Goofy 2012 in the books

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge 2012 in the books. Marathon #14, complete with second year in a row ride on Expedition Everest Roller Coaster. First ride of the day with friends Marcia, Kelly, and Richard.

BEST FINISH EVER with Julie, Marcia, and Kelly!!! With Margarita's in hand.

Honolulu Marathon 2011

#7 Honolulu in the books. 13th marathon overall.

Had a great time hosting friends from New York, Massachussetts, and Tennessee for the two weeks before and after the race.

Exciting finish, helping a runner get to the finish line.

If you are considering ordering a RoadID, use this to my affiliate link.

http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx?referrer=2995

Marcia's blog

(http://marathonmushu.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/mushus-new-blog/)

Nashville 2011 Country Music Marathon (Rock N Roll)

Hills and heat, enough said. 5:30, 4th state done.

Wow, a new Disney race for men only!!!

fun-runDisney is proud to announce it's newest all male running event...The Inaugural Tigger's Testosterone Ten Miler run through beautiful Animal Kingdom on April 1, 2012.

Each aid station will be stocked with BBQ ribs & wings, ice cold beer, giant screens with the NBA playoff games live. Serving up all these treats will be Hooters Girls and Playboy Playmates of the Year.

All contestants will receive an 80 inch High Definition television, complete with turbo remote control, and Dolby Sound Entertainment System. Really, who needs a medal?

And last but not least, you will receive a $1,000 gift card for your favorite massage parlor, so you can enjoy some "me time" after the race.

So get out your jock straps, lace up your shoes, and 'LET'S GET READY TO RRRRRUUUUUUUUMMMMMMBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLEEEEEEE!"

----------------------------------

And if you spend $150 in our man cave boutique, you earn a fastpass sticker for your bib to use any of the clean women's bathroom stalls along the race course. No more standing in long, long, LONG lines.

Goofy 2011 in the books

Technically I Dopey'd this year. 5K on Friday, half marathon on Saturday, and full marathon on Sunday. 42.4 miles over three days.

Weather was perfect for running. Two layers on top, a pair of gloves, and a cap. Nothing like last year's temps in the 20's, and no snow. It was more like 45 at the start, and high 60's at the finish.

The 5K was run for a friend who didn't make the trip down from Canada. Thanks for the extra miles Tacey.

The half was a blast pacing my buddy Mike aka The Big Kahuna to a 2:05. He wanted a easy 2:20, but ran much stronger, so we beat our goal.

The full was a bit rough, having tore a muscle near my knee about mile 8. A couple of Tylenol, got me through mile 17. Another single Tylenol kept me moving, at a much slower pace.

At mile 19, I took a Yuengling beer break, courtesy of my chEARleader Colleen. Two marathons (Marine Corps and Disney), she's been there for me with liquid happiness.

I need to add, at this point I fell behind Marcia and Paul, who had snuck past me while I was riding Expedition Everest Rollercoaster in Animal Kingdom. Yes, you read that right. With friends Howard and Charlie from the WISH team, we boarded the first train of the day, and got in an E-ticket ride while on the clock. Really, where else can you ride during a marathon?

At the out and back near Wide World of Sports, I spot Marcia and Paul. They've got about 10 minutes on me. They made me work for it, as I didn't catch them until mile 24 at Boardwalk. We ran in together, and finished in 5:15.

Fun times as always at the World.

Oh yeah, this was my third marathon in 71 days, qualifying me for the lowest level of Marathon Maniacs. Overall, it was my eleventh marathon.

My friend Leana posted a comment on her blogspot, on how bad traffic was during the Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday. This is my reply to her post:

Leana, I hear you!

We also drive from Old Key West or POP, and normally it's 10 minutes from parking lot to EPCOT parking lot.

We've timed it the last 2 years, where we drop our bag, and walk to the corral, and get there just as the Nation Anthem is being sung. Fireworks, GO!

NOT THIS YEAR. We left OKW at 4:05 am. By 4:30, we hadn't made it to Boardwalk. So we U-turned, drove back to OKW and parked.

We walked 2 1/2 blocks, straight to the A corral, roughly 20 minutes before anyone reached the corrals from the bag drop area. Some friends reported it took 40 minutes to walk from the bag drop to their corral.

Disney really screwed up the parking this year. People were still stuck on transportation buses when I was running and nearing mile 1. I could see them looking out the windows, and not able to get off the bus.

On Sunday, instead of attempting to drive, we slept in longer, and just walked across to the corrals again, long before the crowds were released from the bag drop area.

For the number of years Disney has been doing races, each time they are getting worse and worse at it.

Even post race, the parking lot was a zoo to get out of, and buses were long waits for the back of the packers to get back to their hotels.

Aloha,
Jeff

Honolulu Marathon 2010

#10 in the books. Went to Washington D.C. on Halloween, and followed it up with Honolulu 42 days later.

Warmer than normal conditions all week, so going to the start line we knew it was going to be hot once the sun came out. There was no breeze until roughly mile 15, and it didn't last very long.

Fireworks to start the race, and cruised through the front end of the course drenched in sweat. Saw my family at mile 10.5, and got a boost of support.

All the way to the halfway point was smooth. I made it through mile 17 with no issues, and then fatigue started to set in. I wasn't paying close attention to the Garmin or race clocks.

Between 20-22 the legs felt tired, but no cramping issues like in years past. Saw my family again at mile 22, and had a quick pit stop for a banana, and Gatorade.

Plugged along between Kahala Ave. and Diamond Head. At the top, the Hasher's were handing out beer, and was that a treat. Just on the downhill of Diamond Head, that's where the cramping kicked in. Despite all the Enduralites I took, it wasn't enough to keep the muscles from seizing. I wogged it in, and finished with a 4:31.

The celebration started right after the race with friends, and lasted for the rest of the week. Good times.

Marine Corps Marathon report (10/31/10)

This is a must do marathon if you ever want to see the nation's Capital by foot. You apply when lottery registration opens, and then wait to see if your name is selected. If not, you can always find a bib for sale closer to the race (Sept/Oct), and pay for the bib and transfer fee. I got in via the latter method.



The expo is very large and has many vendors we don't see here at the Honolulu expo. It's a shopper's paradise, so bring lots of cash or credit cards.



The race begins at 8 am. The start line is just outside the Arlington National Cemetery, winds through parts of Virginia, then crosses into Washington D.C. in Georgetown. You tour the mall from the Lincoln Memorial, past the Washington Memorial, up to Capital Hill, and back down past Smithsonian's Museums. Note, there are hills at mile 3 and 8. During the stretch on the Potomac River, President Obama buzzed the race course in Marine One helicopter.



There is a 4 hour pace requirement to beat the bridge at mile 20, otherwise you get swept by the sag wagon bus. Once I made it across the bridge friends were at the end of the bridge, with a full beer, soda, food station. I stopped for my elusive red cup (ahem Alvaro), and talked story, and took pictures for at least 10 minutes. From there you do an out and back through Crystal City, Virginia, then go past the Pentagon.



The race finishes at the Iwo Jima War Memorial. Beware, the last few hundred yards are uphill, about a 80 foot climb. From there it flattens out, and your 50 yards to the finish line. The spectators and Marines form a gauntlet at the end, and it's super loud from all the cheering.



The course is supported entirely by Marines. Lots of aid stations, including water, Poweraide, an orange station, Cliff Shot station, and a Jelly Belly Sports Bean station. After the race, you are handed a Poweraide, bottle of water, and a baggie with pretzels, banana, bagel, Cliff bar, and Jelly Belly Sports Beans. Medals were beautiful, gold with a red lanyard, and the image of the Iwo Jima Memorial.



Oh, and the race temperatures were 50 degrees, with a slight wind near the stretches of water. I recommend you stay in Rosslyn or Arlington area, and walk to and from the start/finish area. Following the race, the Rosslyn streets are turned into the finish festival.



The Metro trains are the easiest way to get around the area, and we made use of a weekly pass that got us everywhere.



This was my last long run before Honolulu Marathon in December. I finished in a easy 4:50, having paced a friend through 14 miles before losing him in the crowd.



http://www.marinemarathon.com



Aloha,

Jeff

.

Goofy 2010 in the books

We headed out to Florida on Christmas day. Had a great stay of 8 days at Walt Disney World, and then headed for a 4 night Bahamian Cruise on the Disney Wonder. Fabulous cruise, that I highly recommend to everyone.

I did put in miles onboard the ship around the deck and on a treadmill. We even ran on Castaway Cay.

We returned to WDW on Thursday, and headed straight to the Expo for packet pick up.

Goofy is 39.3 miles over two days. This was a race for the ages. 28 degree temps for both the half marathon and full marathon. Sleet on Saturday, black ice and frozen water and Poweraid both days.

I layered both days, and ended up shedding some t-shirts and sweatshirts along the way. Staying warm, but not overheating was a bit of a challenge. Fortunately I did pack the right gear for the weekend.

Without boring you all with my race details, I'll just share that I finished 2:01 and change for the half marathon, and 4:41 for the full marathon. Oh, and for fun I through in a 5K on Friday before, and Monday after. Three days we affectionately call the Dopey, and four days we call the Dumbo.

The best part of the trip was spending quality time with my family, and friends Marcia and her mom Kim. Additionally, spending time with my WISH, ROTE, and Disney Deads running groups were filled with lots of smiles and laughter. That's what always stands out when I reflect on a WDW race week.

See you all out on the roads and at the waterstops.

Honolulu Marathon Race Report (12/13/09)

It was a busy week, heading to the expo on Wednesday for packet pickup with Chester and Tracy (WISH teammates). Friday was sightseeing, and then the carb load party held a our Marathon Clinic doc's house.

I returned to the Expo on Saturday to meet up with a pair of ROTE members (Annie, and Barry). Sadly, Sandra wasn't able to meet with us. I had a chance to chat up the Disney Reps at their booth.

Saturday after the expo, we hustled over to Chuckie Cheese's for our younger daughter's early birthday party. Then to Kapiolani park to drop off my bag with my phone, camera, cash, and Crocs for after the race. Stopped off at the grocery store to pick up bagels, peanut butter, and bananas. Finally arriving home in the afternoon, I set up my gear for the morning.

I carb loaded on lasagne for dinner, and went to bed early around 6:30 pm. I woke up at 2 am, and visualized the race course. Dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. Woke my wife up, and we headed out the door at 3 am.

Since the roads along the course are closed off as early as 12:30 am for the volunteers to set up aid stations, I was dropped off near a friend's house. We met up, and three of us walked about 1 mile towards the start line. We found the local mall had left the restrooms open, and we stopped since there were no lines, and it's way cleaner than a Port-a-Potty. We soon split up, as they were headed to meet their intermediate group in one location, while the advance group was meeting in Ala Moana Beach park.

I got there early just before 4 am, and watched as bus after bus drove through the park. They pick up participants near the finish line and drop them off 3 miles away at the start line.

When everyone showed up, we had one last bathroom break then walked to the start line. Coming from the opposite direction, we moved right into the front of the mass of nearly 24,000 people. Just the elites were ahead of us.

15 minutes passed, then Star Spangled Banner. The wheelchair racers were given a 5 minute head start. Then the fireworks were lit sending us on our way. Set the Garmin to start as my foot hit the timing mat. With the massive surge and having to watch people zig-zagging their way around walkers and slower runners, there was no time for me to look up and watch the pyrotechnics.

Quickly our group found our 8:45 average pace. It was cool and dry, considering the last several years conditions. We headed towards downtown Honolulu, and then turned to King Street, which is fully decorated in Christmas colors.

Everyone in our group stuck together, and we were settled in. Steps were going easy, and breathing was nice and easy. Our pace fluctuated between 8:30-9:00 minute miles, depending on our walking through water stops.

Waterstops 1 & 2 came, and then we were headed through the heart of Waikiki. The crowds were bigger here, as many family members traveling with racers came down from their hotels to spectate. Water stop 3 came up, and soon we were passing the 10K mark at 56:31, where the race day walkers would end their day.

Mile seven we pit stopped for a brief bathroom break. No more than 15 seconds. Now onto our first traverse of Diamond Head Crater. The two lane road narrows, as the high school volunteers hold up a long roll of plastic tape to separate us from the other lane. As we were up and over the hill, the first wheelchair racer was in his last 1 3/4 miles to the finish. He was flying!!! Everyone screamed and clapped as he went sailing by.

Waterstop #5, and it was still dark out as we went for our second climb around the backside of Diamond Head at mile 9.

Waterstop #6 at mile 10 3/4, and there on the side was my family cheering at their usual spot. Without missing a stride, I grabbed a banana from them, and split it with my running mates.

We made the turn onto the Kalanianaole Highway and it was just starting to get light out. We commented, get through the loop before the sun comes up.
Along mile 11, the elite men were already heading back in at mile 21. Their first half marathon were all sub 5 minute miles. The men's leader, Kenya's Patrick Ivuti (defending champion), had at least a 1/4 mile lead over second place. The woman's leader, Russia's Svetlana Zakharova was well out in front of Japan's Kiyoko Shimahara (defending champion). We all cheered and clapped as they made their way past us.

Miles 12 & 13 were smooth, and our half marathon time was 1:58:43. The crowd ahead of us was thin, so no more dodging people in front of us.

Got through the next two waterstops, and was doing fine. At mile 15 you turn off the highway to the turnaround of Hawaii Kai loop. It's 2 miles around, with lots of spectators. You exit back to the highway, and then see the mass of people who are behind you. It's a never ending wall of humanity, and you think, they've got a long way to go!

I get through mile 18, my 30K time is 2:48:11.

I pass mile 19. Right about mile 20, I see Chester in his WISH shirt coming the other way, he's around mile 14. I veer to the right, yell "GO Chester!!!" and we exchange high fives. I yell "Go get 'em Marathon Maniac!"

By now the sun has started to peak, and the heat is building on my back, as well as the pavement. Just so you know, there is not very much shade on the highway. Just then, I feel a twinge in my right calf. I try breathing through it. I get to the next waterstop, and take a combination of Enduralytes (salt tablets), and a mustard pack. It seems to help briefly. I continue down the road, and out of nowhere, the calf seizes. I check behind me, and find it clear for me to move to the curb to stretch. As I'm doing this, I yell to my training partner to go without me. Simultaneously, my big toe decides to join in on the fun and cramp as well.

After a minute, the cramp eases, and I go on my way again. But good things always happen in pairs, right? A little further down the road, I cramp a second time. Stop, stretch, run. This time I ease my pace, and just focus on moving forward. I make it to mile 21, then 22.

At mile 22 you reach the large spectator area at the gas station landmark. On approach you hear the live rock band jamming, and I know my family is right around the corner. I make the turn, spot them, and signal that I want a granola bar. I again grab without missing a stride, and keep on trucking. Another waterstop, but this time just a sip, as I've absorbed all that I can already.

I get to the turn to Kahala Avenue, and see lots of people walking. I start picking out targets, and one by one pick them off and pass them. Kahala Ave is a 2 mile stretch through 23 & 24. The last 3/4 of a mile is uphill. I loose focus, and have to take a brief walking break. I then power up the hill to triangle park and the last water stop.

On the way back over Diamond Head, I spot a group with a keg of beer at mile 24 1/4. In tradition of the Deads I grabbed a cold one, and yelled "Mahalo" to the guys serving. It was in a RED cup, and went down rather smoothly.

I plod along to the 40K mark at the top of Diamond Head, and my time is 3:54:56. All that is left is a mile downhill, then a flat stretch to the end.

I love that gravity just carries me downhill, and my pace really picked up. But when I get to the bottom of the hill, I have to slow my pace again. One final turn to the last section of the race at Kapiolani park.

I manage my best pace, when a girl next to me says, "Come on, we've got this." She takes the lead, and I try to maintain her strong finish. As we enter the last 300 yards of the chute, friends are yelling out my name. I manage a smile and a shaka, and keep on going.

I approach the finishers mat, step on it, and say to myself..."that was my easiest marathon ever." I finish with a 4:08:47. Just over my goal of a 3:59 finish.

I'm completely happy with the results, considering I shaved 37 minutes off of my personal record at January's WDW marathon (the Dopey Challenge).

I collect my finisher's shell lei, and find my friends waiting for me near the exit area. We all congratulate each other, and then head off to get our medals (key chain) and our finisher's shirt. We then make it over to our clinic's tent for food, drinks, massages ($10), and lots of laughs and stories.

Chester made his way in, refueled, and headed back out to accompany Tracy back in. He found her between mile 20 & 21. All in all, Chester did at least 39 miles, considering the walk from their hotel to the start line. Wow, that's Goofy in a day!!! Congratulations on your Marathon Maniac status, and to Tracy in earning her first marathon! Also a shout out to Sandra for gaining her Marathon Manic status as well !

I got home, ice bathed, showered, lunch. Lounged, had dinner, and I finally fell asleep 18 1/2 hours after the day began.

I'm recovering well with just a little soreness in the calf and the quads. No problems going up or down the stairs. Nothing a little stretching, massage chair, and stationary bike can't relieve.

I'll be back training on Tuesday and Thursday. Next Sunday there will be a short recovery run, followed by a group picnic and bragathon.

Here's to a new year of training in 2010, and getting that sub-4 time next year at Honolulu. Now bring on Dopey in a month!

I know it was a long narrative to sit and read though. I hope you enjoyed the ride.