WDW Marathon/Half Marathon Question

[Razor Roman]

So, after gorging myself for several years (on Food, Disney and debt) I am trying to get my house in order (literally, we bought our first house right before our wedding last year, and figuratively!)

In addition to other money changes, working a second job, etc, my wife and I have had to put off our Disney trips for a while (within 9 months we had gone to WDW twice and DL once!). So we decided our goal would be a really nice Disney World trip around my 30th Birthday, which would be January 4, 2009.

I noticed that at least for 07 the Marathon is during that week... so I started thinking, as part of my fitness goal, maybe I should train for and run one of the marathons. Pretty cool for someone who has been more or less out of shape for most of his life, except for a year or 2 in High School when I was literally "training" to get parts other than the role of "the funny fat guy" in the school plays.

So my question is...

1. will the marathon actually be that time in 09?

2. would it be possible to get into marathon shape in 2 years? I don't even think I'd be in 5k shape right now - I can walk for hours with no problem, but running is another story.

I think it would be a great way to mark my 30th birthday if I could do it.

Encouragement,please?

 

[MickeySP]

GO FOR IT!!

I am speaking fom experience. I was 350lbs took me 20 years and 2 pregnancies to achieve that milestone but I did it. I took stock about 22 months ago and didn't like what I saw.

So 1 gastric bypass and 165lbs, and 8 months training I did the WDW 1/2 Marathon in Jan'06. Hey if I can anyone can.

In 2 years you could do a full marathon. I am doing my very first full(26.2) as part of the Goofy in Jan '07.

I started slowly, just walking and each week increased my time and speed on a treadmill. Eventually when I could maintain a 15:00 minute mile for about 5 miles I started doing intervals of running and walking until I could go for 1 hour alternating 5 min running with 5 min walking. When spring came I moved outdoors, loaded my iPod with fast beats and took off. I may have been the fat chick but at least I was moving.

I was nervous and shaking when I did the 1/2 but I finished and now every day I see my Donald Medal. I am heading to CA to do the Inaugural 1/2 out there ( I want a castle medal) and plan on doing the Goofy( I want my Mickey & Goofy medals) this year. That is the 1/2 on Saturday and the full on Sunday.

If I can go from 347 to running/walking a Marathon in 22 months - YOU CAN DO IT!!

Do it now and you will never regret it. At 43 I wasted too many years being a couch potato.

SO your questions:
1. will the marathon actually be that time in 09?
Yep It has been approx the same time every year,usually the 1st weekend in Jan after the New Years.

2. would it be possible to get into marathon shape in 2 years? I don't even think I'd be in 5k shape right now - I can walk for hours with no problem, but running is another story.
YOU BET!! I did and still do a 5K just to keep me honest, and they are a great way to see you don't have to be a hard body to do this.

"I think it would be a great way to mark my 30th birthday if I could do it."

YOU BET!! I am marking my 46th by doing the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon on Sept 17th - my real birthday. Oh and my DS is doing it with me - so get the whole family in on it. What better way to celebrate a new healthier you.

 

[Kristi1357]

Yeah - what she said!

I started exercising this past January. I finished the Minnie 15k in May. I am also doing the Disneyland Half in a couple weeks. My story is not nearly as dramatic as MickeySP's (way to go, by the way!), but I never was remotely what one would call athletic. Now, I am loving it!

And the incentive do to a race at Disney is awesome!

Come join us on the Events/Competition board at the top of this board. There is a weekly walking/running training thread. I have learned so much from that group of wonderful people!

Kristi

 

[Razor Roman]

Awesome... I went out and bought an armband for my XM radio for when I go walking/jogging.

My wife is also interested in starting with me, so we'll see how I do!

 

[MickeySP]

WAY TO GO!!!

It is so much easier if you have someone holding you up on day syou just don't want to do anything but couch out!

Come over to Events/Competition, there are so many of us in the same group. More of the"just want to complete" than "compete".

 

[getnthinr]

2 years sounds like a very reasonable goal -- and remember that most runners actually do some walking in a marathon (walking through water stops, for example).

I am still about 80 pounds overweight and have walked over 20 marathons, so the distance is definitely doable. Just be careful not to try to do too much too soon. There are a lot of good marathon training plans out there when you get ready for your marathon.

Good for you for planning and making such wonderful changes in your life!

 

[solotraveler]

So, after gorging myself for several years (on Food, Disney and debt) I am trying to get my house in order (literally, we bought our first house right before our wedding last year, and figuratively!)

In addition to other money changes, working a second job, etc, my wife and I have had to put off our Disney trips for a while (within 9 months we had gone to WDW twice and DL once!). So we decided our goal would be a really nice Disney World trip around my 30th Birthday, which would be January 4, 2009.

I noticed that at least for 07 the Marathon is during that week... so I started thinking, as part of my fitness goal, maybe I should train for and run one of the marathons. Pretty cool for someone who has been more or less out of shape for most of his life, except for a year or 2 in High School when I was literally "training" to get parts other than the role of "the funny fat guy" in the school plays.

So my question is...

1. will the marathon actually be that time in 09?

2. would it be possible to get into marathon shape in 2 years? I don't even think I'd be in 5k shape right now - I can walk for hours with no problem, but running is another story.

I think it would be a great way to mark my 30th birthday if I could do it.

Encouragement,please?

What a great goal!! I really like that you are coupling your fitness goals with other goals. I did/am doing something similar myself.

To answer your questions:
1. Yes, it will either be the first or second weekend in January, depending on how the month looks. (In other words, if New Year's is too close to the weekend, expect it to be the second weekend in Jan.)

2. Two years, absolutely. Do some research, start with small changes. Getnithinr's right--- most marathon participants walk at some point, so don't discount what you can do now. I would highly recommend coming over to visit the Events/competition board here on WISH... lots of people there are WDW race veterans and are training to do it again. It's a very friendly and encouraging group and you'll be able to get lots of feedback.

Best of luck to you!

 

[DVCDAWG]

So, after gorging myself for several years (on Food, Disney and debt) I am trying to get my house in order (literally, we bought our first house right before our wedding last year, and figuratively!)

In addition to other money changes, working a second job, etc, my wife and I have had to put off our Disney trips for a while (within 9 months we had gone to WDW twice and DL once!). So we decided our goal would be a really nice Disney World trip around my 30th Birthday, which would be January 4, 2009.

I noticed that at least for 07 the Marathon is during that week... so I started thinking, as part of my fitness goal, maybe I should train for and run one of the marathons. Pretty cool for someone who has been more or less out of shape for most of his life, except for a year or 2 in High School when I was literally "training" to get parts other than the role of "the funny fat guy" in the school plays.

So my question is...

1. will the marathon actually be that time in 09?

2. would it be possible to get into marathon shape in 2 years? I don't even think I'd be in 5k shape right now - I can walk for hours with no problem, but running is another story.

I think it would be a great way to mark my 30th birthday if I could do it.

Encouragement,please?

My wife and I will be training for Half-Marathon in 2008, we would love to see you then. If 2009 is your earliest time maybe we can be at Marathon distance by then. We are not runners but are in good shape, we just decided to do something together instead of working out seperately all the time. We know that our time frame is very reasonable,so we have no doubts that you will be successful too. You already have the hardest part behind you, the decision to go for it. Start slow and build up your endurance over time. Hope to see you in 2008 or 2009.

 

[DisneyGirl]

You should definitely go for it!!! Back in 2004, I gave myself the same goal (except, it was October, and I was going for the 2005 1/2 marathon). I ran that half, and I've run 2 halves and a bunch of smaller races since!

This January (2007), I'll be running the half AND the full, so yes, 2 years is more than enough time to get yourself ready for a marathon!

Running long distance is an excellent way to get yourself motivated to be healthy-- I'ts fun, and good for you. You'll meet tons of new people and really have a great time!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I'm so glad you've found us.
Yes, You can do it! Join in on some of the fun here. On the main WISH Board some of us are part of the ongoing challenges that help keep us focused.

On the Events part of WISH you will find many walkers/runners more than willing to share experiences and encouragement for your upcoming events. There is a "sticky" at the top of the forum to explain some of the things you might want to help you start. Don't be overwhelmed, come over and join in the weekly WISH walkers/runners thread on the Events side of WISH too.

I'm looking forward to reading of your progress. You are definitely in the right company here.

 

[Razor Roman]

money will keep me from getting down to WDW until 2009, so

I think we are going to start by seeing how long it takes us to "walk/run to WDW" - calculating our distance and mapping it out