Here are some tips from our very own Sarah Tickner! If you are considering running a RunDisney race, be sure to reach out to her with assistance in planning the trip!
- Hit the quick service early. It is no secret that you should carbo load before a long race like a half marathon, but this tip is more about when. I decided I was going to go to my resort’s quick service and get dinner early. I hit up the create your own pasta station at Art of Animation at around 4:30pm. The place was empty! I was able to get my dinner, I also made sure to grab a couple bagels, muffins, croissants, and bananas. I ate my dinner without rushing and it was relatively quiet. When my family headed down around 6:30 that night, the line was back to the gift shop. Eat early, and then snack in your room before bed.
- Go to bed early. Good intentions anyway. I was getting into bed around 7pm that night. You have to be on the bus to the race at 3 am. So it makes for a short night. Of course with all of the people not running the race (they chose to instead, run up and down the hallways) and the nerves and excitement for the next day, I didn’t get to sleep very early at all. I don’t think I actually slept at all that night.
- Lay out all of your things the night before. You will have your bib, shoes, outfit, one that probably resembles a Disney character, and other things you will need for your race. It is better to have everything laid out and organized before you go to sleep than trying to find all of the pieces at 2am.
- Bring a snack. Remember all the food I bought the night before? I ate a bagel when I got up that morning. And then, I was good, or so I thought. I got on the bus and got to the race. The race starts at 5:30am, but I was there at 4am, and my corral didn’t start until 6:25 am. So, I was STARVING by the time I actually started running. The quick service at the resort was open at 2 am that day and there was a small concession stand at the starting area for the racers, but I should have brought something with me, instead of just sitting in my hotel room.
- HAVE FUN! This is probably the easiest thing to do! You are at Disney after all. There are DJs playing upbeat music from the time you get to the starting point until you cross the finish line. There are characters before the race, and on the route itself, among other entertainment. Just running through the Disney parks is awesome in its own right! I am not a runner and I still had a blast, so much so I have run 3 races so far!
Hopefully, if you decide to participate in a RunDisney race, these tips will help make your experience a great one.
