Walt Disney World Marathon - RunMarathon

Started out at the front of the pack with the elites. I could feel the heat from the fireworks during the National Anthem. The downside was when they started us and they exploded the fireworks, the silt was still in the air and it got in my eyes as we started. But that was ok.

My goal was to see how long I could stay with the 3:10 pace group. I didn't know where they were behind me, so I figured they would catch up to me. I was good and didn't jack rabbit out. I settled into my 7 - 7:15 pace nicely. Around mile 4, I went off to the side to 'use a tree' and when I came back there was the 3:10 pace group. So I joined them and it was much easier running with a group than by yourself. I was amazed at the pacer who ran with a stick in his hand attached to 4 ballons. I'm sure this was a Z2 run for him.

Everything was going great for the first 10ish miles. I would get behind at the aid stations and catch back up just after. Just after the 1/2 point, I could tell that I was working harder and I had to concentrate to keep my pace up. I struggled to hang onto the back of the pack and the next thing I knew, they were out of sight. Oh well...my goal was out of range and my hamstring started to tell me it didn't want to play.

I kept racking my brain with what to do. I could push the pace, try and hold on for another 4-5 miles but what would that get me? I decided it would get me injured and I didn't need that. I turned off the small jets that I had on and decided it was for the best. That lasted for about 3 miles until the 3:20 group came rolling by. I decided I could run with them.

That lasted for about 2 miles until my hamstring and glutes decided that I was done. I had finally done it, I had finally broken. This was the lowest part of my race emotionally for me. I had had such a great 1st half, then slowed down, and now...now I was broken. My lack of training and my, "Sure, I can do that" attitude had written a check that my body could not cash. There is something deep down inside you that makes the most upbeat, happy person the most miserable and sad person. That little piece of me showed up from around mile 18 - 22. I felt like I was walking, every step was painful and I knew that at any moment I was going to just walk off this course and be a quitter. I still don't know why I kept going. I do know that I told JC that I would not walk any part of this race. I was almost true to that. I stopped thrice to stretch and walked 2 aid stations.

The moment that I decided I was going to finish this race was when a guy I had been passing and repassing pulled out a cell phone and called his mom. I know it sounds selfish, but when I heard him say, "I'm done and I'll be a while" I told myself that I was better than him. I won't lie, my first instinct was to ask him to use it to call my wife and tell her I was going to DNF, but instead, I said, I can do this. It won't be pretty, but I can do it.

There was hobbling points, there was pain, but there was also the happiness of those around us cheering us on. Little kids just in awe of the people running by them and wanting nothing more than a hand slap and a thumbs up. Yes, I'm not in shape to qualify for Boston, Yes I didn't train for this race like I should have, Yes I was in pain and suffering. But dammit, what I wasn't was a quitter. Every mile marker was an accomplishment and just moving my feet and not walking got me closer to the line faster.

I discovered Biofreeze at mile 21 and it was the best thing ever. It dulled the pain in my hamstring and glutes within a half mile...plus it made my left hand numb. That was weird! It allowed me to concentrate on other things.

A minor solice in my misery was that I saw at least 3 people from the 3:10 pace group as I approached the finish line. I was not the only one that had blown up that day. But we all got to the line. I am still struggling with the resolutions I made during the race. The most profound of which was to not train for 2 weeks straight and see if I want to do this anymore. But we all know that any decision made on race day related to future training is null and void!

But I am giving a rest to any race that doesn't have the word Half in front of it...

OH...and whoever was making funnel cake at mile 24 needs to be shot! I and others almost puked when we smelled that. Any other time...Yeah..funnel cake, Mile 24...NO NO NO

Run more than one 18 miler before the race. Train more than 2 weeks for the race. Listen to my coach and not try and race it.

Congratulated all those around me and gave some impromtu hugs all around. Recieved my Cool medal (I hate the Rat, but he has some cool hardware) and searched for the VIP tent. I had to walk back to the start line to the tent and got some food, stretched, and found JC and Joey. We watched people finish until the 4:30 pace group came by.

I looked for any BTers at the A-C tent thing, but saw no one I recognized. Then we went to the bus and it took us back to the Hotel.


Training...not enough base training.


Disney puts on a great race. I can't comment on the 'normal' race because I had access to a bathroom on the bus, didn't have to wait in the corrals and didn't have to worry about where my stuff was.

But it was a spectacular course with characters all around and you got to see Disney without paying for it. (sweat equity) But you also got to smell swamp gas on the 'desolate' areas.