Marathon '09 with family questions

[Shelly D.]

DH has decided he wants to complete a marathon in the next few months, so we are looking at the WDW marathon in Jan since it's a special place to us and seems like the perfect place to celebrate a life goal of his.

We are trying to figure out how to time our trip so the family has some fun (DD6 & DS2) while dad gets the time he needs to prepare.

For those who have done the marathon and taken your family of small children along, what has been your strategy (rest days, park days, etc). Do you arrive closer to marathon day and then have a few days at the parks afterward, or come a few days earlier? I don't know how much park touring he'll want to do after the race. Will he just be completely spent the following day?

DD will be in kindergarten and we're hoping to pull her out for 3 days (fingers crossed) and then have the weekend so 5 nights at the world. We're just having a hard time figuring out what day we should arrive, when we'd hit parks, and then I guess I'll start trying to figure out adrs.

Also, on race day where does the family go to meet up with their racer? I heard there are special events, but can someone clarify?

So many questions and I assumed this would be the best place to start or should I head to one of the trip planning boards?
Thanks!

 

[wdw4us]

Well I'll answer as best as I can.

First my kids are grown so I can't say for sure what you want to do I guess it depends on how fit your DH is and when he'll be done the marathon.

We like to go down early on Thursday and be at the Expo to pick up our packet asap in order to beat the crowd and a bit of elbow free shopping.

We have a quiet day on Friday, probably MGM or EPCOT since we are staying at the BWV. A decent meal the night before the race and early to bed. Our alarm clock went off at 2:30 but I had gotten all our stuff ready the night before, chip, clothes, water and food so it was pretty much a no brainer to get to the bus.

This year my husband is not doing the 1/2 so I have asked him to be at the MK as racers enter. He has specific instructions on where to place himself. Then he's to hop the monorail and head over to EPCOT to greet us there.

There is a family area where you can meet up after the race.

This was our first 1/2 and we were tired - from lack of sleep and the race itself so we headed back to the hotel - got some bagels and showered and rested for about 2 hours. Then we walked around the BW area and over to MGM for a few hours. We were tired but still needed to move.

If he's really fit and this is a breeze for him, you should be able to go out and have some family time later that day or for sure the next. He may be sore but it's best to keep moving. Of course I did the 1/2 not the full.

Depending on where you stay a neat place to watch the full marathon runners is on the bridge near the dolphin/boardwalk area. We were there to see the wheelchair winners and the elite runners as the came through. That was a thrill to watch and cheer them on.

Good luck.

denise

 

[BamaEd1]

WDW '09 will be my first full marathon but I have done some 10k's and a 1/2 marathon. I don't know about the scheduling around the race yet but I would say that the most important thing for your DH to do is to find a good training plan so that he arrives at the START line un-injured and ready to finish. I love the one in the book "Marathoning for Mortals" (a lot of people on this board will attest to the quality of that book). You didn't give any details on your DH's level of fitness but after just doing a 1/2 I know one thing about a full; you can't "mail it in" on the training. A marathon is hard, that's why only .01% of the people on earth have ever completed one.

With all of that stuff said, I would say before and after the race, let how he feels dictate his activity level. You can stay at the parks with the kiddos while Dad naps if he needs to; after all, it is Walt Disney World so there will be something fun to do. We are DVC members and annual pass holders and we loving all things Disney. However, we are looking at marathon weekend as a fun business trip, not a vacation. Best of luck to him and welcome to the WISH board; there are some awesome people here and I can't wait to meet them in person!!!!

 

[Jen117]

Here is what I have done... first year, kids were 3 and 6. Arrived later on Thursday. Got up Friday morning and did the kids races. We then bummed around a little, I rested a little and then we met up at 4pm for the WISH meet. I was then done for the night as I had the 1/2 the next morning. We then spent the next 3 days cruising the world.

Last year, kids were 4 and 7. They arrived late Thursday night, I took the red eye from San Diego and met them Friday morning (not a wise idea but I had no choice). Once I arrived we scooted off to the kids races. Then we bummed the MK a little as we had lunch ressies at Crystal Palace. Then we met the WISH group at 4pm... done for the night. Next day I cheered the 1/2 a little and we did a little park touring. I left early and went to the room for a nap. Kids and dad came later for swimming and fun. I ran the full the next day.

If you can handle both kids, I say don't give up the fun time. My DH dragged my poor girls all over the parks during my race just to catch glimpses of me. He tried really hard to get them excited for the race because that is why we were there. But he also made sure they had fun. So while he was waiting for me at Epcot they jumped on Test Track. If you can handle it, then let you DH mentally and physically prepare himself while you do other things.

 

[scoolover]

The past two years we went down on Thursday and it felt like there was a lot of waiting around for nothing. I have a 6 year old who will be in 1st grade this year. This time we are going the Friday before to the Friday after. It is better to get the race done and enjoy the week than to think about it and try to get in some runs during the week leading up to it.

He will be sore but can minimize that with an ice bath directly after the race. You could even get there on Saturday and hit the expo for his goodies before running Sunday.

As far as missing school, my son missed 6 days last year and he will miss another 6 this year. I really could care less what the school says about it.

 

[Shelly D.]

Thank you for all the feedback. That helps me alot. I figured a lot of this trip would be me with the kids and DH getting prepared, taking it easy, or recovering and I'm fine with that. I think he's going to do great. He's in pretty good shape and runs/works out pretty frequently, but he's not used to distance running so he's starting to look at training programs and increase his mileage each week. He has always talked about wanting to complete a marathon so I'm very excited for him and think it's perfect to reach this goal at WDW. I think that will be very motivating for him.

We saw that there are kids' races on Saturday and wondered if anyone has experience with this. We're considering taking our 6 year old to do the 200m dash. Is this a fun morning, or would we be better served going to the parks?

Also, any good spots to get a nutritious meal the night before the race? I'd love suggestions so I can make an ADR.

Thanks!
Shelly

 

[Jen117]

I did the kids races the last two years. If my girls didn't want to do them, I wouldn't. There is a lot of waiting around and not a whole lot of organization. Last year they allowed parents to storm the finish line instead of keeping the kids in a corral for parents to pick up. Well I couldn't get through the massive crowd of people to fetch my youngest. I couldn't even find her. She was terrified, I was terrified. We found her 5 minutes later wandering aimlessly in the area we had been sitting. Not a CM in site to assist with the child pick up. BUT... the previous year it went fine. So I assume we will do it again as long as my kids want to. But my youngest said she wants me to run with her this time so she doesn't get lost. They get a rubber medal at the end and that is pretty cool for my kids.

I think the major problem with the crowding was that they run the races in heats and after each heat they did not clear the finish line area, so people just kept coming and coming. I really hope they get that worked out.

 

[Duanerice]

By all means plan the fun after the race. Come down either Friday night or Saturday (if you want to chance arriving the day before the race). I assume you are flying since you are in Texas. I picked up my packet on Saturday last year with no problem. That way you can have a little fun on Saturday then spend the rest of the time enjoying the parks. This year I need to get it on Friday since I'll be doing the Goofy. YEA!

Sure he will be sore after the race, but the best thing to do is to walk around. The day of the marathon might be a bit tougher, but just tell him it's for his own good! Make sure he takes an ice bath. Again, for his own good

So, have the fun after the race. Otherwise he'll be worried about the race and won't have as much fun. If you go to the parks after the race he can wear his medal around.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I agree too, plan the vaca fun for after the event. He definitely needs to wear his medal all week after the event. It is such fun to congratulate others.

 

[dsnyfan21]

I am doing the half, but would agree to plan on celebrating and spending more time at "the world" after the Full. That way there is no thinking about it ahead of time while trying to go to parks and getting time in to visit all the parks you want to. After would be more relaxing and wearing your medal after to the parks is a "MUST"!!!!!!

 

[Shelly D.]

Thanks again everyone! We are currently planning on flying in Fri late afternoon so we can pick DD up after lunch at school and not miss a full day. Then DH can go straight to packet pickup and I'll watch the kids at the hotel (wilderness lodge, we hope!). Sat, we may go to Fantasyland for some easy park touring and then he can head back after lunch for peace and quiet. Then fly back on Wed.

I love that people will be wearing their medals around the parks! I'm sure I'll catch the bug and want to do the 1/2 the following year!

Can't wait!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Shelly, I know if you play here for a bit, that there is no doubt we will see you at the half the next time. It is definitely contagious fun! Especially WISH Team style. Stop by to introduce yourselves. WISH Team usually gathers at the "W" area after the events where family and friends meet. We're quite a friendly group really.