Official WDW Marathon Weekend 2013 Thread

[kimmiepcft]

It finishes in the parking lot, no tickets needed. Not sure about how much room for spectators, I got my dd a ChEAR squad package so she would have definite seating and I am getting a Race Retreat so she will also have a tent to stay in during the race. She is going to be almost 16 at the time of the race, and alone during the Full, so I wanted to be sure she would be in a safe place!

 

[KrazyPete]

I find that Disney provides just the right amount of H2O and shots where/when needed.

Shots? What's that? Should I be training with it to make sure it works for me?

 

[cewait]

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?

As above, the finish in if the Imagine Parking Lot. Family can stand anywhere from the cast member entrance (where the course leaves Epcot at the double road tram road) to the bleachers. The course is fenced off so that spectators are limited to the west (left) side of the course. The grassy area is a berm so footing is a little weird there. The first and maybe second set of bleachers are also open. The next bleachers are all reserved for CHear folks.

http://new.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/94116399/

If you put this on satellite view and zoom into the end, you will see the finish line set up - maybe a Wednesday view of the setup.

 

[cewait]

Shots? What's that? Should I be training with it to make sure it works for me?

A good rule of thumb as runs go past 90 minutes in length is to take in a nutrition supplement every 45-60 minutes. These come in the form of single serving gels, packages of blocks and beans. Oh, also the old school bar is also around.

So a gel goes by several brand names... including PowerGel, Gu, Cliff Shots, Stingers... Cliff is the sponsor of the event so Cliff shots are handed out around mile 14 and 19 during the race. A gel is a small 100 - 115 Kcal pack and the gel feels like a liquify cake frosting.

Blocks look like very firm jello blocks. There are several brands, Cliff and PowerBar are the leaders of the pack.

Sprot Beans are a jelly bean that Jelly Belly makes with an added electrolyte.

Most folks will take enough to get through the race.

The BEST way to learn about these supplements is to get out and use them on longer runs. I ask my newer runners to run in an area they are familiar with and one with facilities. Adding anything to the GI tract during stress can have negative results - either end. There is NOT a best brand or flavor EXCEPT the one that you can stomach and will be able to tolerate 3-4 hours into a run. The only way to learn what woks for you is to try them. Start off with flavors you think you may like and 2-3 brands. Try them and start to hone in on what looks like it will work for you. Personally, I find that manufacturers slightly revise blends and I need to change up my brand and flavors every 3-4 years.

Again, on runs longer than 75-90 minutes take a gel with you and try it at about 45 minutes. The process is simple. Take a sip of water, do the gel and then drink another 2-4 oz of water. I find that gels are the most portable but many cannot handle the feel. That is how blocks and beans came to be. With other forms of nutrition remember to look at the label. Your goal is to take on 150 Kcal per hour. You do not want to go much past this level as you can overload the stomach and shut it down.

Hope this helps

 

[disney_runner]

Tequila. Just kidding! That's for after the race.
Clif shot energy gels. I really only like strawberry flavor and usually that's the first to go. Not a fan of the chocolate or coffee flavored ones they handed out one year. So now I bring my own just in case.
Clif is the brand name (there are other brands I think) that Disney uses. So if you want to, try some out!
I honestly don't feel an energy boost or anything like that. I mostly use them to fend off hunger until the finish line!

 

[sue2]

Do we know what the Perfectly Goofy number is after 2012?

 

[cewait]

Do we know what the Perfectly Goofy number is after 2012?

I believe in the 160 range based on the last couple year's drop out rate, though when I visited with the EMMI folks earlier this spring they had not tallied up the count.

 

[Ariel484]

Shots? What's that? Should I be training with it to make sure it works for me?

As others have said, yes! You want to figure this out during training. Go to a sporting goods store and buy a few brands/flavors (they should be about $1-$1.50) and try them out. You just never know what will work for you.

Example: For me personally, I've tried Honey Stingers (too sweet and not available in stores near me, so I'd need to order them online), Hammer Gel (too watery), Clif gel (I forget what I didn't like about them, something with the consistency I think), and Gu (ding ding ding, we have a winner!). Then I tried different Gu flavors - triple berry (just didn't like it), mint chocolate (tasted great but made my stomach burn), chocolate (reminded me too much of frosting) and vanilla (the winner!). Eventually I settled on Gu chomps (similar to fruit snacks) as the favorite fuel for me.

You also want to use training to figure out your pre-/post-race nutrition, hydration strategy, what clothes you are comfortable running in, etc. You never want to try anything for the first time on race day.

 

[miker1251]

Shots? What's that? Should I be training with it to make sure it works for me?

To echo others advice, find what works for you. I have tried gels, beans, and bloks. I did not like any of those products. So, I started experimenting with different food items. I liked fig newtons, but found them hard to carry. Same with soda crackers. I settled on gummy bears and dried fruit (mango). That seemed to work best for me.

 

[jimandami]

As others have said, yes! You want to figure this out during training. Go to a sporting goods store and buy a few brands/flavors (they should be about $1-$1.50) and try them out. You just never know what will work for you.

Example: For me personally, I've tried Honey Stingers (too sweet and not available in stores near me, so I'd need to order them online), Hammer Gel (too watery), Clif gel (I forget what I didn't like about them, something with the consistency I think), and Gu (ding ding ding, we have a winner!). Then I tried different Gu flavors - triple berry (just didn't like it), mint chocolate (tasted great but made my stomach burn), chocolate (reminded me too much of frosting) and vanilla (the winner!). Eventually I settled on Gu chomps (similar to fruit snacks) as the favorite fuel for me.

You also want to use training to figure out your pre-/post-race nutrition, hydration strategy, what clothes you are comfortable running in, etc. You never want to try anything for the first time on race day.

Funny how it is different for everyone! Gu makes me sick as a dog and cost me a good 10-15 minutes at the WDW Marathon Relay this year...yuck! I actually really like Honey Stingers chews and can tolerate their gel when I am in a hurry!

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

To echo others advice, find what works for you. I have tried gels, beans, and bloks. I did not like any of those products. So, I started experimenting with different food items. I liked fig newtons, but found them hard to carry. Same with soda crackers. I settled on gummy bears and dried fruit (mango). That seemed to work best for me.

I'm with you. I can't tolerate gels, beans or blocks, either. Gummy bears are ok, but didn't seem like enough. I get soooooo hungry on runs above 90 minutes. I actually take a Cliff bar with me and nibble on it every few miles. For the Princess I used half of a chocolate chip bar throughout the race and for the full next January I plan to take a whole one with me (flavor to be determined). I know it goes against conventional training to have that much protein during a workout, but for me it's the only thing I've found to keep me going. Otherwise that "wall" comes really early in a run!

 

[cewait]

I'm with you. I can't tolerate gels, beans or blocks, either. Gummy bears are ok, but didn't seem like enough. I get soooooo hungry on runs above 90 minutes. I actually take a Cliff bar with me and nibble on it every few miles. For the Princess I used half of a chocolate chip bar throughout the race and for the full next January I plan to take a whole one with me (flavor to be determined). I know it goes against conventional training to have that much protein during a workout, but for me it's the only thing I've found to keep me going. Otherwise that "wall" comes really early in a run!

Actually, protein is not discussed with regard to running more because of the solid food versus easily liquified food. The Clif Bar is more than ideal for an endurance activities - you will see many Clif Bar wrappers near a cycling event. Where it is a little iffy is while running. Most folks will have issues trying to digest a bar versus the other forms of supplement. One thing to note about the bar... it is only equivalent to 2-3 packs of gel. You may find that while one worked on a half, a full may not be enough for a full.

This brings up a good point on race day. We all know the do nothing new rule of thumb. Who trains eating a somewhat green banana? If you do not know or have never tried a banana while on the run you may want to pass on them in the race; or only take a small bite and hold the nana to the next stop for the remainder - just in case. Also, please do not throw the remains in the road.

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

Actually, protein is not discussed with regard to running more because of the solid food versus easily liquified food. The Clif Bar is more than ideal for an endurance activities - you will see many Clif Bar wrappers near a cycling event. Where it is a little iffy is while running. Most folks will have issues trying to digest a bar versus the other forms of supplement. One thing to note about the bar... it is only equivalent to 2-3 packs of gel. You may find that while one worked on a half, a full may not be enough for a full.

Thanks for the advice. I guess I need to check to see if my running belt will hold 2 or 3 Cliff bars - or I have lots of time this fall to test a plan B.

 

[disney_runner]

Oh yes, please don't throw the bananas on the road. Those suckers really are slippery. Just like the cartoons.

 

[MightyDuck001]

yes, yes, food, water, etc. are important but the more pressing question is, where do you put your camera?

 

[kimmiepcft]

yes, yes, food, water, etc. are important but the more pressing question is, where do you put your camera?

I have a Susan G Komen fanny bag that holds everything, including the camera, which I totally agree is very very very important!

 

[Ariel484]

yes, yes, food, water, etc. are important but the more pressing question is, where do you put your camera?

I looped my camera case onto my fuel belt for the 2011 Princess Half but I barely used it (the case, that is)...so for the 2012 marathon I ditched the case and held the camera in my hand the entire time with the strap around my wrist. It really didn't bother me at all and was totally worth it!

 

[cewait]

yes, yes, food, water, etc. are important but the more pressing question is, where do you put your camera?

From what I see the SPI belt seems to be the most popular. I have not carried a camera since 2003. Yes, I missed all those photo ops. I am thinking of running with my GoPro this year. We'll have to see how it rides in training.

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

My belt has a clear pocket on the outside for my iphone. I just used that for pictures during the Princess.

 

[ColleenG]

I borrowed a compact point and shoot for the Princess half this year and just carried it with the strap around my wrist. I usually take my DSLR into the parks with me but there is no way I am running with it!