WDW Half Marathon--Request for Advice and Sanity Opinion

[nepatsfan73]

Hello everyone. I am a longtime DIS lurker, have been a member for a few years and am a seldom poster. I have found some good advice regarding WDW at this site, so I thought I would post this issue here, although I do not know whether I should post on this board or on the disabilities board. The moderators can move it if they think appropriate.

By way of background I am a 40+ year old guy whose body currently feels old enough to be collecting Social Security (but my DW would probably say has the attitude of a seven year old -- at least I think I act older than my youngest child). Any way, having been afflicted with arthritis in both hips, in the past 18 months I have had both hips replaced (and due to complications 6 surgeries, including having one of the hips removed for 3 months and then another new one put in). At this point I am doing physical therapy for the hips and the back, which has been thrown out of whack due to the hips. In my earlier life (and what probably caused all the problems), I played many sports up through and including college, but never participated in any distance running/related activities. (I played football, baseball, wrestled, etc.)

If you're still with me, I have decided to try to walk the 2008 half marathon as incentive to completely recover and to help lose some of the large amount of weight I gained during the past few years. (Okay, its also an excuse to let my wife allow me go to WDW.) My doctor and physical terapist (maybe I should check with a different type of therapist though) have explained it will involve hard work but as long as I walk (NO RUNNING on new hips allowed) they have given it an OK.

Do you have any opinions as to whether it is realistic to be able to meet the time requirements if I start training now knowing I am essentially at ground zero. Also, do they sweep based on the start time of the entire race or in some other manner (I assume I would be starting at the back) and is it necessary to have/purchase a "ChampionChip" for Disney to keep track of my time.

If I do this, I am sure I'll have many other questions, but I thought I would start with these, see where they lead and get home to see if my treadmill has been delivered yet.

Thanks to those who read this and in advance to those who respond.

 

[Kristi1357]

You definately can do it! I started exercising at the end of last January. I walked the Minnie 15k in May, the Disneyland Half in Sept., and the WDW Half this past January. Ok, now I do a walk 3 min. / run 1 min. thing - but walking I can break a 13 min. mile.

You will need to maintain a 16 min. mile pace, but that is definately doable with 11 months to train. I especially think you can do it since your physical therapist thinks you can!

Please join in our weekly training threads. The people here are fabulous and probably the only reason I have stuck with this for over a year now!

And no, you do not need to buy a Champion Chip.

 

[wtpclc]

A. You've come to the wrong place fo a sanity opinion.

B. Wow. You've been through a lot. We have 1 or 2 who have been through anything close to as much as you. However, most of us need to do the marathon to keep us working at being healthier. Many of us also do it as a way to go to WDW. If teh physical therapist thinks you can, I say go for it.

C. They do have several spots where tehy will "sweep" you if you are not keeping a 16 mile per minute pace.

D. It will be tough, but I think if you can stick with it, the journey will be worth it at the end.

Welcome to WISH! Please join the weekly walking/runnign threads, as there are a plethera of resources in there. We will do everything we can to try to help you to your goal!

FYI - WIth the help of WISH, dh and I went from 0 to 2006 full arathon in 10 months. We completed our second marathon in January.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I just asked my DH who had hip replaced a couple years ago. He said that being an observer at my first WDW half after having his one hip replaced in August trying to get to observe me was quite a challenge for him August-January trekking.

He said you will have a challenge, but should go for it. Everyone is different and it certainly is a great thing to work toward. You will have a good amount of time for training, but keeping the pace may be a strain. It depends on where you are now as a pace.

Go through the training program and build up as you can. Nothing ventured nothing gained...

Don't forget to get some core strengthening going too. (Pilates type) That will be a major issue to help you get those steps in with the strength to persist. (This goes for all of us)

DH is doing 5k walks, but doesn't/hasn't trained for anything of more distance. If your doc is onboard, then welcome to our training group!

I am going to be really interested in hearing of your progress.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Wow--so much you've been through.

I wonder if you would benefit from the couch to 5K program...see how your 5K pacing turns out and that would be a good indicator of whether pace for a half is feasible or not.

I'm not familiar with the plan or its lenght--but I don't think it is too long that you could try it...and still have plenty of time to decide if you should register or not.

Without knowing your walk speed now...it is hard to say, but if doc and PT have given the green light for walking it...the only challenge is to see what you can do right now with those hips and why that couch to 5K may be a good start to train and do a little research/surveillance on the capabilities of your hips to meet the demands of a training program.

Good luck!

 

[nepatsfan73]

Thanks to each of you who have replied and for your encouragement. Okay, I am in as far as giving this a serious go. Plus, if this forum is not the place for and/or does not provide sanity checks, then its my kind of place. Lisa, I found the Couch to 5k Program at coolrunning.com and will check it out. As of right know, I have no pace (unless you count the approximately .76 miles in 15 minutes I do on a treadmill as a physical therapy warm up). I'll have to see whether i can try to quick walk rather than jogging as my surgeon advises against running (too much jarring especially given that I am Pooh+ sized).

I guess its time to start formulating a plan .... lets see, BWV with boardwalk view, park hoppers ... oh wait, pick up treadmill tomorrow (yeah its here). Really though, I am serious about doing the half and appreciate your input.

 

[TiffJ]

I say go for it! As John Bingham says, "The Courage to start"

When I was watching the end of the full marathon this year, I saw a man roughly in his mid 70's finishing the full in the alloted time with 2 walking canes! He was an inspiration.

As long as your doc says so do it! It is definately doable to walk the whole thing , there are many walkers.

They give you a champoinchip when you pick up your race packet & then they take it back once you cross the finish line. (there are people sitting on the ground clipping them off your shoe before you get your medal) so that fee is included in your registration fee.

They sweep based off when the last person crosses the start line, because sometimes it takes almost 30 min for everyone to cross it!

Good luck & join us on the weekly training thread.

 

[magslite]

Way to go! You are already a success! Just remember to take your time. Follow your MD's and PT's advice. If they have given the okay then move forward.

I would say, take your time and put in the steps. Don't focus on time at first. It will come as training progresses. Just put in the steps.

Welcome,
Maggie

 

[Maherae]

Welcome out of lurking, nepatsfan!

Like the others have said, your doctor gives the ok..GO FOR IT!

I am 55 and started walking in January of 2006 with an 18 minute mile. I do not do racewalking, just one foot in front of the other. I was 50 pounds overweight, also. I purchased John Bingham's Marathoning for Mortals which has a half marathon walk plan in it and used it to start training as I didn't know anything else to do.

I've done the same races as Kristi, SUCCESSFULLY! Wanna see my medals? I lost 35 pounds last year, also!

Watching the athletes in the full last year was AMAZING!! There was the guy with the two canes, as Tiff mentioned; people with both knees wrapped in support braces, and in the half there was a blind woman, as well as a woman with a leg prosthesis, and who knows how many were returning from battling life threatening illnesses. Reading the results for the half, there were 47 athletes 70 years and older that finished. The oldest was an 84 year old!

I would suggest that you look for a 5K three or four months from now. That would give you a goal sooner than next January!

You have come out of lurking, now get over to the training thread. We are a wild and crazy bunch who will laugh and cry with you, and advise and support you . You will fit right in!! Anne

 

[KatieLovesMickey]

Hi, nepatsfan,
Assuming that means New England Patriots fan, I'm going to overcome my loyalty to the Steelers and respond...
I bought a book called Marathoning for Mortals based on recommendations from these boards, and it is wonderful. There are training plans and great advice for walking half marathons and marathons. The authors are John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield.
Good luck to you!! Have fun training!!
Katie

 

[Hockeychic]

Glad to have you on the team.

There are so many awesome people here, they give great advise and tons of support, there is nothing you can't do if you set your mind to it. DH and I are new to this board and everyone brings you in and treats you like you are part of the family.

AS a few people have posted to me. No WISHer gets left behind we will all make it across that finish line.

Kim

 

[keenercam]

Welcome to the WISH Team!
I don't think I've seen anyone post our team motto, so let me share:
DLF>DNF>>DNS
Dead Last Finish is better than Did Not Finish which GREATLY TRUMPS Did Not Start.
It takes a lot of courage to start on the road to any endurance event, especially with all you've been through. But let me tell you, the process of training tiny bit by tiny bit and watching your body grow stronger (and leaner) is absolutely amazing and rewarding. Just undertaking to start walking very gingerly either at an indoor track or on a TM is a huge leap forward.
I am really looking forward to sharing your journey with you. You will find that the WISH team will help you find everything you need to succeed -- support, encouragement, advice -- once you find it in yourself to contribute your part by putting in the steps.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

nepatsfan73, I must tell you that as soon as I sat at the computer tonight DH asked me to see what you have decided. As I said my DH is a one-hip replacement person and it intrigues him that you are considering the event.

You will be part of the most fun during your trainig if you would join in the weekly thread. We all are there through the training to hear of the adventures as you know through your lurking.

Please, please join in our weekly thread. It will provide more encouragement than you will ever realize to so many.

 

[RedDragon]

nepatsfan: Welcome!! And a special welcome from a co-NE Patriots fan! You gotta love this group! I'm a recent DIS board-er and they have so embraced and welcomed me that I kick myself for not joiner sooner.

You can, most certainly, do this!! Keep track of your progress in a training log. Look back from time-to-time to see how you are doing. You will be amazed at how far you have come/will go. I can't wait to hear about your training!! Come join us on the training threads!! You will NOT go wrong with this group.

 

[nepatsfan73]

Thanks everyone for your support and words of encouragement. The John Bingham book would probably work well for me as I currently feel that I am already walking like a penguin.

Katie, yes, my user name does refer to the Patriots and, with no offense to Mike Webster or others, the 73 refers to "The Greatest Offensive Linemen of All Time"-John "Hog" Hannah. Just so you (or any other football fans) don't get too mad at me, I have been a life long Patriots fan and lived/cheered them on through all the terrible years (most of the franchise's existence).

Anyway, I'll try to get involved in the training threads-either the general one, the weight loss one or maybe both.

Once again, many thanks.

 

[yoopermom]

You can do it! I've been lurking, too, but decided Jan. 1. to:
1. lose half my body weight in a year
2. walk the half in 2008 (one yr)

Six weeks into it, I've gone from a 300 lb couch potato (I mean could not even walk 1/4 mile), to a 263 lb mile in 20 minute walker. My next goal is to get closer to that illusive 16 min mile before my lap band gastric surgery in April.

If I can do it, you can, too. One foot in front of the other. Don't lay when you can sit, don' sit when you can stand, don't stand when you can be moving!

Terri
(who's still been too busy to get an avatar )