Disneymooners93
01-13-2007, 12:51 AM
We arrived at WDW on Thursday evening. We took the kids to the 400 yard races at WWOS on Friday morning. That was a neat experience for them and a good primer to get in the Marathon Weekend attitude. Went to the Expo and got our race packets after the kid’s races.
Saturday morning we were up and driving to Epcot parking lot by 4am. After hearing horror stories about road closures, traffic, make sure to get there early, blah, blah, blah, we encountered no problems at all in driving ourselves. Surprised at how awake we were at 4am too. We started in wave C and were up near the front of that wave.
Off and walking/running at 6:30am. We started by walking 4 minutes/ jogging 1 – maintaining a 14 minute pace. DW hurt her knee in training and it was really bothering her. Fighting the crowds during the jogging portions was a struggle as well; I was surprised by how narrow the course was. Coming up on Magic Kingdom and going through the castle really helped her maintain until there. After MK the knee pain became too much so she cut out the jogging, but we were still able to keep a 14 minute pace for a while. By mile 10 we started slowing a bit but DW now realized that she was actually going to complete the race in time. It also helped going around the cloverleaf and seeing just how many people were BEHIND us!! Coming into Epcot was great and our family was waiting at the Christmas tree by World Showcase Lagoon. DW gave hugs to the kid’s and then it was off to the finish line and the Donald medal!!
Final chip time - 3:11:39
I got up Sunday morning an hour earlier than the alarm was set. At the Epcot parking lot and ready to go at 3:30am.
Warm temps and humid at start time, but not uncomfortable…yet. Off and running, only 11 seconds to cross the start line, much better than the half. Cruising along in the first mile thinking “don’t run too fast” as much as I wanted to sprint out. Mile 1 – 7:57, perfect!!
Entered Epcot and everyone is spaced out nicely, keeping roughly the same pace. Thought the corral placement is a much better way to go than the wave, but then again maybe being at the front was the positive thing. Missed mile 2 marker if there was one. Around World Showcase feeling great with a few cast members scattered along the way. “See you in a few hours, Epcot.” Mile 2/3 – 15:50, keeping a good pace and feeling good. Walk break?? Maybe after the next mile.
Leaving Epcot, there’s the merge point and only a handful of runners joining our group. Warmed up and feeling good. Very good spilt, Mile 4 – 7:42. Feeling too good to walk!!
Go past the start line again. Groups of spectators are cheering on the start. Boy do the spectator’s really make a difference!! Mile 5 – 7:54.
Keep running past porta-john’s with no lines. What, don’t full marathoner’s have to go, lines were everywhere during the half!! I should really stop and walk. I’ll do 6 miles then start into the walk breaks. Mile 6 – 7:45.
Amazing how cramped it was along this portion of the half course and today we have free sailing!! Come up on the water station, okay now I’ll walk while I drink. Boy that was a short walk. Mile 7 – 7:56, including the walk.
Just keep plugging along. My chest has been a little tight up until now from my rib injury, which hadn’t been an issue for several days, but starting to loosen up now. There’s mile 13 of the course and no one is coming toward me, that’s encouraging. Mile 8 – 8:15.
Going through MK parking lot, everyone is choosing ‘80’s music corral over the ‘70’s. Not sure if people are purposely choosing that or they’re just cattle following the feet in front of them. Me? I’m following the feet. Halfway through this corral I at least get some satisfaction that I would have chosen the ‘80’s side anyway. Mile 9 – 7:59.
Come up on a wheelchair competitor. I had to move aside as she raced down the underpass by the Contemporary, offered encouragement as she struggled up the hill on the other side. Great to see EVERYONE encouraging her on!! About to enter the MK, this is going to be good. Mile 10 – 7:55.
The crowds on Main Street were inspiring, the best of the whole course. High five’s to Mickey and Minnie. See the photographer get great photos… of me in my hand band. So what if I look like a dork. That won’t happen again though, I carried it in all the other parks. Probably will still look like a dork, anyway. Through Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and into the Castle. More photographers, smile nice. On to Frontierland and Mile 11 – 7:44. Feeling incredible at this point!!
Out and around the side of MK. Call the family to tell them my 9 minute mile goal might be surpassed, plan on being at their spot a little earlier. The best character along the way, other than GOOFY, Burt at Grand Floridian, “Step in time”. Mile 12 – 8:08.
Along the front of Shades of Green and a row of soldiers cheering on the runners. High fives to all of them!! Can this be 13 miles and still feeling this strong? Mile 13 – 7:52.
Completed the half-marathon distance in 1:43:54. This is just 3 ½ minutes slower than my half-marathon time from July - the one where I stopped at this point and hadn’t done a half-marathon the day before!! More than half way. Mile 14 – 7:57.
Okay, coming back to Earth. I knew I should start feeling it at some point. This is a long stretch to Animal Kingdom, some entertainment would be nice. Mile 15 – 8:00.
Oh, so this is what “the wall” feels like. Extra gell pack for good measure. Mile 16 – 9:00.
I don’t recall Animal Kingdom being this shady, but it sure is welcomed. I didn’t realize it had gotten so warm already. EE is sure going to be fun to ride!! Mile 17 – 8:29.
Animal Kingdom is a lot bigger than I remember. Mile 18 – 8:56.
You’re going to make us go through the middle of the parking lot?!? With the sun finally directly in my face? Okay, I’m strong enough to do this. Mile 19 – 9:09.
Long, straight, empty stretch of highway. Just need to make it the next couple miles and I’ll be in the home stretch. This and the previous mile are entirely a mental factor to keep going. Was there really a beer station some where in here? I gotta finish this race, next year I will get the beer. Mile 20 – 10:18.
Short out and back. I can easily see mile 21 all along the way. Mile 21 – 9:16.
Around the overpass and on the last stretch before MGM. Getting close. What is this new pain on the outer edges of my thighs? I’ve been numb for several miles now a pain? Oh no, hamstring is really, really tight. I can’t blow that. Let’s just walk for a while and double on the fluids, electrolytes, and energy. Mile 22 – 12:12.
Downhill into MGM. Light run and am loosing back up, Thank God. Getting a second wind now. More entertainment helps a bunch. The Nestle Crunch was good. I’m running again! Mile 23 – 10:27.
Okay, Crunch was good, Butterfinger, BAD. Out the front of MGM on to path to Boardwalk. I ran this section in December. It’s surreal that after so much time and training that I’m actually doing this right now. I’m almost to Epcot. I’m going to finish!! Mile 24 – 9:23.
Walking the uphills, running the downs and level. Family is waiting at Beach Club. Never hear DW so excited to see me!! What a feeling. High five’s from the kid’s, sure want a hug but it will be so hard to start again if I stop now. Back into Epcot. Crowds and announcer at IG, pace is back up there for a short time. Feeling really good at this point but the energy is on fumes. Mile 25 – 10:09.
Around World Showcase, boy I wanted to finish this part in a complete run but it is way too hot!! Coming down the promenade into Future World with each country’s flag and a respective CM cheering on was inspiring. As was how close Spaceship Earth had gotten. Mile 26 – 9:31.
Two tenth’s of a mile can be a long way. That’s okay, I’ve got this now. Kick it in and see how many I can pass. Last .2 – 1:44.
26.2 miles 3:47:30!!
Mickey’s nice, but hurry up this is not what I’ve been waiting for!! Okay, I’ll grab some refreshments, in case I can’t make it back. There, finally, why didn’t you put these closer? They really needed to put the Goofy medals before the refreshments. We all seemed to think at that moment the medal was more important to get. I really did need to spend some time refreshing!! GOOFY come to me!!
Saturday morning we were up and driving to Epcot parking lot by 4am. After hearing horror stories about road closures, traffic, make sure to get there early, blah, blah, blah, we encountered no problems at all in driving ourselves. Surprised at how awake we were at 4am too. We started in wave C and were up near the front of that wave.
Off and walking/running at 6:30am. We started by walking 4 minutes/ jogging 1 – maintaining a 14 minute pace. DW hurt her knee in training and it was really bothering her. Fighting the crowds during the jogging portions was a struggle as well; I was surprised by how narrow the course was. Coming up on Magic Kingdom and going through the castle really helped her maintain until there. After MK the knee pain became too much so she cut out the jogging, but we were still able to keep a 14 minute pace for a while. By mile 10 we started slowing a bit but DW now realized that she was actually going to complete the race in time. It also helped going around the cloverleaf and seeing just how many people were BEHIND us!! Coming into Epcot was great and our family was waiting at the Christmas tree by World Showcase Lagoon. DW gave hugs to the kid’s and then it was off to the finish line and the Donald medal!!
Final chip time - 3:11:39
I got up Sunday morning an hour earlier than the alarm was set. At the Epcot parking lot and ready to go at 3:30am.
Warm temps and humid at start time, but not uncomfortable…yet. Off and running, only 11 seconds to cross the start line, much better than the half. Cruising along in the first mile thinking “don’t run too fast” as much as I wanted to sprint out. Mile 1 – 7:57, perfect!!
Entered Epcot and everyone is spaced out nicely, keeping roughly the same pace. Thought the corral placement is a much better way to go than the wave, but then again maybe being at the front was the positive thing. Missed mile 2 marker if there was one. Around World Showcase feeling great with a few cast members scattered along the way. “See you in a few hours, Epcot.” Mile 2/3 – 15:50, keeping a good pace and feeling good. Walk break?? Maybe after the next mile.
Leaving Epcot, there’s the merge point and only a handful of runners joining our group. Warmed up and feeling good. Very good spilt, Mile 4 – 7:42. Feeling too good to walk!!
Go past the start line again. Groups of spectators are cheering on the start. Boy do the spectator’s really make a difference!! Mile 5 – 7:54.
Keep running past porta-john’s with no lines. What, don’t full marathoner’s have to go, lines were everywhere during the half!! I should really stop and walk. I’ll do 6 miles then start into the walk breaks. Mile 6 – 7:45.
Amazing how cramped it was along this portion of the half course and today we have free sailing!! Come up on the water station, okay now I’ll walk while I drink. Boy that was a short walk. Mile 7 – 7:56, including the walk.
Just keep plugging along. My chest has been a little tight up until now from my rib injury, which hadn’t been an issue for several days, but starting to loosen up now. There’s mile 13 of the course and no one is coming toward me, that’s encouraging. Mile 8 – 8:15.
Going through MK parking lot, everyone is choosing ‘80’s music corral over the ‘70’s. Not sure if people are purposely choosing that or they’re just cattle following the feet in front of them. Me? I’m following the feet. Halfway through this corral I at least get some satisfaction that I would have chosen the ‘80’s side anyway. Mile 9 – 7:59.
Come up on a wheelchair competitor. I had to move aside as she raced down the underpass by the Contemporary, offered encouragement as she struggled up the hill on the other side. Great to see EVERYONE encouraging her on!! About to enter the MK, this is going to be good. Mile 10 – 7:55.
The crowds on Main Street were inspiring, the best of the whole course. High five’s to Mickey and Minnie. See the photographer get great photos… of me in my hand band. So what if I look like a dork. That won’t happen again though, I carried it in all the other parks. Probably will still look like a dork, anyway. Through Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and into the Castle. More photographers, smile nice. On to Frontierland and Mile 11 – 7:44. Feeling incredible at this point!!
Out and around the side of MK. Call the family to tell them my 9 minute mile goal might be surpassed, plan on being at their spot a little earlier. The best character along the way, other than GOOFY, Burt at Grand Floridian, “Step in time”. Mile 12 – 8:08.
Along the front of Shades of Green and a row of soldiers cheering on the runners. High fives to all of them!! Can this be 13 miles and still feeling this strong? Mile 13 – 7:52.
Completed the half-marathon distance in 1:43:54. This is just 3 ½ minutes slower than my half-marathon time from July - the one where I stopped at this point and hadn’t done a half-marathon the day before!! More than half way. Mile 14 – 7:57.
Okay, coming back to Earth. I knew I should start feeling it at some point. This is a long stretch to Animal Kingdom, some entertainment would be nice. Mile 15 – 8:00.
Oh, so this is what “the wall” feels like. Extra gell pack for good measure. Mile 16 – 9:00.
I don’t recall Animal Kingdom being this shady, but it sure is welcomed. I didn’t realize it had gotten so warm already. EE is sure going to be fun to ride!! Mile 17 – 8:29.
Animal Kingdom is a lot bigger than I remember. Mile 18 – 8:56.
You’re going to make us go through the middle of the parking lot?!? With the sun finally directly in my face? Okay, I’m strong enough to do this. Mile 19 – 9:09.
Long, straight, empty stretch of highway. Just need to make it the next couple miles and I’ll be in the home stretch. This and the previous mile are entirely a mental factor to keep going. Was there really a beer station some where in here? I gotta finish this race, next year I will get the beer. Mile 20 – 10:18.
Short out and back. I can easily see mile 21 all along the way. Mile 21 – 9:16.
Around the overpass and on the last stretch before MGM. Getting close. What is this new pain on the outer edges of my thighs? I’ve been numb for several miles now a pain? Oh no, hamstring is really, really tight. I can’t blow that. Let’s just walk for a while and double on the fluids, electrolytes, and energy. Mile 22 – 12:12.
Downhill into MGM. Light run and am loosing back up, Thank God. Getting a second wind now. More entertainment helps a bunch. The Nestle Crunch was good. I’m running again! Mile 23 – 10:27.
Okay, Crunch was good, Butterfinger, BAD. Out the front of MGM on to path to Boardwalk. I ran this section in December. It’s surreal that after so much time and training that I’m actually doing this right now. I’m almost to Epcot. I’m going to finish!! Mile 24 – 9:23.
Walking the uphills, running the downs and level. Family is waiting at Beach Club. Never hear DW so excited to see me!! What a feeling. High five’s from the kid’s, sure want a hug but it will be so hard to start again if I stop now. Back into Epcot. Crowds and announcer at IG, pace is back up there for a short time. Feeling really good at this point but the energy is on fumes. Mile 25 – 10:09.
Around World Showcase, boy I wanted to finish this part in a complete run but it is way too hot!! Coming down the promenade into Future World with each country’s flag and a respective CM cheering on was inspiring. As was how close Spaceship Earth had gotten. Mile 26 – 9:31.
Two tenth’s of a mile can be a long way. That’s okay, I’ve got this now. Kick it in and see how many I can pass. Last .2 – 1:44.
26.2 miles 3:47:30!!
Mickey’s nice, but hurry up this is not what I’ve been waiting for!! Okay, I’ll grab some refreshments, in case I can’t make it back. There, finally, why didn’t you put these closer? They really needed to put the Goofy medals before the refreshments. We all seemed to think at that moment the medal was more important to get. I really did need to spend some time refreshing!! GOOFY come to me!!