Dinner Night Before Half Marathon

[Abbie485]

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited as I count down the days to my first RunDisney race! As we start finalizing our plans before we can book FastPasses in a couple weeks, I am looking for suggestions on where to eat the night before the half marathon in January. Originally, we weren’t planning on doing a park on Friday, so we made a dinner reservation at 1900 Park Fare. The flight we booked is going to be arriving earlier than originally planned, so we are now planning on going to one of the parks on Friday after the expo in the morning.

I was thinking maybe switching our reservation Tutto Italia in Epcot, because what better excuse to eat pasta! Part of me is leaning against a buffet now because I don’t want too much food the night before. I am open to any suggestions though or tips from previous experience!

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[VAfamily1998]

I think Tutto Italia is a good choice! I also like to eat pasta the night before.
What resort are you staying at?

Enjoy your first Run Disney race!

 

[Abbie485]

I think Tutto Italia is a good choice! I also like to eat pasta the night before.
What resort are you staying at?

Enjoy your first Run Disney race!

We are staying at Beach Club. We haven’t finalized our plan for which park on Friday, but I was thinking we would do Epcot since Beach Club is right there.

 

[PCFriar80]

We are staying at Beach Club. We haven’t finalized our plan for which park on Friday, but I was thinking we would do Epcot since Beach Club is right there.

Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk is another option for pasta if you don't want to go to Epcot. We'll be down there the same time running the 10K only [achilles injury recovery] and at the BCVs. Good luck with your run and where ever you select to eat!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Have you done a Half Marathon before? You probably don't want to eat too much before your head hits the pillow to get up at 2:30AM (to make the 3AM bus to Epcot). Better to eat pancakes for breakfast and just some pasta for an early dinner. Otherwise, you may be hitting the porta-pottie a few times during your 13.1 miles. Get your gels during the race to keep up your glycogen during the race. And don't drink too much water.

 

[Malestrom Troll]

I wouldn't choose a buffet before the race. Pasta is the way to go the night before. Our tradition has been eating at Mama Melrose's before a race.

 

[Abbie485]

Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk is another option for pasta if you don't want to go to Epcot. We'll be down there the same time running the 10K only [achilles injury recovery] and at the BCVs. Good luck with your run and where ever you select to eat!

That could be an option! I am sorry to hear about the injury. I am sure the 10k will be fun though!

 

[Abbie485]

Have you done a Half Marathon before? You probably don't want to eat too much before your head hits the pillow to get up at 2:30AM (to make the 3AM bus to Epcot). Better to eat pancakes for breakfast and just some pasta for an early dinner. Otherwise, you may be hitting the porta-pottie a few times during your 13.1 miles. Get your gels during the race to keep up your glycogen during the race. And don't drink too much water.

I have done one half marathon before, but definitely didn’t have to get up as early as we will have to for Disney. My problem is that I have such a hard time eating in the morning before a race. Anything we do for dinner the night before, we would definitely make it early. Probably no later than 5pm. I think I am going to cancel 1900 Park Fare so we avoid the buffet.

 

[TeeKo]

Another vote for Trattoria al Forno. We’ve stayed at Beach Club for two previous Princess half marathons and enjoyed our pre-race dinner there. Lots and lots of runners will be there carb loading with you.

 

[mickip]

I ate at Trattoria with my friend the night before the marathon and it was perfect.

 

[bumbershoot]

I tend to go to PO food court or AOA’s for their build your own pasta. Easy and I can eat it in my room if my pre-event jitters are hitting. Eating and laying out the clothes is a way to soothe my nerves.

Have you done a Half Marathon before? You probably don't want to eat too much before your head hits the pillow to get up at 2:30AM (to make the 3AM bus to Epcot). Better to eat pancakes for breakfast and just some pasta for an early dinner. Otherwise, you may be hitting the porta-pottie a few times during your 13.1 miles. Get your gels during the race to keep up your glycogen during the race. And don't drink too much water.

Yep.

My problem is that I have such a hard time eating in the morning before a race.

I don’t think Deb meant to eat pancakes the morning of the half. But to eat them the morning before. And I agree.

I mean, eating carbs isn’t actually something that’s hugely important for a normal runner (carb loading isn’t just eating carbs, and it’s something elite athletes work on for days in advance after depleting glycogen first, but I digress), but it’s fun and simple food. I’ve had my best success eating that sort of thing earlier in the day, and going with protein later.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yes, eat your pancakes the day before for breakfast. Or Mickey waffles.

 

[StayAwake]

Virtually every Italian restaurant at Disney will be full of runners, so you'll be in good company! Enjoy the race- it's a great one.

 

[Dizzytime]

I mean, eating carbs isn’t actually something that’s hugely important for a normal runner (carb loading isn’t just eating carbs, and it’s something elite athletes work on for days in advance after depleting glycogen first, but I digress), but it’s fun and simple food. I’ve had my best success eating that sort of thing earlier in the day, and going with protein later.

This
Hey Abbie485, I envy you!! Ahh, to be young again!!
You've trained for and have done one 'half' already, so you have a good idea how your stomach works. Just eat what you digest more easily ( for me it was carbs, for sure). My experience meant getting up so early simply translated into just eating an earlier dinner the night before. Surely was important to eat what I was used to eating before a longer run too, but always tried to make sure the afternoon/evening before was fun!
Sometimes a buffet was perfect for me, and I remember eating at Cape May the night before my last Disney marathon because they did have some carbos, and since we were at Beach Club it allowed me to relax and stay off my feet a little more.
Have a great time, relax, Abbie485 . Take it all in! Not just the race, but the whole trip, because your run such a big part of your trip! If you're like me you'll remember it for the rest of your life.

 

[Abbie485]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I am thinking we will do either Trattoria al Forno or Tutto Italia. Either way, we will be close to Beach Club to make it an early night. Now I will just have to find a early reservation. It looks like 7pm is the earliest currently available. I am sure someone will cancel one at some point, I will just have to keep my eye out!

 

[kastoney]

If you're going to do Italian (great choice over a buffet BTW) you may also want to consider Il Mulino. IMO its the best Italian on property and right next to the Yacht/Beach club in the Swan.