Marathon Weekend 2016

[derekleigh]

The speedway is set for demolition later this summer or early fall, so rD has to do something unless they just trace out a mile or so of parking lot to run around in!

I didn't care for the speedway portion of the marathon, heck I even liked WWOS section. But the speedway was sooooooo boring to me. But its all preference!

 

[FFigawi]

I don't mind the speedway section. It's one of the few places on the course where you know exactly where the tangents are and have the ability to follow them. In the end, Disney is still a marathon, and I've yet to run one that has wonderful terrain and scenery and distractions during 100% of the course. In any race, the boring sections can be good places to check in with yourself, test that all parts are working as intended, and do some mental regrouping. We often find ourselves running faster and harder during the exciting or more interesting portions of a course, and taking time to slow down a bit and evaluate ourselves is a good thing to do.

 

[WhereInFlorida]

I will play along for replacing the Speedway along the course, looking at my GPS of the course the track itself is only about a 1/2 mile to replace. I am guessing they will push the start line back some and add a few more twists in WWOS. Or as the route approaches EPCOT they could take the route similar to the 10k and then loop back around through the showcase. There looks to be quite a bit of distance they could add in AK but since the park is open by the time most runners get there that would seem not likely, and probably the same issue for adding distance in EPCOT. An out and back section coming out of WWOS would not seem to work because the I4 interchange is right there and those cars coming off need to get to that intersection to find their way into disney.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I have only run the disney marathon once. Going into it I had heard from friends and others that the WWOS was just the worst. Maybe because I went into it with this perception I ended up being pleasantly surprise. I mean it is at the 16-17 mile mark (approximately) that it begins and I was feeling the distance, it was getting hotter and I can see how that would impact tolerance levels! But honestly there were soccer games going on and people cheering all over the place, it was fun to run on the track and the baseball stadium was awesome. Overall, it offered a change of pace and felt like a race transition point from being in the middle of the race to going into the final stretch. Well if you want to call 6 miles a "final stretch" Not my favorite part of the race for sure but not that bad.

I am excited to see what changes there will be this year though!

 

[AmynVal]

I was wondering if anyone had any post race recovery plans. I usually have a protein shake pretty much immediately after my workouts/runs and usually can eat within an hour and a half but that's at home where I can control those things. After the princess half we ate at kouzinna for breakfast but they are now closed. Any ideas or should I just head right back to the resort and eat there.

 

[FFigawi]

Beer is my post-race recovery plan. A pint or two of craft beer from the truck in the finish area is a good start. We will usually hit up Raglan Road or one of the bars at Epcot in the afternoon. I'm rarely hungry after a race, so I don't eat much other than the Clif bar and small snacks in the food box until that night.

 

[derekleigh]

I don't mind the speedway section. It's one of the few places on the course where you know exactly where the tangents are and have the ability to follow them. In the end, Disney is still a marathon, and I've yet to run one that has wonderful terrain and scenery and distractions during 100% of the course. In any race, the boring sections can be good places to check in with yourself, test that all parts are working as intended, and do some mental regrouping. We often find ourselves running faster and harder during the exciting or more interesting portions of a course, and taking time to slow down a bit and evaluate ourselves is a good thing to do.

I should have specified. Usually during most of my runs I'm deep in thought or enjoying the scenery. But running in a circle (tracks) is a killer for me. I don't know why either. I ran track for several years in HS but I ran on the school track last August for a light 5 miles, and was dreading the remainder of the run by the end of mile 1!

I enjoyed the marathon course (even WWOS was great) but the track part I was so happy to be done with. But everyone has their tastes so its all relative.

I was wondering if anyone had any post race recovery plans. I usually have a protein shake pretty much immediately after my workouts/runs and usually can eat within an hour and a half but that's at home where I can control those things. After the princess half we ate at kouzinna for breakfast but they are now closed. Any ideas or should I just head right back to the resort and eat there.

I try for carbs and protein (1:1 or 2:1 ratio) within 30 minutes or so. I don't like to eat a lot directly after a run/race so I try to get SOMETHING in me to help recovery. a few hours later or so is a completely different story!

 

[ANIM8R]

I should have specified. Usually during most of my runs I'm deep in thought or enjoying the scenery. But running in a circle (tracks) is a killer for me. I don't know why either.

The first time running on the speedway felt 'akward' to me so much so that it kind of bugged me and I couldn't resolve it in my mind.

I liked the cars, the weather was still good, it wasn't crowded and then I put my finger on it (for me, at least) we were running clock-wise! Every track I've ever run on has been counter-clockwise but Disney was clockwise.

After that, I was good. I know that's weird but that's how my mind (for lack of a better term) 'works'!

 

[Barca33Runner]

I have only run the disney marathon once. Going into it I had heard from friends and others that the WWOS was just the worst. Maybe because I went into it with this perception I ended up being pleasantly surprise. I mean it is at the 16-17 mile mark (approximately) that it begins and I was feeling the distance, it was getting hotter and I can see how that would impact tolerance levels! But honestly there were soccer games going on and people cheering all over the place, it was fun to run on the track and the baseball stadium was awesome. Overall, it offered a change of pace and felt like a race transition point from being in the middle of the race to going into the final stretch. Well if you want to call 6 miles a "final stretch" Not my favorite part of the race for sure but not that bad.

I am excited to see what changes there will be this year though!

I do think the location plays a major role in many runner's perceptions of WWOS. It's at the point where you are really starting to drain and yet the finish still feels a long distance away. Additionally, because of all the turns, there are a lot of places going into and during WWOS where you see runners who are anywhere from a couple hundred feet to a few miles ahead of you and it can demoralize you a bit. I think the entrance/exit stretch is probably the primary culprit in most of the bad feelings toward WWOS.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I was wondering if anyone had any post race recovery plans. I usually have a protein shake pretty much immediately after my workouts/runs and usually can eat within an hour and a half but that's at home where I can control those things. After the princess half we ate at kouzinna for breakfast but they are now closed. Any ideas or should I just head right back to the resort and eat there.

After the F&W half marathon, this was DH's. And he definitely plans to do it again in January

 

[Slogger]

I really didn't mind the track except for the ramp up/down to get in there. Lots of interesting cars and friendly people.
Would have been neat to have a "pit crew" themed water/gel stop there.
It was a nice way to break up the run to from WDW to AK.

 

[Slogger]

Beer is my post-race recovery plan. A pint or two of craft beer from the truck in the finish area is a good start.

Yes, and Yes. Couldn't agree more. Wish I had known about the craft beer truck at the finish of the Marathon.....maybe they will be there for Dopey 2018!!

 

[michigandergirl]

When do you think they will announce the official marathon course?

 

[Neoflynn]

Got to ask how did you get this shirt?? was it through disney store or else where? I am signed up for the 2016 Star Wars Half Marathon weekend and would love one of these - just wondering how to get one if it becomes available. Thanks

hey @darrenf67 wanted to let you know that these showed up online today....

http://www.disneystore.com/disney/s...hon&D=star+wars+half+marathon&Dr=pPublished:1

 

[SarahDisney]

When do you think they will announce the official marathon course?

IIRC, they usually release the official event guide about a month before the race ... all of the courses will be in there (this is the same guide you will get at packet pickup).

 

[DOOM1001]

I do think the location plays a major role in many runner's perceptions of WWOS. It's at the point where you are really starting to drain and yet the finish still feels a long distance away. Additionally, because of all the turns, there are a lot of places going into and during WWOS where you see runners who are anywhere from a couple hundred feet to a few miles ahead of you and it can demoralize you a bit. I think the entrance/exit stretch is probably the primary culprit in most of the bad feelings toward WWOS.

I like running inside WWOS,I like seeing the fields and if there's teams practicing or spectators cheering,especially inside Champion stadium,I like running through there.What's amazing is that almost every year I do the marathon my quads cramp a bit right at the entrance of WWOS,its like they know at that distance its cramping time.Its never too bad,just walk a little bit,take some water and a Gu and I'm ready to go again.Last year I put some bio freeze on my quads at the tent right before turning right to go to WWOS and I think it helped as last year was the only time I didn't cramp up at the WWOS entrance.I agree that it can be frustrating seeing all the runners exiting WWOS 3 miles ahead of you,but at the same time for me once I get to mile 20 outside WWOS for me its like the home stretch,you only have a 10K left,instead of seeing the runners 3 miles ahead of you,now you're 3 miles ahead of the runners entering WWOS and you're getting close to DHS which is truly the home stretch as its all parks or resorts until the finish with plenty of crowd support.

 

[Pixie Heart]

I'm trying to submit proof of time but I'm not being able to find myself through the link in rD website.
Did anyone try (and accomplished) to submit it?

 

[fiskboso]

Registered for the full marathon as my very first marathon! Completely terrified but promised myself I would run at least one marathon in my lifetime. I've finished a half, the ToT 10 miler and numerous 10K's. Here's hoping I can add this medal to my collection.

'if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough'

 

[pamster]

I'm trying to submit proof of time but I'm not being able to find myself through the link in rD website.
Did anyone try (and accomplished) to submit it?

EDITED: oops, I totally read your post incorrectly. @Ariel484 has better advice below!

View attachment 104497 Registered for the full marathon as my very first marathon! Completely terrified but promised myself I would run at least one marathon in my lifetime. I've finished a half, the ToT 10 miler and numerous 10K's. Here's hoping I can add this medal to my collection.

'if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough'

Woohoo! Welcome!! There are quite a few members here who are also running their first marathon; you're in good company

 

[Ariel484]

I'm trying to submit proof of time but I'm not being able to find myself through the link in rD website.
Did anyone try (and accomplished) to submit it?

If it continues to not work, check your confirmation email - people have typo'd their names before (my brother added an extra letter to his last name during registration on accident one year). Also, try the day before or the day after your actually birthdate. Sometimes Active.com messes that up.

Either way, make sure you email runDisney to get it corrected.