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I am going to do it...my first run, 1/2 marathon in November. My stepdaughter (20) has agreed to run with me and also run at my pace. I am nervous and scared even though it is still 11 months away. I am going to get new running shoes tomorrow and start the Galloway training this week. Any advice for an out of shape lady?
2012 was my first half marathon and it was the Wine and Dine! BEST RACE EVER for me this year!!!
You are doing the right thing first, get yourself to a running store and get fitted for the right kind of shoes! And socks too!
Take it a little at a time...you have plenty of time to train and add mileage, just dont give up! Jeff does a great training program...and you will find that as the weeks go by, you might tweak your run walk ratios and thats okay too. I did it. You will have good days and bad...I still have them!
But oh what a feeling it is when you cross that finish line and they hand you your medal! All those months of training will be worth it and you are walking around the next day with your finisher shirt on and your bling around your neck you will feel like a million bucks!!
And as always, if you have questions, there are lots of us here who can help you out! Welcome to the world of running!
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Kim
"I am a runner because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far. I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not."-- John Bingham
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Yep, start slow. Walking is the best way to get there. When I started this whole running business, I was walking a 20 minute mile. And I was in about the same boat as you, with 12 months till my first Half. Eventually you will work your way up to 16 minute miles, which is the minimum for the WDW Half's!! It took me probably about 3 months before I was comfortably "running" 1 mile. And then you just keep adding more and more time, and more and more distance.
It's an awesome feeling when you can do 3 miles, running/walking comfortably! And that's usually the starting point for most training programs. Personally, I use Hal Higdon's programs. WDW's official guru is Jeff Galloway, and I'm sure there's more out there as well. Like Heather said, follow a program and you won't be steered wrong. You don't have to stick to it like glue, but do your best. I've missed days here and there due to illness, or kids activities, or whatever. But then don't try to make up what you missed - just jump right back in.
It may look scary to start, looking at week 10 of training and it says to run 8 miles (or whatever distance). You'll get there. One step at a time!
As far as the shoes go, when you're starting out pretty much any shoe will do. Stick to the trusted running brands like Asics, Brooks, Nike, etc. But once you really start literally running more, you may want to go to a specialty running store where they can analyze your stride and tell you the correct shoe(s) you should wear. You don't have to necessarily buy them from that store though as they're typically more expensive. At that point, shop around online for the right shoe for the best price. Personally, I'm an Asics girl. And I use www.runningwarehouse.com Always free shipping and usually lower prices than you'll find in stores.
One more thing - I'd also highly recommend that during your training for the Wine and Dine, you do at least one "long run" at night. I did not do this and it really screwed me up for the actual race. It matters because you'll need to know what foods to eat during the day that will sit in your tummy well at night while running. Also, you may want to try an ice bath after said night run so your legs aren't extremely sore in the morning! Usually after a long run it's a good idea to keep moving around and keep the muscles loose. But with a night race ending at like 1:30-2 AM, even while Epcot is still open till 3AM, believe me that you're very tired and just want to sleep. Should you just go to sleep, please have a 10 minute ice bath first! Your legs will thank you in the morning.
Anything else, just ask! Good luck!
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Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Totally agree with what Tanya said about taking care of yourself after the race.
I was tired when it was done, and we still had to walk alllllll the way back thru Epcot to make our way home to Boardwalk. All I had was Powerade..and some tea. I made so many rookie mistakes! Not properly hydrating and eating after the race, not properly stretching...man did I pay for it the next day! But I would still do it again in a heartbeat!
So thats another word of wisdom for ya! As tired as you will be make sure you stretch, hydrate, ice bath and eat and you should be in less pain the following day!
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Kim
"I am a runner because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far. I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not."-- John Bingham
Congratulations on your commitment to your first Half! Tanya and Kim said it all but I just want to say welcome. And to add that getting fitted for good shoes is HUGE and I love having good socks. And remember, you will have bad days and it will be disappointing but it happens to everyone. I remember going out for 3 miles and stopping at one, it was too humid and I was not in to it. Just wasn't a good day. And I have come here for moral support when the going has been tough for my training this time around so please do the same. Good luck!
Thank you all for the advice so far. I am starting my training tomorrow and just going slow. I have a pair o asics and under amour shoes that I like to wear so for now that will have to work.
One question though as I am working on my plans. How long do y'all typically go to WDW for during the marathon? When my family and I went for vacation we went for 6 days- that I cannot do. I definitely want to hit MK and EP but but that is probably all I can take off work for. What days do you usually go for a Saturday night race?
Good question! I'd probably go Friday through Sunday. Saturday through Monday would work as well, but I'm just paranoid about the flight being cancelled or something and then there's the potential to miss the race completely if you were planning a Saturday arrival.
Ideally if you could make a 4 day trip, that'd probably be the best.
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Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Hi, and welcome! Just like you, I posted because I was terrified to run my first half. The support I have gotten here has been amazing!
I don't have much new to add--proper shoes and starting slow, don't beat yourself up about missing a training session or not being able to complete the session, be flexible with the training program, etc.
My biggest hint is to hydrate the day BEFORE a big run. For example, for my half in two weeks I need to drink tons of water the day before the race to make sure I'm properly hydrated. I'm not a big water drinker, so I really have to focus on this. But being hydrated makes a huge difference in how long and how fast you are able to run.
For my trip in January, I am arriving late Thurs night and leaving Sun evening. Race is Sat morning.
Remember that for this half that Monday is Veterans Day. We flew down this past Nov on Wednesday because there was another Nor Eastern coming in and I wanted to get out before it came. We were originally planning to fly down Thursday and come home Monday...and honestly if/when we do it this year, I will do a Thursday to Monday.
Also promise me that if you start getting lots of blisters or your calves are killing you (some pain should be expected) please get yourself down to a running store...not the mall, a real running store. Your toes will love you for it!
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Kim
"I am a runner because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far. I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not."-- John Bingham
YAY it will be Veterans Day. I think as a Veteran I should just take that day off of work too . DH told me today that he would come and cheer me on with DD3. I was going to be going without him. I just bought a pair of running shoes tonight, I have never spent $135 on a pair of shoes. I got Asics Gel Nimbus ones, the lady at the store said they were one of the best. They are very comfy- hope she was right, here's to training. Ive got a 5K to run at the end of next month to help out! Thanks for all the help thus far!!
I am going to do it...my first run, 1/2 marathon in November. My stepdaughter (20) has agreed to run with me and also run at my pace. I am nervous and scared even though it is still 11 months away. I am going to get new running shoes tomorrow and start the Galloway training this week. Any advice for an out of shape lady?
Welcome to the fun world of running!! You are going to love this race!! I have run it twice and loved it both times. I am going to run it again this November and I can't wait! RunDisney races have spoiled me, no other races I run in are as much fun. The wine and dine is a special race to me as that was my first 1/2 marathon. I can't imagine not running it. I love that it is at night and that it is during the Wine and Dine Festival. Even tired, that after party at Epcot is a blast. You have gotten really great advice from everyone here, I can't think of anything to add for running! I completely agree that you will want to be sure you have good sneakers and that you get them from a personalized running store. They are not more expensive than your chain sports stores and they will fit you with what will work best for you. I also agree that you should start slow, take lots of walk breaks, and not get discouraged.
Yay you got new shoes! My first pair was Asics and I loved mine until they changed the design a bit and then I moved over to Brooks. You might want to keep track of how many mileage that you put on them...most people recommend that you get a new pair between 300-500 miles...and if your feet are like mine, they will let you know when you are due! For some reason I am on the low end...about 350 miles before my legs tell me I need a new one...but usually about mile 250 I head to the running store to get another pair to have ready! Good running shoes arent cheap but you made a wise investment! You are going to totally rock this half marathon!!
__________________
Kim
"I am a runner because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far. I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not."-- John Bingham
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. DH told me today that he would come and cheer me on with DD3. I was going to be going without him. I just bought a pair of running shoes tonight, I have never spent $135 on a pair of shoes. I got Asics Gel Nimbus ones, the lady at the store said they were one of the best. They are very comfy- hope she was right, here's to training. Ive got a 5K to run at the end of next month to help out! Thanks for all the help thus far!!
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