The Running Thread - 2016

[alexksmith]

I'm brand new to runDisney so it's a bummer to read people are getting tired of it just as I'm discovering it. That said, I'm still psyched about doing the Dopey this year and I've got to believe they'll all sell out soon enough anyway.

 

[DOOM1001]

This would not be appealing to me. If you told me there was a chance an alligator might show up, that would be one thing. The fact there are 40-50 hanging out is a recipe for disaster. Running will be no fun with a missing leg.


So I came across this article on Facebook today and I thought I would throw it out there for conversation. The article is called "Breaking Up with runDisney" just in case it isn't right on top when you open it like it is now. I can't help but think they are right considering that as of right now Dopey, Goofy, the full and 1/2 marathons (20th anniversary) aren't sold out yet. Dopey and the 1/2 usually sell out quickly so this is surprising to me.

Dumbo and DL 1/2 aren't sold out yet
Infinity Gauntlet and Avengers 1/2 aren't sold out
Tinkerbell wasn't sold out as of a couple days ago

I guess I am just wondering if people are starting to expect more for their money on these races and that's why they aren't selling out quite like they used to?

http://teamshenanigans.org/

I totally did not expect these races to sell out right away,there's many reasons for that,as Barca said there are cycles and about 2 years ago was around the peak but along with that look at how many races were added in Disneyland,about 3-4 years ago they only had a couple of races and those races sold out within minutes,literally faster than any of the WDW races.As they added races those fast sell outs have stopped and all those races are also drawing runners who may have been doing races at WDW,there's only so many runners that can afford or have the time to be doing multiple RunDisney weekends.Which leads to me to another point,these races are flat out expensive,a half costs more than 2 non RunDisney halfs,the medals are great,the shirts are as premium as premium get and running the Disney parks are great but aside from that what this article mentioned is that you can have just as much fun and get more perks at other races many of which give out many more freebies and better post race food.At the Publix Ft.Lauderdale A1A half this year for example I must have paid $70-$75 and I probably got almost all that money back in food and freebies they were giving away at the expo and after the race,no joking around just in Muscle milk bottles that go for $3-$4 they were giving them out to runners and spectators like they had too many and had to get rid of them,and that's just one thing,you don't get burgers,tacos,OJ or ice cream fruit bars at the finish line at Disney,also for both runners and spectators,the beer was just for runners but they could get as many as they wanted.Another reason I didn't expect a fast sell out is the economy in other countries,just as lately there's been a drop in those visitors to the parks there's also been a drop in the runners,compare the amount of runners from Brazil for example for the Disney full in 2015 to 2016,I didn't count as there's obviously too many but I did count how many times I had to scroll down from the top to the bottom,in 2015 38 times,2016 22 times,that right there shows how many fewer this year.With all that said when August comes around I will be giving RunDisney another $350 to do the Dark Side challange again.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I'm brand new to runDisney so it's a bummer to read people are getting tired of it just as I'm discovering it. That said, I'm still psyched about doing the Dopey this year and I've got to believe they'll all sell out soon enough anyway.

You won't be able to tell when you are there in January. The joint is gonna be rockin'.

 

[cavepig]

I'm brand new to runDisney so it's a bummer to read people are getting tired of it just as I'm discovering it. That said, I'm still psyched about doing the Dopey this year and I've got to believe they'll all sell out soon enough anyway.

Don't worry, for all those that are 'burnt out' & saying they are done with RunDisney there's new people like you getting into it. Most people have to pick and choose race weekends where some of those getting burnt out have done practically every race weekend. You'll have a blast & good luck!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I'm brand new to runDisney so it's a bummer to read people are getting tired of it just as I'm discovering it. That said, I'm still psyched about doing the Dopey this year and I've got to believe they'll all sell out soon enough anyway.

This will be my 5th marathon weekend- I've ran all the other WDW weekends and some DLR and yes I'm a lot burned out and most weekends have gotten dropped from my race calendar however wdw marathon weekend is my fav and excited to run the Half

 

[Waiting2goback]

I'm brand new to runDisney so it's a bummer to read people are getting tired of it just as I'm discovering it. That said, I'm still psyched about doing the Dopey this year and I've got to believe they'll all sell out soon enough anyway.

I wasn't trying to deter anyone or ruin their fun. I have only done 2 Disney races and I lived them both. There are certain weekends I wouldn't really care to do and as long as I can afford it I plan to make marathon weekend a regular thing. (I may still try to get there for 2017). I think the energy around marathon weekend was awesome, not to mention that living in MA its nice to get to warmer weather in the winter. You will be fine and you will probably become addicted like most people do.

 

[Diskidatheart]

@LSUlakes good luck on the move and hope everything goes well. I have a couple of additional races to add to the first page.

June 11 - Daily American 10k (sub 48:00 - last year I won my age group with a 48:27 and lost the Master's division by 20 seconds...hoping to be sub 48 for a chance to win the Masters)
Jan 4-8 - Dopey Challenge (goal is to finish with a beer in my hand).

 

[FFigawi]

Jan 4-8 - Dopey Challenge (goal is to finish with a beer in my hand).

That's pretty easy to do. Stop at an outdoor bar cart as you leave World Showcase. Buying one too much earlier increases the risk of excessive foaming, spilling, or having it all be consumed by the finish.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I'm brand new to runDisney so it's a bummer to read people are getting tired of it just as I'm discovering it. That said, I'm still psyched about doing the Dopey this year and I've got to believe they'll all sell out soon enough anyway.

I hope my earlier post didn't seem too negative. I think the races are all going to sell out for Marathon Weekend. Like I've said in other threads, my first race in 2012 was the Half during Marathon Weekend and I signed up in September 2011 for that race; basically 4-5 months after registration opened. There has just been an incredible boom the last few years and I think we may be slightly on the downside of that boom. My perspective on the article was merely that I could understand his frustrations with rD, even if I'm not close to reaching his same conclusion.

 

[FFigawi]

I hope my earlier post didn't seem too negative. I think the races are all going to sell out for Marathon Weekend. Like I've said in other threads, my first race in 2012 was the Half during Marathon Weekend and I signed up in September 2011 for that race; basically 4-5 months after registration opened.

Ah, the pre-boom days when Disney had to offer free park admission for Marathon Monday (show up at any park with a marathon finisher's medal and get in for free) just to try to get the full to sell out.

 

[Barca33Runner]

Ah, the pre-boom days when Disney had to offer free park admission for Marathon Monday (show up at any park with a marathon finisher's medal and get in for free) just to try to get the full to sell out.

Unfortunately I arrived with the boom and both never experienced such perks and am part of the problem that eliminated them.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

I feel like the complaints people make about RunDisney events are synonymous with complaints at Disney Parks themselves…”not enough characters, lines are too long for Characters.” “Courses have bottlenecks (Main Street gets too crowded)”. “Races sell out to fast (reservations are too hard to get at BOG).” “$200 for a Half Marathon ($100 single day ticket), to name a few.

When I’m asked about RunDisney events I respond with, “don’t do it unless you love you some Disney because RunDisney events are the Walt Disney Worlds of the running circuit.” They are expensive, they are crowded, you are generally at the mercy of how Disney wants things done, BUT and it’s a huge BUT, they are Magical, they are awesome and like most things Disney they create an emotional attachment that you don’t get with other events.

I think most of the complaints made in that article are legit and hopefully will be addressed. But, as I read the comments it sounds like most of them are directed at Dark Side weekend which sounds like it was pretty bad for a lot of people. I’ve only done Marathon Weekend but I thought those were very well organized and presented. They weren’t perfect, but the issues I dealt with were similar to any large run event I’ve done. I guess we all have our thresholds. Like @BuckeyeBama said…Marathon weekend will be awesome!

 

[roxymama]

For me, rundisney races mean full scale vacations with the fancy hotel and food and air travel, etc. So they are going to be a "once in a while" event for me for now. Of course I am going to lobby for a race next year on a more low-scale solo or adult only short trip that's more focused on a race challenge and less on the whole she-bang vacation. But because I am an over-planner I am stalking all the races to see which one I want to pick. I'm leaning Tink 2017 PDC right now.

 

[Anisum]

I love runDisney and I am certainly not getting tired of it (though I'm also fairly new) all of the races mentioned are out in Cali which for me is an expensive prospect between the hotel, the flight (very costly from the east coast), the airport transfers. So while I would love to do all of those races (especially considering Cali weather is so much better than Florida's in terms of humidity) I find that unless it's for a C2C and I plan the two races as a vacation it is not cost effective to me. I don't mind paying to run at Disney even though it's expensive because to me the experience is worth it BUT the cost of everything else kills me because it takes away from travelling somewhere I've never been before. So while I would love to do Avengers or even DL half I just can't justify the cost of getting out there and staying for a few days just for a run, even a Disney run. I do have races I plan to do in the future. I want to do Dopey one day and I would love to hit Castle to Chateau if they keep it up that year. I also want to get the Kessel Run in.

 

[Barca33Runner]

I feel like the complaints people make about RunDisney events are synonymous with complaints at Disney Parks themselves…”not enough characters, lines are too long for Characters.” “Courses have bottlenecks (Main Street gets too crowded)”. “Races sell out to fast (reservations are too hard to get at BOG).” “$200 for a Half Marathon ($100 single day ticket), to name a few.

When I’m asked about RunDisney events I respond with, “don’t do it unless you love you some Disney because RunDisney events are the Walt Disney Worlds of the running circuit.” They are expensive, they are crowded, you are generally at the mercy of how Disney wants things done, BUT and it’s a huge BUT, they are Magical, they are awesome and like most things Disney they create an emotional attachment that you don’t get with other events.

I think most of the complaints made in that article are legit and hopefully will be addressed. But, as I read the comments it sounds like most of them are directed at Dark Side weekend which sounds like it was pretty bad for a lot of people. I’ve only done Marathon Weekend but I thought those were very well organized and presented. They weren’t perfect, but the issues I dealt with were similar to any large run event I’ve done. I guess we all have our thresholds. Like @BuckeyeBama said…Marathon weekend will be awesome!

You mention the thing about the article and the author's comments in the comment section that struck me as odd. I also find the parallels between the races and Walt Disney World to be very evident, but the author seemed pretty fervent in his belief that this was a runDisney problem and that his enthusiasm for vacations at Disney was not affected.

I also tell people when asked about rD races that unless they love Disney (or at least lean in that direction) they will likely not enjoy themselves and will focus on the negative instead of the positive during the experience.

 

[Madame]

I hope it's okay to ask a question here. I've never posted on this thread before, but read along & am gaining invaluable knowledge!

I'm a new runner, former walker (but fast speed-like walking was my main form of exercise). I've had minor ankle problems off and on and numbness in my foot (probably due to 2 bulging disks). Started running 5K 3x / week at the end of Feb. Took 6 days off for hernia surgery then back at it.

I had what felt like muscle pain on the inside of my ankle, a bit up my calf mid-March. I iced it & rested a couple days & it seemed fine.

2 days ago was a rest day & I wake up with the same thing - it didn't hurt the day before when I ran, but I'd run Sat & Sun which I'd not done before. Hurts to push off & turn my ankle inward. I ran 6K anyway . And of course it still hurts.

I'm wondering if I should wait & see or go in to see a podiatrist as it seems chronic. I've discovered I really like running & could have run a full 10K last night, but my ankle was howling in pain .

 

[surfde22]

I hope it's okay to ask a question here. I've never posted on this thread before, but read along & am gaining invaluable knowledge!

I'm a new runner, former walker (but fast speed-like walking was my main form of exercise). I've had minor ankle problems off and on and numbness in my foot (probably due to 2 bulging disks). Started running 5K 3x / week at the end of Feb. Took 6 days off for hernia surgery then back at it.

I had what felt like muscle pain on the inside of my ankle, a bit up my calf mid-March. I iced it & rested a couple days & it seemed fine.

2 days ago was a rest day & I wake up with the same thing - it didn't hurt the day before when I ran, but I'd run Sat & Sun which I'd not done before. Hurts to push off & turn my ankle inward. I ran 6K anyway . And of course it still hurts.

I'm wondering if I should wait & see or go in to see a podiatrist as it seems chronic. I've discovered I really like running & could have run a full 10K last night, but my ankle was howling in pain .

I would definitely seek out advice from a medical professional, either a podiatrist or a sports medicine doctor. The can take any necessary images and/or recommend PT depending on what they find.

 

[preciouspups]

Trying to keep up here!
For the race with the gators... no... just no. And it isn't just the gators, it is the snakes and the mosquitoes and every other critter out there! LOL!

I have not volunteered for any race yet. Most around here are put on by specific organizations and never ask for volunteers.

I have only done one RD race and have only one on the horizon. They have been special occasions so we don't mind spending the money and since we can drive to FL and stay at SoG, we save a little money. We wouldn't be able to do it otherwise.

I think the race organizers here are in some sort of cahoots to send us all to the ER. It is hotter than hell already and no race is starting before 9:00 a.m. When the sun is full and HOT and HUMID. I went for a walk at 8:00 this morning and was drenched in sweat.

 

[roxymama]

Update: So the marathon I was debating on volunteering for on Sunday is going to be a thunderstorm fest if the forecasts are accurate. Since my 10k the day before likely will be threw rain as well I think I will skip volunteering for this one. I've had a cold for over a week so it's probably a good idea not to tempt fate. But I will see you all who are running Chicago later this year...I'll be the one with the water or the medal or whatnot

 

[ZellyB]

When I’m asked about RunDisney events I respond with, “don’t do it unless you love you some Disney because RunDisney events are the Walt Disney Worlds of the running circuit.” They are expensive, they are crowded, you are generally at the mercy of how Disney wants things done, BUT and it’s a huge BUT, they are Magical, they are awesome and like most things Disney they create an emotional attachment that you don’t get with other events.

Exactly yes to all of this. They are huge races run by a huge profit-driven corporation. They will most certainly have problems. The expense and the ever-increasing prices are strictly an outcome of matching cost to demand. Like any business, runDisney will push the limit to the point that the market will bear. We may be reaching that point with the addition of new race weekends and added capacity along with a painful price point. BUT, you are reading those complaints from a group of people who still happily fork over our money to runDisney - heck I was on right at noon Eastern yesterday to sign-up for a race that likely won't sell out for MONTHS just because I didn't want to take any chances. Let's be honest, I'm obviously not too disenchanted. In fact, my original plan was not to go back for a race until Dopey in 2018 and just missing one year of marathon weekend was enough to drive me back for another Goofy in 2017. I've run other races and thoroughly enjoyed them, and I sort of cringe at the word Magical sometimes because it can get overused here on The Dis, but in all truth, there is something extra special about running at Disney and I guess Magical might really be the best term to use for it.