Marathon Weekend 2022

[sandam1]

I see an arrival time of 3:30 AM for the marathon, with a 5 AM start. In everyone's experience, should we arrive right at 3:30? Or is there some leeway since it won't start until 5?

In my experience, don't take a chance! Get there EARLY!!! Once you get into the parking lot, you don't have to get out the car right away. I've used that opportunity to eat breakfast, close my eyes for 20-30 minutes, etc. I know that once I'm IN the parking lot, I'm safe and in control of my time and that helps me relax. Also, this is not like your average race where you can roll up at the last minute (as someone else mentioned there is a LONG walk-out to the start of the half and whole). Accept the fact that you are going to wait a lot (it is Disney after all) and embrace it.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Yikes! 40 is thermal long sleeve shirt, full tights and gloves for me!

That sounds like what I wore on my run this morning, it was 17 degrees haha. And I was hot by the end of 2 miles. My body just seems to run hot or something.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

SAFD 2021:

My 2-cents on this thread.

Had a good second year of marriage to my wonderful wife. To put it in perspective, we returned from our honeymoon just in time to start the first 2020 lockdown. Instead of a more gradual transition period, we were all in one house literally overnight.

Survived covid. I still miss my once very acute sense of smell. OTOH

Sorry if this has already been covered. I see 5 food stops on the full course. Does anyone know what that food is? I assume most, if not all, would be gels. What type are they using? And what will the drinks be?
Thanks!

Gels!!? Not pizza or wings? Or at least donuts?
No margaritas as beverage? Just dang.

 

[luv2cheer92]

SAFD 2021:

My 2-cents on this thread.

Had a good second year of marriage to my wonderful wife. To put it in perspective, we returned from our honeymoon just in time to start the first 2020 lockdown. Instead of a more gradual transition period, we were all in one house literally overnight.

Survived covid. I still miss my once very acute sense of smell. OTOH

Gels!!? Not pizza or wings? Or at least donuts?
No margaritas as beverage? Just dang.

There's usually chocolate in HS haha

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

could it also not be cold? Like 50s-60s during the races would be great, and then 70s in the afternoons. Thanks.

Check the forecasted temps. At the moment, this is the Weather Channel'l temps for up to Jan 3.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

SAFD 2021:

My 2-cents on this thread.

Had a good second year of marriage to my wonderful wife. To put it in perspective, we returned from our honeymoon just in time to start the first 2020 lockdown. Instead of a more gradual transition period, we were all in one house literally overnight.

Survived covid. I still miss my once very acute sense of smell. OTOH, it means I can't stand the taste of colas anymore, and cutting them out of my diet is a good thing.

Received a much overdue promotion at work, which greatly helped my attitude at work and in general.

The Dopey is a challenge that I've been wanting to tackle ever since I heard about it, and had visitation schedules and work align to where I could come down for marathon weekend again.

I'm glad that working from home has meant that I've been able to run in the afternoons and train for this event. I has meant dropping 15 pounds, with 5 or 10 more as a target.

When I last did this a decade ago, I was happy to join up with other rD people, put faces with names, and enjoy pre and post-race socializing. I'm looking forward to doing the same again.

Not proud of or thankful for: a computer that cuts off half the original post and then manages to reply before I meant to....

 

[Novatrix]

SAFD: "What are you proud of this year?"

Despite a lot of weeks with crazy work hours required to complete an important work project on time and on budget(clocking 88 hours one week alone), I was able to keep my training on track and successfully beat my race PRs in the half marathon (by 2 min), the 10 mile (by 5 min) and the marathon (by 46 minutes). It was often a struggle to get the miles in, often necessitating waking up at 5am (never been a morning person, so it was tough!) or running on a treadmill at 10pm, but I did it and it paid off.

 

[jrsharp21]

Funny (or maybe not) that you mention the weather, because I recently started looking at the temps down there to get a sense of what we might be in for, and oof.

Same here. Watching that monthly forecast. Obviously it is Orlando and weather changes from one hour to the next. But hoping for that morning 50's and afternoon high 60's/low 70's.

 

[kps7795]

could it also not be cold? Like 50s-60s during the races would be great, and then 70s in the afternoons. Thanks.

I'd LOVE temperatures in the 60s or 70s, but I just REALLY hope that it doesn't rain.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

The colder the better haha. I get so hot so fast. 40 is like T shirt running weather for me.

We are the same.

 

[GreatLakes]

I'm hoping for the low 40s with no wind or rain. That would be ideal for a fast marathon.

Hi all -

Apologies if this has been covered.

I see an arrival time of 3:30 AM for the marathon, with a 5 AM start. In everyone's experience, should we arrive right at 3:30? Or is there some leeway since it won't start until 5?

We will be driving our own car to the parking lot/start and not taking a bus, if it makes a difference.

Thank you! Very excited for the race!

I am also driving and will be making the assumption that my 20 minute drive will take at least an hour so I'm planning to leave at 2:00am from my hotel. If I'm early I will have a car to wait in.

 

[ZellyB]

SAFD: I've loved reading the answers to this one!

For my own response, I'm glad I'm still here and looking forward to my first time spectating the races. I'm very happy to be making the trip with my DH and my two daughters and our good friends (one of whom is also running Goofy with DH). It's going to be a great trip!

Count me as another that can't imagine Disney making any significant changes to MW at this point. I do worry that Omicron is going to bring on another big surge, but I just don't see Disney doing anything drastic again.

 

[luv2cheer92]

My first marathon weekend was 2015. It was around mid-upper 30s at the start. And was about 70 and (lightly) raining when I finished. That was a hard race to dress for.

 

[Kitty-chan]

SAFD: "What are you proud of this year?" This year, I was really able to take my running to the next level! I ran a couple very challenging races here in New England (Mt Washington Auto Road in June, and Millinocket Half in December), both of which were pretty far outside my comfort zone. I also exceeded my total mileage goal of 1,000 miles in 2021!

As for marathon weekend weather, I'm nervous about how warm it looks! My ideal would be 50 degrees and partly cloudy, for the whole race.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

So I just made the decision to not go to the park on Friday before race weekend to help rest my legs (I will go Monday, assuming I can walk). My DH is going to go play golf in the morning on Friday but I know if don’t have anything planned I will inevitably sleep in too long and ruin my chances of sleeping before the races. Here is my overall plan:

Thursday: wake up at 4 am for flight. Arrive in morning. Have a snack/easy breakfast. Take Lyft to hotel (Hilton Bonnet Creek) and check in/drop off luggage. NO NAPS! Go to expo (how to get there?). Go to Disney Springs. Late lunch/dinner reservation at Boathouse at 3:45 pm. See Drawn to Life at 5:30 pm. Maybe shop a little bit (Sugarboo is my favorite store ever), head back to hotel, early to bed.

Friday: wake up at a decent time. Doesn’t need to be 4 am, but I want it to be early— any suggestions? DH goes to play golf. I do ??? at hotel. Read by pool? Will it be warm enough? NO NAPS! Dinner at Trattoria al Forno around 5 pm. Back to hotel and early to bed afterward.

Saturday: DH and I do half! It is his first one. Afterward, lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe and chill. I booked myself a massage. NO NAPS! Dinner at hotel (they are supposed to have special pasta options for marathon weekend) and early to bed again.

Sunday: I do marathon! Or try to. DH plays golf again and meets me at finish (maybe). Parents might also. Hotel to shower (naps allowed!!!), then back to Disney Springs for celebration dinner with parents and DH. Possibly reserving Splitzville— if I can’t bowl, at least they can have fun haha.

Monday: Park day! I don’t know which park yet. MK is my fav and I have never been there with my DH. But I also really want to try the Rose & Crown because they have delicious sounding vegan options. If I get in for the R&C fireworks package, we will do Epcot— if not, maybe MK.

I am a Type A planner. I get very anxious and this helps. Any thoughts on this plan? Things I should know/consider differently? I am so nervous about getting sleep as I am generally a night owl and not a morning person.

 

[pluto377]

To add to this sucky December my 10yo just tested positive for COVID. He’s feeling pretty good right now considering. Disappointed we won’t get to see family for Christmas but maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. Hoping my other two don’t get it. I’m getting tested tomorrow because I finally started to feel better from my booster and now I have a sore throat and cough. Ugh.
@lookingforsunshine- I’m planning to be at drawn to life on Thursday also! Can’t wait to see it.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

I’m planning to be at drawn to life on Thursday also! Can’t wait to see it.

I liked your post for DTL— but I hope you and your family feel better soon!

 

[Herding_Cats]

NO NAPS!

but but but....why??? Naps are life!

I will definitely be taking a (short) nap after the half for sure. I'm used to crappy nighttime sleep as it is right now, so if I can grab an hour (plus I'll probably want to get off my feet for a little bit before we go walk all over disney spring) post-race/pre-lunch I am definitely going to do it.

I hear you on the planning. I have a google doc itinerary for each day with all the major stuff listed out on it.

 

[HangWithMerida]

but but but....why??? Naps are life!

I would have to be team NO NAPS. I am such a bad napper. If I have to adjust times by several hours, I just have to tough it out and be tired for a day or 2. Otherwise, I never adjust. I'm jealous of people that can nap.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

but but but....why??? Naps are life!

I would have to be team NO NAPS.

I am Queen of Naps, which is exactly why I need to avoid them lol— I’ll end up sleeping too long and then won’t be able to fall asleep later when I am anxious about the race! Although if I’m not going to be able to fall asleep anyway, maybe I should just sleep when I can…ah! Stress!