Walking the half?

[momoflizandains]

I am going to sign up for the half marathon in january 2010. I was wondering how many out there have walked? How fast? What were your experiences like? Do you feel out of place walking with the runners? Thanks in advance.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Of course you can walk the half or full. Both have a 16 min per mile minimum pace. Not a problem at Disney races to be a walker since the pace is pretty walker friendly. I am a walker and a racewalker and I never feel out of place even around runners at local 5ks. I paid too, so I can be there!

There is a walker thread out their on the WISH but has been very quiet, I will try to pull it out and bump it up.

Good luck to you.
Tracy

 

[maroo]

I am going to sign up for the half marathon in january 2010. I was wondering how many out there have walked? How fast? What were your experiences like? Do you feel out of place walking with the runners? Thanks in advance.

Hi there!

I will be walking the half in Jan 2010, too!!!! It will be my first time, so I don't really have any advice...but I will be doing it!!

I plan to get towards the front of the last starting corral so that I have that extra time before I get swept!

 

[suzannews]

There were alot of walkers for the 2009 1/2 so of course you can do it!!!

I am a jogger/walker but walked most of the last 2 1/2 miles after pulling something in my leg. As long as you keep the pace, you will be fine. I didn't see her but I was told there was a team in training official who was near the back of the pack who walked and made sure to keep her pace right at 16 min/mile. Those around her knew to keep up with her no matter what or you might get swept.

 

[suzannews]

Hi there!

I will be walking the half in Jan 2010, too!!!! It will be my first time, so I don't really have any advice...but I will be doing it!!

I plan to get towards the front of the last starting corral so that I have that extra time before I get swept!

Hi maroo. Just wanted to say while this is good in theory, even the last starting corral has alot of runners and joggers. If you are up near the front, just be prepared to get bumped as those runners are trying to get around you. I have found that for most Disney races, unless you are in the very back or way off to one side, you need to jog over the starting line and for the first couple of tenths of a miles or you will get trampled.

 

[crzy4pooh]

I have found that for most Disney races, unless you are in the very back or way off to one side, you need to jog over the starting line and for the first couple of tenths of a miles or you will get trampled.

I definitely agree with this! I walked the 2009 half, but had to jog the first little bit across the line to avoid being trampled. Walking a half or full can definitely be done, though! You will have lots of people around you walking, and many doing a walk/run combo. Also, I would aim for under the 16 minute pace during training - just to account for crowds, water stops, and anything else that might come up. Enjoy the journey!

 

[Joanna71985]

I will be walking/jogging the Half in Jan.

 

[maroo]

Hi maroo. Just wanted to say while this is good in theory, even the last starting corral has alot of runners and joggers. If you are up near the front, just be prepared to get bumped as those runners are trying to get around you. I have found that for most Disney races, unless you are in the very back or way off to one side, you need to jog over the starting line and for the first couple of tenths of a miles or you will get trampled.

That is a very good point!! And I do plan to jog right out of the way!!

 

[bubba73]

I did the half in January and it was my first one too. I walked 85% and jogged the other 15% just to give myself some padding in front of the sweepers. Come to find out that I really didn't need it as I was about 25 minutes ahead of required pace. I would almost recommend doing a lot of walking because there is sooo much to take in and you want to be able to enjoy it while you can. PR some race at home that doesn't have the same feel.

Hope to see you there!

Bryan

 

[frankenpooh]

Momoflizandains, you will see many, many people walking the race. It's so much fun -- sign on up

 

[funwalker]

Hi, momoflizandains

Like Tracy said: We pay the same cost to enter the races - We do need more endurance as we are out there longer, so get your base miles in.

I am a walker - I walk every step. I have been to races that will disqualify you if you get caught jogging or running. I do not do the judged race walking style. I did my first full marathon at age 60 in 2005. I have completed many half marathons & 5k's since.

WDW Half was the fun-est - slowest race ever for me!
For me it is not about speed - it's not getting Swept, Having Fun, and No injuries, crossing the Finish Line, and Getting the Bling.

I was in Corral C 2009 - I did not experience any rude runners - I am Walking the Goofy 2010, my grandson who will be 3-year old is doing the kids race, and my DD is walking the 5k.

 

[momoflizandains]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and votes of confidence. I am going to sign up. I am hoping that my sister will sign up with me so that I have a buddy.

One more question...what do you do to train for walking a half?

 

[MaryJ]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and votes of confidence. I am going to sign up. I am hoping that my sister will sign up with me so that I have a buddy.

One more question...what do you do to train for walking a half?

Many people here have (myself included) have used the book Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham. It includes training programs for both walkers and for those that want to walk/run. I walked and jogged the half last year (it was my first EVER) and tried to jog a little every mile. I am happy to say that I finished and did not get swept. You can do it too!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I'm another fan of Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham. You definitely have enough time to train for the half and will be able to get over the finish line for sure.

Let us know how your training is going. There are many here who can answer most questions.

It will be such fun. You will have a grand time.

 

[disney_mommy]

Thanks everyone for their replies to the OP. I, too, have signed up for the half next January. I intend to run it, but in case I am unable to run the entire time, I am glad to know I won't be ostracized if I end up walking!

 

[frankenpooh]

I am glad to know I won't be ostracized if I end up walking!

There are literally thousands of walkers. In addition, you'll find some really fast walkers and some slower runners at the same overall pace -- everyone is all mixed up together. It's such a big race that you won't stand out unless you want to -- a la the gentleman who ran the half in a speedo this past January

 

[PeterPan09]

I'm glad to see this, because I was considering doing the half this year. I just started a program that I call "the old broad walk to run program". It starts you with 30 minute walks and brings you to 30 minute runs. My hope is that by then I will be able to jog a good portion of it, but if my tender shins don't cooperate, I'd like to be able to walk. I was worried about spending all that cash if I couldn't actually pull it off.

 

[jjupiter]

I just did a walk run combo for the princess. DO IT!!!! I also used Marathoning for Mortals (I thought it was Morons when I first was looking for the book ) I can't wait to do it again next year. I am not a runner and really not much of a walker either. I got a partner, trained as told - except for the cross training part - I just walked on cross training days or even skipped it. Do it - you will not regret it. I am going to continue training so that I can run it next year.

 

[momoflizandains]

Thank you. Thank you. I am signing up. Anyone else have walking stories???

 

[Cinderrunner]

Not a waking story but a very very slow running story! I ran the half in Jan and it was an incredible experience. I would rank it right up there with birth of children and surviving children!

Many many people are out there running. Thousands of them. My goal was to run the whole 13.1 miles but I hit the wall at 10 and walked run the rest of the race by many walkers.

Do it do it do it!!!!