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.