Walt Disney World Marathon Preview
With only the tempting leftovers in the fridge and gadgets scattered around the house as a fond reminder of Christmas, it’s time to start thinking about the Walt Disney World Marathon. Or, in my case, the Dopey Challenge. This is the event that has participants run the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Marathon for 48.6 miles of sheer insanity.
Now that the Christmas has passed, this is on the forefront of my mind, and all I can think is: what have I gotten myself into?! The on the nose name of the race itself is blunt in its assessment of participants, reminding me of the way Rizzo the Rat pokes fun at guests in MuppetVision. “What do they know, they’re runners?!” In fairness, I do feel dopey for signing up.
Disney is sneaky. In reviewing my email, I registered for the Dopey Challenge on April 16. That’s really clever timing: long enough after the Marathon so that the memories of pain and foolish faded with only the glory of finishing remained, and far enough in advance of the event to not worry about being out of shape. Why worry about committing to run 48 miles in April–that’s September Tom’s problem!
Save for a bit of training the couple of weeks before the Disneyland Half Marathon plus the race itself in September, and running for the last week, I haven’t really done much. I plan on starting a hardcore training regimen later today, and this post is as much about accountability for that as it is whatever I end up rambling about in the text that follows.
Those of you who read my Walt Disney World Marathon Trip Report probably notice some parallels to my training for that. That’s a little charitable: it’s basically history repeating itself. In fairness, I have done better this time: I’ve only eaten at In-N-Out once in the last two months (as compared to once in the last two days prior to last year’s marathon), and have generally been eating better, save for the holidays.
If you want to “keep me honest” in my training, or taunt me, you can add me as a friend on Fitbit. For all you know, though, I’m just attaching the Fitbit to my cat and making him chase around a laser pointer as I sit on the couch eating Slim Jims. (EDIT: except the next two days, as I’m on my way to Yosemite and accidentally left my Fitbit at home. Oops.)
On another optimistic note, the weather is looking good for Marathon Weekend. Granted, it’s almost two weeks away and the meteorologists can barely get tomorrow’s weather right half the time, but if these forecasts hold, it should be in the low 60s each morning of the runDisney events. For me, that’s perfect running weather.
The mild weather also leaves open the question of a costume. Not for the marathon itself, as that’s too long to run in some awkward outfit (although I always have wanted to die fully decked out as Figment!), but for the 5K or 10K. I have a couple of ideas, but haven’t decided on anything definitively yet, and may just sport some of my fly EPCOT Center vintage outfits.
I guess I should also do this right and load up on pasta the night before the marathon itself. I’ve never done that, but it seems to be the hip thing to do, and I’m all about being hip. Plus, I’m going to need all the help I can get, and if “carb-loading” is some sort of panacea for marathon running, I’m on board. Heck, I’d be game for some leech therapy or doping if there were a chance it might help.
I’m just as excited for what we’re doing after the races as the races themselves. Although we were just at Walt Disney World in early December (and I will get that trip report done before this trip starts!), there’s a lot we didn’t do then. From Disney Springs to the new Symphony in the Stars fireworks to a post-marathon bucket of ice cream at Blizzard Beach, it’s a packed schedule.
We’re also looking forward to finally stepping outside the theme park “bubble” and going to Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to see Florida’s river mermaids: manatees.
While we’re staying at a few different resorts during the course of the trip, during the race itself, we are staying at Floridays Resort Orlando. We wanted to test out an off-site stay to see how convenient it would work out to be during the marathon, and we’re also still trying to work our way through the highest-rated off-site hotels near Walt Disney World, and this was named the #1 hotel in the U.S. for families by TripAdvisor two years ago, so we thought we’d check it out.
More dining is also on the agenda as a post-race celebration. Skipper’s Canteen, Trail’s End (dinner), and Morimoto Asia are all restaurants we plan to hit during the visit. More table service will probably be added to that list, as I plan to undo any of the damage and hatred my body feels for me from the races through copious amounts of steak and desserts.
As far as other plans go, most of those will firm up in the next few days. Although I kid about wondering what I’ve gotten myself into with this race, I’m 90% excited for it, and only 10% apprehensive. I know it’ll be an incredibly fun, crazy experience and I’ll be ready for it by the time race day(s) roll around! Now, for the next couple of weeks, I really need to hit the pavement and make sure that I am ready. That glorious feast at Skipper’s Canteen and ALL OF THE CUPCAKES are ample motivation.
If you’re planning on getting into runDisney, read my runDisney Race Reports (plus other running-related posts). Also be sure to check out my runDisney Packing Tips post for what you should use to train, and what to carry on race day.
For additional planning resources, the best places to start are our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide and Disneyland Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
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YOUR THOUGHTS…
Are you running any of the events of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend? Any fun plans, costumes, etc. for the race? Any questions? I’d love to hear feedback from other runDisney enthusiasts!
It is too late for it now, but you could sign up for the Jeff Galloway training program for next year. It is a 29-week training and you only have to go in three times a week. It really helps you improve your time and make the finish line in upright position. Wish you the best for this year!
There seems to be lots of social media (Facebook, ahem…) controversy on how the expo sells their official merchandise to non-runners (thus not leaving enough for runners to buy on Friday and Saturday because a few people buy stuff for sale on eBay) Any thoughts on that and what you think Disney might or might not do? I know you mentioned you didn’t want to buy stuff until you finished.
Tom, saw this and thought of your strict training regimen for Marathons http://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/someone-made-an-in-n-out-pie-and-it-is-a-beautiful-and-revol#.xgO0w3noNA
You’ll do great Tom (dont forget some salt with the pasta/carbs)!
Its just one foot in front of the other.
I’m not much of a runner, but my wife and I will be doing the 10K for the third time. We toyed with the idea of trying the half but, again, I’m not much of a runner. I did the 5K in 1997 and had a blast (I still have the shirt). We did the 5K again in 2013 and we’ve done both WDW 10Ks. We’re gonna stick with that distance I guess. We’ve also registered for the Star Wars 10K in April. Good luck with the Dopey. I wish I had it in me.
I’m doing the Star Wars 1/2 in three weeks & I’m sooooo apprehensive about it. I’ve been running 4-10 miles a week since September, but I still feel drastically unprepared. I think I’m going to ramp it up to a few miles every day for the next few weeks.
I am doing a light costume. Some leggings in a space print and a top with “Chewie, we’re home” printed on it. But that’s as wacky as I’m willing to get for 13.1 miles.
You’ll be great! 4-10 miles is plenty. The most I had run before my first half was 11 miles (and the last half I did my training only went up to 10). Good luck!!
Well by 4-10 miles a week I mean spread out over a week, so 2-5 at a time. The most I’ve run at a time so far is 5 miles. And I can’t seem to get my pace bellow 12 min, but I live in Texas and it’s been HOT until this week.
Tom, I Will be there next week for the half marathon!! Hope finally meet you!! Good luck for us!
Tom, Tom, Tom …
For the love of all that is holy in this life, don’t run in basketball shorts. If you’re going to run, do it in running shorts. You’ll experience much less issue with…shall we say “chafage.” Trust me on this one. Get some running shorts with no more than a 5″ inseam. You’ll thank me later.
You’ve got this.
If I don’t wear my hella-fly basketball shorts, how will people know I’m a disciple of King James? I mean, I appreciate the suggestion, but as the saying goes, “it’s better to be stylish than practical.”
(…That is how the saying goes, right?)
Is there a reason you’re doing all the races, and not just the marathon? I’m not sure I see the point in doing the shorter races that I presume are before the marathon, as that would seem to wear you out before the marathon. Sorry if that’s a dumb question, I know next to nothing about running and marathons.
Medals. Lots of bling is to be had from doing all four races. One for each race and one for being “Goofy” (the half and full) and one for “Dopey” (doing all four).
Don’t forget the maaaaad street cred.
Great article Tom. Good luck with the Dopey Challenge! Maybe we will see each other during the Half on Saturday…I’ll be the guy dressed as one of the Little Green Men.
Good luck, Tom. I’ll try to zip into the parks again this year to grab more running pictures of everybody!
Don’t worry, you’re in good company; lots of people aren’t able to train/work/study as much as they’d like to! The mere fact that you’re giving it a go is definitely praiseworthy. Just have a great time and be sensible, combine running with jogging and walking, and then celebrate by ordering lots of dessert!
I have mentioned in comments before, I’ll be doing Dopey as well (first marathon too!). Training has been well though my last super long run was the week over Thanksgiving, since I had a scare with a swollen ankle last weekend and only did 10 miles instead of 20, but I am as ready as I’ll ever be at this point! Bring it on! My husband is doing just the marathon and is in the same boat as you, besides running some over the summer and a half with me in September he hasn’t run at all, so we shall see how he feels after!
The only thing that has me worried is getting up 5 straight days early (we have a 630 am flight Wednesday morning) but it will all be worth it 🙂 Hope to see you on the courses and good luck!
I am doing the Dopey, too. As it is my first one (and my first marathon), I am a little apprehensive, but I have trained well, so I am ready in that regard. My biggest worry is four days straight of getting up at about the time I normally go to bed! The sleep deprivation is going to suck. The day after Dopey ends, we are hopping on the Dream for a cruise that includes the Castaway Cay Challenge, so I will end up with eight medals! BLING!!!
Nice. Now that’s some street cred maximization right there!
I will be running the marathon and I’ve also been slacking just a bit with my training… We have a Trail’s End breakfast planned for Saturday morning, so I’m most looking forward to that right now! Glad to hear the weather is supposed to be nice; I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed!
I’d be looking forward to breakfast at Trail’s End more than the race itself, too! 😉
Good luck, Tom and enjoy Crystal River. I went once, years ago, and it didn’t disappoint.
MANATEES. NEVER. DISAPPOINT. 😉
Yeah my training has been lacking. I think I trained more last year when I just did the 10k. This year I am doing the 1/2 and the 10k. And I just did my first long run yesterday, 9 miles. I am little freaked ou but I keep reminding myself there are character picture stops. Good luck how to see you there !