Marathon Weekend 2016

[Alicatt]

Thanks guys. We might take the boat unless we're really in a rush. Though 3/4 of a mile or so isn't a lot for my husband or I, we will have 2 seniors and 2 small children with us and I don't want to start wearing them out before we get to the park. So if we do the kids races as our last thing (meaning we pick up our packets, etc before then) Should I estimate getting to HS at about 1? Also does anyone know what time the expo opens?

 

[SarahDisney]

Also does anyone know what time the expo opens?

According to the runDisney website, here are the expo hours:
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2016
9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2016
9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2016
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2016

You probably have to be there 15-20 minutes before the races, so you should probably leave the expo no later than 10:30 (I don't remember how far it is from the expo to the races, but you want to give yourself time to walk over), which gives you an hour and a half on days when it opens at 9.

 

[Keels]

For the Castaway 5K Challenge, can anyone confirm whether you do have to already have the cruise booked when you register for the Challenge, or can you register for the Challenge and then book the Cruise later? There seems to be conflicting information on the site:

In the first footnote, *, it says: "To be eligible for the Castaway Cay Challenge runners must enter their cruise reservation number at the time of registration for the Disney Castaway Cay Challenge race event."

But in the second footnote, **, it says: "A reservation on the January 11, 2016 Disney Dream 4-Night Bahamian Cruise is required in order to participate. It is recommended that you register for your Disney cruise PRIOR to registering for the Castaway Cay Challenge. Cruise Line reservations must be booked by August 2, 2015 or your Challenge Reservation will be forfeited."

The two notes seem to contradict each other. We are almost certainly doing it, though not 100%, but with the Challenge now at 50%, we may end up just signing up to be safe, we're just not really sure if we can.

Any insight would be appreciated! Thank you!

I went ahead and put a deposit down on the cruise - I figure if I can't get her to do it, then my parents can watch our dogs and husband and I will go, or I'll just cancel it and get my deposit back. I probably won't register for the Challenge until it gets really close to selling out ...

 

[SarahDisney]

Does anyone use a belt to hold their cell phone, etc. when running? I hold my water bottle, but I usually wear something with big pockets to hold my phone/tissues/house key, and I think I'd rather use a belt.

Anyone have a belt that they recommend?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Does anyone use a belt to hold their cell phone, etc. when running? I hold my water bottle, but I usually wear something with big pockets to hold my phone/tissues/house key, and I think I'd rather use a belt.

Anyone have a belt that they recommend?

I use a Spibelt when running in races. It expands enough to easily hold my Samsung phone, keys, money, driver's license:

ETA: It is not easy to get big things out while running, so if you plan on using your phone for anything while running, look elsewhere.

 

[DOOM1001]

I have like 3 different belts,a small Nathan spibelt that stretches enough to put my phone in.A bigger fitletic belt with two pockets that I use to put all Gu's and chews on races and an even bigger Nike one for longer races in case everything doesn't fit in the other ones.I pretty much always run with two belts for half marathons and higher.One thing I started putting in them lately is a crushed up plastic bag,nothing annoys me more than finishing a race and not having enough hands to hold onto all the post race food,drinks and goodies so I always put a little bag from Wal Mart in there.It isn't as needed for the Disney races since they have the boxes but I still bring it just in case.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Just wanted to echo the spibelt and fitletic. Most of the time I use the spibelt at races and armband for my iPhone. The spibelt will easily hold a room key, car key, standard phone, id, credit card, and 1-2 gels (this is usually all I need). The fitletic will hold all that plus more gels/chews. If you're going to carry your own water anyway at the race (I don't because I've never had a problem with water stops) then you may look into a Nathan or Fuel Belt that will have a pocket attached.

 

[Keels]

Does anyone use a belt to hold their cell phone, etc. when running? I hold my water bottle, but I usually wear something with big pockets to hold my phone/tissues/house key, and I think I'd rather use a belt.

Anyone have a belt that they recommend?

I ran my Half last weekend with my brand new SpiBelt and I LOVED it!! I fit in two sleeves of ShotBlocks, a packet of SportsBeans, two Kleenexs, my credit card and my Ray-Ban WayFarers (OGs, yo - which are the worst for running, but that's a post for a different time). Yes, it was a little tough to pull my sunglasses out, but once I did, it was easy peasy. I also like how soft and natural the SpiBelt feels. I have a FuelBelt for training runs, and it's pretty cumbersome and feels like I'm carrying something. I got my SpiBelt at Academy for $12.99!

I don't wear my phone on my arm - I wear it either clipped to my pants or now to the band of my SpiBelt. I have this case:
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Belt-Cl...6&sr=8-21&keywords=iphone+belt+clip+case+pink

It's been a game changer for me! I bought it just for running, but now it's on my phone full-time. It's just as sturdy as the TechCandy cases I used to have, but not as bulky (still fits in my back pocket). And it was like $7.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Does anyone use a belt to hold their cell phone, etc. when running? I hold my water bottle, but I usually wear something with big pockets to hold my phone/tissues/house key, and I think I'd rather use a belt.

Anyone have a belt that they recommend?

I have a fitletic ultimate II which I LOVE. I can just barely squeeze my phone (Iphone 6 with a speck case) in the front pouch, there is no room for anything else. I've had the belt nearly 2 years and it's been with me through all my races-from 10ks to marathons!

 

[AThrillingChase]

I don't wear my phone on my arm - I wear it either clipped to my pants or now to the band of my SpiBelt. I have this case:
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Belt-Cl...6&sr=8-21&keywords=iphone+belt+clip+case+pink

Thank you for reminding me to get this! You told me about this on the thread for one of the other races and I forgot to buy it!!

I have a flipbelt that I like - super easy to take things out and put them back in and it doesn't bounce at all. http://flipbelt.com/ I will say if you want to wear it on your hips like I prefer, size up one from what it says.

 

[SarahDisney]

I use a Spibelt when running in races. It expands enough to easily hold my Samsung phone, keys, money, driver's license:

ETA: It is not easy to get big things out while running, so if you plan on using your phone for anything while running, look elsewhere.

I have like 3 different belts,a small Nathan spibelt that stretches enough to put my phone in.A bigger fitletic belt with two pockets that I use to put all Gu's and chews on races and an even bigger Nike one for longer races in case everything doesn't fit in the other ones.I pretty much always run with two belts for half marathons and higher.One thing I started putting in them lately is a crushed up plastic bag,nothing annoys me more than finishing a race and not having enough hands to hold onto all the post race food,drinks and goodies so I always put a little bag from Wal Mart in there.It isn't as needed for the Disney races since they have the boxes but I still bring it just in case.

Just wanted to echo the spibelt and fitletic. Most of the time I use the spibelt at races and armband for my iPhone. The spibelt will easily hold a room key, car key, standard phone, id, credit card, and 1-2 gels (this is usually all I need). The fitletic will hold all that plus more gels/chews. If you're going to carry your own water anyway at the race (I don't because I've never had a problem with water stops) then you may look into a Nathan or Fuel Belt that will have a pocket attached.

I ran my Half last weekend with my brand new SpiBelt and I LOVED it!! I fit in two sleeves of ShotBlocks, a packet of SportsBeans, two Kleenexs, my credit card and my Ray-Ban WayFarers (OGs, yo - which are the worst for running, but that's a post for a different time). Yes, it was a little tough to pull my sunglasses out, but once I did, it was easy peasy. I also like how soft and natural the SpiBelt feels. I have a FuelBelt for training runs, and it's pretty cumbersome and feels like I'm carrying something. I got my SpiBelt at Academy for $12.99!

I don't wear my phone on my arm - I wear it either clipped to my pants or now to the band of my SpiBelt. I have this case:
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Belt-Cl...6&sr=8-21&keywords=iphone+belt+clip+case+pink

It's been a game changer for me! I bought it just for running, but now it's on my phone full-time. It's just as sturdy as the TechCandy cases I used to have, but not as bulky (still fits in my back pocket). And it was like $7.

I have a fitletic ultimate II which I LOVE. I can just barely squeeze my phone (Iphone 6 with a speck case) in the front pouch, there is no room for anything else. I've had the belt nearly 2 years and it's been with me through all my races-from 10ks to marathons!

I have a flipbelt that I like - super easy to take things out and put them back in and it doesn't bounce at all. http://flipbelt.com/ I will say if you want to wear it on your hips like I prefer, size up one from what it says.

Thanks for all the advice & suggestions!
Right now I'm leaning towards the SpiBelt just because it comes in polka dot (that's the #1 way to get me to buy something...), but I definitely have some research to do before I make a decision.
I have a holster case for my phone (which I actually clip to my pocket now), so if I have a hard time getting my phone in and out of the belt, I could try attaching that to the belt to see if it helps.

Thanks for all the ideas - it definitely looks like I'll be doing some research over the weekend!

 

[sunshinecruise]

I have a double pouch fitletic belt that I bought at the Princess expo. I like it alot. It has a credit card size slot inside the bigger pouch that I use for my ID or my hotel room key card. And I have two add on pouches for water bottles. One of the things that I like the best about my fitletic belt is that it came with toggle clips to hold my race bibs.

 

[Ariel484]

No belt - SparkleSkirt.

 

[Neoflynn]

I wear my phone in an armband mostly because I like to be able to look at it for pace information, I do wear an amphipod for water and to keep my gugels in

 

[cavepig]

I run with a 2 pocket fitletic belt. Mostly just for my cellphone on a normal day, but also put a small camera in it for the WDW marathon. I do pull it as tight as it will go and wear it right above my hips, most comfortable for me & for the most part it doesn't move. I wear Skirt Sports skorts when racing that have 1 or 2 pockets on the shorties and that's wear I'll put Gus & Kleenex if my belt already is full of things.

 

[SarahDisney]

I have a double pouch fitletic belt that I bought at the Princess expo. I like it alot. It has a credit card size slot inside the bigger pouch that I use for my ID or my hotel room key card. And I have two add on pouches for water bottles. One of the things that I like the best about my fitletic belt is that it came with toggle clips to hold my race bibs.

I totally forgot to look for something at the expo! (well, that and I got there super late because my flight was delayed) Thanks for the suggestion - I like the idea of the toggle clips, too.

No belt - SparkleSkirt.

I love SparkleSkirts ... but I can't wear them because they're too short for me (my skirts need to cover my knees - try finding a running skirt that long! There are only 1 or 2 companies that make running skirts I can wear, and they all have shorts underneath, which annoys me because I wear capris under my skirt when I run)

I wear my phone in an armband mostly because I like to be able to look at it for pace information, I do wear an amphipod for water and to keep my gugels in

I've seena lot of people who wear armbands ... but I'm just worried it won't be comfortable for me (especially because I wear long sleeves and then often end up pushing up my sleeves, which means the fabric under the armband is shifting). Plus, my phone is not a very popular model and I'm worried that I won't be able to find an armband that's the right size for it.

I run with a 2 pocket fitletic belt. Mostly just for my cellphone on a normal day, but also put a small camera in it for the WDW marathon. I do pull it as tight as it will go and wear it right above my hips, most comfortable for me & for the most part it doesn't move. I wear Skirt Sports skorts when racing that have 1 or 2 pockets on the shorties and that's wear I'll put Gus & Kleenex if my belt already is full of things.

So you wear a belt and skorts with pockets? Are the pockets on the shorties big enough for a phone or do you really need the belt for that?

 

[WhereInFlorida]

With all the accessories and extras needed to be stored, I guess I should not be surprised if I see one of these at a marathon soon:

 

[Ariel484]

I love SparkleSkirts ... but I can't wear them because they're too short for me (my skirts need to cover my knees - try finding a running skirt that long! There are only 1 or 2 companies that make running skirts I can wear, and they all have shorts underneath, which annoys me because I wear capris under my skirt when I run)

Have you tried the HikerChic skirts?
They are 2 inches longer than the regular swing skirts.

 

[SarahDisney]

Have you tried the HikerChic skirts?
They are 2 inches longer than the regular swing skirts.

May still be a little short for me, but I'll have to look into them. Thank you!

 

[VAfamily1998]

If you want to try again - here's the More Magic link!

https://www.active.com/register/index.cfm?CHECKSSO=0&INT=29-110-1&EVENT_ID=2139491

First of the month! Payday!
So I went ahead and registered for my pins (I needed a waiver to buy pins!!!)-1 bundle this time, not 0
Since I did it several days after I registered for the race, will there be any issue with my pins not being right there when I pick up the bib? In previous races, I've always paid for the pin in the same transaction as race registrations. I know there is always that little note next to your name for pin pick up, coast to coast, etc.