Marathon Weekend 2016

[Alicatt]

Thank you so much IamTrike! If it were just me I'd get there early and try to see him as many times as I could, but I just can't see getting the kids to the bus stop at 4:30 2 days in a row. I'm running the 10K the day before and they're coming to cheer me on.

 

[AThrillingChase]

My only race that would qualify as PoT for the Marathon happens to be my worst time ever. There are 2 half marathons I could do before the PoT due date, one is the day after my best friends 30th birthday party, the other is this Sunday. I was looking at the one for this Sunday and last year's results show it was a very small field and people in my finish time range (2:30) were very limited even though they say the course remains open and supported till 3:00. The race after my friends birthday is a much larger race and has a bigger range of finish times. I know I should do the one this Sunday but I guess I'm looking for a little encouragement. I like being a middle of the pack, running with others runner, I have a feeling this weekend would be a more sparse crowd at the back.

You got some good advice already. I just wanted to add that even if you use the time you already have, you will not be in the last corral. Depending on how many people do not submit a time, the last couple of corrals could all be just people without POT. So, if you cannot or choose not to do a new race, not the end of the world

I am going to be towards the back because the only times I have that qualify are TOT (injured) and PHM (needed photos with genie and capt' Jack). So I will be around corral L or something I think. I have a potential POT race in town this weekend that I was considering, but I think I may skip it. I am not at a point in training where I will be all that much faster, so I would only move up 1 or 2 corrals at this point.

 

[michigandergirl]

My only race that would qualify as PoT for the Marathon happens to be my worst time ever. There are 2 half marathons I could do before the PoT due date, one is the day after my best friends 30th birthday party, the other is this Sunday. I was looking at the one for this Sunday and last year's results show it was a very small field and people in my finish time range (2:30) were very limited even though they say the course remains open and supported till 3:00. The race after my friends birthday is a much larger race and has a bigger range of finish times. I know I should do the one this Sunday but I guess I'm looking for a little encouragement. I like being a middle of the pack, running with others runner, I have a feeling this weekend would be a more sparse crowd at the back.

I ran a 10 miler race last Sunday and it was a smaller crowd. Like you, I was a little intimidated by that, but it ended up being a real motivator for me and I ran it WAY faster than I ever dreamed I could. So my vote would be this Sunday's race and then you can enjoy your friend's party.

 

[IamTrike]

I would say it comes down to whichever one you feel you will perform better at, even with a smaller crowd do you feel you have a better chance at a good time sunday or after partying perhaps to hard for your friends birthday? that is what I would use as my determining factor not so much worry about the crowd

+1 for this. I think it comes down to doing the one you think you'll do better at.

Personally I derive energy from the crowd. Running with people gives me something else to focus on even if it's just the back of the shirt of the person in front of me, and I seem to get an adrenaline rush during races too. That being said if the course is too crowded it can slow you down.

Is there a reason that you couldn't run the one this weekend and then based on your performance determine if you want to try the other race or not?

 

[RunDisneyDad]

Read that Splash Mountain will have a shorter refurbishment this year! It begins on January 10 through January 14, reopening on January 15 2016, so unless it changes we'll get to ride it this time!

I saw that too so I'm excited...I'm bummed though because it looks like Space Mountain will be down the 11th through the 15th.

 

[IamTrike]

Read that Splash Mountain will have a shorter refurbishment this year! It begins on January 10 through January 14, reopening on January 15 2016, so unless it changes we'll get to ride it this time!

I think splash was down in 2015 and 2014 during marathon weekend too.

 

[rteetz]

I think splash was down in 2015 and 2014 during marathon weekend too.

Yes it was

 

[IamTrike]

Yes it was

It's only fair I guess. The haunted mansion is always down during Disneyland half marathon.

 

[rteetz]

It's only fair I guess. The haunted mansion is always down during Disneyland half marathon.

Last year it didn't really need to be open because of how cold it was.

 

[IamTrike]

Last year it didn't really need to be open because of how cold it was.

True...It would have made splash mountain feel like blizzard beach looks.

I usually try to get out and run parts of the course when I am down there, but I didn't get a chance this past week. I'll my running was done on treadmills. I'm ready to be back down there in January.

 

[SarahDisney]

Last year it didn't really need to be open because of how cold it was.

Yes, well, let's hope that Splash Mountain being open for part of the weekend is a sign that we'll have good weather...
(Because, of course, Disney can control the weather 3+ months in advance)

 

[Baloo in MI]

My only race that would qualify as PoT for the Marathon happens to be my worst time ever. There are 2 half marathons I could do before the PoT due date, one is the day after my best friends 30th birthday party, the other is this Sunday. I was looking at the one for this Sunday and last year's results show it was a very small field and people in my finish time range (2:30) were very limited even though they say the course remains open and supported till 3:00. The race after my friends birthday is a much larger race and has a bigger range of finish times. I know I should do the one this Sunday but I guess I'm looking for a little encouragement. I like being a middle of the pack, running with others runner, I have a feeling this weekend would be a more sparse crowd at the back.

Looks like you got really good feedback already and I would ultimately agree with the thoughts on going with the race you feel better about. But one other thought... Life is always crazy and the POT deadline is looming so if you skip the race this sunday it does reduce your options should something happen and you can't run the race after your friends birthday. I am thinking of things like an planned work thing or an unplanned family obligation, etc. The old plan for the worst, but expect the best theory. Anyway, I wish you lots of luck in which ever race you do!

 

[FFigawi]

Yes, well, let's hope that Splash Mountain being open for part of the weekend is a sign that we'll have good weather...
(Because, of course, Disney can control the weather 3+ months in advance)

Even if they can't, that never seems to stop us runners from obsessing over it.

 

[poppinspal]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. The races are exactly one week apart so preparation wise one week won't really make a difference. I had planned to do the race the day after her birthday but this other one came up and I figured I'd check it out. I guess I was just worried because I'm used to larger races. I think I'll go for the one this weekend that way I can have a couple of drinks and stay out for my friends birthday.

You got some good advice already. I just wanted to add that even if you use the time you already have, you will not be in the last corral. Depending on how many people do not submit a time, the last couple of corrals could all be just people without POT. So, if you cannot or choose not to do a new race, not the end of the world

This is really helpful to know! I guess I didn't think about that part of it at all. I was so worried about submitting the best time possible for me that I never thought about the fact that some people won't submit a time at all. I'm going to plan to run this weekend but it's good to know that if for some reason I choose not to do the race this weekend it's not as bad as I thought.

 

[cavepig]

VISA discounts are out for Jan-April 2016 if anyone is looking to save $$$. I think there's a room only or Play/Stay/Dine. You have to call now for VISA, otherwise it will be general public in a few days.

 

[michigandergirl]

VISA discounts are out for Jan-April 2016 if anyone is looking to save $$$. I think there's a room only or Play/Stay/Dine. You have to call now for VISA, otherwise it will be general public in a few days.

Do you know what the specifics are? I couldn't find it on Disney's website. I'm interested in the room only discount.

 

[rteetz]

VISA discounts are out for Jan-April 2016 if anyone is looking to save $$$. I think there's a room only or Play/Stay/Dine. You have to call now for VISA, otherwise it will be general public in a few days.

General public is supposed to be Monday I guess.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

It doesn't sound like the room only discounts have been announced just S/P/D.

 

[cavepig]

Do you know what the specifics are? I couldn't find it on Disney's website. I'm interested in the room only discount.

Not exactly sure, but they are talking about it over on the Room discount board in a couple threads . I think someone said they called and could room only now too. I'm already set on my room otherwise I would have called for it today.

 

[roxymama]

There is a thread on the resort board under the "discount codes" section where people are listing what they have or have not been able to do. Sounds like a lot of CM's giving conflicting information.

I was told Bay Lake Tower (where I am staying) is excluded from the Disney Visa discount on S/P/D so now I am going to just call back when I have time today to see if Room only works. My CM did not know anything about room only. We don't want to do Stay/Play/Dine anyways because we are doing a lot of meals or snacks in our Villa kitchen (with a toddler we really are doing just one sit down per day and we all eat like birds and share at counter services) and it seems like the bulk of that discount is off the dining plan.
But I was secretly hoping for a room only discount. I probably won't change resorts if there is no discount BUT I could spend that money on more stuff at the EXPO!!!