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Walt Disney World Marathon - RunMarathon


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Orlando, Florida
United States
Disney
70F / 21C
Sunny
Total Time = 6h 48m 11s
Overall Rank = 10418/12000
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

THE GOOFY RACE AND A HALF CHALLENGE SAGA CONTINUES....

Woke up at the ungodly hour of 3:30 (again) and quickly got dressed to catch the magical race shuttle to the start. Last bus picks up at about 4 a.m. or so. Refilled our Mickey travel mug full of coffee in the hotel food court then took the bus over and did some light stretching before getting coraled (again) to the starting gates (MOOOOOO!).
Event warmup:

Tried to think positive thoughts although I was in a lot of pain from the half the day prior and really didn't know how I was going to get through the day. Did as much stretching as my legs and ankles felt comfy with. Ate a banana and took 1 endurolyte capsule 1 hour prior. Heard it was going to be a hot one.
Run
  • 6h 48m 12s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 15m 35s  min/mile
Comments:

I think this was the best race I have seen or participated in. The scenery and areas you get to run through are really incredible and the Disney staff and spectators really seem to get in to the race. It was such a blast to see the monorail stop so everyone could watch and wave at us and to have Disney staff all along the course cheering and high-fiveing us. And other than one aid station being out of power-aid and one being totally out of everything, I was very impressed with how many aid stations there were and the amount of supplies they provided. There was lots of water and power-aid as well as BioFreeze, bananas, oranges, sporadic candy and gels.

This was such a hard day, despite the beautiful surroundings. I went on this trip with Disney on the brain thinking about only the fun aspect of being at Disney. I guess that was a good thing as ignorance can be bliss. Had I realized the physical and mental challenge these two days would present I don't know that I would have looked forward to the trip as much. I honestly think this experience was as difficult to get through as Ironman. And I am just as sore in the days following this race as I was after IMFL. Before the race Rob told me something he had read on the flight up in Runner's Magazine. It was the article about Lance doing the NY Marathon and about how he had so much pain in his shins he wanted to quit and that his pacers had to keep motivating him to keep going. Later in the day, that story would stick with me and help keep me going. It reminded me that everyone has pain and wants to quit at some point - even the great Lance Armstrong.

Starting this run I had to keep pushing negative thoughts out of my head. I knew it was going to be rough based on the pain in my ankles, shins, knees, and soreness in my quads. But I figured if I could get through IM I could do this, too. And I thought back to the Lance story. He didn't win NY. But he didn't quit. And that was his victory.

And so we got started. With a kiss and a smile - just like we start every race. After mile 2 I was still hurting a bit but managing the pain by going at a reasonable pace and walking about 2 minutes after each aid station. The miles seemed to tick off quickly and that was good. Before I knew it we were at mile 5. When we got to about mile 9 I was hurting pretty bad. My right ankle hurt so bad the day prior we had to go to a drugstore and get an ankle wrap. Thank goodness we did that, as I don't think I would have made it through the marathon without it.

I had started the run as with the half - using my hand held water bottle with 1 scoop heed and 1 endurolyte serving. After that was gone, I refilled with water at the aid stations and was taking in about the full bottle per hour (maybe 18 oz). I also took in power-aid about once an hour as well as an endurolyte pill until they ran out after about 4 hours. I tried to take a gel every hour and did so up until about 5 1/2 hours when I couldn't stomach anymore.

From mile 9 on I had to work very hard to stay positive due to discomfort in my legs. At some point we discovered the miracle of Bio Freeze and starting slathering it on like there was no tomorrow. That stuff is amazing. Rob was also hurting a bit - his ankle was sore and his hip was hurting as well. So we were quite a pair! But we did a good job of motivating each other and making each other laugh from time to time. We are so lucky to have each other to train and race with. I cannot imagine getting through the pain of this day alone without his support and encouragement.

At mile 18 or so I knew at some point I probably would not be able to run anymore. I hoped and prayed that time would come at some point after mile 20. Thankfully it did. But miles 18 on were so rough I really think they rank up there with Ironman. I just had to concentrate on one mile at a time and keep telling myself pain is temporary and the Goofy Medal is forever!

When we got to mile 23 we knew we were going to make the finish in less than the 7 hour cutoff to get the Goofy medal even if we walked the last 3.2 miles. But I wanted to keep running to make sure we would finish in time. We ran until mile 24 and then walked a good bit of the next mile and the last one. We ran the last 2/10 of a mile or so because we were so happy to be finished but I'm sure it was not a pretty sight. I probably looked like a drunkard or something staggering across the finish line. But I did manage to raise my arms and put a big smile on my face. What a great feeling to be finished.
What would you do differently?:

Longer run training and lose weight.
Post race
Warm down:

Got our Mickey and Goofy medals (YEAH!) and bought some Goofy merchandise with pride. Walked way out of the way to catch the hotel shuttle and then back to the correct spot on feet that felt like they were going to explode. Took a very short ice bath at the hotel and threw down some ibuprofen. Gazed in awe at three of the most beautiful finisher's medals I have ever seen. Smooched Rob and told him how proud I was of him for finishing.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Doing a half marathon the day before, lack of long distance run training, running out of endurolytes too early, and needing to lose about 15 pounds.

Event comments:

I would recommend this race to anyone, especially a first time marathoner. The miles go by a lot faster when there are lots of things to see around you.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2006-05-15 12:00 AM
Running
06:48:12 | 26.2 miles | 15m 35s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/12000
Performance: Average
Per the Disney race results page: 5 mile 1:18:10, 10 mile 2:29:06, 13.1 mile 3:15:19, 20 mile 5:03:36.
Course: Another fun run through and around the Disney theme parks. Beautiful scenery, great spectator support and the Disney staff provided additional cheering and they were a real hoot.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
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

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2007-01-08 4:53 PM

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


2007-01-08 5:08 PM
in reply to: #646901

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Veteran
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Carencro, Louisiana
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

U GEAUX GIRL!!!  Laughing   Three medals added to your collection!

I am proud of you and Rob. This was my first marathon, it was very cold and great!

{I love Biofreeze, our local drug store sells it and they laugh at me everytime I go in to buy some.  I keep some with me at all times.Tongue out}

 

2007-01-08 5:25 PM
in reply to: #646901

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Champion
10154
500050001002525
Alabama
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Way to hang in there and achieve your goals!!!  I am much more impressed with determination than in performance.   Good job! 

 

~Mike

2007-01-08 6:22 PM
in reply to: #646935

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Champion
10154
500050001002525
Alabama
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
You mentioned the miracle of Biofreeze and I had to laugh thinking my introduction to the stuff on my previous Disney Marathon. 
I was wearing a sleeveless shirt and the area on the insides of my arm were abrading on the shirt.  I knew that they were giving out petroleum jelly at some of the aid stations so I stopped and got a quick handful of it and quickly put it on the raw spots on my arms.  Yeeoooowww!!!   Turns out it was not petroleum jelly at all - it was Biofreeze and OMG did it burn/sting on the raw areas I put it on! 
I'll never make that mistake again! 
~Mike
2007-01-09 7:17 AM
in reply to: #646901

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Master
1978
1000500100100100100252525
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Biofreeze is a Godsend lemme tell ya.  I took it every time it was offered.  I love the stuff.  Lance's ex-wife wrote an article in Runner's World about how awful he felt after NYC.  She said "we finally found something that can take him down!"  You should be totally proud of yourself!  It was hot, the pavement was hard, and the course wasn't as flat as they lead you to believe...so you conquered a mighty beast!!!  Great job out there, 39.3 in two days!  WAY TO GO!!!
2007-01-09 7:38 AM
in reply to: #646901

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Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Way to do the goofy challenge!  There is no way I would do that.  It was tough enough just running on Sunday.


2007-01-09 9:05 AM
in reply to: #646901

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

I guess they call it the Goofy Challenge for a reason....Wink

Congrats!!!

2007-01-09 10:15 AM
in reply to: #646901

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Expert
795
500100100252525
New Mexico
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Congrats on finishing the Goofy Challenge.
2007-01-09 6:10 PM
in reply to: #646901

Expert
1085
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New Orleans, LA
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

My goodness, you two are tigers!

 

I have a feeling "if i can finish an ironman, i can finish this" will now be a frequently used part of your vocabulary

 

Great job! 

2007-01-09 8:53 PM
in reply to: #646901

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Veteran
231
10010025
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Awesome job and even more awesome love!  You guys rock!  I wanna be like y'all one day

2007-01-10 3:25 PM
in reply to: #646901

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Champion
7704
50002000500100100
Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
You guys are amazing congrats


2007-01-10 10:06 PM
in reply to: #646901

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Master
1686
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Royersford, PA
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Way to go you Goof(y)! Great job doing both races on a rather unexepectedly hot and humid weekend. You guys are awesome!
2007-01-23 1:46 PM
in reply to: #646901

Member
34
25
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Great job Goofy! One tough way to get 3 medals in that heat and humidity!


Robert
http://www.DisneyRunning.com
Going for Goofy #3 in 08
2007-01-28 7:52 AM
in reply to: #646901

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Expert
950
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McKinney, TX
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Way to go, Goofy!   I bet you and Rob had fumes coming off you from the 'freeze! hehe!
2007-01-29 1:34 PM
in reply to: #646901

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Veteran
216
100100
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Outstanding job pushing through the pain and getting those medals. Excellent race report too.
2007-01-29 10:13 PM
in reply to: #646901

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Extreme Veteran
591
500252525
Miami, FL
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Congratulations on finishing the Goofy Challenge!  Great RR too!  I attempted the Disney Half in Jan.2006 but only got 7 miles in (was sick with the flu), but all throughout that weekend I told myself someday I would do the Goofy Challenge.  Thanks for the inspiration!

:-)



Edited by carisima 2007-01-29 10:14 PM


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