Minnie Marathon 2007 -- WISH Roster (see post 1 for WISH Meets Info!)

[RedDragon]

Week 4 of training for the Minnie and I ran 35 mins on the TM. Yuck, but the hip held up. I had every intention of running outside until I woke up to find an ice storm had come through during the night. Even though I saw a number of people running outside, my luck would be that I would hit a patch of ice and go down hard. So, the treadmill it is.

To the questions about needing park tickets to run the race, staying on-site and the sweepers: you don't need tickets to run the race but if you want to go back through a park to get to your car or hotel, you will need tickets. I highly recommend you stay on-site. I've read some threads on these boards about some pretty good prices at some of the hotels (check out POP Century) but you will need to verify them. The sweepers were very spot-on for the half-marathon and the full. I would expect the same for the Minnie.

Good luck on your training!!

 

[disneyfanz04]

I had aboout a 16 1/2 minute mile pace last year for the minnie and didn't get swept, but I was at the very front of the line. My chip time was something like 2:23:07. I would build the cushion in the beginning then slow it down if you have to. That is what I am doing since I will have dd-11 and dniece-12.

 

[goldcupmom]

More questions.....

Ok, no tickets required, off site would work, sweepers are pretty on time.

So,

1. If we stay on site, do all the Dis hotels have transportation to-from MCO and to-from DTD and the parks? Would they have transport early enough for the event? Late enough for an almost midnight arrival at MCO.

2. I'm a total WDW newbie - my kids & DH don't like it, therefore I don't get to go. They prefer USO. Where to stay if onsite?

3. If I don't buy park tickets, how do you get back to where you park, or back to transport back to your hotel.

4. W/ no tickets, how do you get in to pick up your packet? Isn't that place inside the parks somewhere?

Gee, I feel so stupid asking these things, but I really have no idea about WDW. I've been 1x in 1982 - honeymoon off site - WAY off site - stayed at my DSis in Lakeland for free while they were in IA at my wedding, then 1x in 1995 and that's it.

TIA. I really want to do this even though it would mean I likely can't come for the 1/2.

You guys are the BEST!!

Oh, also can anyone tell me what the abbreviations for the hotels are that y'all use??? TKS!

 

[TiffJ]

Just wanted to let those watching the sweepers know that this race has a 15min/mile requirement. (not 16 like the 1/2 & full)

1. Yes, you have transportation to/from airport & all parks/DTD if staying onsite. No, it will not be early enough for the race. If you are not renting a car or staying at AKL(Animal Kingdom Lodge) you will have to take a taxi. This race isnt big enough for them to justify extra buses.

2. We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside(POR). We booked thru Anthony Travel(as we did last year) and got a great rate of $115/night. They handle booking stuff for Disney's sporting events and usually have good prices. This is a truley beautiful hotel. They are in the moderate category & I priced thru WDW with AAA discount & it was $140 so getting a great deal for a beautiful resort. Especially for a girls' trip. Beautiful grounds, nice pool bar, food court, boat to DTD.

3. We did not buy tickets last year & had a great time. If you park at Epcot they will bus you to AK at the start (for free) if you park at AK they will bus you back from Epcot once you finish. We parked at Epcot last year, because I figured I'd rather ride the bus in the a.m. before the race than after when I'm hot sweaty & tired.

4. The packet pick up is at Wide World of Sports. No ticket needed to get in there. You can either drive (free parking) or take a bus (I think the bus to WWOS runs from MGM so you would have to take a bus there first)

POP is the Pop Century resort. It is one of the value resorts but very good place to stay. I have stayed there a couple of times. Great food court. But not as relaxing an atmosphere.

Now I just wanted to warn you that this event is no where near the scale of the 1/2 & full. It is a fun event, but MUCH, MUCH , MUCH smaller. I didnt want you to give up marathon weekend for this one & expect the same type of thing. Most of the CM's didnt even know it was going on.(when they asked about my medal at DTD) That being said, we are going to have a blast anyway!

Do not worry about asking questions, that's what we are here for. Ask away!

Check out anthonytravel.com and click on the Minnie Marathon 2007.

Hope to see you in a couple of months!!!!

Kristi-I dont think we have a Minnie 08 yet because this May will be Minnie 07

 

[goldcupmom]

Thanks, y'all! I promise I'm almost done with questions.

So, Magic Express is the transport from MCO. Since we are arriving at near midnight Thurs, could we possibly stay somewhere near MCO, then go back to MCO & get the ME on Friday Morning?

And, from DD15 - is this a girls only event or will there be guys there, too? (Not sure if it's "guys, ick" or "hmmmmm, maybe I can see some cool guys in running shorts". You never can tell with her!)

Thanks again!

I'm not hugely fond of big crowds, so I'm thinking Minnie may be a good way to 'get our feet wet' so to speak.

Ok - a couple more questions.....

If we got a flight that is scheduled to arrive MCO at 3 p.m. on Friday, do you think that would give us enough time to pick up our packets. It would REALLY stink if we arrived late & couldn't do the event.

Wait a minute - I'm just re-reading - if we do only the 15K, can we pick up our packet on Saturday? That would make the flights more workable.

TKS again!

 

[Kristi1357]

Kristi-I dont think we have a Minnie 08 yet because this May will be Minnie 07

Ok, Tiffany, smart-butt! You know I meant '07!

 

[RedDragon]

goldcupmom: i didn't run the Minnie last year but I ran the 1/2 marathon the last couple years. If you don't like crowds, you will not want to run the 1/2 or the full marathon as there are 25,000 of your closest friends running each of them. If this is your first WDW event and the first time there since 1982, you will be surprised/shocked at the changes.

From what I understand, there were 1700 entrants for last year's inaugural Minnie. That's a very nice size and a good one for you to cut your teeth on. WDW never does anything by half and the races I've run there have all been run very well. The Race for the Taste in 2005 was late starting which I just hate but once underway it was fun.

I've stayed at the Port Orleans resort a couple times, most recently in January the night before the marathon. I was extremely disappointed in it. It was a non-smoking room but it so reeked of cigarette smoke that you would think it was just turned into that for the night we were there. I won't stay there again. I've also stayed at the Boardwalk but that can be rather pricey. Check out the Swan and Dolphin hotels. They are not run by Disney but are on site right next to the Boardwalk and are in easy driving distance to Epcot or Animal Kingdom. If you are not staying at one of the resorts that Anthony Travel has set up for the race, you'll want to rent a car to get to the start or park at Epcot and bus over to the finish. I'm not sure which I'll do.

If you arrive Friday afternoon, you'll have plenty of time to pick up your packet before the 5K or 15K. Don't plan on spending any time at the "expo" when picking up your packet. The one for the Race for the Taste was pathetic and I was told it was the same for Minnie last year. Free parking and entrance to get your packet.

There is always transportation to DTD from any of the on-site resorts and there are lots of shops and restaurants there. If you go off-site, Universal has a main street thing going with lots of shops and restaurants. You have to pay to park but it doesn't cost to get to the main street thing (you do need park tickets to get into the rides areas). Margaritaville is in Universal and I thoroughly enjoy eating there.

Food at WDW: they have a new process for reservations which is not something my family is particularly happy with so we tend to eat off-site more than on-site. It's a shame b/c the food can be pretty good if pricey. If you want to grab some quick food you shouldn't have any problems.

The Minnie is targetting women but men can run it. Your DD probably won't see a whole lot of guys in running shorts for this one, but you may be surprised. She's more likely to see them walking around the resorts or parks. If she sits on the boardwalk at the Boardwalk (no need to be staying there to enjoy the boardwalk) she's likely to see quite a few.

Don't apologize for asking the questions. Better to know going into this than make a huge mistake.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

So, Magic Express is the transport from MCO. Since we are arriving at near midnight Thurs, could we possibly stay somewhere near MCO, then go back to MCO & get the ME on Friday Morning?

And, from DD15 - is this a girls only event or will there be guys there, too? (Not sure if it's "guys, ick" or "hmmmmm, maybe I can see some cool guys in running shorts". You never can tell with her!)

Hi Julie!

This will be my first ever Disney race, and the first time I have been to Disney in quite a few years, but I think I may be able to answer your question about the Magic Express. If you book the Magic Express you get luggage tickets to put on your suitcases in the mail long before you ever leave for the trip. When you get to the airport the Magic Express bus picks you up and they grab your luggage for you and drop it off at your hotel room. They wouldn't pick you up Friday morning, you would have to take it straight to your Disney hotel from the airport Thursday evening. I believe that if you book in advance it isn't an issue to have the bus pick you up late, but maybe someone else can speak specifically to that. But those are the pointers I have learned so far looking into it for Minnie in May.

From what I hear that run is aimed at women, but men did run last year. They aren't eligible for prizes and I think that the women far outnumbered them.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Food at WDW: they have a new process for reservations which is not something my family is particularly happy with so we tend to eat off-site more than on-site.

Hi Martha!

As a sidebar, I'm curious as to what the new process is for reservations? The last time I was at Disney was back in 1999. How does is work now?

Thanks!

 

[Kimickey]

Wait a sec...Dont forget me I'm running the 15K... I'll be staying at the Coronado Springs

 

[Hockeychic]

Hey there everyone!!!!

Wow we are getting closer.

How is training going for everyone?? I am going to incorporate some weight training into my route. I lost 30 pds last year with about another 27 to go and dont' want alot of hangy skin. Also want to look toned in my WISH tank top.

Kim

 

[RedDragon]

I mis-wrote when I said reservations. Disney now has what is called the Disney Dining Plan or DDP at all restaurants except Victoria & Albert. You pay in advance and get a number of credits and then meals take credits based on their level of cuisine and service. Effectively it has changed the dynamic of better restaurants from nice to cattle calls. Menus have been limited as it's all about moving the volume now.

We don't have small children--our DD is 22--so we like to take our time when dining and I like a really good experience. If I'm going to pay the prices that are charged at WDW, I'd like good food, a variety of choices and good wine selection. The new plan limits that drastically and I'm not willing to shell out the money/points to be hustled through a meal with limited variety. V&A is extremely pricey and is formal dining (i.e. men wear jackets, women skirts) and I do that level of dining only occassionally. So, we ate off-site on our last visit. I'm sorry that is what has happened at WDW. Some of the restaurants used to be quite nice.

This is IMHO..........

 

[Hockeychic]

DD and I did have the dining plan booked for this trip but decided against it. We only have 4 days at the world, I don't want to be sitting in restaurants. We only booked 50s Prime Time for Friday as that is DD's favorite. The rest of the time we will just eat counter service and can share as the portions are so big.

Kim

 

[OhioMom23]

I have never done a distance race before. I am in the beginning process of training for a half-marathon in April. My goal for that race is just to finish. I would love to do Minnie. I am going to decide very soon

Is anyone traveling by themselves? I have asked my best friend, but I am not sure if she will be able to make it.

Can I join this group even though I am new to wish?

Thanks in advance
Ashley

 

[angietuck2]

I have never done a distance race before. I am in the beginning process of training for a half-marathon in April. My goal for that race is just to finish. I would love to do Minnie. I am going to decide very soon

Is anyone traveling by themselves? I have asked my best friend, but I am not sure if she will be able to make it.

Can I join this group even though I am new to wish?

Thanks in advance
Ashley

Well I am going to go out on a limb, cause I am new myself, but from what I have seen I think everyone would say of course you can join this group. From what I understand a meet is even being planned on Saturday of that weekend.

Someone else can jump in and give specifics on this one.

I have recently joined the weekly training thread and everyone is so nice, encouraging and helpful.

I think the Minnie seems to be a great race for women and I am so excited.

You should do it!!!

Angie

 

[OhioMom23]

Thanks for the reply Angie. I really want to do the race, I just need to square away the details.

Angie, I see you are doing a half-marathon soon. How is your training going?

I am slow, but I enjoy running. Running is my "me" time

 

[Hockeychic]

Ashley.....of course you can join in

I believe there are some people who are going alone. I can't remember who it was, Wendy I think was looking for a roomie, maybe you could hook up with someone. I would definatley not hesitate to go alone.

Kim

 

[Kristi1357]

Ashley - Come even if you are alone! I was going solo until my Dad relented and let Mom come with me.

 

[angietuck2]

Thanks for the reply Angie. I really want to do the race, I just need to square away the details.

Angie, I see you are doing a half-marathon soon. How is your training going?

I am slow, but I enjoy running. Running is my "me" time

I know what you are saying about your "me" time. That is what it is for me when I run by myself. But it also became something my husband and I found that we like to do together.

Our training is going very well for Gasparilla thank you for asking. We did the Disney 1/2 just a little over a month a go and I was very happy with how we did.

On Sunday we went out for our last long training run before Gasparilla (since it is two weeks out we will do a lot of shorter runs and taper down ) anyway, on Sunday we BEAT our time at Disney

We made huge improvements in just one month.

I am constantly amazed at how much you improve with just getting out there consistently.

How is your training going. What 1/2 are you doing in April??

Angie

 

[OhioMom23]

Thanks for all of the welcome ladies


Hockeychick- Thanks for letting me know about Wendy. Good luck with your weight training. I need to do that also.

Kristi- That is so fun your mom is coming with you. I would love my mom to come but she is going to Floriday next week

Angie- that is awesome you can share running with your husband. That is great you improved so much in a month. How long are your runs during the week (non-long run days)?

The half-marathon in April, I am going to do is the Columbus Distance Classic. On their website they have a training plan, I am following that. My "long run" is still short, only 5 miles. During the week I have been running 30-45 minutes 2 days a week. Then cross-training 2-3 days (usually treadmill walking).


I am so excited about this!!

Ashley