I am never riding Space Mountain again! A Marathon Weekend TR Complete

[rteetz]

Just joined and got myself caught up on your report. I have to say, as a High School teacher, you are one heck of a mature and articulate 17 year old. Dude, I am impressed Can't wait to hear how your first 1/2 goes.

Thanks for joining in! Thanks for the kind words as well. I should have my half update later this week!

 

[natebenma]

FoLK:

I like the pictures you have of each family member before the show.

Your pictures of the show are excellent. It is such a visually stunning production and the songs from Lion King are some of my favorite Disney songs. The cast members are so stinking talented!!! Unfortunately, it has been several years since we have seen the show. My guys are all about the rides and I have to beg or bribe to get them into shows. So I really appreciate seeing all the pictures.

Safari:

Wow! Just wow!!! Your pictures from the safari are absolutely amazing. Such great close-ups.

And I agree with you and everyone else- the photo of the lioness is incredible.



I can see why you are a runner. You are hard to keep up with. Off to read your next update.

 

[rteetz]

FoLK:

I like the pictures you have of each family member before the show.

Your pictures of the show are excellent. It is such a visually stunning production and the songs from Lion King are some of my favorite Disney songs. The cast members are so stinking talented!!! Unfortunately, it has been several years since we have seen the show. My guys are all about the rides and I have to beg or bribe to get them into shows. So I really appreciate seeing all the pictures.

Safari:

Wow! Just wow!!! Your pictures from the safari are absolutely amazing. Such great close-ups.

And I agree with you and everyone else- the photo of the lioness is incredible.



I can see why you are a runner. You are hard to keep up with. Off to read your next update.

I did that last year too. I took pictures of everyone before FOTLK. It wastes some of the time waiting for the show.

I love rides too but I make an effort to see this show because it's my favorite. I haven't missed it in my last three trips now.

Thanks! I was very pleased with how my safari pictures turned out. Now I just need to work on perfecting nighttime pictures with the nighttime safari coming.

I usually wait around four days between updates. I don't like to update so soon but I also don't want to fall behind. Don't worry though you have at least four days until my next update and that will be broken up in sections as I have a lot to say and show you guys about my half!

 

[natebenma]

Wow, the clouds were gorgeous and shiny that night at Disney Springs. I was at MK that night and it was a glorious evening.

Disney Springs was celebrating the new year!

This picture amuses me. Before this area was Disney Springs and even before it was Downtown Disney, it was Pleasure Island where it was New Years Eve every night. In fact they had a countdown to "midnight" every night (sometimes twice) along with a street party. Hot-Hot-Hot!

Portobello was our favorite restaurant back then. They served the bread with roasted garlic. Do they still do that? Sooooo good!

 

[rteetz]

Wow, the clouds were gorgeous and shiny that night at Disney Springs. I was at MK that night and it was a glorious evening.




This picture amuses me. Before this area was Disney Springs and even before it was Downtown Disney, it was Pleasure Island where it was New Years Eve every night. In fact they had a countdown to "midnight" every night (sometimes twice) along with a street party. Hot-Hot-Hot!

Portobello was our favorite restaurant back then. They served the bread with roasted garlic. Do they still do that? Sooooo good!

Yes they do still do the bread with the garlic!

 

[SarahDisney]

Shopping at Disney Springs is always fun!
I really should have stopped in at Jock Lindsey's. I'm not a big drinker, but I think it would be cool to look around inside.

Almost half marathon time! I totally don't blame you for being too nervous to sleep ... I'm sure I would have been the same way!

 

[rteetz]

Shopping at Disney Springs is always fun!
I really should have stopped in at Jock Lindsey's. I'm not a big drinker, but I think it would be cool to look around inside.

Almost half marathon time! I totally don't blame you for being too nervous to sleep ... I'm sure I would have been the same way!

Yes even just walking around Disney Springs is fun.

I figure when I'm older I'll enjoy going to the different restaurants and bars in the landing.

Yes the nerves were kicking in. At least I did get some sleep.

 

[Terra Nova guy]

I'm just getting all caught up (I posted early on in your TR, in case you forgot )

I think yours are the first pictures I've seen from Portobello. My family loves Italian so that could be an option. The food looks good!

 

[marydis]

Okay….. My first post.. I was on here years ago…..
I have to say .. quite the TR.. I cannot wait to read the next update.. I am hoping to do a runDisney run… next year and your report really makes me want to do it for sure

 

[rteetz]

I'm just getting all caught up (I posted early on in your TR, in case you forgot )

I think yours are the first pictures I've seen from Portobello. My family loves Italian so that could be an option. The food looks good!

I've eaten at portobello the last two trips. I've had nothing to complain about either time. I would go back again.

Okay….. My first post.. I was on here years ago…..
I have to say .. quite the TR.. I cannot wait to read the next update.. I am hoping to do a runDisney run… next year and your report really makes me want to do it for sure

Thanks for following along! I hope you get to do a RunDisney event.

 

[Pluto0809]

Portobellos is on my list of restaurants to try someday. The meals look wonderful! Not sure about the Boathouse though, it's a bit fancy for me.

Oh, I saw you mentioned the Big Al figure on my TR. It's actually available on the Shop Disney Parks App and they have free shipping right now on orders over $49.

Can't wait to read about the 1/2 marathon!

 

[ZellyB]

I'm anxious to check out Disney Springs on the next trip. We didn't go over there at all on our W&D trip, so by the time we go back it will have been 2 years since we've been there. I'm excited to see the progress.

Those amphibian cars (or whatever they are called) look like they would be so much fun, but I can only imagine the cost!

Woohoo for the half coming up. I always have trouble getting to sleep the night before a race. Too much anticipation. I can't wait to read about it.

 

[rteetz]

Portobellos is on my list of restaurants to try someday. The meals look wonderful! Not sure about the Boathouse though, it's a bit fancy for me.

Oh, I saw you mentioned the Big Al figure on my TR. It's actually available on the Shop Disney Parks App and they have free shipping right now on orders over $49.

Can't wait to read about the 1/2 marathon!

Definitely try Portobellos. My parents didn't say boathouse was fancy or anything and they enjoyed every bring they got.

I'll have to look at that thanks!

Coming up later this week!

I'm anxious to check out Disney Springs on the next trip. We didn't go over there at all on our W&D trip, so by the time we go back it will have been 2 years since we've been there. I'm excited to see the progress.

Those amphibian cars (or whatever they are called) look like they would be so much fun, but I can only imagine the cost!

Woohoo for the half coming up. I always have trouble getting to sleep the night before a race. Too much anticipation. I can't wait to read about it.

Yes I'm loving Disney springs and it should be finished by marathon weekend 2017.

It's $150 for an hour ride. But that's for a group of three so I guess you could split it and it would be only $50 a person.

Being my first half I think I was even more anxious.

 

[Chaitali]

Sounds like fun at Disney Springs. We went to Jock Lindsay's when we were there in November and it was a fun place for drinks with great theming, but we weren't too fond of the food. I look forward to hearing about your first half marathon!

 

[rteetz]

Sounds like fun at Disney Springs. We went to Jock Lindsay's when we were there in November and it was a fun place for drinks with great theming, but we weren't too fond of the food. I look forward to hearing about your first half marathon!

I've heard mixed reviews on the food at Jocks. Marathon update later this week!

 

[emilyindisney]

All caught up (phew- didn't realize how far behind I got!) and ready to hear your take on the half!

On a side note- I'm considering going DSLR, one reason specifically being that I wanna upgrade my Disney pics, so I appreciate how you've posted a couple times mention what camera you're using for your shots. Interesting to see the side by side comparisons!

 

[rteetz]

All caught up (phew- didn't realize how far behind I got!) and ready to hear your take on the half!

On a side note- I'm considering going DSLR, one reason specifically being that I wanna upgrade my Disney pics, so I appreciate how you've posted a couple times mention what camera you're using for your shots. Interesting to see the side by side comparisons!

I guess I've gotten a little speedy in my updates. Half will come at the end of the week.

My DSLR was a Christmas present (Thanks Grandma!). It's a Canon Eos i5. I know people with Nikon as well I think both are great brands. All of my pictures are either iPhone 6+ or my canon. I can say I love shooting Disney. I hope you find something that fits you!

 

[cavepig]

10:15 getting to sleep, that's not too bad! I find it very hard to sleep before the races, the nerves & excitement! Great pictures, I'm too lazy (& paranoid of damage) to bring my big camera/lenses to Disney, so really enjoyed your Safari pics! We skipped Disney Springs (as usual as I just don't care for it much), so it was nice seeing your pictures, may have to get back there...one day! Excited for your half report!

 

[rteetz]

10:15 getting to sleep, that's not too bad! I find it very hard to sleep before the races, the nerves & excitement! Great pictures, I'm too lazy (& paranoid of damage) to bring my big camera/lenses to Disney, so really enjoyed your Safari pics! We skipped Disney Springs (as usual as I just don't care for it much), so it was nice seeing your pictures, may have to get back there...one day! Excited for your half report!

Yes I always lay in bed for probably an hour before I actually fall asleep.

Disney is my main place for photos so I bring my camera. I like the springs for a place just to hang out and after marathon Sunday they have a lot of deals for runners.

 

[rteetz]

My First Half Marathon

I figured I would get an update out before the weekend. My half marathon update/review will likely be a good two or three part series. Anyways on with the show!

I had set three alarms I believe but actually woke up before any of them went off. 2:30 AM bright and early! I got dressed, drank some water and ate a cliff bar just so I had something in my system before running. I left the room around 2:50 AM. Buses were waiting already with one loading. I got on the first bus and they didn't leave until about 3:05. We are one of the first buses that had dropped people off so I had a lot of time to kill. I always like being early rather than late.



I of course had to get some photos while waiting. Heck the DJ wasn't even on stage yet.



I of course got that picture and then characters came out! So I got back in line.





I only got those two as I wasn't running dopey so I didn't get a dopey photo. I had only run the 10K and 5K prior to this and both of those races have much less in participants. This race had over 20,000 people and it showed. I just hung around for a long time listening to the music and people watching. Soon enough they were starting to call people to go towards the corrals. I had heard stories about the walk to the corrals but didn't think much of it. Let me tell you the walk to the corrals is not short its almost another mile added onto what you're running that day.

One thing I did enjoy was they had entertainment on the walk to the corrals!



I arrived before it really started to pack in. I was in corral H for the race.





The walk forward to the start had begun!



People were running behind and must have not got the memo about the long walk to the corrals because the corrals were starting without them. These people were jumping the fences are some were even arguing with the volunteers which I thought was not good.

I believe around 5:50 we were the next corral up and ready for John and Rudy's send off!





And its go time!!!







The first mile doesn't have a lot to see other than leaving Epcot. There were plenty of spectators and a high school band though. I ran the entire first few miles even though I trained using the ever popular galloway method of run walk run.

We hit mile 1! Only 12.1 more to go! The adrenaline was pumping and I was already having a great time. (I know some of you think I am crazy for having a great time while running but its possible people)



These stilt walkers from the dance it play it parade at MK were out for some entertainment.



Then look we're at mile 2 already!



And this is where I am going to leave off for today! Have a great weekend everyone!

Up next: Miles 3 and more!