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

[Ariel484]

2015 Walt Disney World Marathon! Animal Kingdom!

Into Animal Kingdom we go!

Funny little story here (maybe only funny to me): during a race it is proper etiquette to move to the side of the course and put up a hand to signal that you are about to take a walk break (whether or not people always do that is another story... ahem). Right before we entered the park, I did that - moved to the side, put up my hand - just as I was approaching a CM who was cheering for us. And he put up his hand like he thought I wanted a high-five. So awkward! I gave him one anyway.

There were Cast Members with animals on the side of the road here...a warthog, a turtle, a goat, etc. Jiminy Cricket was there too - have met, did skip.

Right after we entered Animal Kingdom, a Cast Member was positioned near us saying magical, magical words: 'BATHROOMS! BATHROOMS ON YOUR RIGHT!"



I'd been holding out for the bathrooms near Asia, but since this one was literally right next to me, I checked it - no line! So I popped in for a quick stop. Huzzah for a *real* bathroom! I think I re-tied my other shoe here, too.

Now...normally the run through Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite parts of the race, but I have to say - all of those construction walls were really kind of a downer. I know it's for the greater good, but still...

We ran through the park and I found myself slowing up as I approached Everest...dare I hop off the course for a ride?

Time stamp on the above picture is 8:44...so a little over 15 minutes until park opening, and there was already a line. I passed. I sort of regret it, but I didn't want to wait at the time.

Oh hey, I didn't see you there!

HAHA J/K, I totally did!

I'm pretty sure Pluto was out at his normal Dinoland spot, and there was an area that I know was a character set-up, but whoever was there was switching out when I ran by. I feel like I may have seen pictures later with Jungle Book characters, or possibly Rafiki? All characters I've met before so whatever.

We powered through the rest of Dinoland and were out of the park.

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

2015 Walt Disney World Marathon! SWOOOOOON

And here's Mile Marker 13!

And the halfway point!!

The red and blue thing on the ground is a timing mat - that's what senses the chips on the race bibs and sends out the timing updates. I took the above picture and made sure to step over the timing mat...surely an update would be sent out at the halfway point.

I looked at my phone...no update. Um, what?

By now Will had been up for awhile and was texting with me. He'd been getting my updates all weekend, starting with the 10K...he too did not get this one. I started to get a little concerned - I really was sure this was another update spot. Would this cause a problem later on with me getting my Dopey medal?? Or was the next update sent at mile 15??

Oh well. There was nothing I could do about it now - and let's face it, if they gave me a hard time I had a phone full of pictures proving that I'd been busting my butt all morning. It would be okay. That's what I was telling myself, anyway.

Upon leaving Animal Kingdom, I took a deep breath and braced myself for the crappiness that was about to begin. I remembered from last year that miles 15-20 (the journey to ESPN Wide World of Sports followed by the never-ending zigzag through that complex) were by far my least favorite on the course. And leaving a park is never fun, especially with the next one SO far away...so I was prepared to start to feel a little bummed here and for it to last for the next 7 miles or so.

We left Animal Kingdom and it was time for another walk break for me right as we were passing the park entrance. I put my hand up and heard a spectator call out, "That's right, you WORK those intervals!" This struck me as really, really funny. Great timing, lady!

Note to future marathon runners: this stretch of the course at the AK entrance is pretty crowded (just one lane to run in), but it's also pretty fun because there are lots of spectators. Lots of high fives here! And I think one of my favorite signs of the race was in here...even if it wasn't, I'm going to mention it now while I'm thinking about it. It said: "FOUR FOR YOU, GLEN COCO!" I told the guy holding said sign that he was brilliant (I mean, really, "Mean Girls" is a classic piece of cinema), and the guy gave me a thumbs up and yelled, "YOU GO, GLEN COCO!" So even though leaving the park was a bummer, the spectators really, really were lifting my spirits.

We ran past the bus stops, and I saw a character set-up that was my one-and-only must-get for today - one that I'd been visualizing for awhile now (because I'm an insane person ). I got in line, re-tied my shoes, and texted with Will a bit. ("I can see MM14 but I’m in line for a picture with Mickey.")

And now...a short story in three pictures.

"Hi Mickey!"

"So I was thinking...would you kiss my hand for this picture? That might be cute, right?"

"Swooooon!"

FIN.

Continued in Next Post

 

[rteetz]

That is kind of funny that the CM gave you a High Five. I didn't know those rules so that's good I keep learning new things about running and the other races from these TRs. AK does have a lot of walls at the moment but I can't wait for the end product.,
I will say the spectators really help and their signs are great.

 

[mbwhitti]

Upon leaving Animal Kingdom, I took a deep breath and braced myself for the crappiness that was about to begin. I remembered from last year that miles 15-20 (the journey to ESPN Wide World of Sports followed by the never-ending zigzag through that complex) were by far my least favorite on the course.

I couldn't agree more! I thought WWS would NEVER end! And the rain hit us during that time...blah. I'm completely kicking myself for not stopping for Safari Mickey. DH and I said we would stop more during these races bc we didn't stoop AT ALL during PHM last year. We did make an effort to stop more, but after 3 days of early wake-ups, I think we just wanted to be done during the Marathon. We did stop to ride Everest though! You were about 20 minutes ahead of us, so we had perfect timing for the ride at 9:05 am thanks to our terrible corral placement (I guess it worked in our favor for this particular part!).

 

[RnbwSktles]

Upon leaving Animal Kingdom, I took a deep breath and braced myself for the crappiness that was about to begin. I remembered from last year that miles 15-20 (the journey to ESPN Wide World of Sports followed by the never-ending zigzag through that complex) were by far my least favorite on the course. And leaving a park is never fun, especially with the next one SO far away...so I was prepared to start to feel a little bummed here and for it to last for the next 7 miles or so.

I was thinking the same thing going into that stretch, but it honestly flew by faster than I expected!

We left Animal Kingdom and it was time for another walk break for me right as we were passing the park entrance. I put my hand up and heard a spectator call out, "That's right, you WORK those intervals!" This struck me as really, really funny. Great timing, lady!

LOL I think the same woman said that to me! Someone in that area did at least, and they even shouted out my name.

 

[Ariel484]

That is kind of funny that the CM gave you a High Five. I didn't know those rules so that's good I keep learning new things about running and the other races from these TRs. AK does have a lot of walls at the moment but I can't wait for the end product.,
I will say the spectators really help and their signs are great.

Yeah, I enjoyed the CM high-five even if it caught me by surprise!

That "move to the side and put up a hand" rule is so you don't just start suddenly walking in the middle of the course and the person behind you rams into you because they had no idea you were going to slow down! I actually had a few other runners thank me for putting my hand up that weekend.

I couldn't agree more! I thought WWS would NEVER end! And the rain hit us during that time...blah. I'm completely kicking myself for not stopping for Safari Mickey. DH and I said we would stop more during these races bc we didn't stoop AT ALL during PHM last year. We did make an effort to stop more, but after 3 days of early wake-ups, I think we just wanted to be done during the Marathon. We did stop to ride Everest though! You were about 20 minutes ahead of us, so we had perfect timing for the ride at 9:05 am thanks to our terrible corral placement (I guess it worked in our favor for this particular part!).

AHHHH you rode Everest!! I keep going back and forth over whether I regret not riding. The timing really hasn't worked out yet, though, and I can't see myself waiting around for it to open.

I am so with you on ESPN...SO WITH YOU!! I didn't love the old Osceola out-and-back but I'd still trade the old pre-2013 course for this one, no questions asked.

I was thinking the same thing going into that stretch, but it honestly flew by faster than I expected!

It did for me too! such a relief.

LOL I think the same woman said that to me! Someone in that area did at least, and they even shouted out my name.

hahaha...maybe it WAS the same person! How funny!!

 

[Miffy2003]

More great updates!! Eagerly waiting to see if you stopped at the next photo op - I know you've done it before but it was probably my favourite photo of the entire race for us

 

[disneyhorselover]

Haha love that Dopey costume...I think we may have seen him on the course, or a very similar one at least.

Halfway Dopey....I got a kick out of the announcers kind of tongue in cheek mentioning that you guys were half done and then 3/4 done before the half and full...like, sure, thats probably the best way to think about it...haha

It could be because I've had a really long day but I just laughed sooo hard at your mile marker 4 caption

Congrats on getting into Dumbo! I am in constant conflict with myself because I REEEAAALLYYYYY want to do it but I really can't spend any more money on Disney this year...but it sounds SO appealing to only have to run 19.3 miles and get 4 medals after running 39.3 miles to get 3! That coast to coast will have to wait for another year I suppose...

Nobody needs an excuse to post cute pup pictures, just do it!

We saw Louis in the marathon so he was definitely out...and was it just me or was this race (and the half) lacking in character stops compared to previous years? This was my first year, but you better believe I did my character research from previous years TRs, and there were some notable missing stops!

The speedway entrance was definitely a little scary. I second what somebody else said, thank goodness it wasn't much later in the race because I don't think I would have made it down that slope! (Or up for matter, even slight grades became an issue lol)
I thought the racetrack was fun enough, but I did not know those things were that big til we were on it! And I definitely remember thinking that I was glad it wasn't super sunny at that point.

Robin Hood was definitely a fun pic...we didn't stop because the line was long but it was cool to see them.
Do you remember where the dogs (Dug, Pluto, Bolt) were in previous years? I was expecting them on this stretch and very disappointed that they weren't out.

I don't blame you for not wanting to wait for Everest, that's a long time to stand around! We came through there about 10 minutes later and luckily it was already running so we were able to get right on.

I totally missed any other characters in AK!! There was someone from the Fab 5 (I think) in Dinoland with a super long line, but I would have loved to get Rafiki or Baloo....did anyone see them out later? I wonder if I completely missed them or if they weren't out at that point.

I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROCESS AT THE HALFWAY POINT!!!! Completely freaked out about the lack of text, then decided I had the pics to prove it and there was no use stressing...at least it all worked out for everyone in the end!

I wish I had seen the Glen Coco sign-thats awesome!!! Important question for you: how many Mean Girls references is too many?

I also saw my favorite sign in this stretch...a guy with a sign that just said "Bye Felicia" ....I had only heard of it the night before (if you haven't, look it up on urban dictionary) and I nearly died laughing and running.

Mickey is such a charmer!

 

[JolllyHoliday]

Hi there! I don't post very often but I have been enjoying your trip report. Not into running but if I was, I would love to run through Disney. It looks like lots of fun. Do they allow walkers ?

 

[loop]

Loving your race report. You got a bunch of REALLY good photos. Like, seriously--

Adorable! I always look super awkward in character pictures (let alone race pictures...) but that is super cute.

And I think one of my favorite signs of the race was in here...even if it wasn't, I'm going to mention it now while I'm thinking about it. It said: "FOUR FOR YOU, GLEN COCO!" I told the guy holding said sign that he was brilliant (I mean, really, "Mean Girls" is a classic piece of cinema), and the guy gave me a thumbs up and yelled, "YOU GO, GLEN COCO!" So even though leaving the park was a bummer, the spectators really, really were lifting my spirits.

<dies> Best race sign ever. Have you heard that they're making a Mean Girls musical? I'm so looking forward to that.

 

[Ariel484]

More great updates!! Eagerly waiting to see if you stopped at the next photo op - I know you've done it before but it was probably my favourite photo of the entire race for us

If it's the one that I'm thinking of...yes but I kist of cheater.

Haha love that Dopey costume...I think we may have seen him on the course, or a very similar one at least.

Major props to anyone that can run a marathon in a costume like that. I certainly wouldn't be able to!

Halfway Dopey....I got a kick out of the announcers kind of tongue in cheek mentioning that you guys were half done and then 3/4 done before the half and full...like, sure, thats probably the best way to think about it...haha

I know!! That is definitely the glass half-full approach.

It could be because I've had a really long day but I just laughed sooo hard at your mile marker 4 caption

BUT REALLY SIR. I mean, he was looking right at me. It's not like it was any big mystery what I was doing...

Congrats on getting into Dumbo! I am in constant conflict with myself because I REEEAAALLYYYYY want to do it but I really can't spend any more money on Disney this year...but it sounds SO appealing to only have to run 19.3 miles and get 4 medals after running 39.3 miles to get 3! That coast to coast will have to wait for another year I suppose...

THANK YOU!!! AHHHH I AM SO EXCITED! Courtney, Jess and I have been texting about it non-stop since Tuesday!

OMG - great point about running way less miles to get 4 medals! I didn't even think about that!

Nobody needs an excuse to post cute pup pictures, just do it!

Ummm....OKAY!

We saw Louis in the marathon so he was definitely out...and was it just me or was this race (and the half) lacking in character stops compared to previous years? This was my first year, but you better believe I did my character research from previous years TRs, and there were some notable missing stops!

Not just you. I had certain spots where I was expecting characters to be out and they weren't there.

Can I just say, I LOVE that you did some character research ahead of time! That's totally something I have done!

The speedway entrance was definitely a little scary. I second what somebody else said, thank goodness it wasn't much later in the race because I don't think I would have made it down that slope! (Or up for matter, even slight grades became an issue lol)
I thought the racetrack was fun enough, but I did not know those things were that big til we were on it! And I definitely remember thinking that I was glad it wasn't super sunny at that point.

Yeah, we got really lucky with the weather! Sun would have been a killer! I totally agree that you don't realize how gigantic those things are until you run on one!

Robin Hood was definitely a fun pic...we didn't stop because the line was long but it was cool to see them.
Do you remember where the dogs (Dug, Pluto, Bolt) were in previous years? I was expecting them on this stretch and very disappointed that they weren't out.

The dog stop wasn't there when I did the marathon in 2012 and 2013...that was one I was looking for this year and was disappointed not to find it.

I don't blame you for not wanting to wait for Everest, that's a long time to stand around! We came through there about 10 minutes later and luckily it was already running so we were able to get right on.

AHHHH how was it?! I'm jealous!!

I totally missed any other characters in AK!! There was someone from the Fab 5 (I think) in Dinoland with a super long line, but I would have loved to get Rafiki or Baloo....did anyone see them out later? I wonder if I completely missed them or if they weren't out at that point.

They've been out in past years but I personally see them this year! Animal Kingdom was light on characters this year.

I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROCESS AT THE HALFWAY POINT!!!! Completely freaked out about the lack of text, then decided I had the pics to prove it and there was no use stressing...at least it all worked out for everyone in the end!

RIGHT?? I mean, the challenge wording sounded way more strict this year so I freaked out a little bit!!

I wish I had seen the Glen Coco sign-thats awesome!!! Important question for you: how many Mean Girls references is too many?

The limit does not exist...THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXIST!!

I also saw my favorite sign in this stretch...a guy with a sign that just said "Bye Felicia" ....I had only heard of it the night before (if you haven't, look it up on urban dictionary) and I nearly died laughing and running.

YES! I saw that one too! Courtney, Jess and I were saying that a ton that weekend so I flipped when I saw that sign (toward the end I think?).

Mickey is such a charmer!

He certainly is!

Hi there! I don't post very often but I have been enjoying your trip report. Not into running but if I was, I would love to run through Disney. It looks like lots of fun. Do they allow walkers ?

Hi there!

The races are definitely fun and they do welcome walkers! You just need to make sure you can keep an overall pace of 16:00/mile.

Loving your race report. You got a bunch of REALLY good photos. Like, seriously--

Adorable! I always look super awkward in character pictures (let alone race pictures...) but that is super cute.

Thank you!! Since that was my one must-get of the day I was happy it turned out well!

<dies> Best race sign ever. Have you heard that they're making a Mean Girls musical? I'm so looking forward to that.

Now that you mention it, yes - I did hear that!! I'm gonna have to see that one, I think...

 

[Ariel484]

2015 Walt Disney World Marathon! ESPN Wide World of Sports BOOOOO

Eventually I passed Mile Marker 14 and began the dreaded run down Osceola Parkway. Just about 4 miles of boring highway...yawn.

At least there's some entertainment here, though - the undertakers were out during this mile! Lemme take a selfie!

See those feet sticking out behind my new friend here? There were gravestones set up and runners were lying down pretending like they were going to get buried. Who can lie down at this point during a marathon and successfully get back up again?! I can't!

And 15. With McDonald's in the background. I mentioned before that I had been wondering if maybe there actually HAD NOT been a timing mat at the halfway point, since I hadn't gotten an update...maybe the update would come at 15? But no, no timing mat there.

Phineas and Ferb were out again today - again, they had a short line, so I stopped. And wondered why the heck Perry/Agent P wasn't out, too. Isn't that what the races are about...rare character meets? They are also about running, but mostly about the characters. And the bling.

By now there were 2 lanes on the course separated by one row of cones - those of us that had just passed Mile Marker 16 were heading into hellhole that is ESPN Wide World of Sports, and everyone else coming toward us had just gotten out of that awful place and were at mile 20. Everyone was very close together and there were announcers yelling excitedly about how we were at mile 20!! Just a 10K left!! So demoralizing when you're in the half of the group that isn't there yet.

Ugh. And here we are.

This was another part of the course where I was bracing myself for the worst. I really, really hated this place in 2013. I know some people are fine with it, but I am not one of them. You're in there for so long...so many twists and turns...almost zero entertainment. It feels like it never ends. ARRRG.

Dramatic much?

I told myself not to focus on how much this was going to suck...instead I just put my game face on and stuck to my intervals. One thing that really helped me in this stretch - over the entire course of the weekend, really - and it sounds SO stupid...was Instagram. I mentioned earlier that I was totally relying on my phone for all pictures this weekend, and any time I had a walk break I'd quickly post a picture from the course to my Instagram account. And then the next time I opened the app my feed would be flooded with super awesome, super nice comments from people. It was like I had my own little traveling cheer squad all morning, and it was pretty awesome.

Sidenote: remember how my friend Courtney and her husband Austin were also running the marathon? Well during a WWoS walk break I opened Instagram to find that Courtney had just posted a photo of the two of them RIDING EVEREST. Man was I jealous!!

This was weird...the last time I ran the marathon they gave us wet sponges at this stop. This time it was wet washcloths.

In 2013 (when there was a heat advisory all weekend) the sponge had felt soooo amazing, but I actually didn't take the washcloth this year. It was pretty overcast and the temperatures weren't bad at all, so I didn't feel like I needed it.


Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

2015 Walt Disney World Marathon! Escape from ESPN Wide World of Sports!!

Soldiering on...

Heading to the track...

On the track for one lap. There was a game of ultimate frisbee going on in the middle of the oval, or something.

Tra la la, still in WWoS...

There was a second banana stop during this mile. I took another one and ate half of it - under-ripe and cold, just like the last one.

Almost time to go into the stadium...but now it was raining!! It wasn't like Wine & Dine, thankfully - rather than a sort of heavy, steady rain like we'd experience in November, this was more of a constant misting. It was actually kind of refreshing.

And remember how Jess and I saw that guy running on the prosthetics during the half marathon?? I saw him in here AGAIN. I texted Jess - "That guy from yesterday on the blades is going Goofy!" I had to speed up to distance myself from him because, once again, I was tearing up a bit. Later on I saw a picture of him on the runDisney Facebook page - he was wearing a DOPEY bib! Crazy awesome.

We took a sharp turn and headed into Champion Stadium. Apparently Chip & Dale were out for photos somewhere around here, but I either missed them or they were switching out when I went by.

"WWoS is boring."

I left the stadium and came upon the concept art of the medals that I'd taken a picture with on Wednesday. Sooooo close!

Much less fanfare around mile 20 this year compared to 2013...the rain had stopped by now.

Also, I got a time alert in here - finally! 20 miles in 4:20:37, 13:02/mile pace. Estimated finish time of 5:41:39 (11:45AM). I was also happy to find that I had texts from a friend and from my brother, Craig (who'd been getting my tracking updates all weekend) waiting!! That made me super happy for sure.

So yeah, overall WWoS wasn't too horrible for me this year - I still don't LIKE it, but I didn't hate it this time like I did in 2013. Maybe because I knew what to expect this year.

Continued in Next Post

 

[ZellyB]

Mile 20!!! Almost there (well okay, 6 more miles, but still close!).

Okay, those shots with Mickey are too freaking cute. I adore them. And I completely agree on the fan support leaving AK. There were lots of people and they were so energetic. It was a really nice boost here.

You are doing a great job with pace and rolling along. WWoS. Sigh. What can you say? I always feel just lost in there too with all the twists and turns, like where am I now? I also always feel like Champion Stadium will come up much sooner than it does so around every twist and turn I'm thinking we are headed there and then...nope. I get why they run us through there and to get to 26 miles there has to be some boring miles covered in there, but this is just not a fun stretch.

Showing my age here, but I didn't know the Glen Coco or Bye Felicia tidbits. I had to google them. So, hey, I'm now more educated in pop culture. An added plus to reading trip reports.

They did washcloths last year too instead of the sponges from 2013. Like you, I didn't take one since we had just finished being rained on and I was quite comfortable from a temp standpoint. VERY different from the heat of 2013. Give me a nice cool misty rain anyday over sun and 80 degree temps.

 

[rteetz]

Woohoo mile 20 almost there! I've heard from a lot of runners that they didn't like the ESPN portion. I did however hear from a runner from wisconsin who said they ran into the stadium and heard On Wisconsin our state song. Now that would pump me up for sure.

 

[Chiomaca]

i'd never trained with bananas either, but took one at both stops and I'm so glad I did. I am not sure I'd have made it without them, and I refuse to take orange slices and get sticky ever again. (Mile 10 at Marine Corps and spent 16 miles trying to unsticky myself at every water stop.)

My second goal (behind finishing) was to ride Everest and thankfully there wasn't much of a line at all by the time my group got there. I had to buy that ride pic!

 

[Miffy2003]

Great update!!!

The gravedigger dude in your photo...he was totally utterly in character the whole time. We were in the line waiting for the photo and I had was talking to my DH - he sneaked up right behind me and HISSED IN MY EAR! As in, his mouth was right by my ear.

I nearly had a heart attack and was happy to lie down (it's not as bad as it looks, promise!)

 

[ursalita]

You're so close! I love that picture of you with Mickey, so cute!

I'm dumb but I never realized that you could do run/walk intervals in a marathon. I just assumed that you had to run the whole thing. I did my first 5k this fall and never thought I'd do more than that. Now that I know you can run/walk it's got me considering doing one of these Disney races. There's so much to get your mind off running.

ETA: I forgot to mention that the woman holding up the Awesome poster looks like Victoria Jackson from SNL.

 

[pxefig]

Yay! Congrats on the Dumbo! I'm happy to see you are doing the 5k as well- since you haven't done DL before the non timed race is a MUST! The whole thing is the two theme parks and I know you'll want lots of picture stops!
This was Chip and Dale at WWoS- they were so cute!

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[pxefig]

Holy goodness, how do I make my picture smaller?! Sorry! Didn't want it to be that insanely huge!