Walt Disney World Marathon - RunMarathon

Started the race feeling stiff and sore from Saturday's half marathon. Feet were already tender. Shoes were a little more snug than I would have liked and just got worse as the day progressed. Started off on my original plan, 15 minute warmup switching to a 4/1 run/walk. Kept that up for the first half while running with a friend. Had to take a major bio break at mile 4. After the halfway point things just fell apart and so I sent my friend off to run his own race. Last half of the race was more walking than running, and spent as much time in the grass as I could as my feet were aching with every step. Got an adrenaline boost near mile 18, but not in a good way. A stray pop fly from the baseball field came down and hit a female runner on the head, stunning her and potentially knocking her out of the race. I ran with the group just ahead of her calling for a medic. Not sure what happened afterwards, but the endorphins carried me until mile 21 or so. Swapped shoes at mile 25 (ran behind my resort so I had my family bring them out to me) which gave some, but not complete, relief to my feet. Finally made it through World Showcase & the rest of Epcot to the finish.

Make sure I had more adequate training. As I was returning from injury last year, I didn't get the mileage that I wanted as I was fighting both physical and mental resistance.

Spent an hour in the retreat tent & got a 15 minute massage. Took the bus back to my resort instead of walking this time as feet were too sore. Went down the water slide at the pool before heading back to my room, just because I could.


Lack of consitant training & the high raceday temps.


I still love Disney races, and they pulled out all the stops to make the 20th Anniversary Marathon special. My own condition took away from my experience; I plan to return again in 2015 for the 10th Goofy Challenge.