Marathon Weekend 2026

[Herding_Cats]

Is there any sort of a tentative plan for any other group activities? I know last year there was mini golf. I'm trying to plan all of the things, and dining, and think about park days, and blah blah blah.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

SAFD: Training is generally going ok. Focused on HM in mid December as I am trying to renew my Disney POT. Unfortunately I had PF creep up on me starting about a month ago for the first time in years. It hasn't really stopped or altered my training much until I made the voluntary decision this weekend to rest because of the PF and some crazy work stuff and sports travel for my DS. Doing a lot of stretching and active release has helped keep it in check and reduce the initial pain, but still hasn't gone away. I am getting an appointment scheduled with foot doctor this week. When I had this before, the only way I was finally able to shake it was a cortisone shot in the heel. Not fun, but effective so looking to see if I can make that happen again this week.

Hope it heals quickly!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

This is why you come to the meetups at the light pole! And HH on Friday afternoon! I was pretty unsure the first year I went (and holy smokes that was 4 years ago now?!) but the group is so wonderful about gently pulling you into conversations and including you in a way that isn't overwhelming.

What is HH?!

But in all seriousness, it's about getting whatever support you need when you need it. Want to vent frustration or celebrate wins here? Chat at the meet-ups? Get a little corral encouragement pre-race? Watch for familiar faces on the course to cheer each other on, high five or have a quick chat? Keep a few numbers in your phone for that text when you need it? Run, walk, sweat, complain, hurt together on the course? It's all that and more for us who often feel left behind due to our not-so-fast legs.

I LOVE this!!!

MW 2025, I caught up with @Herding_Cats and @The Expert sometime after Animal Kingdom, really struggling mentally with my first Marathon/Dopey. They were great at cheering me up, and, at one point, @Herding_Cats did actually link arms and make me keep moving forward for a minute or two. Later, we stopped and waited for @nancipants at The Boardwalk and we all finished the race basically together.

Im definitely struggling mentally. I had plans of what my first marathon would be and being behind in training from an injury was not included. I have so much self doubt at this point. I keep telling myself that I have successfully ran half’s and so if I can do my usual pace for half the race, and hopefully more, and switch to walking the second half, I can finish it. Not how I want to finish it, but as the days tick by, I’m having to readjust my goals. Having such a supportive group out there would definitely help me feel not so alone out there.

 

[Herding_Cats]

@WDW 4 ME
HH is Hurricane Hannah’s, the pool bar at the Beach Club. We do an informal drop in/meetup there on Friday afternoon during MW.

 

[JediKnightXan]

SAFD: Training is going well, did some traveling a couple weeks back to visit my wife's grandparents so have missed 12 miles in total (one 8 miler and one 4 miler) figure that shouldn't matter much over the course of training. Wed is supposed to be my off day, but was feeling beat up Monday so took a day off and will move that run it to Wednesday. Will see if I need to dial it back some.

I have to attempt to book BBB for DD for this trip. Even with all of the changes they've made to it very recently (no more "tiers" for dresses, it's either the shirt package or the dress package, and apparently much more limited choices) DH is still all-in on her experiencing it. So I get the joy of staying up until midnight for that one and then being up at 6am for everything else.

ADRs on Saturday for us! I'm every excited and incredibly nervous all at the same time!

I will be staying up late Friday to try and get BBB for my daughter. We took her last October, and it was by far and away here the highlight of the trip, but when we went to book there were only like two openings for our whole time there. I'm hoping the changes maybe keep some folks away, but I'm sure that is wishful thinking....

Then the princess dining in Epcot is the other reservation I'm hoping to make. Our last trip we were able to add that about a three weeks out, so I'm a little nervous about that.

Good luck to everyone getting everything booked they want!

 

[Herding_Cats]

I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm able to book all the way 1/7 with a 1/4 check-in date right now. OK I went back and checked and today IS 60 days. Either I didn't update my reservation day when we added Sunday, or something weird is going on (like....why can I book Wednesday when we check out of Riv. and into SSR on Tuesday, but can't book any of the SSR stuff?) I still don't understand why I can book Wednesday stuff though?!

Anyhow. Now I don't have to stay up until midnight to get DD's BBB reservation, so that's great!


ETA: Beak and Barrel was pretty wide open at 60+1, so best of luck to anyone hoping to book it.

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: I guess I’m “training”, just not for MW since I’m not doing any MW races this time. I’ve got Gasparilla 15K followed by PHM, so I’ve started building mileage up, but there’s no particular urgency lol! Long runs up to 8 miles at this point. VERY happy to report that Florida has entered Fall and running weather has been perfection lately.

Dining… I stopped making ADRs years ago and I fly by the seat of my pants these days - couldn’t be happier! I mostly stick with QS to fit my budget and I honestly don’t miss TS at all.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

Anyone use sparkle athletics before? It seems like their skirts run big. I’m usually a true medium but based off their size chart, I’m a small? Anyone have experience with that? How about their arm sleeves. I’m scared they will be too tight but it will royally infuriate me if they slide down while I’m running! Have I mentioned how overstimulated I get?!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

SAFD: I guess I’m “training”, just not for MW since I’m not doing any MW races this time. I’ve got Gasparilla 15K followed by PHM, so I’ve started building mileage up, but there’s no particular urgency lol! Long runs up to 8 miles at this point. VERY happy to report that Florida has entered Fall and running weather has been perfection lately.

Dining… I stopped making ADRs years ago and I fly by the seat of my pants these days - couldn’t be happier! I mostly stick with QS to fit my budget and I honestly don’t miss TS at all.

Isn’t it freeing, not to be tied down by reservations?! Having said that…I will be making a few. Type A. There’s only so much spontaneity I can handle before I start to spaz out!

 

[The Expert]

Anyone use sparkle athletics before? It seems like their skirts run big. I’m usually a true medium but based off their size chart, I’m a small? Anyone have experience with that? How about their arm sleeves. I’m scared they will be too tight but it will royally infuriate me if they slide down while I’m running! Have I mentioned how overstimulated I get?!

I've seen both @nancipants and @Herding_Cats in sparkle athletics skirts before. I bet they can answer your question.

 

[nancipants]

Anyone use sparkle athletics before? It seems like their skirts run big. I’m usually a true medium but based off their size chart, I’m a small? Anyone have experience with that? How about their arm sleeves. I’m scared they will be too tight but it will royally infuriate me if they slide down while I’m running! Have I mentioned how overstimulated I get?!

I have a bunch of their skirts! The first one I got was a large, but since then I’ve bought medium. I tried small at the last expo, but it was a bit too snug for me. (FWIW, I usually wear a medium in bottoms.) I also have several of their visors and like them. I haven’t tried their arm sleeves yet. I can’t justify the price for something I won’t wear that often!

 

[Disneyhanna]

Anyone use sparkle athletics before? It seems like their skirts run big. I’m usually a true medium but based off their size chart, I’m a small? Anyone have experience with that? How about their arm sleeves. I’m scared they will be too tight but it will royally infuriate me if they slide down while I’m running! Have I mentioned how overstimulated I get?!

Love sparkle athletic! I find the skirt size is more about length than width, since they stretch so much. I am usually a small or occasionally medium in bottoms. I tend to wear small sparkle skirts but sometimes buy medium if it's a sale or small is out of stock. I wear 6" bike shorts under them and the small will show a bit of the shorts underneath, while the medium mostly covers my shorts!

I just looked at the size chart and it's spot on for me. Like I said, super stretchy so most people can probably make two sizes work, so depends on how much coverage/length you want.

Here is me in a small:


And a medium! Same black shorts underneath both! I am 5'4 for reference

 

[Naomeri]

Anyone use sparkle athletics before? It seems like their skirts run big. I’m usually a true medium but based off their size chart, I’m a small? Anyone have experience with that? How about their arm sleeves. I’m scared they will be too tight but it will royally infuriate me if they slide down while I’m running! Have I mentioned how overstimulated I get?!

They're super stretchy, the real difference comes in the length, they get a little shorter as you size down. I've got more than enough hips to never worry about them falling down

 

[Herding_Cats]

I can wear anything from a M to an XL in sparkle athletic skirts. I usually wear a L in leggings. I definitely prefer the length of a L or XL over the M since my hips/butt use up a lot of the length on the back of the skirt.

 

[WDW 4 ME]

can wear anything from a M to an XL in sparkle athletic skirts.

No issues with them slipping down or shifting around your waist with that big of sizing difference?

They're super stretchy, the real difference comes in the length

this is good to know! I was locked in on waist sizing, not the length!

small will show a bit of the shorts underneath, while the medium mostly covers my shorts!

First of all, how adorable are you?! You look so cute!!! And that’s great info about the length. I appreciate you giving me something else to consider!

have a bunch of their skirts! The first one I got was a large, but since then I’ve bought medium. I tried small at the last expo, but it was a bit too snug for me. (FWIW, I usually wear a medium in bottoms.) I also have several of their visors and like them. I haven’t tried their arm sleeves yet. I can’t justify the price for something I won’t wear that often!

thank you! Super helpful! And yes…the added expense of the arm sleeves. I am debating for sure….

 

[Herding_Cats]

No issues with them slipping down or shifting around your waist with that big of sizing difference?

There’s a little bit of riding up with the M (because it’s probably too small at this point) if my shorts or leggings are really slippery. And the XL might shift a little, but nothing g major.

There is a difference in fabric weight between the sparkle fabrics and the print fabrics, with the prints being just slightly heavier IMO

 

[Herding_Cats]

Cure Rare Disease has a few 5/10/HM bibs left. The fundraising commitment has been reduced, but not eliminated. Note that the fundraising fee is separate from the bib cost.
https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Orlando/WaltDisneyWorldMarathonWeekend2026

 

[PrincessV]

Anyone use sparkle athletics before? It seems like their skirts run big. I’m usually a true medium but based off their size chart, I’m a small? Anyone have experience with that? How about their arm sleeves. I’m scared they will be too tight but it will royally infuriate me if they slide down while I’m running! Have I mentioned how overstimulated I get?!

I agree with the others: Sparkle Athletic skirts are very forgiving. I’m an XS in everything else and also in Sparkle Athletic, but I know someone who’s the same measurement around as I but 8 inches taller: she prefers a S for the extra length. Conversely, I’ve borrowed her size S skirt and just wore it a little higher - the elastic is stretchy enough to make that work. Pro-tip: once you get your skirt in a just-right position, safety pin it to your bottoms to keep it there.

I cannot stand anything tight on me - I tried their arm sleeves and HATED them! Way too tight.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD: I can not get my act together. Thursday is still pretty close to Sunday... And unfortunately, training is going about as well as my response time to SAFD. Training had been going well, hitting all my runs and distances, but on 10/25 I ran a trail half marathon and came out of it with a really painful left hip. Really painful. So I have shut it down for a few weeks. My concern was still having pain a few days later while walking my dog. It has gotten a lot better, so I am hoping the rest time is working. As a family we walked a 5k this past Sunday with our dogs. My lab thought he was in the race and pulled me along at a very fast walking clip and my hip felt pretty good so I am hopeful. First run will be next Tuesday, a SLOW three miler and based on that I will figure out how to slide back into my previous training plan or simply scrap that and adjust; I have no goals for Dopey outside have fun and finish anyway.

On the ADR front, things went well, we managed to get all the restaurants we wanted and in time frames that work well. Boma I am calling your name! Really starts to feel real once ADR's are set. Our days until Disney World dipped under 60!

 

[WDW 4 ME]

I agree with the others: Sparkle Athletic skirts are very forgiving. I’m an XS in everything else and also in Sparkle Athletic, but I know someone who’s the same measurement around as I but 8 inches taller: she prefers a S for the extra length. Conversely, I’ve borrowed her size S skirt and just wore it a little higher - the elastic is stretchy enough to make that work. Pro-tip: once you get your skirt in a just-right position, safety pin it to your bottoms to keep it there.

I cannot stand anything tight on me - I tried their arm sleeves and HATED them! Way too tight.

Great call out on safety pinning! Thanks!!!