OFFICIAL 2014 WDW Marathon Countdown: WE DID IT! Congrats everyone!

[Schmoopsie Poo!]

Hi everyone!!

I'm a high school student (not much of a runner, but enjoying it more all the time!) soon to be a college freshman! My best friend and I are *considering* registering for the full next year to cross it off of our bucket list (you only live once, right?? ) but the biggest barrier for us poor, broke students is price tag!! I just wanted to confirm that the rates for the value resorts are not out yet, ask when they are supposed to be released, and ask if anyone who has done WDW Marathon before can give me a ballpark estimate of what the race discount ends up looking like at the resorts?

Thanks! We hope to join all of you in January!!

 

[camandjacksmom]

Hi everyone!!

I'm a high school student (not much of a runner, but enjoying it more all the time!) soon to be a college freshman! My best friend and I are *considering* registering for the full next year to cross it off of our bucket list (you only live once, right?? ) but the biggest barrier for us poor, broke students is price tag!! I just wanted to confirm that the rates for the value resorts are not out yet, ask when they are supposed to be released, and ask if anyone who has done WDW Marathon before can give me a ballpark estimate of what the race discount ends up looking like at the resorts?

Thanks! We hope to join all of you in January!!

Last year there was no race discount on rooms or tickets Here's hoping they add them for 2014!

 

[cewait]

Sorry that OKW is out! What do you mean the weather will be temperate? For January 2014? What forecast are you looking at that is predicting 2014? I'm interested in looking at that because I plan on several races also!!

It's very scientific

The three hottest marathon weekends since 1999 have coincided with me staying at OKW (2005, 2007 and 2013). As a test to the theorem, I have only stayed at OKW during these three races. Conversely, the 2010 Disney on Ice weekend ( the coldest weekend since 1999) was the only time I stayed at a monorail resort. You are safe here, also. I simply do not have the points to stay at BLT this marathon.

I have stayed at the Epcot resorts, AKL and CBR for the more temperate or seasonal marathon weekends.

 

[cewait]

Hi everyone!!

I'm a high school student (not much of a runner, but enjoying it more all the time!) soon to be a college freshman! My best friend and I are *considering* registering for the full next year to cross it off of our bucket list (you only live once, right?? ) but the biggest barrier for us poor, broke students is price tag!! I just wanted to confirm that the rates for the value resorts are not out yet, ask when they are supposed to be released, and ask if anyone who has done WDW Marathon before can give me a ballpark estimate of what the race discount ends up looking like at the resorts?

Thanks! We hope to join all of you in January!!

Look for the discounts for January 2014 to come out in the August to October timeframe. Bookmark sites like Mouse Savers to get regular updates.

 

[camandjacksmom]

It's very scientific

The three hottest marathon weekends since 1999 have coincided with me staying at OKW (2005, 2007 and 2013). As a test to the theorem, I have only stayed at OKW during these three races. Conversely, the 2010 Disney on Ice weekend ( the coldest weekend since 1999) was the only time I stayed at a monorail resort. You are safe here, also. I simply do not have the points to stay at BLT this marathon.

I have stayed at the Epcot resorts, AKL and CBR for the more temperate or seasonal marathon weekends.

Lol!! That sounds super scientific and I am hoping your theory holds true for 2014!!

 

[Schmoopsie Poo!]

Look for the discounts for January 2014 to come out in the August to October timeframe. Bookmark sites like Mouse Savers to get regular updates.

Does that mean August/October is when you can actually make reservations or that is when discounts come out? That seems so close to the actual race to be making final plans and reservations!! Thank you!!!

 

[DEA]

I have stayed at the Epcot resorts, AKL and CBR for the more temperate or seasonal marathon weekends.

Out of curiosity, how was AKL for Marathon Weekend? Did you use the bus transportation, and was it problematic at all?

Thanks.

 

[dburg30]

Does that mean August/October is when you can actually make reservations or that is when discounts come out? That seems so close to the actual race to be making final plans and reservations!! Thank you!!!

That will be when any discounts come out. You can make reservations now. Basically what you can get rooms for now, is what you should plan on paying, then keep and eye out for and hope for discounts. But go in fully knowing that is obviously a very busy weekend, so you may not see discounts. But if you wait too long to book you may not be able to get the less expensive rooms so you need to book then hope for discounts.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

My original costume idea may be out the window. I discovered RunningSkirts and there's one that's too cute to pass up.

 

[camandjacksmom]

My original costume idea may be out the window. I discovered RunningSkirts and there's one that's too cute to pass up.

RunningSkirts are great but I fell in love with sportskirts! The legs don't ride up and the waistband is really wide.

 

[Schmoopsie Poo!]

That will be when any discounts come out. You can make reservations now. Basically what you can get rooms for now, is what you should plan on paying, then keep and eye out for and hope for discounts. But go in fully knowing that is obviously a very busy weekend, so you may not see discounts. But if you wait too long to book you may not be able to get the less expensive rooms so you need to book then hope for discounts.

I can't book now on the resorts page (Art of Animation, Sports/Animation value, etc.)... I called 407-WDW-IRUN and was told it is too soon to book for January 2014.

 

[EMHDad]

ppl, tell me if I am an idiot or not...

Considering running my first marathon in 2014. It would only work if we combine the marathon with the family disney vacation. That would mean flying in on Saturday, running Sunday, and doing the family vacation mon-fri/sat and then go home either sat/sun.

I have run before, but my max is a 7 mile mud run/obstacle course on a mountain (so I count it more like 9-10 miles. I have hit 11 at a max in personal runs.

So, am I an idiot? FOr think I can fly down, run on Sun and still do the fam vacation? What are your thoughts?

 

[tehvalerie]

So, am I an idiot? FOr think I can fly down, run on Sun and still do the fam vacation? What are your thoughts?

This is what we did this year. It was my first marathon, we flew in Saturday morning and home Friday. It was...not fun. I was sick all week (my case of runners' stomach lasted 4 days) and could barely walk on Monday. I don't exactly regret it, but it certainly wasn't ideal and I wouldn't do it again. But my fiance also ran the marathon and his only bad day was Monday, so as they say, your mileage may vary. I guess it just depends what kind of person you are, if you can suck it up and push through without being miserable, and how hard you tend to hit the parks. We were up by 7 every day and and at the parks when they opened.

 

[steph0808]

This is what we did this year. It was my first marathon, we flew in Saturday morning and home Friday. It was...not fun. I was sick all week (my case of runners' stomach lasted 4 days) and could barely walk on Monday. I don't exactly regret it, but it certainly wasn't ideal and I wouldn't do it again. But my fiance also ran the marathon and his only bad day was Monday, so as they say, your mileage may vary. I guess it just depends what kind of person you are, if you can suck it up and push through without being miserable, and how hard you tend to hit the parks. We were up by 7 every day and and at the parks when they opened.

On the other hand, we did the same (except flew in Thursday night and then flew out the next Thursday) and I thought it worked great. Sure I was sore, but walking was fine - it was the bending to get into the rides that hurt!

It was so weird. Sunday after the marathon, only my feet hurt. Monday, it was my quads. Tuesday, it was my hamstrings. Wednesday I had no soreness at all.

 

[dismagiclover]

ppl, tell me if I am an idiot or not...

Considering running my first marathon in 2014. It would only work if we combine the marathon with the family disney vacation. That would mean flying in on Saturday, running Sunday, and doing the family vacation mon-fri/sat and then go home either sat/sun.

I have run before, but my max is a 7 mile mud run/obstacle course on a mountain (so I count it more like 9-10 miles. I have hit 11 at a max in personal runs.

So, am I an idiot? FOr think I can fly down, run on Sun and still do the fam vacation? What are your thoughts?

We did this for my first marathon in 2011. We actually flew down Thurs evening, my kids ran the Mickey Mile on Friday, my DH did the half on Saturday and I ran the full on Sunday. Then we toured the park and headed home on Thursday. I was sore for a couple of days, but we had a great time. By Wednesday and Thursday the crowds were all gone which made for a great trip. I think you can definitely do it. Just get your training in. That makes race day and recovery so much easier.

 

[EMHDad]

We did this for my first marathon in 2011. We actually flew down Thurs evening, my kids ran the Mickey Mile on Friday, my DH did the half on Saturday and I ran the full on Sunday. Then we toured the park and headed home on Thursday. I was sore for a couple of days, but we had a great time. By Wednesday and Thursday the crowds were all gone which made for a great trip. I think you can definitely do it. Just get your training in. That makes race day and recovery so much easier.

Its funny that you commented, but it was just yesterday (my birthday actually and my family got me running supplies as my presents, including a rundisney shirt. Anyway, we start talking seriously about moving our trip up from Feb to Jan to work the marathon in. (It is a lifelong dream of mine)

Anyway, to make a short story long, we looked at your Marathon trip report from 2011. (You really created a full marathon picture in it). Had a lot of fun. I am glad it worked for you. I hope it can for us, i think it can.

 

[dragitoff]

When does registration open up? I had originally said I wouldn't do the WDW Full again since it's so close to our busy time of year and I have to do the bulk of my training during that time, but DW, who swore she would never run more than 4 miles is now training for the half. I'm a youth pastor and 4 or my students are also training for the half now. As motivation for them, I've told them if they do the half, I'll go Goofy in 2014! I figured I'd do the half at full speed Saturday and then run what I can Sunday and walk the rest out. I want to keep DW and my kids at church motivated.

The sooner I register both DW and I, the more likely we'll both stay committed to the proper training and preparation. I also want to keep my mileage up where it's not so difficult to transition to marathon training during my peak time for work (October-December).

 

[LSUfan4444]

ppl, tell me if I am an idiot or not...

Considering running my first marathon in 2014. It would only work if we combine the marathon with the family disney vacation. That would mean flying in on Saturday, running Sunday, and doing the family vacation mon-fri/sat and then go home either sat/sun.

I have run before, but my max is a 7 mile mud run/obstacle course on a mountain (so I count it more like 9-10 miles. I have hit 11 at a max in personal runs.

So, am I an idiot? FOr think I can fly down, run on Sun and still do the fam vacation? What are your thoughts?

Thats what I did for my first. The only difference is now we fly in on Friday and I race the marathon on Sunday.

Yes, you will be sore. Yes, getting on and off the busses are probably the worst part. Yes, getting in and out of Rock N Roller Coaster is a challenge, BUT you will be surprised how much that active recovery helps your legs by weeks end.

If the weather allows, hit the pools in the morning at 7 am before you leave for the parks and just swim...eitther laps or just play in the water. The non impact movement will also aid in recovery.

The downside of this strategy is, you need to keep Saturday and most of Sunday free for rest. So, let your family know you will be skipping the park commitments on those days. if you have the tickets and feel up to it, make a decision on Sunday once you have made it back to the room, cleaned up, ate and started to recover. Certainly do not plan alot of walking on Saturday (you'll do enough of that at the expo) or any MUST DO park moments for SUnday afternoon. We traditionally do Hoop Dee Do on Sunday night and by that time, we're all good to go.

 

[LSUfan4444]

On the other hand, we did the same (except flew in Thursday night and then flew out the next Thursday) and I thought it worked great. Sure I was sore, but walking was fine - it was the bending to get into the rides that hurt!

It was so weird. Sunday after the marathon, only my feet hurt. Monday, it was my quads. Tuesday, it was my hamstrings. Wednesday I had no soreness at all.

I think it largely depends on how trained you are for your respective race and how you race in relation to your training.

What I mean is, if I person A runs 25-35 mi through his training and his history has shown the ability to run a 4:30 - 5 hour marathon and he runs a 4:45, he probably won't be that sore.

Now, person B runs 15-20 mi a week and his training he has shown the potential (not necessarily in a large sample though) to run 4:45 - 5:15, BUT he runs a 4:50.

Person B is going to be ALOT more sore than person A. ALOT of things go into how you react to your race.

Most importantly, stay in tuned with your training and understand better training doesn't laways have to mean faster races, but also means better recovery. Pay attention to how much hydration you need. What to eat before, during and after. Do you usually need a nap after your 20 mile runs? When you feel good after a 20 mi run, how soon after did you eat and what did you eat? Etc.

 

[cewait]

I can't book now on the resorts page (Art of Animation, Sports/Animation value, etc.)... I called 407-WDW-IRUN and was told it is too soon to book for January 2014.

call 407 WDW Disney..... I would not book through the Sports folks (iRUN) as they cannot offer much in the way of discounts should they happen in January. The Sports folks will offer a slightly lower than rack rate which sounds great in the early summer. In most years, they cannot meet the discounted rates once they are announced in the August/October timeframe.