TigerTown
Disney Running TK
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2007
- Messages
- 780
Hello all my name is Kyle and Id like to welcome you all to what will probably be a very convoluted PTR/Training report. Its been a while since I've done this so please take it easy on me
I plan on using this as both a Pre Trip Report and a training plan update so hopefully it won't get to complicated. I'll make sure to include direct links to the different sections once I get them up and running.
The PTR will cover planning for three different runDisney trips. The first will be in August for the Disneyland Half Marathon. My son will be joining me for this trip and it will be his first Half Marathon. The second trip will be for the Avengers Super Heroes Half in November. My wife will be joining me for this one and I couldn't be more excited as I am a big Marvel Comics fan. The final trip will be in January for Marathon Weekend. I bit the bullet and will be running the Dopey Challenge for the first time. I'm honestly freaking out a bit because this is something I NEVER thought I would attempt.
I would like to start out by giving you a bit of history to help set up this PTR. I have always struggled with weight issues and in May 2012 I finally decided to do something about it. After visiting my parents in Florida I noticed how a lack of exercise was really affecting my dad as he got older. I remember looking in the mirror and telling myself that something had to change. I wasnt getting any younger and as you can see from this picture, I was heading down a very bad path.
The first step toward a healthier me was actually very simple. I stopped drinking diet pop (yes Im from Michigan we say pop). The first couple weeks were lined with headaches from the caffeine withdrawal but other than that I really didnt find it too difficult to stop.
From there I had to decide the best way to lose the weight. I've tried dieting in the past with mixed results. I would lose 10 or 15 pounds and then gain it all back. I tried the Atkins Diet and was mildly successful but gained it all back when I realized I couldn't eat that way for the rest of my life.
This time I decided emphatically that I wasn't going to diet. Diets dont work for me. I was simply going to watch how much I ate by controlling my portions sizes and trying to cut out the sweets.
The other mindset I had was that I wasnt going for a specific goal weight. I didnt (and still dont) care how much I lost as long as I was feeling healthier and could sustain this plan for the rest of my life no end game no finish date forever! I didnt even weigh myself when I began so I still dont know what my true starting weight was.
For the next step on my road to health I decided to get some exercise. Some of my Facebook friends had run Disney races and I always thought it would be cool to be able to do that one day.
My goal was to get in shape enough to where I would run a full 5K race. At the time it seemed like such a daunting task but I was determined to try and train for one.
I started to look at the runDisney website and noticed a training plan by runDisney training partner Jeff Galloway. There was a Youtube video explaining his training methods so I took a look. The point of the video was to let you know that it is not necessary to run the entire distance during an endurance race. His theory is that by doing a combination of running and walking you're able to preserve your body and reduce the risk of injury dramatically. I found the video fascinating so I laced up my shoes and went outside for my first run in a long time.
My first run was a mile long using a 10 second run / 50 second walk interval. My time was 17 minutes but I felt really good afterword. For the next couple of weeks I did the same thing while gradually increasing my distance and never had a bad experience. I was getting out in the sun and really enjoying my runs.
That summer I decided to take the plunge and sign up for my first 5K. I never thought I would have been ready that quickly but I knew I could do it using the Galloway plan. The morning was extremely hot and my time was very slow but I actually finished the race. (I wasnt even last)! It was at that moment that I knew I was hooked!
This is what a chubby guy looks like after running 3 miles
When I got back to the house I went online to research the training plan for a Half Marathon. After reviewing it over, and over, and over, and discussing it with my wife, I finally decided to take the plunge. I went on to the runDisney website and signed up for the 2012 Wine & Dine Half Marathon.
Over the next few months I followed the training plan and on November 10, 2012 I finished my very first Half Marathon.
I was so proud of myself after that race. I couldnt believe that I had actually done it. You can find my blog post about the race here.
Since that first race I have really changed and become even more addicted. I followed that race up with the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge 2013, Wine & Dine 1/2 again in 2013, and my first full Marathon this past January 2014.
I'll be documenting some of my training as well as the other races I'll be running. So far this year I've run The WDW Marathon, four other 1/2 marathons and I have at least six more halfs to go. My plan is to post a few pictures from those races and provide updates to the rest of my training once a week. I will also continue to update my blog as well. You can find that link in my signature below.
Other ways to follow me include Twitter (@TigerTownTales), and Instagram (TigerTownTales)
I'm looking forward to this year of running and getting to know more fellow runners and/or aspiring runners
I plan on using this as both a Pre Trip Report and a training plan update so hopefully it won't get to complicated. I'll make sure to include direct links to the different sections once I get them up and running.
The PTR will cover planning for three different runDisney trips. The first will be in August for the Disneyland Half Marathon. My son will be joining me for this trip and it will be his first Half Marathon. The second trip will be for the Avengers Super Heroes Half in November. My wife will be joining me for this one and I couldn't be more excited as I am a big Marvel Comics fan. The final trip will be in January for Marathon Weekend. I bit the bullet and will be running the Dopey Challenge for the first time. I'm honestly freaking out a bit because this is something I NEVER thought I would attempt.
I would like to start out by giving you a bit of history to help set up this PTR. I have always struggled with weight issues and in May 2012 I finally decided to do something about it. After visiting my parents in Florida I noticed how a lack of exercise was really affecting my dad as he got older. I remember looking in the mirror and telling myself that something had to change. I wasnt getting any younger and as you can see from this picture, I was heading down a very bad path.
The first step toward a healthier me was actually very simple. I stopped drinking diet pop (yes Im from Michigan we say pop). The first couple weeks were lined with headaches from the caffeine withdrawal but other than that I really didnt find it too difficult to stop.
From there I had to decide the best way to lose the weight. I've tried dieting in the past with mixed results. I would lose 10 or 15 pounds and then gain it all back. I tried the Atkins Diet and was mildly successful but gained it all back when I realized I couldn't eat that way for the rest of my life.
This time I decided emphatically that I wasn't going to diet. Diets dont work for me. I was simply going to watch how much I ate by controlling my portions sizes and trying to cut out the sweets.
The other mindset I had was that I wasnt going for a specific goal weight. I didnt (and still dont) care how much I lost as long as I was feeling healthier and could sustain this plan for the rest of my life no end game no finish date forever! I didnt even weigh myself when I began so I still dont know what my true starting weight was.
For the next step on my road to health I decided to get some exercise. Some of my Facebook friends had run Disney races and I always thought it would be cool to be able to do that one day.
My goal was to get in shape enough to where I would run a full 5K race. At the time it seemed like such a daunting task but I was determined to try and train for one.
I started to look at the runDisney website and noticed a training plan by runDisney training partner Jeff Galloway. There was a Youtube video explaining his training methods so I took a look. The point of the video was to let you know that it is not necessary to run the entire distance during an endurance race. His theory is that by doing a combination of running and walking you're able to preserve your body and reduce the risk of injury dramatically. I found the video fascinating so I laced up my shoes and went outside for my first run in a long time.
My first run was a mile long using a 10 second run / 50 second walk interval. My time was 17 minutes but I felt really good afterword. For the next couple of weeks I did the same thing while gradually increasing my distance and never had a bad experience. I was getting out in the sun and really enjoying my runs.
That summer I decided to take the plunge and sign up for my first 5K. I never thought I would have been ready that quickly but I knew I could do it using the Galloway plan. The morning was extremely hot and my time was very slow but I actually finished the race. (I wasnt even last)! It was at that moment that I knew I was hooked!
This is what a chubby guy looks like after running 3 miles
When I got back to the house I went online to research the training plan for a Half Marathon. After reviewing it over, and over, and over, and discussing it with my wife, I finally decided to take the plunge. I went on to the runDisney website and signed up for the 2012 Wine & Dine Half Marathon.
Over the next few months I followed the training plan and on November 10, 2012 I finished my very first Half Marathon.
I was so proud of myself after that race. I couldnt believe that I had actually done it. You can find my blog post about the race here.
Since that first race I have really changed and become even more addicted. I followed that race up with the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge 2013, Wine & Dine 1/2 again in 2013, and my first full Marathon this past January 2014.
I'll be documenting some of my training as well as the other races I'll be running. So far this year I've run The WDW Marathon, four other 1/2 marathons and I have at least six more halfs to go. My plan is to post a few pictures from those races and provide updates to the rest of my training once a week. I will also continue to update my blog as well. You can find that link in my signature below.
Other ways to follow me include Twitter (@TigerTownTales), and Instagram (TigerTownTales)
I'm looking forward to this year of running and getting to know more fellow runners and/or aspiring runners
and thanks for joining my little journey! It's going to be a great year. I'm looking forward to your reports as well!
I'm not really sure what I was thinking but the Half has now replaced most of the 5K and 10K races I ran last year.
that would be why I am not doing the dopey. 
