Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

[LAKid53]

@LAKid53 - I PR'd but I don't know yet by how much (around 20 minutes I think), but given that I was injured when I ran my first and waited in line at least 20 mins for my picture with Mickey and Minnie at DLP this past year and then had to run too fast to get out of the park, it isnt surprising to me. The first 11ish miles went really well (but OMG running up the on-ramp is BRUTAL!) and I really struggled for a bit more than a mile and then suddenly around 12.5 I found the energy to run to the end. My first solo half and I'm pleased with how it went. Next stop: Castle to Chateau challenge in September

Now that my races are over I can now deal with replacing the suitcase the airlines broke on my flight to WDW ...

Congrats on both the race and your PR!

That must have been the Osceola Parkway ramp.... Disney version of heartbreak hill in the Boston Marathon.

Sorry to hear about your luggage. Disney Springs has a nice collection.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Did they give out Mylar blankets before the races so far?

 

[Swissmiss]

I didn't see any before the 5 km, and didn't look this morning because I used the one I got after the 5 km.

 

[Figment82]

Congrats on both the race and your PR!

That must have been the Osceola Parkway ramp.... Disney version of heartbreak hill in the Boston Marathon.

Sorry to hear about your luggage. Disney Springs has a nice collection.

It’s the triple overpasses from World Drive onto Epcot Center Drive. The first one is that long curving ramp with an ankle-killing banked turn. I usually end up in the grass because I just can’t handle the uneven surface.

The double overpasses of Osceola aren’t fun, but they’re nothing compared to the mile 10-11 section of the WDW Half!

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Good luck everyone!

 

[RunningKoen]

@Chet Dakota

Found the source. Indeed posted on Facebook.

 

[LAKid53]

Congratulations to all who participated in this weekend's races!

In the cold, no less.

 

[surfsupdon]

I did it!!! I am overwhelmed to say the least!! I was running around 8:30miles for the 5/10/half races but slowed to a good 10min mile for the marathon. And I did it. That final lap at Workd Showcase was absolutely incredible. Main Street is always energizing.

Do something uncomfortable- if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.

What a great weekend!

 

[Swissmiss]

Congrats @surfsupdon. Even though most of my training has been in the cold I wouldn't need to stand around an hour or more in it, so I too found it uncomfortable. For someone like you who isn't used to it, I can imagine it was a bit tough. And am I wrong in thinking those who ran the full today did so in more wind than we did yesterday?

I just passed next to the first person I saw with the Dopey medal - it looks even better than in the picture

 

[RunningKoen]

I didnt noticed it at first, maybe they added it later (Same for the medal video in the event guide), but there's a name list of both the perfects for the marathon and the perfects for the Dopey; those who completed 4 years and signed up for the 5th.

Using copy, paste and excel to do a quick count, there were 681 people getting the inaugural 'Perfect Dopey' status.

I did it!!! I am overwhelmed to say the least!! I was running around 8:30miles for the 5/10/half races but slowed to a good 10min mile for the marathon. And I did it. That final lap at Workd Showcase was absolutely incredible. Main Street is always energizing.

Do something uncomfortable- if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.

What a great weekend!View attachment 255010View attachment 255011View attachment 255012

Damn you, damn you!! First of all, I'm so happy for you that you did it, and strangly proud even though I don't even know you. Amazing job, great pictures. Nothing but love.

However, I was 99% sure I'd do only the full marathon next year. Revenge for my '17 time. Focus on that race and enjoying the trip and my time in the parks. Your post got me so motivated to do dopey.

If you're willing to, please tell me more. What was your training scedule, what races and distances did you do, ever did such a thing before? The pace of 8:30 and 10:00, how did you do that? Including character stops? Allowing yourself how much time for it, and upping your pace to keep up? Mostly interested in the 8:30 pace. So many questions.

Doubts doubt doubts. Back to the drawing board.

 

[surfsupdon]

Thank you @RunningKoen your words INSPIRE ME!!

My training is simple. I use the Galloway training print outs on the rundisney site! I hang it on my fridge and after each run I take a black sharpie and cross it off. Accountability!! I don't use his run walk run method. I run. I just try to beat my previous training run. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. You will log serious mileage which is the point.

For race weekend, I had huge proteins for lunch (steak) and tons of carbs (pastas) for dinner.

And I slept by 930/10pm. With a great 90mins nap after each race. Sleep is so important to feel energized.

Where I run, I don't really have crowds, so pics are maybe 0-5 people deep. If longer, I skip. If a regular character, I skip.

Now I did train like I said. The rest was mental grit, determination, and a crazy non fear of the unknown.

I love to challenge myself, bc when you are uncomfortable....magic happens!!

Let's keep in touch, let's discuss things, bc you are beast mode too!!

 

[RunningKoen]

Doing Dopey had crosses my mind, with a strategy planned as you described it. (Replacing the nap with a smaller nap & and recovery bath). Seeing so much similarities in your training and prepping as I've had in mind, it scared me. It could be doable.

I never liked any of the Jeff Galloway programs, but the one for Dopey with some changes (Drop the run/walk and maybe magic mile stuff) is quite interesting and doable. I need to check it with several races planned for September. How did you coop with that?

Doing a full marathon in 90 days, with less preperation as I'd hoped for. But if I'm able to get a decent time there, and enough revenge on that dreadful 4:10, there's no need to run the WDW marathon quickly, making Dopey a 100% thing to do.

Definitely keeping in touch with you. Now relax, recover, refeed and rejoice above all!

 

[surfsupdon]

@RunningKoen what else??? Was that an acceptable answer?? I was boarding Dinosaur but wanted to reply asap lol.

Banshee ride in 30. Woohoo.

Still can't believe I did this. It's surreal, it's joyful, it's overwhelming, it's insane, it's gnarly, and I love it. Teared up several times and I can admit that Just to see your training pay off, at Disney, doing something that seemed insurmountable.

Wow.

 

[surfsupdon]

Doing Dopey had crosses my mind, with a strategy planned as you described it. (Replacing the nap with a smaller nap & and recovery bath). Seeing so much similarities in your training and prepping as I've had in mind, it scared me. It could be doable.

I never liked any of the Jeff Galloway programs, but the one for Dopey with some changes (Drop the run/walk and maybe magic mile stuff) is quite interesting and doable. I need to check it with several races planned for September. How did you coop with that?

Doing a full marathon in 90 days, with less preperation as I'd hoped for. But if I'm able to get a decent time there, and enough revenge on that dreadful 4:10, there's no need to run the WDW marathon quickly, making Dopey a 100% thing to do.

Definitely keeping in touch with you. Now relax, recover, refeed and rejoice above all!

I did forget to mention that prenap I soaked in the hot tub for 30mins and pretended I was riding a bicycle with my legs.

For the Galloway plan, I never walked. Always ran. Never did Magic Miles. I tried to cover more ground on those 45mins runs.....and upped my mileage as described week to week. It worked!!

 

[RunningKoen]

I did forget to mention that prenap I soaked in the hot tub for 30mins and pretended I was riding a bicycle with my legs.

For the Galloway plan, I never walked. Always ran. Never did Magic Miles. I tried to cover more ground on those 45mins runs.....and upped my mileage as described week to week. It worked!!

Funny. I took a bath and napped around 90 minutes aswell after my full.

I teared up when I reached the finish line during the full, so I can relate! The last 100 meters are just such an emotional rollercoaster.
The race pictures during my last 400 meters include some of my most ugliest but also most amazing facial expressions. Finishing a Dopey would be immense.

Did you lower or raise the mileage on those Magic Miles weeks? And how did you combine other races. DLP for instance would be 36 KM during a 'easy' week with only 3 miles planned that weekend.
Those 45 minute trainings? You went in all in, 100%, or just easy to make some miles and have decent recovery? I could do 9 KM's with ease, or aim for 10 and suffer. Not sure how to use those moments.
And what did you do in the beginning? The first weeks have very little mileage. Did you follow them or upped them because your used to doing more?

I might do a fall marathon aswell, and have at least 2 9/10M races I dont wanna skip.

Edt: I'm glad&honoured you took to effort to reply so quickly!

 

[surfsupdon]

@RunningKoen i ran the low mileage really fast. 5 miles and under was recklessly fast.

 

[LAKid53]

@surfsupdon, WAY TO GO!!!!!

Wear your medals on the flight home...be fun going through security, lol. You've earned the right.

So we'll see you in November?

 

[surfsupdon]

@surfsupdon, WAY TO GO!!!!!

Wear your medals on the flight home...be fun going through security, lol. You've earned the right.

So we'll see you in November?

My room is already booked for November. @RunningKoen do the winedine lol

 

[RunningKoen]

My room is already booked for November. @RunningKoen do the winedine lol

if I do W&D in November I'll get Castle to Chateau for '18 aswell. But it will kill my bank account.
Don't tempt me!

 

[LizaMarie89]

Had a rough half but finished in plenty of time... next up is First Order Challenge for me and hopefully W&D!