Once again I made my trek down to Walt Disney World to run.
All 3 races
5k
½
Marathon
Full
Marathon
If you do the ½ and the full marathons they call it the “Goofy Challenge”.
Since I flew all the way down to
Florida anyway I thought I would throw that in too.
Unofficially that is known as the “Dopey Challenge”
My girlfriend accompanied me to run the 5k and be a spectator at the ½ and the full after that. I guess acts of idiocy need to be seen too.
The flight to
Orlando got us there late Thursday night. By the time we got to the hotel and checked in it was 12:30 am Friday. They only had a smoking room left for that night despite the reservations. I had to get up at 5:00 am so I just wanted to get to bed.
Morning came too quick. Race time was 7:00 am and we still had to check in before the race. We managed to get ready and over to Disney by 6:15 am. Then they had a problem finding our names on the registration list. They had us fill out new forms and we got our numbers and t-shirts. I had to have my race t-shirt after all.
The 5k had a Pirate and Princess theme. I didn’t dress up as either a pirate or a princess. It started and ran through the MGM part of Disney
The weather for the weekend was warm and humid. That wasn’t so bad for the 5k.
I took it easy and ran with Melissa.
She was very helpful in making sure I didn’t overheat, and dumped a cup of water on me at the last aide station. (It took 6 months to plot her revenge but she got it)
We got our HUGE 5k medals at the finish.
I ran at her pace so we finished at about 37 minutes. Nothing speedy but a nice run to loosen the legs up for the next 2 days.
3.1 miles down
Another early day. Got to the start area around 4:30 am. We had to be in the corral around 5:00 am for some reason. Lots of standing around.
For the ½
Marathon, my kilt was the racing outfit of the day. I also wore a tech tank top with my daughter’s picture on it.
We met up with Anton who was also sporting the kilted look. He actually had the same Tartan pattern too. Since chafing was not an option we both were wearing shorts under our kilts. It was the popular question of the day as we passed people. Unfortunately, the warm and humid weather got even warmer and humider for this event, so it was probably not the day for kilts.
This race started promptly at 6:00 am at EPCOT and works it way over to the
Magic
Kingdom and then back over to EPCOT for the finish. I made sure I took a walking break at the aide stations so I could drink without choking. I also made a point to dump some cold water on my head to keep cool. Melissa was an excellent spectator and brought the cowbell to cheer me on. I saw her just as we got over to the
Magic
Kingdom. Since she was such an enthusiastic fan, I made my way over to her and gave a big, grateful, sweaty hug to show my appreciation. Somewhere near the 6 mile mark I realized I had a bleeder, actually a double bleeder. I forgot my nipguards and thought Body Glide and a tech shirt would be enough to get me thru the ½. The sweat had worn the Body Glide off, and my nipples got chafed. (Not a top 10 place on your body to get chafed!) Lucky for me there was an aide station with blessed Vaseline. A glob of that and I was feeling much better.
Anton and I encountered many on the course (runners and spectators) who mistakenly thought we were wearing skirts. Of course we had to respond in our best brogue “IT’S A KILT!!!” Then there were questions to follow about what was under them.
The aid stations were plentiful, and the bands, DJ’s, and even a choir, along with the spectators kept you moving along.
If that wasn’t enough, Anton and I talked (okay maybe it was mostly me talking, his ears were bleeding) through the race. With the finish line in sight we made an effort to high five every costumed Disney cast member until we crossed the finish line at the 2:03:59 mark. I heard my cowbell as I did.
I am looking forward to those race pictures.
The Donald Duck ½ marathon medals were given out, and the Goofy wristband was changed for tomorrow.
13.1 miles down for today, 16.2 miles down so far.
Sunday was another early day. Arrived at Disney around 4:15 am today. It was a little cooler and not quite as humid but a bit foggy. I didn’t want to overheat on the longer course so no kilt today. I wore my tank top (with the blood washed out) and my DeSoto 4 pocket tri shorts to give my quads some support. They were lighter than the kilt and should keep me cooler in the long haul. Anton also skipped on the kilt. We headed over to the corral around 5:00 am again. I had Neosporin and waterproof Band-Aids to protect my previous days’ chafed nipples.
We bumped into Britt in the corral while we were waiting for the race to start.
The race once again started relatively on time at 6:00 am.
I probably over-hydrated the day and night before knowing it was going to get hot and stay humid during the marathon. I also was trying to replenish what I depleted the day before. The only downside to this was several more pee breaks than I anticipated. No biggie, this weekend was for fun.
We circle Epcot once and then off to the
Magic
Kingdom. I was sweating early and I took advantage of every aide station. I walked thru and drank the Powerade and some water.
Sweating began early. When we got to the
Magic
Kingdom I met my imported fan Melissa, with the cowbell clanging loudly.
With the sun coming up the heat started to become a factor just after the halfway mark. The drinking and walking strategy at every aide station since the beginning was paying off. Passing a few runners who dropped because of the heat was definite proof of that. When we went thru Animal Kingdom they brought back the small roadside signs with little factoids, or questions to contemplate every ¼ mile or so. “Do radioactive cats live 18 years?” I don’t know, but it certainly sparked a new tangent on the conversation. We would come across an area where they were playing music and we would jump in and do some impromptu Karaoke. There was the aide station around mile 21 supported by the local Hash House Harriers (ON! ON!) which had some “ice cold beer, here”. How could you not partake of such thoughtful hospitality? That was my argument to Anton, which seemed to work. As we slowed down to sip the icy nectar of the gods and went up a short incline the DJ stated playing “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen. We joined the ‘Boss’ and sang along loudly (and probably badly). That little break gave us a little boost and got us on our way. Soon we saw MGM and knew were only a few miles out. MGM went quickly and we were hitting the last leg into EPCOT. Saw a few more runners dropping off. (Though the race staff was right there to help out.) I was quite fatigued, hot, and my quads were getting sore (even the Biofreeze was not helping anymore). Talking and singing and just goofing around kept our heads in the game and our spirit light. In EPCOT we caught up to a woman with KELLY on the back of her shirt. I started singing the “Kelly” song Woody on Cheers sang to his girlfriend. (Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, K.E.L.L.Y, Kelly) Anton picked up with the “Name Game” song (Kelly, Kelly Bo Belly, me mi mo Melli…….etc). She was a great sport about it but she ran ahead as we hit the last aide station. Shortly after that we caught up with our new buddy Kelly and went through the singing again. At this time we were getting quite punchy so everything was still funny. The last ½ mile around EPCOT and we finally saw the choir. Only 2/10 of a mile to go. Anton and I came to the last stretch and saw the crowd. , and the finish line. A surge of adrenaline pushed me across the finish. Anton had a big smile, knowing I would probably shut up for a while. Finish time was close to last year 4:37. I may not be fast but I am consistent. We got our Mickey medals. Melissa handed me my 5k and ½ marathon medals over the fence so I could get my picture with my full race “Bling” on. I walked thru the Goofy Challenge tent and got my last medal. Anton and I got our Goofy Challenge picture together. It was time to hit the pool and take a nap.
42.4 miles, done!