2015 DISNEY MARATHON

Approximately 50,000 runners participated in at least one of the 4 Run Disney events. The Marathon alone attracted approximately 20,000 runners. The marathon weaved through all 4 parks, down service roads that connect the parks and the ESPN Wild World of Sports Complex.

Welcome to the 2015 Walt Disney World Marathon. Join me for the fun!

After picking up your packet it is recommended that you try on your shirt to make sure that it fits.

.

Presenters at the expo included John Bingham, aka "The Penguin", Dave McGillvray,  the Race Director of the Boston Marathon, and actor Sean Astin.

Mickey and Minnie are wearing their Run Disney costumes.

The Pasta in the Park was held in Epcot, the night before the Marathon.

Sporting my marathon shirt passing Spaceship Earth on the way to the Pasta in the Park (carb loading event).

For dessert none other than a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar.

Since the Disney Marathon starts at 5:30am, we had to get up around 2:30 in order to catch a 4am shuttle to Epcot.

Disney used technology, fireworks and fanfare to kick off the marathon.

As each group of runners are released fireworks are set off.

The finish line is in Epcot near Spaceship Earth.

The winners are showered with confetti as they cross the finish line.

Here I am heading towards the finish line.

Getting a high five from Donald Duck.

Welcomed to the finish line by Mickey Mouse.

I am celebrating finishing a 26.2 mile run.

Here I am with my medal immediately after the race.

What do you do after you run the Disney Marathon?

You go to Disney World!

The 2015 Walt Disney Marathon

The 2015 Walt Disney World Marathon

On January 11, 2015, I ran the Walt Disney World Marathon in 4 hours and 38 minutes, which was a PR for me. The Disney Marathon is a very well organized race, if the runner chooses to stay on grounds Disney has buses dedicated to transport runners to the packet pick-up as well as to the race and back to the hotel.

The expo is first rate, the presenters are all very good, and offer excellent advice especially for the first time marathoner. Several major companies have booths at the expo and offer their products for sale.

I got the opportunity to purchase a book from Jeff Galloway, have it autographed, and get my picture taken with him.

Among the presenters were John Bingham, “The Penguin”, Dave McGillivray, Race Director of the Boston Marathon and the actor Sean Astin.

The Pasta in the Park was held in Epcot on Saturday night. They had a DJ and a speaker who was comical and included the audience in her routines. A few Disney characters including Mickey and Goofy were on hand to have their pictures taken. Below is a picture that was taken as we walked back to the Pasta Dinner.

There are some Mickey Mouse themed desserts.

All you need is a rally good pair of running shoes and a great cheerleader!

The Disney Marathon starts at 5:30 am and the buses start running at 3:00 am with the last bus leaving at 4:30am. We were on a bus before 4am and that was plenty late given the traffic. The traffic is backed up bumper to bumper heading to the starting line.

The morning of race enjoying my coffee.

Below is a picture that was taken as my corral was inching closer to the starting line.

You can chose to run the Disney Marathon for fun or for time. My goal was to PR so I chose time, but that is hard to do. There are plenty of Disney Characters along the way that you can stop and have your picture taken with, also some rides are running and you can stop and jump on those. I noticed several people stopping and taking selfies in front of attractions.

There are plenty of water stations along the way and Cliff Shots are handed out at few of them. There are times when the path narrows and you are cramped together and it is hard to pass slower runners. I found myself stopping and walking through most water stations by necessity to keep from running into people.

This is a picture of me high fiving Mickey close to the finish line.

Here is a picture of me with my medal right after the race.

Running the Disney Marathon had been on my bucket list for the last several years. It finally worked out for me to accomplish this goal. I look forward to talking to you again soon. 

The Southern Indiana Classic Marathon

“You learn you can do your best even when it's hard, even when you're tired and maybe hurting a little bit.  It feels good to show some courage.”  ~Joe Namath
Today I ran the Southern Indiana Classic Marathon in Evansville, Indiana. This was a particularly satisfying accomplishment because the first year I signed up for it, I injured my right quadriceps. The next year I was ready for it, but the full marathon was cancelled and everyone was diverted to the half due to heat. Last year I was just coming off of an upper respiratory infection, and chose to divert to the half marathon.   So the way I had it figured, this was my year, my time to finally run and finish the Southern Indiana Classic Marathon.

The 4H Center before the race

I was doing great!!!   I was running at a PR pace until just after the half way point. Then Holy Crap! The cramps started. I am not sure which leg the cramps started in, but  very soon both legs were cramping.  From that point on, I was only able to run for short distances before I would have to stop and walk again. From mile sixteen to mile eighteen,  I really considered dropping out. But then  I remembered how hard I had trained for four Evansville full marathons; recalled feeling disappointed  in the three previous Southern Indiana Classic’s, due to injuries , illness, or heat.  I was determined to finish this one.  At the twenty mile marker I was hurting in places I did not know I had. I rationalized it this way, “I could drop out now and go home with cramps,not finish, and not get my medal-- or I could persevere,  go home with the cramps and my medal.” I chose the latter. 

The man I am talking to has ran over 100 marathons.

Limping towards the finish line

At the twenty four mile marker I was cramping from my feet to my neck. I had never had spasms in my neck before. I do have to give the race support staff credit for keeping an eye on me during the race and asking me if they could do anything for me. But somewhere between the start and the end of the race, my new goal was to cross the finish line.I  am proud to say I limped in and finished race in 5:20  which was well off my goal.  I now have my hard for fought medal from the Southern Indiana Classic Marathon.  I earned this medal.

With my medal after the race

Have you ever cramped up during a race?