Official 2011 Disneyland Half Thread!

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Where are the REAL bathrooms on this course???
Anyone know????
Thanks
Beverly

Just in Disneyland which is at the beginning of the race. I think nearly all of them were open (don't know about the lines though) and didn't see any open at California Adventure. I took Coach's advice and learned to balance my fluid intake so that I didn't stop for bathroom breaks during the race. Made a huge difference.

 

[mla1977]

I'm considering skipping this race this year. I have a good reason though. I'm moving to Florida in less than 2 weeks!!!

With that and not having a job when I first move there, I may need to skip this and maybe register for the Tinkerbell instead.

Now what to do about my registration...

 

[cewait]

Anyone done both this race and the WDW or Princess race? I am wondering if there are hills or ramps or anything with an incline. If so how much of an incline and where in the race is it? I am looking to prepare myself mentally.

I addition to the park, I-5 and Stadium ramps, I thought I remembered one at mile 9 coming out of the drainage area on the Santa Ana Bike trail. A rather steep incline, but short. Frankly, it was the only slope that caught me off guard. It was not insurmountable but was just not expected.

For WDW... again no hills to speak of. There are a few slopes attached to over/underpasses but nothing bad. On WDW, just after mile 1 you hit an overpass. It's dark and you may not even recognize it. Then as you approach the TTC on the tram road you cross under Floridian Way (mile 4). About a 15 foot drop and up on less than a 3% grade. A steeper down and up is 0.8 miles later as you pass under Seven Seas Lagoon Water Bridge. I estimate the average grade for the underpass at about 4-6% with a short section (maybe 250 feet) at maybe 6-8%. As you pass the railway going into MK, again a short little underpass that you would not recognize in a car and then a steady climb in the parking lot onto Main Street... about 15 feet elevation gain over a 500 foot run (2-3% ish). The only other hills are a down as you leave the MK and go back stage. Then the set of three overpasses from mile 10 through 12. I hear a lot of folks talk about them but its a gentle slop up at 3-4 % incline. The real issue is the first climb at mile 10 as you also do a 270 degree right hand clover leaf exit from World to Epcot. It's designed for 30-45 mph so the banking is significant. Take the long way around the bend where the ground is a little flatter and slopes gentler. The second hill of the three is just after the first.. The last one is just fun. It comes as part of a 170 degree uturn. I always take it wide to avoid the crowd and to flatten out some of the slope.

 

[kim3339]

Running in the first Disneyland Half Marathon where it snowed is what I am really thinking about!

I would love that!!! That would be a memory for a lifetime!

Where are the REAL bathrooms on this course???
Anyone know????

In DCA, there are some in Bugs Land(think that's where we enter) and just past Soarin, where we exit. There also are some just past Screamin and next to the Carousel, but like mentioned above, not sure if they're open. As for DL, right after you enter on your left, there are some in City Hall. Also, after we run through Frontierland and before Fantasyland, we turn left to go backstage. Just to your right, right after where we are to turn left there are some on the right, before Fantasyland. If you look on a map they are next to the Village Haus Restaurant.

As for port-a-potties, there are some at Mile 1/12 as we turn into the parking lot. There are also some at Mile 6 on the rightside of Lewis right at the corner we turn at. Someone else might be able to answer if there are others, that's all I'm 100% about. There might be some after we leave the stadium in the parking lot and maybe around Mile 11 after we get back on Disney Way. Not sure about those though.

Another spot there might be some if you need one is on Ball Rd. After we go over the overpass, close to Anaheim Blvd, there's a gas station and a Burger King. They might be open and let you in.

Hope that helps.

 

[slp1650]

I'm considering skipping this race this year. I have a good reason though. I'm moving to Florida in less than 2 weeks!!!

With that and not having a job when I first move there, I may need to skip this and maybe register for the Tinkerbell instead.

Now what to do about my registration...

Congrats on the move! I just made the move to Florida from Cali and I'm still working on keeping a regular training schedule.

You can always try emailing them and letting them know about your schedule. I've heard they might let you roll over your entry to the next year, but that's just what I've heard so I don't know if it's true or not.

 

[jeanigor]

Finally bit the bullet and bought my airfare yesterday. It's really starting to feel real!

 

[Saylan]

Finally bit the bullet and bought my airfare yesterday. It's really starting to feel real!

I'm probably doing that this weekend. Looking like American Airlines is the one I'm stuck with. lol Booking the hotel too, hopefully. So much to do!

The race is the day before my birthday. Since we're flying out on the actual day, anyone have any tips for things I can do the day before the race, and in the remaining hours after the race on race day, to celebrate? This is my first trip even close to my birthday.

 

[kim3339]

The race is the day before my birthday. Since we're flying out on the actual day, anyone have any tips for things I can do the day before the race, and in the remaining hours after the race on race day, to celebrate? This is my first trip even close to my birthday.

If you're going into the parks, you can always pick up the birthday pin at City Hall. You could celebrate the finish of the race and birthday w/ a nice lunch or dinner. A fun one, especially since it's your 1st time to DL, is to make reservations at the Blue Bayou. It's in NOS and the restaurant is actually in POC! It's a lot of fun and has a great embiance. You can actually make reservations now if you call the dining #. They also do a Birthday Celebration at The Plaza Inn, at the end of Main Street, also a reservation thing. Don't know what the times of the celebrations are and if they conflict racewise. Also, if you're at DL at night, when they start roping off areas for the Fireworks, you could go up and ask them if you could do a VIP Seating since it's your 1st time and birthday. The res line if you need it is (714) 781-DINE.

 

[slp1650]

Finally bit the bullet and bought my airfare yesterday. It's really starting to feel real!

Bought my tickets a few days ago... although my issue was seeing what days off I had so I knew which tickets to get... It's getting so much closer though!

I've been having trouble training since I moved to Florida from Cali because I am not used to this humidity. I've been drinking as much water as possible and I've been forced to train on a treadmill inside for the time being. I just can't seem to get the miles up, but I am running a lot faster. It's making me nervous for the 1/2.

I know I'll finish the 1/2... I'm just worried how bad it will hurt since I haven't gotten the mileage I've been hoping for. I know there's still a few more weeks to get up there in miles, but I also know it's going to be tough both because treadmills bore me to death and because of my work schedule...

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Bought my tickets a few days ago... although my issue was seeing what days off I had so I knew which tickets to get... It's getting so much closer though!

I've been having trouble training since I moved to Florida from Cali because I am not used to this humidity. I've been drinking as much water as possible and I've been forced to train on a treadmill inside for the time being. I just can't seem to get the miles up, but I am running a lot faster. It's making me nervous for the 1/2.

I know I'll finish the 1/2... I'm just worried how bad it will hurt since I haven't gotten the mileage I've been hoping for. I know there's still a few more weeks to get up there in miles, but I also know it's going to be tough both because treadmills bore me to death and because of my work schedule...

The thing that helps me the most when the mileage gets up there is to do the long run/walk on the treadmill on a Saturday when TBS or one of the other movie channels has their marathons. Being distracted by what I am watching seems to help and since they are longer than say a sitcom, I am usually able to get in the distance plus a little waiting for the end of the movie that I have watched many times before! In the end, I look at the treadmill as my tough training and the actual run as a bit of a vacation. I don't know if anyone ever gets used to doing training on the treadmill but it is a good test in motivation.

 

[pyrxtc]

Ugh !!! Just tried to get my airport transport booked and can't use the DL Express !!! We don't get in until 10:30 pm (if we arrive on time) and we don't leave until 11:40 pm to go back to the airport.

Anyone know Limo prices ??

 

[kim3339]

Ugh !!! Just tried to get my airport transport booked and can't use the DL Express !!! We don't get in until 10:30 pm (if we arrive on time) and we don't leave until 11:40 pm to go back to the airport.

Anyone know Limo prices ??

Before you try limos, check out Super Shuttle. They go to all the airports and will be a lot cheaper than a limo. I think they're about the same price as DL Express and even cheaper if you have a coupon or entertainment book.

Good luck!

 

[pyrxtc]

just booked a rental car through enterprise. $104.... cheaper than the $160 for the shuttle. Not too bad to have a car for the week.

 

[ludari]

I sustained a ankle injury two weeks ago and I am hoping to recover in time for the half. I have not been training for two weeks and I feel out of it. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so I hope it's nothing serious. Nevertheless I will run with an injury if I have to. Wish me luck folks.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I sustained a ankle injury two weeks ago and I am hoping to recover in time for the half. I have not been training for two weeks and I feel out of it. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so I hope it's nothing serious. Nevertheless I will run with an injury if I have to. Wish me luck folks.

Good luck in your recovery. You will be able to to the D Half and get your C2C medal at the W&D Half

 

[Cripey]

I can't believe we're only 6 weeks away already...it seems to have flown by this time. I have never in my life wished for Fall more than I have this year. I ran 9 this weekend and by mile 7 my socks were sloshing in my shoes...so gross! (and it was NOT raining and I did NOT run through any water ) Every saturday I walk back in the house saying "geez, I've never sweat THIS much before..." I saw this quote on a blog I was reading earlier and thought it was great...my new motto for the rest of the summer..."Forward is a pace."

Triple digit heat index expected all week (omg did she just say 115??? )...yay.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

Summer,
Great job on running 9 miles outside in Houston....you are a real trooper. I am getting excited that our race is in 6 weeks and the taper begins in 5!


I used a treadmill for my 9 miles on Saturday morning and still struggled. My food intake was not right and I could really tell. Training runs are so helpful to avoid these problems on race day. Today I did my trackwork at the local college. It was 80 degrees plus and 90% humidity so it was very difficult. My goal times were not met, but I was still happy to run 3 speed miles and all under 8:30. The warmup and cooldown miles were slower than normal too, but still reasonable. Hopefully my speedwork day (Wednesday) will go a little better.
Happy Running!

 

[jeanigor]

Forgive me if I have missed it, but is there anything set up for an unofficial/official WISH meet & greet or group photo, similar to meeting at Pop Century early on in Marathon Weekend? I have no bearings on DL, so specific would be helpful.

 

[johde]

Jean, I haven't read anything either here on WISH or on the Disneyland thread about a Meet and greet.

Training for me is mostly back on target. I did 11 miles 2 weeks ago. Last week, was a cut back week, I counseled church camp and only officially ran Monday and Friday. But I chased 7-12th graders and reffed paintball. I was too tired and hot in the mornings to run. I'm planning on doing 13 miles on Wednesday. Then in 2 weeks I've got a 15 miler planned. By far the longest I've ever done in training but I want to be able to finish the race and enjoy the rest of my vacation. I've also been tossing around the idea of doing a marathon so this is a way to ease into those kind of mileages.

 

[kim3339]

Forgive me if I have missed it, but is there anything set up for an unofficial/official WISH meet & greet or group photo, similar to meeting at Pop Century early on in Marathon Weekend? I have no bearings on DL, so specific would be helpful.

I haven't seen anything yet. I know last year we met in front of Jamba Juice in DTD. In case you've never been to DL before, everything kinda forms a "T". W/ DL and DCA forming the top part and DTD shooting out at the bottom. (Hope that makes sense ). As for Jamba, if that's where it'll be again, if your back is to the parks, it's on your left hand side and a couple of stores past the ginormous Disney store. I think some people met up at the W pre/post race.