You've all been waiting for it....Race Day!
Sunday, February 26th Race Day!
I was up with my alarm, no problems, so thats always a good sign. Stitch and Mickey wished me a Magical Day
, and I got dressed, grabbed my food, and headed for the buses. It was 3:15, and I practically walked on without any issue. I always feel a little out of it when I dont have a bus buddy, but it was ok. Before I knew it we were at Epcot, no traffic nightmares like last year. Going out at 3:15 does make a big difference.
I went to the W tent, but it was overset with WDW Run folks, not a WISHer in sight.
I went through security and headed for the front gate area by the port a potties. I found Mel, Rose and Mike and Tracey camped out. It was a little chilly, I was glad I had my throwaway clothes.
I ate my breakfast of TLC bar and banana, and enjoyed the pre-race banter. Carrie joined us after awhile, she looked ready to run. Oh, and Roses tutu was spectacular!
Finally the gates opened, and we headed for our corrals. Rose left us at C, headed for her superior slot in A!
Mike and I were joined by Mel, Carrie, JenB and her friend George as we waited. Here is where I made my first mistake. Everyone was standing around chatting, and I did, too. The chatting was fine, but I should have sat because it was too long on my legs. I have to remember I am not in the shape these other people are, and I require other things. Its not like I would have felt out of place, Carrie was stretching quite a bit, and there were plenty of other people on the ground. I will remember that for my next race. The other thing that was so interesting about the wait, was they entertainment. They kept interviewing pageant winner ladies with progressively larger crowns. Seriously, some of those must have been held on with duct tape.
It is great they were there and racing. Im not sure I would have necessarily called it inspirational, but Im probably not the target audience.
After 2 fireworks displays and moving up, we were finally off! Now, I knew almost immediately that I was having issues. I could tell I needed a bathroom, and I knew a real one wasnt available until the MK, but it seemed like a good idea to wait for one. So, I had a pretty uncomfortable start. I knew I was slow, it didnt feel great, but I kept moving. After a 6 min stop at the bathrooms in Tomorrowland (way too long, but needed), I was able to pick up my pace and feel better.
The rest of the race was pretty uneventful. I saw a ton of photo ops, and one new one was the guys proposing with slippers (or a tennis shoe!), it was really cute. I realized that I had lost too much time to make my goal of under 3 hours at my pace, but there was nothing for it but to keep going. I was kind of demoralized, but I did try to go as fast as I could.
I finished in 3:03, and headed for a massage. I really lucked out, I paid for 20 minutes, but got more like 40. She just kept working on me, and I greatly appreciated it. I left and met Rose and Mike at the W tent. I dont think anyone in our little group had a stellar race, although for George it was his first Half and he was smiling pretty big! He ran in a lime green long skirt for charity, so kudos to him! My mistake at the massage was not to get a heat blanket. I got in the unbelievably long line for the All Stars, and I was so miserable. I got lucky in that Kathy, another Ohana teammate did not want to wait at the end of the line, so she came up to me to wait together. Poor Kathy had been to the medical tent, so she had a heat blanket. They werent giving them out unless you had a medical need.
It was raining and cold, and I was getting miserable. Kathy pulled out a poncho she carried through the race, and gave me her heat blanket. I was so grateful, what a blessing she was to me!
We rode back to the All Stars, she got out at Sports and prepared to spend a little time in the Parks before she caught her flight home. I continued to ASMo, and found my way back to my room and a shower. I was pretty disappointed, and feeling really down. I know I can do a half in under 3 hours, but my last 2 did not hold up that result. Im crying now just thinking about it, it was rough.
After a pep talk from Dennis, LisaH, Nancy, and Kathy (our Kathy) via text, I felt a bit better. Dennis pointed out my splits after the bathroom were very good, and once I got over my issue, I had a strong race for me.
Refreshed and feeling better, I headed for DHS. I rode Star Tours
for the first time since the refurb, and I texted Kathy I went to Hoth! She had to look up where that was, I think my geeky was showing.
Then I had something to prove to myself since I didnt manage the race in under 3, I had to do something brave
so I rode ToT for the first time. Maybe my last time, too, but I did it!
Thankfully by then it was time for the Beauty and the Beast show, where I texted Nancy and LisaH while I waited for it to start. The mammaries were out and about, apparently this is a great place for lunch for out littlest mouseketeers.
The show left me smiling hugely, and I did another trip on Star Tours, this time ending up at Coruscant (thats the planet with the galactic congress and seat of power, for those of you who didnt eat, sleep and breathe Star Wars like I did at age 10
). I decided I was done of the Studios, and took the boat to Epcot. I was just too spent to walk. Once I entered, I made a beeline for France, and helped myself to a chocolate mousse. Delicious! I also picked up a dark sea salt caramel at the shop in Germany. For me, this is the only reason to stop in Germany
I decided time was getting short, so Id better head to the front of the Park. I rode Spaceship Earth, and then exited for the AKL bus. I had another long bus wait, but it was looking good. I texted Rose I was on my way to the big post-race dinner at Boma! I made it there and we were a fun group Rose, Mike, Dagny, Carrie and her friend (whos name escapes me, sorry!), and me! What a wonderful tradition this has turned out to be. It was a great time for everyone, and Im so glad I had another chance to hang out with the group. I ate too much too soon after barely eating all day, and I started to feel a little nauseous (I have a feeling I also looked a little green). Dagny offered to give me a ride in her rental car back to ASMo, and I wasnt going to turn that down the bus transfers were getting old when I didnt feel well. So, after a fabulous meal we all parted company. I ended up back at ASMo and ready for bed, with a plan to sleep in and then do some serious Park touring the next day.
Maria
The blue and pink cuz with the holes is going to be your mother. Let me know when Poko needs to give it a good chewing. 
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- but he said I can run any Dis race I want whenever I want and Jake even mentioned the Tink and he said maybe
won't be 2013 though cause I'm considering the Jan marathon for the full and definately the princess again.
We're here to cluck with you any time. 
I have two pairs of the Adrenaline GTS 12 and a pair of the Ariels. I really like the Ariels but they are clod hoppers -- guess that is what I need! 
Just think how strong all our cores will be soon as we work so hard on them! 
I'm totally ready for sparkling wine in January! 
sorcerer Mickey topiary, and let Rose and Mike know I had arrived. They quickly came out of the Studios, and we had a very pleasant walk to the Boardwalk. We had breakfast at Cat Coras, and it was fabulous! I had not eaten here since it was Spoodles, and I thought the menu was great. I had French toast that was to die for, I literally ate every bite on my plate. I wont go into detail about Roses amazing GF food, but I will say my fruit side was diced cantaloupe, pineapple and honeydew, and that was the base of her fruit side, which had gorgeous strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. I probably sound a little jealous, and I guess I would be, but honestly, seeing what she has to go through just to eat, Im pleased they make an extra effort for GF guests. They deserve some pampering. It should not be that hard to have a Mickey waffle
Then I decided it would be a great idea to roller skate with the kids....and now I am sure I will pay for that tomorrow. My legs are so sore. But it was lots of fun. The boys hated it at first because you know they thought it would be easy but they kept at it and by the end they didnt want to stop. 
Its actually the first dining room table and chairs we have bought in over 14 years of marriage. We've had my old worn out set from college all this time since we'd rather go on trips! So no spring break getaway for us, but that's fine. I'd rather save some money and see what's going on with our moving situation.
! I'm not going to have a day like that again anytime soon! I hope you all have a lovely OP day!
Way to go! As for upcomming races I have a wish list and a must do list
), The W/Dine is on the wish list and if I don't do that one I'm definately doing the St. Augustine 1/2- their 10k was my first 10k and was such a great course that I'm anxious to do the half there( my 10k time qualified me for Acorral at the Princess)- it is the weekend after the W/D and I do'nt think I'll be up to doing 2 halfs back to back nor can my wallet afford to hotels stays- DH may have a stroke
I totally enjoyed the sunshine today, out on my balcony with some citrus water and a book. It was lovely! 
today, and now I'm going to watch Once Upon a Time and get ready for tomorrow. I feel rested and ready to go back. Ok, I could use another day, but of course the next application is waiting for me to get started. This one isn't as high pressure, and hopefully won't be too complicated. In any case, I'm not whipped after a Half and I have a better attitude. 
