Anyone doing the WDW Half Marathon in Jan 2011?

[Erin_Akey]

This wil be my first half and hubby is doing it with me. We are so excited! Has anyone seen the awesome tech shirts on the DES site that says "In trainig for the 2011 WDW Half Marathon"?

I want mine to get here so i can wear it for motivation!

 

[John VN]

This wil be my first half and hubby is doing it with me. We are so excited! Has anyone seen the awesome tech shirts on the DES site that says "In trainig for the 2011 WDW Half Marathon"?

I want mine to get here so i can wear it for motivation!

DW has the In Training.... shirt and wears it every time we are out training. We are doing the Space Coast 1/2M in Nov. and Disney will be our second. We are looking forward to having a great time as I am sure you and DH will.

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

I am! Its my first 1/2 too and I am super excited to be doing it at Disney! I may have to go look for those in training shirts you are talking about.

 

[Belle1811]

Brand new to this forum but have been hooked since I found it!! Finally been brave and joined

I'm doing the Half in January and it's my first one too, very excited and slightly scared!! How are you all get on with your training? I've done a few 10K's now and am doing training runs at about 7-8 miles, not bad as I only had a baby 8 months ago hey!!

Hubby is doing the Marathon - I'll be there supporting him, if I can still walk after the day before does anyone know what it's like for spectators and where is best to watch/wait? I'll have our daughter with me too (14 months when we go).

 

[cewait]

Brand new to this forum but have been hooked since I found it!! Finally been brave and joined

I'm doing the Half in January and it's my first one too, very excited and slightly scared!! How are you all get on with your training? I've done a few 10K's now and am doing training runs at about 7-8 miles, not bad as I only had a baby 8 months ago hey!!

Hubby is doing the Marathon - I'll be there supporting him, if I can still walk after the day before does anyone know what it's like for spectators and where is best to watch/wait? I'll have our daughter with me too (14 months when we go).

First, learn to stretch post run. It will greatly remove the tightness and post run soreness.

As far as spectating you really have two options for a first viewing. (Backing up I would not have your kiddo out at the start so viewing at the start is out PLUS it is dark and crowded so seeing him is always hit and miss). You can either pick him up at the TTC (Mile 9) or MK Main Street (Mile 10.3) It is next to impossible to catch both especially with a stroller in tow. If you catch him at TTC it's a short walk (one that your legs will appreciate) to the Poly (Mile 12.8). My DW does the TTC/Poly swing. Note if you decide on Main - make sure to go to the far end (castle end) of Main. It is a lot less corwded there and you will have a better chance of getting course-side. Main Street is free for spectators while the race is going through. All other parks require a pass.

Do not expect to get to AK of DHS and see him anywhere near the finish. It can be done but the spectator can also get caught up in traffic and miss the next spots. You can either head to the finish in the Epcot parking lot or burn a pass and catch him at England in World Showcase (mile 25) as we run back into the park. You have the short distance to the front. More than likely you will miss the finish if you are at mile 25 but you will be in the family reunion area before he clears it.


Hope this helps some. Note that he can catch you in the half on Main (or the other two spots) and at the finish as well.

 

[cewait]

This wil be my first half and hubby is doing it with me. We are so excited! Has anyone seen the awesome tech shirts on the DES site that says "In trainig for the 2011 WDW Half Marathon"?

I want mine to get here so i can wear it for motivation!

Go for it! I remember really wanting an in training shirt for my first event. Disney (and most races) simply did not offer these shirts at that time. I would encourage you to have enough budget for the expo ($100-150) for stuff. I think my max spend was $200 ish in 07 when Disney offered a really nice jacket at the expo. My minimum spent is about $0. This year I simply did not find anything that I really wanted. Nonetheless, you will find that you have lots of things at the expo that you will NEED and make sure to pick up those NEEDS as you pass through. The really cool stuff will sell out late in the expo. Namely, the I Did It shirt. You will find several posts from me noting how I think the race should only sell these starting Sunday evening as only then have you done it. However, these sell like hotcakes and if you are a popular size you will not find one on Monday. Buy it at the expo. Put it in the bottom of your suitcase and only wear it once you cross the line.


I love to have new runners on site and I find your excitement very up lifting!

 

[Belle1811]

Hope this helps some. Note that he can catch you in the half on Main (or the other two spots) and at the finish as well.

It definately helps, thanks so much. I've been concerned about dragging DD out at such an early hour, will be bad enough dragging myself out

The tips about where to watch are great, we've got a rental car which I think DH will take to get to the start but I may follow on a bit later using Disney transportation, staying at the Pop Century so should be pretty easy even with a stroller.

Sorry, another question, what is the family renunion area like and from what time can you go there, do they have entertainment and places to eat etc?

Really looking forward to it, have wanted to do this for a long time, though still a little bit scared!!

 

[Belle1811]

Just thought of another question

Are there buses laid on to get people to the start?

Thanks

 

[cewait]

It definately helps, thanks so much. I've been concerned about dragging DD out at such an early hour, will be bad enough dragging myself out

The tips about where to watch are great, we've got a rental car which I think DH will take to get to the start but I may follow on a bit later using Disney transportation, staying at the Pop Century so should be pretty easy even with a stroller.

Sorry, another question, what is the family renunion area like and from what time can you go there, do they have entertainment and places to eat etc?

Really looking forward to it, have wanted to do this for a long time, though still a little bit scared!!

Your best bet would be to take Marathon Busing to Epcot Parking Lot and then monorail to MK. The busses run from 3-430ish) from all resorts on property. The official stop time is 4 am but they do run a little later to pick up folks where bussing did not cover the demand and for the few late sleepers. Marathon bussing officially resumes at 7 AM but will start just a little earlier typically.

Again marathon busses from from resorts to the Epcot Parking Lot. You could take a resort bus but since this is not an early open morning for MK you would most likely not see your DH up on the north end of the course.

Thinking , you could take the car and let him ride the bus. Then you could drive with little issue to the MK parking lot and see him there. You would need to walk in the parking lot that AM as the shuttles do not run that early. The final option is to catch a cab from your resort to TTC. The cab can get in and out and the taxi stand at TTC with little traffic issue. Cost is 10-15.

Just thought of another question

Are there buses laid on to get people to the start?

Thanks

Marathon busing runs all weekend. It is a great way to get to the expo as well as to the start. The buses may pick up at a slightly different location but I seem to recal they use the same stops at your resort. They drop off in the parking lots at Epcot and it is a 5 minute walk to the monorail terminal and/or to the family reunion area.

The family reunion area will have some food and entertainment - pre-race. during the race the entertainment comes at the finish line. Over the last 4 years Disney has offered a spectator pack that depending on the level you purchase will get you a seat AT the finish line and with upgrades passage into a tent with food and beverage. (note you can always pruchase food and bev at a stand in the reunion area.)

The Reunion area is kind of fenced off in the parking lot. one side is bounded with baggage drop off tents. It requires a runners number to get past these tents. In the renion ar theere maybe 6 small 12 x 12 tents with alpha charactor ranges noting either your first or last name. These are designed to allow runners and family to meet up post race. Some groups use the tents for a pre-race huddle. Other tents will have information, food and drink, souveniors, a stage for pre-race entertainment and spaces for the large charity groups.

 

[Belle1811]

Thanks once again, the info has really helped. I know it's a while off yet but it's nice to know what you're doing ahead of time.

I think when I do my half I'll take the marathon bus from resort to EPCOT then jump the monorail as you suggested. I've never driven in the US before so don't think I'd be confident to drive, particularly on my own, coming from the UK it's the whole "wrong" side of the road thing DH can then follow on later with DD. DH can either get the bus when he does the marathon or take the car, sorted. Cewait you're a star, I take it that you're running, good luck