2007 Marathon Weekend Race Reports

[marathonmickey]

I wonder why Disney was so unprepared this year? I did the half in 06 and I don't recall any problems with medals, lack of water, etc... I hope 08 runs smoother.

Forgive me for this stupid question, but what does eating salt packages do for you? Make you sweat?

Not a stupid question at all! When you sweat a lot, you lose much needed salt. The salt packets help replace some of what you have lost.

Congratulations to all who participated in marathon weekend! Great job!!

 

[nucpharm29]

Christa--WOW!! Congrats on such a great time in such hard conditions!!!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hello TEAM!!!

We got back yesterday, and I'm desperately trying to catch up with everything here at work. I don't have time for a full blown report, but I wanted to just check in quickly. I really want to go back and read the great reports that others have posted.

My quick thoughts on the weekend and the race:

1.) our TEAM is AWESOME!!!!! The support I got from my teammates, and all you WISHers cheering along the course was just so great. I can't thank you all enough. I WISH I got a chance to meet more of you, but know that I truly appreciate all of you standing out there in the hot sun and cheering us on. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

2.) Colleen - thanks so much for organizing the pace groups. I thought I missed everyone when it took me so long to get through the initial port-o-john line. I'm so glad I bumped into Melissa and Christa while walking to the start. Colleen, Melissa, and Steve you guys are the best. You made the race for me. Colleen and Melissa, I only wish I knew you were dropping back when you did, I would have wished you well. Steve and I looked back around the 1/2 way point and couldn't see you past the 5 hour pace group. Steve and I knew you were struggling a bit, but we didn't know you were dropping back then. Sorry I was clueless. Melissa, you were such a riot. I really enjoyed running with you the 1st half of the race. Thanks for sticking by Colleen too.

Steve - you are the best! You made those 1st 20 miles fly by. It seemed very effortless at the time, and I sooooo appreciated having someone to run with. I wish I could have met your wife Krista over the weekend. I looked for you both at O'hana's that night, but must have missed you. I was hoping we could get a picture together. I think my DW has one of us, and I'll be sure to send you along.

3.) I loved the race! I had so much fun. Thanks in large part to Colleen, Melissa, Steve, and all the WISHers on the course. I ended up finishing in 5:05.08. I fell a little short of my time goal of 5 hours, but with the heat I was very happy with my time. I was even happier with the fact that I felt strong the whole way. I never hit the wall, I never felt like quitting, I just sat back and enjoyed the whole race. It was soooo much fun.

Finally, there are so many of you I wished I could have met or talked to more. Judy, I was also sorry I didn't get to meet you. I really wanted to. I saw you on the boardwalk, right? That was you holding the sign when I went by wasn't it? Remember, the Empire State Games are in Westchester County this year. I would have liked to meet Jodi, AmyBeth, and Kevin too. I was thinking of you all out there. I wished I had more time to talk with Cam, Howard, Carrie, Pat, Sunny and so many others too. Kristi, thanks for coming up and introducing yourself to me at EPCoT. The time was just soooo fleeting, and I really wanted to make sure I wasn't ignoring my family too.

I really hope I can run this race again next year. We'll just have to see! OK, more later.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey everyone!! I told you I'd be back with pictures..... so here goes!! Enjoy!!

Dana - Please thank your family for taking these pictures. It was so great to see them there. Steve and I were running together through the AK parking lot, and we spotted the WISH shirts on the course right away.

OK, I need to explain something to everyone about my hair style for the marathon. I don't usually look like someone who is trying out for the Broadway production of Grease. This took me a while to figure out. I was dumping water on my head to stay cool - but I couldn't figure out why my hair wasn't drying. Part of it was sweat and the humidity, but the other part was the fact that when I dumped the water on my head I put my hand up to keep the water going back and not running sweat and sunscreen in my eyes. Well, what else was on my hands? Vaseline. So everytime I ran my hand through my hair, I was slicking it back with vaseline. So that's why I look like a 50's throwback.

 

[princessmomma]

[ Well, what else was on my hands? Vaseline. So everytime I ran my hand through my hair, I was slicking it back with vaseline. So that's why I look like a 50's throwback.

Hey Dave, you ROCK!

So glad you had a great time out there! Sounds like the wife and kids had a wonderful experience too!

Colleen

 

[Honeibee]

Judy, I was also sorry I didn't get to meet you. I really wanted to. I saw you on the boardwalk, right? That was you holding the sign when I went by wasn't it? Remember, the Empire State Games are in Westchester County this year. I would have liked to meet

Yes, Dave that was me! I can't believe you ran right by me - in a WISH shirt no less - and I didn't see you! And we were all looking so carefully. At even the slightest hint of lime we were all like "Is that somebody?? Is that a WISHer?" And still thru all that I missed you. I'm sorry. Well, I'm glad you saw the sign anyway.

You are so funny! Worrying about your hair. Please! All weekend I looked like I had a Brillo on my head! Florida humidity is not kind to my hair. But you know what? Who cares! We were at Disney World!

Yeah, it was great fun, wasn't it? It all went by too fast. I hope you do it in 2008. We are planning on it already.

You must let me know if you are going to the Empire State Games. BTW that goes for everyone here!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Yes, Dave that was me! I can't believe you ran right by me - in a WISH shirt no less - and I didn't see you! And we were all looking so carefully. At even the slightest hint of lime we were all like "Is that somebody?? Is that a WISHer?" And still thru all that I missed you. I'm sorry. Well, I'm glad you saw the sign anyway.

You are so funny! Worrying about your hair. Please! All weekend I looked like I had a Brillo on my head! Florida humidity is not kind to my hair. But you know what? Who cares! We were at Disney World!

Yeah, it was great fun, wasn't it? It all went by too fast. I hope you do it in 2008. We are planning on it already.

You must let me know if you are going to the Empire State Games. BTW that goes for everyone here!

Nah, not really worried about the hair. Just being silly. I have too little hair to worry about it at all.

 

[Honeibee]

Dave - Did and Mrs MouseSkywalker have fun? I bet they were all so proud of you! Did you guys love VWL?

 

[ohMom]

i'm home, not sure i'll get all my thoughts here now before DDs get home from school but i'll start

thanks to all for sharing their stories, my eyes welled with tears in reliving the events and i guess finally allowing myself some time to feel the emotions of the 1/2 and all that comes along for the ride

I had the pleasure of escorting my mom (AlreadyexcitedGrammy) to this year's 1/2 marathon. i say that b/c she calls me her personal TA; I trip plan, she comes along. but we had a grand time

we arrived friday and after much riding on the buses got our packets, and my Disney reward card from DTD and then headed to MGM. We opted out of the WISH meet as we had park tickets and i do regret not having time to spend with our friends. I thought we'd have more over the next days and well, you know how it is in disney, time goes toooo fast

Sat a.m., wake-up call at 3 a.m. for us. Gear was laid out, bags ready, grabbed some coffee and breakfast to go and headed out. boarded a bus at the Swan immediately and found ourselves at Epcot easily. a great start wandering around the parking lot we hear "WISHERS!" and a kind WISH friend took our picture. i'm sorry i don't remember, i know you told me your username. it was a fun way to get started. we made our way to the group, i walked up and intro'ed myself......forgetting my name is printed across my chest. hey, it's early. hung out, made our way to the start and found ourselve with Anne within spitting distance of the start for Wave C. literally we were 'under' the fireworks. very cool. very exciting!!

mom and i started off strong, however we only felt that, we never saw the start line clock and there was NO MILE ONE CLOCK! what was up with that? i will not bog my report down here with my begrudges, b/c i like everyone have some, but without seeing a start or mile 1 clock we didn't have a true sense of our pace. i felt like we were at or close to pace through MK. however the road back to EPCOT was tougher. our feet were both hurting, Mom was struggling with the humidity and quite frankly i just wanted to get those miles behind us. Coming into EPCOT and seeing Pat and the WISH scream team....well it gave me that finish-line push and entering back into the park gave me something to think of rather than my aching feet. i wanted to bop everyone in the head that said 'less than a mile to go now'...........we heard that for a whole mile HOW LESS? HOW FAR? finally a CM called out to the christmas tree and back....thank you.....information! i was probably not a nice person at this point, yelling "NO" to folks in the park cross-overs b/c they don't know that if i stop i may not get going again. the choir just before mile 13....as was said was truly uplifting. passing that last mile marker and seeing 3:57 on the clock, i was thrilled. we made it!! WE MADE IT!! (confirmiing later that we started 3 mins before the 30 mins wave C start and were actually over our 3:30.....disappointing, yes. heartbreaking? no! WE FINISHED!)

we got our bags, went to the W tent and met a few, took a few pics. Judy, mom and I were beside you when we attempted the last picture, I took your arm and mom got you a chair just FYI. sorry it wasn't the time to chat....maybe another time i wanted to stay longer and chat, but our feet and bodies just needed a cool place and a crash. we ended towards EPCOT to walk back to Swan. stopped to change shoes and discovered blisters!! one HUGE on my heel/side of foot; and mom had one under her foot that had broke up and bled quite a bit. no wonder our feet hurt? i have NEVER ever blistered! the humidity? my feet had not hurt ever like they did after that 13.1 miles. i don't know. i had got new orthotics later in my training that i had planned, but still completed 6 weeks of walking in them, including all 3 LW. anyhoo......

we stopped first-aid and got bandaged up. Stopped at Tangeriene Cafe for a chicken wrap to go and headed back to Swan for a shower and massage. i tell you......that deep tissue massage was the ticket! a nap and my body was ready for the vacation of this trip.

our feet however weren't; we spent the next 3 days hobbling around the parks. didn't stop us though!!

it was so great to meet those I had a chance to! i'm sorry we didn't make the boardwalk meet --- i was bummed. we did Segway at 7:45 that morning and couldn't get a bus to Boardwalk. ended up busing to MGM and found ourselves not there until 10:30! we figured the meet was over by then, and just stayed at the park. however, SEGWAY tour

more later and pictures to come.

btw -- if anyone has pictures of Mom and I...... i know a few of you kindly took a few for us on the 1/2 course, etc.....i would VERY MUCH appreciate an emailed copy. If you don't remember me, i'm the one with Minnie ears headband, my name prominently printed on my chest LOL (molli)! just PM me for my email thank you thank you!

 

[Honeibee]

Judy, mom and I were beside you when we attempted the last picture, I took your arm and mom got you a chair just FYI.

Oh Molli, thank you so much! Geez, I wish I would remember more of what happened then, but, well, maybe it's good that I don't. (I'm embarrassed enough as it is. ) But how sweet of you to help me out when you didn't even really know me! But now you know you can always count on me for a dramatic ending!

Really, thank you very much! I owe you one. I really, really appreciate it.

 

[crzy4pooh]

Hey Bill,

So great to meet you, Lynnda and Billy (what a wonderful little boy, he is so articulate for a 3 year old) on the weekend. I really enjoyed spending time with your family.

Can't wait to hear the rest of your report!

Colleen

Colleen -

We really enjoyed chatting with you, too! Billy was quite concerned about you during both races. Whenever I said something about how Daddy was doing or finding Daddy, Billy would say "What about Miss Colleen?" Too cute! You did a great job on both races! I look forward to seeing you again next year!

--Lynnda

 

[ohMom]

judy -- no need to be embarassed, i just told you b/c i know i like closure mom and i were a bit worried about you though, Lily told us on the bus Tuesday that you were fine after a little medic feel-up, i mean...medic attention

JimB-- were you an official biker lead person? for the full? we watched the first marathoners come to the bridge behind the boardwalk near the Swan/Dolphin. the lead wheelchair marathoner was heartretching. He (i think he?) approached the base of the bridge with NO momentum and was literally at a dead stop at the base of the hill. he had the type of wheelchair with solid wheels and he turned the wheel itself, not a hand crank. he painstakenly inched his way up the ramp of the bridge and my heart soooo went out to him. i just wanted to push him.....it was so awesome to watch him, with his head hung down, seeing only his helmet, inch up that hill. we cheered and clapped and i hope it brought him a gust of PD and strength b/c we he made it to the top it was a goosebump moment.

oh -- BTW -- we saw the lead runner for the marathon too, i took a pic, i'll post some later

 

[wfloyd]

Here is Part II...

Half Marathon

It was definitely an early start. For some reason the alarm didn’t go off for the time I set it for but since I was watching it at the time, it didn’t really matter. Got ready and headed off to the bus area. There were a bunch of TNT people in the lobby that had to have gotten up even earlier than me. Not sure I ever want to get up earlier to go running though. The bus ride was uneventful and fairly quiet, except for one older runner who was talking to anyone who would listen. Got to the start and took some pictures in the dark, hoping they would actually turn out. I found the area for the bag drop and saw it wasn’t by bib numbers this time. I figured it would be first name since that was on the bib but the people taking them said it was last name. I moved over to the other side of the tent and tried again. Later they were announcing it was by first name so I guess I couldn’t win.

I saw Mel and Howard standing there and talked to them. We were able to smuggle Mel into the B area so she could join the rest of the group. The setup for the staging area was the same for the full, except the gates weren’t there. After thinking about the layout, it made sense to me so they probably just have to figure out where to put the gates if they want to continue the wave start.

I was in wave B1 so I went off where they were leading us. They had us stand in an area for a while and basically the only entertainment was the people trying to figure out how to go to the bathroom in the woods and not be seen by other people. Just before the official start, we moved up a little and watched the festivities. During the national anthem, they actually had fireworks go off which I don’t remember in past races.

Ten minutes after the start, they let us go and we started off down the road. There were several Goofy people that had decided to take it easy and were walking to start off. I caught up to Lily around mile 1 and said hi before she passed me.

It was fairly uneventful until mile 3, I was able to see the elite runners pass on their way back to Epcot. I missed the “Go the Distance” sign on Contemporary Hill but saw it for the full. Going down Main Street was a blast and I saw a few WISHers but I was on the wrong side to say anything. I didn’t see as many characters as last year but I wasn’t paying that much attention either. Going through the castle, I tried to find the official photographers so I could finally get a castle shot.

Backstage of the MK they were handing out bananas and they tasted pretty good. We headed around the back towards the Grand Floridian and finally got back to the spectator area. Around Mile 10, they tried to kill us with the Clif Shots again. Several people didn’t know better and looked like they weren’t going to handle it very well. By this point, I was seeing some of the people I remember passing me earlier. The heat wasn’t doing well for them. I headed back over the overpass and headed back towards Epcot. I hit one of the banks wrong and stretched one of my leg muscles a little too much.

By this point it was almost over and I headed around the Christmas tree and back towards the finish line. They had the gospel choir there but they weren’t singing the “Hallelujah Chorus”. Around the corner and I saw the finish line. As I got close, the announcer was counting down to 3 hours. I jogged a little and made it in with a 2:59:49 clock time and a 2:48:50 chip time. I got the medal and refreshments and headed over to the Goofy area. The wrist band turned blue and I went to get my picture. Then it was off to find my bag and see who was at the W tent already. I talked the WISHers there for a little bit and headed off to the hotel to see Lynnda and Billy who were taking it easy for the race.

Overall it was a good race and the heat didn’t bother me too much. For the distance, it was almost like a training run around here. There were several odd costumes that made me shake my head but it seemed they were having fun.

The Full will be next, I hope...

Bill

 

[princessmomma]

Colleen -

We really enjoyed chatting with you, too! Billy was quite concerned about you during both races. Whenever I said something about how Daddy was doing or finding Daddy, Billy would say "What about Miss Colleen?" Too cute! You did a great job on both races! I look forward to seeing you again next year!

--Lynnda

Oh, Lynnda, that is SOOO cute! OK, can I adopt him??? I have been contemplating a 3rd child!

Give Billy a big hug for me!

Colleen

 

[JimB.]

JimB-- were you an official biker lead person?

No. I was a Bike paramedic. I was actually in the MK about 5:30 am on both days (Ahhhh, nothing like having the MK all to myself..........). We "floated" from one end of the MK to the other for about 2 hours & then started following the field. If anyone saw guys in red shirts on bikes, that was us. I just happened to be at the place when/where the wheelchair competitor crashed on Sunday.

And I did not even fall the whole weekend. WooHoo!

 

[RunningLilo]

Bill- you make the half sound so easy. I sure know it wouldn't be that easy for me! Great job!!! Waiting on the next report!

Dena

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Good Morning TEAM:

I'm sitting here drinking coffee out of my new WDW Marathon coffee mug, and I'm finally getting a chance to read everyone's race reports closely.

Sunny- I just got through your race report. Wow, you are such an inspiration. I'm amazed at your guts and determination. Congratulations for getting that Goofy medal. I'm so glad you introduced yourself before the full marathon on Sunday. I was thrilled to meet you. Your post-Goofy recovery did sound a little scary. The chills and nausea you describe were frightening. I'm glad Paul took care of you, and you were in good shape after you napped for a while. Your body must have been so out of whack though to have chills like that on such a hot day. How's Paul doing now after the race.

I really hope we can see each other again at another race sometime. I know you need to take some time to figure out what's going on with your body, but I hope you get out there again. Maybe we can have a WISH team race somewhere in your area so we can all spend some time with you.

Cecilia- Your race report gave me chills. Congratulations on making your time goal, but boy you really pushed your body to get there. I'm so sorry you caught that flu bug right before the race. How awful. So you must have been really close to Steve and I near the finish. I remember seeing a bunch of TnT people around me, and I remember coaches running out to check on people. I WISH I knew whether one of those was you. I would have been honored to run with you a little bit towards the end of the race. Again, congratulations on finishing your run. You are another inspiration on the team.

I was so nervous on the way to PC! It's such an odd feeling to "know" you guys so well when we had never met. But it was such fun! After the initial minute I got over my nervousness and it was so great to meet you all!

Judy- You said it sister. I was nervous on my way to meet everyone at the Illuminations party. So much so I grabbed a beer at Germany to help calm myself down. I drank half of it, and then dropped the rest of it. Spilling half of it on my shirt, short, and shoes. Oh great way to meet people. Judy, wow, you were being really hard on yourself around miles 10-12. Being mad for being tired, out of shape, fat, stupid? No way, you were in great shape, and not stupid at all for doing this. You were out there doing it. Good for you!!! I know you were just in the moment, and that moment was pretty hot and miserable. Your comment at the finish line "I'm better than OK, I'm fabulous!!" just gave me chills. I'm so glad that you were OK at the finish. That was a scary moment there when you passed out, but maybe it was just the shock of finishing and not getting your medal right away.

Jodi- Are you out there? How'd your weekend go? I wish I could have gotten a chance to meet you.

AmyBeth- Are you out there? How's everything go for you? How are you feeling?

OK, time to check for the millionth time if they've posted the official pictures yet, and then I need to get ready for work. I'll have to read more reports later.

 

[MelRhoads]

Dave - who need official pics when we have Dana and her family????

Judy - I was sad that i didn't get to officially meet you! Thank you for cheering on the boardwalk! I have to say I was really looking forward to seeing you and mel and other wishers there! I kept reminding me and colleen about that! Since I'm disney illiterate, i kept asking: is this where we should see people on the boardwalk???? I think we snuck up on you though since we weren't in our shirts. I did bring a green tube of material that started as my wish hat and then became my wish headband but unfortunately, by the 2nd mile was actually my official wish sweat rag!!!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Good Morning TEAM:


Sunny-

I really hope we can see each other again at another race sometime. I know you need to take some time to figure out what's going on with your body, but I hope you get out there again. Maybe we can have a WISH team race somewhere in your area so we can all spend some time with you.

There's a half in May in Boston called Race to Remember. Last year it was in March and it was the inaugural race and it was somewhat of a disaster... but assuming they worked out the kinks, it would be a nice race in May. It runs down Memorial drive along the Charles River towards MIT and then back. Something to keep in mind... I'd be open to a NY race, too. But I am holding to my promise to not run at all until March. I've got to get swogging again!

I can vouch for your hair-- it wasn't greased back at 5AM!!!! I'm so glad your race was pleasant and you never hit the wall. I really think that will be my next goal: a marathon that is fun to the end, no pace expectations. Last year the torture started at mile 22, this year mile 23, next year I just might make it to 24 Look out '10!!!!!!

Sunny

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

posted by ohMom

[I had the pleasure of escorting my mom (AlreadyexcitedGrammy) to this year's 1/2 marathon. i say that b/c she calls me her personal TA; I trip plan, she comes along. but we had a grand time

Here I am "the tag-a-long" (ditto me on ohMom's report) AND if you ever have a chance for a personal TA - I highly recommend it I did not frequent the "before event" thread(s) because I just wasn't sure that I was going to be able to make the walk (old bod taking a downward spiral ) and life has been busy - yadda - yadda - so - lots of "new" faces for me this time around - but the SAME EXCITEMENT as the first one in 2005!

Couple of things that I could have done without - that stinking HUMIDITY and blisters - whoa - I know I wasn't alone, but just "needed" to chime in with my two cents on those negatives! Molli reminded me that my goal was TO FINISH - okay did that - so now I am moving on and no more thoughts about those 2 lousy minutes over 3:30 "official" time

Even though the WISH shirt just didn't feel like the one I should walk in - I cut the front portion out and pinned to my back and Molli (ohMom) cut the back wording out, for hers. There were several comments on the phrase/wording throughout the race and EVERYONE just seemed to relate - so thanks to who ever came up with the wording - it was truly a great phrase (too long ago for me to remember now who designed the shirt) and it was a nice "uplift" to see WISHers and to be able to greet them (or cheer on Sunday) - thanks to all who did the same for me!!

I also want to say how very, very humbling it was to see the first wheelchair come through - it was every bit as heart wrenching as Molli described - and yet the sheer GUTS and WILL POWER to get it done was there - my heart was so RELIEVED when he made it to the crest of the hill and was on a downward motion once again - I will never know the pain and agony that he endured, but I tell you it made me have a new appreciation for "just keep on keeping on......................" - the first male runner made it look like a "breeze" (don't know that feeling either ) and the first woman wheelchair was "looking strong" - wow - thank you DD for getting us those great accommodations at the Swan, so that we had such a good place to view the frontrunners! (see what a personal TA can do!!)

Again, - it was a GREAT experience - had a wonderful dinner at Boma to celebrate (anyone else eat there - we love that place!) and just plain ol fun at WDW through Tuesday! Highly recommend the Segway tour - definately a "hi-light" BUT just can NOT compare to seeing all the WISHers around the course and parks!

Judy (Honibee) we were glad to talk to Lily on Tues - to make sure that you had recovered with no apparent ill-effects - that was good news

Plutofav - good to put your face and name together - wow - perserverance must be your "middle name"!

and to those who have shared - THANK YOU - I have shed a few tears - had a few smiles and a few "way to-go" as I have been reading - I am so glad that I am a part of such a great "cyber way" to get to know you "just a bit"!

CONGRATS to all !!!