Marathon Weekend 2019

[Dis_Yoda]

Advice: My advice is for spectators- friends and family. Spectate if you can. It was so fun to follow DH around and meet up with him a different points. I even got to 'beer' him right before he got to Epcot.

Question: Tell me the truth: How bad was getting to the start from a monorail resort?

Could have no issues - or you could be rushed if the monorail isn’t working and delayed like what happened to us the inaugural dark side. That seems like an outlier though.

 

[rteetz]

On the one hand, this makes me happy.
On the other hand ... this is coming from someone who has more shoes than I do.

You say that like it’s a bad thing!

 

[rteetz]

Question: Tell me the truth: How bad was getting to the start from a monorail resort?

I had absolutely 0 issues this year coming from Bay Lake Tower. Now there was a wait post race and it’s a bit of a hassle getting back through security with everything to the monorail.

 

[bevcgg]

I would prepare for all weather outcomes. In 2017, it went from about 80 to 35 in two days. I’m pretty sure I saw people wrapped up in towels, comforters and anything else from their rooms that wasn’t nailed down just to stay warm before the start.

I’m planning on hitting up some consignment stores to get used sweatshirts, hats and gloves that I can wear and then pitch.

I was at the paint store last week for paint- but was eyeing the Tyvek "paint" clothes that were the same thing being sold at the expo for $10-$15 each. The pack I saw last week was 5 sets for $30. Something to think about as the time gets closer!

 

[bevcgg]

Also ... is there such things as too many pairs of shoes? I'm contemplating adding a third shoe into my rotation in a few months ... but I'm not sure if bringing three pairs of shoes for three races is too much or if I should stick to two pairs. Unclear if I will have room in my suitcase for all three pairs (although the 5K shoes go in my carryon), since I'll also be bringing at least two pairs of park shoes and a pair of heels (those are not for the parks ... probably).

This made me laugh! I have already been thinking about just HOW many pairs I will be bringing! 3 running shoes, Recovery shoes (oofos), park shoes- usually 2 pair there and shoes that can mange trudging through snow back to car one the way home. Crazy!!! That will only be matched by all the running layers I will bring and my stick, foot massager balls, ice roller etc. Packing will be interesting!!

 

[flav]

One advice that I got from this board and that I want to pass on is: If you are flying, have at least one of your running essentials as carry-on i.e. for me, one pair of running shoes, full set of clothing and, in the transparent bag for liquid and gel, one set of fuel. I also had a set of fuel in my check-in bag in case the carry-on was refused somehow.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Oh a tip on flying...if you have epsom salts, don't be shocked to see the TSA reviewed your luggage and leave a note inside. This has happened to us everytime we've flown to Disneyland for the races.

 

[cavepig]

SAFD:
I love all the advice!

My question is this: Do they ever close off the lines for characters pre-race? I know they've had to do it at least once for the Star Wars races, but I don't remember seeing it happen when I've been there. Pre-race characters are very important to me.
Also ... is there such things as too many pairs of shoes? I'm contemplating adding a third shoe into my rotation in a few months ... but I'm not sure if bringing three pairs of shoes for three races is too much or if I should stick to two pairs. Unclear if I will have room in my suitcase for all three pairs (although the 5K shoes go in my carryon), since I'll also be bringing at least two pairs of park shoes and a pair of heels (those are not for the parks ... probably).

I don't think they cut off the character lines for marathon weekend pre-race as it's all in one location, but I've never stuck around long enough to find out or hear them saying they were going to.

You have 3 races so 3 shoes doesn't seem strange at all. Some people bring 4 for 4 races I've read. If you have room pack 'em as it's better to have them then wish you had them.

 

[baxter24]

SAFD: I’d echo everyone saying you need at least two pairs of running shoes. I brought two pair (same type) and it worked for me. I also recommend having at least one days worth of running stuff in your carry on just in case something happens to your luggage. Dopey last year was the only time I ever ran without headphones and I really enjoyed it. The only time I wished I had brought them was the long trek from animal kingdom to WWoS and getting through most of WWoS also known as everyone’s not some favorite place to run through!

 

[SarahDisney]

I have one more question that I was reminded of when I saw a post from @cavepig on Instagram.
Does the gospel choir sing gospel music or secular music (or do they not sing at all and just cheer)?
I need to whether or not my music needs to be loud enough to drown it out...

 

[camaker]

I have one more question that I was reminded of when I saw a post from @cavepig on Instagram.
Does the gospel choir sing gospel music or secular music (or do they not sing at all and just cheer)?
I need to whether or not my music needs to be loud enough to drown it out...

They definitely sing. I don't know their full repertoire, but when I ran by last year during the half they were singing "We Are the Champions" by Queen. So it's either all secular or a mix. I'm so tired by that point in the race just having them there provides a little boost of energy through the finish, but not much registers in the way of specific songs. The only reason We Are the Champions stuck with me was that I was sick during the weekend and thought I was done at that point, so that particular song added just a bit more demoralization to the race. That's on me, not their choice of music, though.

 

[braycon]

I have one more question that I was reminded of when I saw a post from @cavepig on Instagram.
Does the gospel choir sing gospel music or secular music (or do they not sing at all and just cheer)?
I need to whether or not my music needs to be loud enough to drown it out...

They definitely sing. I believe it's gospel music, but I'm usually running by there so quickly I can't tell. It sounds like gospel music to me.

 

[rteetz]

I have one more question that I was reminded of when I saw a post from @cavepig on Instagram.
Does the gospel choir sing gospel music or secular music (or do they not sing at all and just cheer)?
I need to whether or not my music needs to be loud enough to drown it out...

I dont remember any specific songs they sing. I want to say I have heard them sing all sorts of things and there are videos online of them. I’ve seen them just dancing and cheering as well probably in between songs.

 

[ZellyB]

I have one more question that I was reminded of when I saw a post from @cavepig on Instagram.
Does the gospel choir sing gospel music or secular music (or do they not sing at all and just cheer)?
I need to whether or not my music needs to be loud enough to drown it out...

It's a mix I feel pretty sure. I know the first year I ran it, it was some kind of Hallelujah chorus (not THE Hallelujah chorus, but something like that), but I also know I've heard them sing secular music. However, like others have said you are honestly by them so quickly you don't hear more than a few bars of the music. They aren't amplified crazy loud or anything, but I found them to be a great boost as you make those last few turns. They usually have tons of energy and are excited for you.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

SAFD (in my case, Monday Mornings ):

Advice: I've only done Princess, but I think general advice for any rD race is to focus on the good and let go of the not so good. I was worried about crowding, poor expo, long waits, but by consciously choosing to be positive, none of that stuff bothered me and I had a great time.
Also, stop for the castle photo. It's worth it!

Question: I really ask my questions as they come to me, but something I'm really nervous about is being so sore after the marathon, that I'm unable to hit the parks. If someone wants to reassure me that this won't be the case.. I'd appreciate it!

 

[SheHulk]

SAFD (in my case, Monday Mornings ):

Advice: I've only done Princess, but I think general advice for any rD race is to focus on the good and let go of the not so good. I was worried about crowding, poor expo, long waits, but by consciously choosing to be positive, none of that stuff bothered me and I had a great time.
Also, stop for the castle photo. It's worth it!

Question: I really ask my questions as they come to me, but something I'm really nervous about is being so sore after the marathon, that I'm unable to hit the parks. If someone wants to reassure me that this won't be the case.. I'd appreciate it!

One rule of the marathon is that you cannot predict how you will feel after the marathon. I've finished feeling great and I've finished with a knee swollen to the size of a small cantaloupe. I never let it keep me out of the parks though. Most likely if you are sore you can just take some Advil and carry on. You're tough enough to finish a marathon, you're tough enough to have some fun afterward!

 

[run.minnie.miles]

You're tough enough to finish a marathon, you're tough enough to have some fun afterward!

I love this! So true!

 

[MissLiss279]

I love this! So true!

And even if you are sore, the best thing to help that soreness is to keep walking around. Maybe take a short break, but then get in the park and walk around some.

 

[ZellyB]

SAFD (in my case, Monday Mornings ):

Advice: I've only done Princess, but I think general advice for any rD race is to focus on the good and let go of the not so good. I was worried about crowding, poor expo, long waits, but by consciously choosing to be positive, none of that stuff bothered me and I had a great time.
Also, stop for the castle photo. It's worth it!

Question: I really ask my questions as they come to me, but something I'm really nervous about is being so sore after the marathon, that I'm unable to hit the parks. If someone wants to reassure me that this won't be the case.. I'd appreciate it!

You'll be sore, but you can (and should) hit the parks. You don't even need to see the medals around people's necks to know who ran the marathon. You can tell by the way they are walking. LOL

 

[SarahDisney]

Question: I really ask my questions as they come to me, but something I'm really nervous about is being so sore after the marathon, that I'm unable to hit the parks. If someone wants to reassure me that this won't be the case.. I'd appreciate it!

I can do one better: Even if you're too sore for the parks, I'll drag you to Hollywood Studios for EMH anyway