Marathon Weekend 2016

[FFigawi]

Balloon Ladies: "Pure Evil" and "Balloons of Death"

"In all of sport, few figures are more feared than the balloon ladies."*

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304561004579137713459355656

*They're also very nice people and really fun to run with

 

[Pixie Heart]

@DopeyBadger - that's awesome!!! Thank you!!
Now I know whom to expect at AoA with extra Pixie Dust in my bag!

 

[FFigawi]

Good morning everyone! I have a question regarding corral placement and I'm coming to the experts for some help. When I registered for the marathon, I submitted a time from my first half marathon in hopes of getting an earlier start corral. My estimated finish time was 6:30:07. (This is really aggravating to me because my last half finish time was much faster than my first, but it happened at the end of Oct. and I couldn't submit it!) Anyhow, I've been placed in corral "N". I'm confused...shouldn't I be in "L"? What am I missing? This is my first full marathon and I really, REALLY was hoping to have every extra minute as possible to finish! Lol!

What time did you submit for your proof of time? runDisney pays some attention to your estimated finish time, but they really base the corral assignments on what you've proven you can do and how their calculator (close to McMillan) spits out a predicted marathon time. If it was all up to the self-determined estimation, everyone would submit 3:15 and be in a very early corral.

 

[opusone]

"In all of sport, few figures are more feared than the balloon ladies."*

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304561004579137713459355656

*They're also very nice people and really fun to run with

I also liked this quote from the article: "...they're as feared as Cruella de Vil."

 

[derekleigh]

So now that the reality of Marathon weekend (really should be week) is sinking in after corrals and waivers were released, what do people eye for merchandise purchases at the expo?

I don't usually buy anything but last year I was excited to purchase a pint glass (something I tend to favor more than shirts) in addition to the runDisney Magic Band. I also purchased a pair of older (2013?) NB shoes, the red/yellow/black Mickey versions. I'm hoping the pint glasses will return this year!

 

[Barca33Runner]

So now that the reality of Marathon weekend (really should be week) is sinking in after corrals and waivers were released, what do people eye for merchandise purchases at the expo?

I don't usually buy anything but last year I was excited to purchase a pint glass (something I tend to favor more than shirts) in addition to the runDisney Magic Band. I also purchased a pair of older (2013?) NB shoes, the red/yellow/black Mickey versions. I'm hoping the pint glasses will return this year!

I have purchased a Dopey headband and 48.6 car magnet each of the first two years and plan to get one each year. Other than that I am happy to collect my 6 "free" shirts and use them to form the base of my wardrobe for the next year.

 

[dancingtodisney]

View attachment 139307

This is KILLING me!!!!!!!!

I REALLY want to get a Dooney & Bourke but I was planning on getting a cross body... WHY oh WHY do they only have a wristlet and then the full size tote...

Can I justify the price....??!

I think my resolution will be that I won't pre-order (so no extra fees) and if it's there on the day of the expo and I've not found something equally extravagant to buy under my 'Christmas present to myself' rule I will get it......

Ooooh but it's so pretty....

AND what if they are all gone....

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah....

 

[SarahS123]

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.

Thank you so much! I will definitely check those out!

 

[Mariannekay]

What time did you submit for your proof of time? runDisney pays some attention to your estimated finish time, but they really base the corral assignments on what you've proven you can do and how their calculator (close to McMillan) spits out a predicted marathon time. If it was all up to the self-determined estimation, everyone would submit 3:15 and be in a very early corral.

I submitted a finish time of 03:05:22 from my first half marathon (Run Diva Half, Galveston,TX, April 2014) and used McMillan in estimating my marathon finish time...not a self-determined estimation. I don't know, I contacted Track Shack but I highly doubt they're not gonna change my corral at this late date. I was just hoping for an explanation I suppose. Thanks for your input

 

[SarahS123]

Thoughts on carrying a camera during the run? I'd rather not drain the battery on my phone but I'm just curious on what everyone has done.

 

[RunningPrince]

Alright everyone. Attached you will find a comprehensive listing of dis'ers participating in marathon weekend 2016. Some things to note:

-I made estimates on starting times for corrals based on previous years (both from published trip reports and from gun/chip time differential).
-Bib#s were removed in case anyone was concerned.
-The data within a certain race was sorted first by corral and then by expected pace within corral.
-Expected pace is in min/mile.
-The estimated time (as in daily clock time) at which you will arrive at each milestone is based on the distance to milestone (an approximate guess), expected start time, and expected pace.
-If you didn't give me an expected pace, then I wrote unknown which causes the formula to not be able to calculate when you arrive at milestones (#VALUE!)
-The Ballon Ladies are listed last as an approximation as to when and where they will be at each milestone. This is an approximation so please don't hold me to it.
-The marathon page was split into two so that it didn't become ridiculously tiny. Milestones 4-15.9 are on the first page, and milestones 16.6-26.2 are on the last.

If you see any errors please, or would prefer to see the data presented differently let me know. If you'd like to adjust your paces for any of the races now that you see what this draft looks like let me know. Otherwise, I think this will be a useful tool for everyone to find similar people within their corral, and to give this to their families so they can find you and other dis'ers based on the time of day. I see it as a game, which spectators can spot the most dis'ers!

Awesome - thanks for compiling the list and associated way point times! It's been 8 years since I ran the Goofy so very useful to visualize where I should be every 30 min for the half and full. The most recent W&D half a half was a good preview of the last 6.72 miles of the upcoming full - weather and humidity included - lol!

 

[Ariel484]

@dancingtodisney I agree, can't believe there isn't a crossbody option!

 

[Ariel484]

Thoughts on carrying a camera during the run? I'd rather not drain the battery on my phone but I'm just curious on what everyone has done.

In the past I've carried a small point-and-shoot, but now I just rely on my phone (which seems to make it through, battery-wise). Depends on how long you think the race will take you and how good your phone battery is, I guess.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Thoughts on carrying a camera during the run? I'd rather not drain the battery on my phone but I'm just curious on what everyone has done.

I just carry my phone. I don't listen to music while I run at Disney so my battery doesn't have much issue making it for the duration of any of the races. I also head back to my room after finishing and am able to charge the battery, if needed, before heading out again. So I guess it boils down to how long you will be relying on your battery before having access to a charge as well.

 

[RunningPrince]

Thoughts on carrying a camera during the run? I'd rather not drain the battery on my phone but I'm just curious on what everyone has done.

I've carried a small camera on some of my runs.

Pros:
Take more quality photos than with phone
Saves phone battery
Doesn't require removal of phone from SPIbelt

Cons:
Gets wet in long runs - weather/sweat
One less hand for food/water cups

My conclusion has been to use camera on short runs (5k/10k) and phone for long runs (half/full) as time/distance in parks for both coast runs tend to be less than 25% of long runs and thus frees you up for the road running portions.

 

[AThrillingChase]

That's a good one.
I did the Frozen 5K last year ... I thought I was leaving New York so that I didn't have to wear so many layers while I run. I was not happy about the actual freezing weather (although thankfully my costume easily lent itself to adding an extra layer).
Meanwhile, after the Half Marathon on Sunday, people were complaining about the heat. So you can have extremes in the same weekend - we should all remember that and be prepared for it!

No joke. I ran both of those and my body couldn't even understand what was happening!

While I'm still here in limbo worrying about my hip issue and trying not to be too upset in case it is something, I have a funny story to share. Last night we had parent/teacher meetings for our son and we had to let the teachers know we were taking him out of school for a week (UGH...I hate having to do this). But as we got talking with 1 teacher about where we are going, it turns out she is running the marathon too. Small World!

It's a small world AFTER ALL!

Sorry. Very sorry. I just couldn't let that one lie there. lol.

So now that the reality of Marathon weekend (really should be week) is sinking in after corrals and waivers were released, what do people eye for merchandise purchases at the expo?

I don't usually buy anything but last year I was excited to purchase a pint glass (something I tend to favor more than shirts) in addition to the runDisney Magic Band. I also purchased a pair of older (2013?) NB shoes, the red/yellow/black Mickey versions. I'm hoping the pint glasses will return this year!

I like to get the water bottles or tervis tumblers to use at work. Every once in awhile I will start looking at my PHM tumbler and I get little fuzzy feelings. I also like the tank tops they have been coming out with, and the new performance hoodies they started at W&D. Though, the sleeves on those run a bit short, fyi. I recommend trying it on first, but watch your stuff!! People were nuts at W&D. I was trying a M and a S size on and hung the one I took off on the mirror I was standing inches from to put the other size on, and people were coming up and pulling out the tag to check the size and take it. Only one of the people who tried to take it said oh, wait is this yours? YOU THINK? lol.

Thoughts on carrying a camera during the run? I'd rather not drain the battery on my phone but I'm just curious on what everyone has done.

I always just carry my phone. I have running tights with a zillion pockets because I avoid running belts, but, even with those I just don't want to carry anything extra.

ETA - remember to turn off wifi and lower the brightness of your screen. It will help conserve battery (thank you teenage cousin for that one). Also, if you use icloud for your music, it will be constantly trying to pull from the cloud and that will also drain.

 

[SunDial]

Thoughts on carrying a camera during the run? I'd rather not drain the battery on my phone but I'm just curious on what everyone has done.

Just got a new Nexus 5X that has a great camera lens. Fixed 2.0 and does great pictures. So I am using that. I had originally thought about taking my Nikon DSLR out for the run. Might now use the old phone for the music.

 

[cavepig]

I submitted a finish time of 03:05:22 from my first half marathon (Run Diva Half, Galveston,TX, April 2014) and used McMillan in estimating my marathon finish time...not a self-determined estimation. I don't know, I contacted Track Shack but I highly doubt they're not gonna change my corral at this late date. I was just hoping for an explanation I suppose. Thanks for your input

If you have screenshots of when you submitted then send those or bring to expo as they might change you if indeed their system messed up in placing you. Sometimes it gets messed up & they will give you a new corral. If you don't have any proof of what you submitted than most likely they won't change it.

Thoughts on carrying a camera during the run? I'd rather not drain the battery on my phone but I'm just curious on what everyone has done.

I run with a small waterproof point & shoot, I can put it in my belt or I just hold it. I don't trust my phone battery at all & I like to take lots of photos and even some videos. If you have never run with a camera then do a few test runs with it. It is bulkier than the phone but I know it won't die part way through so worth the extra 'weight' I guess.

 

[emindc]

@DopeyBadger -- fantastic, thanks!

Ran 20 miles this morning and it felt great! SO happy to cross that milestone. Here is the Strava link if you are interested. Got to the river just at sunrise so I included some photos, but I'm not sure if you can see them without being a member.

My mile splits got slower at the end; that was partly fatigue, but I didn't pause my watch for water fountains, photo stops or traffic lights, and there were many of those, especially in the last five miles. However, I'm sure it will be the same on race day so I guess I should take that into account in estimating my pace.

Thanks again for your great tips, encouragement and amusement. Good luck, all -- we're on the home stretch now!

P.S. The only merchandise I want is the car magnet or decal. That's getting a place of pride on the back of the minivan!

 

[Kathymford]

1. Marathons are hard and you don't need to carry extra weight so you should take all your fuel before the race starts
2. You'll feel pretty much the same during the last mile as you do during the first mile, if you haven't started panting by the end of mile 1 you aren't working hard enough.
3. You don't want to get dehydrated, to help keep from loosing too much moisture wrap yourself in saran wrap under your running clothes.
4. You'll find you get an adrenaline rush if you lock arms with your friends. Get as many people as you can to look arms with you and stretch across the road.
5. Do not go to the bathroom before or during the race. The sense of urgency you feel at the end will make the last mile fly by.
6. Runners are athletes, and like most athletes a pat on the bottom is a great way to offer encouragement.


They do donate the clothes. I'll usually pick something up from goodwill to have as throw away clothes.
The roads are sloped. on the curves I think it is less sloped by the sides of the road. On the straight aways the center is a little flatter. Be careful for the lines they can be slippery if they get wet. Also i think the reflectors can trip people up.

Your list confused me for a minute, but then again, I hadn't guzzled down my coffee yet. So funny. And the reflectors get me EVERY time, but so do the train tracks in the parks.

Alright everyone. Attached you will find a comprehensive listing of dis'ers participating in marathon weekend 2016. Some things to note:

-I made estimates on starting times for corrals based on previous years (both from published trip reports and from gun/chip time differential).
-Bib#s were removed in case anyone was concerned.
-The data within a certain race was sorted first by corral and then by expected pace within corral.
-Expected pace is in min/mile.
-The estimated time (as in daily clock time) at which you will arrive at each milestone is based on the distance to milestone (an approximate guess), expected start time, and expected pace.
-If you didn't give me an expected pace, then I wrote unknown which causes the formula to not be able to calculate when you arrive at milestones (#VALUE!)
-The Ballon Ladies are listed last as an approximation as to when and where they will be at each milestone. This is an approximation so please don't hold me to it.
-The marathon page was split into two so that it didn't become ridiculously tiny. Milestones 4-15.9 are on the first page, and milestones 16.6-26.2 are on the last.

If you see any errors please, or would prefer to see the data presented differently let me know. If you'd like to adjust your paces for any of the races now that you see what this draft looks like let me know. Otherwise, I think this will be a useful tool for everyone to find similar people within their corral, and to give this to their families so they can find you and other dis'ers based on the time of day. I see it as a game, which spectators can spot the most dis'ers!

YOU ROCK. This is so great.

This is KILLING me!!!!!!!!

I REALLY want to get a Dooney & Bourke but I was planning on getting a cross body... WHY oh WHY do they only have a wristlet and then the full size tote...

Can I justify the price....??!

I think my resolution will be that I won't pre-order (so no extra fees) and if it's there on the day of the expo and I've not found something equally extravagant to buy under my 'Christmas present to myself' rule I will get it......

Ooooh but it's so pretty....

AND what if they are all gone....

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah....

This is me with every Disney Dooney release. LOL. I want the backpack (I think); I think I'm going to do the same as you and wait and see what's there when I hit the expo, but since I'm doing that first thing on Wednesday, hopefully there won't be a problem. At the least, I will walk away with a new wristlet I'm sure. LOL