Wine and Dine 2015

[camaker]

I have no problem with walkers. I guess I don't know how the run/walk method can result in a time below roughly 2:15, which was corral E and forward, but could be mistaken. I also passed a lot of bib numbers way higher than 4000, so it was more a comment on corral hopping. If you are walking though, please don't do it in the middle.

I think folks need to keep in mind that there are several reasons that people in higher corrals may be walking other than corral hopping.

1. Not everyone is going to be out there trying to match the PR that they submitted as PoT. Given the congestion of the race and the entertainment along the course, a lot more people take it easy and enjoy the experience versus going all out from what I gather.
2. On race weekends with multiple races or challenges, individuals are much more likely to be taking it easy, conserving energy for the next race (or slowed by their exertions from a previous race). There was a 5k that morning that I'm sure a number of racers took part in.
3. Racers may not be at peak fitness on race day, for better or for worse. As a case in point, I tore my hamstring in September and despite two months of rehab at this point, I'm likely to be limited to a run/walk for most of my races at WDW Marathon Weekend. Am I going to keep the corral that I earned with my 1:56 half PoT? Absolutely! I'm sure I'll still have to deal with slower folks in front of me and faster folks behind me will just have to deal with me, as well. I've yet to run a race where I didn't have to pass anyone and wasn't passed by many myself. It's a part of the racing experience.

Keep in mind, too, that runDisney is explicit that they are "walker-friendly" as long as minimum pacing requirements are met. I don't advocate corral hopping and hope that it is prevented as much as possible, but it bothers me the number of times I see on this board that because someone is slower than the corral that they are bucketed into, they must be there illegitimately.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

Just back from Disney as well. Congrats to all the runners who finished no matter what the distance was. This was supposed to be my first 1/2 marathon, I was well trained and ready so the delay/shortened course was a disappointment but I understand why and at least it wasn't completely cancelled. With it being shortened I ran a good fast pace and enjoyed it for what it was. I was in corral C and as a result of being up close to the front finished in the top 1400 runners and top 900 men. One of the things I was really disappointed in was that I had ordered at the expo on Friday a nice Wine and Dine shadowbox from Lasting Commemoratives to celebrate my first 1/2. It wasn't inexpensive and so I couldn't help feel a little twinge of buyers remorse when I realized it wasn't going to be a true 1/2 marathon. That being said it was still going to be a memory with quite a story to tell. Well yesterday I got an e-mail from the company that they are giving you the option to customize the shadowbox now so instead of saying the Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon it can say things like Half of a Half Finisher, 10K+ Finisher, Lightning Storm Runner or just plain old Wine and Dine Finisher. I actually thought that was a good move by the company to try to make it a memory of the race you actually ran. So, now the question is what saying would you all choose…???
I'll miss reading this forum now that the race is over, I'm mostly a lurker but read it every day. I am running the Dark Side 1/2 in April so that will now will probably be my first 1/2 marathon unless I run a local one first. I hope to "see" you guys on that forum as well.

whaler8

Hi, I really like half of a half. We were in Disney Springs on Sunday and the announcer of the dance party called it that. It was cute and it kinda stuck with me! I will say just like the splash n dasher's of 2014, we have a unique race story to tell!

 

[jeanigor]

@Miranda I said it a few times now. But honestly all the complaining by other runners is what ruined this for me. I'm talking the obnoxious level not the mostly normal and rational feelings that we've expressed here.

The woman I wanted to slap on the bus on the way back (and ended up verbally doing so) had such a sense of crazy entitlement and was complaining loudly about people who are not fit running the race and that if it was a real half they all would have gotten swept. Naturally even though my pace was over 16 that made me feel like dirt so when she started to harass the bus driver I put an end to it. This was an obviously older women too who should have known better.

I suppose there will always be people like that. As for me Disney races will always be fun races. I'm not going to focus on a PR I'll just be enjoying myself and getting amazing Disney medals.

Due to the added time before any sweeper was near me, I stopped running during the Osborne Lights. I walked around. Looked for some of my favorite lights. Took photos. Savored the memories with friends over the past six years we've shared beneath them. I wasn't planning on buying a park ticket to do this, so I am glad I was able to see them one last time before they are gone.

Did it ruin my pace? Absolutely.

Was enjoying the moment more important? Without a doubt.

Do I give two hoots what some loud mouth sour bitter woman on a bus has to say about how I run my race (as long as I am not affecting any other racers by doing so)? She can stick it where the sun don't shine.

 

[escriven75]

I hate to ask more of a newbie, 'for next year' type of question but I'm planning to TRY to register for this race for 2016. It will be my first 1/2 and also my first rD race. I have heard the advice of getting on immediately when possible to register. What I'm wondering is if I also have to know flight, hotel information etc to book that at the same time that I register for the race too?
Also, when some of you were new to 1/2M's did you utilize the method that the rD trainer teaches? And did it work for you? I have never considered doing a 1/2 because I know I'll probably need to stop and walk at times. But his method encourages that so I'm going to give it a try.

 

[Miranda]

What I'm wondering is if I also have to know flight, hotel information etc to book that at the same time that I register for the race too?

No, absolutely not. You are only registering for the race, they don't care how or when you are getting there.

Also, when some of you were new to 1/2M's did you utilize the method that the rD trainer teaches? And did it work for you? I have never considered doing a 1/2 because I know I'll probably need to stop and walk at times. But his method encourages that so I'm going to give it a try.

Yes, I have used the Galloway training plans and they worked for me. I do Galloway run/walk intervals in pretty much all my runs (although I do tend to skip some of the walk intervals in 5K's and even a couple in a 10K).

 

[Ariel484]

I hate to ask more of a newbie, 'for next year' type of question but I'm planning to TRY to register for this race for 2016. It will be my first 1/2 and also my first rD race. I have heard the advice of getting on immediately when possible to register. What I'm wondering is if I also have to know flight, hotel information etc to book that at the same time that I register for the race too?
Also, when some of you were new to 1/2M's did you utilize the method that the rD trainer teaches? And did it work for you? I have never considered doing a 1/2 because I know I'll probably need to stop and walk at times. But his method encourages that so I'm going to give it a try.

@Miranda already answered your hotel question (another note with that - when you do go to book your resort, you DO NOT need to book through runDisney).

As for your question about using Galloway training plans - I am another that has successfully used one of his plans. I used his beginner half marathon plan to train for the 2011 Princess Half Marathon (my first half marathon) and successfully finished the race. And I do use some form of run/walk intervals, sort of playing around with that right now.

 

[SunDial]

I hate to ask more of a newbie, 'for next year' type of question but I'm planning to TRY to register for this race for 2016. It will be my first 1/2 and also my first rD race. I have heard the advice of getting on immediately when possible to register. What I'm wondering is if I also have to know flight, hotel information etc to book that at the same time that I register for the race too?
Also, when some of you were new to 1/2M's did you utilize the method that the rD trainer teaches? And did it work for you? I have never considered doing a 1/2 because I know I'll probably need to stop and walk at times. But his method encourages that so I'm going to give it a try.

When it comes time to register that is really the only thing you need to worry about. They way these events are selling out you will want to be in front of a computer when the registration window opens. Worry about resort and flights once you know you are in.

My first half was in Disneyworld. All of my RunDisney and non Disney events I do the run/walk/run that Jeff Galloway endorses.
You can do this following a run/walk/run interval that works for YOU!!! Practice in training to find a comfortable pace. As has been said by others in the past. Your journey is an experiment of one. Enjoy your journey.

 

[PrincessV]

Hi V! I think if you ever get a chance to read the last 20 pages, you will be pleasantly surprised. Generally the feeling is "Disappointed but Disney can't control the weather" acceptance.

Oh good - that makes me happy! I just couldn't take any more of what I was seeing in social media.

I'm not sure how you were getting text alerts from Disney, but would love to know for the future.

Sorry - I wasn't clear about that: I wasn't getting alerts from rD but from whoever/whatever it is that sends local emergency alerts to cell phones (my cellular provider? I'm not real sure.) That had nothing to do with the race, only the approaching weather system. I was ready to take shelter under a water table about the time we got the call to evacuate lol!

I do have to say that I thought they did a good job with the loud speaker outside the stadium on the way in.

That's what I was hearing as rD communication. I was able to hear all I needed to know over the loudspeakers going in, at he Field House, and moving back outside. My feeling at the time was that it would be whatever it would be: I didn't need to know the particulars of how/if they were shortening the course. I know that wasn't how everyone felt, and that's okay.

Total thread lurker popping in because I like hearing about races after they happen. I can't help but chime in on why I dislike people who complain about someone being slower or faster in that single moment when you cross paths on a race course and this is why...unless you run the entire race next to those people you really don't know how fast they will be on average over time.

Exactly! I know I'm one about whom some folks talk - because I'm a slow starter and fast finisher. So yep, you bet you'll see me take walk breaks right from the start. I also wind up passing a ton of people from my corral and earlier corrals late in the race because that's just how I happen to run. My overall pace is right within the standards for my corral, though.

 

[ExportedMolson]

Also, when some of you were new to 1/2M's did you utilize the method that the rD trainer teaches? And did it work for you? I have never considered doing a 1/2 because I know I'll probably need to stop and walk at times. But his method encourages that so I'm going to give it a try.

My wife uses the run/walk/run method and followed the Galloway training plan to go from non-athlete to a multiple half marathon finisher. One day she came to me saying a friend thought they should run Tinkerbell and I told her to go for it. She was a little worried about the plan, since she had previously done the C25K and hated it. She followed the rD training plan religiously and wore her medal with pride. The program is easy and will get you to the finish line easily.

I will add, though I run the entire races, I follow the Galloway training plans in terms of days, distance and times to run and it works for me as well.

 

[sperkins921]

I think folks need to keep in mind that there are several reasons that people in higher corrals may be walking other than corral hopping.

Keep in mind, too, that runDisney is explicit that they are "walker-friendly" as long as minimum pacing requirements are met. I don't advocate corral hopping and hope that it is prevented as much as possible, but it bothers me the number of times I see on this board that because someone is slower than the corral that they are bucketed into, they must be there illegitimately.

I am not only going to defend this comment- because I absolutely agree with it- but I want to say that in the case of DH, who was in C and SAW the letters on people's bibs for a lower corral- his comment about corral jumping was 100% true. In the terms of me saying that someone didn't belong where they were (not that I think your comment was directed towards me- I just want to clarify because I happened to be one who said something similar to this sentiment) I'm the last to think because someone is walking they don't belong in the corral with me. Hello? I do a 90/30 interval. It'd be like me calling the kettle black considering I only 'run' for 90 seconds myself LOL

I did get nearly tripped up by someone trying to pass me (and I was RUNNING at that moment) as she came close enough to me that she kicked my foot. I think she was trying to squeeze between me and the person I was running next to. It was somewhere around Sarge's hill (just after I think) so I know the course was tight. I ended up doing the same thing somewhere in HS pre-Osbourne because I was coming up around someone and she moved into my path. I gestured (we both had on headphones) to her that I was sorry; so if you're on here random person- I didn't mean to try to run you over!!

But honestly? I don't understand the mentality against walking. Not all of us are built for endurance. Myself? I'm naturally more able to sprint and go as fast as I can for a few 100 meters. But asking me to run like the wind for 13 miles? Not as easy for the ole body to do. I probably will never be one who runs a race from the second they start to the second they finish. It just isn't natural for me. I can run for longer and longer stints but it'll be a long time before I can a whole half marathon without stopping....

 

[ExportedMolson]

I am also a little sour on the people who like to loudly complain about others in their corrals who are slower than them. I heard several sets of them on Saturday night, and some at Tinker Bell earlier this year, too.

There will always be those people out there who can only make themselves feel better by tearing down those around them. Thankfully those people are in the minority, albeit a vocal one at times. runDisney is not about elite runners and PRs (though I like to try for one any time I race). The entire program is designed to get people active and empowering them to accomplish things they may not have thought possible. Oh yeah and shiny medals. There is a reason Disney celebrates the final finisher as much as the Champion. There is a place for everyone in a runDisney event and I for one think that is a great thing.

 

[wilkeliza]

Yeah, I mean, obviously the people with the high numbers that came in near the beginning (like the 5th person was in the 14,000's) deserved to be in the front corral based on their speed. By the corral they were supposed to be in, I meant, the one they were assigned to. But...

... I didn't realize they did this, which makes sense. I was thinking that it was corral jumpers who went up there.

Just wanted to chime in on #5 since you called him out.His name is Tommy Des Brisay and he is a T20 Para-athlete with Autism. He is amazing and super fast. Check him out on facebook. Not sure why he had such a low bib number this year but he is usually out front in A when he runs. If he didn't require a guide to run with him I whole-heartedly believe he would be in the elite corral. He actually won a half about a month ago with a time of 1 hour and 14 minutes 37 seconds. He is ridiculously fast. That's like a 5 min 36 minute mile!

 

[Figment1990]

I hate to ask more of a newbie, 'for next year' type of question but I'm planning to TRY to register for this race for 2016. It will be my first 1/2 and also my first rD race. I have heard the advice of getting on immediately when possible to register. What I'm wondering is if I also have to know flight, hotel information etc to book that at the same time that I register for the race too?
Also, when some of you were new to 1/2M's did you utilize the method that the rD trainer teaches? And did it work for you? I have never considered doing a 1/2 because I know I'll probably need to stop and walk at times. But his method encourages that so I'm going to give it a try.

Absolutely you CAN do this! I am not a "run-walk-run" method runner at this point, but I completely credit Jeff Galloway and his training videos and concept and training plans for turning me into a runner. Prior to runDisney and Jeff Galloway, I struggled to complete 1 mile. And I never ever even considered running a race of any distance, let alone a half. I didn't even know you could stop for a walk break for a second! But Galloway can and has worked for so many people. I'm so grateful for the way that he and runDisney (and the WISH board disers) have changed my life. I know that sounds so cheesy and sentimental but it's true. In fact, when I was planning my mile dedications last week I actually put Jeff Galloway on there, along with the rD Disers on this board as members of my "running community."

Good luck and enjoy the journey! Sometimes it will be awesome. Sometimes it will be awful. But it will always be worth the effort.

 

[SunDial]

Oh good - that makes me happy! I just couldn't take any more of what I was seeing in social media.


Sorry - I wasn't clear about that: I wasn't getting alerts from rD but from whoever/whatever it is that sends local emergency alerts to cell phones (my cellular provider? I'm not real sure.) That had nothing to do with the race, only the approaching weather system. I was ready to take shelter under a water table about the time we got the call to evacuate lol!


That's what I was hearing as rD communication. I was able to hear all I needed to know over the loudspeakers going in, at he Field House, and moving back outside. My feeling at the time was that it would be whatever it would be: I didn't need to know the particulars of how/if they were shortening the course. I know that wasn't how everyone felt, and that's okay.


Exactly! I know I'm one about whom some folks talk - because I'm a slow starter and fast finisher. So yep, you bet you'll see me take walk breaks right from the start. I also wind up passing a ton of people from my corral and earlier corrals late in the race because that's just how I happen to run. My overall pace is right within the standards for my corral, though.

Yes PrincessV you will like reading those pages. Very supportive and understanding about each others feelings, thoughts and perspective. This is a great community. I am not on FB or any other social media. Between Work and other things in the background there is no time for it.

I thought I had text alerts set for weather but apparently not. I have only gotten a couple of Amber Alerts. So thanks for the reminder

I had a plan in place for myself. I was already heading for the buildings and buses before the call. I figured if they called it I would be one of the first ones on the bus back to the resort, or I would have been one of the first to grab a seat in a building. I headed to the undercover area of the baseball stadium and in a spot that I could be one of the first back out when a decision was made either way.

The stadium was really my only communication gripe. There were several times that an announcer was saying something but the music was not turned off so we all could here what was being said.

When we got back i to the corrals I was in H and yes I was near a speaker that cut off at the start of an important announcement. By then listening to those that are on twitter or FB I knew it was cut. When we finally got to the start we were told it was 7.1.

 

[sperkins921]

Due to the added time before any sweeper was near me, I stopped running during the Osborne Lights. I walked around. Looked for some of my favorite lights. Took photos. Savored the memories with friends over the past six years we've shared beneath them. I wasn't planning on buying a park ticket to do this, so I am glad I was able to see them one last time before they are gone.

Did it ruin my pace? Absolutely.

Was enjoying the moment more important? Without a doubt.

Do I give two hoots what some loud mouth sour bitter woman on a bus has to say about how I run my race (as long as I am not affecting any other racers by doing so)? She can stick it where the sun don't shine.

Looking back on it- I wish I hadn't gotten so caught up in the idea of a PR (which I didn't even come close to) or running fast because totally, i would have spent a LOT more time over there. I hadn't even realized that they had just been lit for the first time either that day or the night before. Literally, we were within the first 5 groups of people to see them this season and this is the last time for them. I really wish I had stopped there. Plus, I'm a HUGE buzz lightyear fan. I would have stopped to get photos there- but the line was long. And long for Sarge's Hill.

I think in the end, I'm going to have to run a 'serious' half somewhere so when I come back to the Disney races; I can run them to really soak in the surroundings.

 

[sperkins921]

I hate to ask more of a newbie, 'for next year' type of question but I'm planning to TRY to register for this race for 2016. It will be my first 1/2 and also my first rD race. I have heard the advice of getting on immediately when possible to register. What I'm wondering is if I also have to know flight, hotel information etc to book that at the same time that I register for the race too?
Also, when some of you were new to 1/2M's did you utilize the method that the rD trainer teaches? And did it work for you? I have never considered doing a 1/2 because I know I'll probably need to stop and walk at times. But his method encourages that so I'm going to give it a try.

I started C25K when I made the decision to run W/D so that by the time I actually registered I could at least do a 5k. Then when I was comfortable with that distance, I had intended to move to C210k but ended up switching to a Galloway-esqe training plan. It worked for me. Now, I want to focus on getting more endurance and getting faster.

 

[sperkins921]

There will always be those people out there who can only make themselves feel better by tearing down those around them. Thankfully those people are in the minority, albeit a vocal one at times. runDisney is not about elite runners and PRs (though I like to try for one any time I race). The entire program is designed to get people active and empowering them to accomplish things they may not have thought possible. Oh yeah and shiny medals. There is a reason Disney celebrates the final finisher as much as the Champion. There is a place for everyone in a runDisney event and I for one think that is a great thing.

We actually were trying to get over to the after party (got stuck in the beer line I believe) when I heard all this commotion and the announcer saying that this one lady was going to be the last one to cross the line and asked that we all cheer for her as the last finisher of the race. I thought it was really special. I don't remember her name, but I remember the sentiment just the same- her crossing was just as special as the winner crossing.

 

[Miranda]

Just wanted to chime in on #5 since you called him out.His name is Tommy Des Brisay and he is a T20 Para-athlete with Autism. He is amazing and super fast. Check him out on facebook. Not sure why he had such a low bib number this year but he is usually out front in A when he runs. If he didn't require a guide to run with him I whole-heartedly believe he would be in the elite corral. He actually won a half about a month ago with a time of 1 hour and 14 minutes 37 seconds. He is ridiculously fast. That's like a 5 min 36 minute mile!

That is a great story.

I am sorry for the comment about the high numbers in the top. I just didn't know there were people who would legitimately get special stickers to move them up since rD said there would be no corral changes. So I thought those people were corral jumpers like others had mentioned seeing.

But now I know.

 

[Miranda]

And long for Sarge's Hill.

What was Sarge's Hill?

 

[wilkeliza]

What was Sarge's Hill?

The hill going up into Hollywood Studios. Is usually around mile 8 ish but was mile 2 ish this time. Has the green army men.