Nobody told me that planning not to finish a marathon takes more precision planning than actually running the marathon lol! I’m gonna think “out loud” here and please - shoot holes in my theories if they’re way off base…
Exit strategies, with my car parked at EP and not caring if I get a medal or not:
1. Worst case scenario: bail at mile 3 and find a way to backtrack to the start/finish area or my car. There must surely be a way to do that? Assuming a 15:00/mi pace and start time of 5:45, that would put me at 6:30, figure another :30 to get to a drop bag or my car to change/grab a backpack, :15 back to the monorail - I could be heading to a MK resort to eat around 7:15-7:30. If my friends that I start with maintain a 15:00/mi pace, they’d be around the GF/Poly about 8:45, right? So I could catch them there. Then either get back to my car and drive to my resort if I’m too wiped, or go find somewhere to sit in EP (I’m an AP and have EP reserved, just in case) to spectate.
2. Reasonably likely scenario/s: get as far as the TTC or CR: either one gives me an easy exit and access to food via monorail. Assuming the same 5:45 start, I’d likely hit TTC about 8-8:15, CR about 9:00; eat, get back to the finish/car around 10-10:30 - head into EP to spectate.
3. Semi-likely scenario: make it to the GF or Poly. Same approach as scenario 2, just arriving at EP :30-:45 later.
I’m torn between leaving whatever I’ll need to transition from runner to spectator in my car, or checking a bag. I feel like bag check might be a touch less walking back and forth, even if I manage to snag a close parking spot? And I’m thinking I should plan a layer of my race outfit that I can hang onto if I get warm enough to take it off, so I’ll have that for the travel/eating time - a light jacket or long sleeve and maybe a Mylar in a pocket. Am I missing any big obstacles in these plans?! Anything else I should consider? What do I do with my bib for my walk of “shame” - break the timing chip, roll it up and jam it in a pocket? Do they still have stuff to make spectator signs at the expo these days, or do I need to plan that on my own?