2013 Disney World Marathon Recap

If you missed my Expo Recap or 2013 Half Marathon Recap here are the links.

After a little shopping at the expo and two great NFL Playoff games I was off to sleep for another early wake up.

Sunday morning at 4am my alarm went off. I rolled out of bed feeling as good as someone could feel after running a half marathon the day before. My legs felt pretty good since I tried my best to take it easy on the half. My morning routine was pretty much the same as the day before, except my prerace meal. This morning I had oatmeal and a banana plus a Power Ade to hydrate since it is supposed to reach a high in the mid-eighties during the race. After get everything I needed for the race we were out the door.

On the drive to be dropped off, I couldn't help but think about the race and the whole weekend. Yesterday I ran 13.1 miles and only a day later I was planning on doubling it while running my first marathon. Man, I'm sure that not too many people are crazy (or should a Goofy) enough to attempt something like this alone. Before I even cross the starting line I was already proud of myself for stepping so far out of my comfort zone and willing to try something new without anyone else.

Within 10 min or so I was dropped off and on my way to corral F. This morning I could tell there was way more people today then yesterday but I still made it to my corral with plenty of time to stretch and watch the interviews like the day before. The National Anthem played and Mickey (the Mouseketeer) counted down 3....2....1 with the fireworks bursting we were off.

Before I knew it the first couple of miles blew pasted and it was time for the first character pic of the race.

Then off to the Magic Kingdom. On the way to the first park we passed by the Disney World Speedway and we could see runners entering into the complex. A little bit down the road were mile marker 4 and one of the few hills on the course.

At Mile marker 5, closed to Space Mountain we make the turn to enter the backstage of Magic Kingdom and down Mainstreet we went. There had to been twice as many people lined up on the sides cheering compare to yesterday, which defiantly gave me an energy boast.

I stopped for a quick picture in front of the castle then off to Tomorrowland. There were mostly the same Characters from the half the day before so I only stopped to take pictures with the ones with short lines.

Buzz Lightyear

Tea Time with Alice and the Mad Hatter

As we approached the castle you can hear the trumpeter’s and see one of the longest Character lines of the race.

There was both Mickey and Minnie but she left for a break when I was only one person away.

King Mickey

After the castle we continued to Fontierland were this time there was Princess Tiana and the whole Cast form Princess and the Frog. (I'm thinking about dressing up a Ray next year but who knows)

Prince Naveen, Princess Tiana, and Louis

The rest of Magic Kingdom was the same as yesterday so I didn't stop too many pictures. After leaving the park we ran down the road close to the golfs curses and the Grand Floridian the lead to tone the new part of the course the Disney Speedway.

Marry Poppins

Great Sign

The Entrance into the speedway had a really steep decline that had to slow to a walk to be careful not to run over anyone. This was about the time the sun was completely out but with Disney have a water stop about every 2-3 miles so I can say that it didn't affect me yet.

The Speedway was nice part of the race with all the classic cars around the track but, when I saw the characters from Disney’s Cars that was I felt it was special.

Tow Mater

Lightning McQueen

Finn McMissile

After leaving the speedway we ran down what seemed to be a back road to Animal Kingdom. I really have to commend Disney for have entertainment on every long stretch of road leading up to a park to keep your mind off running and this road was no different.

Disney's Vilains

Captain Hook & Smee

As we approached the Animal Kingdom there was plenty of Characters out to welcoming us into the park....

Baloo & King Louie

Rafiki

After entering Animal Kingdom I just continued chugging along only stop to take pictures. I heard of some running being able to ride Expedition Everest when the park first opened so next year I’m going to have to pick up my pace or start in a lower coral.

Daisy & Minnie

One of my Favorite Signs

Mickey and Pluto

After leaving the park we ran into a couple more characters before longest stretch of empty road to the Wide World of Sports.

Grave Diggers

Darkwing Duck

 This was when the sun was at its full force and I really started to feel it. Lucky as we entered to the Sports Complex around mile 17 there were volunteers handing out water soaked sponges which I held on to for the next couple of mile re-soaking it at each water stop.

As we ran through the Wide World of Sports there were still sports teams practicing on the track and the baseball fields.

Another new part of the race was running around a baseball field that is also the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves. After the baseball stadium I knew we were close to the mile 20 spectacular.  Earlier in the race while I was waiting in the line for pictures I heard several different rumors about the mile 20 surprise. (One of the crazier rumors was there was going to be Aerosmith playing live…Crazy Right?). Well once we left the complex and made a left there it was........

 Rundisney has hyped this part of the race for most of the year through YouTube videos and blogs and I have to honestly say that I was a little disappointed. I just feel that with this being a Disney race they could have come up with something bigger to really enhance this part of the race.

After the Wide World of Sports we hit another stretch of road leading to Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios was a blur all I remember was taking a few pictures.

Sully&Mike Wazowski

I'm Gonna Wreck It

This was the part of the race were the heat and the distance of the whole weekend was starting to get to me. After Hollywood Studios we headed to Epcot by the way of Disney's Boardwalk.

Disney's Boardwalk

I stopped by every Medical Tent form here to the end of the race to get pop some pain killers and rub Bio-freeze on my knees but, even thou I was in some real pain with my tired legs and blisters forming at this point I enjoyed the Boardwalk position of race because there a cool breeze coming off the water and there was a nice number of people outside there hotels cheering us on. Also at mile 24 there booth that was hold The Three Little Pig Challenge. At the time I didn't know what it was and I didn't want to stop to figure it out since my legs were on fire, But the challenge was that you has to eat three pieces of bacon and if your able to complete it you receive a real nice medal (I'm defiantly signing up for this next year.

Not long after the Boardwalk we entered Epcot. By this time the park was open and in full force but Disney made sure that the runners came first when it came to pictures and with some runners even buying beer. Running through the world showcase was when my left calf started to cramp so I stopped a few picture with some of my favorite Characters so I could work it out.

Mulan and Mushu

Aladdin's Jasmine

Around the counter was Spaceship earth and that was when the emotion started to settle in. I was just about to complete my first marathon so I took that time to walk a little so I could finish strong.

Spaceship Earth

There it is the Mile 26 marker and the Gospel Choir. Once I took a quick pic and took off for the finish line.

Finally!!!

I DID IT!!!!

From the finish line I went straight to the medical tent to get my knees wrapped in ice and little more bio-frezze for my legs then off to get my medals. I found my mother and sister waiting for me next to the tent to get my goofy medal where she took a couple pictures.

 Goofy Medal

 My full pride of my accomplishment didn't hit me until the ride back to Georgia. 39.3 miles in two days and my first marathon.

I can honestly say the these past couple of days had to been one of the mentally and physically toughest things I've ever done.....but after holding all three of the medals I knew this was only going to be the start of me pushing myself to levels and experiencing new things in life.

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