Donald's Defiant Dashers (AKA Triple D's/Duckies/The Ducks) Dashing into 2010

[danmoss]

Heading to the mouse house today. Hope to see some of you all there.

 

[mebbradley]

Good Luck to all the Ducks this weekend!

 

[CALIFLADY]

Just a quick update from the World. We're five hours from the start of the W&D Half.

I met Augie last night and watched Illuminations. Ran into Marathonmomma(?) (Laura) at Epcot, too.

I met Joe and Deb, his wife, at the 5K this morning. What a blast! There were so many creative costumes being worn by other runners. Amazing! The run was a lot of fun right through the deserted MK. I stopped and snapped a few picks, but none with characters. Sounded like Joe and Deb made many character stops and really enjoyed themselves.

My brother and I just had lunch with Augie at BRG on the BW. Last-minute carbo loading...

Now it's just relax and mentally prepare for this one. The weather looks good. Low to mid 70's are predicted, but the humidity may creep up into the 80's by race time (or so says weather.com). We'll see.

Hoping to run into a few Ducks tonight.

Quack on! See you at the finish line!

 

[SamSam]

Good luck Duckies. Quack, Quack! Hope to see at the race.

 

[fairestoneofall]

go, Ducks!

 

[ahoff]

Hello Ducks! Had a great time at the W&D. Met Joe and his wife Deb, Renee, Liz, Laura, and Sharon. The run was fun, a bit hot, some spots were a bit dark(especially the approach to MGM). Had to limp around after the race, ankle was a bit sore, but felt alright on Sunday, though I would not have attempted any running that day! I have some pictures that I still have not downloaded from my camera yet. Oh, my time on the clock was 1:53, just a minute slower than January.

 

[SamSam]

I really enjoyed meeting so many team mates before the race.
Liz, it was great waiting in the corral and starting the race with you.

I finished my first half!!! Wahoo! Time of 2:54.33, which was better than I had hoped for.

 

[carissanboys]

Congrats to all of the Ducks who ran in WDW during the Wine and Dine! So proud of you all!

I ran my longest distance recently - 5 miles. My husband and I had a short adult-only getaway together and had the opportunity to run our 5 miles on the beach. It rocked! After completing that run, I have the confidence for my 10K at the end of the month.

My first race is next weekend! Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure 5k - excited and nervous and everything in between.

 

[liznboys]

TGIF Ducks! I'm finally posting since the weekend. This week has flown by, as usual. ahhhh! Here's my trip report of W&D weekend:

Friday my friend Kelly and I landed at MCO at about 8pm and took Magical Express to POFQ. We were both pretty tired by the time we got to our room and settled in, so we went and got some food from the food court and took it back to the room and relaxed, then went to sleep.

Saturday Kelly went to MK first thing and I relaxed a bit longer. Then I went to the Expo. First stop there was the KT Tape booth where they taped up my knee, and I also bought some gels from them since I never did make it to the sports store back home. They were so nice and I really think the taping helped! I'm hoping to do that in January too.

I got my bib and pin, etc., checked my chip, and picked up my goody bag. I got a size small shirt and I should have gotten an XS. They are big! Bigger than the long sleeved shirts they gave for the January half. I guess you never know how the sizing will run on these.

Next I went to the RunDisney area and bought a couple shirts; the red "Eat, Drink, Run" short sleeved one and then a long sleeved women's white one with Mickey/W&D Half on it. I wore the white one after the race when I got chilled.

I was done at the Expo so I dropped my stuff back at POFQ (and changed into my new red shirt) then met up with Kelly at MK. We did some attractions and then had our late lunch at CRT. You never know with the food there, but we both enjoyed our meal very much!

After lunch we did a little shopping and then it was time for me to head back to POFQ to rest. It was 5:15pm now. I didn't sleep but did enjoy laying there and watching tv for awhile. And I ate some different things throughout the early evening.

Before I knew it it was time to get ready for the race. I was feeling tired so it was hard to get myself going. I left the room later than planned, but made it easily to the start area.

Wow, it was crowded there. Everyone was in the big field as I guess they hadn't let anyone go into the corrals yet. I made my way over to the water table area and looked around for Ducks. Ended up meeting with Augie, Joe, Sharon and Laura...as well as a couple other WISHers. It was so nice to meet you all!!! Yay Ducks!

They announced that it was time to head to the corrals, and I realized I hadn't used the porta potty yet. eek. But I didn't want to do it then, so on to the corral I went. And lovely Sharon was with me. Thank you Sharon for hanging out with me!! I was so glad I had a friendly face to chat with while we waited for the start!!!

As we gradually moved forward (before the start) we found ourselves next to the line of porta potties, and lots of people were hopping out of the corral to make a quick run. I decided I'd do that too, so as the National Anthem was being sung I went, very fast. lol I was happy to be able to find Sharon again when I got back.

Soon the fireworks happened and we were off!! Not really though, we walked a little bit, then stopped, then again a few times. As we neared the start line we did begin to really move though, and we were all (even walkers) doing a slow run. I pressed start on my garmin as we crossed the line and it was ON! Sharon and I were together for a bit and then we went on our own ways. (Thanks again Sharon!! )

The race went well overall. I felt like we were going uphill a lot more than I anticipated, especially around AK. As we neared AK it felt like it was a very gradual uphill for so long! My pace wasn't quite what I wanted it to be because of that. But I was hoping to make up for it on the flat and downhill stretches.

There was a great band playing on one stretch and we saw them again on the way back, anyone know who that band was?? I loved them!

There was a very dark area at one point, and I held my hand up to block the flashing police lights so I could see the ground better.

The Osbourne Lights were a fun surprise, and I was happy they had the Christmas music playing too. We're going back to WDW at Christmas (we also went in 2008) so it was a little taste of what's to come and got me excited about being there with dh and boys.

Around mile 10 my stomach started to growl...I knew that wasn't good to be feeling so hungry. I had two gels with me for the race, I had one at mile 4-5 and the other right then at 10. I was wishing for something more substantial though....like a couple bites of a cheeseburger!

The last few miles I knew I had to really GO if I wanted to get as close to my finish goal as possible (my goal was 2:30 but I knew I was probably not going to meet that). I did my best and finished at 2:33:19. Not 2:30 but close enough.

My garmin time and my chip time were exactly the same! However my garmin distance was 13.29. I didn't feel like I did a ton of zig-zagging, etc. but I guess I did enough to add .19 of a mile.

Oh and I have to say I felt like my corral placement was great. I felt I was with the right group of people for my pace.

So I crossed the Finish (and heard them announce my name ) and got my medal. woohoo! Got some water, and the bag of food, thankfully passed by the bag check since Kelly was holding my stuff, got my pic taken and then entered Epcot. WHOA was it crowded in there!! It was kinda overwhelming actually. I definitely didn't expect it to be that busy. Kelly and I planned to meet in France somewhere between 12:30 and 1. I slowly made my way over there and called her and we met up. I think it was about 12:50 at that point. We got in the France line for my creme brulee. At that time I got a call from Renee and it turned out she was in France too, so she joined us in line.

Partway through the line things began to go south for me...I was hit with nausea. ugh. It got worse fast and I left Kelly and Renee in the line. There was nowhere to sit, all the benches were full, even the egdes of planters. So I sat on the ground by the line. I decided eating something might help, so I ate the banana in the food bag. It did actually help for a bit. Kelly brought me my creme brulee and I could only manage a couple bites.

Oh, in the meantime Augie met up with us too. So I'm sitting there on the ground while the three of them are chatting above me. I so wanted to be social and talk but I felt quite bad. Everyone was so sweet to me, and that meant a lot. Oh, whose camera did Kelly use to take the pic of us, Renee and Augie? I'm curious just how crappy I must look in it! lmbo!

Eventually I got up and Kelly and I decided to leave the park. We made it to America and I needed to visit the bathroom. Of course there was a long line. ugh. We got up to about 10-15 people in front of us, and that was it, I HAD to get in there NOW. I ran in front of everyone while saying "I'm sorry, I'm sick!!" I'll spare you the details, but yeah, I tossed my cookies (or the banana, anyway. lol) There was a woman in the stall next to me doing the same thing...

Felt better and Kelly and I made our way out of Epcot and got so lucky with our bus ride back to POFQ. It pulled right up and we were the first stop, YES. I was VERY relieved by this because I get car sick easily, and I didn't know if I'd make it through a long bus ride with car sicknesses AND the other sickness on top of it... I made it though and it felt great to be back in the room. Took a long shower and hit the hay at 3:30am.

Sunday I woke up at 8am and felt sooooo much better. Kelly went to Epcot and I layed around some more. Then I packed up, dropped our bags and luggage storage and met her there. It was such a gorgeous day!! I had my medal on and happily walked through Epcot to meet her in Germany. We ate, saw American Adventure, shopped and then it was time to go back to POFQ for Magical Express. Our travels home were uneventful.

Overall it was a great weekend! I don't know if I want to do the W&D half again. I don't know why I got so nauseated. I think I definitely need to eat more before the race, and more during the race. I think I've found that for anything above 10 miles I need something more than just gels. I just digest and burn it off so fast! ugh! Also I wonder if I drank too much water this race... My fingers got a bit swollen and I've read that's a sign of overhydration?? I only drank when I felt thirsty so I was worried I wasn't drinking enough. I never needed to stop for the bathroom either after I went right before the race. Who knows. As I keep telling people, this whole running/racing thing involves a lot of live and learn/trial and error!

I decided to take this week off and do no running. Although I was pleasantly surprised that I actually felt like running starting on Tuesday. I'll start training for the January half next week. woohoo!

 

[liznboys]

... Time of 2:54.33, which was better than I had hoped for.

That's exactly what my time was for January! You did awesome, I can't believe how fast walkers can be! I'm trying to talk Kelly into doing a half in Disney...she's a fast walker too.

... My first race is next weekend! Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure 5k - excited and nervous and everything in between.

woohoo, it's going to go great C!!! Just relax and trust your training.

 

[LadyDooley]

Ok guys, Don't be mad at me..

I walked over to where we were all meeting sot of by the water table. I saw you all there and shyness totally took over me!!!

I just could NOT go over and say hello. I think running nerves and shyness were in overload. I am not usually like that!

Well, from a far I saw you all. Next Disney Race or meet up I promise not to be this way!!! I know none of you bite to hard. I am sorry I did not meet you guys

BTW, I did finish 3 hours and 15 min. I was happy with my time and except for the after party crowd that made me ill too, I really enjoyed the race.

 

[marathonmommy]

Ok guys, Don't be mad at me..

I walked over to where we were all meeting sot of by the water table. I saw you all there and shyness totally took over me!!!

I just could NOT go over and say hello. I think running nerves and shyness were in overload. I am not usually like that!

Well, from a far I saw you all. Next Disney Race or meet up I promise not to be this way!!! I know none of you bite to hard. I am sorry I did not meet you guys

BTW, I did finish 3 hours and 15 min. I was happy with my time and except for the after party crowd that made me ill too, I really enjoyed the race.

We were wondering where you were! Don't do that again!

 

[SamSam]

Ok guys, Don't be mad at me..

I walked over to where we were all meeting sot of by the water table. I saw you all there and shyness totally took over me!!!

I just could NOT go over and say hello. I think running nerves and shyness were in overload. I am not usually like that!

Well, from a far I saw you all. Next Disney Race or meet up I promise not to be this way!!! I know none of you bite to hard. I am sorry I did not meet you guys

BTW, I did finish 3 hours and 15 min. I was happy with my time and except for the after party crowd that made me ill too, I really enjoyed the race.

Congrats on finishing! I wish I would have met you, but I understan...I often get hit by a case of 'shyness'. Just don't let it happen again!

Liz, I'm so sorry to hear you were so ill after the race, but glad it didn't last too long. It was so nice spending time with you.

It was my first 1/2, so I have nothing to compare it too, but I loved the race itself. So fun running through the parks, the cheering was very nice, the entertainment helped me through some tougher moments...and I finished!

What I didn't like was the shot blocks (I think that's what they're called) all over the road, that I stepped on several times and it felt like stepping on a wad of gum, and, as others have said, bag pick up was a total disaster. I waited at least 30 minutes in shoulder to shoulder crowding, feeling my legs start to cramp up and my upper back starting to tighten.

All in all though, I loved the experience! About mile 6 I was saying to myself, never again. At mile 12, I was saying "this was fun, I may do this again".

 

[ahoff]

Hello Ducks! Hope everyone that did the half has recovered. My legs were sore until Wednesday, maybe it was partially the weather here. Rain from the moment I arrived home until Wednesday. Liz, sorry to hear you got so sick, you had said you were not feeling well. And Karen, sorry that you missed us. Oh, and Liz, the picture is on my camera but I have not put it anywhere yet. I think I will pm it to you and Renee first.....

I also did no running this week, until today. We had a 5K at work as part of a several-week-long health and fitness exhibition. I was feeling OK so I entered, and did pretty good. I thought I was doing real well when they called out 6:50 at the first mile, but it went down from there, and I finished in 22:52. But I felt pretty good, and as I had to go pick up my son at school, hopped right on my bike to go home and get my car. So I guess it was sort of a mini duathlon.

Have a great weekend! A three-day for many.

Augie

 

[airman]

Hello Ducks!
Karen as someone that goes to chamber of commerce events and usually stands by myself I can relate with your hesitation to come by and say "hi". Next Disney event we will make sure and meet up.
Liz, sorry to hear about your discomfort after the race. It sounds like what I went through after the Air Force half. I felt fine after the race then an hour later I thought I was going to pass out.
The only problem I had during the race was a little knee pain that would come and go and my little toe had a blister from walking the parks. I always get a blister on my little toes every time I come to Disney. They tuck under the other toe. Nothing seems to work to prevent it, tape, pads etc. I bought a pair of toe socks yesterday, I am going to try them on our next trip. It only happens from long walking, like at the parks, it was awful during our trip to London and Paris last year, I could barely move. A foot dr. Told me they would have to operate and reshape my toe bones, i don't think I'm ready for that.
We are packing up this morning and starting the drive back home from Hilton Head Island. This place is awesome, a great way to unwind after a Disney trip.
I went for a 4 mile run yesterday to the beach and back and it felt pretty good, little knee pain.
Ok so now that the race is over, now what? All of my training was building up millage for the half last week. Do I continue to do 8-10 mile long runs on
Saturdays and 5-7 mile runs 2 days a week and try to get faster or do I bring my milage down and work myself back up for the January WDW half. I would like to learn to pace myself better and get faster (gotta work on Augie speed).
Well I have procrastinated enough, the packing isn't going to do it itself.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Joe

 

[CALIFLADY]

Happy Columbus Day, Ducks!

I arrived back in Canada late Saturday night after two GLORIOUS weeks in WDW. The W&D Half was a lot of fun. Despite the rough edges that all inaugural events will tend to have, the race went very well for me. The after-party was mayhem and that really needs to be sorted out before next year’s event for sure.

At the expo, I was placed in Corral B and finished the half in 2:14:47. My goal was to finish in 2:15:00, and I thought I was far ahead of that, but in the end, my Garmin registered that I ran 13.22 miles, so that extra 0.12 miles ate up a lot of cushion time I had for my goal. I was also frustrated with the run-walkers or walk-runners who got in the way during their walking times and failed to move to the side. If you’re that far up in corrals, you’d think people would be a bit more courteous of those around them and move aside.

I met up with Augie a few times, and met Liz after the race (but before her very unfortunate illness – so sorry things went downhill for you!). I also met up with Joe and Deb (his wife) at the 5K in the morning. Then I met Sharon on Friday (8 October) at the Food & Wine French Regional Lunch at Bistro de Paris. It’s so good to put faces with online names! Sorry I missed the meet-up at the water tables in WWoS. I was so disoriented with directions when I got there and it took all my spare time (due to late busing) to drop my bag and hit the porta-potty before getting in the corrals.

To address Joe’s question: What next? I don’t have any planned races on the horizon, so my plan is to keep running to maintain core miles (probably 5-6 miles, 4 times weekly?) through the winter. In fact, I ran three times last week in WDW after the half. I’m slated for a new assignment (leaving Canada) probably in the first quarter of 2011, so I don’t want to make any short-term racing goals. I do plan to run the 2011 W&D Half – this year’s race was so much fun and I liked running at night. There’s some post-partum effects after racing. You train and train and train, and then you finish your goal. And then there’s no goal in sight. I think you need to keep up some level of training in the after-glow of your races and start plotting how you can go faster or farther next time. That’s gonna be my approach. Anyone else?

On a totally different subject, does anyone else feel we should start a new “Duck Thread” since we’re no longer "dashing into 2010" anymore?

Again, it was sooo good to meet some of the Ducks finally. Keep on quacking!

 

[bounceliketigger]

Hello Ducks! Do you mind if I jump in? I know some of you already, just met some others briefly & it was suggested I might join your team.

I'm a late onset beginner & have only been running a little over a year, so I'm still trying to find my groove & what works, mainly to stay injury free & finish feeling strong. I've run 2 1/2s so far: the 2010 Princess & the Wine & Dine. In spite of a knee problem 1/2 way through the Princess it felt really easy overall. The W&D was another matter altogether & was a huge setback for me mentally & physically. On the other hand I met a bunch of WISHers there (you know who you are, lol) & ran with some, which was an awesome new experience!

I'm hoping being on a team will give the opportunity for new adventures & some mutual encouragement & support. Thanks!!

 

[airman]

Hello Ducks! Do you mind if I jump in? I know some of you already, just met some others briefly & it was suggested I might join your team.

I'm a late onset beginner & have only been running a little over a year, so I'm still trying to find my groove & what works, mainly to stay injury free & finish feeling strong. I've run 2 1/2s so far: the 2010 Princess & the Wine & Dine. In spite of a knee problem 1/2 way through the Princess it felt really easy overall. The W&D was another matter altogether & was a huge setback for me mentally & physically. On the other hand I met a bunch of WISHers there (you know who you are, lol) & ran with some, which was an awesome new experience!

I'm hoping being on a team will give the opportunity for new adventures & some mutual encouragement & support. Thanks!!

Hi Shannon!
I think their is room in the pond for another Duck, welcome.
Starting on page 2 or 3 is a questionaire if you want to fill out to let us know a little about you.

Hi to the rest of the Ducks, I went for a run yesterday, (5 miles) and I trided the Galloway method of running 5 minutes and walking 1 minute. I kind of liked it, but I will still need to get used to it. I think it helped me not have my mind wander and start slowing down in the middle of the run. I amd going to the Detroit Marathon Expo on Saturday so Debbie can pick up her race packet (she is walking the half marathon with a friend), I might take my passport with me and try to sign up, not sure yet. The passport is because the route goes into Canada. I will update you on what I do.
Joe

 

[mebbradley]

Hi Ducks!

Congrats to all who did the Wine and Dine! Awesome Job!

I had a race on each of the previous weekends and both were awesome!
October 2nd: Don Cathcart 6k! I finished the 5K in 32:08 and the extra k (which my coach *swore* I'd never notice! HA I noticed, trust me) put my time at 38:20.

Last Friday we had a invitational 5k in Smryna against 4 schools and I finished the 5K in 32:08 again! I was so pleased....

Sadly....I'm now on the disabled list for a week or so. I managed to sprain my arch in my left foot (how did I manage that?!?) and am not allowed to run until next Tuesday at the earliest. Lucky, this weekend is homecoming and I'm not racing anyway!

Anyway, hope everyone's fall is going well!

 

[LadyDooley]

hey Ducks!
And Welcome bounceliketigger! I just moved to the lovely state of New Jersey!

Maybe I will get the nerve and meet some of you at the next Wine and Dine half!

I was really unsure how I would feel after this race, I only began running in November of last year and my goal was the Wine and Dine race. I knew when it was all over I would either never want to run again or start thinking of other races to do.. well, I am thinking of other races!!

I ran a short three miler the other day and I think my goals now are to get to a 10 min. mile.

I may try the Galloway method as well. that may be the way to go.