Being a huge fan of any and all things Disney, I knew I would someday have to run the Disney Marathon, and earn the coveted Mickey Ears medal, and the Disney Half Marathon, and earn the Donald medal. Initially, I was planning on running the half and the full in separate years because I had to have both medals, but when I heard about the Goofy Challenge, I knew I had to have all three medals. Therefore, I was planning on doing the Challenge in 2006, but my wife was pregnant at the time (unfortunately we lost the baby at about 12 weeks), so I delayed the race for a year. My friend (who is a fast marathoner with a PR of 2:55) and I signed up last summer and just got in before the race was closed. We were extremely excited since we are both great fans of Disney and have been talking about the medals for years.
At the end of September, my tri season was over and I began my training for the Challenge. I set my program up to have a tempo/threshold run on Mondays (:30-:45), easy bike on Tuesdays (1:00), longish run at Marathon pace on Wednesdays (1-2 hours), easy bike on Thursdays (1:00), easy run with drills on Fridays (:30), Long run on Saturdays at an easy pace (1:30-3:00), and a rest or easy swim on Sundays (I never swam). I wanted to separate the two long runs to allow a little recovery, but still get the two longer runs in every week. My training went great and I did not miss a run workout throughout the workup, until…
On December 19th, my son jumped off of the footstool on to my back – which is not uncommon – as I was lying on my stomach on the floor. The spot where he landed (half way up the left side, just to the left of the spine) felt very tender. I didn’t really think much of it at the time.
The next day was Wednesday December 20th and I had a 2 hour run scheduled. My back felt fine all day, but when I started my run it felt tight and I couldn’t really take a deep breath. By the 30 minute mark each step was painful and my pace slowed considerably. I finished the run, but it was disheartening.
The next day was painful, but not too bad. I did not workout that day. Friday was a half day at work and despite some lingering pain I attempted a 30 minute easy workout with 8 striders. I couldn’t finish the workout because it was too painful. By the time I got home, I was having full on spasms and I could not stand up straight. I applied ice and heat throughout the rest of the day and my boy was not happy that Daddy could not pick him up, wrestle or rough house in any way.
On Saturday I woke up feeling pretty good and went to the market to get the turkey and roast for Christmas dinner. By the time I got home the spasms were crippling and as I flopped into a chair; I begged my wife to find a Chiropractor who was open and willing to help me out.
Being the angel that she is, she found one and got me an appointment for later in the day. The Chiro said I had a rib out of place near my spine. He adjusted me as I screamed like soccer mom at a Neil Diamond concert. I went in for another adjustment on Wednesday as I gradually got better. I worked out twice in the time between my failed 30 minute workout on December 22nd and the day of the race. My back was still sore and I had an occasional twinge spasm working from my spine around to the front of my rib cage. Therefore, I went into the race without a lot of expectations; other than finishing and getting my medals.
Something happened to the mailings and I never received my pre-race packet and therefore I was blissfully unaware of the early race times before Friday January 5th. I was in the third wave of the half marathon, which started at 6:30 am, but I was still required to be at the staging area by 4:30 am and to have my gear bag turned in by 5:00 am (I am glad it wasn’t going to be freezing cold).
Race day finally came and I woke, at 3:40 am, to slight soreness in my back and a few twinge spasms. I put a Ben Gay patch over the sore area, drank some coffee and two boosts, ate two pop tarts and headed to Disney. The warm humid air had me worried as I do not do well in the heat. I got my gear bag checked in sipped water, took a dump, and waited (not much to do when you don’t have a transition area to set up).
The race started with much fan fare, fireworks and music. I was frustrated early as I tried to find room to run (the number of walkers was staggering - they needed their own wave). I was ecstatic to have absolutely zero pain in my back. I felt really good (despite only working out twice in the last 13 days). My goal was to stay absolutely aerobic for the entire race, fuel well, and have a good time. I accomplished all of the above. I got to see lots of the Disney Characters (although, I think they should have positioned themselves at the wider roadways or slightly off of the course, many people stopped for pictures and caused the race course to slow and back up). After the race, I was really feeling the effects of the humidity. Thankfully it was dark for much of the race and overcast.
My friend and I headed back to the car and sat for hours since the course traversed the parking lot exit, they would not let anyone leave until the race course was closed. So, we sat in the car and enjoyed the over abundance of talented women who paraded by (the Disney weekend was a very talent laden event, so for you single guys, you should make this an annual event!).
I spoke to Kristobel on the phone about meeting for lunch. He had family obligations and I was looking forward to some serious couch time, so we were unable to meet up.
After eating and stretching, we spent the rest of the day watching football and moving as little as possible.
On Sunday, the alarm again went off at 3:40 am. I repeated my pre-race routine and tried to stretch my very stiff legs. The first few steps of the Marathon were painful, but my back again felt great. My legs never loosened up. I started having IT Band pain in my knee at about mile 2. This pain finally left the knee at about mile 10, but found a new home in my hip. By mile 15 my legs were so stiff that getting over small speed bumps became a challenge. It was also hot, sunny and humid. Did I mention I do not do well in the heat?
I abandoned my GU’s before the race knowing the heat would require more than GU and water could give. I stuck to 3-4 cups of power aid (depending on the strength of the mix) at each water stop and 3-4 cups of water over my head and 1 cup down my shorts. This approach was very effective as, despite legs that felt like concrete, I was only 30 seconds per mile slower than my half marathon pace and I was passing countless people who were doing the long walk.
At mile 20, my legs were not only tight and heavy but in severe pain. Each step was brutal, but I was determined not to walk (except at the water stops where I had to walk to complete my hydration plan). I called myself every name in the book…twice. I made deals with God and kept pushing. As long as I didn’t cramp; I was not going to walk. I don’t remember what mile it was, but I saw Darth Vader and got some extra motivation for about 10 feet. I continued through the heat and humidity, drinking and dowsing, gritting and shuffling along.
Finally, the finish line was in sight and I drank my last imaginary glass of SUCK IT UP and crossed the line. I did not walk (besides the aid stations) during the half or the full (it is amazing you can actually run that slowly) and I had completed the challenge!! I hobbled back to the car where my friend was already sleeping.
We spent the rest of the day eating pizza, peanuts and ice cream. My legs were extremely sore and my friend had two blisters that covered most of the bottom of one foot. We were not in good shape, but the work was done. We watched football and napped.
I felt pretty good on Monday. I had a lot of pain in my left knee (which is still present), but other than that just stiffness and some expected soreness (my back seems to be fine). I am glad I did the race and I am very happy to have all of the medals!!! It was very cool to run through the Disney Parks, see the characters, the Castle, the Tree and the Mountain. If you are a Disney fan, this is a must do race.
I am sure the weather made the weekend more difficult, but I was happy with how I handled the heat.
My times were very pedestrian:
2:16
4:57
but were in the top 25% of all finishers. This is either the result of a very inexperienced field or the heat was worse than I thought. I had a great time at the race and I am glad that I now have the medals and therefore will not have to put myself through this event again.
