This is part 3 of my series on running Disney races. Part 1 can be found here. Part 2 can be found here.
In my previous posts about running Disney races, I wrote about what it is like to participate in a Disney running event, and I also wrote about some things to consider when planning our trip. In this post I intend to discuss some of the resources I have found to be most useful when doing research for a Disney running vacation.
First and foremost is the runDisney web site. runDisney is the division of Disney that organizes all of the races at Disney parks. Their website has a wealth of information – both practical and fun – that you will find helpful in planning your vacation. First, obviously they list all of the races and the dates of the races. These are under the “Events” tab. Some info about a particular event – dates, location, etc. – will be available as soon as the event is announced. Other information may become available as the event date draws closer. Pretty much every thing you will need to know will be available here including maps of the courses, the schedule for the race expo (this is where you go prior to your race to pick up your bib, shirt, etc.), transportation information, host hotels, just about anything you can think of. You will also find links to register for the races and a few weeks before the event they will post a PDF version of the complete race guide.
The runDisney site also has some great training tips from their official training consultant Jeff Galloway as well as their official nutritionist Tara Gidus. I can not over emphasize the wealth of helpful information you can get from these experts. In particular, I read Jeff Galloway’s book “Half Marathon You Can Do It” while preparing for my first Half Marathon in 2013. It was the discovery of his “run/walk/run” method that gave me the confidence that I could do this. The info that Jeff provides included training tips and, perhaps most important, training schedules for each of the races. Tara provides tips on fueling and hydration. These can both be found under the “Training” tab.
In addition to information for runners, the runDisney site also has information for spectators as well, including how to join the chEAR squad – the official cheering section for the races. As you might imagine, cheering your favorite runner along the course is a bit more complicated at Disney races where the course goes through Disney property such as the parks. This is particularly true at WDW where the entire course is on Disney property. The info on the site will help spectators navigate to where they need to be to cheer on their favorite runner. This info is found for each event under “Spectators”.
The runDisney website contains a lot of other info as well including travel info, a blog, and official results.
There is a terrific resource for helpful information that can be found right here on TheDIS: the W.I.S.H board. The W.I.S.H (We’re Inspired to Stay Healthy) board is frequented by Disney fans who have dedicated themselves to living a healthier lifestyle. The wonderful folks that post here are extremely supportive and can offer helpful tips and advice. Plus they are fans of Disney – and The DIS – so what could be better? The board is not solely dedicated to folks who run the races – in fact I would say that is not even the main focus – but there are folks who post on occasion regarding running the races. There is a Facebook group which is affiliated with the W.I.S.H boards – the DISboards W.I.S.H team – which is more geared specifically to running. This is a private group that you can request to join. And speaking of Facebook…
Another great resource for information is Social Media. All of the resources I have mentioned have a social media presence, in Facebook at a minimum but often also twitter, Google+ and other social media outlets. This includes runDisney, Jeff Galloway and Tara Gidus. Besides Disney races, there are resources through Facebook and other social media that give great tips about running in general – one of the best I’ve found is Runner’s World Magazine, who regularly post articles about training, health and gear. In addition to the W.I.S.H team mentioned above, there are other Facebook groups dedicated to Disney running. Perhaps the largest is Team #runDisney. As you delve into the world of running online you are bound to run across folks that post tips and words of inspiration. I have found the online running community, especially the Disney running community, to be the friendliest, most helpful groups of people you could ask for. In the two years since I started running I have met many wonderful people online, and some I’ve even managed to meet in person! One of the things I am looking forward to the most when I go down in January is meeting many of the folks in person who I have communicated with online.
Finally, a useful (and fun) resource for runners is the variety of Podcasts available for your listening pleasure. There are several about running in general – perhaps the most popular is “The Marathon Show” – which can provide great running tips (If I may be indulged for a moment, I myself host a podcast, “The Runner of a Certain Age,” in which I talk about my own experiences and interview other runners). There is even a podcast explicitly geared towards runners of Disney races called “The Mickey Miles” podcast. This podcast can be particularly helpful while planning a Disney running vacation.
OK, John, you’ve convinced me. What next? So you’ve decided to take the plunge and sign up for a race? Great! Go to the runDisney website and pick an upcoming race. Pay particular attention to when registration opens – as I wrote before, events can sell out quickly. Once you’ve got it all figured out, contact your travel agent to book your other travel plans, and start training using the training plans provided by Jeff Galloway.
Then get out there and start running around in the parks!
In my final entry in this series I will recount my own experiences running “Dopey’s Challenge” in January. Be sure to check back!
About the author: John Thompson and his wife of over 20 years are the parents of two wonderful young women. John, who grew up in Southern California in the shadow of Sleeping Beauty castle, is a life-long Disney fan. He has been blogging about travel – Disney in particular – for 17 years. He is also the host of the Runner of a Certain Age podcast.
