Race Report Short Version

I DID IT! It was not pretty. Clock time 7:12. I received my Mickey Medal, 2 large, ugly blisters on both feet and 4 black toenails. It will remain not pretty for a couple of weeks.

Long

Sorry, but I missed most of the encounters with the virtual race groups. What a great day! It was cool, 31F and there was an excitement in the crowd. We were lead into the corrals about 5:30 and the race started about 15-20 minutes late. Mary said that part of the reason for the late start was a late rush in folks getting to the bus stops at the WDW resorts. The last runner bus from the Caribbean Beach left about 5:30 instead of the stated 4:30. Nerves were getting the best of me as I stood there waiting for the start. I was even too nervous to talk to my fellow runners at the line.

Finally, the start and what a relief though the delay created the immediate need to find a bush after crossing the line. I got to Epcot in fine order and then headed back out to the Magic Kingdom. Around Mile 8 I noticed that my feet seemed to be slipping in my shoes. I stopped to tighten the laces, and that seemed to help. I was on my training pace through mile 14. I really enjoyed running through the Magic Kingdom!

Around Mile 16 a blister on my left foot popped. I continued on through the Animal Kingdom. My pace had fallen, but I was not in any great distress. I stopped at the Med Tent just outside the Animal Kingdom at Mile 17. We dressed the blister and lubed the top of the tape to prevent abrasion. I struggled on out of the parking lot and continued on my way to the Wide World of Sports. I was averaging 2:30 to 3:00 slower than my training pace, but not enough to damage my chances of making it to the end.

Youch, a new blister formed and popped on the other foot around mile 20. Now I had pain in both feet. I considered dropping out at that time. I was dehydrating, both feet were badly blistered and my back was spasming. Nevertheless I continued and went on. At the aid station coming into MGM I popped a couple of Tylenols and stretched my back. Thank god for this guy standing there along the road before we turned into MGM. He was there holding his medal and in a warm, soothing voice letting us know we were only 3 miles away! He is one of the warmest memories of the race that I will have. His unselfish giving of time and encouragement at a point in the race where many of us hurting folks were full of self doubts would consider dropping out! I'm not sure if I would have made if not for him at that point. Thank you, whoever you are!

I don't remember much of MGM rather spending my energy to focus on taking the next step. Out we went from MGM along the canal into the Boardwalk. While along the Boardwalk, I saw Spaceship Earth. Finally I was home. Only a couple more miles to go, any one can walk a couple miles, right? I never lost sight of the ball, or its relative position from that point on! I saw my wife as I entered the World Showcase. She looked relieved to see me, albeit 30-40 minutes late. I hit the 26 mile mark and the tears began to flow. I high fived and waddled with Mickey right before the finish line! I guess that's one of the advantages of finishing in the high numbers! I crossed the line, got my blanket and my medal. Clock Time: 7:12:17! Chip Time was 7:09:45. Almost an hour longer than I though my worst time would be. I finished 740 out of 741 runners in the Male Age Group 40-44; 7907th out of a total 8012 finishers. That's out of 8,935 runners who started the race. I am relieved that I finished but do wish I had finished better. Nevertheless, I did finish!

I went to the medical tent to get ice for my back and dress my blisters. As I pulled of my shoes I almost fainted. The technician working with me smiled and said that's going to hurt. He looked at my right foot and said that it was a 10! I told him if I was going to do something I wanted to do it well. As I pulled my sock of my left foot, he goes it's a new record, a 10+. Again he smiled and said congratulations on finishing the race.

Today, after the race I have lots of memories - I ran and finished the Disney Marathon - I had a smile on my face at the finish (I think) - I really appreciate those runners who come back and cheer the stragglers along, especially the one who was around MGM this year. - The banner hanging behind MGM stating the pain is only temporary the memories last forever! - Thoughts on why I blistered so badly on race day…same shoes, same socks, same feet. - The smile on Mary's face as she entered the medical tent and saw me conscious and joking with the doctors and technicians. - The knowledge of all the support from family and friends who supported me along the way.

Update January 20...I'm looking forward to next year! It's been two weeks since I ran the marathon and I am planning to run again in 2002. I reserve the right to run the half next year, but I really want to better my performance from this year. I've looked at the blister issue and think that I may have just not tightened the shoes that morning. I am always concerned about having too tight shoes after a few miles, so I may have just allowed the forefoot laces to loosen through time. With the new style of shoe eyes, it is possible to not tighten the forefoot area without specifically tightening the strings in that area. The immediate plans are to run in the 2001 Conoco Rodeo Run 10k and the Derby Dash 5 Miler in February.