A2grafix's Wine & Dine Half 2013; coast to coast challenge Part 2

[a2grafix]

Hi everyone. First off, as many of you already know I successfully completed my first-ever runDisney Coast to Coast Challenge Nov. 9 and 10 after finishing the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in 2:30.20.

Challenged myself this year in running a handful of half marathons, which I have never done before, and the Wine and Dine in Orlando was my third half of the year, and my second consecutive runDisney half after finishing the 2013 Disneyland Half Labor Day weekend. My first ever half was in January in Baton Rouge for the half marathon at the Louisiana Marathon, and I have two more halves to do - Dec. 1 Space Coast Half and Dec. 7 St. Jude Memphis Half.

Never thought I could run a half a couple of years ago as I was recovering from a herniated disc in my lower back, was overweight, and failed miserably my previous two Air Force fitness exams. I could not even run 1.5 miles without gasping for breath and stopping. But I recovered and started working on getting the 1.5 mile run in time complete, and focused on running past 1.5 miles and hitting 3 miles. I ran a handful of 5Ks and in 2012 committed to my first real challenge, the inaugural Tower of Terror 10 miler, which I successfully ran in 1:55.02.

So, the question in my mind was can I run 3.1 miles more after I ran 10 miles. Sure I can and decided to challenge myself in the coast to coast challenge.

Fast forward to the week of the race. I had to change my flight plans due to a work issue and could not leave until the day of the run. I wanted to leave Friday so I could get a good night's sleep, get to the expo easily, etc. Luckily I found @Ariel484 and she was able to pick up my race packet, and even dropped it off to my hotel! All I needed to focus was getting on the plane Saturday and getting to the resort, and maybe hitting the final hour of the expo to see what's what, purchases some exclusive merchandise, check into my hotel, relax. and get ready for the run.

I landed at MCO at around 1:30pm, and by 1:50pm I secured a Mears shuttle to the ESPN sports complex. Was able to meet Jeff Galloway for a second time, asked if he had some advice since it was going to be in low 70s by race time and some humidity. Checked into Shades of Green in short order after the expo closed and by 5pm I ate a prerace sammich before calming myself and resting for about an hour.

Have to say that each time I visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World, it's for several days. This trip was short. Quick in and out (that's what she said). I was a Mears shuttle by 11:30am for a 2:20pm flight back home. So I was in Orlando for just about a day, and didn't pay to go into any of the parks. Felt strage but felt comfortable as I ran through Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and finished in Epcot.

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[a2grafix]

(Third floor view of 1 of 2 pools at Shades of Green at sunset. Wish I spent a week!)

Race in itself was pretty cool and I remembered much of the route, though, backwards, from the 2012 Tower 10 miler. Started in F corral and kind of strange the corrals were shot off every 2 minutes. Thought the course would get bunched up but nope. It was also nearly 70-percent humid and around 69F when we started the run. Was considering running in a long tek shirt but decided against it, though I did bring a sweatshirt in my bag and I was warm until I had to drop off my bag.

Run in itself was very good, steady, and I only stopped when I needed to for some water and powerade. For the first 9 miles I was running with a guy, never got his name, but he and I ran alike so we were our running buddies. It was good. After Animal Kingdom on the stretch to behind the Tower of Terror we ran together and it seemed to make the dark stretch of Osceola Parkway a little bit quicker.

Noticed that when I was close to Mile 3 I heard cheering and claps from other runners. The first runners had passed the 10K marker and were flying home. I still hadn't got into Animal Kingdom's property yet. I stopped and went to the bathroom and cleaned up near Expedition Everest (within 30 seconds I was just as sweaty) and I just thought it was cool all the bathrooms were open. When I crossed the 10K marker I noticed a ton a clean-up truck and I thought I lost ground and was going to be swept up. Major motivation, but found out I was no where near getting swept up.

Unfortunately before the 10 mile marker I wanted to stop and catch a character photo op with the Incredibles. So I said for him to go ahead. I stopped and was told Mr. And Mrs. Incredible had to go away and check on "Jack-Jack," so I was back on the route to the 10-mile marker. Then something hit me. My calves started to cramp up and for the last three miles I had to stop and stretch. Never saw my running partner in blue again.

Felt strong throughout the race and made it to the riverwalk between the Studios and Boardwalk, but that stretch between miles 11 and 12 there were a ton of people. Runners and spectators and water stop helpers. Kind of tight and a choke point. When I ran on the boardwalk at the Yacht and Beach Club my calves started to cramp up again and I had to stop and stretch. But I made it to mile 12.

Best sign of the race between 11 and 12 - You're running better than the government.

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[a2grafix]

Finished strong, was not tired, my feet didn't hurt, there were no blisters and I did not lose a toenail, as I did after Tower 10 miler and Disneyland Half (found out I was tying my shoes too tight). Body glide worked very well, though after 2 hours of waiting before the race some of it wore off. Still, protected where I needed the extra glide. As I reached the finish line raised my arms high and also high-fived Minnie Mouse. Felt like I didn't want to stop running and I could run another 5K.

First came the Wine and Dine finishers medal, which was heavy and heavier than the Disneyland Half medal. Then a brief walk to a tent, the coast to coast tent, and the moment I had been waiting for. The coast to coast finishers medal, which was THICK and HEAVIER than the Wine and Dine finishers medal.

From there I got my runner's bag and fished out my Disneyland Half medal. Took some pix with all three and walked around Epcot with all three medals until I got back to Shades of Green around 4am. So cool grabbing a free beer in the Epcot parking lot and drinking it as I walked through security for bag check. And I never thought that the Legacy picture walls in front of Spaceship Earth would be a great place to stretch and lean upon while I got all stretched out. The Legacy walls were perfect!

After finding a bathroom to change, donned my sweatshirt for the rest of the night. By 12:30-1am the temp dropped to 63F and combined with sweat, humidity and a slight breeze I was getting cool. Some 20 minutes later and making my way through the ONLY access point, crossing point, from Future World to World Showcase due to the race route crossing from The Land to Innoventions to Spaceship Earth, finally made it to World Showcase and slowly trudged around the lagoon for some much needed re-hydration and food.

Found out the buses to take us back to Polynesian and Fort Wilderness and all other points were past the normal Epcot bus area, so in all I think I walked an additional 3-4 miles after the race. Noticed that half of the bus riders were staying at Shades so the bus driver took us the extra step and drove us to Shades.

Lastly, it was around 4am and I called Mears for a shuttle pick up time. 11:25am. Grr. That means about 4 hours of sleep. Made my way down to the pool and stuck my legs in and talked to some other runners. We found out that some runners who ran the Savannah, Ga., half / marathon earlier in the day made their way down to Disney and ran the Wine and Dine Half. Crazy dedication, wow.

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[a2grafix]

Got to bed at 5am and was up by 9:30am and checked out by 10:45am. Instead of having breakfast had birthday cake in Shades lobby celebrating the 238th birthday of the Marines. I did grab some coffee and a bite to eat at a quick service place inside Shades before Mears took me and others to the airport. While on the ride to the airport some folks questioned why there was music blaring from Epcot until 4am and I told them I ran the half marathon hours earlier. A nice time waster before getting to the airport.

Had a solid 2 hours before my flight and before I knew it was back in Memphis and my girlfriend. Super quick trip for a long run. And it was all worth it. Don't know when I will participate in a runDisney race again, so for now I have 2 half marathons and 10 miler on Disney property under my belt. A nice item to cross off my bucket list. Next year a little less expensive but just as enjoyable half marathons are on tap.

See you on the road.

 

[LindsayLoves]

Congrats on the Coast to Coast! Glad to hear that everything worked out with your packet pick up and there was not a ton of stress arriving on race day. How was the after party? Worthwhile?

Random question not related to the race does the Magic Express not service Shades?

 

[a2grafix]

Congrats on the Coast to Coast! Glad to hear that everything worked out with your packet pick up and there was not a ton of stress arriving on race day. How was the after party? Worthwhile?

Random question not related to the race does the Magic Express not service Shades?

After party was satisfying. I've been to the Food and Wine festival in the past so I knew what to expect. I like others walking around the showcase we dragged and dragged and dragged. Slow going, but worth it. Every runner got a $10 gift card for food at the kiosks, so free food. I had my fill, which was good but transitioning from a big run to sampling some eclectic faire was pretty tasty but I was more interested in a big hearty breakfast at the Garden Galley at Shades, but never got to eat because of my quick sleep and back to the airport.

I was looking for a big glass of beer from Germany and a big pretzel but by time I got around to Italy and Germany, I was reaching my limit of food.

I believe some of the rides were open - Soarin', Mission: Space, and Spaceship Earth, but I only saw people entering Spaceship Earth. Did not hear any noise from Test Track. Did not ride any rides.

Magic Express from the airport does not cater to Shades of Green. Has not, never will. The funny part is that Disney uses Mears for those magical express shuttles. Unless you are staying at a WDW resort you will have access to the magical express. Since 2007 I have taken a Mears shuttle. It's about $35 roundtrip. Shades does have its own buses to get around WDW and a "Shady Shuttle" golf cart to take you to and/or from the top of the street, but the walk from Shades to Polynesian and / or Transportation Ticket Center is pretty nice.

Shades does have a $10 roundtrip shuttle van you can reserve a day in advance if you are going to Universal or Sea World. Great deal. Best of all I and other Shades guests can use both Disney transportation and Shades transportation to get around WDW property. We were all expecting to walk at 4am from the Polynesian outdoor concierge desk to Shades after our run, but luckily we did not have to. Noticed A LOT of military runners and family members dressed for the race. Felt so good I was not alone in running the half marathon.

 

[LindsayLoves]

Ok I think you sold me with "slow going but worth it".

Glad that the driver dropped you guys off "at home" after the race, its those little things. Also since you've been posting your reports on the board I've noticed Team RWB folks all the races I've done, now that I know what it is.

 

[bethram]

Very cool! Congratulations!

 

[Tiggerish]

Enjoyed reading your report, thanks for sharing. Lemme ask you, though--how did you come back from a herniated disk to resume running? About nine months into my very short running career, I developed a herniated disk and was advised to not run anymore. I walk now, and can maintain a sub-14 minute mile walking, but sometimes miss running. Would have loved to work my way up to a Disney half-marathon.

 

[JillC LI]

Wonderful race report and great story of your running history. Congratulations to you!

 

[a2grafix]

Enjoyed reading your report, thanks for sharing. Lemme ask you, though--how did you come back from a herniated disk to resume running? About nine months into my very short running career, I developed a herniated disk and was advised to not run anymore. I walk now, and can maintain a sub-14 minute mile walking, but sometimes miss running. Would have loved to work my way up to a Disney half-marathon.

I racked my back in May 2010 I think by getting out of the car or trying to pull up the garage door at my apartment complex. I was trying to exercise but did something that hurt me so much that a nerve was pinched. I believe also that I slept on a futon for nearly 5 years and not a normal bed, so that might have had something to do with my injury. You should have seen me one weekend in June 2010 a month after my injury with a friend of mine in Chicago trying to walk while popping some big time drugs to ward off the pain.

Before going to this specialist for my problem I thought popping a few aspirin, getting a massage or even seeing a chiropractor might do me some good. Sort of it did but I had fire shooting down my legs, it was hard to get up and swing my legs over the futon or couch, or even step into a bathtub to take a shower. Worst of all my injury took place around the time my uncle passed away. I drove across the state for for funeral after work and though for a time the pain was not too much it roared back with a vengeance. Memorial Day weekend sucked and I had to take some time off work. Even went to the emergency room and had a CAT Scan done to see what was the problem.

It was my lower left back and for a month I walked funny, gingerly. Had two procedures done where the doctor numbed my back and stuck a needle in. It got so bad that one night I forced myself to sleep on the floor on a yoga mat. I think what led up to my injury was in 2009 I went back to school, worked basically two fulltime jobs (my main job, took 15 hours of classes to make me fulltime) and worked certain weekends for the Air Guard). Slept 6 days a week about 4 hours a night, slept 8-10 hours on Saturdays, unless if I had Air Guard drill weekend. This went on for nearly 9 months. Over the summer I sat and sat and sat as I took 2 full course loads over a 6-7 week period. I was overweight, didn't exercise, failed my fitness tests and was at a low point.

After the doctor cleared me I had one month to get my body back into shape and pass the fitness exam. I could not do the run but I passed the push-ups and sit-ups. I also sort of starved myself for 3 weeks to drop some weight. Good idea, bad idea. The base gave me 6 months to get physically fit, so I took it upon myself to go through baby steps to get into a more fitness mind. New Year's Day 2011 I walked 2.5 miles out and back to the post office and the following morning started walking around the high school track. Also every 12 hours or so I was exercising, for a 4 month period - walking and light cardio (TurboJam , some P90X routines). It got better from there.

I was never advised not to run again. I was told not to overdo it and take baby steps. I guess I might fall again and re-injure my back, but I hope that doesn't happen. I know there is always that chance. I do have a reminder of my summer of 40 ordeal. I have numbness in one of my left toes. Just the tip of the toe. Nowhere else. It's weird how the nerves react and you are left with a little reminder.

I still take it easy and thoroughly stretch before and after a run. I'm going to keep on keeping on until I can't do it anymore or something forces me not to.

 

[ChristaH]

I still take it easy and thoroughly stretch before and after a run. I'm going to keep on keeping on until I can't do it anymore or something forces me not to.

Yep...I feel the exact same way about my hips and knees. So far, so good!

Great report...love all the pictures! But seriously....you need another Disney run on your calendar!

 

[Kristia]

Great report and pictures! Congrats on your Coast to Coast! I hope to be able to get one of those some day.

 

[fmingo36]

Great job Tim! I love that you brought your DL 1/2 medal to wear for the afterparty. I brought my marathon medal and wore it after I completed my DL 1/2 in 2011. The weight and sound of the 3 medals together is something I will never forget.

I have to give you BIG TIME KUDDOS for the training time you put in for this race knowing that you weren't going to get a chance to enjoy the parks. That's some serious dedication to the race.

 

[fmingo36]

Great report and pictures! Congrats on your Coast to Coast! I hope to be able to get one of those some day.

Next year... you can join me & Chris-Disneyland 1/2 & the Wine & Dine 1/2

 

[a2grafix]

Yep...I feel the exact same way about my hips and knees. So far, so good!

Great report...love all the pictures! But seriously....you need another Disney run on your calendar!

As of now, end of 2013, I have no interest in running another runDisney race. I will sit back and evaluate and see what I could run in the future. There are other runs out there, some less expensive, and maybe just as enjoyable. I'm not totally swearing off runDisney, but now that I have accomplished something major, a bucket-list sort of thing, there will be a taste again to run with Disney and explore the parks as well. If the price is right (kind of expensive, but I know it's Disney and I don't care since it is Disney), but I need to watch my finances. I have run three half marathons so far in 2013 and plan on running two more before the end of the year. I've paid a lot of $$ to run these races, hotels and airlines. I've even prepaid for at least one more half in 2013.

I wouldn't mind running in the 2015 Disney World half marathon, you know so I can say that I not only ran 13.1 miles at Disneyland Half but also 13.1 at WDW Half. I'd also like to schedule a few extra days of enjoyment than just flying in a day before or day of the half.

Time will tell.

 

[a2grafix]

Great job Tim! I love that you brought your DL 1/2 medal to wear for the afterparty. I brought my marathon medal and wore it after I completed my DL 1/2 in 2011. The weight and sound of the 3 medals together is something I will never forget.

I have to give you BIG TIME KUDDOS for the training time you put in for this race knowing that you weren't going to get a chance to enjoy the parks. That's some serious dedication to the race.

Thank you. Serious dedication. I wish the Wine and Dine was not in November. Because of my television work schedule Novembers, Februarys, and Mays are out of the question for any time off because these are ratings periods. If I get out of this career field then I might run Wine and Dine again. I did miss not going into the Magic Kingdom, Universal and Sea World to see what's new, as well a venturing into the Polynesian or take a ride on the monorail. It was a strange, brief trip, but very enjoyable for the most part.

 

[Kristia]

Next year... you can join me & Chris-Disneyland 1/2 & the Wine & Dine 1/2

I may have to consider that! I really want to try one of the night races at Disney. Originally, I was thinking C2C in 2016 but I don't know if I can wait that long!

 

[JillC LI]

Next year... you can join me & Chris-Disneyland 1/2 & the Wine & Dine 1/2

If only I could as well. I'm suffering such Disney withdrawal these days, it's awful. And nothing would make me happier than to run with you guys again. Alas, no Disney trips on the horizon at the moment.

 

[fmingo36]

If only I could as well. I'm suffering such Disney withdrawal these days, it's awful. And nothing would make me happier than to run with you guys again. Alas, no Disney trips on the horizon at the moment.

Disney withdrawal is the worst!