Note to Self - Don't Drink So Much

By now you might already know the results - I am certifiably Goofy! But then you may have already known that too. As many runners have come to say after running in Disney - "I ROCKED THE WORLD!" 39.3 miles...and then some!!!

Sure, I did not finish on the podium, but I did come out a winner! As I have shared my running experiences, and other random thoughts, over the past few months, I hope you will indulge me for a few more days, by reading my blog for a recap of the Disney Marathon Weekend.

Half-Marathon

I departed Charlotte Friday with every expectation of kicking butt both days. First place, baby. Twice. Breaking the tape. World records. Multiple interviews. Glossy photos. Front page news on the Disney website. It was my destiny. (writer's embellishment).

How could it not be my destiny. The pilot our USAIRWAYS flight to Orlando made an announcement during the taxi process that special guests were on board. “Please welcome the Bansemer’s…Ken and Brenda”. True story. It was karma. Everyone knew a dignitary was in their midst, but had no clue why. (Of course, it didn’t hurt that the friends watching our kids this past weekend are air traffic controllers and had our flight itinerary. Hey – it was special anyway!). However, I played it cool and didn't run up and down the aisle of the plane high-fiving everyone like you thought I might. I have some class. Some. So, we just swaggered in our seats since we were taxiing after all and didn't want to get yelled at.

The weather was sunny, as always, in Orlando – unfortunately it was also very warm. Near 80 Friday afternoon, which didn’t bode well for the next morning – a projected low of 60 for Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m, with near 100% humidity expected. Say it with me now – ugghhhh!!! However, there was no turning back and my excitement was mounting.

I met with my Team-In-Training group and we headed over to the Marathon Expo to pick up our race gear – bibs, chips, shirts, and other assorted goodies – at the Wide World of Sports complex. Notice how many men were from Charlotte. Destiny I tell you...

When you look up the word “lines” in the dictionary, there must be a picture of Disney World. The kind folks at Disney developed a process whereby participants had to wait in four separate lines to get these items. Just like the rides, that took close to two hours. My feet were starting to hurt! But the countdown clock at the Expo said it all – 38 hours, 59 minutes and 4 seconds until the start of the marathon. Or, just over 14 hours until the start of my warm up run – the half marathon.

Back to Coronado Springs on the Disney Bus we went, for one hour of rest before heading out to the Team-In-Training pre-race pasta dinner. Let me give you all a little tip should you try to replicate this effort. There are two seating times for dinner – one at 2:30 pm, and one at 6:30 pm. Be smart – take the early dinner. I didn’t have a choice, but I wish I did. Dinner, slide shows, video, guest speakers – TNT did put on a show. A show that went until almost 9:00 pm, with multiple reference to how we may as well stay up, since we have to get up at 2:30 am to catch a bus to the starting line (at this point, I was sensing another line to stand in). The evening was quite energizing however, as dinner was held within the EPCOT World Showcase, and to enter the reception hall, all 2000 TNT participants (yes 2000!) had to pass by TNT Coaches from around the country who were celebrating our arrival in a boisterous fashion. Deafening! I honestly thought it was a show going on at the Morocco country showcase nearby! That welcome set the tone for the rest of the weekend – the spirit and energy of the TNT participants, coaches, and even spectators was overwhelming! A real adrenaline rush….then I tried to crash and fall asleep.

Apparently, the big guy upstairs had other plans for me. While my head hit the pillow at 9:30 pm, stage 1 of REM didn’t start until sometime after midnight. Maybe it was nervous energy, maybe it was Brenda’s snoring (just kidding dear), maybe it was bad pasta (it definitely wasn’t the large chocolate cookie or lemon bars…those were good!). Whatever the reason, the 3 alarms we set to ensure we woke up came far too early. This is what it looked like to get dressed at 2:50 am. Say it with me now….ugghhhh! I wanted my blanky...

Another bus to the start of the ½ marathon. Or more accurately, .6 miles from the start line, which we had to walk to at about 5:30 am. So, if you are tracking with me at this point, you may be asking yourself the same questions I did. Bus over at 3:30, start at 6:00…2 ½ hours unaccounted for. What did you do during that time??? Well, I am glad you asked. Hydrating. Pics with Mickey and Minnie. Hydrating. Banana eating. Hydrating. Yes, by 5:00 am it was time to pee. Wheeeee!!! (or should I say wee-wee…)

Thankfully, we had purchased the “Runners Retreat” package for the weekend races, which meant I had full access to specially designated Port-a-lets (lets just call it a potty) with little to no wait. If you have ever been to a big race before, the lines for these “potty’s” can get quite long. So a few (yes, few) trips later, it was about 5:15 (yes, twice in 15 minutes) and time for a last photo with Mickey (also a privilege of the “package”) and off to the start line.

You would never guess that in the time it takes to walk .6 miles that one could possibly need to “relieve” oneself another 2 – 3 times. Man, was I hydrated! But, there was a “wee” little problem here (FYI – it is time to stop writing in a blog when bathroom humor makes an appearance – but I don’t get to do this often!). I was out of the retreat area, and amongst the throngs of others who were over-hydrated as well, meaning the Disney-like lines had formed at the common folk potty’s. Guess they weren't on my plane to recognize that a dignitary was walking funny near them. Never fear though. Disney thought of everything, and must have apparently planted new bushes or trees in the past few weeks, because everyone was going over to admire and provide fertilization for them. I felt compelled to do the same. A few times. Ok, three. Now leave me alone, I just want to run.

Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy kicked off the start with the National Anthem (I really wish Donald had a solo for that), and fireworks signaled the start of the race – 13.1 miles through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot and the roads in-between. Over 13,000 people started the race, and participants were split into 3 waves. I found myself in wave 1 (a clear indication that the Disney folks have heard of my running prowess), and with my disposable camera in tow, off I went. Donald even met me at the starting line for a photo. I am not sure why he was behind the barrier, other than he may have been concerned that I was going to need to relieve myself one final time…

For the next 13.1 miles, I ran like I never did before – with a huge smile plastered across my face. I was going to enjoy this experience if it killed me. Fortunately, I was having a blast – and did something I rarely do – ran without music playing on my MP3 player. There were bands and DJs spaced throughout the course, along with many spectators to urge you on. Perhaps the biggest thrill of the run was going through the Ticket & Transportation Center at the Magic Kingdom, and then running on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, where a few thousand people were lined up. This beat the adrenaline rush from the night before. They were loud and my smile grew bigger. You would’ve thought I was winning the race!

What started as a 9:44 mile pace for mile one, had progressed to a 8:45 pace by mile 7 past the Magic Kingdom. I was feeling great and passing people with ease. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I knew I was going to pay for this the next day in the marathon. For those who know me when it comes to sports, it's 110% or nothing. Stupid slogan "give 110%". Those people never run long distances. But I had a ½ marathon goal, and that was to break 2 hours (about a 9:09/mile pace), and I fell behind that early on.

Friends...have faith.

As you will see below, I ran a negative split – the second half of the race was quicker than the first half, and my last few miles were completed in just over an 8:15/mile pace! Coming around the final bend in EPCOT, runners went past an amazing gospel choir decked out in gold robes singing to the heavens, and then we burst out towards the finish line – a 200 yard stretch with thousands of spectators cheering you on. Another adrenaline rush!!! I was on a runners high!

Finish Time: 1:53:37 (8:40/mile)
Finish Place: 964/12288 (top 8% whoo-hooo!)

While I didn’t finish first, I was awarded a Donald Duck medal anyway (ssshh – my kids think I won the first part of the Goofy Challenge). My presenter was no Ms. Bass Lake - SHE WAS BETTER!!!

I went back out to mile 12 on the course to await Brenda, who was doing her first ½ marathon ever. Injuries slowed her down during the month of December, but she persevered through the elements as well and finished in 2:38:01. (She is in Orange/Blue sprinting to the finish!) A great day for the Bansemer’s!

One third of the goal accomplished, two-thirds to go Sunday morning. And Goofy still hadn’t tracked me down for a photo. He hates confrontation and admitting he could have been wrong about me. I'd show him.

Details of the marathon and the wardrobe malfunctions will come in a few days! And a special visit from some friends (no, not Goofy)! And my thoughts on doing this all again!

Thanks for staying with me….you don't want this journey to end either, do you?

Half Marathon results: http://results.active.com/pages/searchform.jsp?rsID=51041

Half Marathon Mile Splits
1 – 9:44.08
2 – 9:18.87
3 – 9:10.65
4/5 – 17:28.21
6 – 8:52.25
7 – 8:44.77
8 – 8:24.21
9 – 8:15.29
10 – 8:01.25
11 – 8:22.14
12 – 8:11.86
13.1 – 9:04.13