Official 2011 Wine & Dine Half and Relay Thread

[marathonmommy]

Hmm. Didn't realize they were discouraged. Good to know.

They almost always are....but MANY wear them. If music gets you through the run, then wear them! Just be aware of your surroundings.

 

[FireDancer]

Also, with a night race, what are you all planning on doing for food that day? My first race and a night one; not sure how to plan!

Oh, another question - is there a way they mark the miles for you?

I had a bigger than usual breakfast that day and then hit Epcot for lunch and went to the F&W kiosks. Make sure not to get anything that is really heavy or something you've never had before. When I do the W&D next I'll probably do a big breakfast again and then a smaller lunch around 1 and save the kiosks for after.

All the miles are marked for you, at least in the half. I'm not sure about the 5Ks.

 

[jeanigor]

Also, with a night race, what are you all planning on doing for food that day? My first race and a night one; not sure how to plan!

Oh, another question - is there a way they mark the miles for you?

We did lunch around 3, I think. Had a bottle of wine in the room after the after party.

The miles are marked (with clocks) for the 5K and the half, as Frank said.

 

[bigtony777]

Last year we had lunch at 1:30 and planned on eating small fruit snack after waking from our afternoon nap. We felt the lunch was too close to the race for us so we have 11:30 reservation this year. Again planning on an afternoon nap and then a banana/bagel on the way over to the race. I think you need to figure out what works best for you though. Try to use the same food timeline that you do for long morning runs.

 

[2Monkeys]

Does anyone know if runners will be given a ticket to the MNSSHP?

 

[liznboys]

Also, with a night race, what are you all planning on doing for food that day? My first race and a night one; not sure how to plan!

Last year I ate a late lunch, around 3pm. Then I had a snack later in the evening. This was not enough food for me. I was so hungry by mile 10 in the race, my stomach was growling like crazy. I plan to have a full lunch and a full dinner this year. But, I do have a very fast metabolism and I've done enough halfs now that I know how much food I need. You might want to do some long, evening runs to try out your fueling before the race. I did this myself last year, did my 10 and 11 milers starting at 8-9pm. But clearly on race day I still didn't eat enough for my needs.

Does anyone know if runners will be given a ticket to the MNSSHP?

Last year a MNSSHP ticket came with the 5K registration. This year none of the races come with it.

 

[liznboys]

Is anyone else waiting for the After Party tickets to go on sale? My friend who is travelling with me (not racing) will be attending the After Party. Or is planning to, hopefully she can get a ticket.

And just to clarify, the chEAR Squad has nothing to do with the After Party, correct? What does the chEAR Squad entail?

 

[2Monkeys]

Last year a MNSSHP ticket came with the 5K registration. This year none of the races come with it.

Thanks!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Last year we had lunch at 1:30 and planned on eating small fruit snack after waking from our afternoon nap. We felt the lunch was too close to the race for us so we have 11:30 reservation this year. Again planning on an afternoon nap and then a banana/bagel on the way over to the race. I think you need to figure out what works best for you though. Try to use the same food timeline that you do for long morning runs.

We had lunch at 2ish, and then I had a protein bar when I was getting on the bus, maybe 6:45ish. I was completely fine.

 

[ludari]

I just signed up for this event and excited about running at night. Not sure what to expect or if I should wear a headlamp for the race.

 

[jeanigor]

I just signed up for this event and excited about running at night. Not sure what to expect or if I should wear a headlamp for the race.

The course was quite well lit for being in the dead of night. Except where a few street lights were out, then it was pitch black.

 

[butiflfeet]

DH and I are signed up for the half! For those of you running your first half, what training plan are you doing? I've been maintaining a base of 5-7 miles 3 times per week but DH has been off running the last couple of months due to an injury. Basically, he's starting from zero again. I've seen training plans that go up to 10 miles for the long run and others go to 14 What would you veterans recommend?

 

[Cripey]

DH and I are signed up for the half! For those of you running your first half, what training plan are you doing? I've been maintaining a base of 5-7 miles 3 times per week but DH has been off running the last couple of months due to an injury. Basically, he's starting from zero again. I've seen training plans that go up to 10 miles for the long run and others go to 14 What would you veterans recommend?

The 2011 Princess was my first half, so I don't know how much of a "veteran" I would be considered but I'll give my two cents since you asked! My training plan took me to 10 miles as the longest run before the race. I should note that my trainer was giving me running schedules only one month at a time. Going off of what I knew she gave my BF for his first half, I fully expected for several months to go to 11 miles before race day. So when I got my last monthly running schedule, I was surprised to see 10...so on my 10 miler morning, I decided I'd do 11 since that is what I had been expecting for so long, and I did it. I've worked it out in my head and decided that it was a complicated mental thing (the difference between 10 and 11) in my head that I beleive had something to do with the distance that I was running when I first started out "trying" to run at all...which was 3 miles. At one time that seemed like a million miles to me, so on race day I wanted to know that once I was in uncharted waters (longer than my longest run) I would have less to run than what used to seem like such a long distance. Clear as mud? All that to say, I think the distance you should run before the race is personal and depends on what you are compfortable with. Some people need to go into the race knowing without a doubt they can do 13.1 because they've done it before...others want the actual race day to be a day in which they've pushed and gone further than ever before...it's up to you! (and you have plenty of time to decide which category you fall in!!!!)

 

[FireDancer]

I didn't find the lighting to be a problem. There was one spot where the street light was out but it wasn't that long and lights burn out. Hopefully this year they will have a utility crew drive the course the night before and replace any burned out lights but even then one could burn out the night of the race.

As for training I am of the opinion that if you can run a 10 mile training run you can run a 13.1 mile race. I've run 14 half marathons and for most of them I haven't done more than 10 leading up to them. Really the only time I have is when the half fell during marathon training.

If going further makes you feel more comfortable go for it but I don't personally think it is necessary.

 

[daleed77]

I just registered for the half! This will be my second half. My first will be coming up in May - the Brooklyn Half. A friend did the W&D last year and got me interested. I can't wait!

I've never stayed at the Beach Club or Boardwalk Inn, but I do wonder if it's worth it for this weekend. PO is my go-to resort, or Poly if we go deluxe, so I would be interested in hearing people's opinions on where to stay.

Best,
Dale

 

[bgenew1]

For anyone that has registered what is the discount on park tickets?

I would like to know the prices for a 3day and 4day hopper.

I am trying to decide if it would be a better deal to upgrade our 6 day hopper to a 10 day non expire when we go in May (of which we probably will only be using 5 days) or if it would be cheaper to buy tickets thru the Wine & Dine.

Thanks.

 

[sccrldy22]

I just registered! I did it last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I did run by myself, thought it to be a little lonely, so I coerced my dad into running it with me!

I hope the after party will truly be less crowded this year!

 

[bigtony777]

I just registered for the half! This will be my second half. My first will be coming up in May - the Brooklyn Half. A friend did the W&D last year and got me interested. I can't wait!

I've never stayed at the Beach Club or Boardwalk Inn, but I do wonder if it's worth it for this weekend. PO is my go-to resort, or Poly if we go deluxe, so I would be interested in hearing people's opinions on where to stay.

Best,
Dale

Dale,

We are staying at Beach Club for the first time this coming race. Personally, I don't know if it is a big enough difference. I am perfectly fine in a value or moderate as we don't spend much time in the room. We are usually either at a park, swimming or sleeping in the room when we are in it.

Now we will be without children for the race trip and we didn't go to MK or AK last year at all. So if you are like us and will spend almost all of your time at Epcot or HS, then I feel that it is worth it as I can walk to either and don't have to mess with buses if I don't want to. The other benefit is that if I can attain my goal, I will be able to shower, change and get back to meet up with my wife an friends by the time they cross the finish line.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I just registered for the half! This will be my second half. My first will be coming up in May - the Brooklyn Half. A friend did the W&D last year and got me interested. I can't wait!

I've never stayed at the Beach Club or Boardwalk Inn, but I do wonder if it's worth it for this weekend. PO is my go-to resort, or Poly if we go deluxe, so I would be interested in hearing people's opinions on where to stay.

Best,
Dale

Howdy! (And good luck at Brooklyn, it's going to be my HM #5)

We stayed at BWI for W&D last year and it was AMAZING. By the end of the race, and after the craptacular after party, I was SO ready to climb into bed. The 3 minute walk to BWI was a life saver.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

WOOHOO I just registered today for the HALF and I registered my DD and I for the 5K. I am so excited!