Race report time!!!!
Wake up at 3:00 shocked that I actually slept that night. Quick shower, get dressed and head out to the lobby to meet the gang. Packed my oatmeal so I can eat it in the car and we are off. E is right in that Disney knows how to move people because we are in the parking lot in no time thanks to Kat and her FJ and EE and her Borrego. Everyone starts bundling up since it is cool out. I had bought gloves at DD on Thursday and was soooo happy to have them. My heavy sweatshirt did the trick to keep me warm and my bondi band (thanks E) keeps my ears warm so I am good to go. Off to check our bags and get this party started.
I am amazed at the sheer number of port a johns that are there. It was an impressive sight. We all get in line, do our thing and then it is off to the corrals. Oy what a hike just to get there, but we make it. At this point, I am pumped and ready to go. I am feeling good about the race no nerves, just good vibes. Amy, Amiee, Kat and I are off to Corral D and thanks to Kat, we position ourselves towards the front and wait. Hats off to the ladies who dropped tro in the median to pee because that was a long wait. Soon, the Fairy Godmother sends us on our way. What an amazing feeling crossing that start line. In my head, I kept thinking I trained for this now all you have to do is settle in, enjoy the race and get to the darned finish line before the sweepers.
At the start - bundled up....
Kat takes off and Amy, Amiee and I settle in for the first mile. EE stops at the first set of port a johns and tells Amy and I to keep going. Our pace is good (so Amys Garmin tells us) and we are off. The temp is starting to warm with the sun rise and soon my sweatshirt is unzipped and later, hanging off my shoulders. We are on the march towards MK and encounter Pirates, Heros, race car drivers, DJs and bands along the way. Soon we cross the parking gates for MK. I cant believe I am here at this point. We continue on towards the Contemporary and then to the Florida Hill which still cracks me up. Compared to my Adirondacks, this hill is nothing, but the DJ on the other end congratulates us all for climbing Floridas biggest hill and soon Space Mountain is in sight.
We take a left into a backstage area and there are cast members cheering us on. Then it was through a gate and onto Main Street. I hear my sister yell my name and I run over for a quick hug from my folks, drop my sweatshirt off with them, snap a few pics, shed a few tears of joy and then it is off to the castle. We see Chip and Dale in Tomorrowland and stop for a pic. A quick potty break near Merchants of Venus and then it is on to the Castle. Mickey and Minnie are waiting behind the castle and Amy and I stop for pics. She then tells me about the photographers at the bottom of the castle ramp and I am ready for them. We get our pics taken with the castle behind us and it is off for the return trip to Epcot. Through Frontierland and another backstage area where we meet up with EE who tells us about her ordeal with the medics and the swollen hand. She tells us to keep going and we keep her in our sights to be sure that she is all right.
We are back on the main road alongside the golf course. I am fascinated by the golf course being the golf nut that I am and we stop along the way for a few photos. Looking back that golf course kept me going for that mile and a half since there was a huge let down after going through MK. We see the pirates and the heroes again along with some bands. I loved reading the signs that people had made to support their loved ones. Seeing a 5 year old hold up a sign that says Run Mommy Run does me in for a bit. Too cute!
We start round the first ramp towards Epcot and the Green Army Men from Toy Story are waiting for us. The drill sergeant is barking out his orders and keeping us all in good spirits.
At this point, I start noticing some of the Team in Training coaches circling the troops. What an inspiration they are to their team members. I know I got some extra oomph listening to them. We turn up the last ramp, say hi to Tinkerbell and the gang and we are off to Epcot. There is a Dixieland band playing just outside the gate to Epcot. They were playing When the Saints go Marching in when I went by. I lost it at that point because that is my moms ring tone in honor of my sisters college alma maters basketball team so somehow this just fits with me.
We get into Epcot and Amy tells me that she is going to start upping her pace to pick people off and finish earlier. I am right behind her and our bobbing and weaving begins. We see EE and she is not far behind us. We hit the 13 mile marker and break out into a full on run to the finish line where Nancy and Erika are waiting for us with big hugs and lots of tears. I pretty much bawled my way through the last mile at Epcot and didnt stop for the next half hour. All I could think of was you did it. You crossed the line before the sweepers did and soon I had this most amazing medal around my neck. Then in true Disney fashion, they know how to move us out of there. Grabbed some drinks, my bag and then headed to the G for goddess family tent to meet up with the rest of the gang and eventually my family.
What an amazing experience. I still cant quite believe we accomplished it, but we did. I can say I finished a ½ marathon and no one will ever be able to take that away from me.
Amy Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Words cant express how much it meant to have someone nearby to share this with. From your experience of having done this before to just having someone to chat with, this ½ marathon experience would not have been the same without you by my side.
EE I know we got separated for a while, but we never lost sight of each other. It was awesome to share this with you.
Nancy you may have looked a little like Barney at the beginning, but you were definitely and angel to me at the finish line. I will never forget that hug ever!
E for all the words of encouragement, of support and of empowerment I owe you more than I can repay. This experience has truly been life changing for me and I hope you know you had a hand in that.
Kat My reality check buddy we did it! Thanks for the rides, the ear to vent to and the reminders to relax, the next beer is on me.
Liz Thanks for teaching me about the gift of strength. We are worth it dam it so we deserve what we get. For my tiara that I think of you when I see it, I know I am a goddess!
To all of the supporters who were there with us in spirit you guys are the best! Knowing you is an honor.
So enough mushy stuff
. Whats next? Bike race anyone?
Didn't need a water pill to get rid of it either!
Neither of us even noticed a golf course. As we were leaving MK on Monday we were trying to figure out just exactly where it was 
"picking people off" 
How's your body feeling this morning?
And I am officially in costume hades. 
today, 
I was totally skeptical after so much WDW. We stayed at the DL Hotel, so we were immersed in the DL experience there. I think that was pretty critical to us, since DL is dropped right into the middle of the city of Aneheim.
