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

[Dagna]

Well to my surprise I looked on Delta and found sky miles I had forgotten about - so booked my flight today for free! Almost better than finding money in the washer!

I gotta get a washer like your washer...

 

[experiment818]

Ok. I am in for my first marathon.
I did the Wine & Dine Half back in 2011 but have not really run much since.
Flights and room are booked. Staying at Old Key West.

 

[rachlovestv]

Good luck! I'm in ur neck of the woods: but my 1st run isn't until Labor Day!

Crawling still counts!!! ROCK ON!!!

Thanks! It was so unrepentantly sunny and hot that I literally walked most of the last 10 miles because I kept overheating, but I finished, and that's all the counts, right?

 

[Dagna]

Just signed up for the Frankenfooter Half Marathon here on the FL west coast on Oct 27, to try to get a corral placement time. I'm going to be slow, but I'm hoping to be fast enough to get out of the last corral for the marathon so I don't have to worry so much about getting swept...

 

[steves1019]

What, in your opinion, is the best place to eat dinner pre-race?

 

[dana211]

Just signed up for the Frankenfooter Half Marathon here on the FL west coast on Oct 27, to try to get a corral placement time. I'm going to be slow, but I'm hoping to be fast enough to get out of the last corral for the marathon so I don't have to worry so much about getting swept...

I'm doing that one too!

 

[FFigawi]

What, in your opinion, is the best place to eat dinner pre-race?

Kimonos, the sushi restaurant at the Swan & Dolphin.

 

[jeanigor]

What, in your opinion, is the best place to eat dinner pre-race?

I like Olivia's at Old Key West. It is laid back and like a family restaurant at home.

 

[swimfly]

My wife and I went in 2011 for our Honeymoon and we'll be returning in Jan to do our first ever half-marathon! We're bringing our daughter who will be 1 1/2 years old, so that is exciting as well. We're also arriving December 31st early and celebrating New Years there, we'll be at PoP for two weeks. I can't contain my excitement! Ah yes, and Hellooo Disboard members! nice to meet you!

Welcome! Our DD will be celebrating her 2nd during our trip. Sounds like a fabulous family trip for you.

I'm in - this will be my first marathon. So excited - and scared at the same time.

Completely normal feelings. You'll rock it!

My first full marathon is tomorrow!! I'm nervous, but I've done all my training, so I know I should be able to at least crawl across the finish line.

Anyone else doing the Seattle Rock n Roll full or half tomorrow?

Seattle RNR is on my running bucket list. How did it go? Are you feeling more revved up for Disney?

I gotta get a washer like your washer...

No kidding!

Just signed up for the Frankenfooter Half Marathon here on the FL west coast on Oct 27, to try to get a corral placement time. I'm going to be slow, but I'm hoping to be fast enough to get out of the last corral for the marathon so I don't have to worry so much about getting swept...

Have you run this before? Just saw an add for it. The medals look awesome.

What, in your opinion, is the best place to eat dinner pre-race?

Portabellos but I eat my last "meal" at 4 before a race.

Kimonos, the sushi restaurant at the Swan & Dolphin.

I think you recommended sushi before on another board. Still need to try this. Probably for a 1/2 rather than for the first time before a full.

 

[MightyDuck001]

What, in your opinion, is the best place to eat dinner pre-race?

I ate at Via Napoli around 3pm for lunch/dinner the day before. It worked out well, I ate 1/2 a pizza and took the rest to nibble on in the room around 8 while I was getting ready.

I have a hotel question--how is it possible that all the standard room at the Beach and Yacht clubs are already taken?!

 

[RussTKD]

I ate at Via Napoli around 3pm for lunch/dinner the day before. It worked out well, I ate 1/2 a pizza and took the rest to nibble on in the room around 8 while I was getting ready.

I have a hotel question--how is it possible that all the standard room at the Beach and Yacht clubs are already taken?!

Have you called the Disney Sports Booking number or are you looking at the website?

 

[LSUfan4444]

What, in your opinion, is the best place to eat dinner pre-race?

Best is a real relative term, but the best meal would be some lean protein with some carbohydrates. Avoid something that is real high in fat.

Everyones stomach will be different and pizza might be okay for some, and not for others, so play with it during training.

See what works well the night before a long run.

For me, the best meal is California Grill. We make like a 6:30 pm reservation and finish the meal in enough time to watch wishes from the observation deck. Really gets me in the Disney spirit for the race.

Plus, their menu is diverse enough that I can get my sushi, but they have high quality options for everyone else too.

 

[rachlovestv]

Seattle RNR is on my running bucket list. How did it go? Are you feeling more revved up for Disney?

It went pretty bad for me. I was cruising and feeling great through the first 9 miles, then I hit my first real stretch with all sun and no shade and I started to crash. After almost puking up my gu at mile 10, I switched to run/walk internals, and by mile 15, I was mostly walking. I don't handle the heat or excessive sun that well, and it got up to 78 degrees that day, though it felt way hotter. To be honest, though, I'm mostly disappointed in myself. I was so disheartened with how poorly I was reacting to the sun that I completely stopped pushing myself. Yes, I finished the race, and I am proud of that, but knowing I could have done better is hard to swallow.

The race itself has lovely views through downtown, along and across the lake, and along the waterfront. Just be prepared for a few difficult hills, and if the sun is out, as it has been the last few years, be prepared for it to be blazing hot, especially during the miles on I-90, where the sun seemed to multiply off every surface.

The half marathon, which I did last year, is comparatively less hilly, and skips the largest sections of direct sun. I'm signed up to do that one next year. Watch, it will be completely cloudy. You just can never predict Seattle weather.

I don't know that the race particularly revved me up for the Dopey. I'm still excited for all the races, and confident that if I stick to my training, ill be able to complete them, but I'm super nervous about how the weather might effect me. I'm going to have to add some mental training into my schedule somehow. I started my Dumbo Double training this week, and can hopefully take my mind off of the super-long distances until fall, and spend the summer focusing on shorter daily runs. I just keep telling myself, "Even the best runners have bad races. Don't let it slow you down, but use it as fuel for the fire for the next race." We shall see!

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Hello. Been away from the boards for awhile. I think the last time I posted I was going to do the 10K and the marathon. I was hoping to do the Goofy next year. But change being inevitable, I am now registered for the Goofy for 2014. Now with the added 10k I registered for earlier, it's certainly not the former "Dopey" and it's not this year's official Dopey. I need to find a name for this unofficial trio of races. Maybe the Pluto challenge? "Challenge" being the keyword here because at this point in my training I'm not certain I will be able to complete all three races! Ok, one mile at a time, one training run at a time, etc. etc....

 

[swimfly]

I have a hotel question--how is it possible that all the standard room at the Beach and Yacht clubs are already taken?!

Did you call Disney or were you playing with the website? I don't think you are able to book through the website yet. Also, I know there are numerous travel agents with group blocks at YC/BC. It is also the "official" hotel for the Runner's World personnel and I know Galloway stayed there 2 years ago. Wonder if he'll be returning there.

It went pretty bad for me. I was cruising and feeling great through the first 9 miles, then I hit my first real stretch with all sun and no shade and I started to crash. After almost puking up my gu at mile 10, I switched to run/walk internals, and by mile 15, I was mostly walking. I don't handle the heat or excessive sun that well, and it got up to 78 degrees that day, though it felt way hotter. To be honest, though, I'm mostly disappointed in myself. I was so disheartened with how poorly I was reacting to the sun that I completely stopped pushing myself. Yes, I finished the race, and I am proud of that, but knowing I could have done better is hard to swallow.

The race itself has lovely views through downtown, along and across the lake, and along the waterfront. Just be prepared for a few difficult hills, and if the sun is out, as it has been the last few years, be prepared for it to be blazing hot, especially during the miles on I-90, where the sun seemed to multiply off every surface.

The half marathon, which I did last year, is comparatively less hilly, and skips the largest sections of direct sun. I'm signed up to do that one next year. Watch, it will be completely cloudy. You just can never predict Seattle weather.

I don't know that the race particularly revved me up for the Dopey. I'm still excited for all the races, and confident that if I stick to my training, ill be able to complete them, but I'm super nervous about how the weather might effect me. I'm going to have to add some mental training into my schedule somehow. I started my Dumbo Double training this week, and can hopefully take my mind off of the super-long distances until fall, and spend the summer focusing on shorter daily runs. I just keep telling myself, "Even the best runners have bad races. Don't let it slow you down, but use it as fuel for the fire for the next race." We shall see!

You did it! Don't get too down on yourself. The heat/sun affects people in different ways. I know developing an arsenal of mantras has had a positive impact on my running. Keep at it!

 

[MightyDuck001]

Have you called the Disney Sports Booking number or are you looking at the website?

I do mine through central reservations so I can get a room only one and they said the only epcot area resort standard rooms left were at the Boardwalk. I was really surprised, but I love the Boardwalk bakery so it didn't bother me too much...

 

[annmarieda]

It went pretty bad for me. I was cruising and feeling great through the first 9 miles, then I hit my first real stretch with all sun and no shade and I started to crash. After almost puking up my gu at mile 10, I switched to run/walk internals, and by mile 15, I was mostly walking. I don't handle the heat or excessive sun that well, and it got up to 78 degrees that day, though it felt way hotter. To be honest, though, I'm mostly disappointed in myself. I was so disheartened with how poorly I was reacting to the sun that I completely stopped pushing myself. Yes, I finished the race, and I am proud of that, but knowing I could have done better is hard to swallow.

The race itself has lovely views through downtown, along and across the lake, and along the waterfront. Just be prepared for a few difficult hills, and if the sun is out, as it has been the last few years, be prepared for it to be blazing hot, especially during the miles on I-90, where the sun seemed to multiply off every surface.

The half marathon, which I did last year, is comparatively less hilly, and skips the largest sections of direct sun. I'm signed up to do that one next year. Watch, it will be completely cloudy. You just can never predict Seattle weather.

I am no where near being able to do a full marathon... probably never will be. So first for you even doing it at all! Second, one main reason I didn't sign up for the half was because I was afraid of those hills. I was sure it would kill me. With that heat... it might have. You are right.. you never can predict Seattle weather. However, it is usually much more moderate than other areas.

Good job!

 

[rachlovestv]

You did it! Don't get too down on yourself. The heat/sun affects people in different ways. I know developing an arsenal of mantras has had a positive impact on my running. Keep at it!

Thanks, Swimfly! I'm definitely trying to stay positive.

I am no where near being able to do a full marathon... probably never will be. So first for you even doing it at all! Second, one main reason I didn't sign up for the half was because I was afraid of those hills. I was sure it would kill me. With that heat... it might have. You are right.. you never can predict Seattle weather. However, it is usually much more moderate than other areas.
Good job!

Thanks, Annmarieda! The hills for the half aren't too bad, and they improved this year's course from last year, taking out one major hill. And I agree, the weather here is usually very mild, which I LOVE. Oh well!

 

[Diskidatheart]

It went pretty bad for me. I was cruising and feeling great through the first 9 miles, then I hit my first real stretch with all sun and no shade and I started to crash. After almost puking up my gu at mile 10, I switched to run/walk internals, and by mile 15, I was mostly walking. I don't handle the heat or excessive sun that well, and it got up to 78 degrees that day, though it felt way hotter. To be honest, though, I'm mostly disappointed in myself. I was so disheartened with how poorly I was reacting to the sun that I completely stopped pushing myself. Yes, I finished the race, and I am proud of that, but knowing I could have done better is hard to swallow.

The race itself has lovely views through downtown, along and across the lake, and along the waterfront. Just be prepared for a few difficult hills, and if the sun is out, as it has been the last few years, be prepared for it to be blazing hot, especially during the miles on I-90, where the sun seemed to multiply off every surface.

The half marathon, which I did last year, is comparatively less hilly, and skips the largest sections of direct sun. I'm signed up to do that one next year. Watch, it will be completely cloudy. You just can never predict Seattle weather.

I don't know that the race particularly revved me up for the Dopey. I'm still excited for all the races, and confident that if I stick to my training, ill be able to complete them, but I'm super nervous about how the weather might effect me. I'm going to have to add some mental training into my schedule somehow. I started my Dumbo Double training this week, and can hopefully take my mind off of the super-long distances until fall, and spend the summer focusing on shorter daily runs. I just keep telling myself, "Even the best runners have bad races. Don't let it slow you down, but use it as fuel for the fire for the next race." We shall see!

Don't let one race get you down. I had a situation this year where I ran a half marathon in Maui. I was so pumped up for it that I started out wayyyyy toooo fast. I was finished by mile 8. I had to walk/run the rest of the way. I still had a decent time because of how fast I went out, but when I crossed the finish line, my wife had me sit down because she could see I was going to pass out. I survived and didn't have many problems, but I was so disappointed in myself for ending the race so terribly. The positive side of this, about 6 weeks later, I learned from that experience and I ran another half marathon in Pittsburgh and it was the best race I ever ran. I felt strong at the end and sprinted over the finish line. It is a much better feeling to be the passer, rather than the passee at the end of the race.

Take this experience and learn from it. Go over the race again and see what you did right and what you did wrong. You'll have a much different outlook on the race after you figure out where things went wrong and how you can improve! Maybe with the sun, you just need to go slower in the beginning to save up some energy for that sun. You'll figure it out and the next race will be so much better!

 

[Nole95]

My wife and I officially signed up for the Marathon today. We've run a few half marathons, but this is our first marathon.