Marathon Weekend 2016

[Keels]

3. There are a couple of places where the course narrows. Be very aware of your surroundings. (actually just in general yo'll be running with 26000 other people, be cognizant of your surroundings, signal before you start to walk, let people know when you are going to pass them and d on what side.

Uh, yeah. Y'all, be careful in the area from the DHS exit through Boardwalk and into EPCOT, especially the sharp turn and steep hill down to the walkway. It really is only wide enough for two people, and if it's anything like W&D, there will be people blazing from behind and trying to zip around you on that grass embankment. Hold your spot, go your pace and if you're slowing down for a walking interval, hold up your arm well in advance if you don't want someone to slam into you from behind.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

Kind of a weird one, but it had been since 2004 since I had done a Full, so in 2014 I didn't realize the timing chip is attached to the rear of the bib. I had a freak out moment on the bus because I thought I had left my timing chip (old school timing chip) in the bag at the resort.

Also, make sure your shirt fits at the expo. I didn't do that and now I can't really wear my 2014 Marathon shirt because its too big.

Oh, and before the race while waiting for the race to start, if you sneak off into the woods to relive yourself (men), the ditches between the road and the trees have water in them sometimes! I learned that the hard way.

 

[Ariel484]

Don't throw out the sponge (although I think it's now a washcloth?) they give you in WWoS right away, especially if it's hot out. You can re-wet it at later water stops.

@SarahS123 in my signature I have a couple of trip reports about the marathon, if you want to know a bit about the on-course experience check them out (or search the trip reports section of this board for some other reports). Reading other trip reports helped me a lot before my first runDisney race weekend.

 

[Mickey Momma]

I was going to post the same thing. If you're going to do a "flat runner" picture or something similar on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, whatever, make sure you cover your bib number. I wrote about it in my trip report from September, but for the first time in a race I saw a couple of bandits that had clearly printed out bibs.

Something like this makes it harder for people to take your bib number:

I am in love with those costumes!!

 

[Ariel484]

I am in love with those costumes!!

Thanks!

 

[Mickey Momma]

It looks like they have updated the expected finishing times for the corrals, at least for the full. Or maybe it has been like this since it was posted and I am thinking of the past couple of years?

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/run...athon/2016_WDW_CorralAssignments_Marathon.pdf

 

[Mickey Momma]

Race: Full
Name: Shannon
Dis'er Name: Mickey Momma
Costume: Not sure yet...possibly Minnie because I am cheap and I still have the Sparkle Skirt from two years ago?
Corral: J
Early Bird/Late Arriver to corral: Early
Front/Middle/Back lining up in the corral: middle to back
Expected Pace: 14:15 because I want photos this time! I have zero character photos from 2014 because I was too concerned about finishing.

Has anybody seen anything about the Mine Train being open to ride during the marathon?

 

[SarahDisney]

While some of us are experienced runDisney runners, we've got some people new to rD on the thread. So my fellow vets, let's help out the new guys ... What's one thing (or more) that you wish you had known before your first runDisney race?

So, the only race I've done is a 5K, so some of these may not apply to the longer races, but here goes:
1 - You will most likely be standing around for a very long time before the race. Make sure you're ready for that ... both clothing-wise and mentally.
2 - Enjoy the experience, but be ready to entertain yourself. Yes, there is entertainment on the course, but there are also areas (even in the 5K) where it's just you, the road, and all of the other runners. If you normally run with music, you may want to think about bringing earphones with you to listen to music or finding a running buddy to chat with.
3 - Don't be afraid to weave around people, but do it safely and courteously. There will be people who start ahead of you but are still going slower than you - feel free to get ahead of them, but make sure you won't hit anyone and let people know that you might be getting in their way.
4 - Your idea of etiquette is not everyone else's idea. I went in assuming walkers would stick to one side and people would run either single file or no more than two abreast, because that's what I would do. Boy, was I wrong! There were walkers everywhere and people walked in large groups. Finally I decided to not be annoyed and just go around them.
5 - If you don't see any signs directing you where to go ... follow the mass of people. (This was especially true for us at the expo last year - we didn't see signs to direct us from the bus to the expo, so we just followed the crowd)

I'm sure there's more, but ... that's what I thought of for now. I hope this helps our first timers!

 

[Keels]

Race: Full
Name: Shannon
Dis'er Name: Mickey Momma
Costume: Not sure yet...possibly Minnie because I am cheap and I still have the Sparkle Skirt from two years ago?
Corral: J
Early Bird/Late Arriver to corral: Early
Front/Middle/Back lining up in the corral: middle to back
Expected Pace: 14:15 because I want photos this time! I have zero character photos from 2014 because I was too concerned about finishing.

Has anybody seen anything about the Mine Train being open to ride during the marathon?

Doubtful, since the park won't open until 9 and based on the times they're giving for spectators, it looks like most runners will be out of MK before then.

Oh! And one more general tip - if official merchandise is important to you, get there early and go for that first. Your bib and race shirts will be ready whenever you are.

 

[SarahDisney]

Has anybody seen anything about the Mine Train being open to ride during the marathon?

Check twitter the morning of the race. I think that's where they announced it last year.
If you're not on twitter, you can check here too - hopefully someone will post the info if rD tweets anything.

 

[mawatcha]

Got a bit carried away with posting my bib # earlier, since removed. I really didn't think bib # stealing would be a big issue, can't believe people have the nerve to do it!

 

[Barca33Runner]

Seeing this gives me an idea...
While some of us are experienced runDisney runners, we've got some people new to rD on the thread. So my fellow vets, let's help out the new guys ... What's one thing (or more) that you wish you had known before your first runDisney race?

I'll share a few things once I'm back on the computer, but I'm interested to hear what others say...

My first takeaway from my first rD race, which was also my first race ever, was that 20,000+ people is a lot of people. Should seem obvious, but I really wasn't prepared for the magnitude of such a crowd. It is great in many ways and also a little annoying. Great because there were so many people out there running for many of the same reasons and after the same goals as myself. You never feel alone and seeing everyone else giving their best effort really brings out the best in most people. Annoying because, yeah, it is impossible for 20,000 people to move in lockstep with one another and at different points in 3.1, 6.2, 13.1, or 26.2 miles you are going to want to go quicker than people in front of you and some people behind you are going to wish you would get your butt moving. Distance running is a difficult and sometimes painful process and can fray nerves pretty quickly.

More importantly, know that if you stay within yourself and keep putting one foot in front of the other you will finish. And when you finish it will feel awesome. My first race I was entirely expecting to be a one-off and, despite knowing for the last 6 miles of that half marathon that I had several blisters the size of quarters developing all over my feet, I knew before I crossed the finish line that I would be back to tackle the full the next year. These races truly can be as magical as you make them.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Seeing this gives me an idea...
While some of us are experienced runDisney runners, we've got some people new to rD on the thread. So my fellow vets, let's help out the new guys ... What's one thing (or more) that you wish you had known before your first runDisney race?

1. Don't try to rush and skip the pre-race and post-race areas! I love the atmosphere with the dj and fellow runners and photo opportunities. And they will sell champagne and drinks after the race too. They will stay until the last runner finishes.

2. Know that the course will get crowded and you will get slowed down. Just coming to terms with this before the race will allow you to not get too heated.

 

[Kathymford]

I have done multiple RD races and have never taken one character photo. These are pretty much the only races I do, right now, and I'm focusing on getting faster. If a line was short, I might pop in, but since I'm slow, it never is.

Advice:
1. Weather: be prepared for anything. Wear a "throw-away" sweater if you want. Disney collects them and donates them (at least, they do at DL ... I assume also at WDW?)
2. To help pass the time on the boring roads, check out everyone's costumes (more costumes on shorter races though) and tell people you like it. I love running by and people shouting out the name of my sparkle skirt!
3. I don't know this first hand, but my bf mentioned that the roads are not flat, they kind of do a V for drainage (or something?). This was new for him being from non-rainy Calif. and being an amputee, this messed up his knee at W&D, so he's going to try and stay towards the middle this time. Anyhow, if you are used to flat, be aware of this. If this is totally wrong, I'm sure someone will chime in.
4. Have fun! We are all rooting for you!

 

[Kathymford]

1. Don't try to rush and skip the pre-race and post-race areas! I love the atmosphere with the dj and fellow runners and photo opportunities. And they will sell champagne and drinks after the race too. They will stay until the last runner finishes.

2. Know that the course will get crowded and you will get slowed down. Just coming to terms with this before the race will allow you to not get too heated.

Did someone say champagne? And can I pay with my magic band? LOL

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Too lazy to quote, but here's my advice:

Bring a cheap flannel blanket ($3) to the start. It can be a groundcloth/cushion to sit on, a hoody, a kilt, a privacy screen, etc.

Take it 1 mile at a time. Try not to think of the total distance or how far you have to go. Job #1 is getting to the next mile marker.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Did someone say champagne? And can I pay with my magic band? LOL

Yes, and totally can! Except the line for cash was shorter last time for me, I think the band reader had gone down or something so they were keying in the serial # for each band.

 

[Ariel484]

Got a bit carried away with posting my bib # earlier, since removed. I really didn't think bib # stealing would be a big issue, can't believe people have the nerve to do it!

I was talking about actual pictures of the bib. I'm pretty sure people search for pictures of the bibs on social media the night before the races and print them out to bandit the races.

 

[Ariel484]

 

[Ariel484]