Stressing over Jan 1/2marathon please help

[nikitta28]

I've never been to a race at Disney

I have a ressie at the swan and plan on taking the bus for transportation

I'm worried about the posts on FB about bus wait times for the wine and dine 1/2 ( maybe those wait times were more related to the evening start time???)

I qualify for a corral outside of the general start but I'm stressing over feeling stampeded and wonder if I should just do a general start and deal with bypassing walk/joggers

I'm worried if my BF and I submit recent times that he will be in a corral ahead of me and we'll never find each other ( can a faster runner ask fir a slower finish corral?)

I heard about 30 min wait times to use the rest room prior to start........

Another poster stated there is about 28k people doing the half...... Omg!



Am I over stressing for things beyond my control?

 

[John VN]

You are WAY over stressing.

General start? No idea what you mean by that. You line up in your coral assigned. If you want to be up front in your coral you get to staging area early.

I moved back 5 corals to be with DW in the 1/2M in Jan. So can your BF.

Tons of porta-potties, might seem like 30 minutes if you have to really go but never in line that long for me.

Chill out and don't worry. Really cool being there with 28,000 others for the 1/2 and 17,000 for the Full.

 

[jenjacobs]

I wouldnt stress - buses started running at 7 pm for the Wine and Dine and we got on at 7:15 with zero wait. I think the people that decided to wait for the last bus had a longer wait. Regardless Disney requires you to get there super early so even if the buses are late you will have plenty of time to get ready for the race.

There were tons of potties pre race and the lines did get long close to 9:30 pm when it was time to get into our race corrals. But if you don't want to stand in line there are plenty of potties along the race route.

You can always drop back a few corrals but you can't move forward. I qualified for corral B (second corral to start) because my relay partner had a fast qualify start time. I average a run/walk 13 mm so I was definitely worried I'd be stampeded or annoying to the fast runners. As soon as the corral was released, I ran with the pack which was not very fast at all due to all congestion and immediately worked my way to the very right and got into the pace I was comfortable at. It wasn't a big deal at all and I was actually passing people which surprised me.

If you plan to run the race don't drop back too far in corrals. My friend had no qualifying time and ended up in E (the last corral) and when the corral was released the majority of E was walkers and she had a hard time running the first 1/4 miles because it was so congested with walkers.

All in all it was a great race! You'll do great so do not stress about the minor details!

 

[rubato]

I've never been to a race at Disney

I have a ressie at the swan and plan on taking the bus for transportation

I'm worried about the posts on FB about bus wait times for the wine and dine 1/2 ( maybe those wait times were more related to the evening start time???)
I got to my hotel bus stop around 3:15 and made it with plenty of time to spare.

I qualify for a corral outside of the general start but I'm stressing over feeling stampeded and wonder if I should just do a general start and deal with bypassing walk/joggers
I don't know what you mean by outside of the general start.

I'm worried if my BF and I submit recent times that he will be in a corral ahead of me and we'll never find each other ( can a faster runner ask fir a slower finish corral?)He can move back. I qualified for corral A this year and moved back to C to run with someone.

I heard about 30 min wait times to use the rest room prior to start........

Another poster stated there is about 28k people doing the half...... Omg!
I would avoid the portapotties when you first enter the area. They are jammed. But, once they open the gate for the 20 minute walk to the corrals, there will be more portapotties. There is almost no line for these. There are also lots of trees and bushes if you're brave. Lots of women were doing it.


Am I over stressing for things beyond my control?

Yes, you're overstressing. I did too this year. Having never run at Disney, I had no idea how I could handle it. There were so many people that it was crazy. But, once you make it to your corral, it won't seem so huge. Right now, I'd just focus on my training. You do have control over that!

 

[nikitta28]

Thanks for input I feel better.

I will be at bus stop by 315 (uuugggghhh)

By general start I meant the last corral ... Wasn't sure of the proper lingo

Will definitely submit my times (doing international half oct23 so I'll see how my next time is)

Will avoid entrance potties and wait till later

...... Ok now time to stress over what costume .....that Wont annoy the heck out of me, will I be able to any sleep the night before....should I go to the pasta thingy.....how will I stay warm in the corral..... And god knows what else

 

[John VN]

If you plan on wearing a costume, make sure you train in it a couple of times to check for fit, comfort and rubbing in the wrong places.

I purchased jackets for DW and myself at Goodwill to wear and toss after warming up. Disney collects all discarded clothing and donates it.

Some people sleep fine, DW and myself, others don't. The more prepared you are the better you should sleep.

Don't eat anything really different the night before for fear of upset tummy.

Keep them coming.

 

[nikitta28]

So I should start running through town in a tinker bell outfit? Haha...... Maybe try that out on the ole home treadmill first.

Anyone have an opinion on the pre dinner? Or is 630-830 too late considering the wake up time? I'm thinking bed by 8..... Skip the dinner

 

[rubato]

I think it's a good idea to make a late lunch your last big meal. Then, make sure you bring something with you to eat on the bus or while waiting around the morning of the race. I really didn't sleep this year. And, I did Goofy ( the half on Saturday and full on Sunday. By Sunday night, I was exhausted. But, then I was raring to go Monday morning. I know it seems really intimidating right now, but this is a fantastic race to do. Don't worry.

Oh, and I'd definitely try the Tink costume out on the TM first. Then, if you feel brave, go for it out on the street.

 

[John VN]

DW and I did the 5K on Friday, the 1/2M on Saturday and I then did the Full on Sunday. We had early lunches at Earl of Sandwich then dinner about 4:00/5:00PM in our motorhome at Fort Wilderness. Since DW really doesn't eat big in AM and gets up later than me, she had a yogurt but since I get up real early, 2:00AM, I had breakfast. We then drove MH to EPCOT parking lot and checked things out. Went back to MH and chilled and I nibbled on some nuts, raisins and dark chocolate chips.

Between now and January, why not do a mock 1/2 marathon weekend and see how eating works for you.

BTW, this past January was our first WDW Marathon Weekend and we're back next year again with the motorhome.

 

[jenjacobs]

So I should start running through town in a tinker bell outfit? Haha...... Maybe try that out on the ole home treadmill first.

My 2 girlfriends ran in sparkle skirts at the Wine & Dine and they loved them. They are designed for runners to wear over their usual running shorts/spandex. They wore a dri fit tank on top and everything was very comfortable for running.

They make a lime green that would be great for a tink costume
http://www.team-sparkle.com/shop/lime-green-sparkle-running-skirt/

Here some ideas they have for other Princesses that are really cute.
http://www.team-sparkle.com/category/costumes-for-running/

 

[nikitta28]

Love the links

I think I could even do a long race in those skirts. Definately investing in one.

As for food.... My issue is always more being able to eat AFTER a long run or race. I did 12 today and as always with distance my stomach refuses to cooperate.