Marathon Weekend 2016

[SarahDisney]

It won't let you register. When I decided to do the marathon it looked like that so I thought I could still do Goofy. I tried to register and it won't let you get past the part where you put in all your info.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's weird that it still looks like that, but it's good to know that you can't actually go through with the experience.

 

[Neoflynn]

Ok - and now for my weird question for the day that has nothing to do with the marathon but everything to do with being a crazy runner.
I've mentioned before about my pumpkin race. If you haven't read my journal, I'll briefly summarize. On 9/20 I will be running a 5k through a giant corn maze (it's roped off luckily to direct us where to go) and through a pumpkin patch/farm...while carrying a pumpkin. I'm trying to earn a tough pumpkin award which I'm not 100% sure what it even will look like. It just sounded crazy and fun.
They say you can choose a pumpkin from a pile ranging in weights up to 12 lbs and looking at pics from last year there are quite a few women carrying 1-3 lbs pumpkins which is what I will be making a bee-line for.
So here is my question. If I want to train for this by doing a practice run in my neighborhood carrying something...what should I carry. I have a fake pumpkin the right size but weighs nothing (it's foam). I am concerned I'd look ridiculous holding it. I also thought about carrying a 2lb weight in my hand. What are your thoughts? I only get my award if the pumpkin stays intact...so I'm gonna be running slower than normal and probably laughing a ton at myself.

This sounds like so much fun, I am going to have to be on the lookout to see if there is anything like this in my area for next year since I'm dubbing it the year of Challenges (starting with the marathon in January of course) my suggestion would be to see if you could find one of those plastic pumpkin pails and then place a weight or two inside of it and then try to carry it the way you would the real pumpkin that way you are truly testing out what you will have to endure on race day luckily its a 5k as carrying a pumpkin that far doesn't seem like it would be to hard of a task (depending on the pumpkin of course) Good luck and have a blast

 

[LSUlakes]

With the running weekend only a few short months away I wanted to ask everyone if you have started your training program yet? Are you following one from a book, coach, or just winging it? If from a book/online source which one? How is/has your base training going/gone? What would be your ideal weather for the race day? Good luck to all, it will be here before we know it.

Yes. In week 1.
Book: Advanced Marathoning (18/55).
Base training could have gone better, but could have been much worse.
Cloudy, light NNW wind, 35-40 degrees. Very unlikely to happen, but I can dream.

 

[AThrillingChase]

So, here's something weird ...
I happened to click on the marathon registration link to see if they were still using the "old" system or if they had switched over (I figured they wouldn't switch mid-registration, but with runDisney you never know...). And what did I see?
View attachment 122987

I clicked on the 10K, which I know is sold out, and it let me go to the waiver and then the part where you enter all your information (I didn't try to move on to the payment page).
I'm a little curious as to whether or not it will let you register (and what happens if it does). Not curious enough to risk it, though (I'm already registered for the races I want and I'm not paying for a race I can't run).

Anyone willing to give it a try? Or speculate on what might be going on?

When you click on it and get to the next page, it will ask you for a password. It is still open for things like charity bibs that are becoming available. I had a problem with my W&D registration so they gave me a password and had me re-register that way.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

I started training for the San Antonio Marathon (Dec 6) at the start of August, then I’ll transition into a multiple marathon training program until the Disney World Marathon Weekend. I’m using Pfizinger’s 18/70 plan. The August heat in South Texas is brutal, so it’s hard for me to totally know how training is going. For the most part I’ve hit my heat adjusted paces and have an 18 miler under my belt so I think it’s going well.

As far as race day weather goes, I love running in the cold so give me temps in the 40’s and Dew Point in the 20’s, slight breeze and I’d be super happy!

 

[roxymama]

This sounds like so much fun, I am going to have to be on the lookout to see if there is anything like this in my area for next year since I'm dubbing it the year of Challenges (starting with the marathon in January of course) my suggestion would be to see if you could find one of those plastic pumpkin pails and then place a weight or two inside of it and then try to carry it the way you would the real pumpkin that way you are truly testing out what you will have to endure on race day luckily its a 5k as carrying a pumpkin that far doesn't seem like it would be to hard of a task (depending on the pumpkin of course) Good luck and have a blast

I just had to look it up for you, so here are the cities that do it (at least for this year.) I do not know where you are located closest too (if any.) And I don't know if they are all done at pumpkin farms but I think it's all some kind of trail running.

The Great Pumpkin Run
Charlotte, NC 9/12/15
Chicago, IL 9/19/15 & 9/20/15
Madison, WI 9/26/15
Grand Rapids, MI 10/3/15 & 10/4/15
Indianapolis, IN 10/10/15 & 10/11/15
Kansas City, KS 10/17/15 & 10/18/15
Akron&Canton, OH 10/24/15 & 10/25/15
Cincinatti, OH 10/31/15

 

[LSUlakes]

I started training for the San Antonio Marathon (Dec 6) at the start of August, then I’ll transition into a multiple marathon training program until the Disney World Marathon Weekend. I’m using Pfizinger’s 18/70 plan. The August heat in South Texas is brutal, so it’s hard for me to totally know how training is going. For the most part I’ve hit my heat adjusted paces and have an 18 miler under my belt so I think it’s going well.

As far as race day weather goes, I love running in the cold so give me temps in the 40’s and Dew Point in the 20’s, slight breeze and I’d be super happy!

I want to go for the 70 MPW program one day. Like you, I live in the deep south and summer is just brutal. I think for the 70 MPW, the book recommends a base of 40+ miles? I struggled this summer to stay above 30. I think if I can get a little faster, that program wont be as demanding (time wise) and I may be able to give it a go. Are you going to get some relief from the cold front this weekend? I think the high in Baton Rouge Saturday is in the lower 80's and Sunday/Mondays lows below 60. I will definitely have to get my runs in during the morning to enjoy it.

 

[Barca33Runner]

With the running weekend only a few short months away I wanted to ask everyone if you have started your training program yet? Are you following one from a book, coach, or just winging it? If from a book/online source which one? How is/has your base training going/gone? What would be your ideal weather for the race day? Good luck to all, it will be here before we know it.

Yes. In week 1.
Book: Advanced Marathoning (18/55).
Base training could have gone better, but could have been much worse.
Cloudy, light NNW wind, 35-40 degrees. Very unlikely to happen, but I can dream.

My base training has gone poorly this summer. Too many family functions and weekends out of town. Could have been overcome with some diligence on my part, but it's tough for me to stay on track when I lose my routine. Weekday mileage was good, mainly missed out on longer weekend runs.
I am winging it and I an ramping up my weekend long runs this weekend while beginning to build my weekly mileage (I run primarily on the treadmill, so the BPL being back for Saturday and Sunday morning runs is huge). One of these years I'll come to my senses and use a proven program and probably see my greatest gains, but winging it has gotten me across the finish line to this point.
I'm hoping mid-50's to start and high 60's at the finish. These races are a vacation for me after all and I can handle running in the heat if it means nicer weather for the parks, pools, etc. Also, the 5k and 10K this year were in that 35-40 degree range, which was great for the races and my time, but was not fun for the queue time before the race and waiting for my group afterward.

 

[IamTrike]

With the running weekend only a few short months away I wanted to ask everyone if you have started your training program yet? Are you following one from a book, coach, or just winging it? If from a book/online source which one? How is/has your base training going/gone? What would be your ideal weather for the race day? Good luck to all, it will be here before we know it.

Yes. In week 1.
Book: Advanced Marathoning (18/55).
Base training could have gone better, but could have been much worse.
Cloudy, light NNW wind, 35-40 degrees. Very unlikely to happen, but I can dream.

I'm in week 15 of Hanson's Advanced training plan. Currently running between 50 and 60 miles a week. After Chicago I'll go into maintenance mode until Goofy. I'll probably drop 1 day of running a week with a goal of 40 -50 miles per week.
Book: Hanson's Marathon Method
Base Training. Prior to Chicago training I was running between 20 and 30 miles a week.
Ideal Weather. 50-60 degrees low humidity.

 

[LSUlakes]

My base training has gone poorly this summer. Too many family functions and weekends out of town. Could have been overcome with some diligence on my part, but it's tough for me to stay on track when I lose my routine. Weekday mileage was good, mainly missed out on longer weekend runs.
I am winging it and I an ramping up my weekend long runs this weekend while beginning to build my weekly mileage (I run primarily on the treadmill, so the BPL being back for Saturday and Sunday morning runs is huge). One of these years I'll come to my senses and use a proven program and probably see my greatest gains, but winging it has gotten me across the finish line to this point.
I'm hoping mid-50's to start and high 60's at the finish. These races are a vacation for me after all and I can handle running in the heat if it means nicer weather for the parks, pools, etc. Also, the 5k and 10K this year were in that 35-40 degree range, which was great for the races and my time, but was not fun for the queue time before the race and waiting for my group afterward.

Summers can be very busy, so I understand your situation. At least you got to take a few trips, which I am sure was a good time. I am almost the opposite, I would rarely miss a weekend run, but at times would skip a midweek run. Getting back into a routine is hard. I see your point with the weather. If we could have cold for the marathon and then 50-60 for the remainder of the week, it would be perfect. Good luck training!

I'm in week 15 of Hanson's Advanced training plan. Currently running between 50 and 60 miles a week. After Chicago I'll go into maintenance mode until Goofy. I'll probably drop 1 day of running a week with a goal of 40 -50 miles per week.
Book: Hanson's Marathon Method
Base Training. Prior to Chicago training I was running between 20 and 30 miles a week.
Ideal Weather. 50-60 degrees low humidity.

Nice mileage and I think you have a nice plan for post Chicago. Good luck in preparation for both!

 

[RunDisneyDad]

Are you going to get some relief from the cold front this weekend? I think the high in Baton Rouge Saturday is in the lower 80's and Sunday/Mondays lows below 60. I will definitely have to get my runs in during the morning to enjoy it.

That's awesome! I love it when the weather changes and you get that first cool morning. I saw one forecast that has us with a low of 64 on Sunday, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed although I'd take anything around 70.

One of these years I'll come to my senses and use a proven program and probably see my greatest gains, but winging it has gotten me across the finish line to this point.

Haha! I like it, I've always felt your training program should reflect your goals. If your goal is to make it to the finish line train accordingly, no need to beat yourself up and then make the whole overall experience less than enjoyable.

 

[PrincessV]

With the running weekend only a few short months away I wanted to ask everyone if you have started your training program yet? Are you following one from a book, coach, or just winging it? If from a book/online source which one? How is/has your base training going/gone? What would be your ideal weather for the race day?

Yep, though I couldn't tell you which week - Once a week's done, it's out of sight and out of mind lol!
I made my own plan. I guess it's sort of a mix of Galloway and Higdon, more or less.
It's summer in FL... I can't answer "how's it going?" without some very un-Disney language. With heat indexes around 100 pretty much every day since May, my focus has been on survival, not pace. I feel strong, though, so I'm looking forward to seeing the long runs go by faster in cooler weather!
Ideal weather = 60-65 and 60-80% humidity, full cloud cover but no rain. I'm a FL gal - I like my humidity

 

[LSUlakes]

Yep, though I couldn't tell you which week - Once a week's done, it's out of sight and out of mind lol!
I made my own plan. I guess it's sort of a mix of Galloway and Higdon, more or less.
It's summer in FL... I can't answer "how's it going?" without some very un-Disney language. With heat indexes around 100 pretty much every day since May, my focus has been on survival, not pace. I feel strong, though, so I'm looking forward to seeing the long runs go by faster in cooler weather!
Ideal weather = 60-65 and 60-80% humidity, full cloud cover but no rain. I'm a FL gal - I like my humidity

Interesting combination for your plan. I can understand your feelings towards the heat, and its not like the afternoon shower makes it any better. When do you typically start to get cooler weather? I see you have run a lot of Disney events... I mean a lot! This years event will be my first RD event. After all the events you have run at WDW, what is one thing you wish you knew the first few times running that no one told you about?

 

[kevdad]

With the running weekend only a few short months away I wanted to ask everyone if you have started your training program yet? Are you following one from a book, coach, or just winging it? If from a book/online source which one? How is/has your base training going/gone? What would be your ideal weather for the race day? Good luck to all, it will be here before we know it.

I have a marathon this weekend, then will start another 16 week training plan for WDW the following week.

I follow one of the plans from "Mastering the Marathon" depending on my goal for the event. I tweak it a bit by only running three days a week (speed/sprints, pacing, and long runs) and doing strength training/stretching/rolling/core work another 2-3 days.

I'm really looking forward to training for WDW because I'm going to slow it down a bunch and just have fun and enjoy the sights and sounds. Thus, no super-strenuous training.

50 degrees at start, 60 at finish. Light to no breeze. Partly cloudy. Low humidity. That's not asking much, is it???

And good luck to you as well! You're right, time will fly and we'll be to January in no time.

 

[Kathymford]

I started the Galloway WDW half plan this week. I'm doing it in combination with some cross training this time. Hopefully it helps. So I am on week 1.

California weather is miserable right now. Well, maybe not compared to other places, but it's miserable for us. I thought I was at WDW yesterday when it was 90 and raining at 6 p.m.! But huh ... not a giant castle in sight. So wrong ...

 

[PrincessV]

When do you typically start to get cooler weather?

I'm on the Gulf coast, where the Gulf and Tampa Bay heat up all summer - that keeps our temps from dropping much at night (my pre-sunrise heat indexes have been around 85-90 lately), which keeps summer going well into Oct. here. That said, I can feel it coming - the sun's angles are a little different, its light a little less intense at sunrise and sunset... I'll take any sign I can get that fall is coming lol!

I see you have run a lot of Disney events... I mean a lot! This years event will be my first RD event. After all the events you have run at WDW, what is one thing you wish you knew the first few times running that no one told you about?

That Disney races are like crack; once you do one, you're hooked for life!

Okay, something more useful... I wish I had been better prepared for the peculiarities of Disney races: the crowds/course congestion, lights/sounds/entertainment on the courses and at the start/finish, the runners weaving around a lot as they pull over for pics. I found it all very overwhelming my first race or two and sort of fought it, if that makes sense. I was all about running my best and not going with the flow. There's a common theme around here that "Disney races aren't for PRing" and I tend to agree. It's not that you can't PR a Disney race (I've even done it!), but that they can be a lot more fun if that goal goes on the back burner. Even if you don't care to take a pic every 25 feet, make an effort to notice what's going on around you. Talk to random strangers if you happen to be running in the same place at the same time. Try not to get frustrated when the crowd inevitably forces you to slow down for a short spell. Go with the flow and take the time to enjoy the things that make Disney races unique! I find that to be a much more enjoyable experience

 

[BuckeyeBama]

In WDW now. Ran this morning. Stark reminder of what you guys deal with, running in this weather.

Enjoyed the run, but lost about 5 pounds of water weight.

 

[SarahDisney]

Guys, I'm super proud of myself right now. I woke up this morning and the weather was supposed to be thunderstorms starting ASAP (in fact, it was torrential downpour starting about 5 mins after I would have left the house). So I automatically pushed my run off to tomorrow.
But, I hate running on Fridays, so I just decided to go out and do it when we had a break in the rain this afternoon. Not my best run ever, but my best 5K since I got my Garmin (36:56), and I'm just really proud of myself for going out there and doing it!

Plus, I decided to shuffle my Disney playlist for the walk home from the park and ended up with great celebration music:
Under the Sea & Kiss The Girl (from The Little Mermaid)
Gaston (from Beauty and the Beast)
I Just Can't Wait to Be King (from The Lion King)

So, overall, even though I don't feel great about the run, I'm so happy I went out! Best Thursday Run ever! (or at least this week...)

 

[IamTrike]

This years event will be my first RD event. After all the events you have run at WDW, what is one thing you wish you knew the first few times running that no one told you about?

This will be my 6th Marathon weekend and my 5th Goofy. Here's my quick things I wish I knew:
You're about my pace so be prepared for a crazy start particularly if you are doing the half. Even in the front Corrals a lot of people will start out really slow. It makes for a lot of weaving. Be careful because the dew can make the lines in the road slick.
While there is a lot of stuff to make things interesting during the race there are some bleh spots. Historically mile 11 by the water treatment plant and from AKL to ESPN have been slogs for me.
Florida is flat, but the overpasses can seem like mountains when you are tired.
It's a lot of people's first marathon so you wind up with issues in some of the waterstops. I try to stay in the center to the end of the waterstop then grab one of the last cups.
They give out clif shots on the course but they come late. I'd bring your own nutrition.
Don't stress the whole race has a whole party atmosphere.
If you are in an early Corral and are taking a Disney bus to the start try and get the first bus. I've had more bus issues on the half than on the full.

In WDW now. Ran this morning. Stark reminder of what you guys deal with, running in this weather.

Enjoyed the run, but lost about 5 pounds of water weight.

I am heading that way tomorrow and trying to figure out my run schedule to make it semi sane. I think I may be doing a lot of treadmill work.

Guys, I'm super proud of myself right now. I woke up this morning and the weather was supposed to be thunderstorms starting ASAP (in fact, it was torrential downpour starting about 5 mins after I would have left the house). So I automatically pushed my run off to tomorrow.
But, I hate running on Fridays, so I just decided to go out and do it when we had a break in the rain this afternoon. Not my best run ever, but my best 5K since I got my Garmin (36:56), and I'm just really proud of myself for going out there and doing it!

Plus, I decided to shuffle my Disney playlist for the walk home from the park and ended up with great celebration music:
Under the Sea & Kiss The Girl (from The Little Mermaid)
Gaston (from Beauty and the Beast)
I Just Can't Wait to Be King (from The Lion King)

So, overall, even though I don't feel great about the run, I'm so happy I went out! Best Thursday Run ever! (or at least this week...)

That's awesome. I'm glad you had a great run.

 

[LSUlakes]

Guys, I'm super proud of myself right now. I woke up this morning and the weather was supposed to be thunderstorms starting ASAP (in fact, it was torrential downpour starting about 5 mins after I would have left the house). So I automatically pushed my run off to tomorrow.
But, I hate running on Fridays, so I just decided to go out and do it when we had a break in the rain this afternoon. Not my best run ever, but my best 5K since I got my Garmin (36:56), and I'm just really proud of myself for going out there and doing it!

Plus, I decided to shuffle my Disney playlist for the walk home from the park and ended up with great celebration music:
Under the Sea & Kiss The Girl (from The Little Mermaid)
Gaston (from Beauty and the Beast)
I Just Can't Wait to Be King (from The Lion King)

So, overall, even though I don't feel great about the run, I'm so happy I went out! Best Thursday Run ever! (or at least this week...)

Glad you went out for the run. Running in the rain is a lot of fun as well though! It never rains when I go out for runs, even if I wait for it, it just stops...

This will be my 6th Marathon weekend and my 5th Goofy. Here's my quick things I wish I knew:
You're about my pace so be prepared for a crazy start particularly if you are doing the half. Even in the front Corrals a lot of people will start out really slow. It makes for a lot of weaving. Be careful because the dew can make the lines in the road slick.
While there is a lot of stuff to make things interesting during the race there are some bleh spots. Historically mile 11 by the water treatment plant and from AKL to ESPN have been slogs for me.
Florida is flat, but the overpasses can seem like mountains when you are tired.
It's a lot of people's first marathon so you wind up with issues in some of the waterstops. I try to stay in the center to the end of the waterstop then grab one of the last cups.
They give out clif shots on the course but they come late. I'd bring your own nutrition.
Don't stress the whole race has a whole party atmosphere.
If you are in an early Corral and are taking a Disney bus to the start try and get the first bus. I've had more bus issues on the half than on the full.

Thanks for the tips! Why the first bus and what kind of issues did you have? I am staying at WL and figured it would take ~20 minutes to get to drop area. Is that a inaccurate guess?
Any idea on how many overpasses? There are a few I can train on around here. Starting out slow will probably be a good thing for me.

Thanks for answering all these questions and I appreciate your tips!