The Darling Family Takes on Marathon Weekend: Jan at the Boardwalk Villas

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

You are looking great! I'm glad that you were able to find inspiration in the Rocky music. Whatever it takes, right?

 

[SGcruiser]

You look like you just started the race instead of 3hrs into it. So glad the weather was good, there were a lot more characters this year than last when it was cold and rainy.

 

[mermaid764]

How exciting that your at the half way mark

That is awesome that the rocky music inspires you to keep going, can't wait to hear more

 

[dismagiclover]

Wow Jenny!!

I jsut spent my lunch hour reading your report!!!

How wonderful! I can't wait to read more about the race!

Welcome! I'm glad you're here!

Ugh, I was several updates behind (I had a good excuse, I was at Disney!) so I just caught up.

First off, the story about your husband made me emotional. I had no idea he'd gone through something so tragic! What an accomplishment to have done the race! Amazing story! Talk about motivation! I'm so glad he's doing well now.

And your race, wow just wow! I didn't really understand how the marathon works at Disney and your TR has given me a very nice tutorial! It looks fun yet arduous! How ever did you manage to complete it?? I'm amazed, really and truly! You must have had the most wonderful feeling knowing you were completing something so difficult. And I love all the pics along the way. I had no idea you could stop for the characters. See how uninformed I am!

I'm really looking forward to the rest of your TR!

So how was your trip? I hope it was fabulous and you aren't suffering from Disney Depression too badly! DH's story is very inspiring. I get emotional about it too. Fun yet arduous is the perfect description for the marathon. They way you complete it is just a mile at a time. In so many ways marathons are metaphors for life. Oh and the serious marathoners don't stop for pictures.

I thought I had subscribed to this TR, but just saw it and guess I wasn't. So far I have made it to the night before the half-marathon.

Love the pics and details about the kids marathon. Poor Michael, glad he was ok. My son does the same thing.

And I love that marathon shirt you purchased yourself.

Ok, need to do some housework, so I will have to catch up later.

You still have the best stuff ahead of you so happy reading. (Though the kids' races really were fun.

You are looking great! I'm glad that you were able to find inspiration in the Rocky music. Whatever it takes, right?

I was getting pretty tired at this point, but I was still doing OK. That Rocky music is really great sometimes

You look like you just started the race instead of 3hrs into it. So glad the weather was good, there were a lot more characters this year than last when it was cold and rainy.

Thanks! Believe me I didn't feel like I'd just started. I was pretty tired. It sure seemed to me like there were lots more characters out for this race than last year. I didn't know if it was because of the weather or because I ran the half last year and they bring out more characters for the full.

How exciting that your at the half way mark

That is awesome that the rocky music inspires you to keep going, can't wait to hear more

Since I'm only at the half way mark there is still plenty more to tell. I am dragging this thing out

 

[dismagiclover]

I was very excited to enter another park. It had been a while since we left the Magic Kingdom. There were a few characters waiting to greet us right before we headed back on stage.

None of these characters had much of a line. I guess everyone was too tired to stop. We popped out in the park and these guys were there to greet us.

It is just so much fun to run in the parks! And this park was open and full of people cheering us on. It was so motivating! There was a great view of the Tree of Life on our right. I asked a fellow runner to take my picture and she happily obliged.

I was feeling great and I had an exciting meet ‘n greet coming up. Here are a couple of shots of me heading for this meet ‘n greet.

Ahead of me I saw a couple of real cute ladies wearing Donald medals and holding a sign saying Go Jenny! Who were these cheering fans?

It was Liz and Carissa!! This was such a fun moment in my race. I’d been going for a long time and now there were some familiar smiling faces telling me how great I was doing. This was actually the first time I’d met Carissa in person, but it didn’t feel that way at all. It felt like I was seeing an old friend. I was so excited to hear about their half they ran the day before. They said it went OK, but it was hot. They didn’t want to tell me too many details. I think they were worried about taking up too much of my time. I was in the middle of a race after all. They did tell me they had seen several runners use the Fastpass line and ride Expedition Everest. How cool is that? If I wasn’t attempting to stay on at least some semblance of a schedule I would have done it. And if I ever run this race again I will figure it into my schedule. I mean how many people can say they rode a roller coaster in the middle of running a marathon? (Yes I know most marathon runners wouldn’t want to because they are actually running a race.) So we had someone take a picture of the 3 of us together.

Carissa suggested we take a picture of me by myself.

Then Liz and Carissa encouraged me to get on my way. It was so great to see them during the race! So nice of them to take the time out of their Animal Kingdom day to cheer and encourage me. It really did make a difference. I was feeling great as I hit Mile 17.

I headed into Dinoland. There was great excitement up ahead. My favorite meet of the race was right in front of me.

 

[ttigger81]

Way to go! I can not believe people were riding a roller coaster during the race...as much fun as it sounds I would have to keep going (or I may not finish)! So glad you ran into some familiar faces to cheer you on! Sometimes music is what you need to get you motivated

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

way to go!! I wonder what the meet would be?? Your family maybe??!!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm loving all your marathon updates. It looks like such a fun experience! If only I could run.

 

[DrMomof3]

That's awesome that you met up with Carissa and Liz during the race!!!
I'm loving your report.

Amanda

 

[kcandbella]

Very cute pics of you and Liz and Carissa! It must have been really neat to see them during the race. And riding a roller coaster in the middle...that's totally crazy but in a good way! You are doing great up til this point, can't wait to hear about your favorite meet!

 

[MagicShell]

Can't wait to hear about the rest.

 

[liznboys]

You say you were tired, but you did not look it at all!! You were doing SO well! I'm glad we were able to cheer you on, that was such fun.

I know who your next meet is with!

 

[carissanboys]

I agree with Liz - you looked great! You were cracking me up asking how our race went. I'm so glad we have pictures of the occassion.

 

[RunningGirl]

I am loving reading about your race! You look so happy and relaxed in all your pictures - very nice. Seems you found a good balance between pushing and enjoying the moments along the way.

 

[dismagiclover]

Way to go! I can not believe people were riding a roller coaster during the race...as much fun as it sounds I would have to keep going (or I may not finish)! So glad you ran into some familiar faces to cheer you on! Sometimes music is what you need to get you motivated

I would have loved to ride the roller coaster, but I was afraid it would take up too much time and I still had a ways to the finish. It was great to see the familiar faces! A real boost!

way to go!! I wonder what the meet would be?? Your family maybe??!!!

You'll have to wait and see, but that is a very good guess

I'm loving all your marathon updates. It looks like such a fun experience! If only I could run.

It is a way to experience Disney World different from any other! Have you thought about race walking? Lots of people walk the races.

That's awesome that you met up with Carissa and Liz during the race!!!
I'm loving your report.

Amanda

It was so nice of them to cheer me on. It really was a great boost!

Very cute pics of you and Liz and Carissa! It must have been really neat to see them during the race. And riding a roller coaster in the middle...that's totally crazy but in a good way! You are doing great up til this point, can't wait to hear about your favorite meet!

I was feeling pretty good at this point. Meeting up with Liz and Carissa gave me a real boost! I can't wait to tell you about my favorite meet!

 

[dismagiclover]

Can't wait to hear about the rest.

I can't wait to tell you! Don't worry. There is still plenty to come!

You say you were tired, but you did not look it at all!! You were doing SO well! I'm glad we were able to cheer you on, that was such fun.

I know who your next meet is with!

I was tired, but you know how it goes. Running through the parks is such an adrenaline rush that I didn't feel tired at that point at all. It is those in between park stretches where I really felt it. Thanks again for cheering me on. Great moment

I agree with Liz - you looked great! You were cracking me up asking how our race went. I'm so glad we have pictures of the occassion.

And you wouldn't give me any details about the race! I really wanted to know! That 1st long distance race is so exciting! Everything is new and different and you never know what it is going to be like. (As you found out.) Anyway, it was probably good you kept me on task. I probably would have talked to you for 10 minutes if you'd let me

I am loving reading about your race! You look so happy and relaxed in all your pictures - very nice. Seems you found a good balance between pushing and enjoying the moments along the way.

Many would suggest I am too relaxed during my races The way I run Disney races really works for me, but I think most racers don't really understand it. For me it is all a lark not a competition. Most runners are much more focused on time, but instead of ending the Disney races sooner I like dragging them out. More value for my dollar

 

[schmass]

Wow, riding EE during the race would be so much fun! I have never really considered running a full marathon, but your report is making me really consider running this race! I guess I will see how I do in the Princess 1/2 and decide if it is something I really think I could do. Thank you for the inspiration!

 

[Shannon84]

How fun you had people out there cheering for you!!! What brave soles to ride EE during the race...that would make me paranoid, but thats cause Im a slowpoke

 

[DisneyDreamerMom]

I love that you had friends there cheering you on. Riding EE would definitely be icing on the cake! I like the way you (and the ones who decided to ride EE) run races - that's how a Disney race should be run!

 

[Stefy]

Am all caught up and you've left me hanging with your fav character greet is coming up!

Loving your updates, esp the Castle pictures. How cool that you got to meet Louis, next to Ray he is my fav character in Princess and the Frog