Goofy's Challenge Part 3...Full Marathon...Finally

Wow I am not even going to pretend things have been calm around here!  I have been working a lot more hours and still trying to get it all done and be the best mommy I can be.  So this post unfortunately had to take a back seat in this wild ride. 

January 13,2013 the 20th Anniversary of the WDW Marathon and the weather was perfect for running.  It got a little hot toward the end of the race and I am sure the folks who were out there for 6-7 hours were struggling with the heat but that is my kind of weather! 

We got to the race retreat a little earlier due to the crazy crowds of the half marathon and I made sure I had plenty of time to get to my corral.  I met up with some friends in the corral which was awesome to sit and chat with before the race started!  These friends are AMAZING Ironman athletes and race practically every weekend:

I have to say I absolutely love the start of every Disney race...Fireworks!!  They really know how to get the adrenaline flowing.  So my game plan for the race was to just have fun and not look at my watch.  I made sure to stop and get pictures with a few of the characters and drink plenty of water.  In years past I have had trouble with nutrition on the marathon...I usually end up starving around mile 15 so this year I made sure to fuel proper before hand and to take a few honey stingers from mile 15 on.  I really loved the course this year and the change of scenery.  I like that the course took us to Magic Kingdom first so mile 6 was coming through Cinderella's Castle and then we heading out toward the Polynesian where I knew Danny would be.  We also got to run a lap around the Raceway track and look at all the fancy cars!  After that we were on our way to Animal Kingdom .... There were a few less then pleasant smells leading up to Animal Kingdom!!  My boys love the Animal Kingdom so this part of the race always makes me smile and think of them.  Then miles 14-17 we were on our way to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and in for a surprise at mile 20.  I really enjoyed running through the complex and seeing all the sports practices going on..we even did a lap around the track!  Mile 20 was all decked out with entertainment and the one and only mouse himself!!  Mickey, Donald and Goofy were all there for a photo opportunity.  After that is was on to Hollywood Studios, the Boardwalk/Beach and Yacht Club area and into Epcot for the final stretch!  I love this part of the race and you can hear all the cheers and people encouraging you along the way!
I finished in 3:33 and will take it considering I really did just go out and ran for fun and enjoyment.  One thing that really inspired me and got me choked up was that every mile marker had a Sandy Hook memorial by them. 

Never forget the innocent people who were taken too soon! 

All done!
 

Love the Disney BLING!!
 

I made sure to go get my post race massage again by the same talented massage therapist!!  ( I believe she is the reason I was barely sore post race!)  Then I made sure to refuel with some delicious sandwiches, soup and fruit!  Danny also enjoyed the yummy post race food...It is hard to spectate you know!  We hung out for a little while and watched the overall winners receive their awards and enjoyed the post race party.

We love Mizuno..Daisy needs a pair!

Then I was ready for the shower and a BEER. 

Refreshing!

We had a later lunch/early dinner schedule at Le Cellier in Epcot so we went back and caught the final few racers coming into finish.  I give them so much credit for being out there for 7+ hours and still having fun!  There were people finishing and running with beers, margaritas, eating jumbo turkey legs and pretzels!  Good times. 

My lunch was amazing and hit the post 40 mile spot:

Mushroom bacon burger and pickles!

 This was by far one of my most enjoyable races I have ever ran and I truly love the Magic of Disney!

Anyone running the Princess Half Marathon next month?

Happy Running!

Goofy's Challenge Part 2...Half Marathon

Friday we switched hotels and moved over to our favorite hotel the Polynesian:

We normally stay Club Level but it was closed for refurbishment so we had a park view room!  Once we checked in we headed out to Epcot for the day and just cruised around the park...We had a nice carb loading lunch at Via Napoli which was AMAZING:

Don't mind if I do!

 We did not have a single crumb left!

Seriously

After lunch we walked around a little bit more and did a few rides then went back to hotel and rested since we have to be up by 3 am to head to the race start!

We had the Race Retreat package for the half marathon so we just grabbed a bagel, banana and some coffee in the tent before the race.  This is a extra cost but so worth it...It is a heated/air conditioned tent with private port-a-potties, tons of food and beverages (water, powerade, coke products, tea coffee), a stretching/massage area as well as character photos!  I am so doing this for now on!

Race Retreat Tent

There is about a 20 minute walk to the start of the race so after I got fueled up I said bye to Danny and walked to the start!  Well, it was a mess...So So So crowded and took about 35-40 minutes to get to my corral A. 

walk to the start

This was just the start of the walk to the corrals!  Apparently they increased the field size and more people showed up this year to run the race.  I had wanted to use the pot again before the start but there were no port-a-potties near corral A so a few girls were popping squats near the trees so I decided to give it a go...Well never again!  There were little prickly things from the brushes that got stuck all in my hair and on my shorts...as well as the other girls also!  This totally freaked me out but I guess that is what I get for squatting in the jungle!  

Pre-race

I wore my Team Sparkle red skirt, my red sparkly BIC band and my Running Skirts tank top which I am in love with!!

I couldn't find my pace for the first 4 miles or so because it was so overcrowded and people were running slow!  I decided at this point this is just for fun and not a race...So when I started to see the characters along the way I stopped for a few and got my picture taken.  The crowd support here is also great and so many people are out a cheering us on!  I did see Danny a few times along the way which was awesome!  He snagged a few pics:

Female winner: Melissa White of Hanson Brooks

The weather was great..a little warm towards the finish but I will take it over freezing cold weather any day!

My time was not great but will do... 1:40.  So after I finished we went back into the race retreat and Danny ate while I got my massage!  It was the best massage ever.. My girl knew exactly where my tender spots were and really worked on them as well as adjusted my out of place rib!  No wonder it was hard to take a deep breath.  After the massage we hung out, ate, took a few pics then loaded the bus to go back to the hotel. 

Some of the fairies

I went to the pool for a little post race relaxation and sunshine:

Later we went to Magic Kingdom and did a few rides and had dinner at the Crystal Palace which was delicious and I was quite full and ready for bed when we were done.  Another early morning was ahead for us.  We watched the fireworks then went to bed.  1/3 of the way done the Goofy's Challenge....26.2 to go!

WDW 20th Anniversary Marathon post up next!

Happy Running!