Expedition Everest Challenge May 5 @ 9:30 2012

[hungrygreenhippo]

Great to see so many people on this thread. Last year I don't remember seeing that much interest on the boards about EEC.

I registered for the race while at the Tinker Bell expo. Got a whopping $5 off

Now to figure out my hotel and airfare...

 

[ludari]

From my own experiences only, there are pros and cons to both. Although each division does start in their own wave so the 5K part of the course is equally crowded for all but the fastest runners, individuals have always been the first wave, so the scavenger hunt part of the course is less crowded for them than individuals. That also means they tend to finish the whole things first and are first to get in lines for rides and the party is less crowded/chaotic for up to 30 min until the other waves catch up.

However, if you get stumped on any of the scavenger hunt stuff, being with a team mate is a great help. Two minds are better than one, and individuals are specifically told not to help each other. So having a teammate figure things out with you can be a real help. That also can hold for the running parts. If your partner is slightly faster, or they motivate you, you could end up with a better time trying to keep up (my case the second time around. I was exhausted afterwards, but trying to keep up with my partner made me get a new PR time).

I also wanted to add that for those nervous about being new to running, don't let me scare you. I had only been running for 3 months (C25K myself) before the first run and my fastest ever 5K time is still over 30 min. Being DISBoard folks, being park veterans, honestly that will help you in this event as much as any running ability. I made up all sorts of time in the scavenger hunt just by knowing the layout of the park. Not needing to consult a map to know which way to get to "Africa" was huge. So, if you want to do well, don't just practice running, but know the layout of the park.

Thanks for the information and advise. I will definitely start to study the layout of the park.

 

[amazingact21]

Hi everyone, I'm a fairly new runner (just finished week 7 of C25K), and this will be our first Disney race! I'll be running it with my 12yo DS. We're both so excited. Me, because I love Disney, my son, however, wants to ride Everest at night.

I use the C25K program to train for the race, as well. Last year, I found that it helped me be well-prepared for the race.

And I have to say...I don't like Expedition Everest, normally, but riding it at night is unbelievable!!! Honestly, it's one of my top 5 favorite attractions, and the reason why I did not hesitate at all to sign up for the challenge again. Your son is going to love it!

 

[boxdoc2]

FINALLY! I get to do this race! I've been wanting to do it since my first RunDisney event (marathon in '10) but haven't been able to. This year it worked out! Got my wife talked into it as it's a great excuse to go to Florida. I can't wait! Registered, got airfare, now to book lodging.

Here's a question. We are coming in late Friday and leaving about noon Monday. Disney dining plan - worth it?

 

[wakica]

That's awesome that it finally worked out for you

can't help you on the dining plan question tho as we've never done it. I'm sure someone more familiar with it will speak up tho

 

[jeanigor]

FINALLY! I get to do this race! I've been wanting to do it since my first RunDisney event (marathon in '10) but haven't been able to. This year it worked out! Got my wife talked into it as it's a great excuse to go to Florida. I can't wait! Registered, got airfare, now to book lodging.

Here's a question. We are coming in late Friday and leaving about noon Monday. Disney dining plan - worth it?

Depends on which dining plan you are thinking about, what your eating habits are and how much you think the event will interrupt your eating schedule.

I have found, that over a race weekend, that the Dining Plan and Deluxe Dining Plan are not worth it, because of the crazy times involved with races. The counter service may be viable, depending upon where you eat. For marathon weekend, I put $40 for each day on a gift card and used that at meal time. I did do mostly counter service. I did have extra money left on the card at the end of my trip, so I bought myself another vinylmation.

 

[wakica]

For marathon weekend, I put $40 for each day on a gift card and used that at meal time. I did do mostly counter service. I did have extra money left on the card at the end of my trip, so I bought myself another vinylmation.

Ooohhhh!! That is a GREAT idea!! I've been trying to think of a way to have some of our meals paid up front and thought of taking the cash along in envelopes so we don't come home to a large credit card bill but if i just prepay and get a gift card that will be PERFECT!!! Please share info on what gift card it is

 

[jeanigor]

Ooohhhh!! That is a GREAT idea!! I've been trying to think of a way to have some of our meals paid up front and thought of taking the cash along in envelopes so we don't come home to a large credit card bill but if i just prepay and get a gift card that will be PERFECT!!! Please share info on what gift card it is

I got three $75 gift cards from Sam's Club (they had a free vinylmation pin, which I used for trading purposes) and a $25 one from my grocery store. It was far easier to manage the cards in my wallet or lanyard than worry if I had the envelope with the right day's cash. You could just as easily put however much you wanted on a gift card at your local Disney Store (or if your grocer has the gift cards, they may have one you can put a variable amount on.)

 

[fastergoofy]

I just registered for this race! I am so freakin' excited. My husband and I are running it together. He's in the USAF and an avid runner. He's fast. Me, I did C25k last year but I'm still really slow. I'm working on my time between now and May. This will be my first 5k event (unless I happen to do a local one before we leave).

Gah! I can't wait for this!

 

[debbieandroo]

Funny, in the past few weeks, I've begun training to walk the Princess Half in 2013. I had read that this section of the DIS is a great help in preparing for it. While looking for info about the Princess, I saw this thread about the EEC. As it happens, a friend and I had already planned to be in WDW that week, arriving on May 5th.

I sent her a message about the EEC and now we're signed up as a team. I will start my Couch to 5K program tomorrow - I have 11 weeks to get ready! Woo hoo!!!!

Thanks for starting this thread -- and thanks to another poster about finding video footage of the EEC on youtube. It really does look like a lot of fun.

 

[tiki23]

I'm working on the C25K program as well. I don't know that I'll be able to run the whole race. Is it ok to walk part of it?

 

[jeanigor]

I'm working on the C25K program as well. I don't know that I'll be able to run the whole race. Is it ok to walk part of it?

Its okay to walk some (or all) of every other runDisney event.

In my opinion, the biggest incentive to not walk the whole thing is more time to party!

 

[boxdoc2]

Depends on which dining plan you are thinking about, what your eating habits are and how much you think the event will interrupt your eating schedule.

I have found, that over a race weekend, that the Dining Plan and Deluxe Dining Plan are not worth it, because of the crazy times involved with races. The counter service may be viable, depending upon where you eat. For marathon weekend, I put $40 for each day on a gift card and used that at meal time. I did do mostly counter service. I did have extra money left on the card at the end of my trip, so I bought myself another vinylmation.

That is a good idea! Thanks! Time to search the couch cushions for some extra cha ching!

 

[KigerKat]

DH and I are debating signing up for this. He really wants to sign up for one of the marathons (or maybe both!) in September and October and spend the year training for them. I am most definitely NOT a runner, but I could probably get ready for a 5K before May, and maybe be ready to power walk/jog the other marathon in the fall.

For those of you who have done this in the past, did you have to do a lot of training before hand? And is it okay to power walk the 5K? I'm not sure I would be able to jog that much by then. I do NEED to get in shape, and perhaps this would be great motivation for it!

Thanks!

 

[wakica]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that there IS a race time requirement for this race?? I beleive it's right around the 49/50 min mark for the 5k or at least it has been in the past.

Now that being said when I viewed the times for people in the past run I'm pretty sure I DID see some people with times longer than 50 minutes so who knows??

 

[Danhockey04]

They are pretty leniant on times for the 5k cause there is no road closures for the race, i believe you have near an hour to complete before they will ask you to stop. Once in the scavenger hunt portion, it seems thet give you enough time to finish at own pace as that portion is opposite the party, at least in years past and that you finish before the party is over, but im sure they would just ask you to head to the finish. I just registered today, was going to wait till princess expo, but got the cast online discount for $20 off team registration, so that was a better deal. We are a coed team and will both be wearing tutus and maybe wings.

 

[KigerKat]

They are pretty leniant on times for the 5k cause there is no road closures for the race, i believe you have near an hour to complete before they will ask you to stop. Once in the scavenger hunt portion, it seems thet give you enough time to finish at own pace as that portion is opposite the party, at least in years past and that you finish before the party is over, but im sure they would just ask you to head to the finish. I just registered today, was going to wait till princess expo, but got the cast online discount for $20 off team registration, so that was a better deal. We are a coed team and will both be wearing tutus and maybe wings.

Okay, this is good news for me. If I can't prepare myself to complete a 5K in less than an hour over the next 2.5 months, then I have other things to worry about!

I've been reading about the 16 minute mile pace requirement for the ToT and W&D races, and that has me a bit worried because I'm so out of shape and to do something like that seems impossible right now.

 

[tiki23]

Okay, this is good news for me. If I can't prepare myself to complete a 5K in less than an hour over the next 2.5 months, then I have other things to worry about!

I've been reading about the 16 minute mile pace requirement for the ToT and W&D races, and that has me a bit worried because I'm so out of shape and to do something like that seems impossible right now.

I can walk the 16 minute mile pace now, but it kicks my butt! Something about my power-walk stride isn't quite right.

I'm actually finding it easier working on the C25K than walking that fast for 48minutes.

 

[Goofydiane]

I registered today. My first Run Disney event and I'm doing it solo! Would like to hook up with people if possible.

I thought this would be a fun event to initiate myself to a Disney run event and then do the TOT event in September. I'm doing that more for the party after....any chance to ride TOT with little rides is good with me.

 

[GaRain]

I registered today. My first Run Disney event and I'm doing it solo! Would like to hook up with people if possible.

I thought this would be a fun event to initiate myself to a Disney run event and then do the TOT event in September. I'm doing that more for the party after....any chance to ride TOT with little rides is good with me.

Good for you! I am also doing this solo! This is my 2nd runDisney event - did the 5K during Marathon weekend in January! You will have a great time.
I heard this one is a lot of fun! Hope to see you there!