Team 'Ohana--No One Left Behind: The Continuing Adventures

[FFigawi]

John: How are your final LRs for Dublin coming along? Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Thanks! My long run last weekend was pretty demoralizing. I was supposed to do 20 at a relaxed pace, and ended up getting in 18 with walking a good portion of the last 6. I think I was massively dehydrated (stopped sweating, had liquid salt running out of my shorts and down my legs, etc.). All told, not a very inspiring run. This weekend calls for 18 miles with 8 at MP+15 and 8 at MP, so I think I might be resorting to the treadmill. Yuck!

Mostly, people seemed to not like the heat - understandable. And I saw a lot of people get sick and/or bonk on the course. A lot of DNFs came in before DOOD finished (all with medals).

Did I read that right? People came in as DNF and still got finisher medals? I'm sorry, but there's something fundamentally wrong with that. I understand that it sucks to train and travel and not be able to finish, but they're called finisher medals for a reason. If Disney is going to hand out medals just for trying, they could save a lot of hassle at the finish by giving them out at packet pickup. /off soapbox

Glad you had a good time anyway given the weather. Disney has a habit of problems the first year of an event that they do a good job correcting the next time around, so I bet it'll be better when you go back next year.

Hope everyone else is doing well these days. See you all in a few months!

 

[deekaypee]

I'm so sorry to hear about your run, John. It sounds extraordinarily disheartening. I'd say the tough runs make us stronger, but sometimes they're just tough. This sounds like one of those times. I hope your next runs and the marathon are exactly the opposite.

And yeah, DNFers for Tower of Terror were getting finishers medals. I think that's more the rule than the exception for runDisney events. I remember it happening in 2010, and WISHers wondering if it was because of the conditions. Now, I think they're not so much finishers medals as registration-fee medals. I'm with you...you don't finish, you don't get a medal.

I'm not trying to minimize the accomplishment of getting to the start line (nor are you). I just believe the finishers medal should represent what it claims to. And I'd actually be all for having a finishers shirt, too, instead of the registration one. Of course, that would probably be a logistical nightmare.

ETA: I do think the race will improve next year. And organizationally (pre- and post-race) I didn't think it was too bad. It's the course and the timing that are the challenges for me. And I don't know if Disney will change those things substantially. But now I have that inaugural thing going on....

Question: Does anyone know if my ToT time will affect my WDW Marathon Weekend corral placement?

Speaking of shirts, Jen B., what did you think of the ToT 10 Miler shirt?

 

[FFigawi]

If your time for the ToT is faster than the time you previously turned in, then you should definitely email runDisney with the update. I don't think they'll do it automatically.

I like your suggestion about finisher's shirts. Houston and Austin both do that, and the logistics aren't too bad, no worse than at any other race.

 

[MouseDogMom]

John - Ouch. We have a theory that at least one run (usually around the 18 mile distance) has to be a rough one. Yours sounds like it went above and beyond. But then, you're training in above and beyond climate conditions, too!

Debra - Talked to one of our friends tonight who ran ToT. He said the humidity really affected his pace (he probably finished right in front of DOOD.) He complained that it felt like a Rock n Roll race (and they're also known for transporting slower runners ahead on the course... do we see a trend here?)

Rose - I thought of you too - we were waiting in the food court for our food and the woman in front of me was raving about how wonderful Disney had been about her gluten allergy. She said she'd met more chefs during her trip than she ever imagined, and the one at the POR food court had just come out to talk to her.

We just got back from a full week at Disney. Did a couple of days at Food & Wine, but discovered that the weekend is NOT the time to hang out at Epcot unless you really, really enjoy being around large groups of very drunk people! We did have a blast Saturday night with DD and two of her friends from school who were also there - managed to drink our way most of the way around the world. Took two attempts to do MNSSHP - the first one was a complete rainout. We did see the parade, sans Headless Horseman. He apparently can't ride if it's too wet, and I've never experienced monsoon conditions like that at MK before. So we got replacement tickets (no charge) for another night and tried again, with much success on round two. We also did the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom, which I highly recommend if you're a fan of that park.

I've changed my registration for Richmond from the full to the half. Decided I wasn't feeling it this year, and after missing a few long runs due to injury mid-summer, didn't have any interest in trying to do the mileage. Now we've turned it into a girls' weekend, and I'm really excited. I may do the same for the 26.2 with Donna in February, but am holding off for now. Paris, well, they don't offer a half. I'm stuck!

Jackie

 

[deekaypee]

Jackie: A girl's weekend sounds great - and a smart plan, given your mileage and injuries. I *didn't* even know you were injured mid-summer. What happened. Plus, it's not as if you don't have another marathon planned, and one of which I'm so jealous!

Did you see that the Headless Horseman fell off his steed at one of the recent MNSSHP? I guess he's all right, but the accident happened due to slick surfaces. All that rain....And thanks for the info on the Trek. I'd like to do it sometime. We booked a couple of days at AKL over WDW Marathon Weekend, but just for relaxation.

John and Jackie: About the medals and t-shirts. (Finisher's? Finishers? Finishers'? I get confused...guess I'll default to finisher's, following others' suit. It was pointed out in a recent runDisney FB post that the medals don't say finisher on it. So I might want to rethink my statements. If runDisney would just quit referring to the medals as finisher's medals, then I'd be okay with their being handed out - although I wouldn't take one if I DNF. But Disney promotes them as finisher's medals... (or at least they did the last time I looked.) And that's the root of my problem.

Oh, for all the cousins who aren't on Facebook or aren't regular Southwest/AirTran fliers...both airlines are having a pretty substantial sale right now. Dates cover WDW Marathon Weekend. I was able to rebook our flights and get a credit. RT was running about $150 for us.

And, of course, Disney has started their early 2013 discounts, too. Depending on your length of stay, you could save a bit. Of course, I know *everyone* else had their accommodations booked months ago....but I'm a slacker. (And I'll rebook if the AP discounts come out and are better. I'm a room-only kind of gal. Not much for the DDP.)

What's up in everyone else's neck-of-the-running woods? How is training going?

 

[FFigawi]

John and Jackie: About the medals and t-shirts. (Finisher's? Finishers? Finishers'? I get confused...guess I'll default to finisher's, following others' suit. It was pointed out in a recent runDisney FB post that the medals don't say finisher on it. So I might want to rethink my statements. If runDisney would just quit referring to the medals as finisher's medals, then I'd be okay with their being handed out - although I wouldn't take one if I DNF. But Disney promotes them as finisher's medals... (or at least they did the last time I looked.) And that's the root of my problem.

I'm not sure many of the ones that I've received say finisher on them. Typically, I think, they just have the name of the race, the year, and some cool design. Everyone just knows, and every race's info states, that they are medals for finishers (yes, I'm taking the easy way out of spelling class today). They're not participation medals, no matter the sematics or words printed on the medals themselves.

And, of course, Disney has started their early 2013 discounts, too. Depending on your length of stay, you could save a bit. Of course, I know *everyone* else had their accommodations booked months ago....but I'm a slacker. (And I'll rebook if the AP discounts come out and are better. I'm a room-only kind of gal. Not much for the DDP.)

Climbing off my soapbox now, I'll add that even if you already have your reservations, you can get the new sale prices just by calling and asking for them. I manged to get a better room and still save a few hundred bucks off what our initial reservation cost was. We're not doing the DDP either, primarily because our dinners won't really fit well with it. Thursday we'll still be in Universal, Friday we're at Jiko, Saturday we're at Kimonos, Sunday we'll be in Downtown Disney somewhere, and Monday we'll be in England after completing DATW.

I hope everyone's training and/or injury recovery is going well. Tomorrow is the last killer workout before Dubllin: 2 miles easy, 11 at 9:05, and 5 at 8:45. Ooof. Double ooof if the weather doesn't cooperate and we have to do most of it indoors.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Debra--a lot of the problems from the TOT sound similar to some of the issues with the first W&D. I never looked--what was the actual temperature that day? I would be curious to compare it to the last two years. I probably would have liked the boxes, cause it looked like they had the g-f crackers in them again. I can never eat any of the post race carbs except the fruit. I end up packing a ton of stuff in my bag.

John--I'm sorry about the bad 18 miles. I am glad you are ok. I agree with you on the frustration with the medals for dnf. It just kind of cheapens the accomplishment of actually finishing in my opinion. Does that make sense?

John - Ouch. We have a theory that at least one run (usually around the 18 mile distance) has to be a rough one. Yours sounds like it went above and beyond. But then, you're training in above and beyond climate conditions, too!

Jackie

The girls weekend sounds great! And I would totally agree, the majority of the chefs at Disney do an amazing job with gluten free. They really make you feel like it is no trouble at all and that they are happy to help you. Knowing I can go there and actually eat out has kept me sane at times.

I hope your theory does not hold true for me. I had a bad 6 miler last weekend, and I am hoping the rest of my runs until marathon weekend are mostly stress free!

I hope everyone's training and/or injury recovery is going well. Tomorrow is the last killer workout before Dubllin: 2 miles easy, 11 at 9:05, and 5 at 8:45. Ooof. Double ooof if the weather doesn't cooperate and we have to do most of it indoors.

Hope it goes well!

 

[Rose&Mike]

I didn't get to finish my reply yesterday. Mike got home and we wanted to run before it got dark.

Throwing my two cents in, we loved the Wild Africa Trek and I would highly recommend it if anyone is thinking about it. The lunch is wonderful--they even did gluten free vegetarian for me and it was awesome! We had DS (21) with us and he really liked it as well.

Mike and I are going 16 this weekend. We have kind of a strange training schedule since W&D is in there, as well as the trip with our DS next week, and a Christmas trip. I am a little nervous that I am not going to get enough long runs in before the marathon and I am only going up to 21 or so. Actually, I am just nervous about the marathon period. I think most of you know my saga with the Kentucky Derby Half, and how it took me over a decade to actually do it and then I ended up running it with that nasty case of itbs. Anyhow, I am guessing I am just going to live with a low level of stress until I cross the finish line in January.

Next week we head to wdw with our DS and 5 of his friends for their fall break. One of the kids dislocated his ankle playing volleyball about 2 weeks ago and is in a boot, so we will be renting a wheelchair for him. It's going to be an interesting 5 days. We are starting off with DATW on Thursday before it gets too crowded at epcot. I think Mike and I are going to do a 50% DATW and split drinks, since in theory we are the "grownups" in this group. We have a 2BR at BWV with a BW view, so we are all very excited!

Hope everyone is doing well!

 

[FFigawi]

We are starting off with DATW on Thursday before it gets too crowded at epcot. I think Mike and I are going to do a 50% DATW and split drinks, since in theory we are the "grownups" in this group.

Now just hold on a minute. All of you people doing this practice and training for DATW in January is giving you an unfair advantage.

 

[tiberius]

This month has been so busy for me that I hadn't had time to keep involved with this thread. Fortunately, those conditions were about to change at the end of this month, unfortunately for me they changed sooner. The short story is that about a week ago, while I was about an hour from finishing my half Ironman race simulation bike ride (to be followed by a race simulation brick run), my training and racing season came to an abrupt end. While riding at 19.5 mph (aren't Garmins full or great data) I was swiped on the thigh passing car's side mirror. This caused me to abruptly flip forward and ......well, to make a mess of myself. I was quickly taken to the hospital with what was eventually diagnosed as 5 broken ribs, a bruised lung (which was originally feared to be punctured but was not), multiple breaks to my clavicle and scapula. All of these are on the right side,my only left side injury is the bruise from the original mirror strike to my left side. I had surgery Monday to set and repair the clavicle with a plate and to reposition the scapula as well. I was able to return home Wednesday night but am probably laid up and off work for at least another week or two and maybe longer. At this point it is reasonable to believe that I will eventually be able to return to my original activity level, however that will not be for several months. This effectively ends any small hope I was stIll holding to time a January trip to WDW to see my cousins and likely means Ironman Texas 2013 is my next race instead of being the culmination of an aggressive spring season.

However, I don't want to sound like Debbie-downer on this (no offense, Debra). After examining my equipment after returning home, it appears that my bike suffered less than expected damage but that my helmet suffered pretty extreme damage. It has two impact marks on the outer shell and has several long cracks that go through the entire thickness of the the interior padding. All I can think of when looking at the helmet is that I shouldn't be here and be able to talk about it. Instead, I had the slightest bruise to the head that has already healed ahead of my other injuries. The message I hope I can spread is to never take safety equipment for granted.

I will miss my cousins dearly in January, but I will be able to return to WDW to see you another day. That is ultimately much more important

 

[jmasgat]

Richard Popping in to Ohana to say thank god you are going to be okay and hope you are on the mend. So sorry this happened. Take care.

Maura

 

[MouseDogMom]

I've been following your progress on FB, but will add that it's truly an amazing story. I'm very glad you believe in safety equipment, and that helmets work. I've seen accidents where people weren't so lucky, and I'm very, very grateful that you were as fortunate as you were! Sorry that your race schedule has been derailed, but hope you'll be able to make Ironman Texas as planned.

Jackie

 

[FFigawi]

Glad you're ok Richard. A big round of applause for whichever manufacturer made your helmet.

 

[tiberius]

Glad you're ok Richard. A big round of applause for whichever manufacturer made your helmet.

It was manufactured by Bell. It was at the lower end of the price scale so it wasn't a special heavier duty helmet or anything like that.
Wear your bike helmets people!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Richard--I have been following on fb, too, but wanted to add in thank goodness that helmet did it's job! I am so sorry for the multiple injuries, but so glad that you will recover to run and ride again. I wondered if a car was involved.

I have been sharing with Mike what's been going on and he said it just reaffirms his decision not to ride a bike for exercise.
Believe me, when we do ride our bikes we will think of you and always wear our helmets, no matter how short or casual the ride.

 

[FFigawi]

Hi guys! I'm in the airport waiting to fly home to Doha and wanted to pop in briefly for a shameless brag. I had a great time at the Dublin marathon last week and finally broke the 4-hour mark, finishing in 3:53!! I'll have a full trip and race report done soon, but let me at least say that it's a great race in a great city with lots of post-race celebration options. We bought some amazing peated Irish whiskey that will be on hand for tasting in Jan.

 

[laughinplace199]

John, congrats on your great time!

Looking forward to your race report. I also had to chuckle when you commented on facebook that your post-race celebration bar had the restrooms upstairs. That must have been interesting.

 

[tiberius]

Congrats on breaking 4 hours, John! That's a great milestone time.

AFM - Each day seems a bit better. I really dislike how I can feel Vicodin affecting my mind, though it helps the pain a lot. I am hoping to transition off of this drug in favor of Tylenol soon, at least during working hours during the next week.

Happy Election Day (and a very happy post-Election Day tomorrow)!!!!!

 

[FFigawi]

Looking forward to your race report. I also had to chuckle when you commented on facebook that your post-race celebration bar had the restrooms upstairs. That must have been interesting.

Yeah, that wasn't so much fun for any of the four of us that ran. I was much more stiff and sore on Tuesday than I was after the race on Monday. I think it's because I didn't get my usual ice bath in. The hotel room, in common European fashion, didn't have a tub. The fact that I raced for a change instead of just ran might have had something to do with it too.

 

[Rose&Mike]

congrats John!