Marathon Weekend 2026

[camaker]

Had a ton of fun at this year's races, both due to the races themselves and the wonderful community on these boards.

Hoping to sign up again for another Goofy in 2026 but in the meantime my brain is saying

The correct gif is “Y’all got any more of them liquid cheeses?”

 

[PrincessV]

Well after reading you’re recap I was going to encourage you to go for it next year so maybe I’m not much help either!!

I keep reminding myself of all the complaints I had about things that will never change and how much I really, really love running in places with less people - it’s helping lol!

 

[Novatrix]

The correct gif is “Y’all got any more of them liquid cheeses?”

Man, I gave you two yesterday, may be time to seek some help...

 

[NewYKRunner]

One thing I really prioritized this training cycle was sleep. I started sleep tracking and making sure I got at least 8 hours of sleep—which was tough since I got up at 5 am for my runs. The week before MW, I was regularly getting 9 1/2 hours, and I felt great. Same time last year I was feeling burned out and exhausted. I ended up with a higher volume of training this year, but I finished with no injuries and a positive mindset.

I am finding sleep has not been sufficient for me this winter training season. I’m not sure if it’s age or what but it has been by focus so I can keep my energy up for the longer runs on Sundays.

 

[Naomeri]

Picking up where I left off on the 2025 thread…

I finished spectating the marathon feeling equal parts happy about choosing not to put myself through that again, and jealous of everyone doing it. I really, truly, thought I was DONE with long distances - definitely done with marathons, and thought this half was probably my last 13.1.

Now? I’m actually considering Goofy. Maybe even Goofy +5K.

I’m convinced this is some kind of cult.

In all seriousness, though - all my kingdom for a pair of shoes that will work long distances!!! I pulled out an old pair to do this half, after enduring severe pain all though training because none of the new shoes I’ve tried would work longer than 10K, and the difference was night and day. But that old pair won’t make it much longer and I can’t find a replacement its equal. I’ll try the few other possibilities I haven’t tried over the coming weeks and see. Realistically, there is no way I can do another half, let alone a marathon or more, unless I can find a sound replacement. If anyone else out there thrived in the Altra Torin 5 and has found something nearly identical, let me know!

The other component is way more within my control: training. Or more critically, realizing that I need a LOT more rest and recovery than I used to. Probably lower mileage, too. More walking, less running.

If you’re already thinking Goofy + 5K, it’s only a little more effort to just go whole hog and do Dopey…

 

[PrincessV]

If you’re already thinking Goofy + 5K, it’s only a little more effort to just go whole hog and do Dopey…

True, but I’ve already done that x4: I’m good. In the real world, I’m unlikely to do more than the 5 and 10 TBH - that was mostly post-weekend delusion talking

 

[The Expert]

Man, I gave you two yesterday, may be time to seek some help...

Plus one more from me!

For next year I'm pretty solidly sticking to my plan to do the Happy Challenge: run 5K, 10K and Half, then spectate the marathon. I'll likely go back to Dopey in 2027 and continue to alternate back and forth. I just need a break from the training, and I truly do enjoy spectating. It might be fun to do an organized spectating group or two next year, if anyone is interested.

I'd skip the 5K but I like to come in early and use my expo entry and kind of ease into the weekend, so I may as well run it if I'm there anyway. DH plans to come down for the whole timeframe and stay a day or two later next year, too. After joining DATW yesterday, I think he finally understands why I want to come hang out with you "internet strangers" all the time!

 

[superchime]

I think I’m in for just the half next year but definitely going to cheer for the end of the marathon because those people gave me the last little boost I needed on Sunday.

 

[nancipants]

Plus one more from me!

For next year I'm pretty solidly sticking to my plan to do the Happy Challenge: run 5K, 10K and Half, then spectate the marathon. I'll likely go back to Dopey in 2027 and continue to alternate back and forth. I just need a break from the training, and I truly do enjoy spectating. It might be fun to do an organized spectating group or two next year, if anyone is interested.

I'd skip the 5K but I like to come in early and use my expo entry and kind of ease into the weekend, so I may as well run it if I'm there anyway. DH plans to come down for the whole timeframe and stay a day or two later next year, too. After joining DATW yesterday, I think he finally understands why I want to come hang out with you "internet strangers" all the time!

He was fun to hang out with!

 

[FFigawi]

Definitely in for next year again! Just the marathon - not ready to tackle Dopey with a small child but when he’s a bit older I’d like to!

I am likely going to run an April half for better POT. Just snuck in under 3:51 after being sick for almost a month, I’d like to guarantee that I can start in A again and try to collect all the character stops next year (managed 23 this year).

Why didn’t you get them all? Which ones did you skip? I almost skipped a few where the Photopass photographers were having camera problems, but I wanted to get 100% one way or another.

 

[GuinnessRunner]

Now I’m going to spend the next 2 months deciding if I can manage Dopey or Goofy next year. Don’t suppose anyone wants to tell me why that’s a bad idea?

I will tell gladly you it is a bad idea. At least the part about spending two months deciding. Just go ahead and commit today since you know you want to.

 

[nancipants]

Me, Sunday, on Western Way: I am never doing this again.

Me, post-race, to my husband: Don't ever let me do that again.

Me, just now: Requested a 2026 marathon bib through the charity I ran with this year.

 

[PrincessV]

I will tell gladly you it is a bad idea. At least the part about spending two months deciding. Just go ahead and commit today since you know you want to.

Me, Sunday, on Western Way: I am never doing this again.

Me, post-race, to my husband: Don't ever let me do that again.

Me, just now: Requested a 2026 marathon bib through the charity I ran with this year.

See what I mean? #itsacult

 

[Herding_Cats]

During the marathon yesterday I thought never again. After finishing I told my husband to never let me do that again.

And now I want redemption.

“This was identified early on as a possible outcome.”

Or….we told you so?

Eta: in all fairness, Western Way was before you caught up to the party of team not so fast

 

[dobball23]

For next year I'm pretty solidly sticking to my plan to do the Happy Challenge: run 5K, 10K and Half, then spectate the marathon. I'll likely go back to Dopey in 2027 and continue to alternate back and forth. I just need a break from the training, and I truly do enjoy spectating. It might be fun to do an organized spectating group or two next year, if anyone is interested.

I bet my wife could get on board with an organized spectating group. She usually has all kinds of stories of people she talked with, made friends with and got to know while I am running. I'm hoping to do Dopey, so she'll have some time to kill.

 

[The Expert]

Me, Sunday, on Western Way: I am never doing this again.

Me, post-race, to my husband: Don't ever let me do that again.

Me, just now: Requested a 2026 marathon bib through the charity I ran with this year.

One of us! One of us! One of us!

I bet my wife could get on board with an organized spectating group. She usually has all kinds of stories of people she talked with, made friends with and got to know while I am running. I'm hoping to do Dopey, so she'll have some time to kill.

Awesome! I'll start an official spectating thread a few months out from next year's races where anyone interested can coordinate. (And anyone can share that info with family/friends who aren't part of this group.)

 

[PrincessV]

This is probably only helpful to fellow coastal folks in the south who need to talk themselves down, but I just took a minute to plot out long runs for a theoretical WDW Marathon/Goofy/Dopey and… yeah. I swore off W&D because the stress of long runs in the heat of summer + hurricanes was too, too much for me last year: this would be just as bad. Minus the hard deadline of a race weekend in the middle of it all, but still - off-putting for sure.

 

[nancipants]

“This was identified early on as a possible outcome.”

Or….we told you so?

Eta: in all fairness, Western Way was before you caught up to the party of team not so fast

Next year, we can run together the ENTIRE time!

 

[The Expert]

Next year, we can run together the ENTIRE time!

Aww now I'm feeling the pressure to sign up for Dopey again!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Next year, we can run together the ENTIRE time!

Aww now I'm feeling the pressure to sign up for Dopey again!

I’m “supposed to” be taking that weekend off next year! Maaaaybe goofy. Gotta talk to DH and possibly DS2.

Princess next year is a better bet for me.