Official Castaway Cay 5K Thread

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

hi will you telll me more about the swimming to the fish in the lagoon? how far out is it? don't you have fins on? thanks

Sort of off topic, but you have to swim almost to the breakwall to see the schools of fish. From the beach out, we had to swim against the current where it was all stirred up sand and extremely poor visibility., but if you can push thru, you will see lots of fish and clear water out a ways. It probably took at least 35 min of swimming to see a lot. I did see some of the highest quantity filled fish schools and even a sting ray.

As to the comment about fins, we most definitely have fins..or fin since we use our mermaid tails. I consider myself a VERY experienced snorkeler (just goggles and mermaid tail and swim under the water so the current pushes me less.) And I can honestly say that while the rewards were lots and lots of fish, and it was the safest snorkel area with lots of lifeguards, it was very, very challenging for stamina. And since I'm on this thread running 5ks, that oughta tell you that it requires a LOT of strong swimming. We didn't mind at all last time, but since I'm already going to be running three plus miles beforehand, it would be nice to have a catamaran take us to the reef where the fish are instead of swimming out against waves pushing you back in for so long...

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Sorry, my phone double posted.

 

[meggielove]

Sort of off topic, but you have to swim almost to the breakwall to see the schools of fish. From the beach out, we had to swim against the current where it was all stirred up sand and extremely poor visibility., but if you can push thru, you will see lots of fish and clear water out a ways. It probably took at least 35 min of swimming to see a lot. I did see some of the highest quantity filled fish schools and even a sting ray. As to the comment about fins, we most definitely have fins..or fin since we use our mermaid tails. I consider myself a VERY experienced snorkeler (just goggles and mermaid tail and swim under the water so the current pushes me less.) And I can honestly say that while the rewards were lots and lots of fish, and it was the safest snorkel area with lots of lifeguards, it was very, very challenging for stamina. And since I'm on this thread running 5ks, that oughta tell you that it requires a LOT of strong swimming. We didn't mind at all last time, but since I'm already going to be running three plus miles beforehand, it would be nice to have a catamaran take us to the reef where the fish are instead of swimming out against waves pushing you back in for so long...

thank you! my girls swim year round competitively so I'm guessing they may be ok but I may not be! I'm wondering about having them not use the snorkel. I don't think they will feel comfortable with it in the short time we are there. they are very comfortable with long distances with goggles and fins but the ocean is very different than a pool obviously. are there waves on cc? doesn't seem like it from what I've seen but sorry if a silly question!

 

[meggielove]

thank you! my girls swim year round competitively so I'm guessing they may be ok but I may not be! I'm wondering about having them not use the snorkel. I don't think they will feel comfortable with it in the short time we are there. they are very comfortable with long distances with goggles and fins but the ocean is very different than a pool obviously. are there waves on cc? doesn't seem like it from what I've seen but sorry if a silly question!

just saw waves comment .. should have read more carefully. catamaran sounds great!

 

[Jaybear]

Other than Expedition Everest, runDisney never has metal medals for 5K races. They are always plastic or PVC.

I know. Just saying that something (metal, plastic, etc.) would be better than the lame "winner" necklace that they give out for the Castaway Cay 5K. It's the same necklace they give away for the trivia contest.

 

[ksloane]

Bumping as I saw questions on the first thread

 

[Spunkyminky]

just saw waves comment .. should have read more carefully. catamaran sounds great!

We just did this Feb 2-7. I took my 6 yr old snorkeling after I did my 5K run and it was fun but tough. I'm not the strongest swimmer and this trip was my son's first snorkeling experience. We both had snorkels, fins, he had a floatable life jacket (provided at CC) and I also had the required life jacket on.

I basically swam one handed while pulling my son. Once we got far enough where they had Mickey and sunken ships, we saw lots of fish but the water wasn't as clear as my other snorkel experiences such as in Hawaii or Tahiti.
Swimming back, there was def a current that was pulling us and I seriously considered asking the life guards to just take us back lol. Since I was too embarrassed to give up, I pushed forward and managed to get back to shore.

So to sum up, I would definitely get the fins!! Better to be safe than sorry.

PS: Since we brought our own snorkel from home and only needed fins, they let us borrow it for free.

 

[aylnine]

Just completed my first 5k on Friday on Castaway Cay. Hadn't run in two years, but crash trained on the ship and managed to jog/walk to a 36 minute time. Felt like a decent time for an out of shape 40 year old in asthma season.

Actually is 36 minutes a decent time for a middle aged male running their first 5 k with extremely little training beforehand? Truly have no idea. It was a lot of fun, but didn't buy the shirt for 22 bucks, seemed overpriced for what it is, the bib and medal are enough for me.

Cgolf

If you want my opinion, absolutely I'm training with an iPhone app (Zombies Run 5k) and right now I generally walk/run 2 miles (3.2 km) in 30 minutes. Granted, this is with a dog in tow and with stoplights, but still. I'm young-ish and really out of shape. So with almost no training, I think you did well!

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I bet your doggy is happy!

My doggies aren't happy. They haven't gotten a run in over 2 weeks, stupid snow! Hoping it melts this weekend. My doggies are my favorite running partners.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

We just did this Feb 2-7. I took my 6 yr old snorkeling after I did my 5K run and it was fun but tough. I'm not the strongest swimmer and this trip was my son's first snorkeling experience. We both had snorkels, fins, he had a floatable life jacket (provided at CC) and I also had the required life jacket on.

I basically swam one handed while pulling my son. Once we got far enough where they had Mickey and sunken ships, we saw lots of fish but the water wasn't as clear as my other snorkel experiences such as in Hawaii or Tahiti.
Swimming back, there was def a current that was pulling us and I seriously considered asking the life guards to just take us back lol. Since I was too embarrassed to give up, I pushed forward and managed to get back to shore.

So to sum up, I would definitely get the fins!! Better to be safe than sorry.

PS: Since we brought our own snorkel from home and only needed fins, they let us borrow it for free.

So what do you think about our idea of taking out the catamaran so that it sails us to the fish, since you did both the 5K and the snorkeling? I had played some volleyball that day and found the snorkeling to be delightful but exhausting, and I just want to do it all! I think the catamaran tour taking us to the fish would help the energy level...

I still want to swim some at the beach (since the families would love to see a bunch of mermaids, I'm sure) but I just LOVE a catamaran snorkel!

 

[aylnine]

I bet your doggy is happy!

My doggies aren't happy. They haven't gotten a run in over 2 weeks, stupid snow! Hoping it melts this weekend. My doggies are my favorite running partners.

I don't know, she has A LOT of energy. 30 minutes usually isn't enough! I generally can't take more than 30 minutes, more because I still can't find good walking/running shoes... She could probably go all day

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I don't know, she has A LOT of energy. 30 minutes usually isn't enough! I generally can't take more than 30 minutes, more because I still can't find good walking/running shoes... She could probably go all day

My terrier is the same way. I recently found some UnderArmor shoes on clearance and they actually felt like they were made for ME. (The way my beloved Saucony USED to feel but now they are just weird.) The arches on my UAs are perfect and so is the ankle support and shock but they are super light and not bulky. And to top it off, they are grey and neon pink and yellow! Might give UA a shot? I can never ever do Nike or Reebok.

 

[Spunkyminky]

So what do you think about our idea of taking out the catamaran so that it sails us to the fish, since you did both the 5K and the snorkeling? I had played some volleyball that day and found the snorkeling to be delightful but exhausting, and I just want to do it all! I think the catamaran tour taking us to the fish would help the energy level...

I still want to swim some at the beach (since the families would love to see a bunch of mermaids, I'm sure) but I just LOVE a catamaran snorkel!

I think that would be a sure way to snorkel and see the fish without having to swim out. I just don't know how much time it'll take away from your day at CC. For us, the whole snorkeling experience was probably about 30-45min, so my son got to do lots of other activities and never felt rushed. It was perfect amount since my son is 6 and it was only his second time snorkeling (first was at Cozumel, also on this trip)
I know that sometimes with excursions, there's a lot of waiting around, giving instructions before you can actually snorkel. It may or may not take a big chunk out of your day at CC.

Basically, I did the 5K while my son played at Scutters Cove. After the 5K, I took a shuttle back to the ship, took a shower and headed back to CC.
Picked up my son at 11am, ate lunch around 11:30am. Snorkeled after lunch, then took a shuttle to Pelican Plunge and played at the family beach for the rest of the afternoon until about 3:30pm-4pm. It was a fun, relaxing day at the beach.

 

[ksloane]

Less than a month now until we get to try this out!

 

[TamieH]

Well, in preparation for our 3/15-3/22 Fantasy cruise, I decided last fall that I wanted to try the CC5K for the first time (6th cruise). I made it to week 5 of C25K program and then had to quit for a couple of months due to surgery. I started all over again after Jan 1 and am on Week 8....I can't believe it, but on the treadmill today....I actually went beyond program to 4 mile mark which is amazing for me. I'm hoping it warms up enough around here (Kansas) to try the 5K outside before our cruise.

My question for those of you that have done it and especially in March, how much different is it on the island than at home on treadmill or even outside? I remember the area being flat when we rode bikes on the trail, so that should help. How is the humidity in March and temp at ~9am? Also, on the Fantasy, how many laps on walking/run deck is 1 mile? Seems like its 2 1/2 laps, but is that correct?

Now I just have to keep this up for 4 more weeks! I NEVER could have done it without the Couch 2 5K app. It really worked.
Thanks

 

[jahber]

Well, in preparation for our 3/15-3/22 Fantasy cruise, I decided last fall that I wanted to try the CC5K for the first time (6th cruise). I made it to week 5 of C25K program and then had to quit for a couple of months due to surgery. I started all over again after Jan 1 and am on Week 8....I can't believe it, but on the treadmill today....I actually went beyond program to 4 mile mark which is amazing for me. I'm hoping it warms up enough around here (Kansas) to try the 5K outside before our cruise. My question for those of you that have done it and especially in March, how much different is it on the island than at home on treadmill or even outside? I remember the area being flat when we rode bikes on the trail, so that should help. How is the humidity in March and temp at ~9am? Also, on the Fantasy, how many laps on walking/run deck is 1 mile? Seems like its 2 1/2 laps, but is that correct? Now I just have to keep this up for 4 more weeks! I NEVER could have done it without the Couch 2 5K app. It really worked. Thanks

To be honest, the heat and humidity are pretty bad. I ran it in November and it was HOT by the time we started (about 8:45), as March likely will be. I'm from Orlando, so it's the weather I'm used to running in, though. It will be more of an adjustment coming from up north. I carried a water bottle because I'm pregnant, but if I hadn't been pregnant I still would have stopped twice or so (you run by water several times). Just drink lots of water in the days before and during the run and take it easy. It's a fun run, not a race, so listen to your body and have FUN! And congratulations on your progress!

 

[TamieH]

To be honest, the heat and humidity are pretty bad. I ran it in November and it was HOT by the time we started (about 8:45), as March likely will be. I'm from Orlando, so it's the weather I'm used to running in, though. It will be more of an adjustment coming from up north. I carried a water bottle because I'm pregnant, but if I hadn't been pregnant I still would have stopped twice or so (you run by water several times). Just drink lots of water in the days before and during the run and take it easy. It's a fun run, not a race, so listen to your body and have FUN! And congratulations on your progress!

Thanks for feedback and support. Believe me...my speed or time is not an issue...I just want to finish.

Another question...I've read above that the women's CC5K runs small. If I normally wear a women's medium shirt...what size should I have my husband pick up for me while I'm running? Also, do most of you females get both the regular CC5K shirt and the women's? Thanks

 

[bumbershoot]

Another question...I've read above that the women's CC5K runs small. If I normally wear a women's medium shirt...what size should I have my husband pick up for me while I'm running? Also, do most of you females get both the regular CC5K shirt and the women's? Thanks

This might be outdated because it's from October (then again, the shirt was relatively new then, or at least I hadn't heard of the women's cut at that time), but... In most shirts I'm about a small now. I do have a chest and strong arms, but in general, smalls are working for me.

In the woman's shirt I got a Medium and it is nearly skin tight.

But a guy that I had met before the 5K should have been a small in Men's, and he had to size up, too, in the Men's sizes. So they seem to run small no matter what.

 

[ksloane]

Started week 3 of Couch to 5K yesterday....can't wait to continue training at Castaway Cay!!!

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Started week 3 of Couch to 5K yesterday....can't wait to continue training at Castaway Cay!!!

We are all training hard too! So is Twinkie! What a difference it makes to know we have this to train for. And today, I crossed my 10 pound mark, and saw a number I hadn't seen since Oct of 2012!

Keep it up, guys! We will be able to wear our shirts proudly!