Marathon Weekend 2023

[kristenabelle]

"not enough" as in "less than ideal" or as in "not enough to staff all planned water stations"?

Hoping it's the former and there's a backup plan in place. Or they might have to up the ante for last minute volunteers. Right?

 

[Z-Knight]

Now all I have to worry about is keeping two suitcases under 40 pounds for two adults and two kids (including four running outfits and throwaway clothes). Oh vey.

 

[steph0808]

View attachment 728111

This is literally what I was thinking of!

 

[1lilspark]

oh! Another "normal times" character meet question!

We have plans for after the race on a couple of days, so we don't want to end up spending a couple of hours waiting in line for post-race character pics. How early (approximately) do they show up for pre-race? Is the 1st bus sufficient, or should we plan on driving and being there a little extra early on those days?

We were on the second bus (left right behind the first) for W&D for the 5K we stopped at a restroom after security mirabel was already capped, Miguel got capped a few parties after us …Jose & Panchito were capped soon after…

For the 10k we didn’t do a restroom stop… we did minnie than the person at the end of Baloo said if we got in line it wouldn’t be guaranteed but it was maybe 10 min if even with him taking a break and there was a significant line behind us

non-running related: GotG VQ question (because I don’t want to wade through the 30+ page thread in tpas)

If we are starting our day in AK and hopping to Epcot in the afternoon, can we try for the VQ at 7am, or do we have to wait for the 1pm drop?

Once you tap to Epcot after 2 you can check to see if the 1pm drop is still open or you can purchase an ILL at 7 (or park open if off site) for a return after two

 

[Sleepless Knight]

First time I’ve heard Epcot mentioned! It totally makes sense as an option bc we run by a few attractions (and a few spots to order drinks ), surprised I’ve never heard of people riding stuff there though.

I think Epcot has a lot of longer rides that can a bit off the race path so they're not popular options especially at the end.

Thanks to everyone for the GotG info, I had the same question! Guess I'll be trying for that LL at 7am during the half!

Our experience the week after Thanksgiving was that virtual queue non LL for GotG was extremely difficult to get at 7:00am. However, we were able to get virtual queue non LL at the 1:00pm drop from inside Epcot.

Add me to the list of people dealing with illness and/or travel concerns.

My little sister tested positive for covid this morning after spending most of the weekend with me and first starting to show symptoms yesterday. I currently feel fine, but am monitoring how I feel very closely. Hopefully I don't get it. But if I do, at least it hits now instead of next week.

Speaking of leaving for Disney World, I went ahead and booked a backup flight on Delta. It leaves 4 hours after my original Southwest flight so I either have time to switch airports and get on the later flight or cancel the backup flight.

 

[kirstie101]

I’m currently on day 5 or 6 of Covid so my taper has turned into full on just resting and trying to get over this. My plan for the 10k and Goofy is to start each race and do all the miles I can and be proud of them. Maybe I’ll feel great and maybe I won’t. But it won’t be lack of training if I DNF.

As for Southwest, I just booked a flight on a different carrier and I’ll cancel SW. IMO it’s worth the smallish extra cost now to have some piece of mind. I don’t want the stress of a last minute cancellation and trying to book on another airline then.

 

[nekonekoneko]

I’m currently on day 5 or 6 of Covid so my taper has turned into full on just resting and trying to get over this. My plan for the 10k and Goofy is to start each race and do all the miles I can and be proud of them. Maybe I’ll feel great and maybe I won’t. But it won’t be lack of training if I DNF.

As for Southwest, I just booked a flight on a different carrier and I’ll cancel SW. IMO it’s worth the smallish extra cost now to have some piece of mind. I don’t want the stress of a last minute cancellation and trying to book on another airline then.

OMG, you and @Sleepless Knight please recover soon! I got the virus in early September, ironically, around the same time I got the Omicron booster. That was not fun!

I got a fully refundable fare from Delta as a backup, and my SW flights were paid with points, so if SW gets their act together, I can cancel the Delta flights and get my money back. If SW is still all messy, I'll cancel them, instead, and get the points back into my account.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Okay I just read the most amazing thing by a guy called Brian Davis in one of the rundisney Facebook groups. I cried with happy tears through most of it and since I do not think he is in this group I wanted to share what he wrote. It is amazing Here it is:


A LONG time ago, back in 2015, there was a “First-timers Disney Marathon” group, to help out folks running their first 26.2 at WDW. There was (appropriately) some freaking out, & I wrote up my experiences as a sort of narrative; I’ve revised this a few times since, so I thought I’d do it again for this year. If you’re running your first, or you’re “Perfectly Mickey”… embrace the experience. This may not be perfectly accurate, and your experience will be different… but it’s in the spirit of what you are about to accomplish.

=====

Some more information, to try to reduce panic . In another thread, someone posted (after seeing a possible course):

"...I didn't have a clear visualization of just how far 26.2 miles was until I saw this post… I shall spend the rest of the evening breathing into a paper bag."

Well, that's one way to work on your anaerobic metabolism

Seriously, 26.2 is *insanely* long when you look at it this way… until you break it down. Until you train towards it. As you train, you realize "hey, I've only got to go a mile further than last week" or something like that, and it becomes possible… tough, but possible. You start going out for runs longer, perhaps, than anything you've done before, and that helps - a lot. And selecting the WDW full for your first has some other very big advantages - a lenient pacing requirement (16 min/mile), and a whole lot of things to benchmark and distract you. In 2013 I ran my first, and wrote up my experiences. So… here’s an updated narrative

You start with the walk to the bus pick-up, the early-morning bus ride, which you exit and join the converging streams of runners, every shape and size and costume you can imagine, walking through the dark pre-dawn outside EPCOT. You may not know any of them... but they share your goal, and you theirs. You kick around the staging area, maybe with good friends, or family... maybe alone with your thoughts in the cool Florida pre-dawn. Sooner than you expect, you hear the call to start moving towards the corrals, and you wander off in a huge crowd of runners, taking the long walk to the corrals. You sort into corrals, and try to decide where you want to be... near the front? Comfortable in the middle? Waiting in the back? Nerves are running high, and they ratchet higher as corral after corral is released, and you shuffle forward, closer to that start line, closer to those fireworks kicking off each and every corral.

Finally it’s your turn, and your wave is released... and this is IT. You step across that starting pad for the first time, trying to start your Garmin at the same instant, and are immediately in a crowd scene with runners everywhere, perhaps slowed down to a walk, even though your excitement level wants to push you to a run. You yell at the spectators, dimly visible across the empty oncoming lanes; they look bored. It’s hard to understand that they are just spectators as you are both excited and scared of the upcoming marathon.

The crowd of runners forces you to walk and dodge and weave, and it’s easy to loose sight of others in the crowd. You start looking forward to the Mile 1 mark, each mile mark having its own special sign and a running clock. After just a couple of looping miles on the cool dark highway you find yourself looping back in towards EPCOT, along the same route as the finish of the previous day’s half marathon… but now you know things are only just getting started. Briefly backstage and then you are running directly under Spaceship Earth, sparkling and color-changing directly above you. The runners stream outward toward Mission Space, with CM’s cheering them on, and head back out to the backstage areas and… the corrals again? You recognize the route you walked just an few hours previously as you pass the starting line on your right and head out again on the still-dark highways of WDW.

The monorail keeps you company on your right as you move towards MK, and looking closely you see crowds of people on the monorail, waving down to you. You see meet-and-greets, each accompanied by a line of happy fellow runners. As you approach mile 6 and spiral down and under your previous path, you look up to see a flood or runners crossing right to left above you as a sea of runners also stretches out ahead of you; the scale is beginning to sink in. You are now headed north in the still pre-dawn light, and just before mile 8 you see runners stream back towards you, dimly off to the left. These are the rabbits in corral A, past the half-way mark more than 5 miles ahead of you; you spare a shout of encouragement for them, but they are lost in their own world, speeding in to the second half of their race already. Now you swerving into the parking lot, and people start to line the route for the first time. First a trickle, then a single border of people, and finally ranks of spectators with signs line the route. The crowds get thicker still and start cheering as you enter the Ticketing And Transportation Center, where people are cheering you five layers deep, and bands are playing as you exit it. Out onto the narrower road heading toward MK, with the first automobile traffic running along your right side... some of them honking encouragement. Down the slope you run under the “water bridge” by the Contemporary, with a DJ cheering you on from above it. Then the already hard climb up the other side... but there are rD volunteers here in their color coordinated shirts cheering you up the hill on your left, and as you crest the hill you see Space Mountain & perhaps the new Tron ride ahead of you. You take a sharp left into the backstage access road into MK, and as you turn under the railroad bridge into MK proper, you get your first view of the Castle, maybe still lit with the colorful night lighting, maybe in dawn light. You catch your breath in the backstage area, and then...

You step through the backstage gates and you are In the Magic Kingdom. You can see and feel the cheering crowds. You turn right and you are Running Down Main Street USA, with crowds all along the left. Signs, friends, runners stopping to hug family (& take selfies). Dodging the trolley tracks in the road you shift to the right side to avoid some of the crowds. As you hit the Hub (cheering crowds all the way) you step out to the right side to get a photograph of yourself with the Castle behind you, taken by some other random runner who you do the same for. You marvel at it for a moment and move on... there’s still more than half the race to go. You kick back into the flow and head into Tomorrowland (and one of the more popular bathrooms on the course), turning left and past more meet-and-greets. Then you deflect through New Fantasyland, a magical addition to the course, wide walkways surrounding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Shooting out of New Fantasyland you pass to the left of the Carousel and then, you are running through the Castle! Amazing… I'll be the idiot you hear scream "I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M RUNNING HERE!!!" (yep, I've done that every time). Out the narrow walkway from the Castle with photographers hidden along the way. With a brief last glimpse at the chEARing crowds, you dodge left into Liberty Square and leave the crowds behind, then through Frontier Land before cutting through a tunnel (with, yep, more bathrooms) and in to Adventure Land. Maybe a camel spits on you if you are lucky, and you flock past Pirates of the Caribbean before heading up a slight hill to dodge right for a boardwalk loop toward Big Thunder and then back past Splash Mountain (is it still Splash?) before cutting right and out past a train, stationed just outside the normal area with CM’s waving from their too. Down a hill (finally, DOWN a hill) and past a float or two and into the backstage areas behind Splash. A quick drink of water, maybe a bathroom break, and onward.

Then comes the stretch my wife has semi-jokingly referred to as "running through Wyoming"

Out of the park the reality settles back in, in the forested backwoods area post-MK. Still less than half of the race under your belt. But still… there’s music at Mile 11.5. Crowds (more subdued) as you pass the Grand Floridian and the Poly, and a meet-and-greet too as you “Step In Time” with Mary & Burt, waving as you pass. Ladies (or guys… I admit, I've posed), cute guys in Tuxedos on the right just waiting for a picture with *you* where the course crosses closest to the Wedding Pavilion. You cross a timing mat, and realize you just hit a huge milestone; you are pass the Halfway pad. You've done 13.1 miles, and from here you realize you aren't just ‘running further’, but you are on the "countdown" side of the longest race you've ever contemplated. From this point on, the amount you have left is Always less than the amount you've already completed… and remarkably that's an amazing feeling. The longest race you’ve ever done may be a half marathon... but if so, from this point on, each and every step is the longest you’ve ever run in a race. Every step ends up being a brand new accomplishment.

With this psychological boost under your belt, you pass the previous location of the WDW Speedway, (no trace of it remaining), and realize this is where you saw the leaders way back before you entered the MK parking lot. But now you turn off down a road you’ve never noticed on the left, into the real backwoods. If you’ve run the WDW Half, or the Princess Half... you suddenly realize this is where it all changes. Here is the new course to you, leading you onward, that you’ve been contemplating for the better part of a year.

This is the first really long stretch with limited views or interactions. Yet here is where I had the best two miles of my first race, trading "You know you're a runner when…" jokes with a constantly shifting group of perhaps 20 other runners. Out along this forested little road your company is thousands of other runners, and a few hidden character stops. After a while you break out of the woods of central Florida and pass the not-so-floral-scented WDW sewage treatment plant at mile 15... hoping the breeze is blowing the right way, and the buzzards are watching you from the tall light poles.

You cross Western Way and head in the back entrance of Animal Kingdom. Now there’s a stream of runners heading back towards you on your left and you high-five them as they head out. These counter-current runners have already done AK, which is what awaits you ahead, and it’s a chance to see what this race looks like from the ‘outside’: and amazing, long, colorful procession of runners of all shapes, sizes, body types, and costumes. And then… CM's with goats! and pigs! And donkeys! You enter AK from the "back", and are greeted with a "meet and pet" with smiling people. Maybe you stop to take a selfies with a donkey, or pet an animal here, as you follow a back road along a train tracks and in to AK proper. Your third park of the day with lush tropical greenery all around, with some soft rolling hills that seem much bigger than you remember them… grabbing handfuls of ice from the drink venders setting up for the day within the park… running by Expedition Everest (or perhaps even riding it for the wildest Garmin track *ever*)… posing with characters… visitors are probably I the park by now, wondering why their way is obstructed by all these runners, but for you the way is clear, maintained just for you as you pass in to Dinoland and then dodging out the gate by Chester & Hester’s, dropping down a slight slope and into the backstage areas again.

Moving behind the blank back face of Expedition Everest you head back north, you are soon high-fiving those poor souls behind you who are still entering AK in the back. Maybe you can grab a banana here or some other food or fuel. You pull a 90° right on to Western Way itself, and for the next ~4 miles it’s highway running. The Sun has really started to heat things up; many more people are walking. But you’re still moving forward, still making the miles drift behind you as you cross the last significant stretches of highway, relieved only by the momentary distraction of some odd wandering in the Blizzard Beach parking areas (no, you don’t get to ride the waterslides on the marathon… but you can wish). Maybe they’ll give out Icewater sponges here as in the past, offered and accepted as the day warms, and feel heavenly (and the rest of the race you may see people with sponges tucked into their bra, or bra strap, or pants). And even on this highway, you have conversations with great friends you never knew a mile ago, and may never see again (I've been encouraged by Goofy runners, met Perfect Mickey and Perfect Goofy runners, gotten advice on knee pain, etc.) as you run down the road. The never ending parade of costumes continues... you may be passed by a firefighter in full kit, or a Wounded Warrior running with disabilities you’ve never imagined. Blind runners accomplishing this with a guide. As you pass people who are near their limits, you encourage them, and others encourage you. Exhaustion is setting in... has been setting in... for some time now. But you’ve trained, and know your body can handle this. Maybe not enjoy it... but there’s still joy to be found in the accomplishment.

After a more road (and perhaps a ramp up... when did they get this steep?), you enter Hollywood Studios… and people are handing you *candy*? Chocolate?!? I've actually used this to bribe other runners to keep them moving forward, dangling it like a carrot in front of them as they crack a weary smile and you both keep moving forward. Through backstage tour areas, you enter near the Tower Of Terror (perhaps another ride? But at this point sitting might result in never standing up again!), and while you don’t spend much time in HS it’s a welcome change in scenery. There are people again, and CM’s cheering you on as you continue, now with 23 miles behind you. By now the park is completely open but the course is still yours as you dodge past another popular bathroom stop (notice how I remember where those are?), and a brief backstage area before exiting the front of the park. Here you may catch a glimpse of the “Parade Buses” in the parking lot, this is thought of as the last “hard sweep”; it’s the last area it’s easy for Disney to get buses in to pick up runners who have tried but not quite made the time cut off. But for you... you’re here. You’re beyond here. You may be tired, but... you are entering the “end game”. Only a few more miles to go, with many miles behind you. You drop off to the left onto the walkway towards the EPCOT Resorts with if not renewed energy, at least renewed spirits. You turn left and run… well, walk? Stagger? Along the waterside walkway towards the EPCOT resorts.

Narrow walks. Exhausted people. Water on the left, but with race fans with signs all along the right in a crowded no-passing zone packed with tired runners… who are approaching (well, re-approaching) the LAST PARK in the grand list of four. You carefully curve around the sometimes-slippery Boardwalk, then up a hill, one of the final hills. As you climb this last hill, you can see the International entrance to EPCOT, with the Eiffel Tower off to the right. EPCOT is within your sight for the first time in 18 miles (and uncounted hours). Downhill towards the entrance you deflect to the left for nearly the last backstage area, with a water stop before popping into the UK Pavilion. With clean bathrooms on the left and a phonebooth on the right, you have re-entered the final park for the final time on your journey.

Here, at this point, I admit I generally start crying. And yelling, while still crying. Because I'm now finally in the last park. EPCOT. The journey is nearly at an end, and I'm overwhelmed with the 24.5 miles I've crossed at this point as once again cheering screaming people and CM's line the re-entrance into the guest areas. I high-five complete strangers and CM’s seen through tear-blurred eyes and turn right for the last park in the line up. Running past an English Pub (“can I stop in there for chips?”), you climb the hill/bridge over the water (when did the hill get this big?), and coast down the far side into France (perhaps a last meet-and-greet with Belle, waiting for a photograph with you?). There may be more people at this point walking than running… you may be among them, or you may be feeling great (or you may be delirious… these are not all mutually contradictory by the way). I know I promised myself I would run the last mile, because my son always told me I could do that... but after trying three times, never making it more than 100 meters, I resigned to slog forward. Or maybe you’ll still have energy, or a second wind, and be running still while around you people walk. CM's are cheering you on. You might deflect at Norway to get a final picture with a statue of a famous runner, or snap a photo-op with Donald in Mexico.

And if you are wearing your Magic Band... this is the only marathon I know of where you can eat and drink your way through the last mile. Crossing the finish line with a margarita, or a turkey leg? Your finish style is entirely up to you!

And then you're out of the International Showcase, and running towards Spaceship Earth… a sight you literally haven't seen since sometime around 5 or 6 AM, at the start of the race. Here was the beginning of your journey, and now it signifies something even more significant… the end of it. The culmination of close to a year of worry, training, running, etc. You might pause for a photo in front of the ball, and then continue towards the goal. Dodging a final time towards Mission Space, directed through the "tourist locks" where the tourist have to wait for *you* to run through, not you for them, and you are backstage one last time. Under Guardians of the Galaxy, and… you hear singing. Singing? How the heck can that be? Up ahead is a choir, singing beautifully, to welcome you to the final leg of your journey. Now, everything seems to speed up even as your body wants to slow down. A nearly constant series of photographers is trying to catch your picture, and as you break out to the on-stage areas again… the crowds! Young and old, tired or excited, the entire left side of the course fills with people. And as you wave to them, and listen to them, you steal yourself - because this is it. This is The final stretch. You are greeted with a WALL of sound. Long before you can see the finish line, you see crowds so deep that nothing can be seen behind them, waving signs, yelling names, calling out and encouraging *everyone*. Runners yelling back (well, *I* certainly do) and in your amazement at the spectacle of this people all yelling, and the runners around you, you almost miss it. In-between trying to hit a pose for yet another photographer and searching the crowd, you see the finish line as you turn a right corner. You start to hear the finish line announcer, and you move towards it like a moth to the flame. Mickey or Goofy or some other characters bracket the final timing mat, and you cheer, smile, cry, run, walk, stumble, or crawl across the finish line.

And try, with several hundred other people, to stop your Garmin

You've done it. What you never knew a year ago was possible. What you wondered about and desired and feared for so long. You crossed the finish line of a full marathon.

All because you made a simple choice… to *start* of this journey.

 

[superchime]

Definitely concerned. Southwest has been cancelling around 75% of their flights out of Raleigh the last couple of days. I'm mentally preparing myself to drive, if need be. 9-10 hours alone in my car isn't ideal, but if it gets me there...

I'm flying out of Raleigh too and just booked a backup, refundable flight on Delta today. I was surprised it wasn't much more expensive than my Southwest flight I booked months ago. I'll drive if I absolutely *have* to but I really hate driving.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

Random questions:

does anyone know if the 10% Disney Visa discount works at the merch section of the Expo?

I've seen people out there with folding camp chairs

Was this at MK? If I bring my small ultra lite chair is that okay?

If not, where should I cheer for the half marathon that’s not the finish if I want to a. Sleep in as much as possible and b. Minimize walking?

Does anyone know if the water bottles they usually sell at the Expo fit into a Loungefly side pocket?

ETA one more question: do they have cheer sign making materials at the Expo?

 

[Desdemona924]

We just canceled our Southwest flight and booked on United. Decided we didn't want to risk it. And that's when my husband tells me that one of his employees has been stuck in Texas - supposed to get home yesterday and the flight that Southwest rebooked him on isn't until Friday. So no thank you to that. Our new flight is non-stop too, so the money hit was worth it. SW was booked on points, which was a big reason we did it in the first place. So, while I'll get my points back, I don't know if I want to be flying SW until they get sorted.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I did the Dopey last year, came home and managed to get a mild case of Covid a couple of weeks later. Mild, but it seemed to do a number on my breathing. I recovered and built back up, but haven't done anything serious other than the PTRR.

All of which is a long-winded way of saying that I won't be there for marathon weekend, but I'll be thinking about it and wanted to wish everyone good luck. Maybe I'll be there in 2024 with my son. In the meantime, I'm going to try for the 2023 MCM. Training started today as the weather got warm enough for my lungs after weeks of rain and extremely cold weather.

The good news is that the wife has a conference down there in Feb, so I will get a trip in, just not the one I expected.

Andrew

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Okay I just read the most amazing thing by a guy called Brian Davis in one of the rundisney Facebook groups. I cried with happy tears through most of it and since I do not think he is in this group I wanted to share what he wrote. It is amazing Here it is:


A LONG time ago, back in 2015, there was a “First-timers Disney Marathon” group, to help out folks running their first 26.2 at WDW. There was (appropriately) some freaking out, & I wrote up my experiences as a sort of narrative; I’ve revised this a few times since, so I thought I’d do it again for this year. If you’re running your first, or you’re “Perfectly Mickey”… embrace the experience. This may not be perfectly accurate, and your experience will be different… but it’s in the spirit of what you are about to accomplish.

=====

Some more information, to try to reduce panic . In another thread, someone posted (after seeing a possible course):

"...I didn't have a clear visualization of just how far 26.2 miles was until I saw this post… I shall spend the rest of the evening breathing into a paper bag."

Well, that's one way to work on your anaerobic metabolism

Seriously, 26.2 is *insanely* long when you look at it this way… until you break it down. Until you train towards it. As you train, you realize "hey, I've only got to go a mile further than last week" or something like that, and it becomes possible… tough, but possible. You start going out for runs longer, perhaps, than anything you've done before, and that helps - a lot. And selecting the WDW full for your first has some other very big advantages - a lenient pacing requirement (16 min/mile), and a whole lot of things to benchmark and distract you. In 2013 I ran my first, and wrote up my experiences. So… here’s an updated narrative

You start with the walk to the bus pick-up, the early-morning bus ride, which you exit and join the converging streams of runners, every shape and size and costume you can imagine, walking through the dark pre-dawn outside EPCOT. You may not know any of them... but they share your goal, and you theirs. You kick around the staging area, maybe with good friends, or family... maybe alone with your thoughts in the cool Florida pre-dawn. Sooner than you expect, you hear the call to start moving towards the corrals, and you wander off in a huge crowd of runners, taking the long walk to the corrals. You sort into corrals, and try to decide where you want to be... near the front? Comfortable in the middle? Waiting in the back? Nerves are running high, and they ratchet higher as corral after corral is released, and you shuffle forward, closer to that start line, closer to those fireworks kicking off each and every corral.

Finally it’s your turn, and your wave is released... and this is IT. You step across that starting pad for the first time, trying to start your Garmin at the same instant, and are immediately in a crowd scene with runners everywhere, perhaps slowed down to a walk, even though your excitement level wants to push you to a run. You yell at the spectators, dimly visible across the empty oncoming lanes; they look bored. It’s hard to understand that they are just spectators as you are both excited and scared of the upcoming marathon.

The crowd of runners forces you to walk and dodge and weave, and it’s easy to loose sight of others in the crowd. You start looking forward to the Mile 1 mark, each mile mark having its own special sign and a running clock. After just a couple of looping miles on the cool dark highway you find yourself looping back in towards EPCOT, along the same route as the finish of the previous day’s half marathon… but now you know things are only just getting started. Briefly backstage and then you are running directly under Spaceship Earth, sparkling and color-changing directly above you. The runners stream outward toward Mission Space, with CM’s cheering them on, and head back out to the backstage areas and… the corrals again? You recognize the route you walked just an few hours previously as you pass the starting line on your right and head out again on the still-dark highways of WDW.

The monorail keeps you company on your right as you move towards MK, and looking closely you see crowds of people on the monorail, waving down to you. You see meet-and-greets, each accompanied by a line of happy fellow runners. As you approach mile 6 and spiral down and under your previous path, you look up to see a flood or runners crossing right to left above you as a sea of runners also stretches out ahead of you; the scale is beginning to sink in. You are now headed north in the still pre-dawn light, and just before mile 8 you see runners stream back towards you, dimly off to the left. These are the rabbits in corral A, past the half-way mark more than 5 miles ahead of you; you spare a shout of encouragement for them, but they are lost in their own world, speeding in to the second half of their race already. Now you swerving into the parking lot, and people start to line the route for the first time. First a trickle, then a single border of people, and finally ranks of spectators with signs line the route. The crowds get thicker still and start cheering as you enter the Ticketing And Transportation Center, where people are cheering you five layers deep, and bands are playing as you exit it. Out onto the narrower road heading toward MK, with the first automobile traffic running along your right side... some of them honking encouragement. Down the slope you run under the “water bridge” by the Contemporary, with a DJ cheering you on from above it. Then the already hard climb up the other side... but there are rD volunteers here in their color coordinated shirts cheering you up the hill on your left, and as you crest the hill you see Space Mountain & perhaps the new Tron ride ahead of you. You take a sharp left into the backstage access road into MK, and as you turn under the railroad bridge into MK proper, you get your first view of the Castle, maybe still lit with the colorful night lighting, maybe in dawn light. You catch your breath in the backstage area, and then...

You step through the backstage gates and you are In the Magic Kingdom. You can see and feel the cheering crowds. You turn right and you are Running Down Main Street USA, with crowds all along the left. Signs, friends, runners stopping to hug family (& take selfies). Dodging the trolley tracks in the road you shift to the right side to avoid some of the crowds. As you hit the Hub (cheering crowds all the way) you step out to the right side to get a photograph of yourself with the Castle behind you, taken by some other random runner who you do the same for. You marvel at it for a moment and move on... there’s still more than half the race to go. You kick back into the flow and head into Tomorrowland (and one of the more popular bathrooms on the course), turning left and past more meet-and-greets. Then you deflect through New Fantasyland, a magical addition to the course, wide walkways surrounding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Shooting out of New Fantasyland you pass to the left of the Carousel and then, you are running through the Castle! Amazing… I'll be the idiot you hear scream "I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M RUNNING HERE!!!" (yep, I've done that every time). Out the narrow walkway from the Castle with photographers hidden along the way. With a brief last glimpse at the chEARing crowds, you dodge left into Liberty Square and leave the crowds behind, then through Frontier Land before cutting through a tunnel (with, yep, more bathrooms) and in to Adventure Land. Maybe a camel spits on you if you are lucky, and you flock past Pirates of the Caribbean before heading up a slight hill to dodge right for a boardwalk loop toward Big Thunder and then back past Splash Mountain (is it still Splash?) before cutting right and out past a train, stationed just outside the normal area with CM’s waving from their too. Down a hill (finally, DOWN a hill) and past a float or two and into the backstage areas behind Splash. A quick drink of water, maybe a bathroom break, and onward.

Then comes the stretch my wife has semi-jokingly referred to as "running through Wyoming"

Out of the park the reality settles back in, in the forested backwoods area post-MK. Still less than half of the race under your belt. But still… there’s music at Mile 11.5. Crowds (more subdued) as you pass the Grand Floridian and the Poly, and a meet-and-greet too as you “Step In Time” with Mary & Burt, waving as you pass. Ladies (or guys… I admit, I've posed), cute guys in Tuxedos on the right just waiting for a picture with *you* where the course crosses closest to the Wedding Pavilion. You cross a timing mat, and realize you just hit a huge milestone; you are pass the Halfway pad. You've done 13.1 miles, and from here you realize you aren't just ‘running further’, but you are on the "countdown" side of the longest race you've ever contemplated. From this point on, the amount you have left is Always less than the amount you've already completed… and remarkably that's an amazing feeling. The longest race you’ve ever done may be a half marathon... but if so, from this point on, each and every step is the longest you’ve ever run in a race. Every step ends up being a brand new accomplishment.

With this psychological boost under your belt, you pass the previous location of the WDW Speedway, (no trace of it remaining), and realize this is where you saw the leaders way back before you entered the MK parking lot. But now you turn off down a road you’ve never noticed on the left, into the real backwoods. If you’ve run the WDW Half, or the Princess Half... you suddenly realize this is where it all changes. Here is the new course to you, leading you onward, that you’ve been contemplating for the better part of a year.

This is the first really long stretch with limited views or interactions. Yet here is where I had the best two miles of my first race, trading "You know you're a runner when…" jokes with a constantly shifting group of perhaps 20 other runners. Out along this forested little road your company is thousands of other runners, and a few hidden character stops. After a while you break out of the woods of central Florida and pass the not-so-floral-scented WDW sewage treatment plant at mile 15... hoping the breeze is blowing the right way, and the buzzards are watching you from the tall light poles.

You cross Western Way and head in the back entrance of Animal Kingdom. Now there’s a stream of runners heading back towards you on your left and you high-five them as they head out. These counter-current runners have already done AK, which is what awaits you ahead, and it’s a chance to see what this race looks like from the ‘outside’: and amazing, long, colorful procession of runners of all shapes, sizes, body types, and costumes. And then… CM's with goats! and pigs! And donkeys! You enter AK from the "back", and are greeted with a "meet and pet" with smiling people. Maybe you stop to take a selfies with a donkey, or pet an animal here, as you follow a back road along a train tracks and in to AK proper. Your third park of the day with lush tropical greenery all around, with some soft rolling hills that seem much bigger than you remember them… grabbing handfuls of ice from the drink venders setting up for the day within the park… running by Expedition Everest (or perhaps even riding it for the wildest Garmin track *ever*)… posing with characters… visitors are probably I the park by now, wondering why their way is obstructed by all these runners, but for you the way is clear, maintained just for you as you pass in to Dinoland and then dodging out the gate by Chester & Hester’s, dropping down a slight slope and into the backstage areas again.

Moving behind the blank back face of Expedition Everest you head back north, you are soon high-fiving those poor souls behind you who are still entering AK in the back. Maybe you can grab a banana here or some other food or fuel. You pull a 90° right on to Western Way itself, and for the next ~4 miles it’s highway running. The Sun has really started to heat things up; many more people are walking. But you’re still moving forward, still making the miles drift behind you as you cross the last significant stretches of highway, relieved only by the momentary distraction of some odd wandering in the Blizzard Beach parking areas (no, you don’t get to ride the waterslides on the marathon… but you can wish). Maybe they’ll give out Icewater sponges here as in the past, offered and accepted as the day warms, and feel heavenly (and the rest of the race you may see people with sponges tucked into their bra, or bra strap, or pants). And even on this highway, you have conversations with great friends you never knew a mile ago, and may never see again (I've been encouraged by Goofy runners, met Perfect Mickey and Perfect Goofy runners, gotten advice on knee pain, etc.) as you run down the road. The never ending parade of costumes continues... you may be passed by a firefighter in full kit, or a Wounded Warrior running with disabilities you’ve never imagined. Blind runners accomplishing this with a guide. As you pass people who are near their limits, you encourage them, and others encourage you. Exhaustion is setting in... has been setting in... for some time now. But you’ve trained, and know your body can handle this. Maybe not enjoy it... but there’s still joy to be found in the accomplishment.

After a more road (and perhaps a ramp up... when did they get this steep?), you enter Hollywood Studios… and people are handing you *candy*? Chocolate?!? I've actually used this to bribe other runners to keep them moving forward, dangling it like a carrot in front of them as they crack a weary smile and you both keep moving forward. Through backstage tour areas, you enter near the Tower Of Terror (perhaps another ride? But at this point sitting might result in never standing up again!), and while you don’t spend much time in HS it’s a welcome change in scenery. There are people again, and CM’s cheering you on as you continue, now with 23 miles behind you. By now the park is completely open but the course is still yours as you dodge past another popular bathroom stop (notice how I remember where those are?), and a brief backstage area before exiting the front of the park. Here you may catch a glimpse of the “Parade Buses” in the parking lot, this is thought of as the last “hard sweep”; it’s the last area it’s easy for Disney to get buses in to pick up runners who have tried but not quite made the time cut off. But for you... you’re here. You’re beyond here. You may be tired, but... you are entering the “end game”. Only a few more miles to go, with many miles behind you. You drop off to the left onto the walkway towards the EPCOT Resorts with if not renewed energy, at least renewed spirits. You turn left and run… well, walk? Stagger? Along the waterside walkway towards the EPCOT resorts.

Narrow walks. Exhausted people. Water on the left, but with race fans with signs all along the right in a crowded no-passing zone packed with tired runners… who are approaching (well, re-approaching) the LAST PARK in the grand list of four. You carefully curve around the sometimes-slippery Boardwalk, then up a hill, one of the final hills. As you climb this last hill, you can see the International entrance to EPCOT, with the Eiffel Tower off to the right. EPCOT is within your sight for the first time in 18 miles (and uncounted hours). Downhill towards the entrance you deflect to the left for nearly the last backstage area, with a water stop before popping into the UK Pavilion. With clean bathrooms on the left and a phonebooth on the right, you have re-entered the final park for the final time on your journey.

Here, at this point, I admit I generally start crying. And yelling, while still crying. Because I'm now finally in the last park. EPCOT. The journey is nearly at an end, and I'm overwhelmed with the 24.5 miles I've crossed at this point as once again cheering screaming people and CM's line the re-entrance into the guest areas. I high-five complete strangers and CM’s seen through tear-blurred eyes and turn right for the last park in the line up. Running past an English Pub (“can I stop in there for chips?”), you climb the hill/bridge over the water (when did the hill get this big?), and coast down the far side into France (perhaps a last meet-and-greet with Belle, waiting for a photograph with you?). There may be more people at this point walking than running… you may be among them, or you may be feeling great (or you may be delirious… these are not all mutually contradictory by the way). I know I promised myself I would run the last mile, because my son always told me I could do that... but after trying three times, never making it more than 100 meters, I resigned to slog forward. Or maybe you’ll still have energy, or a second wind, and be running still while around you people walk. CM's are cheering you on. You might deflect at Norway to get a final picture with a statue of a famous runner, or snap a photo-op with Donald in Mexico.

And if you are wearing your Magic Band... this is the only marathon I know of where you can eat and drink your way through the last mile. Crossing the finish line with a margarita, or a turkey leg? Your finish style is entirely up to you!

And then you're out of the International Showcase, and running towards Spaceship Earth… a sight you literally haven't seen since sometime around 5 or 6 AM, at the start of the race. Here was the beginning of your journey, and now it signifies something even more significant… the end of it. The culmination of close to a year of worry, training, running, etc. You might pause for a photo in front of the ball, and then continue towards the goal. Dodging a final time towards Mission Space, directed through the "tourist locks" where the tourist have to wait for *you* to run through, not you for them, and you are backstage one last time. Under Guardians of the Galaxy, and… you hear singing. Singing? How the heck can that be? Up ahead is a choir, singing beautifully, to welcome you to the final leg of your journey. Now, everything seems to speed up even as your body wants to slow down. A nearly constant series of photographers is trying to catch your picture, and as you break out to the on-stage areas again… the crowds! Young and old, tired or excited, the entire left side of the course fills with people. And as you wave to them, and listen to them, you steal yourself - because this is it. This is The final stretch. You are greeted with a WALL of sound. Long before you can see the finish line, you see crowds so deep that nothing can be seen behind them, waving signs, yelling names, calling out and encouraging *everyone*. Runners yelling back (well, *I* certainly do) and in your amazement at the spectacle of this people all yelling, and the runners around you, you almost miss it. In-between trying to hit a pose for yet another photographer and searching the crowd, you see the finish line as you turn a right corner. You start to hear the finish line announcer, and you move towards it like a moth to the flame. Mickey or Goofy or some other characters bracket the final timing mat, and you cheer, smile, cry, run, walk, stumble, or crawl across the finish line.

And try, with several hundred other people, to stop your Garmin

You've done it. What you never knew a year ago was possible. What you wondered about and desired and feared for so long. You crossed the finish line of a full marathon.

All because you made a simple choice… to *start* of this journey.

Golf clap. You captured it well. Yes, from MK to AK is a bit of a haul, after that, you can start to feel the finish line.
Oh, and there is nothing like seeing sunrise over Space Mountain, or (like last year) entering the MK under the train station with all the lights and the music soaring around you. It was... well, you know.

 

[steph0808]

Random questions:

does anyone know if the 10% Disney Visa discount works at the merch section of the Expo?


Was this at MK? If I bring my small ultra lite chair is that okay?

If not, where should I cheer for the half marathon that’s not the finish if I want to a. Sleep in as much as possible and b. Minimize walking?

Does anyone know if the water bottles they usually sell at the Expo fit into a Loungefly side pocket?

ETA one more question: do they have cheer sign making materials at the Expo?

Yes, the 10% discount works on Disney merchandise at the expo!

They used to have cheer making materials at the expo as well, but I can't recall if they were there last year.

 

[softballpooh]

does anyone know if the 10% Disney Visa discount works at the merch section of the Expo?

Yep, I always use mine!

 

[DisneyParrothead]

View attachment 728111

I posted a gif on FB in the Dare to Dopey group. Couldn’t think of anything but this . Then I thought it would be interesting to go through TSA…

 

[nekonekoneko]

I'm flying out of Raleigh too and just booked a backup, refundable flight on Delta today. I was surprised it wasn't much more expensive than my Southwest flight I booked months ago. I'll drive if I absolutely *have* to but I really hate driving.

Watch those Delta bag fees! That's where they get you.

 

[AJruns]

Then I thought it would be interesting to go through TSA…

I flew Spirit last month wearing 8 layers so I could travel with just the “personal item.” Can confirm it works, and can confirm TSA will make fun of you as you shed them to go through the scanner

 

[Cabius]

They used to have cheer making materials at the expo as well, but I can't recall if they were there last year.

I assume that is what this reference to 'chEAR cards' on the website means?

 

[cburnett11]

Add me to the list that decided to cancel my SW fight. Booked Delta for the 3 of us.