"Every fiber of my being hurts, but this is SO cool".. Our 13.1 Mile Disney Journey

[20thingamabobs]

Ahh the suspense haha. I love your TR, you have it written very well.

Thank You! I'm glad you joined and are enjoying it!

Wow- amazing trip report!! Totally subscribing! I love the pictures and the story about the racing couple made me all teary.. My DBF is sitting next to me rolling his eyes... haha!!

We are going to WDW on Thursday and I am writing my first trip report- I love your style and the suspense! I am looking forward to reading more and can learn a lot from your awesome TR!

Thanks! It really was touching story. I hope you are having an awesome trip!

Well, geez, you have me tearing up here at work this morning. What a sweet story!

Just wanted to chime in and tell you I'm really enjoying your TR. Keep it coming!

Thanks! It was such a sweet story, but I didn't want to get teary and be all stuffy during the race so I had to breathe through it...

Count me in as tearing up too! Yeesh! Pardon me as I dab at my eyes.... what an incredibly sweet moment.

Wishes at the Poly was certainly a great way to welcome your DBF! Race day - what an early morning and very cool to see the Epcot ball so dark.

More more!

Welcome! glad you're enjoying it! I was really glad it all worked out with the fireworks timing! And it was weird seeing everything dark.. I assumed they always left it lit up but I guess that be a huge waste of energy...

Glad to hear they could fit you in later at Kona and you were able to see Wishes together, very cool!! :

I can't believe how early you had to get up and be there...that is why I did a race at night Seriously though it seems like the half you did was much more organized then the W&D one (probably since it was the first year for the W&D) Also I cannot believe your crowd pictures...lots of people...we only had corrals A-D for the W&D one...do you know how many people ran that half with you?

That story made me almost start tearing up at work!! That was really sweet!!

I was glad they fit us in later too! Race day was a very early morning! They announced at the start that there were about 28,000 people registered for the half! But, everything ran really smoothly. I will say this though, I'm glad we were at a monorail resort because they traffic we saw coming in was crazy and I know I've read some reviews online where runners said they were stuck in it forever and had to run to make it to their corral on time... But we didn't have any trouble and the experience was flawless and so much fun! I really want to try the W&D this year so hopefully they iron out some of the details!

Wow, 2 early mornings in a row. I wish I could run, but I hate it....and I am not a fast walker yet. I hope to get myself in shape though.

They were very early mornings and we were so tired after the half... You should use a Disney race as your motivation! They have a 16-minute/mile pace requirement so that's pretty doable for most people I would say

Enjoying your report so far!! I'd really like to do one of the disney marathons but haven't found anyone to run with yet. I have never done one before so I think disney would be the motivation needed to start training.
Can't wait to hear more

This was our first one and Disney is definitely great motivation. Every time I wasn't looking forward to a run or started to feel tired during one, I just pictured myself running through Disney. It really helped get me through all the necessary training! I would absolutely recommend it to anyone that is thinking of running one! Even my DBF, who I hate to admit isn't much of a Disney fan, came home telling everyone how much fun it is and how he can't wait to do another one !

I'm here...but now I have to go back and read.

Welcome! I'm glad you joined!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Ok, before proceeding, let's back track for a moment..

1. When we arrived at Epcot that morning, I realized that it was much warmer out than I'd thought. It was probably around 50 degrees. So, before we checked our bag, I took off my long spandex leggings and top. I was so glad I did! We left on the sweat pants and sweat shirts we had bought at Goodwill before we went but eventually we ended up running in shorts and a t-shirt! By the end of the race it was about 65 degrees.

2. DISCLAIMER: From here on out, we took a lot of video more so than pictures. i'm doing my best to upload these videos but I can't figure out how to post them in the thread so I'll be using links. Also, we have an HD video camera which youtube doesn't really like so we had to cut all our videos down in length so if they shut off oddly, that's why.

WARNING: Some of the videos were taken while we were still actually running so they are very shakey. If videos like this make you sick, you may not want to watch them.

 

[KatMark]

Okay, I'm caught up (had to start my PTR because the boys were hounding me).

You got great photos of your room at BLT and the fireworks while you were at the Poly for your dinner at Kona (how great they were able to give you a later ADR; what was up with ME taking so long?).

What a wonderful story about the solider and his wife. I am in tears sitting here eating my sandwich for lunch.

 

[20thingamabobs]

The Characters were out, the music was pumping, and there was a lot of last minute stretching and scrambling going on. You wouldn't believe how many people had missed the signs sending Corrals A-E to the right and F-H to the left. There were a TON of A, B, and C people cutting in front of our gate and jumping the fences to get to their corral on time! And, with only 5 minutes to go...

Then, it was 2 minutes till race start, Wave 1 to the start line. Wave 1 was the wheelchair start followed all the REALLY fast runners that were competeing for the title.

1 Minutes till the start, get ready to go.

30 seconds...


15 seconds...


5...


4...

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwh1MqntIgg

3... 2... 1... BAM! There were fireworks and shots of fire everywhere! I didn't know where to focus the camera. And they were off, we could watch the thousands of runners taking off on the jumbo screens. My excitement was really starting to set in.

6 minutes later is was time for Wave 2. Same thing, shots of light burst into air with the music and another set of thousands of runners set off on their 13.1 mile journey through Disney. This trend continued for each wave. 6 minutes. Wave 3. Bam. 6 minutes. Wave 4. Bam. 6 minutes. Wave 5. Bam.

Now it was our turn to start moving. As wave 5 made it's way across the start line, they took down our flexible plastic fence so we could move forward about 10 feet to the rope the CMs were holding. I had started to take off my sweat pants when I realized that they had opened the left side of the fence and people were literally running and pushing people trying to get in the front ! So not Disneyish. I grabbed my pants, half way down my legs, grabbed Ian and scooted NICELY forward trying not to lose our spot in the front that we'd gotten by getting there EARLY and waiting patiently! I couldn't believe the way the people were acting. I mean what difference was that 5 feet going to make? Your time didn't start until the D-Tag on your shoe crossed the start line so you weren't losing any time or anything? Ok, done ranting. I was happy that we were still right against the rope and didn't have to push anyone to stay there but I only had my pants half on ... As the last of Wave 5 made their way across the start line, the CMs started to lead us right across the grass between the roads and then left onto the road where Corrals A-E had originally been standing. It felt like a long walk even though it was probably only about 45 seconds. I finsihed taking my pants off and threw them to the sidelines. All clothing dropped during the race was picked up and donated to charity. Ian had taken his pants off and tossed them as well but we both left our sweatshirts on for now. I finished adjusting my Ipod and got ready for our start. We were standing on the start line awaiting our own countdown and flash of light...

 

[jenseib]

UGH! You can't leave us hanging like that

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Cliffhanger!!!

 

[beachgirl2000]

Great report! I'm in!!!!!

 

[Shannon84]

I am so excited to read more...so hurry up and post again You cant leave me hanging like that!!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Okay, I'm caught up (had to start my PTR because the boys were hounding me).

You got great photos of your room at BLT and the fireworks while you were at the Poly for your dinner at Kona (how great they were able to give you a later ADR; what was up with ME taking so long?).

What a wonderful story about the solider and his wife. I am in tears sitting here eating my sandwich for lunch.

Oh, I'll have to hop over to read your PTR! I promise I'll do better on my posting than I did with your TR... We really lucked out with being able to get another ADR, I was really happy. I have no idea what took so long but he landed at 5:45 and didn't get on a ME bus until 7 .

UGH! You can't leave us hanging like that

Haha I'm sorry, I was still working on uploading videos and I couldn't move on without it!

Cliffhanger!!!

yea, still having video uploading issues but I've got them all now so we should move along smoothly...

Great report! I'm in!!!!!

Thanks! I'm glad your enjoying and welcome!

I am so excited to read more...so hurry up and post again You cant leave me hanging like that!!

I just finished uploading all my videos so here comes some more!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Ok, our video camera takes HD videos and with the length of some of them, YouTube didn't really like them and wouldn't let me upload them... So, I had to edit some of them to make them shorter, so if they start funny or end suddenly, you know why.

Now, where were we? Oh yes...

DBF and I had made our way to the start line. I had finished taking off my sweat pants, started my iPod, and we were just awaiting our own countdown and fireworks. A CM walked pasted to make sure everyone was lined up right without actually stepping on the line... Then it was...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwScqGxPGq4

10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1.. BAM!

As the flames of fire and fireworks shot up, we were off... at a SPRINT. When there's 3,500 people behind you all going in the same direction, quickly, sprinting was the only way to get out of the way. We kept a pretty quick pace for about a half mile until things opened up a little and then we fell into our more "longterm" pace. We had been hoping to run about 10 minute/mile and our goal was to run as long as we could and then we would take a 1 minute walking break before running again. About 3/4 into the first mile, DBF pointed to his left and I noticed Tinkerbell and Iridessa cheering on the runners! There was no line because I'm pretty sure most people didn't even see them there in the dark. But, we didn't stop either. I'd promised DBF that we didn't have to stop for any of the character spots unless I saw someone really cool that I just COULDN'T pass up...

Before I knew it, we started to hear music and a DJ. What was he saying? We were at Mile 1 already? That can't be, we just started... But sure enough, we went around a slight bend and there we saw it:

Mile Marker 1 (clock time isn't ours.. it started with the first Wave)

I couldn't believe it. The first mile went so fast. I checked my watch and we were at 9 minutes 30 seconds. Awesome. We had a good pace going (for us, mind you, we weren't out to win anything). I wasn't feeling tired at all so we kept moving along. The road was packed with runners and with our fairly quick pace, there was a lot of bobbing and weaving around others and we spent a lot of time running in the grass... Oh well, we were just enjoying the moment. We were running up World Drive and I was watching the road signs lead us to the Magic Kingdom. There was a large tree to our left and Pooh and Friends were out meeting the runners. The line was already really long and I'd met them before so we kept moving along. Once again, the presence of the DJ and music became evident:

Mile Marker 2

The time and miles were flying by. We still didn't feel tired and kept pushing along. There wasn't much going on at this point though. We did start to notice that the really fast runners that had started in Wave 1 were starting to pass us in the opposite direction on their way back towards Epcot . I couldn't believe we were just starting and they were already on Mile 8-9. Then, in the distance I began to hear the music again. But, in addition, there were A LOT of lights. As we got closer, I realized we'd already made it to:

The Magic Kingdom Resort Area!

So, we grabbed our video camera. Please don't mind DBF's commentary...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdDNBcfZ90c

Right after we made it under the Welcome Sign, we saw this:

Mile Marker 3

As we kept running forward, I could tell by the signs that we were getting close to the Ticket & Transportation Center. At about 3 1/2 miles we ran past the Richard Petty Driving Experience stadium. Then right after it, they had one of the cars sitting out for runners to get their picture taken with. We then ran through the parking lot where there were a lot of people set up with their classic cars cheering on the runners. By this time the sun was starting to come up and it was a lot easier to see everything and everyone! And, before I knew it, we were approaching the Ticket & Transportation Center. They had set up fences along the course and there were HUNDREDS of people out cheering on the runners. Everyone was really loud and enthusiastic which helped keep you motivated. We had our names on our bibs so people would read them and yell for you specifically which was really nice. This was one of my favorite parts of the race. I was feeling good going into this portion but this gave you another whole wave of energy! And as we came out we saw:

Mile 4 Marker

We made a right turn and headed in the direction of the Contemporary. As we dropped under an underpass, this guy was playing music and cheering on everyone below:

We kept moving and were nearing the Contemporary Resort when DBF mentioned that he had to go to the bathroom. Luckily, right before Mile Marker 5, we found a row of porta potties and we stopped as quickly as we could. Unfortunately, we still lost 6 minutes waiting in line and using the restroom. We washed out hands in the portable sinks and then joined the rest of the masses and quickly picked up our running again. But, right after, we passed this:

Mile Marker 5!

Next, we were passing the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower. I snapped a quick picture of DBF in front of our resort:

At first, I thought we were going to follow the walking path between the Contemporary and Magic Kingdom but I quickly realized they were leading us more towards the right and that we were going to enter MK from the side instead of the main entrance under the train station. It was about this time that I noticed my feet were hurting. It wasn't anything major but I mentioned it to DBF. The woman in front of us turned around and told me "don't worry honey, they'll go numb in another mile or 2". Awesome. I knew we were getting close to entering MK so as I was preparing the video camera, DBF snapped this picture from wherever we were back stage:

Then, I could see it... the entrance to where we would be running onto Main Street, USA...

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

Joining in! I am enjoying your report very much! I feel like I am right there with you. I have run several half marathons and I just love the energy you feel in the crowd when you are waiting to start. There is nothing like it! I can't wait to hear more.

 

[Nermel9]

Wow that race looks like so much fun! Love the videos! That's so cute that they have character spots set up along the way, knowing me, I'd probably stop for most of them and end up with a horrible finish time...although, I can't run more than 10 feet without feeling like I'm gonna die so I'm guessing I won't be doing a marathon anytime soon!

I love that picture of the bridge with the Hercules sign and the guy with the Mickey hands...those are the most gigantic Mickey hands that I've ever seen!

 

[precious pixie]

Your recap of the race is soo motivating!!!

 

[Shannon84]

I am loving your report of the race!! It makes me want to run there again so badly!! Love DBF's enthusiam coming up to MK sign I give you so much credit for getting in the front of the corral...that would have made me nervous!!

 

[OhMari]

So much to comment on.
Sorry I missed your pre-trip report.
I would love to see how you trained.
I have another friend that ran the half-marathon-Carrissa&boys.

You are a really great writer-you really make the reader feel as though we are running with you. I'm glad you and your bf enjoyed the marathon and stopped and took pictures and video.

Thanks for making me cry too, that story about the women and her dh was really special.

Really looking forward to the rest of the journey.

I almost forgot-Lots of people don't like to be alone at WDW. My family doesn't understand when my dh has a convention in Florida and I tour the parks by myself during the day-it's nice to read how someone else gets it.

 

[mikamah]

Congratulations on your race!! I can't wait to read the rest of your report, it's fabulous and very inspiring!!

 

[20thingamabobs]

Joining in! I am enjoying your report very much! I feel like I am right there with you. I have run several half marathons and I just love the energy you feel in the crowd when you are waiting to start. There is nothing like it! I can't wait to hear more.

Welcome, Thank you! Have you ever run one of the Disney half marathons or were the ones you did somewhere else? I have a friend that keeps trying to talk me into doing to Cleveland half but I feel like it might not be as much fun lol. I mean what would I do without that entertainment every half mile? The energy at the beginning was awesome! I've never felt so awake at 4am in my life!

Wow that race looks like so much fun! Love the videos! That's so cute that they have character spots set up along the way, knowing me, I'd probably stop for most of them and end up with a horrible finish time...although, I can't run more than 10 feet without feeling like I'm gonna die so I'm guessing I won't be doing a marathon anytime soon!

I love that picture of the bridge with the Hercules sign and the guy with the Mickey hands...those are the most gigantic Mickey hands that I've ever seen!

The entertainment and character spots along the route were great. There several I would have liked to stop for but I had promised DBF I wouldn't stop unless I saw someone REALLY cool. Though, some met that classification, they had really long lines and I was afraid if I stood that long my legs would cramp up... I liked the Hercules sign to, I had to jump out a bunch of people's way just so I could stop to take a picture of it! We were funneling into a really narrow walkway and it was hard to find your own space...

Your recap of the race is soo motivating!!!

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it! You should take that motivation and run one! I can't recommend the experience more. It was probably one of the top 5 coolest things I've ever done.

I am loving your report of the race!! It makes me want to run there again so badly!! Love DBF's enthusiam coming up to MK sign I give you so much credit for getting in the front of the corral...that would have made me nervous!!

Thanks! You should try marathon weekend next year and I think I'll try the W&D next lol! DBF kept saying we were entering MK, he didn't quite understand that the entrance sign isn't the same thing as the actually entrance into the park.. he couldn't figure out why after we went under it we were still about two miles from the actual park lol. We really wanted to be in the front of the corral because it was cool being right on the start line but I underestimated how scary the actual start would be. I tried to start out at my normal pace but felt like people were going to run me over so after about 5 feet I had to sprint for a little bit. In the video you can hear DBF telling me to get to the far right side to avoid being run over lol

So much to comment on.
Sorry I missed your pre-trip report.
I would love to see how you trained.
I have another friend that ran the half-marathon-Carrissa&boys.

You are a really great writer-you really make the reader feel as though we are running with you. I'm glad you and your bf enjoyed the marathon and stopped and took pictures and video.

Thanks for making me cry too, that story about the women and her dh was really special.

Really looking forward to the rest of the journey.

I almost forgot-Lots of people don't like to be alone at WDW. My family doesn't understand when my dh has a convention in Florida and I tour the parks by myself during the day-it's nice to read how someone else gets it.

Welcome and thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying it so far! My ptr was a little rushed because I had been focusing on the trip I took at the beginning of Dec so I didn't get to talk a lot about my training... we basically just followed Jeff Galloway's half marathon training program though. You run 3-4 miles on Tuesdays and Thursdays and then you alternate a 4-mile run and a long run every other Saturday. It's a really great program and worked really well for us. I'm glad we took our time and enjoyed the experience instead of worrying about our time. As long as I didn't get swept and actually got to finish, I was happy.

Oh, and I totally get it! I was a little nervous at first but there was no way I was going to Disney and not visiting the park! But honestly, I enjoyed touring by myself. I got through things quickly and park hopping was so easy. The only thing I really missed was having someone to talk to while standing in line. If I was going by myself for a long time I would have to take something to keep me occupied, I get bored easily

Congratulations on your race!! I can't wait to read the rest of your report, it's fabulous and very inspiring!!

Thank You! I'm glad you're enjoying and thanks for joining! It's been a lot of fun to relive it by sharing it with all of you! I can't wait to do another one!

 

[KatMark]

Sorry I missed the update (we were out of town for DH's birthday this weekend...went to see our youngest son). Congratulations on the race; the video is great and I lovve that there are character spots.

 

[jenseib]

I'm loving it. I wish the miles would go by as fast as you make them seem. Then I could make it too. LOL! Well maybe not even then

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

The videos are great! I can't wait for more!