flynnibus
Premium Member
Have you tried running in different climates? It may be the air temp or humidity that is hindering you. Just a thought.. I know the cold air can really suck the wind from just about anyone
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Why is running at Disney so popular?
- Thread starter epcotisbest
- Start date
Have you tried running in different climates? It may be the air temp or humidity that is hindering you. Just a thought.. I know the cold air can really suck the wind from just about anyone
Runnin'Gator
Active Member
What you have to understand about the running community is you get to become a member of a huge fraternity. The support you receive and the friendships you make definitely make all of the pain worth it. I do a pub run every Thursday, and once we finish those three miles we cheer on all of the other runners who are finishing up. One of the coolest moments for me at the marathon was to see a teenager who had already finished up, and he was cheering on the bridge that connects the Beach Club to Epcot. He didn't have to be out there, but he appreciated the effort everyone else was putting in.
I also like to bike, but in terms of fitness it's hard to beat running. There is also the element of trying to make yourself better... to challenge yourself to go faster and run longer. Being able to run some races at Disney makes it that much better. And, as these guys have already mentioned, the after parties for the Tower of Terror (with the exception of bag check) and the Wine and Dine are a lot of fun. Lines are short, and you get to hang out with friends and relish your accomplishment.
I'll also throw in that Osceola sucks.
I also like to bike, but in terms of fitness it's hard to beat running. There is also the element of trying to make yourself better... to challenge yourself to go faster and run longer. Being able to run some races at Disney makes it that much better. And, as these guys have already mentioned, the after parties for the Tower of Terror (with the exception of bag check) and the Wine and Dine are a lot of fun. Lines are short, and you get to hang out with friends and relish your accomplishment.
I'll also throw in that Osceola sucks.
StarWarsGirl
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
Actually, I do better in warmer, more humid climates. It's something about the way you move, since I've also tried treadmills indoor, along with running indoors during PE, and I just can't do it. Even though I can really get going on a bike, just something about the motion of running disagrees with my lungs. I can't do aerobics, either. When I took PE in middle school and freshman and Sophomore years of high school, we had this test called the pacer where we would run across the gym as many times as we could, gradually increasing pace. I would find out the passing amount of laps, go for that long, then take myself wheezing down to the nurse. Finally, my doctor said, "Don't do that! All you ever do is wheeze during that!" so I got out of it for high school. I was so sorry. Not. They still made me do the mile, but I was allowed to walk it and jog if I felt able, which sometimes I did. I used to beat some of the kids who actually ran it. It was funny.Have you tried running in different climates? It may be the air temp or humidity that is hindering you. Just a thought.. I know the cold air can really suck the wind from just about anyone
Colder climates trigger me, so you are on the right track. I can't exercise outdoors if it gets below 50 degrees. So basically I don't do any winter sports. During "Snowmagedom" I did not leave the house for two weeks. I stayed inside and avoided the snow and cold weather.
My dad took me bike riding in the campgrounds and it was 100 degrees that day, and I had absolutely no trouble, though I made him stop about 5 times because I felt like I was drowning in my own sweat. We check the weather before we go now. But yeah. No running for me. Been that way even when I was in first grade. I would run, cough, then stop. Didn't even know I had asthma then. So I do what I can. I can use a stationary bike, get my heart rate up to that of a run, and not wheeze, or I can run, feel like I'm dying, and then wheeze (even with a preventative inhaler) and then have to take more medication. I can also swim laps with no trouble, do Pilates, jump on a trampoline, and do some dancing (not super fast, though, and with frequent breaks). So if I'm never able to run, I don't think it will ever be a terrible thing.
Like the doctor said, if it hurts when you move your arm that way, don't move your arm that way, if you wheeze when you run, then don't run.
dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
Blingity bling bling bling. Hands down, some of the best medals anywhere.
And as mentioned, their race support is usually pretty awesome. Outside of some teething issues at inagural races (ToT 13k 45min late start and W&D start area cluster anyone?) They do a great job of getting people to places, providing enough support and safety for the runners, and just making it an overall good time. I did 3 different marathons last year, one of them I went through a few stretches of 2-3 miles with next to no runners nearby, and no support staff. Another one had 2-3 people staffing the water stations at best. WDW has CMs or volunteers pretty much within eye sight at all times, and they have like 50+ volunteers at each water station.
And the chance to see backstage stuff and rare characters makes most Disney fans geek out. I mean this year we had Finn McMissile and Jack & Sally, last year we saw Chip & Dale in Rescue Ranger outfits and Ludwig Von Drake. I think Shang has popped up recently, Pain & Panic, etc.
And the best part is the low pressure. I see more first time and beginning runners at WDW events than anywhere else. They have a generous pace requirement, and ensure that either the roads are still closed, or you are removed from the course. Many other races will end up having you just run on the sidewalks as the race goes on as they can't keep 26 miles of road closed for 6+ hours.
And as mentioned, their race support is usually pretty awesome. Outside of some teething issues at inagural races (ToT 13k 45min late start and W&D start area cluster anyone?) They do a great job of getting people to places, providing enough support and safety for the runners, and just making it an overall good time. I did 3 different marathons last year, one of them I went through a few stretches of 2-3 miles with next to no runners nearby, and no support staff. Another one had 2-3 people staffing the water stations at best. WDW has CMs or volunteers pretty much within eye sight at all times, and they have like 50+ volunteers at each water station.
And the chance to see backstage stuff and rare characters makes most Disney fans geek out. I mean this year we had Finn McMissile and Jack & Sally, last year we saw Chip & Dale in Rescue Ranger outfits and Ludwig Von Drake. I think Shang has popped up recently, Pain & Panic, etc.
And the best part is the low pressure. I see more first time and beginning runners at WDW events than anywhere else. They have a generous pace requirement, and ensure that either the roads are still closed, or you are removed from the course. Many other races will end up having you just run on the sidewalks as the race goes on as they can't keep 26 miles of road closed for 6+ hours.
joel_maxwell
Permanent Resident of EPCOT
Ahhhh. Sorry. So sorry. *think happy thoughts about running through the parks*Why'd you have to bring up that road? I was just starting to not think about it
Not being a runner, what is up with Osceola?
After doing some quickie research whilst at work, I think I'm down for the Tower of Terror 10 mile run. I'll have to see if the wife can take care of the kids that weekend. We'd be coming back in in 2.5 weeks for my kids fall break. The after party looks really cool. I should note that paying for vacations falls on me, and after paying for a family of 4 all the time, whenever I travel by myself it seems like it is free.
Ariel484
Well-Known Member
It SUCKS. Just a long, straight stretch of road with not a lot going on (some entertainment though) that normally comes late in the race. *shudders*
Ariel484
Well-Known Member
For me, I like running and I like Disney, so getting to run AT Disney seems pretty awesome to me. I am also totally in it for the character photos...I carry a camera with me and make sure I stop for any picture I really want (so not breaking any course records here ). And despite the fact that I was running before I found out about Disney races, I am 99% certain that I never, ever would have attempted a half or full marathon if Disney didn't have them.
As for non-runners that love Disney...I think some see it as a way to achieve something they never thought possible - running a long race. It's a bonus that they get to do it at Disney. Most of the time I read about this from people that want to get healthier, and they see this as a motivational tool to get started.
And yeah...you can't beat Disney's bling.
). And despite the fact that I was running before I found out about Disney races, I am 99% certain that I never, ever would have attempted a half or full marathon if Disney didn't have them.As for non-runners that love Disney...I think some see it as a way to achieve something they never thought possible - running a long race. It's a bonus that they get to do it at Disney. Most of the time I read about this from people that want to get healthier, and they see this as a motivational tool to get started.
And yeah...you can't beat Disney's bling.
joel_maxwell
Permanent Resident of EPCOT
It is very boring. I run on boring roads here, but there is something about Osceola pkwy that is the worst. I like a long road that tends to lead to nowhere, it is soothing to lose yourself. Maybe because some of it is elevated and you can really see or you cant tell you are moving much (as apposed to running on the road and seeing the curb). Maybe it is because it is an out-and-back essentially (To AK and back to Epcot or WWoS)..... I cant really put my finger on it.
I know it isnt because of the elevation change over the bridge. Raising up 30 feet on a slow incline doesnt even register in my brain as challenging. SO, I have to credit the suckiness of the pkwy to its length you are on it. Lets break down the recent Tower of Terror 10 miler. By my Garmin, these are some rough stats:
60% of the run was on the Osceola pkwy
25% was in WWoS
10% was in DHS
5% was on entrance ramps to Oseola pkwy
60% of your run is a lot with no scenery.
@Fievel @fmingo36 would you guys agree. Yall ran that race?
Ariel484
Well-Known Member
YIKES. That is rough!
joel_maxwell
Permanent Resident of EPCOT
and it was called the TOWER OF TERROR 10 miler. 10% around the park. LOL. Now, I completely understand that they squeezed as much as they could into DHS safely, but I still laugh at that.YIKES. That is rough!
joel_maxwell
Permanent Resident of EPCOT
Nice point.
The problem is World Dr is one of the most heavily traveled roads in WDW. Osceola on the other hand basically only services Wide World of Sports AK and AKL and can easily be bypassed by taking Bronson.
Runnin'Gator
Active Member
Osceola was toughest during the Tower of Terror because it was an out with a u-turn and straight back. There is nothing wrong with the road itself... it's wide so runners have plenty of space and don't have to worry about jostling for position, but it's the straightness of the road. At least in my opinion, a runner has to be psychologically tough to just run, and run, and run some more. Turns and new scenery keep your mind active. When you stare down a 2 or 3 mile long stretch of road and see that you have to run to the end of it, it kind of knocks you down a bit. When we run it during the Wine and Dine it's not quite as bad because you have the run through Animal Kingdom to break it up.
This is one of the main reasons I have never cared for running or road cycling. I like to get out of my head and when I am running all I tend to do is think. Mountain biking on the other hand, lets me shut my brain off. All I think about is next turn, next hill, oh crap I have to jump that?
joel_maxwell
Permanent Resident of EPCOT
Very true. Running through AK was the highlight of the Inaugural W&D for me. Loved it.
Texas84
Well-Known Member
Totally agree. Miles of nothing.
AK at night was a blast. Kind of felt like a trail run! The only stretch that might have better was the morning Marathon run through Epcot last year. Everything was lit up. Very peaceful.
ToT needs to do an Epcot/DHS/WWoS loop. Should be able to get 10 miles in there.
Fievel
RunDisney Addict
I'll agree with all things AK. Every time I've run through that park I've had fun. The Everest Challenge is a blast, The W&D 1/2 Marathon is a good route, and the full marathon brings you through a good route, and has awesome scenery along the way. That mile through AK was one of my favorite of the Marathon. It constantly dips and turns, so it makes it fun to run.
a2grafix
Well-Known Member
Though I have only run one runDisney road race, the 2012 Tower of Terror 10 miler in September, Osceloa is an out and back. If I am not mistaken the majority of the 2012 route was 3 miles out to the entrance of Animal Kingdom, loop around and run back 2.5 or 2.75 miles. That's nearly 6 miles of 4-5 lane highway. Though Disney staffed the out and back of Osceola quite well the road is quite dark. It's straight, smooth, but it's a route Disney uses for runners to eat up a good chunk of miles.