Mrs. Darling's 2010 Half Marathon Trip:Yes, it does snow at Disney World

[Stefy]

Awesome pics, loving your descrips for each. Love the "Scream" mile marker picture

Am looking forward to reading/seeing the Main Street run

 

[Dolce27]

Regarding the peeing aspect. I think I stopped 5 times during the race itself (not counting the two times before we even started.) I was a bit overhydrated on race day

Everyone was b/c it wasn't hot enough to sweat. And those port a potties were gross. I was always hydrated just right on training runs to not have to stop for a potty. It stunk to have to stop on race day.

We were off, but definitely not at breakneck speed. This race has lots of walkers and we were in the last canal so there were many around us with a slower pace.

Good luck to you on getting bumped up into a higher corral for 2011. Dodging slower runners/walkers burns more energy than you realize. It will make a difference if you're placed in a corral with people at your pace.

Almost immediately we noticed quite a few people heading for the woods by the side of the course.

You learn fast when someone over by the trees catches the corner of your eye to snap your head forward and not look. Especially that one woman who was all letting it hang out .... this was after the sun had risen Call me a prude, but I waited for the port a potties... even if it took a minute or two in order to make it through the line and do my thing.

(The winner crossed the finish line less than 4 minutes after we hit mile 2).

Those crazy Elites! It'd be nice to run as fast as them and get it done with. I think that the winner for the full marathon came in at 2:33

Somewhere along this stretch it began to really sleet. At one point Liz cried, “Ouch.” I looked over thinking she might have pulled a muscle or something and she says, “Ice just flew into my eye!” Yea, running through pelting ice is not a pleasant feeling for those of you that were wondering. I don’t think I’d recommend it.

If for some crazy reason it decides to sleet again next year (which I doubt - and hope - it won't). But if it does, I think I'm going to invest in a pair of these:
http://www.amazon.com/MSA-Safety-Works-10041748-Contoured/dp/B000BO6NZQ

That sounds painful, Liz.

At about 4 ½ miles we hit the much hyped “Contemporary hill.” Hills are interesting things when you are a runner. Normally people don’t even notice hills, but as a runner you’re pretty much always aware of an incline no matter how slight. Overall Disney is incredibly flat which makes for great running. (Especially compared to Maryland. If you don’t like hills never go near the Baltimore races. Trust me.) There are a few inclines at Disney though. Most of them involve overpasses, but the Contemporary hill is an underpass. It actually goes under a bridge of water connecting the 2 lakes. So I was interested to see if this hill was all it is hyped to be. I hate to say it, but it wasn’t.

I'm glad to know that I was not the only one that didn't get all of the hype surrounding this hill. Actually, it's long gradual inclines that kill me, not hills. There are so few actual hills in the Disney marathon that it's a nice break to take the pressure off your legs (for the most part) and put it on your glutes. Gradual inclines are long and put tons of stress on your legs and just never seem to end.

It was finally here. Time for the Magic Kingdom and that run down Main Street!

 

[xDisneyAngelx]

So it was true that it snowed in Disney. Thats weird it was like the same temp 3hrs South and it never snowed. Wow you are so lucky! I kept waiting for it to snow but it never did. Oh well. At least you had a great time

 

[dismagiclover]

I saw this picture on someone else's half marathon TR for an older race so I'm thinking they use the same mile markers each year? I'm hoping so because my maiden name is Bannister. I'm sure we're not related at all, but maybe he'll inspire me during the race.

They count your time from the time you cross the start line, right? That's why you wear chips on your shoes?

I bet they do use the same mile markers every year so gear up for Mile 4 next year And yes your official time is the chip time they get from your shoe.

It even looks cold. Ran the Half in 07. We had lots of fun and warmer weather. Started laughing when you said the elite runners were so far ahead. I do that all the time!!!!

It was cold! Hopefully this was a once in a lifetime cold and next year we will go back to worrying about being too warm.

LOL Jenny you're cracking me up with your descriptions of everything...
And after us, there were at least a few more...we started a trend on that stretch of road... We're quite the trend setters aren't we
Wow, that's crazy that the winner crossed the finish less than 4 minutes after we reached mile 2! You've got some training to do if you want to win next year
I have told the story of the sleet going in my eye many times now. lol It was crazy! Crazy or insane (or both)!

That Contemporary hill/underpass was nothing. I was so caught up in the sights around us, and the anticipation of nearing MK, I did not even notice we were going up a hill. Distraction sure helps when you're running!

Oh there was NO WAY we or me or you were going back to BLT at that point my friend! I'm glad you were with me because you never know what I would have done if I by myself

You look so cold! I'm sure it was warmer running than watching though. I grew up in South Florida and when I was in second grade in 1977 it snowed in Ft. Lauderdale. The first and last time in recorded history. We got to go out and play in the flurries and then they closed school because we had no heat. (It wasn't broken or anything, the school was built in the 50's and they simply didn't put heat in.) Looking forward to hearing about the run through the MK!

It was cold. I can't imagine how tough it was for those spectators.

I never realized that the race actually went through the parks, that's very cool. It's good to know that a nice amount of people walk (in case I ever considered it)

The best part of the races is definitely throught the parks. The half goes through MK and Epcot. The full marathon actually goes through all 4 parks which sound awesome!

 

[dismagiclover]

Awesome pics, loving your descrips for each. Love the "Scream" mile marker picture

Am looking forward to reading/seeing the Main Street run

I especially like the woman posing with the Scream mile marker

Everyone was b/c it wasn't hot enough to sweat. And those port a potties were gross. I was always hydrated just right on training runs to not have to stop for a potty. It stunk to have to stop on race day. The temperature really did change the hydrating and sweat factor. I never did even close to that many pooty breaks in my training runs either

Good luck to you on getting bumped up into a higher corral for 2011. Dodging slower runners/walkers burns more energy than you realize. It will make a difference if you're placed in a corral with people at your pace.

I'm hoping to do a 10K this summer that will bump me up, but on the Disney website it says you need to show proof of time if you expect a 5 hour finish or less. That means a closse to a 60 minute 10K and I'm not sure I can do that. I'm going to have to do some speedwork

Those crazy Elites! It'd be nice to run as fast as them and get it done with. I think that the winner for the full marathon came in at 2:33 I don't know. I think they miss all the fun

If for some crazy reason it decides to sleet again next year (which I doubt - and hope - it won't). But if it does, I think I'm going to invest in a pair of these:
I'm going with the assumption this was a once in a lifetime event

I'm glad to know that I was not the only one that didn't get all of the hype surrounding this hill. Actually, it's long gradual inclines that kill me, not hills. There are so few actual hills in the Disney marathon that it's a nice break to take the pressure off your legs (for the most part) and put it on your glutes. Gradual inclines are long and put tons of stress on your legs and just never seem to end.

I agree. Gradual inclines can be killers!

So it was true that it snowed in Disney. Thats weird it was like the same temp 3hrs South and it never snowed. Wow you are so lucky! I kept waiting for it to snow but it never did. Oh well. At least you had a great time

It snowed, but it didn't hit the ground or even come close to any accumulation. It didn't take long for it to turn into sleet (which is worse). We weren't thinking we were lucky at the time! Maybe in that one pocket it was a tad bit colder

 

[disneylovin24]

The best part of the races is definitely throught the parks. The half goes through MK and Epcot. The full marathon actually goes through all 4 parks which sound awesome!

I could do that It sounds really nice, best scenary in the world for a race

 

[eeyore7360]

I'm so glad to see the race runs right by BLT. That means extra sleep for me!

 

[dismagiclover]

I could do that It sounds really nice, best scenary in the world for a race

Does that mean your registering for 2011? It is definitely the best scenery of any race I've ever done!

I'm so glad to see the race runs right by BLT. That means extra sleep for me!

BLT is the perfect place to stay if you are a spectator. Just pop outside your hotel and you'll have a front row spot

 

[dismagiclover]

I’m not sure how many of you noticed the coat I’m wearing in the last installment. If not go back and take a look because that coat is a major character in this installment. Before continuing I need to give a little background on the coat. It is an LL Bean fleece purchased by my husband around 1993. You read that right. 1993. That is when we were all wearing flannel shirts, watching Seinfeld, cheering on Pete Sampras and listening to Boyz II Men. Most shocking of all, most of us still didn’t have e-mail. So DH didn’t have an e-mail address, but he had that fleece coat. He also didn’t have me. In other words that fleece jacket had known DH longer than I had. He had a bit of an attachment to it. I didn’t. Frankly, I think it is hideous (and I’m quite unfashionable so that is saying a lot.) However, before the trip we were all religiously watching the weather forecast. And it kept getting colder. And the trip got closer. And the weather got colder. I knew I would need something really warm that I could toss during the run. I never even considered asking him for the fleece jacket. I knew how long it had been with him and how he felt about it. But one day he offered. I stood there slack jawed. He asked if I’d heard him. I mutely nodded my head. He said, “I never wear it anymore so take it.” I told him it would be a perfect throwaway coat because it was very warm, but not too bulky. So we were agreed that I’d take it. And he then proceeded to wear it around the house for the next 3 days straight. I suppose it was his way of saying goodbye. Needless to say, it was a really nice gesture of DH to give up the fleece jacket and I wanted to show my appreciation for it. We were, however, coming up on the Magic Kingdom which I knew would be prime photo time in the race. And my undying gratitude for the jacket did not include having it in all my pictures. So I realized I needed to ditch it. The plan was to wait until we entered the Magic Kingdom and then look for somewhere special to leave it. I figured if DH knew I left it in my favorite place he would realize I really did recognize the sweetness of his gesture. So the time for the tossing had almost arrived. We veered off the road into a backstage area

We entered the Magic Kingdom through a side entrance.

As soon as we entered I saw a bench off to the right and I knew it was the right place to leave the jacket. I lovingly placed it there.

Then I stepped back and took a picture.

Liz took a picture of me taking a picture

Then I said my final goodbyes.

I didn’t even look back as I headed toward Main Street.

This, however, is not the end of the story of the 1993 LLBean Fleece Jacket. The night I returned home I was happily showing my family all the pictures and telling them the stories of all our adventures. The jacket pictures came up and I related my tale. (DH mostly just rolled his eyes at me, and Wendy told me I was a weirdo.) We’d moved on in the race, but all of a sudden I look over at my youngest son Michael. He is sobbing and is absolutely distraught. I ask him what is wrong and after a little prodding he tells me he is so sad that I left the jacket behind. I’m not sure he even knew the jacket existed before this. It takes quite a few minutes to explain to him that it is OK. That somewhere someone that doesn’t have as much as us is staying warm because I left the jacket. And that I left it in my favorite place in the world. DH even reassured him we will visit the bench where the jacket was left. So I guess from now on when we go to Disney World the Darling Family will make a special pilgrimage to the 1993 LLBean Fleece Jacket Bench.

Next up: I promise we will actually make it to Main Street..

 

[disneylovin24]

Does that mean your registering for 2011? It is definitely the best scenery of any race I've ever done!

I actually might be if I could go in January I can't make it to disney in January sadly, maybe in a few years I'll make it down for the marathon. I've actually done a few races myself, but not since 3 or 4 years ago.

I can see why you didn't want that jacket in your pictures How sweet of your husband to let you get rid off..oops I meant borrow his jacket.

 

[Stefy]

Aww bless DH, takes alot for men to let go of clothing from the old days (DF still holds on to his fav t shirts that are waaay to small for him). I lol at "he wore it around the house for the next three days", bless

How cute is Michael, but at least he knows it has gone to a better place and like you say, you can go and visit the bench every trip now

 

[carissanboys]

Awwww - how sweet of your husband to give you his jacket to wear and discard! (Go Beans!! Sorry - the Maine native in me made me do it.) And too cute that Michael was so distraught over leaving it behind.

I'm feeling a bit nervous looking at that large group of people all packed in like sardines!! Doesn't even look like jogging/running is possible!

 

[dismagiclover]

I actually might be if I could go in January I can't make it to disney in January sadly, maybe in a few years I'll make it down for the marathon. I've actually done a few races myself, but not since 3 or 4 years ago. They have races throughout the year. I know they do the Princess Half in March. Plus there are doing a new half marathon this fall during Food & Wine. Just something to think about.

I can see why you didn't want that jacket in your pictures How sweet of your husband to let you get rid off..oops I meant borrow his jacket.

I must say I don't really miss the jacket. It was a bit outdated

Aww bless DH, takes alot for men to let go of clothing from the old days (DF still holds on to his fav t shirts that are waaay to small for him). I lol at "he wore it around the house for the next three days", bless

How cute is Michael, but at least he knows it has gone to a better place and like you say, you can go and visit the bench every trip now

It really was nice of DH. And Michael's reaction suprised us. It was like I had left his favorite stuffed animal behind or something. Like I said I don't even think he knew the jacket existed before he saw the pictures.

Awwww - how sweet of your husband to give you his jacket to wear and discard! (Go Beans!! Sorry - the Maine native in me made me do it.) And too cute that Michael was so distraught over leaving it behind.

I'm feeling a bit nervous looking at that large group of people all packed in like sardines!! Doesn't even look like jogging/running is possible!

There are periods of the race that are definite bottlenecks. Entering Magic Kingdom and going up Main Street is defintely one of them. We still managed to jog most of the time. It was just a pretty slow jog.

 

[Stefy]

It really was nice of DH. And Michael's reaction suprised us. It was like I had left his favorite stuffed animal behind or something. Like I said I don't even think he knew the jacket existed before he saw the pictures.

Maybe he overheard you guys talking about it or something, bless

 

[dismagiclover]

Here we were! This is what the months of training was for. This is what I thought about when I was running through ice and cold back in Maryland. (However, in my thoughts I was never running through ice and cold in Florida.) We were in the Magic Kingdom. We came out of the Alleyway of the 1993 LLBean Fleece Jacket and were greeted with this:

The Christmas tree was still up! This was an unexpected surprise for both of us, but I was happy to see it. And the weather fit in perfectly. We turned the corner and there we were running up Main Street. The street was lined with spectators on one side and cast members out cheering on the other. The way was a bit narrow so there really wasn’t a lot of running going on. Rather some fast walking (I think I’ve gone down that street faster during a rope drop Dumbo Dash.) I stopped to do a little jig.

I seriously have no idea what I think I’m doing, but I’m having fun doing it. Liz stopped for a quick photo too.

Then what do we see before our very eyes?

And as you can see the way towards the castle is more crowded than rope drop in the summertime. We’re not trying to win any prizes here so we stopped for a castle shot

And here is looking the other way

Hey we’re not in last place.

We run through the hub and head towards Tomorrowland.

Spectators aren’t allowed here so things opened up a bit.

And then we have our first character sighting. Who is it?

We didn’t stop for a picture. (Liz kept reminding me we were in a race you know. I’m pretty easily distracted.) Check out this couple posing with Buzz. Looking all cute and color coordinated. Who do they think they are? Don’t they know that the rest of us look like a cross between marshmallows and drowned rats? On the other hand: Shorts? Now that is just insanity. Buzz did do a quick pose for Liz.

We soldiered on through Tomorrowland until we saw something that got me really excited. A restroom. This isn’t a Port a Potty! This is a bonafide restroom that is open. This is a must stop. Every race does not provide clean, warm restrooms. It’s one of those bonuses you get when you run Disney. So we head in and wait in a line (It is a women’s restroom in the Magic Kingdom.) After using the facilities and checking the mirror to see how fabulous we look we head out. Not without a little internal chuckle that yes we are in a race, but yes we did leisurely wash our hands and spent a little time primping (not that it did us much good. It was still 32 degrees and raining.)

So we said goodbye to Tomorrowland and made our way into Fantasyland. And there we pose for our first character picture. Who was this that distracted us from our blazing pace?

 

[Stefy]

Oh wow that looks so awesome running through Main St and seeing the Castle must have been really cool.

Love that pic of Buzz runing, bless him. Looking forward to seeing who else you bumped into along the way

 

[carissanboys]

How awesome to see the Christmas decorations!! Are they not normally up during marathon weekend? I'd love to be able to see them.

 

[disneylovin24]

Thanks for the info on the other marathons, I'll have to look into them

Isn't Main Street suppossed to be empty that early in the day

 

[Happy Elf]

The castle is such a beautiful sight! I might take up running to run up Main St.

 

[Angies1274]

Wow! Great updates!!

I didn't realize that you got to run down Main Street!! That is so cool that you were able to see the castle and all the Christmas decorations!!

Ahh...that was so nice of your DH to let you take his jacket. But...poor Michael--feeling so bad that it was left behind.

Cute picture of Buzz!! Hmm...wondering who else you found???

Brrr....it still looks really cold!!