Walking in Parks

[dragitoff]

DW and I are runners. I run about 3.5 miles every other day and DW runs about 2.5 every other day. We were debating on trying to run while we were on vacation this weekend and early next week. Our debate is because our trip is short and we know we always do alot of walking while at the parks, especially me since I'm a designated FP runner. This coupled with the fact that we are always at the park at rope drop so we'd have to get up REALLY early to run has us both leaning towards taking a few days off.

We'll each only miss 2 days of running since our trip is just 4 days. Has anyone ever worn a pedometer in the parks and actually guaged their walking distance each day? I've heard estimates of 5-10 miles per day, but I've not seen anything definitive from anyone.

This would make me rest a little easier about what to do. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[RMulieri]

You do do alot of walking.But also alot of stop/start, sit etc..I still run during my disney trips and I am there for 4-5 days only.But I do it more for the mood and calming effect it has on me .

 

[The 6 J's]

The short time off running won't hurt you at all. IIRC most experts would say you would not see a loss of endurance until at least a week off and that's even without the walking you'll be doing in the parks. From a curiosity standpoint you could use a Garmin or other similar device to find out. I was going to use mine once in MK to see how far I walked but found once I was there that I just wasn't that curious so I left it in the room. You'll be fine, just remember that you will be sore from walking in places that you don't get sore from running. Some of the muscles are the same, many are not.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

We logged over 90 miles in a 10-day trip in December of 09. DH forgot to turn it on one day, so that wasn't added in. One Epcot day we did 14 miles!! So, you will do fine. Also, we tracked ours on DH's cell phone. The phone he had at that time had the option...don't know if we can do the same next trip? But, you could see if it is on your phone.

 

[jessily]

On short trips I usually skip the runs since we're trying to cram in as much park touring as possible. On longer trips I've kept up with some short runs. I would assume it would make me more tired, but it actually is a great way to wake up and I feel more energetic throughout the day.

 

[dragitoff]

On short trips I usually skip the runs since we're trying to cram in as much park touring as possible. On longer trips I've kept up with some short runs. I would assume it would make me more tired, but it actually is a great way to wake up and I feel more energetic throughout the day.

That's how it works for me, but the opposite for DW. She also walks 3 miles on her "off-day" from running. I do more upper body workouts on those days and I'm definitely taking those days off. I don't want to be sore from lifting weights while at the parks. lol.

We leave Friday afternoon (we'll run that day) and get back late Tuesday, so we can both run Wednesday morning. I'm seriously thinking of taking it off.

 

[Hootch]

have been threads where people discuss how many steps/miles they walk while at Disney. The amount of time spent in the parks and the particular park are factors. It's not unusual to see 6-8 miles or higher.

There is also some discussion of how much of an impact rides may have on pedometers.

Here is just one of many threads out there.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2498273&highlight=pedometer&page=2

 

[PharmerJan]

We traveled in March. A group with young children to grandparents. My MIL wore her pedometer and we only averaged 7000 steps per day. We were all shocked (felt like more) but a lot of it is standing in place, sitting on rides (etc).

If you really want to get your mileage in, make time for it. If you are willing to take a running vacation on vacation- do just that. Either way you will have a great time!

 

[Uno Mas]

We've tracked our miles on several visits and it's typically in the 12 mile per day range. We are agressive park hoppers and fast walkers, too, so it's a good deal of exercise. My Dh and DS are both runners and usually start out the trip with a day or two of morning running, but that goes away quickly. We typically stay at one of the Boardwalk area resorts and that gives them a good place to run. But after a day or two of walking so much and so fast - it takes a huge toll on the feet - and they really don't want to get up an hour earlier after being out so late!

 

[stargazertechie]

I average 12-13 miles each park day. I think the most I've ever had was 16 (AM EMH- 3AM MK EMH close).

 

[RMulieri]

That's how it works for me, but the opposite for DW. She also walks 3 miles on her "off-day" from running. I do more upper body workouts on those days and I'm definitely taking those days off. I don't want to be sore from lifting weights while at the parks. lol.

We leave Friday afternoon (we'll run that day) and get back late Tuesday, so we can both run Wednesday morning. I'm seriously thinking of taking it off.

Taking a break is GOOD now and then.Studies are showing that rest weeks actually IMPROVE running form,distance ,time and overall fitness.I take off a week now and then,and just feel revitalized when I restart

 

[mjp12831]

I run too - last year in fact was training for a marathon but took the week we were at DW off - definately didn't lose anything or notice any effects from a week layoff, even at an increased mileage.

I'm a workout addict, so missing a run affects me mentally too, however I didn't notice any ill effects - we did commando tour and walked with a purpose, I'm not one to promote walking as exercise, but I actually felt like I worked out with the serious mileage you do at WDW.

 

[dtauer]

If the decision is purely for health/fitness reasons I agree with the others that you probably easily walk enough to make up for the missed runs. Especially at 2.5 and 3.5 mile runs.

However, I still get up early to run because it's different. Think about your normal running route and how many times you've done it. Now think about running around the walkway at CBR, or the Boardwalk area. For me it's an entirely new experience and very enjoyable. Plus, going in the summer forces you out to run early morning before it gets too hot. It makes me happy later in the day to know that I enjoyed WDW when it was still cool and uncrowded. Seeing hot, unhappy, people later in the day in the parks makes me realize how special the quiet time in the cool, early mornings really is during my run.

 

[Golf4food]

When we've tracked with a pedometer our lowest is usually around 7 mi per day and our highest is in the 12-15 miles per day range. There is no shortage of walking.

 

[dragitoff]

If the decision is purely for health/fitness reasons I agree with the others that you probably easily walk enough to make up for the missed runs. Especially at 2.5 and 3.5 mile runs.

However, I still get up early to run because it's different. Think about your normal running route and how many times you've done it. Now think about running around the walkway at CBR, or the Boardwalk area. For me it's an entirely new experience and very enjoyable. Plus, going in the summer forces you out to run early morning before it gets too hot. It makes me happy later in the day to know that I enjoyed WDW when it was still cool and uncrowded. Seeing hot, unhappy, people later in the day in the parks makes me realize how special the quiet time in the cool, early mornings really is during my run.

Now I definitely agree with that if I was a street runner. We both run on a treadmill since we live in the country on a busy highway. The humidity is very high where we live too in South GA so we were spoiled and run indoors on a treadmill.

If I did run outside (unfortunately, running on pavement tends to hurt my knees from time to time), I'd enjoy the scenery. We're also staying off-property at a rental house, so I'd have to go from the house to the fitness center and run thus creating more of a delay.

My biggest concern with taking the time off was for health benefits as I'm trying lose weight. I've dropped over 40 pounds since January and want to continue that. Also, I didn't want to lose endurance. I'm currently running at 7MPH for about 30 minutes a day. I'm trying to build up to 5 miles every other day.

It seems like the general concensus was in agreement with what I thought. The short time wouldn't greatly affect my endurance and I'd probably get almost as good of a workout with the lenghty walking we do daily.

I'd also get good workouts each night as we usually take a swim after returning from the parks and the rental house has a private pool.

 

[dmccarty]

I have used a pedometer to measure my walking distance at WDW. My mileage is higher than my family because I get FP's and will walk around a bit more than they will. We only spend a half a day in the parks though. We go to RD and then usually leave around lunch time. The latest we have been in a park is around 2:00pm.

We also request a room far away from the lobby so that adds up to the mileage. One year we were the second to last room at the end of one of the buildings at AKL. It was about a 1/4 mile from our room to the bus stop! I loved it. The DW, not so much.

A half day in the parks I would go 6-8ish miles. If we went to EPCOT in the evening for F&W I would have 10-12 miles. I think if one stayed in a park all day and walked from one side of the park to the other a couple of times, you could easily hit 15-20 miles.

Even with all of the eating I do at WDW, I usually loose a few pounds.

I think people underestimate how much walking there is at WDW. This unexpected physical workout that lasts for day and days, by so many people who are out of shape and overweight, in the heat and humidity, leads to tired and cranky parents and kids.

Later,
Dan

 

[dtauer]

My biggest concern with taking the time off was for health benefits as I'm trying lose weight. I've dropped over 40 pounds since January and want to continue that. Also, I didn't want to lose endurance. I'm currently running at 7MPH for about 30 minutes a day. I'm trying to build up to 5 miles every other day.

It seems like the general concensus was in agreement with what I thought. The short time wouldn't greatly affect my endurance and I'd probably get almost as good of a workout with the lenghty walking we do daily.

Congratulations, a 40 pound loss in 5 months is a great accomplishment.

You are correct, if you are able to run 7mph miles for 30 minutes you won't lose your fitness in less than a week.

I would be more concerned if you were a beginning runner at 5 or 5.5mph and trying to build time on your feet. In that situation I've seen too many people take a few days off and never get back to their health goals.

At your commitment level I wouldn't worry about it. You'll spend plenty of time on your feet, even without the runs.

 

[dragitoff]

Congratulations, a 40 pound loss in 5 months is a great accomplishment.

You are correct, if you are able to run 7mph miles for 30 minutes you won't lose your fitness in less than a week.

I would be more concerned if you were a beginning runner at 5 or 5.5mph and trying to build time on your feet. In that situation I've seen too many people take a few days off and never get back to their health goals.

At your commitment level I wouldn't worry about it. You'll spend plenty of time on your feet, even without the runs.

Thank you! I'm very proud of the weight loss, especially considering the increased muscle mass I've gained as a result of exercise and better diet. I know the muscle mass has caused the weight loss to maybe be slightly slower than I've previously seen, but the way I feel and look is the best since high school. I'd still like to drop another 20 pounds or so, but I'm extremely encouraged with the results.

Running is now part of my life. It's not just something I'm doing to lose weight. I really enjoy it. The first 5-10 minutes is always a little tough, but once I get stretched out and awake (running @ 5am is never the best lol), I love it.

 

[whitneyNC]

My husband was training for a marathon during our 09 trip. He ran around Pop and out to Wide World of Sports several times that week. I think it ended up being around 9-10 miles per run. This was in addition to doing commando park touring for 5 days with 4 kids! Touring parks is in no way a cardio workout for someone who is an athlete.

 

[BAST]

I just returned from a five day solo trip to the parks (first time without my family). I was always curious how much I walked since at the parks so I used a pedometer for the first time in the parks.

I logged 85 miles over five days (one day was 21 miles). Since I was alone, I did a lot of park hopping and early morning to late night park days. One day, I walked to DHS from Epcot (and back again) to ride the new Star Tours.

Still, I was surprised at the numbers since I even reduced the stride length on my pedometer to account for the 'in-line shuffle'.