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…..
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