How late is too late to get an official time in?

[disneydreamkate]

Hi all! I am running the PHM in February with my daughter and as of right now it will be my first official race. When I started training a few months ago I was practically killing myself to keep a 15:30 pace running/walking 3.5 miles. I have shaved some time off and today did a walk/run combo and my pace was 14:17 and my distance was 8.7. I was worried about my distance so I took it easy and I know I could have done better. (Yes, still a snail's pace-but way better than when I began) LOL My question relates to corrals! Now that I am reading how important it is to be place up farther, with my time is it even worth it to try? Is it too late if I manage to search out a race in my area within the next couple of weeks? I definitely won't be walking the whole thing and I am starting to panic about being stuck in the back of the pack with people pacing at 15:00 and above.

 

[SmartGuyCEO]

Last day to submit a time was Dec 1st.

 

[disneydreamkate]

Thanks Smartguy.. Any advice aside from trying to get to the front of my corral? Should I try to get there early or won't that matter?

 

[cewait]

Even if you had a race at a 14:17 pace, you may still be in the last couple corrals.

The best advice I can offer on race day is to get out to the corrals when they first start calling the runners out from the staging area. The staging area is in the Epcot parking lot and you walk approx. 0.6 miles to the start corrals. Once in your corral, work your way forward. Note that even if you do not get up to the very front, the race will start in waves (every corrals starts about 3 minutes later than the one in front) and with each wave, the corrals shift forward towards the start line. This is where you can make up any space you can towards the rope in the front of your corral (or lose space if not paying attention).

Once the gun fires run within yourself. It is very easy if you are on the start line and one of the first out to get caught up in the excitement. That coupled with the darkness just after the line can be a perfect mix for running way too fast in the first mile. I would attempt to find a set of heal s to follow, letting the runner just in front of you do the work of parting the crowds. Most likely you will be able to attach yourself to someone. In the most crowded section, the best place I know to run is just on the paved surface. There seems to be slip stream long the edge that moves a little faster than the middle. You may also consider running just off the edge of the roadway. For the most part, Disney’s grassy areas just off the roadway are small and rather easy to run on.

Good luck. All is not lost