Official 2015 Disney Marathon Thread

[jerivera]

Is anyone else running the Disneyland Half this weekend?? I'm so pumped! And it worked out so perfectly with my training for the full in January... Though I'm terrified to increase mileage past the half :/

I think I'm making the tough decision to bypass photos at the half this year in hopes that I'll PR & improve my corral placement for WDW. (I was 48 SECONDS from a sub-2 hr time at Tink. Brutal.)

Anyhoo- good luck to all in upcoming races & training!

Actually, that's my plan too. I'm leaving on my first trip to DL tomorrow. It's my first half marathon, so sub 2 hr is not in the cards for me.

Regardless, I'll be bypassing pics in DLH in the hope a sub 2:20 run (even though I've read that it's not a good race for fast runs due to crowds & weather). I can then use that to get a not-at-the-end-of-the-pack placement in the Disney World Marathon. And at the DWM take EVERY pic I want/ride EE/other while I walk/jog/enjoy the DWM.

I'd do another 1/2 for a PR, but there really aren't that many choices for me in TX before the cutoff date for proof-of-time. Next year, I'll plan a 1/2 that's a PR favorite (ex. all downhill like 3M Half here in Austin, or all flat like The Jazz @ New Orleans one).

Needless to say, DWM will also be my first marathon. I'm somewhat concerned about the distance as well, but I'll just keep at it and hopefully training plan/prevention/common sense will get me there without injuring myself!

Good luck on Sunday's run!!!!!

 

[WhereInFlorida]

Can anybody give me a hand with a running route? I am going to WDW for a work conference (I know, poor me, right?!) in October. I have a 14-mile long run while I am there. I'll be at Coronado Springs and reliant on Disney transportation. Can anybody suggest a good place to run this? I know there is a loop at Coronado, but I believe it is only a mile or so. I will run in circles if I have to, but if anybody has a better option, I'd be grateful to hear it.

Thanks!

Get to Downtown Disney (you can run through there before it opens if you are a morning runner), then out to Buena Vista/Hotel Plaza Drive where there are sidewalks on both sides, left at the traffic light on Vineland 535, then left at traffic light on Winter Garden Vineland. There is a nice sidewalk there with very little cross traffic and you can run back on that road for several miles. Have done a 10 mile out and back run starting at SSR.

Also from Boardwalk you can run to Hollywood Studios, at Swan run up to the pool and exit back to Epcot Resorts Blvd which has a sidewalk but alot of cross driveways. Have done 6 miles around there, again best to do in mornings if want to run around Boardwalk and up to HS.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

Get to Downtown Disney (you can run through there before it opens if you are a morning runner), then out to Buena Vista/Hotel Plaza Drive where there are sidewalks on both sides, left at the traffic light on Vineland 535, then left at traffic light on Winter Garden Vineland. There is a nice sidewalk there with very little cross traffic and you can run back on that road for several miles. Have done a 10 mile out and back run starting at SSR. Also from Boardwalk you can run to Hollywood Studios, at Swan run up to the pool and exit back to Epcot Resorts Blvd which has a sidewalk but alot of cross driveways. Have done 6 miles around there, again best to do in mornings if want to run around Boardwalk and up to HS.

Thanks!! I hadn't thought of SSR. I could add that on too, as long as they will let me in. One time we were staying there and my husband and daughter went out to run and crossed over to DTD. When they came back, the gatehouse person tried to refuse them access because they were not carrying their room keys.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

Question for the women:

I usually wear running shorts with the built-in undies. For January, we are wearing costumes, and mine involves a golf skirt. It has shorts under, but I'll also need undies. Can any of you share what brands and styles you like? Thanks!

 

[RD-SOX]

Its official... I have sprained my ankle Crutches, ice, elevated, trying to stay off of it.... Good thing I have 133 days to the marathon. Hoping for a swift recovery and will see you all then.

 

[Radiorox]

Hey gang, Host Resorts? When do those get released? I am planing on staying at one of the Values. Usually all four are hosts resorts, correct?

I am psyching myself out already. Most I have done is a half marathon this Feb. It was difficult after mile 9 with a groin strain and a sock causing a blister but, I made it through!

Doing the Run/Walk 30:30 for now but been slacking on the weekday runs.

I'm also training for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler, the Miami Half Marathon which is 2 weeks after (I think) the WDW Marathon and then the Glass Slipper Challenge.

Hopefully I can do the Wine and Dine next year.

 

[Ariel484]

Hey gang, Host Resorts? When do those get released? I am planing on staying at one of the Values. Usually all four are hosts resorts, correct?

I am psyching myself out already. Most I have done is a half marathon this Feb. It was difficult after mile 9 with a groin strain and a sock causing a blister but, I made it through!

Doing the Run/Walk 30:30 for now but been slacking on the weekday runs.

I'm also training for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler, the Miami Half Marathon which is 2 weeks after (I think) the WDW Marathon and then the Glass Slipper Challenge.

Hopefully I can do the Wine and Dine next year.

All Disney resorts are host resorts for Marathon Weekend and Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

It's definitely a long training cycle (I start training 1 week from today!), but just keep your eyes on the prize. It'll be sooooo worth it!

You should totally do Wine & Dine someday. It's my favorite half marathon at WDW.

 

[Radiorox]

Wooh! Coolio, Values it is! So close after Christmas I can't justify spending lots of $$$ on a Mod or Deluxe. Wine and Dine is defo my next RunDisney Goal followed by the Half Marathon. If I can get over my dislike of flying, I wanna go for the Coast to Coast medal by 2017.

 

[My<3BelongsToMickey]

Actually, that's my plan too. I'm leaving on my first trip to DL tomorrow. It's my first half marathon, so sub 2 hr is not in the cards for me.

Regardless, I'll be bypassing pics in DLH in the hope a sub 2:20 run (even though I've read that it's not a good race for fast runs due to crowds & weather). I can then use that to get a not-at-the-end-of-the-pack placement in the Disney World Marathon. And at the DWM take EVERY pic I want/ride EE/other while I walk/jog/enjoy the DWM.

I'd do another 1/2 for a PR, but there really aren't that many choices for me in TX before the cutoff date for proof-of-time. Next year, I'll plan a 1/2 that's a PR favorite (ex. all downhill like 3M Half here in Austin, or all flat like The Jazz @ New Orleans one).

Needless to say, DWM will also be my first marathon. I'm somewhat concerned about the distance as well, but I'll just keep at it and hopefully training plan/prevention/common sense will get me there without injuring myself!

Good luck on Sunday's run!!!!!

I hope you had a good race & got your goal time! My first mile pace was pretty bad due to crowds, obviously, but I ended strong so that made up for it! I was on the same page with you about refraining from taking pics in DL (but I did snap a selfie in angels stadium!) But in Orlando, I'll be going picture CRAZY! (And you can ride EE during the marathon??? Whaaaaaat?!)

DWM will also be my first marathon! Scary! I'm so intimidated to start increasing my mileage... :/ But it will all work out!

Congrats on the half!!! Good luck during marathon training!

 

[jerivera]

I hope you had a good race & got your goal time! My first mile pace was pretty bad due to crowds, obviously, but I ended strong so that made up for it! I was on the same page with you about refraining from taking pics in DL (but I did snap a selfie in angels stadium!) But in Orlando, I'll be going picture CRAZY! (And you can ride EE during the marathon??? Whaaaaaat?!)

DWM will also be my first marathon! Scary! I'm so intimidated to start increasing my mileage... :/ But it will all work out!

Congrats on the half!!! Good luck during marathon training!

I hope you were able to achieve your time goal! It sounds like you did.

I think I didn't do too badly considering I started walking this year and this was my first 1/2. My time was 2:15. Hopefully that puts me somewhere in the middle for DWM.

I have read that you can ride EE during the marathon, but I'm not 100% sure. Some folks say it's open, some say it isn't. Maybe it depends on the timing of when you run through? The veteran runners here on the forum can hopefully confirm whether it's true or not. But if it's true, unless I'm in danger of being swept, I will DEFINITELY be doing so.

However, if it is true, I do hope they hose down those ride vehicles after the runners are through! Otherwise, I feel sorry for the folk who have to sit on the sweat of several hundred (at least) marathoners!!! That's the one thing that might make me reconsider doing the ride.

 

[Castle2Castle]

I have read that you can ride EE during the marathon, but I'm not 100% sure. Some folks say it's open, some say it isn't. Maybe it depends on the timing of when you run through? The veteran runners here on the forum can hopefully confirm whether it's true or not. But if it's true, unless I'm in danger of being swept, I will DEFINITELY be doing so.

People have ridden it in the past, with it depending on timing getting to the park -- you're not going to be able to ride it if you get there before the park and ride are open. Most accounts I've heard and read were of those who got there just as they were opening the ride.

I did read one account of somebody who thought the CMs tried to get marathoners on the ride more quickly and found that wasn't the case, to which I would advise anyone planning on Everest to understand that it probably varies from CM to CM how accomodating they will be of runners. And to that point, it's always possible that they could stop accomodating runners altogether -- certainly a guest who's paid for admission to the park could raise a complaint since rides aren't really part of the runDisney package no matter how much you paid for registration.

Not trying to be a downer -- hopefully those of you who want to ride and have the time to ride can and will! -- but wouldn't want anyone completely surprised or disappointed if it doesn't work out either.

 

[disneyhorselover]

People have ridden it in the past, with it depending on timing getting to the park -- you're not going to be able to ride it if you get there before the park and ride are open. Most accounts I've heard and read were of those who got there just as they were opening the ride. I did read one account of somebody who thought the CMs tried to get marathoners on the ride more quickly and found that wasn't the case, to which I would advise anyone planning on Everest to understand that it probably varies from CM to CM how accomodating they will be of runners. And to that point, it's always possible that they could stop accomodating runners altogether -- certainly a guest who's paid for admission to the park could raise a complaint since rides aren't really part of the runDisney package no matter how much you paid for registration. Not trying to be a downer -- hopefully those of you who want to ride and have the time to ride can and will! -- but wouldn't want anyone completely surprised or disappointed if it doesn't work out either.

Thanks for this info.

I'd love to hear from some runners who were able to do it, as I am trying to plan to try and ride it this year.

However, I should be starting relatively early (submitted a 2:10 half) so I know I'll have to have a slow first half to make it there....the plan is to attempt to time it to get there around 8:50-9:00...thoughts?

My bigger concern is how close that would put me to the maximum time/sweepers....would I be worried the rest of the course? Since this is my first marathon, I am not sure how I will feel in the second half (obviously I plan to be well trained but you never know...) so if I had no option to slow down as it got harder because I wasted time waiting for/riding Everest, that would be a huge worry for me! Am I overthinking it?

 

[FFigawi]

However, I should be starting relatively early (submitted a 2:10 half) so I know I'll have to have a slow first half to make it there....the plan is to attempt to time it to get there around 8:50-9:00...thoughts?

My bigger concern is how close that would put me to the maximum time/sweepers....would I be worried the rest of the course? Since this is my first marathon, I am not sure how I will feel in the second half (obviously I plan to be well trained but you never know...) so if I had no option to slow down as it got harder because I wasted time waiting for/riding Everest, that would be a huge worry for me! Am I overthinking it?

Assuming you start around 6am, you'll need to run the first half in close to three hours in order to reach EE when it is open. That's a much slower pace than you ran for the 2:10 you submitted, roughly 3-4 minutes per mile slower. I'd be more worried about adjusting to a pace that much slower than your normal pace than I would be about the sweepers. Running slower than normal always is painful for me unless I've trained for it.

The sweepers start around 630 and will reach EE in about 3.5 hours (10am), so you should be well away from them in any case.

 

[RnbwSktles]

I rode Everest this year starting in Corral K with a submitted half time of 2:29. I was definitely running slower than normal because I was afraid I'd burn out (first full marathon) and was only averaging about 13-14 min/mile. I took 2 bio breaks (MK & beginning of AK) and reached Everest when it was open. Everyone on line was a runner, so I don't know if regular guests hadn't reached it yet or what. it was a ton of fun and the wind felt great! I took a selfie going up the hill so that you could see the other runners behind me in the train as well.

With all that said, I will not do it again this year. Right around the time we were leaving AK I started to feel sick. I don't know if the ride had anything to do with that or it was just a coincidence, but I'm not risking it again! I felt terrible from there until the end, even broke down and cried in random 30 second bursts. I was a wreck!

Edited to say I ran "this" year (2014) not last year. I'm thinking it's 2015 already

 

[Ariel484]

I'm torn on the Everest thing. I WANT to do it, because when else can you right a rollercoaster in the middle of a marathon?

And yet...it's in the middle of the marathon. Lowering myself down into the car would be tough at the point. I can't imagine trying to get out after sitting for awhile - I feel like my legs would tense up. And the backwards part of the ride would probably do me in completely. I think I'd keel over afterward.

All that to say, I'll most likely be skipping it.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Started in Corral L last year and finished the marathon in 5:22 as last leg of the Dopey. I was one of the first runners passing Everest as it opened (wish I could tell you what time it was, it seemed like they may have opened it a bit early for runners but I can't be positive) and in the confusion I chose to keep going. I had finished my first marathon in 2013 at Disney in 7:11 and assume that I barely avoided being swept; I knew my pace was better as a result of being 40 pounds lighter and weather being much less oppressive, but still wasn't confident enough to stop.

Hindsight being what it is, not riding Everest is the only regret I had from the weekend. I probably should have had a better idea of how I was doing, but I don't run with any technology to help with pace and only run a single half marathon a year other than the WDW Marathon Weekend in order to keep those races special. Combined with running the Dopey it all made my 5:22 a bit of a shock when I finished. I was and am still very happy with everything, but 5:30 and riding Everest would have made for a slightly better story.

 

[miker1251]

And yet...it's in the middle of the marathon. Lowering myself down into the car would be tough at the point. I can't imagine trying to get out after sitting for awhile - I feel like my legs would tense up. And the backwards part of the ride would probably do me in completely. I think I'd keel over afterward.

I did the Dopey thing this year and thought riding EE would be a good break. I had no problem getting in the car. I realized I had a problem when getting out of the car. My body did not want to cooperate. Once back on the course, my mind said, "Time to get going." My legs said, "Think again." It took about a mile before my body and mind were on the same page. I'd do it again.

 

[DOOM1001]

Started in Corral L last year and finished the marathon in 5:22 as last leg of the Dopey. I was one of the first runners passing Everest as it opened (wish I could tell you what time it was, it seemed like they may have opened it a bit early for runners but I can't be positive) and in the confusion I chose to keep going. I had finished my first marathon in 2013 at Disney in 7:11 and assume that I barely avoided being swept; I knew my pace was better as a result of being 40 pounds lighter and weather being much less oppressive, but still wasn't confident enough to stop.

Hindsight being what it is, not riding Everest is the only regret I had from the weekend. I probably should have had a better idea of how I was doing, but I don't run with any technology to help with pace and only run a single half marathon a year other than the WDW Marathon Weekend in order to keep those races special. Combined with running the Dopey it all made my 5:22 a bit of a shock when I finished. I was and am still very happy with everything, but 5:30 and riding Everest would have made for a slightly better story.

I finished the marathon in exactly the same time as you but started a few minutes earlier in corral K.I started the race at 6:12am and took pictures of all the mile markers,based on the clock time and my time the race started at 5:37am and I was at mile marker 13 just exiting AK at 8:37,so I must have passed Everest around 8:30 or so and was out of luck to ride Everest which I really wanted to do.Based on your time and that you started just a couple of minutes after me it's pretty much a certainty that Everest opened before 9am.I'm doing Goofy in January so I'm going to assume my pace will be a bit slower and I'll get a shot at Everest.

 

[DMMarla07860]

What time is a good time to arrive at Epcot for family 5k? Is it better to drive or take bus, etc from resort?

 

[John VN]

Don't forget......mile 15.......McFlurry TIME!!!!!

McFlurry John