LONG POST _-First - thanks to Doreen, Amanda & dh & Susan, Amanda's neighbor for letting me join them in walking for a donald medal, I had a great walk - wonderful conversations & just a fun time
Second - sorry I did not meet more wishers! - I found it very difficult to combine the family disney experience with wish meetings
-I may have done a bit much in the planning department
Congrats to all Wishers
sorry to hear about the unfair sweeping at mile 10
Marathon report -
Friday - p/up race packet - since I was in MK I had to take the monorail to TTC and then wait for a bus to MGM - took forever and then a bus to WWS. Once we arrived there the expo was organized and not overly crowded, I picked up packet, bought a shirt and proceeded to bus stop. ( would prefer not to have to visit fitness expo to pick up items!)Bus to return to CB had problems, cast members assured the over 50 people waiting that a bus would arrive shortly. After at least 30 min, cm announced 2 buses were to arrive. The loading of the buses was very unorganized with cm & driver allowing people to board without regard to line placement, basically if you were in the middle of the line you either were last to board or unable to board
Sunday - up at 2:45 met up with Doreen & Amanda and boarded 3:15 bus - no problems. Arrived at marathon loading area & followed the crowd. We did use the porta pottys and then followed the crowd to corral N. It was very exciting with the sea of humanity (as amanda stated) & the rock bands. As we waited for the start of the race, alot of wait time, we chatted and met other wishers & marathoners. When everyone started moving, slow crawl, so did we. Someone sang the national anthem & mickey & minnie started the race with fireworks. DH over at CB heard the whole thing, he thought he would sleep in
Doreen started with a quick pace which we kept the entire time. Our motivation (as Susan chanted) was snacks at mile 9. I did carry 2 bottles of water so did not get water or powerade the first few times. I did use the bathroom in Epcot and had a tought time catching up to Doreen due to slower walkers, very narrow paths for soooo many people. I loved the music along the way and wish there had been more! White Rabbit from Alice was along a path but we did not stop for pics. Snacks at mile 9 were power gel ( never used) and candy bars. Forgot there was a banana station before 9 - best banana ever really needed it! I did snack on lowcarb bar (which I carried) before we hit mile 9. We were part of the group that was cut off from walking down main street in MK, we walked through the back of tomorrow land. This was disappointing
we did walk through the castle. I stopped for a pic with mary Poppins, Bert & penquins. Caught up to Doreen and now we hit the most boring part of the course. There should be music or cheerleaders - something during the last 2 miles. The staff from the wedding pavilion were dressed in black & white & waved & cheered - which helped with motivation. As you come around the finish line area you can not help but pick up the pace - there is so much noise, cheering & names being announced ( I did not hear mine). Then we were finished
They took our chips & then we walked to get our medals, next booth ahead. Hit the porta potty. There was Chip & Dale & a couple of other characters who were getting ready to leve. There was a longggggg line to get an official pic taken and an evern longer line for food. There was a bit of confusion to get back to the hotels. The bus was to take us to Epcot where we could transfer, the line for buses only about 1000 people waiting. Ok so walk, walk, & walk more to the monorail to take us to epcot we decided on the less crowded ferry to MK. Once at Mk there was almost no one waiting for buses, found out buses were just being started. Waited again for a bus, I'm sure a lot less time than the others. Finally made it back to hotel about 11. Long morning but very well worth it
Would I do again? not sure???
