Official WDW Marathon Weekend 2013 Thread-Part 2

[kaf7878]

Just curious, what/who are "the Balloon Ladies"? I have see that mention several times but never thought to ask?

I think they are talking about the Cliff Race Pacers. I know I was trying to keep up with them when I did the marathon a bunch of years back. The problem for me was that they start in a specific corral and my corral was further back (meaning I would have to make up time to get to them). We saw them in our sights a few times but never quite made it to the group. I believe they are paced every 15 or 30 minutes and if you keep up with the pacer, you will make your race time goal (i.e. if you want to finish the half in 2:30 you follow that balloon throughout the race).

 

[FFigawi]

Just curious, what/who are "the Balloon Ladies"? I have see that mention several times but never thought to ask?

They're the women (usually women but not always) who start the race when the very last person crosses the start line. They go at exactly a 16 min/mile pace, and if you're behind them during the race, you're in danger of being swept out of the race.

 

[lerxst]

They're the women (usually women but not always) who start the race when the very last person crosses the start line. They go at exactly a 16 min/mile pace, and if you're behind them during the race, you're in danger of being swept out of the race.

That is what I imagined.

They should now replace the Balloon Ladies with Star Wars stormtroopers. Have them marching in a line like riot police. I guess that would be too intimidating and very un-Disney like.

 

[cewait]

Both are correct, but the lady's JohnVN is speaking of are the sweeper ladies. The pacers also have balloons but also have a finish time they are trying to hit. Note that with Disney's wave starts, do not think that if you are finishing with the 4:30 pacer group that you will have finished the marathon in 4:30. If you caught them and they started in a corral ahead of you, you will be at least 7 minutes under their time... likewise, if they caught you but started in a corral behind you, you are at least 7 minutes longer than the 4:30 time.

 

[cewait]

Bailed on my run a few moments ago. I am not sure exactly what happened but the lights started to go out. I slowed up and recovered but once back on pace the light headed feeling returned. I call the 5 mile run good and may retry tomorrow after watching today's diet and hydration a lot better.

 

[lerxst]

Checked in this morning via early check in. Do not really believe that this helps all that much on villa assignments, but it makes me feel better about the chances of getting special requests. If I ask for what I do not want, I usually get what I want. Anyway, that is the strategy.

Just tried early checkin, web site says "early check in unavailable". But, looks like a temporary site issue.

 

[lerxst]

For those that need added (or renewed) motivation, he is the link to the revel of the full medal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I6Sr4TPoKo

Just watched it again for the first time in several months...now, I want to go put on my shoes and run out the door.

 

[cewait]

Just tried early checkin, web site says "early check in unavailable". But, looks like a temporary site issue.

I think it is a wonky site since the last round of revisions. If using I.E. you may want to try Chrome or Safari. Also, I paid my annual dues this AM, maybe that helped

 

[cewait]

For those that need added (or renewed) motivation, he is the link to the revel of the full medal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I6Sr4TPoKo

Just watched it again for the first time in several months...now, I want to go put on my shoes and run out the door.

THanks. I just sent to my brother who is feeling down. His longest run was Dec 9 . He has a monster case of PF and will not go to the doc for help. I know he can finish the full with the training under his belt, but it will be a very long day.

 

[lerxst]

THanks. I just sent to my brother who is feeling down. His longest run was Dec 9 . He has a monster case of PF and will not go to the doc for help. I know he can finish the full with the training under his belt, but it will be a very long day.

Fighting PF as well. Mild here, but the last month as really punished. Should be fine on race day.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

That is what I imagined.

They should now replace the Balloon Ladies with Star Wars stormtroopers. Have them marching in a line like riot police. I guess that would be too intimidating and very un-Disney like.

That would be so Friggin Cool!!!!!

 

[Goofierunner]

I've been using my old iPod on my longer runs lately and some of the songs I haven't heard in a good long while. This was one of them. I starting imagining what it's going to be like hitting the finish line of the full and I may or may not have gotten teary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pCv7k_Hzvg

 

[rocio]

In 2 weeks, +/- 10 minutes, it will be McFlurry time, and remember, no airplane flying leaving the Castle, wait until the race track banking!

Have fun everybody, I am planning on it. Decided to start in front of the Balloon Ladies again.

You're crazy

That is what I imagined.

They should now replace the Balloon Ladies with Star Wars stormtroopers. Have them marching in a line like riot police. I guess that would be too intimidating and very un-Disney like.

That would be so funny!

THanks. I just sent to my brother who is feeling down. His longest run was Dec 9 . He has a monster case of PF and will not go to the doc for help. I know he can finish the full with the training under his belt, but it will be a very long day.

Good luck to your brother. One of my training partners has a hip injury and is worried too about finishing. She got two 20 milers done though so I think she'll be okay as long as she can continue to improve on her injury. *fingers crossed*

 

[rocio]

I see accuweather finally got rid of the rain for marathon Sunday, but now the high is predicted to be 77.

 

[es45]

Bib3 46468. Bummed that I'm not in C again this year. Wonder what the cut off is to move up?

 

[disney_runner]

I see accuweather finally got rid of the rain for marathon Sunday, but now the high is predicted to be 77.

I saw this too and I'm thrilled. Not holding my breath though as I'm sure it'll change 9 more times.

 

[NitroStitch]

I finally managed to wipe out on my 7 mile run today. Until then, I was enjoying the COLD wind chill (near freezing when I started - cold for Florida) and the quite chilly temperatures. At least I was wearing a long-sleeved tech shirt from the Spacecoast Marathon, so my shoulder is only bruised but not really torn up.

The worst damage was to the face of my Garmin. Anybody know anything about repairing a cracked Garmin Forerunner 610 face? It's got a triangle shaped piece out of the top of the face now, but the functions still work. I'm wondering how vulnerable the face will be to further cracking, even if I don't fall again.

Hard to believe that 2 weeks from now, We'll be done running 26.2 miles at Disney! (Or whatever distance everyone is doing.)

 

[John VN]

That is what I imagined.

They should now replace the Balloon Ladies with Star Wars stormtroopers. Have them marching in a line like riot police. I guess that would be too intimidating and very un-Disney like.

Stormtroopers sounds cool.

 

[chris84bond]

I finally managed to wipe out on my 7 mile run today. Until then, I was enjoying the COLD wind chill (near freezing when I started - cold for Florida) and the quite chilly temperatures. At least I was wearing a long-sleeved tech shirt from the Spacecoast Marathon, so my shoulder is only bruised but not really torn up.

The worst damage was to the face of my Garmin. Anybody know anything about repairing a cracked Garmin Forerunner 610 face? It's got a triangle shaped piece out of the top of the face now, but the functions still work. I'm wondering how vulnerable the face will be to further cracking, even if I don't fall again.

Hard to believe that 2 weeks from now, We'll be done running 26.2 miles at Disney! (Or whatever distance everyone is doing.)

Ouch! Glad to hear you're okay, but I would be mad if my Garmin was screwed up(610 as well). Have you checked with their support? They do carry a 1 year warranty, and while initial thoughts are that it might not be covered, one of my friends has only great things to say about them. As far as fixing yourself, it's a fairly sealed unit so I haven't torn one apart yet. Searched on the do it yourself repair sites and nothing turned up either.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

DH bought me the white Nike + GPS watch for Christmas and I feel bad, but I hate it. I gave it a chance but have bony wrists so it fits awkwardly and annoys the hell out of me. To make things worse, he bought it on eBay so I can't return it. I wore it once and it works fine, but like I said, I have small, bony wrists so it just fits weird on me. Anyone interested in buying it? Comes with a shoe sensor. I'll even trade for a new(ish) Nike Fuelband.