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

[DoctorK]

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

I was in Corral D for Wine & Dine, and they had separate fireworks for each start until Corral D at the very least. We could hear more going off as we rounded the corner coming out of the WWoS so I suspect they continued to set them off for each corral.

 

[cewait]

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

I was in Corral D for Wine & Dine, and they had separate fireworks for each start until Corral D at the very least. We could hear more going off as we rounded the corner coming out of the WWoS so I suspect they continued to set them off for each corral.

It's pretty much a Disney requirement to have fireworks for each start. They did for each wave in the two fall races. Note that in January, there is only one really big shoot and then the waves are pretty much a smaller start line pop. Still very enjoyable and much better than an air horn.

 

[cewait]

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?

I think they are attempting to say that the race can be viewed for free in the Main Street USA area of MK for free. All other parks require entry if one wants to watch from within the park.

In no way would I suggest that a spectator even consider entering DAK to spectate the race. Same holds true with DHS. The main reason is that the pathways are relatively narrow and curvey. The line of sight is terrible. Also the walkway for guests and spectators is only a couple feet wide - little room to just cheer.

I would suggest that the crew bus over to the DAK and then stay around the main gate to bus stop area in front of the park. That area is fairly wide open and since they are on the bus side of the course, they do not need to worry about crossing the course to head out. On the other hand, if they was to stay, the bus side is also on the gate side so they do not have to cross the course to get into the park.

 

[Diskidatheart]

I think they are attempting to say that the race can be viewed for free in the Main Street USA area of MK for free. All other parks require entry if one wants to watch from within the park.

In no way would I suggest that a spectator even consider entering DAK to spectate the race. Same holds true with DHS. The main reason is that the pathways are relatively narrow and curvey. The line of sight is terrible. Also the walkway for guests and spectators is only a couple feet wide - little room to just cheer.

I would suggest that the crew bus over to the DAK and then stay around the main gate to bus stop area in front of the park. That area is fairly wide open and since they are on the bus side of the course, they do not need to worry about crossing the course to head out. On the other hand, if they was to stay, the bus side is also on the gate side so they do not have to cross the course to get into the park.

Are there buses that would get spectators to DAK prior to the park opening, say around 7:15 or 7:30? I'm thinking if my wife sees me at the T&T, then goes to the Poly to catch a bus to DAK, could she see me at main gate to bus stop area?

 

[annmarieda]

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

I am pretty sure that there was fireworks at the start of each corral at the ToT. I can't say for the last ones... but I remember there being ones for A.. B.. and then C. I assume they continued. It wasn't a "major" display... kinda a super sized roman candle type thing... but still a "bang". They were minutes apart....

 

[cewait]

Are there buses that would get spectators to DAK prior to the park opening, say around 7:15 or 7:30? I'm thinking if my wife sees me at the T&T, then goes to the Poly to catch a bus to DAK, could she see me at main gate to bus stop area?

I do not believe that one will be able to take advantage of the regular Disney busing to DAK that morning. The park will open at regular time so buses from Epcot will not start running until about 0800.

Regardless of that, I would not bus from Poly or TTC on race mornings as a spectator. It works out much better to get above the traffic and monorail back to Epcot. From Epcot, she could hail a cab to DAK, watch for you then wait for a few moments until park to park buses start and head back to Epcot. As an alternative, she could hail a cab at TTC but could be stuck in traffic attempting to get out of the area.

 

[DOOM1001]

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

I did ToT and every corral had fireworks,the way I look at it is this is Disney,they better have fireworks for every corral,even if they're not big fireworks.That's what they usually do,big fireworks at the beginning and smaller ones for each corral.

 

[creativeamanda]

Ya'll know, I was just repeating what I had heard. Apparently I was mistaken. No need to attack me for being wrong. . .

 

[miker1251]

C'mon folks, this is Disney. That's not fireworks, they are shooting pixie dust into the air.

 

[EMHDad]

I ran 20 miles yesterday. Now I begin my taper period. Curious. I am sore, but ok. How is the Marathon going to feel in relation to now? Any ideas? How much impact does the last 6 miles have on the legs, compared with the 20 I did? Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[creativeamanda]

I ran 20 miles yesterday. Now I begin my taper period. Curious. I am sore, but ok. How is the Marathon going to feel in relation to now? Any ideas? How much impact does the last 6 miles have on the legs, compared with the 20 I did? Thanks for the thoughts.

I did a 20-miler a couple of weeks ago, and plan another for Monday before I taper. I took some Tylenol before my last 20-miler, and it seemed to help with the soreness in comparison to the 17-miler I had done before.

 

[UNCBear24]

I ran 20 miles yesterday. Now I begin my taper period. Curious. I am sore, but ok. How is the Marathon going to feel in relation to now? Any ideas? How much impact does the last 6 miles have on the legs, compared with the 20 I did? Thanks for the thoughts.

From my experience, I can do 20 miles at race pace and not feel too sore. But doing a full marathon seems much worse. The last 10k really is the last half of the race. To survive the last 10k, keep ahead of your fueling and hydration. Stay mentally strong and you'll get finished just fine. Afterwards enjoy your accomplishment! Good luck!

 

[NitroStitch]

I ran 20 miles yesterday. Now I begin my taper period. Curious. I am sore, but ok. How is the Marathon going to feel in relation to now? Any ideas? How much impact does the last 6 miles have on the legs, compared with the 20 I did? Thanks for the thoughts.

For me personally, the last 6.2 are more mentally challenging than physically challenging. Not to say that the legs and body aren't really tired and challenged for the last 6.2 miles, but it seemed like my mental battle was worse than keeping my legs chugging along. One of the good things about the last miles at Disney is that you're hitting really recognizable places for those last 6.2 miles, so you get an extra lift from reaching the Studios and the Boardwalk area and Epcot and knowing you're nearly at the end. Crowd support seems to be pretty good by that point as well, so that gives you extra energy for really tired legs. As with all things, your mileage may vary, but getting through 20 miles is a big thing and most training plans don't seem to go over that (other than Jeff Galloway's).

 

[goofeygirl]

For me personally, the last 6.2 are more mentally challenging than physically challenging. Not to say that the legs and body aren't really tired and challenged for the last 6.2 miles, but it seemed like my mental battle was worse than keeping my legs chugging along. One of the good things about the last miles at Disney is that you're hitting really recognizable places for those last 6.2 miles, so you get an extra lift from reaching the Studios and the Boardwalk area and Epcot and knowing you're nearly at the end. Crowd support seems to be pretty good by that point as well, so that gives you extra energy for really tired legs. As with all things, your mileage may vary, but getting through 20 miles is a big thing and most training plans don't seem to go over that (other than Jeff Galloway's).

Ditto on that.

I did fine in the full marathon for the 20 miles it was after that that it went downhill for me. Mentally I was over it...really over it...I did finish but I didn't enjoy the moment like I wanted to.

For me , I think mile 21 is the toughest. There seems to be entertainment here and there until mile 20...something happens after that...and those last 6.2 miles are harder than any other. This time I am more mentally prep'd for it I hope...mile 21-23 is more highway miles and that is tough at that point...then you get into HS and then Epcot and that's the fun bit...so you have to try to stay mentally motivated until you get there...this is my plan.

20 miles for the poster is great...job well done. Now be mentally prep'd for the rest of the miles.

 

[cewait]

I think Disney's mile mile 14-17 and then 20-23 are mentally taxing.... The former is the out part of Osceola and looking into the sun. You have just left DAK and have run another mile in the parking lot before the highway. The underpass left hand bend can feel tough on the legs and then you are met with the sun and cars idling to your right for the next mile. It feels like it takes forever to get to Victory Way and the right hand turn towards the WWoS.

One gets a small reprieve in the middle miles of the stretch while touring the WWoS. For me it is a the ability to run just off course in the grass, on the cushioned track and off the roadways. I will say that if the grounds crew has recently recharged the warning track it will feel like running on the beach and not what one really wants at mile 19 and change. Smile as you come to home plate. as you are on camera.

Mile 20 through 23 are again on the road and taxing. This is where many runners are on new ground and beginning to feel it. The good news is that mile 20 is on Victory way and returning runners have the flatter side of the roadway. You also have the ability to see the eyes of those you are meeting and drawing some energy from them. Once on Osceola the real drudgery returns. Mile 21 you can begin to see the right hand corner so you know the end of Osceola is near, about 1/3 mile later its a right turn, up and over an overpass that makes another right bend and has no flat area to run. Once over that, is a down hill, mile post 22 and then another up onto Buena Vista. Hang as right as you can handle along World Dr as there is shade along this stretch. Focus on the med tent at the top of the hill but do not forget the aid station just before the hill. You can focus on the aid station since you cane see it the entire time on World Drive. Once up the hill the right side of the course has a funky curb/getter and drainage grate... Its a really short chute then a right hand turn into the back stage area of DHS. You have made it off all public streets at this point. However, the air of the race seems eerie as it is almost deadly quiet. No road, crowd or park traffic sounds at all. Mile 23 hits a good half mile into the back stage area. Before hitting the mark we run through the costuming section of the BackStage Tour - enjoy the air conditioning....

Miles 23-the end seem easier. We hit on stage DHS but there is little to no crowd on City Street. After that small stretch we turn left and pass down Commissary Lane and the crowds pick up Take a careful step until you hit Hollywood as there is a set of quick and small hills between Commissary and the Sorcerer's Hat. Just after the hat, most of us will run through a moving spectator gate. It's a unique way Disney corrals guests and alternates a small section of course so that there is little interference between racers and guests. You will see another in Epcot. Just after Hollywood and Vine we turn sharp left and right and leave through a back stage gate. The rest of the 24th mile can feel desolate but keep chanting, "Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach, Epcot and Home...Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach, Epcot and Home...Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach, Epcot and Home...Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach, Epcot and Home..." Soon we approach the aid station near the tennis courts and mile 24 at the start of the Boardwalk building. From here on out you have folks cheering. Mile 24 runs the length of Yacht and Beach, into back stage Great Britain and then onstage at Great Britain over a couple hills you may not remember and onto Mile 25 near France. Mile 26 is ahead as we leave behind Guest Services at the front of the park and then the gospel choir and finish chute.




It's really not all that bad in the last half of the race. One just needs to understand what mental games they need to carry into the race and understand that their bodies may throw some new wrench into the works in the later game. Take the first half of the race easy and then let the second half come to you. For the record, the first half of the race is 20 miles long and the last half is just a 10k

 

[steves1019]

Last 20 miler done, officially in my taper!!! Woo Hoo!

 

[smallsy]

Last 20 miler done, officially in my taper!!! Woo Hoo!

Good job and I'm jealous! I was supposed to do mine today but my running buddy is out of town, so it looks like tomorrow or Monday... weather permitting.

Went to Old Navy today to get a couple $5 fleeces to throw away in case we end up having a crazy cold start like several years ago.

 

[cutigress]

My 20 miler is Christmas Eve. Yay

 

[RnbwSktles]

My 20 miler today kicked my butt. I think I am prepared to deal with the mental aspect of the race now though.

For starters, I haven't been in the mood to run all week. I usually look forward to the long runs, but I wanted to skip this one so bad. I got to my trail this morning and discovered it was still covered in a few inches of snow. I gave it a try, but I was going to badly hurt something doing that so I switched over the road that parallels it. My legs hurt from the beginning and the edge of the road was not helping. I am not used to running on that uneven surface. Even though the route it almost the same since the road parallels my trail, it felt so boring. Around mile 8-9 I started to feel nauseous. Part of that I think is due to motion sickness. I have that problem on treadmills. Most of mile 18 I spent walking through uneven snow and ice so I could avoid a dangerous part of the road I had run through earlier when traffic was lighter. That stretch took forever since I was walking so slow. I wanted to throw up, cry, sit down, etc. Finally back on the road, my intervals dropped from 2:1 run/walk to 1:2. I was barely holding on at this point. Near the end my nausea suddenly seemed to go away so that was a little plus. It took me almost 5 hours to complete which I feel is incredibly slow.

I didn't feel nearly that bad during my 18 miler, although my legs hurt about the same during the end. I hope I was just having a bad day. I am looking forward to the race, but I am SO DONE with training. I am not sure I will do another marathon. I applied for the NY marathon though so we'll see!

Good luck everyone!

 

[kmchisholm]

While it's low mileage I did 7 yesterday with no IT Band pain - going to aim for 10 sometime during this week but have more confidence after reading several posts here and the message from Coach. You all are great and help with the mental aspect. We ended up in Corral L which gives me more confidence we can cut our run/walk time and be ok on time. Not looking to finish fast, just finish!

Now on to the fun stuff, ordering pink extensions for our hair