Marathon Weekend 2016

[Keels]

Since we went through a travel provider, we've got to stay somewhere. Originally, I was thinking I'd just do the cheapest possible option and use it to get FP+s for the husband and possibly use it the days of the half and full for myself.

But after talking to the travel provider, I think we're going to do Boardwalk - mainly so my husband doesn't have to travel far to spectate for me in the last two races.

Also, to hand me a beer.

 

[DOOM1001]

That's interesting about the Osborne lights. Several years ago, when the F&W half marathon was held at the beginning of October, Disney had been nice enough to have the Osborne Lights up and as the runners ran through DHS, they were surprised with the lights all lit up. However, the lights were then turned off to the public until whenever the opening was scheduled, in mid-November. You'd think that maybe for the sake of a few days, they could have them up again (or does no race go through DHS for this?).

The only race that goes through the Osborne Lights during marathon weekend in January is the full,and that's at mile 23 so its 10-12 noon for most runners depending on their pace so a lit up Osborne lights would not exactly be worth turning on.Now for the Wine and Dine this Nov 7th which I will be running it will be turned on,I was a little worried it wouldn't due to construction but RunDisney put out an advertisement sometime before W&D registration opened up mentioning all the highlights of the race and the Osborne Lights were mentioned.

 

[Kathymford]

I book through DVC and currently have Wilderness Lodge booked, but I'm hoping to switch to Beach Club or Boardwalk once my 7-month window opens. Beach Club still looks open at the moment, but Boardwalk is filling up. We shall see!

You guys are getting me so excited. This will be my first WDW 1/2 marathon and only my 3rd ever! My first and second are DLH and Avengers THIS YEAR! Aahh.

 

[rteetz]

That's interesting about the Osborne lights. Several years ago, when the F&W half marathon was held at the beginning of October, Disney had been nice enough to have the Osborne Lights up and as the runners ran through DHS, they were surprised with the lights all lit up. However, the lights were then turned off to the public until whenever the opening was scheduled, in mid-November. You'd think that maybe for the sake of a few days, they could have them up again (or does no race go through DHS for this?).

Only the full goes through DHS. I think it's because by the time most of the runner get to DHS its light outside.

 

[FFigawi]

Since we went through a travel provider, we've got to stay somewhere. Originally, I was thinking I'd just do the cheapest possible option and use it to get FP+s for the husband and possibly use it the days of the half and full for myself.

But after talking to the travel provider, I think we're going to do Boardwalk - mainly so my husband doesn't have to travel far to spectate for me in the last two races.

Also, to hand me a beer.

He won't have to travel far to see you in the 10k either. In fact, if your room is located on the boardwalk side, he can just sit on the balcony and watch you and 10,000 of your friends go by. And helpful piece of advice on the beer....the best place for him to be during the full is on the steps leading down to the walkway from the pool area. They're just past the mile 24 aid station so easy for you to remember as well. Also, cans.

 

[AmynVal]

Has anyone ever switched from a traditional running shoe to a zero drop minimalist shoe? If so how long did it take before you were back to your usual running distances?

 

[DOOM1001]

Has anyone ever switched from a traditional running shoe to a zero drop minimalist shoe? If so how long did it take before you were back to your usual running distances?

I did the reverse,I ran my first Disney marathon with the near minimalist Nike Free runs when it seemed like the minimalist shoes were the latest in thing, I had no issues with them as they were incredibly comfortable and light with enough cushioning but still gave you that closer to the road feel like you're more in touch with the road.But basically knowing that I'm not a light runner I tried on different shoes and transitioned to the Maximallist Hokas,I just looked at the physics of the situation and realized a heavily cushioned shoe would suit me best.I already tried on the next pair I plan to buy,same ridiculous cushioning but about 2 oz lighter than the one I'm using now,I don't understand how they made that huge boat of a shoe that light.

 

[FFigawi]

Has anyone ever switched from a traditional running shoe to a zero drop minimalist shoe? If so how long did it take before you were back to your usual running distances?

I made a partial switch. I used my NB Minimus and my VFF for shorter runs while still running in my Asics Kayanos for longer ones. It took me about a month to build up to handling a 10k in the Minimus without the shin and ankle soreness that comes when you first start using them. I never wore them for anything much more than 9-12 miles, mostly because I was happy with the balance I got from using two very different shoes. I used the Minimus to keep my form (I'm naturally a horrible heel striker and over pronator) in a mid-foot strike, and the Kayano to protect my knees if I get tired and my form starts to fall apart. Maybe once I'm done with my current training cycle and race I'll try going with the Minimus full time, but that's not something I wanted to try when going for 90k.

 

[SarahDisney]

So ... since registration is still 5 days away and I can't really be excited yet, instead I'm having nervous dreams. I had a dream last night that when I finished the 10K (which will be my second and final race of the weekend), they were out of medals and they tried to give me a kids races medal instead. Someone please convince me that this can't actually happen...

Also, we invited my cousin to join us for the 5K, but right now she just can't plan this far in advance. If she decides a few months before the race (probably no earlier than September, maybe even later) that she is able to join us, will there be any chance of her being able to get a bib through a travel provider or charity? (I know that she won't be able to get one through Disney that late in the game)

 

[dancingtodisney]

Disney UK site released their free dining and room discount offer today for OKW and we are booked! Whoop!

Flights: Booked
Accomodation: Booked (OKW and AKL)
Dopey: roll on Tuesday!

 

[Pixie Heart]

Disney UK site released their free dining and room discount offer today for OKW and we are booked! Whoop!

I'm wishing and praying for the FD open for international public in May 1st!

I was talking to my TA about hotel options and she mentioned Hilton's Bonnet Creek for the marathon weekend.
It seems that they have great runner's packages. Any thoughts?

 

[AmynVal]

I was happy with the balance I got from using two very different shoes. I used the Minimus to keep my form (I'm naturally a horrible heel striker and over pronator) in a mid-foot strike, and the Kayano to protect my knees if I get tired and my form starts to fall apart.

I started using a zero drop to workout in(crossfit) and when I put my traditional shoes back on to do runs I found myself having a harder time running. Almost like my body didn't want to go back. Since then I've done a 5k had no problems was almost faster than my normal pace but I could tell I was using muscles that didn't get normally used. So I've started building mileage and wondering what other people's experience have been and if I should make a push to go back to a traditional shoe again.

 

[FFigawi]

I think if you build slowly and carefully, you'll be fine. I had to juggle between the two because I'm not anywhere near ready to run 90km in minimalist shoes.

 

[IamTrike]

I did the reverse,I ran my first Disney marathon with the near minimalist Nike Free runs when it seemed like the minimalist shoes were the latest in thing, I had no issues with them as they were incredibly comfortable and light with enough cushioning but still gave you that closer to the road feel like you're more in touch with the road.But basically knowing that I'm not a light runner I tried on different shoes and transitioned to the Maximallist Hokas,I just looked at the physics of the situation and realized a heavily cushioned shoe would suit me best.I already tried on the next pair I plan to buy,same ridiculous cushioning but about 2 oz lighter than the one I'm using now,I don't understand how they made that huge boat of a shoe that light.

Are you talking about the clifton's I really wanted to like them but they felt a little wobbly when I tried them. I've run in both the bondi tarmac and the rapa nui and liked both of those.

I think if you build slowly and carefully, you'll be fine. I had to juggle between the two because I'm not anywhere near ready to run 90km in minimalist shoes.

Most people could just cut that sentence off after km

 

[RunRunRun]

Has anyone taken advantage of the Runners World Challenge? Is it worth the extra money? I am planning on running the Dopey and have heard that the race retreat can be worthwhile as well. Between the two, already at $780.

 

[PrincessV]

Has anyone ever switched from a traditional running shoe to a zero drop minimalist shoe? If so how long did it take before you were back to your usual running distances?

Not zero drop, but I made the switch from a super-high drop Mizuno to low-drop shoes (2-4mm) years ago and never looked back. I'm a solidly forefoot striker, so making the switch to low-drop shoes felt wonderfully natural: finally, a shoe that wasn't working against my natural mechanics! And I spend most of my non-running life in flat shoes or barefoot, so my calves/Achilles were already accustomed to being elongated. Still, I definitely felt my calves working harder than they had before, so I eased into it, only doing a few miles at a time initially. I happened to make the switch at the beginning of a 13.1 training cycle, which helped, and it really didn't take long - maybe a month - until I was doing all of my runs in the low-drop shoes without muscle additional fatigue. I'd say the short, early miles were the ones to get through; once I was up to around 4 miles at a time, 6 or 7 felt no different. YMMV of course so just start easing into it and go by feel.

I had a dream last night that when I finished the 10K (which will be my second and final race of the weekend), they were out of medals and they tried to give me a kids races medal instead. Someone please convince me that this can't actually happen...

I've never seen or heard of a Disney race running out of medals - no worries!

 

[Keels]

Has anyone ever switched from a traditional running shoe to a zero drop minimalist shoe? If so how long did it take before you were back to your usual running distances?

I used to run and workout in Sauconys, but I always had extreme hip and knee pain after workouts, so I would ultimately give up.

My husband got me to try some minimalist shoes he discovered through CrossFit and I LOVE them. I have Inov8 F-Lite 195s, 218s and 225s. They have a 3mm drop and are extremely breathable, which I love.

I usually wear Chuck Taylor's or stiff flip flops, if I'm not walking around barefoot, so it was an easy adjustment for my body to switch to the minimalist shoe.

I've done three 10ks and one half in them - along with all of my training. No complaints!

 

[DOOM1001]

Are you talking about the clifton's I really wanted to like them but they felt a little wobbly when I tried them. I've run in both the bondi tarmac and the rapa nui and liked both of those.


Most people could just cut that sentence off after km

I used the Stinson tarmacs this season for pretty much all my races,definitely light for their size.I started looking at the weight for other models and the Odyssey is about 2oz lighter than the Stinson's,I tried them on once and they definitely felt lighter but still with max cushioning.I'm still not 100% if this is the model I'm going to go with as I want to try them on again to be sure,I'll also check out the Cliftons

 

[AmynVal]

Awesome thanks everyone for the input. I'm switching from mizuno and asics to a brand called skora. I have started wearing them when I go places and barefoot when I can. Starting up this training cycle is different for me this time because I actually want to train rather than just kind of wing it.

 

[Neoflynn]

allright hotel question....we are definetly staying at Art of Animation in a suite our group will include Myself, DW, and our 4yr old, My Mom, and for sure Mom in law and potentially Father in law....The in laws are worried that the suite will be to close quarters for all of us and have discussed getting a separate room...can anyone who has stayed there give me some real world details on how big the suite's actually are?