Castaway Cay 5K

Sans Souci

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
...in mid-August. :hungover:

Am I going to be hating life if I attempt this?

My main concern is the humidity. Under "normal" circumstances, this would not be an issue.
 

Ariel484

Well-Known Member
If you run regularly and hydrate a LOT (before, during - they have at least one water stop, maybe 2, and after the race), it might be okay. Wear sunscreen and possibly a hat, moisture-wicking/lightweight and light-colored clothing, and take the run slower than you normally would...think of it more as a fun, relaxed thing than a race where you want to go all out and see how fast you can finish.

I did this race in September and we got lucky with the weather - I don't remember the sun being too bad and it rained a little partway through, so that cooled me off a bit. But the course goes through this one area that is very heavily...I don't know, tree-filled, I guess you'd call it? So you don't get much of a breeze (see map below, I'm talking about the big loop by the observation tower - you go through there twice).
cc5kmap.jpg

(source: goobermonkey.com)

I'm running the race again in July and am going to take it very, very slowly. It's probably still going to suck though. :) It would be better if they started it earlier in the day, but what can ya do?
 

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
You can run on deck on the ship and enjoy being out while the ship docks. 5k w/a muuuuuch better view than on the island. ;)

I ran it once, September 2011. I live in a climate similar to Central Florida. Its hot, humid, and tropical in the summertime. I run so I'm finishing as the sun gets up. I know better than to run in the sun. I'm glad I ran the 5k once and I wouldn't want someone to miss it if they really want to do it. Just know that even to someone who should be used to the heat/humidity it is brutal hot. I've been to CC 6 more times since I last ran the CC5k and haven't run it again. I won't. It really drained me bad and I felt it the rest of that day.

As Shannon said, hydrate! I would go as far as to say avoid drinking alcohol the afternoon/night before. That loop she mentioned where the outlook tower is is no joke. The air does not move back there. To me it felt like running in an oven.
 

EOD K9

Well-Known Member
I ran it in Feb of 13 and Aug of 13. It was hot both times. You need to keep yourself hydrated on a molecular level. You want to make sure that when you use the facilities prior, three streams of yours are clear. As others have said, no alcohol the previous night and start hydrating the previous night. Use the water stop on the way out and back. There is one on the runway and one on the loop. There is no shame in stopping for a few seconds to grab a cup. Try to wear a Tech T-shirt or very light cotton. It will also help to splash a little water on yourself prior to the run to start with your body's evaporative cooling process. I don't classify myself as a runner, but I found the CC5k enjoyable. Hope that helps.
 

Tiggerfanatic

Well-Known Member
Jen, I did this last September on our Girls' cruise and swore never again. Like others have said not much to see and the part throughout the jungle with no air was brutal. Of course, you get the "medal" for finishing, but it's made of plastic, not like the really nice ones I've seen pictures of for other Disney races.
 

Sans Souci

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks, everyone. I think I will just pack my shoes and tech-y gear and make a judgement call the night before. I am not sure I want to be cashed the rest of the Castaway Cay day!

I did the yoga class on Serenity Bay in Sept and that was a sweat fest. I was very excited and ten minutes into it, I had sweat dripping off the tip of my nose and chin. Twenty minutes into the class, I remember thinking there was no way I was going to make it through an hour of yoga in the blazing sun. I was so relieved when five minutes later, she had us the corpse pose, which is the final pose in a yoga practice. :)

Sherry, your post made me laugh. :D
 

Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
Jen, I did this last September on our Girls' cruise and swore never again. Like others have said not much to see and the part throughout the jungle with no air was brutal. Of course, you get the "medal" for finishing, but it's made of plastic, not like the really nice ones I've seen pictures of for other Disney races.

Exactly this (except for the never again part--I did it a second time). The course is unattractive, the heat and humidity through the jungle/rainforest/wall of shrubbery is not pleasant, and the medal is plastic and cheesy. It would be a lot less cheesy, even being plastic, if the strap wasn't printed with "winner" several times over.

That being said, I did do the 5K a second time during my FEBRUARY cruise. Totally different experience. Still the same rather unattractive course, but much different conditions. At the end, I wasn't purple and wishing for a wheelchair. :D. Oh, and it should be noted that I walked it both times. I can't run on account of my bad back.

If you don't do it in August and want to give it a go in September, I'll do it a third time, Jen. Y'know, for my roomie and all. ;)

My effort to distinguish my DCL "medals":
image.jpg


I can maintain a 13-minute mile walking here in the NortheastUS, so you can see the effects of the humidity. :)
 

Sans Souci

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Awww, that is so cute, Siobhan. I think I will wait until September to run with you ladies. I will do yoga in August when I am with the fam.

@The Empress Lilly, I was going to invite you to join us on the Ladies' Cruise, but I looked at your profile and you're a dude. All this time, I thought you were a lass! :p
 

Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
Awww, that is so cute, Siobhan. I think I will wait until September to run with you ladies. I will do yoga in August when I am with the fam.

@The Empress Lilly, I was going to invite you to join us on the Ladies' Cruise, but I looked at your profile and you're a dude. All this time, I thought you were a lass! :p

LOL, just note that those of us so far who will do the 5K in Sept are walking it! ;). You can run, and @Tiggerfanatic and @Kerby626 and I will admire your form as you pass us by. :p
 

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