Not really a trip report, but just putting pen to paper (or electrons to magnetic media as it were) before my memory fails.
The Expo
Went on Saturday. I thought it opened at 8:00. I was at the bus stop at 7:45 AM - no silly, it starts at 9:00 on Saturday. First bus - 8:30 AM. Still was crowded when I got there, but lines went quickly. Pretty good mix of vendors. As someone else said, I was looking for some RunDisney items, but nothing that was JUST RunDisney. The line at the kinesiology tape booth was insane. I wish I had gotten in done though, seeing as what happened to my knees. Ordered a plaque, and got a free "back bib" because of it. It says "Run like you've got a pair". I debated wearing it or not in the marathon, and discretion won out.
The Course
If anyone cares, my GPS track of it is here.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/63065860?sms_ss=gmail&at_xt=4d2d311b1531766c,0
Other than that, like any other race it will have it's tight spots, but none that were really bad. I still hate loopbacks. Entertainment was great, water stops were well run.
The start
I saw some comments about fireworks. I think they can only store so much in those pipes along the start corrals. I was in Corral D. A, B and C got fireworks, we just got the flame blasts from over the start line.
The drainage canal to the right of Corrals A-E became the unofficial bathroom. Props to all the ladies that decided gender does not matter, we are all out here to run, and went over and made it a co-ed bathroom ditch.
Anyone else notice that woman they interviewed who was doing the Goofy. They ask her what she did after the 1/2 and she said I went back to my hotel and took a long hot bath and everyone around me went "Oh my God !" then she said "I can's wait till after the marathon so I can take a nice hot shower" and the crowd went "Is she insane !!!!"
I did not see the crazy warm-up antics that I usually see at races. Nobody running sprints or doing super crazy stretching. Just some modes stretches.
I was VERY happy with the group I was with. Minimal weaving and passing was needed (by me, or by others)
There is a list of on-course entertainment elsewhere, and I added what I remembered to it
The Race
My knees died and I pulled up lame at mile 20. Went to the med tent and told the person "I need a tape job on the lateral collateral ligaments on both knees". She said "hang on, I'll get the physical therapist". The PT came over, asked what the problem was, and I told her I have had these lateral problems before. She then asked me how to tape it. I told her, and she did an OK job. Better than nothing, and it got me to the end, but I thought that was a bit strange. But still, super nice and super busy people in the med stations.
I wish spectators would not lie. I have a good idea of how much distance is left. When I am 3 miles from the finish line, telling me "Just a 1/4 mile more to go" does not help. I number of people I talked to after the race mentioned this.
The Runners
Some that I recall.
The husband and wife, one with "Just" and the other "Married" on their backs. Running hand in hand, she in a veil. Others told me he carried her across the finish line. I was running behind them for about 12 miles till my knees left me.
Guy running dressed as Mr. Incredible.
Guy running as "Endorphine Man"
Loads of Minnie Mouses.
Some women in very short running skirts out there - I'm, just sayin.
I kept seeing a guy in a "Cast Members - Running With Character" shirt. He was doing a run/walk thing while I was limping along at my walking pace of +/- 13 min/mile. He would run and disappear, then then I would catch up to him, then he would run off. I made me feel better to know at least I was keeping up with someone.
Finish Support
A race in Florida is handing out California Oranges -strange
Bag check pick up was so fast this time. I walked into the tent and by the time I get to the table the guy had my bag.
In fact the entire finish was smooth. Medal, picture, food, etc.
Transport both to and from the race was plentiful and fast. I was at the bus stop at Port Orleans - Riverside at 3:15 AM. They had 8 buses lined up and waiting. Waited about 5 minutes for a bus back to the resort.
Overall I had a load of fun, I will be doing it again, maybe even Goofy. I just wish my knees held out. My muscles and body energy were great. I could just feel serious damage setting in on my knees if I kept pounding on them.
-dave
The Expo
Went on Saturday. I thought it opened at 8:00. I was at the bus stop at 7:45 AM - no silly, it starts at 9:00 on Saturday. First bus - 8:30 AM. Still was crowded when I got there, but lines went quickly. Pretty good mix of vendors. As someone else said, I was looking for some RunDisney items, but nothing that was JUST RunDisney. The line at the kinesiology tape booth was insane. I wish I had gotten in done though, seeing as what happened to my knees. Ordered a plaque, and got a free "back bib" because of it. It says "Run like you've got a pair". I debated wearing it or not in the marathon, and discretion won out.
The Course
If anyone cares, my GPS track of it is here.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/63065860?sms_ss=gmail&at_xt=4d2d311b1531766c,0
Other than that, like any other race it will have it's tight spots, but none that were really bad. I still hate loopbacks. Entertainment was great, water stops were well run.
The start
I saw some comments about fireworks. I think they can only store so much in those pipes along the start corrals. I was in Corral D. A, B and C got fireworks, we just got the flame blasts from over the start line.
The drainage canal to the right of Corrals A-E became the unofficial bathroom. Props to all the ladies that decided gender does not matter, we are all out here to run, and went over and made it a co-ed bathroom ditch.
Anyone else notice that woman they interviewed who was doing the Goofy. They ask her what she did after the 1/2 and she said I went back to my hotel and took a long hot bath and everyone around me went "Oh my God !" then she said "I can's wait till after the marathon so I can take a nice hot shower" and the crowd went "Is she insane !!!!"
I did not see the crazy warm-up antics that I usually see at races. Nobody running sprints or doing super crazy stretching. Just some modes stretches.
I was VERY happy with the group I was with. Minimal weaving and passing was needed (by me, or by others)
There is a list of on-course entertainment elsewhere, and I added what I remembered to it
The Race
My knees died and I pulled up lame at mile 20. Went to the med tent and told the person "I need a tape job on the lateral collateral ligaments on both knees". She said "hang on, I'll get the physical therapist". The PT came over, asked what the problem was, and I told her I have had these lateral problems before. She then asked me how to tape it. I told her, and she did an OK job. Better than nothing, and it got me to the end, but I thought that was a bit strange. But still, super nice and super busy people in the med stations.
I wish spectators would not lie. I have a good idea of how much distance is left. When I am 3 miles from the finish line, telling me "Just a 1/4 mile more to go" does not help. I number of people I talked to after the race mentioned this.
The Runners
Some that I recall.
The husband and wife, one with "Just" and the other "Married" on their backs. Running hand in hand, she in a veil. Others told me he carried her across the finish line. I was running behind them for about 12 miles till my knees left me.
Guy running dressed as Mr. Incredible.
Guy running as "Endorphine Man"
Loads of Minnie Mouses.
Some women in very short running skirts out there - I'm, just sayin.
I kept seeing a guy in a "Cast Members - Running With Character" shirt. He was doing a run/walk thing while I was limping along at my walking pace of +/- 13 min/mile. He would run and disappear, then then I would catch up to him, then he would run off. I made me feel better to know at least I was keeping up with someone.
Finish Support
A race in Florida is handing out California Oranges -strange
Bag check pick up was so fast this time. I walked into the tent and by the time I get to the table the guy had my bag.
In fact the entire finish was smooth. Medal, picture, food, etc.
Transport both to and from the race was plentiful and fast. I was at the bus stop at Port Orleans - Riverside at 3:15 AM. They had 8 buses lined up and waiting. Waited about 5 minutes for a bus back to the resort.
Overall I had a load of fun, I will be doing it again, maybe even Goofy. I just wish my knees held out. My muscles and body energy were great. I could just feel serious damage setting in on my knees if I kept pounding on them.
-dave
