In a previous post I shared a few packing tips and some items to consider bringing on your next Disney vacation. But what if you're traveling to Walt Disney World or Disneyland for a RunDisney race-cation?! There are definitely more factors to consider when packing, so here are some of my recommendations from personal RunDisney race experiences:
**Pack your entire race day outfit in your carry-on bag I'm not a fan of carrying much while flying; I prefer to load up my checked bag to the max weight limit - You're paying to check it anyway! But when I'm traveling for a RunDisney race-cation I always like to pack my race day outfit in my carry-on for peace of mind. Your flight might get delayed, your bag might get lost or not arrive to your WDW hotel for hours; there are always a few uncertainties. I'll pack my sneakers, entire outfit/costume (including undies!), socks, and accessories I'll need for race day, and also include my small first aid kit. While in my checked bag I might pack more things like Biofreeze, my foam roller, and Ziploc bags for ice, my carry-on will have everything I need to feel confident at the start line on race morning. **Bring extra bags for dirty laundry and shoes! No matter where I'm traveling, to the Disney parks or not, I always bring plastic bags for my dirty clothes - It's something my mom has always done and it's since stuck with me. So for a RunDisney race-cation, I like to bring extra bags in anticipation of LOTS of smelly clothes and dirty laundry. I'll put my sneakers in their own bag for transport (since they have their own, special stink), and then I'll put my race-day outfit in a separate bag as well. Then I'll have another plastic bag or two for other dirty clothes. I find it makes it easier to get started on the laundry once I get home by having everything separated, and most importantly, it keeps race day smells from permeating throughout my luggage. You could use packing cubes or canvas bags specifically for laundry, but I find it's more economical to just use plastic bags - Recycling for the win! **Don't bring any new gear to try for the first time This is more of a running tip in general, but you never want to try anything for the first time on race day. So don't waste space in your luggage on gear you haven't used before! You shouldn't be breaking in new sneakers, trying a new foam roller, or bringing five different hats/visors because you don't know which one you'll feel like using on race day. Stick to what your body is already familiar with, and what you know you'll use for the race or recovery thereafter. **Consider bringing leave-behind sweats for race day RunDisney's races all start in the wee hours of the morning, well before the sun comes up; I'm talking between 5 and 6 AM. That means that at start time, temperatures could be quite lower than what the anticipated high of the day will be. I'd recommend bringing some sort of layers, for top and/or bottom, that you're okay with parting with once you bring your body temperature up. This could include sweatshirts, sweatpants, bathrobes, old blankets, etc. Anything that is left behind at the start line or along the course is picked up by Disney and donated to local charities, so you're keeping warm before you run and also helping someone in need. You have the opportunity to check anything you'd like for later at the gEAR check area, but you might be standing out in the cold for a while in the corrals (especially if you're starting in a corral that is further back). RunDisney often provides runners with mylar blankets once they cross the finish line, so if you're participating in a multi-race challenge it's not a bad idea to hold onto yours for the next morning or save for a future race! **Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen Just like I'd recommend for a traditional day in the parks, you'll regret it if you don't bring plenty of sunscreen for your race-cation. Again, stick to what you're familiar with and know works for you while running, and don't forget to bring a smaller size for race day to keep on you. While you'll want to apply at the start, you'll want to reapply later if you're running a longer distance like a half or full marathon. Just doing a simple search on Runner's World for examples of severe runner sunburn will change you for life (I won't link here and gross you out - Check it out at your own risk). **Double-check for RunDisney's required check-in items before leaving home In order to run on race day, you have to visit the accompanying Health & Fitness Expo beforehand to pick up your bib. To pick up your bib, you'll need to have a government-issued photo ID and signed waiver. While you can print out your waiver at the expo if needed, I just find it best to have everything accounted for before arriving; one less thing to worry about. I'll take it one step further and actually bring my waiver (and other travel documents like flight and hotel confirmations) in a folder so I know where it is, and I can also use that folder for my bib to keep it flat and in a safe place before race day. If you pre-purchased anything with your race registration as well, like a jacket, pin bundle, or water bottle, you might want to bring your registration confirmation that lists out those items (if there's any issue at pickup). **Check the weather forecast and take precautions in the event of rain Unfortunately the Disney parks aren't immune from inclement weather (no, there is no dome over Walt Disney World!), so prepare for rain just like you would for a regular day in the parks. It's not a bad idea to have ponchos, rain jackets, or garbage bags on-hand for race day if any rain is in the forecast. And if you often run wearing a hat, bringing along your favorite water-resistant hat or visor could be helpful as well. Since starting distance running a little more than 3 years ago, I've become a big RunDisney fan and hope to continue participating in their races at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland as long as my body (and wallet!) will let me. In fact, I'm running the Avengers Half Marathon at Disneyland in November and the 25th annual WDW Full Marathon this January 2018, so be sure to check back for posts on my experiences thereafter. You can also follow me on Facebook for more fun and photos, and you can of course learn more about RunDisney and all of their events at www.rundisney.com. Is there anything on your must-pack list that you'd recommend? Share with us in the comments below! Until the next post, see ya real soon!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
About MeA twenty-something alumni of the Disney College Program looking to help others plan the Disney vacations of their dreams! Living that Disneyland AP dream in SoCal. Archives
February 2018
Categories
All
|