Marathon Weekend 2016

Castle2Castle · Mar 25, 2015

austin&pipermom said:
I have a question for the runners that have done the Dopey/Goofy. I have done 5k, 10ks and Halfs. I run 3-5 days a week for 3-5miles each time. I really want to do the Dopey/ Goofy. Do you think that is too big of a goal since I have not done a whole marathon yet?

My wife and I trained for and ran Goofy in 2013 as our first full marathon and our second half marathon, but only because our first half fell in October as part of a training run. Prior to that I had run only a couple 5ks, one 10k and one 10-miler after which I had sworn off ever running more than a 10k... one month before signing up for Goofy! My wife had zero runs since she ran cross country for a year or two in high school 14 years earlier. Not even one mile.

So you are already further along than either of us were. For someone already running, I'd agree with @Ariel484 that the time commitment and mental challenge are likely to be the toughest. That first year, a 20 mile training run (of which there were I think four) meant about 5 hours of running Sunday. Our entire morning was gone, and our energy was sapped for the rest of the day, too. Training for Goofy last year we needed less time to complete our runs, but it was still a hefty commitment and there was still the fatigue that followed.

But that commitment and that fatigue does pay off with a tremendously rewarding experience. So if you're willing to put in the time and effort, and you want that experience, it can be done. :thumbsup2

Castle2Castle · Mar 25, 2015

Kathymford said:
All I will say is that no one checks if you actually have an AP after you have given your money. They don't check at bib pick-up or anywhere else. It's just who has access to the links...

Nobody checks at packet pick-up, but that's understandable and to be expected given that you might register with an active AP but have it expire prior to packet pickup.

They may or may not check certain details immediately following registration to ensure that participants are either AP or living within the same household. I don't think I've seen it posted on either the AP site or runDisney, but I have seen e-mails from runDisney specifying those guidelines and at least claiming that early registrations not complying with those guidelines may be cancelled with only a refund of the race fee (not the Active fee).

Whether or not they actually go back and check, I don't know. But it's good to be aware of the guidelines and possibilities as it applies to registering non-AP holders.

@mmtwinmama If they aren't in the same house, you can always knock out the two that you can for early registration -- which will be an easier feat anyway with the recent pace of sales -- and then knock out the other two during general registration the day it goes on sale. Good luck!

mmtwinmama · Mar 26, 2015

Thanks for the replies regarding registering with an AP. I will try to register the two of us with APs early. If we end up in different corrals, the earlier ones can always move back. Thanks again!

Castle2Castle · Mar 26, 2015

mmtwinmama said:
Thanks for the replies regarding registering with an AP. I will try to register the two of us with APs early. If we end up in different corrals, the earlier ones can always move back. Thanks again!

I may be reading this wrong, but are you thinking you have to register at the same time to be placed in the same corral? Because corrals aren't based at all on the time in which you register; they're based on the proof of time submitted for each individual runner. So if that was your concern about registering separately, it won't be a factor.

mvndvm · Mar 27, 2015

Castle2Castle said:
I may be reading this wrong, but are you thinking you have to register at the same time to be placed in the same corral? Because corrals aren't based at all on the time in which you register; they're based on the proof of time submitted for each individual runner. So if that was your concern about registering separately, it won't be a factor.

How exactly do you submit proof of time?

Castle2Castle · Mar 27, 2015

@mvndvm it's apparently a different process this year. Previously, there was a section during registration in which you could provide details about a previous race (name, date, location) as well as your finishing time. If you didn't have one at the time, or if you improved your time between registration and the deadline for proof, you could either e-mail TrackShack (runDisney partner overseeing time and corral placement) or there was later a webpage where you could upload your race details and a link to the race results so that they could verify the results.

NOW, based on my confirmation e-mail from registering for Avengers Weekend on Tuesday, we'll provide proof of time during a set window (from May 12 to August 14 for Avengers Weekend). It looks like each event page on the runDisney site will also lay out these windows and guidelines for providing PROOF OF TIME (link). The window is not open for submissions, but I imagine at the start of each event's respective window there will be a link made available on the event page under proof of time to provide the same sort of details and link to race results.

MonkeyDishwasher · Mar 27, 2015

Castle2Castle said:
NOW, based on my confirmation e-mail from registering for Avengers Weekend on Tuesday, we'll provide proof of time during a set window (from May 12 to August 14 for Avengers Weekend). It looks like each event page on the runDisney site will also lay out these windows and guidelines for providing PROOF OF TIME (link). The window is not open for submissions, but I imagine at the start of each event's respective window there will be a link made available on the event page under proof of time to provide the same sort of details and link to race results.

To add: they now ask for the website with the race's finisher's results. I'm guessing they're finally going to keep people in their correct corrals, rather than submitting a faster time to bump themselves up a few.

Simba's Mom · Mar 27, 2015

mvndvm said:
How exactly do you submit proof of time?

I know that DH had a BIG hassle about that when he ran the F&W half marathon. At the time they would only take results from a chipped race (where runners have electronic chips) as proof of time. Well, we live in a very backwards part of the US, I guess, without chipped races. He had a letter from the race committee (our local running club) with his time, but they refused to accept it and assigned him to the last corral. He protested it and eventually got moved up to corral C, and yet, he was passing runners in corral B, where his time would have put him-if the qualifying race had been chipped. He's assuming that rule is the same and is currently looking for a chipped race that's not too far from us for proof of time.

StarGirl11 · Mar 27, 2015

Okay since we're asking about PoT for the races. I'm going to ask this again since no one answered me the first time. If we're running Goofy is it better to shoot for a good PoT in a half or a full?

I'm asking because I have a half and a full very near each other. And I'm trying to figure which one I should maybe go for the faster time at to move up corrals.

Baloo in MI · Mar 27, 2015

StarGirl11 said:
Okay since we're asking about PoT for the races. I'm going to ask this again since no one answered me the first time. If we're running Goofy is it better to shoot for a good PoT in a half or a full?

I'm asking because I have a half and a full very near each other. And I'm trying to figure which one I should maybe go for the faster time at to move up corrals.

Both are qualifying distances for a POT. Which distance is your strength? I would suggest putting your energy into the distance that you feel stronger about. For me I would use a Half time over a Marathon time, but time wise I am stronger/faster at the Half distance. Maybe others can provide more expereince on how RunDisney looks at the distances and if one provides an advantage. I would just say go with your strength.

Mimsy Borogove · Mar 28, 2015

StarGirl11 said:
Okay since we're asking about PoT for the races. I'm going to ask this again since no one answered me the first time. If we're running Goofy is it better to shoot for a good PoT in a half or a full?

I'm asking because I have a half and a full very near each other. And I'm trying to figure which one I should maybe go for the faster time at to move up corrals.

I submitted a 10K time for PHM and I think rD just uses a standard pace calculator to predict the longer race finish time to assign the proper corral. So I would use a pace calculator and predict your full time from your half time and compare to your actual full time and use whichever one is faster for your PoT. I think they base corral assignments for challenges on anticipated finish time for the longer race (in this case, the full), but I'll defer to someone who's been through the challenge corral assignment process.

FFigawi · Mar 28, 2015

StarGirl11 said:
Okay since we're asking about PoT for the races. I'm going to ask this again since no one answered me the first time. If we're running Goofy is it better to shoot for a good PoT in a half or a full?

You should use the McMillan race prediction calculator to see which one will give you the fastest marathon time. Disney uses a very similar tool when they are placing people in corrals, and I've found they will use full as the basis for Goofy corrals, not the half.

roxymama · Mar 30, 2015

I completed a 5k this weekend and did not die. I did not finish last either. I was just about as middle of the pack as you can be. Time to sign up for the next one and maybe try for this PR thing you all talk about

Roxy Girl 2015 · Mar 30, 2015

When can you start planning your hotel reservations for the 2016 Disney Marathon weekend? Is it easier to get a car and drive yourself to the race or would it be better to just use the busses?

Neoflynn · Mar 31, 2015

roxymama said:
I completed a 5k this weekend and did not die. I did not finish last either. I was just about as middle of the pack as you can be. Time to sign up for the next one and maybe try for this PR thing you all talk about

congrats on your race...and yes hurry and sign up for your next one before your body figures out whats happening :rotfl2:

Roxy Girl 2015 said:
When can you start planning your hotel reservations for the 2016 Disney Marathon weekend? Is it easier to get a car and drive yourself to the race or would it be better to just use the busses?

Im not sure on when reservations open up but im sure someone will answer for you, as for transportation you will def. want to take advantage of the busses if you are staying on property and the nice thing about Marathon Weekend is that every hotel will have busses

FFigawi · Mar 31, 2015

Roxy Girl 2015 said:
When can you start planning your hotel reservations for the 2016 Disney Marathon weekend? Is it easier to get a car and drive yourself to the race or would it be better to just use the busses?

You can make your reservations now, but the rate discounts will typically not be available until the fall. With regard to a car, there are plenty of buses that can take you everywhere (expo, start, back to your resort) all weekend long. If you wouldn't normally be getting a car, you'll be fine without it. Having said that, if you have a car, driving it to the start can be pretty handy. It gives you a place to stay warm & dry, if needed, before the walk to the corrals, and you can usually get back to your hotel faster afterwards, depending on road closures.

IamTrike · Mar 31, 2015

Castle2Castle said:
@mvndvm it's apparently a different process this year. Previously, there was a section during registration in which you could provide details about a previous race (name, date, location) as well as your finishing time. If you didn't have one at the time, or if you improved your time between registration and the deadline for proof, you could either e-mail TrackShack (runDisney partner overseeing time and corral placement) or there was later a webpage where you could upload your race details and a link to the race results so that they could verify the results.

NOW, based on my confirmation e-mail from registering for Avengers Weekend on Tuesday, we'll provide proof of time during a set window (from May 12 to August 14 for Avengers Weekend). It looks like each event page on the runDisney site will also lay out these windows and guidelines for providing PROOF OF TIME (link). The window is not open for submissions, but I imagine at the start of each event's respective window there will be a link made available on the event page under proof of time to provide the same sort of details and link to race results.

For Disneyland Half in September there was a separate link that you went to to enter the information. It followed the "now" process above.

FFigawi said:
You should use the McMillan race prediction calculator to see which one will give you the fastest marathon time. Disney uses a very similar tool when they are placing people in corrals, and I've found they will use full as the basis for Goofy corrals, not the half.

This is spot on.

Roxy Girl 2015 said:
When can you start planning your hotel reservations for the 2016 Disney Marathon weekend? Is it easier to get a car and drive yourself to the race or would it be better to just use the busses?

Certain Travel Agents already have rooms. They seem to get a block of rooms ahead of time and price them based on esitmated discounts (no I am not one nor am I related to/ married to one). We booked our room at the contemporary for 2016 in Febuary of this year.

PrincessV · Mar 31, 2015

FFigawi said:
If you wouldn't normally be getting a car, you'll be fine without it. Having said that, if you have a car, driving it to the start can be pretty handy. It gives you a place to stay warm & dry, if needed, before the walk to the corrals, and you can usually get back to your hotel faster afterwards, depending on road closures.

ITA - I've bused and I've used my car (which I always have because I drive to WDW - I'm semi-local) - car wins by a landslide! I'll always use it from now on.

FFigawi · Mar 31, 2015

PrincessV said:
ITA - I've bused and I've used my car (which I always have because I drive to WDW - I'm semi-local) - car winds by a landslide! I'll always use it from now on.

We pretty much always drive too. You can't keep telling everyone how nice it is, though, or else the traffic will start to get bad.

derekleigh · Mar 31, 2015

PrincessV said:
ITA - I've bused and I've used my car (which I always have because I drive to WDW - I'm semi-local) - car winds by a landslide! I'll always use it from now on.

FFigawi said:
We pretty much always drive too. You can't keep telling everyone how nice it is, though, or else the traffic will start to get bad.

Agree with both of you. In the last 3 WDW Marathon Weekends I've run, I've always taken a car and its my preferred mode of transportation. I stay off Disney property and have NEVER experienced a problem *knocks on wood* I wake up at 3:50 out the door by 4:15 and in the parking lot by 4:45.

As far as the new PoT policy, does anyone know if you can keep re-submitting new times during the open window or it is just a one-time submission?

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