My thanx to all my Disney Dead friends. Without your help, I would never
been able to finish upright.
Short Version
5:13 chip time, had a blast and went thru the finish line standing up.
While I would have liked to finish under 5 hrs, I kinda thought that I
was going to finish about 5:15.
Was the toughest test of intestinal fortitude that I have ever
encountered, ... and it was great. Pictures were awesome.
Long Version
Times:
http://www.trackshack.com/results/wdwmar.php3?Link3D1&Type3D1&Bib3D6774
Awesome photos:
http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID3D1463&BIB3D6774
My favorite is Hi Fiving in MGM.
Had set alarm clock for 2:45 am, woke up 2:43 am, I wasn't nervous was I
??? Made
the bus about 3:30 am after consuming a peanut butter brownie, and got
to the initial area before 4.
Consumed a bottle of water before race start, and used 2 porta potties
before race start so much for the idea of forcing fluids. In fact, I
bailed out as we were going thru Epcot Ball for the first time and used
the restroom there. So much for that first bottle of water.
I think the start of race was in high 40's, but it seemed colder than
that. Bringing throw away clothes was definitely a plus. Some more
knowledgeable newbies convinced me that it was warmer sitting on the
ground than standing up.
I remember forcing water, powerade, and food at each of the stop that
offered them until about mile 16 ... but more on that later. I took my
own supply of powergel so I was pretty much prepared.
We went thru Epcot at night first. This was a blast, although a bit
short. They had all of the world showcase pavilion lights on and I think
they were playing music from the older, illuminations display.
As we looped through some of the on ramps, the sea of runners was
awesome. At one point on an on ramp I could see 2 roads. There were
runners as far as I could see in both directions.
Next we ran to Magic Kingdom. By now it was daylight. This was
definitely the best of the parks. There were characters along the side
and people everywhere. MK was not open yet so we got to run with disney
volunteers cheering in the park. I took a throw away camera with me and
had my picture taken with some of the characters in the park. Can't wait
for those to
develop.
As we left MK, the 1/2 Marathoners bailed at that point. I didn't even
consider bailing at that point as I had trained too hard and wanted the
Mickey Medal.
We ran down to Animal Kingdom. It was somewhere around animal kingdom
that we got caught in a torrential rain storm. The thin socks that I
decided to wear were a plus. Not one blister. About mile 16-18, I
started getting stupid. I thought well I no longer need to drink at
every stop, I was ok. Mind and body disconnected. Dumb huh ??
Ran by the waste treatment plant. Then through the entrance to disney's
wide world of sports.
Ran thru MGM with people cheering. As I left MGM, I got a bit choked up.
I finally realized that I was going to make it. Ran by boardwalk with
the spectators cheering, I yelled "Let's hear it for the spectators in
the rain !", One replied, "That's something, 24 miles and he is still
smiling!"
Ran thru Epcot, long route, entered world showcase at international end
(by England), and 3/4 around world showcase and left through ball. Body
was defintately not responding and I was walking much more than I liked.
As I entered Epcot with about 3 miles left to do, the time was 4:32 and
had my body been responding, I could have beat 5 hrs. But I believe lack
of fluids, food, and the cold rain had taken it's toll. ( about 40-45
minutes for those final 3 miles).
As I was leaving Epcot, I was choked up again. More of the "I really did
it"
While I was in the "wrong" line to pick up my dry clothes, Things
started to white out. I felt things starting to spin, and my stomach was
in knots. I put my head between my legs and regained composure. Someone
in back of me asked "What are we looking for down there, loose change
?" I replied that I just wanted to reduce the distance between me and
the ground.
A moment or so I was focusing better and quickly got my dry clothes.
My wife (a nurse) took one look at me at finish line area and she said
"You look
terrible!!" But she made the assesment that I should quickly be able to
shake it off. She was right. The dehydration and the cold was taking
it's toll. Standing still in a line was not good. Took a long hot
shower when I got back, I know, not the smartest thing for my leg
muscles, but I needed to raise my body temp.
Was sore for 2 days, By Wednesday I was doing some light morning
jogging.
Some after thoughts are that some of the parks are a blur. Things were
happening too fast for this old body to take in. As the week went by, I
keep remembering more and more.
My fellow co-workers at the office were awesome. When I came back this
past monday after a 6.5 workday absence, they presented me with a
congratulations card, balloons, and even a congrats banner.
Can't wait for Jan 12th for next year. Maybe I'll actually be able to
use my sunglasses.
Allan from a cold Nashua NH
