Marathon Weekend 2025

[GollyGadget]

Random question - can anyone recommend a website for planning running routes? I've been using MapMyRun but would like to try something different. My ideal is some website where I can tell it my distance, the place I'm starting, and then it will create a route for me (ideally including a loop with some park trails). I realize that may not exist but would be a lot easier than clicking on the map a lot... Lol.

Like @Herding_Cats , I do not pay for Strava but it has some sort of routing feature. I actually only use Strava when trying to stalk other runners. Stalking is probably not the right term, but pretty close . I've used it to estimate my GAP on certain sections based on others' performances and used the heat map to see where others run.

Garmin also has a heatmap that I like to consult when running in a new place. It won't create routes but might give you ideas.

 

[MissLiss279]

Random question - can anyone recommend a website for planning running routes? I've been using MapMyRun but would like to try something different. My ideal is some website where I can tell it my distance, the place I'm starting, and then it will create a route for me (ideally including a loop with some park trails). I realize that may not exist but would be a lot easier than clicking on the map a lot... Lol.

Like @Herding_Cats , I do not pay for Strava but it has some sort of routing feature. I actually only use Strava when trying to stalk other runners. Stalking is probably not the right term, but pretty close . I've used it to estimate my GAP on certain sections based on others' performances and used the heat map to see where others run.

Garmin also has a heatmap that I like to consult when running in a new place. It won't create routes but might give you ideas.

You can create ‘automatic’ courses with Garmin Connect. I don’t usually use it, but I just tested it out, and it did create an okay route from my house. I have tried it before and didn’t really like it.
You put in your distance and direction you want to run, and then after hitting next, you click on your start location, and it created a loop.

 

[runwithperseverence7]

SAFD: I’ve only done 4 race distances, 5K, 8K, 10 mile, and marathon. The marathon has become my favorite over the past few years. I like pushing my body and seeing the improvements in my time. When I finish, it feels like I can take on anything.
As a former CC and Track runner, the 5K will always have my heart. I love running fast, I just can’t run fast for very long. Both the marathon and the 5K have their challenges and I love them both. Dopey will be my first 10K and HM races.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:
Favorite distance is the marathon. I just love the level of commitment in both training and in the race it requires. And as many have said the feeling of accomplishment when finishing. The first time I finished a marathon I cried, walking through the finishers area holding my medal, Powerade and my box of goodies and feeling on top of the world. Though I have never been moved to tears since. It remains the distance that gives me the most satisfaction and no other races gives me the same feelings.

Least favorite distance, like so many others, is the 5K. I was a former track person and was once quite fast. Much older and bigger now and frankly much slower…. The distance simply hurts and I don’t get the same satisfaction. But at least at Disney is over quick enough to get back to the resort and not interfere it all with park time!

 

[Naomeri]

Random question - can anyone recommend a website for planning running routes? I've been using MapMyRun but would like to try something different. My ideal is some website where I can tell it my distance, the place I'm starting, and then it will create a route for me (ideally including a loop with some park trails). I realize that may not exist but would be a lot easier than clicking on the map a lot... Lol.

I think Strava premium has this feature, or something like it? Don’t hold me to it though, because I do NOT have premium, but sometimes it shows me things that I’m “missing out on” and there was definitely some sort of route-y thing a few weeks ago

Like @Herding_Cats , I do not pay for Strava but it has some sort of routing feature. I actually only use Strava when trying to stalk other runners. Stalking is probably not the right term, but pretty close . I've used it to estimate my GAP on certain sections based on others' performances and used the heat map to see where others run.

Garmin also has a heatmap that I like to consult when running in a new place. It won't create routes but might give you ideas.

I don't know about automatic, but Strava premium does let you create and save routes with whatever start and end points you want, and it's pretty accurate on the mileage estimate.

 

[FFigawi]

SAFD:
My favorite distance is the marathon, or longer. I'm not very fast, but I can chug along at a steady pace for several hours. Plus, since I like to travel for races, it feels more rewarding to go run a full in Stockholm, say, than a half.

My least favorite distance is the 10k. It's too long to be a full-on sprint and too short to be raced at a steady endurance pace. It's in that awful place in between where you have to bust your butt the whole time without being able to settle into being comfortable. This, not coincidentally, is why I far prefer a 70.3 or full distance triathlon over an Olympic any day.

 

[GollyGadget]

You can create ‘automatic’ courses with Garmin Connect. I don’t usually use it, but I just tested it out, and it did create an okay route from my house. I have tried it before and didn’t really like it.
You put in your distance and direction you want to run, and then after hitting next, you click on your start location, and it created a loop.
View attachment 894993
View attachment 894994

Thanks for teaching me something new! I just did a test 4 mile course and the route includes some good nearby trails but frustratingly the distance was only 3.68 miles. Regardless, I'm definitely going to give it a try next time I'm traveling.

 

[MissLiss279]

Thanks for teaching me something new! I just did a test 4 mile course and the route includes some good nearby trails but frustratingly the distance was only 3.68 miles. Regardless, I'm definitely going to give it a try next time I'm traveling.

Yeah, that’s what I was trying to remember - It doesn’t always quite give you the distance that you want.
Hopefully it works for you, and you find some good routes!

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD: My favorite distance is also a half marathon. I feel like I don't have to add anymore training and just keep with my normal daily and weekend runs. Also, the half marathon distance is when my hamstrings like to start cramping up if they do.

Least favorite is 10k. I feel like if I am going to go that far, might as well do a half marathon. I don't mind the 5k, because it is a distance where you can go near top speed for the whole race.

 

[pluto377]

SAFD- I don't like racing any distance I mainly sign up for races because of the runner camaraderie and it's fun to run in places that aren't normally accessible. My favorite Disney distance is 10K because the course has the best balance between highway and park/scenic (Boardwalk area).

 

[fatmanatee]

SAFD: since I have a full in a couple of months I'm going to say the half, because this sucks lol*. Half is nice because I don't feel out of it for the rest of the day and maybe even the day after, I have a goal that seems more attainable than the one I have for the full, and there are always more opportunities to try for that goal with the half.

*This is the point every training period where I get cranky about it. Yesterday was an 18 mile run, got two 20 milers on the plate in the next month, after that I should be fine. I always measure the stress of training by how many >15 mile runs I have left.

 

[DHSsenior007]

Thank you all for your suggestions for the route planning! I don't have Strava but do have Garmin Connect. It at least gives me a starting point that I can edit, so I'll take it.

 

[camaker]

SAFD: since I have a full in a couple of months I'm going to say the half, because this sucks lol*. Half is nice because I don't feel out of it for the rest of the day and maybe even the day after, I have a goal that seems more attainable than the one I have for the full, and there are always more opportunities to try for that goal with the half.

*This is the point every training period where I get cranky about it. Yesterday was an 18 mile run, got two 20 milers on the plate in the next month, after that I should be fine. I always measure the stress of training by how many >15 mile runs I have left.

Not sure where your race pace generally falls, but have you considered looking at an @DopeyBadger or other time/cumulative fatigue-based training plan for your marathons? The training plans I've gotten from him for the marathon and Dopey have topped out at 14-16 mile max long runs and I think those shorter long runs have been key to my continued running of the distance.

 

[fatmanatee]

Not sure where your race pace generally falls, but have you considered looking at an @DopeyBadger or other time/cumulative fatigue-based training plan for your marathons? The training plans I've gotten from him for the marathon and Dopey have topped out at 14-16 mile max long runs and I think those shorter long runs have been key to my continued running of the distance.

I've thought about it but I think mentally I need the longer runs to better prepare myself for 26, I feel better on race day when I can say that I've done this many miles in training, only a few more to go. I've been doing a couple of different things this time for NYC, most notably doing as many of the long runs as I can *in* NYC, I didn't feel like I had prepared myself as well as I could for the hills last time I did this so I started doing Central Park loops with occasional detours to the Queensboro Bridge for bridge work. Trying to mimic bridge spots in the actual race. It's rough now, particularly on the warmer days, but I'm hoping it'll pay off on race day.

 

[DopeyBadger]

I've thought about it but I think mentally I need the longer runs to better prepare myself for 26, I feel better on race day when I can say that I've done this many miles in training, only a few more to go.

One mindset I like to teach when it comes to the time-based/cumulative fatigue training model is to change from thinking about doing a training run at 20 miles, and then seeing the last 6.22 as what remains in a race, and instead visualizing that the first 10 miles of the race were like the week's cumulative fatigue and my LR of 16 miles (or whatever distance it ends up being) is the last 16, not the first 16. So when I get to Mile 10 of the marathon, then I start counting up (or down) from 0. Because in my mind, everything prior was just like all the week's activities leading into the standard long run. Not saying one method is better than the other, but that's how I've been able to train other's mindsets in overcoming this particular issue. But it's certainly a mental hurdle.

As an extreme example, I had a runner with a 3:40 HM PR (16:45 min/mile) do nine months of training for Dopey 2024. Their peak long run was 9.5 miles which took them around 3 hrs for their fitness level (19 min/mile). They were consistently putting in 7.5 hr weekly running volume. This runner finished near exactly where we thought they would on all four races and became a finisher against all odds. One part of that was changing the mindset from "everything is new from here on out" to "everything is merely a warm up for those last 9.5 miles".

 

[SheHulk]

One mindset I like to teach when it comes to the time-based/cumulative fatigue training model is to change from thinking about doing a training run at 20 miles, and then seeing the last 6.22 as what remains in a race, and instead visualizing that the first 10 miles of the race were like the week's cumulative fatigue and my LR of 16 miles (or whatever distance it ends up being) is the last 16, not the first 16. So when I get to Mile 10 of the marathon, then I start counting up (or down) from 0. Because in my mind, everything prior was just like all the week's activities leading into the standard long run. Not saying one method is better than the other, but that's how I've been able to train other's mindsets in overcoming this particular issue. But it's certainly a mental hurdle.

As an extreme example, I had a runner with a 3:40 HM PR (16:45 min/mile) do nine months of training for Dopey 2024. Their peak long run was 9.5 miles which took them around 3 hrs for their fitness level (19 min/mile). They were consistently putting in 7.5 hr weekly running volume. This runner finished near exactly where we thought they would on all four races and became a finisher against all odds. One part of that was changing the mindset from "everything is new from here on out" to "everything is merely a warm up for those last 9.5 miles".

Can't argue with results!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

SAFD: Put me in the camp of marathon being the least favorite. I'm motivated by the challenge part of the Dopey Challenge - that keeps me going - but I can't say any of it, the training, time commitment, etc. falls into the favorite category. More like a necessary evil.

Favorite would be a 10 miler followed by a half - long enough to get spread out/in a rhythm/a solid workout but, as long as I've been in a regular cadence of running, not an overly burdensome level of training or time commitment.

 

[Stitch&Co.]

SAFD: I started with the half as my first race because it seemed like it would be a real challenge. And it was. But now that I have more experience with other distances I probably would have to go with the 10k as my favorite. The 5K is just to short and I won’t do another one at Disney unless it is part of a challenge. I did enjoy the marathon this year (my first), but I also realize that there was cloud coverage and some rain that helped make it more bearable. We’ll have to see how the next one goes to get a better feel for it.

Now that I think about it, I actually don’t really like the half that much. If I’m going to put in that much effort I might as well just keep going.

 

[MissLiss279]

SAFD:
Like many have said before, the marathon is my favorite distance and the 5k my least favorite. I don’t really enjoy running at a hard effort for very long (occasionally it is fun, but for an entire 5k?? Not so much). I enjoy the sense of accomplishment with a marathon and I feel comfortable running at an easier effort.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

Checking in at SoG!! We’re going to MNSSHP tonight—glad to be in my happy place!