Marathon Weekend 2019

[ANIM8R]

That out-and-back before AK is THE WORST!!!

I try to be empathetic as I never had to design a marathon course but, wow. With all of the roads at runDisney`s disposal, an out-and-back that long just seems lazy to me.

 

[ANIM8R]

Sure had a tough time with the weather todat (I'm afraid to look at my 'official time!) but I will take sun and warmth ANYTIME on a vacation. Yes, tough run but still had a blast!

Glad to have that one in the books and am anxious for all the pix to upload to MDE!

 

[jennamfeo]

That out-and-back before AK is THE WORST!!!

I try to be empathetic as I never had to design a marathon course but, wow. With all of the roads at runDisney`s disposal, an out-and-back that long just seems lazy to me.

I actually like that part because I was able to people watch and say hi to some people (@run.minnie.miles & @KattyBelle)! I also saw @CDKG but I don’t think she heard me.

 

[Z-Knight]

So ... that happened. 6:27:20
This may be the most magical race on earth, but highways are stupid, so its a one and done for me. The only bright spots on the highways were a few characters and running into @jennamfeo and @Bree a few times.
Running through the parks was fun, though.

And ... I finished my Starbucks, so it's time to see if I can find shoes that fit and head over to magic kingdom for another latte.

So what you are saying is that you are applying for the New York marathon!

 

[lhermiston]

Not to be contrarian and I can see why people don’t like it, but the half was my best/favorite race of the weekend. Coincidentally, that’s the one I was most rested for and the best I felt health-wise (my stomach has been bothering me on and off for days) all weekend.

I love the full, but the out and back and WWOS are truly heinous.

 

[ZellyB]

Weirdly each year I do the marathon I like WWoS more.

 

[FFigawi]

Weirdly each year I do the marathon I like WWoS more.

I've always liked it. The characters are usually interesting, running on the track is a nice break on your knees, and there is enough to see around you to keep from getting bored. It's the stretches on World Drive and Osceola that I'm not overly fond of.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Congratulations to all runners!!!!! Did the marathon enter from the front of MK like last year or the side by Tony's?

 

[steph0808]

This year was the first time I have run the half, and it is okay but too much highway. Unless I do Dopey, I will stick to either the 10k (boardwalk and world showcase are my favorite parts anyway) or marathon.

 

[camaker]

Weirdly each year I do the marathon I like WWoS more.

It really seemed like both the out and back and the time in WWoS were expanded this year. Anyone have a better feel for whether that’s true or not? It also felt like we hit higher mile markers prior to DHS, meaning less DHS/Resort/Epcot time.

Congratulations to all runners!!!!! Did the marathon enter from the front of MK like last year or the side by Tony's?

It entered from the front just like last year.

 

[Ariel484]

Weirdly each year I do the marathon I like WWoS more.

I agree. First year was awful because I just hadn’t realized how long we’d be there, and there was no entertainment - zero characters (I think there were also no characters the second time I ran that course too). Now that I know what to expect and they actually put characters in there, it’s way better.

 

[kleph]

I understand why folks dislike the out-and-back but, I believe, it allows Disney to get the distance in on a road without vehicles. These are pretty common on most race courses and, comparatively, it isnt that long.

My bigger issue is the number of looooong overpass hills which suck the life out of your legs. I think a big reason everyone suffers at ESPN is that section is bookeded by these. But, again, I get why Disney does it.

As for Epcot, I would have traded World Showcase today for the HM route in a heartbeat.

 

[Wendy98]

I think I saw @Wendy98 (bib 16?) exiting DHS ~8, still looking for the rest of you before my plane leaves. Keep up the work!

Yes, that was me!

 

[gmatom]

I kept wondering why they didn’t at least let us go another 50 yards on the out and back, to get a photo with the Disney World sign over the road. That would have made that stretch worth it to me. To run us right up to it then turn around was mean!

I understand why folks dislike the out-and-back but, I believe, it allows Disney to get the distance in on a road without vehicles. These are pretty common on most race courses and, comparatively, it isnt that long.

My bigger issue is the number of looooong overpass hills which suck the life out of your legs. I think a big reason everyone suffers at ESPN is that section is bookeded by these. But, again, I get why Disney does it.

As for Epcot, I would have traded World Showcase today for the HM route in a heartbeat.

 

[SarahDisney]

I kept wondering why they didn’t at least let us go another 50 yards on the out and back, to get a photo with the Disney World sign over the road. That would have made that stretch worth it to me. To run us right up to it then turn around was mean!

My guess is thats its an issue with where the legal borders of WDW property are - going out through the arch may take us off property.

 

[a-mad]

Very happy to complete my first ever Dopey this year! This whole experience has been extraordinary and I won’t soon forget my time here this week.

I’ll post more later, but just want to thank you all for the invaluable advice you’ve provided me over the past year. You guys truly are the best!

I regret not meeting any of you, but hopefully if we make this trip again in the future I can meet some of you.

@lhermiston I think I may have seen you in the mile 10 out and back. You were close to finishing and I was on the other side. I recognized you from your avatar. I was in a blue Ragnar hat and a blue Ragnar shirt. I may have given you a nod of acknowledgement... but the whole run is hazy to me right now

 

[DopeyBadger]

Congrats everyone on a wonderful weekend. It was tough not being there this year enjoying the triumphs in person. Looking forward to 2020 if I can make it happen.

 

[lhermiston]

Very happy to complete my first ever Dopey this year! This whole experience has been extraordinary and I won’t soon forget my time here this week.

I’ll post more later, but just want to thank you all for the invaluable advice you’ve provided me over the past year. You guys truly are the best!

I regret not meeting any of you, but hopefully if we make this trip again in the future I can meet some of you.

@lhermiston I think I may have seen you in the mile 10 out and back. You were close to finishing and I was on the other side. I recognized you from your avatar. I was in a blue Ragnar hat and a blue Ragnar shirt. I may have given you a nod of acknowledgement... but the whole run is hazy to me right now

Sorry if I missed you! I was checking for familiar faces, but also pretty dialed in at that point. I’m glad to hear you had an unforgettable weekend.

 

[Bree]

I ran with @jennamfeo for every race. She truly was my support system through it all. Love ya girl!

Today was a combination of what the heck was I thinking and amazing.

I knew going into the run this morning that we were looking at a minimum 6 hour finish time. Jenna and I really wanted to ride Everest and needed to kill 3 hours to do so. The first half of the course I was freaking out (mostly on the inside so I didn’t freak Jenna out). The balloon ladies started a lot sooner than I anticipated. My hamstring just didn’t want to loosen up, but a quick stop for biofreeze helped. After an epic ride on Everest I was energized and ready to take on the second half of the course.



ESPN was great. I loved running around all the different fields. There was quite a bit of shaded areas which was a welcome reprieve from the sun that was trying to burn us alive.

We saw @mrsg00fy on the path from HS to Boardwalk. She gave us the biggest hugs. I didn’t know how much I needed that hug til I got it

Did they have to pick the most tear jerking emotional songs for Epcot? Tears and laughter were the theme for this part of the course.

The finish....yup... more tears as we rounded that corner and could see the actual finish line. It’s hard to put into words the feelings I had crossing that finish line and having that medal put around my neck. It was surreal.

Random thoughts.....

Saw one course cutter on the out and back before AK. Way too easy to do it there.

Spectator snacks rock. During the half I made a u-turn for a Krispy Kreme donut. During the full I had jolly ranchers, Swedish fish, twizzlers, starburst, a Jell-O shot, chocolate and ice cold Coca Cola.

On course race bananas must be magically enchanted. Those were the best bananas I’ve ever had.

 

[huskies90]

Just woke up from a nap after being the one person in coral B to raise his hand when the announcer asked if anyone got NO sleep last night. I got myself so anxious about the heat and finishing, I could not sleep and at about 1AM just decided to stay up. No sleep, doing the half on Saturday and the heat pretty much made me give up any goal of breaking 4 hours. So I decided instead to make character stops and try to enjoy the race. I just could not stay hydrated besides stoppping and walking thru every water stop. I was pacing pretty well and stayed just ahead of the 4:15 pace group thru WWOS but then I hit the wall at mile 23 and ended up finishing @ 4:24. After getting back and showering, I walked from BLT to MK with my wife and kids so we can get pictures of all of our medals on Main Street before the kids left at 2pm to fly back to school. Then I finally got to sleep after being up for 36 hours straight. On my way now to O’Hana to celebrate!!