Marathon Weekend 2016

[derekleigh]

A quick look an there doesn't seem to be anything different. It would have been nice for the half to loop around 7DMT like the full is.

Didn't see any differences either. Unless they were minor changes, it looks the same from the previous few years. Probably just re-certifying the course

Previous Dopeys - does anyone remember what ridiculous amount MarathonFoto was charging for the Dopey Package?

My baby brother wants to buy that for me for Christmas and I just want to give him an idea of what to expect.

Also, has anyone ever purchased a display from Lasting Commemoratives? Any feedback on the process?

Don't forget about the 10% coupon (in your iGift Bag) for marathonFoto! 10OFFWD

There is also a $26 off coupon for Shadow/Memory Boxes by Fond Memories in the iGift Bag too.

 

[ANIM8R]

You are correct -- the new route (accessible from the link you listed) is now available on USATF! Very cool.

Whew! So relieved that they kept the route in close proximity to the food compost and waste treatment facility! <sarcasm>

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

I'm back from a successful weekend at Rocket City.

Here are some random thoughts in no particular order:

1. I PRed by 8 minutes, despite near record temperatures (60 degrees and humid at the start.) I PRed in the same race last year by 28 minutes.
2. Negative splits are not just for elite athletes. I am a middle-of-the-pack (literally) marathoner. My second half was 2 minutes better than the first half. My last mile was the fastest of the race. Did I leave some time on the table by going out slow? Probably yes. Would I change what I did? Absolutely not.
3. Marathons can be enjoyable. Each and every mile came sooner than I expected. I felt good enough after the race to walk to a pizza place for a celebratory pie and several pints of carb-replenishment beverage of the IPA variety. Then I still felt good enough to take a stroll around the park.
4. Talk (and more importantly listen) to other runners. Everyone has a story to tell. The miles glide by during a conversation.
   
5. Leave nothing to chance on race day. Have a plan for everything: transportation, clothing, fuel, hydration, pace, etc.
6. Take some time at the start to think about how fortunate you are to be there.
   
7. The marathon is a learning experience. Your third marathon will go better than your second will go better than your first. Learn from each and ask what you can be better prepared for next time around.
   
8. The Hanson Advanced Marathon plan produces results, despite having a long run of only 16 miles. This is my second year on it and I've dropped my PR by 36 minutes.
   
9. Use your training runs for more than just logging miles. I overdressed (use common sense) for most of my runs to maintain some heat-acclimatization and it payed off. Work on programming desirable practices so they are second nature on race day. For example: I worked on hill pacing. Maintain an even effort up and fly down.
10. Jeff Galloway style mental tricks can help pull you through. At about mile 19, I became a yellow shirt lawn mower. Every time I saw someone in front of me in a yellow shirt, I mowed 'em down. Instead of thinking about the heat and the miles, I was pre-occupied looking for the next yellow shirt.
11. I watched this video
    nearly everyday during training. Thanks to the OP. (I think maybe it was Neoflynn.) 'Luck is the last dying wish of those who want to believe that winning can happen by accident, sweat on the other hand is for those who know it's a choice, so decide now because destiny waits for no man.' I never wish other runners 'Good Luck'. You make your own luck on race day.

I'm through rambling now. Everyone have a good training day!

 

[Ariel484]

Congrats @OldSlowGoofyGuy!! Great post.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

Way to go @OldSlowGoofyGuy, great race! I remember you PR'ing that race last year, so cool you were able to step it up again! I agree, there is no better feeling in running than finishing a marathon (with a great result) and still feeling 'good'. I did HMM last year for a big PR at Disney and the plan really does work...no really long runs, but a boatload of miles. Congrats bud!

 

[DopeyBadger]

I'm back from a successful weekend at Rocket City.

Great post and congrats on the PR! So many great tips and comments. I'll make sure not to wear yellow since we're both lined up in C of the half-marathon.

 

[dancingtodisney]

WOW @OldSlowGoofyGuy well done!!
Brilliant post with lots of great tips! Thank you!

 

[margitmouse]

Sort of a backtrack in conversation, For runners doing marathon weekend, princess and Tink, I think Tink counts for both the pink and the blue C2C.... rD said this year one race can count twice!
For some of you Tink can potentially be a 6 medal weekend! Wow!

 

[Kathymford]

Any potential Coast-to-Coasters in this group this year? My hope is to register for the DL Half in September.

Me!! Still debating between Dumbo and just the half, but luckily there is a little time. I'm not sure I'm a back-to-back runner, but I do love the 10k. And besides, who doesn't want ALL the medals on race day. #irunforbling

Had a pretty good run yesterday, but today I"m sick. Sore throat and stomach something. No good. I'm guessing I should skip the Christmas run I had planned on joining tomorrow. BOOO.

Hope everyone is hanging in there with their training. Your mileage puts mine to shame, but it's very inspiring! Keep it up!

 

[IamTrike]

Me!! Still debating between Dumbo and just the half, but luckily there is a little time. I'm not sure I'm a back-to-back runner, but I do love the 10k. And besides, who doesn't want ALL the medals on race day. #irunforbling

Had a pretty good run yesterday, but today I"m sick. Sore throat and stomach something. No good. I'm guessing I should skip the Christmas run I had planned on joining tomorrow. BOOO.

Hope everyone is hanging in there with their training. Your mileage puts mine to shame, but it's very inspiring! Keep it up!

I did Dumbo this year. I didn't decide to do it before it sold out but was able to get a bib through a travel provider. I think the 10k course for Dumbo is a better course than the half. You spend a much greater percentage of your time running in the parks for it. I think if you'r trained for the half you'll be in good shape for a relaxing 10k the day before. I would definitely do both again if I could.

 

[Ariel484]

I agree with @IamTrike, the Disneyland 10K course is fantastic. My favorite rD course after the marathon and Wine & Dine.

 

[Kathymford]

The DL 10k was my go-to before I started running the half. And I only started doing halves because I knew a C2C was in my future. LOL

 

[IamTrike]

I agree with @IamTrike, the Disneyland 10K course is fantastic. My favorite rD course after the marathon and Wine & Dine.

Ironically this year the Wine and dine half was a 10k

 

[mmtwinmama]

For the 2015 10K we were able to take the monorail to the start. We are staying at Poly again, but I don't see the literature stating the monorail will be running for the 10K. It only reads the monorail will be available for the half and full. I have the 2015 book and it does read the monorail would be available for the 10K (which it was), so now I'm worried that it won't be available for this January's 10K. Can anyone confirm?

 

[StarGirl11]

Reposting what I posted last night on FB since stress is still kind of eating me alive:

Sometimes it's the baby steps that count the most I'm realizing. Decembers been rough on me so far. First I get sick. And then as soon as I'm finally better college finals hit. Yeah college!

Anyways bringing this up because a few years back I would have gotten so absorbed in school that running would be the last thing on my mind. And I wouldn't have run at all in the past week (I did run twice and horseback rode once! I was on schedule until today). Well the good thing is it isn't. The bad? Stress from afore mentioned finals is kicking my butt. It's not exactly fun to start feeling like crap on your planned 16 miler day.

The thing is December hasn't exactly gone according to plan so far. But I am making small victories along the way even if they weren't the ones I was envisioning.

Also note the only reason I am not freaking out about Dopey is this not the most ridiculous thing I've done in the past year (that goes to the two ultras).

 

[Ariel484]

For the 2015 10K we were able to take the monorail to the start. We are staying at Poly again, but I don't see the literature stating the monorail will be running for the 10K. It only reads the monorail will be available for the half and full. I have the 2015 book and it does read the monorail would be available for the 10K (which it was), so now I'm worried that it won't be available for this January's 10K. Can anyone confirm?

If it's not available, they'll have buses. I took a bus from the Grand Floridian for the 2013 5K and it was fine.

 

[roxymama]

My house is full or oranges...I've stocked up on cold eaze...there is brand new hand soap to kill all the germs by every sink. I'm on purpose keeping an arms distance from literally everyone at work. Chicago is full of puffy eyed sneezing zombies and my husband, then daughter, and now I have caught whatever this crud is. I'm HOPEFUL that since they got over it fairly quickly that I will too and then I can just go into prevent mode again until race weekend.
So I guess, everyone wash your hands and drink your water and do all those things moms are supposed to tell you to do.

 

[Ariel484]

Ironically this year the Wine and dine half was a 10k

Oh was it? I hadn't heard.

 

[roxymama]

On a happier note, my MDE luggage tags came in the mail this weekend and I just got a delivery notice that my magic bands are waiting for me when I get home! Now it is really real.

For those who have used MDE recently, how long is that trip to the resorts from MCO? We've done rental cars the last few trips so it's been awhile I can't remember.

 

[Ariel484]

My house is full or oranges...I've stocked up on cold eaze...there is brand new hand soap to kill all the germs by every sink. I'm on purpose keeping an arms distance from literally everyone at work. Chicago is full of puffy eyed sneezing zombies and my husband, then daughter, and now I have caught whatever this crud is. I'm HOPEFUL that since they got over it fairly quickly that I will too and then I can just go into prevent mode again until race weekend.
So I guess, everyone wash your hands and drink your water and do all those things moms are supposed to tell you to do.

Ack! I hope the crud goes away soon. I remember this time last year doing the same thing - chugging Emergen-C, washing my hands like crazy...yikes!

On a happier note, my MDE luggage tags came in the mail this weekend and I just got a delivery notice that my magic bands are waiting for me when I get home! Now it is really real.

For those who have used MDE recently, how long is that trip to the resorts from MCO? We've done rental cars the last few trips so it's been awhile I can't remember.

Woohoo!! DME really depends...I've had it be as short as 45 minutes or so (as in, a bus was waiting there for me, loaded up and pulled away quickly, and my resort was the first stop - everything that could have gone right did) and as long as maybe 2 hours. You just never know!