Should I feel bad?

[stitchfan18]

My parents are signed up to run the 1/2 in January, along with my sister in law and I who are doing Goofy. Tonight we were talking about the race and my mom mentioned getting a picture together in front of the castle. Our paces are much different now, at least 5-6 minutes different, so the thought of my parents running that much faster in a year seems unlikely. I tried to explain that I needed to run at a pace that would keep me from being too sore the next day. I found that a good pace to slow down to during the princess was around 12 minutes a mile counting stops for pictures and such. I felt wonderful the next day! My parents are probably walking most of the race, which isn't an option for me because I'm not training walking, so I'd be super sore for the full. Although they have only been thinking about during the 1/2 for a couple weeks, I bet the image of the 4 of us posing in front of the castle in our running gear was one of the first things to pop into my mom's head.

This is the first time I've really done a race with family. Do groups normally stick together, or do they break off based on different paces. The groups I saw during the princess were mostly 2 friends at the most. I don't remember seeing many larger groups, and even those rare groups seemed to be in a running club together. I feel bad crushing this little dream, especially if my mom saw lots of families running together during the princess. If it wasn't for the fact that I was running the full the next day, I would totally sacrifice my time to hang back with them. It's just hard to sacrifice my legs when I need them to be strong the next day. Am I a horrible daughter, or do you usually break off from your family/friends when you are running the same race?

 

[faith-hope-joy]

There's a long time between now and January. I'd put off the discussion and cross that bridge when it comes. Unless you're in the same corral, you won't even start together. There's always the finish line. Just remind her that you'll all have your medals at that point.

 

[cewait]

A couple things....

First, it is early so you will have plenty of time to discuss the photo op. The same photo op can occur on Saturday afternoon with all of you post race and with medals.

The next thought is that the exit from the Castle is mile 5.5 of 39 that weekend. Will it ruin the weekend to hang back for 5 miles then run your race for the rest of the weekend? Probably not. If you decide that this is a way you wanted to go then you can fall back on the half to their corral. You could easily jog and play for the 5 miles. Or, if you walk, you have 8 miles to run off any negative effects of the walk. I would agree that walking the entire half, if not trained that way would not be a good idea. It's a long time between now and January, you have plenty of time to tray out a 5 mile walking jog, followed by a long run.

In answer to your question about groups sticking together. Sure, some do; many do not. Most who do stick together have a pact that will allow the stronger runner to take off if one starts to falter. In this case, once you hear the clicking of the camera, and a quick hug, off you go through Frontier land.


If you decide that this is just not workable... Then explain it to you mom when she brings it up and let her know that you can't hang back.


Just my two cents.

 

[dthogue]

I don't think anyone can answer that question for you, but pp gave some good points - As a mom though I would cherish a picture of DD and I in front of the castle - she runs much faster than I do, but she is going to stay with me during the 1/2 next year so we can do the photo ops together, at least to the castle, then I might set her off.

Are you planning on being in MK after the race at all? If so, maybe you could compromise and take your picture after the race with your medals and all.

Hope you can work it out - you hae lots of time for discussion.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

hmm...that's a toughie question! i get that your mom is super excited about everyone doing the race together. and a picture WOULD be nice! but, you have ALOT more running to do than they. i would let her idea settle for a while and then address is when it gets a little closer. see how you feel and how they are running.

 

[Disfan11]

I agree with taking your photo in front of the castle later in the day. You will be showered, shampoos and shined! And it will make a great picture. It's also fun to go back to the Magic Kingdom and remember/talk about where you were running earlier in the day!
But again, it's really up to you!

 

[MouseDogMom]

I'll share our experience... DH, DD (who was 19 at the time), and I ran a half together in Indy last spring. It was DD's first half, and DH had a vision of the three of us running together and crossing the finish line together and having that finish line photo.

We run at very different paces - DH is a good :40 faster in a half than I am, and we had no real feel for what DD would do. It was the most miserable 2:50 I have ever spent, and I'm sure both of them would agree. I'm certain I could have PR'd on that course that day, and DH probably would have as well. DD complained that I was "too happy" when I ran, when in reality I was just trying to keep her and her father from killing each other while he tried to get her to run faster and she tried to get him to slow down. The finish line photo is memorable (you actually can't tell that we were all but screaming at each other only a quarter of mile earlier,) but we also got the photo with our medals and no one knows whether we finished together or not.

We won't ever attempt it again. DH and DD just ran another half a couple of weeks ago, and each ran their own race. They were MUCH happier at the finish line!

As everyone has said, you have a long time to make the decision, but you need to do what works for you. A photo in the afternoon will look just as good a year later!

 

[stitchfan18]

Thanks for the input! I think we'll put the thought on hold until later in the year, and see how everyone is doing with training. We are going to be there for a week, so we have several days after the races to get pictures with our medals in front of the castle.

 

[fashionista311]

i say run your own race...especially if you have to worry about conquering the marathon the next day on tired legs. if you are used to running, walking uses completely different muscles and you WILL feel it. My parents and I often run races together, and we all come in at different times. Plus, there are characters post-race and you guys can take pictures with the characters in your gear and your medals!

But, depending on your parents fitness level, how hard they want to train, natural abilities, etc, you'll be SHOCKED at what a difference a year can make

 

[FireDancer]

I wouldn't slow down my pace to run with anyone in a race let alone to get a picture. If I want a picture with my friends or family we'd get it before or after.

 

[DianeL]

There should be the Marathon Weekend Logo backdrops with the characters that are beyond the finishers only area. Where it is each year I don't know, I've only done it once in 2010 and it was behind the stage.

But you could all have your photo taken together, in your running outfits with the bibs AND medals AND maybe a character will be out too.

I hope you all find a happy medium and have a fantastic race(s)!!!