Inaugural Disney Wine&Dine**1/2 Marathon** Post Race Discussion!

[goofyinohio]

Question for everyone who ran the full half. I'm running my first full 1/2 next month and my training plan has me running up to 12 miles for my longest run, but this weekend I heard lots of people say that their longest training run was only 10 miles. Should I do the 11 and 12 mile long runs or just keep it at 10 for my longest?

Just my opinion, but if you are just looking to Finish 10 is plenty, but if you have the time to do 12-13 then go ahead and do 12. The important thing is to go in healthy with as many miles as your body will allow without overdoing it. Good luck to you! Because this was a night race that really messed with most people's running/eating schedule and pretty humid I wouldn't judge too much by it.

 

[goofyinohio]

Wine and Dine Race Report -

I'm not great at Race Reports, but wanted to share my experience with the Wine and Dine half.

Packet Pick up - Got to packet pick up at 1pm on Friday and walked right up to get my waiver. I was shocked and happy at the same time. The volunteer that helped me was great explaining everything that was in the envelope and where to get my shirt and check my timing. I then went and got my shirt and checked my "chip" and was all done. Very smooth and I liked the bib and the shirt. I talked to many that didn't, but I thought the shirt was pretty cool. Now the rest of the expo I thought was weak. I also thought the merchandise wasn't great and for the first time I walked out of a expo without buying $100 worth of Disney junk. Now I did register for the Marathon while I was there so I hope to make it 4 in a row now.

Anywho on to Pre-Race. Stayed at Sports and met up with Tracy and we headed for the buses around 7. Got right on and headed out. Again I heard it was ugly later, but at that point we got right on. Got to ESPN and started checking everything out. Talked to some WISHers and ROTEars and then we just hung out. I thought the pre-race was also fun although found their way of separating bags odd, but was thinking oh well as long as it gets to EPCOT I'm good. I also kept waiting and waiting for them to call us to the corrals, but I didn't hear anything until like 9:30. Got into my corral where I got to talk to MrsD until the race started. That was pretty cool as it was her first longer race and I could really feel her excitement so that got me even more excited.

Onto the race. The start seemed very congested and I was surprised at no wave start. I mean I was glad so everyone could get going and to get to the after party, etc. I just think they needed more corrals with not such a wide range of times. I had submitted a 2:11 and my friend a 2:45 and we were in the same corral. Once we got onto Osceola it opened up for a couple miles and wasn't bad. Once we got into Animal Kingdom the course narrowed and suddenly felt really dark. I can't tell you how many times I got ran into and I've never had that happen. People were just on top of each other. Where were the Characters? Got back onto Osceola and it opened back up. Then I saw Goofy so I stopped for a picture with no wait. Then the dreaded Turnaround. (Somewhere before this my Ipod started skipping and messing up because I was sweating like crazy. I freaked out because it wouldn't stop and then ran without it the rest of the race.) Are you kidding me? You couldn't figure out a way to avoid that? Then we headed onto World drive and onto Buena Vista Dr. I was happy at this point to still be running as in all 3 Marathon's I've done this is where I walked for that mile stretch. Once I got into MGM I felt a twitch in my right hamstring and then suddenly a cramp and then I had to just stop. I stretched it out and then hobbled a few feet then stretched it again and then was fine. I still enjoyed my time in the studios and when I saw the Osborne Lights I think I lit up as much as they were. IT WAS AWESOME. Tons of Characters through here and I stopped for every one of them with no lines. I wasn't worried about my time just the pictures and the bling. Then I left Studios and all the sudden I just didn't feel right. The last mile was brutal in an area I usually love. Turned left and was done.

Then I walked and was told medals up ahead. OK cool. Grabbed my water and my powerade and then the bag of food which I'm sorry was a joke. A banana was the only thing in there I would call decent. Um hello the first thing we should be getting is either medical attention or our medal. Then finally got my medal and then my bag which was a complete joke. I stood in that like for like a half hour and thought I really need to be stretching my legs. Once I got out I started walking around world showcase. Which I thought if I keep walking I'll find a place without a line. I never did. It was just ridiculous. It took me over an hour to feel right and I saw a guy pass out in the bathroom and a lady getting sick. I saw many other getting medical attention and thought I got off lucky just with a minor cramp and then my chest not feeling right.

Overall I did like the course. I just think they need fewer people in the corrals and have more of them so people are in the corrals with people in their speed range. If I were to give it a grade a B- would be my grade. This isn't their first go around in a race so they could and next time I'm sure will do better.

 

[bounceliketigger]

I have to agree with RM317 here. I have only trained up to 10 miles. My training program called for me to go further (up to 14), but i missed my 12 and 14 miler before my half in August and it was SO HARD when I hit that wall at 10. Then I was injured and only got to 9 miles as my longest before the W&D. While I should have again gone to 12 or 14. It was actually easier for me in Florida, because I think the atmosphere was more exciting for me than my August run, but I still hit the wall at 11. If you can get there, get it under your belt. Mentally that will be one of your greatest tools! When you get tired you can just say, I did this 2 weeks ago or what's one more mile past the 12 I already did.

For January, I will definitely be training up to 14. Good luck to you and have fun!

I have to chime in with a 1000% agreement with Rm317 & Jane. I trained to 11.5 (was supposed to be 12) but only did that distance once. The last 1/2 I did was the Princess & I was injured shortly thereafter so I was almost starting from scratch w/ the W&D. Anyway, like 317 said, I finished but it wasn't pretty. Not just for the sake of time, but you really need to know how your body is going to handle that distance. My new plan is to make 10 my new normal for my average weekend long runs & beef it up to 15 starting several weeks before a 1/2.

Do all the miles you can safely manage & give yourself time to do them when possible!

Btw Jane, do you have a pic of us in front of the lovely port-o-pots? Shannon sent it to me & I can forward to you if you like!

 

[marathonmommy]

My new plan is to make 10 my new normal for my average weekend long runs & beef it up to 15 starting several weeks before a 1/2.

Good! You are talking about another one already! Was worried it wouldn't happen after reading your posts right after! I guess I won't see you in Philly so soon, but maybe Princess or in the spring?

 

[FFigawi]

My new plan is to make 10 my new normal for my average weekend long runs & beef it up to 15 starting several weeks before a 1/2.

Watch out! If you're already putting in those kinds of miles consistently for your long runs, you might just be ready to move on up to a full marathon, and we all know where that leads - you'll be Goofy just like the rest of us.

 

[nolanboys]

I have enjoyed reading everyone's reviews and experiences!!

It is so good to have this experience under my belt now....I am pleased to know I endured much better than I expected...other than sore legs and not being able to sleep until Sunday night....I felt great after the race Maybe first timers luck....with that said...I am registered for the Half in January!

Glad to hear some one else couldn't sleep. DH and I crawled into bed at 3:00am. Kept waking up, and after the 5th time waking up at 7:30, realized DH was awake as well. We decided to just get up. We were wired. How many other people had problems sleeping?

Said in my after race post that I would never run another 1/2, but already getting an itch because I know I can do better. I figure this was my first race ever, so I can definitely learn from it and improve. Also, love DH dearly, but we have different running styles. I think I held him up in the beginning because I didn't want to pass on the side of the road, and he held me up at the end when he had to walk and I was still going strong. I need to do it on my own to see what I can really do.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Glad to hear some one else couldn't sleep. DH and I crawled into bed at 3:00am. Kept waking up, and after the 5th time waking up at 7:30, realized DH was awake as well. We decided to just get up. We were wired. How many other people had problems sleeping?

Said in my after race post that I would never run another 1/2, but already getting an itch because I know I can do better. I figure this was my first race ever, so I can definitely learn from it and improve. Also, love DH dearly, but we have different running styles. I think I held him up in the beginning because I didn't want to pass on the side of the road, and he held me up at the end when he had to walk and I was still going strong. I need to do it on my own to see what I can really do.

I didn't have any problems sleeping. We got back to BWI about 1:30. Patrick went out to get water for me, and by the time he got back, I was fast asleep. I was REALLY tired. We slept until 10am.

I had decided by mile 11 not to ever run another half, and now I'm not so sure.

 

[CALIFLADY]

I can only voice the same pros and cons as others.

I, however, saw some of the negatives as positive. Yes, we had to wait for the buses at BW, but if not there, then in the field watching DJ's at WWoS? What I liked about the "slow start" from the buses (knowing that Disney would not strand us at the hotels) was that when I got to WWoS, I went to bag drop (that, yes, was very disorganized), then promptly went to the porta john line, then went straight to my corral. Not a lot of time to stand around and get nervous or double think things. Just execute. I liked it in the end. There was plenty of time to get all things done.

It was slow out of Corral B. Like others, I thought we would start in a wave. Not so. Once on the road to AK, all was fine. What I found in AK was that once you hit the park, you had to go the pace of those in front of you. Those tryng to make up seconds in the park only made it more dangerous for the rest of us as they tried crowding, pushing, and passing in the bushes on the side. You just had to stay in the pack and get to the exit. Once out the other side, I made up several seconds per mile on those long stretches out of the park.

Yep, way too many turns and corners in DHS. I saw waaaay more of that park than I ever wanted to. Osbourne Lights were cool. I've never seen them in person, so now I've just saved myself a trip back in the mayhem of December. I suspect maybe they didn't do the snow because of the water it might lay down over the duration of the race and the slippery conditions it might have caused?

Loved the medal. Wasn't bothered by the post-race layout at all. Except bag pick up. Absolute nuts. And the post-race party was, well, others have commented. But how should Disney reconfigure that party? Open up Future World? Add more cash registers and servers at the booths? Not sell any extra tickets to non-runners? All the other problems mentioned have very simple solutions, and Disney knows how to do this other stuff (busing, bags, etc). I just can't envision a solution to the post-party. Suggestions?

I had problems sleeping, too. I was back to BWV, showered, and in bed by 3:08 AM. Couldn't sleep. Tossed and turned. Wasn't sore, but just felt...bad. Tired, but just couldn't sleep. I was up by 7:30-ish. Sunday night, I slept like a rock, especially after MNSSHP.

And while I may be a woman, I've never had children. But I have run two full marathons before this half. And when I got to mile 23 in each one of those, I swore I'd never run another one again. I think long distance racing is like child birth (again, hope I'm not speaking without much authority or experience). Once you get through it and survive it, you forget a lot of the pain, but remember a lot of the joy in the process and the event. THAT'S why you're thinking of running another one. JMHO...

 

[escape]

For all of you who think you'll never do another, famous last words - I promise. After my first at WDW 2007, I swore I would not do another. Three days later I signed up for the 2008 marathon - the 15th anniversary. The special "surprise" medal is the main reason I signed up for it. Two years and ~25 halves later, I signed up for the Goofy. It can happen to you...mark my words.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

For all of you who think you'll never do another, famous last words - I promise. After my first at WDW 2007, I swore I would not do another. Three days later I signed up for the 2008 marathon - the 15th anniversary. The special "surprise" medal is the main reason I signed up for it. Two years and ~25 halves later, I signed up for the Goofy. It can happen to you...mark my words.

You are right

This was my first....abt mile 9 or so I was asking myself what was I doing...and how I would never do this again!
Came home and registered for the WDW Half in Jan.....started training again today.
I have enjoyed how all of this has changed me mentally and physically so far...and I am just beginning the journey at almost age 44 with 5 kids...

I would like to comment on what CALIFLADY said...I was actually thinking her sentiments....I was like..Ok, I had always thought of labor as a day of pain ..thats it...so then I was thinking..ok this is a couple of hours of pushing myself to do something out of my comfort zone.....

 

[stitchfan18]

I have a feeling after running in a disney half, even if I only did the relay, i'm never going to want to run in smaller halfs anymore. The half i'm running next month only had about 200 runners in that distance last year. If this was a 'bad' disney race, I can't wait to do another one. I thought it was a lot of fun!

 

[jeanigor]

I enjoyed it so much, that I am toying with a local half on Sweetest Day (Oct. 17th). I think I am off my rocker.

 

[Mrs D]

Wow. Made it back to the real world - barely. I felt great after the race, enjoyed MNSSHP on Sunday, really enjoyed F&W on Monday perhaps should have had more water in between. I began feeling dehydrated and had a headache so I headed back to GF. After some anvil, water and stretching out for a bit I was ready to catch MSEP at MK. We got our spot for the parade and I ran to Pecos Bills for dinner. While standing in line I felt a sudden overall body ache come on. I made it through the parade, but by the time we made it to the monorail I had a fever, was shaking with chills and had the full on flu!
I missed my entire last day at the World - but better than getting it earlier.
The great news is the GF was wonderful and let me stay in the room until 3pm. I finally was able to get up, get on Magical Express and make it on flight home.
I think I'm finally over the worst, but I have never come down with something that quickly before!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Tagging in on what has been said already. The transportation and wait was not even close to efficient for the expo or the event. We got to meet with WISH Team members outside the expo, then we met more inside. We missed the WISH Team meet at AKL. It was nice to hang with some WISH Team at the exchange point. It was dark and scary in the portion that was not lit for sure! I truly enjoyed running and finding those lights in HS. Beautiful.

I did not like the beginning of my relay leg. It set a bad feeling for the entire event for me.

I am so glad we did not do bag check. What I thought instead was that I hope they have those Mylar sheets so I could use one to keep the chills off since I was soaking wet at the finish. Who would have thought that they were rationing Mylar sheets. Really? Unbelievable.

DH suggested we do this as a relay team. I was so happy he wanted to try this. Training went fairly well for him and he managed to go from a 22 min pace down to a 16 min pace just before the event. I figured adrenalin would kick in and he’d be good to go or at least very close and probably manage ok. Well, things happen, he got sick the week before and lost a bit of time. He finished his portion of the relay. He was DLF! That was Fantastic! He made it. He wasn’t that far over pace that I couldn’t make up the time. I knew it would be perfect.

I’m going to preface my part with the fact that I do most of my events at about a 15 min pace or a bit over. I train in my during the week runs faster, but my LRs are not fast by any stretch. Even my faster paces during the week aren’t all that.

DH crosses the mat and I give him a hug and kiss then I wobble over the start line, go round the corner and just around that corner there is a road block. What? I’m not even thinking I was expected to worry about that a few hundred feet into my part. So I run on by. As I was doing that I hear the “Nice Police Man” telling me I have to get on the bus. Huh? I kept running saying “I JUST started my leg of the relay and I don’t think you mean me. I’m doing the RELAY.” I’m sure the halfers were the target since they most likely would not be making up the time as the race got longer. Certainly I had all the energy of one just starting and I expected to have no difficulty catching and passing some folks during my 8+ mile leg. Nope the “Nice Police Man” followed me in his car and insisted I turn around and board the bus. Me, “no I’m not getting on that bus; I am a relay participant and I just started.” I am usually the obedient child, but this one was just not possible. Truly.

The next contact immediately as I was continuing was the Nice Bicycle Guy. He said I would be expected to catch the balloon people somewhere ahead. I said how far ahead? He said he had no idea; it is dark. I said, no problem, I’ll get to them in short order they can’t be that far ahead. The Nice Bicycle Guy took off and just a bit after he came back to explain the location of the balloon people. (I had already passed several persons by now.) That was really nice of him to give me that information. He said as long as I could stay in front of the balloons I’d be fine. No problem, I managed a 12 minute mile for the first bit and kept at it until I hooked up with SpaceRanger. He actually was most helpful getting DH through his first part of the relay. We paced ourselves and passed many along the way, caught up with other WISH Team members and continued onward. In the end, our relay team (DH and I) had no difficulty with the required pace and there were even participants coming in behind me.

I just was really disappointed in that exchange at the beginning of my leg. I felt that I should have been left to go onward without the exchange since I was not the cause of the road being closed for an extended amount of time. They still had to wait for those who really were not going to make the half in the required time to get close to the road block. There was no problem with my fresh legs getting into the proper place and quickly. I do understand timing needs, but I was not crucial and was definitely faster since it was relay and I was fresh. This was not a sprint for first place. It was not the way I thought it was written in the relay information.

We did get an official time and our medals. That was the goal.

The finish line was overwhelmingly crowded as was the post event party area so we left immediately. Couldn’t sleep either, got up the next few hours and walked off the after effects of the event.

DH said he doesn’t think he will ever do another one again he felt pretty bad. He was fine the next day, just mostly tired. Who knows. Our son met with our Orthopedic surgeon today for a medical follow-up and told him what his dad had done. Traveling on two hip replacements and his other medical issues really had Doc astonished.

We had a good time meeting with people the time before, during and after the event. That is always precious.

 

[bounceliketigger]

M'thonmom- lol! Yep I'm still in for another!

Like many others I swore I was DONE (@ mile 9 while in a pitch black port o' potty!). But alas, I can't give up that easily, in spite of having the worst run of my life.
And besides, I already have my ressie for the Princess!

And I didn't sleep a wink Saturday night either. I felt like I'd been on a major bender. I can assuredly say I will stay away from night races. The same thing happened to me after the ToT.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Lily!! Wow, I am just shocked that they tried to sweep you before you even started! I am so glad you kept running. And Congrats to your DH on completing the race!


Becky

 

[WDWFAN9]

Just some random thoughts......

did the 5K Saturday morning (thanks Anne for getting my bib) with Anne driving since we both ended up staying at Pop. Had a fantastic time. Loved the course through the MK! Hit the expo Saturday late morning and had no problems.

Left Pop about 7:15 with Robert and Anne driving me and DD Erin and her friend Jackie. Traffic backed up but kept moving when we neared Epcot. The line to get on a bus was really long, but they had a ton of buses lined up and it moved quickly. So far so good!
Got to the WWoS, saw a few WISHers, and hit the porta-potties.

Decided for find our corral (D) since we were in the last corral we wanted every bit of cushion possible. Race start was congested, but not any worse than in January-really expected there to be a wave start and was surprised there wasn't.

Loved this course much better than the January half course. I thought there was a lot more entertainment along the way. Actually got several character pictures with characters I actually know and like, which was very cool. Loved seeing the Osbourne lights in DHS.

The finish seemed a little anti-climatic since it was behind the scenes. Didn't care for "goody" bag, but the medal is awesome. We were very glad we didn't check a bag because the line was horrendous when we finished and it was very hot and muggy in the building - but I did like the access to flushing toilets!

We never made it to the after-party because DD's friend ended up needing to go to the medical tent about 20 minutes after she finished the race. One of the medics said this was the worst Disney event as far as people needing help afterwards, and that lots of people were going down after they exited the baggage claim area. We ended up getting back to our room about 4AM. Fortunately she bounced back right away and we had a fantastic few days in the parks.

I would do this race again - I really liked the course and hopefully Disney will work out the kinks.

 

[escape]

Hi Pat! Hope you all have a great race this weekend!

Lily, as I've said before, WAY TO GO! Good for you for sticking to your guns and continuing on. Good for Ted for doing the race under tough conditions. You make an AWESOME team.

I stayed at POFQ for the first time. I really enjoyed my stay. I guess I lucked out but we had a bus waiting on us to take us to the expo, a bus waiting on us to take us back to the hotel and a bus waiting on us the night of the half. We always left within 10 minutes of getting on the buses.

I enjoyed the race and the course and visiting with fellow WISHers. Like others, I thought we would never get out of HS. Ha! I was expecting it to be like the marathon course or the ToT course through HS - shorter. LOVED that the Osborne lights were turned on. Being from Little Rock, I'm quite familiar with the Osborne story. Jennings Osborne's house was not very far from the house I lived in. Anyway, as we were running/walking through the area, I overheard some girls saying it lights from Ozzie Osbourne's house. I didn't have the heart to tell them that they were wrong.

As people have mentioned, the bag check and after-party need a little work. After the race, my feet were KILLING me. Time for new shoes! Cindy and I got our appetizer and drink and then left. We didn't venture far from the entrance. I could hardly stand up; I wasn't in any condition to check it all out. Next day, felt fine. Love the medal! Not sure I will do this race again any time soon. I still need to do the Princess sometime and I'll be back for WDW marathon weekend in 2012 & maybe 2011 & 2013.

 

[APrunner]

I am late commenting since I spent the whole week down there. I loved the race, and have very few complaints. I finished 74th overall, so I did not experience the crowd issues: getting the medals, bags, etc. The course was very flat, especially compared to what I face in my training. I cannot run anywhere around here without encountering some nice hills. So running the course at Disney was really nice. My only complaint was the post race party. It was just too crowded. They should not sell so many tickets to it. I was in corral A, but I do think a wave start would have helped those in the other corrals.

Overall, I am very happy with the race. More than likely, I will do it again next year.

Congrats to all those who ran and finished the race.

 

[Rose&Mike]

And while I may be a woman, I've never had children. But I have run two full marathons before this half. And when I got to mile 23 in each one of those, I swore I'd never run another one again. I think long distance racing is like child birth (again, hope I'm not speaking without much authority or experience). Once you get through it and survive it, you forget a lot of the pain, but remember a lot of the joy in the process and the event. THAT'S why you're thinking of running another one. JMHO...

I totally agree with this. I've run two halves and both times I said never again. We are looking for a race in November.

We really enjoyed the race. I thought the weather was great--for October in Florida! AK scared me a little--so curvy and fast through there. Loved the Osbourne lights, just what I needed for that final push through to the end.

My only big issue was, as others have said, the bag pick up! What a nightmare. I felt amazing at the end of the race. I was smiling and happy, felt great. Then we got in that line. By the time we left that building I was sick to my stomach, my heartrate was still in the 130s. It was awful. I will never get in a line or go in a building like that again until I feel like I've recovered a bit. (At the time we felt like the Disney folks were pushing you out of the finish area, so we followed the pack.) It does not surprise me that people were dropping when they walked out of there. It took about an hour until I felt well enough to drink or eat anything. So I definitely learned something, but what a scary lesson to learn.

Lily--I'm so sorry you had to put up with the police sweeper guy. I'm so glad you got to finish!