6 Weeks to Go! The Hills are Alive, and MM 8.9-11

OK, let’s just admit this blog thing seemed like a better idea when it started.  Would have been fun to read an update every week, but life gets in the way.  I’ve gotta finish though, because even though by now you’ve probably got all the training tips you need I still need to finish mapping out the course for you.  (Speaking of which, we should be getting actual course maps released anytime now).

The Hills are Alive!

While there are a number of things that make WDW running a bit more annoying than your usual runs (early mornings, variable weather, crowds, etc), one of the nicest things is that it’s flat.  Really flat.  I mean, less than a few feet of elevation change flat.  So there’s not much need to worry about hills, is there?

Behold the on-ramp.  A more daunting mountain than any coaster an Imagineer could design.  They seem so innocent from the car, but when you’ve been used to running flat mile after flat mile, that slow gradual incline goes from annoying to quad-burning pretty quickly.

Fortunately, they aren’t frequent and don’t last long, but when they arise there are a few things that can get you through:

-  Sit back and relax:  The steeper the hill, the more of a tendency there is to lean into it as you run.  But if you force yourself to “sit” a little, squatting a little bit and pushing your butt down, you might find it’s a little easier.

- Short and sweet:  You’ll find your stride shortens up a bit, which is natural and helpful.  You might even find you’re a little more flat footed than usual.  Try to keep a little bit of a spring in your step to minimize the impact on your knees and hips.

- Swing away:  This is the perfect time to use all the other non-leg muscles in your body.  Tighten your butt, throw your shoulders back, and swing those arms to propel you forward.

And remember- what comes up, must come down!  You’ve gotta finish where you started, so no matter how many ramps you climb, eventually you’ll get back down to parking lot level by the end.

MM 8.9 to MM 10.5

We’ve got a lot of miles to pick up in these last few posts, but I had to keep this segment short as it is the “reason for the season”

As you come under the train station and enter the Magic Kingdom, you’ll see the glow of the Main Street lights, then the big Christmas Tree in Town Square, and you’ll hear the roar of the crowd for the first time.  Turning past the Emporium and up Main Street, you’ll see the Castle in its glory and will be amazed by all the friends and family on the right and the cast members on the left as you make your way toward the hub.  Slow down, take it in, and enjoy this moment that you’ve worked so hard for.  (Don’t get too lost in the moment though- be careful of the trolley tracks in the road!)

The next mile and a half will be a blur.  You’ll hit the hub, turn hard left into Adventureland, make your way past the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean, then head into Frontierland.  Turning left at Pecos Bill’s Tavern, you’ll run past the construction walls for the new Cars Land on the left.  Keep your eyes right though, as you’ll almost certainly see some of the Country Bears out in front of their theater, and maybe some other characters out on balconies in Frontierland.  

You’ll continue through Liberty Square, past the Haunted Mansion, and enter Fantasyland near Peter Pan and It’s A Small World.  (Great time for a quick pit stop at some real toilets in the Tangled restrooms on the left).  There’s bound to be some princesses out greeting runners through Fantasyland, so if that’s your thing keep an eye on both sides of the path.  

The path turns right at the carousel and heads straight into the Castle.  Another great moment to soak in as you exit the Castle tunnel and get that great view of Main Street as you head down the ramp.  You’ll take the left ramp and will turn toward the other entrance to Fantasyland.  Stay on the right side of the path though, as you’ll certainly want to peel off to get a photo in front of the Castle before you continue on.  (There will be a bunch of Photopass photographers set up and the lines move super fast).

Running past Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe and toward the Mad Tea Party, you’ll take a left and go in front of the Seven Dwarves Mine train, then a hard right into the backside of Fantasyland past Gaston’s Tavern and the Voyage of the Little Mermaid.  (More characters back here for sure).  The path winds into Storybook Circus and onto a trail that leads into Tomorrowland.  The transition is quick, illuminated by the glow of the Tron Lightcycle and the lights of Space Mountain behind it.  After crossing in front of Space Mountain, the route makes its way through Tomorrowland and exits the Magic Kingdom through a back gate next to the Carousel of Progress.

The exit is a lot less inspiring than the entrance, but the round trip tour of the Magic Kingdom is energizing enough to get you through the next stretch of roadway and parking lot.  Stay excited, still 2 more parks to go!