hi all, first time Disney runner and poster here... I just discovered these boards and have been reading back looking for tips/answers to my questions before I ask the same thing again. I'm finally allowing myself to plan/get excited now that it's so close and it *seems* like my injuries won't hold me back from running the full- my first one. Any advice/reassurance is appreciated!
1) my only goal is to run the whole thing- some of this is stubbornness, but a lot of it is that my knees will seize up if I stop moving them and it's really hard to get going again. I'm in corral C and don't plan on stopping for photos, and am hoping to average a 10ish minute pace (though my training has all been in 30-50 degree weather, I think I will naturally slow down in the heat). From what I've read so far it seems like a crowded course is my biggest barrier- should I try extra hard to get to the front of the corral, or do you think I will be ok anywhere in there?
2) I know I won't sleep well the night before no matter what... though I'm not running any other races, I have a friend in the half that I could go cheer for (she's not expecting it). Do you think saving the sleep wherever I can get it is better, or is it worth getting up early leading up to Sunday to try to "acclimate" to the early risings? I arrive on Thursday and and am staying at Pop Century.
3) While I'm not stopping for photos, I really want to take some myself! I tried to figure out a way not to run with my phone, though I am used to keeping it in a waist pocket and getting blurry shots as I go by things. Does anyone else do this and have tips for running photography, ie know of an app that turns your whole phone into a shutter button so I don't have to pay attention to where I'm pressing as I go, or have experience using a mini handheld remote?
4) I'd love to get a massage on Sunday or Monday if there is availability, is there a specific spa that you like more than another?
5) I'm running/traveling solo- I've heard such good things about this race and I can't wait to meet people! It's not weird that I have reservations at Cinderella's castle as a grown adult, right? If anyone else is eating dinner there alone Sunday evening at 8:40 come find me!