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

[RnbwSktles]

Can someone walk me through the "next steps"? Like registering for alerts for runners etc? I want to make sure I get signed up for updates for my sister and parents races.

Also for anyone who needs to know, the deferral link is up. It's $45 if you defer before Nov 17th or 18th I think and $70 from then to December 17th. You have to defer by then, and if the price is higher next year you have to pay the difference. I haven't done it yet but I plan to this weekend. It seems a bit complicated from the instructions lol.

Can you only defer to the same race (i.e. only the marathon), or can you register for a half and just accept the $$ loss?

It looks like my friend will be dropping out of the marathon. I'm trying to figure out the best option to suggest to her. It seems silly to pay extra to defer the registration and still end up not doing it in 2015.

I'm trying to convince her to just run at least to the MK and experience that and then drop out

 

[stephielela]

They told me that I could only defer to the same race the following year. I haven't done it yet but if it turns out to be different I will post!

 

[dizdreamer1955]

Can someone walk me through the "next steps"? Like registering for alerts for runners etc? I want to make sure I get signed up for updates for my sister and parents races.

Also for anyone who needs to know, the deferral link is up. It's $45 if you defer before Nov 17th or 18th I think and $70 from then to December 17th. You have to defer by then, and if the price is higher next year you have to pay the difference. I haven't done it yet but I plan to this weekend. It seems a bit complicated from the instructions lol.

Where is the deferral link? I took a look this morning and couldn't find it. I am not deferring, but a friend may need to do that.

 

[Minniemedic]

For those doing the full only, when do you get to town? I originally was landing Saturday at 10am but after much debate, think a mid afternoon flight Friday would give me two more nights of decent sleep (no 6am airport arrival).

My question is, what do you do the day before? Pool? Expo? Parks?

This is my first and I'm worried about "overdoing it" beforehand

 

[cewait]

For those doing the full only, when do you get to town? I originally was landing Saturday at 10am but after much debate, think a mid afternoon flight Friday would give me two more nights of decent sleep (no 6am airport arrival).

My question is, what do you do the day before? Pool? Expo? Parks?

This is my first and I'm worried about "overdoing it" beforehand

For those who have never run a long race, the night BEFORE the night before is the most critical for sleep. Disney, even more so since it is tough to get to bed earlier than 9 pm and one is up between 2 and 3 the next morning. That added to the normal set of nerves and the night before the half or full is usually one of little sleep.

Arriving Friday seems like a better plan, especially if one may have weather issues in January. We usually hit the resort, hoping to move into the room, then the expo and then grocery shopping on the day of arrival. The day before is a light day. I would not necessarily avoid the parks, but I would not aver do it either. We tend to hit a breakfast and then head to DAK for the morning and possibly as late as early afternoon. If one hits the park, make sure to have a bottle of water to sip on and try to find park benches every once in a while. We tend to eat an early dinner, usually taking advantage of the lunch menu, if there is a difference.

Another note for those traveling into their first destination race. The day you arrive, lay out your race clothing. Shoes, then socks, top, bottoms, etc. You want to lay hands on everything you need for the race. Make sure you can find your fuel, lubes, and anything else you may have trained with. In a hotel room, I lay my clothing stacked in the with the first thing needed on top and the last thing (shoes) on the bottom. It is all too common for something to not be found when you first look. I will lay out my stuff pre-expo if possible and definitely post expo with enough time to recover if I find I missed something.

Also, for those who fly, pack your race shoes and race clothing in a carry on. We all know that the airlines have never lost a bag.

 

[stephielela]

Where is the deferral link? I took a look this morning and couldn't find it. I am not deferring, but a friend may need to do that.

I think I found it by looking in the runner info section... Or maybe the FAQs under cancellations... I am posting from my phone but I can post the link tomorrow, it's definitely on the runDisney site.

 

[dizdreamer1955]

I think I found it by looking in the runner info section... Or maybe the FAQs under cancellations... I am posting from my phone but I can post the link tomorrow, it's definitely on the runDisney site.

Thank you! I found it under the Registration information.

 

[bwolfe]

For those doing the full only, when do you get to town? I originally was landing Saturday at 10am but after much debate, think a mid afternoon flight Friday would give me two more nights of decent sleep (no 6am airport arrival).

My question is, what do you do the day before? Pool? Expo? Parks?

This is my first and I'm worried about "overdoing it" beforehand

We are arriving late Thursday. Our plan is to enjoy the parks on Friday. We will send a bit of time in EPCOT Saturday morning. Then a lite/early dinner. We are staying at the Beach Club, so this is a within walking distance. We will be off our feet by 7:00 pm.

 

[IRunDisney2]

For those doing the full only, when do you get to town? I originally was landing Saturday at 10am but after much debate, think a mid afternoon flight Friday would give me two more nights of decent sleep (no 6am airport arrival).

My question is, what do you do the day before? Pool? Expo? Parks?

This is my first and I'm worried about "overdoing it" beforehand

We are coming in Wednesday the 8th for the Marathon.

Doing the Parks Thursday and Friday.

Day before:

Race Expo, Relax, Rest, and Dinner

I would get everything you need for the race organized and layed out for you.

Try to get an early dinner and early bedtime. It's OK if you cannot fall asleep due to nerves/anticipation of the race.

Post race:

THIS PART IS KEY --- Fill your bathtub with ice and some water, soak for 15 minutes

Get dressed and enjoy a park or downtown disney and don't forget to make sure you are showing off your medal!

 

[RnbwSktles]

I will be arriving mid-afternoon on Thurday. Will hit the expo Thurs if time, otherwise I will do that Friday morning.

DH and I will just hang around the resort, maybe try mini-golf, maybe rent a boat, try out the pool if the weather allows it. No parks for us!

We will be doing the Pasta in the Park Party on Friday evening, so I guess that sort've counts as a park

 

[Tigger1221]

During the Marathon on Sunday can you still walk from DHS to EPCOT or take the boat?

We are arriving on Thursday because I signed up DD for the kids races on Friday. I'm not sure why I did that but it will give DH a few days to rest before the race. We will hang out around the resort (Wyndham Bonnet Creek), and go to the expo. Probably no parks before the race and if so only a half day.

 

[Danhockey04]

During the Marathon on Sunday can you still walk from DHS to EPCOT or take the boat?

The race takes up the path between DHS and EPCOT. They do run the boats, but the path is narrow and may be runners only. That I cannot say for sure, but I would say the boat is best choice, though longer IMO, but will be open to regular visitors.

 

[annmarieda]

During the Marathon on Sunday can you still walk from DHS to EPCOT or take the boat?

We are arriving on Thursday because I signed up DD for the kids races on Friday. I'm not sure why I did that but it will give DH a few days to rest before the race. We will hang out around the resort (Wyndham Bonnet Creek), and go to the expo. Probably no parks before the race and if so only a half day.

When you say you signed your dd up for a race on friday... did you have a choice? I see that there are kids races scheduled each day, but I have not signed my dd up since I don't know what day she would end up be slotted into. If there is a choice...that would make a difference.

 

[cewait]

*******************
Post race:

THIS PART IS KEY --- Fill your bathtub with ice and some water, soak for 15 minutes

Get dressed and enjoy a park or downtown disney and don't forget to make sure you are showing off your medal!

Maybe not so fast ... Recent studies suggest that the 'ice' part of the bath is not really needed or advised for general recovery. The study suggests that a bath that feels cool provides as much therapeutic relief if not more relief that the ice version. The study noted that athletes tended to not stay in the bath as long or move the water around as much when it was the ice version, minimizing the effects of the bath. Further, the study looked at frost bite issues of tender organs. It drew no conclusion.....

Other studies suggest that the cool/ice bath is overblown. The theory is that the bath closes off the small micro bleeds that create inflammation. The practice is has grown from a if a little bit is good then a lot is much better. Icing an injured joint works wonders and is wholly recommended. Muscles on the other hand really need the blood flow to aid in recovery. Shunting the flow can leave waste product in the muscle and starve the muscle of much needed nutrients. A course of walking post race and taking on a post run recovery drink may be a better course of action.

I subscribe to the latter belief. I tried the ice bath route on an eight day multiple century cycling event. It failed miserably. I found that it is much better for most non-injured folks to walk it out for 45 minutes of so post run and follow a program of thorough stretching and rolling.

While I am personally not a fan of ice bathing, I understand that we are all an experiment of one. If it works for you, go with it, though I would not try an ice bath on marathon weekend.

 

[cewait]

During the Marathon on Sunday can you still walk from DHS to EPCOT or take the boat?

We are arriving on Thursday because I signed up DD for the kids races on Friday. I'm not sure why I did that but it will give DH a few days to rest before the race. We will hang out around the resort (Wyndham Bonnet Creek), and go to the expo. Probably no parks before the race and if so only a half day.

The race takes up the path between DHS and EPCOT. They do run the boats, but the path is narrow and may be runners only. That I cannot say for sure, but I would say the boat is best choice, though longer IMO, but will be open to regular visitors.

When you say you signed your dd up for a race on friday... did you have a choice? I see that there are kids races scheduled each day, but I have not signed my dd up since I don't know what day she would end up be slotted into. If there is a choice...that would make a difference.

I believe that you select the kids race you want.


With regards to the sidewalk from DHS to DW.... It is closed to non-runners. It would be difficult to walk it even if it were open. Likewise, the boat ramp is isolated from the DHS by the race. While the runners are slower at mile 23.5, it can still take a while to cross the track. I would suggest buses if one must go to the DHS. DHS is the most effected park of the four parks. The race bifurcates the park and getting around inside the park can be difficult.

If you are wanting to watch your DH, I would suggest hanging out at Great Britain and watching runners come in there. You can then meet you DH at the finish.

 

[dragitoff]

I believe that you select the kids race you want.


With regards to the sidewalk from DHS to DW.... It is closed to non-runners. It would be difficult to walk it even if it were open. Likewise, the boat ramp is isolated from the DHS by the race. While the runners are slower at mile 23.5, it can still take a while to cross the track. I would suggest buses if one must go to the DHS. DHS is the most effected park of the four parks. The race bifurcates the park and getting around inside the park can be difficult.

If you are wanting to watch your DH, I would suggest hanging out at Great Britain and watching runners come in there. You can then meet you DH at the finish.

How about for the half? We are staying at the Dolphin and I did the full last year, but everyone in our party is doing the half this year. Will we be able to walk through Epcot (obviously using park admission ticket) back to our hotel via the world showcase entrance and boardwalk or will we have to bus it back to the hotel? I'd rather use the time to walk and stretch our legs out before we shower and head back to the parks afterwards. I should finish at least an hour before most of my party does (corral placement and speed), so I'll be fine, but I'm thinking more about the 2 first-timers that are running it with us. A half distance is quite a challenge for them and my wife as well.

 

[cewait]

How about for the half? We are staying at the Dolphin and I did the full last year, but everyone in our party is doing the half this year. Will we be able to walk through Epcot (obviously using park admission ticket) back to our hotel via the world showcase entrance and boardwalk or will we have to bus it back to the hotel? I'd rather use the time to walk and stretch our legs out before we shower and head back to the parks afterwards. I should finish at least an hour before most of my party does (corral placement and speed), so I'll be fine, but I'm thinking more about the 2 first-timers that are running it with us. A half distance is quite a challenge for them and my wife as well.

You should make sure that you have clothing checked to keep you warm. Even a temperate day may chill you if you are just standing around

The gates open at 0900. That means that the 3 hour folks are arriving at the finish about the time of rope drop (assuming that the start remains 0530 for A folks). The 3.5 hour folks are getting the chance to run through the rolling guest gates in the Future world end of the park.

Once all finish and the park opens, you can walk to the I Gate and then to the Swan/Dolphin with no issue.

 

[dragitoff]

You should make sure that you have clothing checked to keep you warm. Even a temperate day may chill you if you are just standing around

The gates open at 0900. That means that the 3 hour folks are arriving at the finish about the time of rope drop (assuming that the start remains 0530 for A folks). The 3.5 hour folks are getting the chance to run through the rolling guest gates in the Future world end of the park.

Once all finish and the park opens, you can walk to the I Gate and then to the Swan/Dolphin with no issue.

I wasn't thinking about the Half finishing before the parks even open! Doh!

Great thinking on the warm clothes to check. If it's like last year, that won't be a problem, but I'm praying for better weather this year!

Another follow-up question: Are there any parks to absolutely avoid on Sunday because of the marathon? We are thinking of hitting a park Sunday morning for a few hours and then leaving just after lunch to head home. We would only hit a few hand-picked attractions.

 

[DEA]

During the Marathon on Sunday can you still walk from DHS to EPCOT or take the boat?

We are arriving on Thursday because I signed up DD for the kids races on Friday. I'm not sure why I did that but it will give DH a few days to rest before the race. We will hang out around the resort (Wyndham Bonnet Creek), and go to the expo. Probably no parks before the race and if so only a half day.

You cannot take the boat from DHS to EPCOT during the Marathon. You can take the boat TO DHS, but they won't carry passengers back. At least, they didn't last year.

 

[cewait]

I wasn't thinking about the Half finishing before the parks even open! Doh!

Great thinking on the warm clothes to check. If it's like last year, that won't be a problem, but I'm praying for better weather this year!

Another follow-up question: Are there any parks to absolutely avoid on Sunday because of the marathon? We are thinking of hitting a park Sunday morning for a few hours and then leaving just after lunch to head home. We would only hit a few hand-picked attractions.

In my opinion the DHS would be the one park to avoid. Others may disagree, but I would look to DAK. The race clears just around park opening... you will have to work around the race crossing at the tram station but it will be thinning out. Parking should not be an issue, as long as you leave late morning. MK may have residual traffic restrictions - just depending on how fast cones and roads are reopened. So I think I would choose one of the kingdoms.