Become a runDisney Expert

Welcome back, friends! I'm so excited to share some of my favorite tips for helping you become a runDisney expert!

I recently reached out via my Instagram story (@fitfabdisney) to ask my followers which questions they'd like to see answered in this blog post. I figured instead of listing my answers, I'll combine them all into one easy-to-read article. Hopefully my various tips and tricks will allow even the biggest runDisney novice to reach out and run their happily ever after. Shall we begin?

What to Know Before You Go

Before you head off to WDW for your runDisney race, it's important to make a list of all you want to accomplish while you're on your racecation. This is crucial because it will determine where you stay, your number of park tickets, and your ultimate agenda. If you are totally new to runDisney, then you'll need to know registration dates, expo dates/hours, race weekends, race themes, training plans, spectator info, and additional park happenings for the weekend you'll be attending your first runDisney race(s).

What I Wish I Knew

There are three specific things I wish I knew before my first runDisney half marathon weekend.

1. Proof of Time - By submitting a POT, you are ensuring that you begin in a corral that reflects your pace. This allows Disney to predict a time you will cross the finish line, therefore placing you among other runners with a similar speed. By not entering a POT, you are more than likely going to start your race in the back of the pack. If you run regularly or wish to possibly PR, then I highly suggest submitting a POT for a more enjoyable race experience. (There will be a section to submit a POT when you register online, you may also go back and adjust this time up until a certain date before your race.)
   
2. Race Hours - I signed up for my first runDisney race having no idea what time the races started. All runDisney races begin very early in the morning. Races typically begin at 5:30 AM, which means you must either catch a bus by 3:30 AM or rely on another mode of transportation to get you to the race on time. The good news: you're done early enough in the day to enjoy the parks and all WDW has to offer. The bad news: you'll need to get up around 2:45-3:15 AM, and if you're doing multiple races, this can often be a huge challenge in itself!
   
3. Costumes - Yes, costumes. Wear them. My first costume was subtle Little Mermaid vibes, but I have upped my game ever since. runDisney races are incredibly fun and a lot of us pride ourselves on wearing different outfits to highlight certain Disney characters, rides, movies, etc. The sky is the limit, but make sure to prepare for all kinds of weather. You'll also want to try on your costume prior to running in it. Comfort is key!
   

I'm Injured, Should I still Sign Up?

Unfortunately, injuries can prevent us from living out our dreams to the fullest. All injuries are subjective to the individual athlete, but if you or your doctor are questioning the runDisney race, then perhaps its best to attempt a local race first. This gives you a chance to start small and see how your injury handles a simulation effort. Also, smaller and more convenient races are often less expensive (no refunds for a runDisney race), and provide good insight into how you may fare during a bigger race. If your injury is manageable and you can do physical therapy, then by all means give it a go. Above all, listen to your body and follow your training plan. I follow Jeff Galloway's runDisney training plans (available for free on the runDisney website), and he advocates a unique run, walk, run method to prevent injuries from happening. Most runners run into (no pun intended) a few hiccups here and there, but as long as you stay the course and DO NOT overtrain, you should be able to complete your runDisney race to the best of your abilities.

runDisney Favorites

1. Princess Half Weekend. This race weekend will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first half marathon back in 2016, it always falls on my birthday weekend, and I just love the girl power theming! I've made so many good friends during Princess weekend, and last year my family ran with me during the 5k as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Easily one of my favorite weekends ever. Also, the medals are beautiful.
   
2. The Challenges. Every runDisney race weekend hosts special "challenges". If you're up for participating in more than one race, then you'll want to attempt as many races as you can in order to earn a special "challenge" medal or two. This past weekend, I received a total of SIX medals for participating in four races. This is because I was also apart of two challenges, AKA the Goofy Challenge and the Dopey Challenge. To earn these coveted medals, you must train and you should have experience running in at least one or two races prior to registering. This is just my opinion, but I started with 5k's, worked my way up to 10ks and half marathons, and then trained for my first Fairy Tale Challenge after a year of toying with the idea. Put in the work, and you'll have nothing to worry about.
   
3. The WDW Marathon Course. If you can summon up the courage and go all out for 26.2 miles, then you should absolutely do the WDW Full marathon. The course is mostly flat, you run through all four parks (Blizzard beach now, too!), the character stops are awesome, and you get so many good photo ops. My personal favorite part was running through Animal Kingdom to ride Expedition Everest, and seeing so many people cheering you on in the parks. The volunteers are amazing, the course is lined with water and powerade, and spectators really make the whole experience so much better. Of course there are miles of highway, but you kind of forget about it once you stop for photos and just enjoy the journey. Plus, I can now say I visited four parks in one day. ;)
   
4. The Merchandise. Oh EM Gee the runDisney merchhhh. Each race has different merchandise you can buy at the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo. A lot of the items and apparel can only be bought on site, and tend to sell out rather quickly if there is a popular "must-have" item. If you're mostly interested in spending your Disney coin on runDisney merch, then I highly suggest getting to the expo right when it opens on the first day. You'll be there when it's the busiest, but you'll almost always guarantee you get the item you want. My favorite merchandise to purchase are usually Finisher shirts, hoodies, spirit jerseys, and tumblers. They also have wine glasses, pins, magnets, purses, Mickey ears, leggings, bows, hats, long sleeves, figurines, scarves, and so much more.
   
5. Post-Race Feels. After you run a runDisney race, it's pretty much obligatory to bask in the success of your runDisney experience. Wear your medals around the parks, use your bib at Disney Springs to receive special discounts on food and shopping, chat with fellow runners, sip on champagne, and take ALL. OF. THE. PICS. You did it, now it's time to celebrate it!
   

Post Race Recovery

One of the questions I get asked the most is "how do I recover after my race?" My top tips after any run are to stretch, foam roll, ice (if necessary), and elevate your feet. If you're doing multiple days of running back to back, then I highly suggest an epsom salt bath or a custom massage. Your body needs proper rest and recovery in order to perform at its best. I also suggest recovery items such as compression socks, oofos shoes, CBD balm, and electrolyte drinks. Make sure you are carrying water with you throughout the day, and that you're staying hydrated on the course. You'll also want to be mindful of what you eat, and try not to overdo it with how much active time you spend in the parks, especially if you're doing more than one race. If you're accustomed to taking a bath before or after a run, then I suggest making sure the resort you're staying at has the amenities you need. I was wrong to assume my room at Animal Kingdom Lodge had a bathtub, and upon arrival I was slightly upset at the sight of a rain head shower (under no other circumstances would that have been upsetting). If you're someone who knows they will need an icebath, then check with your resort to make sure your room is accomodating for your needs. It never hurts to ask. If you have a post-race recovery routine already in place, do what it takes to make that recovery time happen. Disney World will still be there after you rest up and take the proper steps to ensure your safety and wellbeing! If you're visiting the parks each day, then definitely make sure to book earlier fastpass times and get to bed early!

First Time Dopey

Yes, it's possible to run your first marathon as part of the Dopey Challenge. I wouldn't change my experience for the world, BUT I do think it's better to have the marathon be your first and ONLY race for a first time marathoner. My personal reason for this is because I'm a girl who loves spending time in the parks. I arrived to WDW two days before the races began and my feet were already tired because I love the hustle and bustle of a full park day. To me, that is when I get the most out of the Disney magic. Time spent in the parks is the absolute best. I would've loved to have stressed less and enjoyed more time riding rides, eating treats, and watching fireworks over sitting on multiple park benches, drinking water, and heading to bed at 8 PM. Doing Dopey is one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever do...but it comes at a price. Know what you're in for, and just own it. Dopey is amazing because it is a culmination of your hard work over several months. If you're all in, be all in. Don't skimp on training, and plan your trip accordingly. If I could change one major thing, I would tack on a day or two after the races to just enjoy the parks without the worry of the impending marathon weighing on my mind. Again, I will never regret doing Dopey. I had the best experience I could possibly have. I just felt that I had to share my first marathon experience among the other races. I hope that makes sense, and I know you'll choose the race and/or races that best suit you!

Odds and Ends

Here's the section where I'm just going to answer some of the questions I have not yet touched on!

1. Steve is still down for participating in a runDisney 10k...right now is the great debate whether it will be WDW Marathon Weekend or Princess Weekend next year haha. :)
2. runDisney does sell commemorative items online, but as far as shopDisney...I'm not sure as to why they eliminated certain items. I'm assuming it's because they want most of the items to be limited edition and mainly available to those who attend the expos.
   
3. Favorite Race Weekend = Princess
   
4. $ spent on a runDisney vacation...it always varies but I typically stay at a moderate resort with 3-4 day park hopper tickets. The Magic For Less Travel is a great vacation planning company you can get in touch with to price out your Disney vacation! Ask for Jill.
5. The race courses change over the years, and so do the character stops, but the races themselves are constantly evolving to ensure an amazing Disney experience.
6. #1 tip for having a runDisney race be your first: Have as much fun as possible, follow a training plan, and get plenty of sleep. :)
   
7. You most definitely can ride certain rides and take photos without getting swept! Just remember to maintain a 16 minute per mile pace, and you can also track the balloon ladies (the volunteers who sweep those who fall behind the pacing requirement) if you're worried! Photopass is really good about moving the lines during character stops, and it always helps to be placed in the proper corral to ensure you finish your race according to your proof of time..
   
8. You can go straight to the parks after you finish your race as long as you have park tickets and the park is open. You'll see people head off to Epcot right after the half or full to celebrate their race. As long as you carry your magic band with you, you're welcome to head off to any park you paid entry into. My favorite park to visit after a big race is Magic Kingdom to take pictures around the castle, and then head to Epcot later in the day for food and drinks.
9. Thank you for all the kind comments and questions! You guys gave me a lot to think about, and I'm so glad I could share my experiences with you.
   

Until next time, xx
Dev

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