Countdown to Disney

In two days I'll be back at Disney!

I feel like it's been forever since I've been, when in reality it was January.

As excited as I am to go back I'm not at the same time. I think I've just been so down for so long now I can't get that excitement back. I want this trip to be special for Carrick. (No one wants to remember having an awful time!) I also want it to be special for me. It's rare that I go somewhere that doesn't involve me running. Yes I will be participating in the last Expedition Everest Challenge a week from today, but I will also have a lot more "relaxation" time.

That changed last night! All over a silly breakfast reservation.

I had made breakfast reservations at Be Our Guest the day it opened. I've eaten lunch and dinner here before and wasn't planning on going back this time. Then they announced breakfast.

©Disney Food Blog

I'm excited to try out the breakfast here. I've never been let down by food here!

Back in January I noticed a restaurant in Epcot. I've probably noticed it in prior trips, but never gave it a thought. It's called The Garden Grill.

©Disney 

This is a restaurant that spins (very slowly) while looking into the ride Living with the Land. I'm excited to try this place for dinner. We will be joined by Chip & Dale along with a few friends dressed in their favorite overalls.

What reservation helped change my excitement back around? 

Tusker House breakfast! I went with Nate in January and have been talking about it ever since. This was a last minute plan and I'm excited to eat delicious breakfast with Donald and the gang! 

Now I will countdown until I get a Dole Whip in my hand!

It's Been Longer Than Expected

I haven't written in almost 2 months. I guess a part of me just hasn't had much to say. Another part has a ton to say. Then there's the part that is scared to say anything.

The winter took it's toll on me. I've been super depressed and anxious for such a long time that I don't know how to go about living without it. I keep telling myself to go outside and enjoy the sun and the warmth that we've waited months for. The thought makes me so stressed that I stay inside.

When the Black Cat race got cancelled a huge part of me was relieved. I wasn't running...at all. It took away some stress and negative feelings by not having it.

A few weeks later I did go up to Salem to take on the Nutty Irish 5k Cocoa Run. I enjoyed myself even though it was snowing and had some harsh conditions to go through. The run was on a golf course. A golf course that was covered in snow. (Keep in mind as snow melts and it gets cold again it turns to ice.) There were some steep hills to go up and down, but we did it! I let Carrick finish ahead of me for his first 5k. He's been training a lot better than me so I was fine taking my time.

Our next step is the Expedition Everest Challenge next week! I'm in desperate need of a vacation. I'm excited to experience Carrick's first trip to Disney with him! It's going to be a great time.

Last week I went into Boston to participate in the run group She Runs Boston. I've never gone to any sort of group runs, but I gave it a shot. I was alone so it was a little weird because I didn't know anyone. I chose to do the 3-mile run. I haven't been training so I didn't choose the 4-mile group. They believe in a no one gets left behind mentality which is awesome. If you need to walk, you walk. If you want to run a 7 minute mile you go! I got to talking with a couple of girls about half way through as we did a run-walk. They were newer runners and none of us had a time limit on ourselves. I can't go back for 2 weeks, but this is something I want to try to go to consistently.

And yesterday was the Boston Marathon! I headed to the finish line so I could catch the elite runners finish. This is something I've set out to do, but always miss by minutes. The weather wasn't going to be so great and I didn't have any close friends running so I wasn't planning on staying there for long. It was great to see the wheelchair athletes and the elite runners finish. They are super speedy! It was a wonderful day in Boston regardless of the weather. I'm so proud of anyone who participated in the marathon! It is quite the accomplishment!

Cancelled Races Are All The Rage

Tuesday I received an email that the Black Cat 10- or 20-miler was going to be postponed. There is so much snow everywhere it is causing major safety concerns. A lot of races have been cancelled lately in the area so I almost expected this.

Yesterday we got word that the event is cancelled.

I can understand the reasoning why. I've wanted to do this run for awhile now so I'm slightly disappointed, but it's okay.

While refunds are not being provided, they are offering a discount code towards any of their other races. They are also allowing you to pick up your bibs, shirts, and extra merchandise that you paid for.

A part of me is really relieved. I haven't been training since completing the Dopey Challenge. The weather is not helping either.

The next thing up on my list is a 5k, happening in Salem at the end of March. I'm looking forward to doing that run. It will be the first run for Carrick and the first time that Nate will be with me running, not just watching.

I'm looking forward to getting outside and running. Hopefully some snow will melt away so that is more available for me.

It's Still Snowing!

I haven't written in almost a month. It's snowing again. If I never see another snowflake I'd be happy.

The Black Cat 10-miler is coming up really quickly and I've barely run. The snow makes it next to impossible to run outside. I'm sorry it is way too cold and I don't plan on dying by getting hit by a car on the narrow roads. I've run a couple of times at the gym, but it hasn't been too consistent.

Hopefully I'll be able to get it more together soon.

Unless it's still snowing in April!

Everyday I'm getting more excited for Disney by the minute. I decided to buy an annual pass last night. Prices went up today (good lord!) so I went to my local Disney Store to get the pass. I'm planning on going down at least twice in the next year so it makes sense to have the pass.

I'll just continue to dream about Disney during this winter.

Snow Day!

Snow days seemed more exciting when I was a kid. The snow isn't interrupting my work schedule. I left about 15 minutes early yesterday, I was already off today, and I don't go in until 1:30 tomorrow so a 12 pm opening isn't exactly inconvenient.

I've laid around all day. I'm not going to lie.

Then I decided to start the Commit to You Challenge on Gaiam TV. I did 1 hour of yoga tonight. It was challenging. (I could never do crow pose before. I can't do it now.) I am tight in my hip flexors (not a surprise). My knee is also still sore. Hopefully I get it together soon.

Hopefully this challenge will help with my anxiety lately. I can tell you my lacking of unpacking and putting things away is not helping. I'm taking this one day at a time.

I'm also going to try a Barre class again on Monday night. I was suppose to go last night, but the building had a gas leak or something. Plus the snow. It was probably better to just go home and stay there. I have done Barre once before and found it challenging, but good. I liked how I felt afterwards. (You know the pain that just feels good.)

I'll be going back to lounging around again. It'll be needed.

Dopey Challenge Numbers

I don't want to go into how I felt about the whole challenge. Why? Because I felt great. It was awesome. I'm still excited about it. 

A few days after the challenge ended, Runner's World put out the results of the Dopey Challenge and ranked everyone. (You see the results here.) According to them I placed 5,160 out of 6,397 finishers. My times looked like this:

5k: 36:57

10k: 1:28:37

Half: 3:13:32

Full: 6:48:01

Total: 12:07:07

Cool. That took a lot of time for someone to do. Disney only put out the Dopey results alphabetically by last name. There were no gender places or division places or even total time.

Today I saw another post from RunKnitTravel. They also posted more broken down results. (You can view it here.) According to their information there was 7,500 people signed up for the Dopey Challenge. (This came from the volunteers at the races. I actually saw a paper with this number on it.) Here's how those numbers changed throughout the 4 days:

5k: 6,826 finishers

3,498 females

3,327 males

10k: 6,800 finishers

3,482 females

3,318 males

Half: 6,749 finishers

3,446 females

3,303 males

Full: 6,488 finishers

3,283 females

3,205 males

1,102 people started, but did not finish

There is a slight discrepancy on how many people did finish all together between both sources. There also may have been less than 7,500 people who were actually signed up. (I think that if it was not an even number it would be more confusing for volunteers to share the information.) I do find it interesting to see how many people finished on each day and to see how the numbers drop. People won't finish for all sorts of reasons. Maybe they just don't show up. Maybe there's an emergency that pulls them from the races. They may get hurt along the way. They may choose to drop out. They may get swept. 

Just a little insight into what the weekend looked like for people.

Walt Disney World Marathon

Day 4.

This is it.

The big one.

The Marathon!

I headed out to the race alone. Nate would come out later on, but there was no need for him to be there super early again. I was more awake surprisingly for this run. I checked a bag with my jacket in it, but I was wearing a tank top for the run. The day would be warmer than before. The news was reporting rain, but not until later on in the day.

Marathon Course!

I would be running through all 4 parks today along with Wide World of Sports and the Disney Speedway. The first half of the course is pretty similar to the half course. . I did get to run through the castle unlike during the half. I also stopped for a picture in front of the castle. 

Courtesy of Marathonfoto

I also got a picture with the White Rabbit. (I seem to get a picture with him a lot.)

Courtesy of Marathonfoto

The big difference with the half and full course is running along the speedway. A lot of people hate the speedway, but I like it. You can't run on a race track normally and I've grown up with cars so I think that it's cool. 

Courtesy of Marathonfoto

From Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom there is a lot of highway. It can be a little boring, but not too bad. This is where I took my second picture of the day, with the villains!

These are my people!

I feel like we entered the backroads to Animal Kingdom a lot earlier than I remember. I wish we ran through this park more, but most of the runners get there around park opening so it makes sense. I had no idea what my pace really was because I had made a bathroom stop and added a half mile onto my mileage. I knew that I wanted to ride Expedition Everest during the marathon. I didn't do it before and I don't plan on doing another marathon so this was my chance. I got into the single rider line and I was on there!

You don't get to ride a roller coaster during your marathon?

Woo hoo!

It gave me a boost. I was feeling amazing. This was probably my favorite time on this ride. I smiled and laughed the whole time. I did get cold, but warmed back up quickly. I wish there wasn't so much construction going on at this park, but I can get over it. They do have a lot of signs on the walls for people to take pictures with and upload.

Can you tell that those trees are fake behind me?
Courtesy of Marathonfoto

Remember the rain I had mentioned? On the highway to Wide World of Sports the rain came down. I knew that Nate was there somewhere, but I didn't want to ruin my phone so I had to hope I'd see him.The rain stopped, but started again. It was actually nice to get a cool down. It did get a little harder which made it harder to see with rain in your face, but nothing too bad. I walked a lot of Wide World of Sports until they gave out a banana which helped get my energy back up. Soon after, I saw Nate which was awesome. 

Soon I was heading towards Hollywood Studios. I was interested in seeing how the course would be now that the Backlot Tour is closed and you run through it. Through the costume tunnel they had fog and strobe lights. I hated it. I just pushed through the tunnel and was so excited to see light! There is construction going on here too including the Magic Hat. I'm glad I got a few pictures before the hat got the wall around it, but soon the parks will be redone and look great. 

Courtesy of Marathonfoto

After leaving Hollywood Studios we went along the Yacht and Beach Club. There are always a lot of people out and about here. It's nice to get the spectator support here too. 

Soon we were in Epcot. I honestly was ready to be done running, but was so excited that I was so close to finishing another marathon. I saw Nate again on the bridge heading into Future World. He asked if I wanted a doughnut. (Have you ever seen the doughnuts in this place? They are huge!!!) I said "No! I want to be finished!" In reality that is I want to finish and have a doughnut. (I did not get a doughnut.) Getting to mile 26 and seeing that choir, knowing that throughout the doors are people cheering you on as you make your way to the finish is a feeling that I can't fully describe. It is amazing! It is emotional! It is the moment you can just stop and be thankfully for everything. Finishing was amazing. I cried a little. I was so thankful to every single volunteer. I got my medal. I got my ice. I got a wet towel (which I hear are pricey). 

Courtesy of Marathonfoto

Courtesy of Marathonfoto

Remember when I said that no one knew what we were suppose to do without bracelets? Now was the first time the tent for Goofy/Dopey was being used for anything outside of herding us through! There was someone looking at our bibs and then a computer. (I'm guessing it was a picture from the expo and our times that we finished the previous 3 days? I should have turned around to see.) Hearing them say "Congratulations. You're all set." was the best. Next I got my Goofy and Dopey medals! There may have been a tear or two again.

Courtesy of Marathonfoto

And then food! Precious food! I got my gEAR bag for the final time and met up with Nate.

What nice volunteers!

5 mile: 1:14:34

10 mile: 2:36:17

Half: 3:28:49

20 mile: 5:10:48

Finish: 6:48:01

Clock Time: 7:28:24

Place: 17,024/19,970

Division: 1,433/1,731 (W25-29)

Gender: 8,325/10,285 (Women)

We went back to the hotel and grabbed some food. I took a little nap before showering and heading to my family's hotel. From there we went to Magic Kingdom to hang out for a little bit. Nate and I had dinner reservations for Be Our Guest later that night so we got in a few rides before hand.

Hey guys!

Dinner was delicious as always. We got to ride the Mine Train one last time on the way out of the park.  It was a great week. Running this challenge was amazing. Everything was great. I'm happy that I did this. 

Will I do this again? I've said no. Then again never say never right?

4 days of greatness.