Imbri
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2013
The morning of the big day, the reason we were there, came so so quickly. It's recommended that you be ready and on a bus by 3am. I got there by 4...Well, I made it, right?? Only just in time, though, and it was pretty nerve wracking, so I don't advise that! For once I felt rested before my race, though, I'm glad to report. I got to bed by about 10pm AND fell asleep right away, which gave me just about 5 solid hours of sleep (I've certainly done less before). I got down to the bus stop, and there was a terrifyingly long line. Luckily it just looked long, and they had a ZILLION buses running, and I was on one within 5 minutes. I am pretty sure my bus driver was from Detroit, because he pulled some driving like I've only ever seen here in the city! We finally made it, and started the hike to the start line.
But first!
Potty break! Yep. If you wanna go to the bathroom before the race, make sure to leave LOTS of time for that!
It was about a mile walk up to the corrals, and I quick-walked that, while chugging my UCAN drink (a sports drink I found that helped a lot with tummy issues I have on long distances). I reached my corral (J!) just in time to hear the fireworks for the very start of the race. Somewhere ahead of me, they were off!
While waiting, I watched these guys on the screen, as they helped pump up the crowd (as though we needed it, hah!) and a nice person french braided my hair for me (I was supposed to meet up with a FB friend to do it, but we couldn't find each other in the mess).
We will try to obey you, speed limit sign!
About a half hour or so of waiting and...
We were up next!
J corral started, and we were off! While waiting for the bathroom, I had heard that 'sweeps' would happen at mile 2.5, 4, and 11. I figured that with 6 corrals behind me, I had ample time to at least get to almost mile 4 long before the 2.5 sweep would even happen, so after that, all I had to focus on was making sure miles 4-11 kept pace (I really had nothing to worry about, but thinking it out calmed my nerves a lot).
I tried to get a stride going, but there were just too many people, and either my pace was faster than theirs, or they were having just as much trouble with the multitudes of others.
Before long, I made it to mile 1!
Hello, Sorcerer Mickey! It's still dark out, yay!
It was already murderously hot out. I heard a lot of talk afterwards about how humid it was. I had my handheld water bottle on me, which I drank from frequently (and refilled at about every other water station), and at the very first water station, I dumped a cup of water over my head, which I think ended up setting the tone for the run, as I barely noticed the humidity after that.
Between Miles 1 and 2 there were 2 sources of entertainment. The first was a row of guys flying kites (hehe!), with (you guessed it) "Let's Go Fly A Kite" blasting over a loudspeaker. Lovelovelove, but I did feel sorry for those guys as I passed. That song is all of 4 minutes long at best, and it was already almost an hour in. Yikes! The second thing was a HUGE group of people from the Children's Miracle Network, cheering everyone one. That was super sweet. <3 I have pictures of both, but they came out blurry, as I didn't stop to take them (the kite flyers show back up later, and I got better pictures of them then).
Mile 2! I don't think it even registered that this was Donald. I was just doing some quick math in my head to see how long the second mile had taken. Sorry Donald!
Next up, the Pirates! That ship is just brilliant, isn't it??
The first set of Princes/Heroes were right after the Pirates, but I didn't stop there (as they were later in the course as well).
I made several attempts at this shot, before I finally just stopped to take it. I also realized that we hadn't even hit mile 3 yet, and we were already to MK?? The castle was just before the halfway point, so how where we at MK already??
There's a very simple answer to that. 3. Bloody. Miles. of parking. Man, you never noticed how very very long that drive way/parking lot is. But oh. It is. I have to say, after seeing the sign, this ended up being the longest, hardest, most boring part of the run.
Mile 3 and no Castle in sight! Cars...oh how I wish I was driving right now!
We were near the front part of the parking lot, and the sun had finally fully risen. It was completely overcast, thank goodness!
I came across the villains next! I did what a lot of other ladies were doing, and stood in front of them for a picture (rather than wait in line and stop for a picture with them) I like it just as well.
Although if Lady Tremaine had been in the group, you can bet your boots I woulda stopped!
I decided now was a good time for a potty break, got in and out pretty quick, and continued on my way.
I followed these two for awhile. If you can't tell, it's Indiana Jones and the boulder. They even had the theme music to play on their phones! I followed them almost to the entrance of MK.
Mile 4! I was now past the first 2 sweeps! AND almost to the gates!
These were something Drummers. I think Japanese? Maybe? Loved 'em either way. Yay, Drummer guys!
Next we went under and overpass. I'm posting a horribly blurry picture, and I'm kicking myself for not stopping to get a clear one (but it was bottle necking pretty bad, and the traffic was already bad enough!)
The guy had giant mickey gloves on and was jumping all around. The sign said "You can Go the Distance" (I think it had Herc on it too), there were speakers too, so I'm pretty sure it was playing Go the Distance, but I forget now. I just remember it made me smile.
Mile 5! I honestly had no idea where we were at this point. I think between the area you'd take the monorail from the parking lot to the MK front gate?
And then, finally. FINALLY.
The first glimpse of the castle! I love the foggy haze thing going on. I could barely see it, but it was THERE. I was so close to it!
I'm walking (runnin') right down the middle of Main Street USA. Ehehhee.
I almost stopped for another potty break, because it would have been in a REAL bathroom, not a port-a-potty, but then the castle was RIGHT THERE. It was steps away, and I didn't have to go THAT bad. I pushed on!
Trumpet-y guys! They started playing just as I got there! (Everyone around me cheered. Me too!)
My initial goal had been to get to the castle, and I'd done it! My new goal was to finish around the 3:30 mark (so 3 hours, as I started around 00:35. Spoilers, I didn't make that time.)
Eeee! Castle!
My picture with Louis! Apparently this was also where Tiana and Naveen where and I didn't realize, assuming they'd be on ahead. I guess they'd gone on a break. I would have waited...Oh well, that's what next year is for!
Mile 6, almost halfway!
On the RunDis facebook page a song had been voted on, and at mile 7 we found out it was (obviously) Let it Go! I have to say, I find the song a bit annoying, and I wasn't a huge fan of the movie (don't hurt me, lol!), but I guess I was overly emotional at this point, and I started tearing up as it blasted around me. I wasn't the only one. <3
Mile 7! I knew that it took me 1:20 to do 6.2 miles (fresh), so I realized at this point I'd be pushing my 3:30 finish goal.
Glass slipper guys! I had passed (and been passed by) this couple a few times, they were so cute! Cindy and her Charming!
Next up, second half!
But first!
Potty break! Yep. If you wanna go to the bathroom before the race, make sure to leave LOTS of time for that!
It was about a mile walk up to the corrals, and I quick-walked that, while chugging my UCAN drink (a sports drink I found that helped a lot with tummy issues I have on long distances). I reached my corral (J!) just in time to hear the fireworks for the very start of the race. Somewhere ahead of me, they were off!
While waiting, I watched these guys on the screen, as they helped pump up the crowd (as though we needed it, hah!) and a nice person french braided my hair for me (I was supposed to meet up with a FB friend to do it, but we couldn't find each other in the mess).
We will try to obey you, speed limit sign!
About a half hour or so of waiting and...
We were up next!
J corral started, and we were off! While waiting for the bathroom, I had heard that 'sweeps' would happen at mile 2.5, 4, and 11. I figured that with 6 corrals behind me, I had ample time to at least get to almost mile 4 long before the 2.5 sweep would even happen, so after that, all I had to focus on was making sure miles 4-11 kept pace (I really had nothing to worry about, but thinking it out calmed my nerves a lot).
I tried to get a stride going, but there were just too many people, and either my pace was faster than theirs, or they were having just as much trouble with the multitudes of others.
Before long, I made it to mile 1!
Hello, Sorcerer Mickey! It's still dark out, yay!
It was already murderously hot out. I heard a lot of talk afterwards about how humid it was. I had my handheld water bottle on me, which I drank from frequently (and refilled at about every other water station), and at the very first water station, I dumped a cup of water over my head, which I think ended up setting the tone for the run, as I barely noticed the humidity after that.
Between Miles 1 and 2 there were 2 sources of entertainment. The first was a row of guys flying kites (hehe!), with (you guessed it) "Let's Go Fly A Kite" blasting over a loudspeaker. Lovelovelove, but I did feel sorry for those guys as I passed. That song is all of 4 minutes long at best, and it was already almost an hour in. Yikes! The second thing was a HUGE group of people from the Children's Miracle Network, cheering everyone one. That was super sweet. <3 I have pictures of both, but they came out blurry, as I didn't stop to take them (the kite flyers show back up later, and I got better pictures of them then).
Mile 2! I don't think it even registered that this was Donald. I was just doing some quick math in my head to see how long the second mile had taken. Sorry Donald!
Next up, the Pirates! That ship is just brilliant, isn't it??
The first set of Princes/Heroes were right after the Pirates, but I didn't stop there (as they were later in the course as well).
I made several attempts at this shot, before I finally just stopped to take it. I also realized that we hadn't even hit mile 3 yet, and we were already to MK?? The castle was just before the halfway point, so how where we at MK already??
There's a very simple answer to that. 3. Bloody. Miles. of parking. Man, you never noticed how very very long that drive way/parking lot is. But oh. It is. I have to say, after seeing the sign, this ended up being the longest, hardest, most boring part of the run.
Mile 3 and no Castle in sight! Cars...oh how I wish I was driving right now!
We were near the front part of the parking lot, and the sun had finally fully risen. It was completely overcast, thank goodness!
I came across the villains next! I did what a lot of other ladies were doing, and stood in front of them for a picture (rather than wait in line and stop for a picture with them) I like it just as well.
Although if Lady Tremaine had been in the group, you can bet your boots I woulda stopped!
I decided now was a good time for a potty break, got in and out pretty quick, and continued on my way.
I followed these two for awhile. If you can't tell, it's Indiana Jones and the boulder. They even had the theme music to play on their phones! I followed them almost to the entrance of MK.
Mile 4! I was now past the first 2 sweeps! AND almost to the gates!
These were something Drummers. I think Japanese? Maybe? Loved 'em either way. Yay, Drummer guys!
Next we went under and overpass. I'm posting a horribly blurry picture, and I'm kicking myself for not stopping to get a clear one (but it was bottle necking pretty bad, and the traffic was already bad enough!)
The guy had giant mickey gloves on and was jumping all around. The sign said "You can Go the Distance" (I think it had Herc on it too), there were speakers too, so I'm pretty sure it was playing Go the Distance, but I forget now. I just remember it made me smile.
Mile 5! I honestly had no idea where we were at this point. I think between the area you'd take the monorail from the parking lot to the MK front gate?
And then, finally. FINALLY.
The first glimpse of the castle! I love the foggy haze thing going on. I could barely see it, but it was THERE. I was so close to it!
I'm walking (runnin') right down the middle of Main Street USA. Ehehhee.
I almost stopped for another potty break, because it would have been in a REAL bathroom, not a port-a-potty, but then the castle was RIGHT THERE. It was steps away, and I didn't have to go THAT bad. I pushed on!
Trumpet-y guys! They started playing just as I got there! (Everyone around me cheered. Me too!)
My initial goal had been to get to the castle, and I'd done it! My new goal was to finish around the 3:30 mark (so 3 hours, as I started around 00:35. Spoilers, I didn't make that time.)
Eeee! Castle!
My picture with Louis! Apparently this was also where Tiana and Naveen where and I didn't realize, assuming they'd be on ahead. I guess they'd gone on a break. I would have waited...Oh well, that's what next year is for!
Mile 6, almost halfway!
On the RunDis facebook page a song had been voted on, and at mile 7 we found out it was (obviously) Let it Go! I have to say, I find the song a bit annoying, and I wasn't a huge fan of the movie (don't hurt me, lol!), but I guess I was overly emotional at this point, and I started tearing up as it blasted around me. I wasn't the only one. <3
Mile 7! I knew that it took me 1:20 to do 6.2 miles (fresh), so I realized at this point I'd be pushing my 3:30 finish goal.
Glass slipper guys! I had passed (and been passed by) this couple a few times, they were so cute! Cindy and her Charming!
Next up, second half!
Kidding)
Baloo said that I should be flattered that it was so well made that people were confusing it for a uniform. It was still a bit embarrassing to get asked for directions a bunch of times...
Tangled is one of his favorites. <3
