I Survived! a Dopey Marathon 2016 Report

[cavepig]

Hello & welcome!

A little about me - I ran the 2015 Full WDW marathon and 2015 Dumbo Double Dare so next up was Dopey 2016. I'm 36 and I have been a long time runner since high school, so like 22 years of running, mostly a middle of the packer, well that is until this years Marathon.

I won't include anything from the trip, it will just be the runDisney stuff, but we did visit all 4 parks during our trip and had an amazing time, love the Star Wars Fireworks and Osborne Lights (our first time seeing them). We stayed at All-Star Sports and thought it was great!

So to come with probably more photos then words as I love pictures:

Expo
5k
10k
Half
Full

Stay Tuned, I just need to get my photos organized!

 

[rteetz]

Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[cavepig]

We flew in Tuesday and arrived midday. Checked into All-Star Sports then headed to Epcot and eventually walked over to Studios to see the Osborne Lights for the first time ever, so glad they extended them for a few nights, they were beautiful!

We spent the day Wednesday in the parks then met my older brother that evening to head over to the Expo, so we were there around 6:30/7:00pm. We didn't have to wait to get our bibs or shirts. It was a little breezy and cool out.

Good thing they had these signs for which bib to wear as it doesn't say on your bib and wasn't printed anywhere else. Not a problem figuring out when your corrals differ I suppose.

After getting my Dopey bibs I stepped in front of the background to the left there and they took my picture to use to verify I was the one who ran, although we only actually get checked after the marathon, so how did it prove I really did the other 3 races, I'm not sure.

We picked up or Dopey shirts in the Field House, same place as our bibs. My older brother picked up his marathon shirt in the other building however.

I love all the little Run Disney things set up.

We headed to the official Merchandise, where some things were gone, like Dopey Jackets, but we still found a few things to pick up. Merchandise isn't our priority and we knew waiting till evening stuff would be gone and were fine with that. Some smaller booths were packing up a little early when we were heading out before 8:00pm, I think that always looks bad but it is what it is. Here's some random pictures:

A few random merchandise pictures

No line to check out

Then we wondered around the other booths at the expo

I LOVE Dumbo, but can't justify buying these when I couldn't actually where them

Picked up pace bands with the Clif Bar Pacing team

Sampling some Clif products

All set and ready to go!

Here's the shirts included with each race/challenge and then I purchased the Mickey plush, Mickey vinylmation, The purple Dopey sweatshirt (there was only 2 left so lucky I guess I got one), & all the pins (I forgot to preorder so glad they were in stock), then the Lasting Commemorative free bookmark. I loved so much stuff but had to put a stop otherwise I would be broke

Next up the 5k!

 

[rteetz]

I could've went broke at the expo and I only ran the 5K and half I can imagine what it will be like when I do dopey. I ended up getting the dumbo shoes. I bought the goofy ones last year and liked those even though those are a different shoe than the dumbo this year. I really enjoy the expo, we went right away in the morning.

 

[cavepig]

5K

I got a pretty good sleep, we could here the Studios fireworks at 8pm but after watching some cartoons we brought I fell asleep I think around 9:30 maybe.

Up and at em' at 3:45am! We used Wake up call at the resort, so Baymax told me to get up. We got dressed & ate breakfast stuff we brought and headed to the bus at 4:15am and we were in the staging area at about 4:40am. We never had to wait for a bus at Sports for any of the races.

Going into Dopey I had developed piriformis syndrome in my right glute in mid-November so my training got derailed and I was worried so planned on taking the first 3 races very easy.

Anyway, the Goofy Backdrop had a short line so we took some photos, I am a Carnotaurus from Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom, Roar! Of course I was called dragon but that's okay.

This is about 4:45am

Not sure when these opened, I think 5am as this was taken at 5:07am

Ready to head in the corral, oh wait I came back out to use the portopots again!

Behind me in the corral waiting. I had a throw away hoody on, it was a little cool and misty but really not bad at all.

My start, corral B, went off about 9-10 minutes after A.

I skipped Chip & Dale because they were just regular and not Rescue Ranger Dressed and it already had a long to me line. The first mile was just parking lot/road I think.

I like to pull off and take photos, holding it steady in the dark is not easy but this entrance pic I thought was neat!

I skipped the black and white cat at America because I didn't know who it was, but I guess it was from Bolt, ooops!

But I saw Marie in France and had to stop as Marie was the name of one my cats who has passed away, this is the line shortly after I got in it.

Waiting and watching people run by, it's always hard knowing my time will slip away but whatever I love the stops & wanted to take it easy!

Those dots I discovered was my flash covered in mist/moisture, oops!

Headed out the International Gateway and then we came basically right back into Epcot.

Mile 2. all the markers are the same and my mile 1 was blurry but I held it steady for this one!

This is the reunion area while my brother waited for me to finish as he was already done, he had a lot of waiting to do me during these races, ahaha!

I pulled up here and offered to take a pic of a Dad and his 2 kids with his phone so he could be in it too if he would take mine, darn flash spots.

Into Future World, I do love this part of the course as it's different than any of the others.

and Around the corner was Stitch, so why not stop as I only had stopped for 1 character so far. Here's the line waiting.

watching the runners go by, they turn into super fast streaks, ahaha!

ah Stitch is so cute!

The Finish, it was cool finishing while still dark. This was my first WDW 5k at Epcot as Everest is the only other 5k I've done.

These Tron guys were pretty cool, they finished right ahead of me!

The volunteers are so great, water yes please & Thank you!

Picture afterwards. I tried to get the plain backgrounds as marathonfoto ones cut off so much when I'm in it.

Reunion area, his trashcan attire was fun!

I found my brother and drank some then we headed to the buses. This was the All-Star line, which was the longest of the weekend for this day as buses can't leave until the 5k corrals have all started, so there was more of a backlog of people. It moved very fast though.

Snack box given after each race was the same for all 4 races. I already ate the Clif bar that was in it and then they gave us bananas too but I don't eat them so declined. I like how they hand out full big bottles of PowerAde and water after! I ended up giving all my cheeses to my older brother as I'm vegetarian and it had Worcestershire in it, so that was kind of sad to see. I liked the dried fruit and corn chips and my Oreos all went to my niece and nephew.

We showered got dressed and headed to Studios for park opening! For lunch I got the fried Green tomato sandwich at Rosie's and thought it was very tasty and highly recommend. I brought it down to Backlot where my brother got his food including this cute Chewbacca cupcake!

Chewbacca was German Chocolate and not to sweat like some of the cupcake frostings can be.

We also met Pluto since we had our cute Pluto 5k medals on!

We hopped to another park and then ate dinner at Pop Century, which I usually like, but I thought their sauce was funky this time and they didn't have the veggie pasta I used to get. But I was craving salad so had a make your own salad too which was good!

Headed back to Sports about 7:30ish for another early morning!

5k time - 45 minutes
My glute injury felt okay, just nagging. I had lots of tiger balm to use & had brought a small pillow to sit on rides, which helped a lot!

Next up 10k!

 

[KatherineDisney]

I'm excited to see your experience! During Dark Side I think I'll be getting to the expo around 6:30 after my flight gets in, hopefully it won't be too busy! Your pictures give me hope.

 

[cavepig]

I'm excited to see your experience! During Dark Side I think I'll be getting to the expo around 6:30 after my flight gets in, hopefully it won't be too busy! Your pictures give me hope.

Yeah it wasn't busy really at all, just the Dopey jackets were gone and some magnets I think. But no lines so that was a plus!

I could've went broke at the expo and I only ran the 5K and half I can imagine what it will be like when I do dopey. I ended up getting the dumbo shoes. I bought the goofy ones last year and liked those even though those are a different shoe than the dumbo this year. I really enjoy the expo, we went right away in the morning.

I know I wanted to buy everything! Cool you got the Dumbo shoes, they are pretty neat looking, hope they are comfy too! Yeah, we could have gone in the morning but I didn't want to miss valuable park time and we wanted to wait for my older brother who was at work till evening, he lives down there where we live in Nebraska so family time and all

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

Following along, great start and I'm loving all the photos!

 

[rteetz]

I really enjoyed the 5K. It was my first Disney 5K as well.

I was also in Corral B!

I saw those from guys once during the race and then at the end taking pictures with people I thought that was a great costume.

 

[emilyindisney]

Following along!

Great photos! I really liked that black marathon sweatshirt picture you shared. Lots of nice merch this year for sure!

Your 5k costume is great! I love when people think up such creative nods to the park like that!

 

[cavepig]

10K Day!

...but first I forgot to include this medal picture from the 5k, Love Pluto & green's my favorite color!!

I had an okay sleep, besides the 8pm Studios Fireworks there was some at I think 10:30pm that woke me back up. I think it was a special party for Osborne Lights ending maybe. I guess I fell back asleep since I don't remember anything else eventful, only to be woke up by Baymax at 3:00am. The race starts at 5:30am versus the 5k start of 6:00am, so a little earlier to get up. Ate breakfast in the room and headed to the bus around 3:45ish, again no wait for a bus.

We arrived at 4:10am (it's what the picture data says anyway) to the Epcot Parking Lot and walked to the staging area again. Security bag check was quick today just as it was for the 5k day. Even running belts and armbands get checked.

The rain started to pick up, then slow down, then pick up, it really wasn't too bad and at least not a downpour. I had a throw away sweatshirt and mylar so was fine. It felt a little warmer than the 5k I think. Here's after security, so in the Staging/reunion area.

Here's where the buses pick up afterwards, clearly marked.

I do love signs! We liked to use these rows on both sides of portopots before heading thru gear check, these were near where that bus sign above is.

The DJ area, he has his stuff covered for the rain even! I'm always surprised when I see people dancing before hand, um yeah no thanks, I would pull something with my luck!

Then we headed to the corrals at 4:42am.

The portopots after you enter that corral sign above. Lines moved fast and these are right outside the corrals.

I'm in Corral B again and the same bib is worn as in the 5k for Dopey Challenge. I am "the Magic of Disney Animation" and that's a little Robin Williams on there from the old film they used to play there at Studios. That's film strips around me and on my head, hard to tell here.

Here's entering the corral from the back facing the front of it. For the 5k & 10k we line up more perpendicular to the start and then we get walked to it. So we get to watch all of the A corral people walk by, including my brother. So corrals line up side by side versus back to front, if that makes any sense.

Corral B started about 11 minutes after A.

All the mylars and trash bags dumped on the side right before starting and some people's families braving the rain too!

Oh rain!

This Frozen setup was out but no characters out yet, but I heard they did come out eventually. Don't worry, I pull off to the side to stand to take these pics so hopefully don't mess anyone running up

Then we went through the EPCOT entrance backwards so I had to turn around to snap this!

Then we hit mile marker 1. I was taking it easy again and not worried about time and wanted to stop to get all the markers.

Then I heard it....Darkwing Duck music... Oh I yes I will stop! The cast member kept warning us that the rain was starting up again and they would have to go in...so hurry up people so I can get this picture!

And yes I lucked out! I think that plane behind them was set up at Expedition Everest Challenge in the past.

After Darkwing we make a U turn and up this hill (I train on hills so it wasn't a big hill really), but it was cool to look over and see the race behind us!

Then I saw Flik and Atta and their setup, but it had a long to me line and I had just waited for a long time for Darkwing so I skipped them. Looks like Atta was heading in at this point for a potty or rain break I suppose.

Mile 2 popped up!

Then mile 3

Then we entered EPCOT just like the 5k, and why not take another picture of it. So the first 3 miles are parking lot and roads, but it wasn't too bad. There is like one banked road that is annoying by the way.

Incredibles were out but we weren't not allowed to line up since they said they would be going in for the rain.

I had tried to take a picture of these banners during the 5k but it wasn't as good, so did a redo during the 10k. I like them because they have the old Symbol on them that isn't used as much it seems.

In World Showcase now and hey it's a water stop! I didn't take any during the 10k but probably should have since my time was longer, oops!

Mile 4! I would try to wait and snap the picture between people but some people don't ever leave so I just took it with this stranger anyway as I was wasting a lot of time just standing there waiting, but a break is always nice I suppose.

Hark! I spy rats in France, why not stop! The girls in front of me kept trying to get them to sign books, well they can't during races and finally they understood after the CM kept telling them and they put their books away. Oh, and I applied some Tiger Balm to my glute, classy I know! It was nagging just a little.

Soggy Rats! This one never did show up in my marathonfoto or unidentified, so I'm glad I had my own camera. My number is curled so that's why it's lost I guess, probably in someone else's photos.

10k Continued in next post...

 

[cavepig]

10k continued...

Meanwhile, my brother is done and hanging out here to wait for me. I guess this turns into the massage tent for the next two days.

Out the International Gateway again we go like in the 5k.

But unlike in the 5k we headed to the Boardwalk, where most people were running carefully since it was a little slick. I hopped in this line and heard it was for Monsters, but we weren't moving, finally realizing they weren't even out at this point, but luckily after a few minutes they came back out.

I got my picture, well not really as the CM didn't actually take it cause I check right after and there was no picture, so I ran back and said can you do it again. My camera is very easy to use so not sure what she thought she was doing the first time. I'm sorry to anyone in line behind me for that snafu.

Around the Boardwalk we go.

Mile 5

Saw the Tweedles but didn't want to stop, line looked long and I already had done 3 long to me stops.

Into Future World we ran! I loved this part!

Mile 6, only .2 to go and I felt pretty darn good. I should have drank at a water stop since I was out there longer than I'm used to, live and learn I guess.

Yay, the Finish!

Waited for a photo with the backdrop and got my powerade, water and snackbox.

Found my brother then we headed to the buses wrapped in mylars. The line moved fast again.

Got back to Sports, cleaned up and headed to AK for park opening. Where it continued to rain, Everest in the cold rain kind of hurts the eyes, hahaha! Animals were out on the safari at least so that was fun. Then we hopped to MK. Isn't the Minnie medal cute!

And of course a picture with Minnie and the Minnie medal! We ate dinner at MK then headed back around 7:30ish.

10k time = 1:26
I was happy and feeling good about the race, and my glute was just a little nagging. The rain didn't bother me, but I will train in the rain and snow and well I live Nebraska so can't be choosy. It was warm to me too so I can't complain. Darkwing was out and that was a major plus too!

Next up the Half!

 

[cavepig]

Your 5k costume is great! I love when people think up such creative nods to the park like that!

Thanks! I can't run in anything crazy so keep it simple, the tail was super easy to make too!

I was also in Corral B!

Cool! I started in the front, like 2nd row back. I have random crowd shots behind me, wonder if you are in any.

 

[abarriger]

I LOVE your costumes! I'm excited to hear about the half-- I'm hoping to do a RunDisney half at some point in my life (a long-term fitness goal for me!)

 

[rteetz]

Great costume! I did the 10K last year and loved the course. If I don't do dopey next year I will in 2018 for sure.

I would've totally stopped for dark wing duck too! I love how they always have some rare characters out.

 

[emilyindisney]

Another super creative costume! You definitely got some really good character stops in! Glad you made the most of the rain and had a great race. Can't wait to here about the half and full!

 

[ZellyB]

Joining in! Love your report so far. Your Carnotaurus costume is great and very original. That soggy 10K doesn't look like much fun, but sounds like you made the most of it. Glad you were able to get some good character shots, including Darkwing!! Awesome. Excited to hear more.

 

[cavepig]

Half Marathon Day!

We woke up at 2:45am to Baymax calling again and did the same routine as the other mornings and headed to the bus at 3:45am, again with no wait.

Arrived at EPCOT and headed to the Security line, it was a little clogged today to say the least. Below is what it looked like, but then once you funneled into the actually 'line' it went really fast. This was at 4:14am.

In the Staging are a Green Army Man was already getting us pumped to run.

Then we took the long walk to the corrals at 5:00am, really I don't think it's bad at all.

I was in F today and my brother was in B so we parted ways.

And just like that corral A was off and then 14 minutes later it was corral F.

My plan today was to take it easy again and get mile markers, random pics/video and a few characters. I honestly didn't feel anything from the last two races, probably from taking them easy and I always train 6 days a week (sometimes 5). My training as I said had been derailed due to a glue injury in mid-November, but I think I had enough built up before then and was even able to get in a 16 mile run/walk a few weeks before even. I had done intervals of 1:00/:30 a lot over the past month so every now and then I would do them or use the mile markers as the walk break.

Light up Sebastian was out, he is like a giant puppet.

And a real life hot air balloon was out and Small World music was playing. It was really cool to see and watch them having to keep the fire stuff going to keep air in it.

And before long we are entering the Magic Kingdom parking, TTC area. It was warm, but not terrible by any means, but very very foggy.

The TTC area.

Hold your breath we are now running under water! I love big hands up there too!

Mile 5 and you can see Space Mountain!

And now the best part, we get to enter Magic Kingdom. I love how the Christmas Tree is still up too.

It truly is magical running down Main Street!

I tried a few failed selfies with the castle, I fail every time because with the camera I can't see what I'm doing Then we head to Tomorrowland! I so far had skipped Oogie Boogie, Wreck It Ralph that I know of and then Mike was up here, but I got him yesterday so skipped him.

Hey it's Ulf and a short line, why not! I am a skybucket from the old Skyway to Fantasyland or Tomorrowland attraction.

I skipped I think it was Queen of Hearts and the finally time to run through the castle!

Then I skipped Woody (I guess it was Clarabelle Cow too sometimes as my brother got her. I would have stopped for her, bummer) Then mile 6 is by Splash Mountain!

Then we head out of Magic Kingdom and hey it's the train. So, I stopped for a picture! No laying down for me like I've seen some people do.

This stop looked very cool, but I couldn't even see the end of the line, so I did not stop.

And my oh my it's already mile 7! I took a clif shot gu I think at like Mile 4 by the way and always took powerade and/or water at the stations.

Then I spied Mary Poppins and the line wasn't bad so I stopped. I reapplied tiger balm to my glute as it was a little nagging still....and that's when I started to hear people say "oh it smells like cinnamon, tea or chamomile"! Oh....that's me I realized! Even as I ran I would hear people say stuff, it was kind of funny actually!

Half continued in next post...

 

[cavepig]

Half Marathon Continued...

Someone watching offered to take my picture at the mile marker 8, why not!

Across the foggy parking lot you could see the later corrals heading to Magic Kingdom.

Mile 9! What's funny is I thought I was coming on mile 8, so it was a nice to surprise to read 9!

Somewhere before this was 'golfers and a gator'. I filmed them as they were pretty funny.
Then it was time to pass the hot air balloon again as we just head back to Epcot after Magic Kingdom!

So there's this overpass and some banked roads. I didn't mind the going up hill, but the banked roads can be a killer. I tried to stay either high or low, but my left upper outer leg was starting to hurt. So, I rubbed tiger balm on it.

Meanwhile my brother was already done and waiting in line for character pictures.

Those people on the other side are ahead of me, we have to take a U turn then head that way.

Oh boy cartoons!

Then I was mixed up again and thought I was coming up on mile 11, oh wow it's already 12!

These guys were out here and they were also out on the walk to corrals.

It was feels cool to me when we run into familiar territory, like the bus area! Which brings me to a funny realization. We were looking through my brother's half pictures and behind him in one is a girl whose number we could read, so we looked her pictures up to see if he was in any of her finish ones as he didn't have any. Well come to find out she didn't have any time, no start, mats or finish. And I know this may sound mean, but she was a little more Pooh sized so I really don't think she ran a 1:40 half marathon. I mean maybe, but hard to believe. What we wonder is did she just start here at the buses and then finish as she has no times and no MK pictures, just finish pictures. Random share I know!

Last water stop I skipped. The ball was getting eaten by the fog!

We don't get to run in World Showcase as we just take a U turn where Future World turns into World Showcase. I guess the Genie and Scrooge were out here, but I didn't see anyone when I ran through

A blurry choir picture, but I do love them. I filmed them too so I can hear them over and over

My attempt at a blank background.

After finishing I met Dopey and Daisy for pictures and saw the awards. Isn't that Donald trophy adorable! And here is where I may have jinxed myself by meeting Dopey before the full.

Heehee it's Pincochio!

We didn't get mylars, although I guess they were out but I missed them. We did get a Dr. cool towel afterwards. We cleaned up then headed to Magic Kingdom. Love Donald!

Rode some rides, ate lunch (the fateful lunch that is) and then met Donald!

Half time = 2:34 (I felt good except that left leg from the banked roads, so rolled that out.)

Now here is where things started to go wrong. We had eaten lunch at Pecos Bills and slowly my stomach started hurting and growing like a balloon. I don't think I have had such severe bloating in my life. We headed back to Sports where I laid down hoping it would pass. My brother's family was checking in and then meeting us for dinner. We were about to leave, but I said "I better stay here". It was about 5 hours after lunch I think.

I took some alcaseltzer and then instantly threw up and kept throwing up. This went on all night along with diarrhea. Gross I know. I'm pretty sure it was food poisoning from the guacamole at the condiment bar. My brother did not eat it and did not get sick. I know there is no way to prove it was that, but I had only eaten packaged foods for breakfast. I took from the farthest area as it looked the cleanest so don't know if it had sat out too long or what. I don't think it was norovirus as I had that before and didn't have the severe bloating and it lasted longer. I'm pretty sure it was a food illness from there.

So, at about 12:30am I think I finally stopped throwing up and fell asleep to be awaken at 2:45am by Baymax for the marathon. My stomach was empty, I hadn't kept any water down all night, my stomach was still cramping, oh boy!

Next up the Marathon!

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

Oh my! I'm so sorry you got sick. I hope you make it through the marathon!