Walking the 1/2 in 2012 ??

[Chris931]

I started doing some races with the Twilight Zone 5K a little over a year ago. I've done about 5 local 5Ks and in October did a 10K. I am working on losing about 80 lbs and have found the races to be great motivation.

I have knee problems so I walk the entire race. I am hovering around 16 min mile mark in all my races with my best pace being 15:48 in my last 5K.

My goal was to do the Disney 1/2 in Jan 2012 but I'm really doubting if I can maintain the pace. I know I have a year but I haven't been able to increase my pace in the past year that I've been training and racing...

Thoughts? Suggestions??

Thanks.
Christine

 

[MeredithRX]

If you can't increase your pace, perhaps you should try to keep your pace stable while increasing your distance and endurance. If you can keep a 15:48 pace for the half you will finish, especially if you start far enough ahead in your corral and give yourself that 'cushion'. You have 16 minutes per mile from the time the last person crosses the start line, so you technically could take a little longer than that if you start ahead a little.

As you get comfortable with the distance, your pace may increase just as a side effect. I'm also a walker and have done several races including one half marathon. I've found that as my distance and endurance increase my speed on shorter distances is increasing too. I'm training at about 15:30-16 mpm on long distances but my 5K pace seems to be getting faster and faster just as a side effect.

I would definitely try for it! You may be pleasantly surprised!

 

[johde]

I'm going to agree with Meredith, I would work on slowly increasing the distance of at least 1 of your walks. Going further will help you get faster at shorter distances. You might also want to start sprinkling in some speedwork. It doesn't need to be anything too structured to start. To start, a couple of times during one of your shorter walks pick up the pace for 30 sec. to a minute. You don't need to walk as fast as you can, but just fast enough and long enough to shake up the system.

Good luck in your training.

 

[Embroidery Grandma]

Christine,

I just finished the half and walked the entire course. My pace was always around 16:15 but I finished and medaled at 3:31:25. Many others finished behind me. I did the 5k in Jan. 2010 and that got me hooked, then the Wine and Dine Relay, which was my first real race.
You will be able to do it.
I am now going to do Disneyland for my C2C medal.
Keep training and just add the distance
Kathy

 

[cewait]

You have a year and you CAN do it. Work on speed work, yes even walkers can do speed work. Go to a local track and walk the straight section as fast as you can, then slowly through the corner and repeat as you loop the track.

My nifty little calculator suggests that you you need to do a 5k at about 14:38 pace or in 45:26.... Now my calculator is really running based and I find that walkers tend to not degrade in speed as sharply as runners when increasing distance. Make these times you goal times for training but feel comfortable with a pace of 15 ish in training.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I too am considering walking the 2012 1/2. I am encouraged to hear it can be done. I've been looking at trip reports and photos and while it looks like such a great event I was worried that I would have to have a pace more like 14 or even 13 to account for the times when the crowds slow you down.

 

[Embroidery Grandma]

I just finished my Disney 1/2 marathon and only walked. I was able to complete it in 3:31:25. My overall pace was usually a little over 16 during training. I did walk the 13.1 in training and did some sprints. You can do it.

Kathy

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I have walked all 6 of my Goofy's. It can be done. I actually just did my last in 3:30(Half) and 6:20(Marathon). All my Half's of the 39.3 miles got faster: 3:20, 3:11, 3:09. Plan to keep walking my Perfectly Goofy streak!

I even walked the 1996 WDW Marathon in 5:09!

 

[figment82]

I also just finished my first 1/2 at Disney, walking the entire race.
I finished in around the same time as embroidery grandma. I started out doing the Tower of Terror 13k in 2008 and again in 2009 (at only about a 17 minute mile pace), and then fell off the training wagon after that. I did the 5k at the princess, but just for fun and stopped at all the characters (I was really only down there to support friends doing the half).

I sort of started training for the wine and dine half relay, but mostly just for the distance (I was the second person, so had to go ~8 miles). I knew I didn't need to keep up the pace so much because my husband would gain enough time for me to finish without being swept as long as I did 17 minute miles.

After that, though, I decided it was time to take the plunge and do the 1/2 in January. I followed the hal higdon walking a 1/2 marathon plan (http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/walk.htm) and was really dedicated to the schedule. It's not a huge time sink, except on your one long day, but those short walks the rest of the week are VERY important to your training so don't skip them if at all possible!

You can absolutely, definitely do this! You have a whole year; you'll probably end up passing more people than you'd expect if you really focus on training.

Also, when you sign up, make sure you fill in a time, even though it won't be less than 2:45. This should keep you out of the very last corral. I used 3:15 when I signed up, which was a little optimistic but do-able, and even signing up very late in the game, I was in the second to last corral. I also got over to the race/corrals early to make sure I was near the front of my corral. This provided plenty of cushion behind me, since they don't start timing the 16 minute mile pace until the last person crosses the start line.

Keep talking to people on here - it's great inspiration, and you can do it!

 

[John VN]

DW, Embroidery Grandma, and me are walking partners except when it comes to a Full.

Believe us when we say you can do it. Pick a training schedule you feel comfortable with. Speed and distance will gradually increase along with your self-confidence in your ability to complete a Half.

Good luck Christine.

 

[SproutCRNA]

I am SO glad I stumbled upon this thread. I started running 4 months ago and finished the Couch to 5K program. I planned on completing the 10K program this Spring, then working my way up for the 2012 Princess Half.
Had some lower back, hip and leg issues a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, after an MRI, got the "STOP running" order from my doctor. I thought my plans on completing the Princess Half Marathon were dashed.....NOT ANYMORE!

 

[grstink]

Wow. I am so glad I stumbled on this thread. I just finished walking the Disney Half @ 3:31:14. I must have been right by you, Kathy (Embroidery Grandma). I was so excited and energized by this event that I was also thinking of walking the Full in 2012. I hope I can stick with it and join the rest of you on this journey. Looking forward to keeping up with all of you throughout this year.

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

Great Post!

Thanks for the encouragement! I am doing the Princess Half 2012. I am taking a bit of a different approach to training. I am doing high intensity cardio training to quickly increase my endurance and lose weight. Has anyone tried this? I keep hearing great things about Couch to 5k. What has your experience been with it?

Check out my blog about training for a marathon. Its packed with health and fitness tips, tricks and reviews!

http://pumpkintoprincess.blogspot.com/