Official WDW Marathon Weekend 2013 Thread-Part 2

[lerxst]

I understand what you are saying, but my experience has been that in the b & c corral that it is hard to take the breaks during the first mile because it is so crowded if you are up near the front. I don't care about people passing me, I just don't want to get run over when it is really crowded. Cause you're right, I passed them during my running intervals. I agree that moving off the road really sets you up for twisting an ankle, which is why we will be hanging towards the back of the corral so that we are easily able to take the intervals and don't feel as if we are making it more difficult for other runners or ourselves during the first mile. The reality was during W&D it was so crowded during the first mile there were folks on our heals and there was not much we could do about it other than keep running or raise a hand and hope we didn't get plowed. For sanity sake, it is easier to just hang back imho.

I tried 3:1 run/walk in W&D...and though hung out near the back, nearly got plowed over. I ended up running the first mile until we got out of WWOS. Was fine at that point, though I do recall skipping a few walking intervals in AK due to more congestion.

 

[mickeysgal]

When do you take them in the half? For me, I used to take shots at about 5 and 9. If that was the case for you then just keep that same ratio. If you do two shots for a half, then maybe 5 for a full spread out at the same timing.

My stomach got upset from that so now I take one Shot Blok (1/3 gel) every two miles. Spreads the carbs more evenly and I don't get as many GI issues.

What do you mean 1/3 gel? The shot blocks are broken into squares. Do you mean you take 1/3 of the entire package or just 1/3 of a single square?

I'm still struggling with the correct timing of my gels and GU. I ran 13.6 on NYE and at about mile 11.5 I was starting to lose steam. Somehow I have to adjust the gels/GU to get me through the last couple of miles without overloading my system and getting a stomach ache.

 

[Weluvdisny]

Until I re-re-read your last line, I was thinking you were trying to float an ad.

I don't even know what "float an ad" is. I was in no way promoting what I wrote. I was only mentioning it because you had posted about someone selling medals on there.

On another note, I have to decide by tomorrow if I want to enter my first Irongirl sprint tri. It's not til August so I have plenty of time to train. Anyone have experience with a tri? Easy/difficult transition from just running?

Thanks for all your advise and help everyone! We can finally say "next week" when talking about our races! The Choir is waiting for us!!

 

[CDuenow]

Anyone have experience with a tri? Easy/difficult transition from just running?

Thanks for all your advise and help everyone! We can finally say "next week" when talking about our races! The Choir is waiting for us!!

I do triathlons. I personally love them. Transitioning from just a runner, I found them to be very challenging. But who doesn't love to push themselves? My street touches the Gulf Coast... So swimming is awesome in the clear Florida waters. I am hoping to earn a 70.3 sticker this upcoming may in Panama City, fl. Good luck with your triathlon. They are a lot of fun...

 

[FFigawi]

What do you mean 1/3 gel? The shot blocks are broken into squares. Do you mean you take 1/3 of the entire package or just 1/3 of a single square?

I'm still struggling with the correct timing of my gels and GU. I ran 13.6 on NYE and at about mile 11.5 I was starting to lose steam. Somehow I have to adjust the gels/GU to get me through the last couple of miles without overloading my system and getting a stomach ache.

Each Blok is the equivalent of 1/3 of a gel. As far as timing goes, I'd stick with what worked well for you during training. Race day is not the day to be trying something new. That said, you want to start them about an hour or so into the race and have them at regular intervals after that.

 

[Nulles]

Actually, I am more concerned about the person(s) who through some means should legitimately be in one of the last 2-3 waves but mysteriously starts in A/B. Somehow there is always 3-5 folks who will be passed early, walking 3 wide at a pace that I am not sure even meets 16 mm. I would love to know their system. I have seen several race morning techniques for corral hopping... just seems like I am starting to recognize a couple of folks.

I have not run a marathon before and listed an anticipated finish time of 6:00, which I think would normally be a corral G. However I signed up with the Runner's World Challenge and that included "preferred corral placement" so I was placed in corral B. I know I could lower myself, but I am happy to have a little extra wiggle room on the time.

My point is just that I will be one of the slow people in group B but I was placed there by Disney legitimately.

 

[goofeygirl]

I have not run a marathon before and listed an anticipated finish time of 6:00, which I think would normally be a corral G. However I signed up with the Runner's World Challenge and that included "preferred corral placement" so I was placed in corral B. I know I could lower myself, but I am happy to have a little extra wiggle room on the time.

My point is just that I will be one of the slow people in group B but I was placed there by Disney legitimately.

Are you still going to start in the B corral even if you think you will take 6hours to finish? I think I would reconsider that one. There are probably close to 20,000 runners in this race and you might be feeling like a spin bottle trying to get out the way for a long while.
Whats weird is that a family member is also doing this race and she runs marathons all the time as well as 50mile running challenges and triathelons. She finishes her halfs in about an hour and a half...and she is the C corrall. So she will be in the corral behind you but will probably finish in and around four hours...two hours earlier than your projected finsih. Strange.
I am starting in G...I was placed there by Disney anyway...


Are there 'balloon ladies ' in this race? Geeze. If its not the 'white van's its the 'balloon ladies' I will like I am being followed by imperial troopers.

 

[cewait]

I don't even know what "float an ad" is. I was in no way promoting what I wrote. I was only mentioning it because you had posted about someone selling medals on there.

On another note, I have to decide by tomorrow if I want to enter my first Irongirl sprint tri. It's not til August so I have plenty of time to train. Anyone have experience with a tri? Easy/difficult transition from just running?

Thanks for all your advise and help everyone! We can finally say "next week" when talking about our races! The Choir is waiting for us!!

It was an effort at humor... sorry if taken wrong. The rest of the post supported your position of using caution.

My bad

 

[cewait]

I have not run a marathon before and listed an anticipated finish time of 6:00, which I think would normally be a corral G. However I signed up with the Runner's World Challenge and that included "preferred corral placement" so I was placed in corral B. I know I could lower myself, but I am happy to have a little extra wiggle room on the time.

My point is just that I will be one of the slow people in group B but I was placed there by Disney legitimately.

Actually, this is the first year of the RW challenge at Disney. I am happy for folks who were able to join us through that challenge. While there will be some ligit folks up there, it does not diminish the fact that there are corral jumpers/schemers who do not belong there..

Honestly, as a 6 hour runner, I would consider giving up a corral or two so you are not feeling like you are getting run over. A C start is still with runners 3 mm faster than a 6 hour expected finish. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[cewait]

Not meaning to throw stones....

I guess I am a little less concerned about where I start and would not worry about my spot in the corral as long as I am in the proper corral. I just make sure folks can see I am about to whoa up, that is all that is required. I would NOT leave the pavement and would leave the person width space to the side. Why risk your ankle? Again, I would move to the side but not necessarily to the right. I would head to the side easiest to reach or try to keep to the outer radius of any upcoming corner. If I am in the proper corral, then while I get passed on the walk, I pass others on the run.

I did not mention earlier that one should also swivel their head around, also. That way you know you do not have a tail gated on your heals.

I should amend this after thinking it through. I actually do agree that a r/w should not be at the point of a corral. Sorry, but I was feeling a little put out about something totally non related to the race and this post caught some of my surliness.

Roseandmike, sorry

 

[John VN]

.....Are there 'balloon ladies ' in this race? Geeze. If its not the 'white van's its the 'balloon ladies' I will like I am being followed by imperial troopers.

Yes goofeygirl, there are Balloon Ladies.

 

[Rose&Mike]

I tried 3:1 run/walk in W&D...and though hung out near the back, nearly got plowed over. I ended up running the first mile until we got out of WWOS. Was fine at that point, though I do recall skipping a few walking intervals in AK due to more congestion.

I think we skipped one or two during AK too and the first mile as well. It's hard (and a little) scary when it is so crowded AND dark. Eventually everyone around us figured out what we were doing and it got a little easier, but I definitely got a little nervous a couple of times. Good luck with your race!

 

[Rose&Mike]

I should amend this after thinking it through. I actually do agree that a r/w should not be at the point of a corral. Sorry, but I was feeling a little put out about something totally non related to the race and this post caught some of my surliness.

Roseandmike, sorry

Thanks.

 

[dizdreamer1955]

Yes goofeygirl, there are Balloon Ladies.

What are the Balloon Ladies?

 

[cewait]

What are the Balloon Ladies?

They are the folks who start when the last runner crosses the start line. They keep a 16 mm pace

 

[Ariel484]

I have not run a marathon before and listed an anticipated finish time of 6:00, which I think would normally be a corral G. However I signed up with the Runner's World Challenge and that included "preferred corral placement" so I was placed in corral B. I know I could lower myself, but I am happy to have a little extra wiggle room on the time.

My point is just that I will be one of the slow people in group B but I was placed there by Disney legitimately.

I can certainly understand why people signed up for the RW Challenge. I was thinking about it, ran the numbers (separating everything out to see just what I'd be paying for) and decided it wasn't for me just because I'd essentially be paying for things I wasn't interested in, specifically the Race Retreat and the Pasta Party.

This is not meant AT ALL to be an attack on anyone that signed up for the RW Challenge, but I REALLY don't like the idea that one can essentially pay for better corral placement. I know people fool the system every year, but why have everyone else submit times if Disney is going to place others in higher spots simply because they paid for it? It just seems like Disney is messing up their own placement system by doing this.

 

[jimandami]

Are you still going to start in the B corral even if you think you will take 6hours to finish? I think I would reconsider that one. There are probably close to 20,000 runners in this race and you might be feeling like a spin bottle trying to get out the way for a long while.
Whats weird is that a family member is also doing this race and she runs marathons all the time as well as 50mile running challenges and triathelons. She finishes her halfs in about an hour and a half...and she is the C corrall. So she will be in the corral behind you but will probably finish in and around four hours...two hours earlier than your projected finsih. Strange.
I am starting in G...I was placed there by Disney anyway...

Are there 'balloon ladies ' in this race? Geeze. If its not the 'white van's its the 'balloon ladies' I will like I am being followed by imperial troopers.

Did she not submit a time for Corral placement? A 1:30 half would absolutely put her in A!

 

[Bephus]

Did she not submit a time for Corral placement? A 1:30 half would absolutely put her in A!

I agree. She should bring a recent proof of time with her. My full PR is 3:56 and half PR is 1:50 and I am in corral A.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[minniebeth]

We have a team with "Run for our Sons". We will be staying at the Poly. We will be in D corral. I was hoping that those not running the 1/2 and the full will be able to watch as we run by GF and then take the monorail to the finish. I know this is doable for the full, what about the 1/2? Also, does your spreadsheet have expected times near GF/Poly? I am concerned about the slow start. I don't want the kiddos waiting around too long, especially those in wheelchairs. Is there anywhere else along the route that is most easily accessible and that they can get to the finish easy? we will have a handicap van, but I know traffic is difficult. Some of them are fine on Disney transportation. Any good ideas about where the group can see us?

Hi Princess Steph! We are with Run For Our Sons too! I'm sure you got good advice from Coach's information. Last year the monorails ran really slow and were backed up quite a bit so we weren't able to do both the Polynesian and the finish line for the 1/2. Our crew ran just too fast. Usually it works out well for the full. This year I'm walking the 1/2 with some friends in our group.
The monorail has worked well with our group in the past, driving is a headache. You may already be aware, but there is roped off HA areas for spectators at the finish. Have fun!!!!

 

[steves1019]

Got great 2013 news! I rolled my ankle in Oct. have been doing some limited training for half. Had an X-ray that showed a fracture. Saw the ortho today. Fracture is likely old (it's a chip) and my ankle is stable. Just a sprain taking awhile to heal. So while undertrained a bit due to the ankle and being sick the past 2 weeks I'm clear to run. Just need to keep a leisurely pace. I so thought I was going to need surgery so I'm super excited I don't!!! I just had thumb surgery in April.