Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Magic in EVERY MILE!

I will do a recap of the Goofy experience tomorrow, but I'm home, and I've obviously lived to talk about it.

Initial thoughts:
  • It helped to have a race strategy.
  • It really helped to have a race strategy that emphasized having as much fun as humanly possible.
  • It really, REALLY helped that Becka is the funnest race partner ever.
  • I'm glad that I'd done a marathon (or three) before, so I kind of know what to expect from the distance. I wouldn't have wanted this to be my first marathon.
  • I think I've been spoiled by the smaller fields at Disneyland and Tinker Bell, because this felt out of control crowded.
  • On Saturday, the Clif station was packed up and GONE when we got there. Yes, we were incredibly slow, but I just kind of expect better from runDisney events.
  • On Sunday, the first Clif station was again out when we got there. And we were well ahead of the minimum pacing requirements.
  • The aid stations both days were excellent. The volunteers are the best.
  • We definitely got our money's worth out of those courses.
  • I was still not feeling 100% when I got to Florida, and I was doubting that I would finish the Challenge at all by mile 3 on Satuday.
  • I don't know if it's the banked roads at Disney, or what, but my right leg is pretty cranky, from the top down.
  • I used 1 GU the entire weekend. And boatloads of delicious, delicious candy. This might be my new fuel of choice.
  • There did not seem to be much going on from miles 7-10 of the Half course. I thought I remembered this stretch being funner during Princess, but a quick glance at my 2011 Princess recap says it wasn't, really. Huh.
  • I am not a giant fan of the full course, and I'll explain why in my recap.
  • I'm a little bummed that I feel sort of conflicted about how much I really liked the races - of course I had an excellent time, and the company was great - and to be fair, I don't know how much of it was related to my general malaise and unwellness, and the brutal heat/humidity.
  • 2015 is the 10 year Goofy anniversary, so that is currently on my radar. I can't resist the magic.

And, the medals are fantastic, of course.

Recaps to come!

11 comments:

  1. I can't wait for your recaps.

    I'm shocked at how happy my legs are because you are right, a lot of banked roads. Last year and this year at the half they had no gels. At Princess I know they were still out. Mile 20 spectacular not so spectacular, right? MY spectacular? All of my Dennis sightings! I can't help it, I think I love him.

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  2. Recaps Recaps Recaps! I was in Disney last year the day after race weekend, you could tell all the marathon runners by the way they were walking. Congrats!!!

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  3. This sounds so awesome! Glad you had a great time!

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  4. I'm looking at 2015 too. Hoping I can convince DH on board by then :)

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  5. Gummy bears and licorice are full of carbs, right? So glad you had a nice time.

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  6. glad you had a fun time! looking forward to seeing the pics!!!

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  7. We are discussing the race.... I DID get gels at the half. But not last year.

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  8. Oh my word, I've been digging the candy lately. Easier & cheaper than Gu or other fuel options!

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  9. Oh my word, I've been digging the candy lately. Easier & cheaper than Gu or other fuel options!

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  10. Sounds like a FANTASTIC experience. I'm *thinking* that if I ever do start running marathons, this would be a fun way to torture myself in 2015.

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