Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend September 4-6, 2015 10th Anniversary

[princess_jamie]

I am from Calgary. I assume you are too? This will be my first time doing any of the distances at the event. I only ran my first 5km last year in August!

Yes, I am! The 10k was a great course - such a nice time of year for a run by the zoo and the river. I've had friends do the half and enjoy it too. Good for you!! You have to start somewhere right? My first 10k was after signing up for my first half - a little backwards, but still good. I've never done any half marathons in Calgary. I find that the less I know where I am/where I am going in a long race, the better because I have no concept of how far away I am from where I need to end up. Sounds like a great race to train for this one though! Good luck!

 

[chris1013]

Running the Half with my sister in law and a friend. For all of us, it will be our first half, and it will also be my first trip to DL. Super excited!

We have a hotel reservation at the Castle Inn, although I am on the waitlist for DVC at Grand Californian. Based on the information I have found, I think it's about a 20 minute walk from Castle Inn to the starting area for the race. I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm this?

 

[zanzibar138]

We have a hotel reservation at the Castle Inn, although I am on the waitlist for DVC at Grand Californian. Based on the information I have found, I think it's about a 20 minute walk from Castle Inn to the starting area for the race. I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm this?

That sounds about right. Welcome!

 

[Xenorye]

I'm not running, but thanks for the good info in this post.

I will be there with my family this weekend. Do parts of the park close down at certain points? Where can I find that info?

 

[kim3339]

I'm not running, but thanks for the good info in this post.

I will be there with my family this weekend. Do parts of the park close down at certain points? Where can I find that info?

Nope, parks are open like regular for during race mornings. Thurs night there is a party for the runners from 9-12 on the west side area of DL. It's the 1st time during this for this race so not sure if the park will be closed or if just that section is closed to the public. The parts of the race courses that are in the parks are early in the race so when the park opens up, the race will either be over (Fri & Sat) or out on the streets of Anaheim (Sun). You might run into some runner traffic Sun morning depending on your hotel, but they're really good about directing when you can cross over the course or need to wait a few minutes.

 

[Xenorye]

Nope, parks are open like regular for during race mornings. Thurs night there is a party for the runners from 9-12 on the west side area of DL. It's the 1st time during this for this race so not sure if the park will be closed or if just that section is closed to the public. The parts of the race courses that are in the parks are early in the race so when the park opens up, the race will either be over (Fri & Sat) or out on the streets of Anaheim (Sun). You might run into some runner traffic Sun morning depending on your hotel, but they're really good about directing when you can cross over the course or need to wait a few minutes.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[Keels]

Can you access the lockers in the Esplanade prior to the race? Or is it better to just Gear Check and then get a locker if we chose to go straight into the parks after the race?

 

[kim3339]

Can you access the lockers in the Esplanade prior to the race? Or is it better to just Gear Check and then get a locker if we chose to go straight into the parks after the race?

I'm pretty sure you can. I think they empty them the night before so I'd think you'd be fine. The only thing I would worry about is if they'll let you over there w/ the set up for the course. Sometimes they're funny and won't let you wander anywhere but straight through DTD.

 

[Keels]

I'm pretty sure you can. I think they empty them the night before so I'd think you'd be fine. The only thing I would worry about is if they'll let you over there w/ the set up for the course. Sometimes they're funny and won't let you wander anywhere but straight through DTD.

Cool - thanks! I guess we'll just plan to Gear Check and then get a locker afterwards.

 

[kim3339]

Training plans are finally up on rD! Completely in love w/ the 10k theme whether it's Villans or Snow White.

We're getting closer!

 

[dduckfan]

This is my first run Disney and my first 5K. So excited. Was wondering what kind of things do you take with you that you that you have gear to check. I just thought a bottle of water. I think I have a lot to learn. Happy I found this thread.

 

[kim3339]

This is my first run Disney and my first 5K. So excited. Was wondering what kind of things do you take with you that you that you have gear to check. I just thought a bottle of water. I think I have a lot to learn. Happy I found this thread.

Congrats on your 1st 5k! For the 5k, I usually don't do a bag drop, like you I just bring my little water bottle and shuffle. I have seen some people do a bag drop for the 5k, but it's mostly families w/ little kids and am guessing it's stuff for the kids after the race. Disney is really good about post races, even the 5ks, you'll get a bottle of water and powerade, a snack box, a banana and sometimes bagels.

I do bring a bag for the longer races and usually I'll put in there a pair of flip flops, a shirt to throw over me post race, (but w/ DL in Sept I'm usually fine) and some post race nutrition like power bar chomps and especially w/ this race b/c weather has been on the warm side, I freeze a bottle of powerade and by the time I'm done it's defrosted and cold and awesome.

 

[dduckfan]

Congrats on your 1st 5k! For the 5k, I usually don't do a bag drop, like you I just bring my little water bottle and shuffle. I have seen some people do a bag drop for the 5k, but it's mostly families w/ little kids and am guessing it's stuff for the kids after the race. Disney is really good about post races, even the 5ks, you'll get a bottle of water and powerade, a snack box, a banana and sometimes bagels.

I do bring a bag for the longer races and usually I'll put in there a pair of flip flops, a shirt to throw over me post race, (but w/ DL in Sept I'm usually fine) and some post race nutrition like power bar chomps and especially w/ this race b/c weather has been on the warm side, I freeze a bottle of powerade and by the time I'm done it's defrosted and cold and awesome.

 

[dduckfan]

Thanks Kim for your help. I really don't know what to expect. I decided to do this on a whim. Well, maybe it was just to get in an extra trip this year. I will be walking it by myself, and then to Disneyland with my husband. Oh, do you know if you still get a medal if you get swept up?

 

[kim3339]

Thanks Kim for your help. I really don't know what to expect. I decided to do this on a whim. Well, maybe it was just to get in an extra trip this year. I will be walking it by myself, and then to Disneyland with my husband. Oh, do you know if you still get a medal if you get swept up?

Disney does give medals if you get swept. But for the 5k, they're usually really lax on the time limit. As long as your moving forward and not hanging about, you should be fine. They will cut off the character photo stops, but I can't recall every hearing anyone getting swept on the 5k. I know at SW, I saw some people coming out of DCA w/ still about .3 of a mile left and it was well over the 1:15 mark. And you won't be alone, the Disney races are pretty much the best in when it comes to the runners; everybody encourages everybody else and they have characters along the course and the maintenance crew is insane they have 2 sometimes 3 different areas where they're cheering you on and have Mickey gloves waving at everybody. It's a good way to get hooked walking/running.

And another trip to DL is never a bad thing, especially this year b/w the 60th of the park and 10th of the race. I'm just decided to try and squeeze another weekend trip in Aug before this weekend.

 

[dduckfan]

Disney does give medals if you get swept. But for the 5k, they're usually really lax on the time limit. As long as your moving forward and not hanging about, you should be fine. They will cut off the character photo stops, but I can't recall every hearing anyone getting swept on the 5k. I know at SW, I saw some people coming out of DCA w/ still about .3 of a mile left and it was well over the 1:15 mark. And you won't be alone, the Disney races are pretty much the best in when it comes to the runners; everybody encourages everybody else and they have characters along the course and the maintenance crew is insane they have 2 sometimes 3 different areas where they're cheering you on and have Mickey gloves waving at everybody. It's a good way to get hooked walking/running.

And another trip to DL is never a bad thing, especially this year b/w the 60th of the park and 10th of the race. I'm just decided to try and squeeze another weekend trip in Aug before this weekend.

Thanks for all your help and answers. You don't know how much you have helped me. I am only up to walking a little over 2miles but by September I will be ok.

 

[zanzibar138]

This is my first run Disney and my first 5K. So excited. Was wondering what kind of things do you take with you that you that you have gear to check. I just thought a bottle of water. I think I have a lot to learn. Happy I found this thread.

Congrats on your first 5k! No better place to do it

I have NEVER bothered to check a gear bag for any race. I have only done up to 10k so far, but not planning to check a gear bag for the half either. I have a little elasticised race belt that fits my room/car key and a small amount of cash. I just carried my camera because I wanted to use it! The only thing I can think of that you might want to check is a little jacket for after the race, but it's warm enough in September that you shouldn't need one. We didn't even need one before the race last year. There are water stations along the course and at the finish line, so if you think you'll get annoyed having to carry your water bottle around, don't feel like you need to take it. They also provide a goodie pack at the finish line for the post-race munchies.

Although it's not really related to bag check, make sure you remember your sunnies if you have sensitive eyes. It's dark when you leave your hotel, but if you're going to walk the whole 5k, the sun will come up while you're still on the course. We finished in just under 40 minutes last year and it was starting to get a bit glary already.

 

[Beamo2014]

Does anyone know if there is a separate thread where I might get information about the training plans on the rundisney site? This will be my very first 10K (though I have completed a few 5Ks) and I really want to do a good job. Plus I'm really worried about getting swept. So I thought I would follow the training plan for this race, but I am having trouble understanding what to do. I know this week you do a short 30 mins on Tues/Thurs and then 1.5 miles on Sat. But my confusion is in that the 1.5 miles is supposed to be the long run but I can run farther than that in 30 mins. Maybe it is because it is only the first week and the long run will slowly increase towards the 6.5 mile mark? I just want to make sure I'm doing this right. Thanks!

 

[zanzibar138]

Does anyone know if there is a separate thread where I might get information about the training plans on the rundisney site? This will be my very first 10K (though I have completed a few 5Ks) and I really want to do a good job. Plus I'm really worried about getting swept. So I thought I would follow the training plan for this race, but I am having trouble understanding what to do. I know this week you do a short 30 mins on Tues/Thurs and then 1.5 miles on Sat. But my confusion is in that the 1.5 miles is supposed to be the long run but I can run farther than that in 30 mins. Maybe it is because it is only the first week and the long run will slowly increase towards the 6.5 mile mark? I just want to make sure I'm doing this right. Thanks!

The Galloway method is designed for beginners and injury prevention. It eases you into the program very gently. The weekend 'long run' is not always a long run. You've probably noticed the distance only increases every second weekend. A lot of people can't go further than 1.5 miles in 30 minutes when they start out. I couldn't run more than 10 seconds at a time to start with. If you can already run further than 1.5 miles in 30 minutes, then you're ahead of the game and probably don't need to worry about being swept

There are plenty of other 10k programs around which are designed more for experienced runners which may be more appropriate for you. You don't have to follow the Galloway program just because it is associated with RunDisney. My parents used the Hal Higdon program last year and found it more enjoyable because if provided more of a challenge for them. Personally I like to use the Galloway program because I think it's a good training/lifestyle balance and I'm also prone to injury.

If you're really worried about being swept, have you submitted a proof of time? That will get you out of the last corral and give you a bit more of a buffer. If you are stuck in last corral (as I was last year), be aware that they are huge corrals and if you get there early for a spot near the front, that will also give you a buffer. Last year we only finished 10 minutes under the time limit (just a hair under 1:30), but we never saw ANY sign of the sweepers and there were also plenty of people behind us. We passed lots of people on the course. What's your plan for the run? Do you need to allow extra time for photos and character meets along the way? If so, make sure you factor this into your training. Lots of people worry about being swept, but honestly if you put the training in and know you can do the distance, you really shouldn't have anything to worry about

 

[kim3339]

Does anyone know if there is a separate thread where I might get information about the training plans on the rundisney site? This will be my very first 10K (though I have completed a few 5Ks) and I really want to do a good job. Plus I'm really worried about getting swept. So I thought I would follow the training plan for this race, but I am having trouble understanding what to do. I know this week you do a short 30 mins on Tues/Thurs and then 1.5 miles on Sat. But my confusion is in that the 1.5 miles is supposed to be the long run but I can run farther than that in 30 mins. Maybe it is because it is only the first week and the long run will slowly increase towards the 6.5 mile mark? I just want to make sure I'm doing this right. Thanks!

Some other plans you could check out aside from HH that Zanzibar mentioned are coolrunning.com, they have beginner, intermediate, advanced and competitor plans. Also runnersworld.com has some different level plans as well as a smart coach where you put in your current fitness and goals and give the plan based on that.

Another thing that you could do is create your own plan, I did that for my 1/2 plan. Print out a few different ones, determine how many weeks you want to teain, and combine what you like about each plan into your own. If you want to do more speed work or more hill work add that in or if you want to run 5 days or 3 days instead of 4.