OK, this may be long so I'll split this into 4 parts -
Background/Expo
Half
Full
Post Race
Background
---------------------
Last year I did the Goofy after running for 7 months, this was my first Half and first Full doing the Goofy in '06 (first events since HS Track). Times - Half 1:57, Full 4:23. PR's in Half at Disneyland '06 1:38, Full 3:48 '06 Atlantic City Marathon. I posted times for perspective when reading the RR.
So we arrive in WDW on Thursday, get to the Expo just before the opening - mannnn more people had the same idea this year .... look at the line into the Expo.... The line is far better organized though and they move people into the Expo really well. Before you know it I'm in there getting my Bib, Champion Chips, and verifying they are registered correctly. Then Downstairs getting to Tech Shirts was easy, lots of vendors. I grab some memorabilia meet my BIL/SIL/nieces and check everything out.
Overall well done, similar to last years expo. just seemed less congested going in since it seemed well organized to handle ALL the people.
Half
---------------------
This will be the first Half for my SIL, I'm excited to run the same event with her and go for Goofy again. Wow the temps are different, last year it was in the 30's, now atleast 60's(I found out after closer to 70's). Well lets go for it. This year due to my time improvements I'm selected for Corral A-1. They are doing a wave approach(Wave A starts at 6am, Wave B starts at 6:10, Wave C starts at 6:30). Interesting idea. My SIL is in Wave/Corral B-2. I'm not sure how this wave thing works but time to find out. I used the 3:15 bus to get there and meet my SIL, we hang out, listen to some tunes and wait out the start. As we move to the Corrals I meet this guy from England, he explains how he ran Berlin, London, etc... marathons in Europe. Very cool conversation. Oh BTW, he also states he is going to try for sub 1:20. Yeeeeouch. Then we both meet this lady while waiting in the Corrals and her bib says "Elite". She is going for sub 1:22. OK then...... Very cool talking to them and getting a feel of how they approach the event. Very nice people, always is with runners - especially in Disney.
So the event gets ready to start, fireworks, and we're off. I want to go for around 2 hours, hoping thats a good pace to save some for day 2 tomorrow(Sunday). I settle into around 8's(first split was 7:38) and kinda cruise. Running Disney is sooo much fun, the runners dressed in costume, characters along the way, lots of water/Powerade stops. Wow is it HOT! After mile 1 I'm soaked. sticky. Take in WATER. Every stop I hit for fluids and keep a "good" pace. Once hitting Magic Kingdom with the fans along Main Street, lights and Christmas decorations - just Wow! As we turn through and run through the castle everyone whoot'n and hollar'n, this is really cool! Once through the castle its on our way back to Epcot. Very cool running through the parks and heading by the "Big Silver Ball". One thing I really like about the course is the finish, winding around turns then Woah fans and the finish - Adrenaline rush! Pick up the pace with a sprint and finish in 1:50.09. 549 out of 12288? 75 out of 844 in age group. A little faster then goal pace but it felt ooooooooh so good.
As I make it through recieving the Donald medal, then going to the Goofy tent to swap wrist bands(verify one person ran both events), I head over to a spot where everyone is funnel'd. I wait for my SIL, as I'm waiting a guy comes through with his friend and the guy does NOT look good. Coloring => bad. As his friend is trying to see how he is feeling the guys two boys come up - obviously concerned. I ask him if he wants water, by the time I make my way back through the crowd with 4 bottles for him -> he spew'd and was leaning over. I then went to get him a banana and Oranges and suggest he try them - which he does and his color returns. Wheeeeew. At this point Disney had noticed also and brought him a wheel chair just as a precaution. The fellow runner thanked me quite a bit, I was just glad he appeared OK. It was VERY HOT!
Full
---------------------
OK, its Sunday and I'm solo today. Show time to go earn this Goofy medal. My goal, survival. It was HOT yesterday. That morning while getting ready, I shaved off the 'stache and facial hair in the beard area(have to see pics hard to describe). Anything to seem cooler in temps. I decide every stop to take on water again and this time wear my MP3 for in between entertainment on the course. Wow was it nice to have the MP3. I meet up with the guy from England again that AM, we talk some more about his running and many things. Passes time really fast. This year not only different Corral(This year Corral A, last year Corral C), but the other course. The first few miles are split to allow the runners all to start and to split load during the first few miles until runners thin out the pack to make it easier. Really cool idea. We run through EPCOT in the dark, really cool, then on to Magic Kingdom which is an adrenaline rush with all the characters, rides going, lights, Main St., the Castle, just Wow. Then the trek to Animal Kingdom, then MGM, resorts, then back to Epcot. The Heat is insane, I'm taking in water like the bottom of the cup has a whole in it - forget sipping chuggy-chug! Losing water via sweat - A LOT! My first half is at 1:59 which is on schedule with my target time, although goal is to finish. As the temps increase, I'm not sure if its me or just that HOT so I taper off pace and decide this won't be a PR so lets enjoy this run and take it in.... I get into a comfortable pace and decide to push on, running all 4 parks is hard to decribe other then Wow. Really something you have to experience. High five'n the characters along the way. All the FINE running ladies out there, scenery is unreal! The fans cheering you on really motivate. So as I hit mile 17, the guy close by hollars - wahoo single digits left. Move on..... Hit mile 20, I've tapered pace considerable, but really enjoying this run. Consider 20 down, two 5k's to go. What did I just rationalize 20 miles and two 5k's. Hehe. OK, guess I like this running thing..... I go through EPCOT enjoying the scenery of the countries, head toward the "Big Silver Ball" again, then turn to the finish. Time to Sprint. Wahooooooooo this feels good! Finish 4:19.16. 2079 out of 10945. 331 out of 1163 in the age group. Although the #'s are here, the key goal was covering 39.3 miles. Wow I feel good!
Post Race
---------------------
So last year doing the '06 Goofy I had trouble with curbs after Goofy, definately had the WDW waddle going on..... Steps were very tough.
After the '07 Goofy, I feel really good. Get on the bus to go back to the resort. Hey this is alright! Get a shower, hit the parks. I'm bouncing off the walls because I feel really good and had sooooo much fun. The best thing of the run, outside of completing and enjoying the entertainment along the way was feeling sooooo much better after 39.3 miles. Just really excited.
Today back at work and I just want to run! I highly recommend this event to anyone. Yes I'm already signed up for Goofy '08! XV anniversary, special medals.... Nudge, nudge, go sign up.
Side note: Most of the Disney personnel at the resorts did not have a lot of information on the event but were very willing to help get the information. Since this was my second time and they kept most of the plans the same that helped considerably. I hope they keep the same course, great route and get to see sooooo much.
If you made it this far reading thanks, if it helped any one runner sign up and enjoy this run it was worth it.
Recap - 3.5 months - 2 marathons(Atlantic City, Philly) and a Goofy event(Half then Full). The right to be called by all witnessing as certifiably Goofy!
What made me very proud is my oldest son(6) asked if he could take my medals to school to show his friends. He really likes the Mickey medal. Kids are soooooooo cool!
Run strong,
Sanitycheck
Next Up -
-----------------------
2008 WDW Goofy Event
PRs -
-----------------------
5k - 20:44
Half Marathon - 1:38('06 Disneyland)
Marathon - 3:48('06 Atlantic City Marathon)
2 Goofy Events 39.3 miles, lots of fun! 1:50/4:19