How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Enjoy Running

[diddy_mouse]

Hi there!

My name is Erin and I can honestly say I never thought I'd enjoy running. I initially thought it might be a new way for me to tone up my legs and maybe loose a little weight in the process. Last year I decided to register for my first event, a 5K, something I didn't think I'd ever do. Boy am I glad I did! I used that event as motivation..."Well, you did a 3.1 mile race in under 40min, you can do anything!" It's a great way for me to burn off some stress and kinda get out of my own head. Work drama is left behind and I can just focus on the music I listen to and the rhythm of my stride.

Also, Disney can be a great motivator. Even though I'm not registered for an event, the Disney running community seems like a great bunch of folks. I'd love to include myself in that group one of these days. I'm definitely planning on running my first half marathon at The World.

Presently I've got a 10K (1st one!) coming up in 3 weeks and I'm really trying to keep my training consistent. I've found that the run/walk method works best for me and I can't believe the progress in just these past few months.

All in all I'd like to pop into this part of the boards to get advice on all facets of running and live vicariously through the Disney race reports.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Let us know how you do on your first 10K. Before you know it, you will be running in WDW. Nothing can prepare you for the 25K-50K people around you all hyped up, running through the parks.

 

[Kristia]

Hi there!

My name is Erin and I can honestly say I never thought I'd enjoy running. I initially thought it might be a new way for me to tone up my legs and maybe loose a little weight in the process. Last year I decided to register for my first event, a 5K, something I didn't think I'd ever do. Boy am I glad I did! I used that event as motivation..."Well, you did a 3.1 mile race in under 40min, you can do anything!" It's a great way for me to burn off some stress and kinda get out of my own head. Work drama is left behind and I can just focus on the music I listen to and the rhythm of my stride.

Also, Disney can be a great motivator. Even though I'm not registered for an event, the Disney running community seems like a great bunch of folks. I'd love to include myself in that group one of these days. I'm definitely planning on running my first half marathon at The World.

Presently I've got a 10K (1st one!) coming up in 3 weeks and I'm really trying to keep my training consistent. I've found that the run/walk method works best for me and I can't believe the progress in just these past few months.

All in all I'd like to pop into this part of the boards to get advice on all facets of running and live vicariously through the Disney race reports.

Welcome to this part of the boards! It is a great place to come for motivation and advice! Good luck on your first 10k! Let us know how it goes!

 

[Mr mom]

good luck, you are doing something I have never done, run a race

 

[joel_maxwell]

good luck, you are doing something I have never done, run a race

We need to change that. At least once.

 

[JillC LI]

Hi Erin, and welcome to the Disney Running Forum. It sounds like you've tapped into a lot of the reasons why many of us here are running addicts (although you neglected to mention how you can eat as many Dole Whips as you want if you run a Disney race! LOL). Congrats on your first 5K and good luck on your first 10K. I was also someone who never expected to enjoy running (had a dr's note in high school to get out of running dreaded The Mile!), but I remember my first two races at those distances clear as a bell (although they were almost 18 years ago). First time completing any distance is a highly memorable and proud moment. Please continue to join us on this forum!

 

[diddy_mouse]

Let us know how you do on your first 10K. Before you know it, you will be running in WDW. Nothing can prepare you for the 25K-50K people around you all hyped up, running through the parks.

I can't even imagine how it must feel running through the parks with everyone. 30,000 of your closest friends, right?

Welcome to this part of the boards! It is a great place to come for motivation and advice! Good luck on your first 10k! Let us know how it goes!

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to the race. Double the miles from my last one....I'm movin' on up!

good luck, you are doing something I have never done, run a race

Thank you! And I'm sure you'll find a race to run. There are so many options out there!

Hi Erin, and welcome to the Disney Running Forum. It sounds like you've tapped into a lot of the reasons why many of us here are running addicts (although you neglected to mention how you can eat as many Dole Whips as you want if you run a Disney race! LOL). Congrats on your first 5K and good luck on your first 10K. I was also someone who never expected to enjoy running (had a dr's note in high school to get out of running dreaded The Mile!), but I remember my first two races at those distances clear as a bell (although they were almost 18 years ago). First time completing any distance is a highly memorable and proud moment. Please continue to join us on this forum!

Thanks for the warm welcome! Ah yes...I'd be all over those Dole Whips for a Disney race. And I know I've only done one race but I won't ever forget that feeling. My husband saw me cross the finish line and I gotta say I teared up a little as I ran through. HUGE moment for me. This 10K will be special too...it'll be my first medal!

 

[joel_maxwell]

I can't even imagine how it must feel running through the parks with everyone. 30,000 of your closest friends, right?

Running through the parks, yes great feeling. Running with so many people you cant move without bumping into people for the first couple of miles, meh. Not the fun part.

That is just me though. Go experience it for yourself and make your own experience. Everyone's is different.

 

[Mr mom]

We need to change that. At least once.

I work every second weekend and my wife every third, trying to coordinate a time to be able to and then actually having either the time off if travel is involved or her time off so the kids are cared for etc makes it difficult. There are a few races coming up in the next few months that I am seriously going to try and compete in at least one or two. I would have tried our big event the bluenose marathon this year but we will be in florida.

 

[Fievel]

I work every second weekend and my wife every third, trying to coordinate a time to be able to and then actually having either the time off if travel is involved or her time off so the kids are cared for etc makes it difficult. There are a few races coming up in the next few months that I am seriously going to try and compete in at least one or two. I would have tried our big event the bluenose marathon this year but we will be in florida.

I get every 6th weekend off, and I do everything in my power to make my races work. Once you get that raceday drug in you, it's hard to get rid of.

 

[Texas84]

Welcome! You're doing it right IMHO. Start with local 5Ks to get used to dealing with the whole organized experience. Move up to 10Ks, then start training for that first half. When you get comfortable with your run/walk ratios, move it up! 3:1, 4:1, 5:1. Then try a whole mile without stopping, then try 3 miles without stopping. But be patient with your progress. I did run/walk for more than a year.

One of the amazing things to me about a Disney race is running over an overpass and seeing the continuous conga line of runners below you. It's an awesome sight.

 

[Ariel484]

Go Erin, gooooooo! Hope to see you at a Disney race someday.

 

[jonabyte]

I try to book a 5k or two later in the summer to motivate me to get in shape for it. I know it's not long or anything but it feel great to run them.

 

[Mad Stitch]

Welcome to the running section of the boards.

(had a dr's note in high school to get out of running dreaded The Mile!)

LMAO I don't know which was worse, that or the rope climb.

 

[Mr mom]

I get every 6th weekend off, and I do everything in my power to make my races work. Once you get that raceday drug in you, it's hard to get rid of.

I am sure you are right, just have to find that event

 

[JillC LI]

LMAO I don't know which was worse, that or the rope climb.

See, we all have our achilles heel. For me, it was running, but climbing that rope was a joy! I was a member of the Top Banana Club every year! (You'd climb the rope with a paper banana with your name on it in your mouth and a piece of masking tape rolled onto the back of it. If you made it to the top, you stuck your banana on the ceiling! LOL)

 

[Joshua&CalebDad]

Hi there!

My name is Erin and I can honestly say I never thought I'd enjoy running. I initially thought it might be a new way for me to tone up my legs and maybe loose a little weight in the process. Last year I decided to register for my first event, a 5K, something I didn't think I'd ever do. Boy am I glad I did! I used that event as motivation..."Well, you did a 3.1 mile race in under 40min, you can do anything!" It's a great way for me to burn off some stress and kinda get out of my own head. Work drama is left behind and I can just focus on the music I listen to and the rhythm of my stride.

Also, Disney can be a great motivator. Even though I'm not registered for an event, the Disney running community seems like a great bunch of folks. I'd love to include myself in that group one of these days. I'm definitely planning on running my first half marathon at The World.

Presently I've got a 10K (1st one!) coming up in 3 weeks and I'm really trying to keep my training consistent. I've found that the run/walk method works best for me and I can't believe the progress in just these past few months.

All in all I'd like to pop into this part of the boards to get advice on all facets of running and live vicariously through the Disney race reports.

Erin,
Just to give you a little bit more motivation, if you are doing a 10k in the next couple of weeks you could easily do a RunDisney event this fall. I myself have a 10K on May 11th and have signed up for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler that is at the beginning of October.

You may think 10 miles sounds out of reach but if you think about it your'e doing a 10k (6.2 miles) which means you are already over half way there. Another 5k added on and you got it. And if you do the 10 miler in October, guess what, you are just another 5k shy of doing a half marathon, which you could do in January. This running thing ges very addictive.

Good luck on your run and keep shooting for the stars. By the way, nothing motivates a person to run/train more than knowing that you have already signing up and payingfor an event that is pretty much non-refundable.

If you have an desire to run a Disney race I'd easily suggest that you go ahead and take the plunge and register for one. If you have made it this far you can get to the next level. Good luck and welcome to the crazy world of running!