Questions about EE

[PattiPB]

I decided to try running to get in shape. My athlete's body left me three kids and twenty years ago, but I was hoping for some muscle memory to kick in.

I knew the only way I would keep it up would be to tie it to my REAL obsession---Disney---so I signed up for EE with two of my besties, and we started training. Now, with questions, I knew the best place for answers would be my trusted DIS

1. I saw, but now can't find, the map of the course. Could someone please provide a link if you know where it is.

2. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I'm reading it, you run 1 mile---do an "obstacle". Run 2nd mile---obstable. Run 3rd mile---obstacle. Is that true?

3. If #2 is true, how are you timed? Does your timing thingie turn off when you stop at the obstacle? The obstacle isn't included in the 16 minute mile, is it?

4. After the 5K, you crawl off the ground, THEN start the scavenget hunt---which isn't timed. Is that correct? (Not the crawling part, but the timing part)

5. Bag check sounds like a mess. Should we just bring nothing but room keys?

Thanks for all of your experience and answers. Still can't believe I'm doing this...

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

See answers in blue.

I decided to try running to get in shape. My athlete's body left me three kids and twenty years ago, but I was hoping for some muscle memory to kick in.

I knew the only way I would keep it up would be to tie it to my REAL obsession---Disney---so I signed up for EE with two of my besties, and we started training. Now, with questions, I knew the best place for answers would be my trusted DIS

1. I saw, but now can't find, the map of the course. Could someone please provide a link if you know where it is.

The course map will probably be posted closer to the event. Essentially, it is in the Animal Kingdom Parking lot and through Animal Kingdom. The course is flat (except for the slight inclines in Animal Kingdom) and is narrow once you enter the park, so your pace is going to depend on those around you.

2. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I'm reading it, you run 1 mile---do an "obstacle". Run 2nd mile---obstable. Run 3rd mile---obstacle. Is that true?

Pretty much...and the obstacles are optional. Last year, it was hay bales that you jump over, the tire exercise that you associate with boot camp, and crawling under a net.

3. If #2 is true, how are you timed? Does your timing thingie turn off when you stop at the obstacle? The obstacle isn't included in the 16 minute mile, is it?

Your time is the entire event from start to finish. You don't cross the finish line until you are done with the scavenger hunt.

4. After the 5K, you crawl off the ground, THEN start the scavenget hunt---which isn't timed. Is that correct? (Not the crawling part, but the timing part)

All of it is timed. Yes, you finish the last obstacle, are handed your first card, a sharpie with a flashlight and you are on your way to solving the clues/puzzles.

5. Bag check sounds like a mess. Should we just bring nothing but room keys?

We didn't have issues with bag check. That was probably the easiest part of the entire race. It didn't take long to get it back.

Thanks for all of your experience and answers. Still can't believe I'm doing this...

Congratulations on even taking the first step. It is an overwhelming experience in some ways because it is such a crowded event, but I think it is a nice event for someone new to this. I hope the weather is better for you this year!

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

As far as the timing, yes the whole event is timed. But they do give you "splits" which means that in the final results you should see a time just for the 5k portion of the race, and then an overall time for the 5k plus scavenger hunt.

Sometimes the line to check the bag before the race is long, but I think the lines for photo ops are even longer. I've never had a problem getting my bag after the race. I'll put stuff like a camera, jacket, and flip flops in my bag for after the race.

 

[PattiPB]

Thanks for the answers!

What I'm not understanding is how they make sure you are under the 16-minute mile when you are running---then doing an obstable---then running again. I'm running a 13 minute mile consistently, but still worried

Do you recal how long the obstacles took (literally)? I'm wondering if it will feel like a 5-minute break to me, or if it will be harder on the body.

Hope this makes sense. Appreciate anyone's insights~

 

[cewait]

Thanks for the answers!

What I'm not understanding is how they make sure you are under the 16-minute mile when you are running---then doing an obstable---then running again. I'm running a 13 minute mile consistently, but still worried

Do you recal how long the obstacles took (literally)? I'm wondering if it will feel like a 5-minute break to me, or if it will be harder on the body.

Hope this makes sense. Appreciate anyone's insights~

Generally, runDisney 5ks are a rolling party and as long as you do not just stop and camp out, you really do not have to worry about pace. If you training pace is in the 16 mm range or quicker, no issue

With regard to obstacles, they are more like speed bumps... THe year I ran, hay bales, tires and a rope net at mile 3.

Here is a fairly decent vid of the course and scavenger hunt. Remember, it's Disney

 

[PattiPB]

Generally, runDisney 5ks are a rolling party and as long as you do not just stop and camp out, you really do not have to worry about pace. If you training pace is in the 16 mm range or quicker, no issue

Can I just tell you I love you!?!?!?!?!?!

We are trying to get into the 12-minute mile range, but are stuck in the mid-13-minute range and can't seem to move out of it. All three of us are former athletes but brand new runners in our mid-40's. This ain't easy!!

I'm most concerned about the humidity, since we are from the extremely dry southwest. That's why I want to be as faaaaarrrrr under 16-minutes as I can. We can't duplicate humidity in our training.

 

[cewait]

Hydrate well. If you are coming a few days early, get out and run a couple mornings. You will duplicate the humidity at the coolest time of date.


Sounds like you history is similar to mine. I spent the 30's reliving my high school days - on the couch. Then got up and started moving. It's possible to get great results even up into the 60's.

 

[disney_runner]

I'll try to answer based on my experience in 2012:

1. I saw, but now can't find, the map of the course. Could someone please provide a link if you know where it is.

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/ewwos/pdf/rundisney/expedition-everest/Everest-Map-2012.pdf


2. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I'm reading it, you run 1 mile---do an "obstacle". Run 2nd mile---obstable. Run 3rd mile---obstacle. Is that true?

Yes, they had the obstacles out "roughly" at the mile markers. I don't remember now exactly, but they weren't spot-on at the markers, but close. Having still getting used to running again on my new knee, I opted to skip the obstacles. I watched my DD go through them though. They were: 1) hay bales in the parking lot. 2) Jumping through tires on the ground in the way back, near Rafiki's. 3) crawling in the sand under the netting near the 5K finish line.


3. If #2 is true, how are you timed? Does your timing thingie turn off when you stop at the obstacle? The obstacle isn't included in the 16 minute mile, is it?

As already answered, yes, it's timed from start of 5K through end of scavenger hunt. Therefore, it's darned near impossible to enforce the 16 min/mile. Like Coach said, don't worry about it.


4. After the 5K, you crawl off the ground, THEN start the scavenget hunt---which isn't timed. Is that correct? (Not the crawling part, but the timing part)

Correct! Last year, the 5K did NOT have a finish clock. There was a finish mat but not a clock at the finish line. So unless you were timing your 5K portion on your own watch, you had no clue what your 5K finish time was!! So wear a watch.


5. Bag check sounds like a mess. Should we just bring nothing but room keys?

Bag check looked like a mess! Luckily, I've wised up over the years and don't do bag check at all for any races anymore. I would venture a guess in the 20+ minute range for retrieving your bag. We finished overall in 1:15 or so. 34 minutes for the 5K, and then like 45 or so for the scavenger hunt. Not fast, but not terribly slow either. Kind of middle of the pack. So by the time we got to the finish line it was a cluster. It took easily 10 minutes just to get our medals and water bottles. Not enough volunteers maybe? Too small of a finish line chute? Who knows. It wasn't pretty. And then I saw the line for the bag check later on, and it was rather long. Folks were complaining left and right. Hopefully they'll fix these issues for this years race. But pack your patience - just in case!!

We stayed about an extra hour, till just after midnight or so. Overall, it still was a fun race and I'd do it again. Hope that helps!

 

[PattiPB]

OMG! Soooo helpful. Thank you all for your comments/insights.

I will wake up Sunday, April 28 at the Disneyland Hotel, and go to sleep Thursday, May 2 at AKL, so I'll be living the life. Unfortunately, that life includes being out of my routines, out of my kitchen, and out of my time zone!!

My plan is to run Friday, but that will be the only opportunity. Absolutely can't wait for the experience.

 

[SuperHappyFunTimes]

Thanks for this post and all the answers. My 13 year old son and I are doing this as a team and we have a secret goal to beat my husband who is doing it solo. I figure the more tips we know in advance, the better our chances!

I'm suffering post-princess-syndrome, so I'm hoping some healthy Everest obsession will get me excited again.

 

[disney_runner]

Forgot to mention the clues in the scavenger hunt. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Either from other runners or the CM's. They won't give you the straight answer but will guide you there. Some are harder than others, but once you get it, it's like a big "duh" moment! They provided us with a tiny red flashlight, but it was still kinda hard to see. If you've got a tiny, brighter light I'd suggest to bring that.