Marathon Weekend 2016

[poppinspal]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I have run multiple half marathons at Disney and in other places so I knew that I wanted my first (and probably only) marathon to be in Disney World. I was with my cousin this weekend and mentioned wanting to run it, he's signed up for Goofy and told me he'd run with me to support me. So I registered.

To be honest I think I'm more intimidated by the training then I am the race itself.

 

[sammykster]

I'm with everyone that it is their first! I think I have gone crazy since the most I have done so far is a 15K but we're doing a few before the Wine & Dine in November and then I"ll have that half under my belt before I do the full in January! I need to get motivated and get some accountability going for sure. I'm running with my brother in law so we force each other to run regularly

The Disney full is my favorite race anywhere,it's also become like second nature for me,it's like I know every inch of the course and know everything that's coming,that along with all the characters,food stops,spectators and unique features the race offers like getting the chance to ride Everest and this race becomes easier every year.I however have never done a full outside Disney and I'm signed up for the Space Coast full and running that distance outside Disney quite frankly has me as a previous poster mentioned "slightly terrified". We'll see how it goes but I just hope those 26.2 don't feel like they go on forever,at WDW it truly feels like its shorter every year I run it,but I run other races like the Miami half and when it comes time to turn left to finish I'm happy that I didn't sign up for the full and have to keep going straight for another 13.1 miles.

This info on the course is really exciting! I think this is what makes me think I can run a full when I never thought I would - the Disney magic. I didn't know anything about the Everest part you mentioned and I know the characters and food stops are a fun addition to regular races.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I have run multiple half marathons at Disney and in other places so I knew that I wanted my first (and probably only) marathon to be in Disney World. I was with my cousin this weekend and mentioned wanting to run it, he's signed up for Goofy and told me he'd run with me to support me. So I registered.

To be honest I think I'm more intimidated by the training then I am the race itself.

The race is the reward for all of the training, but it's good to feel intimidated by the race because it helps provide motivation for the training. Circle of Life and all.

I wouldn't be so quick to think write it off as your only marathon. These events have a way of convincing you to keep coming back and to keep reaching for more and better. The 2012 Half was my first organized run ever and I figured it would be my last, but things haven't exactly worked out that way.

Congratulations on setting such a great goal and good luck with your training.

 

[michigandergirl]

For those who have just signed up for their first marathon - tell EVERYONE! You will train harder if you put yourself out there like that. Everyone will ask you how you did and want to congratulate you after the race.

Talk about added motivation to get out the door...

This is great advice. I recently told some co workers and so far they have been my biggest cheerleaders.

 

[AmynVal]

I'm wanting to get a new gps watch and was wondering what everyone else uses. I have been using the Nike watch and my band is breaking in two places so I'm not sure I want to get another one of those.

 

[poppinspal]

The race is the reward for all of the training, but it's good to feel intimidated by the race because it helps provide motivation for the training. Circle of Life and all.

I wouldn't be so quick to think write it off as your only marathon. These events have a way of convincing you to keep coming back and to keep reaching for more and better. The 2012 Half was my first organized run ever and I figured it would be my last, but things haven't exactly worked out that way.

Congratulations on setting such a great goal and good luck with your training.

Oh I'm definitely not under estimating the race itself but those last long runs before it when I'm alone and putting in the miles will definitely be different then the one where I have a running partner and there will be enough going on around me.

I shouldn't say it will be my only but right now I am way more focused on crossfit competitions and obstacle course races and while I'd love to be able to train for all three things at once they aren't all easy to train for and definitely not at once so I don't see myself being a frequent marathoner just yet.

 

[rteetz]

Just got an email from rundisney that is telling me to get excited and call the irun line for booking resorts. I know it's nothing worth much but I love getting rundisney emails it gets me excited even though we still have a long way to go yet.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Oh I'm definitely not under estimating the race itself but those last long runs before it when I'm alone and putting in the miles will definitely be different then the one where I have a running partner and there will be enough going on around me.

I shouldn't say it will be my only but right now I am way more focused on crossfit competitions and obstacle course races and while I'd love to be able to train for all three things at once they aren't all easy to train for and definitely not at once so I don't see myself being a frequent marathoner just yet.

Just pointing out that a little intimidation is a good thing. It definitely helps getting those last long runs done. Didn't mean to insinuate you were underestimating anything. I concur that the race, adrenaline, atmosphere, and company will make the miles pass by on race day much differently than those last long training runs.

 

[Ariel484]

Just pointing out that a little intimidation is a good thing. It definitely helps getting those last long runs done. Didn't mean to insinuate you were underestimating anything. I concur that the race, adrenaline, atmosphere, and company will make the miles pass by on race day much differently than those last long training runs.

I agree with you. Unfortunately I think a lot of people* do not "respect the distance" and assume that just because a race is at Disney that it'll be easier and that pixie dust and magic will carry them through...or something. Disney races ARE fun and magical, but you still need to be ready to cover the miles! Not to be a buzzkill, but this is something that really irks me...and it's just not safe to have that kind of attitude.




*Not talking about you, @poppinspal

 

[pamster]

@Ariel484 @Barca33Runner and everyone else -
Do you think that I'll be ok if I reach only 11 miles in training for the half? I'm increasing mileage slowly and figure (conservatively) that I'll be at 11 miles in December. (Thanks in advance for any advice!)

Just got an email from rundisney that is telling me to get excited and call the irun line for booking resorts. I know it's nothing worth much but I love getting rundisney emails it gets me excited even though we still have a long way to go yet.

Got that email and I am excited, too! Hotel reservations are next on my list since I just booked my flights!

 

[Barca33Runner]

@Ariel484 @Barca33Runner and everyone else -
Do you think that I'll be ok if I reach only 11 miles in training for the half? I'm increasing mileage slowly and figure (conservatively) that I'll be at 11 miles in December. (Thanks in advance for any advice!)

For my first half I hadn't reached 13.1 miles continuously in training before the event and I had also not gone 26.2 continuously before my first full. There was something mentally for me about saving the thrill of running a half/full marathon for the first time for that first finish line. So I would say it should be OK if you are at 11 miles in training before the event. I would recommend being very cognizant of where your pace is and how you feel during your longer training sessions to have a good idea of how another ~ 2.5 miles is going to feel (just an estimation, it's impossible to run the tangents at Disney so it's going to be a bit more than 13.1 miles).

 

[Keels]

@Ariel484 @Barca33Runner and everyone else -
Do you think that I'll be ok if I reach only 11 miles in training for the half? I'm increasing mileage slowly and figure (conservatively) that I'll be at 11 miles in December. (Thanks in advance for any advice!)

Before my first half, my longest run was the weekend before and I did 10 miles. Leading up to that, my previous long runs were of 7 and 8 miles. I also only trained about 8 weeks total for the half (and kind of combined it with 10K training) - I would not encourage a first-timer to do that, BTW. I did it because I am an idiot.

Before my second half, I ran 7 miles the weekend before and 11 miles during the week right before the half (Dopey training).

Just my opinion, but I think 10 miles is more than enough to prepare yourself for a half - as long as those 10 miles keep you ahead of the pacing requirement to finish.

 

[kevdad]

I'm wanting to get a new gps watch and was wondering what everyone else uses. I have been using the Nike watch and my band is breaking in two places so I'm not sure I want to get another one of those.

I formerly had a Garmin 305 that was like carrying a frying pan on my wrist, so I updated/upgraded to the Garmin Forerunner 220 a year ago. I absolutely love it. Lightweight, easy to read, kind of cool looking and has all the bells-and-whistles that I need: distance, pace, heart rate, custom workouts, and functions well with mapmyrun.com and Garmin Connect (obviously!).

 

[Ariel484]

@Ariel484 @Barca33Runner and everyone else -
Do you think that I'll be ok if I reach only 11 miles in training for the half? I'm increasing mileage slowly and figure (conservatively) that I'll be at 11 miles in December. (Thanks in advance for any advice!)



Got that email and I am excited, too! Hotel reservations are next on my list since I just booked my flights!

Definitely! I think the mental hurdle of getting to double-digit runs is tough, so obviously 11 gets you there. I've seen other plans that have you top out at 10. I'm sure you'll do great!

 

[pamster]

For my first half I hadn't reached 13.1 miles continuously in training before the event and I had also not gone 26.2 continuously before my first full. There was something mentally for me about saving the thrill of running a half/full marathon for the first time for that first finish line. So I would say it should be OK if you are at 11 miles in training before the event. I would recommend being very cognizant of where your pace is and how you feel during your longer training sessions to have a good idea of how another ~ 2.5 miles is going to feel (just an estimation, it's impossible to run the tangents at Disney so it's going to be a bit more than 13.1 miles).

I appreciate your good advice, Barca! You bring up a good point about the tangents - I never thought about that at all! Good to know that I will be running slightly more than 13.1 mi on race day.

Before my first half, my longest run was the weekend before and I did 10 miles. Leading up to that, my previous long runs were of 7 and 8 miles. I also only trained about 8 weeks total for the half (and kind of combined it with 10K training) - I would not encourage a first-timer to do that, BTW. I did it because I am an idiot.

Before my second half, I ran 7 miles the weekend before and 11 miles during the week right before the half (Dopey training).

Just my opinion, but I think 10 miles is more than enough to prepare yourself for a half - as long as those 10 miles keep you ahead of the pacing requirement to finish.

You did it because you're awesome!! and you're doubly awesome for giving me reassurance that I might not die from my first half marathon

Definitely! I think the mental hurdle of getting to double-digit runs is tough, so obviously 11 gets you there. I've seen other plans that have you top out at 10. I'm sure you'll do great!

Thank you for the encouragement! Yes, I've definitely been struggling to increase past 5 miles for me (3 month plateau .. ugh), but I'm sure I will push on once my allergies calm down.

 

[derekleigh]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I have run multiple half marathons at Disney and in other places so I knew that I wanted my first (and probably only) marathon to be in Disney World. I was with my cousin this weekend and mentioned wanting to run it, he's signed up for Goofy and told me he'd run with me to support me. So I registered.

To be honest I think I'm more intimidated by the training then I am the race itself.

I ran my first Full at this year's WDW Marathon weekend and it was awesome. But yes, like you, was more intimidated by the training than the actual race itself. My biggest goal was run three 20+ mile runs. Many of the marathon veterans I talked with said hitting that mark at least once was good, but multiple runs at that distance really gets your body ready to go the whole distance. But everyone is different.

Great job on signing up and it will be an awesome experience!

@Ariel484 @Barca33Runner and everyone else -
Do you think that I'll be ok if I reach only 11 miles in training for the half? I'm increasing mileage slowly and figure (conservatively) that I'll be at 11 miles in December. (Thanks in advance for any advice!)

Got that email and I am excited, too! Hotel reservations are next on my list since I just booked my flights!

If its your first half, 11 miles is fine. If you've run a half or two in the past and are looking for better time, a few longer runs would be recommended




REMINDER - Today is the first day to submit POT!

 

[kevdad]

REMINDER - Today is the first day to submit POT!

Thanks for the reminder! I see an explanation for POT on rundisney but not how to submit, will they send us a link or ?

 

[derekleigh]

Thanks for the reminder! I see an explanation for POT on rundisney but not how to submit, will they send us a link or ?

I think the link will be made available later today. All the other races have a link so keep checking throughout the day.

 

[Keels]

POT link: http://www.trackshackresults.com/disneysports/proof/ds/proof.php

Entered my first proof of time, which I hope to improve upon before October. I just need to shave 12 minutes over the course of the summer to meet my time goal. That's totally possible, right?

 

[faneuil]

POT link: http://www.trackshackresults.com/disneysports/proof/ds/proof.php

Entered my first proof of time, which I hope to improve upon before October. I just need to shave 12 minutes over the course of the summer to meet my time goal. That's totally possible, right?

Thanks for the link!

WOOHOO! My 12K time from Lake Minneola just shaved 15 minutes off my estimated time from last year.
That should be one corral!