OFFICIAL January 2012 5K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Goofy or Dopey Challenge Thread

[WriteDisney]

Sounds great, well done.

Thanks! Man am I sore today!

That is a great race. I did it in 2009 and at the time it was my PR (and my first sub 1:30). The section on the way out to the base and back can be a little boring but after you cross the bridge the route around the streets and along the boardwalk to the finish is great.

That is a race I'd do again in a second.

I'm really looking forward to it! I wanted to do the Shamrock Half this past March but chose to do one closer to home instead.

 

[cewait]

I've read for past races, and probably this one too, that runners must catch their bus/monorail by 4 AM be in their corrals by 5 AM. But some of the discussion on these boards suggest that Disney is not that strict with those times.

Even when I was at the Princess Half, I think runners were coming and going from their corrals almost until race start.

So how much does Disney tolerate? What is the TRUE story?

Thanks.

In 09, the first year they posted a "you must be in your corrals by" time with an enforcement clause they did in fact start turning folks to the end of the line at that time. However, in 10 and 11 they did not seem to enforce this much....but there were other issues those years (i.e. weather and a poorly placed set of Portajohns on the way to the start in 11. The "you must be in your corral by" time does not line up with the current wave starts... but with the current set up it would be very easy to enforce a late arrival hold for those who come in late.

If you are in corrals a-c, plan on being out at the corrals by 5:00 - 5:10. Given the latest start set up, you really need to be out there by then anyway.... you have lots of folks to get past before the start.


NOW FOR THE BUS QUESTION......

Yes, get on the bus BEFORE 4. There may be later buses running your resort but you cannot be guaranteeed getting to the start if you show up at say 4:10 and are expecting to hop a bus. The reason is simple. The course uses the same road as the buses need to get to the start. At some time, the road must be closed for the course set up. EXPECT a tighter control of the last possible bus time due to the 20-30 buses that will be heading OUT for the relay

 

[J3nn78]

My newly running DH just signed up for the half at the Providence RnR Expo. I am currently helping him train for the Wine and Dine. I think he has been bitten by the running bug, as I never even suggested doing another half. I am so happy to have my best friend as a running partner.

 

[stitchfan18]

NOW FOR THE BUS QUESTION......

Yes, get on the bus BEFORE 4. There may be later buses running your resort but you cannot be guaranteeed getting to the start if you show up at say 4:10 and are expecting to hop a bus. The reason is simple. The course uses the same road as the buses need to get to the start. At some time, the road must be closed for the course set up. EXPECT a tighter control of the last possible bus time due to the 20-30 buses that will be heading OUT for the relay

What time is typically good to head to the buses in the AM? Do most people wait until the last minute, or is there a decent line around 3:30? I know this obviously depends on how many runners are at each resort, I'm just looking for a general time that seems to be best.

 

[cewait]

What time is typically good to head to the buses in the AM? Do most people wait until the last minute, or is there a decent line around 3:30? I know this obviously depends on how many runners are at each resort, I'm just looking for a general time that seems to be best.

Most years the 3:30 time frame is what I would aim for. I have been on bus #1 when I could not sleep and wanted to just get out of the room before waking everyone else and have been on one of the last buses in 2003 during my visit to the resort chosen for bus snafu of that year. You will find a crowd starting around 3:20 through 4:00 from my experience. If the weather is off, expect the crowds to start pushing the peak times backwards.

Also, not all resorts or every year is the same. Each year one resort is bitten by the bad busing bug and will have transportation issues. If you are at that resort that year, hang loose. There will be a Mears Transportation (bus company) mobile dispatcher near the stop(s) looking for issues. You may want to have $20 just in case in your bag. It would come in handy if you were in line and decided that an alternative mode of transportation is warranted.

 

[stitchfan18]

Most years the 3:30 time frame is what I would aim for. I have been on bus #1 when I could not sleep and wanted to just get out of the room before waking everyone else and have been on one of the last buses in 2003 during my visit to the resort chosen for bus snafu of that year. You will find a crowd starting around 3:20 through 4:00 from my experience. If the weather is off, expect the crowds to start pushing the peak times backwards.

Also, not all resorts or every year is the same. Each year one resort is bitten by the bad busing bug and will have transportation issues. If you are at that resort that year, hang loose. There will be a Mears Transportation (bus company) mobile dispatcher near the stop(s) looking for issues. You may want to have $20 just in case in your bag. It would come in handy if you were in line and decided that an alternative mode of transportation is warranted.

Thanks for the info. We're at OKW, so I guess if worse came to worse we could always try to be sneaky and do a warm up jog to the start since we probably won't be checking bags. I heard they kind of frown upon this though, so I won't bank on that idea.

 

[cewait]

I've been reading these boards for years, but finally decided to take the plunge, register, and post. I've visited the parks more times that I can count (my sister is a cast member), but this will be the first time for the marathon. I'm running a 10k in 3 days and a half in six weeks, as part of my prep. Coming from Colorado, I'll be hoping for cool temperatures in January.

I have a question about resorts. My wife and 2 kids (6 and 3 years old) will be coming with me and encouraging me to the finish. It looks like BLT is down to just studios for our travel dates, so I'm looking at VWL. Do the boats to the Magic Kingdom start running early enough for spectators to catch someone on a 9-10 min/mile pace? If not, would buses be the only option?

Does anyone think that BWV would be a better option, or about the same?

I'd appreciate any feedback, thanks

I answer to your VWl questions....

It is not a real spectator friendly resort. I would suggest the 'easiest' way for them to see you is to hail a can from the WL and have it drop them at the TTC. It's walkable but you really do not want to drag a 3 yr old along the path required and cross the line of early AM traffic for that. The fare for the ride to TTC is less than $10. Now they have a decision. Catch you at Mile 9 (TTC) then make a leisurely quarter mile walk over to the Poly for some Tonga Toast and a hot chocolate. Then they can head out front to see you pass at mile 12.8. They will have 40 minutes or so to see you do this.... The option is to head to MK from the TTC and catch you on Main Street. More crowded but a really special place. With kiddos I really think the first option is the better one.

From the Poly, they can catch the monorail to the CR and then boat back to the room for a bit. From there catch a bus to Epcot (regular or marathon). By that time most traffic should have cleared and travel will be almost back to normal/.

The issue with BWV is that most all one bedroom villas are gone, if not all. Otherwise, again, I would suggest hailing a cab to TTC again. There are plenty of folks at the resort she could share a ride with to split the costs. So the agenda is the same as above. I agree with PP that seeing you at mile 24 is a great feature of the BWV (or the BCV). If they opt for that point, then they will not see you at the line.

One option for a late race viewpoint is to burn a park pass and go into Epcot at mile 25.... the point where we come onstage at England. They can catch you there. Once you pass, they have the shorter route to the front of the park. Plan on meeting up between the exit from the family reunion area and the monorail station in the parking lot. You will more than likely have time to go through the exit area and work your way through the family reunion area by the time they get out f the park.

Look forward to seeing you in January.... Just go ahead and sign up... you know you want to.

 

[donmil723]

Well, I officially registered today for the Goofy! I've been putting it off as I've been having foot/leg issues since April. Went to a sports doc and had an MRI in early May. Official diagnosis was heel bursitis. He gave me the okay to keep running once he ruled out there weren't any tears in my achilles. To make a long story short, I've did everything from massage to stretching to physical therapy to orthotics. I think it is well enough that I took the plunge today and registered.

I did the Wine and Dine last year as well as the WDW Half and am signed up for the Wine and Dine again this year. I'm following Jeff Galloway's training program for the Goofy but I'm probably going to add a 4th day of running/walking as I just feel better when I get a run in. I went almost 10 miles Saturday with no issues. Hooray!

Does anyone know if there is there a DIS meet scheduled for that weekend yet? Thanks!

 

[FFigawi]

Does anyone know if there is there a DIS meet scheduled for that weekend yet? Thanks!

There's a standing WISH meet on Friday afternoon at Pop. I'm sure there will be a group of us doing the Drink Around the World challenge at Epcot on Monday too.

 

[geaux_half]

15th anniversary Donald medal. I like the way the 15th isn't overstated as the 5th anniversary Goofy and Dland ones were.

 

[donmil723]

There's a standing WISH meet on Friday afternoon at Pop. I'm sure there will be a group of us doing the Drink Around the World challenge at Epcot on Monday too.

Ohhhh! I really like the drink around the world challenge!

 

[CaptHomer]

There's a standing WISH meet on Friday afternoon at Pop. I'm sure there will be a group of us doing the Drink Around the World challenge at Epcot on Monday too.

Let me know where and when to meet up for that one!

 

[FireDancer]

Let me know where and when to meet up for that one!

I'm pretty sure it is the POP food court at 4:30pm on Friday.

 

[jeanigor]

I'm pretty sure it is the POP food court at 4:30pm on Friday.

That's awful early for a DATW on Monday....

 

[Vickibean]

I just bought my marathon shoes!

My princess half shoes are being retired. I feel like I should have them bronzed.

I remember seeing a guide to which shoes to wear for Goofy. I remember the shoes for the half were higher mileage, and the shoes for the full were just broken in. Does anybody know exactly what mileage was recommended?

Oh, and I am signed up for another race. This past weekend I booked the RnR Vegas!!!!

 

[stitchfan18]

I just bought my marathon shoes!

My princess half shoes are being retired. I feel like I should have them bronzed.

I remember seeing a guide to which shoes to wear for Goofy. I remember the shoes for the half were higher mileage, and the shoes for the full were just broken in. Does anybody know exactly what mileage was recommended?

Oh, and I am signed up for another race. This past weekend I booked the RnR Vegas!!!!

Are you wearing two different pairs of shoes during goofy? I never thought about that, but it would make sense since I don't wear the same shoes for runs on back to back days...

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Are you wearing two different pairs of shoes during goofy? I never thought about that, but it would make sense since I don't wear the same shoes for runs on back to back days...

I know that some people do but I have never in my 6 Goofy's.

 

[FireDancer]

Are you wearing two different pairs of shoes during goofy? I never thought about that, but it would make sense since I don't wear the same shoes for runs on back to back days...

Even if you don't plan on wearing two different pairs of shoes I'd still bring two. If it rains on Saturday and your shoes don't dry out in time for Sunday I'd rather have a standby pair ready than start in wet shoes.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

15th anniversary Donald medal. I like the way the 15th isn't overstated as the 5th anniversary Goofy and Dland ones were.

Oh, I LOVE that medal! Makes me want to change my registration to the Goofy!

Thank you for the info on the corral and bus times. I will likely be in one of the last corrals, so it just seems like a really long time to wait,from 5 to 6:30. At the Princess, I was actually starting to lose my energy waiting so long in the corrals - not being a morning person, and on little sleep, it was starting to drag on a bit. Any suggestions for how to stay occupied and keep the energy levels up while waiting?

I'll be staying at the BLT. So, if we have to be on bus/monorail by 4, does that mean you have to be on the monorail leaving your resort by 4 AM or the monorail leaving the TTC by 4 AM?

 

[Mouseturtle]

SO I started the COuch to 5K program and signed my BFF and I up for the Fun Run 5K in Disney to keep us motivated!

Anything I should know as a first timer? I've been holding off on making my resort reservations because I am waiting for a discount (wishful thinking?) - was thinking of the Beach Club.

Any tips for a newbie would be appreciated!!