WDW Half Marathon

[AlvaroLuis]

Hi all!!!
Does anybody know what would be the appropriate board for this subject?

I just registered for the WDW half marathon to be held Jan 9, 2005. Would be my first WDW 1/2 marathon and would like to get some info from people who've done it before.

Thanks,

 

[dlstc]

Here's how a similar event went in January:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/wdwupdate/wdw040121.htm

Diana

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Thanks for the link Diana. I've never run a half marathon but could not have a better incentive to start training.

 

[diz_princess]

I'm am seriously considering doing it. I just had a baby and what better way to work the weight off then a trip to WDW to run in the Half
I'm going to decide within the next week or so...I need to get out and run to see where I'm at. I ran before getting pregnant but it was only 4 miles at the most. I think I'll be able to do it because you only need to keep up a 16 min/mile and that's not a problem for me.
What is your training schedule like? How are you preparing?

 

[AlvaroLuis]

At this point I'm only running about 5K (I think that's close to 3.2 miles...and change...) 3 times a week (doing about 10 minutes per mile).

In order to maintain the training motivation I'll sign up of a relay race on August 8 (will run either 5 or 6 kilometers that day) and for a 1/2 marathon on November 14. I'll increase the training distance to 10k, twice a week, and 5k, twice a week, within the next 2 months and up until the Aug 8 race. After that I'll run 10k twice a week and will increase the distance until I'm able to run 10k twice a week and 21k (1/2 marathon) twice a week. Once I'm able to do 21k I'll worry about the pace.

SIGN UP!!! I've heard that 1/2 marathon slots went fast this year. I registered via internet...no hassle!!!

 

[diz_princess]

Once I'm able to do 21k I'll worry about the pace.

I'm just doing the Half to do it. I'm not going to worry about my pace for the actual race. If I finish it...I'll be happy! LOL!
I have heard too that it fills up fast. Do you have any idea how many people run in it?
I need to double check with hubby that he's willing to go to WDW for the race.
I'll keep you posted!

 

[diz_princess]

Oh, and let me know if you hook up online with others doing the race. I'd love to chat with others so I know what I'm in store for.

 

[AlvaroLuis]

I posted this message at disboards and disneycentral. So far what you see is all I've gotten in response.

I understand there were around 8,000 runners at the 1/2 marathon this year (6,000+ in 2003), so I guess there will be close to 10,000- next year.

I hope your "fan" can make it to the race. This trip will be our annual vacation with the kids (daughter 14 & son 11), so, if they manage to get up that early in that cold weather, they'll be there for me...and for you 2...

 

[andromedaslove]

I was planning to run the half this year, but ended up expecting a baby and couldn't continue training. I will run it one day, maybe 2006!! I just wanted to give you some websites with great training plans. www.coolrunning.com has the best I have found so far. They have them for every level of runner and from running everything from a 5K (3.1 miles) to the full marathon which is 26.2 miles!! Good luck to everyone training. The furthest I ever got was 8 miles for a long run.

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Great link! I'm definitely a "beginner"...I'm currently running about 15 miles a week and expect (is more like "hope") to finish the half marathon in about 2 hours.

I'm planning a family reunion in Orlando for January 2006, so maybe we'll run the 1/2 together...

 

[micks]

I'm preparing to run my second half marathon next weekend - the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon (the largest 1/2 marathon in the world) and both DH and I have used the training program from www.halhigdon.com. I can't say enough about this guy -he's just terrific!! DH also uses his marathon training programs (he's doing his third on Sunday). Check it out...

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Thanks for the link to this website. I already checked it out and his training makes a lot of sense.

I've never runned a 1/2 marathon, this will be my first and what better place than WDW

 

[GoofItUp]

Check out the WISH board.....there are lots of DIS-er's running the 1/2 marathon. They've even reserved blocks of rooms on-site. Good luck running the 1/2 marathon!

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Thanks GoofItUp, I'll check that board right away.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You have to leave your resort and be at the start by about 4AM. Traffic is very bad going into Epcot around 5:15. There are cars backed up all over the place. Get there early. The race starts at 6AM. You start in the Epcot parking lot, run through Epcot and out. Head down the road to MK, come into MK near Tony's. Up Main Street, around the castle, through the castle, out of MK near Splash. Run past GF and end up in the Pluto Parking lot.

It was very cold this past marathon. At the expo, they sell lots of marathon stuff including tear away tyvex pants and shirts that you can wear until you start the race. You see lots of clothing and trash bags lying along the start of the race. You will get warm as you run. My husband wore a long sleeved cool max shirt and running tights. Plus gloves and a stocking cap.

Write your name on your shirt in big letters. Make sure your number is easily seen so when they take your picture, they will be able to see it.

There are several water stops along the way, the marathon also gets food stops once they pass the Pluto parking lot.

Good luck.

Do a google search on Disney Deads.

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Thanks a lot Deb for the little details. Is there any other way of getting to the parking lot at 4 am other than driving your own car. I'm planning on staying on-site that weekend, so if Disney buses run at that time I would definitely take one.

One of my concerns is the temperature at that time in the morning. Did I mention I'm from Panama (Central America)? Average temp down here is around 90 degrees F.

I'll do the suggested search, get back to you if I have more questions, thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yes, Disney provides lots of buses for the runners and watchers to get to Epcot on time. They hire out just about every bus in town. We stayed at WL in January. There must have been five or six buses at a time waiting to take the runners or watchers to the park for the start of the race.

It will probably be cold. It was about 35 degrees Fahrenheit if I recall this year. By the end of the half, it had warmed up to about 45 or 50 degrees. After you complete the race, they give you a mylar blanket to wrap up in. Then you hop a bus back to your resort.

Just remember to layer your clothing and plan to doff it during the race. The tearaway tyvex clothing worked pretty good for my husband. I did have a sweatshirt ready for him after he finished.

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Thanks Deb, I was concerned about having to drive to EPCOT at that time. We haven't decided where we are gonna stay: my wife wants ASMovies but I lean more towards PORiverside.