I’m not sure if anyone wants to read my TR, but I’m no quitter!
I left off on Saturday night, heading back to my room to catch some sleep before waking up early for the Princess ½ Marathon. I set my phone alarm, the room clock alarm, and arranged a wakeup call (I would have also set up my iPod alarm but I don’t know how it works). I also need to tape up my knee so the tape would adhere before the morning.
The alarms went off at I believe 2:15, 2:30, and 2:45. I arranged to meet my friend at 3:20 by the Duck pool to head over to the busses together. I was late; apparently I can’t get going on my own.
It was WARM!!! Last year was so cold and I wasn’t prepared, this year I brought a blanket and a sweater and didn’t need them. I did wear the sweater for a little bit though.
We arrived in plenty of time and got to hang out in the holding area before walking to the corrals.
(holding area 4:18am)
My friend was in corral D and I was in B, so we grabbed a nice fellow runner to take our photo before separating.
(bad photo of the corral 5:21am)
The Fairy Godmother set off the corrals with a wave of her wand and fireworks.
I didn’t take too many pictures because my camera takes bad photos in the dark. I passed a hot air balloon of Space Ship Earth, the pirate ship with pirates, and the princes. I didn’t get a photo with the princes on the way out or back because I got a photo last year….and then after looking at everyone else’s photos I realized that Eric was on ground level, I could have stood next to him for a photo! Oh well, I guess I’ll have to find him another time.
I ran into the Magic Kingdom at 6:26am
I guess there were boats passing behind this DJ, because he made some joke about it. I had just assumed that was a bridge for cars, I didn’t know it was for boats!
That uphill part you can see coming up is my favorite part of the course, seriously. I love running uphill; I feel like I can run faster uphill.
These guys were a nice random surprise. Maybe the guys who play the monkeys in the Festival of the Lion King?
After running past the Contemporary we rounded a corner and went through the Employee entrance to MK (I think).
We ran backstage and then rounded a corner to see this:
Ok…before I start posting pictures of myself please know 1) my costume didn’t work out exactly as planned, I didn’t take the time to make it well 2) I either didn't stand up straight or I was walking toward the camera in all the pictures 3)I really don’t know how to pose when someone takes my photo
I know from last year that you can stand in a really long line to get your picture taken in front of the castle, and I decided to skip that. Then I saw a fellow Princess as a CM to take her picture on Main Street in front of the castle. Brilliant!
We then turned right and headed into Tomorrowland and then around past the tea cups.
Then we ran towards to the back of the castle to run through.
I think the line to the right is for Mickey and Minnie? Too long for me, and I’m not much of a fab five fan.
After running through the castle we headed right towards Liberty Square.
I got my picture taken with this famous couple:
I skipped them last year because I hadn’t seen the movie yet and didn’t realize who they were. Also notice how Tiana isn’t touching me…yeah I wouldn’t have touched me at that point either!
I saw some lovely dead ladies on the other side of the road, then Woody, and Clara bell Cow. They were on the other side from me and Woody had a long line so I skipped photos.
Then we went backstage again where they had a couple floats with characters. I saw Pinocchio and Geppetto; I saw that movie for the first time this year and it creeped me out so I skipped that photo. I think Genie might have been there also, but I don’t remember.
We ran down a tiny road, past some firemen (who seemed to be having a lovely time watching from atop their fire engine), past The Grand Floridian and the Wedding Chapel.
I saw Belle, Beast and Gaston taking photos; but once again they were on the wrong side and the road was too crowed to get over.
Then we came up on Aurora and Prince Phillip AND the fairies!! Oh my I had to stop. Unfortunately Aurora and Phillip left before it was my turn, but I did get the fairies.
My favorite picture from last year was with Princess Atta, so I had to stop for another. (they didn’t take as good of a picture this year though)
About 20 minutes later I was running past this:
I realized about this time that there was no way I could get a better time from last year. I was a little sad, I was in better shape than last year and getting passed by people left and right. But I tried to talk myself down, it was hot and I had been training outside in the 30’s and 20’s all winter and I’m a swimmer (and a sprinter at that) not an endurance runner, finishing is the goal not a time. Also at this point last year I was ready to throw up, so I guess slower but not feeling sick is better.
I decided I could run the last 2 miles, but I had to stop for one last picture:
We ran backstage again to get into EPCOT.
Finally I saw this at 8:38am:
My time was 2:48:28
I got this:
(the knee pain was minor at this point, but I wanted to prevent it from getting worse)
And this:
I had a great time and can’t wait to do it again! I hope the Disney Land race is just as fun
)
