Official WDW Marathon Weekend 2013 Thread

[roomthreeseventeen]

Just finished booking my marathon tune up race (Wine & Dine). Last year, I didn't do a tune up, and had no idea what pace to go out at. Hopefully, this'll make things better, and will help me get a feel for the Florida conditions, coming from NYC.

 

[MightyDuck001]

I have a question about injuries... I've been running regularly for the last 7 months (before that... never) and doing pilates and yoga regularly 2-3 times a week. I did a 1/2 marathon back in May and around mile 9 started to notice a little discomfort in my hip (only on the left side, not the right, in the front by the pelvis). I started increasing my mileage for my next half last week and surprise! it's back! I took a few days off and decided to forgo the long run but noticed that it a) started bothering me on a day of extensive walking and b) started bothering me around mile 2 of yesterday's short run, cutting the planned 5 miles to 3.

I'm one month away from the next 1/2 and I wanted to get this cleared up so there's no problem with the marathon training. Is this totally normal and I should just be icing it, stretching it better and maybe doing some additional core exercises? I'm on insurance for the rest of the summer, so if I went to a doctor now would be the time, but then how do I find/pick one?

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I have a question about injuries... I've been running regularly for the last 7 months (before that... never) and doing pilates and yoga regularly 2-3 times a week. I did a 1/2 marathon back in May and around mile 9 started to notice a little discomfort in my hip (only on the left side, not the right, in the front by the pelvis). I started increasing my mileage for my next half last week and surprise! it's back! I took a few days off and decided to forgo the long run but noticed that it a) started bothering me on a day of extensive walking and b) started bothering me around mile 2 of yesterday's short run, cutting the planned 5 miles to 3.

I'm one month away from the next 1/2 and I wanted to get this cleared up so there's no problem with the marathon training. Is this totally normal and I should just be icing it, stretching it better and maybe doing some additional core exercises? I'm on insurance for the rest of the summer, so if I went to a doctor now would be the time, but then how do I find/pick one?

It it like a burning, radiating pain? If so, it might be ITB. Make sure you do hip stretches (inner and outer) before/after running. That has helped me a lot with that type of pain.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

How do the tech shirts they give you for registering run? I'm about to register and don't want to order too small.

Funny story about getting wrong size...

DH ordered a men's large for the PHM '12. When he put it on after we picked up the shirts, here's what he looked like...

LOL. We realized the v-neck was the women's shirt and we had to go back and exchange it.

 

[sunshine girl]

Note to self don't drink too much water before getting to corrals.!! LOL Had to assist a young girl cover up while she used the nearest bushes in corral F. Poor thing.

Oh gosh, I think everyone uses the bushes. There are a lot of full moons out on race morning... and most people don't worry whether they're covered up or not, from what I've seen!

 

[BigEeyore]

Thanks to all who have given their thoughts on the Garmins - I have always just used a basic heart rate monitor, felt I didn't need all the bells and whistles, but I am starting to realize I'm ready to upgrade. I am a bit, ah, shall we say, intimidated by technology - is there a huge learning curve with the Garmins? Will I easily be able to figure out how to utilize all those cool features?

Picked up my first Stinger products today to try (waffle and the chews) - I usually stick with the Clif shot blocks or Gu chomps, but I'm willing to try something new!

 

[Ariel484]

How do the tech shirts they give you for registering run? I'm about to register and don't want to order too small.

Funny story about getting wrong size...

DH ordered a men's large for the PHM '12. When he put it on after we picked up the shirts, here's what he looked like...

LOL. We realized the v-neck was the women's shirt and we had to go back and exchange it.

The shirts for marathon weekend? They are unisex shirts I ordered a medium last year and it's WAY too big (but I love it anyway ), so this year I asked for smalls.

And my brother did the same thing for the 2011 Princess Half! He ordered a medium (same size as me) and switched it out at the runner relations booth for an XL! Still didn't look quite right!

Thanks to all who have given their thoughts on the Garmins - I have always just used a basic heart rate monitor, felt I didn't need all the bells and whistles, but I am starting to realize I'm ready to upgrade. I am a bit, ah, shall we say, intimidated by technology - is there a huge learning curve with the Garmins? Will I easily be able to figure out how to utilize all those cool features?

Picked up my first Stinger products today to try (waffle and the chews) - I usually stick with the Clif shot blocks or Gu chomps, but I'm willing to try something new!

I didn't think so, but I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. It comes with instructions and I'm sure you can find a lot online. It took me awhile to program my screen to look the way I wanted (mostly just to decide HOW I wanted it to look), but other than that I don't remember having too many issues.

 

[jimandami]

As stated above, the tech shirts for Marathon weekend are unisex and run large....I had to exchange mine for an x-small last year.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

The shirts for marathon weekend? They are unisex shirts I ordered a medium last year and it's WAY too big (but I love it anyway ), so this year I asked for smalls.

And my brother did the same thing for the 2011 Princess Half! He ordered a medium (same size as me) and switched it out at the runner relations booth for an XL! Still didn't look quite right!

I think I read that this year was the first year at PHM that they had separate shirts. I love my Princess tech tee but I had to order a medium because of the cut so I wasn't sure about the Disney marathon.

 

[Ariel484]

I think I read that this year was the first year at PHM that they had separate shirts. I love my Princess tech tee but I had to order a medium because of the cut so I wasn't sure about the Disney marathon.

Yeah, the tech shirts are not women's cut...you may want to go down a size compared to what you normally wear. They did have the "I did it" shirts in both women's and unisex cuts at the expo though, so that was nice.

ETA: Here's a comparison...

Tech shirt (medium, unisex cut):

"I did it" shirt (medium, women's cut):

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Yeah, the tech shirts are not women's cut...you may want to go down a size compared to what you normally wear. They did have the "I did it" shirts in both women's and unisex cuts at the expo though, so that was nice.

ETA: Here's a comparison...

Tech shirt (medium, unisex cut):

"I did it" shirt (medium, women's cut):

I love the purple color of your I Did It shirt!!!

I remember the expo being a madhouse but I think that may have been attributed to the D&B bags for the Princess. Was it the same for the Marathon?

I also notice Christmas decorations in the background, I will be thrilled if they're still up when we're there for the weekend!

 

[Ariel484]

I love the purple color of your I Did It shirt!!!

I remember the expo being a madhouse but I think that may have been attributed to the D&B bags for the Princess. Was it the same for the Marathon?

I also notice Christmas decorations in the background, I will be thrilled if they're still up when we're there for the weekend!

I love the purple too! I thought it was weird at first, since the marathon tech shirts and bibs are red, but I quickly got over it.

The expo was not crowded at all, but I went on Saturday of that weekend, so by the time I went the only other people there were non-Goofy marathon runners and people running the relay. No special D&B bags, so that wasn't an issue. I hope they have some this year, but I am wondering if they are only doing that for the women-centered races (Tink, Princess). I'll be at the expo on Thursday this year, so we'll see if it's more crowded!

Yep! The Christmas decorations were a nice treat. I'm hoping for them this year too, but I'm not sure since the marathon will be almost a week later than it was last year. Fingers crossed!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I love the purple too! I thought it was weird at first, since the marathon tech shirts and bibs are red, but I quickly got over it.

The expo was not crowded at all, but I went on Saturday of that weekend, so by the time I went the only other people there were non-Goofy marathon runners and people running the relay. No special D&B bags, so that wasn't an issue. I hope they have some this year, but I am wondering if they are only doing that for the women-centered races (Tink, Princess). I'll be at the expo on Thursday this year, so we'll see if it's more crowded!

Yep! The Christmas decorations were a nice treat. I'm hoping for them this year too, but I'm not sure since the marathon will be almost a week later than it was last year. Fingers crossed!

Thursday is super crowded, but has almost double the range of merchandise. I went Thursday and Saturday morning this year, and there was basically nothing left by Saturday morning.

 

[Ariel484]

Thursday is super crowded, but has almost double the range of merchandise. I went Thursday and Saturday morning this year, and there was basically nothing left by Saturday morning.

Glad I was able to get my "I did it" shirt!!

 

[steph0808]

Do the parks open early for marathon weekend? We were looking to stay at AKV and I was hoping to figure out spots where my husband could see me run without him having to make too much of a hike (once or twice during the race and at the finish is fine for me - I worry he will get confused with the transportation ). I saw the course runs through Animal Kingdom, but that I would probably be running through around 8/8:30 a.m. - didn't know if he could get in and see me run then.

Or if anyone has other suggestions on where to stay or where to watch the race, let me know. I appreciate any help since I haven't been to Disney in, gulp, 11.5 years, and never for marathon weekend.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Do the parks open early for marathon weekend? We were looking to stay at AKV and I was hoping to figure out spots where my husband could see me run without him having to make too much of a hike (once or twice during the race and at the finish is fine for me - I worry he will get confused with the transportation ). I saw the course runs through Animal Kingdom, but that I would probably be running through around 8/8:30 a.m. - didn't know if he could get in and see me run then.

Or if anyone has other suggestions on where to stay or where to watch the race, let me know. I appreciate any help since I haven't been to Disney in, gulp, 11.5 years, and never for marathon weekend.

No, the parks are not open early.

 

[steph0808]

Thanks. I might book a closer resort then. SSR and OKW are my other options. Opinions?

 

[jmasgat]

I love OKW. The 1BR are huge. SSR always seems so "big box" to me. If you're doing a studio, then I guess SSR would be okay. "Plus one" for being next to DTD. A fairly easy walk.

Maura

 

[jimandami]

Thursday is super crowded, but has almost double the range of merchandise. I went Thursday and Saturday morning this year, and there was basically nothing left by Saturday morning.

Yes! We were there Friday evening and they were out of Chip n Dale shirts already!

 

[dburg30]

Oh gosh, I think everyone uses the bushes. There are a lot of full moons out on race morning... and most people don't worry whether they're covered up or not, from what I've seen!

LOL I have a feeling it's kinda like scuba diving people, there is going to be 'things' out in the open sometimes just because, probably the same thing at marathons, especially around the 'open spaces' / racers only spaces. Figure people are worried about their own stuff and even so figure many of them have had to take to the bushes also