Walt Disney World Marathon 2013 Part 2!

Don't forget to read Part 1 of my recap!

We left Animal Kingdom around the 13 mile mark. And so began another long stretch until we reached the ESPN Wide World of Sports. We were basically running on the highway...the sun was beating down and there was absolutely no shade. Miserable!

There were a few character stops along the way that we stopped for. I couldn't pass up Pluto and Mickey!

And let's not forget the gravediggers! Yes there were actual gravediggers and tombstones! I decided to play dead...but I couldn't stop laughing! One of the gravediggers came up to Rachel and me and asked if we felt dead yet. We told him no and he said, "Good. I don't feel like working today." Hilarious!!! And a nice break from knowing we still had about 12 more miles to go!

Finally we saw the 15 mile sign! Yay! 11.2 miles to go!!!

And then who did we see? Launchpad McQuack!!! I haven't seen this character in forever! My boys don't even know who he is! I had to take a picture with him!

Around mile 17 we entered the ESPN Wide World of Sports. And right when we entered they had the absolute BEST thing ever...a sponge station!!! They handed us cold, wet sponges! It was amazing!!! I dripped it all over my face and the back of my neck! I don't think anything has ever felt so good lol!

We ran around the perimeter of a couple of soccer fields. We ran a lap around the track...changing from concrete to the spongy track was fabulous! Then we finally made it out onto the baseball field where the Atlanta Braves hold their spring training! They had video of us running up on the jumbo tron...it was so awesome!!!

After leaving the field we knew we were close to mile 20 and the "Mile 20 Spectacular" runDisney had been telling us about. I was really hoping whatever surprise they had in store for us was going to help get me through those last 6.2 miles. We joked that maybe they had transportation for us to the finish line!!! ;-)

Well....I'm not sure if maybe my expectations were too high or what but it wasn't that spectacular in my opinion. They had neat puppets (I guess that's what you call them) and a photo opportunity with Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto.

And there was a pretty awesome arch that showcased all 20 medals from the marathon...that was pretty neat!

As we were headed towards Hollywood Studios I knew this was it. Only 6.2 miles to go. I knew this would be the hardest part of the race both mentally and physically. Everything was screaming at me to stop....my head and my entire body. But my heart wouldn't let me stop. I was almost there!

Rachel and I were taking a lot longer on our walk breaks. Not only were we tired but the sun and heat beating down on us was taking its toll.

Finally we reached mile 22 and entered Hollywood Studios. And guess what we found there? CHOCOLATE!!! They had wonderful volunteers handing us chocolate!!! Yum!

We ran down the Streets of America, made it to the hat, and then down Hollywood Blvd. And these are some of my favorite pictures of me running! See the look of determination on my face? I was trying to enjoy running through the park but I was also ready to see that finish line!

We exited Hollywood Studios around mile 24 and we were on our way to Epcot...our last park! We started running toward the Boardwalk and passed the Yacht and Beach Club. I loved this part of the route because I've never been lucky enough to stay in these resorts. And I've never been to the Boardwalk either. So it was awesome seeing new scenery! And it was sooo quaint and beautiful!

We finally entered Epcot and I knew we just had to run around the World Showcase and past Spaceship Earth and the finish line would be there. We only had a little over a mile to go!!!!

I'm not sure which country we were running in at the time but all of a sudden I heard Rachel scream and run over to the side. Her boyfriend had surprised her by waiting for her in his favorite country! It was awesome seeing their reunion! He snapped a few pictures of us (which are some of my favorite...thanks so much Rachel!) and we were on our way.

We had almost made it around the World Showcase and I looked to the side and saw Snow White and Dopey!!! I was so excited! I thought I wasn't going to see her. It was the one picture I really wanted since I was dressed like her! When I walked up to her she gave me a look that told me she was flattered I'd dressed like her! Then she asked me to do my hand a certain way and I had no idea what she was talking about! Finally the photographer told me to make a heart with our hands and then I got it! I apologized and said I'd been running for way too long and had no brain power left lol! It was pretty comical....and I felt like an idiot lol!

But I was so excited I got my picture with Snow White!!!

Finally we saw Spaceship Earth and I knew we were close to the finish line!

And then we saw it....the 26 mile sign!!!! It was soooo good seeing that sign!!!

We took a quick picture and then we were on our way! That finish line was ours and we couldn't wait to see it!!!

And there it was!!! I started getting real emotional at this time! We did it!!! Rachel was a marathoner!!! I was soooo proud of her!!! And I had finished my second marathon!!!

I grabbed Rachel's hand and we crossed the finish line together!!! It was the best feeling ever!!!

We stopped running and hugged each other! I'm not sure if Rachel was but I was crying! We started walking and saw the medals! That beloved bling was finally mine!!!

My official time was 6:43:09...an hour and 15 minutes slower than my first marathon! But my first marathon wasn't a Disney race...so there were no stops for pictures. And the weather wasn't hot and humid. It may not have been the time I wanted...but who cares? I am now a second-time marathoner!!!

Final Thoughts:
- This race was what I expected of a runDisney event: super organized, tons of water stops and food stops (there were at least 2 stops that I remember that had bananas), and the volunteers and cast members were amazing! They were always calling you by name (or in my case calling me Snow White) and telling you what a great job you were doing!
- Having character stops and entertainment along the route was so much fun! And of course running through the parks was unforgettable!
- I HIGHLY recommend any Disney race! It is truly a magical experience!!!

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I questioned why I encountered a knee injury during this training. I wondered and asked God why it was happening to me. I loved running Disney races and just wanted to run pain free. Why was I getting injured now?

I believe that God has a plan for us that we may not always understand. I KNOW now why God allowed my knee injury. I believe He wanted me to slow down and take it easy during this race because he wanted me to meet Rachel. He wanted me to help her and encourage her through her first marathon. How do I know this? Because normally I run for me. If I'm feeling good then I just run. I usually don't wait for anyone. I felt great during this marathon other than the normal tiredness. But something just wouldn't let me leave Rachel. I just couldn't leave her. And that's not like me. Crossing that finish line and seeing her face was truly unforgettable and an experience I will never forget!

QOTD: Have you ever run a Disney race? What is your favorite thing about Disney races?

Walt Disney World Marathon 2013 Part 1!

Make sure to read my post about the runDisney Marathon Expo!

My alarm woke me up at 3 AM race morning. I didn't sleep very well (I never do before a big race...too excited) so getting up wasn't too difficult. I got dressed and got my bagel with peanut butter and banana ready. My plan was to eat the bagel on the bus and eat the banana in the corral about 15 minutes before start time.

We headed to load the bus around 3:30. There was a line but it wasn't too long and it moved very fast. It gave us time to take a group picture. I think we all looked great!

We loaded the bus and started the drive to the start area. I ate most of my bagel but nerves started settling in and I couldn't finish it all. We unloaded the bus and started our walk to the start area.

One thing that worried me before this race was the weather. We had been training in an average of 30-40 degree weather. At start time it was in the high 60's and would be in the 80's by the time the sun came out. And it would be super humid. I don't think I was the only one worried because runDisney had these signs posted everywhere!

I've run Disney races before so I knew not to linger too long at the start area. We still had about a 20 minute walk to our corral. We took a few pictures and then headed to the corral.

Me and Paigey! We have a tradition of getting a picture together before every race!

We made it to our corral and some of my friends decided they wanted to use the restroom one more time. I didn't need to go...but I regretted not going later on. Finally corral A started and we waited for E to begin. Around 6:10 it was our turn! One of my favorite things about runDisney races...they shoot off fireworks before the start of every corral!

And we were off! 26.2 miles in all 4 Walt Disney World Theme Parks! I was so excited!!!

My goal for this race was to have fun. I wanted to take tons of pictures and run with my friends! But Paige had her prediction for this race...she said Gina and Angela would run together, I would end up running by myself, and her and Sally would run together. Did her prediction come true?

We all started out together of course. We couldn't run 5 people across (it was way too crowded for that) so it was me, Gina, and Angela beside each other and Paige and Sally behind us. We came to the first water stop around mile 1 and that's where we lost Paige and Sally. :-( It was sooo crowded and congested and we ended up getting separated even though we didn't stop for water. Right away I knew Paige's prediction was going to come true. Gina and Angela are faster runners than me and would eventually take off. But I decided to enjoy their company as long as I could.

Since I've ran the Princess Half the past two years I was very familiar with this part of the race. I told Gina and Angela about certain picture opps that I knew would be there. We passed the pirate ship but Gina and Angela didn't want to stop yet for pictures. They thought the line looked too long even though I assured them the lines moved fast. So we kept going.

We made it to the Magic Kingdom parking lot entrance around mile 3. I knew the speakers would be telling us, "Runners...caution...speed bumps ahead!" I love how runDisney is so protective of their runners!

We ran in the parking lot and passed by the Speedway....we could just see the tops of runners' heads as they were already running in there. I knew we would get there around mile 8!

The route took us up a pretty steep hill under the water bridge (and the DJ on top of the bridge was amazing) to the Ticket and Transportation Center. We made it to mile 5 right outside of Magic Kingdom!

Yes I have a picture of some random guy but I was just trying to get a picture of the sign! He jumped in my picture!!!

We finally made the turn onto Main Street USA! And the crowd as always was amazing! It was so loud from all the screaming and cheering! And of course seeing Cinderella's castle was magical! There were tons of character stops in the Magic Kingdom but I could only talk Gina and Angela into a few.

Running through Cinderella's castle never gets old! And it is beyond magical! I love it!

I told Gina and Angela I was going to stop for a professional photo in front of the castle. I have always wanted this photo and never have stopped! This time I was stopping! They made me so happy because they stopped with me!!

We headed towards Liberty Square. And when we reached Frontierland guess who we saw? Jessie from Toy Story!

All too soon our time in Magic Kingdom was at an end. We headed down Floridian Way and about mile 8 we turned toward the Walt Disney World Speedway! We had speakers cautioning us about a steep downhill ahead. And man it was super steep. Everyone stopped to walk because it was too dangerous to even try to run! We made it out on the race track and it was so awesome!!!! They had lots of cars lined up on the side with spectators cheering us on! And even Tow Mater, Lightning McQueen, and Finn McMissile were out there!

While running on the speedway I saw portalets without a line. I had to go! I wished I had gone to the restroom one more time before the start because I ended up needing to pee around mile 1 lol! It didn't take long and we were on our way again. 

We turned out of the speedway and this is where the long stretch to Animal Kingdom began. We ran about a mile and then I saw mile 10! Yay!

I was feeling great! But in the back of my mind I kept thinking if this was a half I would almost be done. Around mile 11 I lost Gina and Angela. Paige's prediction had come true...I was by myself. I stopped to walk a second and called Paige to see where she and Sally were. They were at mile 9. While I was talking to her I heard someone call my name...it was Rachel from Runners Tales! I waved to her and finished up my conversation with Paige. I started running again and decided I was going to have fun even though I was by myself. I saw Peter Pan and Wendy up ahead and had to stop for a photo!

Not long after that I saw Pocahontas, Meeko, and John Smith!

I caught up to Rachel again right before entering the Animal Kingdom and decided I would run and talk with her for awhile. I needed some company! 

Right before entering Animal Kingdom there were cast members with a few animals out that you could take pictures with. I didn't stop but thought it was cute seeing the animals!

As soon as we entered Animal Kingdom we saw Rafiki from The Lion King! He is one of my all time favorite characters so I told Rachel I had to stop. She stopped with me.

I wanted a picture with Rachel too since she was helping me get through these miles. One of the cast members in Animal Kingdom took this picture for us!

We also had to stop when we saw Minnie Mouse (my favorite!!!) and Daisy Duck!

We made it to Expedition Everest and came real close to getting on the ride. They were letting runners get to the front of the line and ride. But Rachel and I weren't sure if our legs could handle sitting and then having to run 13 more miles so we decided not to do it.

Rachel was doing a run-walk method...she was running 3 minutes and walking 1 minute. So I started doing this with her. I was so happy to have someone to run with! Right outside of Animal Kingdom we hit the 13 mile mark! I was sooooo happy to be halfway done!!!!

But running another 13.1 miles also seemed impossible. I was feeling great as far as my legs (no knee pain either) but the sun was out in full force and it was getting hotter and hotter and more humid by the second. I was drinking water and powerade at every water stop as well as out of my water belt bottles but I could feel myself getting dehydrated. I was so thirsty!

Stay tuned for part two of my recap...

QOTD: Do you prefer to run alone or with someone?