Frank, national half in dc . Good race, I'll be there.

 

[FireDancer]

Frank, national half in dc . Good race, I'll be there.

I ran it last year and it is my favorite of the non-Disney races I've done. Maybe I'll see you there.

 

[hops&dreams]

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!

@rubato - I'm running 8-10 miles a week now, but I'm only about 2 weeks into training for the half. in the fall, I was running 10-15/week, depending on how many nights I could get out to run and how lost I got in our new neighborhood - ha ha!

I think I really got the bug when I turned 30 last summer, and for me, it's not about times, etc... this time it'll just be to DO it. Finishing will be enough for me.

I don't think my husband will do the half with me, and I'm not even sure he would come try to see me on the course. But I am going to try to get him to at least do the 5k as a family. We'll see.

Please, try to check in with me, make sure I'm on track, and make me accountable!

Thanks all - this makes me more excited!!!

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

I'll keep you accountable! You do the same for me!

My husband is not that supportive either. Well, he totally supports me in my efforts...as long as it takes no effort on his part. He will not change his eating or exercise habits and insists on having junk food in the house. I have talked to him about it...several times...but he says I should be strong willed enough to resist. He has agreed to come home early from work two times a week so I can take a spin class! The expense does not bother him either, as long as he does not have to change his bad habits. He will not exercise or eat more healthy. It really frustrates me!

If you don't have anyone with you at the Princess Half, we can be buddies! I will be running all alone too. Like you, I don't care about time, I just want to finish!

 

[hops&dreams]

PrincessAndrea'sMom - AH! You had a preemie too! (saw her aa in your signature). Mine is now 7 years old, but she was 9 weeks early. No matter how much time passes, the NICU days will always be in your heart!

We have a ton in common... so glad I have someone to go on this "running adventure" with. We'll definitely keep each other in check!

I checked out your new blog... keep it up!

Although we can't run together (I'm running during marathon weekend in January... it's when we go to Disney, it's their lowest crowd levels of the year that week, and a very good time to escape the cold of the midwest!), we'll have to make it a point to regularly check in with each other and commiserate over our husbands not participating! (ugh... frustration!)

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

Sounds good to me!

Yes, I am a preemie mom! My daughter was 14 weeks early. She is trached do to a hospital mistake, so it has been a really hard past two years. This is a big factor as to why I fell off the fitness wagon. She has a trial off the trach on April 1st, so hopefully she will pull thru and not need the trach anymore!

Oh darn...you are doing the regular marathon! You are right though, we have to keep in touch and keep each other motivated.