Official WDW Marathon Weekend 2013 Thread

[kim3339]

That's what I was thinking. I'm bringing my bigger foam roller out to WDW with a yoga belt so a lot of stretching while I'm in WDW. All I have planned for Tink is to walk, and I figure if I have some gas I'll give it a little go, but if not then walking will be just fine. Thanks again Coach!

 

[Kandiwilde]

Welcome and YES you will have a shiny mickey for the parks

Thanks for the welcome

 

[MightyDuck001]

The snowstorm made me think of this... For everyone coming from a colder climate, assuming of course that there's no big freeze repeat this year, how do you adjust to the heat/humidity in Disney? I'm just starting to get used to it and it's been a few weeks that we've had temperatures in the 70/80s with high humidity (it's the humidity more than the heat that kills me) and given my slower pace I know I'll be out there for awhile after sun up.

 

[cewait]

The snowstorm made me think of this... For everyone coming from a colder climate, assuming of course that there's no big freeze repeat this year, how do you adjust to the heat/humidity in Disney? I'm just starting to get used to it and it's been a few weeks that we've had temperatures in the 70/80s with high humidity (it's the humidity more than the heat that kills me) and given my slower pace I know I'll be out there for awhile after sun up.

It's always a tough call. Obviously, it can be a real issue for folks who have trained for weeks in temps below 50 and dry then all of a sudden start a race at 62 and 100% humid. Here are a couple things we talk about then...

first, spend the day or two prior out in the weather. Do not do a heavy lifting park visit, but lounge around a little and make sure you keep hydrated.

Next slow up a bit. when the Dew Point at the start is above 60F slow up 30 seconds a mile and then even slower as temps increase. You may be running a good 90 - 120 seconds slower.

Hydrate during the race - As temps increase prefer sport drink over water.

I am expecting another 2007 this year. In 07 I was prespiring in the staging area due to the temps (ambient and dew point) both around 64-65F. It only got worse. It will be 6 years since a warm race - we have averaged one every 4-5 years prior. Hope I am wrong

 

[DrMomof3]

It's always a tough call. Obviously, it can be a real issue for folks who have trained for weeks in temps below 50 and dry then all of a sudden start a race at 62 and 100% humid. Here are a couple things we talk about then...

first, spend the day or two prior out in the weather. Do not do a heavy lifting park visit, but lounge around a little and make sure you keep hydrated.

Next slow up a bit. when the Dew Point at the start is above 60F slow up 30 seconds a mile and then even slower as temps increase. You may be running a good 90 - 120 seconds slower.

Hydrate during the race - As temps increase prefer sport drink over water.

I am expecting another 2007 this year. In 07 I was prespiring in the staging area due to the temps (ambient and dew point) both around 64-65F. It only got worse. It will be 6 years since a warm race - we have averaged one every 4-5 years prior. Hope I am wrong

I really hope you're wrong!
I thought it was warm this year, especially for slower runners like me. I overheated during the full and ended up overhydrating. It took a few hours for my electrolyte status to fix itself.
I live in NY and found the temperature difference to be an issue. The lesson I learned is that I need to slow down a bit from the start if it's warm in 2013.

Amanda

 

[cewait]

I really hope you're wrong!
I thought it was warm this year, especially for slower runners like me. I overheated during the full and ended up overhydrating. It took a few hours for my electrolyte status to fix itself.
I live in NY and found the temperature difference to be an issue. The lesson I learned is that I need to slow down a bit from the start if it's warm in 2013.

Amanda

I too hope that I am wrong. Note that 2012 was actually near normal. The starts were a little below norm and the mid day temps at norm. Slowing up and preferring PowerAde over water are the two solutions. In 07 my mary time was about 60-90 minutes slower than surrounding year's times. Though I will also admit that some of the issue was a mid December shoulder surgery. That coupled with the that took a toll on the Sunday run.

 

[Ariel484]

The snowstorm made me think of this... For everyone coming from a colder climate, assuming of course that there's no big freeze repeat this year, how do you adjust to the heat/humidity in Disney? I'm just starting to get used to it and it's been a few weeks that we've had temperatures in the 70/80s with high humidity (it's the humidity more than the heat that kills me) and given my slower pace I know I'll be out there for awhile after sun up.

I'm coming from Northeast Ohio and handled the temperatures fairly well during the 2012 marathon. I think part of this was due to having done some runs on the treadmill at the gym (most of my runs were outside, but sometimes I just got sick of bundling up)...so I did have a few runs in a warmer/slightly humid environment. On race day I made sure I put on sweat-proof sunscreen, ran in the shade as much as possible, and stopped at every water stop along the way. At the water stops I tried to alternate water and Powerade...and obviously I wore cooler clothes (sleeveless shirt, shorts, sunglasses, etc.). If you like running with a hat, I'd suggest investing in a good hat for the race - a breathable one with tech fabric (i.e. the runDisney hat on the Disney Store website). Yeah, the heat and humidity kill me too...so I know just where you're coming from.

 

[cewait]

I'm coming from Northeast Ohio and handled the temperatures fairly well during the 2012 marathon. I think part of this was due to having done some runs on the treadmill at the gym (most of my runs were outside, but sometimes I just got sick of bundling up)...so I did have a few runs in a warmer/slightly humid environment. On race day I made sure I put on sweat-proof sunscreen, ran in the shade as much as possible, and stopped at every water stop along the way. At the water stops I tried to alternate water and Powerade...and obviously I wore cooler clothes (sleeveless shirt, shorts, sunglasses, etc.). If you like running with a hat, I'd suggest investing in a good hat for the race - a breathable one with tech fabric (i.e. the runDisney hat on the Disney Store website). Yeah, the heat and humidity kill me too...so I know just where you're coming from.

Good catch... look at many of the photos of the 12 race and you see folks running in long sleeves - even well after the start. I ran in a sleeveless shirt both mornings and did not have an issue.

 

[John VN]

Just finished a 5 miler with the temp. at 81F and with humidity feels like 88F. SW Fl. is now warm to hot and will be until Nov. If anything like the last few years by the time WDW Marathon Weekend rolls around 60F is going to be FREEZING for me. Last 2 years I have been bundled up like an Eskimo in winter when it was start time for all 3 races. Even had ear muffs and gloves in 2011. Started my 14 miler at 5:00AM on Sunday to beat the heat.

Saturday I bicycled 103 miles with the temperature 90F when I got back home but the exertion is a whole lot less so things don't feel as bad. Can't wait for the mid to upper 90's to roll in. That's when things get really interesting. Long and slow builds the endurance.

 

[KrazyPete]

Woot has a pretty good deal on a Camelback bottle belt today. I'm curious, do you just stick with what is provided at the aid stations or do you bring your own water, gels, etc?

 

[John VN]

Woot has a pretty good deal on a Camelback bottle belt today. I'm curious, do you just stick with what is provided at the aid stations or do you bring your own water, gels, etc?

For marathons I bring water, gels, sports beans in addition to grabbing at water/food stops and during 2013 Mickey Marathon I will be detouring to grab a McDonald's McFlurry.

 

[FFigawi]

Woot has a pretty good deal on a Camelback bottle belt today. I'm curious, do you just stick with what is provided at the aid stations or do you bring your own water, gels, etc?

I always bring my own fuel because I like to be able to eat on my schedule, not the race's. I have a small Fuel Belt with goo, bloks, and beans. Aid stations usually have plenty of water & Powerade, so I don't carry that myself.

 

[cewait]

I always bring my own fuel because I like to be able to eat on my schedule, not the race's. I have a small Fuel Belt with goo, bloks, and beans. Aid stations usually have plenty of water & Powerade, so I don't carry that myself.

I think one a little insane to not carry their own foodstuff for a race for this reason. My gels are hooked into the loops of my number belt. Where I differ is that I will carry a PowerAde bottle to the start with me. I will use it for the first 5-8 miles... up to the point where water stops start to occur more regularly. The bottle saved my rear in 07 as I ran through mile 19 with that bottle.

 

[Ariel484]

Woot has a pretty good deal on a Camelback bottle belt today. I'm curious, do you just stick with what is provided at the aid stations or do you bring your own water, gels, etc?

I'm another one that brings my own fuel...I prefer Gu chomps and Disney doesn't hand those out. When I train, I try to drink every 2 miles and have a serving of Gu chomps every 4 miles. Disney's water stops are more than adequate for this, so I don't bring my own water/Powerade. If their water stops line up with the way you train, you should be okay (I realize it's hard to know that for sure since they haven't added the water/aid stops to the course map, but they are about every other mile for the first 9-10 miles, then every mile or so from that point on). If it makes you feel better to bring your own, then by all means snatch up that Camelbak! Just make sure that you test the belt out before the race to make sure you like it.

 

[KrazyPete]

Thanks for all the advice!

I pulled the trigger on the bottle/fuel belt. My training is getting into 1+ hour runs now. Of course, my local running routes don't have aid stations so I'll have have plenty of time to figure out how I like this particular belt.

I've used Jelly Belly Sport Beans but never gels. This belt comes with "gel flasks" so I guess I'll be giving that a shot.

 

[disney_runner]

Bumping the trend - I don't carry any water, and just one gel shot. Two gel shots for 26. But that's a personal reason due to stomach issues. I simply cannot eat while running! Even too much power/gatorade can upset my tummy. I find that Disney provides just the right amount of H2O and shots where/when needed. But that's me - I don't require much! I just hydrate like crazy and fuel up in the week leading up to the races. And eat a small horse afterwards!

 

[cewait]

Bumping the trend - I don't carry any water, and just one gel shot. Two gel shots for 26. But that's a personal reason due to stomach issues. I simply cannot eat while running! Even too much power/gatorade can upset my tummy. I find that Disney provides just the right amount of H2O and shots where/when needed. But that's me - I don't require much! I just hydrate like crazy and fuel up in the week leading up to the races. And eat a small horse afterwards!

Old School I have a couple buddies who do not take anything other than water for marathons.

 

[kimmiepcft]

I bring Sports Beans with me, and will probably bring at least one bottle of water with me, for those in between stops. SO loving the idea of a McFlurry! Brilliant!
I also carry my inhaler and my cell phone, I have a fanny pack that I use for long races.

 

[VernRDH]

So I guess I am the pack mule of the bunch.....

For the half I will carry Cytomax and water on my fuel belt, a gel or two and my new favorite Dole Real Fruit Bites (the pineapple). They are like chomps but not sticky.

For the full, I will carry only Cytomax on the belt and rely on water on course, and take all the other stuff too.

I also wear a SpiBelt for my bib and cell phone.

I would rather take it and not need it than really wish I had it with me. Plus I will be running with my running coach for the full, so between the two of us, we should have it covered.

 

[kaj1436]

Will the finish line be in the parking lot? Or will my family need park tickets in order to see me finish? How much room is there for spectators?