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Category Archives: Marathon Training

Top 10 Reasons to RunDisney

Saturday, September 3, 2011 Jenn 4 Comments

Running is a passion shared by all runners. There is something about the exhilaration you feel when your running. For those who don’t run here are my top 10 reasons to Run Disney!

10. Improve your Health: Whether you’re athletic or not, training for a race, from 5k to full marathon (or even the Goofy Challenge), running or walking a 16 minute pace is a great way to get into shape, or improve your current condition.

9. Tour the Parks More Easily: In relation to Number 10 – you won’t have to train to walk the parks if you’ve trained for a race! You’ll be ready to go and enjoy the parks and have more energy and stamina than you may have had in previous trips!

8. Run for a Cause – Though totally optional, many people like to run on a “team” and raise money for different charities. Off the top of my head, I know there are teams for different types of cancer and for Make-a-Wish! You can make a difference and have fun, too! Plus, if you prefer, you can find a team filled with other Disney- addicts and cherish the community!

7. Be Cheered on by Complete Strangers – Disney races are unique in that runners wear their names on their bibs, and many of the them will cheer for you, simply for running by!

6. Meet Your Favorite Characters - In a 13.1 mile race, there is entertainment and characters lined up constantly throughout the course. Love Winnie the Pooh? He’s there. Rapunzel? Check. Mary Poppins? You Betcha! And, most with only a 1-2 minute wait!

5. See the Parks Differently - If you’ve only taken Disney Transportation around the parks, you probably don’t know where the Magic Kingdom is in relation to EPCOT or the Ticket and Transportation Center, to the resorts. Running them, you get a different view of Disney property, and can later say “Hey, I ran there!”

4. Tour the Parks Before they Open – Ever wanted to walk through the Magic Kingdom hours before the park opens? Try running through Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Cinderella Castle while the rides are closed. Talk about your own personal playground!

3. Guilt-Free Park Snacks and Splurges: Maybe you don’t need an excuse, but for me, splurging on an amazing post-race meal, and day after race meal without guilt is good for me!

2. Earn a Cool Medal! Each race, whether 5k or Goofy, earns the finisher a great medal. Check out all the possibilities for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 2012!

Photo courtesy Facebook.com/rundisney

1. An Excuse to Visit the Parks: We’ve become addicted to marathon weekend after only one trip that we’re planning to participate for years to come! Plus, it’s during value season, so the parks are empty and lodging is discounted!

Park Showdown: Disneyland Park vs Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
Top Five Places to Hide Out at Walt Disney World. (chipandco.com)

Marathon Training – Getting the Family Involved

Saturday, August 20, 2011 Jenn No comments

Kids' Races

One of the best aspects of training for a big race is getting your family/friends involved. For me, I convinced my husband to train with me. Of course, with a child under 1 at home, that meant that we trained on similar schedules, but on different days so neither of us had to push a screaming child in a running stroller for 2 hours. However, we both trained and ran the 1st mile of the half marathon together.

Another wonderful family-friendly option is the Disney Family Fun Run 5k. Unlike the half and full marathons, running strollers are welcomed, so a family can run together without the need for a babysitter.

The same day as the 5k, and also offered the following day, is Disney’s Kids’ Fest with races of different distances for children of all ages, from a 50 meter diaper dash (parents welcomed to help) to the Mickey Mile for the older children who want to run a full mile. Located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports track, there are music and entertainers in true Disney fashion entertaining the crowds.

For those who want to cheer for their racers yet not actively participate, the area of the ESPN Wide World of Sports that hosts packet pick up also hosts the ChEAR Squad which had a creative area to make signs and posters to cheer for your runners. Also, there are different packages for the spectators to have opt to have premium access to restrooms, beverages, and more, or simply just join in on the cheering fun!

Get involved and happy training. Hope to see you at the race!

Disney World Marathon Training – Runner Question (chipandco.com)
Marathon Training – The Expo (chipandco.com)

Marathon Training – The Expo

Saturday, August 20, 2011 Jenn 1 Comment

Photo courtesy of Ruth Lim

The start of Marathon weekend and all of the other race weekend’s at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort is possibly the biggest and most comprehensive store on property. No, not the World of Disney at Downtown Disney – Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo.

Located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports (buses available from all WDW Resort hotels), the race expo has more than you could even imagine. Forget your shoes? No problems – several companies set up shop, even offering big sales. Need a new pair of earbuds specially designed for runners? Need some energy foods for the race? No problem. You can find all of these and more at the Race Expo.

If you’re new to the running world, you’ll be amazed at the variety of vendors that come to the expo. From Thursday through Saturday, the race expo hosts speakers, companies, and all other exercise goods you could imagine. Make sure to stop by and experience all there is to be seen!

Disney World Marathon Training – Runner Question

Saturday, August 20, 2011 Jenn 3 Comments

Cheryl asked:

We’re running in the WDW Half Marathon 2012 and aren’t sure how to plan our trip. Should we fly down early and visit the parks, or stay after and visit then? Is it better to be at Disney before or after marathon weekend?

Cheryl, I’m glad you asked! This is a great question and I’m sure people have different answers. But, since you asked my opinion, I’ll share it: Don’t plan to go into the parks until after the race.

Unless you are a highly trained athlete who runs 13.1 miles on a regular basis (more than just once or twice in training!), you will most likely be tired and sore after the race. Iit’s definitely recommended to be well rested before the big race, unless you’re training for Goofy or “Dopey” and are used to doing long distances multiple days in a row. If you tour the parks like me, you most likely exhaust yourself on a daily basis – several miles of park touring a day can be extremely tiring for your body and legs, which is absolutely not recommended before a long race.

My personal preference is to fly in a day or two before the race, giving plenty of time to casually tour the Marathon Expo and get settled and rested, run the race on Saturday morning, then tour the parks Sunday on. After my 1st half marathon, I couldn’t have imagined touring the parks. After my 2nd half marathon, though, the idea seemed much less crazy. In fact, walking around felt good and helped to easy my muscles after the race. So, no need to assume you won’t tour the parks the day of the race, but, in my opinion, try your hardest not to do too much before the events!!

Happy running! Hope to see you in January!

2012 Walt Disney World Half Marathon 15th anniversary finisher medal and details (chipandco.com)
Disney Marathon Training – Beating the Heat (chipandco.com)

Disney World Marathon Training Runner Question

Disney Marathon Training – Beating the Heat

Friday, July 8, 2011 Jenn 2 Comments

If you’re registered for any of the upcoming Disney races – Disneyland’s Half Marathon in September, the WDW Wine and Dine Half Marathon in October, or WDW Marathon Weekend in January, you may be finding motivation difficult in the summer heat.

For those of you, like me, that don’t enjoy running on a treadmill, there are other options and tips for beating the heat. As I recently read in a Runners World Magazine, the heat can be incredibly dangerous. Make sure to stay extra hydrated, try to do longer runs in the early or late hours when the temperatures are at their lowest, and go slower than you may think necessary. High temperatures put runners more at risk for extreme dehydration or even heat stroke.

Other options include finding other activities to remain active and continue cardio training while avoiding the outdoor heat. Swimming laps or water running (with a floating belt and all) offer challenging cardio while still being refreshed. Biking, spinning classes, and other intense cardio will help you maintain or build endurance while not necessarily being as intensely uncomfortable in the hot months.

Good luck to everyone training, or considering training. There is still plenty of availability for Marathon Weekend in January, and the Disneyland half is sold out, but the Wine and Dine half marathon is 97% full!! If you’re hoping to run that race, make sure to sign up ASAP!