Official WDW Marathon Weekend 2013 Thread

[Ariel484]

KMG148 -- This is great advice. The only thing I would add is some tips on fitting them in. I am a morning runner only because if I didn't run in the morning I wouldn't have time to consistantly get the runs in. I have to leave for work at 8:15 AM. I am out the door for a run sometime between 4:30 and 5:30 AM depending on how far I am going that day. I have even started at 3:30 before.

YES. I became a morning runner this year and I honestly think it makes things SO much easier. I get my runs done in the morning before work and that's it - don't have to think about it for the rest of the day and there's less chance of me scheduling it for after work, then coming home and deciding that I can't get my butt off the couch to get it done (so yeah, it's not that I don't have time to do it after work...but my motivation is way down when I get home in the evening ). It really makes me feel like marathon training isn't completely taking over my life. The only crappy part is (obviously) getting up early but I think I'm used to it now...I THINK.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm an afternoon/night runner. My body simply does not want to train in the morning, and I (usually) don't make it. I can race in the morning fine. Disney is a special circumstance, because no matter how early you train, you're never going to be able to practice getting up at 1:30 am, sitting on a bus, and then a 20 minute walk to a corral.

 

[Haas4Concern]

Do you morning runners wear lights when you run that early? I want to do some morning running but its still dark when I leave for dayshift.

 

[cewait]

I'm an afternoon/night runner. My body simply does not want to train in the morning, and I (usually) don't make it. I can race in the morning fine. Disney is a special circumstance, because no matter how early you train, you're never going to be able to practice getting up at 1:30 am, sitting on a bus, and then a 20 minute walk to a corral.

You are one of the few who rises before me... I always feel for the west coast & HI folks... The ones who are getting up for the race before their normal bedtime.

 

[cewait]

Do you morning runners wear lights when you run that early? I want to do some morning running but its still dark when I leave for dayshift.

Lights, no. Reflective Vest/belt, yes. But let me qualify this as I run in a well lit subdivision. If I though footing were to be an issue, then I would carry a small light. I have a 2 AA cell Maglight what came in a belt pouch and a head lamp I use for adventure races to choose from.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

You are one of the few who rises before me... I always feel for the west coast & HI folks... The ones who are getting up for the race before their normal bedtime.

This year I might get up a bit later since I'm staying at GF. But at AKL, a 3am bus ride necessitated a 1:30 wakeup. Coffee had to go in and out.

 

[cewait]

This year I might get up a bit later since I'm staying at GF. But at AKL, a 3am bus ride necessitated a 1:30 wakeup. Coffee had to go in and out.

Definitely got to get the system up and running. I actually build a shower into the plans, also.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Definitely got to get the system up and running. I actually build a shower into the plans, also.

Yep, shower, as well. Don't like stinky runners before you run!

 

[halvnorsk]

Yep, shower, as well. Don't like stinky runners before you run!

Speaking of stinky runners . . . This reminds me of that long, crowded walk to the corrals where you are shoulder to shoulder like cattle going down a chute with no where to escape. I remember thinking that some runners most be trying to conserve energy and naturally propel themselves to the start line. I was having some trouble breathing if you know what I mean.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Ok, so on race day, the half starts at 530, so I should plan on getting on the bus about 330? Oh dear Lord this is gonna suck.
Especially since we're coming in the day before, which means little sleep, leaving for the airport at 430am. Why exactly did I sign up for this??

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Ok, so on race day, the half starts at 530, so I should plan on getting on the bus about 330? Oh dear Lord this is gonna suck.
Especially since we're coming in the day before, which means little sleep, leaving for the airport at 430am. Why exactly did I sign up for this??

Friday night will be your most important night of sleep for race day, not Saturday. So try to be in bed by maybe 8pm if you've got to wake up by 4am.

 

[cewait]

Ok, so on race day, the half starts at 530, so I should plan on getting on the bus about 330? Oh dear Lord this is gonna suck.
Especially since we're coming in the day before, which means little sleep, leaving for the airport at 430am. Why exactly did I sign up for this??

You signed up because this is FUN! Definitely need to get a great night's sleep on Thursday for the half, if possible. I would suggest that you try to nap on Friday afternoon for an hour or so just to get past the travel fatigue and then the lack of Friday night sleep. Key things for your trip.

First, make a checklist and post on your fridge. Add to it now as you see things you will need.

Start hydrating well the week prior to the race. Not excess, but keep the tank topped off. You should be urinating nearly clear as a result.

Eat lightly the week prior to the race. Since your travel is compressed, get that great night's sleep on Wednesday.

Go to bed early on Thursday in anticipation of travel.

Make sure to have a bottle of water on the plane - planes will dry you out.

Try to rest Friday afternoon after hitting the expo. It is a great time to lay out your running gear and pin on numbers. It is also the time you want to find out you left something behind; race AM is kind of the worst time.

Eat an early and light dinner. It will be new food since it is your first day out, so lighter is better.

Understand that no matter when you go to bed, you will be woken up. Fireworks are at 8 and 9 on Friday so you will have neighbors coming back to their rooms just after the shows. Yes, they will be noisy (even though they really are not).

If you are staying on the monorail and have a lake view, you will have the parade that will also wake you up.

To help with resort noise, set your fan to on and set the temp down a few degrees cooler that you normally would. The fan noise will help drown out the neighbors and the cool will help you sleep just a little sounder.

To help clear the mind, set you phone and room clock alarms as well as get a wake up call. You will not need all these but knowing you have an alarm and backup will help clear the mind.

Finally, all resorts will have a fast food bar/limited food court open on race AM starting around 2 am. I find that if I have the non-perishable food stuff in the room, I do not have to mill around all that much. You can use their toaster and microwave if needed.

 

[Reep]

Do you morning runners wear lights when you run that early? I want to do some morning running but its still dark when I leave for dayshift.

I do. I usually wear a backpacking headlamp (bright) that works great. It does better if I wear it over a brimmed hat. They also make little lights that clip onto the brim of a hat, but they take funky batteries, so I don't like those as much.

 

[ZellyB]

Hi, everyone,
I've been AWOL for a bit due to some challenges in my health. Last week I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That's been a lot to try and deal with, obviously, but I did finish my first half-marathon a week and a half ago. Finished at 2:33:40 which was just a bit over my goal of 2:30, so I was pretty pleased with that. We have a 20-miler scheduled for this weekend and we plan to finish that one. My longest before this was 17, so I'm hopeful we can pull it off.

I've got surgery scheduled for next week, but asked my surgeon if still run/walking the marathon in January was possible. Told him it would likely mean I'd walk much of it, but is it doable? My surgeon happens to be a marathon runner himself and he was sympthetic to my desire to finish this goal. Anyway, he said he didn't see any reason I couldn't do it as long as I adjust my expectations on time. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll feel up to doing it. Probably means 20 will be my longest run before the race, but I think if I get that done and just get moving after surgery that with a LOT of walking, I can finish that 26.2. Hoping I get to be there with all of you in January.

 

[Ariel484]

Do you morning runners wear lights when you run that early? I want to do some morning running but its still dark when I leave for dayshift.

Nope...TREADMILL. I have free access to one at work (lucky, I know...even though it's a treadmill ). I try to tell myself that it's good preparation for the Florida humidity And it's good for building mental toughness...right?????

Ok, so on race day, the half starts at 530, so I should plan on getting on the bus about 330? Oh dear Lord this is gonna suck.
Especially since we're coming in the day before, which means little sleep, leaving for the airport at 430am. Why exactly did I sign up for this??

Echoing what Coach Charles said...yes, because it's FUN!!

Seriously, once you're up and out the door on race morning the adrenaline will kick in and you'll be good to go. I'd also recommend laying out everything you need for the race (your outfit, shoes, fuel, etc.) the night before so you can just hop out of bed, get dressed and be on your way. For me, I bring bagels and PB (the small snack-size PB with containers you can throw away) with me on the bus and eat that while waiting in the start/corral areas. And yes, you want to be on the bus by 3:30 at the latest, especially for the half.

 

[Haas4Concern]

Nope...TREADMILL. I have free access to one at work (lucky, I know...even though it's a treadmill ). I try to tell myself that it's good preparation for the Florida humidity And it's good for building mental toughness...right?????

Mental toughness is right. I cant run longer than a half hour on a treadmill.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Hi, everyone,
I've been AWOL for a bit due to some challenges in my health. Last week I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That's been a lot to try and deal with, obviously, but I did finish my first half-marathon a week and a half ago. Finished at 2:33:40 which was just a bit over my goal of 2:30, so I was pretty pleased with that. We have a 20-miler scheduled for this weekend and we plan to finish that one. My longest before this was 17, so I'm hopeful we can pull it off.

I've got surgery scheduled for next week, but asked my surgeon if still run/walking the marathon in January was possible. Told him it would likely mean I'd walk much of it, but is it doable? My surgeon happens to be a marathon runner himself and he was sympthetic to my desire to finish this goal. Anyway, he said he didn't see any reason I couldn't do it as long as I adjust my expectations on time. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll feel up to doing it. Probably means 20 will be my longest run before the race, but I think if I get that done and just get moving after surgery that with a LOT of walking, I can finish that 26.2. Hoping I get to be there with all of you in January.

That is a lot to deal with and I'm so sorry! I love that you're continuing on with your goals and I know with your positive attitude, you'll do great! Sending hugs and prayers your way!!!

 

[Ariel484]

Hi, everyone,
I've been AWOL for a bit due to some challenges in my health. Last week I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That's been a lot to try and deal with, obviously, but I did finish my first half-marathon a week and a half ago. Finished at 2:33:40 which was just a bit over my goal of 2:30, so I was pretty pleased with that. We have a 20-miler scheduled for this weekend and we plan to finish that one. My longest before this was 17, so I'm hopeful we can pull it off.

I've got surgery scheduled for next week, but asked my surgeon if still run/walking the marathon in January was possible. Told him it would likely mean I'd walk much of it, but is it doable? My surgeon happens to be a marathon runner himself and he was sympthetic to my desire to finish this goal. Anyway, he said he didn't see any reason I couldn't do it as long as I adjust my expectations on time. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll feel up to doing it. Probably means 20 will be my longest run before the race, but I think if I get that done and just get moving after surgery that with a LOT of walking, I can finish that 26.2. Hoping I get to be there with all of you in January.

So sorry to hear about this. Lots of people walk the full in the allotted time, from what I hear.

Great job on your half, and best wishes to you for a successful surgery.

 

[FFigawi]

I'm an afternoon/night runner. My body simply does not want to train in the morning, and I (usually) don't make it. I can race in the morning fine. Disney is a special circumstance, because no matter how early you train, you're never going to be able to practice getting up at 1:30 am, sitting on a bus, and then a 20 minute walk to a corral.

130?! Wow! Now that's early. And here I thought my getting up at 330 was bad.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

130?! Wow! Now that's early. And here I thought my getting up at 330 was bad.

If you have to be on a bus before 4, 330 would get me to like, uh, the bathroom.