Contemplating the Wine & Dine Half Marathon

[OttawaMum]

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that we are going to be in WDW for the Wine & Dine half marathon next fall and immediately got excited. I've always wanted to do a WDW endurance run, but, the dates just don't align with my work schedule (I'll be just about to finish maternity leave this time). OW is being a bit more pragmatic and suggesting that despite being in the world at the right time this still might not be the right time to try it.

So, I'm seeking information and advice.


Pros:

It's an evening race (starts at 10pm) and I greatly prefer running in the evenings -- I've always hated the fact that most endurance runs start in the early mornings.

I'll be about to go back to work, so, it will be a good opportunity for OW and the baby to have to be without me for awhile.

Having a goal will ensure that I get exercise in the post partum period which has been shown to decrease incidence rates of baby blues and more serious depressions.

Disney's pace requirement is low. So, I could probably complete the whole thing with some combination of walking and running, meaning I just have to have the endurance to keep going for 3 hours and I'm reasonably certain that I can develop some of that by walking with the dog and baby.

I'd get to run through AK at night.

There are supposedly special ticket prices available for park tickets to be used only in a window around the race. We have APs, but, we're bringing my MIL along and she will need a ticket. Does anyone know what the ticket deals are? Is there any way to find out before signing up for the race?

We are already planning to stay at one of the event resorts, so, the buses will be running for me.

Most people train for endurance runs with 4-5 runs per week, I find that I build endurance better with 2-3 runs per week (2 runs and one other workout is best for me) so I should be able to do this with an amount of personal time that could be really good for my mental state and yet also possible to create.


Cons:

I'll still be breastfeeding, so, the time away from the baby is likely to be longer than preferred.

Unless we have a baby who sleeps happily in a sling or stroller, I'll be on my own for an evening race (no personal spectators or congratulators at the finish line) and won't be able to take advantage of the late evening time at EPCOT. (There is the Kids Nite Out idea...anyone ever tried them with a 6 month old? Not sure I'll be ready for that.)

I'll have to go from bedrest to a half marathon in 6 months of training while I'm also raising an infant. (I've done 10K to a half marathon in 3 months of training, but, I'm not sure those are equivalents.)

I can't run on a treadmill. So, every week I'll either need to get in two outdoor runs, get in two longish trips to the gym (for an elliptical and/or serious swim -- one serious swim per week is also a good addition to the running for me) or purchase an elliptical for home use.

It costs a fair bit of money. So, once we put that money out, I won't want to change my mind later.

I will end up very tired the next day since I'm sure the baby will still wake up on time.


I'm sure there are more factors to consider, but, that's my list at the moment. I'd appreciate any thoughts, information you can provide. Thanks.

[DizKrazKate]

It sounds like you have put a lot of thought into this. Two things that come to mind.

First is that by 6mo old, OB (OttawaBaby) will probably be able to go several hours without a feed. Also babies are often eating some solids by this point, so that gives OW more options to keep baby satisfied.

On the down side, my friend did that race last year and said it was very disorganized and that she wouldn't do it again. When she and I did a Disney 5k we were very impressed by how organized it was. But hopefully they learned their lesson last year, and have made improvements.

Love to know what you decide!

[OttawaMum]

Originally Posted by DizKrazKate

First is that by 6mo old, OB (OttawaBaby) will probably be able to go several hours without a feed. Also babies are often eating some solids by this point, so that gives OW more options to keep baby satisfied.

Yes, plus OB will have to put up with my going to work full time only a couple of weeks later, so, the experience will be useful even if it goes poorly.

Originally Posted by DizKrazKate

On the down side, my friend did that race last year and said it was very disorganized and that she wouldn't do it again. When she and I did a Disney 5k we were very impressed by how organized it was. But hopefully they learned their lesson last year, and have made improvements.

Good to know. They do a lot of endurance runs and it's a slightly different course this year. So, hopefully they have learned from last year's errors.

Any chance your friend remembers what the ticket discount options were?

[D C]

a half marathon would probably exceed my lifetime total for running, but I'm going to cast a vote for YES YOU CAN!!!

I'm curious though, what sort of food & wine do they offer during the run? It's possible I could be tempted to participate

[withdisneyspirit]

Hi OttawaMum! I moved the thread to the exercise forum. I hope you don't mind because it fits in both places but I think more Disney runners may see your thread here.

As far as ticket discounts, I don't really think disney will beat the regular prices that Undercover Tourist gives Mouseowners subscribers and the like. They will sell special party tickets to family members for the Finish Line Party but your family only gets in for those late night hours at EPCOT. It is probably cost comparable to a MNSSHP ticket.

I do believe you can be ready for a Disney race, OM! As long as you are consistently able to maintain 14.5 to 15 minute miles, you will be fine. I find that the number of people can tend to slow some areas of the course down, especially if you are in the back third of the pack (where I always am). Technically, you get a 16 minute mile pace but I am slower at Disney races and I found it more challenging to run at night too so that is my reasoning.

As far as baby issues, I really think that this is very workable. You can even express a bottle of your milk for Wendy to use while you are away at the race. You will be an expert nursing mom by then and both of you will feel really comfortable parenting this bundle of joy by October as well.

As far as the tastes for a runner, when you arrive at the finish line, you will have one complimentary sip and taste at the kiosks around EPCOT. Obviously, this won't replenish your fuel and hydration needs although you get bottled water at the end so that is covered. We had cash to purchase additional food after the race. Since we came in so late last year as walk runners, we did not have as much time to enjoy the party too.

That said, we are going to do the race again and I wager it will be a better organized race this year.

[TriciaS]

Sorry I can't be much help with details but we ran the marathon a few years ago and I brought my niece and nephew with me. Disney did offer discounted, I believe they were 4 or 5 day passes that had to be used within maybe 2 weeks of the race. The discount was better than any other price we had seen for the tickets. If I remember correctly we ordered them through the race sight after we signed up and were able to pick them up at the will call window.

You can do it!! Go for it!

[OttawaMum]

Originally Posted by withdisneyspirit

Hi OttawaMum! I moved the thread to the exercise forum. I hope you don't mind because it fits in both places but I think more Disney runners may see your thread here.

No worries about moving it. If more runners see it and respond, then, that would be terrific!

Originally Posted by withdisneyspirit

As far as ticket discounts, I don't really think disney will beat the regular prices that Undercover Tourist gives Mouseowners subscribers and the like. They will sell special party tickets to family members for the Finish Line Party but your family only gets in for those late night hours at EPCOT. It is probably cost comparable to a MNSSHP ticket.

Originally Posted by TriciaS

Sorry I can't be much help with details but we ran the marathon a few years ago and I brought my niece and nephew with me. Disney did offer discounted, I believe they were 4 or 5 day passes that had to be used within maybe 2 weeks of the race. The discount was better than any other price we had seen for the tickets. If I remember correctly we ordered them through the race sight after we signed up and were able to pick them up at the will call window.

Yes. This is what I saw on the race website -- a link that you can follow once registering to purchase tickets good for about a 2 week window. We have APs, but, we're bringing OW's mother with us and so she will need a ticket. If there is something reasonable in the ticket discount then I can view the race as costing a little bit less (even if one is paid by me and the other is paid by her).

Originally Posted by withdisneyspirit

I do believe you can be ready for a Disney race, OM! As long as you are consistently able to maintain 14.5 to 15 minute miles, you will be fine.

As far as baby issues, I really think that this is very workable. You can even express a bottle of your milk for Wendy to use while you are away at the race.

Okay, I'll aim for a 14 min mile to allow for bathroom breaks if needed -- I ended up using a port-a-potty at about the 9K mark in my previous half.

I've been wondering about even seeing if OW could leave the baby with her mother to come cheer me at the finish line. Of course, there's also the hope that we might end up with one of those babies who seems to be able to sleep anywhere in any position...seems unlikely, but, some people get lucky, so, it could be us.

How do the buses work? Will buses keep running from the host hotels to EP throughout the night? Will there be a way to get to the right side of the park without going through EP?

Originally Posted by withdisneyspirit

As far as the tastes for a runner, when you arrive at the finish line, you will have one complimentary sip and taste at the kiosks around EPCOT. Obviously, this won't replenish your fuel and hydration needs although you get bottled water at the end so that is covered. We had cash to purchase additional food after the race. Since we came in so late last year as walk runners, we did not have as much time to enjoy the party too.

Will the sips and tastes be transferable? I rarely drink anyway and since I'll be breastfeeding, I'd rather pass them off to OW if she comes to the party.

Bottled water at the end is great. What about during the run? How often is water provided? Do they have Gatorade (or the Coke version), etc?

I hadn't thought through the need for nourishment at the end of the race and the fact that it might be hard to find. We'll have food in our kitchen at the resort. But, were there any options open inside EP that include the ability to deal with food allergies? Or, do I need to make sure I'm carrying protein bars or something similar?

[CarolA]

I have posted this before but.

This race is iffy IMHO

Last year was a DISASTER. You would think Disney had never run a race. Post race food? 2 stale muffins. (I understand the bag was suppose to have a piece of fruit but mine didn't.). Bag check was an hour wait. Unless you wanted to stand in another hour long line you could not use the "tastes".

Disney claims they learned. But endorsement of this race will wait until they show improvement

[Deirdre]

A goal is always a good thing. Even if you don't make the run,
you'll be in far better condition than if you didn't train. One of my
very favorite photos is of myself and DD age 3 in a 10K race.
It was 4 months after I gave birth to my eldest son. I can't
believe how I've fallen apart since then. How cute
would it be for you to have a pic of OB in running attire with you
at the end of the race. Awwwww.

[brp]

Originally Posted by CarolA

I have posted this before but.

This race is iffy IMHO

Last year was a DISASTER. You would think Disney had never run a race. Post race food? 2 stale muffins. (I understand the bag was suppose to have a piece of fruit but mine didn't.). Bag check was an hour wait. Unless you wanted to stand in another hour long line you could not use the "tastes".

Disney claims they learned. But endorsement of this race will wait until they show improvement

Considering how poorly-run their January marathon & half marathon are (and they've run this race for quite a while now), I'd take the "we've learned" claim with a grain of salt. Unless they've "learned" to run the night time race like the morning race

Cheers.