2013 Disney World Half Marathon Racap

Finally my alarm went off at 4am after a full night of tossing and turning. I would wake up periodically throughout the night to make sure I wouldn’t over sleep, plus the excitement of my first Disney race wouldn’t let me stay asleep for long. Once my alarm went off I tried to be as quiet as possible as I went to the bathroom to get myself ready for the race since rest of the people in the hotel room were just going to drop me off and come find me towards the end of the race. Sorry I didn’t have a picture of what I wore but I assure you that I wasn’t a costume. Well, it wasn’t one this year but next year I plan on that being a different story. All I wore this year were basic running gear: a Nike dri-fit shirt, shorts, and hat. I also had my Nike+ fitness watch and a Nathan’s fuel belt that I removed the water bottles and just used it for the pouch to store my GU packets and jelly beans.

By the time I was finish my mom was up and getting ready to take me to the starting line. As she was putting on her shoes I grab a banana and some left over appetizers form Applebee’s the night before as a pre-race meal. I also made sure that I grabbed a bottle of water as we walked out the door to make a last ditch effort at trying to continue my hydration plans for the weekend, since Disney made sure to post signs informing all runners about the unusually warm weather for the whole weekend.

Since I didn’t have to check-in a bag I was able to avoid all the traffic form the runners trying to make it to the race retreat. I was dropped off across the street from Disney’s old Key West Resort and a short walk over to starting coral F which I was pretty early compare to all the runners walking form the retreat area. I was able to sit and stretch as I watched some of the interviews from Joey Fatone (Yes from N’Sync), Jeff Galloway and a few others as I waited for the start. I can honestly say as the time came closer to the start I wasn’t nervous at all. I was excited and curious on what I would see on the route and how tomorrow would go after this race. So, I’m going to stay to my plan of just having fun Drink both water and Gatorade at every drink station, and defiantly NO PR for the Half Marathon (its Disney World you’re supposed to enjoy it).

The Fireworks went off signaling the official start of the race and Corral A. Each Corral had it's own set of fireworks and Set off by Goofy and Donald (also known as the ConDucktor) of the Half Marathon. As my Corral inch closer and closer to the start the more I tried to stay loose. Finally my Corral reached the start line. Donald and Goofy lead us on a Sing-A-Long and air guitar practice before counting us down 3….2….1….and we’re off

Donald and Goofy lead us on a Sing-A-Long

The first couple of miles flew by really fast until the first Disney character sighting, Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbossa. The line was pretty long but since I’m saving my legs for tomorrow I plan on taking pictures with every character I see.

Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbossa

After the picture with the pirates I was off to the magic kingdom for the first theme park of the course.

 Chip and Dale

Mile 3 we ran pasted the Disney World Speedway where Chip and Dale were waiting with exotic Cars. Mile 4 we ran through a parking lot were there was the Jack Skellington and Sally, past a cheering crowd as we enter into the Magic Kingdom's transportation center.

Jack Skellington and Sally

Then down a stretch of road in front of Bay Lake Towers where we saw Space Mountain at Mile Marker 5, pasted through the back gates of the park and down Main Street USA. This is one of RunDisney's most famous parts of their races and I have to said it lives up to the hype. The crowd of cheering people, the energy of Magic Kingdom, and Cinderella's Castle in the distances, you can't beat it when your running. Just wish I could have move up a couple of corral to see the Castle in it's Christmas lights.

A quick right and we headed to Tomorrowland......and straight to the short line for another Disney character...

Buzz Lightyear

Alice and the Queen of Hearts

We pasted by several more Characters as we past by Fantasyland.....

Belle and Beast

Ariel

We hung a left to the Castle where there were two trumpetiers play Charge and the Rocky Theme but before I ran through the castle I had to take a pic with the mascot of the Race......

Donald and Daisy

After the Castle we veered to the right to Fontierland for another couple of pics

  

Princess Tiana

Jessie and Bullseye

I stopped to take a quick pic of the 6 mile marker and I saw the balloon ladies that was the 16min mile pace leader and if you fall behind them you'll get picked up and you would be picked up transported to the finish line. So, I might have been talking one to many pictures. But after I saw them I took off not worrying about saving my legs and I also skipped pictures with Sleeping Beauty, Prince Chaming, and Marry Popins.

After I felt that I was far enough ahead I was back to taking Character pics after leaving Magic Kingdom. From Mile 7-12 we pasted by the Grand Floridian, Disney's Mognolia and Oak Trail Golf Course, the Polynesian, More Disney Character pics, and off to Epcot.

Lilo and Stitch

Genie

Sarge

Soon enough after mile 12 we entered Epcot. The last mile looped through the park  and around spaceship earth. As we exit the park there was the gospel choir singing as we made the final stretch past the 13th mile marker and into the parking lot to cross the finish line.

Phineas and Ferb

From the finish line I made a bee line to get my medal then to medical tent to get my legs wrapped in ice and grabbed my after race snack pack rundisney had for us.

I found my mother and sister, took a couple of picture before heading back to the hotel to shower and tackle the expo for the second time and a early night to bed for round 2 of the Goofy Chanllege tomorrow. Well after the playoff games then off to bed.......

Check Out my Video Recap either by this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjloe7fLAtk or go to my Video Recap page.

Are You Dopey Enough???

      Run Disney just introduced the Dopey Challenge for the 2014 Disney Marathon Weekend, which consist of The Family Fun 5k on Thursday, The Inaugural Disney World 10k on Friday, The Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday and The Disney World Marathon on Sunday with a grand totally of 48.6 miles at the happiest place on earth. Registration opens April 9th and I'm without a doubt planning on signing up as soon as possible.

From the Disney Park Blog... The Official Press Release

Today, runDisney reaches another milestone as we expand the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna with the addition of the Walt Disney World 10K, the Dopey Challenge, new medals and the return of the popular Runner’s World Challenge.

In 2006, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend had a big year. The races had become so popular, the half marathon and the full marathon now had to be held on two separate days. This race day bifurcation led to another interesting development. It was now theoretically possible for a runner to run both races, so the team decided that if someone was goofy enough to do that, they deserved a medal. And thus, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge was born with just over 2,300 runners receiving the first Goofy medal for their 39.3 mile accomplishment.

Through the years, “the Goofy” has been a favorite with our runners as well as a unique offering in the running industry. Well, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. This next year, runDisney is adding a 10K race to our Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend line-up, joining our already popular 5K, Half Marathon and Full Marathon. And you guessed it (we couldn’t help ourselves), we are now offering the Dopey Challenge to those runners who conquer ALL FOUR of our races. That’s right…completing the 5K, the 10K, the Half Marathon and the Full Marathon in the four consecutive days will earn you the Dopey Challenge Medal. That coveted piece of hardware will be clanging around the necks of our finishers with the Mickey Marathon medal, the Donald Half medal, the 5K Family Fun Run medal, the Goofy Challenge medal, and the new Minnie 10K medal.

Six medals for 48.6 miles over four days. I think I am just Dopey enough to do it. Come join me!

Information and Prices From Rundisney.com......

The Dopey Challenge will feature:

• Four courses through Walt Disney World® Theme Parks totaling 48.6 miles
• Disney Characters and Entertainment on-course
• Event Weekend Transportation for Walt Disney World® Resort Guests
• Family Reunion Area with entertainment and characters
• Indulge and unwind at the Downtown Disney® After Party (Sunday evening)

Race participants in the Dopey Challenge will receive:

• Champion® Unisex Long-Sleeved Tech Shirts for the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge & Dopey Challenge, and 5K Unisex T-Shirt*
• Special Dopey finisher medal, along with the commemorative medals for the Marathon, Half Marathon & Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, and the 5K finisher medallion*
• Official Race Program Guide*
• iGiftBag
• Personalized bib (Must register by November 1, 2013 for name to appear on bib)*
• On-course and post-race refreshments
• ChronoTrack B-tag timed race
• Personalized results website

Dates, times and prices subject to change. All races are subject to capacity limits and may close at any time.

* Participants must attend Packet Pick-up at Disney's Health & Fitness Expo to receive their race packet, bib, and tech shirt. Finisher medals will be distributed to finishers during the race. None of these items will be mailed to registrants that did not participate.

Entry Fees and Deadlines:

Walt Disney World® Marathon
$160 by June 18, 2013
$175 between June 19, 2013 and August 13, 2013
$190 on or after August 14, 2013

Walt Disney World® Half Marathon
$160 by June 18, 2013
$175 between June 19, 2013 and August 13, 2013
$190 on or after August 14, 2013

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge
$340 by June 18, 2013
$370 between June 19, 2013 and August 13, 2013
$400 on or after August 14, 2013

Walt Disney World® 10K
$95 by June 18, 2013
$110 between June 19, 2013 and August 13, 2013
$125 on or after August 14, 2013

Disney Family Fun Run 5K
$60 per participant

Dopey Challenge
$495 by June 18, 2013
$525 between June 19, 2013 and August 13, 2013
$555 on or after August 14, 2013

runDisney Kids Races
$15 per child

Mickey Mile
$30 per child

Race Retreat Packages
$120 Half Marathon Package
$120 Full Marathon Package
$200 Goofy's Challenge Package

2013 Disney Marathon Weekend Expo Recap

    After reading some of the other blogs about the 2013 Disney World Marathon Weekend I was inspired to write own recapping my experience at my very first Run Disney event, First Marathon, and First Goofy Race and a Half Challenge. Yes, you read that right first Marathon and Goofy Race and a Half Challenge. For those of you who don’t know the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge Consists of running 39.3 miles in two days. First you run the Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday followed up by the Disney World Full Marathon on Sunday. I know I know I know it seems like a lot of running and why would someone try to take on such a big challenge in the same weekend of his first Marathon? Well, I guess in response to that… maybe I am a little goofy but after first getting my running feet wet in 2012 with completing three 5k’s, a 20k, and a Half Marathon. I wanted to start 2013 off with a Bang and continue pushing myself to do things I have never done before.

   Early Friday morning me and my two personal support team members (My Mom and Sister) were off and driving to Orlando form Atlanta. As a kid I remember going to 2 out of 4 parks the Magic Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom when it first opened in 1999 and I haven’t been back since. So knowing that I will be able to run inside all four of the parks was defiantly one of the main reasons I wanted to run this race.

   After about a six hour drive we arrived in Orlando. Since my Mother and Sister have been down to Disney for Cheer Sport Several years in a row (Which my Sister Cheerleader Team have Won) she knew what to do to get a really nice room at a low price around big Disney events. So, they dropped me off at the front of ESPN Wide World of Sports and she was on her way to work some of her special Disney magic.

   With this being my first run Disney event and it being the 20th anniversary of the marathon I was expecting the lines to be quite long at pack it picks up and it defiantly did not disappoint. So I thought. As I was followed the stampede of people into the field house and down the stairs to sign my wavier We stepped on to the Fieldhouse  floor were you can see on one side of the room the stage where some of Run Disney special guest would speak about Running, Sports, and Nutrition. On the other side there were people making signs, taking pictures, and the long lines of people forming to pick up their packets. Luckily for me my packet pick for the Goofy Challenge was on the second floor with no line in site. I just walked up to the counter with my wavier and they gave me my race number and chip, but to get my goody bag I would to go to the next building where they are holding the health and fitness expo.

I'm not sure if you want to call it a line or just a group of people all walking in the same direction because we didn’t have to stop and start or even shuffle. Matter of fact we didn't even pause just out of one building and a short walk another. My first reaction to the expo was sensory overload. There were so many colorful things to look at and booths to go to. I must admit that my child like sense of curiosity started to come out as I wanted to go to every booth and taste every  sample, But I have to stay focus Goody bag first then explore.

The goody Bags were in the back of the expo which I have to say was great marketing plan having the entire hoard of runner past all the booths walking in and walking out. (Twice the shot to make more $$$) Walking to the back to where the goody bags are you walk past the New Balance booth where they had to special edition Mickey and Minnie running shoes that were made for the 20th anniversary of the Marathon. Also that had a huge red wall that had every runner’s name on it which I thought was a nice touch. I did find my name but with the last name Anderson it was too high and out of focus of my cameras zoom. After the failed attempted at the picture I continue to the back of the expo to pick up my goody bag.

Photo Credit to Run Disney



Goody bag Shirts

Some of the items inside the Goody Bag

After picking my goody bag I explored the expo for a little while finding an runner tracking station where you can putting in a phone number, email address or Facebook page and they will be able to track your progress as you go through the marathon route. Great idea because I had no thought of bringing my phone along on the runs so, now my support group know where to meet me. After that booth I explored a few others before getting picked up by Mother and Sister so I can get some rest before the big day tomorrow plus I was planning our returning to the expo after the half marathon to explore some more and do a little shopping.

After I was picked up we went to a nice hotel right of Disney resort property on International Drive, which I can say I was pleasantly surprise since I have never took a trip anywhere without already having a place to stay booked and this ended up quite well. When we arrived at the hotel (which was lest then ten minutes away) we unloaded the car and I laded out everything I need for tomorrow. By this time it was 8o’clock and we became hungry and luckily the hotel we were staying in had an Applebee’s attached to the lobby and we all know what happens at 10pm at Applebee’s……..Can you say Half Price Appetizers.  Fried Apps are defiantly not what I normally eat before a race but I threw caution to the wind for some cheese sticks. After dinner off to bed for the big day…..