Short version: A relatively easy and enjoyable morning run with 18,500 of
my closest friends - including my daughter!
Long version:
First, my apologies: This race report has been as long in coming as the
finish line of the half marathon on race day. I hope you will think it was
worth the wait.
The McDonough clan arrived in Orlando on Wednesday, giving us several days
to relax and enjoy the Disney experience prior to race day. We were
surprised by the rain and cold weather, but being wet and cold at Disney
World is a far sight better than being warm and dry at work or school.
FRIDAY
The only Dead encounter we managed to make was the Friday night get together
at Dixie Landings (AKA Port Orleans Riverside - Sorry we did not tell you
about the name change, Andy!). With lots of help from the lovely Ellen,
Bart, Isabelle, Donna McCraw and Farol Thompson (but really not a whole lot
of help from Bart's son, Kurt) we pulled some tables together to accommodate
the Dead horde. And kept adding table after table as more and more arrivals
made the scene.
A fine time was had by all. It was wonderful to see so many "familiar" faces
and make several new friends as well. The famous hat made its way around to
a number of "virgin" heads, with Farol diligently snapping away with his
digital camera.
The center of attention on Friday was easily our youngest member, Kurt Ooms.
He was even cuter than Stan Sosnowski. And much better behaved. I can't wait
until young Kurt returns to Disney with "old man" Bart in about 20 years to
run the marathon.
Poor Andy Coogan got lost and then could not find Dixie Landings. Which, of
course, no longer exists. He was probably driving on the wrong side of the
road, too. He finally arrived at the tail end of the shindig, and was a
welcome sight.
Many, many thanks for the helping hands, especially to Stan and Sheila who
delivered those cool flag bandannas, and to Bob and Jan Chapman who treated
us all to "Dead Head" lollipops.
SATURDAY
On Saturday morning, my oldest son (Eamonn) dragged us out of bed so that he
could participate in the Family Fun Run 5K. Ellen and I yawned our way over
to Epcot and were delighted to hook up with so many early rising Deads. We
were entertained by the antics of Charlotte Coogan, who demonstrated her
fine Irish step dancing technique, then proceeded to attempt to collect
every piece of confetti fired off at the starting gun.
Eamonn did OK for a baseball player. He finished in just over 21 minutes for
the 5K. I hate the young.
SUNDAY
My 17 year old daughter Keely and I made our way sleepily onto the bus just
after 4 a.m. Last year it took the bus almost an hour to make the short
drive to Epcot. But the trip was much quicker this year. It seemed like we
were in the holding area for just a short time (never had a chance to look
for any Deads!) before they herded us off to the starting corrals.
We lined up in Corral K with the other half marathoners. Small world -
standing next to me was a fellow graduate of Colorado State University who
had traveled from Houston for the race.
When the gun went off Keely and I started very slowly, at about a 12 minute
pace. We had planned on running 11 minute miles for as long as we could, but
changed our collective mind and decided 12 minutes was quite comfortable,
thank you. There is nothing like running around the World Showcase in Epcot
with the lights on and music blaring into the darkness. Even though it is
early in the struggle, this might be my favorite part of the race.
Keely got a kick out of seeing the long trail of runners stretching out
ahead and behind as we curled down the highway ramp onto World Drive. We
waved to every Monorail that passed, just in case the rest of the family was
aboard. The miles clicked by effortlessly for both of us.
I was wearing my stylish tie-dyed Disney Dead t-shirt, and several runners
commented (as they passed me) that they had used the Disney Dead web site
for training information and inspiration. The world is full of lurkers!
Perhaps they are too inhibited to come right out and admit they are Dead.
But they did all say, "Thanks!"
Keely and I started walking at water stops at about 8 miles, as we were both
starting to feel the effects of too little training (she spent the fall
running 5K cross country races, I spent the fall complaining about my aching
heels).
At the Transportation Center we encountered "Team McDonough" and were able
to pick them out of the crowd. The fact that my two oldest sons are 6'6" and
6'4" might have helped. We actually took pictures of THEM watching us run
by. It gave us a much needed boost.
On the road to the Contemporary Resort we were passed by Bob Larson, who
just motored on through, steady and stately. He is hard to miss in his spots
and floppy eared hat.
The "hill" just before the Contemporary really is not all that long or steep
for us hardy New Englanders. All the same, we walked the last few yards to
conserve energy for the Magic Kingdom.
As the anticipation began to build as we turned toward the Magic Kingdom, we
picked up the pace a bit. Bursting through the gate onto Main Street, we
both had huge grins on our faces. Although the Main Street crowds seemed
smaller than the past few years, there was still plenty of cheering going
on. We took the time to stop for photos with every character we could find.
(Unfortunately, the prints came out too dark to scan. Rats!)
It was hard to leave the Magic Kingdom. Keely commented how "UN-magical" the
backstage portions of the parks seemed. Splash Mountain is just a big, boxy
building!
The stretch from the Magic Kingdom to the finish took its toll. By this time
Keely was fading a little (her longest previous run was only 7 miles), and I
was in a great deal of pain with a matched pair of bad heels.
Scary moment: At about 12 miles an elderly woman ran past us and then just
fell over onto the pavement. I stopped to help her up and make sure she was
coherent and uninjured. She had cut her elbow in the fall. Quick as a flash
another runner stopped and zipped open his waist pack, pulled out a clean
bandage and sanitary wipe and cleaned up the elbow for her. What twisted
sense of fate makes one pack a complete medical kit for a marathon?
Boy, did it feel good to take the left side of the road as the full marathon
runners continued on to the right. With the sky promising rain and
temperatures dropping, I did not envy those brave souls.
When the finish line finally came within site, Keely began to sprint. Damn
those young legs again! It was all I could do to keep up, and she beat me
across the line by a step. Clock time was 2:52, with chip time just over
2:50. Excruciatingly slow for me, but probably for the best.
I could not be more proud of my remarkable daughter! She is her high
school's top ranked student, a three year captain of the cross country team,
holds down a part time job, plays concert-level piano and just found out she
got the lead in the school musical (she will play Maria in "The Sound of
Music.")!!!! I will miss her terribly next fall as she heads off to college
(either Harvard or Catholic University in Washington, DC). Thanks, Keely.
POST RACE
Just after we finished, the skies opened up and we got drenched. But that
did not keep us from hitting the parks again in the afternoon. And again on
Monday. And again on Tuesday. My heels will never be the same again (I am
pretty sure that I actually tore the plantar fascia in my right heel), but
we did manage to ride Rock =8Cn Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror over and
over again.
Oh, I also managed to get into the HOT SEAT at Who Wants to Be a
Millionaire. But I bombed out at 32,000 points.
SUMMARY
Who says Deads can't run? Or at least walk. With Dave, Stan and Sheila
claiming all that hardware, the Mouse is going to have to considered
breaking us up! Congratulations to our speedy compatriots. And to all the
Deads who ran and walked their way to Mickies and Donalds. We are all very
proud of you.
They don't call it the Magic Kingdom for nothing. Every trip we make to the
World is more fun and fulfilling than the last. And to be able to build a
visit around a big race just doubles the fun. Of course, the joy is
amplified by the presence of all of our Disney Dead friends. See you next
year? Maybe. It depends on the economy and the college scholarship review
committees. Wish us luck on both counts.
One thing is sure - if not for your support and inspiration through the year
I would have chucked out my running shoes long ago.
Thanks a million. Or, at least, 32,000.
Bill McDonough
