Official WDW Marathon Weekend 2013 Thread-Part 2

[cewait]

Posting for suggestions:

My husband and my three small kids are going to be cheering me on at some point during the half marathon in Jan. Anyone know where would be best for them to stand to see me? Is it too complicated for them to see me along the way,then meet me at the finish? TIA!

Two real options...

As mentioned before, Main Street in MK. Or, set up camp at the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC). Once you pass TTC, they can make the quarter mile walk to the Poly and see you again. Then depending on your speed and monorail operations, they can get back to Epcot in time to see you finish/or meet you at the finish.

With either option, it is better if they set up in a corner where they can watch runners approach. The largest issue with Main is that there are only two corners (either end) and the remainder is tight and crowded.

At the finish, instead of trying to find a bleacher seat, there is a stretch at the point where we enter the parking lot that has a little grassy area. It can be crowded there.

Hope this helps

 

[cewait]

Funny, I have only carried a camera once in all the years I have run Disney. But then I have set a PR several times, also. One can run a PR if that is their mission.

I will admit to stopping for a few photo ops this last marathon. I relied on the Brightroom folks for photos. All but one were good and since I usually purchase the digital package, all the added photos were a freebie.

 

[BigEeyore]

Pictures, definitely the pictures. I run Disney races so I can enjoy the scenery, the parks, the characters, and all the other extras that make up that Disney magic. I know going in that my time will be 10-15 minutes slower than normal in the half and 20-30 minutes slower in the full. There are enough other races during the year where I focus on my time and a PR that it's nice to have one I can run just for fun. I slow down, look around to take it all in, take pictures along the way, and have two nice and relaxing days running through the parks.

Exactly how I feel! I did the Princess half in February, and started out all about getting a good time, and then I had a big "a-ha" moment. I realized that I will remember the photos more than my time, and that I am running in Disney so just have fun and enjoy! Like you said, over the 26 miles, I will probably spend no more than an extra 30 minutes or so grabbing unique and special photos. I can spare that.
This is why we have "AUTO-PAUSE" on our Garmins people...

 

[Sabeking]

On average how long would you wait to have a photo taken? I am torn because I have not done a big race in 2 years and have recently pr'd during my training so I am thinking I may be able to beat my old times. On the other hand my kids are begging me to take pictures....the kids usually win

 

[cewait]

On average how long would you wait to have a photo taken? I am torn because I have not done a big race in 2 years and have recently pr'd during my training so I am thinking I may be able to beat my old times. On the other hand my kids are begging me to take pictures....the kids usually win

Most are less than a minute. Some, like Captain Jack the line is very long...

 

[cewait]

This is why we have "AUTO-PAUSE" on our Garmins people...

I would encourage folks who may be a little more speed challenged (i.e.15+ minute pacers) to turn the auto pause OFF for the race. Any time spent in a line or otherwise not moving forward still counts against the runner with regard to the sweepers.

 

[Sabeking]

Most are less than a minute. Some, like Captain Jack the line is very long...

That's not bad at all! I guess my thinking was clouded by those Disney ride lines!! Speaking of ride lines how crowded are the parks this time of year?

 

[cewait]

That's not bad at all! I guess my thinking was clouded by those Disney ride lines!! Speaking of ride lines how crowded are the parks this time of year?

The parks will feel vacant. The lines are minimal... but there are usually a higher percentage of rides down for their annual maintenance. I have not looked at the list for January, yet.

 

[Ariel484]

...[snip]...I am wondering how many of you all are more focused on personal time versus seeing characters? My cousin ran a few years back and said how fun it was getting the pictures, etc.... I want to in one way but I find that I can get really caught up in my time. What are others doing??

Characters for me. I try to be picky about who I stop for though. For example: last year Stitch was out in front of the Lunching Pad in the Magic Kingdom and I passed him up because he wasn't wearing anything special and the line was HUGE. At the 2011 Princess Half I stopped for a picture with Stitch because he was dressed as Elvis.

I think the longest lines I've waited in were for Flora, Fauna and Merryweather during the Princess Half and Donald and Goofy in their golf gear during the 2012 Marathon. Both lines were about 5-7 minutes. No regrets here!

If I want to run a race for a PR I'll do it at home...with the experience I can get at Disney (and the money I pay for it ) I want to slow down, take everything in and come away with great pictures. If other runners want to run the races for PRs that's okay too. That's the great thing about running - you can just do what makes YOU happy and it's not wrong (provided you don't get swept).

 

[Sabeking]

The parks will feel vacant. The lines are minimal... but there are usually a higher percentage of rides down for their annual maintenance. I have not looked at the list for January, yet.

Yay; that is good news. I do know that Splash Mountain is down and maybe Mad Tea party.

 

[Drgirl]

Is this realistic for spectators


See me at MK, then get back to Epcot via monorail in time to get the bus over to WWOS to see me around mile 19?

 

[LSUfan4444]

Funny you should ask me that because the tech was insistent that I do that; the language barrier was an issue! But I got out with my calluses intact! Yay!


I am wondering how many of you all are more focused on personal time versus seeing characters? My cousin ran a few years back and said how fun it was getting the pictures, etc.... I want to in one way but I find that I can get really caught up in my time. What are others doing??

I am going to make that call somewhere between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. I am in Corral A so with a 5:30 start, it won't be very bright by the time I hit Magic Kingdom anyway so any pic I take will be after that.

I did an Ironman in November and really pushed myself hard and have paid the price since. Nagging lower leg/foot injuries, sickness, fatigue, etc. so I haven't gotten alot of good quality long training in. I've managed a 14 miler, a 16 miler and feeling alot better now so plan on trying an 18-20 this weekend. I've cut my midweek runs down ALOT and focused on quality with them. By the time I hit the speedway, I'll know if a PR is in reach and if it is, I will skip the pics and give it a good go. If I am not feeling it, or on the fence, I'll probably stop for a few pics.

 

[LSUfan4444]

On average how long would you wait to have a photo taken? I am torn because I have not done a big race in 2 years and have recently pr'd during my training so I am thinking I may be able to beat my old times. On the other hand my kids are begging me to take pictures....the kids usually win

All depends on your corral and pace. Obviously, the faster, or slower you are, the less you have to wait. A middle corral running 11-13 mi miles will be quite the wait. Corral A, running 8:00 min miles, not so much.

 

[cewait]

Is this realistic for spectators


See me at MK, then get back to Epcot via monorail in time to get the bus over to WWOS to see me around mile 19?

It's realistic. For a 12 minute runner, it will take about 3 hours. I would guess less than 90 minutes for spectators...

 

[cewait]

I am going to make that call somewhere between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. I am in Corral A so with a 5:30 start, it won't be very bright by the time I hit Magic Kingdom anyway so any pic I take will be after that.

Even a 10 -11 minute runner will not have much light in MK. I have not had a good Castle photo in the half - ever due to the darkness.

 

[tedhowe]

Hi all...

Looking for some advice/thoughts.

I'm a new (in 2012) runner... the WDW Half was the first Half marathon I signed up for, though it will be the third I have run.

My training has been going very well, with increased overall mileage and good, effective long runs since my last half on November 18th (Philly HM).

My last run was last Saturday - an easy 7 miles that felt great - and I was originally planning 13 for this Saturday as a virtual HM in honor of the victims in Newtown, CT.

Unfortunately, after that run on Saturday, I started feeling ill... after getting through the holidays, I went to the doctor yesterday and was diagnosed with Acute Bronchitis. I'm on antibiotics, but it is also pretty likely to be viral. I'm finally starting to see some movement with the fever (below 100 this morning instead of the 100.5 - 102.2 range most of the weekend when I was without fever reducer).

Chest congestion is pretty bad, so even if I had energy right now (which I don't) I wouldn't be running anyway.

I'm not too worried about running the 13.1 from a training standpoint... I know I can cover the mileage, and do it pretty easily in less than 3 hours on an average day. I know I've trained enough (a total of almost 900 miles in 2012 so far, averaging over 25 mpw since August) and I'll certainly have rested leg muscles by the time race day arrives.

As long as I can get a couple of medium length runs (6 - 8 miles) in the week before the race, I think I'll feel fine about it.

But what I am concerned with is whether I'll really be recovered enough to run 13.1... the resources on the web seem to say average recovery from acute bronchitis is 2 - 3 weeks... 2 weeks would leave me a week to stretch my legs out, but 3 weeks will mean I'm pushing right up against race day.

I guess I may need to plan on run/walking it and just take it easy to get through.

I hadn't really planned to race for time, but now I'm actually a bit concerned about getting swept.

When I registered, I had no other races to my name, so I am in Corral F... I have proof of my time from Philly (2:28) so I plan to try to move up at the expo... but I'm still concerned about how far/fast I can make it if I am still not quite 100%.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Ted

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Even a 10 -11 minute runner will not have much light in MK. I have not had a good Castle photo in the half - ever due to the darkness.

I was SLOW for the PHM so when we got to MK, the sun was up, but I realize, I'll be there in the dark this time, but I will still stop for my photo in front of the castle.

 

[ChrisRuns]

Hi all...

As long as I can get a couple of medium length runs (6 - 8 miles) in the week before the race, I think I'll feel fine about it.

I would advise you not to do those runs unless you feel 110%. You've got all the training you're going to get in the bank as of now, just let your body rest and focus on 13.1.

Feel better!

 

[DisDan09]

I would advise you not to do those runs unless you feel 110%. You've got all the training you're going to get in the bank as of now, just let your body rest and focus on 13.1.

Feel better!

I agree! 2 weeks off will be ok for you. And if, and only if, you feel 110% should you go out and do some light jogging. Walking will be good for you as well at this stage of the game. No need to make it worse. My motto for my last 4 weeks is "Don't do anything dumb". Not kidding, its in big bold letters on my whiteboard lol! Get well soon!

 

[liznboys]

tedhowe~ I'm sorry you're sick! If you read the end of the last thread and beginning of this thread you can see where I posted about having bronchitis around Thanksgiving and RunRookie told me about his experience with it shortly before he did a full marathon.

I was sick and finally went to the doctor the day before Thanksgiving. Diagnosed with bronchitis. She prescribed me a z-pack, an inhaler to use twice a day, a rescue inhaler to carry while running (I was wheezing while running) and a nasal spray because she said the post-nasal drip was getting into my lungs.

My last run before being diagnosed was Monday Nov 19th (3 horrible miles because I was so sick). My next run was Wednesday Nov 28th (3 good miles!) And then on Dec 2/Dec 3 I was able to do my 10/20 back to back runs and they went great (I'm training for Goofy).

I am STILL using the maintenance inhaler before I go out for a run. If I don't I can have some wheezing and I can tell that I'm not getting enough oxygen. Two puffs before a run and I am fine.

I think you're going to be fine for the half. I would do nothing for a solid week then see how you feel and maybe try a short, easy run. This is what I did. If I hadn't felt fine for that first 3 mile run back I would have taken off more time.

That's good you're taking your 2:28 proof with you. That will definitely move you up! I submitted a half time of 2:28:50 for Goofy and I am in corral D.