Do the parks before or after

[wvjules]

the Half Marathon in January? I orginally wanted to do the Disney days after the marathon because one of the best things about Disney is eating the yummy food. I didn't want to have to worry so much about what I'm eating in the days leading up to the event.

Now I'm second-guessing that decision. My DBF's BIL was too sore to do the parks after his events last January. (He did goofy and a half though.) I don't want to be too sore and miserable to enjoy myself.

Also what is the least crowded time? The week before or the week after?

Thanks.

 

[crewmatt]

Hey, I did the marathon and wasnt too sore following it, I had no problem doing the parks and being at rope drop/etc. It really depends on how you feel after a normal half marathon. Motrin will work wonders for the pain, plus afterwards everyone is wearing their medals which is really kinda cool in my opinion.

 

[BrianD]

I highly recommend doing the parks AFTER the race for several reasons. First, you should be resting as much as possible in those days leading up to the race, instead of walking all over the parks. We don't realize how much it wears us out because we are distracted by all there is to see and do. Also, while yes, you are sore after the race, doing park touring then will actually help you get over soreness faster. And finally, for me, I am just able to enjoy the parks much more after the race, because before it, I am too distracted gearing up for the race to really enjoy the parks too much. IMHO!

 

[wvjules]

Hey, I did the marathon and wasnt too sore following it, I had no problem doing the parks and being at rope drop/etc. It really depends on how you feel after a normal half marathon. Motrin will work wonders for the pain, plus afterwards everyone is wearing their medals which is really kinda cool in my opinion.

It will be my fist so I have no idea how I will feel. Maybe I should do some before and some after.

 

[StitchAttack]

The best part about going to the parks after the marathon and half marathon is seeing all of the runners with their medals on and race t-shirts. If you are sore, you won't be alone. I sort of like it. Every time I see someone wince as they slowly walk down the steps to get off the bus or wince as they step into a ride I think to myself, "Yeah we both just ran a marathon or half-marathon".

 

[wtpclc]

I highly recommend doing the parks after. DOing them first could really wear you out for teh race. Plus, after MOnday, the place empties out. Oh, a massage, cold soak adn keeping moving do wonders for helping the soreness. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Hockeychic]

We always stay the week after, great to show off the bling and congradulate other athletes on their accomplishments.

 

[jbucci]

Another vote here for after. There is nothing like being able to wear your medal around the parks and feeling the comraderie with the others who ran. Keeping moving after the race will help any soreness/stiffness and you can just relax and enjoy the park, not worry if you are doing too much pre-race.

 

[FireDancer]

I kind of do them in the middle. I like to do either Wed-Sun or Thurs-Mon depending on if I am doing the half or full.

Whatever you do make sure to keep moving after finishing the half. I know a lot of first timers that go right back to the hotel to rest and I think that is a mistake. I would spend at least an hour walking around the finish area before getting on the bus. I do go back to shower but then get right back out and keep moving.

 

[Duanerice]

Another vote for after. You don't want to be worrying if you are eating the wrong things, are you walking too much, staying hydrated, etc. There is too much going on in your mind especially if this is your first.

I did the Dopey again and was fine. Sure a little sore on Sunday but still went to Magic Kingdom. Although we didn't stay late. Getting up early 3 days in a row wore on me. Fine on Monday. It really does feel good to get out and walk. So much more fun after.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Is it bad that my philosophy is "before, during, and after?"

Seriously though, we do to the park before the event (because we can't be in Disney and not go to the parks!) but keep it down to 4-6 hours in the park. This year I ran the Dopey, so it was easy to keep my park time down. Ran the 5K, went to AK for a few hours, hit the WISH meet, went to bed. Repeat similarly for next couple days.

I agree that it is very important to just keep moving after running, though. Last year I fell asleep (unintentionally) for a couple hours after the half marathon and I really paid for it for days afterwards. This year, I was much less stiff, despite the fact that I ran 29 miles more than the year before. But my plan was to get back to the resort, shower and change, and then head immediately to the parks for food. I was always starving, so it was easy to make myself get up and go to the parks, even when my feet were killing me after the marathon!

 

[solar]

I did my first half in March and could barely walk after...glad we spent some time before that wondering around Disney -- BUT, I should have kept moving, because I would have felt better!

Everybody will be different - think about how you feel after a long run...how does your body react, and how quickly do you bounce back? Keeping moving will help you, but things like mondo blisters (you may or may not get) or sore knees/or hips (or whatever you may end up feeling) may change your plans in a hurry....since you don't know how you'll feel, why not do a split stay and save your favorite goodies/snacks for after the race day.

After doing my second 1/2 in April - my recovery was faster - and I'm hoping doing a 1/2 in May I'll continue to understand how to heal my body faster...but that first experience -- was not only about running but a HUGE amount of adrenalin and new experiences as well. I knew my legs might be sore, but didn't expect chills or nausea and crawled into bed...even though in my brain i knew to keep moving and to get in the pool or something, I gave in and felt it later...

I'm going back in October and plan on doing a split week like suggested - partially before, partially after - so that i can pick and choose my favorites for certain days

 

[disney_mommy]

I may be bucking the trend here, but I say before. This year for the Princess (which was my first half) I spent a few days in the park after and I was so sore! I did what everyone suggested and kept moving after the race, I never sat down. By that evening I was so sore I could barely walk. The next 2 mornings it was hard to get going, midday I was fine, but by the evening, my hips and legs were so sore it hurt to get around (especially getting on and off the buses and monorail).

It was also very cool to have people congratulate me (because of course I was still wearing my bling) and to congratulate others. And every once in a while, someone wearing bling would say "are you sore?" and we would commiserate together and talk about how sore we both were.

So this time, for the Wine & Dine, I am doing my park days before. I know I won't be going too crazy running all over the place, because my park touring is never commando, but at least I will be able to enjoy everything without popping a couple of tylenol every other hour and struggling to get off the buses.

 

[goofyinohio]

the Half Marathon in January? I orginally wanted to do the Disney days after the marathon because one of the best things about Disney is eating the yummy food. I didn't want to have to worry so much about what I'm eating in the days leading up to the event.

Now I'm second-guessing that decision. My DBF's BIL was too sore to do the parks after his events last January. (He did goofy and a half though.) I don't want to be too sore and miserable to enjoy myself.

Also what is the least crowded time? The week before or the week after?

Thanks.

Either week is fairly low on crowds. The weekends are where the crowds are. The weekend before is New Years Day weekend so you are still dealing with the crowds from the Holiday. Marathon weekend is also crowded and the next weekend is MLK weekend and the crowds that Saturday pick up. The weekdays in between are pretty empty either way.

From reading your situation I would do the week after. You will be one of the many walking wounded who will be wearing that medal proudly. You also can eat what you like and not have to worry about how your body will react come half morning.

Either way Good Luck and enjoy the experience!

 

[ultramickeymouse]

The parks are dead the Tuesday(and after) the Marathon weekend. Do after the races. You will have a great time with no lines