Am I being realistic?

[nitch]

Hello World!

Just in life in general I've always wanted to achieve something big and my goal is to make it to the end of the Walt Disney World Marathon 2013 alive.

However at the moment I am not exercising regularly (naturally I intend to change this) and am wondering if training for just over a year will get me ready for it?

During the summer whilst working at summer camp I managed to do 4.5 miles in 39.40mins - does this put me in good stead for next next January or have I got my work cut out / not going to make it?

Any help would be muchos appreciated-os of course.

Hope all's well!

 

[wdwmagic]

I think you can certainly achieve it. You need a training plan, but your results already show that you can do it.

Check out http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/

 

[fmingo36]

You have more than a year to train. You can absolutely be ready for the 2013marathon.

And as Steve said, you need a training plan. And just remember to set the goal to finish not to win and you'll be surprised at how well you'll do!

 

[Texas84]

No problem. You only need a 16-minute pace. Important thing is getting your long training runs in.

 

[dreamfinder]

Can you walk for 7 hours straight? At a reasonable pace? If so, you can almost definitely finish. The Disney races have plenty of people who walk or walk/run, so its a great place to try to make that goal. As long as you follow a good training program, you should have no problems being ready for 2013. Pick a few small milestones along the way to shoot for as well and you should be fine.

 

[Phonedave]

Your current pace is fine (its about what I do)

You have a good base to build off of. If you had said you were 200 lbs overweight, asthmatic, with high blood pressure and bad knees, then that would be a different story.

As others said, get a training plan, and FOLLOW it. You may have the urge to do more - DON'T. What you do not want to do is injure yourself and then have a major setback. Take it slow in small bites and work your way up, you have plenty of time to do so. In fact you may want to work to a point where you are comfortable doing say a 8 or 9 mile run 1 or 2 times a week and a 3 or 4 twice a week and then hold there untill you get closer to marathon time. You dont want to be "marathon ready" running a 22 miler every week for 3 or 4 months. (Although Nick on these boards runs a 20+ mile run 6 times a week, so what do I know )

-dave

 

[JillC LI]

You can absolutely do it! Years ago I went from being able to run 3 miles to completing the NYC Marathon in 7 months time. You just need a plan and dedication. And like the others have said, finishing your first marathon in itself makes you a winner; it's not about speed. I highly recommend the book "The Non-Runner's Guide to Running a Marathon" (I might have the words slightly off) by Dave Whitsett when you are really ready to train. It helps a great deal with the mental aspects of running a marathon.

 

[nitch]

Thanks guys! Everyone's words are really helpful, really! I'm just chuffed you took the time out of your days to even reply

The way you guys are talking I think I can definitely do it. The problem is at the moment the UK has its standard weather - raining, windy, cold, it's just making it hard to find the motivation to get on my kit and go. I know, I should just do it but I'm so busy during the days that it's quite the conundrum. I guess I can get out this weekend.

Also another quick question - music. Is there any good "running music" or any recommended tunes that people run with? Or do you prefer the natural noises of your surroundings?

 

[fmingo36]

Thanks guys! Everyone's words are really helpful, really! I'm just chuffed you took the time out of your days to even reply

The way you guys are talking I think I can definitely do it. The problem is at the moment the UK has its standard weather - raining, windy, cold, it's just making it hard to find the motivation to get on my kit and go. I know, I should just do it but I'm so busy during the days that it's quite the conundrum. I guess I can get out this weekend.

Also another quick question - music. Is there any good "running music" or any recommended tunes that people run with? Or do you prefer the natural noises of your surroundings?

First of all-If you really want to train don't start giving yourself excuses. You have no idea what the weather is going to be like when you run so you need to train in rain and wind, etc...
And if it's really an issue, join a gym and use the tredmill..boring as hell but you don't need to worry about the elements.

As for the music, look a little further in this sub-forum there's a whole thread on it.

Now get your kit on start training!

 

[wdwmagic]

Thanks guys! Everyone's words are really helpful, really! I'm just chuffed you took the time out of your days to even reply

The way you guys are talking I think I can definitely do it. The problem is at the moment the UK has its standard weather - raining, windy, cold, it's just making it hard to find the motivation to get on my kit and go. I know, I should just do it but I'm so busy during the days that it's quite the conundrum. I guess I can get out this weekend.

Also another quick question - music. Is there any good "running music" or any recommended tunes that people run with? Or do you prefer the natural noises of your surroundings?

I find the best way to do it is to get up an hour before you normally do, and do the run then. Getting up earlier buys you that extra time, and you don't have all day to talk yourself out of it. You get out of bed, get ready, and go. Job done.

I don't go with music so I can listen out for cars, crazy dogs, and people LOL. But I know some people find the music helps.

 

[Phonedave]

Thanks guys! Everyone's words are really helpful, really! I'm just chuffed you took the time out of your days to even reply

The way you guys are talking I think I can definitely do it. The problem is at the moment the UK has its standard weather - raining, windy, cold, it's just making it hard to find the motivation to get on my kit and go. I know, I should just do it but I'm so busy during the days that it's quite the conundrum. I guess I can get out this weekend.

Also another quick question - music. Is there any good "running music" or any recommended tunes that people run with? Or do you prefer the natural noises of your surroundings?

As Fmingo said, weather can vary.

WDW Marathon weekend has had 65 degree and sunny one year and 35 degree and freezing sleet another. Train for it all.

As for music, I am another no music person. I like to get into my head so to speak, especially on longer runs.


-dave

 

[JillC LI]

Thanks guys! Everyone's words are really helpful, really! I'm just chuffed you took the time out of your days to even reply

The way you guys are talking I think I can definitely do it. The problem is at the moment the UK has its standard weather - raining, windy, cold, it's just making it hard to find the motivation to get on my kit and go. I know, I should just do it but I'm so busy during the days that it's quite the conundrum. I guess I can get out this weekend.

Also another quick question - music. Is there any good "running music" or any recommended tunes that people run with? Or do you prefer the natural noises of your surroundings?

Bad weather can be a PITA, but you do have to commit to making running a priority if you want to be able to stick with it. Learn to dress for any type of weather. Like Steve, I prefer to do my runs first thing in the morning. I am definitely not a morning person, but getting my out of bed and completing my runs first thing makes me feel good about it for the rest of the day and takes away any chance for other things to interfere.

As for music, it's a personal thing and you will get many answers. I enjoy listening to music on most but not all of my outdoor runs. If I'm trying to keep a certain pace I find it distracting, but if I'm just out for distance or enjoyment, I like the music. I've even listened to audio books (Harry Potter!) on my Nano while running. Check out the thread on this forum that I started about some suggestions for running songs, but pick whatever music you personally enjoy if you decide to use music. Whatever gets you motivated!

 

[Disney Dawg88]

As Fmingo said, weather can vary.

WDW Marathon weekend has had 65 degree and sunny one year and 35 degree and freezing sleet another. Train for it all.

As for music, I am another no music person. I like to get into my head so to speak, especially on longer runs.


-dave

I was actually going to write this exact same thing, I've run the race several times now and I've seen both extreme ends - 80 plus degrees and humid as all can get out and 35 and sleet. Most of the time it's been cool at the start and hit about 60 - 70 degrees by the time you finish. So even though the UK has some bad weather and you might not want to run in it, you can always find a treadmill somewhere.

 

[lukacseven]

One popular tactic people use to get motivated is to actually register for the race. You can stop talking about signing up and start concentrating on training for the race. In the past regitration opened the Monday after the marathon weekend. I believe now they set a date in March. As soon as you can - sign up. You're committed and for a lot of people you can set a training plan based on that.

 

[dreamfinder]

Thanks guys! Everyone's words are really helpful, really! I'm just chuffed you took the time out of your days to even reply

The way you guys are talking I think I can definitely do it. The problem is at the moment the UK has its standard weather - raining, windy, cold, it's just making it hard to find the motivation to get on my kit and go. I know, I should just do it but I'm so busy during the days that it's quite the conundrum. I guess I can get out this weekend.

Also another quick question - music. Is there any good "running music" or any recommended tunes that people run with? Or do you prefer the natural noises of your surroundings?

Check out Zen and the Art of Running. Helps to deal with all the "it's too cold out", "it's still dark", etc excuses.

As far as running music, skip it. I ran with music for the first few years, but then stopped. I don't miss it at all now. Many runners put in both ear buds, crank up the volume, and become oblivious to the world around them. Which then becomes a safety hazard when you are running on the road, and an annoyance when you are in a race, tell someone that you are passing on the left, and they can't hear you over their music, and swerve right in front of you.

One popular tactic people use to get motivated is to actually register for the race. You can stop talking about signing up and start concentrating on training for the race. In the past regitration opened the Monday after the marathon weekend. I believe now they set a date in March. As soon as you can - sign up. You're committed and for a lot of people you can set a training plan based on that.

Works very well for me. No better motivation than knowing I dropped some cash on a race that I need to at least show up and finish at. And then throwing in the cost of a trip to Disney, just more motivation to do it. I do find that if I don't have a race down the road to look forward to, my training does tend to drop off a bit.

 

[nitch]

I am now also planning to apply for the CRP next year as well which would coincide with the Marathon which would save me A LOT of money and also I can get everyone out to support me.

Another step in the right direction. I was checking out the route the other day and it had me quite excited despite what I'll be putting my body through for the next year. Very very excited to keep training and push on.

 

[nitch]

Check out Zen and the Art of Running. Helps to deal with all the "it's too cold out", "it's still dark", etc excuses.

As far as running music, skip it. I ran with music for the first few years, but then stopped. I don't miss it at all now. Many runners put in both ear buds, crank up the volume, and become oblivious to the world around them. Which then becomes a safety hazard when you are running on the road, and an annoyance when you are in a race, tell someone that you are passing on the left, and they can't hear you over their music, and swerve right in front of you.



Works very well for me. No better motivation than knowing I dropped some cash on a race that I need to at least show up and finish at. And then throwing in the cost of a trip to Disney, just more motivation to do it. I do find that if I don't have a race down the road to look forward to, my training does tend to drop off a bit.

Thanks for the advice about the music, I'll definitely check that out. And I cannot wait to sign up for the race for that exact reason, will keep up interest and from then on I won't really have a choice!

 

[lukacseven]

Something else that helps is to try to run in another organized race of a shorter distance a few months prior, like a 10K. This gives you an idea of what to expect of the race-day preparations/routines - although few events compare to the Disney experience.