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

[cewait]

I ran a 4:34 mile at age 20 - I don't care how much I train, I will never hit that again.

I played football and rugby, anything over 100 yards was punishment. In a full disclosure, I really did not run a timed mile until 35.

 

[FFigawi]

i think the Disney races are always fun, regardless of finish time

I think this is the key point. Disney races are fun, even more so if you approach them as such. To me, the full is a great one to not worry about a PR and just enjoy the crowds, spectacle, and taking pictures with the characters. It's the one race I do where I never pay attention to my pace and spend my time looking around, chatting up my fellow runners, and interact with the spectators.

 

[bumbershoot]

I played football and rugby, anything over 100 yards was punishment. In a full disclosure, I really did not run a timed mile until 35.

I'm sure you've seen the shirt/bumpersticker/headband saying "my sport is your sport's punishment". I laughed out loud when I saw that at a local expo....

 

[John VN]

I think this is the key point. Disney races are fun, even more so if you approach them as such. To me, the full is a great one to not worry about a PR and just enjoy the crowds, spectacle, and taking pictures with the characters. It's the one race I do where I never pay attention to my pace and spend my time looking around, chatting up my fellow runners, and interact with the spectators.

Finishing the race while having fun is why I will be stopping at McDonald's again for an M&M McFlurry.

McFlurry John

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I'm sure you've seen the shirt/bumpersticker/headband saying "my sport is your sport's punishment". I laughed out loud when I saw that at a local expo....

I don't see it as punishment anymore . I hated long distance running so much because my coaches didn't make it fun. Now I make sure to bring the fun into it.

 

[FFigawi]

Finishing the race while having fun is why I will be stopping at McDonald's again for an M&M McFlurry. McFlurry John

And why I always stop for a beer running past Boardwalk at mile 24. Can't do that when going for a PR.

 

[Keogh1876]

I just turned 42 but didn't start running until age 38 so I haven't yet been running for 4 years.
We are going to Disney in January only to run. The children are staying home with the nanny so they don't miss school.
I guess I don't care so much about my actual finish time at Disney as I do about the overall process of trying to improve. (Does that even make sense?)

Amanda

Amanda

If I were you I would decide what is more important to you and what will make you feel better about yourself- Seeing things and taking in the wonderful atmosphere that comes with Disney races or going for a PR. I have done six Disney races and will be doing the Goofy in the spring. I just PRd in the Wine and Dine last weekend and while I was proud of myself I really don't have any memories of the race- no characters, no runner costumes, no funny spectator signs. It is all one big blur! I'm happy with my PR but next year I'm planning to slow down and marinate in the experience. I'll save the PRing for a smaller less colorful race.

 

[DrMomof3]

Hey Amanda,

OK, so Jeff let you know that the NYC course was a tough one, and you still got a PR on it. If the WDW Marathon course is an easier one than NYC (and I expect it is), then putting forth the same effort should get you another PR/faster run, even without additional speed work. Perhaps working against that is the 6.2 miles you're going to do a couple of days before the marathon, which might take away the benefits you would get if you rested for a couple of days, but working through a good recovery plan will help with that.

Given your NYC Marathon pace (which, by the application of some math, gives me about a 12.5 minutes/mile pace), you'd need to run each mile about 30 seconds faster to come in around 5:15. It looks like you ran the repeats much faster than 12 minutes/mile, so you certainly have the infrastructure to run faster, but the unknown is still maintaining that over the total distance. I think it may all come down to adjusting run/walk ratios, perhaps. I've been doing 90/30 run/walk splits on my long runs, but I discovered that I need to take it slower when I get up around 18 miles, and drop the run portion down to a more manageable number, lest my body rebel. Maybe a look at your ratio and a consultation with your e-coach might be in order.

So, short answer: I think if you want to go faster, you can go faster. The course will likely be less difficult, your muscles can propel you at least 2 minutes/mile faster than your NYC marathon pace, and you may get a good adrenaline boost at the race. All those point toward you being able to continue a reasonable training program, don't try to kill yourself with speed work, and still come in with a PR in January. Then again, I have yet to recover from a marathon, so I may be underestimating the impact. Good luck, though, whatever path you take. i think the Disney races are always fun, regardless of finish time

Thank you so much for your insights!

Amanda

If I were you I would decide what is more important to you and what will make you feel better about yourself- Seeing things and taking in the wonderful atmosphere that comes with Disney races or going for a PR. I have done six Disney races and will be doing the Goofy in the spring. I just PRd in the Wine and Dine last weekend and while I was proud of myself I really don't have any memories of the race- no characters, no runner costumes, no funny spectator signs. It is all one big blur! I'm happy with my PR but next year I'm planning to slow down and marinate in the experience. I'll save the PRing for a smaller less colorful race.

I hear you. This will be my 3rd time running the full at Disney (I guess my 2nd time running this particular course) and I will run with a camera. I don't usually stop for pictures so much as "pause" for pictures. I need to really think about what I want for January...

Amanda

 

[DoctorK]

Thank you so much for your insights!

I hear you. This will be my 3rd time running the full at Disney (I guess my 2nd time running this particular course) and I will run with a camera. I don't usually stop for pictures so much as "pause" for pictures. I need to really think about what I want for January...

Amanda

I just finished the W&D at 2:48, well off my PR from September of 2:06. But I stopped for every character except one (Rafiki, who I saw at the 5k that morning) as well as the Osborne Lights (also: a bathroom stop at DHS). My goal was to soak up and enjoy the runDisney experience, so going in I wasn't concerned with my pace at all.

I think being 100% sure of your goal going in is important. If you're kind of on the fence you might end up disappointed that you either didn't see enough characters or didn't run fast enough when you *could* have had a PR.

 

[cherrybomb11]

And why I always stop for a beer running past Boardwalk at mile 24. Can't do that when going for a PR.

My hero!

 

[John VN]

And why I always stop for a beer running past Boardwalk at mile 24. Can't do that when going for a PR.

I forgot to mention about the beer chaser. Mile 24 you say. Think they have O'Doul's? I don't need the alcohol and besides, studies have shown that having a non-alcohol beer is good for recovery so in my case the recovery will start before the end.

 

[dragitoff]

Any idea when the course maps will be released this year or are they already? I haven't seen it and it seems like it was already out this time last year.

 

[RnbwSktles]

All of this talk about making a stop for a beer or something has made me realize just how convenient those MBs will be! No need to worry about carrying cash or digging a card out of my belt. Assuming it works, of course.

 

[papaof3]

What time do the bars at boardwalk open? I plan on finishing before 9:30.

 

[cewait]

It has been a over a decade since I came through World Showcase later than 11 am. Last year was really a tough year in the marathon for me and as I looped through World Showcase I looked up to see a beautiful stranger offering a free cup of beer. I would never ordinarily take an open beer from a complete stranger but I did and it was great. I even have the Marathonfoto of my finish sitting not eh desk with beer cup held up in salute.

 

[Tabetha]

I have the new 220 and totally agree. LIGHT years better than any other Garmin on the market.

I am SO glad to hear this - I just ordered one from RoadRunner. I have the old 405CX, which I like, but... new, shiny...

 

[FFigawi]

What time do the bars at boardwalk open? I plan on finishing before 9:30.

Don't know. My beer stop is with friends or general spectators out there watching. There's always a few willing to share their beer.

 

[swimfly]

I might need a pep talk. I seem to be going through an existential crisis about my running...
In January I'm running the 10k (with my husband who will be doing his 1st 10k and is quite a bit slower than I am so it'll be a fun run for me) and then the full marathon. This will be my 3rd Disney Marathon and my 4th Marathon overall (I just ran NYC Marathon on November 3rd).
I am slow by non-Disney standards - I finished NYC with a PR of 5:26:58. I had done e-coaching with Jeff Galloway, ran all of the speed work-outs including 14 x 1 mile repeats at around 10:30 pace, and ran my longest run of 27.3 miles about 3 weeks before the race. I was hoping for at least a 5:15 finish (my fantasy was sub-5 hours) but Jeff had (correctly) predicted between 5:15 and 5:30. His reasoning was that NYC is a difficult course and obviously he was right.
I was a child athlete (starting competing in gymnastics at age 7 and quit at age 19) and graduated high school with 9 varsity letters. And although I didn't start running until 4 years ago, I consider myself to be an active person. I'm about 10 lbs over my "ideal" weight but I don't think anyone would call me overweight (I wear a size 6 petite). And I'm frustrated that I'm not faster at running!!!
At this point I don't know if I want to go "all out" in my training for Disney and try to PR or if I should just cut back my training and do enough to finish comfortably in 6 hours or less and stop worrying about how fast I run.
(I am working with a sports nutritionist to lose the last 10 lbs and I've started to incorporate more core fitness into my routine.)
Thoughts?

Amanda

PS Sorry if I sound super whiny. I'm lucky that I'm able to run marathons at all and I am proud of finishing 3 full marathons including 1 Goofy.

Decide what you want. I really love speedwork and meeting with my coach and friends "under the lights" at the track on Wednesdays. I'm not willing to trade this in for B2B training runs other runners swear by for Dopey prep. My goal is to not only enjoy marathon weekend but the process. I don't think I'll ever run a marathon focusing on time but darn if I'm not going to get my 1/2 under 2 again post-baby. You have the power to decide your focus and a whole community here to support you.

It has been a over a decade since I came through World Showcase later than 11 am. Last year was really a tough year in the marathon for me and as I looped through World Showcase I looked up to see a beautiful stranger offering a free cup of beer. I would never ordinarily take an open beer from a complete stranger but I did and it was great. I even have the Marathonfoto of my finish sitting not eh desk with beer cup held up in salute.

My husband is alwaya willing to buy a beer for any runner who swings into R&C.

 

[cherrybomb11]

Does anyone know if they accept either Disney gift cards or Magic Band as payment at the expo? The official Dis expo store of course, not the individual booths.

 

[NitroStitch]

Does anyone know if they accept either Disney gift cards or Magic Band as payment at the expo? The official Dis expo store of course, not the individual booths.

They definitely accept the Magic Band at the official Disney expo store, since I used it for Wine & Dine. I think I remember seeing someone use a Disney gift card, but I'm not 100% sure on that one. Hopefully someone else can answer that one.