Hi Kat!
Thank you for bringing your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I love helping Guests that will be experiencing a
runDisney event for the very first time! I always give the disclaimer though that you better be ready to become completely addicted to them!
Whether or not to hit the parks before or after your run really depends on your level of fitness and comfort. Based on the schedule of runDisney weekends, I usually make my runcation a long weekend so my park days include both the day before and day of my actual run. My very first event though, I was certainly sore and feeling the ache by the end of the day! What I would recommend would be to try and make your training replicate your running events as close as possible. I would complete your two runs back to back during training and see how your legs feel. I currently have a toddler so even after my longest runs, I don't have much time to just sit with legs up, but the positive side is my muscles don't have time to tighten and really feel sore. Depending on your training, I think you would be fine to visit after your 5K as well as long as you take it easy on yourself and don't plan on catching
Fantasmic! or
World of Color that night, but instead get yourself to bed early! I'd say sleep will have a bigger impact than walking around.
I hope you have a wondEARful first runDisney event and please let me know if you have any other questions!
-Lindsey ºOº