Race Reports, Kudos and Encouragement for October 6th and 7th

[Duanerice]

WOW, what a busy weekend. Congratulations to all that raced this weekend. I especially love reading about the 1/2 and full marathon runners. You go kids! Still a bit too warm down here for that silliness 10K was enough this weekend.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[Calcio]

Lynnda

Congratulations on a fast and relaxing race. I've very impressed.

So impressed, in fact, that I'm going to a seance later this evening with my favorite medium We are trying to channel Steve Prefontaine, to see if he would run the Tower of Terror for me (appropriate, no?). You'll all know if I've succeeded on October 27 by about 10:06 p.m. If Steve is running for me, I'll be done in an age class and open world record. If he was otherwise detained, you'll see me drag my butt across the finish around 10:42.

Good for you Bill, particularly in those conditions. Martha and I were at the Race for the Taste 2 years ago and the heat and humidity crushed me. Please give us a coolish evening in 19 days.

Craig

 

[SilverE]

Congratulations all WISH Team members!

I've been away for the latter part of the weekend, so I apologize that I can not address each member's individual races; but I zipped through the posts and want to congratulate you all! (Man, I have trouble keeping up with all the posts on these boards! )

 

[Villains_Rock]

Villians Rock - Most of us don't bite, I won't comment on Dave though . Feel free to come up and start talking at the marathon.

I'm not able to make it to the marathon, but I most definitely will make it to one of the races next year!! I saw your pics posted on the other board and I do remember seeing you. Next time I will have a WISH shirt and it will force me to say hello...lol. Thanks!

 

[windwalker]

Villians Rock - Most of us don't bite, I won't comment on Dave though . Feel free to come up and start talking at the marathon.

Bill

Don't believe a word these guys say, make a few little innocent comments and all of a sudden you get a reputation. Not true I'm shy, reserved, dignified and try to blend into the crowd.

Just for the record it was Jeanne's decision to flash Mickey Mouse on the parade float to see if he would throw beads. I would never condon such behavior.

Daze

 

[gatorphipps]

I did this trail marathon in 2005 and hoped I’d have learned a thing or two since then. No such luck. I must say, though, the course was still as gorgeous as I remembered, even with the severe drought we have been experiencing in NC. Lots of rolling hills, great lake views, shaded trails, and some of the nicest trail runners you’d ever care to meet. My time was actually a few seconds worse than my previous race, but this year I didn’t fall. Hooray! I did, however, get a stellar case of poison ivy – and a cute little medal and a technical shirt with “Road Racing is for Wimps” emblazoned across the back.

All in all, a good way to get in this week’s long run.

Christa, I had no idea you were there -- not that I'd have seen you at my abysmal pace!

I ran it last year and was planning to run the 40 this year but had a conflict so never did sign up. Last year it poured the rain, but still a wonderful marathon. Lotts of good food! We got that shirt last year, but there was a misprint and it said "Road Racing is for Working". It took me a while to figure out that was wrong. I wear my misprint shirt all the time. It is the best WO shirt I own.

 

[Honeibee]

Bill - OMG that was hysterical! Way to go Lynnda!

Craig - So, if you show up with a mustache and knee socks, I'll understand.

 

[westcliffemom]

Race for the Taste, Oct 7, 2007- The tale of the turns!

First let me say that it was difficult having the race be at the end of the vacation. One reason is I had eaten like a piglet all week on free dining! Secondly, it was hard to get excited about the race, until, that is, the night before. Then the nerves started! I woke up regularly to see what time it was.

My friend Denise drove me over to the race’s start. She left so she could not get caught in traffic! I saw a bright green WISH shirt. It was Bill. We talked for quite a while, then others started showing up. Becky (Lexxiefern), Donna (she says she isn’t on the boards a lot), Karen & John, and another WISHER (sorry, told you I wouldn’t remember!). Duanerice came by & said hi, as did Roxy and DreamBeliver. We were herded to the start by a volunteer who kept saying- you won’t be able to start from here! Becky reminded me to take pics of the WISHER’s.

We were about mid-pack. We squished up, and then we were off. I started off running, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to keep it up. I actually ran about 3 minutes! But then I needed to get into my pace. Karen & John were about the same pace, as we kept passing each other.

Although it wasn’t raining, as it had every other day that week, it was humid! I wished I would of brought my washcloth, but I hadn’t, since I really didn’t need it at the Minnie. Out of WWOS, we turned onto Osceola Parkway. On this stretch, I met another walker who was doing about the same pace as I was. Her name is Carol. We walked together and talked. It was nice to have company.

We then went down to the main road (sorry, don’t know the name) and there was a sharp switchback there. Then we took the road into the entrance of MGM (the one we don’t get to see too often). We went through the parking booths, then another switchback into the backstage of the park. We didn’t go to far before we were at the Lights, Motors, Action Stage. Then another like S turn into the NY skyline area of the park.

What happens next? You guessed it! Another turn. This time it was to the left by Writer’s Stop & Sci-Fi. Down that street behind the hat, then another turn in front of the hat. Then we went by the Indiana Jones Stunt show, then another turn, back to the main street of the park. Turned left and went through a backstage area. I think there was a water stop here. Then out of the park. The rest of the route was the same as the Minnie 15K, through the Boardwalk, Swan & Dolphin area, then EPCOT.

I was keeping on pace, with about 13 minutes miles all the way through. I was feeling pretty good by about mile 5, I felt like I had really trained well. Carol & I kept each other going, trying to keep up the pace. I felt that I would of like to have had Gatorade at a stop or two instead of water, but that’s my fault for not bringing anything.

We stayed together til about 6 miles. My hip was hurting a little, so I told her I needed to run a little. I ran the last .2 miles. I focused on the finish like I wanted, but alas, no pics! I have to remember that for next time, pics of the finish! My DH & DD were there, as was Denise. I finished in 1:20:24. It was about what I expected to do.

I got some Powerade, had a picture taken, then met up with my family outside the fence. The lines for the food booths was so long! All 3 of them. I just said forget it, as I was super stinky and sweaty! Denise told me later that she heard some talking about @ EPCOT that you could use them later at the booths, but I didn’t get to, as I left my bracelet in the room.

I probably would of felt fine for the rest of the day, but we took off to MK and then EPCOT. It was our last day! I clocked another 8.6 miles on the pedometer that day! So needless to say, I was sore for that day & the next. Today it’s better. Oh, and I saw Roxy again @ Norway (it was important post race fuel to get a sweet pretzel w/almonds!) and we visited a little.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Great job! I love reading the reports.

Welcome Villains_Rock! Great that you have joined the WISH Team! The WISH Team is a wonderful support system.

 

[mogulskr]

Great job everyone in the heat and humidity. Now for my report.

I woke up at 5:30 and got ready as quiet as possible to not wake up the rest of the family as we had been out to midnight or so the night before. While putting on my sneakers I found an acorn that my 5 year old put in there for luck.

Drove to Epcot and and got on a bus pretty quick of to WWoS. Once there I walked around the paths on the far left and ate a cliff bar for breakfast then picked up the pace and jogged for a while to get warmed up. About 10 minutes before the start a had a gel and made my way to the start.

This was my second race, the first one being last April. Well, I was looking for pacing signs like in the April race to try and get in the right place. None to be found so I just sort of guessed and was a little ahead of where we walked into the start.

Countdown, fireworks and and then walk and sort of jog to the start line. I ended up on the right side and pretty much passed people on the grass median when I had to all the way to the first turn.

I had two goals, the first was to break 1 hour the second was to break 50 minutes. My plan was a 8:30 first mile and then pick up the pace as much as I could and really turn it on at the end.

Well, it sounded good, but didn't actually happen that way. My first mile was 9:20 and it had to do with no really having enough room and that was my own fault.

I was already dripping wet and getting pretty warm, but had space and felt good so I was able to pick up the pace a little. I hit the second mile marker and hit the split button and it show 7.07, i was really confused and aske the guy next to me if he thought that was a short mile, because there was no way I ran at that pace. Come to find out I had hit the split button early so mile 2 was actually 8:28. that made more sense.

I was getting really warm and I think there was water somewhere in mile 3 which I was happy about. I tried to pick up the pace and I usually did for the first part of each mile, but could not hold it mile 3 was 8.35.

I started to do math in my haed trying to figure out if I could still break the 50 minute mark. By the way this was not easy to figure out, but I realized I needed to run over a little over a 5k in 23.36. I knew this wasn't going to happen so I shot for as close to 50 as I could.

Mile 4 was tough, I run in the northeast and really don't run in the summer so the humidity was killing me. I really struggled to keep up my pace. Mile 4 passed at 8.43 and I was upset I was going in the wrong direction. Not sure why I cared, but I had it in my mind I should be running better.

At this point I was really looking for water and then I turned a corner and there it was, I was never so happy to see water. the volunteers handing out the water were great and made it easy to grab. I made sure to thank all of them as I ran by. Mile 5 went by in 8.32. I was getting better, but realized I was not going to get much faster.

With a little over a mile to go I was willing my legs to go as fast as they could. It was cool to run through the countries and it help the last mile to go by. It was my fastest mile at 8.26 and I think that had to do with knowing the end was near and I just wanted it over.

I made the turn towards the finish and was running with another guy pretty much step in step. The final straight he kicked and so I went with him and felt pretty good. He took me at the line and the last 2 tenths took 1.40.

I ended up with a chip time of 53.47 and was pleased overall. I got my medal, I couple of powerades and a picture. I walked over to the tasting booths, but there was no way I was my stomach was going to let me eat anything for a little so I headed back to shower and get ready for a day at the parks with my family who were still sleeping when I got back.

I didn't pass or get passed by a wish shirt the whole time, maybe I started ahead of them or never caught any. I didn't really look at the start for any as I was kind of on my own getting ready for the race.

The whole experience was great and Disney is very well organized. Now I need to convice my wife to go for the 1/2 or full one day.

 

[Villains_Rock]

Thanks Lily! I've been a WISH member for awhile now...more on the weight loss end of it. I was interested in getting a WISH team shirt for the 10K and didn't sign up in time. BUT...now that I know everyone is so nice I'm jumping into the team Asics first! LOL!

 

[kareneast]

Wendy – Way to go on the trail marathon & Congratulations on not falling. Hope the poison ivy is clearing up.
SilverSteve – Congratulations on the half marathon. Glad to hear you had perfect race weather.
Craig – Congratulations on the half marathon.
Nicolita3 – Congratulations on finishing your first race.
Klh-or – Congratulations to you & your DD on your 10k race.
Lily – Way to go on the Towpath half marathon. That is very cool that they offered the walkers to start an hour early, especially on a hot day.
Matt & Cheryl – Congratulations! It was fun trying to keep up with you for the first mile.
Eva – Congratulations on finishing your first race.
Bill – Congratulations! You did a great job as Lynnda’s pinch runner.
Stacey – Congratulations! Excellent race report & great photos. It was fun playing leap frog with you for a while.
Scott – Congratulations! Great race report.

 

[kareneast]

After getting up bright & early we drove over to Epcot & hopped on a bus to the start. As we passed the start area on the bus, John spotted a WISH shirt. (We really do stand out! ) Got off the bus & made our way over to the start area where we found Bill & Stacey. Soon other WISHer’s were arriving. Some staying to hang out & others just stopping by. It was great seeing everyone. About a half hour before race start John & I lined up for the port-o-potties. The lines were pretty long so by the time we were making our way back to the start area the National Anthem was being sung. We saw Matt waving to us from the middle of the pack so we made our way in to where the group of WISHer’s were lined up. We ran the first mile following Matt & Cheryl. We were trying to get as far as we could before the sun came up knowing that it was only going to get hotter. At mile 1 we lost Matt & Cheryl when we took our first walk break. We then continued at W3/R2 intervals & for the next couple of miles we played leap frog with Stacey. By mile 4, John was really struggling with the heat & humidity. The sweat was just pouring off of him & since there was only water on the course I think he was sweating his electrolytes out. He really wasn’t looking to good. He ate the rest of the sports beans that we had & drank some of the water with salt added to it that I had and that seemed to help a little. We also slowed down our pace, now doing a lot more walking. It was fun racing through MGM Studios, the Boardwalk area & Epcot. I’m looking forward to going through those areas again during the Full Marathon. After leaving Epcot & making our way around the last curve we see the Finish Line up ahead & start running. Matt was on the side cheering us on. (Thanks Matt!) After getting our medal & making our way through the finisher’s area we see the really long lines for food so decide to wait a bit until the lines to go down. We find Mary Jo (a friend from home) who was doing her first race. She did great & finished about 5 minutes or so behind us. We chat with her a bit before she heads off to find her family. We also got to chat with Heather, her DH, & their DD’s. We went over & watched the kids races & by that time the lines for the food were pretty much gone so we head over there. Then back to Pop for stretching & showers. It was a fun race but sure was very hot & humid.

We finished in a Chip Time of 1:28:57 Clock Time of 1:30:36 for a 14:07 mpm pace.
Mile 1 – 12:20
Mile 2 – 13:20
Mile 3 – 13:36
Mile 4 – 14:27
Mile 5 – 15:48
Mile 6 – 15:22
Last .30 – 4:00 (13:29mpm pace)

Front L-R - Becky, Karen, Heather
Back L-R - Bill, Stacey, John, Donna, Shannon & Shannon's DH behind her

Cheryl & Matt

Stacey (In red shirt)

 

[westcliffemom]

Great report Karen. It was great to meet you both, and neat how we kept going back & forth.