OFFICIAL January 2012 5K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Goofy or Dopey Challenge Thread

[flatlandcycle]

Quick question for Coach or one of the other marathon regulars. Now that I'm officially out for the full, I get to spend 100% of my energy planning to see my wife during the half. We are staying at Wilderness Lodge, and I'm wondering if it is possible to walk to TTC?

It really doesn't seem that far, based on our visits in the past, but we've never tried to walk it. I'll have a 6 and 4 year old in tow. Seems like that would be a good way to avoid the crowds on the buses, get a viewing in around TTC, and still make the finish at Epcot via Monorail. It seems like trying to get the second viewing in around the Poly might be pushing my luck getting to the finish, which is the most important location of all.

If you don't think walking is possible, are there buses from WL to TTC directly, or will I get a "scenic tour" getting there?

Thanks everyone, and good luck with your races! I envy you.

I think marathon transportation buses go directly to EPCOT before the 5:00 a.m. -7:00 a.m. driving blackout. They may stop the EPCOT direct route at the 4:00 a.m. cutoff. After that, buses from Wilderness Lodge go directly to TTC, at least that is what happened Princess 1/2 weekend. The wilderness lodge transportation to TTC starts at 6:30 a.m. (as per conversation with disney transportation this morning)

As a summary, you can get to Epcot between 3:00 a.m. - 4 a.m. and then TTC by bus starting at 6:30 a.m.

The Wilderness Lodge really is very close, 1/4 mile, to walk but you are likely to be turned around by Security, not to mention the danger from vehicles, wet shoes from dew in the grass and plenty of wildlife.

Another option that might work, if you have a car, is to make breakfast reservations at the Poly. You will need dining reservation numbers or Resort Reservations to enter the Polynesian marathon weekend. This may be already booked to the max.

With kids I would choose the Castle Viewing & finish and skip the Poly-parking viewing.

 

[joan4mickey]

Just had a horrible run. I ran 6 miles earlier this week, but had to get out on the beautiful day...sunny, 60's. Hope that all that badness is out of me.
After tomorrow all my house guests will be gone and I can think about packing.
Happy New Year!

 

[Qltrgrl2]

Joan,

I can sympathize with you. Earlier this week, I had an accident banging my foot while I tried to get over a doggie gate. My left foot is sore, and my middle toe is totally black and blue. I took two days off and ran today. The run went okay, but later, walking the dog, my foot was quite sore. I will be happy to get to Florida in one piece and hopefully be healed and enjoy the relay on Sunday, Goody luck with last week training/taper everyone.
Happy new year!
Pam

 

[jimandami]

Just had a horrible run. I ran 6 miles earlier this week, but had to get out on the beautiful day...sunny, 60's. Hope that all that badness is out of me.
After tomorrow all my house guests will be gone and I can think about packing.
Happy New Year!

I had a horrible run today too! I made it through the 10 miles but barely...felt like every step would be my last. Of course, the hangover I had this morning probably didn't help!! Hopefully, we got our bad runs out of the way and we will be ready next weekend!

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm still resting my injured calf but managed a 3 mile walk today. I took it easy and mostly used it as an opportunity to learn how to use my new Garmin. I didn't have any pain so hopefully my week of rest has done the trick!

Amanda

 

[dreams91]

Come to our meet-up on Friday morning at the Kona in the Poly resort. 10:30am I think. Then we can meet everybody! I am like you and only know Mike by sight because we live near each other.

It is going to be a blast! I will be wearing a WISH singlet for the Half so look for that.

I didn't know there was a meet at the poly....is it open to everyone? I may be able to make that.

 

[jenifred]

Just had a horrible run. I ran 6 miles earlier this week, but had to get out on the beautiful day...sunny, 60's. Hope that all that badness is out of me.
After tomorrow all my house guests will be gone and I can think about packing.
Happy New Year!

My run was terrible too. We just had to get that one out of the way before the big weekend! No worries.

 

[mathrockskallen]

Hi! I've been following this thread for several months now...DH & I are running the half. Not our first half but it is our first Disney event & we are SO excited! I just want to thank everyone for all of the inspiration & information you've provided me! Whether it's been just that little nudge to get out and run through the aches, pains, or hot/cold weather...or a heads up about corrals, bus times, etc...I sincerely appreciate it all!

And I, too, had a horrible run yesterday! Glad to have that out of the way!

Looking forward to a FUN weekend ahead!
Kristen

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

A week from now, we should all be just about done.

Have a great final training week, folks. Take it easy, HYDRATE, and travel safely.

 

[JeffW]

Can you get out early? say 5:45-6AM? The reason I ask is that you need to get out before the runners start to come by as once the first few go through it is tough to cross the course and you are on the incorrect side of the course.

You have two options for walking to the course - and yes you can walk. WIth kiddos, I would take the southern entrance (left from the building) to World Drive. That is there the traffic light is located. Crossing with the light continue walking down Seven Seas Dr to the TTC complex. The old Kennel was there and now a security or other services building. Walk in to the TTC from there. Note the short eighth mile walk is not on a sidewalk so use caution.

The northern option does not have a traffic light, but once you cross World, you are on Topiary Lane, the old bus stop entrance street for TTC and with zero traffic. It is the short stretch of road we take on course from the TTC to World Dr.

DIsney security will be out at some point, usually around 6, so obey their commands if they are not allowing any of this to happen.

Note that besides the TTC, you should still be able to grab a view at the Poly unless she is running a 6-7 minute pace or quicker. Look at the Online Planning Tool on the RunD website and plug her pace it. It will give you her time til finish and you commute times. If close, then punt

As always Coach, thanks for all the help. I didn't think about the fact that I wouldn't be able to cross once the race was coming by. So we probably will need to get out early. She'll be running 10 minute miles, so we have time to get to Epcot. I'm just a little nervous with the kids in tow that we will be late, and she really wants to see us around the finish.

 

[JeffW]

I think marathon transportation buses go directly to EPCOT before the 5:00 a.m. -7:00 a.m. driving blackout. They may stop the EPCOT direct route at the 4:00 a.m. cutoff. After that, buses from Wilderness Lodge go directly to TTC, at least that is what happened Princess 1/2 weekend. The wilderness lodge transportation to TTC starts at 6:30 a.m. (as per conversation with disney transportation this morning)

As a summary, you can get to Epcot between 3:00 a.m. - 4 a.m. and then TTC by bus starting at 6:30 a.m.

The Wilderness Lodge really is very close, 1/4 mile, to walk but you are likely to be turned around by Security, not to mention the danger from vehicles, wet shoes from dew in the grass and plenty of wildlife.

Another option that might work, if you have a car, is to make breakfast reservations at the Poly. You will need dining reservation numbers or Resort Reservations to enter the Polynesian marathon weekend. This may be already booked to the max.

With kids I would choose the Castle Viewing & finish and skip the Poly-parking viewing.

Thanks for the help! I may try a few phone numbers today, and see if anyone around the Wilderness Lodge knows if we'll be allowed to walk to TTC. As Coach pointed out, we would need to make sure we are across the course before the first runners come by. And you are right about breakfast. Earliest reservation is 7:30, which would cause us to miss the finish.

With the Castle viewing, I'm worried about the kids actually getting to see their Mom, with all the people I expect to be there. I can't get them both on my shoulders, and they both want to hold signs That's why I was hoping TTC or Poly would be a little less packed.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Thanks for the help! I may try a few phone numbers today, and see if anyone around the Wilderness Lodge knows if we'll be allowed to walk to TTC. As Coach pointed out, we would need to make sure we are across the course before the first runners come by. And you are right about breakfast. Earliest reservation is 7:30, which would cause us to miss the finish.

With the Castle viewing, I'm worried about the kids actually getting to see their Mom, with all the people I expect to be there. I can't get them both on my shoulders, and they both want to hold signs That's why I was hoping TTC or Poly would be a little less packed.

The one thing I would say is to not get your expectations up. It is VERY, VERY hard to spot your runner in the mass of people. The best thing to do would be to have her find you.

 

[KristinS]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to rig an extra pair of pants to my fuel belt? They do not fit in my largest zipper pocket.

During a training run, I was pulling my compression pants back on after a bathroom stop, and they ripped. I'm very paranoid of this happening during the race, as it would be near impossible to continue.

I've tried looping them around the belt and securing with a rubber band, but they're pretty bulky. So far the best way is putting them in a separate fanny pack, but that means I'd be wearing 2 belts on race day.

I'm very slow and expect to finish well past 6 hours, so I want to have everything with me that I can.

Thanks!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm confused. You want to have to pairs of pants WITH you on the course?

 

[KristinS]

I'm confused. You want to have to pairs of pants WITH you on the course?

Correct. The ones I'm wearing and a back-up should the worse occur: them getting ripped.

 

[cewait]

Thanks for the help! I may try a few phone numbers today, and see if anyone around the Wilderness Lodge knows if we'll be allowed to walk to TTC. As Coach pointed out, we would need to make sure we are across the course before the first runners come by. And you are right about breakfast. Earliest reservation is 7:30, which would cause us to miss the finish.

With the Castle viewing, I'm worried about the kids actually getting to see their Mom, with all the people I expect to be there. I can't get them both on my shoulders, and they both want to hold signs That's why I was hoping TTC or Poly would be a little less packed.

Just a heads up... Phone calls are not going to help, yet. DIsney piece mills info to cast members and this is not even on their radar screen. I would suggest getting the lay of the land once you get down there. If you feel uncomfortable with the short stretch of walking along Seven Seas, then the next easiest thing to do is to drive to the MK parking lot. You will be parked near the old Grumpy lot, one of the closer lots to the Wilderness Lodge. Go figure

THis is something you could even have as a back up plan if you hard over early enough. I have a buddy who has done this a couple years back with no issue. As goofy as it sounds, this is exactly what we do for the half Ironman that was at Disney for a few years... just backwards. We parked in the MK parking and Ft Wilderness was the venue.

 

[stitchfan18]

Is there any special time schedule for buses departing from the resorts to the expo? Do buses leave the resorts every 1/2 hour at a certain time (ie: 15 after and 45 after?) Just want to know when we arrive so I can gauge whether I can run our bags to the room, or if I should leave them with bell services.

 

[flatlandcycle]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to rig an extra pair of pants to my fuel belt? They do not fit in my largest zipper pocket.

During a training run, I was pulling my compression pants back on after a bathroom stop, and they ripped. I'm very paranoid of this happening during the race, as it would be near impossible to continue.

I've tried looping them around the belt and securing with a rubber band, but they're pretty bulky. So far the best way is putting them in a separate fanny pack, but that means I'd be wearing 2 belts on race day.

I'm very slow and expect to finish well past 6 hours, so I want to have everything with me that I can.

Thanks!

I use a lightweight pair of compression shorts as an undergarmet and tougher outer shell compression short. The lighter short is Champion quick dry, or something like that.
I'm not trying to be cheeky, but maybe a size bigger?
I know the whole utility belt feeling. You could use velcro straps.
This year I will have my room key, park ticket and cell phone. Maybe a throw away bottle of gatorade or two for the start. If my shorts rip I'll have the aid group tape me up.

 

[KippWade]

Last long run of my 1/2 Marathon Novice Training program is in the books. It was supposed to be yesterday, but never had the time to get it in.

10 miles... watching a blank white wall... while running on the treadmill. 2 hours, 53 minutes and 50 seconds. I hope to never do that again. Thankfully some podcasts on my iPhone helped keep me going.

It was way too hot in the house to be running that distance on the treadmill.

I should be arriving at Pop Century on Wednesday around 2pm. I've got a short 2 mile run to get in and then probably hit MK with Dad for a while on Wednesday night.

I just now have this reoccurring nightmare that I get swept in the race on Saturday...

 

[cewait]

Is there any special time schedule for buses departing from the resorts to the expo? Do buses leave the resorts every 1/2 hour at a certain time (ie: 15 after and 45 after?) Just want to know when we arrive so I can gauge whether I can run our bags to the room, or if I should leave them with bell services.

Continuously..... They have a dispatcher on the route who keeps them running fairly well