2012 WDW Marathon Weekend

[cccmouse]

I just went and looked at the spectator page. They have it listed as you have to search for the runner by name instead of bib number That is different from any other race I have followed people in...anyone know if there is a place to input bib numbers instead?
This is where I went... http://www.xacte.com/templates/disney/marathon/

I might be wrong, but I believe that you can look up the results after the race by bib # but before the race you need the runners name. Someone correct me if that's not right.

[Mousekedude]

I'm such a moron.... I already had it! It was on the waiver I printed out, like, two weeks ago!

Okay, now that I've made an idiot out of myself.... My bib number for the 5K is 2321, and Mouseoholic's is 2322.

What day are you running?

The only race we're running is the 5K, which is Friday the 6th, at dark-thirty in the morning...
Actually, there are two times for it, but both are early Friday morning: 4:30-6:30, and 7:00-9:00.

[Amy]

I'm such a moron.... I already had it! It was on the waiver I printed out, like, two weeks ago!

Okay, now that I've made an idiot out of myself.... My bib number for the 5K is 2321, and Mouseoholic's is 2322.

What day are you running?

The only race we're running is the 5K, which is Friday the 6th, at dark-thirty in the morning...
Actually, there are two times for it, but both are early Friday morning: 4:30-6:30, and 7:00-9:00.

They have a race that starts at 4:30 in the morning?!?! Could you choose which time you wanted?

[boilerbabe]

Amy-my leg is not effected by the weather, my issues are muscular. I've been struggling with my past fews run, who knows how I will feel on race day?! Very frustrated right now.

The races always start early, I'm pretty sure due to road closures would be my best guess?! You have to be at the start line early, I know for the 1/2 you have to be in your corral at 5 a.m. and the waves start at 6 a.m. I was reading up on the 1/2 and the last bus will depart from the resorts at 4 a.m. It will be a very early morning!!! Alot of standing around, but that just gives you more time to stretch is what I'm telling myself.

[Joe90]

I am a little bit envious. And a little bit glad.

I am envious because I would love to be there to run the Goofy again. (Even with the 2 early starts. )
I am glad because last years Goofy hurt. Oh yea it did.

If the weather is OK catch an early bus. If it isn't catch a later one. DO NOT plan on getting the last bus

When you arrive at Epcot parking lot you will be directed to the bag tents area. Lots of people will be hanging around and getting together in their running groups or clubs. This is as far as families can go to keep their runner company.

If you have not booked a place in the rec tent (I didn't) There is no shelter and nowhere to sit in the parking lot or bag tent area. If the weather is bad you will not look out of place in a fetching black bin liner. (cheap, windproof, waterproof light and disposable. Perfect in every way ) I took some foam matting to sit on because standing for long periods gives me a bad back. (although running doesn't...go figure )

From here you will hand in your bag at the bag tent, for your post race recovery, and pass through into to the first waiting area. (No "non runners" allowed here. More accurately no "non participants" allowed here. There are plenty of people who are taking part who are non runners....as you will see .) There is no rush to get to this point unless you are really pushing for a great start position in the first coral. As race time approaches you are released from the parking lot and directed down to the corals. It is a good half mile to a mile walk and you will get there with lots of time to spare. (Bathroom break? Lots of nasty port a potties are located here.)

15 mins before the start. Check your running gear is on, fitted, tied, pinned correctly......... and again.........and again.........and again You will. Trust me on this.

10 mins before the start. Warm up if you want to. I didn't I just started slowly and warmed up as I went. I wasn't racing after all, it was just a jog in the parks . Check your running gear again.

Last 3 mins before the start gun, strip of the warm throw away stuff from your lower half (the cloths you are not running in) keep your upper half warm. Check your running gear again...because.........well just because...

Last min before the start. You are ready to start..... or are you?....last minute nerves and doubts...how is that injury or niggle? Have you done enough miles in training? .....Oh No Nerves............Quick, check and adjust of your running gear. I watched people do this. It made me smile. (You will be OK Boilerbabe slow and steady. You still get first prize if you finish last.)

TOO LATE NOW!

START GUN ! or more accurately FIREWORKS!! yay \O/

Now depending on where your coral is there will be a delay as everyone shuffles toward the start line....it can be quite a delay...ages....or so it will seem.

Time to think about throwing away the warm upper half stuff. Weather dependant of course. There are bins up to and just beyond the start line but you can throw away gear anywhere. It is collected from all around the course.

It is dark folks. Take care.......But most importantly

Have a great time.

The very best to you all.

[wewantsdaredhead]

I am a little bit envious. And a little bit glad.

I am envious because I would love to be there to run the Goofy again. (Even with the 2 early starts. )
I am glad because last years Goofy hurt. Oh yea it did.

If the weather is OK catch an early bus. If it isn't catch a later one. DO NOT plan on getting the last bus

When you arrive at Epcot parking lot you will be directed to the bag tents area. Lots of people will be hanging around and getting together in their running groups or clubs. This is as far as families can go to keep their runner company.

If you have not booked a place in the rec tent (I didn't) There is no shelter and nowhere to sit in the parking lot or bag tent area. If the weather is bad you will not look out of place in a fetching black bin liner. (cheap, windproof, waterproof light and disposable. Perfect in every way ) I took some foam matting to sit on because standing for long periods gives me a bad back. (although running doesn't...go figure )

From here you will hand in your bag at the bag tent, for your post race recovery, and pass through into to the first waiting area. (No "non runners" allowed here. More accurately no "non participants" allowed here. There are plenty of people who are taking part who are non runners....as you will see .) There is no rush to get to this point unless you are really pushing for a great start position in the first coral. As race time approaches you are released from the parking lot and directed down to the corals. It is a good half mile to a mile walk and you will get there with lots of time to spare. (Bathroom break? Lots of nasty port a potties are located here.)

15 mins before the start. Check your running gear is on, fitted, tied, pinned correctly......... and again.........and again.........and again You will. Trust me on this.

10 mins before the start. Warm up if you want to. I didn't I just started slowly and warmed up as I went. I wasn't racing after all, it was just a jog in the parks . Check your running gear again.

Last 3 mins before the start gun, strip of the warm throw away stuff from your lower half (the cloths you are not running in) keep your upper half warm. Check your running gear again...because.........well just because...

Last min before the start. You are ready to start..... or are you?....last minute nerves and doubts...how is that injury or niggle? Have you done enough miles in training? .....Oh No Nerves............Quick, check and adjust of your running gear. I watched people do this. It made me smile. (You will be OK Boilerbabe slow and steady. You still get first prize if you finish last.)

TOO LATE NOW!

START GUN ! or more accurately FIREWORKS!! yay \O/

Now depending on where your coral is there will be a delay as everyone shuffles toward the start line....it can be quite a delay...ages....or so it will seem.

Time to think about throwing away the warm upper half stuff. Weather dependant of course. There are bins up to and just beyond the start line but you can throw away gear anywhere. It is collected from all around the course.

It is dark folks. Take care.......But most importantly

Have a great time.

The very best to you all.

Wow! Thanks for the info, but I have to admit--I got nervous just reading this!

[boilerbabe]

Thanks Joe90!!! You gave me goosebumps and I had flashbacks from '05. Although I know this race has grown since then! I'm excited, just hoping my body will cooperate and my injuries don't act up too badly that day! I will finish, even if it kills me, I've just had to come to terms with my time...it's going to suck! But, I will be there, and that's the most important part after all, right? Maybe I will feel the effects of being at The Most Magical Place on Earth and I will feel great?!

Good luck to all!!!! Have a great race/races!

[Amy]

What a great description of the race morning Joe! I felt like I was there
When you say you can toss your gear anywhere and they collect it from around the course, do they then have bins at the end where you can retrieve your stuff? Sort of like a lost and found??

[boilerbabe]

What a great description of the race morning Joe! I felt like I was there
When you say you can toss your gear anywhere and they collect it from around the course, do they then have bins at the end where you can retrieve your stuff? Sort of like a lost and found??

Not usually, not any race I've been in anyway. These garments are usually called your "throw aways" b/c you literally throw it away when you warm up! Very necessary! We usually pick an old race shirt that has seen better days to toss.

[Amy]

What a great description of the race morning Joe! I felt like I was there
When you say you can toss your gear anywhere and they collect it from around the course, do they then have bins at the end where you can retrieve your stuff? Sort of like a lost and found??

Not usually, not any race I've been in anyway. These garments are usually called your "throw aways" b/c you literally throw it away when you warm up! Very necessary! We usually pick an old race shirt that has seen better days to toss.

That's what I wondered...I am so attached to things like that, weird I know, that I don't think I could do that I would likely freeze at the beginning so I wouldn't have to worry about what I would do with anything once I got too hot In fact, I have done just that in bike races before Although on the bike, I usually had somewhere to stow my gear

[cccmouse]

Joe90...Thanks for the run down memory lane. I am getting anxious to get down there again and take in all that I can. It really is an enjoyable weekend. I can tell from your account of the prerace experience that you really would like to be there. Hopefully you can go ahead and nail down plans to be there next year.
B-bade...You are correct about the throw aways. Disney states that any garments the are thrown off at the start or along the course are gathered up and give to charity. If the weather holds true to the current forecast for next weekend this shouldn't be a problem.

[Joe90]

........ just hoping my body will cooperate and my injuries don't act up too badly that day! I will finish, even if it kills me, I've just had to come to terms with my time...it's going to suck! ............

This isn't a run to set a personal best on anyway Get all the pictures you want with the characters and then some. The whole race weekend is about the event and the participation not the finishing time.....Inside you know this already. ....Do NOT let it kill you That would be bad. And Don't give yourself a permanent injury either.

Slow, steady, walk, run, FINISH. Have a sweep free run. Thoughts will be with you.

What a great description of the race morning Joe! I felt like I was there
When you say you can toss your gear anywhere and they collect it from around the course, do they then have bins at the end where you can retrieve your stuff? Sort of like a lost and found??

Nope when it's gone it's gone for good. And I mean good literally. CCCMouse is correct, It does get given to charities.
I bought the cheapest brand new stuff from Walmart the day before the race weekend. I didn't have enough time to form an emotional bond with it either so chucking it of to the side of the course was not a problem. It did the job I needed it to do and hopefully it went to someone who could use it.

[Amy]

What a great description of the race morning Joe! I felt like I was there
When you say you can toss your gear anywhere and they collect it from around the course, do they then have bins at the end where you can retrieve your stuff? Sort of like a lost and found??

Nope when it's gone it's gone for good. And I mean good literally. CCCMouse is correct, It does get given to charities.
I bought the cheapest brand new stuff from Walmart the day before the race weekend. I didn't have enough time to form an emotional bond with it either so chucking it of to the side of the course was not a problem. It did the job I needed it to do and hopefully it went to someone who could use it.

I kind of like your idea. No bonds and a nice donation to charity!

[MmeLeota]

Every year we like to watch the beginning of the Rock n Roll Marathon that happens in Vegas. There is a local news station that has coverage and it's always amazing to see so many people at the start. Seeing each corral make their way to the front and watching how long it takes to get them all across the start line. I also noticed these "throw away" (didn't know the term...thanks!) clothes and I always wondered about that.
Hopefully we will be awake early enough to cheer on our friends who are running in the various races...I like being a cheerleader!!!

[Joe90]

I like being a cheerleader!!!

This has conjured up some unsettling mental images of Haunted Mansion's Madam Leota in a cheer uniform....
Why would you do that?

Brain Bleach required.