WDW Marathon weekend 2017 - Solo plans. Input?

[Rory CB]

Morning!

I don't have things 100% figured out yet, but does anyone have thoughts on my general itinerary for the WDW marathon weekend 2017?

I am going solo and plan to keep things relatively relaxed. I have ADRs and will likely get some FP+ (which is why I am trying to figure out which parks I want to be in each day.) It has been 6 years since I was last in the parks, so I am not 100% sure my timings (travel times, etc) are correct.

I'd love to hear from past runners as well to see if my plan is completely crazy (I know it is a little crazy, I am a fairly seasoned traveller). *edit: I am running the half marathon

Rory

Jan 5 -
06:15 Flight to Orlando (lands ~9:15)
10:00 To POP & Check-in (hopefully)
11:30 Lunch At POP
12:30 To Race Expo
13:00 Race Expo
14:30 Back To POP
15:00 Drop off carry-on (or purchases depending how Check-in goes)
15:30 To Epcot
16:00 Epcot
19:20 Dinner - Garden Grill
20:30 Find Spot to Watch Illuminations
21:00 Illuminations
21:30 Back to POP
22:00 Run - Last real run

Jan 6 -
06:00 Run - Shakeout Run
07:30 Breakfast at POP
08:00 To Animal Kingdom
09:00 AK
11:00 Early Lunch/Snack (QS at AK)
11:30 AK
14:30 To Epcot
15:00 Epcot
16:00 Dinner - Teppan Edo
17:30 Back to Pop
18:00 Try to go to bed .... (hahaha)

Jan 7 -
03:00 To Half Marathon Race Retreat
03:30 Race Retreat - Breakfast I
05:30 Half Marathon
07:30 Massage
08:00 Race Retreat - Breakfast II
09:00 Back to Hotel
10:00 Recovery stuff, nap
13:00 To Magic Kingdom
14:00 Lunch (QS at BoG)
15:00 MK
19:45 Dinner - Liberty Tree Tavern
20:30 Find Spot to Watch Wishes
21:00 Wishes
22:00 close out MK (Kiss Goodnight?)
22:30 Back to POP

Jan 8 -
06:00 Run - Recovery Run
07:30 Breakfast at POP
08:00 To DHS
09:00 DHS
11:30 Lunch (QS at DHS)
12:30 DHS
15:30 Back To POP
17:00 To Disney Springs
18:00 Explore Disney Springs
19:00 Dinner - Frontera Cocina
20:00 Explore Disney Springs
21:30 Back to POP

Jan 9 -
06:00 Run - Recovery Run
07:30 Breakfast at POP
08:00 To Magic Kingdom
09:00 MK
11:30 Lunch (QS at MK)
12:30 MK
14:00 To Epcot
18:00 Dinner (QSR at Epcot?)
19:00 Back To POP
19:30 ME To Airport (?)
22:00 Flight Home

 

[ludari]

So it looks like you are only doing the half marathon correct? If that is the case I don't see anything wrong with your plan. I have done the Goofy Race multiple times and have spent time hanging out at the parks and expo between the various races (5K, 10K, half and full) but I don't stay out too late (2000) and I typically wait until after my last race to really hit the parks and stay up late. Of course this is after I have returned to my room to shower and nap a little.

 

[Rory CB]

So it looks like you are only doing the half marathon correct? If that is the case I don't see anything wrong with your plan. I have done the Goofy Race multiple times and have spent time hanging out at the parks and expo between the various races (5K, 10K, half and full) but I don't stay out too late (2000) and I typically wait until after my last race to really hit the parks and stay up late. Of course this is after I have returned to my room to shower and nap a little.

Yes, running the half marathon, not the challenges - my body takes a beating training for that alone. I am in awe of people who can do goofy or dopey.

 

[CLKnCA]

Congrats on taking on the half! You'll have a blast with it. I'll have a question about your plan, and then I will make a suggestion.

First, the question - are you going to have to set your alarm to get up and do your recovery runs on January 8 and 9? You mentioned that your "body takes a beating" training for the half. So, after you run the half, instead of setting the alarm to wake up and run at 0600, why not let yourself sleep in a bit and rest a day or two from running? You've earned that right with all the training and through the accomplishment of finishing the race! If you're just going to be up anyways without the alarm, maybe it's not so bad. Otherwise, rest and relax. You're on vacation! Also, remember that you're going to be on your feet logging quite a few miles already as you explore DHS, Disney Springs, and MK the following two days. Unlike a race at home, or someplace else that doesn't involve theme park touring, the recovery for your legs and muscles is already kind of built into your days following the race as you enjoy the parks. Now, if this isn't a goal race, and you're using the race as a "training run" for another upcoming race, I can see maybe continuing with your runs, but otherwise, take the mental and physical break that you and your body deserve!!! You earned it!

Second, the suggestion - instead of running on January 8, why not get to DHS a tad bit earlier (if you wake up...no alarm!!) and go watch and support the marathon runners as they make their way through DHS and towards the Epcot resort area. That's the last part of the race, and from experience, I remember really enjoying all the crowd support from DHS all the way into World Showcase. That was a mentally brutal part of the race and the crowd was great. You said that you're in awe of people who do the Goofy or Dopey. Go support them and let them know how awesome they are for pushing through those last few miles. You can wear your medal, and show it off, too. I'm sure other spectators and runners will be congratulating you on your achievement. Who knows...maybe you'll be inspired to take on Goofy or Dopey in 2018. Remember that it's the 25th anniversary of the marathon in 2018. If the medal rivals the one they had for the 20th anniversary, you'll want to add that to your collection! The 20th anniversary marathon medal is one of my favorite medals.

 

[Rory CB]

Congrats on taking on the half! You'll have a blast with it. I'll have a question about your plan, and then I will make a suggestion.

First, the question - are you going to have to set your alarm to get up and do your recovery runs on January 8 and 9? You mentioned that your "body takes a beating" training for the half. So, after you run the half, instead of setting the alarm to wake up and run at 0600, why not let yourself sleep in a bit and rest a day or two from running? You've earned that right with all the training and through the accomplishment of finishing the race! If you're just going to be up anyways without the alarm, maybe it's not so bad. Otherwise, rest and relax. You're on vacation! Also, remember that you're going to be on your feet logging quite a few miles already as you explore DHS, Disney Springs, and MK the following two days. Unlike a race at home, or someplace else that doesn't involve theme park touring, the recovery for your legs and muscles is already kind of built into your days following the race as you enjoy the parks. Now, if this isn't a goal race, and you're using the race as a "training run" for another upcoming race, I can see maybe continuing with your runs, but otherwise, take the mental and physical break that you and your body deserve!!! You earned it!

Second, the suggestion - instead of running on January 8, why not get to DHS a tad bit earlier (if you wake up...no alarm!!) and go watch and support the marathon runners as they make their way through DHS and towards the Epcot resort area. That's the last part of the race, and from experience, I remember really enjoying all the crowd support from DHS all the way into World Showcase. That was a mentally brutal part of the race and the crowd was great. You said that you're in awe of people who do the Goofy or Dopey. Go support them and let them know how awesome they are for pushing through those last few miles. You can wear your medal, and show it off, too. I'm sure other spectators and runners will be congratulating you on your achievement. Who knows...maybe you'll be inspired to take on Goofy or Dopey in 2018. Remember that it's the 25th anniversary of the marathon in 2018. If the medal rivals the one they had for the 20th anniversary, you'll want to add that to your collection! The 20th anniversary marathon medal is one of my favorite medals.

Thanks for the reply -

For the question - this'll be my 4th half marathon, I don't plan on pushing for a PB (I'm aiming for that in 3 weeks). I signed up sheerly for the fact that it is a runDisney race. I want to get as many character pictures as I can and enjoy the experience as much as I can. You make a good point about the recovery runs after being built into the following two days. While I will still likely be up at 6am (crazy internal clock, doesn't understand vacation) I can still relax around the room/hotel.

For the suggestion - I had thought about going to cheer on the marathoners, and it completely slipped my mind when I was drafting up that schedule! I think that is a great way to spend an early morning (no alarm ) - I could grab a snack at the resort before, go cheer the marathoners on, and have breakfast at DHS when things open.

 

[dburg30]

Dont know if you've found it or not, but down towards the bottom of the forums, you'll find a dedicated runDisney forum.

 

[Rory CB]

Dont know if you've found it or not, but down towards the bottom of the forums, you'll find a dedicated runDisney forum.

Yup, been trawling there too - though I haven't asked this directly (but thanks for mentioning it) I figured the solo forum was a better place - good advice so far here

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH will see you at the starting line! He's also doing the half this year. Did the Dopey last year, but he didn't want to repeat all that training. Anyways, I think you'll find that being a solo runner-there's no such thing, at least at WDW. Everyone's one huge family. I remember on my first solo marathon weekend visit, watching people who'd never met, running together every morning. And be sure to wear your "Bling" to the theme parks after the half marathon.

 

[Rory CB]

And be sure to wear your "Bling" to the theme parks after the half marathon.

I keep reading about this, is it really a thing? I always feel silly wearing my bling once i leave the race area (at least the non-Disney ones I have run.)

But if it is common at WDW then I will get over it

Edit: thanks for the info about the vibe of the run, I am *really* looking forward to it!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I keep reading about this, is it really a thing? I always feel silly wearing my bling once i leave the race area (at least the non-Disney ones I have run.)

But if it is common at WDW then I will get over it

According to DH, if you don't wear your bling at the theme parks, you might be the only runner NOT wearing it!

 

[TCB in FLA]

Absolutely wear your medal! Disney is the only place I've worn mine following a race. And people wear them for days after, from the 5k to the Dopey. And wear your race shirt after too!

Your plan looks good. The only thing you might want to reconsider is all of the time that you have on your feet the day(s) prior to the half – a shakeout run +2 parks is a lot even with an early bedtime.

 

[Rory CB]

According to DH, if you don't wear your bling at the theme parks, you might be the only runner NOT wearing it!

haha good to know. I will wear the bling then

 

[Rory CB]

Absolutely wear your medal! Disney is the only place I've worn mine following a race. And people wear them for days after, from the 5k to the Dopey. And wear your race shirt after too!

Your plan looks good. The only thing you might want to reconsider is all of the time that you have on your feet the day(s) prior to the half – a shakeout run +2 parks is a lot even with an early bedtime.

I will keep that in mind, I think I will play the first two days by ear, move my shakeout runs to the end of the days and skip them if needed.