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Walt Disney World Marathon - RunMarathon


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Orlando, Florida
United States
Disney
Sunny
Total Time = 5h 21m 48s
Overall Rank = 6066/15329
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Spent two days walking around WDW!
Run
  • 00m
  • 26.2 miles
  •  min/mile
Post race



Last updated: 2007-01-08 12:00 AM
Running
00:00:00 | 26.2 miles |  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/15329
Performance:
First off, running 26.2 miles is not as easy as it sounds. This was my 4th Disney Marathon and by far my hardest marathon to date. My legs feel like they've been beaten repeatedly with a Louisville slugger! My finish time for Disney was 5:21:48. I've run two marathon faster and one slower races so I guess my time was 'typical'. I did not meet my goal of setting a new PR (personal record) on this marathon and my head is still reeling trying to figure out why. I ran a 20 mile training run on Dec 17th in 3:39:10 so I felt confident I could set a new PR and maybe even come in under 4:30 but 'twas not to be. My best marathon time was in 2002 at 4:55:21 so I was way off my goal. I am a few years older now but I don't think that was a big factor. It was considerably hotter this time than in any previous run and I'm sure that was a factor. This race was much more crowded than any previous Disney Marathon with over 15,000 runners and I know this was a factor. I started in the very last starting group and it was bob-and-weave the first 4 miles as I tried to get around runners and dodge walkers and really, really slow runners. I actually had to run some on the side of the road in the grass to get around people at times and the off-roading was like trail-running and beat me up some. After about 4 miles the crowds thinned out and I was settled in for the long haul. I was keeping track of my splits and was disappointed that my pace was so much slower than my training runs. I think my three week taper period was flawed. Instead of tapering my mileage, the last three weeks I just quit running all together. I know all the holiday eating during the this time hurt me. We spent Friday and Saturday walking around the Disney parks all day long and I'm sure this took it's toll also. Nevertheless, I the bottom line though is I was under-trained and should and could have done better if I'd of trained more. My latest triathlon training mantra is "There is no such thing as guts - you're either trained or untrained." and I was not adequately trained for the 26.2 miles. Having said that though, guts was a factor. At about 20 miles I hit the proverbial 'wall' and was pure guts that kept me out there to finish the course! Well, this race is behind me now and as soon as my legs recover, I'll start training for my next marathon - the Country Music Marathon in Nashville in April.
Course:
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]

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2007-01-08 10:05 AM

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Champion
10154
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Alabama
Subject: Walt Disney World Marathon


2007-01-08 10:27 AM
in reply to: #646029

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Resident Curmudgeon
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The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Nice job finishing, hope you had fun as weel. Think you nailed some of the possible obstacles, can't underestimate the effect of crowds and heat on your finishing times. You don't mention nutrition, insufficient calorie replacement also could have caused you to "hit the wall" at Mile 20.

Good luck at Country Music, I did it a few years back and it was really warm and hilly!

2007-01-08 10:46 AM
in reply to: #646029

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Master
1480
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Plant City, FL
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Congrats on finishing, and good luck at your next mary!!  Keep runnin'!!
2007-01-08 10:49 AM
in reply to: #646029

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Master
1978
1000500100100100100252525
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Way to finish strong even after hitting the wall.  It's tough, but this is what makes us better runners. Now you'll take these lessons and apply them to your next race!  Congrats!!
2007-01-08 11:05 AM
in reply to: #646029

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Pro
4545
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Orange Park Florida
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Good Job Mike!

Sorry I didn't get around to meeting up with you but...as you know it was a real zoo out there.

Gotta love that humidity Sunday..Wink

2007-01-08 12:43 PM
in reply to: #646029

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Champion
6627
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Rochester Hills, Michigan
Gold member
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Man, I hear you...slogging around Disney for a couple days beforehand will take the starch RIGHT out of you.  But congrats on a solid finish anyway, Mike...and you've got everything to look forward to in Nashville in a couple months... 


2007-01-08 1:12 PM
in reply to: #646029

Extreme Veteran
597
500252525
Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Sorry you didn't get the PR you wanted but Congrats on another marathon finish. You've got to give yourself a pat on the back for finishing even knowing you were way off pace and after hitting the wall at mile 20. Good luck in Nashville.
2007-01-08 1:58 PM
in reply to: #646029

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Expert
986
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Michiana
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Way to finish. With a marathon, you never know what to expect. Nice show of heart and guts to power through to the end.
2007-01-08 3:48 PM
in reply to: #646029

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Champion
7036
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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Congratulations on your finish and dealing with the adversity. 

Mark

2007-01-08 5:14 PM
in reply to: #646029

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Extreme Veteran
617
500100
Covington (New Orleans), La
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Mike - I can't imagine doing the marathon after walking around the parks for two days.  You are amazing!  Sounds like you still had a good day and I really can't imagine a more scenic place for a marathon.  Rob and I really enjoyed it (despite the agonizing pain we are both in!). 

All of this great run training and racing is going to put you in great shape to get through IM with a smile!  

Great job.

2007-01-09 9:19 AM
in reply to: #646029

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Champion
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Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

As I found out earlier, a true drop taper affects your race.  But you still did an awesome job espeically after walking around the park all day. 

Good luck at Country Music!!



2007-01-09 9:48 AM
in reply to: #646029

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Congratulations! 

Way to hang in there the last 6.2 miles.

It's never easy having to bob and weave through people over this distance.  When I ran Chicago my legs were thrashed after the first 10k of bobbing and weaving.

Way to go!

2007-01-09 10:00 AM
in reply to: #646029

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Expert
795
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New Mexico
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Congratulations on the finish. As for the PR, there will be other races. Best of luck in the Country Music Marathon. Sorry I didn't get over to meet up.
2007-01-09 9:06 PM
in reply to: #646029

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Awesome job!  You will rock the Country Music mary!
2007-01-11 11:15 AM
in reply to: #646029

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Master
1265
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CT
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
I'm thinking that at the marathon distance, you never really know what you're gonna get. It's a long way to go if its not your best day.


Give yourself credit for gutting it out to the finish line. Learn from your mistakes and look ahead to your next event!
2007-01-12 5:50 AM
in reply to: #646029

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Regular
88
252525
Central Illinois
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Yep it was hot and humid that day.  The weather has been nice since of course.  New training plan for next year - have my family push me around the parks in a nice wheel chair.  Okay, that probably won't fly, but I could dream.

Good job finishing!!!  And good luck on your 2007 tri season and the Country Music Marathon.  I hear that one is pretty fun.



2007-01-12 6:57 AM
in reply to: #646029

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Elite
2493
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Chicago, IL
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
congrats on yet another marathon

I understand about being under-trained, I was as well for NewYorkCityMarathon, and I know it's no fun... but it makes it all the better for the next marathon that you will be trained for ... and that's Country Music Marathon, yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but hey... dodging around slow runners and walkers is taxing, and that's for sure. It takes alot out of you and so does traveling and walking some the previous days. All the same that happened to me at NYCM.

but still, finishing 26.2 is no small accomplishment!! I think you did great!! Another marathon under you belt, and dang, that's really something to be proud of

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-01-12 6:06 PM
in reply to: #646029

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Champion
10154
500050001002525
Alabama
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Pictures are up.



(DM3.jpg)



(DM2.jpg)



(DM1.jpg)



(DM7.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
DM3.jpg (33KB - 44 downloads)
DM2.jpg (35KB - 39 downloads)
DM1.jpg (38KB - 38 downloads)
DM7.jpg (35KB - 41 downloads)
2007-01-23 12:59 PM
in reply to: #646029

Member
34
25
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Great reporrt and pics!


Robert
http://www.DisneyRunning.com
Going for Goofy #3 in 08
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