I have had the pleasure of being approached by Raffi Darrow Editor of Digital Running. Digital Running is an online running club that is dedicated to providing you with the tools you need to achieve your goals. On October 1 st, 2011 Coach Brian and his team will be attending the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. They are some truly inspiring people. I would highly recommend checking out their website for very helpful information about running. Additionaly, if you have any questions about preparation or anything related to running….especially at Disney, Coach Brian and his wife Raffi are ready and willing to help you. Contact them on their website.
Catching Up with Coach Brian of Digital Running before the Walt Disney World Wine and Dine Half Marathon
When/How did you start running?
I started running because I was looking for a competitive way to stay in shape. I grew up a volleyball player, but once I got older and had a family, coordinating my schedule with a whole team for practice and tournaments became more and more difficult. Running is something I can train for and compete in within the bounds of my own schedule.
When was your first trip to Walt Disney World?
My first trip to Walt Disney World was when I was 3 years old in 1979.
When did you run your first Disney race?
My first Disney race was the 2008 Walt Disney World Marathon. It was my first full marathon and a very humbling experience. I trained poorly, got injured and suffered all the way to the finish just so I wouldn’t feel like I had to ever do a marathon again.
Was this your biggest runDisney disaster?
Yes! I had a knee injury from the beginning and shuffling along at the back of the pack was not good for it. I should also mention that the week leading up to the marathon was my first experience attempting to carb load. I ate a lot of processed carbs (biscuits, mac and cheese, etc) and became quite constipated. Around mile 8, the road opened up and I was able to speed up. My knee suddenly felt better, and my spirits rose for about 10 minutes. I’m living proof that there is no such thing as a constipated marathoner. I held it in for about 3 miles, but then spent 5 horrible minutes cooped up in a port-a-potty outside of Frontierland with explosive diarrhea.
Unfortunately, I stiffened up while sitting on the can and my knee troubles were back with a vengeance. By the time I reached the Studios, I had pain in both knees and the side of my right foot felt like I had a knife in it. I was walking through the Studios and people were cheering and yelling my name. I was not at all out of breath and I wanted to run all the way to the finish, but my body wouldn’t let me. I was very embarrassed.
When/Where was your BEST run ever?
My best run ever was the 2010 Walt Disney World half marathon. It actually snowed a little on the way to the starting line and that snow turned to sleet in the first three miles. Once I reached the Magic Kingdom in the 6th mile, the crowd support gave me a huge boost. My mind kind of exited my body and I felt like I was driving a machine rather than actually running. My body responded without complaint to everything I wanted it to do that day.
Was it your proudest moment in running?
Yes, definitely. I had planned on running with the 1:30 pace group, but I couldn’t find them once the race started. At around mile 5, I gave up looking and ran my own race. I finished in 1:29:11. The 1:30 pace group came in 20 seconds behind me. I was 121st overall and the top local finisher.
How will the 2011 Wine and Dine Half Marathon differ from other Disney races you’ve run?
The Wine & Dine will be my first nighttime Disney race. Although I usually have to get up at 3am for the other Disney races, this one starts at 10pm and I probably won’t get back to the hotel until 3am. It’s also the first Disney race that I’ve coached other people for. So, it will be different to be sharing my warm up routine with 10 other people before the start. Usually, that’s my Zen time. For this one, I’ll probably be joking around with the team. Hopefully that’ll calm their nerves, and it will probably calm mine as well.
Who’s running with you?
There are about 10 other Digital Running Club participants who will be running the race with me. Most of them are fairly inexperienced runners and they’re just hoping to finish. I’ve trained all of them, so I hope they finish too!
Is there a character you’re hoping to see on the course?
I don’t have one in particular that I’d like to see. One of my favorite parts of the races is that you get to see some pretty rare characters. I saw the entire cast of Meet the Robinsons near the finish of the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon. I think it would be cool to see Perry the Platypus. I’m not sure if Perry roams the parks or not…
What else will you do while you’re on property that weekend?
I’ll be heading to Epcot to experience the Food & Wine Festival with the team and friends the day after the race. Spending a nice autumn day eating and drinking my way around the World Showcase with good friends is one of my favorite things to do at Walt Disney World!
What advice would you give to someone running their first Disney race?
Stay calm and don’t freak out. The crowds on the course are some of the biggest most people have ever seen at a running event. The close quarters at the start can be a little unnerving – especially when the stampede starts moving when the start is signaled. Expect that and plan for it. If you’re in the back of the pack, you might not be able to run the pace you were hoping in the beginning simply because of the crowds. The roads will open up later, so don’t waste any energy trying to weave around people. Just soak it all in and enjoy the experience.
Tell us about a great Disney memory:
When I was about 10, my parents started letting my older brother and sister and me stay late at the Magic Kingdom after they headed back to the hotel. On those nights, there was rarely a line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The guy working the queue had the hots for my sister, so he kept letting us ride the back car over and over again. Some nights, we’d ride about 20 times in a row. One night after the park closed, I remember walking through an empty Adventureland while the Main Street Electrical Parade was making its way through Frontierland. We could hear the music and occasionally see the floats through gaps in the buildings. We danced all the way to the monorail.
See ya real soon!!
Kelly