Marathon Weekend 2018

[DopeyBadger]

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'd say look at it less like a simulation and more like marathon training. In that, as Higdon says in the plan these are to be run at current fitness marathon pace + 30-90 seconds. When I did my first Dopey in 2014, I followed the word "simulation" too much and actually ran each of them at race pace. While a lesser distance it was certainly accomplishable, it wasn't really the goal of the training. So making sure you take these nice and easy will aid in your improvement and ability to finish Dopey as desired.

For me, I train 6 days per week regardless if for a 10k or Dopey, so nothing really changes too much. The same goes for the training plans that I've written for Dopey 2018. Attached are 10 different examples of the 17 different plans I've written. With the first week (12/4) being prior to peak week and the second week (12/11) being peak week.

3:31 marathon fitness run/walk plan once over 12 miles


4:22 marathon fitness


5:37 marathon fitness run/walk


4:25 marathon fitness


3:53 marathon fitness (Goofy)


3:02 marathon fitness


4:23 marathon fitness


4:50 marathon fitness


5:34 marathon fitness


5:37 marathon fitness run/walk


I think the takeaway message is it doesn't have to be necessary to do 4 days in a row in training to complete Dopey. There are many ways to accomplish it with a wide variety of techniques. Some do just two days in a row, others 3, others 4, others 5, others 6, and some 7. I think the one thing you want to try and do is to do at least some Easy Day + Long Run Day combos (like a Saturday/Sunday). If you can get two days back to back, then you should certainly help prepare yourself for completing Dopey.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

To add to the other Dopey training comments - the key is to complete your training feeling ready, physically and mentally, for the races. For different people this means different things. So think about your needs. What will it take for you to feel 100% confident in your ability to meet your Dopey goals? Now build a plan to get there.

As a great Dis poster used to say, when you arrive at the starting line, the hay is already in the barn. Race day is a celebration of the hard work put in over the months. You want to arrive at the starting line knowing that you can do it, not hoping that you can do it.

 

[FFigawi]

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?

Right

 

[Ariel484]

Right

I do what I can

 

[dragitoff]

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 and first full since 2014 so I'm following the Higdon plan as closely as possible. This summer I ran 5 days per week and always had a stretch of 3 consecutive days in a row so my base was pretty decent coming into it. I've missed 2 runs and had a 16 miler that bombed (only made it 13 miles), but I made up that 16 miler in place of the next weekend's 10 miler so technically, I'm almost even on the plan's total mileage. I've heard a lot of different opinions on it, but I'm doing it this way more as a mental thing for me.

 

[CherieFran]

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?

Just heading home from a 3-day trip with a friend for F&W. This time, the first thing we did was hop a Lyft to the Polynesian and make our first ever visit to Trader Sam’s. So fun and a perfect transition on a Friday night from a long week of work to a weekend of Disney magic!

 

[Eric DeMuth]

This will be my first WDW race, so some advice would be appreciated. I just finished the Baltimore 1/2 marathon and used it as a training run for the WDW 1/2. Finished at 2hr 30 minutes - but, that course has quite a bit of hills and the heat was up there. I went into it as a training run so I paced it at 11 minute miles and held pretty close until I hit the last hills at the end.

Couple of questions for those experienced in the race:
1) What is the course like? What should I be looking for? Major hills at certain points - anything to help plan my time would be appreciated. Those races that I have done before usually are more successful on future runs than my initial one.
2) We will be staying at the AS Music Resort. It does not look like it is far from the race course.

• For me, I am seeing I should be leaving the resort by 4 am to get on transportation. Is this reasonable to be ready for the race.
• For my family (4 daughters, wife), they do not want to be up that early. What would make sense for them to get to the finish by 7:30am ( my goal for WDW is to PR at 2:06)

3) Any other tips?

My daughter is running the 1 miler. She missed out on the 5k because it sold out. Any suggestions on timing to arrive for the race? Her race is on Friday so I was hoping to get to the Expo earlier than her race and then go straight there. Does this make sense?

For our vacation, this will be our first for the family. We have 2 days planned at Magic Kingdom, the 2nd one being on Friday so I do not feel like I am missing something when I head back to the hotel early.

Thanks for all the help with these newbie questions!

 

[rteetz]

This will be my first WDW race, so some advice would be appreciated. I just finished the Baltimore 1/2 marathon and used it as a training run for the WDW 1/2. Finished at 2hr 30 minutes - but, that course has quite a bit of hills and the heat was up there. I went into it as a training run so I paced it at 11 minute miles and held pretty close until I hit the last hills at the end.

Couple of questions for those experienced in the race:
1) What is the course like? What should I be looking for? Major hills at certain points - anything to help plan my time would be appreciated. Those races that I have done before usually are more successful on future runs than my initial one.
2) We will be staying at the AS Music Resort. It does not look like it is far from the race course.

• For me, I am seeing I should be leaving the resort by 4 am to get on transportation. Is this reasonable to be ready for the race.
• For my family (4 daughters, wife), they do not want to be up that early. What would make sense for them to get to the finish by 7:30am ( my goal for WDW is to PR at 2:06)

3) Any other tips?

My daughter is running the 1 miler. She missed out on the 5k because it sold out. Any suggestions on timing to arrive for the race? Her race is on Friday so I was hoping to get to the Expo earlier than her race and then go straight there. Does this make sense?

For our vacation, this will be our first for the family. We have 2 days planned at Magic Kingdom, the 2nd one being on Friday so I do not feel like I am missing something when I head back to the hotel early.

Thanks for all the help with these newbie questions!

1. Course can change from year to year. Course is relatively flat.
2. You are likely going to want to be leaving your room earlier than 4AM to get on transportation. Just because the hotel is close to the start doesn't mean transportation will cooperate. Always give yourself extra time with transportation. I think the plan for your family is fine.
Arrive with your daughter probably 20-30 minutes before her race.

 

[Eric DeMuth]

Thanks Rteetz.... This should be interesting. Getting up that early is going to be rough with kids staying at the park while I head back to get some rest. My last race did not start until 9:45 am, but had to be there at 7 or I would not find parking.

I am a little confused on your response about the family. What time should they be looking to leave the hotel if they want to make sure they are there in time for me to finish? I do not think they will be getting up at 4am....

 

[jmasgat]

Couple of questions for those experienced in the race:
1) What is the course like? What should I be looking for? Major hills at certain points - anything to help plan my time would be appreciated. Those races that I have done before usually are more successful on future runs than my initial one.
2) We will be staying at the AS Music Resort. It does not look like it is far from the race course.

• For me, I am seeing I should be leaving the resort by 4 am to get on transportation. Is this reasonable to be ready for the race.
• For my family (4 daughters, wife), they do not want to be up that early. What would make sense for them to get to the finish by 7:30am ( my goal for WDW is to PR at 2:06)

1. The course is pretty flat. The only wrinkles are the on ramp at about mile 10.

2. So 4 is about the latest, mainly because the traffic to get to Epcot can be Epic, and the bus drivers are not regular Disney drivers, and occasionally **** happens (you should see the photo I have of a bus that tried to turn around on Epcot Center Drive and got stuck on the median.....before the race.). Plus, you have to go through security and possibly bag drop. They want you in the corrals by 5 am. BUT, if you are in later corral and don't care where in the corral you end up, 4 would be okay. Since you say you want to PR I would want to be at the front of my corrals because the crowds can be thick and it's nice to avoid that as much as possible.

The buses run from 3-5 am and 7-11. I'm not sure if the 7 am bus will get them there on time. It SHOULD, but ?? They could cab or Uber if they want to leave earlier.

 

[FFigawi]

1) What is the course like? What should I be looking for? Major hills at certain points - anything to help plan my time would be appreciated. Those races that I have done before usually are more successful on future runs than my initial one.

The course has no real hills, but there are two inclines which are short and slightly steep. The first one comes a little before mile 5 as you pass under the Seven Seas Lagoon near the Contemporary. The second is an exit ramp from World Drive onto Epcot Center Drive slightly after mile 10. Epcot Center Drive has a bit of an up and down section to it, but it's still basically flat.

 

[Eric DeMuth]

Thanks for the information. That should make for a much easier run than what I just finished. Baltimore had approximately 7-8 major hills, some were at least a 1/4- 1/2 mile long. You should see the pictures I took during the race (yes, I am one of those - but it is a way to ensure I did not go out too fast...)

I will have to see what the family wants to do. Sounds like they need to plan on leaving no later than 5am if they want to be on time. Otherwise, no dice. I may let them off the hook so they do not feel guilty.

 

[DopeyBadger]

2) We will be staying at the AS Music Resort. It does not look like it is far from the race course.

• For me, I am seeing I should be leaving the resort by 4 am to get on transportation. Is this reasonable to be ready for the race.
• For my family (4 daughters, wife), they do not want to be up that early. What would make sense for them to get to the finish by 7:30am ( my goal for WDW is to PR at 2:06)

It is a high probability that if your family is on the first bus (leaving at 7am, so get on at 6:50am) that they should make it to the finish line before you do. I'll assume you have a POT for a 2:06 HM and use last year's corralling system:



2:06 HM POT was Corral G last year.



Corral G left at ~5:54am (give or take a few minutes).

A 2:06 HM + 5:54am is 8:00am across the finish line. There is a high probability (like 99%) that your family, if on the first bus at your resort, will see you cross the finish line.

In 2016, I ran the HM in 1:43 out of Corral C (5:41am start) and crossed the finish line at ~7:24am. My family took the first bus from AKL and literally arrived at the finish line the moment I crossed (like literally walked up from the bus and saw me come across). So anyone with an estimated finish faster than 7:24am for the HM would really be cutting it close for the 7am spectator bus people to make it in time.

 

[lhermiston]

This is probably common knowledge at this point, but rD tweeted out 2019 race dates and on sale dates yesterday.

Marathon Weekend, Jan. 9-13
On Sale: April 17, 2018

Less than six months!!

#sorrynotsorry about my excitement. 2019 will be my next Disney race.

 

[rteetz]

This is probably common knowledge at this point, but rD tweeted out 2019 race dates and on sale dates yesterday.

Marathon Weekend, Jan. 9-13
On Sale: April 17, 2018

Less than six months!!

#sorrynotsorry about my excitement. 2019 will be my next Disney race.

I saw that. I might take a break in 2019 for the first time in four years.

 

[lhermiston]

I saw that. I might take a break in 2019 for the first time in four years.

I think I’m on an every other year plan for rD. Too many other trips I want to take with a limited travel budget.

 

[Eric DeMuth]

It is a high probability that if your family is on the first bus (leaving at 7am, so get on at 6:50am) that they should make it to the finish line before you do. I'll assume you have a POT for a 2:06 HM and use last year's corralling system:

View attachment 280676

2:06 HM POT was Corral G last year.

View attachment 280675

Corral G left at ~5:54am (give or take a few minutes).

A 2:06 HM + 5:54am is 8:00am across the finish line. There is a high probability (like 99%) that your family, if on the first bus at your resort, will see you cross the finish line.

In 2016, I ran the HM in 1:43 out of Corral C (5:41am start) and crossed the finish line at ~7:24am. My family took the first bus from AKL and literally arrived at the finish line the moment I crossed (like literally walked up from the bus and saw me come across). So anyone with an estimated finish faster than 7:24am for the HM would really be cutting it close for the 7am spectator bus people to make it in time.

Great information, Thanks! I am not sure where I will be posted. My only recorded half was after the cut off time, but I put down a 2:15 estimated finish time. I do not really care what time I start, tbh - If I am in the slower group, I am less likely to start off too fast. This will give me a good time to shoot for. I am going to use 2hrs from my start time as a guide for the family. If I tell them 2:15, they may not make it to the finish line!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Great information, Thanks! I am not sure where I will be posted. My only recorded half was after the cut off time, but I put down a 2:15 estimated finish time. I do not really care what time I start, tbh - If I am in the slower group, I am less likely to start off too fast. This will give me a good time to shoot for. I am going to use 2hrs from my start time as a guide for the family. If I tell them 2:15, they may not make it to the finish line!

So you're saying you entered an estimate of 2:15, but submitted no POT. If that's the case, then you may end up in the last corral.

 

[PCFriar80]

This is probably common knowledge at this point, but rD tweeted out 2019 race dates and on sale dates yesterday.

Marathon Weekend, Jan. 9-13
On Sale: April 17, 2018

Less than six months!!

#sorrynotsorry about my excitement. 2019 will be my next Disney race.

Sounds like we have a candidate to kick off the Marathon Weekend 2019 Thread?

 

[PCFriar80]

I saw that. I might take a break in 2019 for the first time in four years.

Hold that thought! Keyword: "might". Still a lot of time.....