Marathon Weekend 2026

[dobball23]

@dobball23 One question you should ask yourself is what do you have lined up after Dopey? Like if you do it, albeit slowly, and have to take 8 weeks off, does that mess up the rest of your 2026?

Now if you do decide you want to do it you are more than welcome to tag along with me for the Half Marathon. My knees have not been great so i am hoping to survive. I will be doing 2 minute run/ 1 minute walk intervals. when i do run it is about a 10:15 pace so still much slower than you but hopefully not so slow that you make anything worse.

Good thought process. I would like to keep running throughout 2026, and don't want to miss out on future runs. My next thing I'd likely aim for would be a half marathon in early May. Then likely a marathon in the fall and/or Dopey in 2027 to make up for this year! (I wouldn't have planned on Dopey in 2027, but after the last week, it is creeping into my head).

I'll keep your offer of running with you for the half in mind as my plan for Dopey becomes clearer. That shows how great this community is!

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

@dobball23 I don’t know if this helps once you already have shin splints, but it’s worth knowing for future prevention. I used to get shin splints all along, and since I’ve done this warmup before every run, I’ve not had any trouble at all:

Keeping your heel firmly on the ground, tap your foot as fast as you can for about 30 seconds, then switch and do the same with the other foot. You can feel the front of your lower leg get warmed up and then those muscles are ready to go. I can’t remember where I read that tip—maybe Runners World—but I swear by it.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Good thought process. I would like to keep running throughout 2026, and don't want to miss out on future runs. My next thing I'd likely aim for would be a half marathon in early May. Then likely a marathon in the fall and/or Dopey in 2027 to make up for this year! (I wouldn't have planned on Dopey in 2027, but after the last week, it is creeping into my head).

I'll keep your offer of running with you for the half in mind as my plan for Dopey becomes clearer. That shows how great this community is!

I've had shin splints twice. The first time was when I started training for my very first Half (at Disney, thank you...) and was running in worn out shoes, which I didn't appreciate at the time. Gave myself about ten days off and bought myself my first really good pair of running shoes. Problem solved.
Didn't have shin splints again until earlier this year when I was re-awakening my legs to running after rehab. In this instance, they weren't severe because I just backed off on the runs and made the walk intervals a bit longer and I think some post run/walk ice packs. After a week or so, they quit trying to manifest themselves.

Based on what you've said in the past on how fast you are, my 2-cents worth is simply quit running now to let yourself recover, and then take the Dopey easy so that you can do your other races later in the year. IMHO, you'll still finish faster than most of us, and with rest and maybe the exercise listed above, you may have minimal splits for MW.

And I would also enjoy having some running company for the half, or even part of it. That said, 10:15 may be a bit faster than I can maintain for that distance. Looking at my notes, my rD pace for the half will be more like 12 min/mile, which is my pace plus some photo stops.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Oil stain from today's run.
I saw a Hidden Mickey. YMMV....

 

[DodgerGirlMissy]

Hi everyone! I’ll be running my first RunDisney event at Walt Disney World in a couple weeks (I’ve run the Disneyland Half a couple times). I’ve briefly heard about a refillable beer cup we can buy. Where do we buy this? Where do we get it refilled? TIA

 

[FFigawi]

Hi everyone! I’ll be running my first RunDisney event at Walt Disney World in a couple weeks (I’ve run the Disneyland Half a couple times). I’ve briefly heard about a refillable beer cup we can buy. Where do we buy this? Where do we get it refilled? TIA

You can buy them at the beer stand in the parking lot after the finish. If you leave it in your gear check bag, you can use it again after the next race and take advantage of the discount. In previous years, you could buy them at ESPN during the expo, but that's not the case anymore.

@dobball23 here's one more voice in support of taking some rest and recovery over the next two weeks, and then heading into Dopey planning to go easy during each race as much as possible. There will likely be a lot of walking, so do spend some time walking during the next few weeks. Walking a race uses much different muscles than running one, and you don't want to deal with one issue by creating another.

 

[dobball23]

You can buy them at the beer stand in the parking lot after the finish. If you leave it in your gear check bag, you can use it again after the next race and take advantage of the discount. In previous years, you could buy them at ESPN during the expo, but that's not the case anymore.

@dobball23 here's one more voice in support of taking some rest and recovery over the next two weeks, and then heading into Dopey planning to go easy during each race as much as possible. There will likely be a lot of walking, so do spend some time walking during the next few weeks. Walking a race uses much different muscles than running one, and you don't want to deal with one issue by creating another.

You seem to be someone who typically competes in races and tries to do well time-wise. What are your experiences doing races just to complete them, like I'll likely need to do, vs. racing them? Are they still fun for you (if you've experienced it)?

 

[FFigawi]

You seem to be someone who typically competes in races and tries to do well time-wise. What are your experiences doing races just to complete them, like I'll likely need to do, vs. racing them? Are they still fun for you (if you've experienced it)?

I have plenty of experience with not racing a race. Almost every Disney race I've done has been for fun and not for time, and they're a lot more fun that way. It's tough to stop for character photos, drinks at the bar, and riding rides when you're focused on a time goal, and it's those things that keep me coming back. You can race a marathon anywhere. You can't goof off on a multiple roller coasters or the Tower of Terror anywhere else. Since you won't be going for time, and likely to be in corral A, you'll have the perfect opportunity to hit every character stop, ride several rides, soak up all the atmosphere, grab a drink or two along the way, and still come in well before the balloon ladies. When i do this, which is pretty much every year, my moving time is around 4:30-5hours, elapsed time is 6 hours or more, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I think you'll really enjoy the freedom of taking it easy and having fun without the pressure of keeping a certain pace the whole way. With any luck, I'll be in A for all four races.You're welcome to run with me and my friends if you want.

 

[dobball23]

I have plenty of experience with not racing a race. Almost every Disney race I've done has been for fun and not for time, and they're a lot more fun that way. It's tough to stop for character photos, drinks at the bar, and riding rides when you're focused on a time goal, and it's those things that keep me coming back. You can race a marathon anywhere. You can't goof off on a multiple roller coasters or the Tower of Terror anywhere else. Since you won't be going for time, and likely to be in corral A, you'll have the perfect opportunity to hit every character stop, ride several rides, soak up all the atmosphere, grab a drink or two along the way, and still come in well before the balloon ladies. When i do this, which is pretty much every year, my moving time is around 4:30-5hours, elapsed time is 6 hours or more, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I think you'll really enjoy the freedom of taking it easy and having fun without the pressure of keeping a certain pace the whole way. With any luck, I'll be in A for all four races.You're welcome to run with me and my friends if you want.

Thanks for the advice. I've always enjoyed the atmosphere of RunDisney, but usually just enjoyed seeing characters as I run by. I'm also typically an "all or nothing" type of person. So it feels weird to do a race without racing. It sounds like I'll have some people to tag along with, depending on what my pace will be. I expect to be in "A" for all four races. Once I know what my plan/pace/ability level will be, I'll certainly share in case I can connect up with any groups already running together.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Thanks for the advice. I've always enjoyed the atmosphere of RunDisney, but usually just enjoyed seeing characters as I run by. I'm also typically an "all or nothing" type of person. So it feels weird to do a race without racing.

maybe this is a good opportunity for you to make a goal that isn’t time-based. That could look like a lot of things, but is something to consider.

 

[KCO5988]

I fully realize this is way easier to say to someone else than to do yourself, but please don't do the rest of the sim if you're sick! You're likely to do a lot more harm than good. If you've done (most of) the rest of the training, you will be fine. Give your body a chance to recover before MW rather than putting a whole bunch more stress on it.

Hopefully with some rest you'll be all better soon!

Okay I’m heading your advice. No 10 miler today and no 20 miler tomorrow. It’s moved into my chest and your right that resting is better than pushing myself.

You seem to be someone who typically competes in races and tries to do well time-wise. What are your experiences doing races just to complete them, like I'll likely need to do, vs. racing them? Are they still fun for you (if you've experienced it)?

I should be in A and am planning to do the 5k and 10k at recovery pace (930-10) and the half at around a 9 min pace. The full I’m planning the first 4 as a warmup starting around 9 min pace and then doing 14 at marathon pace and then cooling down for the remainder. You’re welcome to run with me for any or all of the races if you want someone to hold you to an easier pace! I’ve dealt with shin splints twice recently and after a two week rest period both times they healed up.