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

[John VN]

I heard that they were moving a run through window up the hill just for you

McFlurry John

 

[steves1019]

It's kind of funny. I rarely train with them and only bring them to a marathon distance race. I will wear them if I am feeling undertrained... such as this year. So that was a long way of saying, yes the ear buds will be with me along with the iPhone and Garmin Live App. I will probably not have them in until mile 9 or so. I am remembering a funny thing about the USATF, sanctioned races and headphones. In the 08 or 09 time frame, the USATF decided to make race directors of sanctioned races the heavy in their no head phone policy. Several races in front of Disney went as far as DQ'ing runners based on finisher photos with headphones in. Disney was toeing the group line but had a problem when it came to anyone taking them seriously. The second place winner in the Princess was on a lot of the literature with headphones. Before marathon weekend, the USATF relaxed their unenforceable policy to the advisory you see today.

I'll have mine in and rocking. I'm a social person but I find when running I prefer to be in my own little zone and the headphones allow me to do that. I do feel I'll lose some of the Disney magic though. I'm ramping up to an Ironman so I'll need to get used to no headphones for a LONG time.

 

[cutigress]

Maybe a dumb question but I'll ask you veterans anyway.

We are getting to Disney around 1030 Friday morning, hopefully a little earlier; we are driving. Was thinking of driving straight to the expo, getting our stuff, then driving to Pop to check in before hitting MK. DH and I are both just running the marathon.
I saw the booklet instructions recommended taking transportation... Would it be better to go to the resort first, then bus to WWoS and bus to MK? Was not originally thinking to do this as the busses would take longer... Didn't know if there was a reason this was suggested.

 

[goofeygirl]

The apparent increase in security has me wondering if I will be able to leave the marathon route for my McFlurry at mile 15 and then return. With the thought of not being able to due so, I have decided to bring a McFlurry to the start of each Dopey race. They should still be in good shape since our motorhome will be parked in the EPCOT lot and I will not be heading to the starts until the last minute. 3 weeks away and one down.

McFlurry John

Lets hope you can still have the McFlurry.

 

[steves1019]

Maybe a dumb question but I'll ask you veterans anyway. We are getting to Disney around 1030 Friday morning, hopefully a little earlier; we are driving. Was thinking of driving straight to the expo, getting our stuff, then driving to Pop to check in before hitting MK. DH and I are both just running the marathon. I saw the booklet instructions recommended taking transportation... Would it be better to go to the resort first, then bus to WWoS and bus to MK? Was not originally thinking to do this as the busses would take longer... Didn't know if there was a reason this was suggested.

I drove there last year and it was easy to get in but a pain to leave. There was so much traffic. But the busses were in it to. I think if you're there about 10:30 I'd drive.

 

[John VN]

I'll have mine in and rocking. I'm a social person but I find when running I prefer to be in my own little zone and the headphones allow me to do that. I do feel I'll lose some of the Disney magic though. I'm ramping up to an Ironman so I'll need to get used to no headphones for a LONG time.

At 63yo my first IM was last month's IMFL. I have never used any sort of audio input during training so racing is just a continuation. Allows one to really become one with one's self.

Good luck with your IM.

Off to the pool now for a 3000 yard swim.

McFlurry John

 

[steves1019]

Congrats and thanks!

 

[cewait]

Maybe a dumb question but I'll ask you veterans anyway.

We are getting to Disney around 1030 Friday morning, hopefully a little earlier; we are driving. Was thinking of driving straight to the expo, getting our stuff, then driving to Pop to check in before hitting MK. DH and I are both just running the marathon.
I saw the booklet instructions recommended taking transportation... Would it be better to go to the resort first, then bus to WWoS and bus to MK? Was not originally thinking to do this as the busses would take longer... Didn't know if there was a reason this was suggested.

Adding to John's thoughts... I have not taken the bus for several years. If you are arriving on site around 1030, you will be near the far end of the paved parking lot. Much later you will be thrown into the overflow lot. They are looking to try to smooth out the traffic flow in and out of the lot. I will be driving again this year as I do not check in until after the 5k the following day. I have to head back to work after the expo.

Oh, and quit saying 'just' a marathon.

 

[dizdreamer1955]

I am curious about the map for the half & full. It looks like we're going in MK from the front of the park, instead of the backstage side near Main Street? The map is small so I can't tell. Opinions?

 

[cutigress]

Adding to John's thoughts... I have not taken the bus for several years. If you are arriving on site around 1030, you will be near the far end of the paved parking lot. Much later you will be thrown into the overflow lot. They are looking to try to smooth out the traffic flow in and out of the lot. I will be driving again this year as I do not check in until after the 5k the following day. I have to head back to work after the expo.

Oh, and quit saying 'just' a marathon.

Sorry, you are right. Just used to everyone else doing the goofy or dopey it seems. Lol Maybe also psyching myself out, this will be my first marathon.

Thanks for the advice, y'all are awesome as always!

 

[creativeamanda]

Sorry, you are right. Just used to everyone else doing the goofy or dopey it seems. Lol Maybe also psyching myself out, this will be my first marathon.

Thanks for the advice, y'all are awesome as always!

I find myself saying that I'm "just doing the marathon" as well. I have to put thought into saying it differently.

As for the Goofy and Dopey, no way. I'm fine like I am.

 

[disney_runner]

I am curious about the map for the half & full. It looks like we're going in MK from the front of the park, instead of the backstage side near Main Street? The map is small so I can't tell. Opinions?

Good eye. I didn't even look, just assumed it's the same as years past. It does indeed appear as though you will be running through the main gates. Turnstiles are gone now, makes it easier. Very cool! Thanks for noticing this!

Haven't posted much here since I'm not running this year, I'm volunteering instead! But I'm following along.

 

[paxsarah]

According to the course filed with USATF, the entrance to MK is designated as "Tony's Gate," which I think is the same entrance as usual: http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/maps/showMap.asp?courseID=FL12023TY

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Haven't posted much here since I'm not running this year, I'm volunteering instead! But I'm following along.

Thank you for volunteering! I hope to one day be able to do this for a Disney race but my weekend race trips so far have been too short to volunteer.

 

[FloridaNative8]

I find myself saying that I'm "just doing the marathon" as well. I have to put thought into saying it differently.

As for the Goofy and Dopey, no way. I'm fine like I am.

I am also doing the same thing, saying "just the marathon", although I'm doing the 10K as well. My husband is doing the Dopey, so I feel like I'm slacking, even though I know I'm not

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Race start question:

Do you think we will have fireworks at each corral start like last year? I'm thinking since there are the additional corrals and a start a few minutes past 5:30, maybe Dis will only have one big start for everyone this year. I am about as far back as a runner can get and thinking I may not be able to see much.

 

[disney_runner]

Thank you for volunteering! I hope to one day be able to do this for a Disney race but my weekend race trips so far have been too short to volunteer.

I'm pretty excited to volunteer! Having been to WDW for races since 2008, it felt wrong not being there this January. So I thought up this plan. I'll be running agian in 2015 - Dopey for sure.

 

[creativeamanda]

Race start question:

Do you think we will have fireworks at each corral start like last year? I'm thinking since there are the additional corrals and a start a few minutes past 5:30, maybe Dis will only have one big start for everyone this year. I am about as far back as a runner can get and thinking I may not be able to see much.

I think that because the starts are so close together, there will only be one display. From what I understand, there was only one for TOT and Wine and Dine. I'm fine with it if it makes the course less crowded. Especially in Cone Alley

 

[John VN]

After completing my 2013 Ironman Florida in November, I can now refer to everything shorter than 140.6 miles in 13:31:48 as being just a ......

McFlurry John

 

[cherrybomb11]

I noticed that in the program guide it says spectators can only view at Animal Kingdom if they have a park ticket. But the map looks like it goes through the parking lot too. Thoughts?