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

[Fellowship9798]

We are trying to decide on a celebration dinner as well, but I was thinking about doing it Sunday evening after the full. Maybe that's too ambitious for the 3 of us in my family running the full though. I can imagine we'll be exhausted, especially since one of my SIL's and I are doing Goofy. Now I'm going to have to rethink ADR's...

Speaking from my experience, which admittedly is very limited as this year's WDW Marathon is the only full marathon I've done, you may enjoy a "celebration" dinner more the next day. After getting up sometime around 3:00 AM and running a full marathon, someone is bound to be out of gas by dinner time. For me on Marathon day, my DW and I headed over to the DHS after the race and had dinner that night at the Sci-Fi Dine-In. The idea when making the ADR was that if I was exhausted it would be a nice dark place to sit and enjoy dinner and watch the film without needing to do much. In retrospect, I was tired, my left knee hurt a lot, and I would have probably preferred a quick service meal, although since we were on the Dining Plan we were trying to use our full service credits for each day.

Our dinner at Ohana on the Monday night was intended to be the "celebration" and I was much more in the mood for it then (although my knee still really hurt).

 

[stitchfan18]

Speaking from my experience, which admittedly is very limited as this year's WDW Marathon is the only full marathon I've done, you may enjoy a "celebration" dinner more the next day. After getting up sometime around 3:00 AM and running a full marathon, someone is bound to be out of gas by dinner time. For me on Marathon day, my DW and I headed over to the DHS after the race and had dinner that night at the Sci-Fi Dine-In. The idea when making the ADR was that if I was exhausted it would be a nice dark place to sit and enjoy dinner and watch the film without needing to do much. In retrospect, I was tired, my left knee hurt a lot, and I would have probably preferred a quick service meal, although since we were on the Dining Plan we were trying to use our full service credits for each day.

Our dinner at Ohana on the Monday night was intended to be the "celebration" and I was much more in the mood for it then (although my knee still really hurt).

I was kind of thinking the same thing about being out of gas by dinner time. I think we'll save the celebration dinner for Monday night, and just do a lunch somewhere instead. We'll be on the DDP, and with 2 young kids I don't think we'll want to mess around with trying to do a nicer restaurant one night.

 

[FFigawi]

Now that my mileage is getting in the mid to upper teens on long runs, I'm trying to decide whether to get another hydration waist pack with more bottles, or a backpack. I'm concerned that all the bottles will seem bulky, especially when they are all full. The waist packs are a lot cheaper though... Which way is the best for carrying a lot of water? My waist pack now can only hold 20oz, and I definitely need more than that on my long runs.

If you want to carry a lot of water, a Camelbak is the way to go. They hold much more liquid than a Fuel Belt (unless you get one of the 8-bottle ones) and can carry a ton of other stuff too. The only drawback is that you can only carry one type of liquid, unlike a belt where you can put something different in each bottle.

 

[FireDancer]

We are trying to decide on a celebration dinner as well, but I was thinking about doing it Sunday evening after the full. Maybe that's too ambitious for the 3 of us in my family running the full though. I can imagine we'll be exhausted, especially since one of my SIL's and I are doing Goofy. Now I'm going to have to rethink ADR's...

After the full this year we had some snacks and took a nap. We had a 7:00 ADR at Boma but were so hungry when we woke up we got there an hour early and luckily they were able to seat us early.

 

[cewait]

After the full this year we had some snacks and took a nap. We had a 7:00 ADR at Boma but were so hungry when we woke up we got there an hour early and luckily they were able to seat us early.

Agree that you will want a meal earlier rather than later.

A nice post race snack in the parking lot, a small lunch then an early dinner.

 

[cewait]

Now that my mileage is getting in the mid to upper teens on long runs, I'm trying to decide whether to get another hydration waist pack with more bottles, or a backpack. I'm concerned that all the bottles will seem bulky, especially when they are all full. The waist packs are a lot cheaper though... Which way is the best for carrying a lot of water? My waist pack now can only hold 20oz, and I definitely need more than that on my long runs.

As John said Camelbak is the way to go if carrying lots of fluids. Note that the FlashFlo is their version of a waist pack. Carries 45 oz of water, has a wide mouth so that water can be cold. The pack has cinch straps that you tighten as you drink to minimize the slosh while running. If you want for volume, Nathan has a backpack bladder system that is designed for runners. Note that the Camelback backpack systems are cyclist designed and they will bounce. there are a lot of runners wearing them but I see Nathans used by the more serious runner. The Nathan Endurance or Intensity(womans design) backpack is a 2 liter unit. Again with a wide mouth for ice.

 

[cewait]

I've signed up for my first half. My friend and I thought Disney would be good motivation to get moving!

I have a few questions for those who have done this before.

Do all Disney resorts offer bus service to the marathon? We are planning on a value resort. I've made a reservation at Pop thinking it is close to the sports center but are the All Stars any better on race day?

Do any of you do the Race Retreat?

Anyone do the Pasta in the Parks?

Thanks for sharing your insights.

As previously answered by John, all resorts have marathon event service including to the expo, 5k, half, full and kids races. As far as value resorts go, my thoughts are that the Pop is a better choice for one big reason; it’s the only resort on its bus route. No looping to other resorts so on race day, you are the only pick up spot. Another great reason is that the WISH pasta get together is held on Friday night at the Pop.

Race Retreat – this is a personal decision. If you want a place to wait pre-race and a private checked bag location, this is a great thing. I have never subscribed to the retreat, though coming into the 2010 ice race I tried on 10 days out. It sold out early on that day. Most years, in my opinion, it is a waste of funds. But then I have been coming to the marathon since 99 and I have several friends that I want to talk with on race mornings.

Pasta in the Park – I went the first year it was held and had a good time. But I like large pre-race pasta feeds and this is something the Disney has not done well since discontinuing the big tent pasta feeds from the 90’s. The first year (2010) the deal was not all that bad. The feed tix got you into Epcot at 5:30 and you had park access until closing. The feed is in the Millennium Celebration building between Canada and England. You were also able to enter a reserved section for viewing Illuminations. The bean counters helped revise the 2011 package. Not sure of the specifics since we did not attend, but I seem to remember you were unable to enter Epcot as early and I am not sure of the reserved fireworks viewing – oh and the cost increased. We are looking at the feed for 2012 but remain undecided. Note that the WISH group has their own pasta get together the following night at Pop.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

Now that my mileage is getting in the mid to upper teens on long runs, I'm trying to decide whether to get another hydration waist pack with more bottles, or a backpack. I'm concerned that all the bottles will seem bulky, especially when they are all full. The waist packs are a lot cheaper though... Which way is the best for carrying a lot of water? My waist pack now can only hold 20oz, and I definitely need more than that on my long runs.

When we got into long runs, we found places to stash water along our route so we wouldn't have to carry so much. One of us would go out with the car early and leave bottles in strategic places, and we never had trouble with them being there when we arrived. I guess there aren't a lot of crazy water thieves out and about that early in the morning! Is it possible for you to drop off water on your route? Personally, I'd rather do that than carry so much on my body. (I do wear a 2-bottle belt.)

 

[cewait]

When we got into long runs, we found places to stash water along our route so we wouldn't have to carry so much. One of us would go out with the car early and leave bottles in strategic places, and we never had trouble with them being there when we arrived. I guess there aren't a lot of crazy water thieves out and about that early in the morning! Is it possible for you to drop off water on your route? Personally, I'd rather do that than carry so much on my body. (I do wear a 2-bottle belt.)

I used to do this up to the day when I saw a dog watering my water.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

I used to do this up to the day when I saw a dog watering my water.

AAAACCCKKK!!!!

 

[FFigawi]

I used to do this up to the day when I saw a dog watering my water.

Now that's funny!

 

[FireDancer]

When we got into long runs, we found places to stash water along our route so we wouldn't have to carry so much. One of us would go out with the car early and leave bottles in strategic places, and we never had trouble with them being there when we arrived. I guess there aren't a lot of crazy water thieves out and about that early in the morning! Is it possible for you to drop off water on your route? Personally, I'd rather do that than carry so much on my body. (I do wear a 2-bottle belt.)

I do this. I hate carrying anything I don't need (water, phone, anything) so I put my water in my mailbox along with gel for the long runs and run a route that brings me back past my house. This eliminates Charles dog problem. There is also a public water fountain in a park I can run past a couple of times if it is turned on.

For my 20 milers for example I did 10, 5, 3, and then 2 so I could grab water 3 times and Gu twice. It was winter though so I would probably change it up and do 8, 5, 5, and 2 if it were warmer.

 

[dreams91]

Well I'm officially in!!!! Signed up for my first half marathon ever (this one). So now to figure out what else I need to learn/ do before then. I'm up to 6 miles on my long days. Other thoughts?

 

[FireDancer]

Well I'm officially in!!!! Signed up for my first half marathon ever (this one). So now to figure out what else I need to learn/ do before then. I'm up to 6 miles on my long days. Other thoughts?

Have you ever done any shorter races? I am of the opinion that a destination half shouldn't be your first race. If you haven't done one find a local 5K and sign up. You will learn more from your first race then you will from anything else. The first time mistakes you make are easier to stomach at a local $20 race then a destination race.

 

[cloudnut220]

Have you ever done any shorter races? I am of the opinion that a destination half shouldn't be your first race. If you haven't done one find a local 5K and sign up. You will learn more from your first race then you will from anything else. The first time mistakes you make are easier to stomach at a local $20 race then a destination race.

I couldn't agree with this more. I find that the more races I do, the less anxious I get about actually racing. This is a great time of the year to find some cheap local 5ks so you get a feel for race day.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

I'm in for the half. It'll be my first one!

Well I officially booked our room at the Contemporary! Thanks for all the help in deciding! I usually book through AAA or directly with Disney but I decided to go with MEI and Mousefan Travel because they had a good marathon weekend package.

Finished the Baltimore Ten Miler this weekend. It was such a humid race! After a mile I knew I was just in it to finish. A good race though!

well done

I did it. I'm all signed up for the half-marathon. I have a room booked at AKL and car booked so I can finally head over to Hogsmeade. Hopefully, Southwest will have some good flights posted soon.

Hmmm... Okay, this is actually pretty bad. Now, with all that money at stake, I'm running out of excuses not to exercise.

Doug

me too !

Since the Goofy training plan for last year seem to indicate that training starts in about 1-1/2 weeks, I figured I'd better take a trip to the Dr. and find out what is causing pain in my ankles, above the bone on the inside. He asked how long I had been running, then immediately said I have tendinitis. He prescribed Meloxicam and said to see him in a month. He didn't say to stop running, but life has gotten in the way again, and I haven't been running much since my last half a month ago. I went to the gym yesterday, all ready to run 3 on the track, only to find out that I was there an hour before child care was open.

Hopefully, I can get 3 in tomorrow!

Thats so funny, thats what we give animals in the uk, we dont prescribe it foe humans.get well soon!

I've signed up for my first half. My friend and I thought Disney would be good motivation to get moving!

I have a few questions for those who have done this before.

Do all Disney resorts offer bus service to the marathon? We are planning on a value resort. I've made a reservation at Pop thinking it is close to the sports center but are the All Stars any better on race day?

Do any of you do the Race Retreat?

Anyone do the Pasta in the Parks?

Thanks for sharing your insights.

yipeeeeeeee

 

[hauntedcity]

The Jeff Galloway training plans for the WDW Marathon are now up on RunDisney.com!

 

[dreams91]

Have you ever done any shorter races? I am of the opinion that a destination half shouldn't be your first race. If you haven't done one find a local 5K and sign up. You will learn more from your first race then you will from anything else. The first time mistakes you make are easier to stomach at a local $20 race then a destination race.

Great Thanks for the advice. I'm signed up for a 5k and a 10k. So hopefully I will learn more before the wow half.

 

[hauntedcity]

The Jeff Galloway training plans for the WDW Marathon are now up on RunDisney.com!

For those of you who follow the Galloway plans, what do you do before they begin? The 18 week plans don't start until the end of August. I take it that I should just hang out on the couch and eat ice cream until then, right?

 

[stitchfan18]

When we got into long runs, we found places to stash water along our route so we wouldn't have to carry so much. One of us would go out with the car early and leave bottles in strategic places, and we never had trouble with them being there when we arrived. I guess there aren't a lot of crazy water thieves out and about that early in the morning! Is it possible for you to drop off water on your route? Personally, I'd rather do that than carry so much on my body. (I do wear a 2-bottle belt.)

I usually go to a trail near my house that I can run a 7 mile or 3 mile loop on. If I run the shorter loop I stash extra water in a cooler in my car. The water fountains are on this time of year, but the water is so warm and gross! The problem with it being a trail is that I can't really go out and stash water along the route without running out there first. My parents do live about 1 1/2 miles away from DH and I, and I do sometimes stop at their house on shorter runs for a water break.