"Every mile will be worth my while" ... January 2014 - WDW Half Marathon Trip

[disneybarbie]

joining in! I love reading runDisney trip reports! My sister and I ran the PHM marathon this year and are writing a TR about that so its really fun to compare to other people's experiences.


And as a runner, I totally did enjoy reading about your training! Isn't it amazing how you can drive a road a ton of times and not realize how hilly it is until you are running on it?

Eating jelly beans while running actually may be my favorite part of running...do you also use the jelly belly sports beans? love those!

We stayed at BWV on rented points for the first time on that PHM trip and LOOOOVVEED it, you are so lucky to have it as your home resort!

Hi! Thanks for reading - I've subscribed to your PHM TR so will catch up soon . I find now when I drive anywhere I think more about the hills/inclines than I used to - I have seen the Jelly Belly Sports Beans in a couple of running stores over here, but not tried them yet... I've actually bough some Jelly Babies recently to try instead (not sure if you have those in the US... like large gummi bears dusted in powdered sugar) many runners use those here as they are easier to eat while running
I do love our DVC home resort, sometimes we look at staying at other resorts but we love being walking distance from two parks!

What great motivation! Great work on the training.

Jill in CO

Subscribing!

Thank you both for joining in!

Yay so glad your doing a TR for you Jan trip!

Wow that training sounds intense but i'm sure well worth it. Since the beginning of January, i've been trying to get better at running and have been logging in the amount I run/walk/jog ever day on the treadmill. It's averaged to about 15.75 miles for 5 days, Mon-Fri no weekends. I'd eventually love to work my way up to a half marathon, but not sure how i'd do. A little OT, but do you have any recommendations on running shoes?

Mmm, those udon noodles look delicious!

Hi Lesha! Thanks for reading so far - that is great news about you starting to run/jog this year. The training didn't really feel like too much luckily - I was already doing about 10-15 miles a week at the gym (treadmill) so I kept doing that but added a longer run outside at the weekend (about 7-14 miles, but started with a lot less - worked my way up!)

I wear Skechers Go Run running shoes - I chose them as I'd previously always bought Skechers Sport shoes for the gym, but the Go Runs are much lighter (they're a 'minimal' type of running shoe, weighing about 7 ounces each) which suits me, but others prefer and need more support. They cost about $75, which I don't find too bad - and I do about 350-400 miles per pair before replacing them.
I get the impression that Skechers aren't considered by many as a 'real' running shoe brand, many prefer Asics, New Balance, Saucony etc. - but for me they are ideal... also, the male winner of the Boston Marathon this week was wearing Skecher Go Runs!

Subscribing. Can't wait to hear about your trip and your experience with RunDisney. I completed my first half marathon in my home state last November and it was great. It is a huge goal of mine to do a RunDisney race so I love reading trip reports involving a race.

Thank you for reading! Congratulations on your first half last year, I hope you do get to do a runDisney event in the future - the whole weekend was fantastic, Disney really celebrate the runners' achievements

Joining in! I did Princess Weekend as my first RunDisney event this year and someday I'd love to make it back for Marathon weekend! Can't wait to read all about it!

I also love love love the Boardwalk, great resort choice!

Thank you for reading so far - the Boardwalk is such a great resort, we love staying there

Joining in! Congrats on doing the marathon! I would love to do that one day (which will not happen anytime soon, as I'm not a runner! )

Thank you for your comments! It was 'just' a half marathon (I'm only half crazy ) but honestly a couple of years ago I'd never have thought I could run that far, let alone do all the training and now actually enjoy going out for a run - maybe you will do it one day too!

I'm here! Can't wait to follow along another adventure

Hi! Thanks for joining in

Glad your travel day went well and there was good weather. Great way to end the day - a meal at Epcot and a stroll around the lagoon. Food looks good too!

Thank you - that's almost become our usual arrival plan now - relaxing stroll around Epcot, always worth the long day of travelling just to be there

I don't get on here often, but I am making sure to subscribe to your TR! I always love reading about your adventures .

Thank you so much!
Updates coming soon



Emma x

 

[disneybarbie]

Friday 10th January 2014

Due to the jet lag, we always tend to wake up early (I knew this would be useful for the early wake up call on race day!), but this day we woke up even earlier.. as we could both hear singing coming from outside..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7WRAtk23Sg

The 10k race was taking place today, and we learnt that at 3am – the singer rehearses the US national anthem!



From 5am, we could hear the race announcers and music very clearly coming from the start line.



We decided to get up at 6am, and go for a run! I wanted to see how the temperature felt compared to home, it was much more humid than I had been expecting.

We ran from the Boardwalk to Hollywood Studios and back, and then to the Swan hotel and back – usually we would run around Crescent Lake.. but the 10k route was going that way so there were runners and spectators along there!
It was a good run, although I was aware of how humid it was – something I wasn't expecting for Florida in January... but I'd trained in all weathers so knew I'd be okay tomorrow.

DH went back to the room, while I went to the gym to do some stretching. This was the first time I'd used the gym at the Boardwalk – it had a good range of exercise machines, cool air-conditioning and plenty of water and towels.



(My second pair of Skechers 'Go Run 2' ready to race the next day... I've now had two pairs of these and recently moved on to a pair of 'Go Run 3' – they are very lightweight (7 ounces per shoe) and I really like them to run in... I also found out this week that the male winner of the Boston Marathon 2014, Meb, also wears them! )


Before heading back to the the room, I wandered towards the Boardwalk to watch some of the 10k runners as they went by! Another spectator said to me “wow, did you finish already?” (as I was wearing running clothes and a runDisney 'In Training' tech shirt) - so I explained that I'd just been for a short run, ready for the half marathon tomorrow! It definitely started to feel 'real', watching the runners in the 10k.





Our room was the top left-hand balcony...


Back up at the room, I showered and got ready for the day.
We could still see and hear the 10k race taking place on the Boardwalk...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa-sRsE6RLA




......

 

[disneybarbie]

.....

This morning's plan included visiting a new part of WDW for us – ESPN Wide World of Sports for the race expo! The buses to the expo didn't start until 8.30am, so just before 8am we went down to get some breakfast – deciding to try out the Bellevue Lounge. It was very quiet there, but they had a good selection of pastries, cereals, fruit and drinks. The cast member was really cheerful and friendly too. I began by pre-race fuel day with a bagel with cream cheese, a banana (also buying one for tomorrow as that's what I like to eat before a run!) and a bottle of chocolate milk.



DH had a coffee (they had a special Boardwalk blend served there) usually I would always have a coffee too but had read that caffeine can be dehydrating so it's best to avoid it before long runs.

While we ate our breakfast, several runners were returning from the 10k with their medals proudly around their necks! One guest asked the cast member where else he'd be able to buy bananas on property – I imagine they must sell a lot of these during race weekends

After breakfast we headed to the bus stop outside the convention centre (this is wear the expo and race day buses go from, as they are different to the park/resort buses). We were a little early, but only had to wait about 10 minutes for the first bus – I sat and enjoyed my first (of many) drinks of water of the day!





The bus journey was fairly quick, we stopped at the Swan/Dolphin too – it was fun to be on a bus filled with other runners.. a similar feeling of excitement that there is on a Disney Cruise Line bus!

Once at the WwoS, we had a short walk to the entrance – there were cast members and volunteers everywhere directing us where to go.








First I went to collect my bib and hand in my waiver. I'd heard that this can be very busy and unorganised, but as we arrived it was almost empty! I had not queue at all – in less than a minute I was signed in, and had my pre-ordered pin and (most importantly) my bib!





As you can see, I was going to be starting in Corral O (Disney places runners in groups based on expected finish time, this year there were corrals A - P, and as I didn't have a previous race time to submit, I couldn't prove officially prove my 8-9 minute/mile pace ... my aim for this race though was to finish and enjoy it, so I wasn't too worried about where I started!).

....

 

[disneybarbie]

...

After getting the bib, we went to another building to pick up my goody bag and race shirt – again there was no line anywhere and plenty of cast members to direct us where to go.





Next we spent some time in the expo – that was quite a unique experience, amazing selection of running accessories! I bought a tech shirt (the one included with registration was long sleeved but I tend to wear short-sleeved ones in the gym/running) and a WDW Marathon weekend mug, also a Sweaty Band from their stall – pink and says '13.1' all over it (I really like this, wish I'd bought more as they're not available in the UK!).





I also had a look at the exclusive Dooney & Bourke bags that they'd designed for the race weekend – there was only one size left, and it was inbetween a day bag/evening bag – so I wasn't completely sure, the cast member on the stall laughed as I paused, gazing at them... while DH walked on ahead!

Overall it was great to visit the WWOS – I couldn't believe the size of it and how well maintained everything looked for sports events.



For lunch, we'd already agreed there was only one place for me to carb load.... the Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney! So we headed back to the buses and got on one to Saratoga Springs.
It wasn't a busy bus....



We sat right at the front and talked to the bus driver. He noticed our accents and asked if I'd really come all the way from England just to run a race (“don't they have races there too?!”) .

...

 

[lovingeire]

I'm joining in! Looking forward to hearing all about your racecation as my DH will be running the marathon in 2015 and we're both running the 5K! He runs 3-6 miles daily, but is still nervous about the marathon. I am not a runner so have started C25K!

 

[disneybarbie]

I'm joining in! Looking forward to hearing all about your racecation as my DH will be running the marathon in 2015 and we're both running the 5K! He runs 3-6 miles daily, but is still nervous about the marathon. I am not a runner so have started C25K!

Hi! That's fantastic that you're running next year - any distance, Disney World is definitely the place to run I've heard really good things about the C25K programmes, hope it's going well for you so far.


Emma x

 

[disneybarbie]

Soon we were at SSR, and we walked slowly through the resort over to the DTD Marketplace.



The weather had turned really warm and sunny – couldn't quite believe it was January!



We walked around DTD for a while (I had planned today with minimum park time, trying to stay off my feet.. but I'm not sure that's possible in WDW!), including a visit to the recently opened Fit 2 Run shop on the West Side.



Back to the Marketplace, and we made our way to the Earl – it was busy, as usual, but the line moved very quickly.

We both ordered a Chicken Chipotle Avocado sandwich (no bacon for me, avoiding salty foods – again pre-race day fuel plan!).



We found a table outside and enjoyed our lunch in the sunshine.

After a little more shopping, we made our way back to the Boardwalk.


....

 

[disneybarbie]

...


Back in the room, with my bib! ...


I made a start on laying out my race day outfit for the morning – I'd seen this tip on a few websites and it definitely helped me be more organised the next morning (with a 2am wake up call!).



I hadn't planning on wearing quite so much pink, but as the weather was warmer than I'd thought it would be, I decided to wear a pink vest rather than a white tech shirt!



I'd learned from the Mickey Miles Podcast that it was best to wear (or do) 'nothing new on race day' – so in the weeks leading up to the race I'd had 'dress rehearsals' in a number of running outfits that I knew I'd be comfortable in for the actual run.

I also packed my clear bag with pre/post race things – food, water, clean tshirt and flipflops.



This was the race tech shirt (included in registration price)


I'd realised there was a lot of extra things I needed to pack for this trip due to it being a 'run-cation' – the amount of accessories needed to run is quite amazing...


While I was doing this, we heard voices on the next balcony – and it was my parents! They had arrived that day (adding days to their trip especially so that they'd be there for the half marathon ) and been given the room right next door to us (this happened for our October 2012 trip too, well-planned by the Boardwalk cast members).



Once all my race day accessories were ready, we got changed and made our way into Epcot for the evening.



This was our first experience using Fast Pass Plus – we'd made three reservations in Epcot that evening, including Test Track which we'd not been on since the refurbishment.

We enjoyed designing our own vehicle.



The couple next to me were Brazilian and didn't have Magic Bands, so they were stood staring at the screen not knowing what to do – I managed (in Spanish!) to ask them if they'd like to use my band, which they did, so at least they got to design a vehicle in the pre-show room.

We enjoyed Test Track, although there are things about the old version I'll miss (Belgian Blocks and the hot/cold testing rooms!).



We also used our FP+ reservations on Mission Space with no problem, and although I'd made them for Spaceship Earth too, when we arrived there was no line so the cast members directed us to the standby line.



Quick stop in Club Cool...


....

 

[disneybarbie]

...

Making our way back to World Showcase, we stopped at a few pavilions to browse the shops and get a few beverages... although this evening I was sticking to water rather than a cocktail/glass of wine!



At Japan, DH tried a frozen beer (like a beer float) and I had... a rainbow snow cone!




It was a beautiful evening in Epcot, and great to see so many people wearing their 5k and 10k medals in the parks (we did overhear one guest without a medal ask a runner why he was wearing a medal, it's interesting that there must be many guests there that weekend who have no idea it's Marathon Weekend! ).





We also went to Tutto Gusto – we love this lounge! When the cast member asked what I'd like to drink, I said 'water please', and she looked amazed.. “Just water?!” - luckily DH ordered a drink too! It must be quite common on race weekends for people just to be ordering water I guess. I noticed a lady sat near us had her 5k and 10k Dopey Challenge bracelets on, I have so much admiration for people who did that and the Goofy Challenge.



For dinner, we met up with my parents at Tutto Italia. I'd picked this restaurant for the pre-race evening as it had several simple, carb-based dishes for me to choose from!
We were seated quickly in one of the booths, the restaurant was busy but the servers were great throughout the meal.
DH and I shared an antipasti platter to start, and then I had veal meatballs with spaghetti. I made sure to eat a lot of the bread and also a little more of the pasta then I'd normally eat... needed to make sure I had enough fuel ready for the run tomorrow.

I started to feel a little nervous during the meal, it was now just hours away! However I think a lot of it was really jetlag, not nerves – as I was so excited for the actual race.

We would normally stay for Illuminations after dinner in Epcot, but after telling my parents what time we needed to be on a bus the next morning, we agreed to head back to the Boardwalk and watch the show another night instead!

Back at the room, I set my alarms for the morning...





Made sure everything was in place for the morning – and somehow managed to fall asleep for a few hours!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I'm enjoying reading your report! I did the Princess in 2010 and 2014 but I didn't train nearly as well as you and it takes me much longer. I am impressed with your discipline in training and your times!

I also can't believe you only set 2 alarms for the race day. I set FAR more than that on normal days!

 

[Dugette]

Great updates! I don't think I've ever seen Wide World of Sports in a TR before. Looks nice. Very cool that your parents ended up next door. Sounds like a good pre-race meal at Tutto Italia. I can't imagine getting up at 2am...and then having to run 13.1 miles.

 

[disneybarbie]

I'm enjoying reading your report! I did the Princess in 2010 and 2014 but I didn't train nearly as well as you and it takes me much longer. I am impressed with your discipline in training and your times!

I also can't believe you only set 2 alarms for the race day. I set FAR more than that on normal days!

Hi! Thank you for joining in... The Princess weekends look like so much fun, hope you enjoyed them
Luckily I was jet lagged so it was pretty easy to wake up that early.. I had also set a wake up call on the room phone for 2.30am.. just in case!

Great updates! I don't think I've ever seen Wide World of Sports in a TR before. Looks nice. Very cool that your parents ended up next door. Sounds like a good pre-race meal at Tutto Italia. I can't imagine getting up at 2am...and then having to run 13.1 miles.

thank you - it was really great to visit WWoS as part of the weekend - the 2am wake up call was fine for us (still jet lagged and on UK time!), although usually I get up and I'm out running within 30 minutes.. however on race day I knew I had 4+ hours to wait!

Emma x

 

[snoopygirl79]

I'm loving your TR!! Well done on doing the race

I always love reading your TRs and I may have to re-read your previous TRs to get advice as we've finally booked a trip to WDW for next year!! I'm so excited to take my girls there and DH and I have never stayed onsite before so that's doubly exciting!! We're going in August 2015 and staying at the Beach Club. I can't wait!!

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[ZellyB]

Joining in. I love running trip reports!!

 

[disneyhorselover]

How cool is it that you could hear all the 10k start line stuff from your room?! Ok, maybe not so cool if you wanted to sleep, but since you were awake, sounds fun!

Love that you have the same shoes as Meb! I live about an hour and a half from Boston and I so wished I didn't have to work and could have gone to watch the marathon last week!

Where is the Bellevue lounge? I think I missed that entirely on our trip!

...
We sat right at the front and talked to the bus driver. He noticed our accents and asked if I'd really come all the way from England just to run a race (“don't they have races there too?!”) .

...

HAHAHA love this! Obviously Disney races are worth the travel from ANYWHERE!

Umm LOVE all the Boston Strong stuff in your gear bag!

My suitcase was also so much fuller than usual from all my running gear...I didn't realize how much I needed til I had to bring it somewhere!

Too funny that your parents were right next to you, that's awesome!

Looks like a nice evening at Epcot...can't wait to hear about your race experience!

 

[disneybarbie]

I'm loving your TR!! Well done on doing the race

I always love reading your TRs and I may have to re-read your previous TRs to get advice as we've finally booked a trip to WDW for next year!! I'm so excited to take my girls there and DH and I have never stayed onsite before so that's doubly exciting!! We're going in August 2015 and staying at the Beach Club. I can't wait!!

Looking forward to reading more.

Thank you for reading along again! You're next trip sounds fantastic - hope the countdown goes quickly for you

Joining in. I love running trip reports!!

Thank you for reading! I just read your marathon TR - congratulations, running that distance must be an incredible feeling and achievement

How cool is it that you could hear all the 10k start line stuff from your room?! Ok, maybe not so cool if you wanted to sleep, but since you were awake, sounds fun!

Love that you have the same shoes as Meb! I live about an hour and a half from Boston and I so wished I didn't have to work and could have gone to watch the marathon last week!

Where is the Bellevue lounge? I think I missed that entirely on our trip!




HAHAHA love this! Obviously Disney races are worth the travel from ANYWHERE!

Umm LOVE all the Boston Strong stuff in your gear bag!

My suitcase was also so much fuller than usual from all my running gear...I didn't realize how much I needed til I had to bring it somewhere!

Too funny that your parents were right next to you, that's awesome!

Looks like a nice evening at Epcot...can't wait to hear about your race experience!

Thanks for reading and your comments!
I really liked hearing/seeing the 10k from our room.. as we were there specifically for Marathon Weekend I didn't mind it all! Although I bet there were many people staying in the Epcot resorts who wondered what was going on at 3-6am in the Epcot car park

The Bellvue lounge is just along from the check-in area at the Boardwalk (in the Inn, above Flying Fish Café), it's a nice lounge in the evening and, as we found out on this trip, a great little place for a quick breakfast too

I am jealous you live so close to Boston! We went there last summer and absolutely loved the city... I bought my Boston Strong tshirt from City Sports while we were there. I've learnt a lot about the Marathon this last year since I started running ('Marathon Woman' by Kathy Switzer is a great book!) so it was exciting but emotional to see the finish line painted on Bolyston Street.


Emma x

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Joining!

I am new to "wogging" as I like to call it (jogging and walking). I just had gastric bypass surgery 14 months ago and have lost 142 pounds to date. My new goal is to do the Enchanted 10k in 2016. I love hearing about the weekend and can't wait to hear more about your race!

 

[Leshaface]

Wow those shoes are very light...(and cute!)

I love that the sweaty band has 13.1 all over it.

So much pink I love it! And wow can't believe the preparation you have to do before a big race like this. Not just the running, but trying out different clothing options, etc.

How nice of you to explain to the Brazilian couple on TT

I can't wait to hear about the race in your next update!

 

[Biggie Smalls]

Joining in! I'm starting to prep for the race next jan so I love reading your reports

 

[disneybarbie]

Joining!

I am new to "wogging" as I like to call it (jogging and walking). I just had gastric bypass surgery 14 months ago and have lost 142 pounds to date. My new goal is to do the Enchanted 10k in 2016. I love hearing about the weekend and can't wait to hear more about your race!

Thanks for joining in! That's a great goal - congratulations

Wow those shoes are very light...(and cute!)

I love that the sweaty band has 13.1 all over it.

So much pink I love it! And wow can't believe the preparation you have to do before a big race like this. Not just the running, but trying out different clothing options, etc.

How nice of you to explain to the Brazilian couple on TT

I can't wait to hear about the race in your next update!

Thanks Lesha! I now wish I'd bought more of those headbands, that one doesn't move at all when I'm running - they have so many cute designs too. I know some people wouldn't have done nearly as much pre-planning and training as I did for the race... but I wanted to feel calm and prepared on the actual day. In fact, a lot of people wore the official race tech shirt on the day - so they probably weren't as worried about 'dress rehearsals' in race gear as I was!

Joining in! I'm starting to prep for the race next jan so I love reading your reports

Thanks for reading! Congratulations for signing up for next year - hope the training and planning is all going well so far


Emma x