Disney Marathon

Originally posted 01.09.06

On Sunday, January 8, 2006 Walt Disney World held their 13th marathon. It went substantially better than Saturday's half marathon.

To begin there was a split start. The faster runners on one side and the slower runners on the other, with Elite runners leading both packs out. Further, each group had multiple lanes to work with. Finally, the two groups did not come together until 3.5 miles into the race. This was an excellent move on the part of Disney. I believe that I have never seen so "few" people darting in and out of runners in order to get ahead of slower runners.

The marathon started at a brisk 35 degrees. The wind was negligible so I opted for short sleeves. My only mistake was not bringing my gloves. While it took about two miles for my body to get warmed up, it took nine before my hands warmed up.

The start was incident free and because of the luxury of three full lanes to work with and the split start, I was able to clear runners who were at a slower pace than me within the first mile and a half. In fact, I hit mile one of the marathon a full twenty minutes earlier (gun time) than I did in the half marathon on Saturday.

Epcot is a joy to run through. This is really the best part of the run because it is still dark and Epcot is lit up. It is a surreal experience running through there. In fact, you are so mesmerized by the lights and the sights that you do not notice there is no crowd support. It is just you, the lights and the padding of 24,000 shoes on the pavement.

The run to the Magic Kingdom is relatively boring. For the four hour plus crowd, the sun is beginning to come up and the fog is burning off. People on their way to the park are honking their horns in support as they drive by. Although we will never know it, we will see many of them inside the park.

I have run this event before so going through the Magic Kingdom wasn't as "magical" as the first time. Don't get me wrong though, it is still fun to run through. This is where most people start making their stops to get pictures with the many different Disney Characters that are throughout the park. Also, Main Street was packed with people cheering. It was a definite upgrade based upon the number we saw last year. Further, it is a different experience being in the park when it is relatively empty. You notice so much more.

Coming out of Disney, you reach the second hardest stretch of the course (at least for me). And that is the run from the Magic Kingdom to the Animal Kingdom. The one big surprise along this stretch was the crowd support as we passed by one of the resorts. They created a great atmosphere and were packed so tight that there was only about half of a lane for the runners to use. No matter, it gave you the feeling that you were part of a grand event. There were so many people yelling your name and looking for high fives that many of us felt like minor celebrities for a moment.

Once you reach the half way point (13.1 Miles) you lose the crowd and the course toughens as you make your way to Animal Kingdom. The banked curves are hard on the legs and the sun has come up and is beginning to make its presence known. Also, just as you pass Mile 14 there is a recording that tells you that you are doing "great and that the Animal Kingdom is just around the bend." Big downer to say the least. I have done this before and even I forgot how many bends and miles "just around the bend means." You really do not get into the Animal Kingdom until after Mile 16.

By the time I reached the Animal Kingdom my legs were getting heavy and my thighs were starting to burn. I was beginning to dread walk breaks as it actually hurt more to walk than it did to run and going from walking to running was becoming painful.

You do not get much time in the Animal Kingdom as by the time you reach Mile 18, you are in the parking lot and paying customers are looking at you wondering "who are these fools who spend a day running when they could be riding the rides..." I must mention that there is one redeeming thing about getting through the Animal Kingdom - sponges.

Here is my one piece of advice about how to run Disney - save your sponge! You will want it later in the Marathon. I have done so both times and it has paid off.  Sponge good!

The stretch between Animal Kingdom and MGM is the worst part of the marathon. First, it is where most people hit the wall. Second, the few hills (overpasses) at Disney are found on this stretch. Third, there is nothing there...

And I was pretty much done. Up to this point I had done 31 miles in two days and even though I was taking it easy, my mind was beginning to have the same doubts my body was. Then at Mile 19, my little miracle happened. My wife was waiting for me. She took my water bottle, replenished my goo, gave me a hug and told me she loved me. And the way she said it, I knew at that moment it did not matter to her whether I finished or not. That meant everything. I began running again in earnest with a new vigor. I felt lighter than I had all day.

I felt so good that my fastest mile of the day (a sub 10:00) was between Mile 20 and Mile 21. I had a renewed confidence and then I said to myself "W-W-F-D." What would Felix do?

Felix Lugo is the Head Coach for Houston Fit's Mighty Mighty Yellow Group. I am one of Felix's assistant coaches so I know that Felix preaches two things: "Run Safe" and "Run Smart." As I approached Mile 22, I realized that if Felix knew what I had just done, he would not be impressed, but disappointed (he would probably yell at me-and it would be warranted!). I was not running smart. So I immediately brought my pace back in line with my original plan and chugged toward MGM, saving myself for next weekend at Houston, where I will attempt the Chevron Houston Marathon.

Once I got to MGM Studios (Mile 23) I knew I would make it. It was not going to be pretty; it was going to hurt; but I would make it. I reverted to "coach mode" and slowed up as I passed runners who were struggling to offer encouragement. I made it a point to high five any kids who stuck their hands out for the runners. I smiled for all the people who cheered for me by name.

From MGM to Epcot it is a relatively easy run along a stream and around Disney's Boardwalk. Comparatively speaking, it wasn't so much easy as it was short. Once inside of Epcot, you realize how hungry you are. This is because all the food stations are preparing food for the day. First I wanted a burger; then I wanted brats; then it was mexican food and then...well then I turned the corner and made my way toward the giant white sphere.

The closer I got to the giant sphere at Epcot, the bigger the crowd got. Much, much bigger than last year. The people cheering were intense. I wanted to go faster, but my body just couldn't. It did not matter though. I was almost done.

There is this point, just after you go around the sphere and before you get into the Epcot parking lot, that there is a moment of Zen. There is no crowd. The cheers are fading behind you and there is a hint of the crowd waiting for you at the finish line. For the twenty seconds in between there is a Gospel Choir.

You have run 26 miles. People have been cheering for you all day. Your body is tired and is ready to shut down. You are willing your body to take every step. You just want the ordeal to finish. And you slow down to cheer the choir. Because they are that good and they are that uplifting.

You then turn the corner; run past the kennels; come out of the trees to the final stretch and the crowd is radioactive. You don't know what faces to look for. You hope you can hear somebody shout your name so you know where to look. And all the while you see the finish line getting closer and closer. You don't know whether to yell, cry, or thank the good lord above for giving you the strentgth to reach your goal.

You hear your name; you wave; you are not sure who it was. You cross the finish line and are not sure it is over yet. You walk blindly over to the person who keeps saying "chip" and they understand you can't lift your leg so that they can take your chip from your shoe. They get down to do it for you. Somebody says "Goofy" and then you remember that you just did something really special.

I found my wife and gave her a hug and didn't (couldn't) let go.

Listening to: Technologic - Daft Punk    

Comments

[Jefferson Nogueira]

I can see photos of marathon disney year 2006...
Thanks

I from Brazil, São Paulo...

Congratulations