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

[olwyngdh]

Thank you for your trip report! My daughter and son in law were married Jan 10 at Shades of Green and then ran the half marathon on the 11th. It was a great weekend, but you are right--the humidity was nasty!!

 

[Leshaface]

Oh my gosh Emma! Seriously, I got chills seeing you cross the finish line! I'm so happy for you that you did it! And around the time you were hoping for You photograph beautifully by the way. Even while sweating! Congratulations!

Well if there is a chance that you'll be doing the marathon next year, let me know and maybe we can meet up. Of course, I won't be racing but would still like to meet you and your DH

 

[ZellyB]

What a great trip report! I think you look great in all the shots too. And great job on your time. Really that's just outstanding for your first half and doing it on a very crowded course like Disney.

So awesome that your husband is running with you now and I'm floored at how fast you are. Those are some excellent times you are hitting. Great job again and keep on running!!

 

[disneybarbie]

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.

That would make sense : .. btw I'm almost caught up reading your January TR!

Thank you for your trip report! My daughter and son in law were married Jan 10 at Shades of Green and then ran the half marathon on the 11th. It was a great weekend, but you are right--the humidity was nasty!!

Oh my gosh Emma! Seriously, I got chills seeing you cross the finish line! I'm so happy for you that you did it! And around the time you were hoping for You photograph beautifully by the way. Even while sweating! Congratulations!

Well if there is a chance that you'll be doing the marathon next year, let me know and maybe we can meet up. Of course, I won't be racing but would still like to meet you and your DH

What a great trip report! I think you look great in all the shots too. And great job on your time. Really that's just outstanding for your first half and doing it on a very crowded course like Disney.

So awesome that your husband is running with you now and I'm floored at how fast you are. Those are some excellent times you are hitting. Great job again and keep on running!!

Thank you all for the comments!

I'm still planning to write up the rest of our trip to WDW (post-race!) - so there'll be a few more updates to come




Emma x

 

[NMW]

congrats and subscribing

 

[disneybarbie]

congrats and subscribing

thank you!

Updates coming soon... sorry I'd left this TR so long that it was closed! Back to writing now

Emma x

 

[annmarieda]

I thought you closed it. Strange cause there was a pot just a couple weeks ago so... not THAT long that it should have been auto closed. It think some of my older reports are still technically open.

 

[Leshaface]

That's strange that it closed! Did you have to contact a Mod to reopen it?

 

[cindianne320]

I'm not a runner- but this was amazing to read! How thrilling and what an accomplishment. Congratulations!

 

[disneybarbie]

I thought you closed it. Strange cause there was a pot just a couple weeks ago so... not THAT long that it should have been auto closed. It think some of my older reports are still technically open.

That's strange that it closed! Did you have to contact a Mod to reopen it?

Yes I was surprised but all ok now! DIS moderators were great at moving it, had an email back in minutes

I'm not a runner- but this was amazing to read! How thrilling and what an accomplishment. Congratulations!

Thank you! It was fun to write about it and relive the day I think runDisney is a great introduction to running... if you ever wanted to do race, Disney is the place to do it




Update on the way! ....

 

[disneybarbie]

... (Saturday 11th January 2014... continued...

After meeting up with my family, I changed into my Boston Strong tshirt, had thought I'd want to put flipfops on but feet felt ok still in running shoes. I drank the free Powerade and then a bottle of chocolate milk I'd packed (which, thinking about it – is a pretty weird mix of things to drink!).

It was odd to think it was only 8.30am at this point! We quickly found the bus stop and a Boardwalk bus was waiting – it was fun to be sat on there surrounded by other half marathon runners and their supporters.

And we were back at Boardwalk by 9am! We all went to bakery for breakfast (there had only been a stand selling coffees and pastries in the Magic Kingdom so my parents and DH hadn't eaten either yet). Once back at the Boardwalk I hardly saw any other people with the half marathon medal on, so it started to feel really special that I had one around my neck.

For months, I'd planned to get the sourdough bread breakfast bowl from the Boardwalk Bakery after the race, and maybe a cupcake too!

(Pictures from disneyfoodblog.com)

But once we got there, I guess the adrenolin had affected my appetite and all I got was... a plain bagel . It was very good though Everyone else got the egg muffin, DH and I sat outside the bakery and ate our food but my parents took their's back to their room as they were ready to have a nap!


We went back to the room so I could shower – I caught up with texts/messages from friends and family to let them know how I'd get on.
It was nice to take my time getting ready, DH didn't mind as it was afternoon in the UK and he could follow the football (soccer) scores.

About 11am, we made our way to the bus stop and waited a few minutes for a bus to... the Magic Kingdom! DH joked that he'd already been there today, but I really wanted to spend a few hours there – gentle walking, enjoy some attractions and get some lunch/treats.

......

 

[disneybarbie]

....

The weather was a little overcast but very warm.



We had our first FP+ at 12.25pm – so decided to get some lunch first... stopping for a photo in front of the castle, where someone had run through just a few hours ago



We walked towards the back of the park, it was fun to see a flash mob dance taking place in Frontierland!



We decided on Columbia Harbor House for lunch – as we hadn't been there for a while and I'd read that they'd changed the menu quite a bit.

Despite my plans for indulging post-race and eating whatever I wanted... I ended up choosing a tuna sandwich!



DH had the same, it was really good! Huge portion and tasted fresh. We sat upstairs in the restaurant, it was a bit quieter up there.

Next up... time to see the Grim Grinning Ghosts!



We had a fun time on the ride, and then decided to go for a wander around the new Fantasyland area.



Mine Train... under construction....



While we love the attractions, we both really enjoy just wandering around the Disney theme parks – people watching and soaking up the atmosphere!


We ended up in Adventureland, and decided there was time before our next FP for a treat...



Dole Whip!

We sat on a bench near the hub and enjoyed the pineapple soft serve.

Soon it was time for our next FP+ - Space Mountain. We crossed the hub, towards Tomorrowland, and the castle stage show was taking place. The song being performed was “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” - and right then it hit me... I ran the Walt Disney World half marathon. I did it! I got a lump in my throat and may have shed a few tears... but luckily my big sunglasses were hiding my eyes

....

 

[disneybarbie]

...



Thinking about it – Space Mountain might not have been the best choice of post-13.1 miles run... I found it tricky to get in and out of the spaceship cars!



Next we took the quiet pathway that leads to Storybook land...



We had a look in the shop – I love the cake display there!




We kept wandering, stopping at the beautiful Tangled area



As we got back to Liberty Square, I saw that the Liberty Bell was at the dock, and people were boarding... normally, this isn't the sort of attraction DH likes – but I decided to suggest we went on it, and he agreed!



We walked straight on and upstairs (again... maybe walking up and down steep stairs post-race was not a great idea, I was moving pretty slowly at times!)





It is a really nice attraction – quite long and you get to see the park from quite unique angles.



We had another FP for Pirates of the Caribbean at 3.20pm – however, DH wanted to get back to the Boardwalk a bit earlier, as the New Orleans Saints were in the play-offs that day, so we needed to get a table at ESPN to watch.

We stopped at the restrooms near the Tomorrowland Terrace. As I was washing my hands, I heard someone say 'congratulations'! (as many other runners/cast members/guests had been saying to me all day!) - and as I turned around to say thank you, I realised that I recognised the lady... it was Deanna Mongello... Lou Mongello's wife! It was one of those odd moments when you 'know' someone, but obviously she didn't know me. I asked her if she was Deanna, and explained that I listened to her husband's podcasts all the time! She was doing the Dopey Challenge so had three medals around her neck (so far) – we had a nice chat about the race, she was pleased it was my first ever half marathon … a random but lovely encounter!

.....

 

[disneybarbie]

...

We made our way out of the park... we hadn't done many attractions but I knew we'd be back in a few days.





Once at the bus stop, we waited a few minutes and one arrived for the Yacht Club/Beach Club – so we decided to get on that one and walk back around to ESPN.

At the Yacht Club...





As we walked by Sea Breeze Point – I saw my parents walking towards us! They'd had a quiet morning, and were heading into Epcot for a few hours. We were meeting later on for dinner, so we carried on to ESPN.


We had no trouble getting a table, this was the first time we'd sat in the restaurant area – we had a good table by the window and on a higher level. There were lots of Saints fans there – unfortunately they didn't win the game, which would have made the day even better

We ordered two Bud Lights, and toasted my race achievement! While DH watched the game, I caught up texting/messaging friends and family, and by then the race results were available on the run Disney website (there is free wifi in ESPN too now!).



We were getting a little hungry, so ordered some pulled pork tacos to share – huge portion, but so good!




At about 6.30pm we headed back up to the room – I stopped in the store to buy a few things, it was fun to see other runners in there – stocking up on bananas and Powerade before the marathon tomorrow!

Back up at the room, DH watched the final quarter of the football game and I started to get ready for dinner – a glass of wine got passed over the balcony from our 'neighbours' next door... great neighbours



Originally we had booked Yachtsman Steakhouse for dinner (I knew I'd need a big protein meal post-race, so steak seemed a good idea!) however my parents weren't too keen on it last time they ate there, so a couple of weeks before the trip we changed it to the Flying Fish Cafe. It turned out to be a great choice – fantastic meal and we would have got stuck in a huge thunderstorm that seemed to last our whole meal!

Our server was from Morocco (I can't remember his name) and was excellent, very attentive and knew the menu inside out.

To start, I had a duo of crab cake and caesar salad – followed by scallops risotto. Everything was delicious.

I don't normally make it to dessert, but tonight I wanted to celebrate! So I chose the Boardwalk trio...



It was popcorn cheesecake, a popsicle and a whoopie pie lollipop.


One very happy runner!





Our server also brought out a surprise – pistachio crème brulee!



Unfortunately I couldn't try this (I have a nut allergy) but the rest of the party said it was very good.


Full up and happy, we wandered back up to our rooms.


All in all … to quote Rapunzel....










Best. Day. Ever!!!!!

 

[lovingeire]

Glad to see your trip report open again! Sounds like the best day ever for sure!

 

[Leshaface]

I love that you wore your medal all day! If I were you, I'd wear it for an entire year just for running 13.1 miles

Good choice on Flying Fish. It was so delicious the last time we went.

On an unrelated note, is DH upset about England being out?

 

[ZellyB]

Yay for new updates.

One of the best parts of a RunDisney race is wearing the medal around the parks. No other races where you get to really enjoy wearing the medal for an extended time. And everyone is great to congratulate you.

Sounds like a lovely end to a great day. I remember that thunderstorm that night. We were out trying to find the best way to drive into Epcot the next morning for the marathon and got caught in it. It was a doozy!

 

[disneybarbie]

Glad to see your trip report open again! Sounds like the best day ever for sure!

Thank you - it was a fantastic Disney day, nice to remember it all again!

I love that you wore your medal all day! If I were you, I'd wear it for an entire year just for running 13.1 miles

Good choice on Flying Fish. It was so delicious the last time we went.

On an unrelated note, is DH upset about England being out?

Hi Lesha - I love that medal so much.. it's really heavy though, I have it on my dressing table now and can't believe I wore it all day (and for a few days after too! )

DH wasn't too upset.. I don't think we had high hopes for England this a World Cup... sad when it's our national sport! he loves having several games on a day to watch though.. we have Germany v Algeria on right now

Yay for new updates.

One of the best parts of a RunDisney race is wearing the medal around the parks. No other races where you get to really enjoy wearing the medal for an extended time. And everyone is great to congratulate you.

Sounds like a lovely end to a great day. I remember that thunderstorm that night. We were out trying to find the best way to drive into Epcot the next morning for the marathon and got caught in it. It was a doozy!

wow I wouldn't have wanted to be driving in that storm but good idea to pre-plan your route!

I agree about the medal! Loved seeing everyone wearing them that weekend - sharing a smile or saying congratulations to each other! after the local half marathon we ran in March, I thought about wearing my medal when we went out for dinner that night .. but decided I'd just feel self-conscious .. definitely not like that at WDW!


Emma x

 

[Dugette]

What a great day and celebration of your accomplishment!

Very cool that you were congratulated by Lou Mongello's wife!

Glad you had such a nice race day!

 

[Leshaface]

[FONT="Century Gothic"
DH wasn't too upset.. I don't think we had high hopes for England this a World Cup... sad when it's our national sport! he loves having several games on a day to watch though.. we have Germany v Algeria on right now
[/FONT]

We've been watching soccer for 3 weeks straight! Haven't watched anything else. Such a great sport!