Marathon Weekend 2025

[cburnett11]

Yoooooo. I’ve run like 8 miles this month. I’m banking HARD on refereeing to bridge the gap in my fitness.


ETA: if you don't read training journals, I referee middle and high school basketball, and have been averaging about 10-12hrs/week of that in December, and a few less in November. My peak weeks with a straight running marathon plan peaked at about 8.5 hours, so even if I get 75% of the benefit with refereeing, I'm still getting the time on feet in. I've done 3 Saturdays that were 6 hours, 7 hours, and 4 hours, so I'm getting some long stretches in there as well. (If I'm only getting 50% of the benefit I'll have a horrible weekend....so we'll see. I should have 2.5 weeks where I can "just run" during winter break)

Kudos for being a bball ref. I’m such a fan of the sport that I can’t imagine being able to focus so much on fouls and violations with a neutral view. In the past, I’ve done a number of youth coaching stints and I’m pretty into it and haven’t always been the quietest from the sideline.

 

[BigEeyore]

SAFD: Finally got a reservation for Space 220 so looking forward to checking that out!
Also bringing along one of my BRBs (best running buddies) who hasn't been to Disney in years. I finally convinced her to do the Disney marathon so it will be fun to have her along. Although - she is a better runner than I am, and I keep telling her we take it easy at disney races so hopefully she sticks to the easy pace with photo stop breaks!

 

[jmasgat]

I also wasn’t entirely thrilled with Dopey #1 in 2022 so I felt like I had to get back at this.

Oh boy, this hits home. Not for Dopey, but for the marathon distance. I did NYC in 23, and planned for that to be my last marathon. But the last several marathons I have run (and I don't run them a lot) dating back to Boston '19 have been so disappointing that I feel like I have unfinished business. If I plan to leave a distance, I feel like I should leave it on a high note and that is most definitely not the case. Only problem is, the reality of what I can achieve at this point is not aligned to what that "high note" would be, so it's still unresolved.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

SAFD: Nothing particularly notable, just looking forward to the extended downtime during the day to bounce around property and see some of our favorite CMs at different places. Hoping for some warmer weather days to enjoy some sun time as well.

Honestly the late dates have put a little damper on things in terms of planning (and race) excitement - the confluence of kids back in school, start of the year work, etc are less than ideal for us and the logistics of so many nights away are tough. Finally booked flights last week and we have to fly back Sunday evening (gasp!). So yeah, that should be fun.

 

[jenljeffers1989]

SAFD: This is my first Dopey, first time staying at the Polynesian, first time driving to a Disney race (I plan on driving to the 5K and 10K instead of waiting for the busses) and will be my first time riding Tiana's Bayou Adventure. It's a lot of firsts this trip! Bonus firsts: it will be my husband's first time going on Tron and Cosmic Rewind since he's skipped the past few trips. He's more motion sickness sensitive than me so I'm hoping Cosmic Rewind doesn't trigger that for him because it might be my favorite ride of all time, and I plan on us getting on it at least 4 times this trip between VQs and ILLs.

 

[FFigawi]

I know your joking but ftr the change was probably done for inclusiveness. Wheels aren’t what you would traditionally call runners. Heck some of us don’t use the term. So athletes covers everyone regardless of status

I was referring to the intonation change, thanks

 

[Cliff Secord]

SAFD: This will be my first marathon (at age 45), so the race is the sole focus of our trip. Flying in Friday night, visiting the expo on Sat, running in the wee hours of Sunday morning, and flying back to Atlanta first thing Monday morning. I wanted to try and fit in a park day, but we are already going to be off work for vacation the entire time between Christmas and New Year's. Plus I just don't know how my legs/body are going to react to the race.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

it will be my husband's first time going on Tron and Cosmic Rewind since he's skipped the past few trips. He's more motion sickness sensitive than me so I'm hoping Cosmic Rewind doesn't trigger that for him because it might be my favorite ride of all time, and I plan on us getting on it at least 4 times this trip between VQs and ILLs.

Good luck with that! I’ve tried three times now and have pretty much come to the conclusion the ride just isn’t for me. The first time we rode in the morning and I was toast the rest of the day. Nothing made me feel better other than a total sleep reset. lol. The other two times I either kept my eyes closed completely or stayed focused on the ride vehicle - not particularly fun but at least I was back to normal after an hour or two. I so wish I could find a way to enjoy it since everyone else loves it! Ha!

 

[GuinnessRunner]

SAFD: Disney wise I think the only thing new this trip is that I hope to ride Tiana’s. The other new thing is outside of Disney. My brother has decided to come and hang out with me for the weekend. We did our first marathon and Goofy together but he’s just spectating this one. He’s a big wildlife photographer so we are coming down a day early to go out to a few wetland areas around Orlando for him to hopefully get some nice shots (I’ll just be spectating that portion of the trip).

 

[runwithperseverence7]

So, my plans are most likely changing. We are supposed to come in on Tuesday, Jan. 7. But now my DS is freaking out about missing school too many days and loosing his class credits. He is a junior in high school and and has some Dual credit classes he’s taking. He hasn’t missed any time yet but it’s still bothering him. So I think we are going to leave once they are home from school on Tuesday and stop somewhere late night and then get up and drive in Wednesday morning. So I’m sacrificing trying to get an early VQ for the merchandise. I preordered a jacket and the bundle with the bottle, magnet, pin and shoe ornament. I have a few other things I would like and I think should be available still when we are able to get there. Loungefly, ears, etc.
The only thing I’m thinking I may not get will be a Dopey jacket/hoodie or something like that. I hear the smaller sizes sell out pretty quickly. Would there be someone willing to grab some Dopey merch for me? Or do you think there’s a chance of I get there lunchtime I would be able to get what I need?

 

[The Expert]

He’s a big wildlife photographer so we are coming down a day early to go out to a few wetland areas around Orlando for him to hopefully get some nice shots (I’ll just be spectating that portion of the trip).

I'm also a wildlife photographer (mostly big things in Grand Teton/Yellowstone ecosystem) and I'm really curious to hear what he may find. I'd love to hear a follow-up after his visit!

 

[GuinnessRunner]

I'd love to hear a follow-up after his visit!

Hoping to make and bring him to HH meet up on Friday and will introduce you if you’re there.

 

[The Expert]

I have a few other things I would like and I think should be available still when we are able to get there. Loungefly, ears, etc.
The only thing I’m thinking I may not get will be a Dopey jacket/hoodie or something like that. I hear the smaller sizes sell out pretty quickly. Would there be someone willing to grab some Dopey merch for me?

It will highly depend on when you are able to hit the road and when you are close enough to grab a VQ. Keep an eye on this thread as many of our fellow DIS runners will have extra space for people in their VQs. There are also a few of us with Club early access (like me). I'll DM you!

 

[The Expert]

Hoping to make and bring him to HH meet up on Friday and will introduce you if you’re there.

I'll be there and would love to meet a fellow shooter!

 

[jrsharp21]

SAFD: That waiting to go to Disney World excitement has hit! I am so excited to go. We don't have anything really exciting planned for when we get there, but we extended the front part of the trip and that is where we are excited. My son is in college and plays baseball. He usually comes with us every year for MW. Because MW is a little later this year, he has to head back to school on January 7th, the day we were flying out to Disney World. In talking with him on the phone, and my parents talking to him, he kept mentioning that it was going to suck missing the family trip this year. After realizing he was really bummed out about it, we started looking at hotel prices and flights. All Star Sports had some pretty low prices for January 4-6. When looking at flights, I remembered he had flight credit for some changed flights last year going out to school. Then we had some Disney Rewards points that we could use to buy his ticket. So we made it work. Now he is going to have a present wrapped under the tree letting him know he is going to Disney World! He is going to miss the races, and also going to miss his sister, who comes in the day he leaves. But we are going to be able to spend time with him at one his most favorite places in the world. It's one of those things you cherish because you know it won't always be there.

 

[runwithperseverence7]

It will highly depend on when you are able to hit the road and when you are close enough to grab a VQ. Keep an eye on this thread as many of our fellow DIS runners will have extra space for people in their VQs. There are also a few of us with Club early access (like me). I'll DM you!

Thanks!
It really depends on what time we can actually get on the road once kids home from school and how far my DH wants to drive that evening. It’s 10 hr 30 minutes with no traffic. Last time it took us 12 hrs to get to GA but that was day after Christmas/accidents I95 traffic. I doubt we will be within the area when the VQ opens.

 

[lahobbs4]

SAFD: 1. Dopey is my first challenge race 2. Staying at WL for the first time 3. Kids aren’t coming
Until the last few weeks, I’d assumed I would take advantage of the adults only trip by running around the parks or trying new restaurants. But lately I’ve been thinking that I don’t want to jeopardize the Dopey finish. So it might turn into a resort - only trip, which would also be a first for me!

WL is great for a resort-only stay! We love the hot tub and pool in the DVC area after Dopey. Great food & a beautiful view at Geyser Point

 

[Grabnar]

Man what a rough year. I’m registered for Dopey but I’m on day 6 of having covid right now. Thankfully I’m very mild but trying to decide if it’s a good idea to run that much in only a few weeks. Everything is paid for so assuming I clear it (it’s my first infection) I’ll be there for at least the easier races and some parks time but I may be walking the marathon I guess

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: This seems like a good opportunity to drop a…

NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY!!!

No, but really: I have nothing new planned. I’m old. I’m a 30+ year WDW AP vet. I know what I like at WDW and nothing that would be new to me holds any interest. I’m good. Get off my lawn.

 

[Herding_Cats]

SAFD: This seems like a good opportunity to drop a…

NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY!!!