My Disney Marathon Story for 2003

I am doing this account to record all the details for my future reference, and to help future first time marathoners know what to expect. When I was doing my first marathon I found a few detailed accounts on the net, and they helped me. I hope this either entertains or helps somebody else.

The night before the marathon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society hosted a big pasta dinner for the team. One of the speakers was Dr. Brian Druker (click here), the researcher who developed the new cancer drug called "Gleevic". You can read about it here: www.newcmldrug.com. Years ago, he had a concept for a treatment that would specifically target each type of cancer, instead of the patients entire body. He needed funds to do the research and prove his theory. The Society believed in his ideas, and funded him. The success of the drug has been amazing, and the side effects on the patients has been almost nothing! Last December, his new medicine was approved by the FDA in record time. He told us that this theory can be developed to will work with all types of cancer in the future. This would make the barbaric treatments like I had a thing of the past. Dr. Druker said that it is just a matter of time and funding. This is our sponsorship/fund-raising money at work!

Sleeping the night before the big marathon? Do not depend on it. You are likely to be too excited for a long deep sleep. It's much more important to get a good night's sleep 2 nights before. It's also important to take things easy the day before. Do not do a theme park, or run a 5K. You will see a lot of the theme parks, and do a lot of running the next day. Lay out all your stuff the night before.

The night before, I wanted to sleep by 9 pm, but I got to bed about 10 pm… and it took a glass of wine at the hotel bar to wind down. I sleep enough, but I kept waking up every half hour. Finally at 2:30 am I decided to get up and go. I could hear activity in the rooms around me, plus I could hear the buses waiting outside. I had everything laid out, so getting ready went easy.

On Marathon day, it was a cold 46 degree morning. My team decided to meet in the lobby at 3:15 am. When I got there, the lobby was full of marathoners. Are we all crazy for being up this early? Maybe, but part of a crazy group is always fun. We took team photos, and lined up for the busses. There was a huge traffic jam headed into EPCOT center. It took us a while to get through, and we arrived at the check in area at 5 am.

They give you a bag for your things. I checked in some things I might need at the end like a fresh pair of socks, and my windbreaker jacket. To keep warm while waiting for the start, lots of people wear large trash bags. Yes it sounds silly, but it really works like a windbreaker. When you are warmed up, you can just toss the bag, no problem. I used a contractor grade bag, and it was the "envy" of the other bagged racers. Other people use old sweat shirts, and just toss them to the side when the race begins. The policy is that all discarded clothing will be picked up and donated to the homeless.

We walked about 3/4 a mile to the starting area. The starting area is a 4 lane highway. It was still before sunrise, but Disney had the whole area was lighted up. On one side of the highway were about 8000 people waiting to do the ½ Marathon, and on the other side was about 16,000 waiting for the start of the full Marathon. It's quite a sight to see 22,000 people covering a highway at 5:30 am. Since my team was late, we ended up in the back, …the very back…, of this huge crowd.

I had experienced a lot of arch pain during my training. Mostly because I went through a couple pairs of shoes trying to find one that works for my funny feet. Wrapping my arches in sports tape worked for me in the past. So before the marathon, I had just enough time to sit on the road, and wrap my arches. It was also a good time & place to do that all important stretching. Lots of people were doing this. I find it's best to do some stretching about 5 to 10 minutes before the start time. It warms you up, and get you feeling ready.

Before sunrise, at 6 am, fireworks started the race on time, and 22,000 people from all over the world began the 13.1 & 26.2 mile courses. Being at the back of the pack, it took about 13 minutes to reach the starting line. The Disney characters were there to send us off, and thousands of spectators were lining the starting area.

We moved with the mob down the highway, and around a turn, and into EPCOT center. I know that they told me to start out slow, but with the mob of people in front of me, this was the only way to go. At mile 1 I looked at the clock and saw "00:28:00". Oh no, that is way too slow! I had to find some room to move faster. EPCOT center was all lighted up, and music was playing all over. It was quite a sight, but I had no time to stop and look. Exiting EPCOT somewhere near "Germany" we looped around, and joined the ½ marathoners. The course went down the highway, and by the 7 Seas Lagoon. At about mile 3, I finally got more room to go my pace. But the slow start was good because I was now warmed up, and ready to go faster. I seemed to be in a crowd of marathoners content to walk a slow pace, so I keep passing people out.

Disney does everything first class, and their marathon is no exception. They had water stations located on every mile. Each station was fully staffed with enthusiastic volunteers handing out water or power aid. I hardly had to slow down to get a drink. Other stations had power-gel and fruit. My thanks to those people, if any are reading this now. We marathoners truly appreciated all your hard work! Disney also has time clocks at each mile so you can check your pace. The course is clearly marked out, with no confusing turns.

Disney also handles the restroom issue in first class fashion. There are port-a-potties every mile. About mile 9, past the Contempory Hotel, I was feeling good, too good to slow down, but nature was calling: time for a pit-stop. I saw a public restroom and ran into it. I was amazed to find it empty (and clean!). I took care of business quickly, and rejoined the race. That was my only stop.

I carried a cell phone with me during the marathon. My wife keep checking on me to make sure I was ok. Entering the Magic Kingdom and rounding Space Mountain at mile 10, I called her to tell her I am approaching Main Street. The Disney folks know how to give us a boost. They allow spectators to line the Main Street course to a castle. There were about a thousand people lining the street as if watching a parade… except we were the parade. They were cheering marathoners onward!! I found my wife & daughter in the crowd, and were over to greet them.

Another fun idea is to put your name on your race day shirt. I put "JOE" on the front and back of my shirt, plus I put "Cancer Survivor" on the back too. Going down Main Street, the crowd was cheering on me by name. Everywhere I went, the spectators were cheering "Go Joe!". Granted, I am a nobody, but for a few seconds in that place & time, I am a sports hero! Believe me, that is a lot of fun, and it really energizes you! If any of those cheering people are reading this, I thank you for your cheers!

The course winded through Tomorrow Land, through the Castle, and exited through Frontier Land. We then went through the back lot where they store all the parade floats. Just for us, all the floats were out on display, with music playing. As we exited, there was a humorous guard at the gate saying "thank you for visiting the Magic Kingdom, please come again". She got some laughs from that.

Since many marathoners were also doing fund raising for cancer, my "cancer survivor" shirt got some attention from them. Another team from TNT told me that they were inspired to see me out there with them. I assured them that cancer patients everywhere are encouraged by their efforts too.

About mile 13, the course splits into 2 lanes: ½ marathoners to the left lane, full marathoners to the right lane. Disney has this clearly marked. I was feeling strong at this point, and looked at my time. If I went left now, I could finish the half marathon in my best time ever. But I had trained to do the full one, so I resisted the temptation and moved to the right lane. The other TNT Team was going left to finish, and saw that I was going on. They began cheering: "alright Joe! …Go Joe! …Go for it!". Yes indeed… Today, I'm going all the way!

After the half marathon point, the crowd thinned out a lot. I wondered how many full marathon starters became ½ marathon finishers? The next couple of miles went past the Grand Floridian Hotel, the Race Track, and the Disney Country Club. I was doing a faster pace, but the legs felt good, so I continued. I caught up to my good friend Greg, who had started out running, and was now slowing down. Ironicly he was on his cell phone trying to reach me. So we stayed together, and kept each other on pace.

At about mile 15 they were handing out "power-gel". This a gel like goop in a pouch that you squeeze into your mouth. The stuff is flavored and loaded with carbohydrates and sugar. It does give that needed boost to the body. We then entered the Animal Kingdom. The Disney people had animals along the course. There was a cool sounding African band playing by the Tree of Life. I would have loved to hang out there and enjoy their music, but I had to keep going. The pathways in the Animal Kingdom are narrow in places, but all the trees lining the way made it feel like a jungle! A very cool effect.

Exiting the Animal Kingdom we crossed over mile 18, otherwise known as "the wall". It's around this point that the average body exhausted it's normal energy, and is now using the reserves. The wall makes the body want to stop… now! To make matters worse, the miles from 18 to about 22 are rather uninteresting. That part has a dead end loop by the Disney Sport Complex. Perhaps Disney could route us some place more interesting in the future? Or provide more entertainment?

I did not get to my "wall" until about mile 20. At that point my leg muscles started hurting, were begging me to stop now. There was a blessed Gospel Singing Group at that point, and their joyful praise music gave me that spiritual boost that I needed to climb over my wall. God bless them for being there! Yes, my legs were aching but I was renewed in my determination to finish this marathon.

About mile 22, our old friend/coach Gus decided to journey with us for a few miles. The course took us into the Disney MGM Studios Park. We came around the Tower of Terror (how appropriately named for the moment!) and down Hollywood Blvd. Disney had the course roped out like a parade, and we were the parade. Various Disney character were at stops along the way. I was only interested in finishing the race, but my buddy Gus insisted that we stop for photos.

In retrospect, that was fun, and I recommend it to anybody doing this marathon. Why, because without even paying attention, we had crossed mile 24 while having fun! Mile 24?! Yes, less than 5k to the finish line. Nothing left but an easy training run! No more "wall" feeling! Yes, I am going to finish this marathon!

The course continued by the Dolphin & Swan Hotels, and into The Boardwalk Resort. Here hundreds of people from the resort had lined the course along the lake to cheer us on, and give us high fives! Of course I got the usual "Go Joe!" cheer. My buddy Gus was yelling back to them "hey, I'm Joe's coach!". Many people cheered back to Gus: "Go Joe's Coach!".

The course went through the Boardwalk Mall. We passed a Pizzeria & Brewery Pub. I was temped to stop for that, but I yelled out to the hostess as we passed: "Hey! Get the pizza and beer ready! We're coming back! (I didn't get back, but I wonder if that offer is still good?) Leaving the Boardwalk area, the course continued back into EPCOT's world showcase. There we crossed mile 25. Now I was really getting excited because the finish line was so close! I came across another survivor, a young lady who had "stroke survivor" on the back of her shirt. So I introduced myself as "cancer survivor". We congratulated each other for over coming our illnesses and doing this marathon.

The course continued around the World Showcase, and toward the Spaceship Earth. I called Annabelle as I approach mile 26 to let her know I was about to finish. She was already at the finish line with our 2 year daughter Anjolie. The finishing area was lined with spectators in bleachers. I spotted Annabelle & Anjolie in the crowd, and went over to them. I pick up Anjolie over the fence. With the crowds cheering I ran the last 40 yards, and crossed the finish line with my daughter on my shoulders!

The thrill of crossing the finish line after such a long challenge is over whelming beyond words! At the finish line, Mickey & Minnie Mouse were congratulating the finishers. Being a fan of Minnie, I went over and kissed her on the nose. My daughter, still on my shoulders, got down to give Minnie a quick hug.

This is another area the Disney people show their class. As soon as somebody finishes the marathon, there is a volunteer to wrap that person in a thermal blanket. This is because the transition from doing the marathon to standing around can be a shock to the body. Another volunteer bends down and removes the timing chip from your shoe. Bless them for this! Nobody wants to bend down after a marathon. The next step was fun. A pretty young lady put that big beautiful gold Mickey Mouse Metal around my neck! "Hello Mickey!" I said while giving the metal a kiss, "I worked to hard to earn you!". My daughter looked at the metal and said "mouse!". I love the way kids can put your life back into prospective fast.

Yes, the thrill of crossing the finish line is over whelming beyond words! But I am even more over whelmed by the response that I have received in my request for sponsors. Over 100 people stepped forward to join me in the fight against cancer, and to be my sponsor! I had no problems meeting my fundraising goal on time. Originally I had planned on doing a Marathon only once. On some hard training days I promised myself that this is only a 1 time thing. However I have decided that since I enjoyed the experience so much, and as long as the donations keep coming in, and of course as long as God wills it,... I plan to continue doing a yearly Marathon to raise money to fight cancer.

Visit Joe Scott's Homepage

Home | Marathon | 1/2 Marathon | Goofy Challenge |Disneyland 1/2 Marathon | WDW Trails | Email | Links