executive version-
a PR in 4:11:42. 6.5 min improvement over MCM in october. 6:42 off my
goal pace.
no apparent injuries. cool temps (38 or so at the start), perfect,
IMHO, for running.
pace per mile 9:40.1.
long version:
took me 97 secs to cross the start line, i set my watch on the chip
mat. i wore a pace band for a 4:05 marathon finish.
somehow i missed the mile one split. when i saw the clock on the loop
around, i noticed it was not as tall as many of the later ones.
Mile 2 split: 19:18 /pace band 18:42 / 9:59 pace
thinking i could make up this time....
Mile 3 28:57/28:03/9:39
getting closer, enjoying my run thru epcot, still very congested.
Mile 4 38:45/37:24/9:48
back to the start line, joining the red runners now.
Mile 5 47:34/46:45/8:49
Mile 6 56:27/56:06/8:53
getting closer to my target time and thinking about a fuel stop. i
brought my own clif shot, as this is how i trained. an overpass ramp
and seeing the runners approaching from behind over the bridge. always
a thrill to view the course like that.
Mile 7 1:06:44/1:05:27/10:17
water and fuel stop slow me down
Mile 8 1:15:32/1:14:49/8:28
catching back up, but the GI distress is starting, in spite of no less
than 7 imodium tablets over the course of the last 14 hours....that
dinner last night!
Mile 9 1:26:37/1:24:10/11:05
a quick view of the inside of a porta potty, right by the transportation
and ticket area. a short run down and up a pedestrian tunnel and the
magic kingdom is clearly in view.
Mile 10 1:35:29/1:33:31/9:52
run thru the park and thru the castle, more crowds and congestion as the
course photographers are all around the castle.
Mile 11 1:44:30/1:42:52/9:01
out the park and still running down my goal time...
Mile 12 1:55:59/1:52:13/11:29
alas, time to view the inside of another potty....we are now near the
grand floridian and it is near the 1/2 finish.
Mile 13 2:04:50/2:01:34/8:51
1/2 2:05:47 chip time: 2:07:24
feeling good and feeling strong. goodbye to the 1/2 finishers, the
course becomes less congested and now i enter the area i havent covered
on foot before. i ran the 1/2 here in 1999.
Mile 14 2:14:05/2:10:55/9:15
bananas and apples and cruella de ville. she didnt notice my dalmation
headband.
Mile 15 2:22:56/2:20:16/8:51
long road stretch to the animal kingdom, it is chilly here. there is
plenty of room to run now.
Mile 16 2:32:18/2:29:37/9:22
the animal poop smell is getting more pungent. an interesting
diversion. at first you wonder if it is the runner near you, then you
wonder if it is yourself.
Mile 17 2:41:14/2:38:58/8:56
in the animal kingdom, some people in the parks, looking perplexed,
cheering, a drum band.
Mile 18 2:51:07/2:48:19/9:53
out of the park on the road to the wide world of sports. the cruel part
of the course in my opinion, but i was prepared for it. i was not
prepared to spend over 2 mins in the next porta potty. thus i miss the
next mile marker. my feet are hurting now after being off them for a
couple of mins. i wont be stopping again, way too painful to start
again.
Mile 19
Mile 20 3:12:08/3:07:01/21:01 (or 2 X 10:30.5)
now it is a reality that i wont make the goal time. new goal: 4:10
marathon.
the out and back is rather interesting to me now, i get to see the
people in front of me and spend time looking for my training partner,
kathy, ahead. she expected a 3:45 finish and i dont know what the
leader i can see are on pace for.
Mile 21 3:21:30/3:16:22/9:22
still feeling good, foot pain gone. make up time, make up time
Mile 22 3:30:37/3:25:44/9:07
a strong mile, up the hill, the man with the medal (don gwork) on the
course encouraging people. passing people now, many walkers.
Mile 23 3:40:06/3:35:05/9:29
into MGM. give me that candy (sweetarts and spree). no time to stop.
Mile 24 3:49:56/3:44:26/9:50
on the boardwalk, a quick water stop. interesting texture to the
boards, by looking at them a little crosseyed, it is like
hallucinating....
Mile 25 4:00:25/3:53:47/10:19
into epcot. seeing 4 hours on the 25 mile clock is bittersweet. wish
it was the finish time...thinking i need to hammer this mile. dont let
the pain overtake me, keep on my pace.
Mile 26 4:09:48/4:03:08/9:23
ahh, a good pace for my last full mile. the brain cant do the math well
and i delude myself into thinking i can get in under 4:10. trying not
to back off the pace, two turns to the finish, not just one. i can see
the line, why is the time slipping away?
Finish 4:11:41 (my watch time, chip time different by :01)/4:05/1:53
a PR by 6 and 1/2 mins, off my goal. met at the line by william
holland. thanks and a big hug.
i want my medal, and some food. i have to meet kathy, find out her
time.
i try to get back to the line to talk to william some more. the
officials wont let me back, i see a local finisher, connie mayo.
exit the area and proceed to the P reunion area. and here is the big
surprise for me! kathy's husband, derek and her dad brought us each a
bouquet of roses. we are ready to go home. to the rental car, put the
top down. kathy and i are doing the marathon walk and having trouble
getting in the car.
back to the condo and our kind cabana boy (otherwise known as derek)
goes to the snack bar and brings us sandwiches and alcoholic drinks.
food, shower, alcohol and ibuprofen....i am good to go. begin making
plans to drive back to tallahassee.
i have my set of medals now, a mickey and a donald, i am done with
disney.
