Disney Half Marathon

[pritgin]

Has anyone ever participated in the half marathon or marathon that is at Disney in January? My sis-in-law and I are thinking about participating for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Just wondering what it was like, and if you could walk as well as run. This will be my first attempt at a half marathon. Thanks in advance.

 

[Captain Hank]

Yup, it's both a walking and running marathon/half marathon. I have never competed in any distance running, but will be participating in my first in this coming year's Disney Half-Marathon. The time limit for the Half is 3 1/2 hours, which means maintaining a pace of 16 minutes per mile. A lot of your questions can be answered by visiting the official site for the Half-Marathon here: http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/marathon/events/detail?name=HalfMarathon2006EventInfoEventDetailPage
There are a lot of members that have participated in the event in past years, and some have websites detailing their experiences. Best of luck, and hope to see you there in January!

Edit: here's the article that made me want to participate in the event in the first place: http://allearsnet.com/tp/marath_2.htm

Further Edit: Just noticed your post count--Welcome to WDWMagic! :wave:

 

[Thrawn]

I hope both of you are training. As someone who regularly does 20Ks, I see a lot of people that think they can do 13 miles without a problem. Some of them end up in the hospital.

On Topic: I haven't done the WDW races, but marathons are excrutiating. If you haven't done anything more than say, a 5 mile road race, you should probably stick to the 5k. I have been a distance runner for a while, my marathon best is just under 3 hours. But that was a cold day in Boston, which the WDW marathon will not be.

What I am saying is: If you are doing it simply because "you run through all the parks" and not because you are a distance runner, you should skip it.

 

[Captain Hank]

I hope both of you are training. As someone who regularly does 20Ks, I see a lot of people that think they can do 13 miles without a problem. Some of them end up in the hospital.

On Topic: I haven't done the WDW races, but marathons are excrutiating. If you haven't done anything more than say, a 5 mile road race, you should probably stick to the 5k. I have been a distance runner for a while, my marathon best is just under 3 hours. But that was a cold day in Boston, which the WDW marathon will not be.

What I am saying is: If you are doing it simply because "you run through all the parks" and not because you are a distance runner, you should skip it.

I started working out pretty much daily back in January and continue to do so. In fact, I just got back this evening from doing my first long distance run--2 1/2 miles. I think should be ready.

 

[pritgin]

Thanks for the welcome Captain Hank and the advice Thrawn. I am currently running 3 miles, and working my way up. I hope to be there in Jan. It is something that I have always wanted to do. I am a fitness instructor so I completely understand how hard the training/race will be, but what a incentive to run through WDW

 

[Thrawn]

Fine, don't say I didn't warn you though. However, most racing experts believe that you should be able to run DOUBLE whatever distance you are planning on racing.

For a marathon or half marathon, most people consider 2.5 - 3 miles to be a warm up.

 

[islandbeachnut]

My husband and I want to do this also, but we can imagine how grueling a marathon must be (We each run about 20 miles/week). We will be training the rest of this year and probably next. My hubby will turn 40 in Jan of 2008, so maybe will try for that one.

 

[Captain Hank]

Fine, don't say I didn't warn you though. However, most racing experts believe that you should be able to run DOUBLE whatever distance you are planning on racing.

For a marathon or half marathon, most people consider 2.5 - 3 miles to be a warm up.

I have no illusions on how difficult it will be. This may be one of the most challenging things I've ever done. I am not planning on being at all competative in this--my goal is simply finishing in under 3.5 hours. If I need to walk for some of the course, then I have to walk. 13.1 miles is a long distance, and comparitively 2.5 isn't. I've trained at 4-5 miles at a time thus far, but that was on an eliptical machine, so I don't count that. I know I've got a long way to go, and I don't consider 2.5 miles to be any huge achievement, just a milestone along the way. I definately don't think I can do 13.1 miles "without a problem." It's going to take a lot of work and dedication to be able to do it by January.

I've done a large amount of research on half-marathon training programs and sought the advice of athletic faculty at my college and friends who have competed in distance running events. I've read everything I can find about this particular race, from many personal accounts to all of the official information. I've made a point of not going into this blind.

Looking back at my previous post, I think I sounded a bit cocky--I didn't mean to. I don't think I'm ignorant as to how much a challenge this will be, both mentally and physically. This will most definately not be a "walk in the theme park," but I do feel that by January I'll be ready to handle it. My father is a doctor, so I'll have access to medical advice during my training so I don't end up hurting myself.

Finally, thanks very much for your advice. I'm glad to see that you're concerned for the well being of your fellow forum members, and I will definately keep what you said in mind.

 

[pritgin]

Well said Captain Hank, and I couldn't agree more

 

[lebernadin]

What training program have you set yourself up on that you're running less than a 5k now? Yikes.

My advice would be to run for fixed amounts of time as opposed to fixed amount of miles. ie 30mins, 45mins, 60mins, 75mins,90mins etc. If you need to walk, do so. Don't worry about the amount of miles you're putting behind you. Also, pick up a HRM and read up on Vo2max.

This past Boston was torturous. I was walking in Wellesley Hills but managed to finish in just under 4 hours. It was hot enough for onlookers to sweat. But the advantage Disney has is its flats and start time(6am).

I'm guessing the half starts at the same time but you probably already know either way. Take full advantage of this start time as it only gets worse as you progress. Run your own race too. If you're travelling with friends/family who are also running, don't draft eachother if you aren't at the same pace. Run your own race based on your training.

My '96 Disney time was 3:14, about a 7:25 pace. The guy i was friends with and went down with at the time was about a minute faster. I'm never going to shave a minute off of my pace and don't expect anyone to sacrifice for me. You'll make friends at your pace which i think is yet another plus about road racing.

16:00 pace is a nice allowance for some, but i don't see the point of it other than Disney trying to corral in people who never run in the name of occupancy. I just don't see the point of running/walking a half or full at that pace. You're better off not training for such things and doing things you've always enjoyed.

Now if you're a 78 year old guy that runs a full at that pace, after 26 prior boston's, i'm not going to say a word. lol...

But if you're young and enjoy other sports, i'd say focus on them rather than paying all that money to do the disney half marathon at a 16:00 pace.