Wine & Dine 1/2 marathon weekend 2021

Should I be nervous if I’m slow and in the last corral that I’m going to get swept?
Which race? If its the 5K no worries, although you may not be able to get all the character pics you may want (depending on how rD sets them up.

For the 10K and HM, what is your expected pace? Can you maintain 15 or 16 minutes a mile? Is stopping for pics important to you?
 
Should I be nervous if I’m slow and in the last corral that I’m going to get swept?
If you are in the last start group in the last corral possibly…. in past races pre start groups I’ve managed to start at the front of the last coral and have about a .50 mile lead on the balloon ladies
 
Which race? If its the 5K no worries, although you may not be able to get all the character pics you may want (depending on how rD sets them up.

For the 10K and HM, what is your expected pace? Can you maintain 15 or 16 minutes a mile? Is stopping for pics important to you?

HM. Part of the trouble is I’m pregnant so I’m like a good 1-1.5 minutes slower than my usual slow pace, so my 7 mile run on Sunday was 13’50” average and that was really pushing myself. I have 0 interest in stopping for pics or maintaining a pace with my sister who I’ll be running with, I just don’t want to get swept in my first real half :(
 
Do the water stops along the route typically also have a sports drink available, something like Powerade? I looked around but didn't find anything specific. Thanks!
 

Nothing active yet... but this seems new (to me, at least)

NEW! Digital Waiver Form
All weekend participants MUST complete a waiver form prior to arrival. And new this year, you can complete it digitally. A parent or legal guardian will need to sign a waiver for any participant under 18.
  1. To sign your digital participant waiver and save time at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo, you will need to log in to your runDisney Account.
  2. Select “View & Sign Your Documents” in the important reminders section or select the race weekend from your registrations
  3. Select “View Your Registration” and then select “Your Documents”
  4. Once you have read the complete waiver, you will agree to sign the waiver electronically and then type your full name. Please note, your name must match the name used during the time of registration
  5. Once you have signed your waiver, you will have the option to download or email yourself a copy
Expo Check-in Pass
Your Expo Check-in Pass will be needed at the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo to pick up your race bib. Your Expo Check-in Pass will be available to you on November 1 on your runDisney Account. Bring a printed or digital copy of your Expo Check-In Pass and a valid photo I.D. to the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo to pick up your race bib.

Cool, someone at rD Googled Docusign and was transported into the year 2015.
 
Do the water stops along the route typically also have a sports drink available, something like Powerade? I looked around but didn't find anything specific. Thanks!

5k: Water only
10k: Water only for most, Powerade and water at one stop, if I remember correctly
1/2 & full: Water and Powerade at all stops (someone will be calling out which table has which)
 
HM. Part of the trouble is I’m pregnant so I’m like a good 1-1.5 minutes slower than my usual slow pace, so my 7 mile run on Sunday was 13’50” average and that was really pushing myself. I have 0 interest in stopping for pics or maintaining a pace with my sister who I’ll be running with, I just don’t want to get swept in my first real half :(
You should be fine, although I would defer to @DopeyBadger for specific tactics.

One example...If you are a run/walk/runner (like many of us on the Boards are) you could stretch out your walk breaks a bit and slow down your run pace a bit and still average 15 minutes a mile for the first 7 miles. Then you would be at least 7-10 minutes ahead of the balloon ladies and would only have to average 17 minutes a mile for the last 6.1 miles to finish just under 16 minutes a mile average.

And once you get into Epcot you would almost have to be stationary to get swept as there is no "struggle bus" at that point. You may however still be strongly encouraged to keep up.

One more point...Even if you are in the last corral you can start near the front of the corral and get a bit of a head start on the balloon ladies. Just be aware that half of the corral will have the same idea and it may turn into a bit of a scrum near the front, so arrive early.
 
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HM. Part of the trouble is I’m pregnant so I’m like a good 1-1.5 minutes slower than my usual slow pace, so my 7 mile run on Sunday was 13’50” average and that was really pushing myself. I have 0 interest in stopping for pics or maintaining a pace with my sister who I’ll be running with, I just don’t want to get swept in my first real half :(

First advice is that if 13:50 on last Sunday was really pushing yourself, don't do 13:50 on your next long run. If that feels like a maximum (near race) pace, that's not something you want to do in training regularly. So be comfortable doing 15-16-17-18 min/miles in training. It will not prevent you from going sub-16 on race day if you go an appropriate 17 min/mile in training. Whereas, going 13:50, when it's an inappropriate pace in training, could lead you to be unable to do sub-16 on race day because of all the fatigue/damage you've built up in training and a lack of true adaptation to the training itself. Ultimately, I think you'll be fine as long as you've been putting in some training recently. Even if the 7 miler was a race level effort, Daniels calculator still says your HM pace is around a 14:30 min/mile (3:10 HM finish). And if this was a race level effort, then your long run pace should probably be around 16-18 min/mile anyways per Galloway and Daniels calculators.

Secondly, your sole goal is to avoid being swept. So keep that in mind in all of your race day decisions and think of all the ways to aid in that happening. Think about sacrificing some sleep in order to be on the first bus and be able to line up as one of the first people in your corral/starting group. This will give you a maximal buffer from the balloon ladies as possible. Think carefully about your hydration strategy and how to keep yourself from having to use the restroom on course. That'll likely cost you minutes compared to a slightly slower pace. Then on race day, I'd plan to do a 16 min/mile run pace from the outset. Get some practice in these last few weeks as to what a 16 min/mile pace feels like. I'd suggest keeping the ratio (if you do run/walk) the same as you currently do (like keep 60/30 if that's what you're doing), but just aim to slow your running pace down such that the average ends up at 16 min/mile pace. See if you can find a "comfortable" running pace (during the run/walk interval) that gets you to a 16 min/mile. If not, then consider changing up the ratio a bit to make it happen. The slower you go on race day, the easier it'll be to avoid being swept and maintain the same pace throughout the race. The faster you go from a 16 min/mile the more buffer you'll build from the balloon ladies, but it also increases the risk of "blowing up" and ending up going far far slower than a 16 min/mile average. If you can't maintain a 16 min/mile pace from the outset to the last sweep point, then there likely wasn't a different pacing strategy that would have gotten you there.

All of this advice is what I'd normally give, but I'll add an extra consideration since you're pregnant and any advice I may give should be double checked with a professional.
 
Nothing active yet... but this seems new (to me, at least)

NEW! Digital Waiver Form
All weekend participants MUST complete a waiver form prior to arrival. And new this year, you can complete it digitally. A parent or legal guardian will need to sign a waiver for any participant under 18.
  1. To sign your digital participant waiver and save time at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo, you will need to log in to your runDisney Account.
  2. Select “View & Sign Your Documents” in the important reminders section or select the race weekend from your registrations
  3. Select “View Your Registration” and then select “Your Documents”
  4. Once you have read the complete waiver, you will agree to sign the waiver electronically and then type your full name. Please note, your name must match the name used during the time of registration
  5. Once you have signed your waiver, you will have the option to download or email yourself a copy
Expo Check-in Pass
Your Expo Check-in Pass will be needed at the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo to pick up your race bib. Your Expo Check-in Pass will be available to you on November 1 on your runDisney Account. Bring a printed or digital copy of your Expo Check-In Pass and a valid photo I.D. to the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo to pick up your race bib.

We had a QR code for check in at Chicago. It was great. I scanned, was sent to a specific number table and my packet was already pulled and waiting for me in that 10 second walk. Easy peasy. No digging out ID or flipping through a binder to sign my name.

Welcome to modern times RunDisney 🤣
 
Rooms opened up onsite for this weekend, so I was able to switch to onsite. Of course my offsite hotel was only $86, but I like the peace of mind to be onsite and not worrying about driving. Now I can focus on worrying about finishing and not getting swept.

I am up to 30/60 on jog/walk, and got up to 6 miles on Sun (then did 3 miles walking after) so I know I can finish, it's just keeping that in my mind that I can and will do it. I have finished 3 (with barely training) and endurance isn't my issue, it's that I'm very short and walk slow.
 
Rooms opened up onsite for this weekend, so I was able to switch to onsite. Of course my offsite hotel was only $86, but I like the peace of mind to be onsite and not worrying about driving. Now I can focus on worrying about finishing and not getting swept.

I am up to 30/60 on jog/walk, and got up to 6 miles on Sun (then did 3 miles walking after) so I know I can finish, it's just keeping that in my mind that I can and will do it. I have finished 3 (with barely training) and endurance isn't my issue, it's that I'm very short and walk slow.
Are you doing the 10K? I don’t know if it will be helpful, but for longer distance runs, I don’t think of the total distance, I just mentally “chunk” them up into 5Ks, which are always “easy”, and I just tell myself I have to knock out a 5K, then another 5K when I’m done with that one. That strategy might help you if you’re concerned about endurance.
 
Does anyone know what time the last group in the last corral started in 2019 for the half marathon? I’ve been trying to do some calculations, based on the race results, and it looks like that group started about 6:30.
im trying to figure out how many different groups started in 2019. I’m guessing that runDisney will continue with 3 minute intervals between starts. If the balloon ladies are the sweep pacers and started at 6:30 AM, then the race was “over” at 10:00 AM
 
Does anyone know what time the last group in the last corral started in 2019 for the half marathon? I’ve been trying to do some calculations, based on the race results, and it looks like that group started about 6:30.
im trying to figure out how many different groups started in 2019. I’m guessing that runDisney will continue with 3 minute intervals between starts. If the balloon ladies are the sweep pacers and started at 6:30 AM, then the race was “over” at 10:00 AM
I’m 100% sure @DopeyBadger knows and will happily check his amazing spreadsheets 😄😄
 
Does anyone know what time the last group in the last corral started in 2019 for the half marathon? I’ve been trying to do some calculations, based on the race results, and it looks like that group started about 6:30.
im trying to figure out how many different groups started in 2019. I’m guessing that runDisney will continue with 3 minute intervals between starts. If the balloon ladies are the sweep pacers and started at 6:30 AM, then the race was “over” at 10:00 AM
I’m 100% sure @DopeyBadger knows and will happily check his amazing spreadsheets 😄😄

Usually the last runners cross the start line about 60 min after the start of the race. There have been a few races over the recent years that have been as quick as 45 min. From memory, for many races a good barometer for determining start times of different corrals was about 400-450 runners per minute.
 
Are you doing the 10K? I don’t know if it will be helpful, but for longer distance runs, I don’t think of the total distance, I just mentally “chunk” them up into 5Ks, which are always “easy”, and I just tell myself I have to knock out a 5K, then another 5K when I’m done with that one. That strategy might help you if you’re concerned about endurance.

I’m doing all 3 races. I’ve finished 3 half marathons but I’m mostly a walker. Im not too worried about endurance, I walk 4.5 miles most days and haven’t had issues with the longer ones. I’m slow, and started to add in the running intervals to speed up and get more fit. I’m hoping to be able to do a large portion of the half with the intervals.
Reading all these threads has been so helpful. I’m glad you all are willing to share tips and ideas. 😁
 
First advice is that if 13:50 on last Sunday was really pushing yourself, don't do 13:50 on your next long run. If that feels like a maximum (near race) pace, that's not something you want to do in training regularly. So be comfortable doing 15-16-17-18 min/miles in training. It will not prevent you from going sub-16 on race day if you go an appropriate 17 min/mile in training. Whereas, going 13:50, when it's an inappropriate pace in training, could lead you to be unable to do sub-16 on race day because of all the fatigue/damage you've built up in training and a lack of true adaptation to the training itself. Ultimately, I think you'll be fine as long as you've been putting in some training recently. Even if the 7 miler was a race level effort, Daniels calculator still says your HM pace is around a 14:30 min/mile (3:10 HM finish). And if this was a race level effort, then your long run pace should probably be around 16-18 min/mile anyways per Galloway and Daniels calculators.

Secondly, your sole goal is to avoid being swept. So keep that in mind in all of your race day decisions and think of all the ways to aid in that happening. Think about sacrificing some sleep in order to be on the first bus and be able to line up as one of the first people in your corral/starting group. This will give you a maximal buffer from the balloon ladies as possible. Think carefully about your hydration strategy and how to keep yourself from having to use the restroom on course. That'll likely cost you minutes compared to a slightly slower pace. Then on race day, I'd plan to do a 16 min/mile run pace from the outset. Get some practice in these last few weeks as to what a 16 min/mile pace feels like. I'd suggest keeping the ratio (if you do run/walk) the same as you currently do (like keep 60/30 if that's what you're doing), but just aim to slow your running pace down such that the average ends up at 16 min/mile pace. See if you can find a "comfortable" running pace (during the run/walk interval) that gets you to a 16 min/mile. If not, then consider changing up the ratio a bit to make it happen. The slower you go on race day, the easier it'll be to avoid being swept and maintain the same pace throughout the race. The faster you go from a 16 min/mile the more buffer you'll build from the balloon ladies, but it also increases the risk of "blowing up" and ending up going far far slower than a 16 min/mile average. If you can't maintain a 16 min/mile pace from the outset to the last sweep point, then there likely wasn't a different pacing strategy that would have gotten you there.

All of this advice is what I'd normally give, but I'll add an extra consideration since you're pregnant and any advice I may give should be double checked with a professional.

Took your advice for my 8 miles yesterday and went slow, alternated 1.5 miles of easy running with .5 miles of fast walking, and felt totally fine the entire time. Finished at a 14’something which was fine by me, I think I could even spend the next couple of weeks shaving that down with these intervals, or trying slightly shorter intervals (1.25 and .25) - thanks for the support!
 
I’m doing all 3 races. I’ve finished 3 half marathons but I’m mostly a walker. Im not too worried about endurance, I walk 4.5 miles most days and haven’t had issues with the longer ones. I’m slow, and started to add in the running intervals to speed up and get more fit. I’m hoping to be able to do a large portion of the half with the intervals.
Reading all these threads has been so helpful. I’m glad you all are willing to share tips and ideas. 😁
It sounds like you’ve got this 😀 and good for you that you’re doing all three! Every year, my mouse hovers over the challenge for a second, but the thought of getting up early TWO days in a row on vacation quickly kills that idea 😀
 
Hi buddies! I signed up for the 10K when registration opened, but only decided last week to actually go!

The race *should be* ..... ok. Not fully trained but should be able to pull off a 10K under 16:00/min

Did I miss whatever the new corral placement comes out? Does that usually come up a few days before the race now?

My last RD was in 2018!
 















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