Hi everyone - yesterday (10/9) I did the 10K at WDW. Following is the portion
of my trip report that covers the run. I was pleased with my
performance....definitely penguin status compared to most, but my average pace
was at least a full minute/mile better than I've been training at. My boyfriend
(SB) accompanied me, but did not do the run. We spent the night before at
Saratoga Springs, and headed back home after having some lunch after the run.

Sue

10/9/05
We were planning to leave at 6, so I was up at 5 to get ready and have something
to eat before the run. At 6 we drove over to Epcot, and parked near the finish
line area. Buses were lined up to transport runners and spectators to the start
line, and would run between the 2 points continuously from 6 to 10 am. There is
no transportation provided from the resorts to the start line, so people have to
either drive or get a taxi. At the start line SB was able to stay with me,
which is quite different from the marathon! They also don't have corrals for
the runners - everyone just starts together from wherever they happen to be
standing in the start area. I was near the front - in fact, when they counted
down and got to zero, the fireworks burst nearly gave me a heart attack because
it was right over me. SB was shocked too - jumped a mile <g>. It was nice to
be able to stay with him until the last minute, and for him to experience the
start of the run. Once I was gone he took a bus back to the finish line and
waited for me there.

The run started out pretty tightly packed, but eventually people thinned out.
For a long while it was silent except for the sound of thousands of sneakers
hitting the pavement - it was pretty awesome, as it was still dark at that
point. The run actually started 10 minutes late because people were still
arriving - I did not agree with that decision but what the hell (they didn't ask
me <g>). I had no idea what kind of pace I was keeping, and was surprised at
the 1 mile mark to find it was just barely 10 minutes. Normal for me is 12-13
minute miles, so my first mile today was quite fast for me (and I could feel
it). We ran out of WWOS to the main road and took a left (as going towards AK)
to run for quite a while. Eventually we turned towards MGM Studios and it was
probably at least 2 miles before we set foot in the park. They had water & food
every 2 miles, and at the 2-mile stop the food was Cabot cheese (I passed on the
cheese, took the water). Inside the Studios we eventually entered the motor
vehicle stunt show theater, which was pretty cool. I'd never seen the inside,
and they had a camera taping us and showing the film of us running up on the big
screens! They also had a still photographer snapping as we ran by. The course
took us through the Osborne Lights area (the lights are up) and then past Sci-Fi
to the Great Movie Ride, then around the lake towards Indiana Jones, to
Hollywood Boulevard and out of the park.

From there we ran along the path to the Epcot Resorts, reaching the 4-mile stop
just behind the Boardwalk Resort. The food this time was ghiradelli chocolate,
so of course I did stop for that! We then ran along the back of the BW Villas,
up the hill to the bridge by the Swan, then around past the Yacht Club and Beach
Club before entering Epcot. We came into World Showcase at United Kingdom, and
ran all the way around the countries (all but Canada). It wasn't as impressive
as during the half marathon last January, because back then we had the torches &
lights lit, and music playing. Running through today was still pretty, but it
didn't have that "WOW" factor. The final food stop was for bread, which I
passed on. We exited World Showcase after Mexico, and ran through Future World,
exiting the park on the side away from the bus stop area. After coming around
the final curves I was thrilled to see the finish line in sight! This time I
was able to pace myself and run across the finish line without stopping just
short. I was scanning the crowd, and spotted SB standing right at the finish
line watching me. I was so glad to have him there! Once I crossed the line
they cut the chip off my sneaker, and I went over to SB before wandering around
a bit.

They had the usual water, Danish, bagels, fruit available for the runners. In
addition, there were at least 3 booths from the Food & Wine Festival set up. We
were all given bracelets that entitled us to 3 samples. They were giving
bracelets to the spectators as well, but SB & I really didn't want or need 6
items at this point. I got a potato pierogie at one booth and got 2 of the bbq
with corn bread. The bbq was very good, and the corn bread was excellent. It
was starting to rain/mist lightly, so we headed back to the car and drove back
to the resort so I could shower.

Overall the run was a good experience, although I still do NOT enjoy running and
at several points wished I could just stop and get a ride to the finish line
<g>. I had to do a mix of running and walking, since my training has gone so
poorly this year. However, I finished the race standing, and lived to tell
about it <g>. Also, I think my overall pace will end up being 12 minutes and a
few seconds per mile (actually it was 12:01:07), which I can be happy with. My
pace at the half marathon last January was just under 15 minute miles.

Overall it was a great trip, although as we were discussing in the car - driving
6 hours round-trip and flying someone up in order to run 6.2 miles is a bit much
<g>. SB kept saying he couldn't believe how many people are out so early trying
to kill themselves (referring to the runners). I'm looking forward to the trip
next month, when we can stay for several nights and show SB more of WDW.