Tracy’s First Marathon
Hi!
I’m Tracy, owner of MMT, and I am participating in my very first 1/2 Marathon at Disneyland! I have been training on my own for the past 8 months now (began on Jan. 3, 2011) and you can see my mileage/time progress by clicking here! At first I wanted to attend the D23 Expo at Disneyland, but then my friend Cathy asked if I wanted to run the 1/2 Marathon with her. I didn’t have to think long, I said Yes! I’ve needed an excuse to exercise more and I do enjoy walking, so I figured why not give it a try! I hear the Disney Marathons are amazing and the most magical experience ever. How could I pass that up! I registered and began joining groups to learn what training for a marathon would involve.
So my journey began!
I decided to go into Fleet Feet yesterday and get fitted for some running shoes. I’ve read that was the place to go, but just never got myself in. I was always a bit shy to check it out and then I didn’t want to get pushed into buying an expensive pair of shoes. I also wanted to make sure this was something I was committed to and that I would keep doing it. Now that my marathon is next month, I’m quite excited about it! I have 2 pairs of shoes that I’ve been using and I had noticed that walking past 6 miles gets a little painful. I’ve been told it could be the shoes! So, I decided that if I want to be the most comfortable I can be for the actual race, I want to make sure I’m using the right shoes. With a month left before the race, I went in just in time. The gal at Fleet Feet, Alicia, was awesome! I spent about an hour at the store getting measured, fitted and how I walk studied. She brought me out a few pairs of shoes to try on and I felt a difference in each one. I was also fitted for an insert since my arch is low and collapses as I walk….could be causing my sore calves. I also don’t apply pressure in the proper areas as I walk and that could be why my toes “burn” after 6 miles. I gotta be able to do 13.1 miles!!
I decided to go with the Brooks (Trance 10) brand shoe, after trying Nike and Saucony, and an insert to help my arch. They feel AWESOME!! I noticed a lift in my toes right away, so I’m not applying all the pressure there. My arch is supported and I feel like I’m walking better. The real test now is to see how they perform and how I feel after a good long walk! I will be heading out tomorrow and see how they do!!!
Wish me luck!
I did my first long walk…6.6 miles…in the new shoes. With the inserts I noticed some pain the the bottom of my upper foot, not sure what that’s about. I did a little over 5 miles with the inserts and took them out, then walked another mile or so and it felt a lot better. However, my calves do not hurt at all! First time in awhile, so something is working, just have to figure out why my foot gets sore now. I also woke up with some pain in my upper thigh, so the shoes have made an adjustment for sure. Will keep it up and see if it all gets better.
Cathy, my walking partner, is getting all her plans in order and I’m so excited to meet her and just get this race done! For those of you that have me on facebook, I will post status updates during my walk so you can “follow” me!! The race does start at 6am though.
“Keep on Walking!”
Can’t believe it’s ONE week until marathon weekend! Where did the last 8 months go!!? I’ve done a couple 7 miles walks and felt great with the 2nd one. With all the excitement, I think I’ll be able to make the 13.1 miles! I’m sure gonna try! My new shoes are feeling better…without the inserts after all. I’ve been massaging my legs with a roller and what a HUGE difference that makes, they are not nearly as sore as they had been. I plan on getting out there and doing the 1/2, then spending all afternoon soaking in the hotel pool!! I’ve changed my hotel plans to now stay at the Paradise Pier hotel for 2 nights and then the Disneyland hotel the last night…Oh yeah, Cathy ROCKS!! I’m so excited for this marathon weekend and see all the events!!