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Walt Disney World Marathon - RunMarathon


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Orlando, Florida
United States
Disney
75F / 24C
Overcast
Total Time = 6h 10m 1s
Overall Rank = 3378/11000
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 512/1162
Pre-race routine:

When you have two young kids the pre-race routine always starts days before the actual event. The kids did the fun runs on Saturday (well I carried my 2 year old half asleep 200m for the cool medal) and we walked (yes I said walked) around Disney World for the rest of the day. Not a way to rest before a marathon, but you try telling a 5 year old that she can't see Cinderella's castle until tomorrow.

Race morning started at 2:45am with a shower, bagel, banana, and Gatorade. I knew that my goal time 3:45-3:59 was not attainable with the conditions. I have been training with temps in the 30s, and today was fore-casted for mid 70s to 80s with high humidity. Also, I didn't give a qualifying time (to prove I could run a marathon under 5 hours), so they put me in the last corral. There were thousands, upon thousands, of people in front of me. Because of the weather I scrapped my time goals, brought extra Enduralytes and had my wife meet me around mile 9 with Propel. This turned out to be a great idea.

As we drove into the park the humidity was dense. She dropped me off in the parking lot and went back to the hotel to get some more sleep. The kids stayed with the grand parents. Then I listened for awhile to the live band, turned in my bag, and found a port-a-potty.
Event warmup:

Walking 1/2 mile to the start. It's a marathon. You have plenty of time to warm up in those first few miles.
Run
  • 4h 41m 9s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 10m 44s  min/mile
Comments:

Just after 6:00am Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy started us off with fireworks. Ten minutes later I got to the starting line. I started off in the back of the pack and mostly tried to work on keep my cadence around 90 and taking short strides. My trained pace was around 8:30 so this just about killed me. I found out early that it was impossible to pass people and I was running sideways more than forward. I figured why? In many areas the course gets narrow and really congested. I would end up in a fast walk.

Just after the mile 1 marker I decided to relieve myself in the bushes like just about everyone (boys and girls). I was carrying my cell phone in an old Fuel Belt phone case and after going back up the hill to the road I realized it was gone. Oh _hit!!! It is my office cell. Guess I have to double back. I ran back down the hill to where I peed and it wasn't there. It was still dark outside and I was having a hard time seeing in the weeds. I followed my trail back down to mile marker 1. I still didn't find it, so I went back along my path and there it was just steps from where I peed. I gave the case to one of the workers with a trash bag and carried the phone until I met my wife at mile 9.

I carried Hammer gel and Endurolytes with me, because I was really concerned about stomach problems. I don't think I've had a long run where I did have some problem. I didn't eat anything on the course that I didn't have in training and I limited my fiber the 3 days prior to the race and it paid off. No real stomach problems during the race. I did drink a little Powerade (I trained with Gatorade), and a lot of water followed by Enduralytes. It was a great plan for re-hydration and not running fast saved me for going to the Animal Kingdom later.

The first half of the marathon I essentially ran in my zone 1 recovery HR. Most of the second half was in Zone 2. I really never was in Zone 3 or 4 for long until the very end when the heat pushed it higher. During most of the first part of the race I ran on the shoulder in the grass because that was the best place to pass everyone. I finally found the 5:30 pace group around mile 14 and then the 5:00 somewhere around mile 20.

I switched cell phones with Janelle at mile 9, so I could tell them when I was going to finish. Right as I rounded the last corner I saw them, my wife and daughter (my son was asleep again). That was really cool. The best part of the race.

Running in the back and middle of the pack is pretty fun. It's like a 5 hour party. There were characters everywhere and it was cool to run through Disney World. There was a long section in the middle of the race that is on the way to the Animal Kingdom. It was pretty boring, but they put funny signs up, some bands, and even a corny comedian or two (I can't remember).

When I hit the finish line I went straight to the medical tent. I didn't even get my medal yet. I iced down my legs and abdomen, put drops in my eyes, then went for the medal and to meet up with my family. The post race food was sad. I guess they want you to go to Epcot and feast there. Not a bad idea, but I went back to my hotel for the first ice bath I was looking forward to. It is a really long walk from the finish to the car.
What would you do differently?:

Bring a small camera. If you are going to run slowly get tons of pictures. People were get pictures with tons of characters. Many were standing in line to do so. Can you believe people stood in line during a marathon?
Post race
Warm down:

Walking the very long way to the car.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

The weather and the corral placement.

Event comments:

I coming back next year for the 15th annual race and this time I'm doing the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge. Yep, I'm going for the cool three medals.




Last updated: 2006-12-27 12:00 AM
Running
04:41:09 | 26.2 miles | 10m 44s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/1162
Overall: 0/11000
Performance: Below average
Mile 1 - 11:23 Mile 2 - 14:47 (funny story): HR 135 Mile 3-4 - 25:04: HR 132 (I missed mile 3) Mile 5 - 9:21 (not really, I was late hit the lap button): HR 140 Mile 6 - 9:45: HR 146 Mile 7 - 10:12: HR 142 Mile 8 - 10:18: HR 141 Mile 9 - 15:24 (potty break and met up with Janelle): HR 127 Mile 10 - 9:34: HR 141 Mile 11 - 10:08: HR 144 Mile 12 - 9:47: HR 144 Mile 13 - 10:00: HR 145 Mile 14 - 9:40: HR 146 (Now I almost got my HR into Zone 2) Mile 15 - 9:38: HR 148 (Z2) Mile 16 - 10:31: HR 148 (Cardiac drift) Mile 17 - 9:30: HR 151 Mile 18 - 10:08: HR 151 Mile 19 - 11:05 (slowing down, it is getting hot): HR 150 Mile 20 - 10:51: HR 146 Mile 21 - 10:37: HR 151 Mile 22 - 10:35: HR 149 Mile 23 - 10:14: HR 153 Mile 24 - 9:49: HR 157 Mile 25 - 10:39: HR 158 Mile 26 - 10:01: HR 160 Mile 26.2 - 2:01: HR 171
Course: Through the "Happiest Place on Earth."
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 2
Good race? Ok
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Bad
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2007-01-10 4:19 PM

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Regular
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Central Illinois
Subject: Walt Disney World Marathon


2007-01-10 7:05 PM
in reply to: #649758

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Master
1901
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Central, IL
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Vol:

You got the right attitude.  Amazing how you just took what the day and the race gave you - awesome!  Everyone should have such a good attitude. 

I'm glad you didn't let circumstances burn you (or the sun for that matter).  Enjoy the rest of your trip and get home safe.  Sea Ya real soon!

2007-01-10 7:14 PM
in reply to: #649758

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Master
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piece o heaven
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Congrats on the Race!

Get 'er Done
2007-01-10 7:15 PM
in reply to: #649758

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Champion
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Michigan
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
congratulations, it was a really cool race.  i, too,  was amazed at all the people who were standing in line for pictures
2007-01-11 5:53 AM
in reply to: #649758

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

P.S.  I wanted to thank Renee at the BT Store for getting me a gel Fuel Belt (the original belt was defected) the week before the race.  I'm not sure how, but she got the post office to deliver it to me on the Tuesday, Jan. 2 when the post office was closed in observance of President Ford.

 Thanks Renee!!!!!

2007-01-11 6:15 AM
in reply to: #649758

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

THat must have really sucked having to go back for your cell phone like that.

Great Race!



2007-01-11 7:13 AM
in reply to: #649758

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

Way to not let a bad start (cell phone issue) ruin your race.  You had a great one and your family got to celebrate it with you.  There is nothing better than that!!

Now about that Goofy Challenge...they call it Goofy for a reason...Cool

2007-01-11 6:32 PM
in reply to: #649758

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Regular
65
2525
Little Rock, AR
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Great race report and GREAT attitude!! I'm just bummed that you didn't get a picture with Mickey ... line or no line   Next year, you'll have to try to get out of that last corral so you can get a better start. Congratulations and I hope your family enjoyed the trip!!

oh, I also appreciate the peeing down the hill vignette.  I always wonder what *real* people do in races and being an IL farm girl I would have done just that!! 

2007-01-12 5:40 AM
in reply to: #649758

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Champion
10154
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Alabama
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon

Good report.  It sounds like we had very similar issue.  I too spent much energy walking around the park for 2 days prior to the race.  I was also in the H-corral and started at the back of pack and was very frustrated at not being able to pass.  Like you, I missed my goal time by almost an hour.  Oh well, it is a fun race! 

 ~Mike

2007-01-18 3:13 PM
in reply to: #649758

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Pro
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A farming town in MN
Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Glad you had a great time, but it did sound like quite an adventure starting out...2:45am wake up!, lost cell phone, stuck in the masses...Way to maintain the positive attitude.  Isn't it funny how we can tell right at race start whether the race will be a PR, or a race for experience?  Have a great time next year...
2007-01-23 11:42 AM
in reply to: #649758

Member
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Subject: RE: Walt Disney World Marathon
Great report!

If you are doing the Goofy you better sign up fast as the race is already over 60% full and the RD expects to fill by the end of the month. LY it didn't fill until June. I already signed up for my 3rd Goofy!

You can visit my website for others reports and photos(I was able to get one with Mickey-See main page)

Robert
http://www.DisneyRunning.com


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