1/2 marathon--post-race timing question

[Giselle22]

Hi all! My mom and I are going to be running the half-marathon in January. This will be my mom's first half and my second. I've decided that, as my Christmas gift to her, I'm going to book us for pedicures (and maybe a massage if I can afford it!) at Saratoga Springs Spa. But I'm not sure about the timing...our goal pace is 10 min/mile, so if we hit that, and assuming that we'll be in a back corral and not start running right away, I figure we'll finish racing around 8am. Then we'll want to get back to the hotel and shower and eat (we are staying on property, at Port Orleans). Anyone have any idea how much time I should allow from the end of the race? I was thinking I could book the pedis for 11, but then I got worried that would be too early and we wouldn't be ready yet. Any thoughts? Thanks!!

 

[jmasgat]

Let's see.....last year's last corral started at 6:17. If you were in this one (which I wouldn't be if I was running a 10 mpm pace), then your pace would have you finishing closer to 8:30 (with no stops along the way). Factor in time at the finish to get gear, food,stretch, etc and then get a bus back to PO could take around an hour--maybe longer. Then time to clean up and get to SSR, so........

.....I think 11 would be do-able--if you have a car to get from PO to SSR. I don't think their boat makes a stop at SSR. My problem with this time is that I would be hungry for lunch!

As for the massage, there is some school of thought that it is best to wait 24-48 hours after a race before having a massage.

Maura

 

[DisneyRunnerChick]

You might want to book in the afternoon because I know I like to crash after the 2:30 wake up call and 13.1 mile run! An afternoon appointment would give you enough time to make it back, shower, eat, and take a little snooze before heading out to the spa without feeling rushed.

My other advice would be to call SSR spa ASAP and see what they have available. With it being Marathon weekend and all, they book up pretty quick. I will say, we had massages there last year after W&D, and they were great!

 

[cewait]

If thinking of the massage, make it later in the afternoon. If thinking of a spa appointment, get it now as things fill very early that weekend. Otherwise, your timing is good, though, what if you blister or get a gnarly runner's toe in the race... You really want to do this. Just a thought from a coach.

 

[Giselle22]

Thanks all! I'm sure the spas are booking up quickly, as you said, so I'm trying to figure out a good time as soon as I can! Thanks for the thought about possibly having blistered feet--I hadn't really considered that! We'll be staying the whole week afterward, so maybe we could do a treatment later in the week; then we'd avoid a possibly rushed and crowded spa too Lots to think about...Thanks for the input

 

[stargazertechie]

Are you driving or taking the bus?

It took me 45 minutes just to get out of the parking lot at the end of the 1/2 last year.

The lines for the bus were insane.

I'd book for later in the day if I were you

 

[Reep]

+1 on waiting until the afternoon, unless you are planning on going to the parks and it would interfere.

 

[Giselle22]

Yes, we'll be taking the bus--that's kind of what I was mostly wondering about, how long it would realistically take us to get back to the hotel! Thanks

 

[cewait]

Yes, we'll be taking the bus--that's kind of what I was mostly wondering about, how long it would realistically take us to get back to the hotel! Thanks

Seems like every other year there is a parking lot snafu for the half.... 2012 was the last so 2013 should be better...that is unless you really need to be somewhere.

I have seen it from waiting for the bus to fill (i.e. nothing) to 70+ minutes

 

[Giselle22]

Seems like every other year there is a parking lot snafu for the half.... 2012 was the last so 2013 should be better...that is unless you really need to be somewhere.

Lol that's always how it goes isn't it? I think I might try to make an appointment for the evening, then we don't have to worry at all about rushing in the morning/afternoon.

 

[DisneyRunnerChick]

Seems like every other year there is a parking lot snafu for the half.... 2012 was the last so 2013 should be better...that is unless you really need to be somewhere.

I have seen it from waiting for the bus to fill (i.e. nothing) to 70+ minutes

Last year, we stayed at BC and they had all the Epcot hotels in one line. It took us forever- 90 minutes at least- in a line that wound through the porta potties. It smelt awful- just what everyone wants after 13.1 miles!!!

Here's hoping for a better 2013!!!