Weather Conditions For Marathon Weekend

For the past three years, the weather in Florida in January has been quite unpredictable.  That’s why it is important to know what to put on your Dopey Challenge packing list.  I am providing my packing advice for the Dopey Challenge because it includes all races (except the kid races).  

The first year I ran my first marathon in January of 2013, the temperature was in the mid-80s with humidity.  For the past two years we started the 5K with temperatures 30 degrees or below.  Then each day it got warmer little by little. 

Two years ago, the half marathon was canceled due to thunderstorms in the area where the volunteers would have been.   I have even heard the stories of how there was sleet and ice at the water stops in 2010.  So now I pack for ALL weather conditions! 

Organize Your Clothes For Each Race

When I run the Dopey Challenge I have a costume for each race.  I place them in a zip lock back along with the underwear, bra, socks, compression shorts, and accessories I will need for that race.  This also helps to keep each day organized so when I need to get the next race day laid out, the costume and accessories are all together and easily accessible.  I am also including cold weather clothes with each race outfit. 

Keep Your Race Gear With You

I also pack all race gear, costumes, and shoes in my carry-on bag when I fly.  That is a must for any race that I run.  I can live without clothes and my makeup, but I can not run without MY GEAR.  

Also when checking into the hotel the race gear bag is always in my sight.  I don’t want to take any chances of it getting misplaced accidentally.  

What to pack for each race

Running Essentials

The basic running essentials are the items you trained in back home.  On race day is not the time to try out something you haven’t trained with.  You will need one of these for every race.  The essentials include:

• Socks
• Compression socks
• Underwear
• Sports bra (nipple guards for men)
• Compression shorts
• Running shoes
• Garmin/Running Watch
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Visor
• Braces or KT tape for problem areas
• Glide

Running Costume Accessories

If you are wearing a costume you need to consider packing the following into separate baggies:

• Sparkle skirt or bottoms
• Top
• Socks/Compression tights or leggings
• Wings/headpiece/jewelry
• Wig
• Hair clips or bows

Running Accessories

If you run with music or special gear don’t forget to pack those into a separate baggie to keep everything organized

• Music player and charger
• Headphones and charger
• Sunglasses
• Fuel belt
• Fuel (Gus, chews, gels, food, etc.)
• Spi belt 
• Water bottle

Weather Gear

Running Clothes for Weather

To be prepared for all weather conditions, I pack the following extra items to have just in case:

• Capri running tights
• Fleece lined running tights
• Regular running tights
• Short sleeve shirts (layering pieces)
• Long sleeve shirts
• A throwaway sweatshirt and/or shirt
• A winter hat
• Gloves
• An extra zip up hoodie
• A bathrobe works very well as a warm layer and easy to shed once the race starts
• Fleece towel from Wal-Mart that you can easily toss
• I have seen runners with a towel or blanket from the hotel!

Weather Running Accessories

Without knowing FOR SURE if the weather is going to be what they truly predict, we do have to plan for anything.  Especially if you have run the races in the past two years.  I now will be packing the following additional items just in case.  Even if the forecast shows a perfect 70 degrees and sun all week, I don’t want to take my chances.

I pack the following portable items with me as essentials on race day to have at the race start and finish.

• Rain Poncho – you can purchase them at Rite-Aid for $1.00 each.  They are folded up nice and small so you can keep it in your race belt.
• Heat Wrap – The foil mylar thermal blankets you get at the end of races are also sold in stores.  They are usually in the camping section.  I purchased them in bulk on Amazon and have plenty.  I sometimes bring extras with me on race morning in case my friends need one.
• A plastic bag (grocery bag).  I use this bag on race morning to carry my phone, snacks, water, banana, and whatever else I may need that morning.  Then just before the race starts I empty it in the garbage and squish up the bag and tuck it in my race belt.
  • This bag becomes very useful at the end of the marathon when you have your medal(s), a bottle of water or Power Ade, banana, snack box, heat shield, and/or cooling towel.
  • It’s especially important should you need to go to the bathroom.  You can leave it all in the bag outside the potty!
• A Trash bag – If the forecast is sounding like heavy rain, Disney will still start the race.  Grab some large trash bags from the hotel and wear them as a poncho on race morning.  Do your best to stay as dry as you can while you are standing in the corrals waiting.  If it is raining hard on race morning you can wrap your shoes in bags to keep them somewhat dry.
• Hand Warmers – you can load up on them now at Target in the dollar section or Home Depot sells them in boxes.  Again another compact item that you wouldn’t be sorry you brought with you just in case.
• Gloves – They don’t sell a lot of gloves in Florida.  It’s not something you can find easily.  Two years ago we noticed socks all over the side of the road during the marathon.  People were using socks for gloves.  Since it was so cold for so long they didn’t start shedding them until around mile 8.
• Newspaper – to stuff into your shoes if they get wet at a race.  They will be dried out overnight!

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Bag Check At The Race

I left a bag at bag check for my first marathon.  Since then, I don’t really need to check one.  But some people would like their desired items after the race.  To do so, you check your bag at the race start.  Each section represents the first letter of your last name. Then you leave your items in the runDisney plastic bag (this is the only bag they will allow). 

At the end of the race, they match your bib number to the bag and you can have your things.  Some people like to have the following after the race:

• Flip flops
• Powder
• Deodorant
• Dry Shirt
• Action Wipes or baby wipes

If you follow these tips and have these items with you prior to the race start you are one step ahead of the game!  It’s better to have it with you, than to have to worry about getting a ride to a nearby store and buying throwaway clothes, which usually sell out once people see the forecast is colder than expected.  

Have a great race and I’d love to see you out on the race courses!  Check out my Facebook Page to follow along with me this week!  Please leave your Instagram or Facebook page link in the comments so I can connect with more runDisney friends!