Official 2014 Dopey Challenge Thread!

[mickeycoffee]

I'm not sure I want to be stuck wearing or packing a magic band while running the Dopey Challenge in January. It was so easy to slip my KTTW card into my fuel belt pocket so I could walk through Epcot back to the boardwalk after the marathon last year. It doesn't seem like it will be easy to slip a magic band anywhere.

 

[Figment1990]

I'm not sure I want to be stuck wearing or packing a magic band while running the Dopey Challenge in January. It was so easy to slip my KTTW card into my fuel belt pocket so I could walk through Epcot back to the boardwalk after the marathon last year. It doesn't seem like it will be easy to slip a magic band anywhere.

It's my understanding that even with the magic bands you will still be able to use the KTTW card if you want. I think. I cold be wrong.

 

[DoctorK]

It's my understanding that even with the magic bands you will still be able to use the KTTW card if you want. I think. I cold be wrong.

At this point they're urging people to carry the KTTW card as backup, but that could change come January.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Yeah, we'll see what January brings, but I'm not wearing a MagicBand while I run. It can sit in my bag for the races.

 

[NitroStitch]

I'm planning for the 17 mile training run on Jeff Galloway's Dopey schedule this weekend, and I'm staying at Old Key West. Does anyone have a good looooong run in that area that won't get incredibly boring? I did a 9.5 mile run there about 1 1/2 years ago, and it got pretty repetitive, in addition to traffic being kind of crazy in much of the parking lot area. I'd thought about taking the trail that goes from OKW to Saratoga Springs, but I'm not sure if there's any way across the river that's open now - does anybody know the status of the footbridge (golf bridge) over to Saratoga? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[cewait]

I'm planning for the 17 mile training run on Jeff Galloway's Dopey schedule this weekend, and I'm staying at Old Key West. Does anyone have a good looooong run in that area that won't get incredibly boring? I did a 9.5 mile run there about 1 1/2 years ago, and it got pretty repetitive, in addition to traffic being kind of crazy in much of the parking lot area. I'd thought about taking the trail that goes from OKW to Saratoga Springs, but I'm not sure if there's any way across the river that's open now - does anybody know the status of the footbridge (golf bridge) over to Saratoga? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Will you have a car and do you mind driving? The West Orange trail can support a long run with minimal need for carrying water. Water stops are on average 3 miles apart.

apps.ocfl.net/images/maps/WOT_TrailMap.pdf

Did you head over to the DTD end of the ‘nature trail’ on the previous run? I was not aware that a bridge was closed… at least it was not in January. You need to exercise a little caution on the nature trail if you are out before dawn. It is really the maintenance road for the golf course and has traffic. It’s not hard to manage the traffic, I find that I can pull over to the edge if they are approaching from around a corner.
I mapped this out for someone who was looking for a DTD/OKW/SSR run a while back… http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/5375436/
It’s almost 7 miles for the loop.

I would recommend adding miles to this by taking off to the north east on Hotel Plaza Road, making a left on Apopka Vineland (435) then turning again on Winter Garden Vineland (535). The sidewalk is good and wide and you will have company along sections of the run. You can make this an out and back part of the run. I do see a few folks making a loop of this by running up to Buena Vista Dr and coming back down that way. I would urge some caution on running Buena Vista. The road had wide, flat and open shoulders but no walk. I think it safe enough to ride a bike on, but I would want you to see and make a decision before accepting my word on its safety.

 

[NitroStitch]

Will you have a car and do you mind driving? The West Orange trail can support a long run with minimal need for carrying water. Water stops are on average 3 miles apart.

apps.ocfl.net/images/maps/WOT_TrailMap.pdf

Did you head over to the DTD end of the ‘nature trail’ on the previous run? I was not aware that a bridge was closed… at least it was not in January. You need to exercise a little caution on the nature trail if you are out before dawn. It is really the maintenance road for the golf course and has traffic. It’s not hard to manage the traffic, I find that I can pull over to the edge if they are approaching from around a corner.
I mapped this out for someone who was looking for a DTD/OKW/SSR run a while back… http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/5375436/
It’s almost 7 miles for the loop.

I would recommend adding miles to this by taking off to the north east on Hotel Plaza Road, making a left on Apopka Vineland (435) then turning again on Winter Garden Vineland (535). The sidewalk is good and wide and you will have company along sections of the run. You can make this an out and back part of the run. I do see a few folks making a loop of this by running up to Buena Vista Dr and coming back down that way. I would urge some caution on running Buena Vista. The road had wide, flat and open shoulders but no walk. I think it safe enough to ride a bike on, but I would want you to see and make a decision before accepting my word on its safety.

Thanks for the suggestions! Would the West Orange Trail be safe for a female running alone? I'm a bit inclined to stick to WDW property for comfort and facilities, though I do have a car.

I'm familiar enough with the traffic on Buena Vista Drive to think it's probably too busy to feel safe running on continuously, but I can see doing OKW to the nature trail (once it's dawn for safety) to Saratoga to Downtown Disney and adding Hotel Plaza Road where there are sidewalks. I've done the nature trail before and definitely saw the need for running only when it's light. I did a bit more research and found that they closed the Saratoga Congress Park to Downtown Disney Marketplace bridge in July as part of the Disney Springs construction. Since that wasn't the bridge I planned to use, I should be okay for crossing.

 

[cewait]

Thanks for the suggestions! Would the West Orange Trail be safe for a female running alone? I'm a bit inclined to stick to WDW property for comfort and facilities, though I do have a car.

I'm familiar enough with the traffic on Buena Vista Drive to think it's probably too busy to feel safe running on continuously, but I can see doing OKW to the nature trail (once it's dawn for safety) to Saratoga to Downtown Disney and adding Hotel Plaza Road where there are sidewalks. I've done the nature trail before and definitely saw the need for running only when it's light. I did a bit more research and found that they closed the Saratoga Congress Park to Downtown Disney Marketplace bridge in July as part of the Disney Springs construction. Since that wasn't the bridge I planned to use, I should be okay for crossing.

Funny, after I wrote this, I realized that I have basically split my long runs between the W Orange, Disney and a TMill. I have no problem with my DW running the W Orange alone. The caveat is to run west towards Clermont from Winter Garden, not north into Apopka.

You can grab an extra mile on the loop be running up the spine road in the Treehouse loop. That bridge opened after the Treehouses opened a couple years ago. Normally, I would suggest running into POR, but the mouse is constructing a laundry cart tunnel under Vacation Club Way and have equipment along the back stage stretch of road on the POR side. That really rules out the loop up into POR during construction.

About 4 years ago I ran 15 in and about the complex. I started out at 0400 to avoid traffic in the resort as well as crashing a planned event later in the morning. About the 3rd time I passed the main intersection near the guard shack, I heard the security vehicle start. A couple minutes later and had a John Candy looking guard driving beside me trying to figure out why I was running so early in the morning. His concern was that I was running in the street. I smiled, thanked him, hopped on the walk until he left and then continued running in the street. I do find the resort a tough run once folks are up and moving. The walks in spots are narrow and can feel like it has many sharp bends.

I thought of another loop at the BWV. When I arrive, I tell (ask) the guard that I am planning on running in the resort. I park behind the guard shack and run through the parking lot towards the tennis courts, then loop Crescent Lake, down to DHS return and go half way around Crescent Lake, exiting the path along the BCV ‘short cut’ sidewalk. I am looking to run that outer sidewalk up to the loading dock area of the Beach. I cross the loading dock drive and pick up the side walk running along Epcot Resort Loop. I run that to the bridge over the canal and head back down to the sidewalk between DHS and BW. I think this map loops Crescent Lake again. There are lots of variations one can create. The only thing I would not do in this area is attempt to run the entire Epcot Resorts Loop. The sidewalk stops short of the water bridge on the BW side putting in the grass or in the road. I really like running here a little better.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/293876745/

 

[flatlandcycle]

I'm planning for the 17 mile training run on Jeff Galloway's Dopey schedule this weekend, and I'm staying at Old Key West. Does anyone have a good looooong run in that area that won't get incredibly boring? I did a 9.5 mile run there about 1 1/2 years ago, and it got pretty repetitive, in addition to traffic being kind of crazy in much of the parking lot area. I'd thought about taking the trail that goes from OKW to Saratoga Springs, but I'm not sure if there's any way across the river that's open now - does anybody know the status of the footbridge (golf bridge) over to Saratoga? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

If I need mileage at Disney I park at Wilderness Lodge and run loops at the campground. It would be entertaining this time of the year with all the Halloween decorations. There's plenty of shade, bathrooms in every loop...

 

[NitroStitch]

Funny, after I wrote this, I realized that I have basically split my long runs between the W Orange, Disney and a TMill. I have no problem with my DW running the W Orange alone. The caveat is to run west towards Clermont from Winter Garden, not north into Apopka.

You can grab an extra mile on the loop be running up the spine road in the Treehouse loop. That bridge opened after the Treehouses opened a couple years ago. Normally, I would suggest running into POR, but the mouse is constructing a laundry cart tunnel under Vacation Club Way and have equipment along the back stage stretch of road on the POR side. That really rules out the loop up into POR during construction.

About 4 years ago I ran 15 in and about the complex. I started out at 0400 to avoid traffic in the resort as well as crashing a planned event later in the morning. About the 3rd time I passed the main intersection near the guard shack, I heard the security vehicle start. A couple minutes later and had a John Candy looking guard driving beside me trying to figure out why I was running so early in the morning. His concern was that I was running in the street. I smiled, thanked him, hopped on the walk until he left and then continued running in the street. I do find the resort a tough run once folks are up and moving. The walks in spots are narrow and can feel like it has many sharp bends.

I thought of another loop at the BWV. When I arrive, I tell (ask) the guard that I am planning on running in the resort. I park behind the guard shack and run through the parking lot towards the tennis courts, then loop Crescent Lake, down to DHS return and go half way around Crescent Lake, exiting the path along the BCV ‘short cut’ sidewalk. I am looking to run that outer sidewalk up to the loading dock area of the Beach. I cross the loading dock drive and pick up the side walk running along Epcot Resort Loop. I run that to the bridge over the canal and head back down to the sidewalk between DHS and BW. I think this map loops Crescent Lake again. There are lots of variations one can create. The only thing I would not do in this area is attempt to run the entire Epcot Resorts Loop. The sidewalk stops short of the water bridge on the BW side putting in the grass or in the road. I really like running here a little better.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/293876745/

I'd really rather run the Epcot Resorts area, since you're almost entirely on wide sidewalks and boardwalk rather than tiny portions of sidewalk and mostly parking lot like OKW. What I wasn't sure about is whether the guard would allow me to run there. Hopefully they will let me do that, since it would be a much safer, continuous, pleasant run, and there are plenty of ways to mix up the elements there for variety over that number of miles. It's good to know that they do (may) allow running in that resort area, at least bright and early in the morning.

 

[NitroStitch]

If I need mileage at Disney I park at Wilderness Lodge and run loops at the campground. It would be entertaining this time of the year with all the Halloween decorations. There's plenty of shade, bathrooms in every loop...

Thanks for the suggestion - I seem to get lost every time I try to tour the campground around Christmas to see those decorations, so I might get lost running too. Probably my bigger fear in the campgrounds is that I keep hearing about people seeing snakes. I know snakes are pretty much everywhere anyway, but I hear about more of them in the campground than elsewhere, and given my phobia of snakes, I'm REALLY afraid of running there. I'm a wimp!

 

[cewait]

I'd really rather run the Epcot Resorts area, since you're almost entirely on wide sidewalks and boardwalk rather than tiny portions of sidewalk and mostly parking lot like OKW. What I wasn't sure about is whether the guard would allow me to run there. Hopefully they will let me do that, since it would be a much safer, continuous, pleasant run, and there are plenty of ways to mix up the elements there for variety over that number of miles. It's good to know that they do (may) allow running in that resort area, at least bright and early in the morning.

I have had to kind of beg/whine when earlier than 0500. It's a safety issue in Security's eyes since they wash the boards daily. They have never said no. I have my license out and handed to them before I say a word and then tell them I would like to get a short run in.

Thanks for the suggestion - I seem to get lost every time I try to tour the campground around Christmas to see those decorations, so I might get lost running too. Probably my bigger fear in the campgrounds is that I keep hearing about people seeing snakes. I know snakes are pretty much everywhere anyway, but I hear about more of them in the campground than elsewhere, and given my phobia of snakes, I'm REALLY afraid of running there. I'm a wimp!

Yes, this is snake, gator, spider, rat and skink/gecko heaven. You probably to not want to run the nature trail before daylight. They only issues I have had at the Epcot resorts are the ever present spider web as you go under the bridge headed to DHS along the canal and a mother duck who did not like me running by. Otherwise, the rabbits tend to watch you run by - like audioanimatronics.

 

[swimfly]

If I need mileage at Disney I park at Wilderness Lodge and run loops at the campground. It would be entertaining this time of the year with all the Halloween decorations. There's plenty of shade, bathrooms in every loop...

Love this suggestion. Do you ever run into trouble having access to park? How long is the loop?

 

[cewait]

Love this suggestion. Do you ever run into trouble having access to park? How long is the loop?

Just tell the guard you are coming for a run. Park in the parking lot or where they direct you. You can make the loop as long you wish. I have a map somewhere....

[ADDED] - this is a map of a run that I did while here on business in 07. I ran it early one morning. I started in the Fort Wilderness area and looped it then took the trail over to Wilderness Lodge. From there, I whent through the TTC area and over to the GF. I did not run the parking lot as the map shows as there was some construction activity occuring the morning I ran it.

 

[NitroStitch]

I have had to kind of beg/whine when earlier than 0500. It's a safety issue in Security's eyes since they wash the boards daily. They have never said no. I have my license out and handed to them before I say a word and then tell them I would like to get a short run in.



Yes, this is snake, gator, spider, rat and skink/gecko heaven. You probably to not want to run the nature trail before daylight. They only issues I have had at the Epcot resorts are the ever present spider web as you go under the bridge headed to DHS along the canal and a mother duck who did not like me running by. Otherwise, the rabbits tend to watch you run by - like audioanimatronics.

I'm definitely not going to be there earlier than 0500, though I probably need to be running no later than 0600 (and that's probably pretty late). I've learned that presenting ID first is usually a good way to start the conversation too.

The main reason I didn't want to run the nature trail before daylight was the wild company I expected to be there in addition to me - service vehicles were a distant second worry. I'm fine with the lizards other than trying to miss them as I run. Skinks are a little more snake-like than I'd prefer. Not fond of rats, but nothing scares me as much as snakes. Not even the ever-present gators. I like seeing the bunnies on the trails - they always make me smile.

 

[cewait]

I'm definitely not going to be there earlier than 0500, though I probably need to be running no later than 0600 (and that's probably pretty late). I've learned that presenting ID first is usually a good way to start the conversation too.

The main reason I didn't want to run the nature trail before daylight was the wild company I expected to be there in addition to me - service vehicles were a distant second worry. I'm fine with the lizards other than trying to miss them as I run. Skinks are a little more snake-like than I'd prefer. Not fond of rats, but nothing scares me as much as snakes. Not even the ever-present gators. I like seeing the bunnies on the trails - they always make me smile.

I can't remember you are visiting this weekend or next... If this, the DTD area will have a team tent camp area set up at the point where you come off the trail and into DTD. It's dragonboat race weekend. That would sway me over to BW.

 

[NitroStitch]

I can't remember you are visiting this weekend or next... If this, the DTD area will have a team tent camp area set up at the point where you come off the trail and into DTD. It's dragonboat race weekend. That would sway me over to BW.

Yes, it's this weekend. Reason 2,000 to run BW instead of DTD.

 

[SAHDad]

6.5 miles of speedwork on Monday, 6.2 miles on Tuesdya, 8 miles yesterday, and 14 miles of run/walking today. Still not up to where I wanted to be at this point, but gaining ground fast.

(FWIW - I was never worried I would not finish it; I just wanted to be better trained than I was for Goofy this year.)

 

[RussTKD]

I did a half marathon on 10/12 and went 1:55 in some bad conditions (hot/humid).

I ran another on 10/20 and went 1:45. Weather was nearly perfect for a run.

Back on my training plan this week though.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm tapering again for my second marathon of the fall (NYC.)