OFFICIAL Jan 2011 Half Marathon, Full Marathon, Dopey or Goofy Challenge Thread

[daisy2jae]

Not sure, this is my first Disney race. We have no map of the finish line party, no elevation chart, etc.

elecation chart?

 

[FireDancer]

is that normal to wait so late for race instructions to come out? I'm a control freak....hate to wait till last minute to plan.

Most races, Disney or not, send out their final instruction about 1 to 2 weeks out. In some cases I have gotten them the Thursday before a Saturday race. Disney doesn't wait that long.

Usually information starts to trickle out bit by bit ahead of time so you don't have to wait for the final instructions for all the details or you can go to the Disney Sports site and send them an email.

elecation chart?

It shows how hilly or flat the course is so you can plan your pace. Here is an example of a course map with an elevation chart at the bottom of the page.

 

[daisy2jae]

Most races, Disney or not, send out their final instruction about 1 to 2 weeks out. In some cases I have gotten them the Thursday before a Saturday race. Disney doesn't wait that long.

Usually information starts to trickle out bit by bit ahead of time so you don't have to wait for the final instructions for all the details or you can go to the Disney Sports site and send them an email.



It shows how hilly or flat the course is so you can plan your pace. Here is an example of a course map with an elevation chart at the bottom of the page.

thanks...I can't believe how much I've learned in the past 24 hrs! You guys are great!

 

[cewait]

I am for sure a newbee to this! Please redirect me to a different site if I'm asking the wrong people/site these questions.

Check bag....they have a place you can check a bag before the race so you can store a jacket etc?
Layer Up...I understand that but never tossed anything during a run (other than running by my house to toss it in the lawn ). People where layers and toss/throw them out during the race? I guess I've always wore Nike stuff and can't imagine tossing something. But I never thought about picking up something cheap that I could let go of.

Oh boy do I have a lot to learn before January! Wish there was a Official Guide to the WDW Half Marathon. I'd read it cover to cover!!!

Actually we used to get a marathon book in the mail in the good ole days. Even though the contents did not change much from year to year I would still read it from cover to cover.

Hang in there. I expect that we will receive stuff from Disney in the November/December time frame. In the mean time ask away.

No showers available that I saw or know of. Dry clothes come out of the bag, wet ones go in.

Only in 2003 when we had a deluge

Not sure, this is my first Disney race. We have no map of the finish line party, no elevation chart, etc.

We don’t need no stinkin elevation chart Argggh. Seriously, it’s all within 30-40 foot max elevation change.

Here is the map I made for a guess of the W&D course. Take the one valley out as it is not there once the roads went in.
http://beta.mapmyrun.com/routes/edit/18210760/

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Coach, I just like to know where the hills are I've been running a lot of 100 ft. changes recently, though, so 40 shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[cewait]

Coach, I just like to know where the hills are I've been running a lot of 100 ft. changes recently, though, so 40 shouldn't be a big deal.

I understand fully. look at the W&D thread for closer locations of the overpasses. The two 'hills' that will really get you are coming across the canal going from Crescent Lake to DHS just as we hit Yacht Club and the as we leave Beach club and cross the canal from Crescent Lake to Epcot I-Gate. They do not pop up on any elevation chart, ever; but are about 5-7% grade for 10-15 feet. In the W&D maybe not as bad as the full but still at race end and not ever expected.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I understand fully. look at the W&D thread for closer locations of the overpasses. The two 'hills' that will really get you are coming across the canal going from Crescent Lake to DHS just as we hit Yacht Club and the as we leave Beach club and cross the canal from Crescent Lake to Epcot I-Gate. They do not pop up on any elevation chart, ever; but are about 5-7% grade for 10-15 feet. In the W&D maybe not as bad as the full but still at race end and not ever expected.

Cool, thanks. I ran a 5k a few weeks ago that had a very steep elevation change in the first mile. It was most unpleasant, but I got a huge PR.

 

[donmil723]

DH and I have officially signed up for the half!!!! I have completed one half about 5 years ago and am running in the Wine & Dine Half on October 2nd with our DD. This will be my DH's first half ever. I am so proud of him as he is really committed to losing weight and exercising regularly.

We will be staying at the Poly 1/6-1/9 and then moving over to the AKV for the rest of our stay. I wanted to stay at a monorail resort for the ease of getting to and from the start/finish and with 40% off rack room rates the Poly was a really good deal!

 

[verticalchaos]

thanks...I can't believe how much I've learned in the past 24 hrs! You guys are great!

Check your PMs. : I sent you a recommendation for the book I'm using and LOVING!!!

 

[verticalchaos]

Officially booked into CBR!! Woohoo!!!! :

 

[Belle1811]

Most races, Disney or not, send out their final instruction about 1 to 2 weeks out. In some cases I have gotten them the Thursday before a Saturday race. Disney doesn't wait that long.

Usually information starts to trickle out bit by bit ahead of time so you don't have to wait for the final instructions for all the details or you can go to the Disney Sports site and send them an email.

Just wondering if they post out the instructions to people from outside the US any earlier . We leave for Orlando from the UK on 1st Jan, do you think we'll have got our instructions before then, or when we go to the packet pick-up do you think they'll be able to answer any last minute questions we might have?

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Just wondering if they post out the instructions to people from outside the US any earlier . We leave for Orlando from the UK on 1st Jan, do you think we'll have got our instructions before then, or when we go to the packet pick-up do you think they'll be able to answer any last minute questions we might have?

They have had online chats at different points to answer any questions. So, they may do that again. But, you will get the most important instructions via e-mail before you leave for the U.S. To give you an idea, the program was sent out 8/10 for the Disneyland Half which was on 9/5. Plenty of time before the race. The final instructions were sent out 8/31 - but that was the same info you got at the Expo so it wasn't anything urgent or much different from the stuff on 8/10.

I am sure that anyone on this board can answer any last minute questions. There are many veterans participating in these races.

As far as final instructions, they are at the Expo and since you will be there anyway, it isn't a big deal. Elevation Charts? There isn't one Disney Race that needs an elevation chart. They really don't have any hills or significant elevation increases. I worried about that too, but now that I have done races in both Florida and California, there is no use for them. Here in Atlanta, absolutely. We have hills like there is no tomorrow.

 

[FireDancer]

Just wondering if they post out the instructions to people from outside the US any earlier . We leave for Orlando from the UK on 1st Jan, do you think we'll have got our instructions before then, or when we go to the packet pick-up do you think they'll be able to answer any last minute questions we might have?

Nope, everyone gets the same instructions.

They don't change much from year to year so if you have any specific questions feel free to ask here and I or someone will try to answer them. All you need to know ahead of time is where the expo is and make sure you are there at some point. The rest of the info won't really impact a trip much with the possible exception of transportation info and you can just get that there.

 

[cewait]

Folks,

Rather than obsess about the race instructions and whether Disney should or should not issue them earlier, here is the race program from last year. 95%+ of the detail will remain the same. This will answer most questions.

http://adisneyworldsports.disney.go...urSports/PDF/Endurance/WDWMarathonProgram.pdf


Like Frank said, most races do not issue much in the way of instructions until 2 weeks pre-race.


Hope this helps.

 

[crashbb]

Folks,

Rather than obsess about the race instructions and whether Disney should or should not issue them earlier, here is the race program from last year. 95%+ of the detail will remain the same. This will answer most questions.

http://adisneyworldsports.disney.go...urSports/PDF/Endurance/WDWMarathonProgram.pdf


Like Frank said, most races do not issue much in the way of instructions until 2 weeks pre-race.


Hope this helps.

I think that some people obsess more about WDW since it is an "away" race and does have more logisitic issues than many other races that people may have done previous. If you are doing a local race, you probably already know the route (even if you haven't actually run the whole thing). Plus, sleeping your own bed and driving to the race on that morning, seem less indimidating.

I read the 2010 book, to get a sense of the race - did staying a specific resort make a difference? Just how earlier was I going to have to get up on race-day (which might effect my ADR the night before)? Where could people cheer (again may effect resort choice)? Questions I don't generally have.

I know that when I did the NY marathon, I received race instruction earlier than 2 weeks pre-race (though the instructions came in installments), but that is another logistically challenging race.

Not saying the WDW needs to send out instructions earlier, just thinking about why people worry.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I think that some people obsess more about WDW since it is an "away" race and does have more logisitic issues than many other races that people may have done previous. If you are doing a local race, you probably already know the route (even if you haven't actually run the whole thing). Plus, sleeping your own bed and driving to the race on that morning, seem less indimidating.

I read the 2010 book, to get a sense of the race - did staying a specific resort make a difference? Just how earlier was I going to have to get up on race-day (which might effect my ADR the night before)? Where could people cheer (again may effect resort choice)? Questions I don't generally have.

I know that when I did the NY marathon, I received race instruction earlier than 2 weeks pre-race (though the instructions came in installments), but that is another logistically challenging race.

Not saying the WDW needs to send out instructions earlier, just thinking about why people worry.

Yeah, I agree with this. 99% of my races, I walk to Central Park, run the race, walk home.

 

[crashbb]

Yeah, I agree with this. 99% of my races, I walk to Central Park, run the race, walk home.

I'm jealous. I've done the NY marathon and half marathon and loved them both (admittedly, the 90 degree heat for the half was a little much). Luckily, I have relatives in NYC, so my logistics aren't too bad.

 

[FireDancer]

I think that some people obsess more about WDW since it is an "away" race and does have more logisitic issues than many other races that people may have done previous. If you are doing a local race, you probably already know the route (even if you haven't actually run the whole thing). Plus, sleeping your own bed and driving to the race on that morning, seem less indimidating.

I read the 2010 book, to get a sense of the race - did staying a specific resort make a difference? Just how earlier was I going to have to get up on race-day (which might effect my ADR the night before)? Where could people cheer (again may effect resort choice)? Questions I don't generally have.

I know that when I did the NY marathon, I received race instruction earlier than 2 weeks pre-race (though the instructions came in installments), but that is another logistically challenging race.

Not saying the WDW needs to send out instructions earlier, just thinking about why people worry.

I do 3 to 6 away races a year and most give way less info then Disney and not much earlier.

RE: The bolded part. Most of that won't be in the race instructions. All resorts with buses (non-monorail resorts) recommend you are at the bus stop before 4:00am to get to the start. As long as you are at the stop by then you will get to the start. If you are at a monorail resort be at the monorail stop by 4:00am also.

If you are staying at a Boardwalk area resort you can not walk through the park to the start. If the park is opened when you finish you can walk back to the resort after but will have to use a park ticket to do so. All other resorts will have buses or the monorail to get you back.

Spectators can watch anywhere they want along the route outside of the parks. If you are running through a park after it opens for the day they can also watch you there. The only park that allows you in early to watch the race is MK and that is only down Mainstreet.

Roads will be closed but the road closures will be the same as last year. How you get to where you watch will depend on your resort and that is something I wouldn't worry about until you get down there.

 

[crashbb]

I do 3 to 6 away races a year and most give way less info then Disney and not much earlier.

RE: The bolded part. Most of that won't be in the race instructions. All resorts with buses (non-monorail resorts) recommend you are at the bus stop before 4:00am to get to the start. As long as you are at the stop by then you will get to the start. If you are at a monorail resort be at the monorail stop by 4:00am also.

If you are staying at a Boardwalk area resort you can not walk through the park to the start. If the park is opened when you finish you can walk back to the resort after but will have to use a park ticket to do so. All other resorts will have buses or the monorail to get you back.

Spectators can watch anywhere they want along the route outside of the parks. If you are running through a park after it opens for the day they can also watch you there. The only park that allows you in early to watch the race is MK and that is only down Mainstreet.

Roads will be closed but the road closures will be the same as last year. How you get to where you watch will depend on your resort and that is something I wouldn't worry about until you get down there.

Actually ALL of that was in the race book (or on the WDW site - I can go back and find exactly where I read everything, but I think it was all in the book).

I found out that the monorail was running pre-race (allowing me to decide between bus and monorail).

I found out what time the buses and the monorail were running, so I know what time I'll have to get up.

I found spectator directions that gave specific instructions for those staying at certain resorts - easy to see which resorts would make for easy cheering. Some resorts one can step out the front (or back) door and cheer - others involve using transportation to get somewhere else. This could easily make a difference in where someone might want to stay.

 

[FireDancer]

Actually ALL of that was in the race book (or on the WDW site - I can go back and find exactly where I read everything, but I think it was all in the book).

I found out that the monorail was running pre-race (allowing me to decide between bus and monorail).

I found out what time the buses and the monorail were running, so I know what time I'll have to get up.

I found spectator directions that gave specific instructions for those staying at certain resorts - easy to see which resorts would make for easy cheering. Some resorts one can step out the front (or back) door and cheer - others involve using transportation to get somewhere else. This could easily make a difference in where someone might want to stay.

Yeah, that didn't come out right. I meant resort specific info (other then monorail vs. non-monorail) info won't be in there.