In November I completed my very first half marathon at the inaugural avengers run at Disneyland. I trained with my fiancé starting in July using the RunDisney training guide. I felt fully prepared for the race but learned a few things along they way that I am sharing below:
1. Expo
Plan extra time at the expo. At the Disneyland events the expo is at the beautiful Disneyland hotel. I was extremely impressed how quick the lines for packet pick up was. I did make the mistake of not doing a full lap of all the venders and buying extra things because I saw something I liked better after purchasing something else. The expo also has great speakers. I caught Disneybound illustrating the perfect green alien costume. I really wish I caught the entire speech.
2. Dinner the night before
Your dinner the night before is key for a healthy race the next morning. You will need reservations as most places near the park will be booked. In fact any Italian or pizza place will be almost impossible to get in. While most people swear by carbing up I settled for a plain chicken dish at Ralph Brennan’s. They also had special pasta menus for dinner just for runners that night too. On Friday Disney had a pasta in the park party. It was a extra cost so I didn’t partake but looking back all the cute Instagrams of Disney treats I wish I did.
3. Pick a better corral
This was my first half and my fiance’s first half in many years and we knew we were pretty slow so we signed up for the last corral. This was a big mistake and very frustrating because almost everyone in this corral was walking. We spent most of the race dodging the slower folks. We also noticed that when we got to the characters for picture opportunities the lines were already really long. If a runner falls below a certain time they could be pulled off the course so we know better for next time.
4. Plot your Disney character visits
As mentioned above because we were in the slower corral by the time we got into the park during the race the character visits areas were packed. Next time I plan to look at the map ahead of time to plot where the characters might be and plan to run a bit faster before and in between to make up time if there is a long wait. We did capture a few photos but none with the popular Avenger characters we would have loved to capture.
5. Ice bath
We stayed at the best western Stovalls in which is located across the street from Disneyland. I had stayed there previously and knew they had a great location, free breakfast and most importantly for this trip; a bathtub. It sounds painful (and it is) but a ice bath is key for a quick recovery. As soon as we got back to the the hotel from the race we grabbed plastic bags and went to the ice vending machine to fill them up. We dumped all the ice in the tub and filled it with cold water and plunged in for 15 minutes. It was awful but this prevents lactic acid buildup in your legs and ensure you will be able to walk in the parks the rest of the day. I was sore but not as sore as other folks I saw hobbling around in the next couple of days after the race!
Hopefully this won’t be my last RunDisney race as I’m already trying to figure out how to do the Star Wars event next year!
This looks like so much fun… I have always wanted to do a Disney run, it seems to have tons of perks and just a wonderful experience… Thanks for sharing ;o)
Congratulations on finishing your first half a marathon that’s amazing! I would love to run one, one day.
This would be so much fun. I really miss Disney World. Can’t wait to take my kids there someday!
How awesome. This looks like such a great time. I’ve always wanted to participate in a run. I really need to look to!
These tips are really helpful! I have been thinking about signing up for a Disney Race but have been super intimidated. Thanks for sharing 🙂
don’t be some people don’t even “Run”
Wow – this is intense – that ice bath sounds crazy! I have always wanted to try a run but have never done one, this looks fun!
looks like so much fun! we are planning a trip there this year! =)
Oh my gosh, this seems like SUCH an amazing run!
Despite not being even kind of a runner, I would love to do this! It sounds so great!
Congrats on your half marathon! I admire people who run that distance.
What a fab experience! Sounds like lots of effort and planning went into it. Congratulations on completing it!
Katie <3
I probably need to run a Disney Race. They look like heaven.
I ran the Disneyland 5k years back and we didn’t set ourselves up properly in the queue. We spent the first mile dodging walkers like you! Such a pain in the butt!
Congratuations!! looks like a fun race with lots planning
well done on completing it
Rosie
I think this would be such a great place to do a run, maybe I’ll do the Disneyland one someday since I’m in California.
I want to run Disney! I am loving your post- it’s super motivation!
Aw, this looks so cool! I totally want to run Disney!
Awesome!! One of my goals is to run a rundisney!
Hi Alexa! I’ve done two Disney races, but both were back in Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. I would agree that the race expo is excellent and you need to get a better corral for sure — even if you’re not a super fast runner. Disney races are incredibly crowded, and I spent the first 15 minutes of the Disney Princess Half-Marathon barely jogging behind a pack of people because I started in the last corral, which didn’t give me a great start. Nonetheless, I love Disney so much. I used to work there, and there’s nothing better than Disney magic! Congrats on your race!!! 🙂
Aww thanks Ashley! I really hope I can do the star Wars 10K or Half
Haven’t been to Disney yet, but I won’t forget these tips, Alexa! 🙂