cewait
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2000
- Messages
- 5,695
Tis the season for dreams of sugar plum fairies, nightmares of nasty little blisters and sleepless nights of wondering why did I send the entry card in and will a long run of 16 miles really work?
I remember the first few Disney marathons I ran. I literally slept on the floor of my CBR room for the first two events starting eleven years ago. Veterans, what are your BEST memories, sites or sounds from your Disney marathon experiences
Best Starts
2000 – I started just behind the bridge at the start. I had a great fireworks show. They had modified the speech that started the Tapestry of Nations speaking to the runners as we ran the world (or some silliness) One of the large Tapestry drummers was on the bridge. And the Tapestry music carried us though the start.
2002 – Just after 911 and hearing the Star Spangled Banner at the start was very emotional. Plus I was with a group of folks from NY.
Best running character
In 2000 it was Creulla DeVille and her puppies. There was a runner who was in was in full Cruella character; and in the gathering area pre race I found her staring at me asking if I were one of her puppies. She had 5-6 puppies, guys dressed in Dalmatian hats and shirts. She scared the stuff out of me. Later saw her at mile six she was on the over pass and I was running under - she was still yelling at me.
There have been several others including tinks, Minnie and Mickey, pooh (in a full suit), and of course a gladiator. The man ran the marathon in a speedo and loin cloth.
Best scenes
The first year I ran from today’s blue start. Running past the American Adventure I looked left peering through the fog and saw the glow of Space Ship Earth and the red eerie and surreal glow of the 2000 sign. I think it was the first time I ever used the word surreal.
The frosty backs of folks in 2006. It was near freezing and with the wind out of the north the wind-chill combined with folks sweat created frosty backs. Thought it was cool looking until I realized that if everyone else’s back was frosty then mine must also be frosty. I then got cold.
The monorail honking and folks waving from the early dawn light as we run up World Drive.
Best Moments
I made eye contact with the lady who hung my first medal around my neck. I do not know who she was but she was crying. Man I was in tears for a while after that.
I still get excited as I run Main Street and then pop back around through Cinderella Castle. My first trip through MK had background music playing, "It’s a Small World” and “Whistle While You Work.”
Seeing Mary (DW) at mile 24.95 as we come out of the World Showcase backstage area and hit the path around the lake. She is right there year after year. I know that I just have a mile to go and no matter how much the day sucked all I have to do is loop the lake.
Weird events
The piped in crowd noise on the 19 mile bridge. As far as I know it only happened one year but I am usually delirious by that point in the race.
The first year I really worked on forums for the race, Robert posted my photo. I was recognized on the flight from Houston and at the baggage turnstile. From there I was recognized on the loop around the Crescent Lake about 3 times that year and in MK and Epcot. Also, in the corral I was pulled aside and asked if I was me. I was also wearing a local running club shirt in the race that year… Someone asked my name and then a couple runners next to me figured out who I was.
Most Taxing Memory
I met a virtual friend one year as was pacing her through mile 13. I was staying at BWV and she at YC. I walked over to meet her in the YC. While she was finishing her breakfast I noted the non-Disney bag with her gear. She flew up to her room and back down. In the mean time Mears Transportation had forgotten about us. It happens every year at one resort or another. I was getting concerned as the time hit 4:45 and approached 5 that we could hear the start yet do nothing to get to the start. As 5 came near about 10-12 busses came and we had a quick ride to the parking lot. Actually it was a good thing that year as a front was blowing in and we only had to stand in the cold 10 minutes.
Funnest memories
Running with friends I have made on the Forums. It is a unique community that helps each and every one of us.
My coach side comes out usually on Osceola when I am around a runner who is just not having a great time. I will usually tap on the shoulder and say something positive. Not lying like you look strong or only a half mile to go. There is a pay it forward aspect to this that I have never expected. I was tapped on the shoulder last year as I passed mile 20 and just needed a long break. I felt a tap and there were three folks there smiling and saying great things about how strong I looked and that I needed to pick it up a little. These three folks had been following me starting with the first one I had tapped at mile 16 and change. I was kind of the pied piper. By the time we got to Epcot there was a crowd of 25 30 of use and we were grabbing folks right and left all finishing much faster and stronger than we would have individually.
Saddest moments
2000 when I passed a crowd of folks around a guy on the ground at mile 1 giving him CPR. It was Warren Plumb of Canada who later died of his heart attack. The saddest part of this story was that his wife was running the marathon also and they could not get to her until just crossing the finish. As I remember the story a Deputy also suffered a heart attack while performing CPR. He survived as a group of EMTs from downstate stopped their marathon effort to administer aid to both men.
2006 when pro golfer Willie Kane died of a sudden heart attack at the finish line of the half. The EMTs were just beginning to work on him on the line as I passed.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Let’s hear from the gang on experiences they have had through the years.
I remember the first few Disney marathons I ran. I literally slept on the floor of my CBR room for the first two events starting eleven years ago. Veterans, what are your BEST memories, sites or sounds from your Disney marathon experiences
Best Starts
2000 – I started just behind the bridge at the start. I had a great fireworks show. They had modified the speech that started the Tapestry of Nations speaking to the runners as we ran the world (or some silliness) One of the large Tapestry drummers was on the bridge. And the Tapestry music carried us though the start.
2002 – Just after 911 and hearing the Star Spangled Banner at the start was very emotional. Plus I was with a group of folks from NY.
Best running character
In 2000 it was Creulla DeVille and her puppies. There was a runner who was in was in full Cruella character; and in the gathering area pre race I found her staring at me asking if I were one of her puppies. She had 5-6 puppies, guys dressed in Dalmatian hats and shirts. She scared the stuff out of me. Later saw her at mile six she was on the over pass and I was running under - she was still yelling at me.
There have been several others including tinks, Minnie and Mickey, pooh (in a full suit), and of course a gladiator. The man ran the marathon in a speedo and loin cloth.
Best scenes
The first year I ran from today’s blue start. Running past the American Adventure I looked left peering through the fog and saw the glow of Space Ship Earth and the red eerie and surreal glow of the 2000 sign. I think it was the first time I ever used the word surreal.
The frosty backs of folks in 2006. It was near freezing and with the wind out of the north the wind-chill combined with folks sweat created frosty backs. Thought it was cool looking until I realized that if everyone else’s back was frosty then mine must also be frosty. I then got cold.
The monorail honking and folks waving from the early dawn light as we run up World Drive.
Best Moments
I made eye contact with the lady who hung my first medal around my neck. I do not know who she was but she was crying. Man I was in tears for a while after that.
I still get excited as I run Main Street and then pop back around through Cinderella Castle. My first trip through MK had background music playing, "It’s a Small World” and “Whistle While You Work.”
Seeing Mary (DW) at mile 24.95 as we come out of the World Showcase backstage area and hit the path around the lake. She is right there year after year. I know that I just have a mile to go and no matter how much the day sucked all I have to do is loop the lake.
Weird events
The piped in crowd noise on the 19 mile bridge. As far as I know it only happened one year but I am usually delirious by that point in the race.
The first year I really worked on forums for the race, Robert posted my photo. I was recognized on the flight from Houston and at the baggage turnstile. From there I was recognized on the loop around the Crescent Lake about 3 times that year and in MK and Epcot. Also, in the corral I was pulled aside and asked if I was me. I was also wearing a local running club shirt in the race that year… Someone asked my name and then a couple runners next to me figured out who I was.
Most Taxing Memory
I met a virtual friend one year as was pacing her through mile 13. I was staying at BWV and she at YC. I walked over to meet her in the YC. While she was finishing her breakfast I noted the non-Disney bag with her gear. She flew up to her room and back down. In the mean time Mears Transportation had forgotten about us. It happens every year at one resort or another. I was getting concerned as the time hit 4:45 and approached 5 that we could hear the start yet do nothing to get to the start. As 5 came near about 10-12 busses came and we had a quick ride to the parking lot. Actually it was a good thing that year as a front was blowing in and we only had to stand in the cold 10 minutes.
Funnest memories
Running with friends I have made on the Forums. It is a unique community that helps each and every one of us.
My coach side comes out usually on Osceola when I am around a runner who is just not having a great time. I will usually tap on the shoulder and say something positive. Not lying like you look strong or only a half mile to go. There is a pay it forward aspect to this that I have never expected. I was tapped on the shoulder last year as I passed mile 20 and just needed a long break. I felt a tap and there were three folks there smiling and saying great things about how strong I looked and that I needed to pick it up a little. These three folks had been following me starting with the first one I had tapped at mile 16 and change. I was kind of the pied piper. By the time we got to Epcot there was a crowd of 25 30 of use and we were grabbing folks right and left all finishing much faster and stronger than we would have individually.
Saddest moments
2000 when I passed a crowd of folks around a guy on the ground at mile 1 giving him CPR. It was Warren Plumb of Canada who later died of his heart attack. The saddest part of this story was that his wife was running the marathon also and they could not get to her until just crossing the finish. As I remember the story a Deputy also suffered a heart attack while performing CPR. He survived as a group of EMTs from downstate stopped their marathon effort to administer aid to both men.
2006 when pro golfer Willie Kane died of a sudden heart attack at the finish line of the half. The EMTs were just beginning to work on him on the line as I passed.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Let’s hear from the gang on experiences they have had through the years.
