Official 2015 Disney Marathon Thread

[IamTrike]

One thing I have done to count when I have lots of laps is bring a handful of small Legos in my water belt. I move them from one pocket to the other as I do the laps. Even counting is too much math for me when I am running. I think very little oxygen must make it to my brain, because I can barely think on a run.

The Nike+ watch has a tap to increment lap counter. Most watches I think have the option to set the lap to a specified distance or let you increment the lap count. It's really handy for speed work on a marked greenway. It also makes it easier to go back and track pace over small segments. I wind up doing a lot of 800 Meter repeats so it's pretty handy.

 

[croach]

Ice baths are no joy even if you're not freezing after the run. My routine is to throw on a fleece top to keep my upper body and core warm, and open a beer before I climb in. Once the beer is gone, it's time to get out.

Sip or chug?

I just can't do ice baths.

 

[pixarmom]

My mock Dopey is complete! The last 5 miles of my 20-miler were a little dicey with some surprise foot pain, but I got it done! Taper time!!

And since we're talking about ice baths...in my case I made it about 6 minutes before I had to quit mine. It took me all day to warm up due to that ice bath and temperatures in the upper 20s during my run. I'm just so glad the snow and ice held off, because...the cold never bothered me anyway. Please don't hurt me for making a Frozen reference.



And now...the taper madness has begun. I had my first (but not the last, I'm sure) Marathon Weekend nightmare last night. I dreamed that I arrived at the marathon starting line with absolutely nothing that I needed for the race - no sunglasses, no Garmin, no fuel, and I was wearing Crocs instead of my running shoes. I'd managed to dress myself in running clothes, so A+ to me for that, but otherwise...nothing.

I must have also dreamed that I got swept during the marathon because I found myself awake at about 3AM thinking about that a lot. Boooo!!!

Congrats!!!

I think this is pretty crazy, but I'm avoiding those dreams by reducing the stuff Im bringing along. (And I wear barefoot running shoes, so if I was wearing crocs, I guess I could just take them off!). But now Im getting worried - I had a bunch of stuff for the PHM and have been gradually weaning off the gear. For every half since (I did four his year) I trained with what each race provides. I've trained for the WDW full with lemon lime powerade, bananas, water and chocolate at approximately the time each is provided on the course. So I'm not carrying fuel or my water bottle. I don't carry a phone or camera. I tried to run 20 with my magic band and it bugs me so I took it off around mile 16. I plan to put my race retreat band in my skirt pocket and my bib will have emergency info. And here's the big one: I'm thinking of running without my Garmin because it stresses me out. Is this crazy? Does anyone else travel light?

 

[croach]

Sure this a popular question but thoughts on if merchandise will sell out by midday Friday? Thinking and hoping not but I would like to get the Goofy long sleeve with 10 years running on the front. Thanks!

 

[Ariel484]

Oh ya, the marathon dreams have already started for me too. Woke up at 4am Sunday morning and couldn't get back to sleep

BOOOOO!!!

In past years I've dreamed that I overslept and missed the start of the race(s) (definitely a big fear for me). So this was a new one.

Congrats!!!

Thanks!!

I think this is pretty crazy, but I'm avoiding those dreams by reducing the stuff Im bringing along. (And I wear barefoot running shoes, so if I was wearing crocs, I guess I could just take them off!). But now Im getting worried - I had a bunch of stuff for the PHM and have been gradually weaning off the gear. For every half since (I did four his year) I trained with what each race provides. I've trained for the WDW full with lemon lime powerade, bananas, water and chocolate at approximately the time each is provided on the course. So I'm not carrying fuel or my water bottle. I don't carry a phone or camera. I tried to run 20 with my magic band and it bugs me so I took it off around mile 16. I plan to put my race retreat band in my skirt pocket and my bib will have emergency info. And here's the big one: I'm thinking of running without my Garmin because it stresses me out. Is this crazy? Does anyone else travel light?

Wow! That is really...diligent of you!

I don't think it's a bad or crazy thing at all if you can make this work for you. We're all different people that need or can get by with different things. More power to you if you can do these races with less stuff.

In my case though, the camera is 100% non-negotiable. I need those character pictures!!

 

[FFigawi]

Sip or chug?

I just can't do ice baths.

Depends on the beer

 

[pixarmom]

BOOOOO!!!

In past years I've dreamed that I overslept and missed the start of the race(s) (definitely a big fear for me). So this was a new one.

Thanks!!

Wow! That is really...diligent of you!

I don't think it's a bad or crazy thing at all if you can make this work for you. We're all different people that need or can get by with different things. More power to you if you can do these races with less stuff.

In my case though, the camera is 100% non-negotiable. I need those character pictures!!

I think oversleeping is my biggest fear. Three alarms should do it, but I'm still nervous! I'm not sure if I can do the full the same way I do the half, but I hope so! I'm not sure I can get by without chap stick, but haven't trained with it in my pocket. (Although I've done a couple races with it in my hand.). Please know that I appreciate your non-negotiable camera - I've really enjoyed your race reports!

 

[IamTrike]

Congrats!!!

I don't carry a phone or camera. I tried to run 20 with my magic band and it bugs me so I took it off around mile 16. I plan to put my race retreat band in my skirt pocket and my bib will have emergency info. And here's the big one: I'm thinking of running without my Garmin because it stresses me out. Is this crazy? Does anyone else travel light?

I have started racing with less stuff. I think I'll probably have my watch and 1 or 2 Gu's. I'll wear my magic band because I don't check a bag.

 

[IamTrike]

I think oversleeping is my biggest fear. Three alarms should do it, but I'm still nervous! I'm not sure if I can do the full the same way I do the half, but I hope so! I'm not sure I can get by without chap stick, but haven't trained with it in my pocket. (Although I've done a couple races with it in my hand.). Please know that I appreciate your non-negotiable camera - I've really enjoyed your race reports!

I'm usually so afraid of oversleeping that I wake up almost every hour. Even with 3 alarms, I'm usually still paranoid.

 

[IamTrike]

For those of you that check bags or have people meeting you post race, what's something you like to have after a race?

For me it's either flip flops or sandals. Particularly after the Marathon, the first thing I want to do after I grab my food box is take my shoes off. I'm fortunate because someone usually meets me at the finish with them. ( I also love Chocolate milk after a race, but runDisney doesn't provide that)

 

[croach]

I think oversleeping is my biggest fear. Three alarms should do it, but I'm still nervous! I'm not sure if I can do the full the same way I do the half, but I hope so! I'm not sure I can get by without chap stick, but haven't trained with it in my pocket. (Although I've done a couple races with it in my hand.). Please know that I appreciate your non-negotiable camera - I've really enjoyed your race reports!

My girlfriend always finds a way to bring her Chapstick with her on her runs. I don't think she could survive with out it!

 

[bumbershoot]

For those of you that check bags or have people meeting you post race, what's something you like to have after a race?

For me it's either flip flops or sandals. Particularly after the Marathon, the first thing I want to do after I grab my food box is take my shoes off. I'm fortunate because someone usually meets me at the finish with them. ( I also love Chocolate milk after a race, but runDisney doesn't provide that)

My friend and I put organic valley boxes of chocolate milk in our gear check bags. (it says no gelpaks, but it doesn't say no liquids) Once we finally got them after W&D and could bend our frozen fingers to open the knots we'd put in the string of the gearbags, we drank it and felt human again. Lasted about 10 minutes but those were good 10 minutes.

 

[JeffW]

For those of you that check bags or have people meeting you post race, what's something you like to have after a race?

A new shirt. Coming from a cold climate, Florida is always hot and humid to me. I think the people on the monorail probably appreciate it as well

 

[Ariel484]

For those of you that check bags or have people meeting you post race, what's something you like to have after a race?

No bag checking for me, normally. The only thing I want after a race is a shower, ASAP.

 

[Ariel484]

I think oversleeping is my biggest fear. Three alarms should do it, but I'm still nervous! I'm not sure if I can do the full the same way I do the half, but I hope so! I'm not sure I can get by without chap stick, but haven't trained with it in my pocket. (Although I've done a couple races with it in my hand.). Please know that I appreciate your non-negotiable camera - I've really enjoyed your race reports!

Thank you!

Oversleeping is definitely my biggest fear as well. 3 alarms (my phone, room alarm clock and a room wake-up call) are about the best I can do.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

For those of you that check bags or have people meeting you post race, what's something you like to have after a race?

For me it's either flip flops or sandals. Particularly after the Marathon, the first thing I want to do after I grab my food box is take my shoes off. I'm fortunate because someone usually meets me at the finish with them. ( I also love Chocolate milk after a race, but runDisney doesn't provide that)

Yes, flip flops for sure! My dogs are barking after 26.2

 

[thill]

Sure this a popular question but thoughts on if merchandise will sell out by midday Friday? Thinking and hoping not but I would like to get the Goofy long sleeve with 10 years running on the front. Thanks!

I sure hope not because I can't get down there until Friday afternoon. I don't plan to buy a lot of gear but I really want to get a Goofy "brag" magnet and would like pick up a few other items most likely.

My biggest fear right now isn't not waking up in time, or getting swept, or not finishing, or anything like that. It's not getting there in time on Friday to pick up my race packet and also get checked into the resort. I have to work on Thursday and will be driving down from the Atlanta area with DW, DD (5), and DS (1.5) so it's going to be tight.

 

[Nole95]

For those of you that check bags or have people meeting you post race, what's something you like to have after a race?

For me it's either flip flops or sandals. Particularly after the Marathon, the first thing I want to do after I grab my food box is take my shoes off. I'm fortunate because someone usually meets me at the finish with them. ( I also love Chocolate milk after a race, but runDisney doesn't provide that)

There is nothing better than a big glass of chocolate milk after a long run. I will definitely have some in the room fridge waiting for me when I return. Thinking of that glass of chocolate milk has helped me to finish some tough long runs.

 

[irishtwins1112]

And now...the taper madness has begun. I had my first (but not the last, I'm sure) Marathon Weekend nightmare last night. I dreamed that I arrived at the marathon starting line with absolutely nothing that I needed for the race - no sunglasses, no Garmin, no fuel, and I was wearing Crocs instead of my running shoes. I'd managed to dress myself in running clothes, so A+ to me for that, but otherwise...nothing.

I must have also dreamed that I got swept during the marathon because I found myself awake at about 3AM thinking about that a lot. Boooo!!!

Ever since I got swept in 2009 I have always had recurring dreams about not even being able to start my race in the months leading up to the race. Normally my dreams had to do with arriving to Disney after the expo closed and not being able to get my packet so that I didn't even have a chance to prove myself and finish. This year though I have had zero. I feel so much better about my training and mindset this year. I hope they stay away. Leading up to marathon 2013 they were almost every night. In the past we have pulled some close trips where we drove up on friday to race on Saturday and something could have delayed us....so I guess that is where that came from somewhat. This time around we should be getting in on Wednesday so we will have several days buffer in case we have to deal with something.

Speaking of.......my grandmother is really in a bad way with Alzheimers and Dementia. She is currently in the hospital. They don't know if she will make it past Christmas. She is in the late stages and having recurring problems swallowing. She has lost about 20 pounds in the last month because she can't eat well....but as far as I know feeding tube is not an option(because of her health) and my granddad is against a live in helper because he still has all of his faculties. My dad takes care of her pretty much all the time. I love my grandmother but have accepted that she will be passing probably sooner rather than later. I know this is a personal question but I am trying to go ahead and think about what I should do if she happens to pass sometime around marathon weekend. Does anyone have experience or suggestions? My feelings won't be hurt. Just looking for some insight. I guess my question is would you skip marathon weekend if a loved ones funeral ended up being scheduled then? I had to sound selfish and petty.....but we have rented dvc points that are nonrefundable....paid for the dining plan (not sure if it is refundable...bought it through dvc)....paid for tickets (which could be used at another time).....plus I have been telling my kids that we are going and they are excited. I know there will probably be family members that would just hate me if I didn't go.....but it isn't that I didn't/don't love her. I started grieving the loss of my grandmother years ago and have accepted it.........Thoughts?

 

[pixarmom]

Agreed on the chocolate milk! LOVE the idea of stashing some organic valley in my bag. Drank a ton of it in the BWI club lounge after the PHM, but wasn't paying attention to chocolate milk during our last Poly stay. Does anyone know whether it's also available in the Poly lounge?

Also, quick expo question! After seeing Ariel's awesome raw threads shirts, I'm thinking I'd like one for the parks during marathon weekend. Also thinking our teens would love the "run for dole whip" shirts from one more mile. Both the raw threads booth and the one more mile booth are on the way to the race shirts at the expo. We'll be there Wednesday afternoon. What would you all do? Just wait until the expo or order online now? I think I'd go with XS for my shirt and S/M for the boys' shirts, but not sure, and seeing them in person at the expo could help with decisions.