From age 12 to 30, I ran competitively—at my peak, I used to be working 65 miles per week and coaching to interrupt three hours within the marathon. I solely knew one working velocity: quick. And immediately, I needed to cease working altogether.
I used to be attacked and suffered extreme accidents that made it inconceivable to run. My complete life had revolved round coaching and working—the chums I frolicked, what I regarded ahead to, my day by day routine—and it was inextricably tied to my profession as a working coach, private coach, and health author.
I felt like I misplaced an enormous a part of my identification, not to mention my ardour, psychological well being coping mechanism, social community, and construction in my day. I grieved the lack of working in a lot the identical means that one grieves the demise of a beloved one.
Nonetheless, after years of not having the ability to run, I made a decision to attempt to get again into the game final summer time after a piece journey had me testing out treadmills, which pressured me to run.
I found just a few issues: working now could be very painful; the mobility challenges from my accidents make it inconceivable to run easily; and I can not run anyplace close to as quick as I used to.
However, I additionally found I can run.
Final fall, I used to be given the chance to strive the runDisney occasion in January 2024 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. I hadn’t run a race in over seven years, however I had heard Disney races are tempo inclusive to runners for all ranges, so I made a decision to be courageous and provides it a shot.
Why runDisney races are distinctive
As a result of inclusivity of the occasions by way of the cut-off instances and welcoming ambiance, runDisney races are tremendous in style for learners trying to begin working, runners who’re returning to the game after a protracted break (comparable to postpartum mothers attempting to start out working once more), skilled runners who want to full their first marathon, and aggressive runners alike.
Tons of dates and distances
There are lots of Disney races all year long, and at varied Disney parks, which makes it straightforward to seek out one to suit your schedule. Along with the Walt Disney World Marathon occasions, there are a number of different runDisney races at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Disneyland in California, and digital races as effectively.
(Try the present runDisney race calendar right here.)
One of many advantages of the runDisney occasions is that even for those who can’t attend one of many races in individual at a Disney theme park, many of the races provide a digital choice. This lets you register for the increase after which full the gap at residence wherever you reside utilizing a GPS watch. You’ll nonetheless obtain a finisher’s medal, a T-shirt, and the entire swag.
The Walt Disney Marathon weekend, which is held each January at Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando, Florida, is the preeminent runDisney occasion on the race calendar.
The weekend features a 5K on Thursday, a 10K on Friday, a half marathon (13.1 miles) on Saturday, and a full marathon (26.2 miles) on Sunday. Some runners tackle what is named the runDisney Dopey Problem, which entails working all 4 races on back-to-back days.
Though I want that I used to be in form sufficient to deal with the Dopey Problem, I knew that the complete marathon was going to be out of my wheelhouse in my restricted coaching time.
As a working coach, I at all times advise runners to prioritize their security relatively than attempt to do one thing their physique will not be prepared for. So, I settled for doing the opposite three shorter Disney Marathon Weekend races: the 5K, 10K, and half marathon.
Beneficiant cut-off instances
All the RunDisney occasions have very beneficiant cut-off instances as a way to stroll with out being pulled from the course. The ambiance is all about embracing the enjoyment and magic of the confluence of working and Disney relatively than essentially aiming on your quickest race time.
I knew that working three occasions could be greater than formidable, because it has been 7 years since I’ve run a single race. Nonetheless, I imagined that my vitality and confidence could be buoyed by the enjoyable ambiance and normal inclusivity of the runDisney race setting (spoiler: it was!).
Actually, inclusivity for runners and walkers of all skill ranges is baked into all Disney races: The cut-off time for the complete marathon is seven hours, the half marathon is 4 hours, and for the shorter races, you must keep a 16 minute per mile tempo. That is a brisk strolling tempo that’s attainable with coaching for most people.
So for those who contemplate your self a “gradual runner,” you’ll not solely have loads of firm alongside the race course—you’ll be an official finisher.
Many marathons have a lot quicker cut-off instances and also you’ll be requested to depart the course in case you are nonetheless making your means towards the end line at a slower tempo. Plus, you don’t get the glory and confidence enhance of really crossing the end line and incomes your race medal.
Spectacular group
All the runDisney races are additionally very effectively organized: There are beginning corrals primarily based in your anticipated common tempo or end time. Which means that in case you are a brand new runner and plan to make use of a run/stroll method, otherwise you wish to stroll the whole race distance, you may be seeded with individuals of comparable skill. Equally, in case you are a aggressive runner, you may submit a “proof of time“ race end result for the Disney half marathon or Disney marathon. Your earlier race end result will then be used to present you a bib quantity for the next beginning corral alongside runners who can be sustaining an identical race piece.
The races all have every little thing you’ll anticipate from a top-tier street race comparable to water stops, clearly marked programs, medical tents alongside the course and on the end line, and a free breakfast field with snacks while you end the race.
Sadly, a tropical storm required last-minute adjustments to my half-marathon race, shortening the course to solely 7.2 miles. All the runDisney group pulled off an enormous change within the ultimate hours earlier than the race and made it an excellent expertise.
(On that observe, one other perk of the runDisney races: The swag is superior! The race medals are large and have Disney characters in 3-D that transfer, plus, you get a long-sleeved technical T-shirt for every Disney race that you just run.)
Strong neighborhood
The setting and your fellow runners are different particular facets of Disney races. Whether or not you’re doing one in all these runDisney races at Disney World or Disneyland theme parks, you get to run by means of the completely different parks.
Tons of individuals put on Disney-themed costumes, and each mile or so, you may cease and take photos together with your favourite iconic Disney characters, from traditional favorites (like Mickey Mouse and Snow White) to fashionable ones (like Elsa and Moana). There may be additionally loads of leisure on the race course in addition to within the beginning space and end line areas, with music and extra character experiences for photograph ops.
I had the chance to look at the complete marathon, and though loads of runners within the quick beginning corrals wore costumes, the corral with the walkers was undoubtedly the social gathering vibe race expertise. All the walkers and joggers appear to be having the time of their lives, many clad in costumes of their favourite Disney princesses, villains, and superheroes.
It’s actually a enjoyable ambiance—and could be an thrilling distraction in case you are struggling throughout your race.
There have been components in a few of my very own races the place I wasn’t totally in it, however I used to be captivated by the vitality of the runners round me, the joy of Disney World, and my very own deep pleasure for having a race alternative that felt so approachable and celebratory—regardless of the place I used to be in my working journey.
Learn how to prep for a Disney race
Coaching for a Disney race isn’t inherently completely different from coaching for every other street race. Nonetheless, if you’re going to be doing a number of Disney occasions again to again (like I did), or you take on the complete runDisney Dopey Problem or Goofy’s Race, it is very important tailor your coaching plan accordingly.
Working a half marathon and a marathon on consecutive days is extraordinarily taxing on the physique, and coaching requires doing back-to-back longer runs. For that reason, the Dopey Problem is normally finest reserved for skilled runners who’ve been coaching for a few years and have already run a full marathon.
However learners can completely do the complete Disney Marathon—and lots of the triumphant finishers are certainly first-time marathon runners.
One of many cool issues about the entire runDisney occasions is that accepted individuals get a free Jeff Galloway coaching plan to assist put together for no matter occasions you might have registered for.
There are completely different coaching plans primarily based in your health stage, and the Jeff Galloway incorporates a run/stroll method for newbies.
Echelon Health additionally sponsors the Disney races, so you should use the Echelon Stride treadmills with the Jeff Galloway run/stroll coaching packages to arrange for the races. These treadmill exercises are an excellent choice for runners who dwell cold-weather climates who’re coaching for the January Disney races.
Final, runDisney introduced me again to racing
I completely beloved my expertise on the 2024 runDisney Marathon Weekend, and whereas my end instances have been nowhere close to as quick as they was once, I felt a lot pleasure and gratitude that I used to be capable of run once more, not to mention in such supportive races.
Going into it, I used to be admittedly anxious to see how it will be to take part in a race in a completely completely different gentle than I had run a race earlier than. I had additionally by no means been to Disney World or any Disney theme park, so I knew that I used to be in for an eye-opening expertise.
In the end, I used to be extraordinarily impressed with how well-organized the runDisney races have been and the way welcoming, supportive, and celebratory the whole ambiance surrounding the occasions was.
I like the truth that you may go there to run your coronary heart out and attempt to obtain a quick time, or go there and attempt to have a good time the beginning of your health journey. Both means, runDisney appears completely dedicated to organizing working occasions which are memorable and empowering.
For me, simply being in a bodily state the place I might lace up my favourite trainers and take part within the very sport that has been the best reward and fervour in my life was actually the real-life embodiment of the particular magic that Disney films and Disney parks are all about.
