Better first 1/2 Marathon?

[twalton]

The wife and I have been doing 5Ks for about a year and just did the Family Fiesta 5K last weekend. We came home inspired and motivated and are now planning on signing up for our first half marathon. I've always been convinced that the Disney Half in January would be the way to go for our first time but, now that I'm looking, I'm wondering if the Wine and Dine in November would be better? I have a list of pros and cons, and know which way I'm leaning...but wanting opinions...

So...which do you think is the better experience for a first-timer?

 

[MikeofRose&Mike]

Hard to say since Wine and Dine is moving. Weather is better in October, and the Food and Wine is a fun time to visit as an Adult.
Room rates are lower in January and there are more WISHers there.

Annother option is to do a local half first so there is less pressure, and by the time you pay for a destination race you know you can do a half. Plus maybe you can sleep in your own bed before and get up at 5Am instead of 3AM.
Here are some halfs in [url"http://www.halfmarathonclub.com/Missouri_Half_Marathon_Races.html] Missouri [/url] and Illinois . The St Louis Rock 'n' Roll in October might be a good choice and then you can run in January at WDW.

Mike

 

[jmasgat]

Another thing to consider...night time race vs daytime race. Some people have difficulties managing the evening race start.

And the course for the January half is different than the one for W&D--so do you want to run through MK and Epcot or AK and DHS?

I would probably go with January for a first time race, but that's just me.

Maura

 

[John VN]

Our first venture into racing was the 2010 Up and Away 5K in January. Once hooked our next venture was the 2010 W&D Half Relay, then the Space Coast Half in November and then the 2011 Marathon Weekend Half. DW was not ready for a full Half in September and that is why we chose the Relay.

Sounds like you-all are set for a November assault on a Half and then back to Disney for Marathon Weekend.

Good luck and keep it FUN!

 

[cewait]

Of the three halves at WDW... The Princess and January races are on the same course. Morning starts running through MK and Futureworld of Epcot... The Wine and Dine is a night race running through AK and DHS.

A morning race in my opinion would be a better first time Disney event for many reasons. Mostly due to the fact you can see where you are.

From a coaching perspective... A May or June half locally would be a better first half (assuming you are not in the south). Why wait until November? If one does this, then you can enjoy all four parks in January. Very very doable

 

[mamacate]

I can't provide expert advice, since I was recently making a similar decision and I still haven't run my first half, but I'll tell you that I decided on the Princess over a number of other races.

Partly it was timing--just about a year from when I started running and registration opened within days of my first 10K. But when I looked at the January half, I decided that it was just going to be too much of a zoo for my first race. Maybe this is kind of lame, but I wanted my race to be the big event of the weekend, not a warmup to the marathon, and as a beginner, I felt like the crowd at the Princess would be a bit slower and less intense. I think W&D would be similar. I'm a night person and the timing doesn't bother me, but October in FL can be horribly humid, so that worried me. Still, if they continue the W&Ds, I'm hoping to try it sometime.

Just my $0.02. Not sure I made the right decision, but that was my thinking. (FWIW, I would have signed up for the LV R&R if I hadn't had a work conflict, and it sounds like it was a nightmare, so maybe you should do the opposite of what I suggested.)

Cate

 

[liznboys]

You can see in my sig. all the halfs I've done, with WDW January 2010 being my first. In hindsight I'm so glad I chose that one as it is my favorite. Marathon weekend is so big and exciting!! Being pretty much surrounded by runners during that trip is a great experience. I would definitely recommend it for your first and actually I have done just that multiple times to friends.

 

[JJSWDW]

Just did my first half in January. Been talking about the next one and I am torn about day vs night too. I think I would go with January again because I like the cooler weather. September and October can still be hot. While I didn't really sleep much the night before, I think I preferred this to trying to go to bed right afterwards.

 

[goofyinohio]

In my opinion I would go with marathon weekend for my first.

I'm a night runner and really loved both tower of terror and wine and dine. However I think marathon weekend you get a different vibe. Runners are everywhere as you already know. You find yourself taking to complete strangers about the races.

As far as courses wine and dine for me is better but you don't get to go through the magic kingdom. You get better pictures taken of you I feel during the half in January as well. Then there is crowd support. For wine and dine you really don't have spectators other than volunteers while the Donald is loaded with people.

So you may know all of that but those are the reasons I'd chose the Donald half.