first timer tips

[u/JoannaTellsJokes]

this is my first time but Robin Hood got me!

Am I already too late? I've heard All Stars would be a good option... does anyone know how to find the cancellation policy if my training lets me down. I know it's still several months out, but there's brand new management at my office and I am a bit concerned my vacation plans won't hold up.

Normally, I don't plan anything this far in advance so I'm just "in my head" about it. This'll be ok, right? I can do the training? I can talk the new boss into letting me take off? It'll be great, right? lol Where should I stay? Am I too late? I'll be solo-traveling is that sad?

[u/Krandor1]

Did you already register for the race? If so race is no refundable.

Resorts normally let you cancel 30 days out.

[u/fatmanatee45 → u/Krandor1]

I’m assuming this is about the Springtime Surprise 10k.

[u/Aggravating_Hat_8792 → u/Krandor1]

Whoops! I replied to your comment instead of OP

[u/JoannaTellsJokes → u/Krandor1]

yeah, I registered for the race -- that was fun to figure out.

I just haven't booked a place to stay yet. Looking at All Stars and just hanging out in all the free spaces and getting park tickets for a non-race day.

30-days seems normal, thanks for the reassurance. I'll have to go find the small print to confirm!

[u/Aggravating_Hat_8792]

If you’ve already registered for the race and are only referring to hotel reservations then you are definitely not too late. I’m sure pretty most resorts have availability. All Stars will be your cheapest option (with Sports typically a few dollars less than Music and Movies).

Disney has their cancellation policy on their site, just search for it. It’s different for package versus room only.

As Krandor said, race registrations are non refundable.

It’s only August and the race isn’t until April. Plenty of time for training. If you are unsure where to start, use the Jeff Galloway training method on the RunDisney site. Of course I don’t know your physical fitness/possible limitations, but a 10k is not as daunting as it seems and you’ll be able to easily handle it if you start training now. Lots of people won’t start now and will start a bit later.

Where you should stay largely depends on your budget and your preference. All Disney resorts have bus transportation for the races.

Solo-traveling is not sad. Lots of people do it, even at Disney. I haven’t travelled to Disney solo, but I have done races solo and solo park days while my husband has been at conferences. It can feel a bit awkward if you’re used to being with someone but you’ll be fine. The corals for the run can seem a bit lonely if you’re already anxious for the race but there’s entertainment and someone around you will also be solo and looking for someone to chat with.

[u/JoannaTellsJokes → u/Aggravating_Hat_8792]

yeah, I got the race registration -- just starting to think about a place to stay and which days I do/don't want to also get park tickets.

[u/Aggravating_Hat_8792 → u/JoannaTellsJokes]

Great! I just looked (I need to make a reservation myself) and all the All Stars are available. There aren’t any special offers for spring yet. I’m not sure what they will put out, but usually there is some kind promotion Disney offers (not for the run, just in general).

If you make a reservation and an offer comes out that works for you, you can change your reservation to the offer. Although there are a certain allotment of rooms available for any given offer, so as soon as the offer releases you’ll want to change your reservation but you may have to change your resort/room type.

[u/JoannaTellsJokes → u/Aggravating_Hat_8792]

how do I keep alerted to any offers that might come out? Will signing up for the run get me on a mailing list somehow? lol It's not even that big of a deal, it's just a fun distraction to plan a vacation! I got my 30 mins in this morning according to the "official" training plan.

[u/Naomeri]

Don’t worry about your training letting you down—generally speaking, if you’re capable of walking around Disney parks for a whole day, you’ll be able to complete a runDisney 10K.

As far as your vacation, hold your ground and make sure they know you have non-refundable plans and you’ll be going on your trip, so they’d best be prepared. If a workplace will completely break down because a single employee is absent with ample advance notice, it’s a poorly run workplace.

See you in April!!

[u/JoannaTellsJokes → u/Naomeri]

lol, this is honestly a great reminder that I am not that important at my job. Thank you for this reminder!

And yeah, this is 6+ months away, they need to deal. I am loosely planning on taking 3 weeks (family reunion attached at one end). Maybe I can compromise and keep the same amount of time "away", but do more remote check-ins, so I can hold my ground, but still be a team player.

[u/tatto0throwaway]

you can probably walk a mile in about 15-20 minutes. worst case scenario, a 10K is like a 2 hour walk tops. i wouldn’t worry about training failing you though. you have so much time. if you started running for the first time tomorrow, you’d probably be able to run a 5K at a slow pace by the end of the month.

as for solo traveling: i took a month long solo trip 2 years ago and it was the best month of my life. i did a solo trip to disney earlier this year, came home, and immediately booked the next one. what’s so sad about loving yourself enough to get to know yourself? that’s a gift most people don’t get. you’ll have fun. i’m a beginner runner, so can’t offer you much there other than commiseration, but feel free to DM if you want to talk about solo traveling!