Well there are many things in my life that I particularly do not like to do. We all have those lists right? Like laundry, cleaning out the gutter on the roof, changing a dirty diaper and one that has always been on my list, running. I love sports and have played sports my entire life so throw a ball out on the field and I will run after it for hours. I have however grown in my dislike of just running for running sake. I have however committed myself this January to run in the Walt Disney Half Marathon. I have to admit the lure of running in Walt Disney World is the draw and the primary reason why I will be training these next few weeks. So let’s look at what you have to do to make this at least possible.
Walt Disney World’s Marathon Weekend is January 7th and 8th, 2012 with 5K races (3.2 miles), Kid’s fun run (1 mile), half marathon (13.1 miles) and the full marathon (26.2 miles). Last year the races drew about 54,000 participants from all across the United States and the world, and makes the Disney Marathon Weekend one of the largest events in the country. The half marathon takes you through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot and the Marathon allows you to run through all four of the theme parks. This is a huge perk to the runners and allows sights and views of the parks at a time of day not possible at almost any other time of the year. The races do start early in the morning (5:30 AM in most cases) but that allows Disney to let you run through the parks while not interrupting the daily operation of the parks. The entrance fees for the race vary by when you register but it starts around $140 per person for the longer races and $25 for the kids events, but that includes your race shirt and goody gift bags as well. One thing you have to consider is that most of the participants are running for the experience and location of the race so casual as well as serious runners can both participate in these races.
I have personally chose to run this race to finish. Now that sounds obvious but you have to average a 16 minute mile or you might be removed by the course staff. I have set a goal of a 12 minute mile average and with the goal of being able to physically move after the race. I am also using this race to push me to do something that I never thought I would ever want to do physically and to push my mental endurance as well. I have already begun the process of training and as I push out for my run I keep in fore front of my mind why I am doing this and where I will be doing this at. RunDisney has also been setup for events such as this and have employed Jeff Galloway, an Olympic Champion, to provide training programs online that you can use to help you train for your goals. I have no excuses at this point and besides that fact that I have already paid for my spot and have begun the process of reserving my room and flight. I hope that maybe I can encourage someone else who like me was kind of sitting on the sidelines. If anyone else is planning on being there for this race let me know and we will hook up and swap war stories or share a drink when it is all said and done. I will check in time to time to let you know how I am doing and of course report when all is said and done. So I guess I better get out and go for a run, talk to you later.
Break a leg! One day, I’ll be going and doing the half-marathon too and can’t wait to have my own Disney bling just to prove I can do it