Marathon Weekend 2019

[TCB in FLA]

Coach busses have storage underneath...its the matter of has anyone fully confirmed this. I will say I am feeling very lost here with this planning. This is my husbands first Disney run event. Last event I spectated was the MCM years ago when no kids were involved and i was with people who knew DC like they lived there...oh cause they did.

In the past five years of RD events, I have not seen anyone use under bus storage. Not saying it’s not possible, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Can we help clarify anything for you to make the planning easier?

 

[margot31]

In the past five years of RD events, I have not seen anyone use under bus storage. Not saying it’s not possible, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Can we help clarify anything for you to make the planning easier?

That is why I am here trying to clarify if I can put my stroller on the bus. While I will have my car the whole point of us staying on property is to be able to do all transportation available to us. Including event transportation. I found an ask question part on run disney and it said they should get back to me in 3 days.

 

[margot31]

You can find information for spectators here: https://guide.rundisney.events/reminders/spectators/

My two cents: ask your husband what kind of expectations he has for you spectating and make sure those expectations are reasonable. My family watched me finish the marathon at Epcot. That was it and it worked well since we were able to take the bus back to our resort together. You can get into MK free to spectate the marathon (but not stay for rides, etc.), but will need a ticket to observe in any of the other parks. There are loads of other "free" places you can spectate from, such as the Animal Kingdom parking lot or Wide World of Sports. Signing up for runner tracking will help you keep tabs on your husbands progress. If you know his pace, it shouldn't be too hard to have a general idea of when he will be at certain points during the race.

If you just search for tips online, I'm sure you'll find plenty. Others on here may have some tips, as well.

He wants me and the kids to run around like i did years ago at the MCM one (pre kids) and while I support this I am trying to figure out everything so I can plan accordingly. He is only doing the half marathon...so I would bus over to epcot, get on the monorail...get my way over to MK....return back to epcot. But its the part of resort to epcot part I am trying to figure out. While I have my car we are trying to avoid using the car.

 

[TCB in FLA]

That is why I am here trying to clarify if I can put my stroller on the bus. While I will have my car the whole point of us staying on property is to be able to do all transportation available to us. Including event transportation. I found an ask question part on run disney and it said they should get back to me in 3 days.

If you can fold up the stroller and fit it in a coach bus seat, you’ll be fine.

 

[margot31]

If you can fold up the stroller and fit it in a coach bus seat, you’ll be fine.

Its a double running stroller...I have been warned while my 4 year old is good I think the waiting and all would be best in that stroller vs my single stroller where my 2 year old would be.

 

[cavepig]

Half is stop for characters.
Full is run for time unless I fall apart, then I'll stop some probably.
Any hotel I'd pick - Boardwalk maybe (to walk back to after the marathon and not sit on a bus)
After the race we'll go to MK. No special ADR based on 2 failed ADRs in the past after the marathon.

My plan is to do 9-10 min miles throughout the challenge and finish uninjured. My knee has just been a bother lately so I've been taking it easy and stretching a ton.

While doing the marathon part of Dopey, if you get say knee pain/ injury, would you finish the run or call it quits if it's a level of pain that you can mentally accept and run with. If stopping and tending to it, is there a cutoff distance where you'd personally just finish?

Like mile 5 of marathon, I would probably stop, but say mile 20, I'd probably be stubborn and finish it.

I would stubbornly finish and just slow way down and add walk intervals. In 2016 I was very ill from a food related sickness the night before. I was dehydrated, woozy, weak and shouldn't have started or continued. I was stubborn, it hurt, I cried, but I finished with more walking than I'd ever imagined. I didn't do any long lasting damage so to me it wasn't a dumb decision. At the time and being forced into medical after, yeah it seemed totally dumb to do. So, I guess if it's not going to cause long lasting damage personally I would do it and just modify pace and run/walk. Galloway intervals are life savers

2. It appears we can't bring bags except for the clear ones that they supply us? What do people use to carry their phones for pictures?

I use an armband for my phone. I just have to use lots of Vaseline around it so it doesn't chafe if hot/humid.

I will be spectating and wondering how it works with busses and little kids (stroller needed) do the buses allow me to put the stroller underneath? Also can I have balloons on the bus? We want to make sure my runner can see us and we thought a ballon would be a good idea as he runs.

I've never seen anyone store anything under the race buses. Balloons as long as they don't hit people are probably fine on the bus.

I’m dealing with tight hips and glutes, but it’s not hindering me. I’m just super stiff after sitting to watch tv or in the car.

oh gosh Tight hips and glutes totally going on here, like I felt like the Tinman all last week after my peak mileage week. It's better today after cutting the mileage way back this week and 2 days off versus just 1. Being mindful of stretching and using my buffer is helping I guess too. Hopefully tapering down will help you out.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

User name: ChasingDopey
First name: Bobby
Corral: A
Half pace: 8:00-8:30 (While running. I think.)
Stopping for characters: Yes! If I can get ahead of the lines, I'll go for every picture.

How is everyone's training going? Are we all tapering? Feeling good and ready to rock in less than two weeks?
I spent the last 6 weeks busting it out trying to hit a goal for the year, which I finally hit yesterday! There was nothing 13.1 specific, as this race will be more for fun, and as a training run for a full in February.

What's your race strategy going to be (running, run/walk, stopping for characters, going for PRs, drinks, rides, etc.)?
Get out a little fast and try to stay ahead of the picture lines. Otherwise, testing out marathon pace hopping from picture stops.

If you could stay at any hotel for race weekend, where would you stay?
The Contemporary is home, even though we haven't been in a long time. (A professional connection that made it affordable dried up. We'll make it back one day.)

How are you celebrating after your race(s)?
Dinde BLT at fake France!

If resolutions are your thing (Disney-related or otherwise) and you want to share those, feel free.
Keep up with rD DIS better, for sure! Y'all don't make it easy.

 

[rteetz]

OK good thing i asked...now getting two different answers. I was told in a post i made the busses are coach busses not disney busses. I'll have my double running stroller which isn't exactly small.

They are coach buses for race transportation. If you are taking buses to the parks you carry it on with you.

 

[rteetz]

I've never seen anyone store anything under the race buses. Balloons as long as they don't hit people are probably fine on the bus.

I’ve seen wheelchairs stored below.

 

[margot31]

They are coach buses for race transportation. If you are taking buses to the parks you carry it on with you.

I am trying to get to Epcot to go watch my husband run....so my understanding is normal disney busses are not running at that time. I will go into the parks for pleasure later in the day after we are refreshed from his run and getting up super early. I am a normal disney goer so that I have mastered

 

[rteetz]

In the past five years of RD events, I have not seen anyone use under bus storage. Not saying it’s not possible, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Can we help clarify anything for you to make the planning easier?

I’ve seen wheelchairs put below. Whether it’s a hand cycle or an actually wheelchair.

 

[rteetz]

I am trying to get to Epcot to go watch my husband run....so my understanding is normal disney busses are not running at that time. I will go into the parks for pleasure later in the day after we are refreshed from his run and getting up super early. I am a normal disney goer so that I have mastered

Yes so you would likely be taking race transportation which they should allow you to store your stroller below.

 

[Bree]

oh gosh Tight hips and glutes totally going on here, like I felt like the Tinman all last week after my peak mileage week. It's better today after cutting the mileage way back this week and 2 days off versus just 1. Being mindful of stretching and using my buffer is helping I guess too. Hopefully tapering down will help you out.

Hahaha!!!! I feel like a penguin when I get out of bed and waddle my way downstairs.

 

[roxymama]

How are things going: I think I’ve reached the “don’t get sick, don’t step on anything, don’t have bad weather” crossing my toes part of training!!

Where would I stay: I’d love to go back to BLT bc of the great walk to MK and back (Helps to cut down on one mode of transportation since race weekends involve so many buses to expo and races and back) and I’ve always dreamed of Poly or Grand for any vacation.

How am I celebrating: with afternoon tea at GF on Sat. and hopefully staying up until midnight after closing out MK!

 

[Smilelea]

How is everyone's training going? Are we all tapering? Feeling good and ready to rock in less than two weeks?

After almost 3 weeks off in November due to shin splints, I'm thrilled to say I'm back on my training plan at least as far as distance goes. I've had to keep my pacing at easy/long run so no tempo/speed paces or strides. But that's okay. I did my last long run yesterday. Longest run ever at 8.25 miles. (Coach - I promise I walked after 75 mins. I just had to cover the distance (mental hurdle ). The last .25 was to get back to my car. )
So now I am officially tapering. Woohoo! I'm feeling great - except now I have a cold .

What's your race strategy going to be (running, run/walk, stopping for characters, going for PRs, drinks, rides, etc.)?

Half - I plan to run until I see a character I want to meet that also has a fairly short line. Then back to running. My strategy is to run when not stopped for characters, etc. I have a pace in mind but I have no problem with slowing it down to even easy pace if needed. I will finish!

If you could stay at any hotel for race weekend, where would you stay?

I vote Poly as well. We are spending our last 2 nights there but that isn't until marathon weekend is over. It is our 2nd home resort but we own less points there so couldn't get availability for the first part of the weekend.

How are you celebrating after your race(s)?

Sanaa! It's a new-to-us restaurant that I've been wanting to try. We have quite a few other ADRs - some new and some old favorites. I also plan to check out the expo merchandise and maybe get a personalized ornament.

If resolutions are your thing (Disney-related or otherwise) and you want to share those, feel free.

Not much of a resolution person anymore. I do plan to continue trying to get healthier when it comes to eating (after Disney of course). I have a few new races in mind and I'm considering starting training for a full marathon. However, DH would prefer I not run the one in April as he thinks it's too soon after dealing with my injury and running my first half only 3 months prior. We shall see...

 

[steph0808]

How is everyone's training going? Are we all tapering? Feeling good and ready to rock in less than two weeks?

I did 12 miles today. I was going to do 10, but I ran into three people from my running club who were doing 12, so well, I did 12. It made me feel good because I haven't done a long run in three weeks because of sickness and Christmas. Now it's taper time!

What's your race strategy going to be (running, run/walk, stopping for characters, going for PRs, drinks, rides, etc.)?

Running the whole time, not sure on my pace, probably somewhere between 8-9 minutes per mile. Characters - perhaps. I'm planning to be at the front of B corral to help reduce any lines. If there is someone I really want, I'll stop. I'm disappointed that I didn't stop for DuckTales and Up at the 2018 marathon.

If you could stay at any hotel for race weekend, where would you stay?

I'd stay at any monorail resort - probably Gland Floridian, Polynesian, then Contemporary.

Other than that, I'm staying at AKV Jambo and am psyched!!! My first trip to Disney was wayyyyy back in 1995 and we saw them building Animal Kingdom then. The park and the lodge have always held a spot in my heart since then.

How are you celebrating after your race(s)?

All-I-can-eat breakfast at Boma!

Never been and am excited!

 

[Keels]

He wants me and the kids to run around like i did years ago at the MCM one (pre kids) and while I support this I am trying to figure out everything so I can plan accordingly. He is only doing the half marathon...so I would bus over to epcot, get on the monorail...get my way over to MK....return back to epcot. But its the part of resort to epcot part I am trying to figure out. While I have my car we are trying to avoid using the car.

I think you need to have a talk about expectations with him because I feel like this is a plan that could potentially end in disappointment for him and lots of frustration for you.

I would throw money at the problem and have a Minnie Van pick me, the kids and the stroller up at the resort and drop me off at the Contemporary (I don’t think you’ll be able to be dropped off at the bus loop, so that’s why I’m not suggesting MK for the drop-off). Pop the stroller up, put the kids in it and walk over to MK and find a spot. Then after you see him, you can roll onto the monorail to TTC and back to Epcot to find a spot ... you won’t be able to roll a stroller up to the finish line at all because there are bleachers, so the best spot is actually IN Epcot between the Ball and the bathrooms on the right side (if you are facing the park entrance). Y’all can hug and high-five him (13 mile marker is right past that) and then stroll out to meet him in the parking lot finish area.

 

[baxter24]

Training: Training has been fine. I don’t think it was the best I could have done but it got a lot harder this time around juggling the kids schedules, vacation, etc. I know I will finish and I am good with that. What concerns me the most is the weather. I can handle running in the cold but a slightly warmer temp concerns me more since it’s been mostly in the 40s and low 50s when I’ve been running. Taper is happening now and I had my first moment of panic yesterday when I freaked that I hadn’t done as many higher mileage back to backs that I should have.

Race strategy: The plan is to run the whole time for the half and full but will run/walk if I need to. Character stops are happening for sure as long as the lines aren’t too long.

Hotel: I am staying at Pop but I would love to stay at the Boardwalk. We stayed there two weeks ago on vacation and I loved it.

Post race celebration: Hitting up the Magic Kingdom for some rides, characters, and Happily Ever After

 

[pluto377]

Good morning, runDisney all-stars, and welcome to the final Sundays are for Disney of 2018! It's hard to believe the year is almost over and, oh yeah, marathon weekend festivities kickoff in nine days!

So, let's finish the year with a bang and some of the questions I have left on my little SAFD list. How is everyone's training going? Are we all tapering? Feeling good and ready to rock in less than two weeks?

What's your race strategy going to be (running, run/walk, stopping for characters, going for PRs, drinks, rides, etc.)?

If you could stay at any hotel for race weekend, where would you stay?

How are you celebrating after your race(s)?

If resolutions are your thing (Disney-related or otherwise) and you want to share those, feel free.

Training/tapering- This was week 1 of my taper. I did 6 miles today and felt pretty good. I've been staying on track since I was sick about three weeks ago. I feel confident about all the races except the marathon.

Race strategy- I've been doing 3/1 intervals through training, but I'm toying with the idea of switching to 2/1 for the marathon. I'll be starting each race running, stopping for characters only during 5K, 10K and Half if I really like them, and I'll switch to full on walking at the end if needed. I'm not here to set any PRs.

Hotel- I'd love to stay at the Poly! Last time I was there was for marathon weekend in 2010 and it was so darn cold we didn't get to spend any time enjoying the lovely outdoor parts of the resort. That said, I'm super excited for my first stay at AKL.

After race- My Christmas present for my DH was to fly him in Sunday morning so he can meet me at the hotel after the marathon. We are planning on HS that evening and will celebrate at MK and Storybook Dining on Monday.

Resolutions- Run at least as many miles at this year (hopefully more).

I think you need to have a talk about expectations with him because I feel like this is a plan that could potentially end in disappointment for him and lots of frustration for you.

I totally agree. I would never take this on with a 4 and 2 year old. Sounds like a lot of hassle for you for very little reward. I'd let the kids sleep and hang with them at the hotel and then celebrate with a fun meal after.

 

[garneska]

I think you need to have a talk about expectations with him because I feel like this is a plan that could potentially end in disappointment for him and lots of frustration for you.

Omg @Keels that is the most awesome thing and have been thinking that on all the posts by @margot31. I really think just going to Epcot at the end may be the best and least frustrating for everyone.