LIVIN' IT UP, love that feeling! and feeling Goofy - Jan 2014! Complete! 6/21

[leopardmickeyears]

January 12, 2014

Taking candy from strangers

Our next stop was running around the Richard Petty Driving Experience racetrack. I think this was a new addition to the course as of last year for the 20th anniversary, if my memory serves me right. I’m positive we all just LOOOOOOVED the nice decline followed by a sharp incline to get on the track.

They had a bunch of race cars on track, so that was cool. And after that there were dozens of vintage and muscle cars from some car club in the Orlando area and all the owners were out cheering us on. We ended up running like almost the entire track. Then we ventured off. I knew we were heading towards AK because I could manage to remember the order of parks for the course LOL

I also managed to remember that around mile 11 was the first food stop. Yay food!! But first, we passed some characters. There was one stop with a bunch of villains! Unfortunately I don’t remember whom. Sorry. We also passed this wacka-doodle from Disney Files magazine.

Forgive me, her name is escaping me.

Goofy Challenge: MEGAN HILL - 10 Mile in 1:56:40. Pace 11:40. Est: 5:05:52. ETA: 10:49 AM. Presented by RunDisney

I heard the song “Who let the dogs out” playing and if my memory serves me correctly, they had those little fun fact signs again with facts about Pluto? I could be making that up. Anyway…the music meant that puppies were ahead. And no not actually puppies, but some Disney dogs! I knew I was stopping because BOLT! It was Pluto, Bolt and Dug.

I could tell we were very close vicinity to AK. I remember one turn the sun DIRECTLY in our line of sight. I think I had my sunglasses on already at that point. Makes me so happy I randomly found an iFitness belt sunglasses pouch addition one day in a store.

Then there was a water stop followed by a food stop. Bananas! I grabbed 2.

We ran through some backstage AK and they had some animals out like donkeys with little signs on them.

Keep hoofing it.

Then we finally got to AK.

I had a feeling like I needed to use the bathroom for most of the race but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t run through/with. Maybe it was because I didn’t wanna use a porta-potty. Plenty of people would veer off and use an actually bathroom like in Tomorrowland. I took the opportunity of running through a park to use the bathroom at AK because princesses don’t use porta-potties.
IT. FELT. SO. WEIRD. to just stop in the middle of a race and casually use an actual bathroom. And that is the Disney difference.

I took some pictures of Everest because that was my first time seeing it (I’ll get into my history with AK later on in the TR).

And we ran by DinoLand USA and I took a couple of pictures of Dino for my twin.

We left AK through backstage because I turned around and I was looking at THE BACK of EE. We came out and ran along side the parking lot and ended up passing by the entrance. There was a ton of people cheering us along this entire stretch.

Goofy Challenge: MEGAN HILL - Halfway Split in 2:38:00. Pace 12:04. Est: 5:16:00. ETA: 10:59 AM. Presented by RunDisney

Mickey's cars from Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade were out with safari Mickey meeting.

We left the AK vicinity and we were heading over to ESPN Wide World of Sport.

The grave diggers were out and yes, you can pose (you on the ground) with them for a photo.

The journey over to ESPN was a long stretch of highway. I spotted Blizzard Beach from the road.

And here's me being a creep taking a picture of one of the many Elsa's I saw.

Food stop number 2 was at mile 15 point something. It was Gu again. I grabbed 2 this time, one vanilla and one mocha (both were good and tasted better than yesterday).

There were also a bunch of people handing out food. Some had little bags of pretzels or orange slices for us. Others had containers full of CANDY!

Yes, I took candy from strangers and it was the best.

These people are the best!!​

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[leopardmickeyears]

January 12, 2014

“Aww yeah, speed work!”

We kept chugging along. A decent amount of this part of the course was on a road parallel to another part of the course heading towards DHS. It was kinda cool to see the insane amount of people running this race.

We got to the entrance of WWoS and they had a DJ and a hugh TV screen playing Re-Micks. If you don’t know what Re-Micks are, here you go.

I did not realize how long the drive IN TO WWoS was until I was running it rather than being on a bus.

Speaking of Pinocchio. Creeping again...

While I'm at it...a Rapunzel outfit I really liked.

Just less than 3 miles of the course is through WWoS. Even though I was there for the Kid Races, I did get to run by the softball fields, which I remember fondly, and lovingly from my Varsity Softball spring training trip back in 2006.

We did most of a lap around the track and someone behind me said “Aww yeah, speed work!”

Runner humor.

We ran around the warning track of Champion Stadium.

And I was most definitely on the Jumboscreen because they announced my name and home town after I ran by the camera #CELEBRITYSTATUS

Here’s the part where my battery started to die so I was trying to be conservative with taking photos. And kicking myself in the butt for not charging it. I thought I would be good.

We headed out of WWoS and were on our way to Hollywood Studios.

Goofy Challenge: MEGAN HILL - 20 Mile in 3:57:50. Pace 11:54. Est: 5:11:47. ETA: 10:55 AM. Presented by RunDisney

One thing that was annoying, was any time we were running on an overpass it was sloped and that was very very annoying to run on.

Omg Stitch what are you doing? ​

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[leopardmickeyears]

January 12, 2014

Officially Goofy!

We entered DHS through backstage behind ToT.

Next food stop was candy/chocolate! They had Hershey mini’s and then MONSTER’S UNIVERSITY FRUIT SNACKS! HOW PERFECT?!

Eating and running is something I can get use to.

Ralph was out so I had to stop.
And go me, flexing the arm with the iPod armband on!!

We ran on some of the Backlot Tour route and even through the costume and materials building just like on the tour. Mike and Sully were meeting. I really wanted to stop for them, but I was making "good time" and was going kinda fast so I passed.

We ran down Commissary Lane, in front of the hat and down Hollywood Boulevard.

For some reason, running down Hollywood Boulevard was something that I was looking forward to.

We exited through some backstage area and ran in front of the entrance. We ran along the bus drop off spot and then we took the walking path to the Epcot resorts. OMG SO PRETTY!!!! I have never walked to any of the parks from a resort (well now I've RAN IT!). LOVED IT! That was one of the most gorgeous things to look at while running. Epcot area resorts >>>>

I felt like I was picking up my pace around one of these miles.

There were a lot of people along side the course cheering us on. There were particularity a lot of people with signs along this stretch.

I think it was somewhere around here, I saw Dopey. TOO BAD I wasn't running the Dopey Challenge or you KNOW I would have stopped.

Next and final park was Epcot! We entered through the UK. You never realize how hilly World Showcase is until it's mile 25 out of 26.2. Oy.

Belle was meeting in France. (I saw online that Jasmine was meeting in Morocco.)

This had to have been my fastest mile of the race. I recall feeling like there weren't many runners around me at this point. Weird.

I passed a little girl dressed as Anna and I yelled out "Hi Anna!" and she just looked at me. Disney kids, you're doing it wrong.
I heard that some people were giving runners margaritas while they ran by Mexico.

We ran though Future World and exited the park at the same place as the half.

Thanks for getting in my way! At least you're wearing Mickey ears.

After this picture I sprinted, dodging in between people to get to the finish line.

Mickey was at the finish line SO I HIGH-FIVED HIM!!!

*photo from MarathonFoto*

AND CROSSED THE FINISH LINE!

*photo from MarathonFoto*

Goofy Challenge: MEGAN HILL - Finish in 5:06:08. Pace 11:41. Presented by RunDisney

And with that, I officially became Goofy. ​

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[DisneyKid4Life]

WOW, such unique character meets on a marathon, huh? BOLT... SERIOUSLY???!!!!

Bahahhaa... Disney Difference being bathrooms.

Um... OK... First time seeing Everest?????????? WHAT?????????

A quick note about the "creeping" pictures. NOT CREEPING!!! These people wear these costumes for a reason.

OMG how cool is that to have your name and home town announced like that.

Interesting that part of the route is the path from DHS to the Epcot resorts. I can safely say... I've walked it... slowly...

Meg, CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a wonderful achievement. You should be extremely proud.

 

[tinkerbells mum]

Well done for finishing the race!

 

[DisKH]

Gongratulations!!!!! Hahahaha I got way too excited about the race just reading it!
Wow a half marathon and a marathon in 2 days…you put most runners to shame.

I would DEFINITELY stop to meet Bolt! I've never seen him greeting!

hahahaha margaritas for the runners in mexico…stumble to the finish line...

 

[ElenaJane]

I had so much fun reading along!! Congrats on being

I am now 95% sure I will sign up for my first Run Disney race in 2015, the Disney Princess 10K. I have only competed in 5Ks, so a 10K would be a big goal for me! Your are an inspiration!

 

[leopardmickeyears]

WOW, such unique character meets on a marathon, huh? BOLT... SERIOUSLY???!!!!

Bahahhaa... Disney Difference being bathrooms.

Um... OK... First time seeing Everest?????????? WHAT?????????

A quick note about the "creeping" pictures. NOT CREEPING!!! These people wear these costumes for a reason.

OMG how cool is that to have your name and home town announced like that.

Interesting that part of the route is the path from DHS to the Epcot resorts. I can safely say... I've walked it... slowly...

Meg, CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a wonderful achievement. You should be extremely proud.

YES BOLT!!!
Real bathrooms >>>>>>>
Especially considering this (you can figure out the relevant one )
Don't worry, I think I made up for that whole 1st Everest thing later on.
TRUE! But you know...still feels weird taking a picture of a random person.
IT. WAS. AWESOME!!!! Totally unexpected!!
THANK YOU!!! I am!

Well done for finishing the race!

Thank you!!

Gongratulations!!!!! Hahahaha I got way too excited about the race just reading it!
Wow a half marathon and a marathon in 2 days…you put most runners to shame.

I would DEFINITELY stop to meet Bolt! I've never seen him greeting!

hahahaha margaritas for the runners in mexico…stumble to the finish line...

Thanks!
AHAHAHAHAHA! They should be able to safety stumble about .25 miles, right?

I had so much fun reading along!! Congrats on being

I am now 95% sure I will sign up for my first Run Disney race in 2015, the Disney Princess 10K. I have only competed in 5Ks, so a 10K would be a big goal for me! Your are an inspiration!

Thank you!!!
YAY that makes me SO happy I can inspire other runners
Going from a 5K to a 10K isn't that big of a jump. YOU CAN DO IT!

 

[Credit Man]

Congratulations on finishing the full. You must be exhausted from carrying us all along. What a great ride!!!

 

[JessM]

Congrats on finishing the Marathon and the Goofy Challenge!

That is such an amazing accomplishment! Thank you so much for sharing your race experience, it certainly looked magical!

 

[LifeIsDis]

Long time no comment oops….

STUPID MDE TELLIN MOI WISHES WAS AT 8

LOLOLOL and there was underwear on the ground that was soaking wet

Um yeah WHY WAS IT so dark in there

LOVE THAT PENGUIN

Oh my god THAT RAIN

Corals**

DA DREAM LIGHTS

FLYNN!
But ew the castle float.

You know Deevy has her own website, right?! http://www.deevypacksherbags.com/

Actual bathrooms >>>

MY DINO FRIENDS

CANT TAKE THE GRAVE DIGGERS

Epcot resort area >>>
Just not those “other hotels”…

I know the Jasmine that was meeting during the race #dislife

GO TWIN!

And I am caught up!

 

[leopardmickeyears]

Congratulations on finishing the full. You must be exausted from carrying us all along. What a great ride!!!

Thank you!!! LOL worth the exhaustion

Congrats on finishing the Marathon and the Goofy Challenge!

That is such an amazing accomplishment! Thank you so much for sharing your race experience, it certainly looked magical!

Thank you!!!!
You're welcome and thanks for following along!
You'll be experiencing the magic VERY soon! GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

Long time no comment oops….

STUPID MDE TELLIN MOI WISHES WAS AT 8

LOLOLOL and there was underwear on the ground that was soaking wet

Um yeah WHY WAS IT so dark in there

LOVE THAT PENGUIN

Oh my god THAT RAIN

Corals**

DA DREAM LIGHTS

FLYNN!
But ew the castle float.

You know Deevy has her own website, right?! http://www.deevypacksherbags.com/

Actual bathrooms >>>

MY DINO FRIENDS

CANT TAKE THE GRAVE DIGGERS

Epcot resort area >>>
Just not those “other hotels”…

I know the Jasmine that was meeting during the race #dislife

GO TWIN!

And I am caught up!

Nice of you to join us...
Stupid MDE lies...
LOL I slightly remember that.
Wasn't there some game or something going on? Idr...if felt like the lights went out.
Corals.
Castle and Flynn =

DEEVY!!! OH NOW you remember her name?

When I get there for ToT10 I'll spring for a grave digger pic.......hopefully I can get back up tho
Epcot Deluxe resorts >>>>>>>****

 

[leopardmickeyears]

January 12, 2014

"Top three goals for runners: Finish in the upright position with a smile and wanting to do it again."

Once I crossed the finish line, I started crying. Typical.

I was in slight disbelief.
I did it.
I.
Did.
IT.
!!!!!

After years of waiting, months and months of training and thousands of miles ran, MY moment was finally here.

All those times I got sunscreen laced sweat burning in my eyes.
All those times my throat was on fire from running in single digit temperatures.
Every time I had to ice a knee and cry from the pain.
It was worth it.
It was worth every minute, worth every single mile.

One of my favorite parts about it was thinking about all the times people told me not to sign up for Goofy. OH YEAH?!

They handed me an awesome runDisney space blanket and I and got my Mickey medal!

After that it was the same routine as yesterday; more walking through a maze, water and Poweraid tables. They took more photos.

(Photo from MarathonFoto)

I got to the Goofy and Dopey tents. They marked my WDW half marathon bracelet and then I got my Goofy medal.

They took a picture in front of the marathon backdrop.

(Photo from MarathonFoto)

Then a CM walked me over to the Goofy backdrop. This part is a blur to me but I remember that a CM being very nice to me, helping me with my stuff. Guess I was walking funny or something...I don't know.

(Photo from MarathonFoto)

I went over and got my box of food. I wasn't hungry this time since I ate about 600 calories on course.

I called my mommy. She got the alert and congratulated me!
Her, aunt Gail and AJ where all back near the finish line. She told me to come back that way. You mean you want me to walk?! UGH I told her I would be there in an hour. LOL

Can I have a wheelchair? Or a scooter to run people over @LifeDis #GoofyChallenge

Since this was only my second full, I was trying to make whatever changes I could before, during and after the race to run and finish in better shape than my first one (especially since I ran 13.1 the day before). So this time, I felt great!!!! I felt like I could do it again! I was so shocked at how good I felt. I wasn't moving the fastest, but I could deal. My speed definitely played a part.

Eventually I found my mommy and she gave me a (sweaty) hug and congratulated me again.

Mom was hungry and was roaming for food. She was kinda shocked that I wasn't rungry. I told her I ate a lot on the course. She was confused that I ate while running. Aunt Gail was like “It’s not like that seated her for a meal.”
They had food trucks set up but they sold out of pulled pork so she was not happy. She got some empanadas, and even though the last thing I wanted to eat at that point (post marathon + hot out) was fried stuff, I tried a little and it was very tasty.

I was texting my friends to inform them of the news. And the necessary tweets.

HIGH FIVED MICKEY ACROSS THE FINISH LINE #WDWMarathon #OHYEAH

CAN'T WAIT TO GET BELLIGERENTLY FOOD DRUNK AT 'OHANA TONIGHT @LifeDis #GoofyChallenge

Today was worth the 3.5 years of waiting for my #WDWMarathon moment.

Tutu running is my fav

I just looked at my picture with Flynn and Rapunzel (while not running) AND OMG CRYING

My twin and mum were going to try and come see me cross the finish line, but they were on the monorail when I crossed the finish line…..because I am too fast apparently...lol

They went and got the Frozen cupcake from the Contempo Cafe instead so I approve of this change of plans. She also told me she was getting me a present at MK.
YAY I LIKE PRESENTS!

I texted my cousin to run faster because I needed to sit. She answered. Oh. They were at mile 20, so they probably had another hour to go.
When Kris texted me when they were at mile 25 and I ran (or whatever running I could manage) over to the bleachers at the finish line and stood one because I wanted to get pictures of them crossing the finish line.

After about 10 minutes or so of waiting, I had to get down and go into the shade. I could feel that if I waited any longer, bad things were going to happen. I went from feeling fantastic to feeling like I was going to pass out and/or throw up pretty soon. Nothing directly running related as far as I'm concerned. But I was standing in direct sunlight for about an hour waiting for my cousins and that is what did me in. I needed to sit but I didn't wanna sit on the floor and I also didn't think I would be able to get back up.

I. NEED. TO. SIT

What seemed like an awfully long time since she texted me, they finished. Aunt Gail handed AJ off to them after they finished and we all started making our way to the buses. I was feeling horrible right now and very physically irritated. I was trying to wait for everyone before I got on a bus, but I felt like I was going to pass out or throw up again. Mom told me I could just get on a bus without them so that's what I did. It hurt to sit down but it felt SO GOOD to be sitting and in the AC...even if the seat fabric was itchy on my legs.

RT @JeffGalloway: Top three goals for runners: Finish in the upright position with a smile and wanting to do it again.

Check, check and check.
So even after all that, I still felt great mentally. ​

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[leopardmickeyears]

January 12, 2014

Beauty, the beast.

The bus was pretty full and smelled pretty bad.

Congrats to all the #WDWMarathon finishers and my fellow Goofy's. And congrats to all the Dopeys! Sleep in tomorrow

I got back to OKW and texted my mom that I was waiting on a bench near the Hospitality House waiting for them. Apparently the bus they took must have left like 5 minutes after mine because she texted me back saying they were there. I was taking some pictures of the HH area because that is what I do and some guy walked by and was like “Let me take a picture for you!”
Sure why not…not gonna turn down an offer for a picture of me.

While this was going on, the rest of the crew walked by. Why didn’t you guys stop?
I didn't think they would be moving fast, but I got up and followed them as fast as I could but soon they were pretty far away. It’s ok guys, I could have possibly passed out in the middle of the sidewalk of OKW, but you keep going...it’s cool.

At least the pictures I took are pretty.

I made it back to the room and Annie somehow made it from her location since last night (her bed) to downstairs with her medal because it was time for some pictures!

Came down for 7 medals, will be going home with 7 medals.

GOOFY!

After, I crawled up the stairs to my room. I took a shower-bath. It hurt to move.

Laying in my towel watching Stacey. #livinituplovethatfeeling #cantmove

Mom came in my room and started laughing because I was laying half on the bed with my legs hanging off. But really, this should be nothing new to her. She brought me an ice cold water, how nice.

I did some more tweeting.

T-minus 4 hours until 'Ohana @LifeDis #rungry

Now that the runcation is done, time for the vacation!!

I would like to thank my MagicBand for hanging out with me for 39.3 miles

I also took this time to post on Facebook:

I'm officially Goofy!! 39.3 miles in 2 days, almost 7.5 hours of running around the world.
No words for what the experience is like. Thank you to all the voluntEARS, chEAR squads, characters, medical teams, spectators and everyone else who helped make this weekend absolutely incredible!! This weekend wouldn't be possible without you! WDW Marathon Weekend is really the most Magical race on earth.

Thank you runDisney for 39.3 Magical Miles.

I eventually managed to get up from my bed. I threw on my new WDW marathon tech tee and a pair of short spandex. For the next couple of hours I just shot some of my new runDisney merch and medals, and attempted to straighten up my side of the room.

Later on, I did my hair and put on makeup because I had my own little beauty and the beast moment going on, both parts being played by me.

For tonight

Just an FYI, this dress is the same dress I wore for my college graduation. Because apparently graduating college and completing runDisney events are on the same level.

At 4 o'clock, we headed out to make our way over to the Poly for an ADR I feel like I have been waiting my entire life for.

We walked to the Hospitality House to catch a bus to the Magic Kingdom so we wouldn't be sitting on the bus for the whole resort loop.

Marathoners!!! (But Kristen where is your medal? )

After literally 20 minutes sitting at the bus stop and watching numerous buses go by (none that were MK) I asked one of the bus drivers if an MK bus was coming soon. He said something dumb to me about every 20 minutes a bus comes.
No you don't understand....we have been outside and seen well over 20 minutes worth of buses and none have been an MK bus. Right after I got annoyed by a stupid comment, an MK bus pulled up.​

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[Credit Man]

Never have photo pass pictures been more representative of the truth! You do, indeed, have "PROOF" that you completed the Goofy!!! Congratulations!!!!

 

[JessM]

Props to you for trying your best to wait for your cousins, I feel like after finishing a marathon I would need to sit immediately or at least get out of the sun! So exciting that everyone finished though!

Can't wait to hear all about dinner at O'hana, I've never eaten there before but I have a reservation there on Sunday for my GSC celebration meal!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Oh man look at those medals!!! I know I said it last update, but again, CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is truly a wonderful achievement. Curious, are they heavy?

OMG, I ADORE that photo of the fence posts casting the Mickey head shadow.

 

[leopardmickeyears]

Never have photo pass pictures been more representative of the truth! You do, indeed, have "PROOF" that you completed the Goofy!!! Congratulations!!!!

THANK YOU!

Props to you for trying your best to wait for your cousins, I feel like after finishing a marathon I would need to sit immediately or at least get out of the sun! So exciting that everyone finished though!

Can't wait to hear all about dinner at O'hana, I've never eaten there before but I have a reservation there on Sunday for my GSC celebration meal!

LOL thanks. I would DEFINITELY recommend just taking the bus back to the resort asap once you are done running...after all races. Learn from my mistakes. I should have known better...but I had my own spectators there

PERFECT!!!! You will LOVE it! Save TONS of room for dessert!!!

Oh man look at those medals!!! I know I said it last update, but again, CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is truly a wonderful achievement. Curious, are they heavy?

OMG, I ADORE that photo of the fence posts casting the Mickey head shadow.

THANK YOU!
They are the biggest medals I have to date...idk if they are the heaviest. There's one other that might be heavy...but they are the nicest, and my favorites

 

[LifeIsDis]

DOPEY 2016!

You really should have rented an ECV

Um no we were driving under the MK gate TRYING to get to the TTC. But traffic + you being too fast = us not getting there in time.

Ok yeah that cupcake was really good.

Manager approved presents

At least your vision didn’t change into black and white

Literally hate those comments from the bus CMs. That happened to us at WL when we ALMOST MISSED OUR CP ADR GRRR.

 

[leopardmickeyears]

DOPEY 2016!

You really should have rented an ECV

Um no we were driving under the MK gate TRYING to get to the TTC. But traffic + you being too fast = us not getting there in time.

Ok yeah that cupcake was really good.

Manager approved presents

At least your vision didn’t change into black and white

Literally hate those comments from the bus CMs. That happened to us at WL when we ALMOST MISSED OUR CP ADR GRRR.

No but really....but they are $75 and all...
OH MY BAD but you were on a monorail close to the time so
I WANTED IT SO BAD
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA I need to add that even though I forgot...

OK GLAD TO KNOW IT WASN'T ME!!
DO I LOOK LIKE SOME STUPID GUEST TO YOU?!