Was Disney your first marathon?

[roomthreeseventeen]

I am seriously contemplating deferring MCM and making Disney 26.2 my first full marathon.

To be honest, all I'm looking for is a good experience. I don't want to finish dead, I'd be thrilled to run sub-5 (my current half PR is 2:10:28). My current mpw is somewhere around 27 mpw, hoping to increase that a lot once my shin splints heal a bit more.

So, is Disney a good first? Why or why not?

 

[FireDancer]

Disney was my first half but not my first full. Are you considering doing the MSM in 2011 and then the Disney full in 2012? That might be too close for your first two. I could run a half a month but I still need more then 3 months between fulls.

I wouldn't postpone the MCM just to make Disney your first but if the choice is between the two and you would rather make marathon weekend a whole trip I say go for it.

I had as much fun running my second full at Disney as I did running my first half.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Frank, the reason would be primarily to give me another two months to train.

 

[FFigawi]

I don't think you can go wrong with either of them as a first marathon. MCM is generally regarded as one of, if not the best marathons for first timers. Something like 1/3 of the field are running their first marathon. I've heard the on-course support from the volunteers, spectators, entertainment (bands, cheerleaders, etc.), and the Marines is fantastic. You can't go wrong with the MCM scenery either, running past all the monuments and parks in DC.

Disney offers really good sights and scenery too, but I think their on-course support is lacking compared to other big marathons. The volunteers and characters are wonderful, don't get me wrong, and they do a great job, but the course doesn't lend itself to being lined with cheering spectators, bands, etc., all the way along. I'd guess Disney's overall weekend experience is probably better than MCM (can't say for sure until after I run MCM this fall) since no one does a better job of guest immersion than Disney. With most of the people in the parks there for the marathon and Disney being pretty self-contained, you can't help but get a positive vibe and energy about the marathon everywhere you go.

I suppose it all comes down to what you want and need during your first marathon. If you've got to have that Disney experience, then I'd go with Disney. If you want support and entertainment from spectators and others all the way along the course, I'd go with MCM. If it doesn't matter either way, I'd do both.

 

[jmasgat]

Amy Disney was my first full. And I thought it was fine. To be honest, when I'm out running races, I am not a "sightseer". I don't really care about the level of cheering, entertainment, etc. I tend to just focus on running--for me it's a personal challenge.

I have done 2 other marathons since--Detroit and Boston. And they both had things going for them. But in the end, running a marathon is hard work, and at some point, the atmosphere is really not a factor.

But John raises some good points. Decide your style....what do you think you'll need to make it through the race? Disney is a flat course, reasonably well supported (at least, I didn't have any problems) and of course, there are all of us wonderful WISHers who will be there running!

Good luck in making your choice.

Maura

 

[bunnyfoo]

I did Disney as my first full marathon. I wanted to have a good experience running that distance and figured Disney was the best for that - the crowds, entertainment etc. I also knew that there would be lots of WISH'ers out and about on the course and it's always fun to have someone cheering for you. I knew if I didn't enjoy the marathon, I wouldn't have wanted to run that distance again. I'd already run a bit of the course from doing the half and the last 15K from the Minnie 15K.

Not sure what MCM is like but I hear the crowds are great there. I'm going to be running it in October too.

 

[Duanerice]

Disney was my first. Loved it, but who's to say I wouldn't have loved MCM just as much. Actually that is one of the last marathons that I really would like to do. That and NYC.

I have to admit though that the only reason I originally signed up for a marathon was because it was Disney. Not sure I would have signed up if it wasn't a Disney race. Just the thought of being able to run through all 4 parks excited me.

But, looks like you are already set on a marathon so I'd say go for whatever fits your schedule. Both are great races. Disney I think is more of a vacation race with the parks and all. But DC has all the other cool stuff..... what do I know, do them both!

enjoy,
Duane

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Disney was also my first. I found I was very motivated by the parks, particularly AK - I was really dragging coming up to AK, but the crowds and excitement (and getting to ride EE!) were a great pick-me-up.

But as Maura says, there is a point where you just don't care. By the time I got to DHS, I could have been ANYWHERE! I know I was there because I have a picture of me in the park at mile marker 23, but I don't remember being in the park at all. I do remember running around the WS in Epcot at the end, though, and that was a great experience.

I don't know that much about MCM, but I have also heard that it's a great first marathon, so I don't think you can go wrong with either of them. If you need the extra couple months training time, I would defer MCM and go for Disney.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Disney was my first full in 2009, and I had a terrific time with the WISH support. I'd been sick through much of November, and ended up walking a lot of the course with WISH buddy and had a fabulous time. Enjoyed it much more than I did the half the previous year.

I ran MCM last year (injured, and really, really struggling), and I have to say the support from people along the way overall beats Disney. When we came into Georgetown I could have sworn we were on Main Street, except it might actually have been louder! There were a few spots that were lonely, but not nearly as many as there are on the road stretches at WDW. And while there isn't a gospel choir at the end, the Marines cheering you at the finish line are amazing. I'm doing it again this year in hopes that I'll actually see and enjoy the parts that I missed last year while I was feeling really sorry for myself and just wishing it would be over (and truly wishing there were WISHers along the way to pick me up!)

Either one is going to be a memorable first. I'm just beginning to train post-surgery, so I have to believe there's enough time to get to 26.2 by October 30, but you have to make the decision based on what you think is right for your body.

And if you decide you don't want to do MCM at all, DH needs an entry!

Jackie

 

[cynomologus]

Disney was my first marathon too... I picked Disney mainly because I knew that's where I wanted to run, and thought at the time that I was going to be "one and done" as far as full marathons go.... so I figured if I was going to do "only one" then Disney was going to be it....

Little did I know that I was going to be bitten by the running bug and now consider 1/2 marathons as "training runs" for my fulls.

One thing to consider when running Disney as your first.... my time stunk!! Mainly because I stopped to get photos with a bunch of characters and waiting, and stopping and starting really hurt me....

Like I said, at the time I was going to only run the one marathon so I was trying to maximize my "experience"....

If I were in your position I would run both.... as of now, I am planning on running a full marathon in October/November before running Goofy in January

JOHN

 

[John VN]

First off, I am not a runner just a walker.

This past January was my first Full marathon along with being my second 1/2 marathon and second 5K. It was important to me to be my first Full because DW and I have vacationed at WDW during Marathon Weekend for many years and I had said many times I wanted to do the marathon. 2012 Marathon Weekend will be my second Full marathon again because we will be vacationing there.

If bands, fans, fancy medal, other entertainment and PARKS are vital for your enjoyment then WDW is pretty good but compared to other events I have no clue. I do not need those perks. Give me potty stops, water, some energy supplements and I'm good to go.

 

[ksoehrlein]

WDW was my first (and second!) full marathon, and it was terrific! I've since done two non-Disney fulls and at both, I really missed the magic and, more importantly, having access to "real" bathrooms along the course. Taking a moment to get out of the weather, use the (clean) facilities, wash my hands, and wipe my face with a damp paper towel was a much better experience than dealing with a porta-potty.

 

[WVUFan]

WDW was my first and second marathon. I started running when I friend asked me to run the 2010 marathon, and I said yes before I could run 1 mile. I love running through the parks and seeing the characters- especially the ones that are rarely in the parks.

I can't really compare it to another others, as my first non-Disney marathon is this coming Sunday in Pittsburgh. A friends actually volunteered to dress up, but seemed very happy when I told him he didn't have to.

I think you'll have a great time either way!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I have done WDW as my first marathon and first and all Goofy events and only my marathon experiences. I enjoy the play time along the course at WDW and then vacationing afterward in the parks.

I have heard wonderful things about MCM and would expect you would enjoy that too.

Good luck trying to make a choice. or, both?

 

[FireDancer]

Frank, the reason would be primarily to give me another two months to train.

Well, that may actually be a double edged sword since you live up north. The one big drawback for the Disney full for me was having to do my last month of training in the snow and missing some of the runs just a few weeks out because of all the holiday plans.

It wasn't so much that I don't like running in the snow because at least at that time of year I do but it doesn't make it easy to stay at your target pace when you are trying not to fall and dodging salt trucks.

 

[J3nn78]

Well, that may actually be a double edged sword since you live up north. The one big drawback for the Disney full for me was having to do my last month of training in the snow and missing some of the runs just a few weeks out because of all the holiday plans.

It wasn't so much that I don't like running in the snow because at least at that time of year I do but it doesn't make it easy to stay at your target pace when you are trying not to fall and dodging salt trucks.

That was my problem too. From late November on, training became much more of a chore and harder to fit in. Part of it was probably the miles really building up, but the other was the weather. I hate running so bundled up and it really makes me nervous once the salt and grit is on the road.

I failed at my 21 mile run and quit at 16 because the conditions were so bad.

And to the original question, Disney was my first full and so far my only one. I am only doing halves this year(recovering from knee surgery), but I am planning on doing Goofy in 2013 and maybe MCM that year as well.

 

[cryssi]

Yup! My first and so far only full. I went into it undertrained and stopped for a TON of pics, so my time was very slow. It was awesome and amazing though!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

Disney was my first half and first full. I haven't done a Marathon outside of Disney yet but it was a great experience. The time of year was nice, the crowds were great, and having the added support of a lot of other first-timers was a bonus. I had to modify my training plan a bit to work with the holiday season but since most of my training was on the treadmill, it wasn't too big of a deal. My mistake were the shoes...they worked great for the half marathon but did not work well for the full and I was hurting after a while. But, I can't imagine any Marathon that would be better to start out with. You may be a lot more impressed with the WDW full over the Wine & Dine.

 

[scoolover]

With 4400+posts, you are most certainly a Disney geek and as such, the Disney Marathon must be your first. The MCM can wait.

When I decided that I was running a marathon, Disney had to be the one.



Good luck!!!