Suite life and 1st Marathon TR 2023 (Completed 2/12)

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Running through here is the best...
I see th beast off in the distance for pics.

One last photo before we enter the castle.

(I should explain posing I am doing, in Turning Red I noticed the girls doing this photo pose a lot so I thought it was an easy thing to copy from the movie.)
Then we run through the castle. It gets tight but we slowly move through it. And I stay to the left for good castle pics. And get it!!!

Next I head over to the line for individual castle pics. My first photo stop.
I take a pic while I wait.
Gorgeous

Then I do my pic... Sadly my photo is lost. I submitted a ticket to the photopass people and now waiting to hear back. Many of runners had lost pics and they were able to find it. I am hoping I get it back.
Pluto!

After the pic we run through adventure land! I did not get to run through this during Princess soo yeah!

Captain Jack sparrow!

I try and fail at another good jump pic... maybe I should stop. Lol.

Chip and Dale rescue rangers!! Line was long so did not stop.


Continuing on to next post.

 

[Disneyhanna]

I too was at AKL for Marathon Weekend! The expo was crazy, but it was so high energy which had me very excited! Those 1 bedrooms look so nice, I went solo so no need for all that space but one day. So nice to have all those options club level, the butter chicken at AKL is so good. The tree is soooo beautiful, it never gets old. Omg the sticky buns at CL? Amazing! Boma is getting so expensive that CL must be a good deal now! I never saw that ornament and didn't realize they sold it at DS, how cool, I will have to pay attention next year.

I did not take the buses to the race but good to know they were so well organized. Love the costume! I did that long walk to the corrals twice so I turned my watch on for the marathon day, it was just over a mile to corral B! I cannot imagine hopping over the corral fence either, I'd pull some sort of muscle for sure, or rather I'd tip the whole thing over . Smart plan to keep running while it's dark, the sun sure did heat things up fast that day. But it was still amazing weather for FL, I loved it, even though I am from cold and snowy MN and hate the heat.

I loved seeing both Flick and Atta, the double character stops were my favorite. I got the Pooh photo and it's one of my favorites for sure, such a cute back drop too! I say during the race the ladies should just go to the men's room, pretty sure more women run these races than men anyways . Oh nooo on the Garmin issue, that is the worst. So fun having someone waiting for you at MK. And very impressive of you to spot them, that area was such a blur. Ha, the one leg jump pic! Great castle running pic! I hope they can find your castle picture. Since you took a photo and know the time I'm sure they will find it. Running through MK was so much fun even though it feels like a fever dream.

Looking forward to the next post, I love reliving that day!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I too was at AKL for Marathon Weekend! The expo was crazy, but it was so high energy which had me very excited! Those 1 bedrooms look so nice, I went solo so no need for all that space but one day. So nice to have all those options club level, the butter chicken at AKL is so good. The tree is soooo beautiful, it never gets old. Omg the sticky buns at CL? Amazing! Boma is getting so expensive that CL must be a good deal now! I never saw that ornament and didn't realize they sold it at DS, how cool, I will have to pay attention next year.

I did not take the buses to the race but good to know they were so well organized. Love the costume! I did that long walk to the corrals twice so I turned my watch on for the marathon day, it was just over a mile to corral B! I cannot imagine hopping over the corral fence either, I'd pull some sort of muscle for sure, or rather I'd tip the whole thing over . Smart plan to keep running while it's dark, the sun sure did heat things up fast that day. But it was still amazing weather for FL, I loved it, even though I am from cold and snowy MN and hate the heat.

I loved seeing both Flick and Atta, the double character stops were my favorite. I got the Pooh photo and it's one of my favorites for sure, such a cute back drop too! I say during the race the ladies should just go to the men's room, pretty sure more women run these races than men anyways . Oh nooo on the Garmin issue, that is the worst. So fun having someone waiting for you at MK. And very impressive of you to spot them, that area was such a blur. Ha, the one leg jump pic! Great castle running pic! I hope they can find your castle picture. Since you took a photo and know the time I'm sure they will find it. Running through MK was so much fun even though it feels like a fever dream.

Looking forward to the next post, I love reliving that day!

So love that u been enjoying it!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Mile 12

Ohh missed a missed one of my character stops.

Fat cat the evil character from Chip and Dale. I did not even know who he was... wow that does not happen. But the line was short so I jumped in for my first offical character stop.
Then doopy! Wow if I thought Chip and Dale line was long this takes the cake!!

Then next I was able to meet daisy. She had a reasonable line.

Her dress is soo cute!

So tech issues seem to be a problem with me. My bosswatch (the things that keeps my 30/30 secs) dropped. And then I got all messed up. Bahh.. I am walking and trying to get it fixed. Grumpy about the my tech issues.
And then guess what I hear one of the pace groups!!!! The 6 hour pace group comes on by and this is the most perfect timing!! I join the group.

Man this group is soo much fun their pace is perfect. 30/30 and is pushes me just the right way.
The slight problem being in one's of the groups... pictures are harder since they really keep to the pace while I would stop to take pics whenever.


This was suppose to be powerline instead just max and goofy.. there were a lot of disappointed people.
Missed mile 13... cause running pace group.
But here is 14.


The next we saw the adventures club. They are hilarious.



Mile 15 sorry the light is all horrible.
I forget when this happened but some time around here. We ran passed a really smelly area with water treatment area. I was so happy I was in pacing group to get me passed this smelly area. There was even a vulture or buzzard that was luming over us. Watching us to pic us over. We all laughed at it in the pacing group.
Continuing to next post.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

They had a cool photo spots for the perfects. That means people who have been doing this for all 30 years!

Mile 16.

We are heading into AK! They have animals out for us to pet and take pictures with.... only in disney can u have all of this.

The beautiful tree!!

The everest!

We finally have some photopass photographers. No jumping this time. In the pacing groups there is just no room.

For the best these are cuter then my failed jump pics.


Mile 17.

Around this point I head out of the pace group beacuse I need to pee!! So I peel off and head to the port potties finnally not a long line to pee.

And we have left AK
Continuing on to the next post.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

The best part we circle back around and they still have the animals out. This time it was a snake. Since I am not in the pacing group any more I stop and get a pic with the snake. Who else gets to say they petted a snake during a marathon?!

I stop at Timon some where around here.

As I run back out of AK u can see all the people going into AK and that is when I see the the infamous balloon ladies!

For those who do not know they keep the offical 16 min pace and if u fall behind them you are in danger of getting swept. They are very nice ladies though.

Some more characters woody and bo peep.

Now the worst part....

A long stretch of highway just to get to parking lot of hell also called Blizzard parking lot. We run around in a circle in it. It is ridiculous. We do not even get to go into Blizzard water park. I was not feeling the magic miles at this point. I did not really take pics and just put my head down and focused on putting one foot in front of the other.


Soon we get close to HS!!! I feel my engery coming back.

Ohh and I see darkwing duck!!! Yeah!!
Ohh and after that a candy stop! No pic some chocolate was nice.

My engery is all officially back now!!
Continuing on to the next post.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Good news they found my castle pic!! The photographer messed up the the pic a bit... a little over exposed. So tried to make it a bit better. But overall happy. The jump itself turned out super cute. Even got my tail in it!
The original.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

HS is so short but very cool to run through.
The park is open so lots of people cheering us on.

Ohh and Scourge Mcduck was here to meet!!

I am collecting all the duck characters, lol.
Some more HS

And we leave the park.
But we do this great path that takes u to the boardwalk to Epcot. I love this path I ran it during Thanksgiving on my own. I am feeling great.

Lots of cheering I take it all in.
Then I make it to epcot. Sorry no pics I was calling my mom to make sure she is in Mexico for my margarita.
Lady got in my way for mile 25.


My mom has my margititas and is waiting by Mexico pavilion.
Here is my mom pics of her waiting.


Then she spots me!!

I got the margitita!!! U know what is the best at the end of a marathon, a margarita!

Continue on to next post.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

So my maragarita slowed down my progress a bit. I was forced to walk..some how I was okay with it. Lol. So I walked my way to the finish while taking sips of my maragarita. I had to be careful not to finish before rhe finishline though.


Then I see mile 26!!!

And I hear the gospel choir which means I am almost at the end!!

I see the finishline!!

Then I crossed the finishline!!!
I became a marathoner. I never thought I could do that. I am a chubby mother who started running back during covid to get out of the house and I could not even run a mile. I never could run even when I was in shape in college and high school as a ski racer. But I have lost 30 pounds since I started running during covid and gained soo much confidence, strength and stamina. I am a marathoner!! No matter how many times I say it I still tear up and cry little.


No matter what else I do in life I can always have this accomplishment and I did it with a margarita


So when u finish u go through this system of getting your medal and hat. Then getting the rundisney box, drinks. Your hands are soo full.

I slowly trot out and head to the offical picture taking area.


My mom met up with me here and I got the best sweaty hug ever.


My feet hurt and my body aches. My energy is slowly dying.... so I waddle over to the AKL busses.
Continuing on to next post.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Congratulations! You got some great running pics. Bask in that first marathon glory!

 

[Counting Stars]

Congratulations- talk about an accomplishment! I know that adrenalin kicks in as you reach the finish line but you look barely tired for just having run 26 miles! Really amazing, so glad you had a truly memorable day.

 

[swaggystackslv]

WOW! I loved this! Thanks for sharing!

 

[footballmouse]

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I love your posts about the marathon. I am sitting at my desk, tearing up over and over while I read and look at your pictures. Congrats!!!! You have an amazing accomplishment to always look back on. Thank you for sharing!!!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

So we head to AKL busses. It is full of happy sweaty tried people. I start eating my banana I got from disney. And we head off the bus. It is soo cool the moment u walk off everyone and I mean everyone is congratulating u. U feel like your on some sort of cloud nine of bless and pain. Luckliy a short walk to our room. I take off my sweaty running outfit and shower. Ohh this was the best shower of my life. While I shower my mom get food and drinks. She is the best.
Since we are at lunch time club level has snack not food so mom goes to Mara to pick up a cheeseburger. This was the best cheeseburger I have ever had in my life... soo good.
Also with rundisney box u get the famous cheese. So I had chips with my cheese.

We also got champagne from club level for a toast!

I am showered and now full.
We head out to Epcot.
I have a cute outfit on for taking pics. A skirt that is from UP. I thought the colors went well and it is about taking risks and going on adventure even when older. I thought that was perfect for my risk of trying a marathon.
I put on my crocs though cause my feet hurt. They do not really go with the outfit but my feet hurt. Lol. And we slowly walk to the busses. There was a little wait but there was a spot on the bench. All the staff and people are so nice congratulating me on my marathon.
We get on to the bus and now we are off to Epcot!
First thing I do is take pics with my medal and ears. The line is a bit long and is full of other people all getting their pics with their running medals.





Next we slowly walk to the next pictures spot. I am going to chase photo spot. So I can get some character pics with a couple of the Fab Five.
While going there we see Pooh. We had to say hi.

Then inside to chase visa card photo spot.
Hugs!!! I got all the hugs!!!

More pics of meeting mickey in Goofy in the next post.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Congratulations! You got some great running pics. Bask in that first marathon glory!

Thank u!

Congratulations- talk about an accomplishment! I know that adrenalin kicks in as you reach the finish line but you look barely tired for just having run 26 miles! Really amazing, so glad you had a truly memorable day.

Thanks! Yeah the adrenaline kicks in we u get that medal. But trust me I am tried. Lol. I just fake it well for photos.

WOW! I loved this! Thanks for sharing!

Thank u!

Thanks!

I love your posts about the marathon. I am sitting at my desk, tearing up over and over while I read and look at your pictures. Congrats!!!! You have an amazing accomplishment to always look back on. Thank you for sharing!!!

Ahh thank u so much.

 

[RedK]

Your post-marathon dress is fabulous!

Also, you should feel great and a little teary about completing your first marathon. That's huge. You put so many hours into your training, changed your body and your life. That's a milestone - and I love that you celebrated it with a margarita. That's the way it should be done!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Your post-marathon dress is fabulous!

Also, you should feel great and a little teary about completing your first marathon. That's huge. You put so many hours into your training, changed your body and your life. That's a milestone - and I love that you celebrated it with a margarita. That's the way it should be done!

Thank u about the outfit!
I know right margarita makes everything better.

 

[Tatum20]

I am a marathoner!! No matter how many times I say it I still tear up and cry little.

I teared up a little just reading it! Congrats to you and your amazing accomplishment!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I teared up a little just reading it! Congrats to you and your amazing accomplishment!

Ahh that you!!!