Disney '10

Usually, my dad & I head up to Orlando to get involved with the Walt Disney World marathon weekend, despite how overpriced & overrated it is. However, due to unforeseen & unfortunate circumstances, he could not attend; I had head up solo. Luckily, a relay teammate of the '08 duathlon champion team decided to do his first goofy challenge. Also known as the race and a half, this challenge features a half marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon on Sunday. I met up with him & his sister in law up in Orlando, bringing some sense of familiarity. Due to the rising expenses (especially the entry fees & gas), I decided to make this year my final scheduled entry into the Disney marathon weekend. I wanted to go out with a bang, so I chose the 5th anniversary of the Goofy challenge to accomplish this.

Saturday agenda-half marathon

If I wanted to win award, I would have stayed 'home' & run a couple of 5ks, but I decided to go for endurance racing this weekend to pass my self imposed fitness litmus test. This annual exam requires a minimum of 1 half, 1 full & 3-5 5k races. Upon completion of the goofy, I will meet the endurance portion of that test, leaving my favorites. Therefore, I passed on the following events: * flippany 5k (Sat) * Jonathan Dickinson 5k/10k (Sat) * Spanish river 5k (Sat) * Homestead hospital 5k (Sat) * Bay harbor island 5k (Sun) * lighthouse eye opener 5k (Sun) I had set a comfortable pace goal of between 1:40 & 1:45 in order not to 'burn out' for the main event the next day. Despite extreme cold (35 degrees (-10 wind chill)) & conditions (rain & sleet), we met that goal together throughout the distance. We got the Donald duck medal.

Sunday agenda-full marathon

This is the main event, the distance that dated back 17 years ago. For anyone who did them all, Disney offered a 17 finishers medal. To accomplish the feat that my dad & I did (first two fulls, halves & goofys), we had to forfeit both 15 & 16 year anniversary plaques. I paid for the Goofy early last year to be sure I'm in. Although not wet as on Saturday, it was a record setting low (both for Disney & the city) temperature of 25 degrees at the start. I felt like in the teens with the wind. Despite 3 layers up top, I still was somewhat freezing. I couldn't feel my toes during the event & didn't realize I got a blister until hours later after 'thawing' out. I was so cold that any liquid I spilled on my gloves became frost within minutes! I knew that I struggled with extreme heat, like our summers in Miami but quickly discovered this also applies to extreme lows. This was evident by my personal worst non-injury finishing time in my 18+ athletic career. By the grace of God, I was able to finish without major injures, get my Mickey mouse medal & complete the Goofy challenge. The 5th anniversary Goofy medal was their best ever.

Honorable mention

* Gene finished his 1st goofy.
* various running mates participated & finished their respective events at Disney, including Renee (half), owner of runner's depot, Jon W (half), Asha (goofy), Kamilah (half) & probably Josh.
* George wins in his local races.