Marathon Weekend 2021

[PrincessV]

SAFD:
Goal #1: be able to go, enjoy, finish the marathon, and not contract COVID-19. Or the flu.
Goal #2: Ultra-Mickey - turn that marathon into a 50K by completing the extra mileage in the parking lot pre-race, plus the extra distance I know I can get on course.

Here's hoping!

 

[YawningDodo]

SAFD/Goals:

1. Complete my first marathon (technically a PR if I finish at all, so also: set a PR for the marathon)
2. Avoid injury
3. Avoid illness (I tend to get sick on Disney trips even under normal circumstances, so I'll need to take better care of myself)

Bonuses would be getting at least one character photo on the course and/or riding Expedition Everest, but we'll see how things are actually looking out on the course before attempting anything beyond the run itself. I'm still working toward building myself up to where I can meet the pace minimum, so I'm very focused on just running the race, period.

Weirdly enough, I think having to cancel the mini-trip I'd booked for September has actually helped me feel better about the possibility of missing out on other things. It's sad and frustrating, but I'm feeling calmer about everything in general. If MW goes virtual I won't be running it this year since I don't want my first marathon to be a virtual one, especially not when I'd have to run it completely alone in the dead of Montana winter, but that's okay. If I can't run it this January I can aim for 2022, and it'll give me an opportunity to run some more half marathons locally next summer and probably get a better first PR.

 

[FFigawi]

Goal #2: Ultra-Mickey - turn that marathon into a 50K by completing the extra mileage in the parking lot pre-race, plus the extra distance I know I can get on course.

You can also pick up an easy 3/4 of a mile by counting the trek from the parking lot to the corrals, assuming the traditional layout doesn’t change any.

 

[PrincessV]

You can also pick up an easy 3/4 of a mile by counting the trek from the parking lot to the corrals, assuming the traditional layout doesn’t change any.

I clocked 1.5ish from my car to the start once! And my first WDW Marathon came in at 27+ miles with too much swerving. I figure I can count on 27 during the race, another 3 pre-race, and if I get to EP and still need distance, that's an easy place to wander off course a bit lol!

 

[Jason Bryer]

Off topic, but is anyone considering the NYC virtual (@rteetz, I know you are)? Does anyone know what time registration opens Tuesday? Any strategies for getting one of those first 1,000 spots that guarantee entry into a later, in-person race?

I know it's a long shot, but *someone* has to get those spots and one of them might as well be me.

Did you get a registration? I tried but was in the queue for over an hour.

 

[stitchsnk]

I am a little late, but SAFD Goals for MW:

• Do not take the races so seriously!
• Enjoy the 5K with my husband so he wants to run more races with me
  • ties into bullet point 1: do not take the race so serious!
• Wear costumes for my races! (5K, 10K, HM)

 

[GuinnessRunner]

Well after suffering through injury for almost 4 months after Dopey that kept running to a minimum, I had said that I would be taking MW off this year. But, shockingly, as time passed, so did my resolve to skip this year. However, I decided to (1) keep it to only the HM this year and (2) run for charity. So I can officially participate again in the SAFD discussion!

My goals:

1) Sub 2:10 for the HM. That would be a Disney PR for me.
2) Have the courage to make the meet-up(s)
3) Volunteer on course or help my charity on marathon morning.

 

[DisneyJacket]

Greetings all. Going to attempt my first Disney Marathon (done 3 of the 4 Halves so far) and curious about resorts in 2021 from a spectator point of view (I saw several pages back the comments about resorts but seemed to be from a runners POV). I normally stay at Coronado Springs and find the transportation to the start/finish to be a positive experience. This year, given that I am attempting the Marathon, my wife is going to join and cheer me on. We are booked at the Poly due to the fact that I think she could see me up to 3 times in the race from that location with minimal effort (once at the TTC, once running by the GF, and once at the finish. Curious of two things:

1. What do you think are the odds of the monorail to Epcot will be back up and running for 2021?
2. Are there any better strategies for optimal places to stay for a spectator of the race?

I appreciate any and all thoughts on the matter.

 

[garneska]

@DisneyJacket My DH is usually the spectator and yes Poly is the optimal place to stay to easily see people multiple times. Plus you can head back in and get decent coffee. As to the monorail being open no idea. Still staying at the poly she should be able to see you 3 different times and if the monorail is running she can get to the finish. That being said another option is skip the finish and catch a bus to AK or get to boardwalk.

 

[The Expert]

Late to the party because I was AT WDW this past (extended) weekend!

SAFD:
1. Complete my training at least as well as last year.
2. Arrange for cooler weather and no course cut-offs to get the full 26.2 in on the course this time.
3. Ride Everest (again).
4. Cross the finish with a drink again).
5. Stay the extra day to participate in DATW!

 

[Sleepy425]

SAFD:
1. Drag myself out of bed for the 10k and full to spectate at in the Boardwalk area
2. PR the half (it won't be hard, my only other one was this year's Marathon Weekend and I was NOT prepared for that humidity)
3. Be more social at the pre-race meetup. (a huge thank you to @camaker for chatting with me and making me feel more comfortable at the 10k meetup this year)

 

[Jason Bryer]

SAFD: Still considering goals since I just able to register, but here we go...
1. Run the marathon, and hopefully be able to upgrade to the Goofy, but be happy with anything. Excited that this will be my fourth year running!
2. Maintain my sub four hour time.
3. (Not my goal per se) have the choir back at mile 26.
4. DATW

Not having races to break up training this fall will be interesting. However, our local running group has reorganized a half marathon for August 29th to adhere to CDC recommendations. Interesting approach by grouping people by zip code, you wait next to your car, and they start runners 2 at a time to get 40 across the start line every 5 minutes. The original course was mostly on a narrow 8 foot or so course. The new course looks to be mostly wide roads. Don't think this would work for Disney, but I like people getting creative. Those interested can see more here including a short video about the start and finish: https://www.helderbergtohudsonhalf.com/#

 

[andrea0407]

SAFD:
1. Commit to my training so I can finish my first marathon and still enjoy the race and the parks after!
2. Ride Everest
3. Don’t worry about time— just have as much fun as possible to celebrate making it through a training program in these crazy times!

 

[lhermiston]

Did you get a registration? I tried but was in the queue for over an hour.

I didn’t make it. Bailed after about 40 minutes and signed up for the virtual that evening.

 

[lhermiston]

Good morning, runDisney all-stars!

We’ve got another excellent guest submission from @princesspirateandrunner for this week’s Sundays are for Disney. She asks what is everyone’s favorite ride vehicle?

1. PeopleMover - most relaxing
2. Kilamanjaro Safari - best theme
3. Buzz Lightyear - because lasers

Have a safe and healthy week, everyone!

 

[rteetz]

RotR - it has its own personal droid
ToT - technically speaking is pretty amazing since it moves in several different ways
Peoplemover is definitely the most relaxing

 

[FFigawi]

We’ve got another excellent guest submission from @princesspirateandrunner for this week’s Sundays are for Disney. She asks what is everyone’s favorite ride vehicle?

Tower of Terror
Peoplemover
Mexico - you can fit a lot of DATW drunks in one of those

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

Thanks, Lee! I’m really interested to see what everyone thinks. That said, it’s hard to pick my own favorites! There are so many great ones, but I’ll go with:
1. The Doom Buggy
2. Big Thunder Mountain Trains
3. The Teacups

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

DH also is a Doom Buggy fan, but suggests that the all-time best is “The Nautilus” from “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” Whenever he sees it on the marathon course, we have to stop for a picture.

 

[lhermiston]

1. The Doom Buggy
2. Big Thunder Mountain Trains
3. The Teacups

Definitely three of the most iconic, along with Dumbo.