This month marked the 25th running of the Walt Disney World Marathon. To celebrate, I thought I’d give you a glimpse into what it’s like to race with runDisney. Who better to provide some insight than my husband, Steve, who ran his first half marathon at Walt Disney World this past November! Here’s what he has to say about what it’s like to run in your first runDisney event.
I staged a little mock interview so he could share his experiences.
What made you decide to participate in a runDisney event?
“I wanted to challenge myself with a half marathon, and I knew my family would appreciate making a vacation out of it at Disney World.”
Why did you choose the Wine & Dine Half Marathon?
“We love the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The timing also worked with our schedules.”
How did you prepare for the race?
“Because it was my first half marathon, my goal was simply to finish it. I focused on increasing my mileage over time, setting weekly challenges over the course of several months.”
Which charity did you race for and why?
“I raced for the Catch-A-Lift Fund because it supports veterans by promoting fitness and physical recovery. As an active duty member of the Air Force, this was a great opportunity to give back to my fellow servicemen.”
How did you plan your trip around the race weekend?
“We chose to do the race first so I could reward myself with the Food & Wine Festival with no guilt. We made sure to arrive on Friday for the Sunday race so there was time to go to the Health & Fitness Expo and rest up.”
What was your favorite part of the race?
“Seeing the sights, such as running through Pandora and the rest of the parks. You can run marathons anywhere, but there’s nothing like racing through the parks before anyone else enters for the day.”
What were you most looking forward to after the race?
“A great meal! We made reservations for one of our favorite restaurants, The Hollywood Brown Derby, that night and added the Fantasmic dining package. It was great to have dinner and a show waiting for us.”
Did you learn anything new from the experience?
“It actually doesn’t feel that bad after Mile #9. In fact, it got easier. My training plan definitely paid off and it wasn’t as challenging as I had expected it to be.”
What tips do you have for others looking to run in their first runDisney race?
“Do your homework and start training well in advance. Take some time to research race etiquette before you go, because some people will be taking it more seriously than others. Be careful of people stopping/starting/slowing down, because a lot of runners will randomly stop for photos. Finally, plan a healthy meal for the night before (Boma is our pick) and plan for a really early morning.”
Would you do it again?
“Definitely. I already have plans to sign up for the 2018 Wine & Dine Half Marathon and I’m currently training for a few other races this year.”
Alex and I had a great time supporting Steve as he participated in his first half marathon and we can’t wait to see him challenge himself again this year. Who knows? Maybe I’ll join in on the fun!
Want to learn more about runDisney events or start planning your family’s Disney vacation? I’d love to help. I offer a full suite of planning and concierge services at no additional cost when you book your trip with me. My goal is to help you save time, save money, and get all the insider tips you need to design your dream Disney vacation. Request a free quote and consultation today!
