Marathon Weekend 2016

[dancingtodisney]

So good to meet @FFigawi and his lovely wife as well as @SunDial in China briefly today... hope you made it all the way around, I was feeling giddy after one margarita!!

 

[pclvnmcky88]

Back today from WDW, wishing we were going back already :/ I PRed on the Half taking off 7 minutes from my time in February! My husband ran the Marathon and said the humidity didn't really effect him after mile 5. I didn't think the weather for either race was bad at all. I was able to get a front row spot at MK for the Marathon to watch for my husband! That was so magical being there that early! I loved watching the runner's faces as they turned the corner and saw the castle. BTW, @gmatom I saw you run down Main Street! Recognized you from the picture of your Jessica Rabbit costume on here! Looked great!

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Congrats Everyone! Back home after an 8 hour drive. I'm a little late with my report as I don't check the forum while I'm down there.

My half went well despite the humidity. Starting in an earlier corral this year, I got to see the balloon ladies between 9 & 10 miles (they were between 2 & 3). Even being 7 miles ahead of them, it was slightly scary (innate response).

Dinner celebration was at Chefs de France where I pervertedly celebrated by having the race mascot for dinner! The half is the only race where this is advisable.

On Sunday, I paid back some spectator Kharma by cheering loudly around mile 25. We stayed there until the last runner went by. If you got called by name in Epcot and got a thumbs up from a big guy with a half marathon shirt, drink in hand, and tears streaming down his face, that was me!

Its going to be an odd running week as I'm doing the Museum of Aviation marathon this Saturday. So its got to be recovery/taper/carb load/except try to undo the Disney beer/wine/food.

 

[AmynVal]

By the time I rode Everest

How did that work? My friend and I thought about riding it but were afraid that we would tighten up to much waiting to ride it.

 

[John VN]

Just wondering was the trooper suppose to pick you up or something? My running group is saying that people were taken off the course for running out side of the cones by the Contempo bridge. Just wondering if there was an ounce of truth to that since you said a trooper said something about your McFlurry stop.

The troopers are positioned at the beginning of the "ON RAMP" preventing access to Osceola Pkwy. by cornfused drivers.

McFlurry John

 

[Barca33Runner]

Always one of the worst days of the year heading home from WDW. Legs were feeling it a bit today but no chafing and my blisters are already feeling good and healing. All things considered it was just leaving that was a bummer. Had to be up at 5 AM to get to Magical Express on time. (Side note: I need to have a serious discussion with my travel planner; apparently past Barca33Runner has zero concerns about future Barca33Runner getting more than 5 hours of sleep on any given day.)

Will post later in the week with some pictures and short recaps after I get all of my pics and thoughts organized.

Time to start training for next year.

BTW, enjoyed the DATW message board tag today; it had so many twists and turns, but eventually reached a happy conclusion.

 

[dancingtodisney]

How did that work? My friend and I thought about riding it but were afraid that we would tighten up to much waiting to ride it.

We rode it... we had to enter standby line and waited about 10mins so just kept the legs moving and stretched a little, I was feeling ok at that point of the run so easily got back into my stride after that

 

[Pleglech]

Got back a little while ago. Woke up Saturday with a sour stomach and a fever, which kept me from going any faster than my easy pace. Ate basically nothing for the rest of the day, and mostly slept until Sunday morning. Marathon went as planned: Stopped at McDonald's for some hot cakes and a diet coke (originally intended to get the big breakfast, but couldn't stomach the thought of sausage or eggs), and timed my arrival perfectly to be first in line at DHS for a beer. Followed that with more beer at the Boardwalk and Beach Club pool bars, then the American Pavilion. Also grabbed a margarita in Mexico. Finished a bit tipsy and about 3:45:00 slower than my PR, but had a blast.

So what was up with that cluster at bag search for the half? I only made it to my corral with 5 minutes to spare, and no time for a warmup.

 

[banzai25]

Keels and the rest of you kind souls, Thanks so much for an honest report. DW and I are planning the full for next year and hearing about the training and difficult aspects is helpful

 

[gjramsey]

I originally had this planned as a once in a lifetime event. After finishing the MK section of the half I told my running buddy I will be doing it again in the future.

Next time I probably would not spend all day Friday walking around AK. The wife strongly suggested I go back to the room for a couple of hours on Saturday while they continued playing in Epcot, which was a smart move. I lost a couple of hours, so I am guessing I slept pretty good.

Walking around MK Sunday afternoon was smart. Kept the legs moving. I enjoyed congratulating everyone with a medal on, and being congratulated.

My wife said I didn't look like the Graveyards guys when I saw the family at the Beach Club, so taking it easy and having fun made a world of difference.

Was disappointed that the Fairy Godmother at the enterance to Epcot would not grant my wish for horse and carriage to finish the race.

 

[Frankster]

Dopey three-peat complete. Pleasantly surprised that I was able to walk the marathon in 5:56. Not exactly a world record, but I was expecting to be out there a lot longer.

Now, time for some serious beer drinking!

Hah, you must have long legs. You walked faster than I ran.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Got back a little while ago. Woke up Saturday with a sour stomach and a fever, which kept me from going any faster than my easy pace. Ate basically nothing for the rest of the day, and mostly slept until Sunday morning. Marathon went as planned: Stopped at McDonald's for some hot cakes and a diet coke (originally intended to get the big breakfast, but couldn't stomach the thought of sausage or eggs), and timed my arrival perfectly to be first in line at DHS for a beer. Followed that with more beer at the Boardwalk and Beach Club pool bars, then the American Pavilion. Also grabbed a margarita in Mexico. Finished a bit tipsy and about 3:45:00 slower than my PR, but had a blast.

So what was up with that cluster at bag search for the half? I only made it to my corral with 5 minutes to spare, and no time for a warmup.

Really?

I am in awe and need to consider this as part of my future event plans. Lol.

Cluster At the half? Does
This explain folks being able to continue on to corrals well after the 5:30 start. I was surprised at all the "late" people. Didn't even think that it could have been a hold up at the bag inspection.

 

[Baloo in MI]

I am not trying to minimize the aches, pains and struggles folks went through yesterday, but to provide an alternate perspective on the weekend. I appreciate all the information and support I found on this site and wish everyone the best in future races!

I really appreciate the perspective, and I think you are right on point! Thank you.

@SunDial & I are at France during DATW so far. If anyone wants to join us, we will be at Morocco in 30 minutes if anyone wants to join us.

I was in Magic Kingdom all day and not on the boards, sorry to have missed the chance to meet you. I have really enjoyed, and learned a lot, from your advice and perspectives offered on the thread. Hope you all had a good time this afternoon.

On the tragical express right now. I don't want to go back to frigid Wisconsin. I need to plan another trip soon.

I will have to board the DTE (I am totally stealing "Tragical") and fly back to Michigan in the AM. My wife shared that it did not even reach 10 degrees today. I don't want to leave!!!

Congrats Everyone! Back home after an 8 hour drive. I'm a little late with my report as I don't check the forum while I'm down there. Its going to be an odd running week as I'm doing the Museum of Aviation marathon this Saturday. So its got to be recovery/taper/carb load/except try to undo the Disney beer/wine/food.

Good luck this weekend! Have a good Race.

 

[rteetz]

I'm kind of really sad the weekend is over because that means this thread is going to end. I really loved all of the advice, planning, cheering, and just amazingness that has happened in this thread.

 

[DOOM1001]

I can't comment on that location, but I was viewing the marathon right before mile 5 and a few people were running across the street to give things or get things from their spectator friends/family since we had to be on the side of the road opposite of the running lane. There was a traffic cop there and he was warning several people (non-runners included) to be careful crossing streets where the other lane had vehicles. But he was just stopping them to tell them that...they would continue on running. And it was only a handful. It was kind of dangerous that area before going past the MK bus stops because they did have hotel traffic going down that street.
Unrelated but related, I saw at least one person totally biff it tripping over the median and falling down and scraping their knee. She got back up and the whole crowd of us cheered for her like she was an NFL player returning to play. It was pretty awesome but I bet it hurt once the adrenaline wore off.

I was running somewhere around the Contemporary and witnessed an incident that could have gone really,really bad!!It was still plenty dark and a cop car with those bright chase lights on drove by us and apparently the lights distracted a female runner who tripped over a cone and fell on the car side of the street where another cop car that was coming behind came just way too close to hitting her.She got up and went on her way but a lot of runners had a scary moment!!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Roll Tide!!!

 

[emindc]

Congrats to all runners in all events. Fantastic race(s)! Hope you had fun; I sure did.

I completed my first marathon, woo hoo! Off my expected pace, but no matter -- it's still a PR. I was so energized by the volunteers, spectators, fellow runners . . . it was just amazing running through the cheering crowds in Epcot towards the end. I felt like an Olympian! Thanks to all who supported the runners in every way. You are wonderful.

I am in awe of the Dopey finishers; can't imagine how you did it. A marathon was enough for me and all my friends back home are duly impressed. I'm not telling them about you.

Got back home late last night -- dang, it's cold here. And there are no palm trees, spanish moss, oleanders, character greeting stops, etc.

And thanks to all of you for the advice along the way.

Liz

 

[Fruto76]

Sad I missed DATW but loved seeing the pics! Thanks for sharing. We had lunch at Skipper Canteen, spent a little time at MK and headed home yesterday. It was a great weekend! Congrats, again to all the participants!

 

[IamTrike]

I'm sad to see this thread wind down, too. I enjoyed the discussions here over the past couple of months. Hopefully some of you will be hoping over into the 2017 thread. Just a little over 3 months until sign up for next year opens up.

 

[Fruto76]

I'm sad to see this thread wind down, too. I enjoyed the discussions here over the past couple of months. Hopefully some of you will be hoping over into the 2017 thread. Just a little over 3 months until sign up for next year opens up.

I will be jumping over there... And this time DD20 will be joining me. She was so inspired as a spectator and said she is ready to make the jump from half to Full next year! My sister is considering it as well!