Official WDW Marathon Weekend 2013 Thread

[MightyDuck001]

I have a training question that just hit me in the head like a low hanging tree branch. I know Higdon says walk through the water stops and then start running again, and we all know Galloway's run-walk method but after looking through his training plan (for the bagillionth time), even though it's tailored to a Disney race it's missing one crucial piece of information: how do I plan for photo stops?

I'm a 12 minute mile person in a 1/2, so I'm worried about stopping for pictures, getting behind, running faster to catch up and tiring myself out... I thought about doing the pace group, too, but then thought: buuuut, I'm going to have to stop for pictures... I'm not running through the Magic Kingdom and NOT getting my picture in front of the castle. This is a non-negotiable.

 

[Ariel484]

Tips for runners new to marathon training from Runner's World!

http://beginners.runnersworld.com/2012/07/10-tips-for-beginning-marathoners.html

 

[RENThead09]

For those who have done the Goofy, any suggestions on how to eat on Saturday?

Any special thoughts in order to get the body up and ready for Sunday morning?

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[FFigawi]

For those who have done the Goofy, any suggestions on how to eat on Saturday?

Any special thoughts in order to get the body up and ready for Sunday morning?

I have a bagel or snack at the finish and a good breakfast later that morning. For lunch and dinner, I try to eat things that are fairly light and easy to digest - sushi and rice or seafood and risotto, for example, depending on where we make our reservations. Equally as important is to drink plenty of water during the day to replenish what you lose during the half.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I, too am registered for the race (full marathon, my second but first at WDW). I am registered for OKW as well. Never stayed at OKW...walking to Epcot a good idea??? Should we save our legs?

WARNING to anyone staying at OKW.

I stayed during the Princess 1/2 this year in February and was in building 21 or 24. DO NOT, DO NOT let them put you in a building that is facing the Epcot parking lot. The night before the race you will be wired. It will be hard to fall asleep because of the adrenaline, you don't need the loud music and microphone checks waking you up at 1 AM when you have finally fallen into a deep sleep.

DH and I had our wake up call for 3:30 but we had been tossing and turning because of the noise. it is loud and now all you can think about is the day ahead of you. I woke up feeling tired and I had gone to sleep at 9!

If you are staying at OKW, I suggest asking for a room that is NOT along Bonnet Creek Parkway or Buena Vista Drive.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I have a training question that just hit me in the head like a low hanging tree branch. I know Higdon says walk through the water stops and then start running again, and we all know Galloway's run-walk method but after looking through his training plan (for the bagillionth time), even though it's tailored to a Disney race it's missing one crucial piece of information: how do I plan for photo stops?

I'm a 12 minute mile person in a 1/2, so I'm worried about stopping for pictures, getting behind, running faster to catch up and tiring myself out... I thought about doing the pace group, too, but then thought: buuuut, I'm going to have to stop for pictures... I'm not running through the Magic Kingdom and NOT getting my picture in front of the castle. This is a non-negotiable.

You can't really plan for them. Keep moving while in line and try to only get ESSENTIAL pics or ones with shorter lines. They do move faster than park character lines so that's a plus.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

I have a training question that just hit me in the head like a low hanging tree branch. I know Higdon says walk through the water stops and then start running again, and we all know Galloway's run-walk method but after looking through his training plan (for the bagillionth time), even though it's tailored to a Disney race it's missing one crucial piece of information: how do I plan for photo stops?

I'm a 12 minute mile person in a 1/2, so I'm worried about stopping for pictures, getting behind, running faster to catch up and tiring myself out... I thought about doing the pace group, too, but then thought: buuuut, I'm going to have to stop for pictures... I'm not running through the Magic Kingdom and NOT getting my picture in front of the castle. This is a non-negotiable.

There were at least two photographers in front of the castle and they were moving people through quickly. Also, there will be photographers snapping your picture at various places that are time stamped to match up with your chip,so you will get those photos too. There are many photo ops, but I only stopped for ones that had less than two people in line. I think it ended up being 2 or 3 characters. I refused to add minutes on to my time for photo ops. But you must get the castle shot! Running through MK is incredible! Brought tears to my eyes!

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

There were at least two photographers in front of the castle and they were moving people through quickly. Also, there will be photographers snapping your picture at various places that are time stamped to match up with your chip,so you will get those photos too. There are many photo ops, but I only stopped for ones that had less than two people in line. I think it ended up being 2 or 3 characters. I refused to add minutes on to my time for photo ops. But you must get the castle shot! Running through MK is incredible! Brought tears to my eyes!

I think the point I started to almost cry was the castle but mostly at the finish line. It was a mix of exhaustion and accomplishment. Having DH running with me made it extremely special. I love that we may not see each other much during the week because of hectic schedules with the kids and his work hours but we always make time to run together. During the marathon, he's looking to get a good time so he's going off on his own but i know he'll be waiting at the finish line <3

 

[randomiam79]

In my first marathon 2 years ago, I think I cried around mile 23, right before DHS when I stopped for biofreeze because my legs felt like they were going to fall off

Also close running around the lake in Epcot as I realized I was about to finish the race after all that training.

Last year I did the marathon relay, the only time I almost cried that day was coming out of MK when a young guy somewhere behind me took some Vaseline and apparently thought it was a gel.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Booked our DVC villas!!!! Unfortunately, we weren't able to get a 2BR Value at AKL so I booked 2 studios at SSR and am wait listed on the prior room. This is going to be a very special trip! My mom, who has been getting major testing to be a kidney donor for her twin sister, just found out that not only is she in the beginning stages of kidney failure, but they also found a few "spots" on her mammogram. I'm going with her at the end of the month for her consultation with her specialist since the doctors who were testing her for donation have now transferred her files on her private doctor. I'm running for my mom now and this gives me a lot of reason to finish a full marathon and to not ***** about the little things in life that may ruin my day.

We're not telling the kids about her or my sister and their cousins coming along for the ride! I don't know how I'm going to hold this in until Christmas!!!!

 

[NYUBwayBaby]

My mom, sister and I just signed up for our first full marathon. We all did the 2012 princess half and loved it and we're all training now. We just don't know if we'll complete it.
We also got reservations for Art of Animation- Lion King, since there's no pool. We stayed at POP for the Princess and we got "upgraded" to a pool view and could not sleep. All hotels are host hotels, right? 'Cause that was not fun for the Princess half.

 

[KSBelle77]

I have a training question that just hit me in the head like a low hanging tree branch. I know Higdon says walk through the water stops and then start running again, and we all know Galloway's run-walk method but after looking through his training plan (for the bagillionth time), even though it's tailored to a Disney race it's missing one crucial piece of information: how do I plan for photo stops?

I'm a 12 minute mile person in a 1/2, so I'm worried about stopping for pictures, getting behind, running faster to catch up and tiring myself out... I thought about doing the pace group, too, but then thought: buuuut, I'm going to have to stop for pictures... I'm not running through the Magic Kingdom and NOT getting my picture in front of the castle. This is a non-negotiable.

I haven't done the full but I did Princess. I am preparing this time for photos by looking at last years photos and trying to anticipate who (which characters) will be on the course and which of them I have to have my picture with, ie retired charaters that ONLY come out for events like this. I hope this will help to keep my time down.

 

[JCH]

My mom, sister and I just signed up for our first full marathon. We all did the 2012 princess half and loved it and we're all training now. We just don't know if we'll complete it.
We also got reservations for Art of Animation- Lion King, since there's no pool. We stayed at POP for the Princess and we got "upgraded" to a pool view and could not sleep. All hotels are host hotels, right? 'Cause that was not fun for the Princess half.

I just had this conversation on the phone. My husband can't come so I needed to downgrade my AoA suite to Little Mermaid. The women kept telling me it wasn't available, and I was like um...I can click book it on the site without a problem...

Anyway, she tells me she'll book Pop and tries to give me a pool view room. Um, no. I tell her we are running and want to be as far from the pool as possible. So, she tries to book me the most expensive preferred room. Seriously, lady? I just said I want FAR from the pool! The opposite of the preferred right next to the main building rooms!

Didn't matter, anyway, as I just booked a second reservation for the Little Mermaid I wanted in the first place and then called to cancel my first reservation. The second woman was really confused when I explained why I was canceling.

 

[cobbler]

My mom, sister and I just signed up for our first full marathon. We all did the 2012 princess half and loved it and we're all training now. We just don't know if we'll complete it.
We also got reservations for Art of Animation- Lion King, since there's no pool. We stayed at POP for the Princess and we got "upgraded" to a pool view and could not sleep. All hotels are host hotels, right? 'Cause that was not fun for the Princess half.

For marathon weekend, all Disney hotels are host hotels.

 

[stitchfan18]

I just had this conversation on the phone. My husband can't come so I needed to downgrade my AoA suite to Little Mermaid. The women kept telling me it wasn't available, and I was like um...I can click book it on the site without a problem...

Anyway, she tells me she'll book Pop and tries to give me a pool view room. Um, no. I tell her we are running and want to be as far from the pool as possible. So, she tries to book me the most expensive preferred room. Seriously, lady? I just said I want FAR from the pool! The opposite of the preferred right next to the main building rooms!

Didn't matter, anyway, as I just booked a second reservation for the Little Mermaid I wanted in the first place and then called to cancel my first reservation. The second woman was really confused when I explained why I was canceling.

If one was booked through rundisney and another straight from Disney, that could explain why there was the difference in inventory when you called to change rooms. We had a pool view upgrade at the BWV for princess last year and it was more the loud people outside on their balcony talking loudly that kept me up than pool noise.

 

[JCH]

If one was booked through rundisney and another straight from Disney, that could explain why there was the difference in inventory when you called to change rooms. We had a pool view upgrade at the BWV for princess last year and it was more the loud people outside on their balcony talking loudly that kept me up than pool noise.

No, both were booked through central reservations.

 

[cewait]

I have a training question that just hit me in the head like a low hanging tree branch. I know Higdon says walk through the water stops and then start running again, and we all know Galloway's run-walk method but after looking through his training plan (for the bagillionth time), even though it's tailored to a Disney race it's missing one crucial piece of information: how do I plan for photo stops?

I'm a 12 minute mile person in a 1/2, so I'm worried about stopping for pictures, getting behind, running faster to catch up and tiring myself out... I thought about doing the pace group, too, but then thought: buuuut, I'm going to have to stop for pictures... I'm not running through the Magic Kingdom and NOT getting my picture in front of the castle. This is a non-negotiable.

There were at least two photographers in front of the castle and they were moving people through quickly. Also, there will be photographers snapping your picture at various places that are time stamped to match up with your chip,so you will get those photos too. There are many photo ops, but I only stopped for ones that had less than two people in line. I think it ended up being 2 or 3 characters. I refused to add minutes on to my time for photo ops. But you must get the castle shot! Running through MK is incredible! Brought tears to my eyes!

One thing about Castle photos....

PLEASE do NOT stop on the ramp to get a photo. You plug up the course. If you want to pose for a Castle Photo go ALL THE WAY DOWN the ramp ... there are photographers there to handle your poses.

 

[cewait]

For those who have done the Goofy, any suggestions on how to eat on Saturday?

Any special thoughts in order to get the body up and ready for Sunday morning?

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I have a bagel or snack at the finish and a good breakfast later that morning. For lunch and dinner, I try to eat things that are fairly light and easy to digest - sushi and rice or seafood and risotto, for example, depending on where we make our reservations. Equally as important is to drink plenty of water during the day to replenish what you lose during the half.

It all starts with the post race efforts on Saturday. I try to get in 4-500 Kcal of recovery drink before heading back to the resort. This can be a couple Ensures, chocolate milk or other drink that is 4:1 carb to protein ratio... I clean up then head out to brunch. Usually looking for something that has a decent good fat content as well as a protein and carb. I will hydrate most of the afternoon and try to walk Epcot. Dinner is usually early and is light and carby. Something that I know will not sit like a pit.

I alternate sport drink and water all afternoon on Saturday. I also try to walk at least 15 minutes every hour to 90 minutes... or more

 

[cewait]

In my first marathon 2 years ago, I think I cried around mile 23, right before DHS when I stopped for biofreeze because my legs felt like they were going to fall off

Also close running around the lake in Epcot as I realized I was about to finish the race after all that training.

Last year I did the marathon relay, the only time I almost cried that day was coming out of MK when a young guy somewhere behind me took some Vaseline and apparently thought it was a gel.

My first trip through the parks was very similar.... As late as finishing the 2007 Goofy I got really emotional as we ran past Morocco and could look left and see Spaceship Earth. That was by far a tough marathon day and I was happy that I survived enough to crawl home if needed.

 

[cewait]

My mom, sister and I just signed up for our first full marathon. We all did the 2012 princess half and loved it and we're all training now. We just don't know if we'll complete it.
We also got reservations for Art of Animation- Lion King, since there's no pool. We stayed at POP for the Princess and we got "upgraded" to a pool view and could not sleep. All hotels are host hotels, right? 'Cause that was not fun for the Princess half.

WARNING to anyone staying at OKW.

I stayed during the Princess 1/2 this year in February and was in building 21 or 24. DO NOT, DO NOT let them put you in a building that is facing the Epcot parking lot. The night before the race you will be wired. It will be hard to fall asleep because of the adrenaline, you don't need the loud music and microphone checks waking you up at 1 AM when you have finally fallen into a deep sleep.

DH and I had our wake up call for 3:30 but we had been tossing and turning because of the noise. it is loud and now all you can think about is the day ahead of you. I woke up feeling tired and I had gone to sleep at 9!

If you are staying at OKW, I suggest asking for a room that is NOT along Bonnet Creek Parkway or Buena Vista Drive.

It's amazing how differently rooms sleep compared with a regular trip to WDW. Frankly the early AM noise is not much of a bother for me since I am up at 0230 on race morning. I find that the 9 pm Illuminations or the 10 PM water parade near Contemporary much more bothersome than the early AM sound check. Then comes the part goers who are returning from the fireworks or park closings... Any room near a stairway or elevator is subject to these noises.

I avoid the convenient rooms due to evening noises and am not too worried about the AM noises....Maybe that is just me...