Time for Disney World Half??? I'm a newbie!

[weesignlanguage]

I am just curious what is considered slow and not when it comes to the Disneyworld Half race in January? I am beginning to train and not sure if I would be the last person to finish if I tried or not.

I (37 yrs old female) currently am running a 5k in 38 minutes with a 3% grade on my treadmill. I plan on moving my runs outside in a few weeks when it cools down (live in South Alabama) and see how my time fares. I am using a 2 min run/1 min walk right now. When I walk, I walk 4.5-4.7 mph and when I run I can go up 5.3mph.

How bad is that? I'm just trying to decide whether to do the half this year or next. I know I could do the untimed 5k this year but wondering about the half and how slow I would be in comparison to the majority. Any advice?? Thanks!!

 

[RunFasterMommy]

Here is what I love about running: there is no "good" and there is no "bad" standards.

Ok granted, if you are racing to WIN, yes, there is "good and bad". But when it comes to the other 90% of us runners , we only compete against ourself. Do YOUR best, and then next time, try to beat YOUR best

That said, you will see some people finish the half marathon in an hour and a half, you will see some finish in three and a half hours, and literally EVERYTHING in between. Run YOUR race. Train smart and you will do awesome!!!!

 

[weesignlanguage]

Thanks!! I have heard that this race is most friendly!! I just don't want to be one of the last! Maybe it is my pride! I dunno! Is 3-3.5 hours gonna make me be one of the last?

 

[stitchfan18]

I would guess that at least 50% of the finishers take 2:45-3:30 to finish the half. I finished in 2:38 at the Princess 1/2 this year and was 5473/13115 finishers. That was mostly women in the finisher count, but Disney is definitely walker friendly. A lot of people walk the entire race. If you are running at all, you definitely won't be last! Even if you are the very last person, I'm pretty sure one of the characters crosses the finish line with you.

 

[stitchfan18]

I forgot to mention that Florida is a flat state. Most of the inclines on the course are man made. If you are training at a 3% incline now, you'll be a speed demon on a flat course!

 

[weesignlanguage]

Thanks Heather for the info!! I plan on continuing my training with the incline as long as I'm on the treadmill.

I was just looking at the results from the Half from last year and they had the chip time and clock time. I had to google what the difference is but now I understand. What I don't understand is do they rank you with chip or clock? Seems unfair if you are in the third or fourth group to start that your time be skewed because of that.

I'm thinking if I run/walk approx a 40 minute 3.1 mile, then I can do the half in 3 and half hours for sure. And that is what I'm running now...if I keep working, surely I'll gain some time in my training, right?? I would love to be right under 3 hours for my first half ever!! Who knows!! I am excited of the thought of doing the race but SCARED to death to commit! I already have reservations there though b/c we will be at Disney that weekend anyway for a trip before my dh's conference mid-week! I don't know what I'll do! eek!!

 

[stitchfan18]

Thanks Heather for the info!! I plan on continuing my training with the incline as long as I'm on the treadmill.

I was just looking at the results from the Half from last year and they had the chip time and clock time. I had to google what the difference is but now I understand. What I don't understand is do they rank you with chip or clock? Seems unfair if you are in the third or fourth group to start that your time be skewed because of that.

I'm thinking if I run/walk approx a 40 minute 3.1 mile, then I can do the half in 3 and half hours for sure. And that is what I'm running now...if I keep working, surely I'll gain some time in my training, right?? I would love to be right under 3 hours for my first half ever!! Who knows!! I am excited of the thought of doing the race but SCARED to death to commit! I already have reservations there though b/c we will be at Disney that weekend anyway for a trip before my dh's conference mid-week! I don't know what I'll do! eek!!

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the ranks are determined by chip time. Overall finisher is based on who crosses the finish line first (clock time)though. If you were a really fast runner in a later corral and ran a chip time faster than the winner, you wouldn't be considered the official winner.

If you are nervous about running a 1/2, Disney is the place to do it. I ran a smaller 1/2 as my first, so it was nerve wracking knowing I would be somewhat alone on the course and very well could have finished last. At Disney there are runners everywhere, and everyone is super supportive. The entertainment is a great distraction too!

 

[RunRookie]

Thanks Heather for the info!! I plan on continuing my training with the incline as long as I'm on the treadmill.

I was just looking at the results from the Half from last year and they had the chip time and clock time. I had to google what the difference is but now I understand. What I don't understand is do they rank you with chip or clock? Seems unfair if you are in the third or fourth group to start that your time be skewed because of that.

I'm thinking if I run/walk approx a 40 minute 3.1 mile, then I can do the half in 3 and half hours for sure. And that is what I'm running now...if I keep working, surely I'll gain some time in my training, right?? I would love to be right under 3 hours for my first half ever!! Who knows!! I am excited of the thought of doing the race but SCARED to death to commit! I already have reservations there though b/c we will be at Disney that weekend anyway for a trip before my dh's conference mid-week! I don't know what I'll do! eek!!

I totally understand how you are feeling. I am a newbie to running as well, having only started about 6 months ago. I am overweight (but losing it!), 51 years old, and wondering "Can I really accomplish this?" all the time!

In May 2010, I started a journey to lose weight. In January 2011, I started walking. In March, I started jogging. As of today, I have lost 105 pounds and feeling great. By next May, I plan to have lost a total of 160 pounds, completed the WDW Half, and training for a Full! There are times I think I must be crazy!

But I am going for it! My 5K time is around 33 minutes and my recent 10K was 1:10. Yes, you do get faster as you train. But for me, the goal is to 'finish' the race -- that will be such an accomplishment for me that it won't matter how many people finish before me.

I say, 'go for it!' We can wear our Donald medals with the pride that comes from personal achievement. The WISHers are an awesome group of people who are supportive, knowledgeable, and generous with their thoughts and advice. They help keep me motivated. I mean, I never thought I would be preparing for ANY race, much less a Half Marathon. But here I am.

I look forward to seeing you out there in January and celebrating our shiny finisher medals!

 

[windwalker]

A lot of us that do and finish the race every year are pure walkers. There is plenty of time and I promise you will not be last. Also the time doesn't start till the very last person crosses the starting line so you will have several min to the good there also.

Dave

 

[JJSWDW]

Hi. Definitely get outside once it cools down. For me the treadmill was great for conditioning but bad for training. My transition from treadmill to pavement ( even with a 2.5% incline) was a wakeup call. Definitely keep going inside if it's crazy hot but find cooler times to get outside.

I haven't run in about 25 years and the only used to run 3 miles. Last January my wife and I set a goal to complete the half marathon at WDW this January. We switched to the Galloway method ( http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/run-disney-training-consultant/ ) in July when we moved outside and it's been great. We have built up distance and most days I feel great after finishing. I see you're already doing a variation on this so you should be good.

When I got on the treadmill last winter I was ready to give up at 30 seconds. Yesterday we did 4 miles outside! So you're in a great position to keep moving forward to the half!

Good luck!

 

[physicalt104]

I'm doing my first Half Relay on October 1st. At 53, I have only 2 5Ks under my belt, but have seen such great results from Jeff's training program that I'm giving it a shot! Anyone on this thread planning on racing that weekend?! (It's also my first solo WDW trip! )

 

[crewmatt]

The time limit pace for the half marathon and full marathon is a 16 minute mile, which is a 3.75 on a treadmill. The disney races are actually exceptionally well designed for the longer race times, not only do they set up waves of people based on speed (and yes obviously its never perfect but its done better then other races of the same size). They also have water approx every mile, as opposed to every 2 miles in most other races, and bathrooms very often. You can also very easily arrange for spectators to meet you on the course around halfway if you need to swap out clothing/etc. Plus with all the photo ops/etc.

 

[disney_runner]

I am just curious what is considered slow and not when it comes to the Disneyworld Half race in January? I am beginning to train and not sure if I would be the last person to finish if I tried or not.

I (37 yrs old female) currently am running a 5k in 38 minutes with a 3% grade on my treadmill. I plan on moving my runs outside in a few weeks when it cools down (live in South Alabama) and see how my time fares. I am using a 2 min run/1 min walk right now. When I walk, I walk 4.5-4.7 mph and when I run I can go up 5.3mph.

How bad is that? I'm just trying to decide whether to do the half this year or next. I know I could do the untimed 5k this year but wondering about the half and how slow I would be in comparison to the majority. Any advice?? Thanks!!

You run exactly the same times as I do (almost same age too, 36) - and I've finished 4 Disney races! You can definitely do this, for sure.

My times were:
WDW Half '08 - 3:02
Princess Half '10 - 3:00
Disneyland Half '10 - 2:46 (woo hoo!)
WDW Full '11 - 6:07

I figure I just about run half and walk half. Obviously at Disneyland, I was having a good running day. Now, I had knee surgery in May and have the Wine and Dine Half coming up in 3+ weeks. I think I'll be walking a bit more than usual. But I'm still working on it - I just ran 7 miles on Saturday in 1:27. So that's not bad!! Keep up your training, and you'll do great. You won't be the last one to finish the race, for sure.

 

[jeanigor]

Thanks!! I have heard that this race is most friendly!! I just don't want to be one of the last! Maybe it is my pride! I dunno! Is 3-3.5 hours gonna make me be one of the last?

The WISH boards has a mantra/motto:

DLF>DNF>>DNS

Dead Last Finish is greater than Did Not Finish which is significantly greater than Did Not Start.

If you come in dead last (or even swept), you still had the courage and strength to accomplish something most people wouldn't consider.

You wouldn't believe the number of people who commented on that saying (as they passed by me) this past weekend in Disneyland. A few nice ladies even asked if they could take a picture of my back.

 

[physicalt104]

The WISH boards has a mantra/motto:

DLF>DNF>>DNS

Dead Last Finish is greater than Did Not Finish which is significantly greater than Did Not Start.

If you come in dead last (or even swept), you still had the courage and strength to accomplish something most people wouldn't consider.

You wouldn't believe the number of people who commented on that saying (as they passed by me) this past weekend in Disneyland. A few nice ladies even asked if they could take a picture of my back.

I LOVE this, and will use it with my patients; and most absolutely for myself!! Perspective is a beautiful thing

 

[NNNikkiNikNik]

I understand how you are feeling. I did the 5k 2 years ago in Disney and there were a lot of walkers. I feel like even more than runners. I know that 3 miles is a big difference from the 13.1 miles the half is, but I've never heard a bad thing about a Disney race. I'm doing the half in January and some days think "I can't do this!" I'm just taking it one day at a time.

See you in January!

 

[saysay]

You will do great.

Last year I did my first 5k in Aug with a finish time of 40 min. I did a 10k on Thanksgiving and finished in 1:12.

I finished the Princess this past race in 3:29...... I had developed a bad case of Plantar Faciitis in my foot in Jan, but worked with a sports med doctor and physical therapist to help me just have the ability to finish - I couldn't run much and had done the most distance of 11.5miles.. When I first saw my time, I thought man I was slow, but you know, I stopped for many pictures, went to the bathroom in Tomorrowland and splashed my face - short line, so not like I was in and out quickly, AND I stopped about 4 times during the race to stretch out my legs and foot.... I do intervals, walk 2minutes and run 1 minute and was able to maintain this for almost the whole race.....though I got slower the last 5 miles as my foot started to bother me and I didn't want to push things.

I was thrilled I finished and had a blast even with the sore foot. I was passed by so many people, but I will tell you when I got to the top of the highway ramp over the bridge I could see there was still a sea of princesses behind me.

You will be fine! Enjoy your training.