Walt Disney World 1/2 Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Oh Geez....where to start
The first thing that is important to know is that there are 16000 people doing this race so picture that sea of people ahead of you. There was a DJ at the starting line, MC's, Video screens, and Yes even Mickey Mouse was there to give us high 5's as we went out.
We started in Wave "c", with about 7500 people. It took us about 4 minutes to get to the starting mat along with everyone else. I had set mu Nano up with the sport kit for 1/2 marathon, so I could just leave my Garmin set with the pace alarms, and the intervals so I didn't have to do any math to figure out where I was speed and time wise. Needless to say as I started the Nano, nothing happened. I fumbled with that for about 1 minute, and just said screw it and listened to music only....bummer. I started off doing what I could running and walking wise, but there were just so many people, you really couldn't go anywhere with any kind of speed. I was a little frustrated when I reached the 1 mile mark because I had managed only a 14:19 mile. I will guarantee that I went farther than 1 mile weaving from side to side on the road and in the grass trying to pass people. By the time the 2nd mile came up there were still many many people around you, but you could get around them a little easier, but still not at all unencumbered. somewhere in mile 2 is when the leader came by in the other direction completing about mile 9. they had started 30 minutes ahead of us, but it was still amazing to see someone moving that fast. By now I was still pretty bummed that my time had not really picked up, I managed a 14:01 mile pace. Better, but still not what I usually do. I had skipped, or cut short 1 run interval to catch my breath. The humidity at this point was stiffling for a person who is used to 30-40% year round. I never felt like I was in trouble, I just couldn't really recover from the running segments like normal. By now, I am covered in sweat, but still having a grand time having a passfest. By the time we made it to the Mickyard, we passed the 3 mile point, and the 5k mat, and I was still feeling pretty good, and my pace had finally gotten to where i would like for it to stay. I managed a 13:20 mile for the 3rd mile. Not too far off of what I am capable of. I did the 5K in 44:14, or 14:14 pace. Thats a full 5 minutes slower than I ran in a 5K race 3 weeks earlier. I realize that you can't directly compare the 2, but I would expect it to be closer than 5 minutes. Ok, so after mile 3 I figured I needed to pick up the pace as much as I could to try and make some time back. I still felt good, and the humidity had let up a bit since the sun was now up, so ok, I can still make some time. made it to the 4 mile marker, took a gel, and refilled my bottle, but was disappointed to see a 14 minute mile again. Now the voices start talking to me. Im not really paying attention to them yet but I hear them. As we are coming up to mile 5 around the Contemporary hotel, I am expecting to see some friends outside the hotel, so im just plugging along, and I have slowed yet again, and I did not see my friends. Now I have already started to see my "performance" go out the window, and between mile 5 and mile 6 I had decided the day was to become more about surviving the day, rather than performing. The self doubt had started, I started to notice any little pains I was having. My feet were hot feeling, but Im sure no more so than ever, but since I was dwelling on the bad, I noticed it. Thru the next 6 miles It was more of the same. I was not having a whole lot of fun anymore, I itched all over from the salty sweat, but I didn't dare pour water over me to clean it, for fear of my shoes getting wet, and my feet getting worse. But never, ever was there even a thought of dropping out. My goal had now become to beat the 3:30 cut off time, and damnit it wasn't much of a goal, but it was one that I had left. As we went thru the food and water stop at mile 9 I believe they were giving out clip shots, that they were telling us was "americas favorite flavor" Apple something or other....well, I took it, and man it tasted like ass! I was glad I hadn't had the whole gel, only 1/2 of it. There was an overpass after that feed station, and once we made it to the top, I could see the broomwagon......not something I ever wanted, or expected to see. We were only minutes ahead of the broom wagon. Needless to say I mustered up what I could, and ran a little more. 45 seconds at a time maybe a few times per mile, but it was what I could give at that moment. As we were going down the bridge to Epcot prior to mile 12 I started to run a bit more. I managed a whole 2:30 run segment at 11 something a mile pace. I was really pleased with that, so as I could I continued to run a little. I was barely breaking the 16min mile on my walking segments, so again every little bit I could do would help me. By now I know I was going to be brutally close to making my now fall back goal of breaking the 3:30 mark. We entered the park, and I started walking as fast as I could, I didn't have any more running left in me, unless I absolutely needed it. to my surprise, the path in Epcot was shorter than I anticipated, so I thought I could break the mark. I worked hard to keep my walking pace up as much as possible, as by now my aches and pains and blisters were full on painful! As I came out of the park I knew I had the 3:30 goal beaten so I got happy again for the 1st time in 6 or 7 miles. when I crossed the finish line I knew I had accomplished a goal that most people on this world will never even attempt. I was not able to do it how I wanted to, but I did complete that 1/2 marathon, and I will always be able to say that.

I think the only real thing I would or could do differently was to not doubt my ability. Im sure I could have run more than I did, but I had decided I couldn't. I think I could have taken another gel and more water. I ran out of water 2x.

walk about as slowly as possible to the chip removal and medal distribution area, then walk over to the food tent where i proceeded to pick up 3 things, but didn't really want any of them. I was hungry, but nothing appealed to me. I walked to the meeting spot that Marcy and i had arranged earlier in the day to meet afterwords.


I can think of a few factors that lead to my under performing. Humidity was a big limiter, as much as the heavy traffic was. I also question whether I ate and drank enough. I had about 40oz of water and 3 gels. aAccording to my Garmin, I burned 3200 calories, so I doubt 350 calories worth of gel was enough.... I would probably follow the last 2 week taper a little better than what I did. I tended to bike more than I ran the last 2 weeks.


I have to say that this race was very very organized. I have only one complaint about anything. When I finished, they had run out of water at the food tent. This was an oversight, as I am sure there was plenty more, but none was at the tent to give out.