Poor Unfortunate Soles: Marathon Weekend 2013 (5K, Half and Full Marathon)-COMPLETE!!

[Ariel484]

Yum - dinner looks delicious! We did a split stay at AKL and BCV in October and weren't able to squeeze in a dinner at Jiko and were so disappointed. After seeing those meals, I think it's top on our list for next visit (which I've already decided will include a longer stay at AKL).
That's such a great picture of you and your DH!

Are you currently training for any races? How many miles do you run in a week when you are not training?

Ooh, that sounds like a great split-stay! We did almost the same thing in 2011, except went to BWV instead of BCV. Animal Kingdom Lodge really has fabulous dining options...can't wait to stay there in December! We're going to eat ourselves stupid. Thanks for the compliment on the picture!

Yep, I'm training for marathon #3...my first non-Disney marathon. I got a bit derailed because I had a chest cold that started February 1 and JUST went away at the beginning of this week, so I didn't run at all for almost 2 weeks. The rule of thumb for running is to not run if you're sick "below the neck" (which I was) and that you can run if you're sick "above the neck." Weird rule because what if you have a sore throat...?? I haven't not been training for something in quite awhile (if that makes any sense...), but back when I wasn't I normally tried to run 12-15 miles per week. So I'd do either four 3-milers per week or three 3-milers plus a longer run at some point over the weekend. But I found when I was training for Goofy/Dopey that I really liked how I felt when I was running more like 20-25 miles per week. I felt so strong and healthy and I slept really well...so I might try to make that my base in the future. It's taken me 5 long years of consistent running to get to that point though! Everyone is different, ya know?!

I'm also thinking about running a 5-miler in March and am signed up for a 10-miler in April. Woohoo!

A special dinner at Jiko is a fabulous way to celebrate! Everything looks so good! Sad to see you're not planning on marathon weekend in 2014, I would have really like to meet you. Guess I'll just have to plan on 2015 then!

It was SOOOO good. MMMMM

Ugh, I know...with trips coming up in September and December there's no way I can swing it in 2014 unless runDisney pays the way for me (Wouldn't THAT be awesome. ) 2015 it is!

 

[Practically_Perfect]

First off - CONGRATS on completing the Dopey Challenge! Even though I knew you had, you write so well that was still on the edge of my seat as I read your last few posts!

Hi! Thanks for checking out my reports, glad you like them!

I used this Couch-to-5K plan when I first started running. Basically it has you slowly work your way up to running 30 minutes non-stop. I'm sure the Jeff Galloway plan is similar, so I'd suggest just comparing the 2 of them and deciding which one works better with your schedule and which one you feel the most comfortable following - which one you think will work best for you. But I know a lot of people have had success with both plans. Personally I don't use Galloway plans anymore, but I DO like that he has helped to take away the stigma of taking walk breaks. I personally think there is nothing wrong with taking walk breaks.

The clinic sounds like a great idea too, especially because you'd have someone giving you the instruction and you'd have the support if a group of people that are working toward the same goal you are. I'd like to join a running group at some point, I think - it would keep me more accountable and would be a good way to make friends!

Other suggestions...before you run a single step, make sure to go to a running store and get fitted for running shoes. Running in old shoes or shoes that aren't right for your feet will make things harder and could lead to injury. And when you do start running, start out slowly and don't worry so much about your pace. The important thing is that you're getting out there and that you're getting used to a schedule of running 3-4 times per week. And least that's what I think. The first few weeks may be frustrating...don't give up! You'll get there.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks for all this advice. With you as inspiration, I have signed up for my first race! It's a 3K taking place on Mother's Day Weekend - and I've managed to convince my mom to run it with me!

To prepare myself, I've decided to do a combination of two things. I've signed up with the Running Room Clinic, but their goal run is taking place two weeks later than mine, so they've suggested that I add a 4th or even 5th run per week to make up for it. With that in mind, I'll use Jeff's Easy 5K app for my non-clinic runs because I can adjust the settings to use the ratios from the Clinic for that week, and still get Jeff's encouragement and guidance. That's a win/win in my book!

Your review of WWoS section kinda helped me with a decision...I too want to do a runDisney event. I was sorta thinking of doing the 5K during the ToT Ten-Miler, especially because that's my 30th birthday weekend - what better way to celebrate three decades However, from what I could tell, the 5K course is entirely at WWoS . I wasn't too excited about that to begin with, and your review cinched it! I do have a different race in mind for that weekend, which is the CIBC Run for the Cure supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Soo...now I'm pretty sure I'll be signing up for Expedition Everest Challenge 2014!! I like that it's in a park, and that it's a special twist on your standard 5K runs. Plus - it's at Disney, so that's a win no matter what!

I also loved your review of Jiko. I too want those wine trees - they look so cool! That photo of you and your husband is very nice - you can't tell that you've just run 68K in three days (sounds even more impressive in the metric system, doesn't it ). Wear that medal proudly - you've definitely earned it

 

[garneska]

Just wanted to say that I completely agree on the ice bath. While i always take them on runs over 12 miles, after the marathon and the heat....it was the BEST ICE BATH EVER. Of course i also drink a beer while i am in the tub its incentive. Love Jiko for celebration dinner. Had that last year. This year was Monsour Paul's on Monday. I can never eat a lot on Sunday after the marathon, but watch out Monday everything in sight is devoured.

Love your trip report.

 

[ZellyB]

I can't bring myself to do an ice bath. BRRRRR!!! Usually a warm shower does the trick for me.

And shamelessly pimping my own freshly minted trip report in my signature. Your thread inspired me to go ahead and start one.

 

[afnaechiquita]

Just read through everything - congratulations on your Dopey/Goofy finish!! Such an accomplishment

 

[RNBelle]

I totally get it. I've read somewhere that a person's lungs actually need to go through an adjustment period to get used to running outside in the cold. When I trained for the Princess Half in 2011 I still wasn't used used to running outside and I remember doing a 12.5-miler on the treadmill. It was so BORING...I think that was when I started to really make the effort to run outside in the cold. It's no ideal but I just cannot mentally handle the treadmill that much.

10Ks are hard to find around here! I've only ever run one, and that was as a part of the Akron Marathon Relay in 2009. I need to find a real one to run some day!

I know there is a 10K during Cleveland Marathon Weekend. There's also this one in October and the Towpath 10K.

If you can't find a 10K you could also run a race longer than a 10K for corral placement. For the past 2 years I've used times from the Cleveland 10-miler for my corral placement...but that one might be coming up quickly for you to be trained for it. I know there's a 10-miler later in the year in Lynhurst as well, but I've never run it.


I don't know much about CrossFit...I keep wanting to try it and then I chicken out! You are braver than I am!

Thanks so much for all your help. How the heck did you find them all so quickly? I've been scrounging the net for weeks! Maybe some time I will see you at a race. I really want to do the Winking Lizard race this summer

CrossFit is amazing. You should try a class. It's too expensive to stick with for very long though, but you can do it on your own at home (if you're motivated).

 

[Ariel484]

First off - CONGRATS on completing the Dopey Challenge! Even though I knew you had, you write so well that was still on the edge of my seat as I read your last few posts!

Thanks for the congrats! And for the writing compliment...I try to make these things come across somewhat decently so that's really nice to hear.

Thanks for all this advice. With you as inspiration, I have signed up for my first race! It's a 3K taking place on Mother's Day Weekend - and I've managed to convince my mom to run it with me!

To prepare myself, I've decided to do a combination of two things. I've signed up with the Running Room Clinic, but their goal run is taking place two weeks later than mine, so they've suggested that I add a 4th or even 5th run per week to make up for it. With that in mind, I'll use Jeff's Easy 5K app for my non-clinic runs because I can adjust the settings to use the ratios from the Clinic for that week, and still get Jeff's encouragement and guidance. That's a win/win in my book!

How very appropriate that you're running the Mother's Day race with your mom! That should be fun.

Sounds like you're well on your way with training...while I understand the advice Running Room gave you about "catching up," PLEASE be careful with adding runs to your schedule. You may find that your body doesn't like running 4-5 days per week, and you don't want to take on too much too soon and find yourself with an injury. I'm no expert...but pay attention to how you're feeling and adjust accordingly.

Your review of WWoS section kinda helped me with a decision...I too want to do a runDisney event. I was sorta thinking of doing the 5K during the ToT Ten-Miler, especially because that's my 30th birthday weekend - what better way to celebrate three decades However, from what I could tell, the 5K course is entirely at WWoS . I wasn't too excited about that to begin with, and your review cinched it! I do have a different race in mind for that weekend, which is the CIBC Run for the Cure supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Soo...now I'm pretty sure I'll be signing up for Expedition Everest Challenge 2014!! I like that it's in a park, and that it's a special twist on your standard 5K runs. Plus - it's at Disney, so that's a win no matter what!

Have you read any reports of anyone else doing that 5K? I haven't, but I would be really surprised if the entertainment wasn't better since the entire race takes place there. I mean, I would HOPE it would be better...but the EE 5K sounds great too! My husband is hoping to do that one with me...now I KNOW that one doesn't have entertainment/characters, but you're right - the fact that it's in a park with an obstacle course is pretty sweet.. Should be fun!

I also loved your review of Jiko. I too want those wine trees - they look so cool! That photo of you and your husband is very nice - you can't tell that you've just run 68K in three days (sounds even more impressive in the metric system, doesn't it ). Wear that medal proudly - you've definitely earned it

Thanks! Haha, 68K DOES sound more impressive! Maybe I'll just stick with the metric system from now on.

Just wanted to say that I completely agree on the ice bath. While i always take them on runs over 12 miles, after the marathon and the heat....it was the BEST ICE BATH EVER. Of course i also drink a beer while i am in the tub its incentive. Love Jiko for celebration dinner. Had that last year. This year was Monsour Paul's on Monday. I can never eat a lot on Sunday after the marathon, but watch out Monday everything in sight is devoured.

Love your trip report.

Yeah, I know ice baths aren't for everyone...but personally I do feel a difference after taking one. BEER IN THE TUB...how did I not think of that?! That's a great idea. How was M. Paul? Looks like a good one! I can't eat right after the race...but an hour or two later all bets are off.

I can't bring myself to do an ice bath. BRRRRR!!! Usually a warm shower does the trick for me.

And shamelessly pimping my own freshly minted trip report in my signature. Your thread inspired me to go ahead and start one.

Yep, different strokes for different folks. I can only stand about 10 minutes in the ice and that's with me messing around on my phone the entire time to distract myself...

And I just commented on your trip report...great so far! EVERYONE GO READ GISELE'S TRIP REPORT!!!

Just read through everything - congratulations on your Dopey/Goofy finish!! Such an accomplishment

Thank you so much! Thanks for reading the report!

Thanks so much for all your help. How the heck did you find them all so quickly? I've been scrounging the net for weeks! Maybe some time I will see you at a race. I really want to do the Winking Lizard race this summer

CrossFit is amazing. You should try a class. It's too expensive to stick with for very long though, but you can do it on your own at home (if you're motivated).

Don't be too impressed - I knew about the Cleveland 10K because I ran the haf in 2011 and 2012, and am running the marathon this year. hermescleveland.com has a pretty decent race schedule posted, so I always look there too. I forget how I found the Towpath one...but seriously, it is SO hard to find 10Ks around here! Seems like there's a 5K or 2 practically every weekend though...and the 10-miler in Lyndhurst send me emails quite a bit...I think I got on their list from doing other races.

I did the Winking Lizard race! Let's see...I think it was 2009. I did the 2-mile portion and it was awful, but only because 1. It was approximately 1000 degrees out and 2. I was in horrible, horrible shape. Fun party afterward though, and they gave us sandwiches and beer! I hope the race goes better for you than it did for me.

I really should try CrossFit. My cousin is obsessed - she just did her first competition this past weekend and has talked in the past about getting certified to coach. I'm not sure if she actually IS certified yet though. I bet she'd help me survive a workout.

 

[Ariel484]

Nighttime Magic!

After dinner we walked around the AKL gift shop a bit and eventually hopped on a bus to the Magic Kingdom. We arrived at the park just in time to catch Wishes!

We watched the show from just in front of the train station. This was the first time I'd tried to photograph fireworks...normally I don't take many pictures on rides or during shows because we go to WDW so infrequently that I just want to enjoy and take it all in rather than worry about my camera settings. For whatever reason this evening I just wanted to see what I could do. It went...okay. Definitely would have been better with a tripod but I never feel like lugging that thing around the parks.

Upside-down face?

After Wishes! the park really began to empty out and we decided to avoid the mass of humanity by ducking in to the bathrooms near Town Hall. While heading to the bathrooms we sang the Wishes! exit music to one another...does anyone else think that the lady that sings it sounds EXACTLY like Jenna Maroney from 30 Rock (RIP)? We do.

After our bathroom stop we headed across the way to the Town Square Theater.

Time to meet the mouse again! And just like Friday, he was very excited!

The plan for the evening was to wear the Goofy medal primarily, but to carry the other medals with me in my purse in case I wanted them for photos. There was no way I was wearing all 3 all evening...they're heavy and clang around. Just wearing the one Goofy medal seemed to get the point across. (Yes, I'd thought about this before the trip began...always the planner. )

Anyway, by now Will was getting asked over and over if he'd run any of the races too, so much so that it was getting comical. He confessed to Mickey that he's not a runner because it seems too difficult and tiring, and at the suggestion of the character attendant we got this...one of my favorite pictures from the weekend:

Love it! Thanks, Mickey!

After our meeting with the mouse it was time to exit the theater. This was tough - I was getting around okay for the most part, but as always, the toughest thing for me to navigate after the race was STAIRS. I had to bring back my hoppity-skippity technique to make it down the steps to get back down to Main Street. That or head down backward (which I think was my preferred method for exiting the Disney buses). Either way I was looking mega-cool, no doubt.

We headed to the hub and watched Celebrate the Magic! We'd seen The Magic, The Memories and You once and both liked it...but we LOVED this new show!

My only picture. I quickly reminded myself to put the camera down and just enjoy the show. It was super adorable. Really liked it.

Once the show was over we headed through the castle...

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

"I use antlers in all of my deeeecorating!"

Time to check out New Fantasyland!

I forget how long the wait was here...40 minutes maybe? Too long for us to stand in line.

Since the park had cleared out so much after Wishes! we had lots of elbow room...not very many people at all. Perfect for our first time in New Fantasyland.

We headed to the Little Mermaid ride...the wait time was posted at 20 minutes but we walked right through the queue and to our clamshell.

I really liked this ride! Sure, this was my favorite movie when I was a wee lass, so there's some sentimental value there, but I thought it seemed like a nice little dark ride. It's a good addition to the park, and the Ursula AA is AWESOME. No ride photos - it was out first time through and I just wanted to enjoy it.

After our journey Under the Sea we headed to Gaston's Tavern.

Man, is this place small. I can see it getting totally packed during peak times.

I grabbed a table while Will went to get our snack. While waiting I saw a runner wearing his marathon medal, and unlike the rest of us his lanyard was grey instead of red...a Perfect 20! Crazy.

Will came back with our snack...hummus with pretzels and LeFou's Brew.

Before I go any further...what is up with people comparing this to Butterbeer?! They are two totally different drinks! You're essentially comparing apple juice and cream soda...seems pointless to me.

Anyway, Will liked this and I did not. I thought that the mango foam was way too overpowering. Just not my cup of tea (or brew, as the case may be ). Oh well, glad I tried it once. I kind of wish we'd gotten a cinnamon roll...maybe next time.

After finishing our snack we headed over to Storybook Circus and looked in the shop.

I was THISCLOSE to buying a Duffy. The thing is just so darn soft and cute...and what late-20-year-old doesn't need a teddy bear every once in awhile?!

We thought about taking a spin on the Haunted Mansion but were spent. Plus, I think it was really hitting us that not only was the trip almost over, but that we'd had barely any park time that weekend. We were both in bad moods because of it and started to snap at one another a bit. It was time to go.

We got back to the room a little before 11 and finally split the cupcake I'd gotten from the Polynesian the first night.

Chocolate Beer Cupcake from Captain Cooke's:

Definitely my least-favorite cupcake of the weekend. The chocolate part and icing were good, and bonus points for including chocolate-covered pretzels, but I could really taste the beer, and it was odd. Will agreed that it was just weird...won't be getting that one again.

We packed up a bit and went to bed pretty soon after...both pretty bummed that the weekend was almost over.

Continued in Next Post

 

[ZellyB]

Thanks for checking out my trip report! It's fun writing it and helps me remember what a great weekend we had.

I think your shots of the fireworks are really pretty good. Much better than I could do for sure! Sorry you didn't get more park time though. I was glad we extended our trip to allow for time to hit the parks.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. the shot with Mickey and you and Will. What a great idea for a picture.

 

[BigEeyore]

Just getting caught up...congratulations on your Dopey! Simply amazing. You are such an inspiration, and your last marathon report really gave me the courage to do the Disney marathon this year. Now you have me really thinking I could go Goofy someday. I know 2015 is the 10 year anniversary for Goofy, and since Disney did such a great job with the 20 year medal for the marathon, I am seriously considering it! Only thing I need is someone to run it with. I would only want to do another marathon if I could experience it with someone I really care about. So glad I did it but I found myself so jealous of the people running together.
LOVE your picture with Mickey and your husband! Fantastic.
We went to MK that night after the marathon as well - we were actually sitting about 30 feet from where it looks like you guys were during Wishes! It was a nice way to end a very special day.
I started sobbing when I saw the finish line, I was such a mess one of the volunteers came over asking if I was OK. I tend to get really emotional at the end of big races!
Thanks so much for sharing your incredible journey and accomplishments! I hope you guys get to have a nice, relaxing Disney trip sometime soon as I know you didn't get to do much of that on this trip.

 

[JessM]

Congrats on finishing the Dopey! I've really enjoyed following along with your report, its such great inspiration. I even signed up for my first half marathon! Hopefully I'll make it to a RunDisney event soon!

 

[Ariel484]

Thanks for checking out my trip report! It's fun writing it and helps me remember what a great weekend we had.

I think your shots of the fireworks are really pretty good. Much better than I could do for sure! Sorry you didn't get more park time though. I was glad we extended our trip to allow for time to hit the parks.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. the shot with Mickey and you and Will. What a great idea for a picture.

Of course! Are you going to do anything with your trip report when you're done? I've heard of people making scrap books or printing them out with the photos and keeping them in a binder...or using an app to output them or something? I might want to look into that.

I have seen some AMAZING fireworks shots on this board and others...I know people have crazy set-ups with tripods and filters and whatnot. I guess mine aren't bad for just holding the camera with no add-ons... You're lucky that you guys got to stay for a few days after the trip! My husband is a teacher and isn't allowed to string a bunch of vacation days together, so the best he can do is to take one day off and make it a 3-day weekend. So we'll never get to extend a race trip. I guess that's the price he pays for getting summer/winter/spring breaks!

I love the Mickey shot too! Full credit for that one goes to one of the Photopass CMs.

Just getting caught up...congratulations on your Dopey! Simply amazing. You are such an inspiration, and your last marathon report really gave me the courage to do the Disney marathon this year. Now you have me really thinking I could go Goofy someday. I know 2015 is the 10 year anniversary for Goofy, and since Disney did such a great job with the 20 year medal for the marathon, I am seriously considering it! Only thing I need is someone to run it with. I would only want to do another marathon if I could experience it with someone I really care about. So glad I did it but I found myself so jealous of the people running together.
LOVE your picture with Mickey and your husband! Fantastic.

Thanks! And congratulations to you too for finishing the marathon. Isn't that Mickey medal fabulous? I LOVE it! I'll be curious to see what they do for the Goofy medal in 2015...I am not expecting it to be as awesome as the Mickey medal from this year, maybe more on par with last year's 15th anniversary Donald medal? You're totally right, it IS more fun to run the races with someone else. If you're able to run a marathon I think Goofy is do-able...I used a marathon training plan to get ready and it worked for me.

We went to MK that night after the marathon as well - we were actually sitting about 30 feet from where it looks like you guys were during Wishes! It was a nice way to end a very special day.
I started sobbing when I saw the finish line, I was such a mess one of the volunteers came over asking if I was OK. I tend to get really emotional at the end of big races!

Ha! We probably went right past you guys. I cried at the finish line of the marathon last year so you are definitely not alone there!

Thanks so much for sharing your incredible journey and accomplishments! I hope you guys get to have a nice, relaxing Disney trip sometime soon as I know you didn't get to do much of that on this trip.

Thanks for reading! We have a trip on the books for December that we're REALLY looking forward to - a whole week with NO RACES!

Congrats on finishing the Dopey! I've really enjoyed following along with your report, its such great inspiration. I even signed up for my first half marathon! Hopefully I'll make it to a RunDisney event soon!

Thank you so much! Good luck with your half marathon training!! If you like running and you like Disney you MUST do a runDisney race at least once. They are awesome.

 

[Ariel484]

Day 5: Sunday, January 14, 2013

Good Morning, Cousins!

We slept in until about 9 or so on our last day (GLORIOUS ) and got ready to check out.

Love these lamps:

I felt much better this morning - still some soreness for sure, but nothing like the previous day. When I got dressed I decided I wanted to wear my super-comfy TOMS...and I had to stuff my feet into them. I stood up and it felt like I had Hulk feet that were trying to burst out of the shoes. I hadn't realized it the previous day because I'd been wearing flip flops, but my feet were SWOLLEN. Ugh.

I switch to a different pair of shoes and we sadly said good-bye to our amazing room. We went to the lobby, did the airline check-in thing, and hopped on a boat to the Polynesian for breakfast. Aloha again, 'Ohana!

The CMs insisted that we pose like this for the photo. Will said it felt like we were taking a prom picture. As awkward as this one is it's much less awkward than my actual prom photo...

Our ADR was at 10:30 and we got seated pretty quickly...FOOD.

This was a really great breakfast, but I was slightly disappointed with the character interaction. We were one of the latest breakfast seatings and were right at the end of the line...and it showed. It was obvious that they wanted to wrap up to close up the place until dinner.

Here you have it...the one time I wore all 4 medals that weekend:

Mickey no longer cared about my running accomplishments...he just wanted to go home!

And now...we feast!

Will really liked the potatoes, but the standout for me was a surprise - the eggs. I normally don't like eggs that are cooked in mass quantities, but these eggs were amazing. I was convinced there was some kind of cheese in them, but our server insisted there wasn't. I still don't really believe her...they tasted so rich and creamy that there had to be an extra somethin' somethin' going on there. I LOVED them. Everything else was good too (though we're back to the super thin, not as awesome Disney bacon).

And these too, of course:

We had a quick audience with Lilo but Stitch never made it to our table.

Continued in Next Post

 

[geaux_half]

Thanks so much for all your help. How the heck did you find them all so quickly? I've been scrounging the net for weeks! Maybe some time I will see you at a race. I really want to do the Winking Lizard race this summer

Here's a great website for finding races by State sorted by various distances.

The 50 Stater's Gadget is a really neat tool to find back to back races in nearby states for anyone attempting to run in all the states.

 

[Ariel484]

Now It's Time To Say Goody-Bye...

Breakfast was over by about 11:30. By 11:45 we were on a boat heading to the Magic Kingdom.

Happy Wedding Day...someone!

Our Magical Express bus was due to pick us up at 1:50...just enough time to squeeze in some last-minute time at Magic Kingdom!

First stop was Pete's Silly Sideshow to meet some friends.

Minnie and Daisy's line was huge, but Goody and Donald's was doable. The set-up in here is really cute, but the lighting is just AWFUL for pictures. I was able to save some of them though.

The character interaction here was nowhere near as fun as it had been with Mickey in the theater...darn.

It was a little disappointing because both characters were introduced and they put on kind of a funny show...

...then we got to them and it was just wave. Pose. Click. On to the next person.

Seriously, AWFUL lighting. There was no saving the Donald photos with my super-limited photo editing skills.

After our meet-ups we strolled back through New Fantasyland (much more crowded this morning compared to last night) on our way back to the castle.

By now (about 1PM) it was really starting to sink in that the trip was almost over and that we really had not had much park time at all. I mean...we both knew that it would be like this coming in to this trip, but now that it was time to go home it was really hitting us. So we really weren't in great moods at that point...and I hate that this is how I remember our last morning.

Will was (correctly) telling me that we needed to get back to the resort, but I was being stubborn and insisting on squeezing out every last second that we could. So I took a detour into the Confectionary.

Maybe someday I'll work up the courage to tackle one of those Mickey apples...

While I was in line a CM gave Will a rice krispie sample...I chased him down and grabbed one for myself. Yum!

Then I had a little photo-shoot with my snack...a Mickey red velvet cake pop!

The red velvet part was really good. The ears were marshmallow though...I would have preferred more cake. But I always prefer more cake.

Will kept telling me that we needed to go, and I just ignored him to focus on cake. We were already both tense because of the trip ending/less park time thing, and by now we were both pushing one another's buttons - him by saying we needed to leave and me by just ignoring him like a ridiculous child. Not a fun way to end our trip at all.

As you would expect we eventually did leave the park and head back to the resort. We said our final good-bye to the Grand Floridian and headed back to MCO. Bye-bye Disney, and bye-bye Marathon Weekend.

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Final Thoughts

Grand Floridian: Perfect, perfect, perfect. I know people think this place is stuffy and uptight, but we never felt that way at all. From the grounds (despite the construction) to the room to the main lobby, everything was wonderful, comfortable and welcoming. The Cast Members here were great - super friendly and engaging. Loved having the monorail right there and loved being right on Bay Lake. Zero complaints from us. The Boardwalk still has its hold over me (lots of amazing memories there for us) but the Grand Floridian is definitely up there as one of my favorite Disney resorts after this trip. We have a few other places we want to try out (specifically the Wilderness Lodge - which we were hoping to book for part of our next trip but got shut out of - and the Yacht Club) but we will definitely return to the Grand Floridian someday.

Food: The only new-to-us place on this trip was Gaspirilla Island in the Grand Floridian, and it was really good! Some really nice choices there. I automatically love any place at Disney that offers those house-made potato chips. And while I'd been to Roaring Forks at Wilderness Lodge and Kona Café before, going to these places for breakfast were firsts. The solo breakfast after the 5K at Wilderness Lodge is one of my favorite memories of the trip, and the Kona breakfast was incredible. Can't wait to go back to both.
Everywhere else we ate - Wolfgang Puck Express, Boulangerie Patisserie, Via Napoli, 'Ohana (for breakfast and dinner) and Jiko were places we've been before, and all of them were excellent.

We tried a few other new things, including LeFou's brew (eh, not for me) new cupcakes. The final reviews (in order of ones we liked least to what we liked best):
Chocolate Beer Cupcake (Captain Cooks at the Polynesian): WEIRD. I could taste the chocolate AND the beer at the same time. The icing was good but didn't have a lot of flavor. Bonus points for coming with chocolate-covered pretzels...but I wouldn't get it again.
'Smores Cupcake (Gaspirilla Island at the Grand Floridian): It was fine.A chocolate cupcake with fudge on the inside, garnished with marshmallows and graham crackers.Nothing special about this one.I think my problem with 'smore cupcakes is I keep comparing them to this AMAZING 'smore cupcake I got in Cooperstown a few summers back that was chocolate with graham-cracker/marshmallow-flavored icing, and nothing will top that one.It was incredible.And clearly I need help since I'm waxing poetic about a cupcake I ate years ago... anyway...ultimately I dont think I'd get this one again either.I remember liking the 'smores cupcake at the Boardwalk Bakery a little better than this one.
Red Velvet Cupcake (Starring Rolls in Hollywood Studios): The clear winner of the weekend. The cake was super moist with a subtle cocoa flavor, and the cream cheese icing was...well...creamy and delicious. The big downside here is that Starring Rolls closes at 4PM, so when I get this cupcake again (because I WILL) I'll just have to keep that in mind.

My biggest snack regret of the weekend is not getting to try the Nutella waffle with fruit from Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom. The timing just never worked out...that's at the top of my to-do (to-eat?) list for our next trip. My other big food disappointment was the realization that apparently the Chip & Dale snack company no longer makes Mickey's pretzels...or if they do I couldn't find them. Those were my favorite post-Disney race snack. So sad.

The Parks: Cant say much here because we just didn't have a lot of park time on this trip. For the second year in a row I managed to miss Animal Kingdom completely, except for the 15 or so minutes I was there during the marathon. We really liked New Fantasyland, but it's so SMALL. I'm looking forward to the rest of it opening up. Overall, I just don't try to look for things that are going wrong when I'm in the parks...so if you're looking for a report like that, I can't help you.

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

Final Thoughts - Goofy's Race-and-a-Half Challenge/Dopey Challenge

Going Goofy: I'm so incredibly glad that I took on this challenge. It was a grueling weekend for sure, but I think the difficult part of actually signing up for this was committing myself to training for it. So while I am, of course, proud that I finished the races, I think the bigger triumph is that I successfully made it through training and got to the starting line(s) ready to go and injury-free. And what makes it sweeter is that I did it on MY TERMS. (WARNING: mini-rant ahead): Early on I decided to use a beginning marathon training schedule - the same one I used for the 2012 marathon - to get ready for Goofy and had someone on this very board tell me that I needed to re-think my plan. They told me that I wasn't doing enough mileage and that I'd be sorry by the end of the weekend, IF I was able to actually make it to that point. This really stuck with me, and because I am stubborn I resolved even more to just stick to what I was sure would work best for me. I think this is the best decision I could have made, because I know what my body and my schedule can tolerate. As a result of running what I was told was "not enough miles," I made it through all of 2012 (a 9-month "base-building" period followed by 18 weeks of training) without ever feeling like running was taking over my life, without any injuries, and with only one period of getting sick (a sinus infection over Labor Day weekend). I completed the races and felt completely recovered from them 4 days later. Can't ask for much more than that. /rant over.

Goofy as a first marathon? I'm not sure if I've mentioned this here or not, but right before I signed up for the marathon in 2012 - my first ever - I had a crazy thought that maybe I should go Goofy then. So my first marathon would have been part of a Goofy Challenge. I am SO glad I didn't do this. During race weekend this year I was much more nervous than I expected to be and had to deal with two extremely early wake-up calls (plus a third with the 5K - not as early as the half and full but still pretty early). I cannot imagine having that stress PLUS staring down my first-ever 26.2. This is a long-winded way of saying that I am not sure I could have mentally handled the pressure of training for and completing these races if I hadn't already trained for and completed another marathon. That experience - the knowledge that I'd successfully trained for and completed the distance once before - as invaluable.

Going Dopey: I'm glad I did it once, but unless someone wants me to run a 5K with them I don't think I'll do it again. It's too much money, and that 3rd early wake-up call was really a killer.

Race weekends at Disney: In a perfect world, we'd come to Disney for the race weekends and then stay for 3-4 days afterward...but we'll never be able to do this with Will's teaching schedule. So while we knew going in that this trip was going to be focused on the races, it was really magnified with having Saturday AND Sunday almost completely sucked away by the race and whatever recovery came afterward (ice bath, nap, etc.). This really hit us hard, and I felt (and still feel) incredibly guilty that we really didn't get to the parks as much during this trip. Yes, the trip was centered around the races, but it was Will's trip just as much as it was mine, and I feel like he got short-changed. Three of our last four trips to Disney have been quick, hectic weekend trips centered around a race (or races), and I'm starting to feel selfish about it. After this one we are SO ready (and SO EXCITED) for a longer trip with NO RACING...

...but that certainly doesn't mean that I'm done running at Disney. Up next for me is the Castaway Cay 5K my first (and probably only-) ever Disney cruise in September. And Will is definitely interested in doing an Expedition Everest Challenge at some point (YAY!! ) so we'll be looking at that in 2014 or 2015.

Beyond that I'd like to complete the other longer Disney races and get a Coast-to-Coast medal. I'm definitely going to do the Tower of Terror 10-miler and the Wine & Dine Half at some point, but quick weekend trips to California for the Tinkerbell and Disneyland Half marathons and somehow combining one of those trips with a race at WDW in the same calendar year to get that Coast-to-Coast medal seem a lot less likely for three big reasons: 1.) MONEY , 2.) I definitely want to take a trip out to California, but I want it to be a longer one so that we can see other parts of the state as well as Disneyland - not possible in January (Tinkerbell Half) or September (Disneyland Half), and 3.) We'd like to have a kiddo at some point here. So I'm sure I'll complete all of the races and get the Coast-to-Coast medal someday...but it most likely won't be any time soon.

Going Goofy again? So I've gone Goofy once...would I do it again?

Immediately after finishing last year's marathon I thought I was done with the distance. Before I even set foot on property this year I was already pretty sure when I wanted to do Goofy Challenge #2. 2015 is the 10th anniversary of the Goofy Challenge, and while I know it won't be as big a deal as the 20th anniversary of the marathon was (because the marathon is where running at Disney got its start), I know there will be a shiny, purdy 10th anniversary Goofy medal up for grabs. And I full intend to earn one.

Thanks for reading everyone! Have a magical day!!

 

[steph0808]

Noooooo! This trip report can't be complete already!

Great job, as usual I have discovered lots of things about Disney that I definitely need to keep in mind for our next trip - Animation Academy, Town Square Theatre, Gaspirilla Island (because I NEED to eat those chips - never had them before and I love homemade chips), etc. So I thank you for introducing me to Disney things that I didn't know about!

Now I just have to balance my wanting to visit Disney with my want to visit other places in the world!

 

[ZellyB]

Another great trip report! I enjoyed it just as much as the last one of yours I read.

I do think when I get mine done I want to figure out a way to download it and save it. It will make a nice reminder of my first marathon.