Am I Too Old for runDisney? What I Wish I Knew Before My First Race -

I’ll be honest.

Before my very first runDisney race, I was convinced I had made a terrible mistake.

I had signed up during registration day adrenaline. My heart was racing, the virtual queue was moving, and when I finally got in, I clicked whatever I could get.

I didn’t get the challenge.

I managed to grab two individual races instead.

Then the confirmation email arrived.

And reality hit.

What did I just do?

Who did I think I was?

I was pushing 60—not 25.

Could I really do this?

If you’ve asked yourself those same questions, I want you to know something.

You’re not the only one.

Is 50 Too Old for runDisney?

Not even close.

One of the biggest surprises during my first race weekend was realizing how many runners looked just like me.

Yes, there are plenty of twenty-somethings flying past.

But there are also thousands of runners in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and even 80s.

I’ve watched people much older than me cross that finish line.

Now that’s my goal.

With more than 20,000 runners at many runDisney events, you won’t be the only beginner—or the only woman wondering if she belongs.

You absolutely do.

The Fears Almost Every First-Time Runner Has

I wasn’t worried about Disney.

I was worried about me.

What if I’m too slow?

What if I can’t finish?

What if everyone passes me?

What if I’m the oldest person there?

Here’s what I learned.

Some people will pass you.

You’ll pass other people.

Nobody cares nearly as much about your pace as you think they do.

Everyone is fighting their own race.

The only pace that really matters is staying ahead of the balloon ladies and maintaining the required 16-minute-mile pace.

And if race day doesn’t go exactly as planned?

You still did something most people only dream about doing.

What Makes runDisney Different

I’ve run other races.

They’re fun.

But runDisney is something completely different.

You’re not just running.

You’re experiencing Disney in a way almost nobody else ever will.

You’ll…

Run through the parks before they open.
Stop for character photos.
Hear DJs and marching bands cheering you on.
High-five cast members.
Watch complete strangers celebrate your success.

And yes…

Running through Cinderella Castle really is every bit as magical as people say.

I still get emotional thinking about it.

Walking Isn’t Cheating

This might be the biggest misconception I had.

I thought everyone ran the entire race.

They don’t.

The Jeff Galloway run/walk method is used by thousands of runDisney runners—including experienced marathoners.

Walking is part of the strategy.

Not a sign of failure.

If maintaining a 16-minute-mile pace means incorporating walk breaks, then that’s exactly what you should do.

My Favorite Parts of Every Race

Every race has moments I’ll never forget.

Running down Main Street, U.S.A.

Watching the sun come up over EPCOT.

Finally seeing Cinderella Castle.

Crossing that finish line with a medal around my neck.

Those moments make every early alarm, every training run, and every mile worth it.

If You’re Thinking About Signing Up…

Don’t wait until you “feel like a runner.”

None of us do.

Start where you are.

Train consistently.

Trust the process.

If you’re brand new, my Beginner 5K Training Plan for Women Over 50 is a great place to start. It was designed for women exactly like us.

And don’t forget to check out the official runDisney training plans, especially if you’d like to learn more about the run/walk method.

Tips for Your First runDisney Weekend

A few things I wish someone had told me:

Arrive early for the expo.
Bring your bib pass and photo ID.
Try on your race shirt before leaving.
Buy official merchandise early if there’s something you really want.
Drink more water than you think you need.

On race morning…

Arrive early.

Take photos.

Look around.

Soak it all in.

You’ve worked hard to get there.

Enjoy every minute.

No, You Are Not Too Old for runDisney

If you’re over 50 and wondering whether you belong at a runDisney race…

You do.

You don’t have to be fast.

You don’t have to look like a runner.

You don’t even have to run every step.

You just have to believe you’re worth the starting line.

Because once you cross that finish line…

You’ll never look at yourself the same way again.