Can't wait to hear about your race. 
My brother and his family are great! The kids all get along really well and I love my SIL. So it is great to spend time with them. I've never heard anyone say nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairsHow nice to be able to meet up with family members while at Disney. I am sure that your kids were excited to spend time with their cousins.
I don't blame you for not remembering how your meal tasted. If I were running a marathon the next day, I'd have been as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
Love it!It was definitely a nerve wracking evening, but I'm glad there was some distraction around.
I'm pretty sure it was yummy, but I don't really remembernice update!! The food looks yummy
He was tired, but not too bad. I think it is because he has run long distance races before so his body is more adjusted.
I would have to say I was beyond nervous. Terrified is the best word to describe what I was feeling. I'm sure you have plenty of courage even without running a marathon. And you will see plenty of pictures. Probably more than you want to
Thanks for feeling my nervousnessLooks like a fun day!
I'm so nervous for you!
At least you know how this one ends
Looks like a fun day!
I'm so nervous for you!
26.2 miles -- No way -- Hopefully I get to do the 13.1 next year but never ever ever 26.2 -- I commend you!!!! 
I was much more nervous for this race than I have been for any other race.This is exactly what I was going to post! You led into the pre-race jitters very well Jenny! lol
The marathon will begin soonSounds like a fun day at Epcot! I don't blame you or your DH for wanting to get to bed. That cannoli looks SO yummy!
Getting anxious for you to get to the marathon...
There was a time not too long ago that I thought I would never do the 26.2. Never say never!Yay! I cannot wait to read about the marathon!
Enjoy your snow day and be glad you aren't in Chicago! I wouldn't mind some chocolate covered pretzels either! My advice is to keep Duffy away from your boys if you can. They may end up with a strange obsessionHi Jenny!
Snow day here...so I finally have some time to catch up!
Those treats from Goofy's look so yummy! I could really go for some of those chocolate covered pretzels right now!
What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday...so magical!!
Congrats to your DH for finishing the race!! That was such an inspiring story! I remember you posting about the accident but I didn't know how serious it was...wow! That's such a great accomplishment for your DH after all he's been through.
Those pictures with Duffy are so adorable! I know my boys are going to want those Duffy stuffed bears. I can see it now!
That's so great that you were able to meet up with your brother. Looking forward to hearing about your race!
Anyway I headed out to the bus stop at 3:30. My bus experience was completely different from DHs. There was a bus waiting for me. I hopped on. We waited about 5 minutes for the bus to fill up and we were off.
I arrived to the staging area around 3:50 and now all there was to do was wait. I wandered over to the marathon merchandise. There was a sweatshirt Id thought about buying the day before. It was pretty pricey ($50) so I didnt get it. I was regretting that. I asked the CM if they offered resort delivery, but no such luck. So I just hoped it would be available by the time I was finished. That didnt take long so I decided to just plop myself down and wait. I chatted with a nice gentlemen next to me who was running his third goofy. It helped pass the time. Eventually it was time to make the walk to the corrals. I joined the throng for the half mile walk over to the starting line. I was in the next to last corral. Once I was in the corral I once again plopped myself down for the wait. There was a woman next to me I starting chatting with and then another woman came over and joined us. Then another woman joined us too. Two of us were first time marathoners and the other two had run several marathons so they were trying to shore up our confidence. Runners are an interesting bunch. Overall running is a pretty solitary sport. Most of us train alone. On race day though it is anything but solitary. The racing community is always so supportive and it feels like a team as we are all there going after the same goal. Ive found friendly and supportive runners in every race I have ever done. At Disney they seem to be even more so. So even though I was running this race alone, it felt like I had 18,000 friends out there with me.
The starting gun went off for the first corral.
The first mile is all about finding the groove and it wasnt too tough in this race. Last year the half was way crowded and it was really tough to get a groove. We spent lots of time weaving in and out of the crowd. This race wasnt nearly as crowded. Everyone around me seemed to be going about my pace and I wasnt having to do all of the weaving. Much more pleasant. It didnt take long to hit Mile Marker 1.
I think maybe the stopping for picture taking was slowing me down quite a bit. Right after the mile marker I saw the first characters of the race. The big question is did I stop?
That was less crowded than the half? Those start pictures show a ton of people! If I was in the front of that crowd, I'd run fast, too! And why is that lady in the Epcot ball pic on a bike? Is she a CM or race worker? Just curious.
I think the Princess would be a super fun race, but I doubt I will ever do it. It's at the end of February which means I'd have to do the long runs in January and February which is the absolute worst time for outside running in these parts. I can run in cold. Just add layers. Ice is too dangerous though. Jan. & Feb. tend to be icy and snowy in these parts. It will be a while until I get to the finish.
Welcome! I'm glad you popped in. Don't worry there is still lots more race to come!
This year there were 28,000 registered for the half and 18,000 registered for the full. So yes the half is way more crowded. Add into that the fact that the half is only half the length and that adds to the crowding even more. The half never really cleared out for me last year. I dodged people the whole race. The full was much more pleasant. To be honest I think Disney has pushed the capacity too high for the half and it compromises the race quite a bit. I'm sure they will keep pushing it though because the more runners the more money they get. The lady on the bike is probably one of the race officials. They ride along the course periodically to make sure everyone is OK.
Great start!
Oh and my guess is that yes you did stop!
PatiencePins and needles. Hurry up, next post!
I actually have to go to work today. How dare that get in the way of my DIS time If not later today I'll get another update tomorrow.Good assumption. At 1 am I was dreaming Disney dreams.Well, since it's almost 1am I'm assuming you aren't going to tell us right away if you stopped
I say you kept going.
There will be more to come. I promise!
