A year ago I would have laughted at anyone who would have told me I could do a Half Marathon. Well I did it! At first I signed up for the Tink thinking I'd walk it. They said you should train at 15 min/ mile pace (which is a fast walk). Then I was challenged... someone said why don't you try jogging a little bit of it. With gradual training I ended up running ~90% of it (walking inclines and water stations). Not only that i think i smiled most of it. Running through DL and DCA, characters and CM cheering us on. Floats, bands, music, and many, many people cheering us on (including MErs). It was one of my top 5 Disney experiences. Both my teen daughters ran the 5k the same weekend and now want to run longer races. I hope to inspire others to do it. Start with a 5k. It's a fun event that can motivate you to get fit. - NikkiMickey  1583.6 #48 7:24PM

Beautiful! - CollegeDisneyKnowledgeGrad  394.0 #6 11:55AM

That is so pretty! - ccmom  174.7 #29 11:55AM

Pretty. I can't run either. - 5disneylovers  341.6 #11 1:23PM

Very nice - skcanfield  352.9 #10 2:22PM

I would love love love to make this a yearly tradition for myself, but I can barely run to the mailbox. I just don't know if I will ever be able to classify myself as a runner, even with a little training. Maybe I should do something about that and just go for it! So you have to 'run' the whole thing? - mrsincredible  403.9 #5 3:37PM

It's very doable MrsIncredible. 2 years ago the weather was brutal (I don't do well in high humidity) and I walked almost the whole thing. If you are a faster walker you are golden. If you are a slow walker then I suggest trying intervals. Walk a couple minutes then run a bit them walk a bit then run a bit. When I first started I couldn't even run for a minute and had to train to get there. Disney races are like a big party so if you want it badly enough it is so worth it! - SorcererMky  154.6 #2235 3:55PM

For a first timer? probably if you've never done a half before but there are plenty of free message boards you can join and ask all the questions you like. I've certainly asked them all at one point or another. I'm happy to answer them as well if you'd like. Message boards include RunningOfTheEars.com and Disboards.com has a group called WISH. You have to register for both of them but registering is free and there are tons of people who are always happy to help. We've all been there. :) - SorcererMky  154.6 #2235 7:16PM

And yes, the 5K time limit is a suggestion. They say 16 minute miles but I've walked every single one well over the time limits and have never had a problem. Photo ops with characters take time! lol. The 5K is a great place to start if you are worried. I always say if you can handle a day at Disney you can definitely do a Disney 5K. - SorcererMky  154.6 #2235 7:19PM

It was neat to see that after the Tink a lot of MWers posted in the DL lounge that they were going to do their first ever run races at the DL 1/2, 10k and 5k in Sept. - NikkiMickey  1583.6 #48 8:47PM

Definitely agree with Nikki. My biggest mistake for my first half marathon was not getting fitted for shoes. I got blisters like I'd never seen before and seriously considered never running again. Find a local running store that will evaluate your stride and your foot fall and will give you a good idea of what would work better for you. - SorcererMky  154.6 #2235 11:14AM

Appreciate the first timer tips SO much! I have no clue what I don't know! This has helped a ton! 👊 - mrsincredible  403.9 #5 12:40PM

Sounds like fun. That would be a great way to have a MW meet up too! - luvDW  17.9 #133 1:42PM

I've done 2 princess weekends, 2 goofy weekends (no I am not Goofy, lol), and the inaugural tower of terror last year. wdw is huge and a totally different experience from DL. It was a shock to me but a very cool experience. If you're considering traveling for a Disney race I have a couple travel agents I'd be happy to recommend. They made my life much easier and you don't pay travel agents, they give you the same prices as disney (they can even do discounts). Disney pays them. When you know nothing about wdw which was me a couple years ago that's a big help. - SorcererMky  154.6 #2235 2:50AM