My Top Walt Disney World Marathon Tips

 
WDW Marathon weekend has become an annual tradition in my family.  In January 2013, I celebrated my 5^th anniversary of attending Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and I am excited for 2014 where I hope to complete the Inaugural Dopey Challenge.  

For those of you not obsessed with runDisney, the Dopey Challenge will consistence of running all 4 of the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend races.  I will take part in four days of running fun for a total of 48.6 miles.  I will run the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon and earn a total of six pieces of "bling!"

You might be wondering what possessed me to become a “runner” and how I became so “Dopey” for runDisney!  In July 2008, I was 36 years old and was NOT a runner.  I couldn’t even run a mile.  I had two small children and was a small business owner with multiple business partners.  I was stressed out and needed an outlet to not only get in better shape, but to refocus my mind.  So I made up my mind to run the marathon and registered.  In the 6 months of training, I worked my way up from a 5K to a 10K to a Half to finally the Full Marathon.  I dropped 10 pounds and went from a size 8 to a size 4, but better than that I felt fantastic!  I was really enjoying running.  It was an escape for me where I could let my mind go and seek clarity.

My first Walt Disney World marathon experience was “magical.’  Running through my beloved parks was amazing.  We were “back stage” and on roads I never knew existed, but when I made that first turn onto Main Street, U.S.A. I lost it!  Another runner made me stop and pose for a photo!  The crowd was cheering as we ran by and then I saw my family!!  They had gotten up and made the early morning journey to the Magic Kingdom!  Words cannot express how happy I was to see them (for a second) and then the very, very, very best part was the sound of the trumpets as I ran through Cinderella Castle!  Amazing – that feeling will never ever get old.

What I appreciate about the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is that there are runners participating of all shapes and sizes.  Yes, there are the “elites,” but this is an “everyman” marathon that a typical “athlete” like me can take part in and not feel intimidated or overwhelmed by lack of experience.

Since that first WDW Marathon I have run the 2010 Goofy Challenge and the Family Fun Run 5K combined with the Goofy Challenge in 2011, 2012, and 2013.  So far I’ve logged 192.7 magical miles during runDisney’s Walt Disney World Marathon weekend.  (I’ve also participated in both the Disney Princess Half Marathon and Disneyland Half Marathon Weekends). Here are some tips to help you survive your first Walt Disney World Marathon:

Here are my Top Walt Disney World Marathon Tips:

1.     Follow a training plan:  For my first marathon I followed the Hal Higdon’s novice training plan.  For my first Goofy Challenge I followed another Hal Higdon training, but incorporated Jeff Galloway’s run/walk method.  If you don’t know where to begin, contact your local running store or running club for a training group.  Marathon training groups normally begin in the early summer for the fall marathon season.  

2.     Get some support:  Bring your own Cheer Squad!  There is nothing like having your family and friends support you during the race.  This event is very family & friend oriented.  If you can’t get anyone to run with you, make new friends on running forums, charity partners or local running groups.

3.     Be prepared for the weather:  Remember that just because the race is in FLORIDA does not mean the weather is going to be warm in January.  It could be freezing cold with freezing rain and snowflakes (2010) or hot with 100% humidity (2013) or just right!  (2011 & 2012).  Remember the race will take place even if it’s raining.  Get out there and train and be prepared for race conditions.

4.     Write a shopping list:  Get to the Expo early and map out your shopping strategy.  Study the expo floor plan.  Know what you want before you get there.  Do not carry extra bags.  If traveling with small children remember that you will not be allowed to bring a stroller past the gate.

5.     Be prepared for the distance:  Wear chapstick, sunblock and glide.  The medical tents will provide Tylenol, Vaseline and BioFreeze if needed.  The water stations will provide water and PowerAde.  Food provided will be bananas, Cliff Shots and candy.  If you have trained with something other than what is provided on course, carry it with you.

6.     Don’t Panic:  This is supposed to be fun and a celebration of your training.  Enjoy the experience and even if you don’t want to stop at the character stops, at least make sure that you pose in front of Cinderella Castle!  Those MarathonFoto photographers got their system down pat – it only takes a second to smile!

 
7.     Stick to your race plan:  If your plan calls for run/walk then do it right from the start.  If you choose to walk, then alert those behind you by raising your arm before you slow down and move off to the side.  If a family member is going to be on course – be as specific as possible of your meet up spot and make sure you sign up for runner tracking or use a tracking app like GSP Tracker or Garmin Fit.

8.     Smile like you’re having a good time (even if you aren’t):  There are many photo opportunities with MarathonFoto.  Make sure your bib is visible and smile throughout your run because you will never know which photos will look best.


9.     Plan your recovery:  Use the massage tent.  Massages are only a $1 a minute and are well worth the money!  Cash only so make sure you have it on your person.  When completing the Goofy Challenge I get a $10 massage on Saturday and a $20 massage on Sunday.  I feel that it does wonders for my recovery!

10.  Make time to celebrate:  Make a reservation for a special post-race dinner and make sure to wear your bling!  You earned it!

The Day I Became a Believer in the Jeff Galloway Run/Walk Method

With Jeff Galloway at the 2011 WDW Marathon Expo

Nothing really prepares you for the pain and suffering of your first marathon.  You really don’t have a clue until you live, barely, through it.  I apologize to all my half marathon friends, but you cannot compare the two distances.  In my novice opinion, they are two entirely different beasts.  Once you finish your first half marathon you are definitely tired, sore and spent, but once you finish your first full marathon you want to DIE.

I consider my first marathon a disaster.  I hit the wall at mile 20 with every single muscle in my torso and legs cramping.  Muscles that never hurt during training were now crying out in pain with every step. At mile 18 I was scanning the side of the road looking for a nice ditch to lie down to rest or a vehicle to throw my body in front of in the hopes of ending my misery.

I don’t remember exactly how I got my body to the finish line, but I know it wasn’t pretty and I wasn’t running.  I had to continuously stop to stretch out my cramped calves.  I finished in 6:03:33 with tears streaming down my face so happy that I was done and with a vow that I would never, ever, ever run a marathon again.  EVER.

The pain wore off and in March 2009 I stupidly registered for my first Walt Disney World Goofy’s Challenge.  What’s Goofy’s Challenge?   Here’s the official write up from www.rundisney.com:

Goofy Challenge Wristband

“If you think that a marathon is just a walk in the park, put your endurance to the test and compete in Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge! A 39.3-mile adventure held over two days, participants will run the Half Marathon on Saturday, followed by the Marathon on Sunday. If you finish both races within the pacing requirements, you will be awarded the coveted Goofy medal in addition to your Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse finisher medals.”

You see.  The Goofy Challenge is not a big deal.  I had completed a full marathon and I had completed a half marathon.  How hard could it possibly be to complete them in the same weekend?

In March of 2009, I don’t remember where I came across the name Jeff Galloway.  It could have been from Runner’s World or maybe one of his books, but at that time I don’t believe he was affiliated with runDisney.  All I knew was there had to be a better way to complete a marathon and I needed to figure it out before I began my training for the Goofy Challenge.

Jeff Galloway’s run/walk method intrigued me with the goal of “finishing in the upright position.” Since I normally ran at a 10 minute pace I choose the 3:1 ratio.  Jeff outlines this on both his website and in his many books.  The 3:1 ratio meant that I would run 3 minutes and then walk for 1 minute.  Walk breaks would help me to reduce fatigue and also speed my recovery in preparation for Goofy.  I also decided that it was now time to invest in a Garmin watch.  I bought the latest and greatest (at that time) the 405CX, but soon realized that I needed a Ph.D. to program the thing.

Never-the-less, I trained the entire season running and walking during my intervals. I was making this pilgrimage to WDW with my best friend, Terri-Ann, who was going to run the 5K Fun Run.  In January 2010, Florida was experiencing records cold temps and the weather in Orlando was actually similar to the weather in Connecticut – it was COLD.   

At the Start of the Half Marathon

We stayed at Disney’s Old Key West resort and I remember walking to the Half Marathon corral on Saturday and seeing SNOW at 5am.  All during the Half Marathon the weather was miserable with continuous freezing rain.  I stuck to my 3:1 intervals and also threw in walks through the hazardous “water” (ice) stations.  

I finished the 2010 Walt Disney World Half Marathon in 2:22:15 a 10:51 pace.  This was slower than my first half marathon in which I ran at a time of 2:15:36, a 10:21 pace.  I was fine with the time because I had a full marathon to run the following day and I was wet and chilled to the bone.

At the start of the full Marathon

The weather on the day of the 2010 WDW Marathon was better than the day before in that it was not sleeting, however, it was still “Connecticut Winter cold.”  Florida is not supposed to be that cold.  It is not pleasant.  Water stops were still frozen ice rinks, however, my run/walk plan was keeping me calm and focused until I crashed at mile 22.  All I remember is crying into my cell phone telling Terri-Ann to come pick me up so I could find a nice resting spot to die.  I don’t know exactly what happened, but all of a sudden, I saw Captain Jack Sparrow out of the corner of my eye and he was following the 5:30 pacer and THEY WERE DOING THE RUN/WALK METHOD TOO!!  

Oh my gosh!  This was the lift I needed.  I mustarded all my strength and I followed their feet, willing my own legs to keep up with theirs.  Terri-Ann came into view somewhere in Mile 24 next to Disney’s Boardwalk playground coming to rescue me from the marathon; however, I blew her off.  I couldn’t stop NOW because I was following Captain Jack Sparrow and I was going to FINISH!!!

I don’t remember a lot of that last mile and a half of the marathon.  I know crying was involved.  I know spectators were cheering me on.  I know I looked horrible.  I know that when I turned the final corner and saw the Gospel Choir I was hyperventilating.  I know that I hugged the volunteer that gave me my WDW Marathon Medal (Mickey) and I totally broke down when another volunteer gave me my WDW Goofy Challenge’s Medal (Goofy).  God bless the volunteers who put up with the delirious, blood, sweat and tears of the marathon finishers!  

I finished the 2010 WDW Marathon in 5:38:39 with a 12:54 pace.  This finish was 25 minutes faster than my first marathon a year before plus I had run the half marathon the day before!  This was the day that I became a believer in the Jeff Galloway run/walk method.

Officially Goofy with Goofy himself, Donald and Terri-Ann