Disney Half Report

Two medals for the Dykas Clan AND two PRs.

Jaclyn rocked her way to a 2:25:44 chip time. That is a PR for Jaclyn by three or four minutes.

Perfect weather for a run. Starting out in the upper fifties and finishing in the mid sixties, with low humidity. Running in Houston does have its advantages. That is when you head off to a cooler climate.

I did not do too badly either. I didn't necessarily take it easy, but coming off an injury, I did not push it either. A 2:04:14 finish, which would best my  previous PR by about four minutes. I'll be curious to see some of the splits. I knocked off a few eight minute miles torward the end before things started stacking up in Downtown Disney.

I gotta say, big props and a race dedication go out to the fine ladies at Koala - Dr. Denise, Maggie, Nicole, Tiffani, Melissa and Melanie (Miz Hottie)! They got me to this point and I can't wait until I am fully recovered. I can tell I am not "back" yet, but I am getting close.

Disney did a very good job with the Half. While there were a few narrow spots, they made the course as wide as possible in many areas. We only had to share the roadway with the cars in one short stretch, but we had a full two lanes to ourselves, with a one lane buffer. Excellent traffic control inside and outside the parks.

Water stops were consistent, albeit the first one was too narrow; everyone had to slow to a walk to get through. But that was a small issue when you look at the overall race. It is much better than the Disneyworld Half Marathon and even the Disneyworld Marathon.

One of the really nice things is that it feels like you spend more time in the parks (Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure) than you did in the Florida version. They also give you plenty of room to run. For example, we got all of Main Street to run on, while in Florida, you get about a third of it.

The crowd was pretty good. I think it will only grow as spectators and organizers find the best places to view the event.

I started off easily and in fact, like I do in many runs, ran with Jaclyn for the first five minutes. It is a little stacked up at first, but all runs normally are. When you turn left onto Katella, which runs next to the parks, you have all of the west bound lanes to yourself - plenty of running room for all. You are also greated with the beginning of a sunrise with endless palm trees on both sides silhouetted against the morning sky.

You wrap around the east side of the park before entering the Disney parking lot and head directly into Disney's California Adventure. You will run through the entire park before exiting and making your way to Disneyland. My only gripe about Disneyland was that the Main Street Band was playing "It's A Small World." Needless to say, I was not the only runner screaming "Noooo!"

As quickly as you get into Disneyland, you head onto the back lot. The difference between this run and the Disneyworld runs, is that you spend much less time behind the scenes and more time in the park. There was plenty of staff behind the scenes to cheer you on and many more inside the park as well. So we spent a little time in the back lot, but were back into the heart of Disneyland shortly.

Excellent job of routing us through the park. Plenty of running room although many females slowed down as we neared the Pirate Ship that was anchored near the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. I believe the conversation went something to the effect of "If that really was Johnny Depp, I would be stopping" and "If that was Johnny Depp, my race would end here."

Once you finally exit Disney, you are out on the streets of Anaheim. Again, I have to give props to traffic control. We had entire streets to ourselves and on the streets we shared with traffic we had at least all the lanes in any given direction.

The water stops were well organized and several bands were out for your running entertainment. In fact, there was a mariachi band playing on one corner and in the spirit of Disney, they too were playing "It's A Small World." I  know what you are thinking, but it's not half bad when played by a mariachi band.

The run will take you by the "Pond" where the Ducks Hockey Team plays and then over to Angel Stadium. Runners are looped around the parking lot under the "Big A" and then into the stadium where they run along the warning track and foul lines. A camera is set up so you can see yourself on the big screen. I look pretty scary at 20 feet tall...

Then it is a few short miles back to California Adventure and then into Downtown Disney. There are many spectators in Downtwon Disney so the area was roped off and became rather narrow. The finish line is just a few hundred yards from Downtown Disney and you get a chance to look directly at the time clock and use whatever energy you have left.

I would recommend this half marathon. Whether you are going for fun or for a good time, the course is setup for both. Jaclyn and I set personal bests and Jaclyn's sister, Victoria, did as well. Victoria's husbadn (who on race day was her fiancee) missed a PR by only 18 seconds. Pretty good day all around.

Comments

[Vic]

Oh, you know Maggie. She's the best, IMHO!!! Or the worst, however you want to look at it.

Great job to the clan on the PR's. Sounds like a fun event. Be safe!!!

[edwin]

way to go on the PRs.

[Cassie]

oooohhhhhhhhhh those medals are awesome!

way to go kids!

[Crosstrain]

Mickey is proud of you. Way to go. Sept 17 was another half......halfway to St Patricks Day and they were giving out free Guiness at the pub I visited :}. Have one on me, that is if Mickey allows it.

[txrunnergirl]

Congrats on your PRs! Great medals!!

[Robert]

Great Report!

Can I add the DL & Goofy to my website http://www.DisneyRunning.com ?

Are you Goofier in 07?

Robert
Goofy in 06 & Goofier in 07