La's Disney Half (The Donald)

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La
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La's Disney Half (The Donald)

Postby La » Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:29 pm

I just finished reading the Disney Tracking thread (thanks for all the support) as well as Strider's report.

We arrived Thursday early evening and went to the expo right away. On Friday, we spent the entire day shopping at the outlet mall! I probably shouldn't have spent all that time on my feet. :doh:

On race morning, like others, I was up early (3:30) and we left the hotel around 4:20. After a long detour looking for the parking lot, we arrived just before 5:00. Leo was puttering around, so Dave and I left him at the car and started the walk to the start area. Dave and I were in corral B (second corral - when the heck does THAT ever happen??). We spotted Leo making his way to Corral A a few minutes before the start so we had a group hug (they were both doing the Goofy) and arranged for a post-race meeting spot.

Even being in the second corral, I found that there were still many slower runners ahead of me, so the first few miles I was dodging and weaving a lot (perhaps wasting too much energy).

My leg (hams, glutes, piriformis) started to bug me about 6 miles into the race, but I held onto my pace as well as I could. I also had to stop for a pee break around the 10-mile mark. I didn't have to wait in line, but it did set me back about 90-120 seconds.

Splits (in miles, so there are fewer of them):
1: 9:34
2: 9:15
3: 8:48 (finally got into a groove as the crowd thinned out)
4: 9:02
5: 9:13 (took a gel just after 4 miles and a brief walk to get some liquid in me)
6: (missed that one)
7: 18:27 (still on pace)
8: 9:23 (another gel around now)
9: 9:17
10: 10:22 (that included the pee break and another gel)
11: 9:34 (leg really bothering me now)
12: 9:36 (looping through Epcot... where is that finish line?? :evil: )
13: 9:29

My finish was 2:03-something. I accidentally re-started my watch at some point after the race, and by the time I noticed, the chrono showed 2:12, so I don't know what my final split is.

ETA: Finish was 2:03:08, so the final 0.1 mile I did in 1:02. Placed 98th of 900 in my age group. Top 100! W00t!

Pros of the race: I've never done a really big race before. The logistics for that many people were very well worked out, though. Everything from packet pickup to the corral system and finish line area. Running through the Magic Kingdom was fun. Other than a couple of ramps, the course is pretty much flat. Race day weather was perfect - by the time the sun actually came up, it was lovely (more than half of it I ran in the dark, though).

Cons of the race: We drove to Epcot on race morning and there weren't any signs to direct us to the correct parking area. We ended up doing a big loop around Epcot before we finally found our way in. It was also very cold, so even though I was wearing garbage bags (top and bottom) and had several layers, plus gloves, it took a while for me to warm up. There was also a lot of running in desolate areas (highways, etc.) and the banking on some of the ramps (meant for cars) was really tough on the legs.

Overall, it was a good race and I'm happy to have done it. I doubt I'll do it again, though. The best part of the trip was everything we did in the three days post race: a day trip to Cocoa Beach, air boat ride on Lake Toho, mini golf (two rounds), dinners out, drinks on various patios, lounging by the pool... Ahhhh, that was the life!

ETA: link to race photos. I'm the one in orange. :wink:
http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_even ... S=230&PWD=
Last edited by La on Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:40 am, edited 2 times in total.
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dgrant
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Postby dgrant » Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:38 pm

Sounds like a cool trip! (And it sure was a lucky weekend to escape hometown weather).

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Postby CinC » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:19 pm

Congrats La! Sounds like you had a well deserved trip and lots of fun! Love the pictures too - the thumbs up ones are the best!
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Postby scrumhalfgirl » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:21 pm

Congratulations! Sounds like a fun weekend!
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Postby BJH » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:23 pm

Congratulations! Great pictures, too. Good that you remembered to raise your arms!

I felt the same way about that race. I'm glad I went to Disney, it was fun, but there are lots of other destination races to do. :)
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Postby Jo-Jo » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:52 pm

BJH wrote:Congratulations! Great pictures, too. Good that you remembered to raise your arms!

I felt the same way about that race. I'm glad I went to Disney, it was fun, but there are lots of other destination races to do. :)


Great pics...you have the most beautiful smile :D

Interesting feedback on the race...I doubt I'd run this race for the HalfM. If I ever go to Disney I think I'd do the Goofy...yeah right :roll:

Saw your pics on FB La...looks like you guys had lots of fun down there. BTW...I was tracking Leo too...he smoked the Goofy :D :D
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Postby Nicholas » Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:17 pm

Nice one, Lesley. Looking good in the photos!! Sounds like the post-race was even more fun.....
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Postby दिवंगत » Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:37 pm

Well done Lesley, nice report, nice race and sounds like a nice trip too! Cheers!

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Postby HCcD » Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:43 pm

Too bad we missed one another at Disney :cry:

Looks like you also had a great time ... Thank goodness I did not leave the resort for the outlets :shock: :shock: spent enough $$ as it was at the Expo :oops: :oops: :wink:
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Postby RA. » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:14 pm

Good job, La!
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Postby Ed Fizz » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:24 pm

Solid race once again!! :D

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Postby trixiee » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:50 pm

Nicely done, La!

Your pics are great! You look so strong!
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Postby kpoire » Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:37 pm

Great job, Lesley. Congrats!

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Postby Strider » Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:20 am

Nice Solid Race - your pacing was great - nice and even. Too bad we never met up, but there will be many more. I agree with your reviews of the race course - some sections were desolate and a couple of slopped ramps were tough but overall I'd give it an 8/10.

Wasn't the weather just perfect though 8).
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Postby DougG » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:27 am

Way to go Lesley :D Sounds like a great weekend!
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Postby Doonst » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:53 am

Good one!
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Postby UltraQueenga » Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:02 am

Great race and pics, La. What a smart way to break up the monotony of the off-season in Toronto. :)
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Postby Tori » Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 am

Great job! Sorry we missed you.

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Postby bruyere » Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:02 am

98th of 900! Great finish!

And yeah, you look seriously good in those pics. :)
(Glad you clarified you were in orange, and not the guy in black. ;) ha ha )
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Postby TheBman » Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:22 am

Two things I liked:

-yer pacing was SOLID....really nicely done.

-TOP 100 in ANYRACE is SWEET!


Way to go La.....great pics too!

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Postby MrsStrider » Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:29 pm

Well done La! Damn, I wish we had seen you at Disney. So sorry that we missed you. Huge congrats on an awesome race & the pictures are terrific. Keep smiling. :lol:
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Postby chunkymonkeymelonhed » Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:40 pm

Well done La! I have to echo the others, your pics are great!
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Postby getfit » Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:46 pm

Congratulations Lesley :D
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Postby scottp » Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:17 pm

Congrats, nice race and nice place!

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Postby JacSprat » Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:49 am

Nice race :!: Thanks for the report. Sounds like a real fun trip too :D
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