The Unstoppable Force Meets the Immovable Object: A Trip Report - UPDATED 7/25/11

[Tinkerbellarella]

Wow...that was powerful, moving, and just completely inspiring!! What a wonderful thing to have happen and then to pass it on like that...WTG Tink!! Thank you for sharing that with me..."You Can Do It" what a motto to have no matter what situation you are dealing with in life!!!

Great, awesome, fantastic, wow, stunning, I could go on and on about this chapter!!!!

I'll end with THANK YOU!

Thank you and you're welcome!

Tarzan
Jack Sparrow...

Dole Whip still applies.
::ahem::

Just joining in on your trip, and I have to tell you I was so touched to read about the way you're honoring your friend and her mom. I lost my mom to ovarian cancer (it'll be seven years next week) and what you did means a lot.

and Welcome!

Though he loves Disney, he just doesn't get all geeked out by the planning like I do, so I've had to accept that he may not be very excited when I score an awesome ADR, but he'll be plenty pumped to actually GO TO THE DINNER when we're down there.

There are now certain restaurants the BF has decided MUST be revisited should he return. LOL!

I'm definitely in for the TR. As for the actual running thing, we'll see who wins out -- your motivating story or jelly-filled Tim Horton's doughnut holes.

I won't lie. There were points during the race I wasn't picturing Maria at the finish line but a big ol' Dole Whip Float. Whatever gets you there!

Mmm...donut holes. ::sigh::

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Freshly inspired I dove into Mile 2 as if it were a Dole Whip Float on a warm summer's evening a few minutes before Wishes!

::sigh::

But I digress.

With a couple more twists and turns I was actually having a hard time keeping track of where we would be were we "on stage" in Epcot. As I came upon the back of a rather large, beige building, I felt thoroughly lost. We seemed to be funneling down into an entrance or exit, depending on how you looked at it - the building on my right and vegetation, growing ever more lush, on our left. Standing at the service entrance to the building were more CMs, smiling and waving.

Now, there were two types of CMs cheering the racers on. The first type had signed up, or perhaps, were assigned to the job. They lined the route (mostly) sincerely cheering us on. Every now and again you passed a CM who was clearly thinking, "I'm SO glad I'm not one of these crazy people who PAID to get up at the crack of dawn just to be drenched in sweat before 8 a.m. Ugh, this cardboard Mickey hand makes me look fat. What time is my lunch today?" But, I'm happy to report, for the most part, they seemed excited to get us excited.

The second type of CM was the one who was actively on their everyday job but just taking a minute out to rest, smile, and wave to us. Whether they were dressed up and clearly ready to go dunk anything they could find in caramel in the new Karamell-Küche in Germany (I LOVE you guys! BF loves you more!!!) or if they were in pristine white uniforms, carting around linens, they would stop, just for a minute, and offer us all a smile or a cheer.

(I'm digressing...you've been warned...)

I have to say this was really, really nice. I'm not necessarily one of those people that thinks Disney can do no wrong, that they always get it right, or that no matter what I pay, the Magic is always a value.

Because frankly, I do not.

(Pardon me while I slip into my flame retardant suit. Thank GOD for BF's resources! )

Disney gets a LOT right for me. A LOT. Enough that I still budget money for the Mouse every year and have plans to buy into DVC sometime in the next 5 years. Even on the worst trips there has always been magic. BUT. I would be remiss if I didn't say that as of late the value of the trip and the experience I have always had at Disney are not exactly lining up. Disney is a (multi-billion dollar) business. I get that. I work in an industry that is all about the almighty dollar (and the almighty hour - oh you lawyers and your big boy shorts ). But, for a long, long time it seemed every single dollar was well spent and I wish I'd had more to fork over. Now...eh, it's a little bit tougher for me to make that statement. I feel like Disney's been going through some growing pains and I'm not sure yet where everything is going to settle out. I have seen improvement in some areas (except the darn hot dog buns - what is wrong with a normal, white flour, HOT DOG BUN!?!?!) and I really hope it continues.

And I'd LOVE to see them stop gouging with the room rates. $180 for a weeknight at a mod? Ouch.

But this, THIS was right. It made every one of my dollars spent on race registration feel well worth it.

As I passed through the gate we were funneling towards I had an OH! moment.

We were in Mexico. Aiyiyi!

We bore to the left and the World Showcase portion of the race began. THIS was what I'd imagined all of those times training for the race - making my way through a World Showcase empty of everyone except runners. For some reason, I'd imagined it would be quiet except for the pounding of feet on the pavement and lots of huffing and puffing. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the World Showcase background music (BGM) playing.

At this point I was walking, keeping up a good pace, and walking "with" an older couple who was slightly in front of me.

We walked through Norway. I smiled and thought of the trolls and Maelstrom. It was also here that I saw my first Princess! I think it may have been Cinderella, though some of the order of the race is a little jumbled now. I thought, briefly, about stopping for pics, but the lines were rather long and I didn't really want to break stride.

Onto China we went, and experienced our first set of hills.
Ok, they weren't really hills, maybe just slight inclines, but either way it was the first time we weren't traversing flat ground. My hamstrings and quadriceps made sure I was well aware.

Through the Outpost (I wish they'd do something more permanent with this area - we need a new country!) and into Germany and the first of two water stations. I did pit stop to pick up a cup of water and drank and walked at the same time, probably wearing more than I ingested. Snow White was out and about for pictures. I waved. She waved. I looked longingly as I passed all that caramel and looked to the future to...

Italy!
Perhaps we could stop, just for a minute, so I could pick up an Italian margarita from one of those lovely boys at the Tutto kiosk...no?

Ok. Onto the American Adventure we go. I was kind of hoping that maybe the Voices of Liberty would be outside, singing us on our way, but no dice. The ground had leveled out a bit and we even were going slightly downhill so I picked up the pace and did a little more jogging. I left the older couple I was "with" behind me and headed into Japan.

Oh Mitsukoshi! I'd be seeing you later my friend! (Little did I know how much time I'd be spending there!)

I smiled at all the people lined up in Morocco to have their picture taken with Aladdin and Jasmine (but where do I put my hands?!) and slowed down for a couple of minutes as I approached France. I knew there would be a bigger hill as we left France and headed for the end of Mile 2 and the International Gateway. I was starting to feel pretty winded. My pulse was pounding in time with my steps and my shirt was sticking to me. The sun was shinging and warm, not too hot yet, but unfortunately there wasn't much in the way of a breeze.

Belle was in her gold dress by the gardens in France. I thought of my girl Kat and our shared experience with Belle in her gold dress and pressed on.

As I mentioned in a previous chapter, there were photographers on the course taking 'action' shots of the race participants. I'd had my eyes on them throughout the course so far, having an internal battle over NOT being captured in my red, sweaty, huffy state and wanting to have something to commemorate this journey.

As I started up the hill towards the bridge outside of France I saw a photographer line me up for a shot. No! Not now! My ponytail is wonky, I can tell! And I'm running uphill! Just as the shutter clicked, another runner passed in front of me in his field of vision, and I was saved the horror of having to revisit what I looked like in that moment.

I crossed the bridge and headed to my left, down towards the International Gateway and the end of the second mile. Throughout the whole race I'd been passing and being passed by groups of women, racing together in matching outfits and I was coming up on one of them now. Two of their members had slowed to a walk, paced a little bit slower than me, and were walking with a wide space between them. As I passed between I heard this conversation:

Lady #1: "Whoo! It's hot!"
Lady #2: "I have to pee."
Lady #1: "I don't know where the next restrooms are. You should've gone in Morocco."
Lady #2: "I didn't have to pee in Morocco."
Lady #1: "Can you hold it?"
Lady #2: "I was considering just walking and peeing at the same time. I'm wearing moisture wicking shorts. That should take care of it, no?"

All three of us burst out laughing. Some comments were made about whether the inventor of the moisture wicking material really considered that use in his design.

And with our conversation turned to pee, I looked up as I passed the clock and the end of Mile Two.

UP NEXT: The Miracle Mile

 

[LegoMom3]

...
Disney gets a LOT right for me. A LOT. Enough that I still budget money for the Mouse every year and have plans to buy into DVC sometime in the next 5 years. Even on the worst trips there has always been magic. BUT. I would be remiss if I didn't say that as of late the value of the trip and the experience I have always had at Disney are not exactly lining up. Disney is a (multi-billion dollar) business. I get that. I work in an industry that is all about the almighty dollar (and the almighty hour - oh you lawyers and your big boy shorts ). But, for a long, long time it seemed every single dollar was well spent and I wish I'd had more to fork over. Now...eh, it's a little bit tougher for me to make that statement. I feel like Disney's been going through some growing pains and I'm not sure yet where everything is going to settle out. I have seen improvement in some areas (except the darn hot dog buns - what is wrong with a normal, white flour, HOT DOG BUN!?!?!) and I really hope it continues.

...

Ok, I just feel the need to interject here that I share your sentiment above and I am not -- repeat, NOT -- giving that up, despite all evidence to the contrary given my current living and financial situation. And for reasons completely unrelated to this TR, I just wanted to make that known.

Oh, and totally agree on the hot dog buns. You know my feelings about Casey's, but for crying out loud if you're gonna have the hot dog to begin with, the damage is already done!!.....give the thing a white bun or eat it nekkid!!!

We bore to the left and the World Showcase portion of the race began. THIS was what I'd imagined all of those times training for the race - making my way through a World Showcase empty of everyone except runners. For some reason, I'd imagined it would be quiet except for the pounding of feet on the pavement and lots of huffing and puffing. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the World Showcase background music (BGM) playing.

I think I smiled a big beaming grin all the way around WS. "Magical" only begins to describe the experience.

I crossed the bridge and headed to my left, down towards the International Gateway and the end of the second mile. Throughout the whole race I'd been passing and being passed by groups of women, racing together in matching outfits and I was coming up on one of them now. Two of their members had slowed to a walk, paced a little bit slower than me, and were walking with a wide space between them. As I passed between I heard this conversation:

Lady #1: "Whoo! It's hot!"
Lady #2: "I have to pee."
Lady #1: "I don't know where the next restrooms are. You should've gone in Morocco."
Lady #2: "I didn't have to pee in Morocco."
Lady #1: "Can you hold it?"
Lady #2: "I was considering just walking and peeing at the same time. I'm wearing moisture wicking shorts. That should take care of it, no?"

All three of us burst out laughing. Some comments were made about whether the inventor of the moisture wicking material really considered that use in his design.

O-M-G........DED!!!!

.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

give the thing a white bun or eat it nekkid!!!

And I think I know which you prefer...LOL!

O-M-G........DED!!!!

Happy Saturday!

 

[jenjolt]

LOL....man I hope I didn't wake up the hubby with my laughing...what a conversation...now I'm wondering the same thing!! Wonder what type of look I would get if I asked the person working at the sports store that question???

YAY for Mile 2!! YOU ROCK!!!!! You really were able to open up the world of vision seeing you running, really makes me want to do one!!! What an experience!!!

Oh and I agree with you about the hot dog buns...seriously?!?!?!?

 

[TarzansKat]

Just joining in on your trip, and I have to tell you I was so touched to read about the way you're honoring your friend and her mom. I lost my mom to ovarian cancer (it'll be seven years next week) and what you did means a lot.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Dole Whip still applies.
::ahem::

Freshly inspired I dove into Mile 2 as if it were a Dole Whip Float on a warm summer's evening a few minutes before Wishes!

Dude. I'd so be picturing that Dole Whip while I was in a certain pirate's...

Well, anyway...

(except the darn hot dog buns - what is wrong with a normal, white flour, HOT DOG BUN!?!?!)

We need a slogan.

Bring back our normal dogs!

Our nekkid acrobats (of hot dogs, not people) may ensue!

I smiled at all the people lined up in Morocco to have their picture taken with Aladdin and Jasmine (but where do I put my hands?!)

Dude. Have we had this conversation? Do you remember my post about Tarzan?

Belle was in her gold dress by the gardens in France. I thought of my girl Kat and our shared experience with Belle in her gold dress and pressed on.

I believe the incident you are referring to is the one in which I magically transformed into a five year old, lost my internal filter, and blurted out, "You're my favorite princess!"

I'd never met her in the gold dress before, it was overwhelming.

As I started up the hill towards the bridge outside of France I saw a photographer line me up for a shot. No! Not now! My ponytail is wonky, I can tell! And I'm running uphill! Just as the shutter clicked, another runner passed in front of me in his field of vision, and I was saved the horror of having to revisit what I looked like in that moment.

Dude.

But also, I'm sure you looked fabulous. Because you had the glow of someone who was doing something for herself.

Lady #1: "Whoo! It's hot!"
Lady #2: "I have to pee."
Lady #1: "I don't know where the next restrooms are. You should've gone in Morocco."
Lady #2: "I didn't have to pee in Morocco."
Lady #1: "Can you hold it?"
Lady #2: "I was considering just walking and peeing at the same time. I'm wearing moisture wicking shorts. That should take care of it, no?"

All three of us burst out laughing. Some comments were made about whether the inventor of the moisture wicking material really considered that use in his design.

And with our conversation turned to pee, I looked up as I passed the clock and the end of Mile Two.

UP NEXT: The Miracle Mile

Awesome chapter.

 

[ZZUB]

As I passed them, right at the mile marker, I touched her other elbow and said softly, "You can do it."

See this is the difference between you and I. I would probably have said something like, "I'd just quit if I were you." Or, "no point in torturing yourself. This aint Guantamo Bay." Or, "sorry, was that me? Hope that smell motivates you to get your giddyup going."

I didn't have to pee in Morocco."

If they had shirts made with this on it, I swear I would wear one. That is HILARIOUS! And also completelly random out of context.

That someone would consider pee-walking is yet another reason to NEVER enter one of these races.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

YAY for Mile 2!! YOU ROCK!!!!! You really were able to open up the world of vision seeing you running, really makes me want to do one!!! What an experience!!!

Then I hope we see you in 2013!

Dude.

But also, I'm sure you looked fabulous. Because you had the glow of someone who was doing something for herself.

Oh, I don't know. I did ultimately end up with an action shot. I'll scan it and post it here, at the end. I certainly wouldn't use it to apply for Miss America!

Or, "sorry, was that me? Hope that smell motivates you to get your giddyup going."

We didn't run by Canada.

If they had shirts made with this on it, I swear I would wear one. That is HILARIOUS! And also completelly random out of context.

That, honestly, was my favorite line of the conversation!

I have been known to make tees for my friends, emblazoned with random hilarious sayings we've shared. This one really would be perfect.

 

[jenb1023]

Wow! What great stories from the 5k so far - a tearjerker and a lol one! Can't wait to hear how the rest of the race goes and what dbf thinks of Wdw.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I will never look at moisture wicking apparel the same EVER again.

Mile 2 is finished!! That is so awesome, reading this makes me feel like I could actually do a 5k. I have to say though I don't think you ran in England and that makes me sad because that is my favorite WS Country....am I right in that?? Id on't want to be patient for the next update.

 

[MaryAz]

All caught up. I am also not a dome fan. Now Dole Whip floats Your interaction with the 3 generation family was very touching. As for the pee ladies.
I am doing the 5k in Oct with my DIS BFF. She will be FAR ahead of me in the front. Think I will try your pacing ideas. Great updates.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Wow! What great stories from the 5k so far - a tearjerker and a lol one! Can't wait to hear how the rest of the race goes and what dbf thinks of Wdw.

It's not much of a spoiler, but I will say, there was a happy ending for all involved.

Mile 2 is finished!! That is so awesome, reading this makes me feel like I could actually do a 5k. I have to say though I don't think you ran in England and that makes me sad because that is my favorite WS Country....am I right in that?? Id on't want to be patient for the next update.

In order to get enough mileage, you exit the park and run around the backstage part of the UK. You re-enter just at the end of the pavilion so yes, you're right. However, they did have Alice and the Mad Hatter out for pics so that was kind of neat.

I am doing the 5k in Oct with my DIS BFF. She will be FAR ahead of me in the front. Think I will try your pacing ideas. Great updates.

I am too! Perhaps we'll "bump" into each other. Having done the Epcot course I can't wait to see how the AK course compares.

 

[Nermel9]

I love your 5K updates! Love that you encouraged that woman in the beginning to keep going, maybe your words got her through to the end! Love that they have the WS music playing, I would love that! Loved the pee conversation!

I really want to do a 5K and I thought about doing one this October, since I will be there, but...I hate the thought of running through AK. I'm pretty sure last year, they did it in MK, and I was all for that, but when I found out it was in AK, I kind of lost interest. I would LOVE to run through Epcot.

Can't wait to hear about the last mile!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I really want to do a 5K and I thought about doing one this October, since I will be there, but...I hate the thought of running through AK. I'm pretty sure last year, they did it in MK, and I was all for that, but when I found out it was in AK, I kind of lost interest.

Last year it was in the MK. The Oct. one, so far, is the only one that's not done in Epcot.

I'm actually looking forward to running through the AK. For parts of it the areas will be pretty shaded (like the pathway from Africa to Asia) and it looks like we'll be seeing some of the backstage areas out along the tracks to Rafiki's Planet Watch.

I would LOVE to run through Epcot.

There are a bunch of us making plans to do the 5K together during the Princess 1/2 Marathon weekend in 2013. We're likely going to create a pre-trip report to have a place to all congregate and plan. Once it's up, I'll post the link here.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

If anyone is interested in possibly participating in a Disney 5K in 2013 with a fabulous group of ladies, check this out!

Tiaras, Tutus & Tie-Dye: A 5K Trip Trifecta

If you don't want to participate but are interested in following our journey, please check out the link anyway! All are welcome.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Two miles down, 1.1 to go.

At this point I was more than halfway done and finishing was nonnegotiable. I would cross that finish line if it meant I had to hang onto someone’s ankles to do it! But I was pretty sure it wouldn’t come to that.

We had exited the park at Mile Two through the International Gateway and the course was now bearing to the right. You know, through that area that kind of looks like a bus stop/turnaround that’s never in use? What is/was that for anyway??

We were in another backstage area, this time behind the United Kingdom (sorry LL), and there was another water stop and more porta-a-potties, I think. I wasn’t feeling parched enough to stop (not always a smart decision, by the way) and was really just finish line focused.

Seeing the backstage areas was equally neat and disenchanting. Strolling around the streets of the U.K. you really have no sense of where the trash goes, of the need for ventilation or HVAC units. Matter of fact, a chimney where you expect to see Bert pop out of at any moment seems more the norm than an electrical transformer or a trash compactor. The ‘real’ world exists behind those facades and you certainly get a good glimpse of it. From what I understand, part of the 1/2 marathon course takes you by the Disney water/sewer treatment plant.

Now isn’t THAT a jolly holiday with Mary.

At the same time, though, it was impressive to see how smoothly things ran backstage as well as onstage. Also encouraging was how friendly the non-costumed CMs were. Now, maybe they were told to be extra chipper that morning, but I’d rather live in my ‘Disney is magical’ bubble at the moment, thanks very much.

The distance in this backstage area was much shorter than the first and we soon found ourselves spit back out onto the familiar red pavement of the WS. We’d come out with Rose and Crown just behind us and Alice and the Mad Hatter signing autographs and taking pictures by the railing ahead.

Canada flew by. I acutally barely remember going through it but I know we must have.

I could see we’d be bearing left down the main promenade that leads into Future World and I glanced down at my watch. It was about 7:45 a.m. The park was set to open at 8 a.m. and so I guessed that we’d be seeing a bunch of people lined up at the gates.

With less shade, the sun was beating a little hotter now. I picked up the pace and jogged a bit as I admired the horticultural wonder that is the Flower & Garden Festival. The shallow lagoons that lie between FW and WS were awash with color, their borders alive with every hue of the rainbow and pretty, floating flower pots dotting the water. I was approaching the Fountain of Nations rather quickly and was a little sad to see construction walls around it. This is a little bit of Disney magic I enjoy every trip and my Spidey sense was tingling that the walls meant no shows.

I tired much more quickly this bout of running and by the time I passed Club Coke Is Taking Over the World I was back to walking.

You know, I joke about Club Cool, or whatever it is called now (NOHomeoftheBeverly ), but this girl loves her some Coca-Cola Classic. It’s the one thing I’ve given up on my weight loss journey that I really miss. I also really miss when this area had the entrance with the snow in it. Perhaps it was all Coke’s design but that seemed like pure Disney magic to me.

We’d transitioned from the WS music to the FW music, some of my favorite in all the World. There’s something about hearing it that immediately transports me back to 1987, walking hand-in-hand with my grandparents between Communicore East and West, about to embark on a day of adventure. Now, when I hear it on live365.com, I think not only of that, but also of huffing and puffing along, thisclose to the finish line.

As I headed downhill, Spaceship Earth (SSE) on my right, I wondered if perhaps I should've donned my lemon tights and black pleather gogo boots for the race.

I could see they had cordoned off a pathway for the runners that looked like it would stay in place for a bit even after the park opened. There were some characters here for pictures as well, though I can’t quite remember who – Daisy, I think, for sure. Maybe Stitch? I rounded down in front of the turnstiles to see tons of people lined up, waiting for the park to open. Many of them were smiling, waving and yelling, “You can do it!”. Others were looking on quizzically like, “WHAT are these people doing? Is this how you get FastPasses to Soarin’?”

It was at this point, soooo very close to the end, tired, winded but determined, that I thought, again, of Kat’s mom. I knew I wouldn’t give up, but I knew I wanted to end that race with a smile on my face, not looking like I was in desperate need of some quality time with an EMT.

I know some of you are friends with Kat on Facebook (FB) and have seen pictures of her mom. You know how lovely she was. And for those of you who don’t, she had the charm and grace of a princess, the spark of a pixie and the warmest, most beautiful smile. This is what I pictured as I turned up the last small hill, coming 180* around, keeping SSE to my right. I actually felt tears pinprick my eyes, but they were happy tears. Maria was waiting ahead of me at the finish line. Kat (though I didn’t know it at the time) was nearing the end of her race at home. And I had found my last bit of inspiration.

About halfway up the hill, just before the Guest Services building, we made a sharp left into the last backstage area that would lead us out to the parking lot and finish line. Here, the CMs along the way were really yelling out their encouragement.

“You can do it! You’re almost there!”
“Look! It’s the Mile Three marker! Only a little bit left!”
“Once you round this next corner you’ll be able to see the finish line!”
“You’re a better person than me, getting up this early to run!”

And yes, I really heard that last one. The pack that I was a part of at that point all laughed.

I passed the Mile Three marker. Just a tenth of a mile to go. I picked up the pace. I was RUNNING across that finish line.

Let me tell you – I KNOW my knees were achy. I know my feet were ready to take a break. My lungs were hoping for the rest of the day off. And my head? My head was yelling at me for not grabbing a cup of water back at the last water stop.

I didn’t feel any of it.

As I turned that corner and, as promised, saw that finish line, all I felt was elation. And pride. And excitement. And magic. Every step that pounded under me got me closer and closer and, for a moment, I felt a hitch in my chest and the real feeling of tears. I was going to do it! I took a deep breath to dispel the tightness in my chest, checked my pace to a steady jog, and broke out into a big smile.

100 Feet

I had run! Who knew I could run?!

80 Feet

Look at all the people waiting for me!

60 Feet

I did it when I didn’t think I could!

40 Feet

I did it even when I didn’t want to do it anymore!

20 Feet

I did it for myself!

10 Feet

I did it for Kat’s mom!

And then, simply…

I HAD DONE IT!

There was nothing quite like crossing that finish line! It was so exhilarating! I slowed right down to a walk, then a stop, and I just looked around with the biggest, goofiest grin on my face. People I didn’t know congratulated me.

After a few more steps forward, I spotted Maria and Maria spotted me and we stumbled together for a big ol’ hug. We were thirsty, tired and sweaty (soo sweaty) but none of that mattered.

We had done it.

UP NEXT: Reflections on a 5K or This is What Mile Three Looks Like

 

[Lady Lallie]

You did it!!!

I really am super proud of you for accomplishing this, I know it's not easy mentally do something like this and YOU DID IT!!

I'm also wiping away the tears in my cubicle, hoping no one will seem me.

I'm still sad there is no UK running but I guess I can get over that. Did you happen to see Ariel on the course at all? Did they have characters at the finish line? I won't lie, on my walk this morning I told myself to pick up the pace so I can get my walking faster so I can meet characters.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

You did it!!!

I really am super proud of you for accomplishing this, I know it's not easy mentally do something like this and YOU DID IT!!

I'm also wiping away the tears in my cubicle, hoping no one will seem me.

Awww, thanks hon. The mental hurdle really was the worst part. Now I walk 3 miles at a time about once a week. The pace not be quite the same but still, I'm not intimdated the the sound of the distance.

Granted, the scenery is rarely as good.

Did you happen to see Ariel on the course at all? Did they have characters at the finish line?

I didn't see Ariel. I specifically remember Alice, the Mad Hatter, Snow White (and maybe Dopey), Aladdin and Jasmine. Belle and Beast were at the start of the race, but not for pictures. I also don't know if different characters came out at different points of the race.

There weren't any characters at the end when I got there, but, I believe they were there for the very first finishers.

 

[heaven2dc]

Aww....I had goose bumps and tears in my eyes as you described running to the finish line Congratulations!!! You are a better person than I am for finishing the race (I would have given up at the first mile).

 

[jenjolt]

WOW simply WOW!! Congrats to you Tink!!! What an accomplishment!!! I was cheering right along with those other people as you wrapped up this race, it was like I was really there!!!! What an inspiration....thank you so much for sharing this race with us!!!