Official Dopey 2017 Thread

[FFigawi]

When do those of you who have done Dopey in the past usually fly in if you're traveling? I was hoping to come in Tuesday so I can get some rest and have a "relaxed" day of going to the expo without having to travel all day and get off the flight the day before races. Right now miles would be about 13,000 more for me to fly out Tuesday than Wednesday I'm hoping this changes when Sun Country releases since that usually pushes Delta down but who knows.

We drive over on Wednesday morning and will leave the following Wednesday afternoon. If I were flying, I'd prefer to get in on Tuesday night to allow for any flight delays or cancellations. If I had to get in late on Wednesday, I'd certainly spring for the VIP packet pickup so I could get it at my hotel or in the morning instead of trying to rush to the expo on Wednesday night.

 

[Diskidatheart]

We would normally be flying in on Tuesday to allow for bad weather and just have a day to relax. However, we may end up in Florida for New Year's Eve and may even end up spending NYE in Disney, so that would allow us a few extra days to enjoy the parks.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We would normally be flying in on Tuesday to allow for bad weather and just have a day to relax. However, we may end up in Florida for New Year's Eve and may even end up spending NYE in Disney, so that would allow us a few extra days to enjoy the parks.

We did that this year and will likely be doing it again in 2017. NYE in Epcot was awesome, even with a broken foot. I want to try MK next.

 

[Barca33Runner]

This year we are changing it up and coming in the 28th and staying through Marathon Weekend. We are likely going to be spending quite a bit of time in the parks even though we are staying off-property. Any information or tips about the crowds around Christmas, New Years and NYE? We've never been there around holidays or anything busier than Marathon Weekend so we are a little lost trying to figure out our planning.

 

[pixarmom]

We fly in on Sunday (1/1) and fly out on Monday (1/9). I like to get there before the trip for two reasons. It gives me more time in the parks with the family, especially night time activities (fireworks). When the races come up I'm usually in bed by 5:30-6pm (during my normal life I'm in bed at 8:30pm).

The second reason is that I'm expecting Florida to be warmer than Wisconsin. While it's been warmer the last three years the trend has been that Sunday/Monday hasn't been nearly as warm as the races end up. The reason I do this is for heat acclimation. The body needs a few days to become accustomed to the temps and increase the plasma concentration to better deal with the heat coming from the cold. It probably helps some coming a few days early but isn't maximized since it takes about 10-14 days to heat acclimate. I typically overdress during my last Wisconsin workouts within that two week window to simulate being in hot conditions. It helps but isn't perfect.

I like to go to the expo at open, but I don't tend to buy much merchandise.

Personally, though I'd be more concerned with the weather flying out on Wednesday from Wisconsin because if we have a bad storm that could prevent you from getting to the 5K on Thursday and then the whole Dopey goes out the window. I feel like that happened to some people the first year (missed flights and then missed Dopey medal because no 5K).

Yes to all of this!

We had a weather scare for the 2014 PHM, so I'm particularly sensitive to weather issues. We were scheduled for Thursday flight and expo, Friday 5K and Sunday half. Staying BWI CL. I was watching the Southwest website carefully. On Wednesday morning, the alert popped up allowing us to switch our Thursday flight to a flight leaving in something like 4 hours. Good thing I pack in advance, because I (almost) had all the luggage ready to go. I called to switch the flight, book an extra night at any available moderate resort, change Magical Express, excuse my kids from school a day early, booked a few extra FPs and an extra ADR. We picked up our very surprised kids from school in the middle of the day and got on that flight. No longer direct - now a connecting flight, a long layover and a post-midnight arrival at POR. But we made it. And in the end, our original Thursday flight was cancelled, so good thing we made all these last-minute changes. And even with that earlier arrival, I was absolutely not acclimated to the Florida weather. I tried to run my home pace right away in the half that year and was very surprised how much the changes in climate impacted my run.

So for 2015 marathon weekend, we visited family in Florida for NYE and arrived at Disney on 1/3. Plenty of time to account for weather issues and plenty of time to acclimate. This time, we'll be in the Caribbean for NYE and half of us (the runners) will arrive at Disney on 1/1 (spectators join later!) Same benefits. And I do the same as DopeyBadger for my last few training runs at home.

 

[Keels]

When do those of you who have done Dopey in the past usually fly in if you're traveling? I was hoping to come in Tuesday so I can get some rest and have a "relaxed" day of going to the expo without having to travel all day and get off the flight the day before races. Right now miles would be about 13,000 more for me to fly out Tuesday than Wednesday I'm hoping this changes when Sun Country releases since that usually pushes Delta down but who knows.

For Dopey this year, we drove out (from Texas to Orlando) about a week before Christmas and then drove back the last week of January.

We'll probably do the same drive out because we Christmas with my family in Florida and we're planning to possibly do NYE on a cruise, but we'll likely drive back the weekend after Dopey.

It worked out well for me because I REALLY had a sh*tty final sim run here in Texas and I had a chance to do one in Florida again over Christmas ... it was nice to get a little acclimated to the humidity around that time of the year. If only it was as hot and humid as it was for the marathon ...

 

[surfde22]

When do those of you who have done Dopey in the past usually fly in if you're traveling? I was hoping to come in Tuesday so I can get some rest and have a "relaxed" day of going to the expo without having to travel all day and get off the flight the day before races. Right now miles would be about 13,000 more for me to fly out Tuesday than Wednesday I'm hoping this changes when Sun Country releases since that usually pushes Delta down but who knows.

My wife, son, and I will be heading down on 1/3. This will give me time to adjust to timeline and heat, as well as protect against potential weather problems involved with traveling from Minnesota that time of year.

 

[croach]

Flight is already booked for Wednesday so all this bad weather talk can just stop now.

 

[alexksmith]

Flight is already booked for Wednesday so all this bad weather talk can just stop now.

Ha, that's what I'm saying. It's starting to freak me out a bit. Detroit isn't usually that bad in early January though, so all should hopefully be well (knock on wood).

 

[camaker]

Flight is already booked for Wednesday so all this bad weather talk can just stop now.

Planning to fly in on Wednesday and out on Monday. I'm not too worried, as Southwest has multiple flights from Raleigh to Orlando every day. I've actually been on a plane at 7 am and walked into Epcot at 9:45 that morning.

 

[rteetz]

Planning to fly in on Wednesday and out on Monday. I'm not too worried, as Southwest has multiple flights from Raleigh to Orlando every day. I've actually been on a plane at 7 am and walked into Epcot at 9:45 that morning.

We have done the same from Milwaukee 6:30AM out of Milwaukee into Epcot by 10:00AM.

 

[sammykster]

Sorry to freak anyone out who is already booked for Wednesday lol I'm sure all will go as planned... I think I'm sticking with Tuesday as originally planned to have some alone time (is this real in Disney World?) and relax a bit! Seems so far away but I know it will come up fast! Seems to be coming faster than expected already when I look at my race and running schedule planned

 

[alexksmith]

Sorry to freak anyone out who is already booked for Wednesday lol I'm sure all will go as planned... I think I'm sticking with Tuesday as originally planned to have some alone time (is this real in Disney World?) and relax a bit! Seems so far away but I know it will come up fast! Seems to be coming faster than expected already when I look at my race and running schedule planned

Ya, I had this idea that I had a ton of time before it, but seeing as I have a few races on the schedule before it, I think it's going to feel like it comes really quickly. That's a good thing though, normally it feels like Disney trips take forever to get here.

 

[Baloo in MI]

When do those of you who have done Dopey in the past usually fly in if you're traveling? I was hoping to come in Tuesday so I can get some rest and have a "relaxed" day of going to the expo without having to travel all day and get off the flight the day before races. Right now miles would be about 13,000 more for me to fly out Tuesday than Wednesday I'm hoping this changes when Sun Country releases since that usually pushes Delta down but who knows.

I have only completed 1 Dopey. I flew in from Michigan very early on Wednesday. Comparable to this the year before I ran the Goofy flying in on Friday. In both cases I found coming in the day before the races was fine. I was able to get to the expo, register, do a little shopping and get back to the resort to eat and relax. I was in bed before 10pm both times (I suggest going to bed sooner though).

The big issue, and it depends on where you are coming from, is the weather. Flights being delayed or cancelled could put you really close to Expo closing or missing it entirely. I do not know this officially, but I have heard people who missed the expo working out registering on site before the race. Even if this is true, that would be so stressful! Your idea of coming in one day early sounds like a good safe bet.

 

[dburg30]

We are also going down the 3rd. I have family coming down the 4th to stay at AKL with us, but I didnt want to have our arrival, their arrival, getting to the expo, getting myself situated etc etc all happening on the same day.

 

[dburg30]

And just looking at SW schedule.. I luv SW, so we fly with them. My flight down opens later this month, but then I have to wait til the NEXT section opens for the return flight!!!

 

[sammykster]

And just looking at SW schedule.. I luv SW, so we fly with them. My flight down opens later this month, but then I have to wait til the NEXT section opens for the return flight!!!

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]

Oh darn!! I would hate having to wait but works if you get the flights you want. I am still annoyed that mine is more that week for only the day I want. I guess that's just my luck though!

 

[camaker]

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]

Oh darn!! I would hate having to wait but works if you get the flights you want. I am still annoyed that mine is more that week for only the day I want. I guess that's just my luck though!

I ran into that making my Disneyland Half plans. I like to fly out the day after the races, but the only SW flight available on Monday (Labor Day) was $315 more than any other return flight! It was more cost effective to actually stay an extra day. I know, an extra day at Disneyland, the sacrifices we have to make...

 

[KGK]

Spent the last several hours just reading the Marathon 2017 and Dopey 2017 threads -- should have remembered what a great source of information you all are!

Haven't been to Disney in a few years – The last few times there I needed a scooter to get around. A couple of nagging (permanent) issues left over from the military and years of "letting myself go" – well let's just say I barely fit into the seat restraints… My go-to board was disABILITIES! – a great source of information.

In October 2014 my DD told me it was time to run some races with her (She loves half's). And she was right, so I put myself on a diet, lost a few pounds and tried to run/walk. It wasn't pretty, but I've kept at it. Have lost 80 pounds and am running a lot faster now. For a fat old man lol. My goal is to run Boston Marathon, 2019 – at age 60. But in the meantime – It's DOPEY TIME !!!

SO here's my first question; When entering my qualifying time, can I use my AG time from a half marathon? (it puts me under 4 hours...otherwise I'm at 4:41 finish)


2015
BAA 5K 4/18/2015 35:16
BAA 10K 6/21/2015 1:07:30
New Haven 20K 9/7/2015 2:29:26
BAA Half 10/11/2015 2:22:46
Hamden 5K 11/26/2015 31:05

2016
NYC Half 3/20/2016 2:13:52 1:52:40 AG
BAA 5K 3/20/2016 26:35
Boston Half 5/29/2016
BAA 10K 6/26/2016
New Haven Half 9/5/2016
BAA Half 10/9/2016
Bay State Mar 10/16/2016

2017
Disney 5k 1/5/2017
Disney 10k 1/6/2017
Disney Half 1/7/2017
Disney Mar 1/8/2017

 

[Keels]

Spent the last several hours just reading the Marathon 2017 and Dopey 2017 threads -- should have remembered what a great source of information you all are!

Haven't been to Disney in a few years – The last few times there I needed a scooter to get around. A couple of nagging (permanent) issues left over from the military and years of "letting myself go" – well let's just say I barely fit into the seat restraints… My go-to board was disABILITIES! – a great source of information.

In October 2014 my DD told me it was time to run some races with her (She loves half's). And she was right, so I put myself on a diet, lost a few pounds and tried to run/walk. It wasn't pretty, but I've kept at it. Have lost 80 pounds and am running a lot faster now. For a fat old man lol. My goal is to run Boston Marathon, 2019 – at age 60. But in the meantime – It's DOPEY TIME !!!

SO here's my first question; When entering my qualifying time, can I use my AG time from a half marathon? (it puts me under 4 hours...otherwise I'm at 4:41 finish)


2015
BAA 5K 4/18/2015 35:16
BAA 10K 6/21/2015 1:07:30
New Haven 20K 9/7/2015 2:29:26
BAA Half 10/11/2015 2:22:46
Hamden 5K 11/26/2015 31:05

2016
NYC Half 3/20/2016 2:13:52 1:52:40 AG
BAA 5K 3/20/2016 26:35
Boston Half 5/29/2016
BAA 10K 6/26/2016
New Haven Half 9/5/2016
BAA Half 10/9/2016
Bay State Mar 10/16/2016

2017
Disney 5k 1/5/2017
Disney 10k 1/6/2017
Disney Half 1/7/2017
Disney Mar 1/8/2017

Whatever your TRUE finish time is (the one available on the results site) will be what RunDisney accepts.

Also, RunDisney has their own formula for determining expected finish in challenges (It's basically the McMillan equivalent, which I call the Challenge Curve). To my knowledge, they don't do any age grading, nor do they accept age-graded times in the place of an actual finish time.