Marathon Weekend 2025

[SheHulk]

I need to vent here because I am freaking out…
I did a 21 miler run on Monday ans it went really well. No pains whatsoever during the run. I was a little sore the next day but since yesterday, I have started feeling pain on the lateral side of my right knee… it mostly hurts when I stretch my leg completely or when I out whether on an hyperextended knee.
I never had that pain before and I never felt any pi during any of my training, I increased the mileage gradually… and now I am FREAKING OUT thinking I may have injured myself…
I have read about ITBS but am wondering if it can start up so acutely?
I haven’t been running since and am limiting walking, and trying to stretch / massage the surrounding areas.
I will try to get an appointment with a PT but with the holidays it might be hard to see someone within the next few days so I am wondering if I should withhold from running altogether…
Any thoughts or input?

I'm sorry you are dealing with this! I had ITBS flare up very acutely during marathon training in the past, so it can happen. Foam rollng has helped me, that's the only advice I can give. Get on the roller, painful side down, and roll all the way up & down the outside of your thigh, hip to knee, back & forth like that. It doesn't always do the trick but it can help.

 

[jmasgat]

I have read about ITBS but am wondering if it can start up so acutely?
I haven’t been running since and am limiting walking, and trying to stretch / massage the surrounding areas.
I will try to get an appointment with a PT but with the holidays it might be hard to see someone within the next few days so I am wondering if I should withhold from running altogether…
Any thoughts or input?

You will get as many "thoughts" here as people on the board, so take it all with a grain of salt because we are each different. That said, I would go for the rest. You have done all the training, are in taper, and there is no good to come from trying to run through it.

ITB or not, rest is generally a good answer. I have had ITB in the past, and I have found that foam rolling while that area was "injured" was not helpful, i.e. it may work as a preventive measure, but once you have it, it is not a curative. The area needs to recover.

I hope whatever you have (and that you can get someone to see it) resolves quickly, but I would not push it. And I would start to consider options for a race strategy that gets you through the weekend with a minimum amount of pain/distress.

 

[PeppercornElvis]

Thoughts on rides during the Marathon…

This is my first Marathon (I’ve run many half’s including 2 at Disneyland) and first RunDisney event at WDW. I’ve been contemplating riding the rides during the race, and based on my estimated pace should hit Everest and Rock n Roller Coaster at an appropriate time if I’d like to ride them.

I’m curious for those of you who’ve ridden rides during the race, did it impact the rest of your run when you chose to stop running, sit etc? I usually run continuously during my training runs and am curious how this has felt mentally and physically for those of you who’ve stopped to ride the rides.

I really like the idea of enjoying a ride and taking in everything RunDisney has to offer but also don’t want to regret it for the final 5-10 miles of the race.

In 2023, I could've ridden Everest but I was struggling/exhausted and passed by the woman who was beckoning runners to come ride the ride.

In 2024, I was soaked from the rainstorm in the miles between MK and Animal Kingdom and I was miserable. Once again I got to Everest and the woman was waving at runners and telling them to come ride with no wait. This time I did it, as I needed something to perk me back up. And it was AWSESOME! For my 3 Dopeys before 2024, I had the same worries that you do, that the ride might mess me up. But it was the opposite. For the next 3 miles, my pace actually increased. I was high fiving people and cast members and was in a state of euphoria. I literally couldn't stop smiling for miles.

This year, if I end up timing it like that again, I won't hesitate and will go straight onto the ride!

 

[PrincessV]

I need to vent here because I am freaking out…
I did a 21 miler run on Monday ans it went really well. No pains whatsoever during the run. I was a little sore the next day but since yesterday, I have started feeling pain on the lateral side of my right knee… it mostly hurts when I stretch my leg completely or when I out whether on an hyperextended knee.
I never had that pain before and I never felt any pi during any of my training, I increased the mileage gradually… and now I am FREAKING OUT thinking I may have injured myself…
I have read about ITBS but am wondering if it can start up so acutely?
I haven’t been running since and am limiting walking, and trying to stretch / massage the surrounding areas.
I will try to get an appointment with a PT but with the holidays it might be hard to see someone within the next few days so I am wondering if I should withhold from running altogether…
Any thoughts or input?

My experience with ITBS is exactly that: it comes out of nowhere, extreme pain on the outside of knee under load, downhills and down stairs being the worst of it. Goggle is your friend with this one - lots of good info out there on foam rolling, stretches, etc. I also swear by an ITB strap: it basically pushes on the ITB in a spot that lifts the tendon from the spot at the knee where it rubs and hurts. That plus consistent (meaning before and after EVERY run) foam rolling has worked for me.

During a flare, I do NOT stop running. But I do more walking - longer walk intervals, shorter run intervals. More walking if I feel a hint of pain. I’ve done long distances with :30/1:00 intervals and an extra walk each 1/2 mile, for instance.

I’ll add that two things make ITBS flare up for me:
1. Stability shoes - anything that tilts my foot outward is a hard NO
2. Cambered roads/sidewalks over long distances - which basically does the same thing stability shoes do: tilt my downhill foot outward, which pulls on the ITB. Every surface I run is cambered because FL storms need rainwater runoff, so I make sure I’m constantly changing the direction I’m running so one side isn’t taking all the leaning load. Out and backs are bad because I’m spending too much time with the camber on one side.

You’ve totally got time to deal with this!

 

[runwithperseverence7]

5 1/2 miles into my last long dopey run and I’m heading back to my house to get my raincoat because it is misting. And it’s cold. This sucks. and it’s not on the radar, which is always great, but I’m gonna push through

 

[The Expert]

you get some pretty cool & crazy tracks on your Garmin

Thanks for giving me an excuse to post this again. It's the Garmin track from my ride on EE during the 2020 marathon. WORTH IT!

 

[jrsharp21]

I never had any nipple chaffing until the weather got really cold here and I wore one of my runDisney long sleeve shirts for a long run. Following that experience, I have been using BodyGlide on my nipples and have not had a repeat of that miserable experience.

Oh yes, the rD shirts are good for some nipple chafing in cold weather. When it does get cold here in Houston, I will wear those shirts on my lunch runs. When I get back in the building after, there is some definite irritation going on. I will only wear the rD shirts on long runs if I have the nipple stickers and Gold Bond applied.

 

[jrsharp21]

For those having IT band issues, here is the video that I followed when I had my IT band issues a few years ago. My issued popped up in the middle of the marathon at MW 2022. It came as we were exiting MK. I remember texting my wife and telling her I don't know how I was going to finish the run. Thanks to the medical staff on course, and getting tightly wrapped several times, I made it through. When I got home and tried to run, it hurt so bad I had to stop running. I followed the exercises in the video for several weeks and the pain went away. I still do the exercises when I feel something starting to sneak up.

 

[supersnoop]

I tried them both on in the store and the open pro made my ears tickle when I cut the volume way up. Didn’t get that vibration from the pro 2.

I believe the Pro2 adds speakers and relies on them more than the original bone-conducting technology, which seems like it defeats the whole purpose. That's probably why the Pro caused a tickle.

 

[supersnoop]

Why do I need to bring cash, a credit card, and a driver’s license with me while I run a marathon? Am I going to swing by the bank to open up a checking account? Maybe rent a car to speed through the Blizzard Beach parking lot faster?

My bib has my name on it and the rest of the information can be found through my number in case of emergencies. They give out free food and drink on the course. Anything I’d want to buy I can do post-marathon after picking up my stuff from gear check. I’ve run with my Magicband before, and can also use that to charge things.

If I'm injured and incapacitated on the course, I want paramedics to have instant access to who I am, not have to find someone from Disney with access to that information. That's why I carry my ID.

 

[Let's Get Kronk]

Another question/asking for advice from the group regarding ITBS: As I posted earlier this week, I had my ITBS resurface a couple of weeks ago during an 18-miler. I rested and did a steroid dose pack to relieve inflammation. I ran the Dallas half last weekend and it started to flare back up at mile 11 and I walked most of the last two miles and finished with minimal pain. Rested again for three days and did an easy 10K yesterday around my neighborhood with no pain. My running coach has basically left it up to me what I want do to these next couple of weeks and I'm going back and forth like every 10 minutes. Here are my options:

1) 18-miler tomorrow, super easy with lots of walking but knowing that it will probably flare back up a bit during the last miles.
2) take an easy weekend (maybe like 7-8 miles tomorrow easy) and then ramp up and try for 18-20 next weekend.

My concern with waiting for next weekend is that my long run progression will be 18, 13, 8, and then 18 again. This just doesn't seem optimal before taper. There is a big part of me that wants to do the longest run tomorrow and then taper and rest going into Dopey. But the other part of me wants to rest and try for one more long run next weekend, but I hate knowing that if something goes wrong I only have 12 days until Dopey starts to heal after that. Help!

 

[camaker]

If I'm injured and incapacitated on the course, I want paramedics to have instant access to who I am, not have to find someone from Disney with access to that information. That's why I carry my ID.

That's why you're supposed to fill out the information on the back of you bib. I say that having never filled out the back of a bib in my life!

I never run without a RoadID, which has my age, allergies, blood type and emergency contact info, so I don't feel a need to carry an ID, as well.

 

[jrsharp21]

Another question/asking for advice from the group regarding ITBS: As I posted earlier this week, I had my ITBS resurface a couple of weeks ago during an 18-miler. I rested and did a steroid dose pack to relieve inflammation. I ran the Dallas half last weekend and it started to flare back up at mile 11 and I walked most of the last two miles and finished with minimal pain. Rested again for three days and did an easy 10K yesterday around my neighborhood with no pain. My running coach has basically left it up to me what I want do to these next couple of weeks and I'm going back and forth like every 10 minutes. Here are my options:

1) 18-miler tomorrow, super easy with lots of walking but knowing that it will probably flare back up a bit during the last miles.
2) take an easy weekend (maybe like 7-8 miles tomorrow easy) and then ramp up and try for 18-20 next weekend.

My concern with waiting for next weekend is that my long run progression will be 18, 13, 8, and then 18 again. This just doesn't seem optimal before taper. There is a big part of me that wants to do the longest run tomorrow and then taper and rest going into Dopey. But the other part of me wants to rest and try for one more long run next weekend, but I hate knowing that if something goes wrong I only have 12 days until Dopey starts to heal after that. Help!

I am no expert on this, but if it was me, I would go for the longest run tomorrow. That way if you do feel the pain, you now have 2.5 weeks to rest and strengthen it. The other plan would give you one less week of rest if the pain comes back.

 

[PrincessV]

Another question/asking for advice from the group regarding ITBS: As I posted earlier this week, I had my ITBS resurface a couple of weeks ago during an 18-miler. I rested and did a steroid dose pack to relieve inflammation. I ran the Dallas half last weekend and it started to flare back up at mile 11 and I walked most of the last two miles and finished with minimal pain. Rested again for three days and did an easy 10K yesterday around my neighborhood with no pain. My running coach has basically left it up to me what I want do to these next couple of weeks and I'm going back and forth like every 10 minutes. Here are my options:

1) 18-miler tomorrow, super easy with lots of walking but knowing that it will probably flare back up a bit during the last miles.
2) take an easy weekend (maybe like 7-8 miles tomorrow easy) and then ramp up and try for 18-20 next weekend.

My concern with waiting for next weekend is that my long run progression will be 18, 13, 8, and then 18 again. This just doesn't seem optimal before taper. There is a big part of me that wants to do the longest run tomorrow and then taper and rest going into Dopey. But the other part of me wants to rest and try for one more long run next weekend, but I hate knowing that if something goes wrong I only have 12 days until Dopey starts to heal after that. Help!

Here’s the thing: you can’t outrun ITBS. If you don’t change whatever’s causing it in the first place and/or take measures (ST, stretching body work, etc.) to heal it, continuing to run will just make it worse. Rest alone doesn’t solve the situation either, though. My personal experience has been that reducing mileage and taking more walk breaks can help postpone the inevitable, but once the pain hits, it’s time to STOP for that session. What you do not want is to keep irritating it and wind up at race weekend with it ready to act up badly early on. The additional miles now aren’t worth chancing that.

A couple things that worked well for me while trying to train while letting the ITBS heal were starting runs with a long portion of walking - like the first 1/2 mile just walking. Then doing short run intervals and longer walk intervals then an extra walk every 1/2 mile. Using an ITB strap to reduce friction that causes pain. Avoiding downhills entirely if possible, and if not only walking on them.

But if you don’t change the thing that’s causing it, it’s just going to keep coming back.

 

[Zutroy]

If I'm injured and incapacitated on the course, I want paramedics to have instant access to who I am, not have to find someone from Disney with access to that information. That's why I carry my ID.

I can pretty much assure you that if you are incapacitated, the last thing the paramedics will do is search you for ID. It’s check responsiveness, orientation to time/place/person, check airway, pulse, breathing. No EMT is going stop doing that to find out who you are.

Also, without ID, if you get transported to the hospital, you already have your running gear on so you can run away AMA without them tracking you down to send you a bill.

 

[Zutroy]

When I had runner’s knee, I learned that it was not only an overuse injury, but is primarily caused by muscle imbalance. Running is largely quad and hip flexor driven up front, which causes those muscles to become overactive. Conversely, the glutes and hamstrings become less developed compared to the quads.

Because the rear muscles are weaker, our bodies have to rely on the surrounding smaller muscles to take over and stabilize the knee. Our quads can keep up with the increased load, but not the glutes and hamstrings. The smaller muscles our bodies fall back on pull hard on the IT band, causing it to tighten where the band crosses the outside of the knee.

What did I do? Deadlifts. Specifically, Romanian deadlifts. Static stretching, foam rolling, Theragun, lacrosse ball, etc. can treat the symptoms, but not the cause. Only strengthening the rear muscle chain can help prevent injury.

 

[runwithperseverence7]

I am no expert on this, but if it was me, I would go for the longest run tomorrow. That way if you do feel the pain, you now have 2.5 weeks to rest and strengthen it. The other plan would give you one less week of rest if the pain comes back.

Another question/asking for advice from the group regarding ITBS: As I posted earlier this week, I had my ITBS resurface a couple of weeks ago during an 18-miler. I rested and did a steroid dose pack to relieve inflammation. I ran the Dallas half last weekend and it started to flare back up at mile 11 and I walked most of the last two miles and finished with minimal pain. Rested again for three days and did an easy 10K yesterday around my neighborhood with no pain. My running coach has basically left it up to me what I want do to these next couple of weeks and I'm going back and forth like every 10 minutes. Here are my options:

1) 18-miler tomorrow, super easy with lots of walking but knowing that it will probably flare back up a bit during the last miles.
2) take an easy weekend (maybe like 7-8 miles tomorrow easy) and then ramp up and try for 18-20 next weekend.

My concern with waiting for next weekend is that my long run progression will be 18, 13, 8, and then 18 again. This just doesn't seem optimal before taper. There is a big part of me that wants to do the longest run tomorrow and then taper and rest going into Dopey. But the other part of me wants to rest and try for one more long run next weekend, but I hate knowing that if something goes wrong I only have 12 days until Dopey starts to heal after that. Help!

I agree with @jrsharp21 i would do long run tomorrow and then go into taper and rest mode.

 

[runwithperseverence7]

Also, just finished my 20 miles and now into taper! This was a very hard run. But I’ve done this before just not 4 races in a row! But I know this group will help get me through when it gets hard! Dopey here I come!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Another question/asking for advice from the group regarding ITBS: As I posted earlier this week, I had my ITBS resurface a couple of weeks ago during an 18-miler. I rested and did a steroid dose pack to relieve inflammation. I ran the Dallas half last weekend and it started to flare back up at mile 11 and I walked most of the last two miles and finished with minimal pain. Rested again for three days and did an easy 10K yesterday around my neighborhood with no pain. My running coach has basically left it up to me what I want do to these next couple of weeks and I'm going back and forth like every 10 minutes. Here are my options:

1) 18-miler tomorrow, super easy with lots of walking but knowing that it will probably flare back up a bit during the last miles.
2) take an easy weekend (maybe like 7-8 miles tomorrow easy) and then ramp up and try for 18-20 next weekend.

My concern with waiting for next weekend is that my long run progression will be 18, 13, 8, and then 18 again. This just doesn't seem optimal before taper. There is a big part of me that wants to do the longest run tomorrow and then taper and rest going into Dopey. But the other part of me wants to rest and try for one more long run next weekend, but I hate knowing that if something goes wrong I only have 12 days until Dopey starts to heal after that. Help!

My recommendation is Option 3. Start the taper now and don’t do the 18 miler this weekend or next. Physically speaking the remaining 18 miler adds tenths of a decimal onto your fitness. Do something nice and easy. I’ve had marathons with disrupted last long runs and so my last long run was like 5-6 weeks out from race day and the effect was negligible compared to my expectations. Prioritize getting healthy and doing “enough” to maintain current fitness. It’s the cumulative of everything versus any singular run.

 

[Kerry1957]

I’m curious for those of you who’ve ridden rides during the race, did it impact the rest of your run when you chose to stop running, sit etc? I usually run continuously during my training runs and am curious how this has felt mentally and physically for those of you who’ve stopped to ride the rides.

I rode Everest a few years ago during the Marathon, and I found it difficult, both mentally and physically, to get back into a rhythm for the next few miles. After the ride my body said "great job, we're finished here, right?". I love coasters but this time I was a bit dizzy afterwards; only for a couple of minutes but still...

Even given all that negativity, I would absolutely do it again! It was a blast and I will retain certain bragging rights for the rest of my life. After all, how many runners have an opportunity to ride rides (and drink beer which is another discussion point) in the middle of a marathon?