Princess 1/2 walkers? - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

loislane · 10-04-2011, 02:38 PM

I'm still a relative newbie to running, but I agree with everything that the seasoned runners and walkers have shared because I've seen a lot of it work for me.

I started in March with the Couch to 5K program, which I think is a great program but you should probably have a certain level of fitness before attempting it. I had been working out at least 3 times a week since January - but even then, I was not prepared for how much jogging for 60 seconds would kick my fanny! It was humbling to say the least.

And I'll be honest, I *never* made it to week 9 of the program - but I've run in three 5K races since June - able to jog the entire race and have improved my time in each outing to my most recent of 31:16. But every training session is still a mix of jogging and walking - so I guess that means improving your speed isn't about running as hard and as fast as you can for as long as you can.

The other advice I want to add is get fitted for running shoes at a good running store (i.e. not Dick's Sporting Goods) where they will study your feet and your stride and find the right shoes for you. It's so important, right from day one, to have the right shoes.

Dreamer2012 · 10-04-2011, 03:10 PM

Hey John VN
Thanks for letting me know its not only ok but good to just learn to walk at a faster pace. Now that I have made that resolve - I started today - I walked @ 4.0 then on every 4th minute I upped the speed to 4.5. I felt good - could carry a conversation the entire time - but worked up quite a sweat! I assume that is what it should be like? My legs (actually back of my thighs...)are sore - but not painful. My knees do not hurt anymore either!! I think this may be the right thing for me. I can only aspire to your level!! What can you tell a newbie?

John VN · 10-04-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamer2012

Hey John VN
Thanks for letting me know its not only ok but good to just learn to walk at a faster pace. Now that I have made that resolve - I started today - I walked @ 4.0 then on every 4th minute I upped the speed to 4.5. I felt good - could carry a conversation the entire time - but worked up quite a sweat! I assume that is what it should be like? My legs (actually back of my thighs...)are sore - but not painful. My knees do not hurt anymore either!! I think this may be the right thing for me. I can only aspire to your level!! What can you tell a newbie?

FANTASTIC!!!!!

I did the same thing yesterday. Got my fast mile in at a 9:19m/m pace. Not my fastest mile pace but this was part of a 1/2 marathon training session. Today I went for a 20 mile bicycle ride to keeps things moving and tomorrow with be a chill day.

Your times will come down as you put time into training. Keep it fun.

Traci, you are spot on about the shoes.

megny · 10-04-2011, 10:01 PM

Hey Dreamer,

I am a walker-only and just finished the W&D Half this weekend and did not get swept! If you are comfortable already walking at a 4.0mph pace, then you are golden... I'd bet you could get your pace down even further over the next few months, but even if not, it would be a great pace for the race.

My training was less than ideal for this race because I suffered some issues with my heel and had to take several weeks off. My long training walks were at about a 16:20 pace... for the race, I officially kept a 16:12 pace for a finish time of 3:32... but that included 5 minutes worth of bathroom breaks.

One thing that almost caught me was the fact that you will likely cover a bit more than 13.1 miles unless you are walking the exact shortest distance on the course... so my Garmin registered the race as 13.4 miles and was showing about a 15:30 pace most times.

We never got passed by the sweepers, but we were far enough back that we passed the 'pace monitors' (for no better word) several times... but they always were saying "You're X minutes above the pace"... so we knew we were good as long as we kept our pace. It was also how we knew how we had a few spare minutes to run into the restroom.

I think you are going to be completely fine... no need to worry! I'll see you at the Princess!!!

buckeyecinderella · 10-06-2011, 05:26 PM

I echo so much of what has been said here. I still consider myself a new runner. I've been running 2 years as of this coming January. From personal experience, I cannot stress enough the importance of taking things slowly, giving yourself plenty of rest days, and take care of yourself in general.

I've seen so many runners, different ages, shapes, sizes, experience levels, etc...everyone improves at their own pace, it is very personal. So try to just focus on yourself. Just keep with it, you will improve.

carps09 · 10-08-2011, 06:06 PM

I just registered for the Princess Half and it will be my first one! I'm training with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. It is comforting to know I won't be the only walker in the bunch!

shellbelle76 · 10-08-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckeyecinderella

I echo so much of what has been said here. I still consider myself a new runner. I've been running 2 years as of this coming January. From personal experience, I cannot stress enough the importance of taking things slowly, giving yourself plenty of rest days, and take care of yourself in general.

I've seen so many runners, different ages, shapes, sizes, experience levels, etc...everyone improves at their own pace, it is very personal. So try to just focus on yourself. Just keep with it, you will improve.

Just wanted to say that I LOVE this post. Very encouraging as I've only been running for a few months, and it's often tempting to start comparing myself to others. Thanks for sharing!

Dreamer2012 · 10-10-2011, 08:41 AM

I am the type of person who is all or nothing - meaning in order to keep myself going I need to be regimented in doing it everyday...that being said I have read several places that when you are running you need a day inbetween to "rest" - does that hold true for walking as well? I am actually enjoying doing my 30 min. walks each morning and longer walks on the weekends. I do not want to over do - or jeopardize my training in any way so I just need to be sure that this is ok. Nothing hurts and I feel great knowing I have done something good for myself everyday. I also figure the extra calories burned sure can't hurt as I could loose approx 20lbs or so..... Thanks for your help!

Hey John VN - a 9:19 mile - WALKING? VERY IMPRESSIVE!! I'm not sure I will ever be able to do that! I will be happy to just keep the 16mpm pace and not be "swept"! Interesting that you also bike - I just started rollerbladeing since it is an activity my dd13 enjoys doing with me - we did 6 miles on Sunday! Not too bad for newbies.... does that kind of "cross training" help the walking?

Also a "general" question - I just bought expensive Saucony "running" sneakers - but since I have now decided to do the 1/2 marathon as a walker do I need to replace them with a "walking" shoe? Is there really a big difference? What would you do?

John VN · 10-10-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamer2012

I am the type of person who is all or nothing - meaning in order to keep myself going I need to be regimented in doing it everyday...that being said I have read several places that when you are running you need a day inbetween to "rest" - does that hold true for walking as well? I am actually enjoying doing my 30 min. walks each morning and longer walks on the weekends. I do not want to over do - or jeopardize my training in any way so I just need to be sure that this is ok. Nothing hurts and I feel great knowing I have done something good for myself everyday. I also figure the extra calories burned sure can't hurt as I could loose approx 20lbs or so..... Thanks for your help!

Hey John VN - a 9:19 mile - WALKING? VERY IMPRESSIVE!! I'm not sure I will ever be able to do that! I will be happy to just keep the 16mpm pace and not be "swept"! Interesting that you also bike - I just started rollerbladeing since it is an activity my dd13 enjoys doing with me - we did 6 miles on Sunday! Not too bad for newbies.... does that kind of "cross training" help the walking?

Also a "general" question - I just bought expensive Saucony "running" sneakers - but since I have now decided to do the 1/2 marathon as a walker do I need to replace them with a "walking" shoe? Is there really a big difference? What would you do?

I'll give you my feelings related here but some or many might not agree.

Walk all you want as long as you feel good after but don't push the speed. Too much speed work will not allow muscles to repair themselves.

I could get out every day walking but I enjoy my bicycling MUCH MORE. Been gone from home for 2+ months to watch 2 DGSs and I already have a 100 mile ride set with my best friend for this Saturday after getting home on Thursday. I find that long distance bicycling provides the hours of constant exercise time that is required for us walkers since we spend so much more time pavement pounding.

I am walking in Asics Gel Nimbus 12 shoes and will be ordering a pair of 13's when I get home. You have to walk in the shoes that feel good for your style and as you increase speed and distance a change might be necessary because your stride could change along with the impact zone. When I first started walking I was a heel striker and now I am more mid-sole so I like the padding these shoes provide. I would love to rollerblade but I prefer to stay vertical.

You are doing fine but just keep it fun. Once the enjoyment leaves it then becomes work. Most people don't like work and that's when injuries happen. I can't fathom thinking "I don't want to get out because....." as many runners seem to express in posts.

Hope this helps.

ChimneysweepGeorge · 10-10-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamer2012

I am the type of person who is all or nothing - meaning in order to keep myself going I need to be regimented in doing it everyday...that being said I have read several places that when you are running you need a day inbetween to "rest" - does that hold true for walking as well? I am actually enjoying doing my 30 min. walks each morning and longer walks on the weekends. I do not want to over do - or jeopardize my training in any way so I just need to be sure that this is ok. Nothing hurts and I feel great knowing I have done something good for myself everyday. I also figure the extra calories burned sure can't hurt as I could loose approx 20lbs or so..... Thanks for your help!

This is one of the great things about walking...unless you are keeping John's speed, you should be fine unless you start getting pain. As a rule though, yes, runners shouldn't have two consecutive days with any kind of effort and no more than one hard (distance OR speed) run per week until you have a serious base built: In other words, nothing to worry about for a while as long as you keep it comfortable.

As for the shoes, John hit it there too. It's more about your stride and how your feet hit the road than the actual activity. If something feels wrong, it likely is, your feet (and to a lesser extent knees and hips) will tell you here.

ChimneysweepGeorge · 10-10-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John VN

I'll give you my feelings related here but some or many might not agree.

I'm starting to get the feeling that despite our initial disagreement on stretching, you and I are largely on the same page.

John VN · 10-10-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChimneysweepGeorge

I'm starting to get the feeling that despite our initial disagreement on stretching, you and I are largely on the same page.

I

to your expertise and know we have a common link regarding health and fitness. Hope to meet you some day.

ChimneysweepGeorge · 10-10-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John VN

I

to your expertise and know we have a common link regarding health and fitness. Hope to meet you some day.

With that common interest and that of The Mouse...it could well happen at some point!

AlohaPolynesian · 10-12-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gules

I'm totally new too. Until now my idea of exercising has been going to the grocery store.

I hope we can cross the finish line together!

I do have a question for the "vets" though. Right now I am jog/walking 1 min / 2 mins for 20 mins total, but even that I can't complete. When I finish I get lightheaded, migraines, my head feels like it's full of pressure (my ears even pop!). I also shake for several hours. Today I started crying for no real reason. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? I am healthy, just not fit, and I'm young, so I didn't think I needed medical clearance?

I'm still determined to do this somehow, but I want to make sure I don't do it "wrong" and hurt myself, and I get discouraged easily when it comes to physical activities (lots of being yelled at in gym).

I am sure you figured out the answer to this by now, but for me I feel lightheaded and get a headache when I don't get enough iron before exercise. Try taking a supplement if you haven't found something else that works

Dreamer2012 · 10-18-2011, 12:26 PM

I know it probably wont seem like it to some of you veterans but we just did outm 6.5 mile walk last weekend and I felt like I could have kept going! My right knee was "tired" but not hurting....when I checked my phone (I was using the runkeeper gps guided app) it said we averaged 17 min per mile. I wa a bit dissapointed that we were a full min off pace, but I tried to concentrate that we actually did 6.5 miles!! That in itself was an accomplishment for two women who until last month would NEVER have even dreamt w could do this! We have 131 more days to train - hopefully we will be able to pick up the pace when we do the 3 miles this weekend...any advice out there? Hey John - think we are too far behind the pace to actually finish the race and not be swept up?

10-04-2011, 02:38 PM	#16
loislane DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 501	I'm still a relative newbie to running, but I agree with everything that the seasoned runners and walkers have shared because I've seen a lot of it work for me. I started in March with the Couch to 5K program, which I think is a great program but you should probably have a certain level of fitness before attempting it. I had been working out at least 3 times a week since January - but even then, I was not prepared for how much jogging for 60 seconds would kick my fanny! It was humbling to say the least. And I'll be honest, I never made it to week 9 of the program - but I've run in three 5K races since June - able to jog the entire race and have improved my time in each outing to my most recent of 31:16. But every training session is still a mix of jogging and walking - so I guess that means improving your speed isn't about running as hard and as fast as you can for as long as you can. The other advice I want to add is get fitted for running shoes at a good running store (i.e. not Dick's Sporting Goods) where they will study your feet and your stride and find the right shoes for you. It's so important, right from day one, to have the right shoes. __________________ Traci (41), DH Mark (42), DS (16), DD (13), DS (8) 8/21/11-8/27/11 Pop Century 9/12/09-9/19/09 Pop Century

10-04-2011, 03:10 PM	#17
Dreamer2012 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 300	decided to just walk! Hopefully quickly!! Hey John VN Thanks for letting me know its not only ok but good to just learn to walk at a faster pace. Now that I have made that resolve - I started today - I walked @ 4.0 then on every 4th minute I upped the speed to 4.5. I felt good - could carry a conversation the entire time - but worked up quite a sweat! I assume that is what it should be like? My legs (actually back of my thighs...)are sore - but not painful. My knees do not hurt anymore either!! I think this may be the right thing for me. I can only aspire to your level!! What can you tell a newbie?

10-04-2011, 10:01 PM	#19
megny Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 114	Hey Dreamer, I am a walker-only and just finished the W&D Half this weekend and did not get swept! If you are comfortable already walking at a 4.0mph pace, then you are golden... I'd bet you could get your pace down even further over the next few months, but even if not, it would be a great pace for the race. My training was less than ideal for this race because I suffered some issues with my heel and had to take several weeks off. My long training walks were at about a 16:20 pace... for the race, I officially kept a 16:12 pace for a finish time of 3:32... but that included 5 minutes worth of bathroom breaks. One thing that almost caught me was the fact that you will likely cover a bit more than 13.1 miles unless you are walking the exact shortest distance on the course... so my Garmin registered the race as 13.4 miles and was showing about a 15:30 pace most times. We never got passed by the sweepers, but we were far enough back that we passed the 'pace monitors' (for no better word) several times... but they always were saying "You're X minutes above the pace"... so we knew we were good as long as we kept our pace. It was also how we knew how we had a few spare minutes to run into the restroom. I think you are going to be completely fine... no need to worry! I'll see you at the Princess!!! __________________ Megan Officially addicted to racing Disney... Donald Half 2006, W&D Half 2011, Chip&Dale Relay 2012, Princess Half 2012, ToT 10 Miler 2012, Donald Half 2013, now onto be a again

10-10-2011, 08:41 AM	#23
Dreamer2012 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 300	Alright to walk/train everyday? I am the type of person who is all or nothing - meaning in order to keep myself going I need to be regimented in doing it everyday...that being said I have read several places that when you are running you need a day inbetween to "rest" - does that hold true for walking as well? I am actually enjoying doing my 30 min. walks each morning and longer walks on the weekends. I do not want to over do - or jeopardize my training in any way so I just need to be sure that this is ok. Nothing hurts and I feel great knowing I have done something good for myself everyday. I also figure the extra calories burned sure can't hurt as I could loose approx 20lbs or so..... Thanks for your help! Hey John VN - a 9:19 mile - WALKING? VERY IMPRESSIVE!! I'm not sure I will ever be able to do that! I will be happy to just keep the 16mpm pace and not be "swept"! Interesting that you also bike - I just started rollerbladeing since it is an activity my dd13 enjoys doing with me - we did 6 miles on Sunday! Not too bad for newbies.... does that kind of "cross training" help the walking? Also a "general" question - I just bought expensive Saucony "running" sneakers - but since I have now decided to do the 1/2 marathon as a walker do I need to replace them with a "walking" shoe? Is there really a big difference? What would you do?

10-18-2011, 12:26 PM	#30
Dreamer2012 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 300	First LOONNGG walk! I know it probably wont seem like it to some of you veterans but we just did outm 6.5 mile walk last weekend and I felt like I could have kept going! My right knee was "tired" but not hurting....when I checked my phone (I was using the runkeeper gps guided app) it said we averaged 17 min per mile. I wa a bit dissapointed that we were a full min off pace, but I tried to concentrate that we actually did 6.5 miles!! That in itself was an accomplishment for two women who until last month would NEVER have even dreamt w could do this! We have 131 more days to train - hopefully we will be able to pick up the pace when we do the 3 miles this weekend...any advice out there? Hey John - think we are too far behind the pace to actually finish the race and not be swept up?

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10-06-2011, 05:26 PM	#20
buckeyecinderella Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 275	I echo so much of what has been said here. I still consider myself a new runner. I've been running 2 years as of this coming January. From personal experience, I cannot stress enough the importance of taking things slowly, giving yourself plenty of rest days, and take care of yourself in general. I've seen so many runners, different ages, shapes, sizes, experience levels, etc...everyone improves at their own pace, it is very personal. So try to just focus on yourself. Just keep with it, you will improve.

10-08-2011, 06:06 PM	#21
carps09 Norway's spirit always has been, and always will be, adventure Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 649	I just registered for the Princess Half and it will be my first one! I'm training with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. It is comforting to know I won't be the only walker in the bunch!

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