preparing for rundisney wine and dine weekend

I cannot believe that runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend is already here! Where has the year gone? It seems like I was just feverishly registering yesterday. This will be my fourth Wine and Dine Half Marathon! Can't believe it.

I've got to get myself packed, which means I have to figure out what I want to wear. Not always an easy task, and I'm sure many of you have seen the forecast where rain is possible (though currently it seems more afternoon than evening, but you never know). It also seems to be quite hot and humid down in sunny Florida. The low isn't below 60, which means shorts and a tee or tank for me. If it rains, it might actually feel nice with that heat. I'm not going to worry myself over it, just bring some clothes in gear check to change into post-race. I failed to do this last year, thinking it would be a pain to change and I would just get wet again, but regretted that when my mom and I were walking around Epcot shivering.

Anyway, here's a hodge podge of information and tips that will help you have a fun, relaxed trip.

Download and print your race waivers prior to leaving.

On your half marathon race waiver, you'll find your bib number. You can check what corral placement that is here.

Download the Wine and Dine 2015 Official Event Guide.

The runDisney Health and Fitness Expo is at ESPN Wide World of Sports. If you are staying at a host resort (listed below), transportation is provided to and from EPSN WWS. Buses run on Friday from host resort to expo 9:30am–6:30pm, and concludes from expo to host resorts at 7:30pm; Saturday from host resort to expo 8:30am–2:30pm, concludes from expo to host at 3:30pm.

Host Resorts:

• Disney’s All Star Movies Resort
• Disney’s All Star Music ResortDisney’s All Star Sports Resort 
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn 
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort 
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort–French Quarter
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside 
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort 
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa 
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort 
• Disney’s Polynesian Resort 

Transportation Hours for Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K

• 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
• 5K participants must board buses no later than 5:30 a.m. in order to make it to their corrals by 6:15 a.m. 

Transportation Hours for Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon & Finish Line Party

• Transportation begins at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and concludes at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday
• Half Marathon participants must board buses no later than 8:00 p.m. in order to make it to their corrals by 9:15 p.m.
• Transportation will continue throughout the evening for spectators
• Finish Line Party admission to Epcot® begins at 7:00 p.m. and a party
• ticket is required. 

A few tips for the race:

• Rest up on race day. I know, you're in Disney World and want to play, but you'll want to rest your legs and feet. There's quite a bit of standing around before the race even begins, so save up some energy. Plus, you'll want it for the finish line party at Epcot that goes until 4am :)
• If you want to run with a friend that is in a different corral, the faster friend moves back to the slower corral.
• If you are doing gear check, make sure to use the clear gEAR check bag given to you at the expo and attach your bib number to it (there's a tear off on the bib that is for your gEAR check bag). Also, there is security before going into the race area, so you'll have any bags on you checked. If you have no belt or bag, there'll be a separate, quicker line for you to enter. I personally have never had any problems with the security lines – there are plenty of officers checking bags, and the lines move quickly.
• Pack a drawstring bag in your gEAR check, so that post-race it's easier to carry around all of your stuff. Those gEAR bags are a bit of a pain.
• Pack extra clothes in a ziplock bag – if it's rainy, it can help keep your post-race clothes dry in your gEAR checked bag.
• Run or walk NO MORE than two abreast. I know you want to run with all of your friends, but there are places that are cramped, and you have to make sure, for your safety and others, that other runners can safely pass.
• Make sure at water stops to grab your cup and keep moving. If you need to stop to drink, move over to the side. I don't know how many aid stations I've been to where I've bumped into other people because they stop dead in their tracks to grab water. It's ok to stop running, but keep moving forward and go to the side if you have to stop completely.
• If you are running and decide to walk, raise your arm for a few seconds or say 'walking' so runners behind you know you'll be slowing to a walk. Also, make sure it move to the side, and look behind you before stopping so that if there's someone close behind you, you can move over more so they won't run into you. You'll help avoid injury to yourself and other runners this way.
• Hydrate! There are 9 water/Powerade stops – use them wisely. It's going to be hot and humid, so you'll want to make sure you are prepared. This also means starting the hydration process days before the race.
• Celebrate your accomplishment at the after party!! Grab some post-race eats at one of the Wine and Dine Festival kiosks. There's plenty of options.
• Bring your Wine and Dine gift card to use after the race. Depending on how much you'd eat/drink, you might not even need money (I personally bring some in case, but I know others that don't).

Mom and I at Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2014,
lovingly dubbed 'Splash and Dash 2014'.
Despite the rain, we had a blast.

I'm super excited that I'm able to participate in Wine and Dine weekend again. It's my favorite race, party because of the theme and finish line party, and partly because it's a night race. I'm much more of a night race person than I am morning. I'll be at the expo in the morning Friday, and then at both Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5k and the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Saturday. If you see me, please say hi! I'm a little shy myself, so understand the desire to stay quiet when you see someone you might know, but have never met, but I never regretted speaking up and saying hi to someone new – it's how new friends are made!

Have a great trip and amazing race, everyone!

wine & dine half marathon sells out

Source

Can you guys believe how quickly the Disney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon sold out this year? In just over 24 hours the race was at maximum capacity. Say what?! I registered for my first runDisney event (this same one we're talking about) back in 2012, and it was mid-July. I don't know when it went on sale, because back then I didn't know anything about these races at Disney, but I know it was not just days after registration opened, but rather weeks (maybe months?). I do believe that registration opens a little early as the years progress, so perhaps it opened in late April? Anyone have actual dates from back then? 

I found out about Disney's Wine and Dine Weekend while reading Runner's World in a car maintenance waiting room back in 2012, and thought it would be great fun. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. I was able to convince my mom to go with me, and she ran Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5k in the morning and I ran the half at night. This was also my first trip to Disney World since I was a young teen, and I had so much fun exploring the parks. Of course now, I've turned into a bit of a runDisney fanatic, wanting to go to all the races every year (which unfortunately, will never happen as I don't have the green to afford it!), but that's another story for another day.

Anyway, my point is, that it used to be at least a few weeks before the race sold out, and this year it took just over a day. 

Do you think it's because runDisney has gained in popularity these past years (or even running itself becoming more popular), that it's because the Wine and Dine is celebrating it's fifth year anniversary (which means a new medal design), or because the new Avengers race was added the following weekend, allowing people for a chance at gaining a Coast to Coast medal? Perhaps it's a combination of all of these things. What are your thoughts?

If you are interested in the Wine and Dine weekend, the Mickey Jingle Jungle 5k is currently at 60% and the pre-race taste is 75%. I wouldn't sit on a decision too long, since who knows when these events will sell out. I can't say much about the pre-race, since I've never been, but I hear a lot of mixed reviews. Some people think it's great and worth the money, while others suggest going to a table-service restaurant instead. 

If you weren't able to get a spot for the half, might I suggest running with a charity group? I ran in 2013 as an ASPCA Ambassador, with no fundraising minimum (I decided to raise funds for them after I had already registered for the race). It felt great to run for a cause, and I dedicated each mile to a person that had donated, which gave me motivation and support throughout the 13.1 miles. You can find a list of the 2014 participating charity groups on the runDisney page (scroll down the page till you reach Charity Groups). I don't know if any of them have available spots still, but it's worth a look. 

Also, if you have friends running the half, but you were unable to secure a spot, you could buy a Finish Line Party ticket for $75 that grants you access to the after party for some fun in Epcot until 4 am (starting Saturday night at 10 pm). 

Well, that turned into a longer blog than I was anticipating. My apologies. In an upcoming blog, I will talk about my own experiences with the race. It might come in the form of a little recap, or at least, what I can remember all those months/years ago ;)