We got home last night after yet another wonderful week at WDW.
Yes, it was a COLD week, but we figure that we would rather be cold
and on vacation at Disney World than warm and at work.
Way back when, we had originally signed up for the full marathon.
However, this fall. due to lack of time, nagging illness, and general
sloth, we re-opted for the half marathon. We got re-assigned new numbers,
both 20xxx in the very last corral. We were told to go to the guest services
booth & they would give us a better corral. Basically all they did was put
little green stickers on our bibs & had no idea what corral we would really be in.
This year, like last, Ali & I went as Mickey & Minnie Mouse. After the long cold wait
in the staging area we made our way to the starting corrals, still having no idea
which we were supposed to be in. We approached the first corral. The "corral
marshall" there just *loved* our outfits. She saw our 20xxx race numbers & lamented
how she wished we were in her corral. I told her how we were supposed to be assigned
a new corral since we had re-opted for the half late in the game. I dont know if she
actually looked at the green dots or not but she said "In that case your in *my* corral".
So we got to start at the front.
Cool! Dont know if we were really supposed to be there or not but we took it.
Anyway after waiting at the start (and getting colder), Donald finally started us & we were
off! We quickly warmed up and got up to a good pace after a mile or two. By mile 5
we were averaging a 7:50 pace. We had the usual good crowd support as people
cheered for Mickey & Minnie.
We ran the entire race together (unusual for us); hand-in-hand through Cinderellas castle.
Hopefully there will be a good photo of that. Slowed down a bit the last 5K with the cold
headwind that was picking up. We crossed the line hand-in-hand at 1:47:19 chip time.
(According to the results, she was 339th place overall at 1:47:18 & I was 340th at 1:47:19)
Ali was 13th in her age group. Way to go!
This year, my greatest congratulations & kudos goes to the spectators. Especially those
between marathon miles 24 & 25 along the MGM-Boardwalk path. Our room at the Boardwalk
overlooked this path. When Ali & I finished the half, we were wet & cold so we didn't stick around
the finish area. We immediately went back to the room for a hot shower. This was around 8:30 am or
so. Since our room was just above the MGM-Boardwalk path we had a good view of this
stage & the spectators. Even when the wind & heavy rain started, the spectators continued
to cheer on all the runners. They stood in the cold & rain for a good three plus hours & cheered
everyone on! I was really moved by this.
Apologies: (What NOT to do as a spectator). After showering & observing the marathon runners
from our room for a while, we went to Epcot. Along the way, we were hungry so we stopped at the
Boardwalk Bakery for some goodies. I got a delicious chocolate croissant & a nice hot
cup of coffee. We sat on a bench on the boardwalk to cheer on the runners.
I'm glomming down my croissant. At first I didn't notice some of the looks I was getting.
(BTW, this was around the marathon 5 hour mark or so.) One runner went by & remarked
"My god that looks soooo good".
Then I realized how I would feel at the 25 mile mark, wet, cold and miserable, seeing someone eating
a chocolate croissant & drinking hot coffee.
I will never do that again! Sorry!
We had the usual great encounters at Dixie & the Wilderness Lodge.
We were quite late in getting to the Dixie Landings encounter. It was almost 8pm
as I recall. However we did finally get our "Hat photos" done. They look
mighty good. Thanks Farol!
It was also great finally getting to meet the newest Disney Dead: Barts son Kurt.
Anyway... congrats to all who ran the races and congrats to all who were spectators.
It was great seeing every one again.
We had a great time.
John & Ali
Phoenix Arizona
