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2006 Walt Disney World Marathon Report: Dennis(WDWDen)
| Ok, we all know that I am not a writer, so I'll just start jibbering here! There is so much to say that I have no idea where to start.
Well, to begin with, we all know that I really slacked with my training this year! I think I went out four times. Two days in a row in October(each about 2-3 miles) and two or three days in Dec(each about 2 miles). Its not that i didnt WANT to train, it was just so hard to get out the door. At that point, I really wasn't sweating it much. I was getting A LOT of negative comments from guys at work and at the firehouse, but that was cool, b/c it made me want to prove them all wrong and that was easier, b/c it involved not training. My spirits were high all the way until about Christmas. Things started getting REAL then. I knew I only had about 2 weeks left and I was getting very nervous about this whole thing. People kept telling me I was going to die out there and that it was no joke. Suddenly, these comments started hitting home. For the first time in my life, I really had no idea where I was at from a physical stand point. Last year I did some training and even did a 6 miler, so I knew how sore I was at that point and I could gage off of that what it would be like to double that. This year was all different! It was probably my least active year of my entire life, so I really didnt know if my body could do this. Suddenly, my ankle that I broke started bothering me, my 'gimmpy calf'(from haveing a cast on for 3 months) really started to nag me and I just seemed to notice every little ache and pain. I am sure it was all just b/c I was so nervous. There were many times that I REALLY considered quiting and not ruining my vacation. I have never had a quiters attitude before, but I think was just weighing the pros and cons of doing this. Around Jan 1st, I decided that if I quit, I would regret it the entire year. Instead, I would just get to the starting line and start walking. If I got too tired or sore, I would not push it and I would just sit and wait for a bus to get me. I told myself that it was my fault that I am where I am, so I would just make the best of it and do what I could. Ok, was that the longest paragraph ever or what?? I decided I would wear it until Epcot and leave it neatly on a bench in WS b/c I love that place so much. Ok, I think I'm supposed to start a new paragraph now. I met with Amy(LeasMom) just outside the GCH at the Poly. We met at about 3:30am and walked over to the TTA to catch the monorail to Epcot. I gotta tell you, I don't if it was b/c I was so nervous, or b/c Amy was such great company, but I have no recolection of the walk or the monorail ride to Epcot. I remember meeting her and then my next memory is of us walking through the Epcot parking lot where we talked about the old days of the RCH and things of that nature. Once we got to tent city, we walked around and checked things out for a bit, then we walked over near the entrance to Port-a-Pot City and sat down with other people. I must tell you that Amy was really great!! We talked about everything and it made the time pass SOOOO quickly. I felt totally comfortable with her and it was the first time we met. All of that talking and I only managed to insult her once about her age(sorry Amy ). After that, we spit up and headed our own ways. New paragraph yet?? What the heck!! I left Amy and started the long walk to the corrals. I didnt speak to anyone all the way there. It seemed like I was the only person without a partner and suddenly I was feeling very lonely. I was just trying to focus on what was ahead of me and going over my game plan( START SLOWLY). I was among the first people to get to the corrals, so I just got right in there. It was cool, b/c I was just behind the fast guys and really close to the jumbotron screen. I could see everything and I even got my picture up there with a bunch of 'goofy' people. After about 5 minutes of standing, I decided that I should sit and stretch for awhile(I knew that last year, I had hamstring issues at mile 10 and I did not want that to happen again). I brought 3 towles with me from the pool to wrap myself in to keep warm. I wound up just useing them to sit on and wound up giving one to some poor girl who was shivering to death. It was pretty boing hour to sit there. I think next year, I will stay in tent city a lot longer. I always rush to get places and then I sit there bored. OK, the start!! Like I said, I was up front with the fast runners. Can you guess what they all did when the fire works went off for the start??? Yep, the RAN!!!!! Well, unfortunatley for me, my game plan was too walk for the first 3 miles and that is exactly what I did! Well, being at the front of one of the first corrals, there were about 10,000 people behind me who were running!! Can you guess who was in everyones way???? I must say, it was very discouraging and it really made me feel extra slow out there. I remember sitting there getting passed steadily for about the first 15 minutes, "how am I going to do another 25 miles"? Not only did I feel slow, but for some reason, my right leg felt numb and it was making me nervous(never felt that before).Oh, did I mention it was cold out there? Ok, mile one was out of the way and I was passing under the turnstiles heading into the Epcot parking lot. At this point, the people walking my pace were with me and I started to job a bit, but only for short bursts. I was too affraid to push anything early, b/c I didnt want my body quitting on me by mile 18. Just as I was feeling better, I looked to my left and could see the front runners already passing mile FIVE!!! Dude!!! "Alright, forget them, I KNEW that was going to happen, stay cool Den, just keep doing what your doing, they will all tire out at the end and I'll blow right past them". Yeah, I was actually thinking that!! Suddenly, I was thinking of ways to cut the course(yeah cheating), but then I knew I would regret that too, so I made sure I did every inch of that 26.2 miles!! If I cut it and finished, I would have no glory, only regret!! I really wanted too see if I could do this. Ok, now its time to shed my cloths, I'm really starting to sweat a lot and its feeling warmer. I stopped in World Showcase right after I ran under MikeS's favorite spot(the Christmas light tressel just before the Christmas tree). I made the left heading towards Mexico and stopped at the first bench and took off my sweat pants and sweat shirt. I really loved that shirt, so I was sad, but I knew I was leaving it in a good place, not just thrown unlovingly too the side of the road in a pile of powerade cups and orange slices. I even folded them neatly. Ok, time to get under way again. I quickly realized that I made a HUGE mistake. I got rid of my cloths waaaaay too early and I was freezing!! That mistake would bother me for the next 11 miles. Oh well, other than being cold, my body feels really good, so I'm actually feeling positive right now. It was a long run over to the MK, but I knew I would have friends there too cheer me on. That really helped me too go the distance!! At one point, I called Amy too see where she was at. I was hopeing that she was behind me, but she was about a mile in front of me already(and she started about a half mile behind me in the back corrals ). Oh well, I'll catch her later!! Ok, I'm nearing the TTA and heading under the tunnel for the tram in the MK parking lot. Suddenly I hear lots of screaming and see people that I know. Thank God, I needed some motivation! I can't remember everyone who was there b/c there were soo many people and it was overwhelming, but I remember AliciaG, Linda, Twinks, FLSharon and BetsyAnn. I think there were a few others, but I can't think straight right now. I stopped for a few seconds and thanked them for cheering me on and took some pictures. I really was glad too see them (thanks so much guys ) After that, I started the long road to the MK. When I was approaching the tunnel under the 7Seas Lagoon, I called Amy and she was already at MainStreet!! She was still about a mile ahead or so. |
| Ok, where was I??? Heading into the MK, right?
I forgot what a long road it is from the TTA to the MK. Its not really that bad though, b/c your excited knowing that you'll be entering your first park soon. I hit mile 10 just before entering the park. That is where I was really tired last year and started having hamstring issues. This year, I was feeling great! I guess by going slower early and pacing myself, my muscles were staying fresh!! Actually, I REALLY beleive that its more of a mental game!! Its amazing, last year, I actually did some training, although not that much, it was still much more than this year. I was also a year younger and only had half the distance to go. With all of that said, I was feeling great although way through the half way point!! I was also only 7 minutes off of my previous years pace and I KNOW I did a lot more running last year! Ok, I got ahead of myself, so let me get back to the MK. There was a lot of clothing dumped at this point, right before you enter the backstage area. One woman in front of me even stopped to pick up a nice hat that someone threw away. Heck, I almost stopped to pick up some nice jackets. Its amazing how much nice(and expensive) stuff people decide too toss out. I think next year, I may just sign up for the marathons and walk them with a back pack and pick up all the cloths I want. I'm telling you, some of these things had to be close too $100. (as a side note about things I saw on the road, I saw one dead trampled little bird on the offramp to World Drive, I saw one dead trample little mouse and for some reason, I kept seeing socks in the road. Do people actually take their socks off during the race?? ) See how I just jump around everwhere! Ok, going into the MK, the first person I saw was Pam(Bookwood). Again, I was really happy to see her there. I can't tell you how great it is too see someone you know cheering for you(thanks again Pam). I stopped for a second and asked her about Amy and Carrie, but she hadnt seen them. It was a quick hi and bye, but it meant a lot. I said goodbye and headed around the corner and up mainstreet too see the castle. I enjoy it there, but for some reason, it really doesnt do anything for me the way you see others who get all choked up by being there. I was looking more forward too the AK, MGM and Epcot!! I breezed through the castle and out the backstage area near Splash Mt. Although I did stop for a quick bathroom break near Country Bear. No port-a-Potties this year!! hehehe Ok, coming out of the MK is another hard spot for me. I think the road is Floridian Way. It doesnt seem long when ya drive it, but its a whole other story when your walking it. Its kinda lonely, even though they did have a high school band their and some cheerleaders. Although most of them werent really cheering, kinda just standing there freezing their butts off. Some lady next to me made a rude comment about how they are NOT motiviating her and that they should just go sit in the bus if they're that cold. I didnt respond to her though, b/c I felt bad for the kids. I WAS cold out there and we were near the back of the pack. They had probably been standing out there for a couple hours already cheering people they don't even know, while they were freezing. I say Props to them for even coming out!! I'm not sure if it was by the grand Floridian, or Past the Poly, but there was a group of soldiers there, probably about 30 of them cheering us on. Now these guys are used to running and probably do it every day. A marathon would probably not be much of a challange to them at all. It made me feel great too see them out there cheering us on. Again, I KNEW that I was near the back of the pack with the slow people, so it was really special to me that they were there for us. Afterall, the people in the back are really the ones who need the cheering, not the front runners. These guys were just standing there though, they were really into it. They called my name and all put their hands out to give me high 5's! They were really a great inspiration to me. The way they were into cheering and made eye contact with me. They told me I was doing great(well, obviously not just me), they said your awesome and they just seemed thrilled to be there. It was one of the highlights of my trip. It was especially meaningful to me b/c out of highschool, I REALLY wanted to go into the Marines. I thought about it for years, but my dad needed me too stay in the family buisness at that time because he broke his back in a fall, so I gave up on my dreams and stayed there to help out. To this day though, some 15 years later, I still have the desire to join, and almost joined the Army reserves last year. But, thats a whole other story! See how I keep jumping around. This is why I don't do reports. Ok, past these guys, I know I'm almost to the half way point. That is comforting b/c I am still feeling pretty good physically and my mentaly I am feeling great!! At this point, I have little doubts left about not finishing. I called Jenine at the Poly too see if her and Masen could get out there too see me, but they were still eating breakfast in the lounge, so I told her too stay put. I had actually gotten to that point a little faster than I thought, so I told her too just meet me at the finish line and take care of Masen. Just as I hung up with her, I had another great surprise!! BetsyAnn, Alicia, Twinks, Sharon and John(I'm pretty sure I got that right, sorry if I missed anyone) had all taken the long walk over from the TTA to cheer me on again!! How awesome was that!!! These guys had just done a marathon the day before and here they were out there cheering for me in the freezing cold!! Thanks so much guys!!!! I don't remember if I stopped this time or not, I just remember how happy I was to see them. That was probably around mile 12, so I was now almost too the halfway point! I started thinking back too last year and how tired I was at this point then. That is when I figured that a lot of this, really is mental. One of the signs along the course even said somthing about that. Anyways, when I got there, I checked the clock and it was 2:59 minutes official time. My last year was at 2:52 I think, so that made me feel great!! I really felt that I was holding a lot back, so i should have been farther off the time. Good for me. Now it is time to get some oranges and bananas. Let me tell you, I was STARVING!!!! Almost to the point that I was going to stop and get a bite at the AK. Luckily, I took a few oranges and I think they had some hersey kisses at that stop, I took a bunch of them too. That really helped me get through. I don't bring any gels or power bars with me. I only eat what they give me. Although looking back, I shoulda probably had a little somthing for breakfast. Oh well, next time. Now I'm on the back road that take you into the AK. I was really looking forward to this, b/c I love seeing the behind the scenes stuff and I've never been back here before. It was a little longer than I though it would be, but there was some cool things too see. Actually, just as I got started, MikeS called me to give me the scores of the games the night before. I couldnt stay awake long enough. We talked for a bit and he told me about his unfortunate race happenings(although he still kicked major butt). He wished me luck and said good bye. On this road, I passed a work shop for one of the golf courses. It was weird seeing new things at WDW. I slowed down a bit and looked at everything I could see. |
Past the golf place, there was a bend in the road and that led to the water treatment plant. This place was HUGE!!! I was in heaven now and it didnt even feel like I was in a marathon. I barely even remember the walking part. I was just excited that I was getting closer to this place that I've only read about in 'Since The World Began'. I think that is where they did the famous 'water hyacinth' project, but I'm not positive. I've been sneaking in back roads for years looking for this place, but I've never found it. I was looking over near the FW Campground. Anyway, enough about that, I wouldnt want to bore you any longer with that stuff. I'd say it was roughy one mile to get all the way around this place. From there, we kept on winding around other buildings and fields. One cool place was a nursery where a lot of the plants are grown and sculpted. I took it easy through there also and really wished I had brought my camera. Maybe next time I will. I knew I was getting close to the AK, but I couldnt quite place myself b/c I could not see the Tree of Life or EE. I thought for sure I would be able to see these things by now. Hmmm, maybe I'm not that close yet. I was kinda bummed, so I called Amy to see where she was at. I was really hopeing to hear her say she was behind me. No such luck, she had pulled an even bigger lead, but she said she was really feeling the paing now and slowed to mostly walking. I wished her luck and told her to stay strong and that I'd call her again soon. Ok, were coming up on a gate and there is powerade. I am soooo thirsty and hungry that I may just eat an animal if I see one(I really should have picked up that dead bird earilier). I see a sign saying they have strawberries and oranges. I suddenly feel peppy again and run right over. When I get to the tables, I see that they are only flavored power gels. :evi: THAT was not cool and the sign should really be more clear about that. What a tease!!!! Oh well, I'm starving, I'll take a handful of them!! I tried the strawberry first and it was nasty. Either way, i knew I needed somthing in me, so I took another try and threw it away. I now needed a another drink, but didnt have one. Hmmm, maybe the orange will taste better. NOPE!!! Now I know why I didnt try them before. Oh well, at least now I have somthing in my system to get help me keep going. Looking around, I realized that I am now behind Conservation Station and I can see the train. This was really cool too see and made me forget about the bad taste in my mouth. There were lots of people there cheering us on. Most were from the Jammin Jungle parade and they even had the floats out for us. I also saw an owl(I guess from Flights of Wonder). People were touching it and taking pictures, but I blew right past. I was feeling good again and could see EE now!! We ran through a lot of backstage stuff there. From Conservation Station, you kinda followed the tracks to where you get off at the first train station, then you make a left behind all of the buildings in Harambe and you enter the park near the entrance to Africa. You immediatley see the Tree of Life staring at you. What a treat to be somewhere familiar again. We then make a left past Flights of Wonder (where I hit another bathroom) and into Asia. I could hear the monkeys yelling from quite a ways back. They were really active today, so it was a treat to finally get there and see them playing. I slowed to a walk, but didnt stop.
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