"Every mile will be worth my while" ... January 2014 - WDW Half Marathon Trip

[disneybarbie]

Saturday 11th January 2014 – The Walt Disney World Half Marathon

(I'll apologise now for the length of posts for this day – it was pretty amazing and I still have 'flash backs' months later about things that happened before/during/after the race.. the first half marathon of my life!)


After my alarm went off, I checked the weather – it was already low 70s...


(This is in centigrade rather than farenheit!)


I'd read a tip to bring along clothes that you're happy to leave/discard before the race begins just to keep warm – there's a lot of standing around. I'd bought a cheap tracksuit in the UK for this purpose, but as it was so warm that morning I just took the hooded top with me! It was just enough extra warmth though, and while waiting in the corrals I left it to one side – I understand that Disney collects up all of these items and donates them to local charities.

I got up just after 2am, tiptoeing around the room to try and let DH sleep a little longer. I was really pleased I had all my running gear laid out (and bib attached to top!), it was easy to get dressed and double check I had all of my accessories. I slowly drank a large glass of water and did some stretching... even though I knew it would be hours until I started to run! I had quite a few texts and messages from friends & family at home (5 hour time difference, so some were already awake), it was lovely to know there were supporting me thousands of miles away.
At 2.50am I had to be mean, and wake up DH … he was so sleepy, I felt bad! There was a quiet knock on the door just before 3am – my amazing parents were there, up and ready to cheer their crazy daughter!

We all walked down to the Boardwalk conference centre – I really was expecting there to be a line snaking all the way back to the hotel entrance... but we were almost the only people there! I'd heard sometimes there are long lines for the buses, bad traffic etc – but by getting there for 3am we were on the first bus from the resort. The buses are like DME/coaches, not the Disney park transportation ones.

I noticed a couple on the bus dressed as Russell and Kevin (the bird) from Up – their costumes were so good! As were so many more that I saw throughout the race. I'm not sure I could run in a costume, I like to be comfortable in running gear, but it does make Disney races pretty unique

Very soon we were at the Epcot car park, once off the bus there were plenty of volunteers to direct us to the meeting area – there were tents to check in runner's belongings (I didn't need this as DH took my post-race bag for me), the 'race retreat' tents (at an extra cost, you can have massages before and after the race, breakfast and character meet & greets), and a LOT of people!



There was a DJ playing music and getting everyone excited. It all felt quite surreal! We stood together for a while, and about (I think) 4.30am, my family left me and made their way to the monorail – they were going to stand on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom and see me at mile 5-6. DH said to me 'don't push too hard, just enjoy it' – out of everyone, he knew the pace that I'd really like to run at (about 8 to 8.30 mins/mile) – but from our run the day before I knew that the humidity was going to make it tough.. there was even a weather warning sign up that run Disney had issued! I hadn't experienced dehydration during a run, and I didn't want the first time to be today

(Picture taken on their way to the Magic Kingdom!)


I knew that the WDW Radio running team were meeting before the race, at the 'Z' area (there were flags up throughout the car park with letters so that families/friends could plan meeting points). I knew a few people in that group from a trip to WDW in 2009 with my sister, and also I wanted to meet another Emma from the UK! We'd been chatting over Facebook/Instagram/Twitter and it had been great to know someone else in England training from the half marathon. I noticed her quite quickly (she was wearing a Union Jack running skirt) and we met for the first time! It's always a bit funny meeting someone that you 'know' from online, but not awkward at all and we were chatting away. I met a few other people on the running team (they raise money for Make A Wish USA, I had raised nearly $1000 for Make A Wish UK for the race), and I even got to meet Lou Mongello!!! This was quite a big deal for me – I've listened to his podcasts since 2005 and love his passion for all things Disney. He was so nice! Emma as been on his podcast a few times, so I was known as 'the other Emma from the UK'





At about 4.45, we started to make our way over to the start area. This is about one mile walk, and I know some people complain about this – but personally I liked being able to stretch my legs and have a gentle warm up. I also ate my banana at this point – my usual pre-run snack!




After a quick porta potty stop (only the second time I'd ever used one, this was unique as it was pitch black inside! Lol) – I said good bye to Emma and another WDW Radio team runner (Katie) as they were in corrals ahead of me (they'd submitted previous race times, whereas I had no proof of time), and made my way to Corral O.

There were lots of people stood around, some stretching, some sitting... and some were even lying down fast asleep!



I did some stretches, and then looked up just in time to see a DIS friend arrive (Jen, aka Shipped To Sea)! We'd 'met' a few years ago on the wedding planning boards, but I knew she was running and in Corral O as she'd posted a picture of her bib. She was running with a friend who was doing the Dopey challenge.. and had flown in over night from New York! She had a Rapunzel themed outfit on including a Pascal plush toy tied to her wrist.

It was nice to have someone to talk to while we waited for the race to start – if it wasn't for online Disney friends I would have been pretty much by myself for two hours, waiting to start running!

Screens showing the race announcers (and Donald Duck)


Soon it was time for the national anthem – every one stood up and sang/listened. It was really moving, I love the US anthem and got a bit teary eyed.
At 5.30am – the race began! We were pretty far back and to the left hand side of the start line (each corral was shuffled along as the ones in front began) but could just about hear the race announcers.

And then.... we waited. And waited. There are several minutes between each corral setting off, but obviously being in the second to last corral.. we had to wait a long time! I resisted the urge to sit down, and stayed standing – occasionally stretching. I also ate a few of the jelly beans that I'd packed in my running belt (for miles 9 to 11 when I need a sugar boost) as I don't normally have so many hours between waking up and starting to run!

At about 6.10am our corral started to shuffle forward, and in line with the start line.



Soon, Corral N was setting off..

Video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPH5Lcyn3Tg

Then the race announcers started to warm up our Corral! They got us to sing 'Don't Stop Believing' (boys vs. girls), and one of them called us the 'penultimate group', and the other said 'that's a big word for 6am!
They got us to raise our hands if we were running the Dopey, the Goofy, or if it was our first half marathon (me!).

Then it was time to go! I programmed my iPod Nike+ for a 2 hour run – so every 5 minutes the voice would say in my headphones how much time I had completed/left to go. I didn't put in a playlist to start with... but after a couple of miles I did change that and put on a special list I'd created for the race.. all my favourite running songs that had helped me through training miles.

(There are not many photos during the race.. I had planned to carry my camera, even had a practice run at home with it, but on the day I had too much to carry in my belt/pockets!)



As I crossed the start line, I almost laughed out loud... this was IT! All these years of thinking 'I wonder if I could do that?'.. and here I was, about to run a half marathon in Walt Disney World!


.......

 

[ZellyB]

I love all the excitement of the pre-race activities. And, while the walk to the corrals is a bit long, I love all the energy from the crowd as you are walking. It really gets me pumped up for the run. I'm glad you were able to connect with some on-line friends. I always have had my husband with me. I'd get lonely standing there waiting all by myself.

Can't wait to read more about your run!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi Emma!

I'm happy to be joining another one of your TRs on here and especially because it's one involving a run!

I started running last year (did my first 10k) so love hearing about other peoples running experiences.

Love your running outfit, especially the trainers I may look into that brand. I've just bought a pair of Karrimor trainers so I'm hoping to break into them

Great pics! Also, I'm happy to hear you flew out of London as expected and there were no snowfalls to dampen your trip

 

[annmarieda]

Joining in! I was there for marathon weekend. Dh and I ran the donald.

I have to go back to read, but wanted to say hello

 

[HumblePie]

Can't wait to hear how the race went!!

 

[annmarieda]

All caught up...


Shoes - My first real running shoes I ran in were go runs. I loved them. I don't get many miles out of minimal shoes though...maybe 150 miles if I am lucky.

BWV - That is so very awesome that you stayed there. It is a goal/dream of mine to have a small contract there. Also, how cool that your parents were just next door!

Running in Disney - I love that you got out and ran before the race. Even though running in the parks is probably my all time favorite place to run, the resorts or around them is a close second.

POT - I cant wait to hear if you would choose to submit one next time or if it didn't affect your race starting in the back. With your pace, I would assume it was a challenge to weave through the crowd. The rule of thumb is always to submit something so that you can move up even a corral. Maybe this really isn't as important as people stress?

I thought I had more to comment on. Well, just know it is so neat to read another persons perspective of the same race.

Did you register for 2015? ( Sorry if I missed where you said you did or didn't.) Dh and I are registered again for just the half.

 

[Leshaface]

Aggh! The excitement! The lead-up was quite good though.

You look so great, so early in the morning

Were people really sleeping before walking to the start line. Woudlnt' you want to spend that time stretching/concentrating?

I can't believe they made you walk 1 mile to the start. Why is it so far away. I'm sure it's a nice little warm up for most though.

Dying to hear the next part!

Which reminds me, are you going to do this again next year? Remember, we'll be at WDW up until the day before the marathon!

 

[rani8600]

Hi Emma, Loving reading through your trip so far. I ran the princess in '13, such a great experience. If the's one place to sign up for a race its WDW. Cant wait to hear more about yours

 

[disneybarbie]

I love all the excitement of the pre-race activities. And, while the walk to the corrals is a bit long, I love all the energy from the crowd as you are walking. It really gets me pumped up for the run. I'm glad you were able to connect with some on-line friends. I always have had my husband with me. I'd get lonely standing there waiting all by myself.

Can't wait to read more about your run!

I agree, I didn't mind the walk at all to the corrals - it's great to be among so many other runners/Disney fans - hard not get excited!

Hi Emma!

I'm happy to be joining another one of your TRs on here and especially because it's one involving a run!

I started running last year (did my first 10k) so love hearing about other peoples running experiences.

Love your running outfit, especially the trainers I may look into that brand. I've just bought a pair of Karrimor trainers so I'm hoping to break into them

Great pics! Also, I'm happy to hear you flew out of London as expected and there were no snowfalls to dampen your trip

hi! Great to 'see' you here again that's great you're getting into running too, you can probably tell already that I highly recommend a runDisney event, if you can arrange a WDW trip around one of them
I've been using Karrimor socks and leggings and really like them, great price too compared to other brands!

Can't wait to hear how the race went!!

Next update on the way... sorry how long this is taking me to write!

All caught up...


Shoes - My first real running shoes I ran in were go runs. I loved them. I don't get many miles out of minimal shoes though...maybe 150 miles if I am lucky.

BWV - That is so very awesome that you stayed there. It is a goal/dream of mine to have a small contract there. Also, how cool that your parents were just next door!

Running in Disney - I love that you got out and ran before the race. Even though running in the parks is probably my all time favorite place to run, the resorts or around them is a close second.

POT - I cant wait to hear if you would choose to submit one next time or if it didn't affect your race starting in the back. With your pace, I would assume it was a challenge to weave through the crowd. The rule of thumb is always to submit something so that you can move up even a corral. Maybe this really isn't as important as people stress?

I thought I had more to comment on. Well, just know it is so neat to read another persons perspective of the same race.

Did you register for 2015? ( Sorry if I missed where you said you did or didn't.) Dh and I are registered again for just the half.

Hi! Thanks for reading and for your comments

We love running around the Boardwalk/Epcot resorts area - especially as there are usually other people about running and walking, but otherwise it's so quiet and calm in the early morning

I'll get to it in my next posts.. but starting near the back was tough when I knew what my pace/time could have been, if I wasn't weaving so much. I knew that if I'd done a 10k/Half Marathon locally before WDW, then I could have got a better corral placement - but before signing up for this race I really wasn't a runner, and as a huge Disney fan I wanted my first ever race to be at WDW, even if it meant starting waaaay back!

2015... I would love to do it again.. maybe even run a little further but with the flights/prices/time off work, I just can't see it happening next year... plus I did originally tell DH that I was only going to run it once?! hmmm

Aggh! The excitement! The lead-up was quite good though.

You look so great, so early in the morning

Were people really sleeping before walking to the start line. Woudlnt' you want to spend that time stretching/concentrating?

I can't believe they made you walk 1 mile to the start. Why is it so far away. I'm sure it's a nice little warm up for most though.

Dying to hear the next part!

Which reminds me, are you going to do this again next year? Remember, we'll be at WDW up until the day before the marathon!

Hehe -thanks Lesha! I'm amazed how awake I looked in the photos - especially with minimal/running make-up on!
I was so surprised to see people fast asleep in the corrals, but then maybe if they were doing the Dopey Challenge, that would have been their third early morning wake up call lol.

I would absolutely love to do the race again (even had a crazy thought that, maybe, I could run a little further than 13.1 miles?! ) but with the costs/time off etc I don't think I could do next year... but that hasn't stopped me looking at DVC points/race registration forms/flight prices etc... yup, the runDisney bug bites pretty hard

Hi Emma, Loving reading through your trip so far. I ran the princess in '13, such a great experience. If the's one place to sign up for a race its WDW. Cant wait to hear more about yours

Hi! Thanks for reading along so far - more updates coming soon... the Princess Half looks like so much fun, would definitely like to do that one too some day!




Again apologies for the time between updates on this TR, I don't know where the weeks are going lately!


Emma x

 

[Sailorgirl32489]

yup, the runDisney bug bites pretty hard

No kidding! You're not the only one it's bitten. The recently announced Star Wars half has me itching now..... Already loved RunDisney and now they've combined it with Star Wars, ugh! I don't think the nerd in me can resist lol.

 

[disneybarbie]

WDW Half Marathon!

The first thing I noticed was how quiet it was! No one really talking, just getting into the pace and running. I was surprised how quickly I was able to break into a run, I'd heard that it was so congested at the beginning that you almost have to walk – but luckily that wasn't the case. It was a very, very busy course though – especially starting Corral O (that meant there was nearly 20,000 people in front of me!), and I had to keep run in zig-zags to get around groups of people... so I probably ran further than 13.1 miles in total.. never mind, it was Disney!

At about mile 3, I saw the presenters of the Mickey Mile Podcast running in front of me (Mike Scopa and Michelle Scribner-Maclean) – I decided to be brave, and as I passed them I shouted out 'I love your podcast!' - they said 'thank you! Have a great race!' - I'd learnt so much from their show about running and specifically the Disney races.

I was aware that many people were using the run-walk method, as I could frequently here Garmin watches and Gymbots beeping! This again made it tricky to run consistently, as sometimes people in front would just slow right down. I found myself running on grass to the sides quite a bit, especially in the narrower areas.

There was nearly always something to see or look at throughout the route – early on there were marching bands and Disney characters.. I hadn't planned to stop for these (I really don't look good while running!) and the lines were incredible! It must add 10-20 minutes for each character... but then it is a unique aspect of Disney races, so I can see why people do stop.

I crossed the 5k marker before my iPod said '30 minutes completed', so I was happy with my pace - at that point though I did turn on my music – it was too quiet and all I could hear was myself breathing heavily! Early on it played the Demi Lovato version of 'Let it go' – like everyone else, I adore Frozen and this song, so it definitely motivated me... I think I heard this song 4 times throughout the race! It still reminds me of the Marathon Weekend.

Mile 4/5 is by the TTC and the Contemporary – I was impressed how many spectators were out there supporting the runners at 6/7am.

At mile 5 I ate my energy gel... but didn't know what to do with the packet... I dropped it on the ground near the Magic Kingdom and in my head said “Sorry Mickey!”

I'd done the Keys to the Kingdom tour in 2009 so knew what backstage looked like as we arrived there near Magic Kingdom... but seeing the lights on top of the buildings on Main Street USA, I said “Oh WOW!” out loud, and picked up the pace!
DH had texted me (I had my phone in a holder on my arm) so I knew they were near Casey's Corner – they'd spent over an hour on Main Street, they said it was quite eerie at first as there was no music playing!



....

 

[disneybarbie]

...

I saw Lou Mongello and the WDW team again on the corner, so I waved to them – then slowly made my way up Main Street- so many people were stopping for photos it was nearly impossible to run up there – but I tried!

I saw my parents and husband just before the right hand turn into Tomorrowland. It was so good to see them – definitely a great boost to know they were there for me.



And then I was running in the Magic Kingdom! Through Tomorrowland, past the Speedway, into Fantasyland.. and then though the castle!

I managed to run through this, not too many people stopped in front of me.




Next we crossed into Liberty Square (I saw Princess Tiana and Louis doing a meet and greet), and then out towards Frontierland, and backstage at Splash Mountain.

The Main Street Electrical Parade floats were set up there with several princes and princesses for meets.

The 10k marker was around here and again I was happy with my pace as my iPod hadn't said '1 hour completed' yet.

By this point, I was starting to run out of water in my handheld bottle.. usually it lasts me for a two hour run but I'd been nervously sipping it before the run so didn't have enough. Luckily Disney does a fantastic job with the water stations so I was able to grab a few cups of water for the final miles. Although I am yet to perfect the art of drinking from a paper cup while running... most of it seemed to end up spilt on me/the ground

I started to notice that most of the runners around me had 'J' or 'K' corral bib numbers on, I was surprised that I'd caught up with this group as they must have set off 30 minutes before corral O!

At the next water station I did get a cup of Powerade instead of water, I don't normally drink electrolyte drinks during a run but I was aware of how high the humidity was and wanted to top up … it was also a flavour we don't get in the UK, lemon & lime – yum!

In the meantime, DH and my parents were on there way back to Epcot on the monorail...



At this point in the race we were around the Magic Kingdom resorts, and I'm not quite sure how.. but I never saw the Grand Floridian! I guess I was just looking a different way, but I did see Mickey Mouse dressed in his golf attire near the Magnolia/Palms golf courses.

I'm not quite sure where these picture were taken... but here are some official race photos!


Other characters around this part were some reindeer near a 'caution, deer crossing sign' (cute) and Lilo and Stitch near the Polynesian.

At the Polynesian – out of the blue, saw a Disney friend I'd met in 2009 who has had some serious health problems recently (we'd kept in touch via Facebook) – his wife was running the Half so he was there to cheer... somehow he picked me out among the runners and shouted 'Emma!' - and we high fived as I ran by!! He's had such a tough year that it gave me a huge amount of motivation to push through those slightly less fun middle miles... thank you Jonathan.

About mile 9 there was a fuel station that was giving out Cliff shots... the volunteers were calling out every flavour to make sure the runners picked up their favourite! 'Vanilla', 'Chocolate'.. I took one even though I knew I wouldn't eat it (it wasn't a brand I'd tried before and I usually switch to jelly beans after one gel during long runs) … I took it just to say I got 'free goo' (a Simpsons reference, for anyone who knows it!)



.....

 

[disneybarbie]

...

At the road 'clover' junction up to Epcot, I could see runners running overhead.. and I thought it must be such a steep ramp, but it turned out to be a really gentle incline! There was a green army man (Toy Story) saying “take that hill soldier” which helped! …. my iPod played 'Sweet Caroline' at this point – a song I'd added to my running list after visiting Boston and Fenway Park last summer.

At mile 10 I was a little disappointed in my pace, as my iPod had already said '30 minutes to go' before I'd passed the mile marker, meaning I was running less than a 9 min/mile – but I talked myself around and reminded myself that this time last year there was no way I would have able to run 13.1 miles comfortably, and here I was... doing it in DISNEY WORLD!

At mile 11 there was a sharp turn and up a ramp, probably the toughest 'hill' of the course but nothing compared to the hills I'd trained on at home... another guy blasted up the hill, I took it at steady pace but would love to be able to do that so late on in a race!

At mile 12 I saw Katie M from the WDW Radio team... I didn't know what to do when I passed her (running etiquette?!) so I just turned and smiled... she looked so surprised to see me (she had started in Corral K or L, I think) and said “WOW.. Great Job!”

Far too soon, I was approaching Epcot and the final part of the race. My iPod shuffled to 'Celebrate You' – the 'What will you celebrate?' campaign theme song from a few years ago.. I think it's the most played song on my iPod and I love it, it seemed the most appropriate song for entering the final stretch of the race!

We ran backstage at Epcot and into the park near Spaceship Earth... my legs beginning to hurt (I've heard it desribed as the 'glass feeling', legs start to feel very fragile and you just have to keep a constant pace and stride to keep going!)

We ran a loop down around fountains, down to entrance of World Showcase, waved to Rafiki.

(DH took these photos from the monorail of this part of the course...)



At this point, my iPod Nike + said “Congratulations, you've completed a 2 hour workout” … and I felt a bit sad.. although I probably had set it off 1-2 minutes before crossing the start line.. I then knew I wasn't going to get a sub-2 hour time. But quickly reminded myself that it absolutely didn't matter... I was RUNNING a HALF MARATHON through WALT DISNEY WORLD!! Realised that a 2:10-2:15 time was more than respectable and I should be enjoying it, not worrying about my time.

There was one last water stop – I decided to get one final gulp of water before the end, but managed to knock a cup out of volunteers hand and drench her and me... felt awful! She said not to worry and keep going!

(Evidence of the spilt water down my skirt!!)



At mile 13 - my iPod shuffled to 'Thrift Shop' by Macklemore.. which I decided was just not suitable for crossing the finish line – so I took my earphones out and just listened to the crowd cheers.

That 0.1 miles seems so much longer than I expected.. really couldn't gauge how far I was from the end.. then, there's loads of spectators, temporary seating, music, announcers... and THE FINISH LINE!









I had thought I'd cry, but the emotions were too strong to do anything but just keep running!



We went over a sensor pad about 100 yards from the end, and I heard the announcer shout “Emma...” pronouncing my surname in the American way, that I like!
Lifted my arms a little to finish – that moment was absolutely incredible.





Happy/exhausted shot!


Even better, within seconds I could hear someone shouting “Emma!” .. and looked up to see my husband and parents cheering in the stands... I was overwhelmed that they were there for me.





After the finish line there are volunteers kindly telling runners to keep walking forward, and not to stop... within moments I was handed a bottle of water and, somehow I'd forgotten I was going to get this... the medal!!



It was huge!

Next to biggest display of Powerade I'd ever seen, every flavour (stuck to blue as I'd been using that one after long runs at home). The volunteer was joking with the runners shouting out “I've got every flavour... Bud, Miller, Coors... take your pick!”

Stopped at photo opportunity – so sweaty but so happy!




....

 

[Dugette]

Just read all of your marathon updates. First off, congratulations!!! I am admittedly not a runner at all and have no intention of ever doing a race, but you did such a great job recapping the race that I'm a little teary for you crossing that finish line. What a neat experience and I really enjoyed re-living it with you!

Love the finish line pictures and also that picture where you are running in front of the castle. So cool.

You saw a lot of podcasters! How neat!

Also, have to say that I was happy to hear about your meets with online Disney friends - I'm taking a trip soon with another DIS-er that I have not yet met in person, so it's nice to hear about someone else meeting up with online friends in WDW and having it go well.

Congrats again on your fantastic run!!

 

[annmarieda]

You made it to MK is so little time! 20000 ahead of you and you probably past at least 90% of them to arrive there while it was still dark. I love your race recap and all the photos!!! You did awesome! You should be very very proud!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi Emma,

I'm glad you were able to break into a run pretty easily and not have to walk for the first part of the race

Woohoo on seeing the presenters of Mickey Mile Podcost and shouting out to them!

Yay on having 'let it go' as a memory relating to the race!

Wow Main Street looks so different at that time with the lights on

It sounds like you did a great job to catch up with 'J' and 'K' bib numbers.

Whoop whoop on completing your Disney Half Marathon!! You did a great job with the update...felt like we were there with you! Congratulations!

Tenzeela x

 

[elphie101]

You did it!!! It's so inspiring to me to read half-marathon reports, especially yours of RUNNING the entire way. I can't even imagine it. What was your official time?

And as I'm sure you know I can 100% support the addition of Sweet Caroline to your running playlist

Enjoy that medal, it's a beauty!

 

[disneybarbie]

Just read all of your marathon updates. First off, congratulations!!! I am admittedly not a runner at all and have no intention of ever doing a race, but you did such a great job recapping the race that I'm a little teary for you crossing that finish line. What a neat experience and I really enjoyed re-living it with you!

Love the finish line pictures and also that picture where you are running in front of the castle. So cool.

You saw a lot of podcasters! How neat!

Also, have to say that I was happy to hear about your meets with online Disney friends - I'm taking a trip soon with another DIS-er that I have not yet met in person, so it's nice to hear about someone else meeting up with online friends in WDW and having it go well.

Congrats again on your fantastic run!!

Thank you for your comments! It was nice to write about the race and re-live it all again, definitely one of the best Disney/life experiences I've had so far! That photo of me running through the castle has been my facebook profile picture for months now hehe.
Your next trip to WDW sounds great - I've always found it so easy to get along with other Disney fans, always so much to talk about

You made it to MK is so little time! 20000 ahead of you and you probably past at least 90% of them to arrive there while it was still dark. I love your race recap and all the photos!!! You did awesome! You should be very very proud!!

Thank you! Looking at the photos months later, I can't quite believe I did it - feels like a dream I'd really hoped to be at the Magic Kingdom when it was dark so that the castle would be lit up with the Christmas lights - but the sun was just starting to come up so it wasn't very dark - however looking at DH's photos, I'm not sure the lights were switched on for the half marathon anyway?!

Hi Emma,

I'm glad you were able to break into a run pretty easily and not have to walk for the first part of the race

Woohoo on seeing the presenters of Mickey Mile Podcost and shouting out to them!

Yay on having 'let it go' as a memory relating to the race!

Wow Main Street looks so different at that time with the lights on

It sounds like you did a great job to catch up with 'J' and 'K' bib numbers.

Whoop whoop on completing your Disney Half Marathon!! You did a great job with the update...felt like we were there with you! Congratulations!

Tenzeela x

Thank you!

You did it!!! It's so inspiring to me to read half-marathon reports, especially yours of RUNNING the entire way. I can't even imagine it. What was your official time?

And as I'm sure you know I can 100% support the addition of Sweet Caroline to your running playlist

Enjoy that medal, it's a beauty!

Thank you! Hehe yes 'Sweet Caroline' has been a great addition to my running playlist, I've also got some Dropkick Murphy songs that remind me of our trip to Boston too
I look at the medal every day, I love how much effort Disney put into designing and making the medals - the half marathon one is huge! I can't quite believe I wore it every day we were in WDW after the race too



Emma x

 

[disneybarbie]

.....

During the race, DH had been tracking me on his phone, (RunDisney have this available for Twitter/Facebook/email before the race) which meant they knew roughly what time I'd be in Magic Kingdom (they'd got there so early, seen all the elite athletes go though).

When I met them after the race, DH said “do you know what your time was?” .. I didn't – except that I knew it was 2+ hours... and he said...

“2 hours 2 minutes!”

… I was SO pleased! Didn't think it would be that close to the two hour mark... plus, I'd enjoyed it so much, it really had been everything I'd expected it to be and more.

Although.. if I'd run sub-2 hours, I had promised myself a Dooney & Bourke bag... never mind


My official time was 02:02:30 ... I came 2059th of 20277 runners; 543rd of 11216 females, and 87th of 1590 for my age group - not bad for my first half marathon, I was over the moon!

......

Running Update

Originally, I thought I would only start running/training with the one goal of doing the WDW Half Marathon - so I was surprised to find that once I started, I really, really enjoyed running. I never felt the training was a chore, and I actually started to look forward to my longer weekend runs.

I decided to buy one the GPS running watches I'd heard so many good things about - I went for the simplest Garmin model, and I must say that I love using it now! It's made me much more aware of my pace, and I like the maps/graphs it creates on the Garmin website when I sync the watch after runs



And... DH started to run too!

One of our weekend runs together...


During our cruise last summer, we ran the Castaway Cay 5k together, in about 27 minutes...




Unfortunately, by the time he started to really get into it and consider registering for a longer race, the WDW Half was already sold out (runDisney events are becoming more and more popular, some races sell out in just a few hours!).

Instead, we registered for a local half marathon in March. Not quite running around WDW - but it was a fantastic day, a little too warm (unusual for March in the UK) - the course was great and I was overwhelmed by the number of people who came out to support the runners!




As it was a smaller field (about 3000) I was able to run much more comfortably than in January - with very little weaving around other people.




So much so, I crossed the finish line with a time of 01:46:24 ... and what made it even better... was having my husband right by my side... we ran exactly the same time!

That was about an 08:07/mile pace, so quite a bit better than what I'd managed at WDW.





In April, I registered for a 'virtual race' in support of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing victims. Virtual races can be run anywhere in the world, and then you submit your time online - I used "Will Run For Bling and Charity" for this race, they were holding an event on April 21st for the Boston One Fund - and you could do a 5k, 10k or half marathon distance... I chose the latter!



I ran 13.1 miles on my own in support of the charity; it was Easter Monday which is a public holiday in the UK so I had plenty of time to run. My time for that one was 01:48:31 ... and a few weeks later I received a beautiful medal, which was even bigger than the WDW one


And... just a few weeks ago, I ran a 10 mile race in a nearby village. The weather was warm again, but the course was quite flat and very scenic, - it also went past the venue we got married at (nearly three year ago!).




My pace was even better for this one and I finished in 01:19:03 - about a 07:54/mile pace

(Trying my best to smile for the finish line... I feel great when I run, but always look pretty awful )



I was the 17th fastest female (of about 100) and came 10th (of 42) for my age group!



Running has definitely become a part of my life now, and while I stay (knock on wood) injury free and still enjoy it - I'll definitely keep doing it! I'd love to do another runDisney event in the future too




In fact... since I've just created a new vacation countdown ticker... we've booked a WDW trip and DCL cruise for next April.. which means we will hopefully be taking part in the Castaway Cay 5k race during the cruise!

 

[annmarieda]

Thank you! Looking at the photos months later, I can't quite believe I did it - feels like a dream I'd really hoped to be at the Magic Kingdom when it was dark so that the castle would be lit up with the Christmas lights - but the sun was just starting to come up so it wasn't very dark - however looking at DH's photos, I'm not sure the lights were switched on for the half marathon anyway?!

I was hoping that the christmas decorations would be up for the race, but they all came down by I think 1/6? I think the lights use to be up for marathon weekend when the weekend fell one week earlier in the month.