Running on WDW vacation

[flipflopmom]

I just started running 3 months ago with C25K. I'm running the 5K distance 3 times a week, did my first 5 mile run Saturday!

I have found I need to run. My legs complain if I don't. I am VERY nervous about running on our June vacation. I'm hoping to get 2 or 3 3milers in just to keep it up.

1. Since I have started in the winter, I am not conditioned for running in the heat yet. I do my runs at 6am now, before it heats up. Can I handle FL? I would do it EARLY there, too.

2. Completely an outside runner. Never ran on a treadmill. Is there a good running path at CR? We're staying at BLT.

3. Anything else I need to know?

TIA!

 

[APrunner]

You can handle it. It will be warm and humid. Your legs may be a little tired from all the walking, so take it easy. It is a good time to run just to run, do not worry about a time or keeping pace. I always run early when I go down there. That helps with the heat, but it will be very "wet" out.

CR does not have many good options for running. I usually run around the resort, which is actually pretty big/long. Then you can head down the path to the Magic Kingdom. Go off to the left and run down the area where the buses load and unload. It is a pretty nice run. You can see the landscape crew working, and depending on the time, you may see them bringing the monorails out. The path down to the Magic Kingdom is brick, at least part of it is. Be careful since it is not the most smooth path. Don't trip if it is dark.

You may need to run the route a couple times to get your distance in.

I have tried running toward Poly before, but that road is surprisingly busy, even early in the morning. I do not advise that.

Have fun.

 

[crewmatt]

Hey, congrats on the 5 miler . Welcome to the downside of running (or upside in my opinion) of needing to run. Disney actually has some very nice areas to run in, esp if you're just looking to get in 2-3 miles. There's a trail that runs from BLT to Magic Kingdom which would be about 3/4 of a mile (part of the marathon course). Do 2 out and backs and your golden. If you're up for going to other resorts, the Yacht/Beach Club/BoardWalk have that nice lake, Port Orleans has some gorgeous trails, especially when its still dark out.

One word of caution, I wouldnt run on the actual main roads, I did kind of try that, and did kind of almost die a few times. Really no shoulders or sidewalks.

As far as the heat/humidity goes you should be fine. By the time you depart your body will have adapted to the heat a little better. Obviously make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day, and run a little slower (say 10 seconds/mile or so) than normal the first day just to see how you're going to feel.

Enjoy

 

[rubato]

I found this thread very helpful when planning out my runs on my last DW vacation.

http://allears.net/btp/running.htm

Hope it helps.

 

[im4disney]

I have run lots of miles at WDW and around the Contemporary area. For 2 or 3 miles, you will be fine around BLT.

As others have mentioned, it may be (probably will be) warm and humid-even at 6:00 AM. Just take it easy and run how you feel. Also as mentioned, you will be walking a lot during the day, and the heat will affect you then also.

You have several options around BLT, so you can change it up a bit day to day. You can run around the south wing garden rooms of the Contemporary by running around the back of CR and looping around those rooms along Bay Lake. There is a sidewalk all the way around to the south wing parking lot. From there, you can run through the parking lot around the convention center. You can continue the loop or go across the road and take a left. There is still a sidewalk here once you get across the road. It continues under the water bridge and then stops-you can just turn around and come back. It is one of the only little hills that you will find on property.

You can also run on the walking path to MK as someone mentioned. It's cool running down there when hardly anyone is around and the music is playing! Keep running past the entrance at the boat docks and continue on down that pathway towards the Grand Floridian. Unfortunately, the path ends down there, but it is a nice add on and you can just turn around and come back.

Using these options, along with some creativity, will keep you safely on the sidewalks or paths for most of the way and should be interesting to run your 2-3 milers.

Enjoy BLT. It is awesome!

 

[lisah0711]

I don't know a thing about running routes at WDW but I have to tell you that I admire you for wanting to continue your running while you are on vacation!

 

[flipflopmom]

You can handle it. It will be warm and humid. Your legs may be a little tired from all the walking, so take it easy. I usually run around the resort, which is actually pretty big/long. Then you can head down the path to the Magic Kingdom. Go off to the left and run down the area where the buses load and unload. It is a pretty nice run. You can see the landscape crew working, and depending on the time, you may see them bringing the monorails out. The path down to the Magic Kingdom is brick, at least part of it is. Be careful since it is not the most smooth path. Don't trip if it is dark.
Have fun.

I think running up to the castle would be . I am hoping to have more 5 milers under my belt (hopefully 6 - 1 a week) by then, but I am being realistic and I know the heat, walking all day every day, and just wanting to get out the door and go tour will probably limit my mileage.

Hey, congrats on the 5 miler . Welcome to the downside of running (or upside in my opinion) of needing to run. Disney actually has some very nice areas to run in, esp if you're just looking to get in 2-3 miles. There's a trail that runs from BLT to Magic Kingdom which would be about 3/4 of a mile (part of the marathon course). Do 2 out and backs and your golden. If you're up for going to other resorts, the Yacht/Beach Club/BoardWalk have that nice lake, Port Orleans has some gorgeous trails, especially when its still dark out.

One word of caution, I wouldnt run on the actual main roads, I did kind of try that, and did kind of almost die a few times. Really no shoulders or sidewalks.

Thanks for the encouragement. I know most all runners here are at half and full marathons, but I was thrilled to get that 5 mile done! I was worried about the actual roads, I think kind of almost dying would be probable!

I have run lots of miles at WDW and around the Contemporary area. For 2 or 3 miles, you will be fine around BLT.

You have several options around BLT, so you can change it up a bit day to day. You can run around the south wing garden rooms of the Contemporary by running around the back of CR and looping around those rooms along Bay Lake. There is a sidewalk all the way around to the south wing parking lot. From there, you can run through the parking lot around the convention center. You can continue the loop or go across the road and take a left. There is still a sidewalk here once you get across the road. It continues under the water bridge and then stops-you can just turn around and come back. It is one of the only little hills that you will find on property.

You can also run on the walking path to MK as someone mentioned. It's cool running down there when hardly anyone is around and the music is playing! Keep running past the entrance at the boat docks and continue on down that pathway towards the Grand Floridian. Unfortunately, the path ends down there, but it is a nice add on and you can just turn around and come back.

The loop around the CR/BLT sounds interesting. I hope I don't get lost!

I don't know a thing about running routes at WDW but I have to tell you that I admire you for wanting to continue your running while you are on vacation!

Thanks!

Since I have you seasoned runners attention for a second - how long should I wait to do daily runs? As I said, I've only been running for 3 months, and the first month was a lot of walking. Right now, I'm doing every other day, but would like to start once school is out (I teach) running every morning. I'm afraid to rush it, though!

 

[SAHDad]

Thanks for the encouragement. I know most all runners here are at half and full marathons, but I was thrilled to get that 5 mile done! I was worried about the actual roads, I think kind of almost dying would be probable!

There is nothing wrong with a five-mile run. Five miles is something you should be proud of!

Since I have you seasoned runners attention for a second - how long should I wait to do daily runs? As I said, I've only been running for 3 months, and the first month was a lot of walking. Right now, I'm doing every other day, but would like to start once school is out (I teach) running every morning. I'm afraid to rush it, though!

Honestly, my advice is don't. At least not for some time. I ran a lot (like 4-6 times a week) for well over a year before I started doing daily runs, and, to be honest, it's not the most sane thing I have ever done. Five runs a week is plenty - you could run Mon & Tues, cross train on Wed, run again on Thurs through Saturday, and take Sunday as a rest day, and see plenty of progress. I would try and build your base for the rest of the year, adding days and miles at a reasonable rate, and then, if you really want to try becoming a streaker, going for it next spring.

If you do decide to try and run every day, my first piece of advice, more important than anything you will hear about shoes, hydration, mileage, and so forth is this: Listen to your body! I have had days where I stop a run at only a mile or two, instead of doing my planned workout, or switching from a tempo workout to something easy, just because I can tell that my legs need a break. Don't hurt yourself, because there is always another run, always another race. (Disclaimer - I have run with minor injuries, but never anything where it was a sharp, stabbing pain. Those mean "STOP!")

 

[APrunner]

The thing to remember is everyone is different. You need to find what works for you.

I only run 4 days a week. My runs are fairly intense though. My legs would not handle running everyday unless I really backed off on my pace. Others can run everyday with no problem. You just need to find out what works for you.

I lift weights 2 days a week, but that is with a focus on upper body. Gives me something to do while giving the legs a break.

I am providing these links as an FYI. It is from a group at Furman, where they published the book Run Less Run Faster. I do something pretty similar to it.

http://www.furman.edu/first/
http://www.furman.edu/first/fmtp.htm

Not necessarily recommending it, but I think it is worth taking a look at. It is not just how much you run and how far you run, but also how intense (I want to say fast, but I cannot necessarily classify myself as fast) your runs are.

 

[FireDancer]

This page has a lot of different trails on property.

I usually stay at POP and have never stayed at or run around any of the monorail resorts but I do love running on property. I usually go to the paths I like and just run them. My absolute favorite is the Boardwalk area. I get there really early and run around the lake and down the canal to DHS and back. I then stick around and grab a Starbucks at the Swan/Dolphin, some fruit and a bagel from the bakery, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the area before the Epcot crowds start to come.

I also like to go to the Port Orleans resort and run up and down the river.

If you have a car obviously driving is best but if you have to rely on the buses you can go to DTD and then take the bus to the resort.

 

[jblrn2b]

Flipflop mom - you're an inspiration. I started my walk/run a couple months ago and I am up to 2 miles but then I walk around our reservoir another 3-4 laps or miles. Boy am I slower than I used to be - LOL! I have lost some weight but mostly I feel better. I know what you mean about your legs. When I don't do my run/walk for a couple days my legs ache.

My schedule although better because now I just work FRI, SAT 7p-7a and pick up random eve shifts (5-11 or 3-11), or a night shift 11p-7a. I find it hard to do my run/walk after I have worked a night shift - I gotta get some sleep. So my schedule isn't always the same. Anyone experience this?

Thanks everyone for the maps to the resorts. Does anyone know if there is a trail for AKV?

Thanks for anyone's suggestions.

 

[heatherlynn444]

Go for it! I always run at DIsney! When I stay at the EPCOT area resorts I run around the boardwalk, at the Poly or GF I run backa nd forth between them. maybe you could take the monorail over to one of those places? Also WL has some great trails. Good luck!

 

[jiminy.cricket]

The idea of running during a Disney vacation is thrilling to me for some reason. I have never done it, but it just reminds me there is so much you can do and see while on vacation there. More power to you, girl!