Frivolous writings about Walt Disney World & Disneyland, runDisney Events, marathons and triathlons as I complete my quests for 50 Marathons in 50 States, Ironman and every single Disney race available!
On our recent family vacation aboard the Disney Fantasy, we got the opportunity to run the runDisney Castaway Cay 5K. Being a runDisney bling fanatic, this was the excursion I was most looking forward to experiencing. One of my first stops once I got aboard the Fantasy was to stop by Senses Spa and the Shore Excursion desk to find how I could register for this race.
Good news - no preregistration is required. Simply wait until the night prior to your stop at Castaway Cay and look for the race information in your Navigator. The meeting place & time will be listed. There is no additional fee to participate. You will receive a race bib, safety pins and when you complete the race - a Castaway Cay 5K "medal."
Please note that you must be 12-years old or older to participate. We were unaware of this rule and had hyped the race up with the kids (10, 9, and 7) so our family was a little surprised and disappointed, but hey - we were still at Castaway Cay with a beach and water slides so all was well once again!
The Castaway Cay 5K is a fun run and is not officially timed, but a race clock will run. The course runs along the airstrip and loops the bike trial. Our race start was around 10am so the sun was up and the temperature was rising fast. Water is provided on the course and the 5K course is detailed on the above video.
We were all really looking forward to this race and earning our runDisney Disney Cruise Line bling. If you have the opportunity to run this race during your stop at Castaway Cay I highly recommend it!
WDW Marathon weekend has become an annual tradition in my family.
In January 2013, I celebrated my 5th 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!
If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m a little bit of a runDisney and all things Disney nut.Too me, Disneyland is sacred ground.It’s where the magic began, the first Disneyland theme park, and it is also one of my favorite races to run!
The Disneyland Half Marathon is usually held on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.2012 marked my 2nd Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend were I earned my 2nd Coast to Coast Challenge Medal. The Coast to Coast Medal is awarded when you complete a runDisney half marathon or marathon at the Walt Disney World® Resort and the Disneyland® Resort in the same calendar year.
TIP:Plan to register for the Disneyland Half Marathon when the race opens.It is quick to sell out especially with the new Dumbo Double Dare Challenge added in 2013.I registered myself for Dumbo and my family for the Disneyland Family Fun Run 5K at the Walt Disney World Marathon expo in January.
I was running this Half Marathon with my running buddy and fellow runDisney addict, Alison, and her daughter, Dani, who was celebrating her birthday!Both Alison and I were coming off of injuries inflicted during the summer training months and Dani was super tired from long days spent at the office.We decided to have fun and take it “slow.”
We define “slow” as running like a lunatic through the parks to every character stop to pose with as many characters as possible.
We were all assigned to Corral B and made our way from the Fairfield Inn over to the start of the race on South Disneyland Drive.It was a quick and easy walk and probably took less than 15 minutes.We stopped in Downtown Disney to use a flushable potty before actually getting into our corral. The above video shows you highlights of our race. Below details the course. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the race, course or my runDisney Disneyland experience.
The Course:
The Disneyland Half Marathon course runs down South Disneyland Drive by Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.Then it turns left and runs along the south boarder of Disney California Adventure on West Katella Ave until turning onto South Harbor Blvd and into the back of Disney California Adventure.
Then it winds through Cars Land, Paradise Pier, Hollywood Land upon exiting into the esplanade. From there the course goes into Disneyland. It takes you behind Walt’s firehouse apartment and then into Town Square and up Main Street U.S.A.There the course turns into Frontierland and wraps around into Fantasyland and through Sleeping Beauty Castle before turning into Tomorrowland. From there the course then leads into Toontown, behind scenes and onto West Ball Road.
The course then continues along the streets of Anaheim.The crowd of supporters are car enthusiasts, cultural dance groups and area school bands.The miles go by quickly as we pass the Honda Center and make our way to Angel Stadium.This is highlight of the race!Area Boy and Girl Scouts come out to cheer on the racers outside and inside the stadium.
There is no bigger thrill then running through that stadium and seeing your face on one of the jumbo-screens.
Once you are out of the stadium, you are at Mile 10 and then there’s just 3.1 miles along E Gene Autry Way and S. Anaheim Way.I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that these few miles are full with excitement and entertainment, because they are not.Be prepared to either run with a buddy or listen to some music.It will be needed.Then we turn left onto Disney Way and then once again into Disney’s California Adventure, onto Downtown Drive and past Disneyland Hotelto the Finish!
Alison, my running buddy and fellow runDisney addict, and I
were coming off of injuries inflicted during the summer training months.Her foot was healing from a fracture and I
had torn my TFL.I wasn’t even supposed
to be in California running, but had decided to come at the last minute.I had originally signed up to run the
Disneyland Family Fun Run 5K with my daughter, Kathryn, but had canceled when I
canceled our family vacation due to my injury.
Alison hadn’t signed up for the
5K. I had my daugher's extra bib so she joined me
bright and early for the start of the Disneyland Family Fun Run 5K.
Alison and I had both given our Disneyland Half Marathon
weekend races much thought and consideration.We had both decided, on our own, that we were not going to run
hard.We were going to Disneyland to
have fun and not set any PR’s. We were going to enjoy the experience and to have a good
time!
It was a great plan
Now here’s the reality - Alison and I lose our minds when we get to a runDisney race.
Alison and I got to the start and once the race began all of
our best intentions just flew out of the window.We totally lost our minds. We took off like bats out of $#%. We RAN, at top speed, dodging and weaving and
totally acting like ninnies to every single character stop!We were out of control, but laughing, smiling
and have the best time EVER!
RACE COURSE: The Disneyland Family Fun Run 5K begins just outside of the
Mickey & Friends Parking Structure.The course then wraps its way into the backstage area of Disneyland and
you enter the park behind Splash Mountain.It then winds its way along the Rivers of America past The Golden
Horseshoe and Big Thunder Railroad into Fantasyland.There it goes through Sleeping Beauty Castle around the Matterhorn and then around Central Plaza and down Main Street, USA.From there it runs through the esplanade into
California Adventure and then around Paradise Pier to Cars Land and the Finish!
TIPS: If you plan on signing up for the Disneyland Family Fun Run 5K plan to sign up either at the WDW Marathon Weekend or Disneyland Tinkerbell expos. If that is not possible - sign up the day the registration opens. Run with your family and friends and stop to take photos!
I have never had so much fun
in my entire life during a 5K race! This is the race were Alison and I decided to run every runDisney 5K available! It
was the best time EVER!
For the 2012 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, I was supposed to travel with my family, but I had torn my TFL (tensor fasciae latae) in June.Per doctor’s orders I had canceled both our Disneyland Hotel reservations and my daughter and my 5K race entries.
My ortho had said no to any summer race until the Marine Corps Marathon in October. However, since I had just run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Providence Relay – the 8 mile leg – and had no problems with my hip, I talked him into a “doctor’s note.”
So I ended up attending the 2012 Disneyland Half Marathon weekend with some of my running family – Alison and her daughter Dani.Alison and Dani had graciously allowed me to bunk with them at the last minute.
Alison had broken her foot a week after I had my injury!So both of us spent the summer training months recovering and were not expecting much of a race.However, we were definitely in for a good time since it was Dani’s birthday and we were at DISNEYLAND!
We flew from Logan to LAX on JetBlue and took the shuttle to Anaheim. We arrived at Disneyland around 2pm and headed straight to the expo.By the time we had arrived to the offical runDisney booth, they were sold out of Coast to Coast Women’s Small shirts and Disneyland branded Sweaty Bands.Never-the-less we were still able to spend $$$ and found a fabulous Coast to Coast shirt at the Raw Threads booth.
TIP:Get to the runDisney expos early! Try to shoot to arrive when the expo opens if you have a specific item you want to purchase like a Coast to Coast shirt or Minnie/Mickey New Balance shoes!Also, I purchased my Coast to Coast shirt at the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon expo prior to actually earning my Coast to Coast medal at Disneyland Half Marathon this year because I have missed out on this shirt twice before!
Next we picked up our race bibs for the 5K and Half Marathon.I had forgotten that I had canceled me and my daughter 5K race entries when I canceled my hotel reservations.But it turns out that it didn’t matter.Since race entries are non-refundable, both bibs were printed and it only took a few minutes for the runDisney staff to locate them.
Since it was later in the day, the expo was not at all crowed and shopping was a pleasant experience.We were able to see the 20th Anniversary Marathon medal up close and register some remaining family hold-out’s for the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend.We also got to catch up with Barbara and Jeff Galloway and Another Mother Runner’s – Sarah and Dimity.
Next stop was dinner in Downtown Disney - which was steps from the Disneyland Expo.We had burgers for dinner at House of Blues in Downtown Disney.I like Downtown Disney better in Disneyland Resort than Walt Disney World.To me it seems an extension of the parks and I enjoy its location between the parks.
I think we ended up going back to the expo at least three additional times to either register for races or shop!But since we were in Disneyland and it was just a short walk not a bus ride!
Alison had made hotel reservations OFF PROPERTY (I know the horrors!!!) at a Good Neighbor Hotel.We stayed at the Fairfield Inn Anaheim Disneyland Resort right on South Harbor Boulevard.This hotel was clean, beds were comfortable and the water pressure was good.It included free WiFi and had a fridge in the room.There was also a pool and it was located close to a McDonalds.All in all very close to the magic….you could see the magic since it was located just across from Space Mountain and a short walk to the main gates. I'm sure it was also ½ the price of the Disneyland Hotel.
All in all, I would recommend the Fairfield Inn hotel if you wanted to stay off property.However, when staying off Disneyland property I would use a stroller for children 5 and under.
