Race Retreat for disney race?

[heatherlynn444]

I tried searching and couldn't find much...has anyone done the race retreat before? was it worth it?

I HATE standing in line to go to the bathroom before a race, and not a fan of standing in the cold, and I get very nervous before I run so I thought it would be nice to have somewhere to go and relax and sit and be warm, and go to the bathroom and eat etc. before the half.

anyone with experience or opinions?

 

[cewait]

Let me preface this with I have never purchased a ticket to the tent since it started in 07. I think that in 07 it was prabably not a bad deal cost wise or with the crowd in the tent. However, leave it to the Mouse to ruin a decent thing. The tent is now open to ChEAR squate Platinum folks, also. I heard that last year the floor space was nil with the added load. The lines in the tent were not all that short either and the food stuff stocks were non-existant. Again, I have only peered into the tent.

Only one in four or five events is honestly cold. The remainder are cool but easily managed. Head to WalMart and purchase a cuople flannel warm ups for use on race day. Cut the legs up from the bottom hem about 6-12 inches so you can remove your foot with shoes on. You can wear these as long as needed, discarding them at the start line if needed.


Add a trash can sack (large black ones) with a hole in the bottom for your head and one on either side for arms and you have a wind/rain breaker. You can also pruchase a Tyvek painter suit (Some years at the expo also) that serves to break the wind and can still be ripped off.

Finally, don't tell anyone but if you go through the baggage claim tents when you first arrive at the gathering area on race morning (you do not have to leave a bag that early) you will find about 75% of all porta potties in central Florida lined up with few folks waiting. Obviously this area will start to crowd up as race time nears and lines will form. once that occurs, the lines for the potties outside of the baggage drop area do not have much of a line. This may be tmi, but in a dire need, the trash sack can also serve as a shelter for the same busuness.

I guess this is a long winded answer saying that the tent is a luxury. I swear that if the temps are in the 30's race day morning I will be the first to say the tent would be a great deal. We are due a cooler race this year but if you prepare it's just not all that bad. Besides, 17000 of the 20000 runners will be outside.

EDIT - For the nerves, if you need chill out space, there are sveral little nooks you can plop down at and chill out.

 

[VernRDH]

This is my first Disney race and DH (not running) decided that FIL and I should do the Race Retreat. Don't know how it will work out, but hoping that the potty situation makes it worth it. I have learned to never turn DH down when he wants to do something for me like that.

 

[heatherlynn444]

Thanks for the input

I read the cheer squad ppl aren't allowed in until 5:30 am, which is when we would be leaving, so in the morning it would just b the runners unless I misunderstood.
Can anyone clarify?

I am not as concerned with the after race food (although it will b nice) as I am with the before race comforts. I am going to be with my very nervous 54 year old mom who is running her first half and is nervous and asked me about the retreat. I think it may be good for her.

Anyone else? Someone who had done it?

 

[laughinplace199]

We did it last year and are doing it again this year. My memory of the pre-race tent is a bit blurry as it was my first marathon and I was very nervous. I recall there being fruit and bagels for food and water, coffee, and soda to drink. There were two areas of port-o-potties, one for the men and one for the women. After DH & I ate our bagels, we wanted to use the port-o-potties before leaving the tent. There were lines, but we waited and the lines moved quickly. While walking to the start, we noticed that the lines at the other potties close to the start were VERY long.

After the race the tent was a welcome treat. There was plenty of food, water, PowerAde, and soda. There was room to stretch on the floor and an area to change your clothes.

It is definitely expensive for what you get, but DH & I liked having a bit of comfort before and after the race.

 

[heatherlynn444]

i think we decided we are not going to do it this year, would rather spend the money on race merchandise! thanks for all the input