Marathon Weekend 2017!

[Belle Ella]

So glad I wasn't the only one looking forward far in advance. I've been planning to do this one (in 2017) to cross a full off my bucket list for my 30th.

As far as the cost-cutting ... Mine has mostly been getting family involved so we can split the hotel, lol. Maybe not cost-cutting for them, but we're lucky enough to have a few discounts available. I'm coming from California, so any runDisney trip to WDW isn't going to be cheap for me either way.

 

[SunDial]

We stayed at Swan this year as a cheaper alternative to the Boardwalk hotels which are a great location for family for marathon as well as quick trip from start/finish. But this will probably be the last time, kind of nickel-and-dimed you at every turn... daily parking charge, resort fee, tried to charge for rollaway bed. And the resort is just not as well kept as Disney's.

Good to know. I have not stayed at either Dolphin/Swan yet.

 

[rteetz]

Good to know. I have not stayed at either Dolphin/Swan yet.

I stayed at the dolphin once in 2012 just for a normal vacation. It's a nice hotel but it's definitely a convention hotel. Two very large conventions were going on during our trip which may have swayed my experience a bit. It wasn't bad but I didn't find it great either. One thing I did like was the location but after staying at the beach club this last trip that is my favorite location now. It's all personal preference really.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

How does it work to register for one of the races for Marathon 2017 on active.com? I have registered but can't find any of the races listed to register. What actually happens when you register through active.com? Sorry newbie here!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

FWIW, I totally agree about Swan/Dolphin nickel-and-diming you. The rate seems extremely reasonable when you book, but after factoring in parking, resort fees, and so forth ($30-50/day for our experience) once you check out, it was a bit exasperating.

We also could not adjust the thermostat in our room. DH ended up acting as a hot water bottle for me since I could not get warm. This was in mid-May during hot weather conditions. I much prefer actual on-property accommodations but YMMV.

 

[camaker]

How does it work to register for one of the races for Marathon 2017 on active.com? I have registered but can't find any of the races listed to register. What actually happens when you register through active.com? Sorry newbie here!

Having seen this post and the thread that you started earlier today, can I respectfully suggest that you go over to rundisney.com and look at the information presented there? It answers most of the questions that you have posed and gives an excellent overview of the races and registration processes. If you have outstanding questions after that, this board is an excellent resource!

 

[SunDial]

I stayed at the dolphin once in 2012 just for a normal vacation. It's a nice hotel but it's definitely a convention hotel. Two very large conventions were going on during our trip which may have swayed my experience a bit. It wasn't bad but I didn't find it great either. One thing I did like was the location but after staying at the beach club this last trip that is my favorite location now. It's all personal preference really.

I have not stayed on the Beach side yet. I have stayed over at Yacht Club a long time ago and loved it then.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Having seen this post and the thread that you started earlier today, can I respectfully suggest that you go over to rundisney.com and look at the information presented there? It answers most of the questions that you have posed and gives an excellent overview of the races and registration processes. If you have outstanding questions after that, this board is an excellent resource!

Thanks. I have been on that very lengthy website. It does not mention anything about active.com and that registration process. Kindly send me a link from runDisney that mentions active.com. Your opinions would be appreciated if you have the time.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

How does it work to register for one of the races for Marathon 2017 on active.com? I have registered but can't find any of the races listed to register. What actually happens when you register through active.com? Sorry newbie here!

You won't see any rD races available unless they are not sold out (like Tink half) or until they are open for registration.

Most rD races sell out the first day or so of availability (5K, 10K, and challenges seem to go quickest), so be ready to register 10-15 minutes before noon Eastern time the day of. At that point, you click on the rD registration link, it redirects you to active.com (if you're already signed in, it goes way fast) and then you register. Like Ticketmaster, it holds your spot for a few minutes and once you're registered, you get a confirmation email. Again, all of this goes quickly and simply if you have an active account ahead of time and are logged in.

Hope this helps!

 

[camaker]

Thanks. I have been on that very lengthy website. It does not mention anything about active.com and that registration process. Kindly send me a link from runDisney that mentions active.com. Your opinions would be appreciated if you have the time.

There is not mention of active.com on the website. Clicking the link on any of the available races takes you to the active.com website to register for that race. It is a shortcut to have Active accounts set up prior to registration, but not a requirement, as you can register for Active during race registration. It's better to be set up ahead of time, though.

A number of your initial questions are, however, answered directly in the FAQ section of the runDisney site, which led me to believe you either were not aware of it or hadn't visited it.

 

[IamTrike]

We stayed at Swan this year as a cheaper alternative to the Boardwalk hotels which are a great location for family for marathon as well as quick trip from start/finish. But this will probably be the last time, kind of nickel-and-dimed you at every turn... daily parking charge, resort fee, tried to charge for rollaway bed. And the resort is just not as well kept as Disney's.

We stayed at the Swan in December and the Dolphin in March. The Swan has just been refurbished so it's in pretty good shape. The Dolphin is just starting to be refubished. I though the rooms at the Swan were nice but the rest of the grounds particularly the eating areas seem a little dark and dated. They are a good cheap alternative to the other boardwalk area hotels as they are usually < half the price of the Disney hotels. They do nickel and dime you though so I would expect at least $20 a day out of pocket. The other big advantage to them is that you can book nights there using starwood points.

I stayed at the dolphin once in 2012 just for a normal vacation. It's a nice hotel but it's definitely a convention hotel. Two very large conventions were going on during our trip which may have swayed my experience a bit. It wasn't bad but I didn't find it great either. One thing I did like was the location but after staying at the beach club this last trip that is my favorite location now. It's all personal preference really.

Beach club is really nice. It's my wife's favorite hotel.

 

[RunningGirl]

So is anyone doing anything new/different with their training this year? I've decided to try to build my strength up, because in the past during marathons I've felt that a stronger core would have helped out. My DD talked me into trying Body Pump. I went to my first class last night and enjoyed it; however, all those squats and lunges are going to make for an interesting run today! Also, I discovered just how weak my shoulders and triceps are.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

So is anyone doing anything new/different with their training this year? I've decided to try to build my strength up, because in the past during marathons I've felt that a stronger core would have helped out. My DD talked me into trying Body Pump. I went to my first class last night and enjoyed it; however, all those squats and lunges are going to make for an interesting run today! Also, I discovered just how weak my shoulders and triceps are.

I've done a few Body Pump classes and the next day is a treat...I could barely lift my arms and forget about stairs! I guess that's the sign of a good workout, and just know that the more consistently you do the classes the quicker your recovery will be. Have fun!

 

[FFigawi]

So is anyone doing anything new/different with their training this year? I've decided to try to build my strength up, because in the past during marathons I've felt that a stronger core would have helped out. My DD talked me into trying Body Pump. I went to my first class last night and enjoyed it; however, all those squats and lunges are going to make for an interesting run today! Also, I discovered just how weak my shoulders and triceps are.

My coach is making me do strength work in addition to my yoga as part of my ironman training. The leg work is fine, but aside from my lats and shoulders (thank you, swimming gods), my upper body strength is pretty pitiful.

 

[PrincessV]

So is anyone doing anything new/different with their training this year? .

Hills. Need more hills. I live on the FL coast: pretty much flat as a pancake - I do hill repeats on a tall bridge, but as a separate workout from my long runs. The WDW full's "hills" kicked my behind. Actually, to be more correct, they kicked my knees, lol! I killed every one of those "hills" but I've been paying the price since. I feel like my training was spot-on other than that, so that's all I'll change, in an effort to feel better in the week after racing.

 

[Keels]

So is anyone doing anything new/different with their training this year? I've decided to try to build my strength up, because in the past during marathons I've felt that a stronger core would have helped out. My DD talked me into trying Body Pump. I went to my first class last night and enjoyed it; however, all those squats and lunges are going to make for an interesting run today! Also, I discovered just how weak my shoulders and triceps are.

My long runs will almost solely be focused on marathon training and my weekday runs (3-4) will be almost all speed work and hills in an effort to improve my times. I'll be following Higdon's Advanced 1 for true marathon training once I get through my Spring race schedule with the goal being (hopefully!) NYC, but definitely Goofy/Dopey.

I'm also joining my husband's CrossFit gym. Ugh. I hereby promise it won't make me any more obnoxious than I already am!

 

[FFigawi]

I'm also joint my husband's CrossFit gym. Ugh. I hereby promise it won't make me any more obnoxious than I already am!

How do you know someone does CrossFit? Don't worry, they'll tell you.

 

[John VN]

My coach is making me do strength work in addition to my yoga as part of my ironman training. The leg work is fine, but aside from my lats and shoulders (thank you, swimming gods), my upper body strength is pretty pitiful.

Good luck with IMFL. I'm hoping to be able to make next year's IMFL my #3 IM. My stint with prostate cancer is over and the "T" shots I am now getting will hopefully bring me to some degree of normal providing they don't do more harm than good. I will of course have a TUE in hand.

Too bad I can't stop for a McFlurry during an IM, that would be so cool.

McFlurry John

 

[Ariel484]

How do you know someone does CrossFit? Don't worry, they'll tell you.

That joke never gets old.

 

[ZellyB]

I'm glad to read some info about Swan/Dolphin. I've considered it a few times in the past because the location is so great and the price seems good compared to the Disney Boardwalk options. Sounds like it might still be worth considering, but I like hearing honest reviews about the cons as well.