Official 2015 Disneyland Half Marathon Thread.

[Slogger]

For the Dopey Challenge last week, Disney only used my submitted marathon time and used that for corral placement for all 4 races.
I would have been in much better corral if I could have used my half marathon times too.


Not sure if they will do the same for Dumbo but probably will.

 

[Keels]

Does anyone know when the cutoff to submit a proof of time for Dumbo likely will be? I'm working on planning my local races (and local race budget).

At this point I'm also debating whether it's better to aim for a 11-12 min/mile 10k (which will be a stretch for me as a newer & slower runner), or to try for a 14 min/mile half. I'm just trying to avoid the last corral for Dumbo.

I've heard that Disney/Track Shack uses the McMillan calculator to determine estimated finish times based on proof of time. Does anyone know if this is true? Also, how does that work for determining Dumbo corrals? I remember seeing a lot of posts last year from Dumbo runners who had worked on submitting a better proof of time but still ended up in the last corral for one or both races.

rD says the deadline for proof of time is June 2. I'm going to target having my final time in about two weeks prior, just because you never know how many people will be doing last-minute changes.

Also, don't underestimate your chances of getting to that 11-12 minute mile! I've got two 10k races planned on flat, fast courses just for this exact reason - they're my first and my last races.

I just want to get far enough up to be in a smaller corral, with enough if a cushion between me and the balloon ladies in case something goes drastically wrong.

I had a friend who got swept at Mile 5 of the recent WDW Half and now I'm super paranoid. Granted, she wasn't trained to the point she needed to be, but I will majorly disappointed if I don't finish a race that's so expensive ...

 

[zanzibar138]

I'm working on 2nd June for proof of time (from the RunDisney website). I have also heard that they use the McMillan calculator. I've been using that and the corral placement information from last year's thread to come up with a time for the 10k that I think should get me a decent corral. My strategy is to get my proof of time on a 10k rather than a half. I can already do a 10k, so it's just a matter of improving my speed.

I've always worked on the assumption that submitting something is better than nothing, even if it just gets you out of that last corral (which seems to be filled mainly with people with no proof of time at all).

We were in the last corral for the 10k last year, and got there early enough to be towards the front of the corral. We never saw any sign of the sweepers, and actually found ourselves passing people who started a couple of corrals in front of us (we could tell from their costumes). So all is not lost, even if you do end up in the last corral. We were not fast by any means, only just under the 16 min/mile pace.

As long as you do your training, you have nothing to worry about

 

[SgtTibbs]

My wife and I ran the Frederick Half Marathon last year the first weekend in May, not sure if it is the same time this year. Not too far from DC.

The Frederick Running Festival is May 2-3 this year. Perfect! I'll sign up for the half. It looks like they have some type of electronic timing, I assume RunDisney will accept times from this race? Is there anyway to know for sure?

 

[SgtTibbs]

I started out initially planning to go with the Galloway plan, but with so far until the Disneyland Half, I was getting bored with it.

I've been using a combination of RunKeeper's Half training program and a local weekend running group as my training, with my ultimate goal being to get to my fastest qualifying 10k finish by the end of May and then spending the following three months conditioning out to the half distance.

I've got my first-ever 10k next weekend in New Orleans, so I'm excited/nervous!

Sounds like you put in the work, the race will go great for you! Please give us an update after you crush it!

 

[Keels]

Sounds like you put in the work, the race will go great for you! Please give us an update after you crush it!

Thanks! Did my second-to-last "training" run today and finished strong and in good time, so I'm feeling really positive - and it didn't hurt that it's sunny and nearly 70 here today.

I'm looking forward to collecting my first-ever race medal when I finish!!!

 

[Ariel484]

Good luck this weekend Keels!!

 

[zanzibar138]

Good luck this weekend Keels!!

Absolutely! Can't wait to hear all about it

 

[Keels]

Awwww ... y'all really know how to make a gal feel good! I will run my very best just for you guys!

 

[SgtTibbs]

My wife and I ran the Frederick Half Marathon last year the first weekend in May, not sure if it is the same time this year. Not too far from DC.

Having just survived my first half marathon, I'm now committing myself to THREE more this year. I was registering for the "Frederick Half Marathon" and noticed the "Maryland Double" which adds in the Baltimore Half Marathon in October. Combined with the Disneyland Dumbo Double Dare and I'm looking at a total of: 45.8 Miles of "fun" this year!!

A worthy goal for a guy that just managed his first 10k in August. So watch out Keels, you never know where that first race can take you!

 

[Keels]

Having just survived my first half marathon, I'm now committing myself to THREE more this year. I was registering for the "Frederick Half Marathon" and noticed the "Maryland Double" which adds in the Baltimore Half Marathon in October. Combined with the Disneyland Dumbo Double Dare and I'm looking at a total of: 45.8 Miles of "fun" this year!!

A worthy goal for a guy that just managed his first 10k in August. So watch out Keels, you never know where that first race can take you!

You're such a rock star!!

Actually, my 2015 Resolution/Goal is to run a race every month, starting with the RnR NOLA 10K on Sunday - with the pinnacles being the Disneyland Half and the Wine & Dine to get a Coast-to-Coast medal!

I think the husband and I may tackle a half marathon relay in March! I wish rD would add those.

 

[Ariel484]

rD used to have relays for both the Wine & Dine half (one 8-mile leg, one 5-mile leg) and the marathon (two 13.1-mile legs). I think they got rid of them because the logistics were too difficult/annoying to work out...or something

 

[Keels]

rD used to have relays for both the Wine & Dine half (one 8-mile leg, one 5-mile leg) and the marathon (two 13.1-mile legs). I think they got rid of them because the logistics were too difficult/annoying to work out...or something

Boo! That stinks! I guess I'll stop working on my Pinterest board for runDisney pair costumes.

 

[Ariel484]

Boo! That stinks! I guess I'll stop working on my Pinterest board for runDisney pair costumes.

Just run the whole race together instead!

 

[Keels]

Just run the whole race together instead!

We're doing DLH and Wine & Dine together ... but he's WAAAAAAAYYYY faster than I am, so there's no point in him trying to pace himself with me (he's at an 8:00/m right now ... I'm at 12).

Also, he's a dork that refuses to wear a costume. Actual conversation:

Me: Babe! Now the important part! What are you going to wear as your outfit?
Him: I'm going to wear running clothes.
Me: NO! Your costume! Who are you going to dress up as??
Him: I'm going to dress up as a guy running a half marathon.
Me: C'mon! I'm going as (insert character here).
Him: Fine. I'll wear a craft beer shirt.
Me: Ugh. You're the worst.

 

[zanzibar138]

Just run the whole race together instead!

This

No need to give up on your cute pairs costumes

If DH doesn't feel up to running a whole half marathon, why not do the 5k with him and the half solo? The 5k is a LOT of fun, and no pressure. DH and I are planning to really take our time and stop for all the photo opportunities. Then we'll get serious for the half.

Or, just putting it out there, you could aim to do the DDD, with DH just doing the 10k. You just need to decide soon!

 

[zanzibar138]

We're doing DLH and Wine & Dine together ... but he's WAAAAAAAYYYY faster than I am, so there's no point in him trying to pace himself with me (he's at an 8:00/m right now ... I'm at 12).

Also, he's a dork that refuses to wear a costume. Actual conversation:

Me: Babe! Now the important part! What are you going to wear as your outfit?
Him: I'm going to wear running clothes.
Me: NO! Your costume! Who are you going to dress up as??
Him: I'm going to dress up as a guy running a half marathon.
Me: C'mon! I'm going as (insert character here).
Him: Fine. I'll wear a craft beer shirt.
Me: Ugh. You're the worst.

 

[Keels]

I love your enthusiasm, zanzibar!

I think I'm going to save any challenges like DDD for '16. We're doing Coast-to-Coast, so that's enough for me this year.

It's actually my hubs that inspired me to do this. Last year, he was determined to train, fight and win an amateur boxing bout at the age of 40 (the last year he could do it in our area for a specific fight card). He did and he won! It was pretty amazing - and inspiring!

But, because of all that training, he's in FAR better shape than me.

Honestly, when I told him I wanted to train for the Disneyland Half, I thought he would laugh at me. Instead, he was all "I'll order you some new shoes and do it too!". And when I added on that I wanted to do Wine & Dine, he was on board! I just had to promise to take him straight to DCA for multiple Sculpins (it's a beer he loves). I think I can swing that!

 

[SgtTibbs]

(it's a beer he loves). I think I can swing that!

I was watching the finish of the full marathon in Epcot last week, and more than a few runners came by carrying beers, a couple even had turkey legs and beer.

I guess that's one way to finish a race he might like.

 

[Ariel484]

We're doing DLH and Wine & Dine together ... but he's WAAAAAAAYYYY faster than I am, so there's no point in him trying to pace himself with me (he's at an 8:00/m right now ... I'm at 12). Also, he's a dork that refuses to wear a costume. Actual conversation: Me: Babe! Now the important part! What are you going to wear as your outfit? Him: I'm going to wear running clothes. Me: NO! Your costume! Who are you going to dress up as?? Him: I'm going to dress up as a guy running a half marathon. Me: C'mon! I'm going as (insert character here). Him: Fine. I'll wear a craft beer shirt. Me: Ugh. You're the worst.

Men... your husband sounds pretty awesome and supportive though!