13.1 Magical Miles February 2016

So not so very bright and way too early we made our way to the Epcot parking lot.  First order of business was to find the shortest port-a-potty line.  Amanda was feeling very weak and queasy and it was becoming kind of clear that running 13.1 miles was not going to happen easily at the very least.

And then I came out to find her laying on the floor :( She finally called it that running the race was just not going to happen.  It was such a hard and sad decision, but the only option really.  I went and found a medical person and Amanda was wheeled into the medical tent.

So with a heavy heart I made my way over to our corral.  I honestly felt like crying.  I couldn't believe that this race we had been planning for so long wasn't going to happen with her.  However, I kept thinking about the total blast we had had already.  Getting to see HP for the first time with her was amazing!

So it was time to face the race solo.  I hadn't brought ear buds, since I figured I would be chatting with Amanda the whole time so I was a little nervous to run the long stretches I had heard about it without any music, but I figured if there is ever a race that doesn't need extra music it would be a Disney race!

Since I was in corral C, I wasn't too far from the start.  They released each corral in about 5 minutes increments, so before I knew it it was my turn to cross the start!

Mile 1!  My first few miles were a great pace.  Running at about a 9 1/2 minute mile.  I decided to not push myself though and just have fun because 1) This was the most expensive race for me and I wanted to soak up all I could and 2) I still had a week long trip ahead of me of walking every day and didn't want to be too sore.

So at the first character spot, I stopped.  And soon discovered my homemade Aurora sleeves were not going to hold up 13 miles haha

Second character stop was Jasmine and Abu.  Aladdin was actually there while I was in line, but then he left and Abu came to take his place. 

Nightmare Before Christmas didn't appeal to me too much (maybe if it was fall it would have), so I decided to skip that one.

Around mile 4 or 5 we entered Magic Kingdom!

Main Street!

 

Castle!

Oh boy, those sleeves need help haha

Tomorrowland!

I heard this was a good bathroom stop, so I decided to stop there (and it was great to not be in a port a potty!)

And I stopped for Buzz!

Right before the castle, I stopped for the ugly stepsisters and step mother.  They were super fun and funny!  This may be from my lack of sleep, but the first few characters I stopped for kept saying things like "Oh nice of you to wake up for this!"  It didn't dawn on me until the stepsisters told me this that they were referencing my costume! Duh!  I felt like an idiot. 

Castle shot!  So all of the professional pictures that were taken were not that great  (much like the ones here from my phone too haha).  But since it costs $70 to download the professional ones, I decided to pass.  So my poor quality phone ones will have to do!

The instagram I posted mid race.  By this time since I had stopped so much my pace was slowing, slowing, slowing which I was completely fine with. Now that I've finished though, I am itching to do a half marathon where I push myself.  I'm pretty certain I can never beat my previous PR of 1:58 back in 2013, but I should push myself at whatever level I am at right now.

It's too bad that the picture with my costume inspiration was the like the worst one!  I guess I should mention here why I even chose Aurora.  Amanda and I always knew we wanted to do some kind of partnership type costume pair.  She wanted to be a villain and then I decided I wanted to be the princess of the same movie.  Maleficent is definitely the best character to dress up as, so she went with that and I was happy to go with Sleeping Beauty!  Amanda's costume was seriously great too!!

I love Mary Poppins!

Mile 10!  I was seriously having so much!  There were lots of pockets of supporters with super funny signs, bells, marching bands, local cheer squads.  So many things to hear and see!

Right at the homestretch.  I was definitely tired, but because I was taking it so easy I never felt totally out of gas.

You can tell the humidity must have gone up, because my phone kept fogging up!

Finally back at Epcot for the finish.  The energy in the race definitely was picking up even more as we got closer and closer to the finish.

Fairy Godmother was so sweet!

 

And then I was at the finish!  I was handed a blanket, my medal, and the best post race snack box I have ever had!  Since Amanda was the one with the car, I knew I needed Erik to pick me up. I felt bad waking him since he had gotten to the condo at like 1 or 2 am, but I didn't really have another choice.  I hopped on a bus to Art of Animation, since I figured it would be easier for him to pick me up there than going into the crowded Epcot parking lot.  It was fun chatting and listening to the chatter of all of the women on the bus. 

So my 7th (?) half marathon was complete!  I hate to say this but I definitely don't think this was my last RunDisney race.  These kind of races almost seem tailor made to my interests and level of cheesiness!  Hopefully in a year or so I will do another one.  I'd love to try out one of the Disneyland races or the Wine and Dine half at Disney World every November sounds like a blast.  That one is on a Saturday night which would be great for a west coaster in terms of time zone adjustment!  Anyway, until then RunDisney!