Four Parks, One Dope: A 2015 Dopey Challenge Trip Report!

[Miffy2003]

I'm not sure about your corral placement theory being done by sign up time - DH and I signed up within a few minutes and he was placed in A and me in C (we had pretty similar POTs, too, albeit his is a few minutes quicker than mine). Who knows

I loved the 10k course, and it was super meeting with Football Mickey at ESPN (let's overlook the 20 minute wait ) and Chip and Dale as baseball stars -

I was lulled into a false sense of security with the weather forecast, and didn't dress so warmly as for the 5k and consequently felt worse this morning. Don't feel like I properly warmed up for hours!

 

[Ariel484]

I'm not sure about your corral placement theory being done by sign up time - DH and I signed up within a few minutes and he was placed in A and me in C (we had pretty similar POTs, too, albeit his is a few minutes quicker than mine). Who knows

Like I said, just a theory.

I loved the 10k course, and it was super meeting with Football Mickey at ESPN (let's overlook the 20 minute wait ) and Chip and Dale as baseball stars -

Me too!! I really loved running around the Epcot resorts in the dark.

I was lulled into a false sense of security with the weather forecast, and didn't dress so warmly as for the 5k and consequently felt worse this morning. Don't feel like I properly warmed up for hours!

That stinks!! I thought the weather was really good that day, except for the humidity

 

[cadek]

I am loving your report so far, and I just went back and read your 2013 report. Now the wheels are spinning in my head even more, as I want to run the WDW Marathon someday... I'm considering Dopey for 2016, but my biggest hang up is if I should take my sons with, or go solo. It's a lot of money to spend to take them with if we don't do much in the parks.

I'm already signed up for a marathon in October, and was considering doing Philly in November. Doing all 3 just sounds crazy, but I figure why not if I already have the training in.

All this, after I told myself never again when I completed my first marathon! Training is brutal, and even more so in winter!

 

[Slogger]

I like the logic behind your theory on the corral placement and would love to find out if that were true. I signed up for the Dopey within the first ten minutes of registration, and then got my family signed up for the other races a few minutes later.

I submitted proof of time only for the marathon and was probably close to the correct corral FOR THE MARATHON, but my half marathon time is 20 minutes faster than my wife and her placement in the half was 4 corrals ahead of mine as her half marathon time submitted would have a quicker pace per mile than my full. She was nice enough to start back with me. Seems like Disney strictly used my marathon time and placed me in all corrals using my pace per mile or similar. But that was just my experience.

Great "gets" on your pictures. Wish we would have done more of those but really worried about pace on the Thurs and Fri runs (bathroom stops, shoe malfunction, heavy congestion in the tight areas). Did it seem to you that the publicized pace for Dopey runners was not enforced for the 5k?

Don't you think Epcot is amazing in the early morning? Glad I got to experience that with my teenage daughter during the 10k (her first real trip to Epcot would be later that day and it turned out to be her fave park of the trip).

Kudos to you for getting out to your corral so early. We stayed and danced to the DJ and then stretched. Was the name of the National Anthem singer Andrea Canny? Very well done.

 

[StayCool]

This looks like so much fun! Hmm.... I might need to talk my husband into coming down with me so I can try. lol

 

[emilyindisney]

I love the Walt Disney World 10k!! Most people don't care for it but I love the entire course (including the first three miles.) The time I ran it I was so excited to be out there that I was enjoying running by the entertainment (even if the scenery was lacking.) I agree that the Minnie Mouse theme is just too cute! I think it's one of my favorite medal ribbons.

That's a good point about how kids get up in A and B. I mean- they're probably not getting up there by submitting proof of time!

MICKEY WAS SO WORTH THE WAIT! I'm seriously dying over that outfit! I think I like him even more than Baseball Goofy. The 'Munks are also a great grab! Those guys are two of my favorites and they have so many cute outfits!

The Mile 20 Spectu-let-down is back!

As I said- that ribbon is just the best (IMO!) The colors, Minnie, even the medal- all perfect! Kudos to whoever takes the design credit on that one!

 

[Chiomaca]

I submitted proof of time only for the marathon and was probably close to the correct corral FOR THE MARATHON, but my half marathon time is 20 minutes faster than my wife and her placement in the half was 4 corrals ahead of mine as her half marathon time submitted would have a quicker pace per mile than my full. She was nice enough to start back with me. Seems like Disney strictly used my marathon time and placed me in all corrals using my pace per mile or similar. But that was just my experience.

My placement was similar - good for the marathon and well behind where I should have been for the half.

 

[disneyhorselover]

I submitted proof of time only for the marathon and was probably close to the correct corral FOR THE MARATHON, but my half marathon time is 20 minutes faster than my wife and her placement in the half was 4 corrals ahead of mine as her half marathon time submitted would have a quicker pace per mile than my full. She was nice enough to start back with me. Seems like Disney strictly used my marathon time and placed me in all corrals using my pace per mile or similar. But that was just my experience.
.

I thought I heard somewhere that they put a kind of corral handicap on challenge runners, on the assumption they wouldn't be running their normal pace since they would be doing back to back races. Thats why most challenge runners were corraled correctly or not too far behind for the full, and way off for the half. I am not entirely sure though.

As for the 10k, my only experience was PHM weekend last year, when we were in E for the half and A for the 10k, which made me think they were at least correlated, since E was in the top 20% of corrals at the half, we were in the first of 5 corrals for the 10k? But it doesn't sound like other peoples experiences have been consistent with that so who knows.

 

[disneyhorselover]

I also love the 10k! I didn't mind the first 3 miles, but again, that was my first disney race ever (ok not true, the 5k that weekend was first, but first race running) so I was just excited in general I think. Still, love the Epcot/Boardwalk portion!

Chip and Dale were out in those outfits on the marathon course too and I was so excited to see them then...but I've never seen Mickey in that outfit ANYWHERE (not even pictures!) ....how fun!

 

[FFigawi]

I thought I heard somewhere that they put a kind of corral handicap on challenge runners, on the assumption they wouldn't be running their normal pace since they would be doing back to back races. Thats why most challenge runners were corraled correctly or not too far behind for the full, and way off for the half. I am not entirely sure though. As for the 10k, my only experience was PHM weekend last year, when we were in E for the half and A for the 10k, which made me think they were at least correlated, since E was in the top 20% of corrals at the half, we were in the first of 5 corrals for the 10k? But it doesn't sound like other peoples experiences have been consistent with that so who knows.

It's interesting to read all the different views on the corrals and seeding. We were quite happy with ours, A for the 5/10 and E for the half/full. The two shorter races were so congested at the beginning that it took forever to get up to speed, but that wasn't the case for the other two. Aside from the first mile, we were at race pace the whole way without too much weaving past people.

 

[rteetz]

Woohoo 10k! This was my first ever race so I was really excited! I was in Corral E which wasn't bad. I signed up within an hour of registration opening and got E so I don't necessarily think that is the reason but it might have something to do with it. I agree about the crowdedness once my corral started it opened up nicely and I had plenty of running room. I like the snowing effect. I agree the first half was more boring than the second but I still had a ton of fun. I saw the Mickey line and just couldn't wait that long. The only character I stopped for was Mushu because his line was short and I've never met him before. I loved the course and of course it only made me want to do more RunDisney races in the future.

 

[Ariel484]

I am loving your report so far, and I just went back and read your 2013 report. Now the wheels are spinning in my head even more, as I want to run the WDW Marathon someday... I'm considering Dopey for 2016, but my biggest hang up is if I should take my sons with, or go solo. It's a lot of money to spend to take them with if we don't do much in the parks.

Thanks!! And thanks for checking out the 2013 report!

Yeah, I think it's tough being there with other people while doing all of the races. It got tougher for me, being there with my friends for the first few days - we all follow one another on Instagram and I'd be back in my room sleeping after a race or going to be early, and I'd get little pangs seeing them posting tide pictures and wondering what I was missing. But obviously I wasn't expecting them to, like, stay inside just because I was. I think that'd be especially tough with kids if you don't have someone else along with you to watch them.

I'm already signed up for a marathon in October, and was considering doing Philly in November. Doing all 3 just sounds crazy, but I figure why not if I already have the training in.

Wow! That is ambitious. You're right about already having the training...you could probably just sort of try to stay in maintenance mode in between each one and be ready for January.

I read a report from someone that ran the Philly marathon and it sounded really cool...lots of historical sites on the course and whatnot.

All this, after I told myself never again when I completed my first marathon! Training is brutal, and even more so in winter!

Yes, we runners have short memories for things like that...

I like the logic behind your theory on the corral placement and would love to find out if that were true. I signed up for the Dopey within the first ten minutes of registration, and then got my family signed up for the other races a few minutes later.

I submitted proof of time only for the marathon and was probably close to the correct corral FOR THE MARATHON, but my half marathon time is 20 minutes faster than my wife and her placement in the half was 4 corrals ahead of mine as her half marathon time submitted would have a quicker pace per mile than my full. She was nice enough to start back with me. Seems like Disney strictly used my marathon time and placed me in all corrals using my pace per mile or similar. But that was just my experience.

I will never understand the corral thing. One of my friends did the Wine & Dine half with her husband in 2013 and they signed up at the same time, submitted the exact same time for proof...she was in Corral B and he was in C. So do they also want to have a certain amount of men and women in each corral? Who knows.

Great "gets" on your pictures. Wish we would have done more of those but really worried about pace on the Thurs and Fri runs (bathroom stops, shoe malfunction, heavy congestion in the tight areas). Did it seem to you that the publicized pace for Dopey runners was not enforced for the 5k?

Thanks! I totally understand your pace concerns - I have them as well, and it's harder to make up the time in the shorter races because you just don't have as much time to!

I don't think they really enforced the 16:00/mile...I think as long as people finished each race before the sweepers they were good for the challenge medals. I don't think they swept at the 5K (unless they really were coming up at the park opening time)...I DID see sweeper buses out during the early miles of the 10K though.

Don't you think Epcot is amazing in the early morning? Glad I got to experience that with my teenage daughter during the 10k (her first real trip to Epcot would be later that day and it turned out to be her fave park of the trip).
YES!! One of my favorite runDisney memories is runnign the first few miles of the old marathon course with my brother in 2012 - the marathon used to go right into Epcot at the beginning. Running through there in the dark with everything lit up, starting our first marathon...it was sort of surreal. I wish they'd go back to that course but I don't really see them doing so...but I'm glad to be able to run through a dark Epcot during the 5K and 10K, at least.

Kudos to you for getting out to your corral so early. We stayed and danced to the DJ and then stretched. Was the name of the National Anthem singer Andrea Canny? Very well done.

I have no idea what her name was, but she definitely did a good job...especially when it was cold and VERY early in the morning!

This looks like so much fun! Hmm.... I might need to talk my husband into coming down with me so I can try. lol

Do it! It's fun!

I love the Walt Disney World 10k!! Most people don't care for it but I love the entire course (including the first three miles.) The time I ran it I was so excited to be out there that I was enjoying running by the entertainment (even if the scenery was lacking.) I agree that the Minnie Mouse theme is just too cute! I think it's one of my favorite medal ribbons.

I really, really liked it a lot. I'll definitely do it again someday!

I agree about the medal ribbon - love that one. The colors just really do it for me.

That's a good point about how kids get up in A and B. I mean- they're probably not getting up there by submitting proof of time!

Yeah, I mean I know there are some kids out there that could smoke me and most of the other adults...but there are some LITTLE little kids that are just out there with mom & dad for fun...those are the ones I'm talking about.

MICKEY WAS SO WORTH THE WAIT! I'm seriously dying over that outfit! I think I like him even more than Baseball Goofy. The 'Munks are also a great grab! Those guys are two of my favorites and they have so many cute outfits!

Yes!! Decent character turnout for this race as far as rareness - I was very pleased!!

The Mile 20 Spectu-let-down is back!

As I said- that ribbon is just the best (IMO!) The colors, Minnie, even the medal- all perfect! Kudos to whoever takes the design credit on that one!

I agree 100%!!

My placement was similar - good for the marathon and well behind where I should have been for the half.

Yeah, I was expecting that after hearing about Dopey placement from last year...I don't think I was as far off as I've heard other people saying they were though, so I can't complain much.

I thought I heard somewhere that they put a kind of corral handicap on challenge runners, on the assumption they wouldn't be running their normal pace since they would be doing back to back races. Thats why most challenge runners were corraled correctly or not too far behind for the full, and way off for the half. I am not entirely sure though.

I've heard that too. Every time I try to figure out the corralling I end up getting a headache!

As for the 10k, my only experience was PHM weekend last year, when we were in E for the half and A for the 10k, which made me think they were at least correlated, since E was in the top 20% of corrals at the half, we were in the first of 5 corrals for the 10k? But it doesn't sound like other peoples experiences have been consistent with that so who knows.

You very well could be right. I just ended up in an earlier corral than I expected for tboth the 5K and the 10K (not that I'm complaining).

I also love the 10k! I didn't mind the first 3 miles, but again, that was my first disney race ever (ok not true, the 5k that weekend was first, but first race running) so I was just excited in general I think. Still, love the Epcot/Boardwalk portion!

The Epcot/Boardwalk portion is just like...

Chip and Dale were out in those outfits on the marathon course too and I was so excited to see them then...but I've never seen Mickey in that outfit ANYWHERE (not even pictures!) ....how fun!

Where were C&D on the marathon course? I missed that one!

Yeah, the Mickey meet was one of the best ones of the weekend for me!!

It's interesting to read all the different views on the corrals and seeding. We were quite happy with ours, A for the 5/10 and E for the half/full. The two shorter races were so congested at the beginning that it took forever to get up to speed, but that wasn't the case for the other two. Aside from the first mile, we were at race pace the whole way without too much weaving past people.

B for the 5K/10K, I for the half/marathon. I is sort of mid/back of the pack and B is in the first half...that's where my confusion is coming in a bit. Who knows!!

Woohoo 10k! This was my first ever race so I was really excited! I was in Corral E which wasn't bad. I signed up within an hour of registration opening and got E so I don't necessarily think that is the reason but it might have something to do with it. I agree about the crowdedness once my corral started it opened up nicely and I had plenty of running room. I like the snowing effect. I agree the first half was more boring than the second but I still had a ton of fun. I saw the Mickey line and just couldn't wait that long. The only character I stopped for was Mushu because his line was short and I've never met him before. I loved the course and of course it only made me want to do more RunDisney races in the future.

Woohoo!

That was definitely the good thing about the first 3 miles being non-park/non-Boardwalk - I felt like we could spread out more.

Short line, never met before - I approve your stop with Mushu!

runDisney races are addicting, wouldn't you say???

 

[jdd]

Love the 10K course!! I didn't stop for any characters last year, but I just remember running through lit-up Epcot with a goofy grin on my face the entire time - it was so magical!!

And I love the medal! I have to say I like it better than my Enchanted 10K medal from last year.....so maybe I have to run this one in 2016

 

[Ariel484]

Day 3: Friday, January 9, 2015 - Post-10K, Part 1

I was on a bus pretty quickly and decided to get off at the first stop - the Swan. I actually got some compliments on my shirt this morning (more than the other 3 I'd brought along) so I'd better post a picture here. She's watching you!

I walked out to the Boardwalk and saw that Football Mickey was still hanging out in front of ESPN! His shift seemed to be up just as I arrived at the Bakery at about 7:45AM.

Like yesterday I got hot chocolate, but I decided to go the pastry route instead of the egg sandwich this morning.

Hmm...

Chocolate chip muffin today! It was sooooo good.

I took the muffin and my hot chocolate back to the room, took a shower and laid out everything for the next day...my usual routine by now. Originally I was thinking I'd try not to take a nap today, just like yesterday. HAHAHA. Before I knew, it, I was totally out for a good hour, except for when I woke up partway through convinced that I had missed the next race. I had not, of course. When I was up for good I found myself with a slight headache and a crabby mood...crabby enough to wonder why I'd signed up for these early wake-ups in the first place! BOO!!

Courtney and Jess had gone to the expo this morning (I forget if I mentioned that earlier...Jess needed her bib and Courtney was returning a shirt she'd bought for her husband) and were done by now. They met me at the Boardwalk and we headed to Hollywood Studios for lunch!

OM NOM NOM NOM! Starring Rolls is definitely my favorite spot for lunch at the Studios! I added coffee to my lunch (way overpriced and terrible - the Studios Starbucks cannot open soon enough! ) and we all split a cupcake, of course.

My one must-do for today was to get a picture with Minnie (Pluto yesterday, Minnie today...you can figure it out! ). Courtney and Jess were game, so we headed over to the Animation building. Minnie was on a break, so we had just enough time to go to drawing class - Jess' first time ever!

We drew Donald with a newer animator who said the words "messy" and "sloppy" approximately one million times. But that's par for the course in drawing class, I guess.

My Donald:

Purple me and Minnie! And my Minnie 10K shirt that was now allowed to come out of hiding!

Side-eye Courtney!

Please notice Courtney's hoodie - look familiar?

After Minnie we began to make our way out of the Animation building, but got stopped by a CM that was practically begging people to come meet Bert and Mary, who were set up near the shop (in the room where all of the Oscars are). Mary and Bert mostly focused on me (because of the medal), much to Jess' great, great relief. But still, CHATTIEST BERT EVER. We just didn't know how to handle him.

We were all way, way underdressed today. It was cold and windy again!! We found hot chocolate (Courtney got the cutest reusable mug featuring characters playing Toy Story Midway Mania...I'm kicking myself for not buying it) and took shelter inside Pizza Planet before closing out our afternoon with a ride on Toy Story! Jess and I sat together and she kicked my sorry butt.

I forget why, but we split up after Toy Story...just before 4PM. By now I knew I had been doing a really, really poor job of staying off of my feet over the past few days, and my headache was not getting any better. So I decided to be a little lazy and take the Friendship Boat back to the Boardwalk.

I laid out Flat Shannon #3! Tomorrow I knew I'd be okay running without extra layers - yay!

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Day 3: Friday, January 9, 2015 - Post-10K, Part 2

What the heck else did I do during this time?? I have no idea. I didn't sleep though! So that's good. I do know I was grabbing a Friendship Boat at about 5:45 for the loooong journey across the lake. See? Being good and staying off of my feet!

Looking back:

Dinner this evening was at Beaches and Cream - a favorite of the four of us! Holly and I arrived at about the same time and checked in...we were surprised that not only did we get seated without everyone present, but they also took us to a booth! No need to try to squeeze around one of those smaller tables!

Courtney and Jess arrived soon after. Menus weren't really needed...

...we all knew what we were getting! Great minds, great minds.

SOOOO SO GOOD!

This was a really great dinner! Just full of laughing, great conversation, delicious food...can't go wrong! Except that I could feel myself crashing, and crashing hard. I mean...a No Way Jose was ordered and I didn't even eat any of it! I really don't think I had one bite! I did take this beautiful photo though:

I knew I wasn't sick or anything, just a little tired. We settled the bill, said goodbye and I headed back out onto the boat dock a little before 8PM.

There was another small group waiting for a boat, and one of the guys started talking to me. He asked me if I was going Dopey, I said yes, and then he was sort of lecturing me for not being asleep yet! Dude...where do you think I'm going right now?!

The boat carried me all the way back across the lake. I called Will and after chatting for a bit, double-checked all of my stuff for tomorrow and was in bed by 8:45!!

Up Next: The 2015 Walt Disney World Half Marathon!! Featuring one VERY Evil Queen...

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Love the 10K course!! I didn't stop for any characters last year, but I just remember running through lit-up Epcot with a goofy grin on my face the entire time - it was so magical!!

I can totally relate to the "goofy grin" during a Disney race! You weren't the only one by a long shot!

And I love the medal! I have to say I like it better than my Enchanted 10K medal from last year.....so maybe I have to run this one in 2016

Oh totally. Minnie is just classic I did really like the Princess 10K medal though...I was way jealous when Courtney got hers last year!

 

[rteetz]

I love the drawing class in DHS. We drew Donald in July unfortunately we didn't get to do it marathon weekend tho.

Beaches and cream is a favorite of mine. We haven't been since 2012 but that's when we did the kitchen sink definitely a must do at least once except make sure you have other people to share it with you.

 

[mbwhitti]

SOOOO SO GOOD!

Yes yes yes!!! I had this for the first time the day after the Marathon and it was sooooooooooo delicious! I've been craving it ever since I got home. Needless to say I've worked out an ADR for when I go back for PHM. Hope my girlfriends like it as much as I did. It's such a great value too!! Now I'm drooling.

 

[Ariel484]

I love the drawing class in DHS. We drew Donald in July unfortunately we didn't get to do it marathon weekend tho.

That's one of my favorite things to do at WDW.

Beaches and cream is a favorite of mine. We haven't been since 2012 but that's when we did the kitchen sink definitely a must do at least once except make sure you have other people to share it with you.

I will put the Kitchen Sink on my Disney Bucket List for sure!

Yes yes yes!!! I had this for the first time the day after the Marathon and it was sooooooooooo delicious! I've been craving it ever since I got home. Needless to say I've worked out an ADR for when I go back for PHM. Hope my girlfriends like it as much as I did. It's such a great value too!! Now I'm drooling.

Totally agree - very reasonably-priced as far as Disney Table Services go. And the grilled cheese with the tomato soup is a winner every time...EVERY TIME!!

 

[Ariel484]

Day 4: Saturday, January 10, 2015

2015 Walt Disney World Half Marathon! Arriving

I slept really, really well Friday night. Unfortunately yesterday's headache and crabby mood were still there when I woke up!

Out into the lobby I went. There's this little cushy circular bench thing in the Boardwalk lobby with a carousel on it...I sat there and sipped my coffee for a bit since I still had some time to kill before getting on the bus.

There was a lot more activity in the lobby this morning compared to the previous 2 mornings - lots more runners appearing and heading out to the bus stop. This surprised me until I remembered that - DUH - this race was much bigger than the 5K and 10K (about 26,000 runners this morning vs. 12,000 or so for both the 5K and 10K). Once that realization hit me I quickly headed to the lobby bathroom for one last *real* bathroom trip and headed out to the bus stop. There was a big line this morning but it moved quickly and I was on a bus. A big line remained as we pulled away.

The bus dropped us off at Epcot around 4 and I was in the porta-potty lines by 4:10.

Even though I'd woken up in a not-so-great mood, I could feel it turning around for one big reason - I wouldn't be running this race alone! Jess was running with me today!!

Quick backstory on Jess - when she, Holly and I were in Disney in February to cheer Courtney on during the Glass Slipper Challenge, Courtney told me she was thinking of running the Wine & Dine Half Marathon. I quickly invited myself along - I felt I needed a re-do after limping through that race injured in 2013. Holly and Jess quickly decided they wanted to run as well, and we all signed up a couple of weeks later.

The thing is, Jess had never run a race before and HATED running...the rest of us had a few Disney races under our belts by then. But her hatred of running was outweighed by the promise of a fun time with the rest of us and the thought of earning a beautiful Spaceship Earth medal at the finish line. Over the course of a few months, girl turned herself into a runner and successfully completed the half (so did the rest of us). I was so proud!

HOWEVER.

For those of you who don't know what happened during this most recent Wine & Dine Half Marathon - it rained. Like, a lot. Almost the entire time. And it was cold and dark out. Now that I'm a little removed from it I'm still not sure how I feel about the race as a whole - it wasn't disastrous, but the atmosphere on the course just wasn't the same. It wasn't as festive and - this is a word I don't use very much - magical. I do totally feel like a bad*** for running 13.1 miles in the rain though, lemme tell ya.

Jess didn't say so at the time, but I'm pretty sure this experience left her thinking that the rest of us were nuts for saying that Disney races were fun. Wine & Dine was just tough...really, really tough. And for someone's first-ever half marathon? I can't imagine.

Over the past couple of days I got the impression that Jess wasn't really looking forward to this weekend's half. I was hoping the experience would be much, much different this time around - JUST NO RAIN, PLEASE.

Anyway, Jess arrived at the staging area and we started the walk to the corrals. The set-up was different this morning - for the 5K and the 10K the corrals were right next to the staging area. For the half marathon and marathon the corrals were in a different location, and we'd need to walk a good half-mile/20ish minutes to get there.

So we walked and chatted. Again, it was a little chilly this morning but the forecast was calling for (what was in my mind) perfect running weather. Temperatures in the 50s/60s and sunny, if I recall correctly.

We passed more porta-potties on the walk to the corrals and stopped at the last bank before heading into Corral I. Jess had been corralled a little higher (H maybe?) and dropped back to run with me.

The announcers were already engaged in their pre-race banter..."Who's running Dopey? Who's running Goofy? Who's running JUST the half marathon?"



Jess and I looked at eachother...really? This is by far one of my biggest pet peeves with the race announcers...they say stuff like that at EVERY race. It became a running joke for the rest of the day... "Whatever, you're JUST running 13.1 miles. It's JUST a half marathon." Sigh.

We creeped up as close to the front of our corral as we could and sat down to eat our breakfast. I don't remember exactly how it came up, but as we were sitting there I remember telling Jess that Dopey was a one-and-done for me. I didn't feel sore at all, and I didn't feel overly tired...just crabby. I probably WAS tired and just didn't realize it.

A different Disney vocalist sang the National Anthem this morning (a guy, and he was AWESOME!) and the race began at 5:30!

We moved up and began to toss our throwaway clothes (long-sleeved shirt and another pair of too-short leggings for me this morning). With each corral release, Disney music would be played - one of the corrals got Spectromagic music and Jess and I both freaked out. Man I miss that parade. Another corral may have gotten Metallica? Decidedly NOT Disney!

Up we creeped.

Continued in Next Post