Racing alone

[Cherylbug]

Hi guys.

I'm hoping you can help calm my nerves. I'm doing the half at WDW in January. I usually do it w/my cousin but she's doing the full so I'll be going it alone this time. I'm really scared my nerves are going to get the best of me.. especially while waiting for it to start. I think I'll be fine once the race starts but it's the waiting around that's kind of freaking me out knowing I'll be there by myself. For those of you that race alone what do you do while waiting for the start?

 

[Steffwalks]

Make friends! We are all in the same boat....so to speak! I was scared of my first time alone, too. At least, you have someone to play with at WDW!!!

 

[windwalker]

Hi guys.

I'm hoping you can help calm my nerves. I'm doing the half at WDW in January. I usually do it w/my cousin but she's doing the full so I'll be going it alone this time. I'm really scared my nerves are going to get the best of me.. especially while waiting for it to start. I think I'll be fine once the race starts but it's the waiting around that's kind of freaking me out knowing I'll be there by myself. For those of you that race alone what do you do while waiting for the start?

Just go find the groups of WISHers and join right in. You can't miss them with the florecent lime yellow shirts.

If you don't have a WISH shirt, there should be a order shortly and that we we can find you. Or just get a yellow shirt and write WISH on the front.

Walking Panda

 

[Big Vic]

Hi guys.

I'm hoping you can help calm my nerves. I'm doing the half at WDW in January. I usually do it w/my cousin but she's doing the full so I'll be going it alone this time. I'm really scared my nerves are going to get the best of me.. especially while waiting for it to start. I think I'll be fine once the race starts but it's the waiting around that's kind of freaking me out knowing I'll be there by myself. For those of you that race alone what do you do while waiting for the start?

You're more than welcome to hang out with the WISH team prior to the start of the race. Just look for the crazy people in lime green shirts in the area of the porta-potties.

 

[jessily]

I'll also be doing the half "alone." I'm hoping to meet lots of people from the WISH and Disney Running boards My boyfriend will be joining me for the weekend, but not until late Friday night (he's not running). So I'll be there solo from Thursday morning until then. I'm nervous about it as well. Maybe we can be nervous together!

 

[ironz]

And even if you didn't have the WISH people to meet, you can meet other people...pre-race at most any race is a nice time to chat...your fellow racers are often nice to have a little light conversation with before the race.

Or, use the time to just chill out, gather your thoughts, visualize your race.

Good to have these skills anyway, as I suppose not every event has a WISH team.

And really, sometimes it's nice to not have people around...you don't have to get caught up in their drama, or worry about being somewhere/meeting up pre/post race, etc.

I've had good races with and without friends nearby...it's all in how you choose to approach it.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I think for this past January's races there was a thread that had everyone list their corral group. That was great because then I knew who from the WISH team was in my corral and I tried to find them and meet up with them. It is really nice having someone to distract you while you are in the corral.

Becky

 

[cryssi]

If my friend wasn't coming down to run with me, I definitely would be meeting up with the WISH folk!

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hi: I train alone, so that part wasn't too hard to face. My first Half Marathon was WDW in 2007. I remember getting up early and walking to the bus stop alone. When I got on the bus I found a vacant seat next to a nice lady that was with Team in Training. We talked and this was her first Half Marathon and she was walking like me. She invited me to join her and the group before the race to hang out and that is what I did. My family saw me at the end. This year I was "Alone" again and was getting out of my building at the Poly and ran into a girl who looked like (running clothes) she was headed to the monorail and I said "hi, good morning" she said hi and asked me if I knew where to go and I said "yes, come along with me". It was her first WDW Half and her boyfriend was meeting her at MK. We hung out together at the start area and talked and relaxed our nerves.
This year for the Minnie 15K I hung with SamSam and her husband in the car ride over to AK and then hung with the WISHers. Anyway you do it, don't worry, there will be others that will be in the same boat. Come over to the WISH group and I'm sure there will be others who will be at whatever resort your staying at and maybe you all could go over to the start together.
Have a good day.

 

[jbucci]

I was in the same boat for the Minnie 5K this year. I saw a bunch of WISH people and started to chat- the bright shirts do invite questions. This is actually how I found out about WISH. Disney is a great place to be "alone" because on the whole people are really friendly and supportive. The WISH people I chatted with before the 5K were there for the 15 and remembered me and welcomed me into their group. If you want to have people to hang out with prior to the race, you shouldn't have trouble finding them.

 

[lenshanem]

I've only done three races - two 10Ks and a half. My DH is alot faster than me so I ran on my own. You'll see there are many, many other people out there running alone, too.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

The beauty of the event at WDW is that you choose. There is WISH Team and if that is not enough, many folks will chat along the way. It is truly a friendly environment and you will not ever be alone unless it is your choosing. WISH Team will definitely love to have you so feel free to join.

 

[scoolover]

I am about the most introverted person that I know. I will just wear my WISH shirt and go stand near the wish group. Someone will talk to me. They always do. You would be surprised at the power of the shirt.

Other than that, I have no problem bringing a stool and sitting alone. I can sleep sitting up as long as I have a place to rest my back so I may try to catch a nap. I have found that there is always someone who wants to talk if you look even slightly interested. Ironically though, finding someone to talk during the race is hit or miss.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I will be alone too but I don't mind it very much. I usually go out for my runs alone so I figure race day won't be very different. I usually do chat with the WISH'ers before hand. I just have to make sure to get a shirt the next time the order comes up. My DF will be heading to the start line with me but he's going to be walking so I'm assuming we'll be in different corrals.

Other than that, I have no problem bringing a stool and sitting alone. I can sleep sitting up as long as I have a place to rest my back so I may try to catch a nap. I have found that there is always someone who wants to talk if you look even slightly interested. Ironically though, finding someone to talk during the race is hit or miss.

That's too funny! I've seen people sleeping in the subway standing up! I'd be too afraid of falling into someone else.

 

[smileyk8]

hey, the minnie 15km was my first proper race and I flew over from the UK knowing that i'd be going to the start and running it totally alone- WRONG! I met a great bunch of WISHers at the meet the day before the run and the lovely bunnyfoo gave me a lift to the buses, which was so so appreciated. Even so, just on the bus to the start a couple of people struck up conversations to do with our shirts and also the run so that time flew. To be totally honest as soon as we arrived we waved at the lime green wishers, queued for the portoloos and then got in the corrals so there wasn't much random standing alone time. I had exactly the same fear as you, but hopefully the posts above will have put your mind to rest. Happy training!!!

 

[Cherylbug]

Thanks everyone.

I do have a WISH tank but I need to have it altered because it's way too long. I think I will wear it and meet up w/you guys. Thanks for the open invitation! It really means alot. Unfortunately I'm a nervous person by nature and I know if I stand around alone waiting a couple of hours for it to start I'll get worked up way too much. You guys are awesome!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

I tend to rund solo as well. I haven't done any Disney races yet, but even at my little local races (<150) I've had no trouble finding people to talk to before or hang out with afterwards. SOmetimes you have to be a little assertive (compliments work nicely), but most of the time I find runners to be a social bunch. I actually have more of a problem trying to get left alone (especially on my practice runs), but maybe that's just me. I wouldn't worry about running solos. There are a lot of single runners or runners whose friends and/or significant others don't run.