Eat, Run and Celebrate- Day 7- Last Day and New Orleans

[Kgroo]

Love, love, love the pics of F&W. Makes me feel like we are back there again. Also makes me remember some of the things I may have missed by the time we made it over to Canada. There are many places to stop along the way for frosty beverages

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Catching up once again...you're so quick on the updates! And I'm slow on the uptake!

That lady's hair... I guess that's why you can only see your front side in the mirror.

Cool that you got to meet Deb from allears. I'm so thankful for their Disney menu updates.

WWoS is one of those spots in the world I've never seen, so it was fun to view the pics. I love the t-shirt slogans.

One day I want to see a spring training baseball game there. That would be fun. But you can have the running.

 

[Poolrat]

Love the rum shirt.

I was one of the few just standing there just laughing at the shirts. For some reason when I see that shirt I imagine Johnny Depp saying it.

What a pain to have to wait so long for the bus. That would be a pain!

There was very little shade while waiting and it was hot. That yogurt waas pretty much warm by the time I got back to the room. There was no sense trying to eat it.

I know those bus drivers "key in" their location and when they leave a location so why didn't dispatch make them stagger a bit more when they notice the second bus has no one on it because the other bus left 2 minutes ago.

The Rum shirt is pretty funny. So glad you got to meet Deb from allears. I love that website and I probably look there a few times a week on average.

I may have had that rum shirt in my hand.

Deb Willis has a valuable website. I send everyone there who needs information.

Great update, Pat. Love those shirts--especially the one about sweating.

When I run I think I can actually hear them sometimes. The sound of my knees whining usually drowns them out.

I remember that venue so well from 2000 when our son played baseball on those fields.

That was my first time over there. It probably won't be my last though...

 

[Poolrat]

Well, I was four updates behind and I can't see any pictures, but it sounds like you had some very busy days at F&W. And some yummy drinks! Looking forward to hearing about the race, but picking up the race packet didn't sound so fun!

I'll be back later to see pics!

Glad you are back!!! I tried to make the most of F&W. Race is coming up. Trying to wrap this up before I leave, but not sure if I will make it.

Like Punkin said too - I felt like my 5K was just picking up the packet. They do have it laid out nice, but it is a hike. Only the bus was a real pain the expo was nice and I did spend some time there, and they really tried to make it fun. It was really more geared to the Half marathon people but that was Ok.

Love, love, love the pics of F&W. Makes me feel like we are back there again. Also makes me remember some of the things I may have missed by the time we made it over to Canada. There are many places to stop along the way for frosty beverages

You could drink around the world!! There is so much that you never make it all the way around.

Catching up once again...you're so quick on the updates! And I'm slow on the uptake!

Once again I am trying to beat the ticker. While I am gone everyone will be able to catch up.

That lady's hair... I guess that's why you can only see your front side in the mirror.

I can only imagine when she asked the CM to do it- the CM was like DO WHAT?!?!?!

Cool that you got to meet Deb from allears. I'm so thankful for their Disney menu updates.

She is my go to gal for sure - especially menus.

WWoS is one of those spots in the world I've never seen, so it was fun to view the pics. I love the t-shirt slogans.

That was my first time. I am glad they had the expo set up. I almost got a few of those shirts.

One day I want to see a spring training baseball game there. That would be fun. But you can have the running.

Deal - I wouldn't mind a spring training game either. I know how you feel about running and I tell you I NEVER thought I would be the one running a 5K.. Never say never.

 

[Poolrat]

I finally arrived back at ASSp and needed to get a meal.

I went into the Food Court and looked around. I decided on the Quesadilla. I ordered from Alex and he shouts back to the other guy QUESADILLA. Really?!?!?!
The other guy was literally 3 feet behind him. He could not have turned around and told him? As the “chef” is preparing the quesadilla , Alex is just plopping food on the plate.
All the sides like the salsa, PLOP, the sour cream, PLOP. I felt like I was in a SNL skit and not Disney.

I finally get my tray and go pay. Then I have to balance everything and get a drink refill. I am having trouble to say the least. I just wanted to go to the room and relax. I get out the door with great difficulty and get to the room. Another issue just balancing the food to get the key card out and open the door. These are the times where travelling alone stinks.

I look at my tray and realize I forgot plasticware. ARRRHHHh I think I actually shout out REALLY!!!! I was tired and mad at my won incompetence.

Then I realize I think I saved myself.

I spy…

Earlier that day I had grabbed a fork at F&W and stuffed it in my bag just in case I ever forgot one.


I was getting ready to have my snit of the trip and I inadvertently averted it.
I made it point to stay in the room and relax. I had a race in the morning!!!!



THE BIG DAY - RACE DAY


I had texted with Punkin413 the night before and she was gracious enough to give me a ride to the race. I am glad I was not having to take the bus but still nervous enough because I had no idea what to expect from the race at all. This was my first one, and I thought I had a vague idea of what was going to happen, I still was pretty clueless.
We were going to meet out by the pool. I was up early and had some nervous energy going on.

Basically the fear of oversleeping.

I see someone come out and it must be Dawn. Her friend Anna took a picture of her and you can see me in the background. ( Thanks Dawn , I borrowed the pic)

I met up with Dawn and we soon were off to the races in her car. Everything was great for the short ride until we reached the entrance to AK. Bumper to Bumper. Holy cow I was about to panic. But in true Disney fashion, they kept the traffic moving and parked us pretty quickly.

We saw a photopass guy so we stopped.

I swiped these off the computer from the website that hosts the pictures.
I hope they "right" themselves.

It was a nice morning, not to hot and not too cool. A great day for a race. It was still pretty dark so we walked and walked and finally joined the herd in the corral.


If you followed Punkin413's TR you will recall we saw Batman.


Being a Halloween run, costumes were encouraged. This guy was wearing a full Batman costume. Complete with rubber mask. Someone with him was already wiping the sweat off. Needless to say we both passed him early on.
We did get to see some special guests.

Look who I found!

Mickey at the race corral

Not a better picture but at least the front of them

Here we were with the herd.
The crowd from my phone

Dawn and I had discussed not waiting for each other and I told her after the race I would just catch the bus back. I could not imagine trying to find anyone in that crowd, so make it simple I would just look for the big busses afterward.

We got our fireworks burst as a start and it took us about 2 or 3 minutes to get under the start banner. I have a Cardiotrainer app for my phone so I set that to start as we passed under the start line. Every minute the app would tell me either how much time as gone by or how far I have gone. I would also get a rate in mi/hr with the time. This was great because at home my neighborhood is very hilly so my overall pace is slow.
It was like having a nice gentleman in my ear encouraging me to move my behind.

As I passed under the start banner we began to jog. Dodging people was another fear because if I plant my knee wrong I could fall. I was able to zig and zag and finally saw an opening so I took it. We were running around the parking lot and we honestly ran a mile before even getting in the park.

There was one place where we crossed from the lot to the path that connected the bus drop off to the entrance where we had to squeeze, and that was the only place I had to slow down because there were just too many people to continue running. I have a picture of that later.

I was so focused on running and my phone was keeping my pace so I did not take any pictures along the way but there were several characters out, Pilot Goofy, the hyenas and real meerkats.

Once we got in the park we made a left towards Africa and once over the bridge we went backstage along the train route. We did a switch back there running out until we crossed the tracks and for anyone who has ever taken the backstage safari tour we were out by the elephant overnight quarters.
Then we had to run all the way back and we entered close to EE. We ran over the bridge to Finding Nemo and then into Dinoland where we exited once again and ran backstage until we popped out in the parking lot again by the start banner that was now the finish banner.

Somewhere around Dinoland, I encountered a father/daughter team. Dad was the runner and the daughter was doing her best to keep up. As I was running, she was stopping to walk and dad was encouraging her to keep running, because if she didn’t she would have an even harder time trying to start back up.

As I went by I tried to encourage her by telling her we were almost done. We were nearing the 3 mile mark and the end was in sight. I think I must have encouraged myself more because I got a burst of energy. Somehow that moment choked me up a bit since this race in true Disney form was a "Family" event using ti to bring families together.

The gravediggers were the last characters before you went back out to the parking lot. Now my app was telling me 3.1 miles were over and I still had some running to do.

All in all, my app was telling me I ran 3.3 miles and was running at a pace of 5 miles an hour. I know that is not fast but for me it was my fastest run. I put my 3.1 miles around 37 minutes which was a personal best. I guess training on all those hills paid off.

I am posting this against my better judgement. It is probably the most horrible picture of me lumbering along.

Finish Line

At the finish line they were handing out finishing awards. I picked up a goody bag with a banana, a bagel and a small container of peanut butter. I kept walking. There was an area to have your picture taken, so I had one taken.

I kept walking. Walking towards a bunch of busses. Is a bunch of busses called something special? Like a gaggle or a pod or something?

I got one of the last seats in the bus and I was the last one on and I was on my way back to resort.

I was able to get to the room. My goal was to shower and change and get back out to the bus stop. It was Oct 1st and I was trying to see if I could get to the MK to see all the 40th anniversary festivities.

Will I make it back out the door or collapse on the floor?
Will I catch the opening show?
Will the park close due to capacity?
Will I see all the special things for the 40th?

 

[jecskc]

I loved reading about your run !! I so want to do that someday. Congrats on your personal best. I'll be looking for myself in your MK photos

 

[Poolrat]

I loved reading about your run !! I so want to do that someday. Congrats on your personal best. I'll be looking for myself in your MK photos

AS I was getting my packet and then again in the corral I had many people tell me " IF I can do it you can" and I am hear to tell you " If I can do it you can" I am seriously ( As you can see by the above horrible picture) I am NOT a runner. I am a swimmer - horizontal not vertical sports please.

Between injuries and well a general hatred for running, I was able to do it. I am happy to say I hate it less now and somedays I don't mind it and maybe once or twice I liked it but I am at the point where I need to do it.

Another excuse for a Disney trip ( like I need one?) to do a race? Sure I would do another one. For the sheer fact it would be in Disney.


Break out the magnifying glass for the Mk photos.

 

[jillyb]

Will I make it back out the door or collapse on the floor?
Will I catch the opening show?
Will the park close due to capacity?
Will I see all the special things for the 40th?

I know! I know!

 

[Poolrat]

I know! I know!

You know I forgot to give you something I have. You know what that means.... we need to have lunch again.

 

[jillyb]

You know I forgot to give you something I have. You know what that means.... we need to have lunch again.

Yes we do! I'm off all next week but my van is going to be in the shop. I might could use Clay's vehicle if he doesn't need it. You going to have time before you leave?

 

[Poolrat]

Yes we do! I'm off all next week but my van is going to be in the shop. I might could use Clay's vehicle if he doesn't need it. You going to have time before you leave?

I am only in the office tomorrow and then Tuesday.

 

[jenseib]

WOW... I got behind...but those are some great updates. I lovd the Epcot pictures you took (and I kept looking for Nikki in the background). I want to visit the dessert and champagne country...that would be paradise!

Love the details about the race too. Very interesting.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Ok, so glad you remember the route we took because I felt like I couldn't even pay attention to the direction I was going in and suddenly we were backstage by the train station and then suddenly we were passing Everest. It was all very confusing to me! Did the dad and daughter have wings on? I saw a dad encouraging a daughter too and I thought it was so cute!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

WOW... I got behind...but those are some great updates. I lovd the Epcot pictures you took (and I kept looking for Nikki in the background). I want to visit the dessert and champagne country...that would be paradise!

Love the details about the race too. Very interesting.

I was looking for myself in the background pics too!

 

[jillyb]

I am only in the office tomorrow and then Tuesday.

OK...we'll plan for when you get back then.

 

[Poolrat]

WOW... I got behind...but those are some great updates. I lovd the Epcot pictures you took (and I kept looking for Nikki in the background). I want to visit the dessert and champagne country...that would be paradise!

Love the details about the race too. Very interesting.

The race was cool. We went backstage and some of the animal handlers had small animals out, like the meerkats. I was afraid that part would be boring since all we did was run out and then turn around and run back but you got to see everyone running so you got a feel for how many were out there.

Ok, so glad you remember the route we took because I felt like I couldn't even pay attention to the direction I was going in and suddenly we were backstage by the train station and then suddenly we were passing Everest. It was all very confusing to me! Did the dad and daughter have wings on? I saw a dad encouraging a daughter too and I thought it was so cute!

They had the route posted and i was so nervous about the hills near Africa and then near Nemo I studied that map. I can thanfully say those hill are nothing compared to my neighborhood.

I don't think the daughter had wings on. She was maybe 10 or so and so tired but Dad was trying to encourage her to at least jog so her muscles would not seize up.

I was looking for myself in the background pics too!

I had my small camera but I was focused on running and I knew if I stopped to take pictures they would come out blurry any way. the hyenas from Lion King came out right as I ran by the entrance to Africa and to the backstage area by the train station.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I went into the Food Court and looked around. I decided on the Quesadilla. I ordered from Alex and he shouts back to the other guy QUESADILLA. Really?!?!?!
The other guy was literally 3 feet behind him. He could not have turned around and told him? As the “chef” is preparing the quesadilla , Alex is just plopping food on the plate.
All the sides like the salsa, PLOP, the sour cream, PLOP. I felt like I was in a SNL skit and not Disney.

Then I realize I think I saved myself.

I spy…

Wow, were you a girl scout or something? I guess once a mom, always a mom. Amazing what you're prepared for.

Being a Halloween run, costumes were encouraged. This guy was wearing a full Batman costume. Complete with rubber mask. Someone with him was already wiping the sweat off. Needless to say we both passed him early on.

Not the most practical outfit, I guess. Looks like your Blue Fairy was there too!

Somewhere around Dinoland, I encountered a father/daughter team. Dad was the runner and the daughter was doing her best to keep up. As I was running, she was stopping to walk and dad was encouraging her to keep running, because if she didn’t she would have an even harder time trying to start back up.

All in all, my app was telling me I ran 3.3 miles and was running at a pace of 5 miles an hour. I know that is not fast but for me it was my fastest run. I put my 3.1 miles around 37 minutes which was a personal best. I guess training on all those hills paid off.

I am posting this against my better judgement. It is probably the most horrible picture of me lumbering along.

Sounds like you did great! And I think it's a good action shot.

 

[MeMom]

On my first stop at the food court, I grab extra forks, spoons, knives, plates, and napkins. My crew used to make fun of me for doing so - until they needed something. They learned to appreciate my 'hoarderness'.

And we won't even talk about the grief I have endured over my ziplock bags. They know to ask for those very humbly when they need one.

Congratulations to you and Dawn and everyone else who did the run.

 

[glennbo123]

I've been known to have a plastic fork sticking out of my dress shirt pocket, just in case I run across some free food around the office.

Great job on the run Pat! I think your action shot looks just fine.

 

[Poolrat]

OK...we'll plan for when you get back then.

Sorry I didn't see this earlier. It's a date.

I think I even looked around for ahidden camera it was so odd.

Wow, were you a girl scout or something? I guess once a mom, always a mom. Amazing what you're prepared for.

Let me tell you about the screwdriver I keep in my purse.....
I get made fun of a lot for that.


I really do keep a small scew driver - the pen size one in my purse. I have actually had it come in handy so many times that at a trade show I picked up another one for my Disney bag. From eyeglasses to opening those plastic clam shells... and Yes I was a girl scout.

Not the most practical outfit, I guess. Looks like your Blue Fairy was there too!

That Blue Fairy looked much different from the Mk one. I am sure in hindsight he regretted the decision to wear that Batman suit.

I really wanted to grab her hand and go but since I didn't know I thought that might be too forward.

Sounds like you did great! And I think it's a good action shot.

Thansk for the kind words. I still too much jiggle there.

On my first stop at the food court, I grab extra forks, spoons, knives, plates, and napkins. My crew used to make fun of me for doing so - until they needed something. They learned to appreciate my 'hoarderness'.

Atta girl. I usually have extras and at the end of the trip I just take it home. I have a whole stack of Disney napkins and even some Food and Wine ones sitting on my dresser.

And we won't even talk about the grief I have endured over my ziplock bags. They know to ask for those very humbly when they need one.

When my friend needs a sharp object like a screwdriver when we are out, I make her bow a bit.

Congratulations to you and Dawn and everyone else who did the run.

Thank You. I am proud of that accomplishment.

I've been known to have a plastic fork sticking out of my dress shirt pocket, just in case I run across some free food around the office.

I bet they shake when you get close to the fridge. However this time of year I bet you can eat free for at least 2 weeks.

Great job on the run Pat! I think your action shot looks just fine.

Thanks. It does make me feel good to hear that from the male contingency. I just still see too much jiggle.