Been BAD, Im back....... any marathoner's hooking up?

[wiskband]

Hi all, been a while AGAIN......alhtough I havent gotten my packet yet I know this marathon is coming up soon...... just wondering what's happening? is everyone wearing a certain color? Will WISH be meeting prior to race...........
let me know, I am stressing that I will not know what to do, this is my first marathon........I just replied on another thread about stuff to bring, I have heard so may things, I am afraid I will forget them all and bring things that are useless...........


HELP!
renee

[Auntmeme]

Hi Renee,

On the marathon training thread there has been some info, nothing definite yet. Kamy was to organize a sat welcome, sun lunch or dinner but have not heard. Karen is now trying to organize something. another walker, Ashley, wanted to meet at Jellyrolls on Friday nite.

I was also feeling as if I would be walking "alone" but have been reassured by this great group of WISHERS:) Where are you staying? maybe there can be a mini-meet at each different hotel?

I'm working on a shirt logo now that everyone can transfer from their computer. There is a site to order lime green shirts great stuff to wear (?). I'm sure there will be more info to come:wave2:

[karebear1]

Renee- come and join us on the marathon training thread. It will help to establish some good friends that you will be familiar with before you go. As Maryellen said- I am in the planning stages right now with Disney for a breakfast on Saturday morning and a dessert thing on Sunday evening- probably in EPCOT. Hopefully I'll be able to post info soon on it. Dawn is making fleece scarves for anyone that wants them- for free- so we can identify each other on Sunday morning in the dark- and I was thinking about getting some glow in the dark necklaces to pass out as well for that morning. Do you remember what time you estimated you would finish the marathon in? There will be a pretty good group of us in the last corral- finishing in 3:30 (hopefully!)

We're glad you back! Keep posting!!

[wiskband]

Honestly, I have no idea how long it will take me, however, I will be able to probably meet up on saturday with anyone who is having a meet. I will be getting there friday evening, not even sure what time. I will keep an eye on that thread to see what we will all be wearing and if there will be any meets.
but, Kare, you mentioned finishing in 3:30, isnt that past the time allowed? are we allowed to do that?


let me know
thanks for info everyone
renee

[karebear1]

I think 3:30 is the maximum (official) time allowed to finish in. I may not make that time, but I can't imagine they'd pick me up if I want to continue! I checked the official stats for the half alst year and they were recording people atht had 17:18 minute miles. According to WDW- you have to do a 16 minute mile- so I think there may be some leeway- not a lot, but some.

[Tiger Lily 03]

I want to welcome you back. There is still time, so don't panic...or you'll make me panic. We have been chatting a lot on the marathon thread that is posted every week. You should find out a lot over there. Feel comfy too, I don't have anyone I am practicing with here, but everyone on the boards certainly has made up for that.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think 3:30 is the maximum (official) time allowed to finish in. I may not make that time, but I can't imagine they'd pick me up if I want to continue! I checked the official stats for the half alst year and they were recording people atht had 17:18 minute miles. According to WDW- you have to do a 16 minute mile- so I think there may be some leeway- not a lot, but some.

They don't start the sweeper clock until the last person crosses the finish line--it can take a solid 15 minutes at least for some to cross the start line--so it wouldn't be fair of course to start the clock right away. When that last person crosses, the time starts. That explains the fudge factor on some people's pacing--I think anywhere between 16 and 18--you should be good! Just make sure you do get to the front of your corral--that will be you some extra precious seconds on your pace. The 16 minute/3 hour 30 minute pace--will be what that last person has to achieve before being picked up. If anyone isn't meeting this pace at the 10K point, I believe (so half of the half)--then he/she gets picked up. Make sense? I should post this on our thread--so others can see.

And yes they do pick people up regardless if you want to finish or not. One of our team in training ladies--just missed the van--they let her pass the checkpoint (she had a prosthesis and the official was watching the clock--our coaches were running with her--they always keep track of us :)). As soon as she passed--the van pulled into the road and blocked any other runners (they weren't on her tail--so it wasn't like that ;) ). No runners were allowed past that point (or walkers!). Into the van/bus they had to go to be transported to the finish :(

[geetey]

Lisa, again you are a wealth of information! Will you be my personal trainer? :)

Thank you for the description! I was thinking I wanted to be more towards the back of the corral so I could use the full 20 minutes as my slow warm up, but I can now see the logic in wanting to be as close to the front as possible. I can use the cushion (just in case) to keep myself in front of the sweeper.

What do your trainers recommend for warming up? I typically use my first mile as a slow warmup but I don't want to be that slow! I also don't want to 'jump' out there and ruin my pace for the rest of the half. Do they recommend walking around the corral to warm up? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Lisa, again you are a wealth of information! Will you be my personal trainer? :)

Thank you for the description! I was thinking I wanted to be more towards the back of the corral so I could use the full 20 minutes as my slow warm up, but I can now see the logic in wanting to be as close to the front as possible. I can use the cushion (just in case) to keep myself in front of the sweeper.

What do your trainers recommend for warming up? I typically use my first mile as a slow warmup but I don't want to be that slow! I also don't want to 'jump' out there and ruin my pace for the rest of the half. Do they recommend walking around the corral to warm up? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Walk around the parking lot--do jumping jacks--anything really. I walked around yesterday before my half and it worked well and nice to actually start with running instead of my usual 2 to 5 minute walk. That would be good for all of you walkers to do as well--so that you can perhaps start at a faster pace than you usually do--but not as fast as your "race pace" of course. They will heard to crowd (from what I hear) to the start--while you are standing around doing nothing once you get to the start--jog in place--do arm circles--keep moving.

Hope this helps!!! I sent you a PM about the GPS.

[karebear1]

Lisa- is what you related about the sweeper from WDW marathon, or from another marathon you did? And- what time then do we have to do the 10K in?

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Lisa- is what you related about the sweeper from WDW marathon, or from another marathon you did? And- what time then do we have to do the 10K in?

Directly off of the website
http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/dwws_v0200/en_US/marathon/events/pdf/Raceday.pdf

Unable to cut and paste--but here is it all typed out
"PLEASE NOTE: All athletes entering the Marathon and Half Marathon must be able to maintain a 16 minute per mile pace throughout the race, finishing the Half Marathon in 3.5 hours or Marathon in 7 hours. Anyone not being able to maintain a 16 minute per mile pace will be picked up and transported to the finish. For example, if you do not reach the 10K mark by 1 hour, 39 minutes, you will be escorted to the finish area. Teh time it takes the last entrant to cross the start line will be added to the overall 7-hour time limit ensuring all participants a 16-minute per mile pace."

Hope this helps! But the last participant note--explains why there are some who have a full minute over on the pace.

I am unsure of how officially the sweeper works--I'd hate to think that it would be literally chasing the athletes--but there is someone who does travel the course--and he will mark a spot--if the van reaches him/her before you do--then you get picked up (that was what didn't happen with the lady with the prosthesis at Disney--she passed the guy before the van got to the checkpoint. She was so close to the end when she started having trouble with her prothesis--that they allowed her to finish. It took her about 20 or 30 minutes for that last mile or 2--avg pace per mile that is. They did allow her to finish and she was over the allowed time. So if you are at mile 12 with only a mile to go--I don't think they'd boot you from the course--but if you are say at the 10K and your already running way over on time--then they won't let you finish. This is a special Disney thing--I've had friends in other marathons--and they haven't had a pace requirement. I think Disney wants a world class event, open to pretty much anybody, but sets limits so as not to inconvenience the resort and park guests too much. The time limit ensures that by about 1-1:30pm, the parks are all clear and the roads are all clear of athletes.