Newbie racer question - what do I do with my stuff?

[sjlupin]

I've never done any type of race before, say nothing of a Disney race. I am wondering about some of the logistics ...

I see in the info that we will be given a plastic bag to put some things in and check. I also see that they don't recommend checking valuables. We obviously need our room key, but I am thinking we might want to have some cash with us, maybe a credit card (maybe not actually, if we have our room key). So does one of us need to have a belt pack to carry room key and cash?

Also, what will I really want to have in the bag check, like for the after party? Maybe a sweatshirt? A change of clothes?

 

[Joolish1313]

I am also wondring the same thing. I did the WDW half in January and I felt like I took too much stuff (my bag was crammed with stuff I didn't use; but had with me "in case").

What should I pack for the before/after Wine & Dine?
I appreciate your help!

 

[stitchfan18]

If you have any kind of pockets I would put your room key in those assuming there isn't a chance of it falling out. The pockets on my running gear have a velcro closure to keep stuff from falling out. If you are just wanting to carry your room key I would look for one of the shirts with the pockets on the back. I think I saw some at walmart pretty cheap. In your bag I would pack a change of clothes at least.

 

[FFigawi]

I've never done any type of race before, say nothing of a Disney race. I am wondering about some of the logistics ...

I see in the info that we will be given a plastic bag to put some things in and check. I also see that they don't recommend checking valuables. We obviously need our room key, but I am thinking we might want to have some cash with us, maybe a credit card (maybe not actually, if we have our room key). So does one of us need to have a belt pack to carry room key and cash?

Also, what will I really want to have in the bag check, like for the after party? Maybe a sweatshirt? A change of clothes?

In my bag, I leave my room key, cell phone, credit card, flip flops, clean t-shirt, and maybe pants and a jacket if dictated by the weather. Unless I'm planning on taking pictures, the only things I carry with me during the race are goo, bloks, and sport beans.

 

[sjlupin]

In my bag, I leave my room key, cell phone, credit card, flip flops, clean t-shirt, and maybe pants and a jacket if dictated by the weather. Unless I'm planning on taking pictures, the only things I carry with me during the race are goo, bloks, and sport beans.

Oh really? So you do put those things in the checked bag and feel comfortable? I forgot about the phone - I'll want that too.

 

[verticalchaos]

Oh really? So you do put those things in the checked bag and feel comfortable? I forgot about the phone - I'll want that too.

I wrapped my wallet and cell phone in my sweatshirt. Tied the bag in a knot. No problem. By and large the volunteers doing baggage are trustworthy I feel.

 

[Duanerice]

I leave my phone in the bag too. Never had an issue. When I drop it off, they put a tie wrap on it so no one can get it - at least for my races they did.

I have a Spi type belt that I carry my room key, a few bucks and my Gu. Doesn't really take up much space at all and it is my number belt too (can't stand my number pinned on). But, I could easily get by with just my shorts as they have a small pocket in the back that will hold a Gu and a room key easily.

For the night race you might want a clean shirt, maybe a jacket depending on the weather.
enjoy,
Duane

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I play at WDW events so, I carry a camera and my phone with me. Also Gu, a small Body Glide, my own water-1 Amphipod on the waist pack, for the full my iPod-I don't take it for the half. Also, room key, park pass and some money goes with me.

If I check it contains flip flops and weather dependent jacket.

 

[verticalchaos]

And to clarify, the bag check at Disney isn't like it is at most of the races I've done where you just sort of leave it in an area that's (hopefully) kinda guarded - you put it down and you pick it up. At Disney it's in a tented area - you hand it to the people there and they put it on tables behind them. When you pick it up, they check your number and get it for you. It's enclosed in a tent the whole time, and non-volunteers don't have access to it.

 

[sjlupin]

Thanks everyone - this has been VERY helpful! This is just one of those little things that has been stressing me out! Now I have a better feel for it.

 

[FFigawi]

Oh really? So you do put those things in the checked bag and feel comfortable? I forgot about the phone - I'll want that too.

I've never worried about it. Like mentioned above, Disney, Rock n Roll, and other big races have people watching the bags all the time. I wrap my phone inside my shirt so it's not easily visible, but I don't think twice about checking it.

 

[stampingoddess]

For W&D I would put a dry shirt and a light jacket, change of shoes (and socks if shoes will require socks) and cell phone. I also recommend a dry bra for women because I have found that if my jog bra is wet, I still feel wet/cold with a dry shirt and jacket since I still have the wet layer next to my skin. I carry my room key, camera, and gels in my pouch. If you are staying on property I wouldn't worry about money since you can charge your purchases to your room. If you drive tothe race, you'll want to put your car key either in the pouch you carry or in your drop bag.

 

[sjlupin]

For W&D I would put a dry shirt and a light jacket, change of shoes (and socks if shoes will require socks) and cell phone. I also recommend a dry bra for women because I have found that if my jog bra is wet, I still feel wet/cold with a dry shirt and jacket since I still have the wet layer next to my skin. I carry my room key, camera, and gels in my pouch. If you are staying on property I wouldn't worry about money since you can charge your purchases to your room. If you drive tothe race, you'll want to put your car key either in the pouch you carry or in your drop bag.

Great advice (especially a dry bra - I don't think I would have thought of that)! I think I am going to buy a running belt and carry my room key, small camera and my inhaler (I have some adult onset asthma that I still trying to 'figure out', so I just remembered today that I should have that with me).

Another dumb question ... during the after party will concessions be open? I'm thinking we might want a drink or something to eat? Do they have any special souveniers for the event that we may want to purchase?

 

[stampingoddess]

Great advice (especially a dry bra - I don't think I would have thought of that)! I think I am going to buy a running belt and carry my room key, small camera and my inhaler (I have some adult onset asthma that I still trying to 'figure out', so I just remembered today that I should have that with me).

Another dumb question ... during the after party will concessions be open? I'm thinking we might want a drink or something to eat? Do they have any special souveniers for the event that we may want to purchase?

Last year the after party had lots of food concessions open, unfortunately the lines were outrageously long. I think they also had a place where you could purchase official race merchandise but I didn't make it out of the UK the entire post party.

 

[stitchfan18]

For W&D I would put a dry shirt and a light jacket, change of shoes (and socks if shoes will require socks) and cell phone. I also recommend a dry bra for women because I have found that if my jog bra is wet, I still feel wet/cold with a dry shirt and jacket since I still have the wet layer next to my skin. I carry my room key, camera, and gels in my pouch. If you are staying on property I wouldn't worry about money since you can charge your purchases to your room. If you drive tothe race, you'll want to put your car key either in the pouch you carry or in your drop bag.

I'd add a pair of shorts, and dry undies to that list too! I changed completely after the race and felt so much fresher to walk around the park at the W&D after party. I had my park bag inside my drop back so I just threw all my dirty clothes in the plastic bag, then put that bag in my messenger bag.

 

[FireDancer]

Oh really? So you do put those things in the checked bag and feel comfortable? I forgot about the phone - I'll want that too.

I wrap all of mine in a sweatshirt or put everything inside of a backpack and them place the backpack in the provided bag check bag. I've never had anything broken or stolen. They tell you not to check valuables as a CYA thing in case something happens.

If it is a fixed bag check like the January event the chance of anything happening is pretty low. In a moving bag check like at the Wine & Dine (they transport your bags from the start line to the finish line) they are moving the bag and there is more of a chance of something happening but I would still fee comfortable putting my phone, camera, some cash, and my room key in the bag.

What you can do if you have a GSM phone from AT&T or T-Mobile is take the SIM out and place it into one of your old phones. I've done that before so if they do break the phone it is just an old one instead of your current one.

 

[verticalchaos]

They should use the method they use at the NYC Marathon and the NYC Half...as you check your bag, it's put into a shipping box with others in your designated check area. The boxes are sealed once they're filled, and loaded onto their assigned (in this case UPS) truck. The trucks are only unloaded at the designated area for that number/letter/whatever.

 

[sjlupin]

The race we're doing is Everest. I *think* the start of the 5K and the end of the Scavenger hunt are different locations.

Funny I was telling all of this to my DS16 (my race teammate) and he said 'sounds like a legal thing - have to cover their butts'. Smart boy!