Motomiker
I run for fun, my health, and as an excuse to go t
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2007
- Messages
- 363
Hi Team!
Remember me? I finally have a day off from both jobs, and I actually slept!
Here is the Expedition Everest Challenge Race Report:
When I headed down for the race, I was convinced that it would be my last Everest. I had done the previous four and they changed the race enough over the years to make it easier and easier. Liz and I had done the first one on our honeymoon in 2008 and it was our official "first race". Back then the race consisted of a 5K run, then four obstacles in a seperate area, and then some pretty tough clues to solve as you had to find our way though the AK at night.
As the years have gone on, I've enjoyed the race and done well in it, but they made it more of a runners race. By that, I mean they eliminated some of the obstacles, made them easier, and combined them into the 5k. The clues also got changed into a pattern of travel inside the park, so no one was running back and forth. The obstacles got easier because people compalined that they were too hard, and there were a few injuries. The path got easier because the clue hunters were criss crossing the race path, which was actually a good change that I agree with. Then the clues got a little "dumbed down" because people complained they were too hard to solve.
So, my attitude wasn't were it should be. I was also completely worn out from working 60 hours in four and a half days.
So, I arrived last Thursday morning and check into the All Star Sports resort. My room was ready, so I showered, ate at the food court and headed over to DTD and shopped for pins and tshirts. Team Mickey now carries a small selection of Run Disney stuff if you are looking.
Friday I did the Studios and picked up my race packet. As it seems to happen at Disney, things started to change for the better. At pick up, I was told to go to a special tent to get a gift for being "perfect 5" and doing all five races so far. I was expecting maybe a card or a pin of some sort, but got something way cooler. They gave us a stuffed yeti with custom mouse ears with 2012- Perfect Fifth Adventure stitched on it. He is going to have his own shelf when we build a race wall someday. I also discovered a very nice sign with the names of all the perfect runners on it. There were 42 of us. So, I was feeling the Disney magic that suddenly appeared and I was glad to be there. This race has always felt a little like it was an oddball, and it didn't quite have the backing that the other Disney races did. This year, they spent some bucks and added alot of extras! Nice shirts, a better starting area, more decorations for photo ops, and a nice colored medal!
On race day I headed over to MK for a while and then took a nap. The race started at 9pm and the first bus left at 730. I like to get there early, hydrate, listen to the DJ and hang out. The race is at night, so it cools off as the sun sets. A lot of people dress up, and there was one absolutely crazy guy dressed in a full, furry, yeti costume (it was still about 90 degrees) and he was dancing with the music! The race can be run as an individual or as teams and it is always fun to see what the team names are. I happened to run into Chester Scott and his daughter, who are WISHERS and also "perfect". Only Chester could sport lime green zebra skinned tights!
The race ran in wave and I was in wave one again! Lots of fireworks and off we went into the AK parking lot for the first mile and the first obstacle of small haybales to be hopped over. The second mile heads through the park entrance and through Africa and into the backstage area and past some of the animal houses. Then it was the second obstacle of tires (like football players) and back towards the parking lot. Mile three had a net to crawl under and then the first clue card at the end. The clue has to be puzzled out, and shown for the next card at the oasis. Then onto Camp Minnie-Mickey with the same process. Again in Africa, and then in Asia. All four answers have to be used to solve the last clue and cross the finish line.
I did pretty well and finished 34th out of 298 in the the individual mens category. My best has been 20th, but I did better than last year. Then it was off to the post race party in Dino land and onto some of the open rides. I got to ride Kali river rapids by myself, in the dark. I love finishing earlier than the crowd! Then rode Donosaur, and got some food and a beer. The race has 5000 and their families generally come to the party with them, so the Dino area gets pretty crowded. I stayed long enough to savor the run and the atmosphere a bit and hopped the bus back to the resort. All in all, I had a great time and now feel motivated to keep my "perfect" streak alive next year. Anyone want to join me?
Sunday was a day at EPCOT and then back to the MK for pin trading. If you haven't been down for the Flower and Garden show, I do highly recommend it. The park is really well done, and the toparies are different every year.
-Mike
Remember me? I finally have a day off from both jobs, and I actually slept!
Here is the Expedition Everest Challenge Race Report:
When I headed down for the race, I was convinced that it would be my last Everest. I had done the previous four and they changed the race enough over the years to make it easier and easier. Liz and I had done the first one on our honeymoon in 2008 and it was our official "first race". Back then the race consisted of a 5K run, then four obstacles in a seperate area, and then some pretty tough clues to solve as you had to find our way though the AK at night.
As the years have gone on, I've enjoyed the race and done well in it, but they made it more of a runners race. By that, I mean they eliminated some of the obstacles, made them easier, and combined them into the 5k. The clues also got changed into a pattern of travel inside the park, so no one was running back and forth. The obstacles got easier because people compalined that they were too hard, and there were a few injuries. The path got easier because the clue hunters were criss crossing the race path, which was actually a good change that I agree with. Then the clues got a little "dumbed down" because people complained they were too hard to solve.
So, my attitude wasn't were it should be. I was also completely worn out from working 60 hours in four and a half days.
So, I arrived last Thursday morning and check into the All Star Sports resort. My room was ready, so I showered, ate at the food court and headed over to DTD and shopped for pins and tshirts. Team Mickey now carries a small selection of Run Disney stuff if you are looking. Friday I did the Studios and picked up my race packet. As it seems to happen at Disney, things started to change for the better. At pick up, I was told to go to a special tent to get a gift for being "perfect 5" and doing all five races so far. I was expecting maybe a card or a pin of some sort, but got something way cooler. They gave us a stuffed yeti with custom mouse ears with 2012- Perfect Fifth Adventure stitched on it. He is going to have his own shelf when we build a race wall someday. I also discovered a very nice sign with the names of all the perfect runners on it. There were 42 of us. So, I was feeling the Disney magic that suddenly appeared and I was glad to be there. This race has always felt a little like it was an oddball, and it didn't quite have the backing that the other Disney races did. This year, they spent some bucks and added alot of extras! Nice shirts, a better starting area, more decorations for photo ops, and a nice colored medal!
On race day I headed over to MK for a while and then took a nap. The race started at 9pm and the first bus left at 730. I like to get there early, hydrate, listen to the DJ and hang out. The race is at night, so it cools off as the sun sets. A lot of people dress up, and there was one absolutely crazy guy dressed in a full, furry, yeti costume (it was still about 90 degrees) and he was dancing with the music! The race can be run as an individual or as teams and it is always fun to see what the team names are. I happened to run into Chester Scott and his daughter, who are WISHERS and also "perfect". Only Chester could sport lime green zebra skinned tights!
The race ran in wave and I was in wave one again! Lots of fireworks and off we went into the AK parking lot for the first mile and the first obstacle of small haybales to be hopped over. The second mile heads through the park entrance and through Africa and into the backstage area and past some of the animal houses. Then it was the second obstacle of tires (like football players) and back towards the parking lot. Mile three had a net to crawl under and then the first clue card at the end. The clue has to be puzzled out, and shown for the next card at the oasis. Then onto Camp Minnie-Mickey with the same process. Again in Africa, and then in Asia. All four answers have to be used to solve the last clue and cross the finish line.
I did pretty well and finished 34th out of 298 in the the individual mens category. My best has been 20th, but I did better than last year. Then it was off to the post race party in Dino land and onto some of the open rides. I got to ride Kali river rapids by myself, in the dark. I love finishing earlier than the crowd! Then rode Donosaur, and got some food and a beer. The race has 5000 and their families generally come to the party with them, so the Dino area gets pretty crowded. I stayed long enough to savor the run and the atmosphere a bit and hopped the bus back to the resort. All in all, I had a great time and now feel motivated to keep my "perfect" streak alive next year. Anyone want to join me?
Sunday was a day at EPCOT and then back to the MK for pin trading. If you haven't been down for the Flower and Garden show, I do highly recommend it. The park is really well done, and the toparies are different every year.
-Mike
but I admit that I am interested to learn more about how to speed up my walking pace.
Vicky rocked the race but I am sure she will be here soon to check in.
LOL Finding a race in DC sounds like fun! Are there any other smaller events in your area like a 10K or 15K?
