Actually hit "send" guess I'm now committed!

[IluvKingLouis]

Signed up for the half marathon. Oh my! I have so much work ahead of me!

Here are a few silly questions.....

* What do you carry on you? A cell phone? a few power bars? How much water? and how do you carry them?

* Are there plenty of places to stop when you need to pee? Yes, this might be a big deal for me.

* It it's nasty cold (It was Jan. 2009 when we vacationed and chatted with marathon runners), how do you dress for the run?

TIA....I'm new to this and have an uphill battle as far as getting in shape, so this is just the first round of stupid newbie questions!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Congratulations! You can do this and it will be such fun!

Great questions. You will find many different styles about carrying things. Whatever you choose, train with whatever you plan.
I actually take a waist pack that I bought at Disney loaded with my gu, phone, camera, some $, ID--also I have a Road ID.

There are quite a few porta potties along the way.

If it is cold you can take a set of "throw-away" clothing. I use DH's or DSs old things. This will be donated to local shelter. It depends on how cold, but running tights if it is really cold with jacket and ls shirt, head band. Definitely if you can, use layers and stay away from cotton.

Did I mention it will be such fun!

 

[Bookwood]

Congratulations - you'll enjoy the experience

I usually carry a phone, camera, salt, gels, a bottle of powerade, and 2 hankies (one for blowing and one for sweat- because using the same one for both is gross). I use an old belly bag (turned around and resting on my behind so it doesn't bounce).

Figure out early what works for you and keep with it! (watch for rubbing as the miles get longer)

 

[roselark]

Congrats on taking that leap! Really exciting and scarey all at the same time isn't it?

 

[bunnyfoo]

Congrats on signing up!

2009 was warm compared to the weather we got this year Not sure what the starting temp was this year, but I wore my running tights, long sleeved tech shirt, wind jacket and winter hat and gloves. I definitely could have used some throwaway clothes in the beginning because you have to wait outside for about an hour before the race starts.

I carry with me my Road ID (but that info can go on the back of your bib), cell phone, camera and gels or blok shots. I also had my resort key, ID and a little bit of cash. I don't carry water - I just drink at the water stops on course.

There are porta-potties at the finish/start, corals and throughout the course. There are flush toilets at the TTC, MK (Fantasyland and Frontierland). I prefer the flush toilets but try to get everything out of my system before hand so I don't have to stop on course.

 

[roselark]

Here is a post I found very helpful on the Marathon Weekend...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=725285

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Thanks everyone for all the information and encouragement.

Can someone tell me if you get a park pass with this event? Some events sound like they come with one. If so, is it a Hopper?

Also, what do you do about breakfast? I'm sure the food court won't be open at 4 am. I'm also guessing you don't want to eat much. Should I just have some bagels in the room? Maybe that and some OJ?

Lastly, and this is more of an observation then a question, I saw pictures where a lot of the runners stopped to take picture with characters. I'm going to be sooo busting my hump to keep up a 16 minute mile, that the thought of stopping is simply not an option.

 

[Princess Bmoney]

Last year when I did the royal family 5k I had a cereal party in my room w/ all my friends running.... When we got to the race they had a stand set up selling fruits and snack items for breakfast...

As far as a ticket to the parks.... Neither last years royal family 5k, or this years princess 1/2 offers it, you''ll have to look more into whats included w/ your registration fee when you register....

 

[Worfiedoodles]

You are going to have a blast! One item I haven't seen mentioned I always pack is a few tissues -- sometimes the porta potties are all out, and I want to know I'm prepared!

As you train at higher distances to get ready for 13 miles, experiment with the types of energy boosters that might help you. I am a huge believer in Clif blocks, my dh loves the gu -- just don't wait until the race to try whatever you might want!

Have fun training -- this will be an event you will want to always remember!

Maria

 

[IluvKingLouis]

You are going to have a blast! One item I haven't seen mentioned I always pack is a few tissues -- sometimes the porta potties are all out, and I want to know I'm prepared!

As you train at higher distances to get ready for 13 miles, experiment with the types of energy boosters that might help you. I am a huge believer in Clif blocks, my dh loves the gu -- just don't wait until the race to try whatever you might want!

Have fun training -- this will be an event you will want to always remember!

Maria

Thanks! Your post reminded me to ask what a GU is? I've seen it in several postings. I'm very anti HFCS, so if I decide to go with some energy bars, I'd like them to be free of that. Any suggestions?

What are Clif blocks? I know I've seen Clif bars at the market.

 

[novafan]

Congratulations! I think you will have a great time. The WDW half marathon is one the best things I've ever done. It's such a Happy race!

I ran the half in January 2009 and we had such nice weather. I wasn't at the race this year, but I so hope that the weather for the 2011 race is better than what they had this year.
I have a small Nathan running belt that held my cell phone, my ID card, and 2 GU gel packs. And I ran with an ipod shuffle clipped onto the belt. That's about it for me. There were plenty of portapotties and water stops along the way and I was very well hydrated so I didn't carry water.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

From Wikipedia -- GU is an energy food designed to be quickly and easily digestible so it can be eaten during endurance events, especially long distance running. It is a soft solid, like its namesake goo, and is squeezed directly into the mouth from 1.1 oz (32 g) 100 calorie (420 kJ) packets. The product is available in several different flavors such as vanilla bean, chocolate, berry, orange, banana, and plain.

From their website -- CLIF SHOT Bloks are the latest nutrition option for endurance athletes. Bloks come in chewable, 33 calorie cubes, making it easy to customize and track caloric and electrolyte intake during long outings and races.

My favorite flavor is black cherry. I think it would be difficult to use bars since they would not break down quickly enough for the energy you need -- but I've only done 3 Halfs, I am not that experienced.

I think Disney is a very well-run race, and extremely friendly as a first, it was mine! You will find there are plenty of stops along the way with water and powerade, porta potties, and friendly volunteers. I have not had to use the first aid tents, but they certainly are available.

Maria

 

[swim-mom]

OK, I am so EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can not believe it, in 10 days I will be doing the 1/2 that I have worked so hard for!!

Before the race/run happens I just want to tell everyone how much I really appreciate everyones support!! With out this board, I am not sure I would be able to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Happy running, I am looking forward to next weeks taper

 

[IluvKingLouis]

OK, I am so EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can not believe it, in 10 days I will be doing the 1/2 that I have worked so hard for!!

Before the race/run happens I just want to tell everyone how much I really appreciate everyones support!! With out this board, I am not sure I would be able to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Happy running, I am looking forward to next weeks taper

Congrats! and good luck!

Please let us know how it went for you. Is this your first 1/2? I've done some 5K's and 10K's that I just walked...and that was quite a few years ago.

Please share your practice tips! I'm still grasping at straws. TIA!

 

[jmasgat]

Elaine first, COngratulations for taking a big step! It is sort of scary, I know. BUt you have plenty of time to train. Is this the January half? My comments below relate to the marathon weekend races.....

Don't know about this year, but when I did the half in 2009, the quick service place at Wilderness Lodge opened at 2 or 2:30 to serve runners. I expect that will be the case at other resorts, too.

No discounts on tickets for marathon weekend races. They do have them for the Princess half, and probably for the wine and dine as well.

Maura

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Elaine first, COngratulations for taking a big step! It is sort of scary, I know. BUt you have plenty of time to train. Is this the January half? My comments below relate to the marathon weekend races.....

Don't know about this year, but when I did the half in 2009, the quick service place at Wilderness Lodge opened at 2 or 2:30 to serve runners. I expect that will be the case at other resorts, too.

No discounts on tickets for marathon weekend races. They do have them for the Princess half, and probably for the wine and dine as well.

Maura

Hi Maura!

That's quite interesting that the quick serve places were open! I'm sort of hoping we'll stay at CBR, which means we'll have a fridge. We plan to drive, so I can run to Publix ahead of time and stock up on some fruit and cereal.

BTW, I signed up online and have yet to receive an email confirmation. I guess I'll get something in the mail. I did get a confirmation page, which I wish I took a screen shot of....but my computer keeps locking up and I have had to reboot.

 

[crewmatt]

Hey awesome, congrats on signing up . First big step. So in terms of things I carry with me. I bought one of those spibelts (about 20 bucks I think) at the expo, amazingly useful. I usually carry a thing of sport beans, a thing of clif shot bloks, and gum (keeps you from getting a dry mouth - but be CAREFUL if you choose to take that idea - dont want anyone to choke). I also threw my KTTW in there incase I couldnt find my bag or anythign at least I had a warm shower waiting for me.

In terms of clothing - this year was SOO cold. My sweatshirt froze solid from the sweat and spillage at the water stops. I haven't done the throwaway thing for any of my marathons, the 2 MCM's because the bag check and the start are like 2 minutes apart so you can just drop the bag and clothes and run over. Disney god did I wish I had bought throwaway clothes. Rule 1 of completing a marathon (and a half) is that nothing on race day should be new, so if you could get out a few mornings at 4:30, stand around for half an hour, do some stretches/etc, then go for a walk/jog/however you plan on finishing it. This way you get used to how much in terms of clothes to wear, as well as what it might be like as temperatures progress throughout the day. Salvation Army is a good place to pick up clothes. In general you'll want to feel slightly chilly at the start as you'll warm up pretty quick.

The marathon didnt come with a park ticket.

 

[crewmatt]

Also best of luck completing, dont be too worried about being swept. This year there werent any characters for the first few miles (minus the starting crew). You could get a few minutes in the bank and then use that time to get quick pictures with the characters around you. Also you'll be surprised how much having 20,000 or so people around you motivates you to go faster than you think you ever would.

 

[heatherlynn444]

just wanted to say congrats and good luck!

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Thanks for all the warm wishes! I'm so glad to have found this section of the Disboards. I really appreciate all the support, and I'm certain I'll continue to ask newbie questions!