Marathon Weekend 2022

[Dopey 2020]

I will second packing light, I carry 7 gels, 3 in one pocket 4 in the other. Liberal amounts of body glide are applied prior. I have an apple watch with cellular and a road ID tag. Water is on course, just need to remember to pin on a bib and go.

 

[ZellyB]

SAFD:
Justified: Victoria and Alberts. It's an insane amount of money but the two times we've gone it's been worth every penny. It's an amazing way to celebrate MW.

Not justified: I would sadly agree with the Deluxe resort pricing. We've stayed deluxe a few times in the past and it was great even though pricing was high, but these days, it's just beyond a point that I can justify. We are so lucky to qualify for Shades of Green, otherwise it would be offsite for us this year I think.

 

[Dopey 2020]

Justified: Victoria and Alberts. It's an insane amount of money but the two times we've gone it's been worth every penny. It's an amazing way to celebrate MW.

This, absolutely yes!
Sprung for the chef's table once just my wife and myself and it was an experience we will never forget. I was hoping/stalking reservation info for this MW but alas, they are rumored to open March/April maybe...
Could always get lucky for the springtime surprise

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD:
Justified:
- Our DVC dues - we bought resale 14 years ago, and have been able to stay in deluxe villas every trip, saving us tons of $$.
- run Disney registrations! Costs at least 3x what I would pay for a local race, but at least 3x more fun and better swag
- APs - as long as you are making enough trips in a 12 month timeframe, it is a big win over the crazy prices for individual days, plus you get 20% discount at restaurants and shops

Unjustified:
- most of the merchandise - a lot of it is low quality now and ridiculously expensive.

TBD:
- Genie + - I am pretty upset with Disney over this, and the whole ILL thing. It's something you would expect at a place like Six Flags. After years of FP, included with park admission, this whole thing feels like a greedy money grab. BUT - I admit that I will probably pay for it at least one day over MW to try it out, so we will see...

 

[Baloo in MI]

For the Marathon I wear a running belt to hold my fuel (shot bloks) and my phone. I also keep ID and $20 cash. For longer distances I will wear one off my hydration vests, but Disney offers so many water and Powerade stations no need to carry that.

I will apply Squirrels Nut Butter/Body Glide prior to race. And I will keep a drop bag with a towel, flip flops and Choc Almond Milk for after wards - yum!

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: don't hate me for bringing it down here lol! This is sooooooo dependent on personal budget restrictions. I know, because my budget's been pretty decimated as of late, thanks to some unfortunate events out of my control, so WDW in general is no longer a justifiable expense. But I already bought my AP in Aug., and my races and resort are paid in full and nonrefundable, so this WDW Marathon visit is happening... on a very, very low budget. Almost nothing purchased at WDW will be justified this time: I'll be buying the same groceries I'd buy at home and eating meals in my resort room (full kitchen, thank goodness!), and/or packing meals to bring to the parks. I can think of only one justifiable expense this time: a Coke or Sprite during the marathon. Worth every over-priced penny.

 

[pluto377]

SAFD:
Justified- renting DVC points. We didn't buy in when we should have before we had kids, but we've rented several times and it's so great! I love being able to stay Deluxe at a relatively affordable price. RunDisney registration fees!
Unjustified- I haven't even used it yet, but Genie+/LL. I just can't see a way paying for this would be justified in my mind, even if it works great. Food prices- mostly crap food for crazy amounts (however this is not unique to Disney these days).

As for packing stuff, I will bring my phone and gels to carry on me. I also wear my magic band. I stuff my gels and phone in my pockets. I read somewhere to put sunscreen in a contact lens case so you have a little for touch ups. I don't because I always wear a visor and sunglasses and I don't worry about the rest of me burning. This year, I might need to find a place for a small body glide. I've been having major chafing issues with my sports bras on long runs lately, even in cold weather.

Is anybody else getting really tired of training especially with all the holiday madness? I missed a run on Thursday because I just couldn't get myself out the door. Yesterday I was in NYC all day and didn't have time to run (maybe all the walking counts?). I'm just ready to get to race day already!

 

[nekonekoneko]

SAFD:

Justified
- Renting DVC points. I don't own DVC, but being able to rent has opened up many more options that weren't available to us before.
- Victoria and Alberts. Please open up soon!
- Genie+ at MK and DHS. The number of rides, and the quality, do make it worth it.

Unjustified
- Prix fixe signature restaurants. I'm looking at you BoG, CRT, and Cali Grill. We just don't eat enough to justify the prices of dining there. I love Cali Grill's food, but the $85 prix fixe just is a tough pill to swallow.
- Genie+ at Epcot and DAK. There's not enough rides, and not enough good rides, to make it worth it at either park.

 

[Cabius]

For packing: I was planning to wear my vest, not so much for water as for carrying gels, phone, and airpod case. I expect to take about 6 hours to finish, so that amounts to rather a lot of gels to carry otherwise! I also hate having my phone flop around in my shorts pocket, but don't want to hold it for that long. The main downside of the vest, of course, is the photos!

Are there any particular running belts folks would recommend looking into? Are they just about all created equal? (I'm a male, about 205 lumbering, foot-destroying pounds, if that makes any difference.)

 

[Livelovedance]

Can we talk about carrying all of your "stuff" during the *FULL*? I'm trying to mentally juggle the need to carry fuel, my phone, and maybe a few other things (that may be in a med tent??) without jamming my pockets super full. And I don't want to wear my vest.

So what do you carry on your body for the full, and what do you carry it in? I'm specifically wondering about sunscreen, chafing stuff, and anything else I may be forgetting? I will NOT rely on course-provided fuel (other than maybe like pretzels/bananas/chocolate) since I haven't used any of it and it's not available locally.

Thank you for posting this question! I need to come back to these responses when packing time comes.

I bring sunglasses and perch them on top of my head.

I always forget sunglasses because it’s so dark when we’re boarding the buses, but these will definitely be a necessity. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[MissLiss279]

Deleted. I decided to keep my opinion to myself.

 

[PrincessV]

For packing: I was planning to wear my vest, not so much for water as for carrying gels, phone, and airpod case. I expect to take about 6 hours to finish, so that amounts to rather a lot of gels to carry otherwise! I also hate having my phone flop around in my shorts pocket, but don't want to hold it for that long. The main downside of the vest, of course, is the photos!

Are there any particular running belts folks would recommend looking into? Are they just about all created equal? (I'm a male, about 205 lumbering, foot-destroying pounds, if that makes any difference.)

FuelBelt Gel-Ready Race Belt is my go-to for marathons because it holds a BUNCH of gels in the least bulky, heavy, bouncy way I've tried. It also is really good for getting you out of your own head the night before, as you concentrate on stuffing gels into those itty-bitty elastic loops.

 

[hauntedcity]

How was the weekend run for other Midwest runners?My wife and I were scheduled for a 12-miler to get ready for the Half Marathon. We knew we had some rough seas ahead, matey. Looking at the forecast, the temperature was scheduled to drop from 62 to 40 in about 3 hours.

We had (what we thought was) a good plan and planned a loop that should have brought us home long before the temps dropped. We stashed lots of extra layer that we could put on as we passed home. I started off with just a t-shirt and shorts, and I was sweating with temps over 60 and high humidity. Unfortunately, the weather SMASHED in about an hour earlier than expected, and we were running directly into 30+ mph winds and wind chills in the mid-40's. We shivered our way home, took a 10 minute warm up, and headed back out much better attired. Even so, we were Mostly Dead and called it a day at 10 miles, when wind chills were about 30. Whew!

Anyone else as foolish and unlucky as I was?

 

[Herding_Cats]

This year, I might need to find a place for a small body glide. I've been having major chafing issues with my sports bras on long runs lately, even in cold weather.

I’ve read the applying K tape to the areas you would chafe from a sports bra (so it sits between your skin and the bra) is a great hack. I had 0 chafing all summer and absolutely destroyed a spot on my back during my full. I am going to be prevention-taping in January.

 

[SheHulk]

SAFD:
This year, I might need to find a place for a small body glide. I've been having major chafing issues with my sports bras on long runs lately, even in cold weather.

You didn't ask for advice, but I find this to be a problem when my bra has stretched out too much and needs to be retired. Just a thought.

 

[opusone]

How was the weekend run for other Midwest runners?My wife and I were scheduled for a 12-miler to get ready for the Half Marathon. We knew we had some rough seas ahead, matey. Looking at the forecast, the temperature was scheduled to drop from 62 to 40 in about 3 hours.

We had (what we thought was) a good plan and planned a loop that should have brought us home long before the temps dropped. We stashed lots of extra layer that we could put on as we passed home. I started off with just a t-shirt and shorts, and I was sweating with temps over 60 and high humidity. Unfortunately, the weather SMASHED in about an hour earlier than expected, and we were running directly into 30+ mph winds and wind chills in the mid-40's. We shivered our way home, took a 10 minute warm up, and headed back out much better attired. Even so, we were Mostly Dead and called it a day at 10 miles, when wind chills were about 30. Whew!

Anyone else as foolish and unlucky as I was?

Same here in the Chicagoland area (except we didn't start in the 60s)... both my runs this weekend (one 8mi & one 10mi) were in the mid-to-low 40s with 20+ mph winds. Felt pretty good running two directions and pretty darn uncomfortable running the other two directions.

 

[Cabius]

Same here in the Chicagoland area (except we didn't start in the 60s)... both my runs this weekend (one 8mi & one 10mi) were in the mid-to-low 40s with 20+ mph winds. Felt pretty good running two directions and pretty darn uncomfortable running the other two directions.

It was 35 degrees when I woke up in Dallas -- big fat pile of NOPE -- but by midday it had warmed to 50 or so. I made it 20 miles (my longest run ever!) in 4:50:55 (I am very slow!). Spent the last 5 miles daydreaming about sushi.

 

[Naomeri]

How was the weekend run for other Midwest runners?My wife and I were scheduled for a 12-miler to get ready for the Half Marathon. We knew we had some rough seas ahead, matey. Looking at the forecast, the temperature was scheduled to drop from 62 to 40 in about 3 hours.

We had (what we thought was) a good plan and planned a loop that should have brought us home long before the temps dropped. We stashed lots of extra layer that we could put on as we passed home. I started off with just a t-shirt and shorts, and I was sweating with temps over 60 and high humidity. Unfortunately, the weather SMASHED in about an hour earlier than expected, and we were running directly into 30+ mph winds and wind chills in the mid-40's. We shivered our way home, took a 10 minute warm up, and headed back out much better attired. Even so, we were Mostly Dead and called it a day at 10 miles, when wind chills were about 30. Whew!

Anyone else as foolish and unlucky as I was?

I had just 3 miles scheduled, since it was only 4 days after my return from WDW, but I didn’t even manage to finish that. The plow did a lousy job clearing the neighborhood roads from side to side and there was just too much slop and too many icy patches to get the run finished. And it was too much hassle to switch from outdoor running gear into indoor running gear for so few missed miles, so I just skipped the remaining 2 miles.

 

[camaker]

For packing: I was planning to wear my vest, not so much for water as for carrying gels, phone, and airpod case. I expect to take about 6 hours to finish, so that amounts to rather a lot of gels to carry otherwise! I also hate having my phone flop around in my shorts pocket, but don't want to hold it for that long. The main downside of the vest, of course, is the photos!

Are there any particular running belts folks would recommend looking into? Are they just about all created equal? (I'm a male, about 205 lumbering, foot-destroying pounds, if that makes any difference.)

As someone about the same size, I’ll pass along that the Nathan Trail Mix belt is pretty good, even though it tends to slip and rotate on me, a little. My absolute favorite and go-to belt, though, is the Ultraspire Speedgoat 3.0. It’s wide, well-padded, very comfortable and doesn’t slip at all. It also carries a whopping 1 L of water in its two bottles, by far the best capacity I’ve found in a belt.

 

[jrsharp21]

Can we talk about carrying all of your "stuff" during the *FULL*? I'm trying to mentally juggle the need to carry fuel, my phone, and maybe a few other things (that may be in a med tent??) without jamming my pockets super full. And I don't want to wear my vest.

So what do you carry on your body for the full, and what do you carry it in? I'm specifically wondering about sunscreen, chafing stuff, and anything else I may be forgetting? I will NOT rely on course-provided fuel (other than maybe like pretzels/bananas/chocolate) since I haven't used any of it and it's not available locally.

I have my running belt and will be carrying my phone, car key, and a handful of Goo packs. Even thinking about leaving my phone in the car but I have been asked to take some video and pics as we run through the parks. I try to carry as little as possible. My wife likes to run with a hydration pack and I have no idea how she does it.