Marathon Weekend 2023

[lookingforsunshine]

And I have freaking COVID. I have not had it once this entire pandemic. I am so upset right now y’all </3

 

[Barca33Runner]

5k, 10k and Half done with my body still in one piece. No way the full is happening so my weekend of running is all done. Congrats to anyone who has competed in any of the races so far this weekend and good luck to all Marathoners, Dopey’s and Goofy’s tomorrow.

I’m sure I’ll continue to be a lurker because I enjoy this community so much, but I think it’s time to take a step back from posting for a while. It’s incredibly conflicting to be so proud of my running achievements (including my finishes this weekend) but to still feel so disappointed in myself for where I’m at and finding myself again unable to do the work to finally get my 7th Dopey in the books. I’m sure I’ll be back but I need a little time to figure out how rD best fits into my fitness plan.

Again, Congrats to everyone competing in races this weekend. You are all amazing!

 

[Z-Knight]

And I have freaking COVID. I have not had it once this entire pandemic. I am so upset right now y’all </3

Crap... You sure via test, or do you just feel sick, or both? I'm so sorry either way, but just looking for any excuse you can still run.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

You sure via test

I took a test. It came up positive almost immediately. I definitely cannot run. Or go on the cruise. This sucks.

 

[camaker]

I froze today! Legs and core were fine in lightweight short sleeves and bike shorts but my forearms and hands especially were ice cold. To the point where I wanted to walk the rest but didn’t because I would be even colder. It was the worst from 8-10 I truly didn’t know how I got through that part. Then the sun came out and by 11 I was okay again. Thankfully they had Mylar. I had hand warmers and ditched them at mile 2, big mistake. It seemed to get colder halfway through the race for me.

Started in the middle of B at around 5:08 and the first few lines (Esmeralda, Sally, Beast, etc) were a bit long (50+ people I’d guess 6-7 minutes) but they got much shorter, a few minutes or less, and by the time I got back to Epcot the characters had maybe lines of 5 people. I ran maybe an 11 minute pace between photos or a bit slower and that seemed to be enough to beat the lines.

I really enjoyed nothing about the course except MK. So tomorrow could be rough

Yeah, I was frozen from start to finish and it got worse with every mile until sunrise. I decided to walk this but basically try to do it under 3 hours... Well, that required running a bit of it and I did that for first 3 miles and hence I got wet from sweat. That made the last miles worse cause I was wet and walking slow... I tried running intermittently to warm up, but it didn't help too much and so I was just cold the entire race.

Oh and I had layers on and still cold... I had t-shirt, arm sleeves, long sleeve shirt, and then my Dopey Hockey Sweater... Didn't help. Lol

You can add me to the cast of RunDisney Frozen. I started out in tights, SS dri-fit over thermal LS dri-fit, windbreaker jacket, gloves and a headband. I had intended to pull off most of the accessories as I warmed up, but it turned out I just couldn’t Let It Go, as I stayed cold the entire race.

The windbreaker came off around MK because I felt like it wasn’t breathing enough. The headband finally came off on the post-GF/Poly highway stretch and I regretted that move. The gloves finally came off back in the room post-race.

Tomorrow we really will be off Into the Unknown, though. I’m not sure how to approach it. The start looks pretty cold, much like this morning and, unless RunDisney has a dramatically different forecast than the app I use, the late race temps look to be what I would consider to be near ideal (T+Ds 120-130). Yet they’ve issued a yellow flag, so I don’t want to overdress. I didn’t enjoy being Olaf this morning, but I don’t want to be “Summer Pool” Olaf, either! What to do, what to do?

 

[Livelovedance]

Hate to hear about the sunglasses, and not sure where is the best place to get any. Maybe a cheap pair at one of the gas stations near D Springs. But I always go to the ZZ Top route of Cheap Sunglasses. If I’m anywhere that they are handing out free promotional sunglasses, I grab a pair or two and use those for races, so that if I lose them, no issue.

Thanks. I’m not really upset about it because i don’t buy designer $100+ glasses. I think I bought a pair from Fit2Run in the past, I just didn’t know if Id be better off trying to go back to them at the expo or the Disney Springs store.

 

[Z-Knight]

I took a test. It came up positive almost immediately. I definitely cannot run. Or go on the cruise. This sucks.

Damn it.. I am so freaking sorry. This is really horrible news and just not fair. I wish you could at least be able to run, but I know that's not possible for your health. Hopefully the cruise will refund you since it is COVID verified via test.

 

[pluto377]

@lookingforsunshine I'm so sorry you have covid. That really stinks. Get some rest and feel better soon!

I had a great race this morning. The weather could not have been more perfect for me. I didn’t do any stops until the castle. After that I only did lotso and meeko. I really wanted to do hades and jafar, but I just didn’t feel like stopping.

Before this weekend I was dead set on doing dopey next year. Now, knowing I don’t have to run again tomorrow….definitely rethinking it. Maybe I’ll do princess or wine and dine instead so I at least get a challenge medal.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow! I’ll be thinking of you as I sleep in and chill at pool

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks. I’m not really upset about it because i don’t buy designer $100+ glasses. I think I bought a pair from Fit2Run in the past, I just didn’t know if Id be better off trying to go back to them at the expo or the Disney Springs store.

I went to the Expo Thursday pretty much for the sole purpose of getting a pair. Other than having to ‘walk all the way back there’ it was pretty easy and I was in/out quickly. I hardly ever go to DS so not familiar enough to know if that would be easier or not?

 

[Livelovedance]

I took a test. It came up positive almost immediately. I definitely cannot run. Or go on the cruise. This sucks.

Oh no, I’m so sorry! I hope your symptoms are mild and you start to feel better soon!

 

[jennysdcc]

And I have freaking COVID. I have not had it once this entire pandemic. I am so upset right now y’all </3

I know that pain - Not COVID but the bad flu going around kept me from coming down this weekend. It's the worst feeling, I hope it's at least a mild case and you're back on your feet soon <3

 

[Dopey 2020]

So happy with today, fingers were a little chilled but very comfortable running. Nice to see people this AM and was able to stick to my planned 10 minute/mile pace. Consistent miles start to finish with a 2:09:47. Hopefully the last three days have saved enough to race tomorrow

 

[NYC_MW]

So many highlights from this morning, but best was maybe celebrity spotting of Running Jack Sparrow as he passed me around mile 11

I have too, but I’d read in a group (maybe not this one) that people were having difficulty with it this year. I just asked at the counter and initially the answer was no, but after discussing what the receipt/barcodes looked like (I didn’t have it on me) she thought she probably could take them back.

Yup, just returned some runDisney merch to resort gift shop. First cashier had to ask their supervisor, but then all good.

Fun race (if not maybe a little boring course?) but that turn down Main Street is always all the feels and the spectator crowd was pretty darn electric when I went through.

Yes! Everytime there were spectators, their cheering sped up my paces (not sure if that's good or not).

Super dark section back on Floridian Way was kind of odd, glad that asphalt is new/smooth because I couldn’t really see. Someone near me even pulled out their phone light.

I did for sure.

I took a test. It came up positive almost immediately. I definitely cannot run. Or go on the cruise. This sucks.

No!!! So sorry!!! That really really stinks. Do you need any symptom relief things brought to you?

 

[lookingforsunshine]

Do you need any symptom relief things brought to you?

No, my mom lives in Tampa and is coming to get me. Thank you though.

 

[jmasgat]

Can I just vent how much I hate the park reservation system? Back in October/November today seemed like a good AK day. After the reality of 3 races and needing to nurse things a bit, I'd really rather keep it closer and smaller and do DHS for a quick lunch and back to the resort. The system won't let me modify my reservation to do that. I can't even hop into DHS after 2p unless I've entered AK already, either. Very frustrating.

Yeah....hate the rigidity. I did not realize that about park hopping--although these days I never buy PH--can't stomach the cost.

Of course, I am doing an impromptu trip at the end of the month and bought a PH--better bone up on the rules.

My question is--where is a good "dop-out" point? I almost definitely won't be injured or even completely out of steam, so I could walk to...wherever is convenient. If I drop out at the castle could I walk to the entrance and take the monorail to Epcot? I don't want the medal if I don't finish, and I don't care for the snack box, haha, but I'll need to pick up my checked bag with my Oofas. Would this work or do I need to take one of those buses that are there to take dropouts to the finish? Or, suppose I decide not to check a bag and make it to AK and am ready to quit there--could I just wander off the course and take off my bib and be done with it, or is that not allowed?

Also, I've only run a marathon once before, and I think my mind has blocked out the memory of the morning. What time are you all planning on trying to arrive tomorrow? I'm at OKW; what time would you suggest I be at the Hospitality House waiting for the bus?

Since you don't care about the medal, you don't really need to wait for the bus, and honestly, if you can, I'd skip that (Never done one, but I understand they sit there for a while--not ideal for tired legs!). You could drop by Poly and walk over to TTC and take the monorail back. The post-finish area is open to non-runners (past the medals/food/etc) so you should have no issue getting your gear back. If you wanted to drop at AK, that might be possible. Early entry is 7:30, so the park will be open. Don't know if any CM would give you a hard time about being in the park "without a ticket"--even if you were just heading for the entrance to catch a bus.

As for bus transport, I would say 2:30-3:00. OKW has to deal with going via Buena Vista Dr. That road can get nutsy cuckoo with traffic (I have come from OKW/PO before on bus and run into bad traffic and clueless bus drivers)

 

[RunWI1265]

And I have freaking COVID. I have not had it once this entire pandemic. I am so upset right now y’all </3

OMG I’m SO sorry! I hope it’s mild for you and you recover quickly. I know that doesn’t help for this weekend though.

 

[PrincessV]

Congratulations to everyone with races already under their belts!

I failed to get a spot for Dopey and am just running the marathon. This turned out to be a very good thing because I've experienced some health issues this year and my doctor advised me not to attempt to run a marathon right now. I'm still going to run at least some of it--I'm thinking about getting to the castle (I'm fairly sure I can do that no problem) or maybe even halfway. My question is--where is a good "drop-out" point? I almost definitely won't be injured or even completely out of steam, so I could walk to...wherever is convenient. If I drop out at the castle could I walk to the entrance and take the monorail to Epcot? I don't want the medal if I don't finish, and I don't care for the snack box, haha, but I'll need to pick up my checked bag with my Oofas. Would this work or do I need to take one of those buses that are there to take dropouts to the finish? Or, suppose I decide not to check a bag and make it to AK and am ready to quit there--could I just wander off the course and take off my bib and be done with it, or is that not allowed?

I have spent entirely too much brain power thinking about exactly the same situation for myself, so I’ll share what I’ve come up with:

MK is a conundrum: on the one hand, it would be awesome to get there, get lots of pics and drop out, but on the other no, I do not believe you can walk back to the front to hop a monorail, so the options are either a sweep bus, which I’m pretty sure are stationed where we exit MK, or…

Keep going to either the GF or Poly, either of which are perfect spots to drop out and take a monorail back to EP - IF you don’t care about getting the medal. But if you still feel good at that point..

AK could be an interesting drop point. Again, you’re already in a park, and chances are it’s open, so take off that bib, do some rides, grab brunch, and take a regular park bus to get back to EP! Again, no medal, though. Alternately, you could take your sweet time in AK and hop a sag bus wherever they sweep (I feel like this is upon or shortly after we exit AK, but don’t quote me on that.)

If you’re still going after AK, it’s a tough call: Western Way could be brutal and I have no idea what the sweep process is for someone who wants to leave out at that point. Getting to BB would probably be a better option.

If you’re still in it after BB, may as well just buckle down and finish the darned thing! DHS and EP await.

Thank you so much @PrincessV! The concierge at CBR was able to switch my park reservation up with no problem! On the Skyliner to DHS for an early lunch now!

I am SO happy to see this - enjoy!!

 

[jrsharp21]

The Under Armour suggestion yesterday for the win! Went there last night and I decided to by a pair of running tights. Well worth the money this morning. It was cold. I didnt have any long sleeve shirts to wear, so wore the Half marathon shirt. That was the right choice. My hands were so cold they were pretty much locked clenched when done. They were so cold walking back to the car that it literally hurt to touch them. I had a hard time pushing the button on the key fob. Overall it was a good run. I really dislike the dark area with no lights after leaving MK. It is hard to see runners in front of you.

 

[XoxoAmy]

It was cold today!! (And I’m from Boston.) I had a lightweight throw away hoodie and that thin, warm $10 zip up I got at the expo. You get what you pay for because the zipper broke when I put it on in my room (!) but it was warm even unzipped. I lett the hoodie in my checked bag thinking I would want it when I finished. I didn’t, and I wish I kept it on me. I was really cold until we got to MK.

Also, speaking of long lines, I left in corral D (was supposed to be C but definitely underestimated the amount of time the monorail took, and C was gone when I got to the corrals, after walking 20 miles) and Lumiere at mile 2 was an 18 MINUTE WAIT! I had to get the pic because my daughter is currently rehearsing for a production of beauty and the beast and she is Babbette, Lumiere’s love interest. So I needed that pic, but OMG, it took forever.

(eta: ignore my earlier question about photopass. I entered the wrong code, of course!)

 

[Zutroy]

Question: I just now entered the photopass code in my Disney app. No pics yet. Its been about 20 min. Do they typically load right away? I had nearly all of my W&D pics not show up until I emailed them, and luckily got them weeks later. So I have photopass race PTSD.

The photopass photographers have to go through each picture they took and manually enter people’s bib numbers to load them. This is why you will see pictures randomly appear over a couple of hours/days. Seems like a horrible system that could be fixed with a simple number recognition software, but is very on-brand for Disney IT.