Marathon Weekend 2023

[camaker]

SAFD: Planning on Dopey again in 2023. It'll be another solo trip, as DW just doesn't enjoy race weekend trips. I'm already booked at CBR from Tuesday to Tuesday to accommodate the DATW post-race celebrations.

 

[sandam1]

But seeing as my legs are jelly today after "just" a half, I couldn't imagine today prepping for a full tomorrow. Any middle of the pack runners that can help me with their own experiences?

I did my first half during Marathon Weekend in 2019 and my legs were SORE (particularly my quads) for quite a few days afterward and stairs were my mortal enemy!

Prior to my first Princess Challenge in 2020, I was working with a physical therapist who had me doing a lot of runner-specific strength exercises and they made all of the difference in the world in surviving the races as well as in my recovery. My legs were tired the next day, but not especially sore. And yes, I could even go open and down stairs.

Working with the same PT, I did the first 3 Dopey races this year and, while my plantar fasciitis flare-up kept me from doing the marathon, the rest of my body was in relatively good shape after Day 3. And considering how much of my training was done non-weight bearing (i.e. on the bike) and that I was lacking a lot of "time on feet," I can only credit that to the strength training that I was doing.

So yes, it is totally possible. But my Disney challenges so far taught me that running isn't enough. You need to do the entire package - a great training plan, a solid strength base, nutrition/hydration/rest plan, etc. - to be successful. And a little bit of luck doesn't hurt! I've wound up working through physical issues for both of my Disney challenges so far and I'm really looking forward to a race cycle where I am not limited by my PT's orders.

 

[flav]

SAFD: I don’t know The family will be off but we have to use our travel credit with a return by Jan 5th, 2023. We won’t go to WDW if we are just coming back from elsewhere. We would like to use the credit this April but not with pre-departure tests as the kids have to get back to school. If it was not for all the complications above, I would gladly run Dopey. I am not sure that I could convince anyone to come with me.

 

[FFigawi]

SAFD: Planning on another Dopey, which will probably be my last one for a while. Room booked at CBR from Wed to Wed.

 

[stitchsnk]

SAFD: Booked POFQ with my best friend! We plan on registering for Dopey- both first time Dopey runners! After having done the Marathon this year, I want to complete Dopey and say "I DID IT!" and then never do it again.

 

[garneska]

SAFD: I am doing the marathon and DH will do the half. It will be a short trip, arrive Friday and head out Wednesday. Trying to decide between Poly and Swan, but the edge is going to the swan at the moment.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: Decided to plan for Goofy this year. Thought about Dopey again, but with the NYE crowds and added cost, decided it's not worth it. Solo trip for me too as my family doesn't love the early wake p calls for race weekend and don't want to deal with the NYE crowds. Trying to rent points for a boardwalk area resort, but no luck so far (avaiability but two services don't have points to rent for them). If that doesn't come though I will probably just book at POFQ again or Pop as I love the Sky Liner access.

 

[accm]

SAFD: Decided to plan for Goofy this year. Thought about Dopey again, but with the NYE crowds and added cost, decided it's not worth it. Solo trip for me too as my family doesn't love the early wake p calls for race weekend and don't want to deal with the NYE crowds. Trying to rent points for a boardwalk area resort, but no luck so far (avaiability but two services don't have points to rent for them). If that doesn't come though I will probably just book at POFQ again or Pop as I love the Sky Liner access.

Have you looked at the DVC rent/transfer boards here? You might be able to find someone with BWV points looking to rent, and it'll likely be cheaper than through a broker too.

 

[Herding_Cats]

RunDisney website is has updated for the 2023 dates for this weekend (not sure when that happened, but it was sometime since they announced the registration dates.) But you can't click through into any of the races to see what the themes are yet the way you can with W&D.

 

[camaker]

RunDisney website is has updated for the 2023 dates for this weekend (not sure when that happened, but it was sometime since they announced the registration dates.) But you can't click through into any of the races to see what the themes are yet the way you can with W&D.

So you're saying there's still hope for an Oswald-free race weekend?

 

[Herding_Cats]

So you're saying there's still hope for an Oswald-free race weekend?

Given the absolute weirdness of the whole W&D "theme" this year, I'd be OK if it was still Oswald.

 

[The Expert]

But seeing as my legs are jelly today after "just" a half, I couldn't imagine today prepping for a full tomorrow. Any middle of the pack runners that can help me with their own experiences?

My DopeyBadger plan completely came through for me. I figured out a few post-long-run self-care things over the summer and fall that seemed to help, AND my fitness was just better because of how long I had been training at that point. TheExpert (who I stumbled across in the corral and ran most of the race with...I finished somewhere around 3:40 with lots of picture and bathroom stops) recommended just hanging out in the pool after the half (even to just sit on the edge and dangle my feet in it) which was another layer of "stuff" that had me feeling like I could make it through the full. The full was challenging to get through, but I never felt "I can't do this any more" and we finished in a little over 7:00 with again, lots of picture and bathroom stops. And on Monday, I had a 27pound toddler strapped to my back as we went through the airport to come home. My legs were somewhat sore, but NOTHING like October.

Prior to my first Princess Challenge in 2020, I was working with a physical therapist who had me doing a lot of runner-specific strength exercises and they made all of the difference in the world in surviving the races as well as in my recovery. My legs were tired the next day, but not especially sore. And yes, I could even go open and down stairs.

Yes to all of this! You'll approach your races with an entirely different mindset knowing you're doing all four. Stick to your training, including strength training, and learn what works for you for prep and recovery. You can absolutely do it!

After having done the Marathon this year, I want to complete Dopey and say "I DID IT!" and then never do it again.

Famous last words...

So you're saying there's still hope for an Oswald-free race weekend?

I choose to forgive you for this remark. #oswaldforever

 

[jpeterson]

So you're saying there's still hope for an Oswald-free race weekend?

I feel attacked.

 

[striker1064]

SAFD: I want to do Dopey once, and since 2023 is an anniversary year this seems like the one to do. However, I'd really like to improve my POT, and ideally run my first marathon before then.

What is the usual POT cutoff date for marathon weekend?

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD:

I originally had told myself that doing the Dopey at MW 2022 would be one and done. But I loved the challenge of it so much that I plan on registering again for 2023. My wife and her running buddy are also going to sign up for Dopey. My son wants to do the half, but I think we have talked him into doing the 10k for his first run. My wife's running buddy is a DVC member. They usually always stay at AKL. She already booked her room for that weekend and she also booked us a room. So we are pretty excited to stay there as it will be our first time. I think our daughter and her boyfriend are going to come also, but I think they are going to be staying at one of the AS resorts. There will definitely be park days each day. Our family cannot be at Disney World and not go to the park.

 

[camaker]

Given the absolute weirdness of the whole W&D "theme" this year, I'd be OK if it was still Oswald.

I think they'd have a full-fledged riot on their hand if they departed entirely from the Fab 5 as the basis for Marathon Weekend. Other than shuffling around the Fab 5s race assignments to accommodate Oswald's introduction, they've been very consistent with the theming. At least since I started in 2016, that is. I'd just prefer to see them throw an acorn to Chip & Dale and let them host instead of Oswald. They sort of got a chance with the ill-fated marathon relay, but they need a chance to host their own race! Find somebody suitably classic to pair with Pluto and all the races could go dual-host!

5k: Pluto + ???
10k: Chip & Dale
1/2: Donald & Daisy
Full: Mickey & Minnie

I wouldn't worry too much about the W&D theme weirdness spilling over to Marathon Weekend. Wine & Dine has a pretty robust history of inconsistent and hit/miss themes. They just missed this year from a coherence standpoint.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Find somebody suitably classic to pair with Pluto and all the races could go dual-host!

5k: Pluto + ???
10k: Chip & Dale
1/2: Donald & Daisy
Full: Mickey & Minnie

Pluto + Figaro (minnie's cat)
heck, they could do clarabelle/horace in place of oswald too!

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD: I want to do Dopey once, and since 2023 is an anniversary year this seems like the one to do. However, I'd really like to improve my POT, and ideally run my first marathon before then.

What is the usual POT cutoff date for marathon weekend?

Lately it has been early to mid October.

 

[The Expert]

Apparently the POT cutoff is right before the Chicago Marathon, as a lot of runners here on these boards have said they'd like the window to be moved to allow them to use that race.

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: I am absolutely taking a break from Dopey/Goofy and the Marathon for 2023, and am thinking I'll go for the 10K and half. But I'm not ruling out the 5K if it's still open a week or two later!

I may actually stay onsite this time, if I happen to find a good deal. I think the dates fall in a blockout period for renting at WBC, so my usual offsite plan may not be available.

My biggest conundrum is whether to grab the half or 10K first... based on prior years, I'd be worried about the 10K selling out fast, but if I can only get one or the other, I'd rather have the half. I think. Gah! I'm open to suggestions on this one.