Marathon Weekend 2021

[Bree]

SAFD: Trying to run as much as possible. I’m signed up for the Not Marathon Weekend Virtual Half. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get to WDW this weekend, but now I can go so I’m scrambling to get a resort reservation and volunteers to help with the horses. My plan is to run the half early Saturday morning. I’m also signed up for Princess Virtual Challenge and one live race in March (Best Damn 10K). I think it’s still live. I haven’t checked in a couple months

 

[Disney at Heart]

Driving down to WDW tomorrow. We’ve already done our virtual, but will do maintenance runs WFSat and then MW of next week. We got a magical Disney upgrade from POFQ to GF, so we’ll be running around the Poly-SoG-GF-to MK route. Can’t wait to cheer for those wearing costumes, rD shirts, bibs, etc.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:
I am in my taper for the Virtual Dopey. I have decided to run the races each day Thursday - Sunday. I may start later in the morning if it is icy (Michigan Weather). Does not take much ice to ruin a run, or a year of runs, as I have had to learn the hard way. After the virtual dopey I have Groundhogs Day Marathon coming up in February. Then it is time for training for my big race in 2021, the Woodstock 100 in September. Very excited to begin that training!

I am sad that MW is not happening as by now this thread would be bursting with updates of people getting to airports, heading to/in WDW, conversations on weather conditions, ADR’s, and as each of the race days passed there would be lots of race reports and congrats to share. I will miss all that this week! For those running virtual this week, send out updates. I would love to hear how it is going!

Hopefully soon we can set our sights on 2022 MW!

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: No racing, no training, and I can't even go enjoy running in a favorite park anymore because the other people there refuse to either wear masks or provide adequate physical distance. I'm spending a lot more time running on sidewalks and on roads, just trying to avoid people.

 

[Jason Bryer]

SAFD: I have mostly been doing 6 mile runs about 5 times a week, sometimes throwing a longer 10+ mile run on the weekend to maintain some distance running. I did an in person half in November that went very well and thought it was done very responsibly. I will be doing another half in April (same course and format) and hopefully the Vermont City Marathon in May (just checked this morning and they are planning to have the event). Hopefully the distribution of the vaccines speeds up. Going to try for Chicago or NYC this fall (assuming they happen) and of course Dopey in 2022.

 

[lahobbs4]

SAFD: my running has picked up in the past two months because I got a treadmill and signed up for the Little Rock Half in March (my first in-person race since 2020 MW). I got so tired of running the same places in my town with no races to look forward to so my mileage took a hit. At this point I would rather watch Netflix and run... whatever gets me moving is good enough!

 

[Livelovedance]

SAFD:
Usually by this time of the year I’m gearing up for a local series of winter races, but that’s off the table this year. Those races are what get me running for the new year, and prep me for Princess weekend... Between losing those races, and coming off an injury, running is on pause for now.

Right now my focus is on recovery and positive mental health so I’ll be ready for my upcoming virtual races (the only races on my calendar so far ):
- Princess 5K
- Princess 10K
- Princess Half Marathon (planning on doing all three in a row, maybe not on the exact days the races were supposed to be, but close to it)
- Star Wars 10K
- Star Wars Half Marathon (I didn’t sign up for the challenges so I’m going to run these separately, without guilt!)

SAFD: No racing, no training, and I can't even go enjoy running in a favorite park anymore because the other people there refuse to either wear masks or provide adequate physical distance. I'm spending a lot more time running on sidewalks and on roads, just trying to avoid people.

I tried to go back to my favorite park for a walk and ran into the same problem! I planned to run my virtuals there but I have to find a better option now...

 

[rteetz]

Don’t want to steal the thunder of SAFD but we are in “race” week now. I have been feeling terribly sad as of late not having these races. So, I think it would be to share our favorite memories from marathon weekends of past.

I will start out with the fact that without marathon weekend and runDisney I would not have so many amazing friends that I have today. It’s amazing how Disney/running can bring people together.

 

[MadScouser]

Well I did it !!

All on a treadmill (incl my first ever marathon) !

28"57 ; 57"08 ; 1'58"34 and 4'14"58 for the marathon

 

[FFigawi]

Don’t want to steal the thunder of SAFD but we are in “race” week now. I have been feeling terribly sad as of late not having these races. So, I think it would be to share our favorite memories from marathon weekends of past.

I will start out with the fact that without marathon weekend and runDisney I would not have so many amazing friends that I have today. It’s amazing how Disney/running can bring people together.

One of my favorite memories is from my first Goofy during Disney on Ice back in 2010. The morning of the full was cold and calm. Running around World Showcase in the dark with only the whoosh of the fire torches and the slap of running shoes on the ground to be heard was so peaceful and serene. A wonderful way to get in a good mental place for the next 23 miles.

 

[MissLiss279]

Gr

Well I did it !!

All on a treadmill (incl my first ever marathon) !

28"57 ; 57"08 ; 1'58"34 and 4'14"58 for the marathon

Great job!

 

[MissLiss279]

My first runDisney race was the half in 2015. I hadn’t been to Disney in several years. We arrived the day before the half. I went to the expo, but did not go into any parks before the race. I remember rounding the corner in MK onto Main Street. Seeing the castle with the lights on... That moment is what got me hooked on runDisney.

 

[Disney at Heart]

My first Disney race was ToT 10 miler in 2013. It was at night and it was HOT. At one point we ran down a short path headed into WWOS and with lights shining in our faces, everyone was blinded somewhat and all I could see were silhouettes of the people I was about to step on! Also, toward the end they shot huge columns of fire into the air. They were spectacular, but I felt like my eyebrows were singed! However, I’ll never forget the feeling of crossing the finish line at Disney World for my longest race at the time.

 

[DopeyBadger]

My favorite memory from marathon weekend is Dopey 2018. I had high aspirations and nearly checked off all the goals.



5k: 20:06 (official PR)



10k: 39:54 (official PR)



Kids race with G



HM: 1:30:35 (official PR)



Marathon: 3:15:59 (missed PR by 1:54 minutes)

Final Dopey time (5k + 10k + HM + M) – 5:46:34

Overall Dopey Standing: 20th
Number of Finishers: ~7500

FINAL Perfect Dopey OVERALL Standing: 2nd

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

I've only done 2 Marathon Weekend races (2018 Half and 2020 10K) but 2018 was the best! It was just an overall awesome weekend being at the parks during the races, seeing everyone with medals, I had a blast during the half (only race I’ve done where I got on-course character pics) and then I got to spectate the Marathon at Epcot, including being in the park to greet my sister after she finished. Spectating that day was my inspiration to go home and a few weeks later sign up for my own Marathon, which I completed that October. It was so amazing, and whether it’s as part of Dopey or as an individual race, I think I’ve firmly decided that the next time Marathon Weekend is in person, I’m doing the Marathon.

Well I did it !!

All on a treadmill (incl my first ever marathon) !

28"57 ; 57"08 ; 1'58"34 and 4'14"58 for the marathon

Crazy impressive! I get bored to tears just doing 30 minutes on a treadmill! Congrats!!

 

[Disney at Heart]

So excited! We are on property and the text just came, “Your room is ready.” This will be the 25th Marathon Weekend that we have attended. I have only run 8 years, but DH has run 25/28, so when the races went virtual, there was no question but we would be here

 

[The Expert]

Last year was my first MW and first full marathon. I also did the 10K. I was the most ready and best trained I've ever been for a race, but the heat was killer and I had to walk the second half. Ended up just behind the course cut, so even though I know the walk to the corral and through the chute put me well over 26.2, I still want that redemption run.

After doing just about every other rD weekend first, MW definitely has a special feel and it was really incredible to be there. I can't wait for the do-over in 2022!

 

[lahobbs4]

On the topic of happy MW memories:

If it weren't for Marathon Weekend, I never would have started running. This event literally changed my life.

 

[rteetz]

On the topic of happy MW memories:

If it weren't for Marathon Weekend, I never would have started running. This event literally changed my life.

Same here!

 

[NewYKRunner]

Last year was my first MW and first full marathon. I also did the 10K. I was the most ready and best trained I've ever been for a race, but the heat was killer and I had to walk the second half. Ended up just behind the course cut, so even though I know the walk to the corral and through the chute put me well over 26.2, I still want that redemption run.

After doing just about every other rD weekend first, MW definitely has a special feel and it was really incredible to be there. I can't wait for the do-over in 2022!

My wife and a good friend of ours did the Dopey last year. Heat was crazy even as a supporter. Not sure how they did it. My wife was just ahead of the course cut. If she wasn't, she'd probably be after a redemption run as well.