Nervous--Marathon + DVC

[disynut]

I registered for my first marathon last night---the WDW 2010! I'm nervous about it, and have been reading up on everything. I tried to get BLT but had to waitlist it and reserved OKW as a backup. Has anyone run in the marathon and have any tips for me? I've read that Poly is the best place to stay but couldn't swing the points there for two nights on the weekend(over 100) and just can't see paying the cash when we have the points. I've not had good luck with waitlist over the last couple of years(as opposed to always getting my waitlists the first few years we were members) so I'm not that optimistic about the waitlist coming through.

 

[treehugnmama]

i too am doing my first half marathon...not running just walking really really fast We are brand new to dvc and are staying at akl I plan on taking a cap on the am of race. I am in the princess you? There is lots of tips and info on the princess thread in events/compition.(sorry don't know how to link) It was suggested by someone i buy marathoning for mortals I read it and am currently training with it...i loved the book.

 

[TiggerFreak]

After 3 disney halfs and 2 fulls, I can pass on a few tips.
Take the bus from your resort, traffic sucks and the buses get priorty routing. I've take the bus every time to the start and never been late.
Save the cab ride for the way back.
Plus you'll be with a bunch-o-crazy runners which is great.
Bring a plastic grabage bag to wear while waiting for the start (trust me you'll be glad you did) and if you don't need it.... trash it!
Put a comfy pair of sandels or flpiflops in your checked bag of stuff to wear after the race.
And don't eat ANY exotic food the day before, you don't want to be visiting all of the 4000 or so porta potties they bring in for the race.
(I've believe it's the largest collection of porta potties, maybe even a Guiness Record!) truely a sight to remember!

Oh, and have a great time.
Disney puts on some of the best run, most organized and FUN endurance events in the world.

Kevin

 

[Deb & Bill]

You picked the best resort of all for the marathon because you can walk from OKW to the start on World Drive (I think that's the one). It's parallel to Bonnet Creek Parkway that runs past OKW, POFQ and POR. Request a location on Miller Road (17 or 15 would be the best choices).

My husband has run the marathon a few times, the half a few times and the Goofy Challenge at least once. We stayed at OKW at least the last two times and it was very convenient.

After the race, you will have to catch a bus back to OKW, but you won't have to catch a bus to Epcot at 3AM if you stay on Miller Road.

We bought cheap sweats from Wal-Mart and he used them as his throwaways. Don't wear anything that is going to keep you too warm. Go for too cold before too warm. And hydrate.

Good luck.

 

[LindaBabe]

And, for the sake of the person who occupies the room after you, TURN OFF THE ALARM FUNCTION on the clock when you get up at 3 am on race day!

 

[mrsR123]

You'll have a great time. I've done three halves and a full at WDW. I've stayed at CSR, OKWx2 and ASSp. The pre-race busing is fine. I've also used the post-race busing to return. I haven't tried walking to the start-- heck I was gonna walk 13+ miles, but one year we did have a car and parked in the Epcot lot which we could get to from OKW without road closure headaches. It was nice leaving at 5 AM instead of 3:30 or 4:00.

You might want to visit the WISH board; there is a whole lot of folks who train for the race over there.

 

[monkeyknuckler]

Be prepared to spend a lot of time standing around doing nothing among thousands before the start. Its normal to walk backwards down stairs the next day. Have a good time.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

Actually, in many ways, OKW is the best resort for the marathon as you can walk to the start.

 

[emlutz23]

Fill the tub with cold water (and ice if you're brave) and sit in that for about 5-10 minutes after the race! That will help immensly if you plan on walking the next day! I didn't take my own advice when I ran the Disney marathon the first time and I could barely walk. I've run it 4 times now and it's a must-do for me if I want to do the parks that day and the next.

OKW will be great for walking to the start as others have mentioned, but the buses are fine too from any resort.

 

[disynut]

Thanks everybody! I'm excited. Hmmm...how far is the walk from OKW? I'm not a fan of arriving at races way early, but is the walk along a major highway? I'm guessing it will be dark when you'd have to walk, so while it would be nice to sleep late and not sit around the start for an hour or two I'd hate to get plowed by a car too!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks everybody! I'm excited. Hmmm...how far is the walk from OKW? I'm not a fan of arriving at races way early, but is the walk along a major highway? I'm guessing it will be dark when you'd have to walk, so while it would be nice to sleep late and not sit around the start for an hour or two I'd hate to get plowed by a car too!

Quarter to a half mile from Miller Road. The road is completely shut down - no traffic at all. You walk out Disney Vacation Club Drive to the stop light at Bonnet Creek. Keep going straight through the light and a little ways up is the race start. Find your corral and there you go.

The only way to drive from OKW to Epcot is to go past CBR, Epcot Resorts (BW, BC, YC, S, D), DHS, turn and head toward the MK and Epcot. You can't do the short drive to Epcot like you normally do because the road is completely closed off. You and 30,000 of your best friends running in the dark at WDW.

 

[BamaEd1]

I'm doing the Goofy in 2010 and give a hearty amen to the above posts. However, if your wait list comes through for BLT, rejoice! We stayed at the Contemporary last year and must say that the Monorail beats the bus every time. Walking to the start would be nice, granted, but with the monorail, we got there in plenty of time. Disney tells you to be on the transportation system by 4 (for a 5:50 start). We boarded the Monorail at 4:45 at the Contemporary, went to TTC and caught the Epcot monorail. We arrived in the bag check area in plenty of time, met with our charity coach, and made our corrals in time to see all of the festivities. Good luck and train well. Stop in at the WISH board (part of the Dis boards) and say hello. There are plenty of WDW Marathon vets who will help you out.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm doing the Goofy in 2010 and give a hearty amen to the above posts. However, if your wait list comes through for BLT, rejoice! We stayed at the Contemporary last year and must say that the Monorail beats the bus every time. Walking to the start would be nice, granted, but with the monorail, we got there in plenty of time. Disney tells you to be on the transportation system by 4 (for a 5:50 start). We boarded the Monorail at 4:45 at the Contemporary, went to TTC and caught the Epcot monorail. We arrived in the bag check area in plenty of time, met with our charity coach, and made our corrals in time to see all of the festivities. Good luck and train well. Stop in at the WISH board (part of the Dis boards) and say hello. There are plenty of WDW Marathon vets who will help you out.

I'll agree with staying on the monorail line. It makes it very easy. But if it doesn't come through, stay with OKW.

Don't try for the Epcot resorts because you still have to take a bus to the start, you have to have a ticket to get back to the Epcot resorts after the race or take the bus. You can't just walk through Epcot without a ticket. And AKV is just too far from the start.

 

[wolfetoney]

Good luck on the marathon. I hope you get your wait list we have had great luck we have always gotten off the wait list.

 

[kim_d]

My DH has done the half twice. 2008 we stayed at BCV and 2009 the Poly. I will have to ask him if he prefered the monorail transportation over the bus from the BC.

He is doing the full this year and I am doing the half-we are wait listed at BLT with reservations at BCV.

 

[MADCLFAN]

I am scheduled to run my 1st 1/2 marathon in boston in October..very excited!..However I am playing it cool with my marathon training due to a IT Band injury i suffered 3 weeks ago while doing the Susan G Koman 3 day breast cancer walk. I am a little nervous..but very excited to have the honor of running through the gates at epcot and Magic Kingdom. I am currently going to physical therapy to help with my injury and hoping for a fast recovery for my 1st 1/2 marathon in 8 wks. I hope to meet great peolple in FLA and see everyone soon!

 

[Efrugler]

Best of Luck in your first marathon! The Disney experience is great...I agree with the posts on best tips...be ready to "hang out" on the morning of, once you arrive at the start ...definintely walk or take the bus or you will be in traffic forever...the entertainment on the course is great...perfect place for a first marathon!

 

[ddhoeg]

We ran the 1/2 in 2008 and it was a blast. We made late breakfast ressies at Cape May's so when we finished the race we took the bus there instead of our VWL starting point. We had put a change of clothes, toiletries, etc. in our checked bag and after getting over to BC we used their fitness room for showering before breakfast. It worked great...and after getting up at 3 and running we were ready to eat!!

Also, wear your medal throughout the rest of the day. You'll get a lot of high fives and congrats and it's just a lot of fun to bond with the other runners!!

 

[disynut]

Thanks guys! I am really excited now.....now if I can get that excited for those long training runs, lol! I'll just have to keep the "Mouse" in mind. I've done a half marathon, so hoping I can get through this one!

 

[Disney Doll]

If you stay at OKW, you can walk to the start, as others have said. But keep in mind you will be walking to the actual starting corrals, not the pre-race area where you can do your bag drop etc. So, if you are going to need to have something immediately post race (ie- a change of shoes) I wouldn't recommend walking to the starting corrals from OKW. If you have someone who is willing to carry your stuff with them and bring it to you at the end of the race, then by all means, walk to the start from OKW.