Okay...so.. The Marathon...was it ....

[Valentine]

Harder than you expected... or easier??

If you had to do anything different... what would it be?

And what words of advice would you pass on to those wanting to do it for the first time?

Thanks for your answers... and Congrats to all of you who attempted/finished it!!!

Kathy

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Harder than you expected... or easier??

Harder--b/c I was sick--had I not been sick it would have been a lot of fun

If you had to do anything different... what would it be?

Not sleep in the same room as my family

Not do a park the day before, get my rest!!!

(and in anticipation of my problems---packing diaper cream, and a depends--sorry for the visual!).

And if I have the flu--sleep in and skip the whole thing!

And what words of advice would you pass on to those wanting to do it for the first time?

Stick to your training program--especially in the "training" window of September to Marathon/Half Marathon.

Listen to your body--if it's hurt, don't push it. Take it easy. Listen to the Pain. Race day is the time to push. Pushing through (injury) pain before hand could result in a sidelining setback.

Imagine doing your Race in Walmart or Toys R Us, local shopping mall on the day after thanksgiving--the crowds on race day are worse.

***Aim for your pace to be a 15 minute mile or better...if 16 is the best you can do--even with the minimal pad, you will be swept Always aim high!

Stay at Port Orleans French Quarter (I'm tempted to sleep until 5am and walk over to the corrals)

If you are a Florida Resident (sorry Wish Group)--don't book with the group...you'll get out cheaper with codes such as Fla Resident or Passholder--I booked ours in October.

I highly recommend Team In Training!!!!

Thanks for your answers... and Congrats to all of you who attempted/finished it!!!

Thank you--Congrats to you for signing on for next time

 

[Valentine]

Thanks Lisa... you seem to have alot of posts here.. and are very enthusiastic about your sport!!! AND you are very knowledgable.. I think I learned more in the last hour about this marathon by just reading your posts!!! LOL!! What exactly is Team in Training? Thanks!

Kathy

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Team in training raises money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Excellent organization. I'd type more but I'm one handed at the moment.

Flu this week, hence the # of posts

 

[geetey]

I agree with Lisa. The rate we received as AP holders was much cheaper than a group rate. I would be holding out for a special room rate, instead of the group rate.

Harder or Easier:
I would say harder than expected. I expected to have the walk to the start line as an additional portion of my warm-up (note - additional). It is a crawl to the start line. MASSIVE crowds. Heat and humidity were a factor for me. They say the course is flat. It isn't flat. There are several hills with the Contemporary being the worst. I also did not enjoy the slanted grade of the 'loop'.

If I did anything different, what would it be?
Sorry to the Elite runners, but I would bump up my expected time so I could be in a closer corral. I was honest the first time, and it worked against me.
I trained for a 16 min mile. I agree with Lisa again. 15 mins or more should be the minimum you should train for. There are unknown factors out there that can slow you down.
I followed my MFM plan and I think it is a good one. If I did it again, I would probably try the Walk/Run plan instead of the Walk plan. My stride is short and some running would help with time.

Advice for Newbies?
This is a RACE hosted by Disney World - not a Walt Disney World race. Stress on RACE, not DISNEY. I think my expectations of characters and cheerleaders and spectators was far too high. I wasn't expecting a hard to decipher sign with Buzz or Goofy or Mickey on it. I was expecting Mickey or Buzz or Goofy or Peter Pan or SOME character at each mile marker.
The water stations are not at mile markers - they are spread throughout.
Bring your own watch and track it carefully.
Carry water.
Train hard and train where it is warm. I think I would have been better off training inside in a hot gym, versus the miles I put in during 40-50º weather.
Practice with that fanny pack! I think it does make a difference.
READ Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham. GREAT book!!
Arrive on Thursday or Friday so your body has a chance to adjust to the climate.
Skip the parks on Saturday and lounge around like we did. It will give you lots of shopping time at the Expo.
Go to the Expo on Friday if you are looking for particular merchandise. They were sold out of hats when we were there on Saturday and we arrived at 10:30 am, but shopped after registering.

I guess that's all from me. Good luck, Kathy!

 

[k_hase]

Bumping up your expected finish time (falsely) isn't really possible. Disney requests proof of your ability from a previous race to get into a faster corral.

Sorry!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Bumping up your expected finish time (falsely) isn't really possible. Disney requests proof of your ability from a previous race to get into a faster corral.

Sorry!

No they don't--only for the advance corrals. In other words--do not say you will finish in 3:30--you will be in the last corral. 3 hours is better. Proof of time is necessary only for a sub-5 hour finish for the full or a sub 2:15 (I think) for the half. Don't get overly unrealistic with your finish time---but take the time you plan to train for and put that. My finish time was 5 hours--and my training was on target for that until the flu changed my plans.

STAY TO THE RIGHT!!!! When you are walking--remember your etiquette, you will encounter runners and they will want to pass you--keep your walking to the right and jog/walk to the left when you are passing.

Remember--it is NOT hot everywhere at Disney...so you do need to mix up your climate training. The 2 years prevoius were FREEZING!

Additionallly--next year, half is on Saturday--so you MUST do Expo on Friday--I would advise a Thursday evening arrival (Expo is open Thursday afternoon, too )


In the race world--and in Florida--the course is a pretty Flat terrain. For the half, you will cross 2 overpasses out and 2 overpasses on the way back, deal with the ramp exit once on the way out and once on the way back and contend with Contemporary Hill.

 

[DoeWDW]

Harder than you expected... or easier??

It was hard, no question. I chose to walk and this was no walk in the park. I trained for consistent 15 minute miles and it was not easy to keep that pace. We passed a lot of slower walkers and it was so crowded that it was sometimes hard to pass. Also, at some points I would like to have slowed down and enjoy the scenery or take a pic with the characters - I could not afford that luxury.

If you had to do anything different... what would it be?

I would do it as a run/walk combination and aim for a 12 minute mile pace, to avoid any chance of being swept and to allow me to take a picture or really look at the scenery on occasion.

And what words of advice would you pass on to those wanting to do it for the first time?

1. Don't rely on Disney for anything. Take your own watch, watch your own time. Take your own water & snack and test them out on long runs prior to race day. Be self-sufficient and prepare for a pace that is well under their 16 minute mile limit.
2. If you can find someone else who has trained for the same pace, stick together on race day. There were 5 of us who worked together as a team, making sure we kept pace, motivating each other, passing the time by talking and being silly.
3. Do a little walking the day before but not a lot. You want your muscles to stay loose and you want to burn off some nervous energy, but it is not the time to do a long day in the parks.
4. Remember that you have to be at the starting area 2 HOURS prior to race time and it will take a lot of time to get back to your hotel AFTER the race. I was surprised that I left my room at 3 AM and didn't get back until well after 11 AM. My 3 hours and 24 minutes of walking turned into an 8 hour experience. Take extra snacks for after the race or you'll be waiting in more long lines for food.
5. Above all, pat yourself on the back for even signing up and starting. It is an accomplishment that few people will even attempt. That feeling of accomplishment if/when you cross the finish line is icing on the cake but the real winning is in daring to dream that you can do it and then making your dream come true. Everyone there was a winner in my book!

Best wishes for a wonderful experience. You CAN do it!!

 

[septbride2002]

I just want to say ditto to everything Doe said!

Yes it was harder - yes it was harder then I expected but I think the heat and humidity had a little bit to do with that. Would I do it again? Maybe in a year or two!

~Amanda

 

[Baileymouse]

It was harder, but it was doable.

I had heard about the hills so I knew they were there.

I think next time I would bring my own non-sugar snacks since I have a problem with sugar. Most of those power gel things have sugar for short-term energy, but they make me nauseous.

Definitely train to get to a 15 minute mile or less. Keep a thin watch with you. I'm sorry I didn't carry anything. I could have worn a fanny pack or something just so I could have these items, but I hadn't wanted them to interfere.

Get the best shoes possible!!!! As a walker, I probably would have been better off with cross-trainers instead of running sneakers. There's not as much toe protection in the running sneakers. If you're running, get the best running sneakers designed for your foot. Since I'm a wide width person, I find that New Balance is best for me. No blisters, no problems, and I was able to walk around Epcot that night.

 

[10nis]

I completed my first marathon last Sunday at Disney....my advice is to find a race in your area that coincides with the training miles for that week and get out there and do it!! The more you are able to participate in, the better. I would try to get in races when you get into your higher mileage.

I found an 18 mile race about an hour from my house and used that as my long training run for that week. It really, really helped me. If you could find a race that is popular it would be best so you can get a feel for how it is to walk/run thru crowds of people.

The MAJOR disappointment for me was the fact that my family never made it to our designated cheering spots d/t traffic and also getting stuck on a bus at the Ticket & Transportation center. They did not see us until mile 24+ which was very sad for me. I would NEVER have family attempt to go to the spectator viewing areas that Disney designates. It seemed obvious to me that veterans of the event know spots along the route that are spectator friendly and they went there to cheer and show support!!

I did see that the Marathon and Half Marathon are on different days next year and that is going to make a HUGE difference in just about everything. I do wonder if they will increase the registration numbers? Certainly there won't be 25,000 in each event, so -- you won't have to deal with such crowded running conditions -- especially miles 4-13. I really do believe by splitting the races it is going to make better conditions for everyone involved.

Have fun....I am glad I did it but won't be particpating again next year!

 

[MelanieC]

I completed the marathon last Sunday and it was the greatest thing I have ever done for myself. So many times as a mom or wife we put ourselves second or don't give ourselves any time to do things that will benefit us. I'm so glad I did this and it's something that no one can ever take away from me.

For me it was easier than expected. I exercised consistantly from Jan-Jun and somehow stopped exercising and talked myself out of going. I used my family as an excuse (again that not allowing ourselves to have time for things that benefit us). I had these fears of being out there and it being something I couldn't finish. That my body would be huffing and puffing and I couldn't do it. In November I started feeling guilty about being a quiter and my DH encouraged me to do this. He and I both saw how It gave me a goal and I exercised and ate better knowing I had this goal. I was afraid since I hadn't trained at all that I wouldn't be able to do it. My only training was a 2 mile, 5 mile, 8 mile , 10 mile & two 1 mile walks. I've always known from the training I did Jan-Jun and the miles I did in December that the first 2 miles are always the hardest. This was definately true last Sunday. After the first few miles it got easier. I did start feeling sick around mile 5 1/2 half from the GU20 and GU I was eating. I felt better once I emptied my bladder and started drinking the Poweraid they provided. The turning point for me was around mile 6 -7 when we came under the overpass we had just been on. There were thousands off people as far as can see behind me (even after stopping for 8-10 minutes to wait for 1 port-a-potty). I was feeling better by this point and from that moment I started enjoying the race. Each mile seemed to fly by and it was getting easier. I started alternating running and walking at this point too. Even falling down the contemporary hill was no problem. I wasn't going to let a hurt toe and scrapped arm and hands get in my way of completing. I was definately feeling tired and ready for it to end at mile 12, but knowing I was almost there made it so much easier. When I crossed that finish line I was smiling/laughing but yet quivering on the verge of tears. It was such a sense of accomplishment to finish it and something I will never forget.


What would I do different -

Actually train- It would have been easier if I would have trained properly.
Practice using the drinks/food that I will use in the race. - Getting sick at mile 5 1/2 was not fun.
Not drink so much prior to the race. I think I drank way too much and ended up having to go to the bathroom too much. I would drink alot more the day before and just sip on poweraid prior to the race.
Buy a slightly bigger shoe. I wear a 7 to a 7 1/2 and I bought an 8. I would go with a 8 1/2 because my toes still rubbed and caused me pain.
Enjoy the characters more at the end.

Words of advice-
Believe in yourself. Know that anyone can do this. Just crossing the start is more than most people accomplish and whether you make it to the finish or not you are a winner. Believe in yourself. I think it's mostly a mindset and not so much about being fit or being fast. Mostly have fun and enjoy it!

 

[TammyNC]

I agree with everything that everyone has said. My biggest advice would be to make sure to train, train, train. I also recommend reading everything you can about shoes and tips on preventing blisters. I did not train and thought that my usual shoes would be OK, well not training was tough on my body and thankfully yesterday I could walk without my muscles yelling at me. But, my feet are another story. I have had to baby them and they are getting much better, but nothing prepared me for the way they have felt.

Not trying to scare anyone off, it is doable and if you set your mind to it, you definitely can do it. Just prepare yourself and train is the main point I'm trying to get across. I can't say if it was tougher than I expected or not because I had never participated in anything before.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree on larger shoes--with the assistance of the running store--they put my size 10 foot into a size 11 running shoe.

 

[TammyNC]

The larger shoe tip is something that I will really be remembering from now on. Wish I had paid attention and done that this time. Oh well, live and learn.

 

[Valentine]

This is all such great information... I am printing it out and keeping it for reference!!

Thank you all for your input so far!!

Please keep the stories coming... it is so interesting to read everyone's individual take on the event. And I think such great info is gleened from people with experience!


Kathy!

 

[ZerasPride]

I just wanted to thank the experienced marathoners for sharing your stories with us! I am leaning toward registering for the marathon and it gives me butterflies in my stomach (good ones) thinking about the training, anticipating the race, and the possibility of completing it successfully. This would be the second biggest physical challenge of my life (losing the weight is the first).

You all are such an inspiration and I truly do appreciate your making it a little bit easier on us newbies by giving us your tips and hard learned experiences!

 

[wiskband]

Harder than you expected... or easier??

If you had to do anything different... what would it be?

And what words of advice would you pass on to those wanting to do it for the first time?

Thanks for your answers... and Congrats to all of you who attempted/finished it!!!

Kathy

Honestly, I have to say EASIER...thats good news!
Thes past few days, i have actually contemplated perhaps doing the full! then I say to myself ( hell no! I was already showered packed and leaving the resort and I saw them still running! what am I crazy! )
Really my hubby will be doing it next year so I want to do it with him the 1/2 that is!
The things I will do different next year is:
Not carry so much stuff with me.... water is all I need and they provided me with all my water didnt need to bring it.
nor did I need anything I had in my bag (chap stick, camera, food,vasoline and most of all a cigarette(for after the race)..hopefully I will not be a smoker next year!)
Some of these things may be of use to others but I just didnt need them.
I stressed alot about what I will need all I need next year are really good sneakers cause my feet were ahurting for a few days!
I will run with someone ( I was quite bored ) hopefully hubby if I dont leave him in the dust! lol.
And finally I will stay a day extra after the race to rest up for the trip home, I left right after the race, big mistake!

My words of advice is relax you can do it! I worked myself up so much about getting it done and I wasn;t as hard as I thought it would be. I think it's just the fear of the unknown........
You will be told where to go what to do and with WISH behind you support is there!

YOU CAN DO IT!

renee

 

[MelanieC]

I definately agree about the stuff I brought. I didn't use the waterbottle (I did at the beginning) and then realized it was easier to just grab what I needed and get rid of it. I was trying to use the powder and mix with water but after I started getting sick I found it was easier and better on my stomach to just grab the poweraid. I didn't use the vaseline for my lips but it was good to have just in case.


The only thing that was useful that I carried was my watch and my camera. Definately take a disposable camera. I can't wait to get those pictures developed. Next year at the end of the race I'm going to take more pictures along the way with me in them.

 

[wiskband]

Yep to the camera..........I had one a disposable, I just never had a chance to use it. I didnt stick around afterwards either..... I forogt to say howver, the one thing I reached for was my nextel which, I did use. My family didnt attend the races. Next year hubby will be in it.
I was reading through posts and found that alot of peoepl thought it was harder! doe etc. they alaso mentioedn they walked the whole thing.
Believe it or not ( my opinion) I really think trying to walk fast for that distance is harder than joggin!
Over the past year, i tried many different combos on my treadmill. First, I tried just joggin it. I began doing one mile and tried to increase my distance. I could not get over 5 miles and I was COMPLETELY sweating like a pig and out of breathe! ( sure the smoking has something to do with that! lol)
Then I tried walking 2 minutes the joggin the rest of that mile,,,, same thing, I got tired quickly, then,
Because alot of wishers were walking the whole thing, I remember someone posting that in order to maintain a 16 minute mile you had to walk 3.8 mph. I set my TM and tried that! THAT WAS HARD!!!
I decided that jogging for 2 minutes and then walking for 2 was great ( FOR ME). I decide a few weeks before the big day to just get on the TM and do it. I didnt time anything just jogged and walked and I got to 10 miles easy.
I stopped simply becuase, I was bored.
Anyway, in my case the walking/jogging works great for me! good luck
renee