New here and have a few questions

[DizGirl20]

Hi everyone,

I am new here to the WISH Boards and let me say how excited I am to have found this forum! I have been a treadmill "walker" for years but Disney is the venue that can and will motivate me to take it up a notch. I just discovered the Run Disney website and would love to enter some upcoming events!

I have a few burning questions:
1. How quickly do the Disney races book up? For example, I see registration for Wine & Dine begins Feb 14th and Marathon Weekend March 15th. Should I be online that morning registering for what I want? I want to sign up for a family 5K and possibly a Half depending on how my training is progressing.

2. I read on another thread something about "host" hotels. When you sign up for an event does that give you any type of discount at a host hotel?

3. Is there a thread somewhere for new runners?

Thanks so much for all the help and inspiration!

Oops one more thing - is there a 10K at any of these events?

 

[verticalchaos]

1. I don't think the Disney races are like Boston and fill up the day they open. Most are open up until about a month out when they fill. It seems that Disney has learned from the stacked pricing they used for the Princess and do have lower rates the earlier you sign up. From what I have seen, the 5Ks do seem to sell out faster.

Regarding training...February is a LONG way from October, so there's plenty of time to get training in. The plan I used for the January half is 14 weeks. Following that one again, I'll start it the beginning of May for the Disneyland Half. If I was just doing the Wine and Dine, it would be closer to the beginning of June I'd start.

2. From what I can tell, all a host hotel means is that they will have transportation to the events. Non-host hotels don't. I found a far better rate on my own than going through the number they give for Marathon Weekend.

3. Not per se. But feel free to join any of the social groups.

And no 10K that I'm aware of.

 

[DizGirl20]

The plan I used for the January half is 14 weeks.

Wow thanks for the quick response! Can I ask what plan you used for the half? I am currently following the C25K plan for (obviously) my first 5K, but haven't looked into any other plans beyond that. Thanks!

 

[verticalchaos]

Wow thanks for the quick response! Can I ask what plan you used for the half? I am currently following the C25K plan for (obviously) my first 5K, but haven't looked into any other plans beyond that. Thanks!

I've used (and will again) the run/walk a half plan in the back of Marathoning for Mortals. I'll be using the run/walk a marathon plan (well...partway into it after the Disneyland Half and Wine and Dine Half) for the 2012 full marathon. LOVE John and Jenny!

 

[DizGirl20]

I've used (and will again) the run/walk a half plan in the back of Marathoning for Mortals. I'll be using the run/walk a marathon plan (well...partway into it after the Disneyland Half and Wine and Dine Half) for the 2012 full marathon. LOVE John and Jenny!

OK great I see the book on Amazon. It's so funny, I never knew until I started poking around a little bit on these boards that you could walk (part of) a half marathon! Being so new to all this... it makes me feel less nervous about signing up for a half. Thanks!

 

[verticalchaos]

OK great I see the book on Amazon. It's so funny, I never knew until I started poking around a little bit on these boards that you could walk (part of) a half marathon! Being so new to all this... it makes me feel less nervous about signing up for a half. Thanks!

I love the book! John provides the humor and Jenny the technical advice (and her own brand of humor). And DEFINITELY! There are some people who walk the whole thing! If I had to run the whole way there's no way. But run/walk is perfectly acceptable.

 

[FireDancer]

1. How quickly do the Disney races book up? For example, I see registration for Wine & Dine begins Feb 14th and Marathon Weekend March 15th. Should I be online that morning registering for what I want? I want to sign up for a family 5K and possibly a Half depending on how my training is progressing.

Once the events reach 50% they list how full they are (50% full, 60% full, and so on). Just keep an eye on that and once it gets to about 75% or 80% sign up. Once the races hit 90%, especially the smaller races like the Wine & Dine, all the panic registrations happen and the races can fill up in a day.

2. I read on another thread something about "host" hotels. When you sign up for an event does that give you any type of discount at a host hotel?

For the January marathon weekend every on-property hotel is a host hotel. For all the other events at WDW they designate host hotels. All that means is those are the only hotels that will provide transportation to the expo and events. You can stay anywhere but you'll be on your own for transportation.

3. Is there a thread somewhere for new runners?

No but you can start one. If you have any newbie questions for a particular topic which has a thread feel free to chime in. All questions are welcome.

Oops one more thing - is there a 10K at any of these events?

The closest would be the Wine & Dine relay. The other events have 5K fun-runs which are not officially timed but they eliminated the 10K main event last year for the Wine & Dine half marathon weekend.

 

[IamTrike]

2. From what I can tell, all a host hotel means is that they will have transportation to the events. Non-host hotels don't. I found a far better rate on my own than going through the number they give for Marathon Weekend.
.

I agree with everything that Vertical posted. When we booked for our Jan half marathon trip there were " marathon weekend" specials but our dis travel agent found other specials that were much better. I think it may depend on how long you are staying, what park ticket package you buy and if you are buying a meal plan.

I'm relatively new to running to. I started in August of last year. While there isn't a "new to running thread", there are a lot of threads that will be really helpful. Right before this last marathon cewait had some really informative posts that helped everyone that was new understand what to expect.

For example:
A post about race weather and what to wear
and
a thread about what to do after the race

 

[cewait]

I would add to the above thread and say DO NOT book through Sports Travel (the link that will appear under travel on the marathon website). They do not have access to anything other than a group negotiated rate. These group rates are not commiserate with the low volume travel season. In addition the deposit requirements on Sports Travel are different Deeper discounts will come through the central reservation desk in the fall as travel patterns are understood.

The one benefit of booking Sports Travel is the free round of mini-golf at the Fantasia Mini Golf course in the Epcot Resort area. I told my brother to keep an eye on the number of folks at the course during our stay that that he would see lots of folks on Sunday and Monday...

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

3. Is there a thread somewhere for new runners?

Welcome! You can ask questions most any place.
You can also join in on the WISH'ers walking, running and "other"ing in 2011--General Discussion thread. It is a great starting place.

 

[DizGirl20]

Welcome! You can ask questions most any place.
You can also join in on the WISH'ers walking, running and "other"ing in 2011--General Discussion thread. It is a great starting place.

Thanks, glad to be here! I will definitely be joining in....

 

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

I am a newbie too. This place has been great! Right now, I am doing high intensity interval training, which I read is a great way to quickly improve endurance. Does anyone have any experience with this? My race is not for another year, so I have not tried any of the training programs, but would love to hear what you all think about them.