Questions...I've got questions...

[klh-or]

Has anyone received their race packet in the mail yet? I haven't. I'm sad. I really need something "official" to stick on my treadmill to remind myself that this is REAL and I'd better walk FASTER!!

Also, I've seen reference made to "ice baths" after the event. Now, am I to take this literally or does it just mean icing down potentially sore spots (knees, ankles, etc.) after the race?

And what about this Friday night dinner at Pop? Do we wear our WISH shirts so we can find each other? Is this the meal we 1/2ers are supposed to carb up and, if so, Pop has appropriate fare?

While I'm on a roll here, has anybody ever done an IllumiNations cruise? I just learned about it...sounds very cool but also have seen mention of it being so smoky you can't see the fireworks?!

I've got DW on the brain today. Well, I do every day but today more than most apparently.

Thanks!

Karla

 

[Hockeychic]

No I haven't got mine either but I thought I read somewhere that they will be starting to mail them out on November 16th

 

[Honeibee]

Karla -

I haven't gotten mine yet either. Be prepared, however, for the day it does come. You THINK you're mentally prepared and psyched to do it, but there's nothing like getting that plastic envelope in your mailbox to REALLY make it hit home, that YIKES I'm really doing this! This past January was my first WDW event and when I got it I just stood at the mailbox for a minute staring at it.

Yes, by "ice bath" we mean ice in the bathtub type of ice bath. Sounds awful but honestly, works great!

Most of us wear our WISH shirts to the PC meet on Friday. Believe me, you can't miss us when you come alookin!

I've never done the Illuminations cruise, because, well.....I don't really care for Illuminations.

And there ya have it.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

. . .Also, I've seen reference made to "ice baths" after the event. Now, am I to take this literally or does it just mean icing down potentially sore spots (knees, ankles, etc.) after the race? . . .
Thanks!

Karla

Not running this year, so I can't answer you other questions, but as for the ice baths - yes, you can take that literally. Many people swear by them. I've only done it twice (after a 19 and a 20 mile training run) but I do think it helped me to be a little less sore the next day. Also, my definition of an ice bath was getting the water as cold as possible and sticking in about a try of ice cubes. I can't take it much colder than that!

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Kim is right in that Disney's site says they will be mailed out on 11/16. They go out bulk mail and sometimes not all 30,000+ are mailed that day. It takes about 2 weeks to receive them for us West Coasters. Expect around Dec 1.

Pop has good pre race food(like all WDW Resorts) for the marathon weekend.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Oooh boy! I'm excited reading your excitement!

You can begin to carb load a few days earlier too. Also drink lots of water the week before. You won't miss us at Pop. We'll be a big group of friendly people!

Sigh, no packet, but don't worry, It IS real!

 

[andromedaslove]

Since everyone else has answered most questions I'll just stick to the ice bath one. It literally means ICE BATH!! I get in a bathing suit bottom and sit in the tub. Turn the cold water on and let it fill up right above my thighs, and then have DH dump a 20lbs bag of ice in the water. I only sit for 10 minutes, but I can tell you I am NEVER sore the next day!!

Dana

 

[escape]

Another note about the ice baths...

I think I read this in one of John Bingham's books. Many people find it hard to get in and sit in an ice bath. John suggests sitting in a few inches of lukewarm to cold water to begin with and gradually add more cold water and the ice. This may make it easier to adjust to the cold. It works for me. I usually get a 10 pound bag for my baths. I think it really does help with my soreness.

At hotels, I'll get one of the plastic laundry bags found in the closet or bring a trash bag from home and fill up with the hotel ice.

 

[klh-or]

This ice bath sounds barbaric but if it helps me stay at least sorta mobile for the rest of my stay at DW, I'm game. We're talking a 30 second dip in the arctic water, right? No?? Okay, what's the recommended time? And the window of time after the race for this to be effective is ?? Gosh, and here I was thinking a leisurely float in the pool would do the trick. I have SO much to learn!!

Karla

 

[andromedaslove]

I think the suggested time is 10 minutes, and it needs to be done within about 2 hours of your run!!

Dana

 

[skfulkers]

Ice baths--I swear by them. I do them for all my runs longer than a certain distance (usually the longer runs 5-7 weeks out from the marathon). I usually stay in for about 15 minutes or so. The good news is that once you get in and stay in for about 2 minutes or so, your lower body goes numb and you don't really even notice the fact that you're in an icy tub. Just don't move around in the tub! The cold water splashing on dry skin reminds you of the fact that it is very cold. I'm with Dana--I use a 20 lb bag of ice in cold water from the tap. Funny thing--the cashiers at the grocery store recognize me now since they've seen me in there so many times on a Saturday morning stinking like only a LR can make you stink, buying a 20 lb bag of ice.

But anyway, I would recommend trying this out during some of your longer workouts even leading up to the marathon weekend, not just on marathon weekend. It really will speed your recovery.

By the way, whatever you do, do NOT get into a warm tub immediately after a long workout. It will greatly increase muscle soreness.

Steve

 

[Honeibee]

Oh come on Steve! Tell us your ice bath in the resort story again! Please! It's a classic! You know, the one with the people in the elevator!

 

[Duanerice]

I haven't gone as far as an ice bath, but I do come home and stand in the pool. It is pretty cold, high 60's and that seems to do the trick. I stand there about 10 minutes and it makes a world of difference!

Duane

 

[windwalker]

I haven't gone as far as an ice bath, but I do come home and stand in the pool. It is pretty cold, high 60's and that seems to do the trick. I stand there about 10 minutes and it makes a world of difference!

Duane

That's what I do also, the pool is cool and I stay in there till I'm not sweating any more. In the summer when it's hot and humid the thought of that cool pool is good for keeping me going.

This last week I've been making sure I get my pool work done. I do a short workout in the pool while I'm cooling down.

Cool Panda

 

[SilverE]

I haven't gone as far as an ice bath, but I do come home and stand in the pool. It is pretty cold, high 60's and that seems to do the trick. I stand there about 10 minutes and it makes a world of difference!

I stand in my kitchen and look out the back window at my neighbor's pool. Does that count?

 

[Lexxiefern]

I just want to agree with the others on the ice bath. It sounds awful, but it soooo helps. I started to get really sore knees after 10+ mile runs training for DL half. I read about ice baths on here, so when I was running the half, DH got me a couple of trash buckets full of ice (trash buckets from the hotel room). I filled the tub with cold water (just enough to cover my legs) and then started adding the ice. I sat there as long as I could stand it, prob about 15 min. I then also fill ziploc bags with ice and put that on my knees and feet.

I felt so great the next day at DL from opening until closing with my 7 year old. I could not believe I had run a race the day before. I do an ice bath after every long run now, within 20 min of finishing.

Becky

 

[klh-or]

I'm guessing the pools at Pop Century are a little too warm to be effective? Dang... I've got a 9-miler coming up a week from Saturday, and I'm going to give this a try.

One thing I've found on my longer walks lately is if I pause for very long (tie my shoes, etc.) I start to stiffen up a little and it takes a minute or two to get back into my stride. Best to just keep puttin' one foot in front of the other.

Thanks for this good information! If, however, I find out you guys are pullin' my leg on this ice bath, you're in BIG trouble!!

Karla

 

[windwalker]

I'm guessing the pools at Pop Century are a little too warm to be effective? Dang... I've got a 9-miler coming up a week from Saturday, and I'm going to give this a try.

One thing I've found on my longer walks lately is if I pause for very long (tie my shoes, etc.) I start to stiffen up a little and it takes a minute or two to get back into my stride. Best to just keep puttin' one foot in front of the other.

Thanks for this good information! If, however, I find out you guys are pullin' my leg on this ice bath, you're in BIG trouble!!

Karla

Karla Darlin, your wise not to believe everything this group says, just ask Bill. But they are on the up and up about the ice bath. Not my cup of tea but I hear it works.

Honest Abe Panda

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Don't trust anything from anyone who says trust me. Like honest Abe!(aka Evil Panda)

 

[HMHunters]

Karla -

I am an ice-bath convert. They work. I've even brought DH around to them. (And I'm a person who HATES cold!) I stop on the way home from a long run -- half a bag of ice for a regular sized bath. (And you better believe I use my watch to time it; I'm not in there a second more than I have to be!)

Last year we were at WDW for DH's birthday and his gift was an Illuminations cruise. It was really cool! First they took us around toward MGM and we had a great skipper who was full of information. Then we tied off and watched Illuminations. No smoke at all -- DH loves Illuminations (I'm a Wishes fan myself) and he was in heaven. They provided drinks (sodas, water) and snacks (chips). If it rains they still go out; the back half of the boat has an awning. If you want to do one there's a thread on the DIS about how to book it -- I would suggest following those instructions. Worked for me! (And the kids even kept it a secret!)

Renee