Marathon Weekend 2026

[DianaMB333]

A couple miles around Wilderness this AM and stopped to enjoy sunrise at geyser point. Happy expo day tomorrow

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I did the same!

 

[dobball23]

I had a good training block this fall, but I now have some bad news. Three weeks out from Dopey I encountered an injury I've been dealing with since last week. I've run just four miles since the middle of last week.

Last Wednesday (Dec. 17) I did a run and felt good afterward. At one point later that day, I felt something in my left shin for a moment. I didn't think about it again. Then, the next day I had a nice easy run. Following that, my shin was hurting me. I self-diagnosed shin splints or a stress fracture. I skipped my other two runs that week -- including my 19-miler.

I waited to run until Wednesday (Dec. 24). It was not feeling better, but I needed to see if it would get worse if I ran. I did 4 miles at warmup pace, and it was definitely worse after that.

I am in Fort Myers for two weeks leading up to Dopey and went to Urgent Care this morning to get an x-ray. Luckily, it was negative, and they concluded it seems like shin splints (which I've never had). It is painful to even walk right now, although I did take about 9,000 steps each of the last two days.

Rather than aiming for my fourth straight sub-3:30 marathon finish, my goals have adjusted. I am not sure what I will do for Dopey. We do not have travel insurance (and can't cancel our rented DVC points reservation), but our options include:
- Go and walk or jog/run as much of the races as I can, even if I'm not able to run anymore going into it. If I do this, it will be a totally different experience than I am used to. Typically, if I do a race, I'm really running it. I may need to join some fellow DISers to enhance the experience.
- Go and skip the races, but spectate and enjoy being around RunDisney.
- Go and purchase park tickets and make it a mostly parks trip.
- Skip going and just head back to PA (we're currently already in Fort Myers at my parents' place) and will have been for just over two weeks by Expo Day.

Any tips from someone who has had shin splints? It's a new injury for me.

Just an update as we head into Marathon Weekend. I will be at WDW and plan to start the 5K. I'll see how I feel that day with regards to if I walk, jog or run. Depending on how that goes, I will determine a plan for the 10K, then the HM and then the M.

My shin felt a little better last Wednesday/Thursday. I was not running, but was walking ~9-10,000 steps per day. It started to feel worse Friday and Saturday, so I reduced my walking. The last couple of days it has been a bit better. Fingers crossed it stays that way. I have not been able to run yet.

I plan to attend the Hurricane Hannah's meetup on Friday and look forward to the camaraderie of this coming weekend. I'll be driving to OKW tomorrow morning from Fort Myers.

 

[StarGirl11]

Talking to my trainer (weekly call we do) this afternoon made it hit home just how far I’ve come in a year. We’re fully expecting me to be up with the front pack this year for the first time (been mid even with my pace) for the half. Will see with the full annd the crowds and on Day 4. But ant least the half. And I’m realizing even with the character stops I have a chance to clear the course possibly before sunrise for the half for the first time. Since warmer tends to make wheels run faster. And I’m running faster this year.

 

[Di$neyCPA]

Got our bibs for half only. All four of us got bibs starting 426xx. Any intel on what corral that would be?

 

[Baloo in MI]

And it’s still Xmas here…

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We are at OKW this year, first time and I really like it, but wow your pictures are making me miss WL! Christmas Tree, boat rides and bison burgers! Hopefully next year!

 

[Poohverine]

Got upgraded to first class on my redeye to MCO! Hoping that’s a sign of how this weekend is going to go…

See ya’ll real soon!

 

[KCO5988]

Bring masks if you can! The amount of people coughing all over the place at the parks yesterday was insane. I wore a mask all day at Epcot and MK and the only other person I saw wearing a mask was when I got back to POP (they were wearing a Rundisney shirt so that tracks haha)

 

[The Expert]

In the club Platinum line.

 

[The Expert]

Shoe order form from IG

 

[GuinnessRunner]

Good luck to all trying to get a low VQ number this morning! Since there's no merch that is a must for me I am hoping to avoid the madness by going this afternoon.

 

[FFigawi]

Good luck to all trying to get a low VQ number this morning! Since there's no merch that is a must for me I am hoping to avoid the madness by going this afternoon.

Same. Getting there around 3 for beer, bibs, shirts and shopping, and a stroll through the rD merch on the way out.

 

[The Expert]

So the Dopey merch is indeed being done like club, with a dedicated line. The rest of the expo is calm because everyone is in line for Dopey merch.

 

[KCO5988]

I’m in the gold line and we haven’t even gone inside now (for 8am access). Family next to us says their family member who is platinum has been in the dopey merch line since she entered at 730. It’s all behind a table with a crazy long line and all there is is a cotton shirt, tech tshirt, sweatshirt and pins.

 

[camaker]

Fun times last night. Ended up with a dry run for the upcoming early wake up calls. The AC unit in my room decided to pitch a fit at 2:30. Maintenance came out and pronounced it dead at 3:00 and said I needed to change rooms. Fortunately, one was available in the same building. Not a particularly well-rested camper this morning.

 

[smileyanna]

Have fun at the expo!!

If not too much trouble, can someone post a pic of the weekend jacket (women’s)?

Or, a link to a vlogger doing an all-encompassing merch video?

 

[Z-Knight]

ooooof...boarding group 90

 

[jrsharp21]

Group 80 in the VQ

 

[Z-Knight]

and cant open expo guide at all...site is not loading. sheesh

anyone know when busses start running to expo? is it now or 930am?

 

[pluto377]

Group 32

Trying to decide if I should drive or just take the bus

 

[marty3d]

Is it possible to have FOMO about not being there for first day of expo?

Honestly - I just want the shoes to still be there tomorrow evening.