Doing Disney after the Marathon?

[Moonie]

Hey guys! Asking a rookie question to all the veterans - is it at all reasonable to think about doing one of the Disney parks on the Monday (day after) the marathon?

Being that I've never done a marathon before, I have no personal idea of how I'll feel so I know that whatever anyone says may not be the same for me, but I've read a whole scope of feelings from other marathoners who feel just a little tired the day after, to being completely wiped out and wanting to spend a week in bed.

So, I'm just curious about the people here - would trying to walk around at MK or Epcot on Monday after the race be possible or advisable, or has anyone found it torturous?

Thanks in advance for any insight/advice/tips!!

[edit: whoops, I just realized this is addressed in the mega-FAQ! Still, if anyone has any personal experience and info to add, I'd love to hear it ]

only 8 more days until ToT, wheeee!!!!

 

[WDWFAN9]

oh ya, not only is it possible but it is mandatory that you wear your bling!!

Seriously - I was in the park the day I did the half in 2006 and for the rest of the week, and the day after for the full in 2007. It is so cool to wear your medal and get congratulations from everyone! After the event I headed back to my room for a cold soak and an hour or so nap and then I hit the parks. I did take it a little slow, but without any problems. I am a walker though, so I can't speak for runners.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Very doable. As Pat mentioned, everyone loves seeing the medals. I wore my Goofy proudly.

Sending this from the ME bus on my way to BWV. Almost there

See you all soon for ToT. Have a safe trip!

 

[Hey Mickey]

I agree -- how are you going to show off your bling if you aren't in the parks?!

I find that a nice cold shower, some water, and maybe a power nap and I am ready to go after a race (actually, after my first disney race, my "loved ones" met me at the finish line with a change of clothes and we went straight to the Magic Kingdom -- I am sure the fellow passengers on the monorail really appreciated that! ).

I find that for the next day or so, the problem isn;t walking around the parks but getting on and off some of the lower rides (like the astro orbiters. Ouch!). Or getting up after a particualrly long show, like the carousel of progress. But as long as you keep moving and have iced down after the race, you will probably be fine!

Enjoy the upcoming race. I am so stinking jealous it isn't funny.

Erica

 

[Moonie]

Thanks guys, I'm glad to hear it! Now I just gotta convince my family that we need to add another day or two to the Disney trip list...

 

[monte]

I think the scooter rentals are $40?lol

 

[scoolover]

Last year, after the marathon, I changed my clothes and went right into Epcot. It was not very busy like I thought it might be. Anyway, I think that was the right move. If I went back to the room, I may have never moved again. I was tired and sore but the constant moving kept me from cramping and getting too sore.
Scott

 

[MyZoeJane]

I'm running the half marathon for the first time ever in January and I fully intend on heading back to Epcot after a quick shower and a change of clothes! I think that if I DIDN'T stay up and walk around, I'd regret it! It'll help keep my muscles loose for the rest of the week I'll be there!

 

[littlegreydonkey]

You have to do the parks at least the day after, I think it's the law or something. It's quite funny as you'll stand in a queue and suddenly catch a scent of icy hot - and watching people trying to climb up and down the stairs at the shows is very amusing. I'm not sure what worried me more - getting into Space Mountain (I have patented my sideways movement that limits leg bending) or whether I was going to be able to get out!

 

[Moonie]

heehee, well I guess I will look forward to wandering around on Monday with a medal around my neck (I hope!!) and icepacks strapped to my knees...wonder if they'll let us on any of the rides via the handicapped lane?

 

[HMHunters]

I think a medal should serve as a fastpass on Sunday and Monday!

 

[Hey Mickey]

heehee, well I guess I will look forward to wandering around on Monday with a medal around my neck (I hope!!) and icepacks strapped to my knees...wonder if they'll let us on any of the rides via the handicapped lane?

I don't know about the handicap lanes, but I do know that on some of the rides they will let you stay on and go around again if it isn't too busy and it just hurts too damn much to stand up and get off at that moment. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority "People Mover" comes to mind, but I know there were at least a couple of others where I went around twice. I think Its a Small World was one as well (to the chagrin of my family) -- the problem is sitting on some of those longer rides, your legs just stiffen up so its a good idea to start stretching them or moving them a little before the ride ends in preparation for exiting the vehicle. Though no matter what you do, you should keep your hands, feet, arms, and legs inside the vehicle until it has come to a complete stop.

 

[amblackmon]

I'm running the half marathon for the first time ever in January and I fully intend on heading back to Epcot after a quick shower and a change of clothes! I think that if I DIDN'T stay up and walk around, I'd regret it! It'll help keep my muscles loose for the rest of the week I'll be there!

This will be my first time to ever do a 1/2 marathon and my family and I are planning on staying at Disney for a week after the races! Can you go to Disney without doing the parks?

I am so excited to find this board! I just started training for the half four weeks ago and I am excited!

Michelle

 

[Luv2Roam]

When we use to vacation here, we would arrive a day or two before the marathon and stay the week following.
We purposely did it this way so DH would not trash his legs before the marathon.
Many marathoners arrive the week before. I can't tell you how many have said to us over the years how their legs are in bad shape for the marathon due to all the walking and standing they did the week before.
You can always tell the marathoners in the parks after the race. They are the ones that have trouble stepping up or out of the busses. I can say that because DH has been one of those.