Treadmill vs. Road - advice desperately needed

Congrats Linda on signing up for the Disney 1/2! I have to agree with what others have said, that I don't think you've lost that much endurance over your time away from training, and if you continue to increase it, I think you'll do great on race day! I was away from running for about a month and have started training for the See Jane Run 1/2 marathon here over the summer and I'm surprised how quickly I was able to bounce back to my old endurance level!

I'm right there with you about being a cold wimp. I decided to invest in some UnderArmour Cold Gear so I don't have any excuses for outdoor running in the winter. My gym luckily has an indoor track which I love- I too hate the DREADMILL, and when I trained for a tri in '09 I felt like ti didn't prepare me for outdoor conditions (joint impact, terrain, weather, etc).

Go for it and if you get swept up, so what? That just means for the next 1/2 you sign up for, you've got something to shoot for for your next race! Can't wait to hear your about experience. 

Thanks for your very encouraging message.

Not only is it frigid here, but its terribly windy. My favorite course loops around very open football/soccer fields, and there is no protection from the wind. Even if I can get my body comfortable - which requires the constant shifting, adding and removing of garments - my face feels like ice.

I'm going to go talk to the Y and ask if I can join for just a couple of months and use their track. Maybe since I'm doing this for LLS they'll be flexible with me.

I've even considered leaving for Florida in the next week and staying there til the race. Seriously. Its still an option.

I hate the treadmill and I always found it harder to run on it than to run outside. So you aren't alone.