Quick trip/long report, Part 3 (includes swim/run course)

[ironz]

Cast: me and mom at WDW

Tuesday...up early with Mickey's phone call. Plan was to go find the run part of the triathlon course at WL/FW and Mom to explore/have breakfast while I ran.

We drove to WL, as taking busses and transferring would be such a waste of time, esp. as close as those resorts really are. Parked at WL and enjoyed looking at the lodge. Got a map of the running trail from the front desk, and tried to match it with the course map from the triathlon website. Can't say I matched the maps up correctly, as it looks like we go to WL on one path/trail/street and back to the finish line at FW on another. Could not tell if that means they are putting us on dirt path/trail for part of it? or if part is on the street, and part on the asphalt exercise trail that goes from FW to WL?? I would think we'd stay on paved sections, with 2400 athletes? I suppose we'll find out in May. Ran on the path...very nice and quiet with tall trees (which will be welcome shade on a May afternoon!) to FW. Got there and immediately got disoriented compared to the map!

Found Clementine Beach, which is where we swim from. It's a lake swim...what else can you say? no hills? Could not really tell where the transition area is going to be set up....the place that looked "obvious" for setting up 2400 bikes is in the grassy area between the beach and the petting zoo. Or maybe it will be in the area on the side of the petting zoo by Pioneer Hall...either way, it's the same general vicinity. Hopefully they will have some tubs of water to rinse sand off our feet as we head to the bikes (if not, have a water bottle handy....56 miles of biking with sand in your shoes will not be fun!).

Walked around for a while, trying to get my bearings...stopped at the petting zoo to say hi to the animals...saw an albino peacock (very pretty!)...talked to one of the groundskeepers (was I supposed to be out running? oops!). I asked the CM about the race, if he knew anything. He was just aware that it was going to be happening, but didn't know details. I guess he will in a couple of months! I also asked about alligators on the swim. He did say that there have been gators in that lake (of course...it's Florida!)...but I don't think they are running rampant in there. Besides...if 2400 people started swimming towards you (if you were a gator), wouldn't you go somewhere else? I just figure I don't want to be the slowest swimmer! haha!

Tried to figure out a little more of the run course, but I think the rest of it is on the nicely paved roads through the campground area and then the golf course part, which I wouldn't have been able to access. But overall flat...maybe some small inclines on the golf course. Then I ran back to WL, found mom, had a quick breakfast, and it's off to the parks!! (yeah, I showered first at POR...)

 

[floridafam]

ironz,

Thanks for the report!

Clementine Beach is on Bay Lake, correct? We took a boat around Bay Lake last October and it was pretty thick and gross so DH is really not looking forward to the swim but what can ya do?

There was also a pretty strong current on the lake, which surprised me.

Gators! YUCK! DH said he was going to get a small fake one and clip it to his swim briefs so it would be hanging on him at the end of the swim. (then he realized he didn't want to be disqualified)

Maybe they will drag the lake before the swim.

I also wonder if part of the run course is going to be on a dirt path. I guess you will find out in May. As long as it's in the shade I guess DH won't mind. I'm hoping for a light rain during the run so he doesn't totally bonk.

Had you been to WL before?

So what sunglasses can you not live without?

Thanks for posting.

 

[ironz]

The beach didn't look too bad, but the CM (groundskeeper) I talked to and showed the swim map said we might be swimming to Marshmallow Marsh...that sounds like prime gator country to me, and yucky water! But hopefully we'll have some decent water to swim in. Plus, I'm not a fast swimmer, so the others in front of me can cut through any "seaweed" stuff and get it out of the way for me!

I think the idea of the gator hanging off his swim trunks is awesome!! I have met the race director, and I think he would totally get a kick out of that! As long as it's not a flotation aid?

The only concern I have if we run on dirt path ....well, two concerns...parts of the dirt path have more sand than others and traction could be an issue (I don't need any extra resistance when I run!)...and if it rains. But there are trees for shade. I wish I had figured out how to see the cart path at the golf course better. Suppose I could have rented a cart and driven around it? Would they have made me pay green fees if I did? no telling.

I had eaten dinner at Whispering Canyon before, but that's it. I have stayed at the "real" Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone, which the WL is largely based on.
And the sunglasses are my good Serengeti's...because you only lose the good sunglasses, never the el cheapos from Walmart.

Hope any of that course info helps!

 

[floridafam]

I'm sure my DH will appreciate your reports when he gets home.

I can't figure out what part of the race he is least looking forward to. He had a really good swim at a race he did last summer here in MI but the water was totally different than Bay Lake.

He's also done a few where he gets seaweed wrapped around his ankles. He loves that

As long as he doesn't get kicked in the Adam's apple on the swim (yah, he loves that, too) he'll be fine.

I keep having these visions of 2400 athletes crammed on a little trail running through the wilderness.

I have to say, with the race being at WDW, I'm surprised they are not having any type of "event" for families, etc. With WDW being such a tourist destination and many of the athletes staying a few days after, I thought for sure they would have something at FW the night of the race. Is that weird of me to think that?


Thanks again for the reports.

 

[IloveDMB]

Um, 56 miles of biking? Go you!

 

[Minniespal]

Great report ~ Thanx for sharing.