Official 2015 Disney Marathon Thread

[Fellowship9798]

They changed the course in 2013,for the marathon you don't run inside Epcot at the start of the race,you run through the racetrack and you run through WWOS from miles 17-20.There's been nothing to suggest that it will change in 2015.

I preferred the older course where you passed through Epcot twice, shortly after the start and again at the finish. Running on the race track or through the WWoS doesn't make up for it, at least to me. However, since I'm doing Dopey I guess I'll have my full of running through Epcot.

 

[Nole95]

They changed the course in 2013,for the marathon you don't run inside Epcot at the start of the race,you run through the racetrack and you run through WWOS from miles 17-20.There's been nothing to suggest that it will change in 2015.

To me, the WWOS segment is the absolute worse part of the marathon. I hated running through that part. It seemed to go on forever. I really wish they would figure out a way to cut that segment in half.

 

[Outonarun]

To me, the WWOS segment is the absolute worse part of the marathon. I hated running through that part. It seemed to go on forever. I really wish they would figure out a way to cut that segment in half.

I strongly agree. I felt that there were sections that were more 'obstacle course' than 'road race.' I prefer to run -- strong, full speed ahead, confident -- I did not care for the slowing, turning, narrowing, surface changes, and pace changes.

I've read that others quite like the WWOS section, and I will use that knowledge to uplift me during that section in 2015

 

[Ariel484]

I preferred the older course where you passed through Epcot twice, shortly after the start and again at the finish. Running on the race track or through the WWoS doesn't make up for it, at least to me. However, since I'm doing Dopey I guess I'll have my full of running through Epcot.

Another vote for the old course. Loooooved the early-morning Epcot portion...and that the marathon course's first 8 miles or so weren't exactly the same as the WDW half/Princess Half.

 

[ell13]

To me, the WWOS segment is the absolute worse part of the marathon. I hated running through that part. It seemed to go on forever. I really wish they would figure out a way to cut that segment in half.

Put me on the list of those who agree. And just like Outonarun said, it's because of the sharp turns, different surfaces, and narrow lanes all at around mile 20.

That being said, I wasn't a fan of the out and back either. The race track is okay. I think they could somehow put the two courses together: Run through EPCOT to start, go on the racetrack, and quickly in/out of WWoS staying in the wide areas. I don't need to run on the baseball field or the high school track there, but it least it's something to look at.

 

[N880EP]

Yea, I agree on WWOS. I actually wouldn't mind WWOS if the route went from the track over to the baseball field then continued as is. I'm sure they have plenty of other options for that additional mile that loops through WWOS.

I also wish there was a better way to enter the NASCAR track, the tunnel was tight, then making that sharp turn to enter the track makes it hard to maintain your rhythm.

 

[steves1019]

To me, the WWOS segment is the absolute worse part of the marathon. I hated running through that part. It seemed to go on forever. I really wish they would figure out a way to cut that segment in half.

Add me to the hate WWoS portion of the course. SO many turns and seems to go on forever. I never ran the old course but that sounds so much better.

 

[FFigawi]

I guess I'm one of the few who doesn't mind the WWoS part of the course. I find it to be much more interesting than the old out and back on the road. Running straight in one direction and then straight back I find to be very dull. That said, nothing beats the old course where you ran around World Showcase in the dark, even with the out and back.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I guess I'm one of the few who doesn't mind the WWoS part of the course. I find it to be much more interesting than the old out and back on the road. Running straight in one direction and then straight back I find to be very dull. That said, nothing beats the old course where you ran around World Showcase in the dark, even with the out and back.

I agree with you. WWoS is so many times better than the highway miles that it replaced.

 

[ell13]

That said, nothing beats the old course where you ran around World Showcase in the dark, even with the out and back.

You must have been a "blue" starter. We were "red" and ran through the front of EPCOT. It was eerie running through the Legacy stones in the dark.

 

[ANIM8R]

I guess I'm one of the few who doesn't mind the WWoS part of the course. I find it to be much more interesting than the old out and back on the road. Running straight in one direction and then straight back I find to be very dull. That said, nothing beats the old course where you ran around World Showcase in the dark, even with the out and back.

I'm with you. I like the variety that running through WWOS offers. I absolutely LOVE running on the track - I wish the entire course felt like that! After 18 miles or so, that cushioned surface is heaven!

Also, being a baseball fan, I love running through the stadium....even if it's only used for spring training now.

 

[Weluvdisny]

We've hit the 6 month mark people!! I'm excited and ready to begin my training! I went on a nice 5 mile run in my local state park yesterday evening.

 

[Outonarun]

We've hit the 6 month mark people!! I'm excited and ready to begin my training! I went on a nice 5 mile run in my local state park yesterday evening.

Thanks for noting the 6 month marker! I am going to add a couple things into my training now (a longer long run and a non-trail pavement run each week).

Glad you had a nice park run

 

[RD-SOX]

We've hit the 6 month mark people!! I'm excited and ready to begin my training! I went on a nice 5 mile run in my local state park yesterday evening.

I started my "official" training but feeling depressed.... My hubby thinks I am way over my head doing the marathon. This will be my first full. I am in my 40s's and have been running for 2 1/2 years and have done various races from 5K to 10K and completed my first half marathon this past November. With him saying how he feels I am now feeling deflated....UGH

 

[MRS AR]

I started my "official" training but feeling depressed.... My hubby thinks I am way over my head doing the marathon. This will be my first full. I am in my 40s's and have been running for 2 1/2 years and have done various races from 5K to 10K and completed my first half marathon this past November. With him saying how he feels I am now feeling deflated....UGH

Hang in there. I was in your shoes last year (although I had run a few more 1/2's). I started running 1 1/2 years ago. My husband supported my 1/2 marathons after he traveled to one of my races and saw I really was ok at the finish line. When I decided to run the 2014 marathon he was against it. I was 58 at the time. I told him I would train smart and that I would be fine. I will never surpass the moment when I finished that first marathon I was ok, it wasn't pretty but I finished. Get a good plan and stick with it. This is for you! I'm running Goofy this year and I'm counting on the same dedication to training to get me through. Enjoy the whole process.

 

[Nole95]

I started my "official" training but feeling depressed.... My hubby thinks I am way over my head doing the marathon. This will be my first full. I am in my 40s's and have been running for 2 1/2 years and have done various races from 5K to 10K and completed my first half marathon this past November. With him saying how he feels I am now feeling deflated....UGH

You will be fine.

I ran the Disney Marathon last year after running for less than 2 years. I had run 5 half marathons leading up to it, and did not start my marathon training until September.

You are way ahead of the game. Stick to your training plan and everything else will take care if itself.

 

[DOOM1001]

I started my "official" training but feeling depressed.... My hubby thinks I am way over my head doing the marathon. This will be my first full. I am in my 40s's and have been running for 2 1/2 years and have done various races from 5K to 10K and completed my first half marathon this past November. With him saying how he feels I am now feeling deflated....UGH

My first race ever was the Disney full marathon,when I say ever that means no 5K's,10K's or Half Marathons before doing that full.I had always gone to the gym pretty frequently and would always run 3-4 miles on the treadmill,so I was in decent shape but nothing amazing,I was over my ideal weight then and still am today.For training for the marathon I probably did 4-5 runs on the streets of 6-9 miles,about 3 13-14 mile runs and one 18 mile run along with regular treadmill sessions of 4-6 miles,no real schedule just when I had time and that I knew I had to get some runs in if I ever expected to finish the marathon.What I learned was that I enjoyed the race so much that the 18 mile run was like twice as hard as the full Disney marathon,there's so much going on during the race and I was having so much fun doing it that it almost felt easy,I said almost!!I've done a bunch of races since,5K's,10K's,10 milers,half and full marathons and in January I'm attempting the Goofy Challenge and definitely plan on Dopey in the future.You've been running for a while now and you finished a half,you have almost 6 months to train and get some longer runs in but like I said the place to do your first marathon is Disney as you will enjoy it so much the miles just fly by.

 

[bumbershoot]

I started my "official" training but feeling depressed.... My hubby thinks I am way over my head doing the marathon. This will be my first full. I am in my 40s's and have been running for 2 1/2 years and have done various races from 5K to 10K and completed my first half marathon this past November. With him saying how he feels I am now feeling deflated....UGH

So now you know to talk HERE, rather than with DH, about your training.

You're putting in the training and the miles, you're working up to it. You have ages to train for this. I started running (again) a shorter time ago than you did, I'm in my 40s, too, and if I felt like doing a marathon (I don't...a half is as long as I want to be on my feet LOL) I'm sure the 6 months would work perfectly.

 

[ANIM8R]

I started my "official" training but feeling depressed.... My hubby thinks I am way over my head doing the marathon. This will be my first full. I am in my 40s's and have been running for 2 1/2 years and have done various races from 5K to 10K and completed my first half marathon this past November. With him saying how he feels I am now feeling deflated....UGH

I just read last night that 47% of 2013 marathon finishers were over 40. I'm amazed by that!

I ran my first marathon in my mid-40's and never, ever, ever thought I could. I am the proverbial "If I can do it, anybody can do it" guy.

So...you're not "way over" your head by ANY stretch. In my mind - anybody that can finish a half marathon in decent shape can finish a marathon.

I know this sounds crazy but I am firmly convinced that finishing a marathon is not twice as difficult as finishing a half marathon. Once you get moving and "in the zone", you can just ride-that-out as long as you stay at a comfortable pace and pay attention to your body - slow your pace or even walk if you need. Plenty of people will be doing the same.

And I contend Disney is the best place to run a first marathon. The hardest part (to me) of a typical marathon is the long, boring stretches between miles 14 and 20. In the couple of non-Disney marathons I've run, those are where there are few spectators, runners are sparse, and no "hoopla" on the course. That is not the case at Disney. There are spectators and characters and bands and DJs seemingly everywhere!

I'm just getting excited again typing this post! (Thanks!)

Nope - the difficult part is sticking to the training in prepping for the marathon. If you do that, you're golden. You will have a FANTASTIC run through the Disney parks!

It is SOOOO not over your head. In fact, it's below your head....probably knee-level. Just try not to trip over it on your way to the finish line!

 

[Nole95]

The worst stretch of the marathon for me was mile 14-17 or thereabouts. You have just exited AK and then start that long and boring stretch down Osceola Parkway to WWOS. While there are some spectators, it is nothing compared to the rest of the race.

While WWOS is not my favorite part there were at least people all over from pretty much that stretch on to the finish.