Are they really gonna make me be swept?

[pickles521]

My first half marathon is the Disney. I'm very excited, but I hurt my foot pretty badly doing a 60 mile charity walk in October. I just started training for the half again two weeks ago. Yesterday's 9 miles caused a minor flare up in my foot , so now I have a question.

Some running friends told me that some races will allow you to finish the distance, even after the official sweep times (you just lose the support and traffic control, etc). Will Disney allow me to finish even if I don't meet their times, or will they force me to be swept? If I get swept, will I be taken to the end of the race or somewhere else (like maybe a dungeon for crappy halfmarathon walkers? )

I just want to know what to expect, since I'll have to do the race, find my mobility impaired - but happy to be cheering - parents, my gazelle husband and my probably faster than me best friend. I don't wanna be locked up in a dungeon with Disney villians (not without notice anyway!)

Thanks

 

[Sandy321]

Charles answered this in the other fear of being swept thread!!

As a first timer, that needed to train more - get sick less... it is a top concern!!

what is the time allotment Disney has for the Half to be finished?

I know we have to be through the gates of the MK - they will close if you arent there!! (and the exit is in a restricted area - so I dont think you can go it w/o Disney's permission??

Is it 16min miles to stay on track?

 

[cewait]

Pickles

Having not been swept at Disney I cannot answer about being thrown in with the villains. But do expect to be dropped off in the area of the finish.

I do know however, the Disney will not allow you to continue after you hit the hard sweep points. Advertised points include mile 10 which seems to be the one most folks are concerned with. It kind of sounds like this may be your sticking point, also. If you get swept at this point expect to be asked to get on a bus for transport back to the finish. The main reason Disney does not allow continued participation unlike marathons like Houston is the fact you are on a divided highway. It would not be safe to allow folks to continue on the roadway.

If you feel good about your 9 mile time, I would not go back out again until the half (I wouldn’t go back out if you didn’t as I would rather see you heal). It’s only 12 days and you will not lose much of anything. I would take NSAIDs and ice your injury for the next few days to get back on the road to recovery. On the morning of the half expect adrenaline to help out some. Stay loose and relaxed and I think you will be surprised at how well you will make it.

You should do ok on race day. However, monitor your body and please do not feel like you must push through an injury to get a medal. Frankly, it’s better to not reinjure the foot to a point that you are disabled for a few months post race. Note on the map that there are First Aid Stations just after the start, mile 2.5, mile 6, mile 9 and mile 11.5. If you feel like you can’t make it, stop in at one of these stations and they will assist you.

Good luck on race day. I know that you will do well and you will be surprised at how well you do. Remember, deep breathes, relaxed shoulders and smile. It’s all about fun.

Sandy.

Correct it’s a rolling 16 minute pace requirement from the time the last person crossed the start. That is a total of 3:30 race time. Wave C starts at 6:25. Assume that the last person in C crosses the start 10 minutes later or at 6:35. That means that to be an official finisher you would need to cross the line by 10:05. You can make a simple pace band/chart to carry with you so the math is easy. Since you cannot control when the last person crosses the start, you really should focus on your position against your time on course. Start your watch as you cross the line and work to stay in front of the 16 minute pace. If you can work your way to the front of the wave, you will buy yourself a little buffer.

 

[Sandy321]

Thanks Charles, I appreciate your advice and experience!!

I'm working on that pace band - I have different sites bookmarked, I just wasnt sure what times I wanted to put on them!!

Not long now - we're having blizzard weather, than a cold front - this weekend looks like rain - but in the 40's!!

One day at a time indeed!!

 

[cewait]

Near the bottom of this link I have listed the 16 minute interval times....

http://www.disneyrunning.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10830#10830

 

[Sandy321]

Thanks - that is very helpful, and I appreciate it!!

I'll keep on my 15 min pace - but its nice to know how to get a buffer!! Esp if I start out too fast and have to slow down to get my breath!

 

[escape]

Sandy,

My cat and I keep trying to kill that bug in your signature.

The pace band is a good idea. I used one for the half last year and I also gave one to my scream team (all of two people) to give them an idea of where I would be at any given mile - based on what I had accomplished in my training. I finished within a minute of time listed on the band.

 

[pickles521]

Thanks for the responses. I really appreciated the boost in confidence too! I guess I'll probably just have to chalk this one up to experience, and include the sweep bus in that experience! You never know though, I just might make it.