Does anyone know (from experience) - does Disney have any eletronic monitors or something along the marathon run where your chip will log you in? Is it only at the start and at the finish? I'm wondering if there's some way to track your time at certain points along the run (other than looking at your stop watch). The closer we get to the Goofy weekend, the more nervous I'm getting about getting swept on Sunday after running on Saturday. I'm starting to wonder about the wisdom of running on Saturday when I REALLY want to finish the run on Sunday. I'm not sure I can do both. I guess there's always next year!

Does anyone know (from experience) - does Disney have any eletronic monitors or something along the marathon run where your chip will log you in? Is it only at the start and at the finish? I'm wondering if there's some way to track your time at certain points along the run (other than looking at your stop watch). The closer we get to the Goofy weekend, the more nervous I'm getting about getting swept on Sunday after running on Saturday. I'm starting to wonder about the wisdom of running on Saturday when I REALLY want to finish the run on Sunday. I'm not sure I can do both. I guess there's always next year!

Yes, it uses a chip to time when you actually start the race. I think there's one at the 1/2 marathon point. The only other place that would normally make sense is at the 10K point. You can actually look at last year's results to see if there are any more splits that are shown.

I have a watch that does up to 99 laps. I just use 1 lap per mile and after the race I can record how fast I did every mile. Some of the more advanced watches also let you upload it to your computer.

If you're worried about finishing on Sunday, then don't run Saturday. Walk a bit, have fun, don't be afraid to drop out. Actually, you should try it one weekend. Do 6 miles on Saturday, then see how fast you can do 13 on Sunday. This is early enough that you'll have more time to get in better shape if your Sunday jog/run isn't going to be fast enough.

There is a sensor at the start and finish. There is also a sensor around the ten mile point, right before you go into the Magic Kingdom and then again at the halfway point. There probably was another one in the second half but I don't remember.

All that said, I don't know what they'll be doing for the half this year (probably just start, 10k, and finish) or if they'll change things up for the full.

Also, while they only have the chip sensors at certain locations, they do have clocks set up at every mile marker so it is very easy to track your time.

I would love it if they would add a pace clock as well (not only what your current time is but another clock showing your finish time at the current pace), but I've not been to a race that does.

Actually, you should try it one weekend. Do 6 miles on Saturday, then see how fast you can do 13 on Sunday. This is early enough that you'll have more time to get in better shape if your Sunday jog/run isn't going to be fast enough.

This sounds like great advice - thanks!

A pace clock would be wonderful - that's actually how I spend alot of my running time - doing the calculations in my head as I run. Disney makes me alittle nervous because of last year when some people got swept and it's still debatable whether they were swept too early or not. I suspect I'm going to be pretty sloooooow on Sunday. I just want to finish!

Well...I'm nervous! About finishing the 1/2 on Saturday! This will be my first ever attempt at anything like this. Ever.

I'm not very athletic. And I'm slow. But I've been working my rear-end off.

Does anyone know (from experience) - does Disney have any eletronic monitors or something along the marathon run where your chip will log you in? Is it only at the start and at the finish? I'm wondering if there's some way to track your time at certain points along the run (other than looking at your stop watch). The closer we get to the Goofy weekend, the more nervous I'm getting about getting swept on Sunday after running on Saturday. I'm starting to wonder about the wisdom of running on Saturday when I REALLY want to finish the run on Sunday. I'm not sure I can do both. I guess there's always next year!

Saturday is going to be slooooooooow...I mean slow. I am counting on the fact that there are going to be many many "fun runners" (people that will walk much of the course) out there that are going to be behind me even with the slow pace on Sat. I am really looking to take advantage of the 16 min allowable pace. I read about what happened last year with the people being swept but I have to think that its hard to walk a 16 min pace, but easy to jog one.

I too am nervous about the Goofy, but I am counting on my absolute stubborness (hehehehehe) to get me through!

Denny J

Saturday is going to be slooooooooow...I mean slow. I am counting on the fact that there are going to be many many "fun runners" (people that will walk much of the course) out there that are going to be behind me even with the slow pace on Sat. I am really looking to take advantage of the 16 min allowable pace. I read about what happened last year with the people being swept but I have to think that its hard to walk a 16 min pace, but easy to jog one.

I too am nervous about the Goofy, but I am counting on my absolute stubborness (hehehehehe) to get me through!

Denny J


Well, I'm not a "fun runner" but I am a slow runner. I've been busting my butt since last Feb. I'm not the best runner, not the most experienced. I'll be one of the ones behind you no doubt....but trying my best.

Well, I'm not a "fun runner" but I am a slow runner. I've been busting my butt since last Feb. I'm not the best runner, not the most experienced. I'll be one of the ones behind you no doubt....but trying my best.

One thing to consider: What's your cadence? To find this, count the number of times your right foot strikes the pavement every minute. (Or count it for 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4). The number should be around 85-100 REGARDLESS OF YOUR SPEED. When you run faster, you'll just be increasing the stride length, that's all. If that number is too low (or on the low end of things), you might want to consider shortening your stride a little and turning over your legs a little faster.

If you're turning over slowly, but striding longer than you should, you may be putting the brakes on every stride. It may be more efficient to turn over faster with shorter strides. Make sure your feet don't get ahead of the body.

One thing to consider: What's your cadence? To find this, count the number of times your right foot strikes the pavement every minute. (Or count it for 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4). The number should be around 85-100 REGARDLESS OF YOUR SPEED. When you run faster, you'll just be increasing the stride length, that's all. If that number is too low (or on the low end of things), you might want to consider shortening your stride a little and turning over your legs a little faster.

If you're turning over slowly, but striding longer than you should, you may be putting the brakes on every stride. It may be more efficient to turn over faster with shorter strides. Make sure your feet don't get ahead of the body.


Look - I've got no idea what you just said!

But, according to me - I'm still a runner. Cause I DO! I have a personal trainer that trains people for Marathons...so I let her do all the counting and whatnot.:D

Look - I've got no idea what you just said!

But, according to me - I'm still a runner. Cause I DO! I have a personal trainer that trains people for Marathons...so I let her do all the counting and whatnot.:D

The point isn't that you're not a runner, but that you might be running inefficiently. When you run, count the number of times your right foot hits the pavement in a minute. That will tell you your running cadence, or how many "RPMs" you're going. That number should be within 85-100. Next time you're out running, try this out. If the number is on the low end, try taking shorter strides, but turning over your feet more often.

The point isn't that you're not a runner, but that you might be running inefficiently. When you run, count the number of times your right foot hits the pavement in a minute. That will tell you your running cadence, or how many "RPMs" you're going. That number should be within 85-100. Next time you're out running, try this out. If the number is on the low end, try taking shorter strides, but turning over your feet more often.

Hee hee... here's the easiest way to check: If you aren't running faster than 8 minutes per mile, you're a jogger. If you are taking more than 12 minutes per mile, you're a woggler. If you're taking more than 15 minutes per mile, you're a walker! :D

Walkers, walk on the rightmost side of the course.
Wogglers, if you need to pass the walkers, pass them on the left.
Joggers, pass the wogglers on their left.
Runners should have an open spot for them to pass at any time on the leftmost side of the course.

well, then - let's classify me as a woggler.

Everyone started somewhere - right?

Hee hee... here's the easiest way to check: If you aren't running faster than 8 minutes per mile, you're a jogger. If you are taking more than 12 minutes per mile, you're a woggler. If you're taking more than 15 minutes per mile, you're a walker! :D

Walkers, walk on the rightmost side of the course.
Wogglers, if you need to pass the walkers, pass them on the left.
Joggers, pass the wogglers on their left.
Runners should have an open spot for them to pass at any time on the leftmost side of the course.

I worry about the Walkers and the Wogglers...hopefully al the registrants have been honest with their expected finish time so that the right people are in the right corrals.

I worry about the Walkers and the Wogglers...hopefully al the registrants have been honest with their expected finish time so that the right people are in the right corrals.


How so? Do you mean that you hope they put down an honest finishing time so that they are not disapointed? Or that they put down an honest time so that they aren't in the way?

I put down 3 hours. Hopefully it won't take me that long...if I keep up my current workouts and continue on my path I ought to make it at around 2.5 hours.:) Here's hoping!!!

Sometimes I get the feeling that "real runners" don't like those who have to combo walk/jog or who are slow joggers - as if we will not know the "rules of the road". In my quest to lose weight, get in better shape, start running/jogging and to complete this goal I set last Feb. of finishing the 1/2 marathon I have read tons of books. Most say how welcoming the running community is, and how helpful and how they love to see people who are new to the sport. However, I'm finding that (I've been reading a lot on line at different running/marathon boards, too) sometimes the faster or more "serious" runners (hey - I'm serious - if I wasn't I wouldn't be getting up at 4:30 to do my runs so that I can get home in time to get the kids on the bus and haul my butt to work:eek: ) seem resentfull of us slower ones. Sure I can understand if you've got a RUDE slow poke in front of you who isn't "obeying the rules of the road" so-to-speak - but I would think that they ought to be uptight with rude people, not slow people.

It seems a clique-type environment sometimes to me. But hey - what do I know ???? I guess I'll find out Jan. 7th. My trainer will be running with me. She knows the "rules of the road" herself being a marathon runner...so count me as a "slow-poke" instead of a "rude slow-poke".:p

The point isn't that you're not a runner, but that you might be running inefficiently. When you run, count the number of times your right foot hits the pavement in a minute. That will tell you your running cadence, or how many "RPMs" you're going. That number should be within 85-100. Next time you're out running, try this out. If the number is on the low end, try taking shorter strides, but turning over your feet more often.

Hee hee... here's the easiest way to check: If you aren't running faster than 8 minutes per mile, you're a jogger. If you are taking more than 12 minutes per mile, you're a woggler. If you're taking more than 15 minutes per mile, you're a walker! :D


Well, this isn't what I meant either, though these labels are probably accurate. No matter how fast you're going, your cadence should be roughly 85-100 otherwise you're needlessly slowing yourself down. That's what I meant. So if you find that your cadence is low, try speeding it up, and taking shorter steps.