Question for runners-

[txgirl]

I am training for my first marathon and was wondering if anyone knew of an 8 mile route within POR/POFQ. I have heard the trails are beautiful but I am terrible at having to repeat the same route unless I'm headed back to my starting point!

Thanks for your help.

 

[imatoad]

I've researched this as well, I'm staying at the Polynesian, and to be honest with you, I've yet to find anything of substantial distance. I'm actually going to do a couple runs on the treadmill (ugh) at the GF, but would rather run outside, it just seems like a hassle. I know there was a trail around Ft. Wilderness, don't know if it's still there, I just don't feel like spending a portion of my vacation riding busses to get to an area to run. Good luck, let me know if you discover anything else.

 

[edingerc]

Here's the info: http://allearsnet.com/btp/running.htm

 

[pixiedust23]

Hey I'm not so much a runner but more of an eliptical girl, bad joints from many years of cheerleading. Anyway do you know if the gym at BC/YC has an eliptical or a bike. I would like to try running as well, how does it differ? If I can elipitcal 5 miles about how many miles should I expect to run?

 

[nliedel]

I need to map out a 20 mile route in Disney for my trip and I am frustrated to say the least. I am going to be stuck running around the Contemporary on their 1.5 mile trail 15 times that Saturday. I wish I could skip it but I have a marathon coming up in December and cannot. It's either that or run on the Mariner of the Seas in a circle 40 times.

 

[floridafam]

I'll ask my DH.

He's done the 1/2 Ironman at Disney but that was on closed roads. Isn't there a jogging area near the Boardwalk?

I don't think the trail around FW is very big.

niledel,

Have you done a triathlon yet? May I ask what marathon you are doing? Is it in Michigan?

 

[pixiedust23]

I'll ask my DH.

He's done the 1/2 Ironman at Disney but that was on closed roads. Isn't there a jogging area near the Boardwalk?

I don't think the trail around FW is very big.

niledel,

Have you done a triathlon yet? May I ask what marathon you are doing? Is it in Michigan?

The jogging trails near the boardwalk arent that large either. You can look up a map on allearsnet.com. They have the map with the Epcot resort running trails.

 

[floridafam]

I kind of figured the area near Epcot wasn't too big.

If you have a vehicle, you could always drive up to Clermont and run, it's very nice.

 

[ironz]

The loop for the 1/2 IM went from the boat dock area at FW down the bike path towards WL...then went to an area that would be closed for runners, but you could probably double back at that point. Then run up into the campground and around two of the loops. I would think that if you included more campground loops you could get a decently long run in within FW. The loop we did was 6.5 miles. You can find the map on the website for floridahalfironman.

btw...hi, floridafam!! Didn't meet you AGAIN this year! how's the baby? Is your DH doing IM Florida? That's my next one.

Back to running...one suggestion (rather than fitting a 20 mile run in on your vacation)...depending on when the race is, and if you have "step-down" weeks in your training...can you get by with substituting a shorter run on your vacation week and doing your 20 miler the week before or after?? I know some programs have a shorter run every 3rd or 4th week, and some programs suggest the longer runs every other week. Just throwing that out there...it would make me mental to have to cram a 20 mile run into a bunch of tiny loops.
That said...shorter loops would make it easier to stay hydrated, as you could set up a little aid station for yourself and hit it every few miles. (I did that on a cruise ship once.... 8 miles around the deck...40 laps)

Good luck!!!!

 

[chyam]

According to the resort map the jogginh/bicycle trail is 1.7 miles round trip, I usually run/walk 6 miles and while I was there I usually did this circuit 4 times.......many runners etc use it early in the morning and quite honestly it is a nice run, it is lighted and some shaded areas. I started from building 1 at POFQ under the bridge to Riverside around their trail then over the bridge and back to building 1 I think you will find it to be good enough for vacation runs.

 

[floridafam]

Hi ironz,

Yes, DH is doing Ironman Florida. He's training right now. He was riding his bike the other night and he saw a Panther come out of the woods

He's hoping to get up to Michigan to visit his Mom next summer and do the Steelhead Triathlon in St. Joseph (where he's from.) It's a GREAT race.

Good luck at IM Florida. I'm not sure the baby is ready for a car ride like that so DH might go by himself.

Let me know how you do.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Maybe you could combine the route at the Contemporary and the route over at Wilderness Lodge/Ft. Wilderness Campground. Running at the Campground would be the safest.

 

[pixiedust23]

If you combine all the jogging trails at the Epcot resorts you could have a decent run (4 miles maybe) but that does involve running on the road.

 

[ironz]

Thanks, FF! I've had a stress fracture in my foot (I think it's healed now!) since IMAZ...shouldn't have even done the Disney 1/2...but I did. Ended up in an aircast for 8 weeks. Just now getting back to running, but we'll see how it goes. No panthers on bike rides, though! yikes!! Wish DH the best.

To the runner(s)...see that map of FW...you can significantly increase your run by running all the camping loops...our race in May just went through two of them. I'm sure it wouldn't bug campers if just one or two people went by (runners aren't that loud when exercising--but someone please correct me if it is frowned upon at FW).
Also...that road that goes nowhere...see it...pointing to the left...it actually connects back to the trail between FW and WL. It is a bus/service road...not for guests...but you could probably run down it a couple of times without a bunch of fuss...just be careful...run on the left, watch for cars, etc.

 

[txgirl]

Since this is my first visit to DW I am nervous to leave my resort to go run early at another resort on my own. Am I correct in saying I would have to do the trail at POR like 8 times in order to get in a long run? (around 7-8 miles).

Like someone stated above, I would love to "be on a vacation" and skip this long and hot run but the marathon I am training for is just a couple of months away! (Richmond, VA)

I don't mind running on the road because I will be out super early but I am sooo unfamiliar with everything I just hoped I could find a long-distance runner who had stayed at POR.

I'll just put on my headphones and start making my loops I guess
Thanks for all the responses

 

[ducklite]

I kind of figured the area near Epcot wasn't too big.

If you have a vehicle, you could always drive up to Clermont and run, it's very nice.

Yes, Clermont is a runners paradise. It's one of the things that attracted us to the area. However, it's getting quite built up, and it's not safe to run on a lot of the main roads anymore, and many of the communities are gated.

If this is an option you are considering, I can give you some advice, just PM me.

Anne

 

[Pixiedust34]

Dh is a runner and said that from resort-to-resort, there are no sidewalks. WDW did not seem runner-friendly unless you use the designated trails. For a serious runner, the trails are adequate only if you do them over and over and over.....

We stayed at POR, and I don't think he used the trails there. He doesn't like to run in circles (the trail is not nearly long enough for him) and he couldn't use the sidewalks because he ran mid-day (yes, in the heat!) and didn't want to disturb others.

One day he drove to FW and ran all over the place. I'm not sure if he had to repeat his route to get his desired distance or not, but at least some of the area was in the shade.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I need to map out a 20 mile route in Disney for my trip and I am frustrated to say the least. I am going to be stuck running around the Contemporary on their 1.5 mile trail 15 times that Saturday. I wish I could skip it but I have a marathon coming up in December and cannot. It's either that or run on the Mariner of the Seas in a circle 40 times.

Right now most of the trail at the Contemporary is blocked by the renovations over at the South Wing. My husband did all his running in the Health Club on a treadmill. It was just too hot and humid in early August.

20 miles at WDW is going to be very difficult without running on the roads which Disney does not look favorably upon. With all the traffic, it's very easy to get run over. People are looking at signs and not the roadway.

He usually does from SSR down to DTD hotels, through DTD and over to OKW. You might get about 7 or 8 miles on this one. If you do WL over to FW and around the loops there, you can get about 4 miles. If you do the Boardwalk area over to Epcot and Disney Studios, both inner and outer loop, you can get maybe 4-5 miles.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Running this route twice wouldn't be overly boring. I doubt I would even attempt to make all the loops at FW, simply because i'm too retarded to both run and navigate at the same time. I'll need to find an almanac to determine sunrise. The more I run the more tonga toast I can eat. Amazing what motivates people, isn't it???

 

[PCFriar80]

Hey I'm not so much a runner but more of an eliptical girl, bad joints from many years of cheerleading. Anyway do you know if the gym at BC/YC has an eliptical or a bike. I would like to try running as well, how does it differ? If I can elipitcal 5 miles about how many miles should I expect to run?

Pixie -
I wasn't sure if anyone answered you, so I wanted to let you know that the
health club (ship shape) at Y&BC does have eliptical machines and stationary bikes, along with treadmills. Very crowded at opening (6:00 AM ish) and late afternoon.

I'll give you my opinion on 5 miles eliptical v. 5 miles running and simply say they're two diiferent animals! Running, not on a treadmill has more of an impact on your leg joints (knees, ankles) along with hips. The eliptical is a great cardio workout with less stress on the joints. I personally and preferably run 5 miles daily outside. Not as boring and feels more satifying!

You may want to try running a shorter duration for starters and build up to a 5 miler!

Just my two cents!