What if I can't do it?

[peterpanstout]

So, I am using my love for Disney to get myself motivated. I am very over weight and very out of shape BUT I have decided I want to be a runner. My husband is a runner and I have always loved his love of the sport. So, I decided I am going to do it! I registered us for the Everest challenge. I have been sporadically doing the c25k training and doing weight watchers. I have been feeling great. Now I am getting really nervous. What happens if I can't run the whole thing? What happens if I don't finish? Oh what have I done......I can do it I can do it...I am totally feeling pschytzo!

 

[jmasgat]

Breathe deeply....stick with your training plan.....don't "project" ahead, i.e don't judge how you'll do at the race based on any one training run--good or bad. Repeat to yourself "I can do this. This is what training is for. I will be ready when the race starts"

You have lots of company. Everyone had a first time. And it can be scary, but if you stick with it and have the right attitude, you'll get there.

Good Luck!

Maura

 

[rn4val]

That is great what you have done so far. Keep up the good work. Even if you don't finish at least you tried. Some seasoned runners don't finish races. Just remember the little engine. I think I can, I think I can.

 

[natale1980]

I just wanted to tell you... YOU CAN DO IT!!! You'll not only do it but you'll do great! Keep up your training and you will rock it out!!

Good Luck! I can't wait for your race report.

-nat

 

[johde]

If your running, you shouldn't need to worry about not finishing. Disney's pacing requirement is a brisk walking pace of 16 min. mile. Also looking at the event information, the obstacles are during the 5K portion this year, so you will be stopping your run several times for transitions to obstacles. Keep up with your training and if you need a walk break it's not the end of the world. Right now, I faster with walk breaks than without. Just have fun.

 

[scrump]

You can do it!!!

 

[verticalchaos]

One of my favorite slogans I've seen on a running shirt is this (I'll add in the translation of the letters after)

DLF > DNF > DNS

Dead Last Finish is greater than Did Not Finish is greater than Did Not Start.

Live it!!

PS ~ There is NO SHAME in having to walk some of the race. A LOT of us on here are run/walkers using either the Galloway method or the Bingham/Hadfield method (essentially the same thing).

 

[DianeL]

Keep repeating to yourself "you can do this" What everyone has already said is right on. Believe. You can do this!

 

[kolohe_lady]

Just keep swimming . . . just keep swimming . . . just keep swimming, swimming, swimming . . .

The first race is the scariest! You've got the preparation down, and that's the most important thing. You're gonna do just fine.

Even in the VERY unlikely event that you can't complete the race, don't beat yourself up. It happens to all runners at some one time or another, you learn from it and come back stronger the next time. Just think of it as another training run.

Good luck! We're pulling for ya!

 

[treehugnmama]

I did my first race last march ( iam over weight) and it was a half I used bingmans training manuel it it really helped. I trained hard and I went into it thinking I want to finish but if I don't I gave it my all and I will finish next time. I was just so proud of myself for training and sticking to it. I FINISHED!!! you can do it too.

 

[stampingoddess]

Just think positive thoughts, find and stick to a good training plan and you'll do fine. As others have said, Disney has very generous finish times. In addition, you'll find that the excitement of the race, the crowds, and the volunteers, will be a huge energy boost!

 

[Duanerice]

Just keep training - you have up until the day of the race.

On the flip side, what happens if you can't run the entire race, well.... you walk. What happens if you don't finish? Nothing, you just try again the next time. Seriously, nothing happens if you don't finish. So, there is no pressure, just go have some fun.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[deekaypee]

One of my favorite slogans I've seen on a running shirt is this (I'll add in the translation of the letters after)

DLF > DNF > DNS

Dead Last Finish is greater than Did Not Finish is greater than Did Not Start.

Live it!!

PS ~ There is NO SHAME in having to walk some of the race. A LOT of us on here are run/walkers using either the Galloway method or the Bingham/Hadfield method (essentially the same thing).

That's our WISH shirt! And we're all here doing it, step by step, workout by workout. You've made the decision to start. Woo hoo!

I LOVE Maura's advice - just focus on each day and what you ARE doing. That'll help you get to what you can do. This is a journey without true deadlines, doing your best and becoming the best possible you.

As a bit of support, let me just pull out what you said in your post:

• I have decided I want to be a runner.
• I have always loved his love of the sport.
• I am going to do it!
• I (not he) registered us for the Everest challenge.
• I have been sporadically doing the c25k training and doing weight watchers.
• I have been feeling great.

Look at all those things that are positive in your post. Your motivation, inspiration, goals, and plans are all there. Concentrate on those things, on the things you can control - the C25K, the weight watchers, the training – and on the near future instead of the first race.

 

[peterpanstout]

Thank you all for your help and encouragement! It really means a lot!

I ran 1.5 miles today, super slow even slower than Disney's slow pace. I thought I was going to die after. But I guess I need to start somewhere. I still have a couple of months to train.

 

[peterpanstout]

deekaypee, thank you so much! You just made me cry!! But in a good way. I knew I could count on my dis friends!!

 

[eva]

So, I am using my love for Disney to get myself motivated. I am very over weight and very out of shape BUT I have decided I want to be a runner. My husband is a runner and I have always loved his love of the sport. So, I decided I am going to do it! I registered us for the Everest challenge. I have been sporadically doing the c25k training and doing weight watchers. I have been feeling great. Now I am getting really nervous. What happens if I can't run the whole thing? What happens if I don't finish? Oh what have I done......I can do it I can do it...I am totally feeling pschytzo!

This is going to be my first race too. I have decided there is no shame in walking parts of it. If I have to walk a bit, I will walk a bit. DH is running with me and has been so supportive. For me it took getting off the treadmill and running on the track in the gym. For some reason I do a lot better off that silly machine. Hope to see you there!

If your running, you shouldn't need to worry about not finishing. Disney's pacing requirement is a brisk walking pace of 16 min. mile. Also looking at the event information, the obstacles are during the 5K portion this year, so you will be stopping your run several times for transitions to obstacles. Keep up with your training and if you need a walk break it's not the end of the world. Right now, I faster with walk breaks than without. Just have fun.

I think this is good news, right? We don't have to keep that pace including the obstacles do we? I can walk a 15 minute mile easy. But you add in a 2 minute obstacle, I could have problems if I can't run the whole way. Oh no, I think I am getting nervous again.

Just Keep Swiming...Just Keep Swimming...

 

[johde]

Here's the information according to the website

Pacing Requirement

There will be a 16 minute-per-mile pacing requirement for the 5K adventure run portion of the race. The race will start at 8:30 p.m. The 5K adventure run will shut down at 10:00 p.m. and the Scavenger Hunt will close at 11:00 p.m. Anyone not able to maintain the respective paces will be picked up and transported to the finish. You may be picked up at any point along the course for not maintaining pace.

I would assume they are buffering the times for the obstacles.

 

[peterpanstout]

Yeah Eva! So excited to have someone else join in my insanity.

So, it took me 19 minutes to run/walk my mile today. That is a little off the 16 minute pace.

Here's the information according to the website

Pacing Requirement

There will be a 16 minute-per-mile pacing requirement for the 5K adventure run portion of the race. The race will start at 8:30 p.m. The 5K adventure run will shut down at 10:00 p.m. and the Scavenger Hunt will close at 11:00 p.m. Anyone not able to maintain the respective paces will be picked up and transported to the finish. You may be picked up at any point along the course for not maintaining pace.

I would assume they are buffering the times for the obstacles.

So does that give me 2.5 hours to finish?!

 

[eva]

Here's the information according to the website

Pacing Requirement

There will be a 16 minute-per-mile pacing requirement for the 5K adventure run portion of the race. The race will start at 8:30 p.m. The 5K adventure run will shut down at 10:00 p.m. and the Scavenger Hunt will close at 11:00 p.m. Anyone not able to maintain the respective paces will be picked up and transported to the finish. You may be picked up at any point along the course for not maintaining pace.

I would assume they are buffering the times for the obstacles.

I did see that when I registered. But I was unclear if the pace includes the obstacles or not. But it does say "run portion of the race." So I guess that is good news. I wonder how much distance is in between each obstacle.

Yeah Eva! So excited to have someone else join in my insanity.

So, it took me 19 minutes to run/walk my mile today. That is a little off the 16 minute pace.

So does that give me 2.5 hours to finish?!

You might want to try building up your walking pace to 3.8 mph before adding a run in it. At 3.8 mph you are walking a 15.7 minute mile.

 

[Sandi]

What if you CAN do it and you never found out?

The world will not end if you have to drop out -- which is very rare but sometimes an injury or other impediment takes a person out of a race. But, if you start you are lightyears ahead of others.