Welcome to this month’s Blogorail Blue Loop. Today we are sharing some tips for your runDisney race.
I write a lot about RunDisney events and the training I do. And while I’ve done a number of half marathons now (and a full marathon coming up!), RunDisney doesn’t have to be as intense as I make it. The most frequent comment I get on my RunDisney posts is something along the lines of, “I’d love to do a Disney race, but I can’t run.”
The good news is that Disney races are really not that competitive or intense. They are probably some of the most laid back races I’ve ever done. You generally run a Disney race to have fun, not to get a great time or make a new personal record (the courses are often too congested for that, plus you’d miss out on the character photo opps!).
I’m here to tell you that unless you have some sort of medical condition that prevents you from running or even walking quickly, I’m confident that you can complete a Disney race.
Run a 5k
Every race weekend offers multiple different distances, and every weekend now includes a 5k, which is the shortest distance. A 5k is 3.1 miles. That might sound like a lot, but if you visit Disney odds are good you walk a lot more than 3.1 miles during a day. The World Showcase in Epcot is about one mile, so just think of it as walking the World Showcase 3 times!
You don’t have to run
It sounds weird to say, but you actually don’t have to run for a Disney race. As long as you can keep up a decent walking pace, you’re good. A lot of people walk the races. I’ve had friends who were 6 months pregnant walk the 10k. You definitely won’t be the only one. Personally, I use a run/walk combination where I run for a bit and then walk for a bit. I recommend trying that!
Be aware of your pace
Disney requires you to keep a 16 minute per mile pace during the race. However, their tracking for this starts after the last person crosses the start line. So unless you’re that last person, you probably have a little bit more than 16 minutes for each mile. Go out for a mile walk and see how long it takes you – it might not be as long as you think! Just be aware of this time requirement if you’re walking and also want to stop and meet characters. The clock doesn’t stop when you do, so you will be adding on time there.
Celebrate!
I’m not going to lie, the best part of the race is the feeling you get after you’ve accomplished it. And the medal. And the food you indulge in afterward. You walked or ran 3.1 extra miles while you’re on vacation – that’s definitely reason to celebrate!
Would you be interested in trying a RunDisney event, even if you’re not a “runner”? What makes you most nervous about doing a race?
check out the other great posts from the Blogorail!
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Blue | runDisney Loop:
- 1st Stop – Running on Disney | Everything You Need to Pack for a Successful RunDisney Experience
- 2nd Stop – Magical Memories with the Mouse | Beginner’s Guide to runDisney
- 3rd Stop – Disney in Your Day | RunDisney for non-runners
For a few weeks, I’ve toyed with the idea of a half marathon, but man I am intimidated- and I’ve been running for almost 5 years now! I’ve never surpassed 5 miles though so it holds me back. Such an endurance is terrifying, but I feel as though I’ll one day be capable of doing this. My only worry with participating in a Disney Run is how crowded they are. I think I’d like my first race to be something quieter. One day I would like to try this out though!
I know that you can do it 🙂 Honestly I never thought I’d be running more than a 5k in my life. As long as you train and put in the effort you can handle it (even though I won’t lie, it hurts sometimes!). It is true that the Disney races can be very crowded, especially if you start towards the back. It’s kind of nice in some ways though because you feel like you have company.
I actually didn’t run in the RunDisney event I did. It was tough though because it was my first race so I was in the last corral and you really have to keep moving the whole time or you’ll get swept up!
It’s true, you at least have to walk relatively quickly. And the last corral thing is true – that might be another tip I can add. I would recommend doing a timed local 5k if you can find one. Having any time is better than no time in terms of placement 🙂
This is awesome and so encouraging! I’ve tried to run more, but I often have to walk a bit. So, I like the idea of running and walking a race.
Oh yeah, I have a lot of allergies and stuff so I really can’t run the whole time or else I have a lot of difficulty breathing. I fully plan to run/walk for my full marathon as well!
I’d love to run one in costume, because running a race in a princess costume would just be SO DANG FUN!
Coming Up Roses
It really is! Planning my outfits is one of my favorite parts of running Disney races 🙂
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I 100% agree with you that these races can easily be for non-runners! My very first runDisney race was the Tower of Terror 10-miler. I had not trained at all, I sit at a desk job all day, in my 40s and about 50 pounds overweight, and the only other race I had ever done was a 5K. I don’t advise doing it that way, but what I can tell you is that I mostly walked, interspersed with a little jogging here and there, and I did finish (it helped that a friend was with me and we could motivate each other). I was so proud of myself, I was in tears and am still so proud when I look at that medal. Fast forward several years and a number of runDisney races later and I’m still not really a runner. I rarely run in between races, I’m still overweight, and yet I was even able to complete a trifecta for the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend in 2015 as in I completed the 5K on Friday, the 10K on Saturday, and the Half Marathon on Sunday, and even managed to visit the parks some later in the day. As long as one is healthy enough for a long, brisk walk, and maybe some jogging here and there to make up for when the course is too crowded to walk quickly, these races can be completed. Plus, they are fun!
That’s awesome!! I think people will be surprised by what they can do if they actually get out there and try. I know I never imagined I’d be running like this, I used to hate it and considered myself totally non-athletic.