Tips about Running

runDisney veteran Laura Gilbreath offers a few tips for those wishing to register for the 2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend events: The Glass Slipper Challenge and the Enchanted 10K will sell out the fastest. If you wish to register for one of those be prepared to register as soon as registration opens. All adults must register using their own Active.com account now -- you may no longer register another adult. (Adults can still register participants who are under age 18.) If you do not have your own Active.com account then it is highly recommended that you sign up for one in advance (it's free), as it will speed up the registration process. If you do have an Active.com account, try to log in before registration day to make sure you know your user id and password. You do not need to supply proof of time information as part of the registration process -- you will do that a couple of months later.
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I have a runDisney tip. I make sure to pack an easy to carry "pack-away" bag in the clear, checked bag they provide. This way, I can transfer all of the items I checked into a manageable bag. The last thing I need after running 10 or 13 miles is to carry a shoulder-destroying string bag during the after-party! P.S. Next to the World, AllEars® might be my favorite thing. Thank you for all you do! - Molly Bryant Roberts
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I carry a folded plastic shopping bag in my running belt during runDisney events. After crossing the finish line the bag comes in handy to carry the water, fruit, snacks and drinks that are given at the finish line. The bag also helps carry your items as you get your finish line photo taken. - Stephanie
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This is a tip for those participating in the half or full marathons. Runners need to be at these events very early in the morning and it can be quite chilly standing around waiting for the race to start. While bringing a jacket is the obvious solution, few of us want to deal with it once we get moving and warm up. The solution is to bring a "throw-away" jacket. Just go to the local Goodwill or similar charity and purchase an inexpensive jacket. Wear it that morning until time for your corral to start and then simply leave it behind. Disney staff/race volunteers will gather up the discarded items of clothing and donate them to charity, making it a win-win situation. - Mary Turner
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One tip I don't recall seeing concerns the Florida wildlife. As people walk and jog the Disney trails around hotels and ponds they need to be smart about the wildlife. Alligators and snakes in Florida are a way of life. I'm sure that Disney, like most communities in Florida, does its very best to relocate the creatures that wander in, but these are not cute, furry bunnies and are not "fake." Each year tourists in our area are bitten by venomous snakes. Just be careful and mindful of where you are walking, jogging and playing. - Patricia Dahl
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The jogging trail at Pop Century/Art of Animation is wonderful. It's very beautiful to run, approximately 1.4 miles around the lake for the entire run. Saw many bunnies (or it could have been Thumper!) on my early morning runs. Also, all around the lake there are trivia signs, and the trivia is different on each side, so changing the direction of your walk/run from clockwise to counterclockwise around the lake provides the opportunity to read the trivia on both sides. By the way, AllEars.Net has the most detailed information I have found anywhere in regard to each resort's jogging trails! - Susan Fadel
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It would be very helpful if you included in your tips for joggers/runners that they should stay off the perimeter roads at the resorts and the roads outside the resorts. I can't tell you how many times I've come way too close to a jogger in these situations. The perimeter roads are all very curvy and we travel all of them counter-clockwise. So, our field of view can sometimes be very limited. If a jogger is also going counter-clockwise, we don't see them soon enough. Add to this a delivery truck coming the other direction and you have a potential disaster. Additionally, the roads outside the resorts have little or no provision for joggers/walkers. Few sidewalks, tall grass, sprinkler heads, rough shoulders, very high rates of traffic,etc. make jogging, even walking along the roads quite dangerous. Thank you. - A WDW Bus Driver
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Christopher South suggests: Just a few tips for packing all your running/walking gear for the Disney Marathon/Half Marathon in January. Make sure you include:

--2 sets of running shoes
--2 sets of running clothes. You never know what the weather can be like on race day!
--safety pins
--extra shoelaces
--Body Glide to prevent chafing
--Chapstick
--sunscreen, even if it's cloudy!
--waiver and packet pick-up documents
--gels
--extra socks
--watch
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My favorite walking or running trail on Disney property is between the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. At one point you can veer off towards the lake where there is a dirt road. There has never been a day when I have been on this route and not seen deer and often turkey. It is fun too as it leads up to the Disney stables where I slow down and visit some of the great horses and ponies that call it home. (Kay)
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I saw the tip for the Bodyglide (the solid deodorant type stick) to help eliminate blisters and went to my local running store to get some. They were out but told me about a similar product called Blister Shield. It is a powder that is sprinkled into your socks before your long day of walking. I've been using it at my work and it has helped a great deal in stopping the blisters from forming. Product name: Blister Shield anti-friction skin guard. http://www.2toms.com/ - Bret Sohl
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For those who purchase merchandise at runDisney expos and have the need to return or exchange: Official runDisney merchandise can be returned at any location on Disney property for 30 days after purchase to receive a refund in the same method of payment. Many of the third-party vendors -- including New Balance -- will allow returns or exchanges only during that particular runDisney expo. - Kristin
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A runner friend of mine turned me on to something called "Body Glide." It looks a bit like deodorant, but you put it on your feet to prevent blisters (it reduces the friction that causes them). We had four people and five days at Disney, and not a single blister -- it was great! - Debbie M.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Body Glide also works well to reduce chafing.
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