Donald's Defiant Dashers 2011

[ahoff]

Hi Ducks! Happy Monday, and congrats to the W&D finishers! Had a great time, the weather for the whole weekend was great, especially as I left and returned to rain. It was not as hot as last year, and the after party was much more user friendly, though a bit further away to get to from the finish. It was great to meet up with the other Ducks! Here are a few pics from the start:

That is me, Tonya, Liz, Renee, Joe, and Deb

Also had a great time at MGM riding the ToT with Renee and Joe, and Joe and I also went on the new Star Tours. And congrats to Renee for also doing the 5K. I have doubts as to running two races like that. I do not see a Goofy in my future....

And hello to Brandon and Rebecca! Another NY'er. But I have to say, I am rooting for the Tigers.

 

[ahoff]

Thought I would ask if anyone has any experience with Jeff Galloway's training plans? Specifically for the Half Marathon? I downloaded his plan through the RunDisney site and started it today. If I stick with it I will be running the Princess in February. It's either the Princess or the W&D for me next year!

CONGRATS to everyone who ran the W&D! Which do you find easier: running a Disney HM at an ungodly hour of the morning or running late at night?

Take Care...

Hmmm, no experience with Galloway, so can't answer that. As to morning vs evening (or late night) it does not feel much different, my legs seem to hurt at both! One thing I have found, I have run the W&D twice and the January Half twice, and my times seem faster in the morning. I actually ran almost identical times at both races, with the early races being around 2 minutes faster. Yet I felt I was running faster this weekend, at least early in the race. I found I was slowing the last three miles.

 

[Maddykins06]

LOVE the W&D pictures!!!!

DizGirl20: I tried the Galloway method, but like Higdon's better. Maybe it's due to the lack of specific distance on the 2/3 Galloway runs. I like knowing distance, not just timing. I think I would be a slacker on the timed only runs & not progress in distance very much.

That being said, I DO the Galloway run/walk method & LOVE it!

 

[liznboys]

Hey Ducks!

Well, W&D weekend was fantastic!!! Kelly and I flew in on Friday. We checked into POR and then headed right to MK for MNSSHP. We had a blast!! We got in the park at about 5pm and stayed until midnight. Apparently the party was sold out, but we did lots of rides with short or no lines!

Saturday we went to the Expo and we had a great dinner at Boma. After returning to POR from Boma I needed to get ready for the race FAST and then I met up with Tanya, who happened to be staying in the same building as Kelly and I! We went to the bus stop and waited for the race bus...in the meantime Joe and Debbie were at a different POR bus stop waiting. It ended up that they were on the bus right after ours on the way to the start. And then we waited and waited and waited in the line of buses to get to the start. Finally got in and as you can see in Augie's pictures we were all able to meet up!

We headed to our corrals and the race began. My plan, as you all know, was to take it easy with this race. My leg had been hurting, I didn't want to go for a PR. I just wanted to finish in under 3 hours so that I'd be done around 1am and could hopefully enjoy the After Party for a bit! So I just went with what felt right. Ran when I felt like it, walked when I felt like it. I got to 10 miles and was under 2 hours, and I realized that even if I walked the entire last 3 miles, I would still finish in about 2:45. So I did plenty of walking those last 3! My finish time was 2:40:42, I was thrilled!

While I raced, Kelly enjoyed the After Party. She had done several rides with short or no lines. In fact she said that at Soarin' there were a lot of empty seats and at Test Track the CM's were practically begging people to come ride. Crazy! When I was done we met up and we road Soarin' with a very short line, and Test Track was walk on. We would have loved to stay until the end but we were both quite tired and ready to head back to the room. I went to sleep at 3am.

Sunday I was awoken at 9:30am from a dead sleep by a text from my dh. It was good he woke me up, we needed to get up and clear out of the room by 11 anyway. We had a nice lunch at The Wave and then caught ME back to the airport.

The weather was fabulous this weekend!! It was hot on Friday but cooled down in the evening. Saturday and Sunday were beautiful! It was cooler for the race this year, that was great. It was a wonderful trip!

OH! You know what was crazy? The day after the race my bothersome leg was fine. The soreness I did feel was in my OTHER leg. Go figure?! And I am back to normal now. Yay!

Augie~Thank you for the pictures!! I saved them. I'm so glad you had your camera. It was such fun meeting up with all of you at the start!!! I can't wait to do another Duck meet in January!

Robyn~I WAS going to do the Princess, then decided not to. Now after just doing another Disney race and remembering how much I love them, I want to do it again. lol But I probably won't...need to cut back on the Disney races. It's just so hard NOT to do them!

As far as which is easier a morning or evening race...they both have pros and cons. The big pro for me for night is that I sleep MUCH better that night before a night race compared to before a morning one. I also love that it is DARK at night. I dislike the bright sun when I run. The more I think about it, I think I might actually prefer night races...hmmm..

Brandon~WTG on your great 8.5 miler! You are most definitely ready for a half marathon soon. Keep it up! I'll check out your journal.

Vic~Hope your 9 went well!

 

[airman]

Hi everyone,
Back to work today, Debbie and I had a great weekend for the Wine & Dine. We got in on Friday and checked into PO Riverside then headed to the expo. The race merchandise was lot better this year, so we picked up a couple new shirts. The race shirt was a a big improvement over last years gray shirt. After dumping our race stuff off at the room, we bought new DVC annual passes and headed to Epcot to eat a little around the world before making our way to HS for the duck drop. Thanks Augie for riding Star Tours with me, Debbie gets sick on that ride and I usually have to ride it by myself.
Saturday morning we made it to rope drop at MK for the 40th celebration. It was crazy, in all of my trips to the park I have never seen it that packed and that includes Christmas day. Even with the crowd, Space Mountain was a walk on. Most people were their for the merchandise and the celebration at 10. The rest of the day was spent at DTD and hanging out at the resort.
The bus ride to ESPN WWoS was a little nerve racking, we had a long wait before one showed up and a long wait to drop us off. We had our Duck meet, nice to meet you Tonya and we all started in corral B, except for Augie Speedy Gonzalez. What ever is going on with my foot moved it way into my ankle, so I had some pain during the run.It was a good run though, I had a slow time, but I got some pictures with characters, even Darth Vader, that was exciting. By mile 10 my ankle was hurting pretty bad, but it still felt good getting across the finish line.
Debbie did awesome, she knocked 8 minutes off of her DL half time and earned the coast to coast medal. I can't convince her to do the WDW half in January though. We didn't do much at the after party, I didn't think I could walk to World showcase, so I rode Soarin once and we hung out around Future World.
Sunday was Food and Wine Festival and we had a great time. We ate a lot and did a Kim possible challenge in Mexico.
Saturday morning was a MK day before heading back home.
Now it's time to start planning the January trip, I'll still keep working on Debbie to run the half with me.
Have a good week everyone.
Joe

 

[hotblooded]

And hello to Brandon and Rebecca! Another NY'er. But I have to say, I am rooting for the Tigers.

We can be friends so long as the Yankees win. Great game tonight.

Joe and Liz - Sounds like you had a blast! I'm really looking forward to the January Half, though I'm jealous of that post-race party. How was POR, especially for transportation? It's in my top 3 choices for marathon weekend.

 

[marathonmommy]

Thought I would ask if anyone has any experience with Jeff Galloway's training plans? Specifically for the Half Marathon? I downloaded his plan through the RunDisney site and started it today. If I stick with it I will be running the Princess in February. It's either the Princess or the W&D for me next year!

CONGRATS to everyone who ran the W&D! Which do you find easier: running a Disney HM at an ungodly hour of the morning or running late at night?

Take Care...

I started using a Galloway plan when I began training for the Marine Corps Marathon. I figured walk breaks would come in handy for such a long distance. I started using his plan and the walk breaks. Several weeks into the plan, I decided I did not feel as if I was getting enough mileage in during the work week to really prepare me for the full. So, now I use the Hal Higdon plan but use walk breaks for the long runs on the weekends. Using Galloway (in my opinion) would be perfectly fine to prepare you for a half, and it all depends on what your goal is. My PR time for a half (I'm not speedy though) was a 2:20 - and I got that using a 4:1 interval the entire race. My goal for the Marine Corps is to "Beat the Bridge" by mile 20 so I don't get swept and finish standing up. My dream goal is for my time to start with a 4 instead of a 5 but that will not likely happen this go around! The walk breaks help me out mentally. I don't think I NEED them for a half - but I certainly didn't lose any time taking them - so why not?

I did run Wine and Dine last year. I'm glad to hear they made improvements. I may put this one back on my calendar in the future. I enjoyed running at night but not as much as I usually do at home. I was slower than in the morning. However, I agree with Liz. I hate to have the sun beating down on me, whether it is hot or cold out. Another mental thing . . .

 

[carissanboys]

Congrats to all of you who did the W & D! Sounds like everyone had a great race. Love the pictures of our Ducks!

It makes me even more excited for January.

 

[disney_runner]

Hello fellow ducks! Just got back last night after my extended trip. Looks like my fellow W&D's have filled in the details, thanks much! It was really very nice to meet some of you. Thanks for taking me under your wings. After dragging my tail feathers past the finish line, I really did try to attempt to make it to the beer booth and meet up with everyone. However, my tummy had other plans..... (Pepto, anyone? ) Overall, I guess I didn't do too bad for having knee surgery 5 months ago. I purposely walked more than ran just to take it easy and finished in 3:01. Now I know my knee can handle it, so I'll do better for the Marathon Relay in January! (Plus, that's in the morning, no tummy troubles then!)

So, I just wanted to comment back to DizGirl20 - personally, races in the morning are apparantly better for me. My tummy did not like this running at night business. My advice ~ if you're running at night, please train as such!!! Even with a 1pm lunch, and light dinner of soup and an apple at 5pm, I guess I run better on an empty stomach. I told Liz I didn't run at night once during training and I now see that I should have tried at least once. Oh well. Good thing I'm sticking with the morning races from here on out!

Congrats to all!

 

[Mickeyfan74]

Hello Ducks!

Great to see the awsome times on the W&D. More inspiration for me

I have been training since August. I did a 4 mile walk today in 55 mins.
Only 87 more days to go. I'm hoping at this rate I'll be able to do the 13.1 in under 3hrs. I in live rural FL so there is no "track" around here its hills and sand to work with and the occasional cow wondering what the heck is she doing? LOL.

I have another 5K "Breast Cancer" coming up this month. I'm hoping I can get a time recorded for that so maybe I'll get a better position in the corals.

Happy training everyone.

 

[CALIFLADY]

Hey Ducks!

I’m back in my home pond. Got back from Orlando on Friday evening, fell into bed early and didn’t even leave the house yesterday. I was soooo exhausted from the WDW trip. I ended getting a head cold on Monday (after the race…whew!) which wore me down even more.

Okay, the race. I thought the overall organization and logistics were waaay better than in 2010. Of course in 2010, I got stuck in the long bus line trying to get to the race (like Liz, Tanya, Joe, and Deb did this year from POR this year), then frantically tried checking my bag before getting into the corrals. This year, I went to the BWV bus stop earlier and got on the first bus that pulled up. I met Augie at the bus stop and we hung out until the other Ducks flew in to the race. Bag drop was a breeze this year.

I got a good start and lost track of the Corral B Ducks almost immediately. I was concerned about running through AK, as my experience last year through that park was not good. It was crammed and tight and slow. This year, it was more open by the time I got there, so that was good. But as soon as I left AK, at about mile 5.5, my calf seized up and cramped – just like it did on August 1. I walked for about a mile, trying to stretch it out, but it still hurt pretty bad. I suspect I over did it with all the park walking earlier in the week and the 5K in the morning. At about mile 6.5 or 7, I figured out a way to shuffle/waddle/drag my left leg, so as to not stretch the Achilles too much, but make better time than just walking, so I did that. I walked through all the water stops. I met up with Joe in DHS and we ran together for a while. I must admit, DHS was much more enjoyable this year because I wasn’t nearly as exhausted as I had been at that point in 2010 (since I was shuffling/waddling this year, I wasn’t really working too hard aerobically). But the calf pain wasn’t too pleasant at that point either. Did anyone else notice that only part of the Osborne Lights were turned on in DHS? What was that about? Conserving energy?!? I crossed the finish at 2:43:XX. My goal was 2:30, but that got thrown out with the calf pull at mile 5.5. I’m happy to have finished at all this year. It was a tough training season. But I met 3 of my 5 goals, so I’m more than pleased with my performance, given the injury situation.

I got some ice at the medical tent, then got my bag (again, a breeze this year). The changing tents were nice to have. What with the light breeze, I was already getting a little chilled in my wet running clothes. I was disappointed in the runner’s “beer garden” selection post-race. Bud or Bud Light. Was that a joke, or what? By the time I hobbled through Future World, I was ready to just waddle back to the IG and go home. So I missed the post-race get-together, too.

Personally, I like the night run. Since I trained 100% in the pitch dark, it seemed pretty normal to run the race in the pitch dark (albeit, there were a few tutus, but no dead bodies on the race course…that I saw). The race logistics were repaired from the 2010 fiasco. It’s too bad as runners that we’re all too exhausted/sick/injured to enjoy the after-party. But I’m glad that waiting family and friends were able to enjoy the party more this year. I’ll probably do the 2012 W&D Half, but it depends how the 2012 DL Half planning goes, too.

It was GREAT to see and catch up with a few of the Ducks on Friday evening and Saturday pre-race. Thanks for sharing the pictures, Augie. And by the way, when is Deb gonna become an "official" Duck? Or is she gonna just hold "honorary Duck" status?

I’m taking October off from running. I’ll lift weights and maybe do some elliptical work, but no running. I’ll see how my calf feels next month before I start training for the Donald in January. And I'm flying in on Friday before the Saturday race, so I won't be tempted to overdo it in the parks pre-race in January.

Thanks for all the encouraging words here. You guys are the best! Let’s stay healthy and train smart for January.

 

[CALIFLADY]

I have another 5K "Breast Cancer" coming up this month. I'm hoping I can get a time recorded for that so maybe I'll get a better position in the corals.

Just a head's up. You'll need an official time from a 10K race (not a 5K) for corral placement in a Disney half marathon. But the race experience from the 5K will be great to have for any upcoming race.

 

[Mickeyfan74]

Thanks Califlady. Unfortunately no 10K's around here. I'll have to settle for the rear of the corrals then. I'll just work my way up as fast as I can.

 

[airman]

Hi everyone.
GO TIGERS!! (sorry Rebecca)
Wow Renee, you had a nice long stay at WDW.
I think Debbie is going to keep the honorary Duck status. I'm still working on her to run the Half in January with me.
I had an appointment this morning with a foot doctor to find out what is going on with the foot pain. My fear was that I have a stress fracture, but it turns out I have a bone spur where my big toe meets the foot. I was fitted for a sport orthotic that will raise the ball of my foot a little to take the pressure off my toe. I am icing it and taking anti-inflammatory, hopefully that will help. I will be doing other exercises for awhile. I did 16 miles tonight on the stationary bike.
I am signed up for a 10k on the 30th, the Wicked Halloween Run. I'm thinking about dressing up as Goofy for the race.
Have a good week my Duck friends.
Joe

 

[ahoff]

Hello Ducks, sounds like we are all recovered from the Half, sort of. Hope you have good luck with your foot, Joe. And good luck to the Tigers. Though now I am leaning towards the Cardinals. When it comes to NY teams, I have to go with the Mets, Rebecca. (Plus their beer is much cheaper) I always was a national league fan. And Renee, hope the calf heals soon! I totally agree with the beer-after-the race comment. Especially with all the good choices they had inside.

I am going to do some light running this week, I have a 10K on Saturday. And also three duathlons in the next month. Though I am only signed up for one so far.

Have a great week, everyone!

 

[hotblooded]

Hi everyone.
GO TIGERS!! (sorry Rebecca)

When it comes to NY teams, I have to go with the Mets, Rebecca. (Plus their beer is much cheaper)

Now that I'll admit. My twin sister and I went to a Yankee game for our 21st birthday to buy our first legal beers, and wound up splitting one for a whopping $12. Conversely, we've found CitiField to be a nice place to go for an afternoon out with food, beer, and lots of laughs.


Now for a mini race report!
I ran a local 10K this Sunday, and it was definitely a learning experience. I skipped my usual warmup walk, went out too fast, and used a new handheld I'd never trained with before (which turned out to be more of an annoyance than I'd hoped). It was also significantly hotter than my training runs, at 75° instead of the 55° I've been spoiled with most nights. Needless to say, I cramped up after the first mile. Mile 2 was nearly half walking (limping) - almost disappointing enough for me to walk off the course, except I couldn't remember the way back to the subway so it was almost more convenient to finish.

I slogged through miles 2 and 3 in considerable pain, then miraculously loosened up for the second 5K and was able to run the rest with no walk breaks. During the last mile, I caught up to a girl that ran the too-fast first mile with me (go figure), and we sprinted together to the finish. It was the first time I've had a specific target to beat, let alone one I'd had friendly conversation with, so I felt a little guilty pulling away in the last hundred meters.

The Result: 1:13:58; 11:55 pace
...roughly the easy pace of my evening training runs, but in those conditions I was happy to finish

Rebecca

 

[Mickeyfan74]

Hello,

Looking forward to walking my first half feeling like I can finish it in 3hours.

For those ducks that are going to the 2012 Half is there any kind of "TEAM DUCKS" shirt? I saw a cute donald T-shirt that I might wear over a long sleeve shirt.

Checking into Pop for the race.

 

[carissanboys]

Hello,

Looking forward to walking my first half feeling like I can finish it in 3hours.

For those ducks that are going to the 2012 Half is there any kind of "TEAM DUCKS" shirt? I saw a cute donald T-shirt that I might wear over a long sleeve shirt.

Checking into Pop for the race.

We don't have any special shirts for the Ducks. There are the lime green W.I.S.H. shirts.

Liz and I are staying at Pop too.

Hello DUCKS! Sounds like everyone is doing well! I have been such a slacker most of this year, but this is changing now that I am officially in training mode for the marathon relay. Just finished 30 minutes on the bike and tomorrow will do my "long" run on the TM (4 miles). Found a wonderful park to train at in November when my husband gets back home.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! The weather here in Virginia is just lovely right now. And can you believe it's almost Halloween??

 

[Big Vic]

Good morning Ducks!

Hoping everyone is having a great weekend.

Congrats to all of our W&D finishers. Looks as though everyone had a great time.

Augie - Great pictures.

10 on tap for today. We'll see.

 

[ahoff]

Hello Ducks! Hope everyone had a good weekend. Sorry about the Tigers, Joe. My weekend was busy, ran a 10K Saturday morning. Finished 28th overall yet was only 9th in my age group (though it was in 10 year increments, but gee, there are lot of quick old guys...). Then went to a grand opening of yet another brewery here on LI. That makes 6 within a 30 mile radius. Today I went with a mountain bike club in what they call their Triple Crown. Three local trails, plus riding to each of them, for a bit over 60 miles. I am a little tired now....

Good to see we are out running! Congrats on your 10K, Rebecca! Keep up the training, Carissa! Hope you got your 10 in today, Vic!

Have a good week!