Marathon Weekend 2018

[michigandergirl]

SAFD: We always spend arrival day at the pool. We've always gone to Disney sometime between November & April, so cold months here in Michigan, and my kids are always itching to swim. And DH & I are always itching to hit the pool bar after a long day of travel.

 

[KSellers88]

We head to the Magic Kingdom. It is normally just myself and my mom as my husband refuses to go until we have kids (he's crazy) and my dad's work schedule doesn't allow lots of time off. MK is our favorite park, so we always start and end our trips there!

 

[NurseRunner]

Happy Sunday! As always Sundays are for Disney.

Today’s Sundays are for Disney question: what’s the first thing you do when you arrive on Disney property? Hang out at the hotel? Head to the parks? Find something to eat? Something else?

My answer: I’m usually one to drop off the bags at the hotel and head right for the parks. Usually when I arrive it’s too early for the room to be ready so no point in waiting around for that.

My wife and I have a tradition, as we usually red eye out there the night before, so we have breakfast at the rainforest cafe in animal kingdom our first morning there, followed by a casual stroll through the park. It's been my favorite for years, and hers is Hollywood studios. That being said, we haven't been there since last april, so I'm told there is a whole new section to AK to explore!

 

[baxter24]

Sunday question: We really enjoy dropping our stuff off and heading to Disney Springs for a meal and shopping. If it’s a race weekend, we head to the expo first then on to Disney Springs.

 

[Anisum]

What's the first thing you do when you arrive on Disney property? Hang out at the hotel? Head to the parks? Find something to eat? Something else?

Count me in for team drop off bags. Even when I take magical express I still have my carry-on and such that I generally don't want to carry around the parks. As for what I do next it depends on when I get in. If I get there in the morning it's usually parks (or race expo if it's a race) if it's in the evening it's either dinner or hanging in the hotel.

 

[baxter24]

Question for those of you have have done Dopey before.

I am using a modified Higdon Dopey plan to train. His plan calls for four different times where there are Dopey like simulations (three three day back to backs and one four day back to back). In your training, did you try to have at least one week where you did a Dopey like simulation? Or was it more a focus of just getting the miles in when you can during the week? I have no goals other than to complete Dopey (no PRs, etc). I know the point is to learn what it is like to run on tired legs and I am pretty confident everyday life is going to continue to get in the way from now until marathon weekend. Just want to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

 

[Disney at Heart]

Our arrival plan varies for us depending on the time of arrival. We often drive south after work and get to within an hour of WDW and then drive in early in the morning, check in, and head to a park because the room isn't ready anyway. We go to the room and unload and unpack in the evening after we have had a full park day. This week for Wine & Dine we are leaving after a half day of work, checking in around 7:00-8:00, headed to EPCOT for a Test Track fast pass and food at the kiosks.

 

[ZellyB]

Question for those of you have have done Dopey before.

I am using a modified Higdon Dopey plan to train. His plan calls for four different times where there are Dopey like simulations (three three day back to backs and one four day back to back). In your training, did you try to have at least one week where you did a Dopey like simulation? Or was it more a focus of just getting the miles in when you can during the week? I have no goals other than to complete Dopey (no PRs, etc). I know the point is to learn what it is like to run on tired legs and I am pretty confident everyday life is going to continue to get in the way from now until marathon weekend. Just want to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

This is my first Dopey, so I'm not experienced on what works best in training, but I have 2 Dopey like simulations in our training schedule. I don't know that it's really necessary to complete Dopey, but I feel better doing some simulations regardless.

 

[Chaitali]

Our plans vary based on whether it's a race trip or not. For race trips, our first stop after dropping off bags is usually the expo. For non-race trips, we'll usually drop off bags and then go to one of the parks.

First time marathon training milestones... I had a distance PR last week and this weekend, which I expected since I had obviously looked at my training plan. And while I should have expected monthly mileage PRs too, I was floored to see that I'm going to hit my first 100 mile month this month! In the past, I was always just trying to make sure i got at least 50 miles per month. It's crazy to me that I'm going to hit 100 this month and I didn't even realize it.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Question for those of you have have done Dopey before.

I am using a modified Higdon Dopey plan to train. His plan calls for four different times where there are Dopey like simulations (three three day back to backs and one four day back to back). In your training, did you try to have at least one week where you did a Dopey like simulation? Or was it more a focus of just getting the miles in when you can during the week? I have no goals other than to complete Dopey (no PRs, etc). I know the point is to learn what it is like to run on tired legs and I am pretty confident everyday life is going to continue to get in the way from now until marathon weekend. Just want to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

The last 2 years I did Dopey simulations through my entire 18 week training cycles. In other words, I ran those 4 runs on consecutive days, with mileage building from day 1 through day 4. That peaked at 4M, 7M, 12M and 24M before my taper began. The result - effortless runs in Disney. My training was harder than the races.

 

[rteetz]

Question for those of you have have done Dopey before.

I am using a modified Higdon Dopey plan to train. His plan calls for four different times where there are Dopey like simulations (three three day back to backs and one four day back to back). In your training, did you try to have at least one week where you did a Dopey like simulation? Or was it more a focus of just getting the miles in when you can during the week? I have no goals other than to complete Dopey (no PRs, etc). I know the point is to learn what it is like to run on tired legs and I am pretty confident everyday life is going to continue to get in the way from now until marathon weekend. Just want to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

I tried to do at least one week where I had a few back to back runs. Most dopey plans do that to get your legs used to the back to back mileage of dopey.

 

[camaker]

Question for those of you have have done Dopey before.

I am using a modified Higdon Dopey plan to train. His plan calls for four different times where there are Dopey like simulations (three three day back to backs and one four day back to back). In your training, did you try to have at least one week where you did a Dopey like simulation? Or was it more a focus of just getting the miles in when you can during the week? I have no goals other than to complete Dopey (no PRs, etc). I know the point is to learn what it is like to run on tired legs and I am pretty confident everyday life is going to continue to get in the way from now until marathon weekend. Just want to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

I looked at the Higdon Dopey plan and found the mileage that he called for to be pretty Dopey! It was just way too much mileage for me to consider getting to the start line in one piece, much less with any energy once I got there. The training plans I've used en route to Dopey or Dopey-like race weekends have always been based around 4 or 5 day/week marathon plan and the consecutive Tues/Wed/Thurs runs that they called for were plenty to get my legs used to back to back running days. If you wanted to race all the Dopey races, I could see throwing in some simulations, but just looking to complete it, I don't think it's necessary. For me, Dopey is more about mitigating fatigue from the early races through pace management so that I can have fun and go as hard or as easy as I feel like during the marathon.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Question for those of you have have done Dopey before.

I am using a modified Higdon Dopey plan to train. His plan calls for four different times where there are Dopey like simulations (three three day back to backs and one four day back to back). In your training, did you try to have at least one week where you did a Dopey like simulation? Or was it more a focus of just getting the miles in when you can during the week? I have no goals other than to complete Dopey (no PRs, etc). I know the point is to learn what it is like to run on tired legs and I am pretty confident everyday life is going to continue to get in the way from now until marathon weekend. Just want to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

I've done Dopey simulations each of my first four years and I think they've helped. I'm also of the opinion that if you're prepared for the Marathon, then you can get through the additional races just fine. So I guess my overall feeling is that they aren't necessary, but I'll be doing Dopey simulations again this year because they have been helpful for me ( or at least didn't hurt).

 

[PrincessV]

Happy Sunday! As always Sundays are for Disney.

Today’s Sundays are for Disney question: what’s the first thing you do when you arrive on Disney property? Hang out at the hotel? Head to the parks? Find something to eat? Something else?

Depends how long it takes to get across I-4. I always prefer to check into my hotel first, and hopefully have a room ready to drop off luggage. And if we arrive hungry, eat at the resort. If room's not ready, and we don't need to eat right away, it's off to a park.

Question for those of you have have done Dopey before.

I am using a modified Higdon Dopey plan to train. His plan calls for four different times where there are Dopey like simulations (three three day back to backs and one four day back to back). In your training, did you try to have at least one week where you did a Dopey like simulation? Or was it more a focus of just getting the miles in when you can during the week?

I'm a big believer in training simulations to prep for multi-day events; I know my body responds really well to that, so I make a point of doing them. For Dopey, I did (and will do) multiple simulation weekends, with cut-back weeks in between. I've done 3 days in a row a couple times, and coming up I have:
1/4/10/18
2/5/11/20
3/6/12/22

 

[sunshine girl]

Sunday Question: I always take the first flight of the day direct to Orlando and rent a car, so I usually get on property by mid-late morning. If it's a race weekend I go straight to the expo! Then I go to Disney Springs, get an Earl of Sandwich for lunch, sometimes grab a Corona w/ lime from the Margarita stand, and shop for a while. Then I unload my bags in my room, and usually go to whatever park I have on the schedule for the day for some late-day fastpasses. I'm heading down for the Wine and Dine races this Friday, so I look forward to completing this ritual shortly!

I have a question about the pre-order performance jackets ... I notice in the photo someone posted from last year, the jacket says "Marathon Weekend.". Will they have individual race (i.e., not "weekend") jackets at the expo??

Also, if I pre-order the jacket and decide I don't like it, can I immediately return it on-site at the expo? I'd rather have a Marathon-specific jacket but am not arriving until Saturday at the end of the expo, so don't want to miss out completely if everything is sold out.

 

[rteetz]

I have a question about the pre-order performance jackets ... I notice in the photo someone posted from last year, the jacket says "Marathon Weekend.". Will they have individual race (i.e., not "weekend") jackets at the expo??

Yes they’ll have individual jackets at least they have in the past. Usually a half, full, goofy, and dopey jacket.

 

[FFigawi]

Question for those of you have have done Dopey before.

I am using a modified Higdon Dopey plan to train. His plan calls for four different times where there are Dopey like simulations (three three day back to backs and one four day back to back). In your training, did you try to have at least one week where you did a Dopey like simulation? Or was it more a focus of just getting the miles in when you can during the week? I have no goals other than to complete Dopey (no PRs, etc). I know the point is to learn what it is like to run on tired legs and I am pretty confident everyday life is going to continue to get in the way from now until marathon weekend. Just want to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

If you're well trained for a marathon, you can complete Dopey without doing any Dopey simulations. They're not necessary, especially if you plan to take it easy for all four races. That said, as others have pointed out, they are useful in teaching you how to run on tired legs. If you don't want to do a complete four-day simulation, try running half of your long run distance the day after one of your 16-20 mile long runs to feel what it's like to run when your legs are tired.

 

[Ariel484]

For those of you who have spectated the half or the full in MK, do they make you go through bag check at 6am like a normal park visit?

I spectated the 2014 Princess half - I don't remember going through bag check but it's entirely possible that 1.) I did and just don't remember (if I did it wasn't a big deal, we brought a sign and snacks and stuff like that with no issues), or 2.) they didn't really have it then but have since added it. Super helpful right?

Question for those of you have have done Dopey before.

I am using a modified Higdon Dopey plan to train. His plan calls for four different times where there are Dopey like simulations (three three day back to backs and one four day back to back). In your training, did you try to have at least one week where you did a Dopey like simulation? Or was it more a focus of just getting the miles in when you can during the week? I have no goals other than to complete Dopey (no PRs, etc). I know the point is to learn what it is like to run on tired legs and I am pretty confident everyday life is going to continue to get in the way from now until marathon weekend. Just want to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

I had one Dopey simulation for both of my training cycles - 2.5/5/10/20 as my runs 4 days in a row. I also did some back-to-backs and some back-to-back-to-backs. I do agree with the previous comments that if you're well-trained for a marathon, you'll be fine for Dopey. Case in point: that Higdon plan you're using is the one I wanted to use for Dopey #1, but I got injured during the summer and felt I wasn't ready to start the Higdon Dopey plan, so I used his Novice 1 Marathon plan (modifying it to add back-to-backs) and felt awesome all weekend.

I also agree that it helped to teach you to run on tired legs, but it also showed me how my body would react to that kind of mileage 4 days in a row, and gave me confidence that if I could do it at that point in training pre-taper, I could do it in WDW after a couple of weeks of tapering.

 

[UNCBear24]

Question for those of you have have done Dopey before.

I am using a modified Higdon Dopey plan to train. His plan calls for four different times where there are Dopey like simulations (three three day back to backs and one four day back to back). In your training, did you try to have at least one week where you did a Dopey like simulation? Or was it more a focus of just getting the miles in when you can during the week? I have no goals other than to complete Dopey (no PRs, etc). I know the point is to learn what it is like to run on tired legs and I am pretty confident everyday life is going to continue to get in the way from now until marathon weekend. Just want to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

For my first Dopey I did one 3 day and one 4 day simulation. That seemed to work well for me, since I just wanted to finish. I had no specific time goals.

 

[cavepig]

First time marathon training milestones... I had a distance PR last week and this weekend, which I expected since I had obviously looked at my training plan. And while I should have expected monthly mileage PRs too, I was floored to see that I'm going to hit my first 100 mile month this month! In the past, I was always just trying to make sure i got at least 50 miles per month. It's crazy to me that I'm going to hit 100 this month and I didn't even realize it.

Woohoo awesome!