Official 2014 Dopey Challenge Thread!

[ludari]

You can totally PR at Disney, weather depending. I have never once had my picture taken with a character during a race. That's not why I'm there.

Although I seen people do it I don't think Disney races are ideal for attempting to PR unless of course you are in the very front of corral A. IMHO Disney races are primarily for fun. I've notice too much congestion at certain spots on the course and with people stopping to take pictures it's just not ideal.

 

[IamTrike]

I'd need to go sub 4:00 to PR the marathon, which might happen.

But the half I'd have to go 1:38, which definitely ISN'T happening the day before the marathon.

I'm treating the 10K as an easy training run. I may let loose for the 5K though. But I've never had a good 5K race, so why would this be any different?

Outside of Dopey I'm striving for the ever elusive sub 1:40 half. During Dopey I'll be happy with 1:45 to 1:50. My goal this year is to run a sub 6 Goofy.

I could PR on the half (if that was all I was running), or possibly on the full (though the half the day before would make it difficult). I probably won't PR on either the 5k or the 10k - either one is possible, but my PRs on those are good enough that (1) it would take some dedicated effort to bring my times down; and (2) it would really affect the other races.

If I want to PR at any of the distances offered by runDisney, I will do it somewhere else. I can run a local 5k or 10k for a fraction of the price, on a course that I know well, and know to be fairly flat and fast. If I wanted to PR on a half or full, I would travel a bit, but again, runDisney events would not be my first choice - the curses have too many choke points, have the potential to be warmer and more humid than I like for a PR, artificially handicap me, or are in a series of races where a PR attempt on any of them impacts all the other races.

Now, if it is your first race at that distance, it's automatically a PR.

For me I like Myrtle Beach or Outer Banks as a PR half marathon course. Both are flat and there's only about 3000 runners. That's enough runners to get some energy but not enough to get caught in a bottle neck.

Although I seen people do it I don't think Disney races are ideal for attempting to PR unless of course you are in the very front of corral A. IMHO Disney races are primarily for fun. I've notice too much congestion at certain spots on the course and with people stopping to take pictures it's just not ideal.

Agreed. It will be interesting to see if the corral changes will do anything to make the course seem less crowded.

 

[FFigawi]

It will be interesting to see if the corral changes will do anything to make the course seem less crowded.

I think it will. Not that the corrals will be less crowded, but they'll be better seeded.

 

[SAHDad]

I think it will. Not that the corrals will be less crowded, but they'll be better seeded.

I think it will help a bit, but I wonder if it also means that they will move men back another corral or two for the Princess and the Tink.

 

[jeanigor]

I think it will help a bit, but I wonder if it also means that they will move men back another corral or two for the Princess and the Tink.

Or just put us into the last two corrals to further deter us from entering.

 

[RussTKD]

For me I like Myrtle Beach or Outer Banks as a PR half marathon course. Both are flat and there's only about 3000 runners. That's enough runners to get some energy but not enough to get caught in a bottle neck.

There's a half-mary in New Orleans in Fall that's tailor made for a PR if the weather cooperates. Last year there were 2500 runners, it's flat, it's fairly straight, there's ample support, and the streets are plenty wide. It's where I went sub 1:40 last year (by 7 seconds).

I don't know if I'll run it this year. The training plan I'm doing for Dopey doesn't jibe with a half the day of that race.

 

[DanK]

My wife and I are going to be running Dopey this year, and are trying to figure out what the best resorts to stay at will be. We are looking at the Deluxe level, and figure that being at the EPCOT area would be convenient to enable us to walk to and from the start areas.

Anybody have recommendations between Beach or Yacht Club Resort or Villas, and Boardwalk Inn or Villas?

Is staying in the EPCOT area actually beneficial on race days? Will we be able to walk to the start, or are we unable to get there due to the park being closed that early? Will buses run to the start if we can't walk?

Apologies if wrong thread...

Dan

 

[Sarah_Rose]

You are not able to walk to the start from the Epcot area resorts, because Epcot is not open at that time. However, you can walk through Epcot after the race (if you have a valid park ticket), which is a nice bonus because it gives you a chance to stretch out your legs, instead of sitting on a bus for 30 minutes and letting them stiffen up.

There are buses (or monorail from the monorail resorts) from every resort to the start time. I'm not sure there is any benefit to staying at any one resort or resort area - we've stayed everywhere from value to deluxe, and have had good bus service every time. I'm sure someone here will pipe in with a bad experience at one resort one time, though.

Some people also walk to the start line from Port Orleans and OKW - it involves crossing a busy road in the dark, though. I haven't personally done that, but again, I'm sure someone will pipe in with their experience.

 

[swimfly]

My wife and I are going to be running Dopey this year, and are trying to figure out what the best resorts to stay at will be. We are looking at the Deluxe level, and figure that being at the EPCOT area would be convenient to enable us to walk to and from the start areas.

Anybody have recommendations between Beach or Yacht Club Resort or Villas, and Boardwalk Inn or Villas?

Is staying in the EPCOT area actually beneficial on race days? Will we be able to walk to the start, or are we unable to get there due to the park being closed that early? Will buses run to the start if we can't walk?

Apologies if wrong thread...

Dan

I am 100% bias towards YC/BC in the Epcot resort area. You will take a bus to the start line. As PP pointed out, you can walk back through Epcot afterwards. which is nice for your legs. I also prefer the walk back b/c the buses sit and wait until full and post-race runners STINK!!! Love ya'll but you know we do. I lean towards YC/BC over BW b/c of the pools. It's a total guess whether we'll have good pool whether in January though. There aren't too many differences between YC/BC. Here's a few... YC rooms all have balconies, further from Epcot but closer to transportation, lobby is quieter, decor is darker/yacht club themed. BC not all rooms have balconies only about 50%, rooms have beachy decor, lobby is busy, close to marketplace and closer to Epcot. You will find me at Beaches & Cream following the race and then I'll immediately plop myself into a hot tub.

I'm sure someone here will pipe in with a bad experience at one resort one time, though.

Me! Me! Me! I'm not a fan of staying value before a race. The beds are just horrible and outdoor corridors are noisy. The bus lines are definitely longer than any other resort I have stayed at.

 

[DanK]

I am 100% bias towards YC/BC in the Epcot resort area. You will take a bus to the start line. As PP pointed out, you can walk back through Epcot afterwards. which is nice for your legs. I also prefer the walk back b/c the buses sit and wait until full and post-race runners STINK!!! Love ya'll but you know we do. I lean towards YC/BC over BW b/c of the pools. It's a total guess whether we'll have good pool whether in January though. There aren't too many differences between YC/BC. Here's a few... YC rooms all have balconies, further from Epcot but closer to transportation, lobby is quieter, decor is darker/yacht club themed. BC not all rooms have balconies only about 50%, rooms have beachy decor, lobby is busy, close to marketplace and closer to Epcot. You will find me at Beaches & Cream following the race and then I'll immediately plop myself into a hot tub.

Awesome, thank you for the detailed response. Just what we were looking for!

 

[goofeygirl]

My wife and I are going to be running Dopey this year, and are trying to figure out what the best resorts to stay at will be. We are looking at the Deluxe level, and figure that being at the EPCOT area would be convenient to enable us to walk to and from the start areas.

Anybody have recommendations between Beach or Yacht Club Resort or Villas, and Boardwalk Inn or Villas?

Is staying in the EPCOT area actually beneficial on race days? Will we be able to walk to the start, or are we unable to get there due to the park being closed that early? Will buses run to the start if we can't walk?

Apologies if wrong thread...

Dan

I would recommend anything in the Epcot resorts area. I know you are now aware you cannot walk to the race so that aside...what I like about Epcot resorts? Its a whole circle of fun! You can walk everywhere . Aside from Epcot which is obvious, you can walk to Hollywood studios via a foot path. The boardwalk is very nice and fun at night. It turns into a real life old fashioned boardwalk at night. Plenty of resturants. You can even take a boat ride around just for fun. I mostly like it because you can just stay there for enjoyment.
The YC/BC are very posh nice hotels. Nice pools.

 

[jlovesee]

Haven't posted here yet, but my husband and I registered the first day registration was open for the Dopey using the DVC discount (and early registration option). This will definitely be a challenge for us, but I think it is do-able. We were originally planning on goofy, but we figured that a 5k and 10k are already normal everyday runs for us anyway, that those shouldn't be to big a deal.

We just ran our first 1/2 marathon this last weekend, running with the cows in Bucyrus, Kansas (anyone else?) official had a 2:34 time, which isn't super fast, but we weren't dead afterwards either, and there were LOTS of hills. Definitely a great experience for anyone in the region looking for a fun 1/2 marathon.

Question, does anyone know what a 2:34 pace equals to a marathon pace? I know its not 2 X 2:34, but wondering if that is less then mandatory last corral placement, to use for corral placement for the full. We are planning on many more 1/2's before January but didn't want the pain of updating each time. (so far looking at the Broadway Bridge here in KC, and Space Coast at minimum) I would rather just put a time in, and as long as I am not in the very last corral be good with it.

Thanks!

Jennifer

 

[AB6876]

Haven't posted here yet, but my husband and I registered the first day registration was open for the Dopey using the DVC discount (and early registration option). This will definitely be a challenge for us, but I think it is do-able. We were originally planning on goofy, but we figured that a 5k and 10k are already normal everyday runs for us anyway, that those shouldn't be to big a deal.

We just ran our first 1/2 marathon this last weekend, running with the cows in Bucyrus, Kansas (anyone else?) official had a 2:34 time, which isn't super fast, but we weren't dead afterwards either, and there were LOTS of hills. Definitely a great experience for anyone in the region looking for a fun 1/2 marathon.

Question, does anyone know what a 2:34 pace equals to a marathon pace? I know its not 2 X 2:34, but wondering if that is less then mandatory last corral placement, to use for corral placement for the full. We are planning on many more 1/2's before January but didn't want the pain of updating each time. (so far looking at the Broadway Bridge here in KC, and Space Coast at minimum) I would rather just put a time in, and as long as I am not in the very last corral be good with it.

Thanks!

Jennifer

Hello!! My husband and I ran goofy last year and we had a lot of fun..
To answer your pace question, if you put it in a pace calculator (McMillan running) it has you at a 5:24:06 (12:22 per mile) marathon time. I am not sure how that correlates to a corral, but I had a similar time - 1 min per mile and ended up in corral D.
You should not be in the last corral....

 

[swimfly]

Haven't posted here yet, but my husband and I registered the first day registration was open for the Dopey using the DVC discount (and early registration option). This will definitely be a challenge for us, but I think it is do-able. We were originally planning on goofy, but we figured that a 5k and 10k are already normal everyday runs for us anyway, that those shouldn't be to big a deal.

We just ran our first 1/2 marathon this last weekend, running with the cows in Bucyrus, Kansas (anyone else?) official had a 2:34 time, which isn't super fast, but we weren't dead afterwards either, and there were LOTS of hills. Definitely a great experience for anyone in the region looking for a fun 1/2 marathon.

Question, does anyone know what a 2:34 pace equals to a marathon pace? I know its not 2 X 2:34, but wondering if that is less then mandatory last corral placement, to use for corral placement for the full. We are planning on many more 1/2's before January but didn't want the pain of updating each time. (so far looking at the Broadway Bridge here in KC, and Space Coast at minimum) I would rather just put a time in, and as long as I am not in the very last corral be good with it.

Thanks!

Jennifer

Wait to update your POT until this fall especially as you have other races planned. You want to be as far up as possible. Congrats on your first 1/2! Isn't the running bug fabulous?

 

[WhereInFlorida]

Although I seen people do it I don't think Disney races are ideal for attempting to PR unless of course you are in the very front of corral A. IMHO Disney races are primarily for fun. I've notice too much congestion at certain spots on the course and with people stopping to take pictures it's just not ideal.

Have been in corrals A and C the last couple of years and both were open enough to PR. Only a few congestion points, and just that, points. They cleared up within a few seconds usually.

The marathon is one of the better supported races with liquids, fuel, GU, medical, etc. And the distractions all along the course and in particular those last 4-6 miles help out tremendously.

They certainly are fun but also great courses to PR if you are the competitive type.

 

[swimfly]

Have been in corrals A and C the last couple of years and both were open enough to PR. Only a few congestion points, and just that, points. They cleared up within a few seconds usually.

The marathon is one of the better supported races with liquids, fuel, GU, medical, etc. And the distractions all along the course and in particular those last 4-6 miles help out tremendously.

They certainly are fun but also great courses to PR if you are the competitive type.

I'm definitely the competitive type. I have to disagree with PRing at Disney but for completely different reasons. It's not a good course for it. If you're really trying to PR, you want something flat and fast. This isn't Disney. I'd also say the last few miles are the worst for attempting a PR with the extremely narrow walkway between HS and the boardwalk, the "bridges," wooden boardwalk, tight turns, and dodging guests jumping across the course at 9am in Epcot. I always consider my Disney runs events not races and try to soak up as much magic as possible.

 

[RussTKD]

Have any of y'all made hotel reservations for this event yet?

I initially did mine at The Contemporary, but yesterday checked pricing at The Wilderness Lodge, and it was almost $700 cheaper. So I switched, but now am wondering if there may be a better choice.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm waiting until the fall, when the prices will be much better.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

I also wait until the Fall when the discounts come out. No problems yet getting a room but the weekend is getting more and more crowded.

 

[goofeygirl]

I already booked my hotel. Some of the hotels fill up faster for the marathon weekend.
I remember my brother trying to book a hotel around November and ended up paying an arm and a leg for one in Disney Villiage.
I don't know what sort of deals they offer in the fall other than a package deal of hotel and parks combined.