Official 2014 Dopey Challenge Thread!

[HealthyDisneyGuide]

I'll take the 2010 weather over the 2013 weather any time. I much prefer running in cold than heat.

Right there with you! Training outdoors here in Kentucky meant I was ready for 20-40 degrees, snow, & wind. Finishing the full this January in 80+ degrees plus 23566% humidity was miserable.

 

[cewait]

Love MK in the dark. So much nicer than when the sun is up. That is what I used to like about he half is that you'd run through MK in the dark. It's all lit up, just gorgeous.

But I have to admit the running through EPCOT at the start of he full was nice.
Duane

I see you are coming back to play in 14! Welcome

 

[IamTrike]

Rooms have been booked, childcare has been arranged, now I just need a registration form. Oh and I probably need to do some training too.

 

[Duanerice]

I see you are coming back to play in 14! Welcome

Yea baby! Been looking for an excuse to get back up there. Talked a few friends into going so now I have to go

In 2010 I NEVER took off my warm up gear. I froze the whole way, never got warmed up in either the full or half. But I'd agree the half was worse. I still remember walking to the bus after the race freezing by butt off. I remember seeing all of those people dressed in singlets and shorts, hiding behind the building shivering. What were they thinking? I never want to race in anything that cold again!

Now in 2009 I had the pleasure of running with Charles and I thought the weather was perfect.
Duane

 

[liznboys]

I have to disagree about 2013 marathon weekend being worse than 2010. 2013 wasn't ideal, I don't like running in heat, but I kept myself cool(er) by dumping water on my head and what not. In 2010 I was a mess after the half from being chilled to the bone even though I kept all my toss away items. It was HELL, frozen over. I'll never forget it.

 

[HealthyDisneyGuide]

I have to disagree about 2013 marathon weekend being worse than 2010.

I think it's all about the environment where you train. I did my 29 miler in ~30-40 degree weather with a light rain for the second half. It wasn't fun, but I never once felt dizzy or like I just could not go on the way I did on race day. My overall pace ended up being about the same both days, except on the 29 miler I was trying to take it easy and on race day I was moving as fast as I could manage

 

[disney_runner]

I live in Wisconsin and hate the cold! Liz has it right - when you're chilled to the bone it's hard to recover. And I'm a cold runner to begin with, so the weather we just had in January for the marathon was perfect. To me anyway. Living in WI, I find it much harder to warm up than to cool down. Staying hydrated helps immensely in the summer, and then the heat and humidity isn't so bad. But then, summer is only like 2 months long. And I love every second of it!!

 

[dismagiclover]

I have to disagree about 2013 marathon weekend being worse than 2010. 2013 wasn't ideal, I don't like running in heat, but I kept myself cool(er) by dumping water on my head and what not. In 2010 I was a mess after the half from being chilled to the bone even though I kept all my toss away items. It was HELL, frozen over. I'll never forget it.

I will vouch for you, Liz. You were a mess! Your teeth were chattering, your lips were purple, and you were slurring your words a bit. I remember the people by us in the monorail line kept begging you to go and get some coffee. And I don't think either of us really warmed up for the rest of the day.

 

[cewait]

Not to carry on the argument.... but 2010 was closer to an ideal running temp than 2013. That being an ideal running day is in the upper 40's with little wind. In my opinion, neither were ideal. However, with proper gear, I would prefer 2010. Though I think it cost me a couple Tyvek suits, 3 sweat shirts and two sweat pants as well as one long sleeved throw down shirt.

I think the secret to 2010 was to have a good shelter pre-race. For the staging period, Disney did not do a great job of looking out for its runners. Portable heaters, etc could have been provided.

Give me a 45 F start and a 55F finish and 65-70 later in the day and I am in heaven.

 

[John VN]

Not to carry on the argument.... but 2010 was closer to an ideal running temp than 2013. That being an ideal running day is in the upper 40's with little wind. In my opinion, neither were ideal. However, with proper gear, I would prefer 2010. Though I think it cost me a couple Tyvek suits, 3 sweat shirts and two sweat pants as well as one long sleeved throw down shirt.

I think the secret to 2010 was to have a good shelter pre-race. For the staging period, Disney did not do a great job of looking out for its runners. Portable heaters, etc could have been provided.

Give me a 45 F start and a 55F finish and 65-70 later in the day and I am in heaven.

One can only take off so much before being embarrassed or DQ'd. Even though I now do not like cold weather, I'd rather have it cold than hot. Layering is one's friend as are gloves and head gear.

Coach is right-on regarding pre race staging but that is why we have the MH.

 

[crewmatt]

I'm with coach - I'd rather be cold then warm - ToT was brutal.

 

[liznboys]

.... I think the secret to 2010 was to have a good shelter pre-race. For the staging period, Disney did not do a great job of looking out for its runners. Portable heaters, etc could have been provided. ....

Heaters would have made all the difference. Being chilled before the race even began was probably a large part of the problem, for myself and I'm sure others. If ever it appears there will be a freezing marathon weekend like that again, I hope they would do things differently. And I know *I* would do things differently, too.

 

[swimfly]

And I don't think either of us really warmed up for the rest of the day.

No kidding!

Give me a 45 F start and a 55F finish and 65-70 later in the day and I am in heaven.

Yes, please!

Coach is right-on regarding pre race staging but that is why we have the MH.

I don't know the abbreviation for MH.

 

[John VN]

.......I don't know the abbreviation for MH.

Sorry about that. MH is motor home. DW and I stay at FW for Marathon Weekend. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, will include Thursday next year, I drive MH to EPCOT parking lot and we use it as our base station. Relaxing and warm if cold temperatures exist, breakfast before race, shower and more to eat/drink after race.

 

[swimfly]

So jealous. Always wondered who had those sweet rides to the races!

 

[so_oregon]

New runner, new life, new goals, new 'tude (did I mention new yet?).

Anyway, am on the path to wellness, activity and non-couch-potatoe - ness....am signed up for the 10K Disneyland in August, and now am getting ramped up (and trying to get couple of my kids ramped up) for the Dopey Challenge in January.

I see folks have already booked rooms, but even at the WDW website, says no rooms available. Are you able to book if you call (cuz I have a hard time believing all the rooms are booked....in January).

Karen

 

[sunnygal041]

New runner, new life, new goals, new 'tude (did I mention new yet?).

Anyway, am on the path to wellness, activity and non-couch-potatoe - ness....am signed up for the 10K Disneyland in August, and now am getting ramped up (and trying to get couple of my kids ramped up) for the Dopey Challenge in January.

I see folks have already booked rooms, but even at the WDW website, says no rooms available. Are you able to book if you call (cuz I have a hard time believing all the rooms are booked....in January).

Karen

Wow! I see that. No rooms anywhere. I hope this is a glitch. BTW, welcome!

 

[camandjacksmom]

New runner, new life, new goals, new 'tude (did I mention new yet?).

Anyway, am on the path to wellness, activity and non-couch-potatoe - ness....am signed up for the 10K Disneyland in August, and now am getting ramped up (and trying to get couple of my kids ramped up) for the Dopey Challenge in January.

I see folks have already booked rooms, but even at the WDW website, says no rooms available. Are you able to book if you call (cuz I have a hard time believing all the rooms are booked....in January).

Karen

You need to call Disney to book your room! The rates for 2014 aren't out yet so therefore you can't book on the site but they will book you if you call!!

 

[dburg30]

And I believe that you can book it, but they cant confirm pricing yet? Also, some will be booking DVC which you can do 11 months out.

 

[Nole95]

And I believe that you can book it, but they cant confirm pricing yet? Also, some will be booking DVC which you can do 11 months out.

If you are doing a room only booking at this point, what kind of deposit are they making you put down this far out?

I know what days we will be there for the marathon, but we are not yet sure if we are going to do any parks.