I keep thinking about my ADRs and just can't decide if I will go to the parks the day of the Marathon.
Do you go to the parks post-marathon? Why or why not?
I'm currently having serious second thoughts about whether or not I truly want to run the marathon. But if I do, I absolutely will go to a park after the marathon. I always go to the parks after all other races I've run at Disney.
You bet. I was at Epcot until just before park close. But, that’s how I tend to vacation - up early, squeeze in as much as possible, go to bed late. I can sleep when I’m back home. If I’m at Disney, I want to be in the parks.
You and me both. I can be tired and sore in my hotel room or I can be tired and sore in a theme park.
I have never worn my medal in a park. And now I feel like I have been missing out. Haha.
I always wear my medal. If I did a challenge, I'll wear multiple medals for certain photos, but always at least one. If not for runners wearing their medals around the parks and explaining to me just what a 16 minute per mile pace really meant, I never would have signed up for this. Whether or not I've convinced someone else to give this a chance, I don't know. But if a non runner ever asks me about my medal and wants one for themselves, I will always take the time to try and encourage them that they really can do it.
I have never not worn my medals in the parks.
People congratulate you and stuff.
Unless your theme park review who openly on social media has made fun of runners.
I enjoy the camaraderie I feel with other runners. I will never forget the lady happily and excitedly wearing her very first medal from the 5K on the day of the Avengers Half. Her enthusiasm and excitement was palpable. If people think they should make fun of others who want to challenge themselves through consistent exercise, they'll be rewarded appropriately. Maybe not soon, but it will happen.
DEFINITELY - I go to the parks the day of the marathon.
After my very first half marathon, I made the mistake of going to a baseball game later that day (April in Cleveland...brrrr) and sat for 3+ hrs without moving - I didn't know any better. It was the worst mistake I've EVER made related to running. I am not embellishing one bit when I tell you that lack of activity impaired my entire summer of running because I didn't properly recover after even "just" a half.
So definitely hit the parks and do a good bit of walking to get that lactic acid out that has accumulated in your legs. You will not regret it (like I did!).
I definitely see a difference in how my legs feel the day after a long run if I do sit around all day after the long run or make some attempt to at least move around. Do you want to almost guarantee intense soreness the day after a long race? Then do nothing after that long race.
They're just jealous!
Fair warning
@jennamfeo the medals are heavy on your neck! By day 2 we took to only using them in/as picture props. Also: DD wanted nothing to do with her medal by day 2 as well.
Last year, I carried all my Star Wars medals that I wasn't wearing around the parks with me for 2 days in my camera bag. I really felt it and only carried the most meaningful for specific photos the rest of the trip. I jokingly call the pictures with all 9 of my runDisney medals around my neck last year the neck brace photo.
I did after the half in January as it was my one chance to get pictures with my medal on Main Street, with Eeyore, with Donald and with Mickey. Also had a real fun photo interaction with Chip and Dale- and a photopass photographer who got it all. While the walking I did that day was not fun by any means it kept me from stiffening up and I am convinced that Sunday was less painful because of it. I will be going after the Marathon in January for the same reasons.
Agree with those that say the medals get heavy; I carried my 2 in a bag that day and put on the one I wanted the photo with.
Character interactions are a huge reason why I wear the medals. Chip and Dale are so much fun if you have a medal or tell them you're running. One year the three of us did jumping jacks to help me warm up for the race the next day and Dale likes to eat the medal. And if you're getting medal photos with characters themed to the race you ran, they will take it up a notch. Kylo Ren thought our values were aligned because of my Dark Side medals and tersely replied "we do not speak of him" when I showed him the Millenium Falcon medal.
