Indy 500 Festival Mini Marathon...who walked it?

Ok, so I'm still pre-surgery...but my mom has walked this before and wanted me to do it with her last year, and being an adventurous person, I said yes, so I had been signed up for it since last June. Well we went, we walked...and I didn't finish...but I'm still proud of my accomplishments! I made it 6 miles...and considering I weigh 300# I think that's pretty good...my mom finished averaging 16 minute miles (GO MOM!) my 16 yr old son walked it too, but he stayed with me, and even though he could have EASILY finished by running it, he was a sweet angel that didn't leave me when I was slowing him WAYYYY DOWN! I just wondered how many of you (if any) were there...it was quite the experience! I have blisters on my feet, but it was worth it...I feel very accomplished, and I'm signing up for next year and I'm going to fini**** and beat my mother next year! :D hugs! Jen

Way to go Jen! With spirit and ambition like that you won't be walking it next year you'll be running it. My DH used to run and the mini was one of his training races for his marathons. (he did Chicago 1 time and Marine Corp in DC twice) I can't run, I've tried. I know I couldn't have walked 6 miles pre-op.

Way to go, Jen! I have never tried anything like that. You should be proud of yourself. Six miles is a long way! Linda Vicory

Great job, Jen!!! Regina

Jen, WAY TO GO!!! I think it's fantastic that you tried it!! And 6 miles being PRE-OP???? Woo-Hoo! Before I had my bunion surgeries, I was WALKING about 15 miles a day. I do good to get to 4-5 miles a day now. I have a co-worker (non-bariatric) that ran it in 2 hr 4 min. 9.5 minute miles...wow, cannot imagine. I do good to do a 18 minute mile here at work walking in the halls at lunch. Of course, I have to slow down for people in front of me alot of the time At home, in the neighborhood, is where I use to get in alot of my distance but it must have something to do with the road/sidewalks not being level because I do good to get through 1 cycle (2.5 miles) whereas before, I'd do 3 in the same amount of time. Maybe a group of us should sign up for next years? Or we could have 2 groups...1 for pre-ops and 1 for post-ops. Then we would have we other to cheer us on...and our compassionate relatives would know we're in good hands so they can go ahead and sprint to the finish line if they wanted to. What all is involved in signing up? Any $? If you could share the info with us, we'd all appreciate it bunches! Congrats again on participating. It's not always the finish line that is important...it's the journey. Sherri

There is money involved...I think it's kinda pricey compared to others...I wanna say $50 each...but not sure...my mom signed me up and paid the fee last summer...I can find out though and will post about it here! I think it'd be wonderful to have a pre-op and post-op walking team...I know I sure could have used the encouragement of others going through it "with me"...I think I had to be close to the heaviest person walking it...people just kept passing me and I just kept walking...I only quit when I got to the track because my pace had slowed so much that the sweepers were behind me ...I had the choice to skip the track part of it and get back in with the 'crowd' or get on the bus, and my feet were pretty much destroyed at that point (no doubt from carrying my 300# frame) so I opted for the bus...but I agree...sometimes it's the journey...and it was the journey on Saturday Sooooo did NO ONE from this message board walk in it? I was sure at least a few did...there were something like 56,000 people who participated!

https://www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=H32VGK7 above is the website for registration for next year...it's open now...$50 each...and it says it closes registration when 35,000 people have registered...although I know when I was getting my packgae of info at sign up this year the numbers went to 56,000 so not sure how that all works...my mother signed us up in early june last year and my number was 5,889 so that gives you an idea of how quick the spots go...my mom told me that registration nearly always closes well before the Jan. cut off date. hope this helps! Jen

Jen that's FANTASTIC!!! I know I couldn't walk 6 miles and I'm post op... so here's to ya girl!! I think it would be fantastic idea to get some people together and do it next year. But I want to run it... Just to say I did it... I've never been a runner a walker or anything athletic so just to say to someone I DID IT!!! I believe you get a discount on the rate if you get a group to do it!! EEK!!! LET"S DO IT GUYS/GALS!! It will give us a goal and people to train with.. sounds like an EXCELLENT idea to me!!! Jessyca