1st marathon

FLIP SIDE: Spirited Discussion

While there are multiple things that we agree on – like our love of Jeff Galloway and runDisney – there are other running topics where we at RunAllTheRaces have a difference of opinion.

The great thing is, we use it as a way to open a discussion and never let it get in the way of our friendship.

Hearing both sides of a running issue enables our readers to think about things from multiple view points and make the decisions that are right for them.

In the spirit of a good debate, RunAllTheRaces will occasionally post under the “Flip Side” banner. These posts will address a running topic that that keeps us talking and we hope it gets you talking too.

First up (and just in time for 2015 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend registration): Should a runDisney Challenge, such as the Goofy Challenge or Dopey Challenge, be your 1st Marathon?

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Kimberly, Main Street, USA 2009 WDW Marathon

Kimberly: NO

I would strongly recommend that you SHOULD NOT run a runDisney Challenge, such as the Goofy Challenge or Dopey Challenge, as your 1st Marathon.

Here’s the thing. Your body has never before covered the 26.2 distance. Just training for a single marathon takes 18 weeks of dedicated training and high levels of stress on your body. This foundation of base mile training helps your body to successfully endure the race. Adding the additional stress of multiple days of running when your body is new to this stress is just unwise and opening yourself up to risk of injury.

It is also wise to join a local marathon training group or at least download a training plan and follow it to the T for your first marathon. Marathon training consists of Base Millage, The Long Run, Speedwork and Rest & Recovery. For beginners, speedwork is not as important as building base millage and the long run. Hydration and fueling are key components and should be practiced on The Long Runs. I would also recommend adding dress rehearsal races like a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon into your training so you have the experience with race morning anxiety, running in crowds, water stations and porta potties prior to your goal race(s).

I would recommend if you ARE planning to run the Goofy or Dopey Challenges in 2015 you should plan to run a fall marathon in October or November prior to the WDW Marathon Weekend. I would never tell someone not to try a Challenge as their 1st marathon, but I would strongly recommend the runner follow the runDisney Jeff Galloway training plans designed and provided for each challenge.

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Perfect Goofy Gail during her first Walt Disney World Marathon in 2006.

Perfect Goofy Gail: YES

So, I’m VERY rarely a black and white kinda gal when it comes to running. Everyone is different and you need to figure out what works for you, but – I’m not gonna lie – running a runDisney Challenge as your first marathon is totally doable.

Why do I say this?

The Inaugural Goofy Challenge was my very first marathon (and only second half marathon).

I lived to run another day.

In fact, I’ll be back in 2015 for my 10th Goofy Challenge (and 2nd Dopey Challenge) and it was the race that got me hooked.

Now, to be fair, when I signed up for the Inaugural Goofy Challenge there was not the large social media running family there is now and I went into this somewhat blind. I only had my small running family (who started about 8 months earlier with me) and, really, what did we know?..

I will admit that NO ONE ELSE in my running family signed up for the Inaugural Goofy Challenge with me.

But I did have awesome support. My good running friend Melissa ran the half marathon with me and several other running friends ran the full marathon. As I was local to the Central Florida area at this time, I also knew a number of course volunteers at both the half and full marathon.

I also went into the challenge just wanting to finish. I had been in a bad place for a bit and getting out and running and meeting new people changed my life. Running the Inaugural Goofy Challenge was as much a mark of a change in my life as it was a “race” for me. I simply wanted to finish (regardless of the time) to prove to myself (more than anyone else) that I could.

I respected the distance, the training, and set out not to run until I passed out (but, in truth, I did almost get stuck on the toilet the day after the full marathon, as my legs had decided they no longer wanted to speak to me…).

If you approach a runDisney Challenge with the right outlook, you won’t necessary set a land speed record, but you will finish (and you just might surprise yourself and others)!

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Let us know what your thoughts are around this topic.

Here’s to a spirited discussion!

Perfect Goofy Gail and (soon to be Decidedly Dopey) Kimberly