Marathon Weekend 2025

[Naomeri]

Is shoveling snow considered cross-training? Asking for a friend. (I know @Naomeri knows this answer!)

Bonus, this scene is literally 5 minutes from my house:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

I hope so, or I wasted almost 3 hours last Thursday

 

[Naomeri]

Oh, and watch out for some of the interval runners with short intervals suddenly dropping out of warp in front of you. I had a lady do that at Mile 25, when my thought processes are already dimmed, and she stepped right in front of me, raised her hand, and slowed. She about had a physics lesson of a large heavy object in motion (me) encountering a much lighter object nearly at rest (her). I had some choice words there, but managed to avoid a collision.

On the flip side of this advice--interval runners (of which I am one): remember to follow these steps in order: signal your slow down by raising your arm, look for traffic behind you, then slow down when you're in the clear.

Also, for short intervals in particular, it can be easier to stay in the middle of the course so you can move over to the faster side when you run and to the slower side when you walk without having to cross many people.

 

[Herding_Cats]

For anyone that was curious, it appears that the "Free Water Park" on check-in day is now showing up in MDE. And you can just go to the water park and the entry entitlement is linked to your account (so magic band, key, phone app/wallet.) You're not allowed to bring your luggage, so you'd need to drop it with bell services, keep it in your car (obviously), or put it in a rental locker if you had a rideshare or similar taking you directly from the airport or other location to the water park before checking in to your resort.




An additional tip is that for the last few years there's been a "glitch" where if you use the mobile check-out at the expo for the official merch and are a DVC *resale* owner, it can't tell the difference between resale and direct purchases and you got the 20% discount, just like at World of Disney in DS. Do what you will with that information. No idea if it'll still be functioning the same in a few weeks.

 

[Baloo in MI]

So true! I’m an interval runner and have found it best to try and stay in the middle of the road so I can shift right or left depending on if going into a walk or run phase. At least as the race gets longer people are so much more spread out but early on and in the shorter races make sure to get that hand up before slowing down, it gives the speedster coming up behind you a fighting chance to recognize you are slowing down and to get around you safely for all.

My apologies to everyone who has been behind me when in marathon stupor I have slowed to a walk and then raised my hand….

 

[Dopey 2020]

For anyone that was curious, it appears that the "Free Water Park" on check-in day is now showing up in MDE. And you can just go to the water park and the entry entitlement is linked to your account (so magic band, key, phone app/wallet.) You're not allowed to bring your luggage, so you'd need to drop it with bell services, keep it in your car (obviously), or put it in a rental locker if you had a rideshare or similar taking you directly from the airport or other location to the water park before checking in to your resort.

Just checked mine and it’s there!
Hoping for decent weather, won’t take much for any heated pool and someone coming from New England

 

[jrsharp21]

I called the Disney Resorts line yesterday to pay off our hotel bill for the upcoming trip. The CM I spoke with really pushed the water park perk. Gave me a whole run down on how it works and the benefits of it.

 

[Disney at Heart]

As another RWR person, I have discovered that if I wear a lighted “bracelet” on my arm, people behind me really appreciate it. I’ve gotten a few of them at Atlanta races, and wore one until after daylight at all three W&D races. So many people thanked me and said it was so much easier for them to see when I was about move over to start my walk segment.

@Barca33Runner The “new Cars show” at HS is already gone!

@Disneyhanna I made a packing list for race weekends years ago and have periodically updated it. For example, a few years back I deleted “bring signed waiver” and added hand sanitizer. Now I just pull it up on my phone each time and check things off.

For those avoiding Kali, get yourself one of those $1-2 throw-away ponchos or a large trash bag and ride it once to know what you are missing! I don’t ride it often because I also don’t like to be wet, but will ride if the weather is hot so I will dry quickly.

 

[kleph]

interval runners that just stop with no warning are annoying but far less so than runners who haven't learned "spit forward, not to the side."

 

[kps7795]

interval runners that just stop with no warning are annoying but far less so than runners who haven't learned "spit forward, not to the side."

If you think that is bad, where should one aim their snot rockets?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Anyone have any tips for a dead pair of Shokz? Mine are Aftershokz era that have been rock stars for 3+ years, just wore them for a short run yesterday. Today they won’t turn on, even after charging.

I have a second pair so not stressing, just bummed they may have finally bit the dust as they’ve been so reliable.

 

[Kerry1957]

Anyone have any tips for a dead pair of Shokz?

Not for Shokz specifically, but sometimes a "hard" reset can help.

From an AI Overview of a google search....

To hard reset Shokz headphones, you can perform the following steps:

1. Turn off the headphones
   
   
2. Put the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding the volume+ button for 5–7 seconds
   
   
3. The headphones will turn on and the LED light will flash red and blue
   
   
4. Press and hold the multifunction button, volume+, and volume- buttons simultaneously for 3–5 seconds
   
   
5. You will hear beeps or feel vibrations
   
   
6. Turn the headphones off

If they do not turn on after step 2 then I have no idea, other than to wish you luck.

 

[Z-Knight]

Merry Christmas to you all and to you all a Good Run in 3 weeks. Thank you for being kind. Thank you for being encouraging. Thank you for posting your stories, your challenges, your successes (I'm jealous of those). Safe travels to you all and continued good health.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Pacer information:

 

[StarGirl11]

Just thought of this because I had to get a new cable. But make sure you have backup charger cables. The last thing you need is the morning of the race to discover your phone didn't charge.

Also in that vein. If you use your phone for any reason. Make sure to carry a phone charger for the longer legs.

 

[The Expert]

Pacer information:

View attachment 923692
View attachment 923693

Literally came here to post this! Yay!

 

[DianaMB333]

Question pls .. first timer a marathon participant (likely 7hrs) and first time with family traveling over to spectate..

alternatives for tracking?

I don't want to turn on the live track at my watch (to avoid battery from dying) … I have read that the tracking live link is kind of inaccurate / late to update (?) … maybe using and airtag in my shoes? Or just messaging them every mile?

Thanks!

 

[kristenabelle]

Question pls .. first timer a marathon participant (likely 7hrs) and first time with family traveling over to spectate..

alternatives for tracking?

I don't want to turn on the live track at my watch (to avoid battery from dying) … I have read that the tracking live link is kind of inaccurate / late to update (?) … maybe using and airtag in my shoes? Or just messaging them every mile?

Thanks!

My friends tracked me via iPhone "find my friends" and it was super accurate (also not battery draining, thankfully), so an airtag may work well!

 

[PrincessV]

Oh my gosh, the water park thing is there for me, too!!! As an AP who only ever books room-only, I’m used to never getting anything extra, so I never even thought about this. There is ZERO chance I’d get into water this time of year (outdoor temp needs to be over 90 before I’d consider it lol!), but I might show up to sit and read a book in the sand just to get a freebie.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Question pls .. first timer a marathon participant (likely 7hrs) and first time with family traveling over to spectate..

alternatives for tracking?

I don't want to turn on the live track at my watch (to avoid battery from dying) … I have read that the tracking live link is kind of inaccurate / late to update (?) … maybe using and airtag in my shoes? Or just messaging them every mile?

Thanks!

There’s a runner tracking website where you/they can enter your bib number and it’ll update when you cross a timing mat and give an estimated finish time based on overall average pace. If you want something more precise, you could text them every other mile or so, and that would probably be your best bet.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I feel judged.

-signed, someone whose Disney marathons are always over 27mi.

You know I would never judge you.
Poke fun at, maybe.....
;-)