I'm a bit late with my 2 cents on the race, but I just got home late Saturday. This was my first half marathon, so I didn't really have anything to compare it to, but I really enjoyed the race alot.
I'm definitely a back of the packer, so I tried my best to get a decent spot in corral D, knowing I'd need as much help as possible. I got separated from my friend fairly early on. The first mile or two were pretty crowded. I tried to stay as far to the right as possible, but still felt like I was getting in the way of faster runners. I got passed a few times on the right by people running through the grass. Knowing I'd be slow I didn't take the time to stop for any potty or picture stops, which ended up being a good thing.
I felt like I was doing really well until around the 6th mile. That's when I became aware that the group behind me was diminishing because the sweepers were picking them up. My friend texted me when I was between the 6th and 7th mile that she had been swept at mile 5. All my attention was focused on trying my best to speed up as much as possible, but I was feeling more and more exhausted. The guys on bikes kept coming around giving us updates about how far we were ahead of pace.
I really started to feel awful after they gave out the Clif Blocks. I had been training with them, but not with the flavor they were giving out. I took a few of them, and was suddenly feeling awfully sick, and about the same time I realized I had a tiny pebble under the ball of my right foot. Just before mile 9 the bike guys were telling us we had 30 seconds to make it to the marker or we'd be swept. There were a couple of busses waiting right there.
I was so torn. I'd trained so hard, but at that moment I felt horrible, and was almost wishing that I'd be swept. I didn't want to go down easily, so I tried my best to speed up a bit, and somehow managed to make it to the check point in time. I kept pushing along after that, trying to ignore the pebble in my shoe, and my uncooperative stomach. For the next mile or so part of me was still wishing I'd be swept, but then the closer I came to the finish line, the more I would have hurt anyone who tried to pull me off of the course.
No lie.
Midway through DHS I started getting a bit of a second wind. The rest of the back of the packers going through there with me were wonderful. We'd give each other little grins to keep going. Most of the characters were gone by that point, the only one I saw in DHS was Darth Vader right near the end. The Osborne Lights were a wonderful surprise and really helped boost my spirits.
By the time we were exiting DHS I was feeling a bit energized, and actually started passing a few people. There was a mother and daughter pair near the end I thought were amazing. The mother was probably in her 70's and was doing the race on her daughters arm. A few yards out from the finish line passed one poor woman telling her friend that she didn't care how close the finish line was she couldn't go any further. I hope she finished. Right before the finish line I dredged up a bit more energy and ran the last few yards over the finish line, smiling a big grin for the camera guy.
After that I was handed my bag of food, and a bottle of water. All I was thinking was that if I didn't get a medal because I was a bit over pace I was going to collapse and start crying. Luckily I turned the corner, and there was a wonderful man waiting there to put a medal around my neck. I don't know when I've been prouder about something I've completed.
Luckily, since I was at the back of the pack, bag pickup wasn't too bad. I only had to wait a few minutes to get my bag and before I knew it I was exiting into the park. I was shocked at how crowded it was. I don't think I ever really fully realized how few benches there were at Epcot. The park was more crowded than I had ever seen it before. I hobbled over to the area by the Off-Kilter stage to change my shoes, which was probably a mistake. The blister that had formed due to that pebble hurt much more once I put on my textured sole
crocs. I limped off to find my friend, who was looking like she was in much worse shape than me. My stomach was too upset to really eat anything so I pretty much just drank my water and ate about half the banana in my bag. By the time I went up to get a real drink it was last call.
I was feeling much better after sitting for a little while, and didn't find the walk back to the Beach Club all that bad. My friend on the other hand was a mess for a good portion of the rest of the trip. I had a hard time falling asleep that night. My legs were a bit achy, and I just couldn't get them comfortable. Finally I did fall asleep, and was out until about noon the next day. We spent the rest of the day chilling around Stormalong Bay until it was time to go to
MNSSHP.
All in all I had a good time. Blisters, aches and stomach issues not withstanding. That night I was thinking I'd never do this again, but I'm having second thoughts already.
I definitely want to be faster the next time though. It's way too tense with those people nipping at your heels.
I swore during this half marathon that I would never do that distance again...yesterday I was plotting how I could do more halfs and eventually a full 
Diana!!!! There were lots of porta potties so the wait wasn't long there. The line for the bag check was horrendous! 
We walked and walked and walked to find the end...didn't want to be accused of line cutting 
Just kidding. I knew it was you because you had your name on the back of your shirt and something about DISboards. I think you were wearing earbuds and I assumed that you just couldn't hear me.
