Half Marathon advice for a non-runner About This Page:

[evenstar84]

Help! I need advice (websites, books, tips, personal experience, etc...) to make me feel better about just signing up to participate in the WDW 2011 half marathon in January. I can't run at all right now, though I workout out 4-5 times a week. I've never liked running.

SO - am I crazy to try? Can I "power" walk the race if I can't run the whole way (or even most of the way)? Are there a lot of walkers? What programs have you followed? Is it worth it? Fun? Has anyone been swept (over the 16 min/mile limit)?

I am super nervous, but really want to finish the race...any advice would help!!

Thanks!!!!

[Wendyismyname]

to the boards!

Yes, there are quite a few who walk. I know that for the Princess Half Marathon, you had to maintain a 16 minute mile whether you were walking or running, so I am sure that you will need the same for the Jan. race.

Good luck! You're doing great!

[stubekis]

Hi Sara!
I don't have the answers to your questions, but I just wanted to say I admire you for trying the 1/2 marathon, esp. as a non-runner. It seems like everyone I know does run and I really wish I could. I'm trying a walking program now 5-6 days/week and hope to eventually get there, but like you, I've tried before and i just can't seem to do it. I wish you the best of luck!

[saremca]

I am trying to learn to love running. My 15yo asked me to train to do a 5K with her and eventually she wants us to do the Princess Half Marathon. Lofty goals for someone like me who *despises* running, but it's good exercise and good time spent with my middle DD.

There is a blog that I read regularly called Healthy Tipping Point. Caitlin is a serious runner, and she has a page with suggestions for beginning runners and a link to good training programs.

Healthy Tipping Point

[strtrek]

hi there

i too am looking to do the half marathon in October, but the 16min mile freaks me out. I normally go to the gym, but tonight i decided to run for 20 mins...my DH thinks I'm crazy. Do you think i could be ready in 5 months???or am i just wasting my time. i'd be so embarrassed if they had to take me off the course cause i was too slow....help!!

do you think there will be many beginners in this????

BTW just read the link re running tips...good advice....any other suggestions?? I'm now worried that we are coming into winter here and that may affect my enthusiasm to train...I really need a Mickey "down under" cheer squad

[RoslynStorm]

You certainly can be ready in five months! My biggest recommendation is to run outside (even though its close to winter for you). Treadmill running is different than outside running and what seems fairly easy on a treadmill could be murder on pavement

Oh and good luck! I'm sure you'll have a load of fun doing the half marathon

[Ashli]

Originally Posted by Wendyismyname

Yes, there are quite a few who walk. I know that for the Princess Half Marathon, you had to maintain a 16 minute mile whether you were walking or running, so I am sure that you will need the same for the Jan. race.

Question about this. Is the 16 min mile thing an average? For example, could you jog a mile at like a 12-min pace, then walk a mile at like a 18 min pace, then jog a 12 min, walk 18 min, etc.? So even though some of your miles are slower, you still average less than 16 min/mile? I can jog, but if I do it for too long my hips () start to get sore, so I like to alternate with walking. I can walk faster than 18 min mile (usually walk around a 14-min one), but I am thinking in a half marathon when it gets to the say 9th,10th,11th mile, my speed might not be so great. Also, would they really kick you out if you got to the like 10th+ mile and slowed down to less than a 16 min/mile? That would be so . Thanks for any tips!

[mdobereiner]

Hi Sara, don't worry, you aren't crazy at all! You can train and be more than ready to run the half in January!

I personally follow Hal Higdon's program (www.halhigdon.com). I swear by his programs, and they are great because they have different schedules based on what level runner you are. In fact, he has a walking program to prepare for a half. The key is to stay on the program and don't cheat. If you follow it, you will be more than ready come race day. You will need to keep a 16 minute/mile pace so that's something to keep in mind. If you fall behind, they will sweep you and transport you to the finish line (and you don't get the medal .) Don't worry if your pace is a little slow to start, you will get faster. You want to be able to have a conversation with someone when you are running, that's how you know if you are going to the right pace for you. I personally don't run with anyone so I just sing with my music. If I get too out of breath, I slow down. I would also encourage you to check out some local road races (start with a 5k) to see what a road race is like. Hopefully you can find one in your area between now and then.

Strtrek- I'm sure there will be other beginners, just make sure you train beforehand (I would highly suggest following a program.) Winter is my favorite time to run (assumming there isn't ice on the ground.) If you google "running in the cold" or something like that, there's a lot of good tips out there. Most important part of running outside is hat and gloves so you don't lose heat. GL at the Wine and Dine .

GL to all the runners! It looks like I'll be missing the Wine and Dine in October and the marathon in January with my due date, but I'll have to catch them the next year.

Mel

[KimandMark]

Disney events are very walker friendly, even walker dominated in some cases! They are insistent that you average 16 minute miles however. At some point they will 'sweep' the course and if you are below that average you will not be allowed to finish. Do not worry about that. It happens to a very few people.

First you need to think about training. www.halhigdon.com has beginner plans for all distances, and they all include walking and running in combination.

In the meantime, try building to running for 30 minutes. Start by walking for 9 and running for 1 (or 4 and 1 if that feels okay). Next week, change that 8 and 2, then 7 and 3 and so on, increasing running minute each week until you can run for 30 minutes. Once you can do that, will add onto the 30 minutes one time per week (so you might go walk/run 30 minutes 3x and do a slightly longer run 1x).

I've run many marathons and halfs and I always have planned walks-I walk for 30 seconds or so at each aid station to drink water. So even the fast runners will do this. The super fast winners don't!! But the rest of us do!

As for the January Marathon/Half Marathon--its very well organized. The half is on saturday, the full on sunday. The start is early in the AM, 6 I think. On thursday or friday you will go to the Wide World Of Sports complex and wait in a long line to get your race bib and timing chip/band. This will also include the corral assignment you have for race morning. If you have never done a half marathon or a 10K, they will place you in the last corrals. The first corrals will be assigned by race results (people submit their 10K or half marathon time and Disney then breaks you into managable groups). You will take that packet and walk over to the chip station where they electronically scan your timing chip/band and make sure you have the right one. From there you can leave, you can go wander around the vendors area or you can hear the speakers talking about running.

On race morning, you will get on a shuttle at 4AM (seriously!) to the Epcot Parking lot. (if you stay at POFQ you can actually walk to the start line, but disney won't tell you that, I've done it though). You get off the shuttle and you will see more portopotties than you thought existed on the planet. Find a clean one, use it. use it again. use it until you are positive you've got zero inside you! If its cold, find another clean one and stay in it.

Around 5:30 they start walking you back to the corrals (this is the road you can see from POFQ). You go to your assigned corral, someone will be checking your race bib to see that you are in the right place. At 6AM Mickey will start you with fireworks and off you go. From the back it takes quite a few minutes to get ot the actual start line--this is why you have a timing chip--your time doesn't start until YOU cross the electronic mat at hte start line.

The course is sometimes amazing and sometimes dull. The run down main st in MK has never failed to make me cry! Its a great spot for your family to see you too--they will need to make large signs so you can see them and they need to stand in a precise location, you will miss them if they don't.

This is not a fun day for spectators. Its really pretty boring for them, but its great for the runners!!

Once you finish, they take your chip from you and you get your Donald Duck medal. Wear it everywhere you go for the rest of your trip!!

But first--go to www.halhigdon.com or runnersworld.com to get yourself started. The details will fall into place after that.

[KimandMark]

and I totally forgot!! Get yourself to a local running store (not Dicks or whatever big box you have around), a real running store. They will look at your feet and help you determine which of hte three styles of running shoe are best for you.

Wrong shoes cause tons of injuries and make people stop running. The right shoe is super important, you will spend $60-$85 on these. Do not let them talk you into anything in the $100+ range, you dont' need it unless you have the flatest feet ever!!

[yerdoba]

KimandMark have some great suggestions.

I started running last August. Just completed a 15K (9.3 miles) on March 28. Working towards the princess half next year.

My partner and I started with a couch-to-5K program. This is an interval program that I purchased on my iphone. The program tells you when to run and when to walk and builds up endurance for a full 3.1 miles at the end of the 9 week training program. From there, we just added more distance each week. Then we followed Hal Higdon for the 15K training.

First, get the proper shoes.. then go!

You'll be ready before you know it and definately in 5 months time.

[evenstar84]

Thanks so much guys - for all the advice! It helps to hear from those of you who have done the half marathon (or more) and to know that I am not the only "non-runner" out there.

I've been listening to WDW TODAY podcasts on running and they have helped me gear up for the next 8 months of training.

Short term - I am training for a 5k in early Sept in my hometown. Once I pull that off, I'll start earnestly working towards the 13.1 miles in January (a short 3 1/2 months away).

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

Thanks again - I appreciate it!