Walt Disney World Marathon - RunMarathon


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Orlando, Florida
United States
Walt Disney World
70F / 21C
Sunny
 		Total Time = 4h 52m 42s
Overall Rank = 6224/14940
Age Group = 35 THROUGH 39
Age Group Rank = 3986/7801
Pre-race routine:

I was up at 3am and began getting ready. Showered, shaved and prepared my race nutrition. My father, my son Ryan and I left the hotel at 4 to drive to the venue. A quick stop at 7-11 for breakfast (croissant w/ egg, cheese and sausage), doughnuts for dad and Ryan and my instant camera (a must on this run). Traffic was very heavy. We should have gotten up earlier so we could leave earlier but it all worked out. I forgot my bag for claim check so I had to call my dad back to help me out.
Event warmup:

There is a 1/2-3/4 mile walk to get to the starting corrals so that was the warm up.
Run
  • 4h 52m 42s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 11m 10s  min/mile
Comments:

Corral starts and the faster you are the lower the corral letter. I started out at a slower pace than normal but I had a negative split strategy in mind. Who knew I'd keep a pretty consistent pace. The run/walk strategy worked out fabulously although I didn't employ it until mile 10 or so. I tried to maintain the pace I was going because I knew it was a long challenging race. I also took along my cell phone and a disposable camera so I could stop and take photos of the mile markers, Disney cast characters and other memorable points ~ like that of my son holding his "Go Dad" sign he made at the expo.
What would you do differently?:

Aside from getting stronger and more endurance run training, not much. This race is supposed to be fun with all of the Disney Cast & Characters along the course and for pictures and memories, of which, I enjoyed to the fullest. Lots of photos are coming. My race nutrition was spot on! Advocare products were the core and I also used Rolaids & Sport Beans. I might have brought along an Arginen Extreme or muscle fuel for a late race booster but I didn't do that in training so I didn't want to jeopardize my race for that. The only other thing I could do for next time is to employ the walk/run strategy earlier.
Post race
Warm down:

Walking around the family reunion area until I found a chair and then walking to my car. Once I got home I used Night-time Recovery to help repair damage.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Aside from getting stronger and more endurance run training, not much. This race is supposed to be fun with all of the Disney Cast & Characters along the course and for pictures and memories, of which, I enjoyed to the fullest.

Event comments:

What a race ~ I haven't stopped telling everyone I know about it. Could it be that I achieved 3 of my goals?!?! I didn't cramp (#1), I was able to run when I wanted, especially at the finish (#2) and I broke my 5 hour goal (#3). On top of all this, I beat my original time from last year by 57 minutes, setting a new personal record! What a weekend!

Here is a web album of race photos...
http://picasaweb.google.com/steve.winfough/WDW2009Jan11#slideshow



Profile Album


Last updated: 2008-05-31 12:00 AM
Running
04:52:42 | 26.2 miles | 11m 10s  min/mile
Age Group: 3986/7801
Overall: 6224/14940
Performance: Good
00:54:40 @ 5 mile. Pace 10:56. (predicted finish time 4:46:39) 01:47:21 @ 10 mile. Pace 10:44. (predicted finish time 4:41:25) 02:22:37 @ 13.1 (Half Way) Pace 10:52. (predicted finish time 4:44:54) 03:40:31 @ 20 mile. Pace 11:01. (predicted finish time 4:48:50) 04:52:42 @ Finish Pace 11:09.
Course: The race starts and ends in Epcot. The first 3-4 miles is spent lapping Epcot. It's dark so you don't see much but according to the race course map, that's where you are! From there the next 5 miles are devoted to reaching the Magic Kingdom. Miles 9-11 have runners snake through the park and through Cinderella's castle. Miles 12-15 are devoted to reaching Animal Kingdom. The one landmark event that happens during this time is the 1/2 way point! 13.1 down, 13.1 to go. Miles 15-18 have runners snaking through Animal Kingdom where, by this time of the morning, park goers are now lining the course to cheer you on. Miles 19-22 are the "gut-check" miles. They are on the road, with a 1/2 loop back at 20.5 where you see the masses behind you. Just after mile 21 you head toward Hollywood studios. Miles 22-24 have the runners snaking through Hollywood Studios ~ Movies, wardrobe, and only a few more miles to go. At mile 24 runners run (or walk at this point) around the yacht club, beach club and boardwalk on our way to Epcot. At mile 25 runners encounter the last water stop and the long trek around the different countries of Epcot to the awaiting finish line. Once runners reach the choir the finish line is just around the corner, literally. That's when the finish line crowd roar engulfs the runners and it's all over but the celebration! Congratulations ~ you've just finished the marathon!
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5