OFFICIAL 2014 WDW Marathon Countdown: WE DID IT! Congrats everyone!

[cewait]

Dh will be running the full marathon. DD and I will be watching. I am hoping to see him run through a few parks. We will be driving to the start with him and will take the monorail to the MK. After that is it best to drive or take Disney transportation to the other parks? (I will have a stroller)Is it possible to see him run though all the parks or should I skip DHS to make sure I'm at the finish? I have an AP so park admission is not a problem.

First, it all depends on his pace. In general, the following is suggested.

Hang around in the staging area until he leaves for the start. Pick out a point to meet up prior to splitting. As you suggest, monorail to the TTC. There are two options. One is to catch him on Main. The other is to set up at the TTC then walk to the Poly area for a second spot. If you choose Main in MK, set up just in front of Tony's. The race makes a right turn and you can look at the runners coming into the park and he can see you. If you camp out along Main, it gets a little dicey. Note, MK is free to enter during the race...limited to Main Street only.

From either Main or the Poly, get back to Epcot and then take a bus to DAK. THere is a direct bus between the two. Generally, the traffic out to DAK is not bad. I would suggest NOT entering the park (paths are narrow and spectators have no real area to set up). Hang to the bus stop side of the marathon course. Again, set up where you can see runners coming at you, if possible. THis is mile 13.5ish. Note while bus traffic is terrible, auto is even worse. The race uses the 'normal' parking lot exit so auto traffic is pushed out in a modified path and is forced to make a few weird turns to head back to the middle of the property.

Coming back from DAK is an issue. Expect serious delays until the bus clears the intersection of Osceola and Buena Vista (the intersection with McD and All Stars). I would suggest heading back to Epcot and set up for his return into the World Showcase. More than likely, you will be limited to the Great Britain area. That is where the runners enter the park and turn right heading to France. Once you see him there, he is at mile 25.

I would also suggest not thinking about the finish line. Marathonfoto will get a 100% better photo that you will be able to grab due to location. From Great Britain, head to the family reunion area and get ready to meet him in your designated spot. You should get to the spot about the same time it takes him to complete the race, go through medal and mylar, grab a post race food box and a photo.

THe above should work well for a 12 minute runner. One may need to think about the DAK trip if the runner is a sub 9 runner. The best advice I can give is to lay out the points with mileages and his pace. It will give you an idea of when to be where.

Not sure if this helps

 

[DOOM1001]

My family stayed with me at the staging area and stayed until my corral started,they then went to MK Main Street where they did get to see me.They then took the monorail to GF hoping they could see me from there which they didn't get to.They then planned to get a bus to AK from GF,which they couldn't so they had to go to the TTC to get the AK bus.From what they tell me it was a pretty big hassle to get to and from AK due to the traffic and having to go back to the TTC after GF.They literally got to see me wave to them from a distance at AK as they got off the bus and got to the spectator area as I was about to run out of the spectator area and into the AK parking lot.So they did get to see me,but they barely missed me.After AK they went back to Epcot near the finish line.I ran a 12-13 minute per mile pace to give you an idea.If they do that same plan next year I'll just get on Everest to give them some extra time to get to AK.

 

[MRS AR]

Reminds me of this ad... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmx4twCK3_I First, the large issue is jumping up the extra miles that close to the race without any time to recover if something goes south. Basically, you are adding 5 new miles; just one mile short of most plans race day adder. If 23 is important, a better plan would be to make the 16 mile a 17, the 18 mile a 20 and then the 20 a 23. Really, as I write this, I would range those runs to give yourself permission to fail a little. So the first is a 16-17 miler; the 18 becomes a 18-20 and the 20 a 20-23. One last thought, you must trust your training and you will be fine on race day. If you have run most of the schedule, the added 10k will go by. It will be a mental challenge to some degree, but I think it is still a mental challenge for runners running a 30-32 mile long run. I think you are wise to look now rather than in December and think the added 3 would be a help. Either way, plan for it now and write it down. Thats my thoughts&. With regard to the glycogen depletion and three weeks, I am hoping something got lost in the translation as that makes little to no sense. Old school, it was common to carb load for a marathon. To load, one must unload or deplete the glycogen stores in the body. This is done through 2-3 days of amazingly difficult workouts with little CHO added back to the system; usually late in the week before the last week (aka 7-10 days out). The loading occurs the Monday-Wednesday of race week and then the diet resumes back to a normal diet.

Thanks for the suggestion about doing the longer run a little earlier. I'll adjust my schedule to allow for that. I too don't believe everything I read so I asked the question here where the advice has never let me down.

 

[cewait]

My family stayed with me at the staging area and stayed until my corral started,they then went to MK Main Street where they did get to see me.They then took the monorail to GF hoping they could see me from there which they didn't get to.They then planned to get a bus to AK from GF,which they couldn't so they had to go to the TTC to get the AK bus.From what they tell me it was a pretty big hassle to get to and from AK due to the traffic and having to go back to the TTC after GF.They literally got to see me wave to them from a distance at AK as they got off the bus and got to the spectator area as I was about to run out of the spectator area and into the AK parking lot.So they did get to see me,but they barely missed me.After AK they went back to Epcot near the finish line.I ran a 12-13 minute per mile pace to give you an idea.If they do that same plan next year I'll just get on Everest to give them some extra time to get to AK.

I think the secret is to avoid any ground transportation in the TTC area. It is delayed by the race as well. I think one of your crew's issues was the time waster of stopping at the GF. For most all runners, you cannot make both. My crew said no issue with the TTC to Epcot to DAK. The return was slow but then they knew I had to cover 12 miles to their 5.

 

[cherrybomb11]

Does anyone has experience staying at a value resort during marathon weekend? Although I love kids, and yes I know I'm going to WDW, I'm a little bit afraid of how the value resorts are portrayed as packed and chaotic with screaming kids running around everywhere. Is it any less crazy during WDW because there are more adults?

I'm sorry if this question sounds dumb and I am not an anti-kid snob, I swear.

 

[jeanigor]

Does anyone has experience staying at a value resort during marathon weekend? Although I love kids, and yes I know I'm going to WDW, I'm a little bit afraid of how the value resorts are portrayed as packed and chaotic with screaming kids running around everywhere. Is it any less crazy during WDW because there are more adults?

I'm sorry if this question sounds dumb and I am not an anti-kid snob, I swear.

Valid question to me.

I stayed at All Star Sports a couple years back and I cannot recall there being copious amounts of kid noise after dark.

 

[cewait]

Does anyone has experience staying at a value resort during marathon weekend? Although I love kids, and yes I know I'm going to WDW, I'm a little bit afraid of how the value resorts are portrayed as packed and chaotic with screaming kids running around everywhere. Is it any less crazy during WDW because there are more adults?

I'm sorry if this question sounds dumb and I am not an anti-kid snob, I swear.

Valid question to me.

I stayed at All Star Sports a couple years back and I cannot recall there being copious amounts of kid noise after dark.

I have not stayed at an eco resort for the marathon, but have several times at CBR. For all resorts, not just the eco and moderate, I find that fireworks and the water parade are the loudest distractions. I also notice that there is a small rush of park goers returning home about 930 to 945. Nothing major but loud enough to cause a stir if having an issue getting to sleep.

 

[DOOM1001]

I think the secret is to avoid any ground transportation in the TTC area. It is delayed by the race as well. I think one of your crew's issues was the time waster of stopping at the GF. For most all runners, you cannot make both. My crew said no issue with the TTC to Epcot to DAK. The return was slow but then they knew I had to cover 12 miles to their 5.

I will definitely let them know that going back to Epcot to get the AK bus is the better option.

 

[tehvalerie]

Does anyone has experience staying at a value resort during marathon weekend? Although I love kids, and yes I know I'm going to WDW, I'm a little bit afraid of how the value resorts are portrayed as packed and chaotic with screaming kids running around everywhere. Is it any less crazy during WDW because there are more adults?

I'm sorry if this question sounds dumb and I am not an anti-kid snob, I swear.

We stayed at AOA last year (LM room, top floor facing the lake) and it really quiet aside from the occasional suitcase or luggage cart rolling by. The only thing that kept us awake the night before the race was our nerves.

 

[Tigger1221]

Thanks! I am re-thinking my plans of where to watch him now. We may just go to MK and then back to Epcot. Sitting on a long bus ride with a toddler doesn't sound fun. I may also think about the Chear packages. I'm kinda liking the thought of the race retreat. He isn't a very fast runner. I think around 13-14m miles. He's running the TOT soon so we will see how he does there.

 

[cimrk01]

Run Disney updated their Facebook page with new HQ scans of the Marathon Weekend medals!

https://www.facebook.com/RunDisney

 

[goofeygirl]

Does anyone has experience staying at a value resort during marathon weekend? Although I love kids, and yes I know I'm going to WDW, I'm a little bit afraid of how the value resorts are portrayed as packed and chaotic with screaming kids running around everywhere. Is it any less crazy during WDW because there are more adults?

I'm sorry if this question sounds dumb and I am not an anti-kid snob, I swear.

My brother stayed at the Mermaid one, forgot the actual name of it. He is not a kid lover and had no issues with that. Just the food court area may have been a bit loud but other than that.

 

[rachlovestv]

Hi - thank you so much for the tip, I hadn't looked into Hal Higdon's training plans before but they do look good for me I also slow down to take an energy gel/jelly beans when I'm running.. plus I have to cross several roads which can mean stopping completely for traffic! It's interesting that the Galloway plan has the half marathon longest training run as 18 miles.. where Higdon's is 11 miles. I hadn't planned on running 18, maybe 15 at most, I think if I could run 18 miles then maybe I would have managed the full marathon Emma

You definitely don't need to get up to 18 miles. Before my first half marathon, I had used Higdon's beginner training program, and had only run 12 miles at one time.

That being said, if you're able to, building up to those extra miles during your training will only help you on race day. My best half marathon time was when I was a couple months into a marathon training program, and had gotten up to 16 miles during my training. Once you've run past 13 miles, a half marathon doesn't feel quite as daunting.

In the end, it's completely up to you! It sounds like you're actually already to go, and can spend the next 3 months building or maintaining your current fitness level, whatever fits better into your schedule.

 

[cewait]

Is there a chance of changing the title of this thread. I keep thinking I have 2 months before I need to start training.

 

[jmwest]

Need a little advice. Which time would be better for my corral placement for the HM: my last years HM time of 2:47:35 or my 10k time of 1:10:46 from today. I'm not really happy with my 10k time but we have a baby due in 2 weeks and I don't anticipate being able to do another one before Nov 1st.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Need a little advice. Which time would be better for my corral placement for the HM: my last years HM time of 2:47:35 or my 10k time of 1:10:46 from today. I'm not really happy with my 10k time but we have a baby due in 2 weeks and I don't anticipate being able to do another one before Nov 1st.

Use your faster pace. Disney doesn't do a great job extrapolating the McMillan formula, they sort of just do it by best pace.

 

[cewait]

Need a little advice. Which time would be better for my corral placement for the HM: my last years HM time of 2:47:35 or my 10k time of 1:10:46 from today. I'm not really happy with my 10k time but we have a baby due in 2 weeks and I don't anticipate being able to do another one before Nov 1st.

Offer up the 10k proof. Give all the lines of information requested by runD (ie name of race, date, ...) and add a line. Add estimated finish = 2:30; or the time you think appropriate. The Calculators will place you in the 2:34 to 2:38 range.

The 10k you posted is an improvement - good job

 

[jmwest]

Use your faster pace. Disney doesn't do a great job extrapolating the McMillan formula, they sort of just do it by best pace.

Offer up the 10k proof. Give all the lines of information requested by runD (ie name of race, date, ...) and add a line. Add estimated finish = 2:30; or the time you think appropriate. The Calculators will place you in the 2:34 to 2:38 range.

The 10k you posted is an improvement - good job

Thanks for the responses! I wasn't happy with my HM time either but it was hot and I was sick so. Last year I was in corral C but I had a 10k time more in the 1:08 range. I'll probably be back a corral or 2 this time.

 

[Nole95]

I have a question I would like to get some feedback on.

Where I live, I currently train on a decent amount of hills while on my long runs. None are overly steep or hard, but there is a good amount of up and down.

My question is will I be better off for it when getting on the pretty flat course that is the Disney Marathon?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I have a question I would like to get some feedback on.

Where I live, I currently train on a decent amount of hills while on my long runs. None are overly steep or hard, but there is a good amount of up and down.

My question is will I be better off for it when getting on the pretty flat course that is the Disney Marathon?

Not really. Flat course running requires a different muscle set than hill running. Your hill running will help you with the few hills/overpasses, though, especially those late in the marathon course where there's no shade and you just want to get up the damn thing.