Marathon Weekend 2018

I've been pondering the chEAR squad for months, now, and now it's time to pull the trigger.

Husband is leaning gold because he wants to be on the move like your situation. Where we are conflicted is the post race. I bought into the retreat for the pre race items but i too question if I'll be able to enjoy the post race perks or if I'll be slow.

That's when we determine platinum vs gold. $90 is very different from $180. We are also torn on which we will pursue.

Let me know what you decide.
 
Husband is leaning gold because he wants to be on the move like your situation. Where we are conflicted is the post race. I bought into the retreat for the pre race items but i too question if I'll be able to enjoy the post race perks or if I'll be slow.

That's when we determine platinum vs gold. $90 is very different from $180. We are also torn on which we will pursue.

Let me know what you decide.

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But, seriously, it's an extra ~$100 to go from chEAR Gold to Platinum ($85 for Gold, $180 for Platinum), and the race retreat is $230 (basically paying to enter 4 times). Spectators can't hit the tent until all the runners leave (I understand to prevent overcrowding). It closes at 10AM on Saturday, and 1PM on Sunday. Though there are reports that it stays open a little longer than that. If my girl runs exactly at a 16 minute pace (basically chasing the balloon ladies), and starts at 6:15, she'll be crossing the finish at 1:15PM... blah.

The one thing that I like about the retreat is early access to the expo. I want to get in and get out. My girl is the same way. I thought about going after park day, but we're going to be tired as heck, and we both just want to get it done and over with.

That might be the only reason I'm leaning on gong with the Retreat/Platinum.
 
On both days, I wanted to get pictures of her in front of Cindy's Humble Abode, and then on Sunday, catch up with her somewhere around or in AK (I now have hoppers, thanks to my daughter "fixing" my tickets when she went to MK yesterday) and in AK, give her a change of clothes and an energy boost, then run to Epcot to see her finish.

Unless it's pouring rain, and even then I'd question it, she's not going to want to stop and change clothes halfway through the race. Not only would the time to change be a concern since you say she's near a 16 min/mile pace, unless this is something she does normally during her training runs, she won't be doing anything new on race day.
 


I did the race retreat for this past marathon weekend (2017), and I remember the tent closing around 1. I think I started in corral F, stopped for every picture and rode Everest, and I took my time during the race. I finished around 12 and the tent was closing shortly after that. I know the race was still going on when the tent was closing and I didn't see the balloon ladies or the last person finishing when the tent closed, so if anyone had race retreat and was in the later starting corrals they would not get much use out of the race retreat after the marathon since it will be closed, or close to closing down.
 
81. Setting ADRs and FastPass in advance, analyzing them, changing them, changing them again, etc. all in anticipation of WDW.
82. Eeyore
83. Sharing a character apple as a group every night for dessert (or snack/second dessert). We pretty much follow a hobbit-like meal schedule at Disney.
Saw this shirt tonight and instantly thought of your post. IMG_0787.jpg
 


Unless it's pouring rain, and even then I'd question it, she's not going to want to stop and change clothes halfway through the race. Not only would the time to change be a concern since you say she's near a 16 min/mile pace, unless this is something she does normally during her training runs, she won't be doing anything new on race day.

True, but sometimes, a new pair of sneakers or even just a familiar face can be the push needed to finish up! Her normal runs are about a 13.5 to 14 pace, but she's never done Dopey, so, according to Galloway, her time will be slower as a result. I'm certain she'll be better than the 16 pace, but I'm not sure how much.

If she feels good at the halfway point, I'll do nothing, and keep everything until after the race. If she wants something, I'll make sure to have it.

Oh, and she could better her time if she took fewer bathroom breaks :D (she can't help it, though)
 
True, but sometimes, a new pair of sneakers or even just a familiar face can be the push needed to finish up! Her normal runs are about a 13.5 to 14 pace, but she's never done Dopey, so, according to Galloway, her time will be slower as a result. I'm certain she'll be better than the 16 pace, but I'm not sure how much.

If she feels good at the halfway point, I'll do nothing, and keep everything until after the race. If she wants something, I'll make sure to have it.

Oh, and she could better her time if she took fewer bathroom breaks :D (she can't help it, though)
Changing shoes in the middle of a race does not sound like a good idea. No way was I going to change my shoes during the marathon. That would throw me off my rhythm for sure. Taking a break to ride Everest even worried me for throwing off my rhythm.
 
Changing shoes in the middle of a race does not sound like a good idea. No way was I going to change my shoes during the marathon. That would throw me off my rhythm for sure. Taking a break to ride Everest even worried me for throwing off my rhythm.

Fair enough. Can you tell I've never done this before? :D. But it's good I'm getting the bad ideas out, now, while they're still just ideas, and not actually do anything to possibly screw up her race.
 
So Marathoners...if your loved one met you midway at AK...what would you want/need from them?

Question two: Is a LO allowed to "run" with a runner while in an open park?

Felis..not the only one getting the bad ideas out :P
 
So Marathoners...if your loved one met you midway at AK...what would you want/need from them?

Question two: Is a LO allowed to "run" with a runner while in an open park?

Felis..not the only one getting the bad ideas out :P
I carry everything I might need with me (like fuel, tigerbalm/biofreeze, bandaids) & use on course water/Powerade, so a fun sign, cheering & hi-fives would be good enough for me. If I didn't use on course hydration, then an electrolyte/water refill probably would be appreciated. Oh and maybe a fresh coolcore towel.

Technically, I doubt joining a runner is allowed, but I'm sure people have done it, but at AK paths are narrow anyway so just don't block the paid runners trying to run side by side with your runner as it can get very crowded.
 
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So Marathoners...if your loved one met you midway at AK...what would you want/need from them?

Question two: Is a LO allowed to "run" with a runner while in an open park?

Felis..not the only one getting the bad ideas out :P
I would want support and maybe some type of fuel. Whatever your body is accustomed to whether it be gu, a clif bar, whatever.

I can't see them allowing anyone to "run" with someone inside a park. The pathways narrow and often weave in and out of back stage areas. Your best bet is picking a meeting spot and doing that.
 
Honestly when I'm running a marathon it's nice to see a friendly face on the sideline, but I don't really "need" it, and other than rush in for a quick (seaty) hug, i'm not likely to stop. Now, I have asked my Dad to find me with a beer inside Epcot, but that's right near the end and more to commemorate the event location than anything else ;)
In practical terms though, I doubt anyone would turn down an COLD beverage preferably of the electrolyte variety!
 
True, but sometimes, a new pair of sneakers or even just a familiar face can be the push needed to finish up! Her normal runs are about a 13.5 to 14 pace, but she's never done Dopey, so, according to Galloway, her time will be slower as a result. I'm certain she'll be better than the 16 pace, but I'm not sure how much.

If she feels good at the halfway point, I'll do nothing, and keep everything until after the race. If she wants something, I'll make sure to have it.

Oh, and she could better her time if she took fewer bathroom breaks :D (she can't help it, though)

Changing clothes and especially shoes during a race is a terrible idea, honestly. Not only do you risk additional chafing - but she's easily going to lose a minimum of 10 minutes in Animal Kingdom between waiting for a bathroom and changing clothes.

If you're going to have her do this, she needs to start practicing it during all of her long training runs.

So Marathoners...if your loved one met you midway at AK...what would you want/need from them?

Question two: Is a LO allowed to "run" with a runner while in an open park?

Felis..not the only one getting the bad ideas out :P

Mine wouldn't wake up early enough to get to AK OR know how to get there, so I don't have this problem to worry about.

You can kinda walk with a runner, but I wouldn't attempt to run a distance with them ... it's just too crowded and you risk the runner or you getting in trouble.
 
So Marathoners...if your loved one met you midway at AK...what would you want/need from them?
Last year DH met me at the McDonald's and surprised me with a sweet tea. Then he met me right outside the baseball field at WWoS with my favorite candy bar. The treats were awesome but just knowing he was waiting for me at those spots kept me motivated.
 
Changing clothes and especially shoes during a race is a terrible idea, honestly. Not only do you risk additional chafing - but she's easily going to lose a minimum of 10 minutes in Animal Kingdom between waiting for a bathroom and changing clothes..

Yeah, not being an avid a runner as most of you on here, I didn't really understand how bad changing a routine can really affect things, even psychologically, if not physically.

Thinking about it, more, I do understand the mentality of it. I have a series of certification exams I'm running through, and repetition and consistency are keys in doing well. I'm only allowed certain calculators for the exam, so I might as well as get used to that, now.

It's the same for long distance running. Know what to expect, and so there are fewer surprises, and a better capability to handle them.
 
Last year DH met me at the McDonald's and surprised me with a sweet tea. Then he met me right outside the baseball field at WWoS with my favorite candy bar. The treats were awesome but just knowing he was waiting for me at those spots kept me motivated.

Ooohhh the kids and I will have to think up some ideas! Love those special treats!
 

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