Disney Marathon Weekend - ALONE! Eeek

[MelliJellyBean]

So I've been training very hard these past for four months for my first marathon. It was supposed to be a trip with 2 other friends. One friend dropped out a long time ago. However, I just learned yesterday, 11 days before the event, and 8 days before we leave, that my other friend is not going either!! He says it's health related, but I have my suspicions.

Anyway...anyone else doing this alone? If I weren't nervous about the marathon, already, now it's even worse!

 

[RENThead09]

You will be fine!
I did my first marathon last year at WDW solo. There are a ton of other runners around and all the cast members are amazing if you need anything.

Look at the meets that are posted for the Dis peeps and try to get to one of them to meet up with someone who might be in the same boat as you.

Most of all, have fun! No need to be stressed on this one. And race morning, just follow the crowds. hahaha it's like the lemmings to the sea at the start line.

Safe Travels!

 

[rubato]

Maybe you could post your expected finish time or pace on here and see if someone will run with you who is your speed. If not, there will be a lot of us there and we will all support each other.

 

[eyor44]

Yep, you will be fine. Lots of others do it alone also. Are you doing the parks also? I went in May for a solo trip and loved it.

 

[Duanerice]

Heck, you'll be with 20,000 like minded people. You'll have a blast. Check out the meeting at Pop and instantly make new friends!

enjoy,
Duane

 

[FireDancer]

I did marathon weekend solo in 2006 and 2008 and had a lot of fun. I always run alone anyway so the race itself wasn't any different than it will be this year with 2 friends. Come find the WISH group before and after the race if you would like to do a little socializing and there is a WISH meet at POP on Friday at 4:00pm and at the Boardwalk Bakery Monday Morning (can't remember the time).

I did a column for the DIS about solo trips if you want to get some tips for the rest of the weekend.

 

[FFigawi]

Hi Melli! Glad to see you made it over here from DM. Lots of good people here, and I'm sure you'll make plenty of new friends. If you give me your bib number, I'll add it to the thread with all the numbers so you can see who might be in your corral and running about the same pace as you. And definitely go to the meet on Friday afternoon at Pop Century. There will be a ton of people there to meet and hang out with.

 

[MelliJellyBean]

Thanks for the article and suggestions, everyone! Most helpful and reassuring. I did a solo trip to New Orleans and I've been to Disney many times, but never on my own. I'm sure I will have fun. I am very interested in the opportunity to meet some new people! (this would normally never happen on a family vacation!) What is the POP? I'd rather meet up with some folks earlier than later in the weekend!!

 

[Maddykins06]

I'm running alone & shooting for 11-12 minute miles.

I have to change my bib # since I never handed in my results from a half in September. Finished 2:35, but I have no idea what corral that puts me in now.

 

[MelliJellyBean]

hey John! Glad to see a familiar face here! I figured between this group and DM, I'd meet up with some cool peeps!! My # is 14713 for the marathon! I'm getting excited but I'm also nervous!

I'll need to get some more specific directions on where to meet up. I get there on Thursday morning, so I'm going to have lots of time to kill and have fun!

 

[Mickey Chic]

Melli-

PM me. DH and I are running, but i have a feeling, i'll be doing most of it on my own and he'll be walking (he hasn't been, um, training very regularly and he isn't really a marathoner). I run a 5:20 marathon (the one marathon i've done, i didn't push it because i was nervous, even sprinted the last half mile) and do 4 min run/1 min walk. [more than likely i'm too slow, i know ] We're doing a few meet ups from another podcast board, you are welcome to come to them as well!! (Be Our Guest Podcast).

 

[forceword]

Hi Melli,

I'm in the same situation as you. I'm doing the Goofy and my cousins wife was due to come with me and do the full. Sadly, she had to pull out a few days after Christmas leaving me coming solo.

I don't mind the running alone so much but I think that touring the parks and dining on my own will be a bit lonely. I'm going to the Pop and Boardwalk meets so I'm hoping to meet some new friends there. I'd hate to have to cancel my Le Cellier and California Grill ADRs.

I come in on Thursday from the UK and will be staying till Tuesday. Feel free to PM me and we can maybe get together with other solo travellers at one of the meets or at the parks.

Best of luck everyone,

Liam

 

[verticalchaos]

I love running "alone" in races. Sometimes I'll be with someone for a little while, but I like being able to be at my pace and speed up or slow down as needed - and also not fear I'm holding anyone else back.

As far as parks, I've been doing them solo since Tuesday (got stranded here in Orlando until tomorrow thanks to the snow...thankfully my sister's here, so I've had lodging and stuff). I LOVE doing them by myself. I can do what I want and not worry about someone else being bored - or being dragged onto something I don't really want to do. Also single rider lines where they are available are GREAT! But I've been able to have some great conversations with people in lines, and I've never felt "lonely".

I say just enjoy the experience and celebrate YOU!

 

[jennypenny]

I'm so glad to see this post. I'm signed up for the princess half and it looks like my family won't be able to come with me. I'm so nervous about going myself (not the travel part--the running part). This is my first big race. And I only started running last year. I used to be so fat and in such bad shape/pain that I used to use a walker or cane to get around. On our WDW vacation last February they had to take me to Celebration hospital in an ambulance because I was in so much pain. Now I run 35-40 miles per week and have lost 70+ lbs. But I'm still nervous going by myself a year later. I've run 13.1 twice in training so I know I'm ready, but I can't shake that nervous feeling. I'll never forget that ambulance ride--it was my low point and got me running.

I'm glad to hear so many of you go alone. I think I'll book the flight and hotel today. It's so stupid to be nervous--what could happen? And even if I hurt myself and had to get medical help, Celebration hospital already has my info on file

 

[danyella522]

I'm so glad to see this post. I'm signed up for the princess half and it looks like my family won't be able to come with me. I'm so nervous about going myself (not the travel part--the running part). This is my first big race. And I only started running last year. I used to be so fat and in such bad shape/pain that I used to use a walker or cane to get around. On our WDW vacation last February they had to take me to Celebration hospital in an ambulance because I was in so much pain. Now I run 35-40 miles per week and have lost 70+ lbs. But I'm still nervous going by myself a year later. I've run 13.1 twice in training so I know I'm ready, but I can't shake that nervous feeling. I'll never forget that ambulance ride--it was my low point and got me running.

I'm glad to hear so many of you go alone. I think I'll book the flight and hotel today. It's so stupid to be nervous--what could happen? And even if I hurt myself and had to get medical help, Celebration hospital already has my info on file

Awesome job on the training and weight loss! You'll do fine and I bet you feel great

 

[Pumbaa80]

This is my first big race. And I only started running last year. I used to be so fat and in such bad shape/pain that I used to use a walker or cane to get around. On our WDW vacation last February they had to take me to Celebration hospital in an ambulance because I was in so much pain. Now I run 35-40 miles per week and have lost 70+ lbs. But I'm still nervous going by myself a year later. I've run 13.1 twice in training so I know I'm ready, but I can't shake that nervous feeling. I'll never forget that ambulance ride--it was my low point and got me running.

Congrats on all of your accomplishments!!!

This will be my first race, too, and although DH will be running with me, I'm still nervous...getting more so every day!

 

[Destination:Athlete]

You're gonna do great!!

Have a blast - it's what I'm going to try and do.

 

[MelliJellyBean]

I love running "alone" in races. Sometimes I'll be with someone for a little while, but I like being able to be at my pace and speed up or slow down as needed - and also not fear I'm holding anyone else back.

As far as parks, I've been doing them solo since Tuesday (got stranded here in Orlando until tomorrow thanks to the snow...thankfully my sister's here, so I've had lodging and stuff). I LOVE doing them by myself. I can do what I want and not worry about someone else being bored - or being dragged onto something I don't really want to do. Also single rider lines where they are available are GREAT! But I've been able to have some great conversations with people in lines, and I've never felt "lonely".

I say just enjoy the experience and celebrate YOU!

I'm not really concerned with running the race by myself. It's mostly doing the parks and stuff by myself...but the good news I do get to do whatever I want to and whenever I feel like it. I think I'm going to do the Harry Potter park on Friday - anyone else interested?

 

[bounceliketigger]

DITTO to what everyone else has said already!

I've done 3 Disney races so far, 2 of them solo & the other semi-solo. You might be surprised at how fun & relaxing it is! To only worry about what you are doing and no one else....

That said, take up the offers to go to WISH meets & for anyone who's in your corral, etc. This is a super friendly and supportive bunch & I bet you'll make some new friends!!

Best of luck!

Shanonn


7 Weeks to Princess 2011!! Wooo hoooo!

 

[MelliJellyBean]

DITTO to what everyone else has said already!

I've done 3 Disney races so far, 2 of them solo & the other semi-solo. You might be surprised at how fun & relaxing it is! To only worry about what you are doing and no one else....

That said, take up the offers to go to WISH meets & for anyone who's in your corral, etc. This is a super friendly and supportive bunch & I bet you'll make some new friends!!

Best of luck!

Shanonn


7 Weeks to Princess 2011!! Wooo hoooo!

Ya, I don't mind running alone -with a slight injury, I may slow someone else down and I never like that feeling of making someone stop because I need to take a break.

Where I can I find specific details on the WISH meets? There's one on Friday?