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

[jeanigor]

The RunDisney website says that there is a spectator viewing area at the Magic Kingdom? Does anyone know where this is? It also mentions a ChEAR zone area which requires a wrist band. Has anyone purchased a ChEAR squad package before? Is it worth it or is the spectator viewing area good enough?

I believe regular spectator viewing is along Main Street. The ChEAR squad is around the hub.

The RunDisney website also states that the Magic Kingdom is open at 5:30am for spectators to enter and that they should take the monorail from Epcot to the TTC, then TTC to MK. Does anyone know if there are busses running from the resorts to MK that early in the morning for spectators?

No resort to MK bus transportation, as the road the busses take to the MK is the race course and is turned into one lane for vehicles and one lane for runners. Bussing to MK would add to the congestion and increase the possibility of injury. Monorail to MK is the best option. (Unless you walk from CR)

 

[megsablue]

Just checking in to see how everyone's doing with their training I felt great after the 7 miler on Saturday and I got news yesterday right before my run that the offer we put on a house was accepted. It was a magic mile day for me and with all the adrenaline, I shaved 40 seconds off my last time. Still not a speedy runner, but I'm working on it Only bad thing is we didn't look at the training schedule and we close (and then move) right before the weekend of the 23 miler! Whoops!

My left knee has been sore on the inside of my knee, so I'm trying to rest it as much as I can. I'm excited because we're headed to Seattle this weekend to celebrate my birthday, so I'm hitting all the running stores on the way down. Funny how after you get into running, going to a running store is so exciting!

I know we talked about where you're eating after the marathon - but where are you eating the night before? We have reservations for Mama Melrose, but I'm considering just doing counter-service. Has anyone just done CS the night before? Where are you eating the night before the race?

 

[experiment818]

I know we talked about where you're eating after the marathon - but where are you eating the night before? We have reservations for Mama Melrose, but I'm considering just doing counter-service. Has anyone just done CS the night before? Where are you eating the night before the race?

We are eating at our resort the night before. Olivia's at Old Key West.

After the marathon on Sunday, I will be stuffing my face at Chef Mickey's.

 

[Nole95]

We are having dinner at Portobello on Friday night at DD.

Food court at Port Orleans Riverside on Saturday night before the marathon. Probably the make your own pasta.

Then Via Napoli at Epcot for dinner on race night.

 

[FFigawi]

I know we talked about where you're eating after the marathon - but where are you eating the night before? We have reservations for Mama Melrose, but I'm considering just doing counter-service. Has anyone just done CS the night before? Where are you eating the night before the race?

While my preference before the full is Kimonos, my wife often has a different idea. Over the past few years of Goofy, before the half or the full, we've eaten at Portobello, Jiko, Flying Fish, Kimonos, and whatever our resort had to offer.

 

[DOOM1001]

I believe regular spectator viewing is along Main Street. The ChEAR squad is around the hub.

I had family without the Chear squad package around the hub but they were limited to seeing the runners as they came up Main Street and headed to Tomorrowland,the Chear Squad people could also be on the other side seeing the runners as they came out of the castle.

 

[stephielela]

We are having dinner at Portobello on Friday night at DD.

Food court at Port Orleans Riverside on Saturday night before the marathon. Probably the make your own pasta.

Then Via Napoli at Epcot for dinner on race night.

We are doing Via Napoli on race night too!

 

[LSUfan4444]

California Grill on Saturday night and Hoop Dee Do on Sunday night

 

[zeltoo]

California Grill on Saturday night and Hoop Dee Do on Sunday night

I got all excited that cg was taking reservations again . Tried but they are still blocked.

 

[NML11383]

Hi everyone!

I've been toying around for the last year now with running another race. I ran the princess half in 2010 kind of as a once in a lifetime thing, and swore I would never do it again. I'm not a runner by any means, and had never run more than a mile at a time before training for that, so that was a stretch for sure. Since then I have only run 2 miles every few weeks.

Fast forward to a month and a half ago when I decided I really wanted to run a race again. I ran for a week, and felt great, and decided a half would be easy and wanted to try and push myself further (it was a moment I can only describe as pure insanity lol). I signed up for the Goofy, and started using the Galloway training program (I used it last time and found the ample days off kept my bad knees from acting up) and bought two new pairs of my favorite running sneakers (Spira). I'm not at all focused on time or anything like that- just being able to complete both events would be a huge accomplishment to me. Being able to just complete the marathon alone would be an accomplishment, but I really want to do the half because I think it'll be more enjoyable and less me kicking myself for signing up for this craziness lol.

So far I've managed all the runs, but my right calf/inner leg has been acting up every time I take a walking break. I'm really not a fast runner, and after about 4 miles at a 12mm pace I need a walking break to gear up to keep running. So far I've managed, since the last long run was only 7 miles, but I know I'll need to alternate running/walking to survive the longer ones coming up.

I've never had this issue before, so I went to a running store and had them check shoes and gait, and was advised to start rolling my calves and run in compression sleeves until they go away. I've definitely seen drastic improvement, but it still hurts only when walking- not at all when running. Is there anything else I should be doing? As I said I'm not a runner, so I would love any advice from more experienced runners

Also, am I completely crazy for thinking I can do this? I'm worried it might be too much stress on my body to jump right into a half + full, but I really want to do it!!!

Thanks!

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Hi everyone!

I've been toying around for the last year now with running another race. I ran the princess half in 2010 kind of as a once in a lifetime thing, and swore I would never do it again. I'm not a runner by any means, and had never run more than a mile at a time before training for that, so that was a stretch for sure. Since then I have only run 2 miles every few weeks.

Fast forward to a month and a half ago when I decided I really wanted to run a race again. I ran for a week, and felt great, and decided a half would be easy and wanted to try and push myself further (it was a moment I can only describe as pure insanity lol). I signed up for the Goofy, and started using the Galloway training program (I used it last time and found the ample days off kept my bad knees from acting up) and bought two new pairs of my favorite running sneakers (Spira). I'm not at all focused on time or anything like that- just being able to complete both events would be a huge accomplishment to me. Being able to just complete the marathon alone would be an accomplishment, but I really want to do the half because I think it'll be more enjoyable and less me kicking myself for signing up for this craziness lol.

So far I've managed all the runs, but my right calf/inner leg has been acting up every time I take a walking break. I'm really not a fast runner, and after about 4 miles at a 12mm pace I need a walking break to gear up to keep running. So far I've managed, since the last long run was only 7 miles, but I know I'll need to alternate running/walking to survive the longer ones coming up.

I've never had this issue before, so I went to a running store and had them check shoes and gait, and was advised to start rolling my calves and run in compression sleeves until they go away. I've definitely seen drastic improvement, but it still hurts only when walking- not at all when running. Is there anything else I should be doing? As I said I'm not a runner, so I would love any advice from more experienced runners

Also, am I completely crazy for thinking I can do this? I'm worried it might be too much stress on my body to jump right into a half + full, but I really want to do it!!!

Thanks!

I would definitely use a roller. I would also try some yoga for runners to stretch the muscles. I would skip the walking on shorter runs and run the whole distance. If you keep increasing the amount of time you run continuously you may be able to skip the walking. Remember, your long runs should be slow. Good luck!

 

[luvformickey]

No plans for eating before each race (probably something in our villa), but the night of the marathon we're eating at O'hana with a large group of friends and family who are running either the half or full that weekend.

 

[kmchisholm]

We're going against all our norms and not making any reservations or plans for Marathon Weekend. Will be the first Marathon for both, so not sure how body will react. Staying at AKL so worst case will be room service, although I'm excited to try the counter service places there. Then planning on party at Downtown that evening. Just staying through Tues so Monday will be the only free day and as we'll be there in Oct we may not even do parks, maybe Seaworld or Universal- anyone think we're totally crazy?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We're going against all our norms and not making any reservations or plans for Marathon Weekend. Will be the first Marathon for both, so not sure how body will react. Staying at AKL so worst case will be room service, although I'm excited to try the counter service places there. Then planning on party at Downtown that evening. Just staying through Tues so Monday will be the only free day and as we'll be there in Oct we may not even do parks, maybe Seaworld or Universal- anyone think we're totally crazy?

I'm also staying at AKL, and almost all of my ADRs are at AKL for an early dinner. Definitely no parks after Tuesday, though. It's not worth it for me to risk a bad marathon because I wanted to go on a ride I've been on hundreds of times.

 

[cewait]

We're going against all our norms and not making any reservations or plans for Marathon Weekend. Will be the first Marathon for both, so not sure how body will react. Staying at AKL so worst case will be room service, although I'm excited to try the counter service places there. Then planning on party at Downtown that evening. Just staying through Tues so Monday will be the only free day and as we'll be there in Oct we may not even do parks, maybe Seaworld or Universal- anyone think we're totally crazy?

We have not visited the parks a few marathon weekends. I am sure the mouse hates to hear that but sometimes other things prevail. e.g. Disney on Ice - the 2010 weekend was frigging cold so we toured the resort and a couple others instead of the parks; last year I ran the weekend with the early stages of the flu. Pretty much hydrate, rest and run.

You will find that most all counter service will have a pasta meal the night before the half and full. If in a villa, head to Publix (on 192 @ 429 just south of AKL) and create your own pre-race meal.

 

[cewait]

The RunDisney website says that there is a spectator viewing area at the Magic Kingdom? Does anyone know where this is? It also mentions a ChEAR zone area which requires a wrist band. Has anyone purchased a ChEAR squad package before? Is it worth it or is the spectator viewing area good enough?

The RunDisney website also states that the Magic Kingdom is open at 5:30am for spectators to enter and that they should take the monorail from Epcot to the TTC, then TTC to MK. Does anyone know if there are busses running from the resorts to MK that early in the morning for spectators?

TIA for any info.

-Scott

Scott...

I plotted the MK area viewing points that seem like valid spots. The one "C" point is the ChEAR spot. It is a primo spot for spotting the runner, but the crew must circumnavigate the entire length of Main.

The best way for spectators to get to MK is to ride the bus with the runner to Epcot. Wait and enjoy the pre-race atmosphere with the runner then head to the monorail as the runners are called to the corrals (or earlier). With teh new course design, spectators are more challenged to get up there before the runners. Obviously those staying on a monorail resort would just hop the rail. Regular Disney busing would not start until approx an hour before park open or 8 am.

One other planning note, Marathon bussing generally stops around 0500 then resumes around 0700. This window of non operation often leaves spectators in a lurch.

With regard to 'is it worth it"... I personally think that the cost is worth it IF a spectator is not very mobile, cannot stand for a period or has transportation challenges (i.e. gets lost on a normal morning). Otherwise, our crew is not a real fan. You do get some swag for the package, but we find that viewing at the TTC and Poly a better option for us.

Oh, the map

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/270698651/

 

[cewait]

Does anyone have any advice for the horrible pain in the ball of my foot, extending through my arch? It was only my left foot now my right foot is starting up! . Ugh. I have run 4 half marathons, a few 10k and countless 5k. Now that I am running Jeff galloways goofy challenge training schedule the pain is horrible.
I ice my feet, roll them on tennis balls and use bio freeze. Nothing helps.

What are my options? Cortisone injection? Surgery to remove the nerve? Not loving these options...

Thanks!!!!

Generally, this sounds a lot like PF (plantar fasciitis). It is a hard heal. I would roll the pain area with a can of frozen juice. Also, do not walk around bare footed. The thought is that like most tendonitis, it heals up while you sleep and then the first thing a sufferer does is over use the repair by getting out of bed. Get some stiffer soled slippers and step into them before moving away from the bed.

Also, head to a doctor for a hands on look. Obviously, a forum produces at best a guess of your condition. More than likely if I am correct a doctor will scribe some rest and a NSAID. If it continues, they may look to a cortisone injection. Do take a couple weeks off if one is received to allow the tendons time to firm back up.

 

[experiment818]

Scott...

I plotted the MK area viewing points that seem like valid spots. The one "C" point is the ChEAR spot. It is a primo spot for spotting the runner, but the crew must circumnavigate the entire length of Main.

The best way for spectators to get to MK is to ride the bus with the runner to Epcot. Wait and enjoy the pre-race atmosphere with the runner then head to the monorail as the runners are called to the corrals (or earlier). With teh new course design, spectators are more challenged to get up there before the runners. Obviously those staying on a monorail resort would just hop the rail. Regular Disney busing would not start until approx an hour before park open or 8 am.

One other planning note, Marathon bussing generally stops around 0500 then resumes around 0700. This window of non operation often leaves spectators in a lurch.

With regard to 'is it worth it"... I personally think that the cost is worth it IF a spectator is not very mobile, cannot stand for a period or has transportation challenges (i.e. gets lost on a normal morning). Otherwise, our crew is not a real fan. You do get some swag for the package, but we find that viewing at the TTC and Poly a better option for us.

Oh, the map

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/270698651/

Thanks for all the info and the map. That is great!

At the time that I originally posed the question, I also emailed runDisney about spectators getting to the Magic Kingdom (whether they could take the same bus as the runners). Below is what they wrote.

"Yes. Spectators staying at an Event Host Resort can use event
transportation. First priority for transportation will be given to race
participants! For more details, please visit our Transportation page.

The best option would be to take the monorail from EPCOT to the Ticket
and Transportation Center and then transfer to the Magic Kingdom
monorail."

-Scott

 

[lmb80129]

Is anyone else anxiously awaiting the medal reveal? Wasn't it about this time last year that Disney started the medal caper online? I seem to remember that the medals were out before the Disneyland Half last year. Anyone have a thought when we might get the first look at the medals?

 

[DisneyParrothead]

Is anyone else anxiously awaiting the medal reveal? Wasn't it about this time last year that Disney started the medal caper online? I seem to remember that the medals were out before the Disneyland Half last year. Anyone have a thought when we might get the first look at the medals?

I am, not so patiently either. I remember they did that whole "Donald's jealous and wants his own new medal" video series. I don't need it drawn out, but I'm so curious to see what the new designs will be.