Official 2011 Wine & Dine Half and Relay Thread

[sunshine269]

Hi Everyone!

I finished my first half too! So excited to hear from Dagny and sunshine and krisnchris. Glad you guys had a great time too! Wish we could have met up. I probably ran (or walked or hobbled) right next to you at some point and didn't even know it!

I had a good time and will definitely do it again next year. I am contemplating the Princess Half. I think January might be a bit too soon

I wanted to also say a big thanks to everyone that answered my questions and worries before the race, especially Coach, FireDancer and Roomthreeseventeen. Your advice definitely helped me to be better prepared than I would have been. So THANK YOU!!!!!

I was really pleased with my time for the first 9 miles. I was averaging 14:00 minute miles while still stopping for pictures with all of the characters and every mile marker. Between AK and HS, there is an exit ramp that was my downfall. I had gotten winded and had moved all the way over to the right expecting to walk for a second when someone decided that instead of going around me they would try to go up on the curb and cut around me. Well, it was dark. He didn't completely catch the curb and came down on me, cutting me off. When trying to catch myself, I ended up twisting my knee (calling ortho after this post....I have priorities ). I ended up walking/hobbling the last 2+miles. I get that runners need slower people to the right, but I was as far right as I could go - he was out of line, and out of bounds, as far as I was concerned.

Anyway, aside from the horrible wait and bus ride over (I got in line at POFQ at 7:20 and didn't get to WWoS until 9 - I was refused when asked to get in the line for Mickey and Minnie)), I had a great time and hope to see you all again. Hopefully next time I can make the meet up too!

Michele

Michele, sorry to hear about your knee, GREAT job on finishing. Was the exit ramp the one with the Toy Story army man? I didn't like the whole stretch between AK and HS. I drive it all the time and it's never seemed that hard before

I'm doing the Tinkerbell in January and while I was at the expo I signed up for the Princess, wanted to save on money and get my C2C done. Then I'll take a long break.

Jennifer

 

[Sam G]

Hi Everyone!

I finished my first half too! So excited to hear from Dagny and sunshine and krisnchris. Glad you guys had a great time too! Wish we could have met up. I probably ran (or walked or hobbled) right next to you at some point and didn't even know it!

I had a good time and will definitely do it again next year. I am contemplating the Princess Half. I think January might be a bit too soon

I wanted to also say a big thanks to everyone that answered my questions and worries before the race, especially Coach, FireDancer and Roomthreeseventeen. Your advice definitely helped me to be better prepared than I would have been. So THANK YOU!!!!!

I was really pleased with my time for the first 9 miles. I was averaging 14:00 minute miles while still stopping for pictures with all of the characters and every mile marker. Between AK and HS, there is an exit ramp that was my downfall. I had gotten winded and had moved all the way over to the right expecting to walk for a second when someone decided that instead of going around me they would try to go up on the curb and cut around me. Well, it was dark. He didn't completely catch the curb and came down on me, cutting me off. When trying to catch myself, I ended up twisting my knee (calling ortho after this post....I have priorities ). I ended up walking/hobbling the last 2+miles. I get that runners need slower people to the right, but I was as far right as I could go - he was out of line, and out of bounds, as far as I was concerned.

Anyway, aside from the horrible wait and bus ride over (I got in line at POFQ at 7:20 and didn't get to WWoS until 9 - I was refused when asked to get in the line for Mickey and Minnie)), I had a great time and hope to see you all again. Hopefully next time I can make the meet up too!

Michele

The runner was way out of line.. I hope you're fine. You got hurt by no fault of your own. Actually, it was a lot more than 2 miles you limped if it was before the studios...

 

[rizzobob]

The runner was way out of line.. I hope you're fine. You got hurt by no fault of your own. Actually, it was a lot more than 2 miles you limped if it was before the studios...

Thanks, Sam. I actually have an appt. tomorrow morning. Hopefully it's nothing serious that a little time won't fix. I tried running a little after it happened, but by the time I got in HS, I just couldn't do it anymore.

But like I said, can't blame that on Disney. I will be back next year. But then I don't think I will stop as many times for pics. I would like to know how fast I really could have done it.

Glad you had a great time too. Let's definitely plan a meet next year

Jennifer (sunshine269) - Glad you did so well. AND both the Tink and Princess. Way to Go!! I think I am going to try for Princess and Wine and Dine again, only with bumpers on (just kidding).

Has anyone heard from OregonGirl (Carey)? How did she do?

 

[Sam G]

Thanks, Sam. I actually have an appt. tomorrow morning. Hopefully it's nothing serious that a little time won't fix. I tried running a little after it happened, but by the time I got in HS, I just couldn't do it anymore.

But like I said, can't blame that on Disney. I will be back next year. But then I don't think I will stop as many times for pics. I would like to know how fast I really could have done it.

Glad you had a great time too. Let's definitely plan a meet next year

Jennifer (sunshine269) - Glad you did so well. AND both the Tink and Princess. Way to Go!! I think I am going to try for Princess and Wine and Dine again, only with bumpers on (just kidding).

Has anyone heard from OregonGirl (Carey)? How did she do?

I saw Carey before the race. She did very well.. around 2:30 if runkeeper is correct. Actually I just checked the results and she got a 2:28. Beat me by 10 minutes.

I think she said she was going on a cruise after the race.

 

[J3nn78]

Hi Everyone!

I finished my first half too! So excited to hear from Dagny and sunshine and krisnchris. Glad you guys had a great time too! Wish we could have met up. I probably ran (or walked or hobbled) right next to you at some point and didn't even know it!

I had a good time and will definitely do it again next year. I am contemplating the Princess Half. I think January might be a bit too soon

I wanted to also say a big thanks to everyone that answered my questions and worries before the race, especially Coach, FireDancer and Roomthreeseventeen. Your advice definitely helped me to be better prepared than I would have been. So THANK YOU!!!!!

I was really pleased with my time for the first 9 miles. I was averaging 14:00 minute miles while still stopping for pictures with all of the characters and every mile marker. Between AK and HS, there is an exit ramp that was my downfall. I had gotten winded and had moved all the way over to the right expecting to walk for a second when someone decided that instead of going around me they would try to go up on the curb and cut around me. Well, it was dark. He didn't completely catch the curb and came down on me, cutting me off. When trying to catch myself, I ended up twisting my knee (calling ortho after this post....I have priorities ). I ended up walking/hobbling the last 2+miles. I get that runners need slower people to the right, but I was as far right as I could go - he was out of line, and out of bounds, as far as I was concerned.

Anyway, aside from the horrible wait and bus ride over (I got in line at POFQ at 7:20 and didn't get to WWoS until 9 - I was refused when asked to get in the line for Mickey and Minnie)), I had a great time and hope to see you all again. Hopefully next time I can make the meet up too!

Michele

Sorry to hear about your knee-hopefully it is nothing major.

As for transportation, I wonder what happened? We were also at POFQ. DH and I boarded a bus, with no wait, at 7:15 and we were there by 8. Weird that you boarded 5 minutes later and got there an hour after us.

We enjoyed the race. We also felt that 12-13 were LONG. We did not check any bag and did not stay for the after party-we rode Test Track and decided we were just too tired and too cold to think about doing any more.

My only complaint was that when we left Epcot, we (along with lots of others) walked towards the regular bus depot only to find that there were no buses there and they were on the complete opposite side of the lot. There were no signs or cast members there to direct us away from the regular depot. THe last thing we needed after 13 miles was any extra distance on foot. It should have been blocked off.

All in all, a good run. Looking forward to The Donald in January and improving our time.

 

[becky11]

Got home yesterday from the race. I didn't improve my time, (only a couple of minutes slower than last year) but I did run the entire thing with my sister, which was the most important thing to me. My boss finished about 10 minutes after we did.

I didn't feel that great for most of the race. I think I didn't get enough rest during the day and didn't fuel properly before the race, so I was much more cramp-y than I was last year when I had no idea what I was doing.

I greatly enjoyed the VAST improvement from last year's finish line area to this year's. I also GREATLY appreciated that there was no one cooking anything in HS this year. I wasn't too happy that the 'free drink' didn't include wine, that that it was handed out in can form. Like I didn't already have enough stuff to carry - and I didn't even check a bag! (DH had it for me after we left the runner's area.)

I think walking through Epcot (had to get the Cheddar Cheese soup!) that night, a visit to the pool the next day and walking around Epcot Sunday night greatly helped my healing because I'm not really too sore today.

My next race is the Tinkerbell Half, and then I'll do this one again next year. I hope to have a new PR after Tink because I will be running that one alone. I'm also running the Princess weekend 5K with a friend who's using that race as a weight-loss goal, but I think I might also sign up to volunteer for the Half that weekend, since I'll already be there.

Sorry I didn't make the meet-up - again - but I must say, I didn't see one WISH shirt, which surprised me greatly! Admittedly, I didn't wear mine, but I will be wearing it for Tink.

 

[megny]

Hi everyone!

Just made it home last night… I had an AMAZING time at the W&D! I didn’t get swept!!! Wahoo! Finished in 3:32... not bad for a walker with a bad heel who wasn’t even sure I could finish!

I really loved this race so much… I thought Animal Kingdom at night was spectacular, they did a beautiful job lighting it and the volunteers/cast members in that park were amazing. MGM, not so much… I realize it was much later at night, but I was disappointed to see some of the volunteers sitting in chairs and not saying a word to the racers. But it was still such a thrill to walk through the park… loved being on the Jumbotron at the Cars show, loved seeing Darth Vader, loved Osborne spectacle of lights including the Christmas music! My fave character experience was the Green Army man shouting out motivation around mile 9 or so… before we got to MGM. For us back-of-the-packers, he said “Move it folks… you are not MALL walkers!” I loved it!

I agree with others saying that the finish line was completely underwhelming… my daughters did the Kids Races Saturday morning and they had a much more fabulous finish line that the ½ did. I really don’t know how they dropped the ball on that, but that would be my only major complaint. We ended up skipping the after-party, since after being on our feet for 3.5 hours, the idea of walking around Epcot for another hour was beyond unappealing.

I wore my WISH shirt for the race, which was so motivating for me… and I got several comments from others who just loved the WISH motto. Much thanks to regul8tr and a WISH’r named Jennifer who introduced themselves… so fun to meet you ladies! Congrats to all who got out their Saturday for the race… you are all amazing!!!

 

[Embroidery Grandma]

You can see the pictures on brighthouse. My daughter got an email for the 5k that the pictures were posted and than I wanted to see if ours were there and they were. My daughter only had one picture and I had 2.

Good luck searching
Kathy

 

[celicababi03]

Were you a co-ed relay team? I couldnt find our results and then realized several pages down the list there is a co-ed heading and our results were under it.

Yes, we were a co-ed team and I searched the entire document and still couldnt find us! I even looked at 2010 results just incase...I dont know what happened but I am still waiting on a reply from Disney. I did recieve a text message with my finish time, just dont know how my parnter did and how we did overall.

 

[becky11]

Oh, I forgot to mention my rave for the runner tracking once again.

I used the text, E-mail, and Facebook update service and all three worked flawlessly. I tracked my own time, as well as my sister's and my friends (via text) and just my own via E-mail and Facebook and didn't miss one message.

I think they've improved the technology.

 

[ludari]

I had a great time at during my extended weekend for the Wine and Dine Half. I spent time with my great friends and their families. I finished in 3:16 which obviously is not my best time but the fact is I walked the entire race as a result of just having surgery on my clavicle the Tuesday before and I was wearing a sling. I was tempted a few times to run but I restrained myself. I was so very proud of my friends Jeanie, Matt and Tracy for completing their first Disney Half and especially my friends Karen and Cynthia for earning their C2C medals.

 

[FireDancer]

Michele- You are welcome and sorry about the knee.

Other runners are one of the hazards of running I have so far thankfully avoided. One of my friends had someone fall right in front of him and he tripped over him and twisted his ankle at mile 8 of his first marathon. I've been pinched over at starts but so far all of my injuries have been self inflicted.

 

[becky11]

I had a great time at during my extended weekend for the Wine and Dine Half. I spent time with my great friends and their families. I finished in 3:16 which obviously is not my best time but the fact is I walked the entire race as a result of just having surgery on my clavicle the Tuesday before and I was wearing a sling. I was tempted a few times to run but I restrained myself. I was so very proud of my friends Jeanie, Matt and Tracy for completing their first Disney Half and especially my friends Karen and Cynthia for earning their C2C medals.

I'm sure I saw you because I remember thinking, "Wow! That guy must REALLY want that medal!!" Congrats on your finish and for sticking it out, even with the surgery.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

This was my 3rd Disney race....I am so glad I did it...especially since I barely trained this summer..(well I did a half in WI and the Napa to Sonoma in June and July) a few 4 miles runs sprinkled throughout the summer....we lost my mom so I had other priorities!
Came down for the trip with DH and DD's, still on fence whether I was going to do this or not.

Brought my gear....on way to Expo for Kid Races I started filling the "I've got to do this"..not caring about my time...just didnt want to get injured...although I had been in the F & W mode as well!!! Not good...
ANyway, at noon at SAB with a fellow runner and friend....I stopped drinking our Poolside Lemonades...and said, I'm doing it!!! (NOT recommended) lol
Anyway, I had a great race..not the best time, but under 3 hrs! lol
AND I didnt listen to my music, LOVED all the sounds during the race...esp hearing the Olympic Fanfare and the theme from Rocky at the end of the race!

I AM going to train properly for Princess though!!!

Still not crazy about the after party....I would much rather have chocolate milk than a can of beer or soda after a race!! The walk to BCV seemd like forever!!!
But I did get a wine glass this year...they were sold out last year so fast!!!
Did like the gift card with the logo!

Congrats to all!!

 

[Sam G]

Michele- You are welcome and sorry about the knee.

Other runners are one of the hazards of running I have so far thankfully avoided. One of my friends had someone fall right in front of him and he tripped over him and twisted his ankle at mile 8 of his first marathon. I've been pinched over at starts but so far all of my injuries have been self inflicted.

It's worse on bike rides. This year on a long charity ride there was an accident from the second bike in a thirty bike paceline hitting something. ( a piece of tire picked up and going into the spokes) Took out eight bikes with four people going to the hosipital. At least in running injuries usually involves legs.. biking seems to be a lot worse because of the speeds involved. (That's why I run so slow )

 

[rizzobob]

Sorry to hear about your knee-hopefully it is nothing major.

As for transportation, I wonder what happened? We were also at POFQ. DH and I boarded a bus, with no wait, at 7:15 and we were there by 8. Weird that you boarded 5 minutes later and got there an hour after us.

All in all, a good run. Looking forward to The Donald in January and improving our time.

I got to the lobby before 7:20. Let's go with 7:18 ..lol. The line came in the doors, to the back end of the lobby, took a 90* turn and went into the food court. It took another turn along the side of the food court all the way to the back. This is where I got in line. After that, it took another hard left and out the other end of the food court. It took until 9 with the huge wait there and then the sitting in the WWos entry for a long while. I had friends that were like you, they were there by 7 or right after and got to the race right away. I think everyone just showed up at 7:15 and there was no way the buses could recover. Part of the problem was that they were only loading the bus halfway, then going to Riverside. There was no line there. So POFQ was backed up and loading only half the bus and then it was half empty.

It wasn't enough for me to say that I won't do it again. I will - next year. But it was frustrating to not be able to meet up with any people at the field, to miss the pictures with the characters and not really get a chance to stretch out. It definitely changed the beginning of the race for me.

I thought for the most part everything went very smoothly with the race. I had a good time and will definitely go back. Next time I'll stay at Riverside though

I went to the ortho today and have to do 4 weeks of PT, so not totally innocent was the pain after the "man on a mission" took me out. I have to call to start that soon. I am supposed to cut down on the running for the next four weeks. We'll see.....

 

[bigtony777]

I am finally posting after getting back from a whirlwind weekend. We went to the MNSSHP on Friday night and I was also convinced to run the 5k Saturday morning. I had a decent race, but after mile 6, I knew that no PR was going to happen so I dialed it down.

I did have a nice fall around 11.5, right after the overpass heading to Boardwalk. The next piece of sidewalk was raised just enough to catch my toe and cause me to fall. Sorry if anyone was around to hear my few choice words at that moment. I was more angry than hurt at the time. Luckily none of my bruises or scrapes slowed me down too much until the next day.

I was extremely pleased with the bag check and pick up this year. Some of the lines were just as long as I remembered last year, but there were several that had hardly any wait. They did not have as many character stops this year. I guess it depended on where you were in the race, but for me the following were missing from last year. No army men, Darth Vader was up on stage and not down for pictures, no Woody near Toy Story only Buzz, and no incredibles.

I did not care for the terrible selection of beer at the finish line. It seems odd to me that with all the great drink selections during the Food and Wine that we have choose between Bud and Bud light. They changed this after opening registration. When I signed up it stated each runner would get a voucher for a snack and drink just as last year. Then they changed it to the gift card and beer or wine at the finish. Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t see any wine offered at the finish line.

I hope everyone had a great race and weekend. I know that we will be back next year and hope to have the same great weather.

 

[John VN]

It's worse on bike rides. This year on a long charity ride there was an accident from the second bike in a thirty bike paceline hitting something. ( a piece of tire picked up and going into the spokes) Took out eight bikes with four people going to the hosipital. At least in running injuries usually involves legs.. biking seems to be a lot worse because of the speeds involved. (That's why I run so slow )

Can't add anything about this year's W&D because I wasn't there with DW like last year but had to chuckle about your bike crash comment. April 2nd I went down in paceline but no one behind me. I fractured C6, clavicle and other stuff but didn't have to think about my buddies behind me like when I went down in a paceline 2 years ago. That time I slid out into traffic on a 55mph highway and nothing happened. This time I landed on soft grass, so figure.

BTW, I was one of those 2nd relay people zipping in and out last year. I made extra sure I cleared people as I went by but did manage to clip one of the heavy duty traffic cones around mile 10-11. Face plant for me but since I was out of bounds it did not interfere with anyone else.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I did have a nice fall around 11.5, right after the overpass heading to Boardwalk. The next piece of sidewalk was raised just enough to catch my toe and cause me to fall. Sorry if anyone was around to hear my few choice words at that moment. I was more angry than hurt at the time. Luckily none of my bruises or scrapes slowed me down too much until the next day.

That is the same exact spot that I tripped at! Same result as you, and I sure stayed away from the cracks after that. Lost my Nike Sport band USB and didn't want to look for it with it being so dark. I surprisingly didn't say anything offensive...but I sure wanted to!

 

[29apr00]

I had the Email, text and Facebook alerts working too. but I only got ones that said we crossed the finish line.....i was expecting more updates like crossing mile 4, mile 8, mile 12....stuff like that. either way, they worked and were right on time. i got my text that I finsheed before i got my medal!!

and the bus transportation from ASSPorts going to the race was fine, atleast for me. I boarded the bus about 6:50 and made it to WWoS shortly after 7pm. the transpoertatiion at the end of the race left much to be desired. I don't know what time the PP left, but I walked out just before 3am and they were directing us to a different bus lot, but the tram lines were full of non-runners and it was miles long!! I wasn't about to stand still for half an hour waiting....standing hurt more than walking! so I, along with hunderds of other runners, WALKED thru the parking lot over to the bus transportation. and there was a HUGE line for the All Star Resorts!! 1 bus for all 3 resorts!! All Stars have almost 6000 rooms! they realled needed 1 bus per resort, and the woman loading the buses wasn't too bright. she couldn't count and put too many people on the bus, so many had to get off. not me!! i'd rather stand for the ride than get off and wait for another bus to show up!

I too was unimpressed with the drink selection after the race. I can't stand beer, really wanted a class of wine, or heck yeah, even milk!! And I wasn't there last year so I can't say if it was an improvement, but I thought the party was still way too crowded!