Marathon Weekend 2016

[FFigawi]

It's interesting to see how we all approach this differently. I don't even wake up until 330 or 345, at which point @DOOM1001 is already there. My goal is to get to bag drop at 5am, walk to the corrals, hit the port-potties, and get in my corral as the race starts. This leaves me with about 10 minutes to retie my shoes, ditch my throw away clothes, and get ready for the race. I certainly don't recommend this method for everyone, especially first-timers because you'll be panicking the whole time that you're not going to make it in time for the race. After Disney on Ice in 2010, I'd rather cut it close than sit around for too long. As always, YMMV.

 

[DOOM1001]

The half on Saturday was cold enough,I should have picked that day to arrive late instead of Sunday.I spent like half an hour inside the race merchandise tent staying out of the cold while waiting to walk to the corral.I think that was probably another reason I left later on Sunday,to avoid the cold,but on Sunday the cold was pretty much gone.

 

[FFigawi]

I'm doing the Avengers' Infinity Gauntlet Challenge in Disneyland, which is the weekend of Nov. 12-15. In looking at the Galloway plan for beginner marathoners, I see that the first 20 mile run (or for me, run-walk), would be the weekend of Nov. 8. I don't feel like I could handle my first 20-miler only 5 days before a 10k and half challenge weekend. I also don't know if I'll be up for a 20 miler the weekend following the Avengers race weekend.

Considering all of this, how should I handle integrating the marathon training schedule with the Avenger's race weekend? Should I just move the 20 miler to the weekend when the 23 mile training run is scheduled? Other thoughts?

If I were you, I wouldn't do the 20 miles before the Avengers. I'd drop that down to something like 14 or 15. For the weekend after the race, I think you could do your 20, but if you're really worried about it, then do 15 or 16 instead and pick your plan back up the following week. November and December are the most important training months, so you want to make sure your mileage doesn't drop off too much for too long.

 

[ANIM8R]

I have a training/planning question. I'll preface this by saying I have *not* yet signed up for the full marathon, but I am strongly considering it. If I do, it would be my first full marathon. By way of background, I started run/walking using the Galloway method around May of last year. My pace is slow, but I have been able to amp up my mileage from virtually no exercise as of January last year, to completing several 10k races and 5 half marathons to date.

My question centers on this scenario:

I'm doing the Avengers' Infinity Gauntlet Challenge in Disneyland, which is the weekend of Nov. 12-15. In looking at the Galloway plan for beginner marathoners, I see that the first 20 mile run (or for me, run-walk), would be the weekend of Nov. 8. I don't feel like I could handle my first 20-miler only 5 days before a 10k and half challenge weekend. I also don't know if I'll be up for a 20 miler the weekend following the Avengers race weekend.

Considering all of this, how should I handle integrating the marathon training schedule with the Avenger's race weekend? Should I just move the 20 miler to the weekend when the 23 mile training run is scheduled? Other thoughts?

I followed the runDisney/Galloway schedule for my first marathon, too. back in 2012.

Everybody is different but the lesson I took away for my training going forward from 2012 was:
1) no more training runs greater than 20 miles - I found going further than 20 was counter-productive. If I can do 20 by myself with zero race support (water stops, med tents, traffic control, crowd support) I can do 26 at an event - especially at Disney.
2) While I *try* to do 3 20-milers three weeks apart leading up to the marathon, as long as I get 1 under my belt within 6 weeks of the event I'm set mentally. Sometime (most times!) life or weather interferes with training plans.


Again, everybody is different but what I would end up doing if I was in that situation (based on my past training) is the 20-miler on 11/22 and the other long training run on 12/20. That gives you 4 weeks between the very long runs with the final run 3 weeks out from WDW. You'll "only" have two 20 (or more) milers under your belt instead of three but that should be fine.

Good luck!

 

[Barca33Runner]

I'm usually on the first bus at 3am,being on the first bus guarantees yoiu get there in time with no issues.For the half this year I was my usual self getting on the 3am bus,no long line for the bus,no traffic delays,no long waits at the security check.For the full marathon on Sunday I decided to get a tad more sleep and go to the bus stop at 3:30,longer lines to board,there were a couple of buses but when we got to the front of the line there wasn't a bus for us,we had to wait about 5 more minutes for another one.Then as expected traffic was slow on Buena Vista Dr.Literally just sitting there barely moving for 15-20 minutes.I'm usually at the family reunion area as early as 3:30 for the 5:30 start time,it gives me time to relax and soak in the atmosphere,as well as the super important porta pottie trip which could be a 20 minute wait.For the full marathon getting to the bus 30 minutes later than usual meant that I got to the reunion area almost at 5am.My corral was already called and I had to use the bathroom which luckily didn't have a long wait.But basically I got to the corral about 1 minute before the official race start.My point is that if you were to get to your bus stop even later than 3:30 you could easily miss the start,especially if you're in one of the first corrals.

The wait for resort transportation and bathrooms are the two biggest variables, for me anyway, in getting to the starting line on time. We've found at POR you need to go to the front bus depot because they aren't very reliable sending them to the back depots. The marathon in 2013 was the one where we boarded a bus after 4:00 and it was because we had waited for over an hour at a back depot for a bus to come by. A lot of nervous people that day and after the bus ride over and a (relatively) quick bathroom stop my sister, who was in corral H, made it to the corrals just in time to start marching forward with corral I. I had plenty of time, ~5 minutes, before I was doing the same in my regularly scheduled corral L.

The last couple years we have gone for the front depot at ~3:15 and boarded a bus at about 3:45 each time. Without dawdling we have barely reached our corrals by the time the marathon was starting. Also, the corrals start moving relatively quickly after the start of the marathon. So while the actual cross the starting line start times are relatively close to where they are estimated, the march to the starting line begins pretty quickly for virtually everyone after the first corral goes off.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

In 2014 (Marathon only) my plan was to be in line at BC at 3:30, but was about 5 minutes ahead of schedule so I hit the line around 3:25. There were about 10 people in line and by 3:35 there were easily over 50 line. I'm guessing a lot of people decide to get in line at 3:30 as its a nice round number. I was easily to the staging area by 4.

Man, all that sounds soooo early, but at the time it seemed so normal.

 

[LSUlakes]

Hello to everyone. I recently found this forum while doing some research and have gone through a good bit of this 69 pg. thread. A ton of useful information. This being my first post, I thought I introduce myself somewhat. I live in Baton Rouge, LA. in my early 30's and enjoy long distance running. I am signed up for my first Disney marathon this January and 4th overall marathon. We will have a 2 year old making her first trip to Disney. Like a few others on this board, I have had some confusion about the proof of time requirements. I have asked in various different ways what is meant by a "certified race". My original thought was that this meant a course certified by USATF, but from the answers I have received, that does not appear to be the case. I think, as long as the time you submit can be verified by a link, and the event you ran was not a virtual run / training run, but an actual race, that time should be accepted as long as all the other information you provide is accurate and after Jan. 1, 2014. I guess I brought this up, because the two different time had a huge difference in corral placement for me. The 2nd option projected a 3:35:00 marathon, and the time I had some concerns about projected a 3:26:00. Based on last years Corral placement a sub 3:30:00 time gets me into C. If its hot every minute running before the sun rises is big difference for me. If anyone has a different interpretation of the proof of time rules, please share your thoughts.
Also read training plans being discussed earlier as well. I will follow the Pfitz 18/55 plan with a few changes. May extend one of the 20 milers to 22. Currently working on speed and just maintaining my base. 18 week program starts September 7th. Looking forward to cooler temps and getting to Disney injury free this January. Good luck to all.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

Hello to everyone. I recently found this forum while doing some research and have gone through a good bit of this 69 pg. thread. A ton of useful information. This being my first post, I thought I introduce myself somewhat. I live in Baton Rouge, LA. in my early 30's and enjoy long distance running. I am signed up for my first Disney marathon this January and 4th overall marathon. We will have a 2 year old making her first trip to Disney. Like a few others on this board, I have had some confusion about the proof of time requirements. I have asked in various different ways what is meant by a "certified race". My original thought was that this meant a course certified by USATF, but from the answers I have received, that does not appear to be the case. I think, as long as the time you submit can be verified by a link, and the event you ran was not a virtual run / training run, but an actual race, that time should be accepted as long as all the other information you provide is accurate and after Jan. 1, 2014. I guess I brought this up, because the two different time had a huge difference in corral placement for me. The 2nd option projected a 3:35:00 marathon, and the time I had some concerns about projected a 3:26:00. Based on last years Corral placement a sub 3:30:00 time gets me into C. If its hot every minute running before the sun rises is big difference for me. If anyone has a different interpretation of the proof of time rules, please share your thoughts.
Also read training plans being discussed earlier as well. I will follow the Pfitz 18/55 plan with a few changes. May extend one of the 20 milers to 22. Currently working on speed and just maintaining my base. 18 week program starts September 7th. Looking forward to cooler temps and getting to Disney injury free this January. Good luck to all.

Welcome LSUlakes! We've exchanged a few messages over on the Runner's World Message Board Disney thread (I post as N880ep over there).

Anyway, lots of smart folks on this thread who know their Disney stuff so they are great resources. I'm doing Pfitz 18/70, but doing a marathon beginning of December so I start my program beginning of August. That's awesome you are getting speed work in with it being so hot, I'm letting the heat win and just trying to maintain my base till August, then we'll see how it goes.

 

[FFigawi]

I guess I brought this up, because the two different time had a huge difference in corral placement for me. The 2nd option projected a 3:35:00 marathon, and the time I had some concerns about projected a 3:26:00. Based on last years Corral placement a sub 3:30:00 time gets me into C. If its hot every minute running before the sun rises is big difference for me. If anyone has a different interpretation of the proof of time rules, please share your thoughts.

Welcome! I'd submit the one that you think will give you the better seeding. Disney is pretty good about accepting times from all kinds of races. In general, they seem to just want to know if it's a real race (not something you threw together with a few friends and called a race), if the course has been officially measured, and if the results are timed and available online. If you've got any questions about whether or not a race will count, you can always get in touch with the people at the Track Shack in Orlando. They handle the seeding, timing, and results for Disney. And I wouldn't stress at all over being in corral C vs. corral D. The additional three minutes you might have to wait for your start is not going to make any difference at all in how hot it may get while you're running. At a sub-330 pace, there will be no noticeable difference in temperature if you finish at 905am or 910am.

 

[LSUlakes]

Welcome! I'd submit the one that you think will give you the better seeding. Disney is pretty good about accepting times from all kinds of races. In general, they seem to just want to know if it's a real race (not something you threw together with a few friends and called a race), if the course has been officially measured, and if the results are timed and available online. If you've got any questions about whether or not a race will count, you can always get in touch with the people at the Track Shack in Orlando. They handle the seeding, timing, and results for Disney. And I wouldn't stress at all over being in corral C vs. corral D. The additional three minutes you might have to wait for your start is not going to make any difference at all in how hot it may get while you're running. At a sub-330 pace, there will be no noticeable difference in temperature if you finish at 905am or 910am.

Thanks for your reply. I tried e-mailing the Track Shack people with the disneysports@trackshack.com address, and have not been able to get a yes or no answer on if the race I plan to submit will be accepted. Didn't realize the corrals started so close to one another though, so I may just use the other time to be safe... Decisions... Decisions.

Random question to add. Anyone ever hand out orange slices on the course? Not so much Run Disney, but just spectators along the route? TIA

 

[Barca33Runner]

Thanks for your reply. I tried e-mailing the Track Shack people with the disneysports@trackshack.com address, and have not been able to get a yes or no answer on if the race I plan to submit will be accepted. Didn't realize the corrals started so close to one another though, so I may just use the other time to be safe... Decisions... Decisions.

Random question to add. Anyone ever hand out orange slices on the course? Not so much Run Disney, but just spectators along the route? TIA

I've seen assorted gummis, goldfish, pretzels, candy, and probably a few other things I am forgetting being handed out by spectators but not orange slices. That's not to say there aren't people out there with them and they certainly wouldn't be illogical, I've just not seen them.

 

[JClimacus]

...I guess I brought this up, because the two different time had a huge difference in corral placement for me. The 2nd option projected a 3:35:00 marathon, and the time I had some concerns about projected a 3:26:00. Based on last years Corral placement a sub 3:30:00 time gets me into C. If its hot every minute running before the sun rises is big difference for me. If anyone has a different interpretation of the proof of time rules, please share your thoughts.
Also read training plans being discussed earlier as well. I will follow the Pfitz 18/55 plan with a few changes. May extend one of the 20 milers to 22. Currently working on speed and just maintaining my base. 18 week program starts September 7th. Looking forward to cooler temps and getting to Disney injury free this January. Good luck to all.

I did not see anyone handing out orange slices during the last Disney Marathon... what is your approach to the Disney Marathon, if you don't mind me asking? You are a strong runner and it sounds like you are planning to run for time, which is fine, of course. But you might keep in mind that the Disney Marathon is a unique experience, with a LOT going on throughout the course: Character pictures, marching bands, performers, displays in the parks, etc. It's a great race to take a little less seriously than others and just enjoy the ride. This last year I ran solo, and was determined in my first marathon to go sub 4:00, which I did, but I know I missed out on a lot. This coming year I'll be running with a friend. We'll stop for some character pics, joke with with the volunteers, and generally have a good time, still coming in sub 4:00 I hope but without any serious attempt at PRs. I'm really looking forward to it. Just something to think about.

 

[JClimacus]

Oh, and the corrals are small and go off quickly at the front. I was in the E corral in January and was surprised how close we were to the start line. They were firing off the corrals ahead of us every couple of minutes so we got off pretty quickly.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

In 2014 (Marathon), I grabbed an orange slice from someone just as we were exiting WWoS. The person wasn't a member of the "official" race support, but was instead a spectator who was just helping out. I mention that because obviously I have no idea if that person will be back. That was the only spot I recall seeing oranges.

 

[LSUlakes]

I did not see anyone handing out orange slices during the last Disney Marathon... what is your approach to the Disney Marathon, if you don't mind me asking? You are a strong runner and it sounds like you are planning to run for time, which is fine, of course. But you might keep in mind that the Disney Marathon is a unique experience, with a LOT going on throughout the course: Character pictures, marching bands, performers, displays in the parks, etc. It's a great race to take a little less seriously than others and just enjoy the ride. This last year I ran solo, and was determined in my first marathon to go sub 4:00, which I did, but I know I missed out on a lot. This coming year I'll be running with a friend. We'll stop for some character pics, joke with with the volunteers, and generally have a good time, still coming in sub 4:00 I hope but without any serious attempt at PRs. I'm really looking forward to it. Just something to think about.

Don't mind at all. I appreciate the strong runner comment as well, although I think I have some room for improvement. I recognize that this event has many different people with a variety of goals. My goal for this marathon is a PR in the 3:20 - 3:25 range. Corral placement is a big part to achieving that goal, and that's why I have been so concerned about it. I am looking forward to running a different course this year as well. The majority of my training runs are done on sections of The Louisiana Marathon course which I have either ran the half or full the last few years. Disney will give me a new course to run with a lot of unique things to observe plus a family vacation after the race. I'm not much a picture taking person, so I am not tempted to take pictures along the way. I hope that kind of explains some of the questions I have asked thus far. BTW, oranges around mile 18-23 taste like heaven when they are around. Hopefully some stranger will have some to hand out.

 

[derekleigh]

It's interesting to see how we all approach this differently. I don't even wake up until 330 or 345, at which point @DOOM1001 is already there. My goal is to get to bag drop at 5am, walk to the corrals, hit the port-potties, and get in my corral as the race starts. This leaves me with about 10 minutes to retie my shoes, ditch my throw away clothes, and get ready for the race. I certainly don't recommend this method for everyone, especially first-timers because you'll be panicking the whole time that you're not going to make it in time for the race. After Disney on Ice in 2010, I'd rather cut it close than sit around for too long. As always, YMMV.

Funny my arrival, prep, etc is very parallel to your's. I generall arrive at 4:45 walk slowly to the porto-johns and casually walk to my corral and I'm onyl waiting a few minutes until they start the first corral!

I see a lot of on-site runners dreading the times they need to be up and on the bus/monorail by inorder for them to make it to the race all the while I'm thinking "your last trip from the resorts is basically the time I awake up!"

My first rD event, I was a complete opposite - following the instructions they prove to a T (there and hour early, etc). But as you said, for first-timers leaning towards the side of caution is the best route.

 

[Optimator]

Random question to add. Anyone ever hand out orange slices on the course? Not so much Run Disney, but just spectators along the route? TIA

A group of WISHers use to pass out oranges around mile 20 for years. 2 years ago they were set up near the exit of WWOS and some Disney folks made them stop (too much mess with the peels, I think). That was the end of that good thing.

As for corral placement, I'm too lazy to look myself but I'm curious about your information. 3:40ish (or slower) has always been good for "A" corral in the past. Once or twice I got bumped back to B with 3:50 but only for the marathon for Goofy.

 

[cavepig]

So I had this dream last night....that we missed the bus to the Marathon race and we waited an hour for the next one that never came so we called a taxi and drove along a beach forever and then found the start and just started running hoping we would find other runners. It was so messed up and weird that I'm sure we'll do the get on first bus again come the real races in January!

 

[SarahDisney]

So I had this dream last night....that we missed the bus to the Marathon race and we waited an hour for the next one that never came so we called a taxi and drove along a beach forever and then found the start and just started running hoping we would find other runners. It was so messed up and weird that I'm sure we'll do the get on first bus again come the real races in January!

So ... I'm guessing you'll be waiting at the bus stop early to make sure you don't miss the first bus?

I'll start having dreams like that in November or December ... so I totally get it.

 

[LSUlakes]

A group of WISHers use to pass out oranges around mile 20 for years. 2 years ago they were set up near the exit of WWOS and some Disney folks made them stop (too much mess with the peels, I think). That was the end of that good thing.

As for corral placement, I'm too lazy to look myself but I'm curious about your information. 3:40ish (or slower) has always been good for "A" corral in the past. Once or twice I got bumped back to B with 3:50 but only for the marathon for Goofy.

Sorry to hear they where asked to not hand them out any more. Around mile 20 would have been perfect as well. I am basing my information from this site, http://whyirundisney.com/2014/12/10/2015-walt-disney-world-marathon-weekend-corrals-released/

Not sure how accurate it is... Let me know what you think.

Also, I am not 100% sure on the policy on posting links and pictures, if the link is unacceptable, please let me know and I will remove it. I assume pictures need to be posted using a image hosting website?