So nervous. Why can't I just hit "enter"?

[Mickey Fliers]

I really, really want to do the Full Marathon this year (2012). For some reason, I just can't bring myself to submit the registration. The rooms are already booked, my DH is planning to do the half (just doesn't have the time to train for the full), and I have done 2 Halfs this year. Why can't I pull the trigger?

It is making me so nervous even thinking about it. However, I know that if I don't do it I will be kicking myself! I had decent times in my Halfs (1:58 and 2:10) but I am just freaking over the 26.2. Please tell me I am not the only one. Please give me the encouragement to hit ENTER.

 

[tiberius]

If there was ever a great race for a first-time marathon, this is it. It seems more overwhelming than it really is, especially with all the entertainment and race support along the way. Feeling that way is normal, now you just need to overcome that feeling and register. All the cool kids will be there, come on and join us!!!!

Besides, with half marathon times like yours, you'll be way ahead of tons of people.

 

[riggins]

Hi Mickey Fliers-
I completely understand your hesitation!!! I wavered for WEEKS before I finally took the plunge and registered for the full. I've done 4 halfs and the jump to the full scares me to death. But I've always wanted to earn a Mickey medal and I've been toying with the idea of doing the full for a couple of years. I decided that I'm not getting any younger and every year I'll be able to come up with an excuse not to do it, so I might as well just take the plunge. I've been questioning my sanity ever sense. I'm still questioning whether or not I can do it. I've never felt this way about a race before, so I'm just crossing my fingers that as training progresses, my confidence will come with it. In the meantime, I'm reading all the sappy, inspirational running books/articles/blogs I can find !! So, I say, just push the button. You'll never really mentally commit yourself until you do it.

Good Luck!
Leslie

 

[FireDancer]

I think the mental challenge of signing up for a full is just as much of a hurdle as the physical challenge of training for it. I think just about everyone, including me, finishes their first couple of halves and thinks "I could never turn around and do that again right now". If you put in the training you absolutely can. I'm not sure what you goal is for the race but as long as you set a challenging but realistic goal and train you'll be glad you signed up for the race.

Personally I would rather sign up and have a bad race then not sign up and regret it after.

 

[jmasgat]

I'm a dawdler, too. But just do it. But you can do this. Like you, my first half (at 2009 Disney) was around 2 hours. And my first marathon was the next year--at Disney. I fought the battle of "i will never be able to do this", but I did. It's sort of funny--it was easier to sign up for my very first race (Minnie 15k--at Disney) before I had even started running!

You have great 1/2 times--you can train and finish the marathon. Try not to pressure yourself to hit a certain time (which can be easier said than done, sometimes)--just aim to run and finish within yourself.

Maura

 

[johde]

I think the mental challenge of signing up for a full is just as much of a hurdle as the physical challenge of training for it. I think just about everyone, including me, finishes their first couple of halves and thinks "I could never turn around and do that again right now".

That pretty much describes my first 3 half marathons. I've also felt that way after 5K's. In addition to training it's also pacing. When your running a half marathon, your not running at a pace you can go 26 miles at, your going at a pace you can go 13 miles at. Right now, I'm not sure when I'll take the leap to a full marathon. My half marathon PR is 2:52 which suggest a slightly over 6:00 marathon per Mcmillan. Right now, I'm contemplating Columbus in October 2012 as my first marathon. If that goes well maybe going Goofy in 2014.

 

[FFigawi]

I think the mental challenge of signing up for a full is just as much of a hurdle as the physical challenge of training for it. I think just about everyone, including me, finishes their first couple of halves and thinks "I could never turn around and do that again right now". If you put in the training you absolutely can. I'm not sure what you goal is for the race but as long as you set a challenging but realistic goal and train you'll be glad you signed up for the race.

Ah, see, there's the problem. You did it smartly. You ran a few halves before signing up for a marathon. Idiots like me just sign up for a full without running a half first, so we don't have a point of reference to be scared of.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Thank you all so much! It really is such a mental hurdle. I know that I will just beat myself up forever and a day if I don't just bite the bullet. Ack! I really want to prove I can do it. At this point, I am not hoping for any magic time (but if I am honest I would like to finish in under 4.5 ). That's it...gonna do it!

Then I can hang with the cool kids.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Well, didja do it? Hope you have hit the enter. I am certain you can do it with your great times for the half marathons you have done you could walk the rest of the way and still come in before me. It will be a great experience for a first time full.

Hope you are in!

 

[paxsarah]

Looking back, I think what made it easier for me to pull the trigger is my first marathon had an integrated half marathon, so in my mind I had until mile 7 to bail (not that it seriously crossed my mind on race day). But this is Disney - so you know how amazing it's going to be, and you can totally do it!

 

[stitchfan18]

I just ran my first marathon, and even though I finished half an hour slower than I wanted to, the accomplishment of finishing greatly outweighed missing my time goal. I can now forever say that I'm a marathoner, and even though I don't think my time is horrible, I don't have to run around telling everyone how long it took me. Most people I know haven't run a marathon, so finishing one is an accomplishment in itself! I do have to mention that Disney has to be the best place to run a marathon. The course is mostly flat, and the on course support and encouragement is top notch.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I think the mental challenge of signing up for a full is just as much of a hurdle as the physical challenge of training for it. I think just about everyone, including me, finishes their first couple of halves and thinks "I could never turn around and do that again right now". If you put in the training you absolutely can. I'm not sure what you goal is for the race but as long as you set a challenging but realistic goal and train you'll be glad you signed up for the race.

Personally I would rather sign up and have a bad race then not sign up and regret it after.

I have to agree with Frank on this one. I thought I lost my mind when I signed up for the full. Probably thought that until I finished it. Now, I will be doing the Goofy next year and it is a repeat of all of those feelings. But, just like Frank said, you will be glad that you signed up for it. After all, only approximately 2% of the entire world's population has ever finished a Marathon so if there is any goal that worth achieving, that is up there! You can do this!!