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

[FireDancer]

Newbie here.

I plan on doing the full marathon. I have been training now for over a year with the Jeff Galloway method. I am walking though with interruptions of running. My goal is to just finish and not be swept up by the sweepers.

Question: I have read the whole thread and didn't see this posted. I did read fast though so forgive me if I overlooked it. What are the mile markers that they give out water and snacks? I want to add this into my training. Only drinking and eating where it will be given out at WDW.

Thanks in advance.

They are marked on the course map. Waterstops have a blue "W" while food stations are marked with an orange "F".

 

[FFigawi]

Question: I have read the whole thread and didn't see this posted. I did read fast though so forgive me if I overlooked it. What are the mile markers that they give out water and snacks? I want to add this into my training. Only drinking and eating where it will be given out at WDW.

While there will be water and Powerade at every aid station, Disney only hands out Clif Shots at a few of the stations later in the race. You can rely on them for your fluids, but I would strongly recommend that you carry your own goo, snacks, etc., with you during the race. You'll probably need them earlier and more often than Disney will supply them.

 

[22crusher]

Hello! I'm so happy I found this forum! I'm a first time Disney 1/2 runner, driving down from Canada.

Any other Northern runners coming down, and any tips on the temperature changes?

Also, does anyone know the 'rules' for Marathon Monday? Do you only get in free if you run the full?

Thanks
Carolyn

 

[FireDancer]

Hello! I'm so happy I found this forum! I'm a first time Disney 1/2 runner, driving down from Canada.

Any other Northern runners coming down, and any tips on the temperature changes?

There isn't much you can do about the temp change but make sure to bring a range or running gear for both colder and warmer weather. Make sure to check the forecast before you travel down but assume they will be wrong and bring clothing to be prepared if it is colder then the forecast or warmer.

I ran the half twice and one year was a bit cold at the start (high 30's) and the other time it was warmer (mid 60's). I just dressed differently and didn't find the temp difference that bad.

Also, does anyone know the 'rules' for Marathon Monday? Do you only get in free if you run the full?

Thanks
Carolyn

You have to finish the full to get in free. You bring ID and your finisher's medal to the ticket window and I imagine they will give you a one park ticket that is good for that day only. If you run the half or get swept before you finish the full you don't get in. Anyone completing the Goofy will qualify also.

 

[FFigawi]

Hello! I'm so happy I found this forum! I'm a first time Disney 1/2 runner, driving down from Canada.

Any other Northern runners coming down, and any tips on the temperature changes?

Welcome! I wouldn't necessarily count on a big temperature change. Sure, it's typically pretty mild in Orlando in the winter, but last year at the start of the half it was 34 and sleeting. Of course, that means this year it'll be 75 and humid.

If it is a warm day, I would not plan on running as fast as you might have expected to. Heat really slows people down. Even with my training group here in Houston, we all notice a huge difference in our effort and endurance when it's hot, and we train in the heat all summer long.

 

[rubato]

Welcome! I wouldn't necessarily count on a big temperature change. Sure, it's typically pretty mild in Orlando in the winter, but last year at the start of the half it was 34 and sleeting. Of course, that means this year it'll be 75 and humid.

If it is a warm day, I would not plan on running as fast as you might have expected to. Heat really slows people down. Even with my training group here in Houston, we all notice a huge difference in our effort and endurance when it's hot, and we train in the heat all summer long.

I'll take 75 and humid over what you guys had to deal with this year!

 

[FFigawi]

I'll take 75 and humid over what you guys had to deal with this year!

Not me. I've been running in the Houston heat and humidity since June, and I much prefer running in cold weather. There are only so many clothes I can take off before things get scary.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Not me. I've been running in the Houston heat and humidity since June, and I much prefer running in cold weather. There are only so many clothes I can take off before things get scary.

Cold weather is OK. Rain, sleet, hail and snow are not.

 

[rubato]

Okay, it can be chilly while we're running, but then it needs to warm up for the rest of my vacation!

 

[FireDancer]

Cold weather is OK. Rain, sleet, hail and snow are not.

Some of my fastest short races have been in the rain and I kind of like running in the snow, but I wouldn't want either for a half or full marathon.

If I got to choose the temperature for a full or half I would want about 45 degrees and dry.

 

[22crusher]

thanks everyone for the warm welcome!
I'd have to say that anyone familiar with the weather near Chicago, or Buffalo NY, or perhaps Minnesota would know what our weather up North will be like in January. Probably a lot like the horrible weather I hear y'all had for the run this year. I'm hoping for cool (not cold), dry and a slight breeze.

What are the crowds like in the park before/after the weekend? I am down for the week after we run, taking my 5 year old on his first Disney trip. Also, does anyone know where I can rent/buy a Pal Mickey? I'd love to have one!

Oh and also (also, also?) anyone run in costume? Would I be a massive dork if I did? Any tips (aside from 'don't dress as Pooh?)

 

[FFigawi]

thanks everyone for the warm welcome!
I'd have to say that anyone familiar with the weather near Chicago, or Buffalo NY, or perhaps Minnesota would know what our weather up North will be like in January. Probably a lot like the horrible weather I hear y'all had for the run this year. I'm hoping for cool (not cold), dry and a slight breeze.

If I had to design my ideal weather, it would be 40 at the start and 50 at the finish. Shorts the whole way and dropping a long sleeve top after the first few miles.

Oh and also (also, also?) anyone run in costume? Would I be a massive dork if I did? Any tips (aside from 'don't dress as Pooh?)

I ran in costume at the DLR half last month, and there were plenty of other people dressed up too. Mostly Mickey or Minnie, but also characters from movies and of course the obligatory Elvis. If you run in costume, you won't be the only dork out there.

 

[verticalchaos]

Would a tiara be copacetic? I know it's not the Princess...I would have done that, but I'm getting back from Florence Italy 2 days before and a half marathon on jetlag isn't my idea of fun...but I am considering a tiara. If not I'll probably just do mouse ears.

 

[figment82]

My friends just bought me a runners tutu to dress up as snow white for the race (they are also dressing up as princesses) - tiaras are definitely ok =)

My favorite thing about the disney races is the people that dress up - we used to have a blast with the tower of terror 13k that was right by halloween!

 

[FFigawi]

Would a tiara be copacetic? I know it's not the Princess...I would have done that, but I'm getting back from Florence Italy 2 days before and a half marathon on jetlag isn't my idea of fun...but I am considering a tiara. If not I'll probably just do mouse ears.

I don't see why not. We had tutus, tiaras, and wands when we dressed up at DLR.

 

[verticalchaos]

If I had to design my ideal weather, it would be 40 at the start and 50 at the finish. Shorts the whole way and dropping a long sleeve top after the first few miles.

Ok...here's something that's confused me. If you've got a shirt on that you're going to drop, where do you put your number so it shows? On your shorts? I've been trying to figure this out for a while.

 

[FFigawi]

Ok...here's something that's confused me. If you've got a shirt on that you're going to drop, where do you put your number so it shows? On your shorts? I've been trying to figure this out for a while.

You put it on the last layer you're going to be wearing. For example, during this year's Disney On Ice (as Kirsty named it), I had my number on my long sleeve running shirt. Over that, I wore a light jacket (that I tied around my waist about mile 13 and dropped at mile 19) and a heavy sweatshirt that I dropped right before the start. If anyone asks to see your number, you just life up your outer layers and show it to them. Some people do put their numbers on their shorts, but I've never found that to be comfortable during a race.

 

[verticalchaos]

You put it on the last layer you're going to be wearing. For example, during this year's Disney On Ice (as Kirsty named it), I had my number on my long sleeve running shirt. Over that, I wore a light jacket (that I tied around my waist about mile 13 and dropped at mile 19) and a heavy sweatshirt that I dropped right before the start. If anyone asks to see your number, you just life up your outer layers and show it to them. Some people do put their numbers on their shorts, but I've never found that to be comfortable during a race.

Thank you so much for explaining that! I've been trying and trying to figure it out. I suspect it will come in very handy up here in NYC at the very least. LOL.

 

[cewait]

Thank you so much for explaining that! I've been trying and trying to figure it out. I suspect it will come in very handy up here in NYC at the very least. LOL.

A number belt. Always on top!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Would a tiara be copacetic? I know it's not the Princess...I would have done that, but I'm getting back from Florence Italy 2 days before and a half marathon on jetlag isn't my idea of fun...but I am considering a tiara. If not I'll probably just do mouse ears.

A lot of people love to wear tiaras but make sure you run with it on during your training runs. During the Princess, a lot of people overdressed with the tiaras, tutu's, etc. and were so uncomfortable within the first mile that they tossed it all. The road was covered in tiaras! Same with any costumes, I think it is best to test it out before the actual race. Some of those fabrics, etc. just don't work well. It is fun to see how dressed up some people get. I ran with Stitch at the DL half and with a Frog at the Princess.