Marathon Weekend is HERE, well almost ;0)

[John VN]

Yuppers, another year has gone by and it's time for some pavement pounding! Hope everyone has prepared for their upcoming event(s) and will finish as planned.

FYI, this month of January has the same day/dates as January 2010, the infamous FREEZING Marathon Weekend, but it appears that we will have warmer weather this go-round with a 53F/72F range. Ideal for my M&M McFlurry stop at mile 15.

Good Luck to all.

McFlurry John

 

[FortWildernessCamper]

Thanks McFlurry John. I am very excited. My first 10k and my first anything. Just turned 64 and just started running!

 

[bama_ed]

FortWildernessCamper, Good for you! Have fun on Friday!

John, still getting up at 4am for your training runs and rides? Are you signed up for the Dopey or Goofy (or whatever it was that you ran last year)? How is your health, my friend?

I will be with ya'll in spirit and would like to hear updates. I spoke with my two brothers who are also into running a little (both younger, both skinnier - hate them ) during our Christmas get-together about us all running something on Marathon Weekend 2017 (next year). One brother might be up for a 5k or 10k, the other might do the Half. I would do the Full. Finish in front of the balloon lady and upright would be my goal.

I might want to throw a Fort ressie out there just in case. I think next year is Jan 4-8 IIRC.

Oh, John, I took your suggestion from last year and signed up for the virtual Celebration Half at the end of this month. Still get the t-shirt and medal and can run my time whenever the weather looks fine here at home. Win-win.

Bama Ed

 

[John VN]

Thanks McFlurry John. I am very excited. My first 10k and my first anything. Just turned 64 and just started running!

2010 5K was the first time DW and did a walk. We walked over to WL at 0330 to get the bus to EPCOT for the start. Had a blast and pretty sure you will also.

FortWildernessCamper, Good for you! Have fun on Friday!

John, still getting up at 4am for your training runs and rides? Are you signed up for the Dopey or Goofy (or whatever it was that you ran last year)? How is your health, my friend?

I will be with ya'll in spirit and would like to hear updates. I spoke with my two brothers who are also into running a little (both younger, both skinnier - hate them ) during our Christmas get-together about us all running something on Marathon Weekend 2017 (next year). One brother might be up for a 5k or 10k, the other might do the Half. I would do the Full. Finish in front of the balloon lady and upright would be my goal.

I might want to throw a Fort ressie out there just in case. I think next year is Jan 4-8 IIRC.

Oh, John, I took your suggestion from last year and signed up for the virtual Celebration Half at the end of this month. Still get the t-shirt and medal and can run my time whenever the weather looks fine here at home. Win-win.

Bama Ed

DW and I were out at 0330 this morning for a 5K. Halloween last year I was on the road at 0045, that's right-12:45AM!, for the start of my 200 mile bicycle ride. 5 years to the day of my first 200 miler.

The prostate cancer garbage and knees hurting way more than usual last year kept me from doing good training for the marathon which is the only event I will be doing. Kind of a let down after last year's 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, marathon, 1/2 marathon Monday morning in FW, 10K Tuesday morning on the Dream and the Inaugural Castaway Cay 5K. Longest distance since last year's Marathon Weekend was the 2015 Space Coast Half Marathon. DW surprised me with a Dream Concierge cruise the day after the Half. Really cool. December 10th was my final focal cryoablation for the prostate cancer and I am now cancer free. The Marathon will be a celebration of sorts, will be starting with the Balloon Ladies and hoping to bank the extra minutes by walking faster than 14mpm pace to pull off and get that M&M McFlurry.

Glad to read that you are doing the Celebration Virtual Half. DW and I will be doing that Half along with DD and DGS. Another disappointment on the distance since the 2 previous years I did the Full. Will have to see for 2017. Thinking about doing 2017 Ironman Florida for my 3rd IM. Will be tougher at 67.

Expect to see you in 2017 and maybe we both can stop for a McFlurry.

McFlurry John

 

[KristinU]

Congratulations on being cancer free, John!!!

Have a great time next weekend, enjoy the celebration!

 

[garneska]

Mcflurry John, glad to hear you are kicking cancer's butt. We are here, got in Sunday, at 841. I went out for a morning run, it was great weather, too bad weather on Sunday is going to be warm. Very Very warm. I am slightly under trained but less injured. I only got a 16 mile run in and it was bad, but I was sick, I was in Ohio so it was cold and I managed to do it so I am just going with it. Bert is doing the half and I am going to be a cheerleader for the first time this year for him as I am only doing the marathon. Bert and I did a shared cheerleader in Sept for my friend Rahul, who runs goofy with me, he did the Chattanooga Full IM. We were his support crew and we volunteered for a water stop on the run. I have to say it was an awesome experience. You IMers amaze me. Maybe when I retire and have time to train all the time.

I am guessing you are coming soon please let me know where you are at.

Bama Ed can't wait to cheer you on next year. Have not decided what I am running yet since it will be an anniversary year for the Half.

BTW we are also doing the half in April for the Dark side challenge and no I am not dressing as slave Leigha.

 

[John VN]

Bama Ed-I think from now on I will always start with Balloon Ladies and with a group of us in 2017, I will treat a McFlurry for all.

KristinU-big thanks and even if it rains I will be CELEBRATING!!!!!

Kris-Bert has a GREAT cheer squad! Wednesday at 0500 exit driveway, 0730/0740 arrive at the Outpost, will post site when we get it. I AM TOTALLY undertrained. My goal is 1st mile walking with Balloon Ladies then 14/15mpm pace being careful not to upset the knees too much. That pace will give me a 14 to 28 minute cushion for my M&M McFlurry stop by the time I hit mile 15.

 

[bama_ed]

So John,

I looked in detail at the Marathon route leaving Animal Kingdom. The route heads east on Osceola Parkway and I see the McDonalds there off the exit (which is on the way to AllStars). So I have some gritty detailed questions for you.

Do you divert off Osceola and run down the exit ramp and go inside to get your McFlurry? I have this vision of you running through the drive through window also. Have you had to wait in line or do customers see you and let you cut to the front of a line? Once you get and pay for your McFlurry, do you go back the way you came and run up the on-ramp? In the satellite view of Google it looks like you could go out the back (a Reedy Creek Fire Station behind McDonalds?) and run up the grassy slope to Osceola to rejoin the race and not do any backtracking.

I am game for a McFlurry but won't do anything that is illegal, immoral, or fattening (DW is monitoring my DIS postings - Hi Honey ). Guessing you carry a couple bucks at the Start Line to cover the said McFlurry but I might have a posse tracking me that could meet me there and cover it.

As you can tell I tend to over analyze EVERYthing. But if I come next year I am game.

Bama Ed

 

[John VN]

ATofD-Actual Time of Departure....0505
ATofA-Actual Time of Arrival.........0731......IN THE RAIN

900 loop site was still in use so CM searched and we are in 1006. Warming up then off to Expo for packets, mine for the Full and Kathy for her and DD's packet for Half Volunteer, they are scheduled to be handing out finisher medals.

ED,

Very legal, well almost, have to exit Osceola Pkwy on the entrance ramp due to traffic being diverted off on the right lane exit ramp. I cross over then wait at light for a legal crossing, get on line(2 out of 3 previous years customers allowed me to go before them), cross legally again and up the entrance ramp. Will be interesting to see if the Lady State Police Officer is again there at the crossing. She said she was waiting for me to show up last year and a customer at McDonald's remembered me from the previous year also.

No problem with diet control since the extra distance takes care of all added calories!!!! Always have cash and CC on hand. As I said....MY TREAT not a problem.

McFlurry John

 

[bama_ed]

For those of you who will be at Disney still on Marathon weekend for the afternoon and evening of Sunday Jan 10, look at the 2016 Program available for download at the runDisney website. On pg 27 of the PDF file (pages 50 & 51 in the book) it lists discounts of 10-20% if you present your bib or medal for several stores and restaurants at Disney Springs primarily but there are other locations. Trex, Rainforest, Raglan Road, Fultons, and more available.

Every little bit helps.

Bama Ed

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) The signs are up and the warning notices of closed highways posted.
2) But, just can't see the sense in paying such big bucks to run 10K at Disney.
3) I can do that FOR FREE by simply insulting MrsRustyScupper's meat loaf.

 

[jbrostek]

Rusty, I am sure with the right insult you would have your very own chase car too.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

with the right insult

I prefer to reference this as Constructive Criticism.

 

[bama_ed]

I have made a Fort reservation (Preferred) for Marathon Weekend 2017.

Just in case.

Bama Ed

PS - of interesting note, I asked if the rates I was quoted (in total) were 2016 rates that would be updated when 2017 rates come out and the CM said those in fact were 2017 rates. TIFWIW.

 

[FortWildernessCamper]

My 10k run was great! There was majic in every mile!!! Happy to have finished in under 100 minutes which was my personal goal.

 

[John VN]

My 10k run was great! There was majic in every mile!!! Happy to have finished in under 100 minutes which was my personal goal.

Fantastic!!! More magic waiting for you in 2017. Any intentions as to next year? Join in on the Marathon Weekend 2017 thread.

 

[bama_ed]

My 10k run was great! There was majic in every mile!!! Happy to have finished in under 100 minutes which was my personal goal.

Congrats FWC. IIRC the 10k course went out around the Epcot resorts. That would be neat in the morning darkness.

Good for you!

Bama Ed

 

[FortWildernessCamper]

John VN said "Fantastic!!! More magic waiting for you in 2017. Any intentions as to next year? Join in on the Marathon Weekend 2017 thread."
Thanks McFlurry. Definitely thinking about 2017 but have to see if work scheduled will allow it.

bama ed said "Congrats FWC. IIRC the 10k course went out around the Epcot resorts. That would be neat in the morning darkness."
Thanks bama. Running the course in the dark and rain was part of the whole experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

 

[garneska]

FWC, you are a trooper. I forgot the weather was crap for a he 10k. We were up and could hear the rain. We did not venture out of the rv for a morning walk. The dogs did not even go out till noon that day.

 

[FortWildernessCamper]

Thanks garneska. I asked someone on the bus back to the Fort when it stopped raining because i couldn't remember. They said at some point you are just as wet inside as you are outside and you don't even notice. That was the case with me. All I know is that I had a smile from ear to ear when I crossed the finish line.