Space Coast Half&Full Marathon Nov. 2009

[getnthinr]

Wendy,
You know you wanna come!! Come hang with Liz, Stacey, Brandie and me!!

Space Themed - you can't go wrong with that!

Tracy

So, if I've registered for the race and I have a hotel room and a possible roommate, does that mean I'm committed -- or just that I SHOULD be?

 

[dsnyfan21]

Yes Wendy!! Then that all means that you are commited and/or in the need of being commited. haha

Tracy

 

[WDWFAN9]

What a cool sounding race, and what awesome bling!! Unfortunately I have crossed FL off my list multiple times! But it sure looks like fun, and as Wendy says, what better way to get your steps in than at an event that rewards you with bling!!

I would like to put in a shameless plug for Chicago. Jim and I are already registered for next year - it is a great time! Chicago is a beautiful city! Come join the fun.

 

[FireDancer]

What a cool sounding race, and what awesome bling!! Unfortunately I have crossed FL off my list multiple times!

I might have already asked you this but does this mean you are doing the half2run thing? I started it in 2006 and did 4 states that year...I'm still at 4 sates though since my 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th were all in the same states as my first 4. I do get to cross Virginia and PA off though after going for the beach to bell.

I decided I have too many FL races I want to do (Holiday Half, Space Coast, Gasparilla) so I am going to still do them even though it doesn't get me any more states.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Yes, I am doing the half2run thing!! I started in 2006 and my first four halfs were in FL, OH, IL and CA! Now I am up to 15 states, with three more to go by the end of the year. My dilemma is that there are still a lot of cool races like Spacecoast in states I've already done. And I am such a sucker for cool bling! I just WISH there was a way to do them all!

 

[FireDancer]

Funny, my first 4 were almost the exact same:

FL (WDW)
TN (Country Music)
OH (Cleveland)
CA (Disneyland)

Then I did another Ohio, then another FL, then another Ohio, then the Country Music again. Ohio is close and cheap and FL, well, it is neither close nor cheap but has Disney World .

 

[getnthinr]

Yes, I am doing the half2run thing!! I started in 2006 and my first four halfs were in FL, OH, IL and CA! Now I am up to 15 states, with three more to go by the end of the year. My dilemma is that there are still a lot of cool races like Spacecoast in states I've already done. And I am such a sucker for cool bling! I just WISH there was a way to do them all!

That is a real dilemma for me as well. Someone in our Galloway group has almost finished his 50 states quest -- and he and I both did the marathon-a-month thing in 2000. I often look at what he's accomplished and think, "I should have tried to do that" but I have loved doing the Goofy/Dopey annually -- and doing long races that I can drive to for my training for the Goofy makes the miles so much easier. (Even though that means doing the same races over and over.) Add to that the bonus of reuniting with WISHers (and my Disney Dead friends, and Robert and Linda's Disney Running group...) in FL annually... And I think doing 50 states is not the choice for me. I would like to follow in Pat's footsteps at some point, though, and do halfs in 25 states -- which is also a real accomplishment!

Since 2010 is the last year for the Gasparilla marathon (the half and the other races will continue), it looks like that's one I am going to "have" to do next February -- and that's the same weekend as New Orleans where I was planning to hook up with some WISHers! Bummer! I could kick myself that I did not do the City of Oaks marathon in Raleigh in one of the two years that the time limit was 7 hours -- because now it's 6 hours and beyond my reach as a "power walker." I guess, as in life, you can't have it all. I'm happy with the choices I've made for the most part, and you can't ask for more than that.

There are sooooo many great races! And you guys keep tempting me with MORE and more of them!

 

[dsnyfan21]

OK all you Space Junkies....hahaha

Here is a new update:

"This year we have Jeff Galloway, America’s coach,
as the keynote speaker and the presenter at the awards presentation."

Hey, anyone expecting to get an award?? I know I won't, but would be cool to get it handed to you by Coach Jeff.

"Unique awards will be given to the top three overall male and female winners, top male and female master (over 40), top male and female grand master (over 50), top three finishers in each of the five-year age groups, (starting with 15-19 and ending with 75 +. Eighteen (18) is the minimum age for participation in the marathon.

Overall winners will be calculated using the official "gun" time. Age group award winners will be calculated using the "net" chip time, not the "gun" time."

OK we have just about 92 days left. Hope everyone is in training mode whether doing the Half or Full.

Please check the first post and make sure I have you down if you are coming and which distance and where you are staying.

Racey Tracy

 

[getnthinr]

Tracy, put me down for:
Wendy (getnthinr) - Full - Radisson Resort (Saturday night only, then headed to the World for Christmas post-marathon!)

And just to continue Tracy's whole enabling thing here...

Sunday night, after the marathon and just one-hour's drive away is Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party, and the Candlelight Processional, and the Osborne Family Lights, and all the great Christmas decorations and souvenir shirts and hot chocolate cups etc, that make going to Disney at Christmas time just about THE Happiest Place on Earth. So if you need another good reson to go and extend your Thanksgiving weekend with a cool marathon, giant medal, and one last solid training run before Goofy... Well, now you have Disney Christmas to look forward to as your marathon celebration. Hey, what's one more day at Thanksgiving -- and they tell me that Thanksgiving Sunday at noon is a giant mass exodus from WDW, so in theory we'd be arriving after everyone else was headed home.

I don't know, it's sounding pretty good to me -- especially because the current discount code (FSC, I think) gets you $59/night rooms at Pop Century and All Star Music. $59/night -- on property. Just sayin'...

 

[Big Vic]

Half
Radisson (Saturday night only, then off the the World for a few days)

 

[twoWDWfools]

Hey Wendy! We're headed to WDW on Sunday, too! Going to spend the week celebrating with Stacey and her family plus couple other families. Staying at Pop - fantastic rates!!

 

[tink06]

on joining the race and the Disney fun after!
Can't wait to see everyone!!

 

[tink06]

Tracy - please add me and Jeff. Both doing the half - staying at the Radisson. Thursday through race morning (then Disney).
Thanks

 

[syko]

I forgot to say that I will be to the race from home, its only about an hours

 

[dsnyfan21]

WISHers......

70 Days until BLASTOFF!!!

They are showing on the website what the medals will look like...

Also for anyone who is interested...
**We are very excited to announce that Jeff Galloway, Olympian, author and America’s Coach who created the run-walk-run technique, will be the guest speaker at this year’s Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon Pre-race pasta dinner. The cost of the pre-race dinner at the Radisson Resort at the Port, our host hotel, is $20.00. The dinner is from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm and the keynote speaker presentation is approximately 6:30 pm.**

Hope everyone's training is coming along nicely.

-Racey Tracy

 

[dsnyfan21]

Ok we are coming up to about 6 weeks until the Spacecoast. Anyone got plans, here are somethings I found to do while in Cocoa Beach...

Of course there is the Kennedy Space Center:
-The KSC Visitors Complex is your gateway to space...check out where NASA prepares and launches the space shuttle. Among other exciting things to do and see, you can ride the all new "Shuttle Launch Experience," climb aboard a full-size shuttle replica, tour the launch area and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, see IMAX movies, walk among authentic vintage spacecraft, visit a hands-on intergallactic gallery, and view an art gallery.
$$ (There is a coupon here for Florida residents, if you buy one adult ticket you can get one friend in free.)
There will also be a discount for those attending the races.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Admission
$38 adult/$28 child (ages 3-11) plus tax
Tour Kennedy Space Center, see IMAX® space films and experience all of our exhibits and shows, including the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame with interactive spaceflight simulators. Each Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex ticket is valid for two days of admission (must be used within seven days of first use).
Open 9am-5:30pm, Tours start at 10am.(Tours are a separate price)

The Brevard Zoo:
-Stroll through Latin America, Native Florida and Australia featuring over 400 animals including alligators, giant anteater, marmoset, jaguar, eagle, river otter, kangaroo, kookaburra and more. Also features a train ride and beautiful exotic birds in a free-flight aviary. Explore the "Paws-On" interactive learning area, an adventurous playground, and get up close and personal with a wide variety of friendly, domesticated animals.
$$ Adults - 12.50
Seniors - 11.50
Children ages 2 to 12 - 9.50
Children under 2 - FREE
Open 9:30am-5pm

Cocoa Beach Pier:
-This is a historical landmark in Cocoa Beach, stretching 840 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, and features a wide array of restaurants, boutiques, and gift shops. Fishing is allowed on the pier, and rentals are available.
Link to the dining: http://www.cocoabeachpier.com/food_spirits.html

MERRITT ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:
-At the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, nature affirms its spirit and lives in harmony with over 1,045 species of plants and animals, including gators, bobcats, wild hogs, broomeliads and mangroves, plus 310 species of birds including snowy egrets, white ibises, great blue herons and red-tailed hawks. Fifteen wildlife species federally listed as endangered or threatened live here, including sea turtles, Gopher Tortoises, Ospreys, West Indian Manatees, southern Bald Eagles and Florida scrub jays. No buildings or seawalls distrub this 40-plus mile long wilderness (and clothing optional) beach, and not to be missed is the 6-mile self-guided Black Point Wildlife Drive.

RON JONs surf shop:
Coined "One Of A Kind," Ron Jons is the world's largest surf shop, and has everything you need for fun in the sun. Not actually a theme park, just a "must see" attraction in Cocoa Beach.

Funntasia Fantasy Golf:
Miniature golf at its best, this park features two 18-hole courses, magnificently landscaped with waterfalls and flowing streams.

And of course there is the pool at the hotel and the beach!!

EXPO INFORMATION:
Friday from 10am-7pm and Saturday 9am-4pm.
Will be held at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts.

-Tracy

 

[getnthinr]

I bought a ticket because I figured the last thing I'd want to do after making that long drive was look around for a restaurant in unfamiliar territory.

Is anyone else planning on it? You can prepay your ticket through Active -- I don't know whether or not they'll also be available at the door. I just thought I'd be on the lookout for any WiSHers that might be there.

 

[DianeL]

Sounds like you all are going to have tons of fun! And those of you paying a post-race visit to the World! WHAT a weekend you all will have!!!

Tracy thanks for posting the medal photo, those are beautiful!!! Those will make a nice addition to the post-race group photo

 

[syko]

I need to get my reg done, but i have just found out that the womens hand crank national champ is comming.......I know who's going to be last!!!

 

[dsnyfan21]

OK everyone...

5 weeks until the Spacecoast!!!!

...didn't know if anyone needed a reminder.


Wendy: Where did you see on Active to pre-register for the pasta dinner at the hotel? I am looking to do this also. Less driving around and possibly waiting in lines at other restaurants for something to eat the night before.



-Tracy