We're finally back after spending a relaxing week at Disney. The warm weather
they kept promising never arrived but we did get some nice afternoons with temps
close to 70.
The race: I walked about as good as I thought I could for the shape I was in.
I was expecting to finish between 2:05 and 2:10 and ended up 2:04:48 which
turned out to be good enough to win for the second year in a row.
My plan was to start out at a quick relaxed pace for the first 2-3 miles then
ease off slightly as I went thru EPCOT. I wanted to enjoy the parks this year
rather than racing thru them without noticing. I averaged 9:09 (9:05, 9:10,
9:12) for the first 3 miles and then settled into a 9:20-9:30 pace thru mile
9 (9:20, 9:28, 9:29, 9:21, 9:30, 9:35). My longest workout in the last 3 months
was only 8 miles and it showed as I started tightening up slightly. The hill
in front of the Contemporary cost me about 30 seconds. It's a little too steep
(for me) to racewalk up so I basically hiked up it so mile 10 was (10:00).
I took it easy going thru the Magic Kingdom (mile 11 was 9:59). Then I tried
to pick it up in the last two miles but could only manage a 9:46 and 9:55.
As I was approaching the finish the announcer called out that I was the first
racewalker and I got some applause for that. All in all it was a fun race -
I just wish it was about 10 degrees warmer.
As for 2002 - we will be there - most likely at the Boardwalk again - it is
so convenient. The half marathon works better us in terms of training - so
I think we will stick with that.
Dave Lawrence
Buffalo, NY
