Walt Disney World Marathon -- Finishing Dopey!

Sunday was the big day of the Dopey Challenge -- the Walt Disney World Marathon.  It's a journey through all 4 of the theme parks plus the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  The day started like all the other days with a very early morning. 

It always strikes me a little ironic that on the last morning of the Dopey Challenge runners have only completed 22.4 of the 48.6 miles -- not even half.  You don't even reach the halfway point until you start the marathon.

This was the warmest morning of them all with temperatures in the upper 50's.  What I didn't enjoy was that the humidity throughout the race was 90+% (that's Florida).  Once I started sweating it just got worse from there.  I was already soaked by the halfway point and towards the end I was just ready to be done.

Ready for the longest race of the weekend

The race itself went well.  I was able to take my GU after miles 7 and 14 and I sipped on water from the regular aid stations.  I didn't feel like my stomach wanted my final GU at mile 20 which probably slowed me down a little in the end.  Regardless, I still finished faster than this year's Chicago Marathon time and so it was a better Boston Qualifying time for me for 2020.

I knew with the humidity that it was going to be a little rough, so I was determined to have as much fun as I could.  Last year I think I stopped 18 times for pictures.  I lost count this year, but I know I stopped at least 16 times.  After starting outside Epcot, the first park we got to was Magic Kingdom.

Had to stop for Gamora!

The Evil Queen and Dr. Facilier

I like this one with Woody and Jesse 

Still feeling strong at the castle!

The first part of the marathon course is essentially the same as the half marathon.  It splits a little while after leaving the Magic Kingdom when you head to Animal Kingdom instead of back to Epcot.

Still smiling for the camera in Animal Kingdom!

You cross the halfway point in Animal Kingdom.  From there, I start counting down the miles to the finish.  After leaving Animal Kingdom around mile 14, you finally reach ESPN around mile 17.5.  You spend 3 miles running around ESPN, including running around the track and running around the field in the baseball stadium.  It's a long stretch, but there are always lots of characters here.

Pluto was just before ESPN

Goofy is always on the track

Once I left ESPN, I knew it's less than a 10K to go until the end.  They gave out cold, wet sponges in ESPN which felt wonderful considering how sweaty and gross I was.  You enter Hollywood Studios for a run up Sunset Boulevard and out the front before making your way along the path to the Boardwalk resorts.  I ran this path so many times in the past couple years, I knew exactly what to expect.  When I entered the World Showcase of Epcot around mile 25, I knew it was almost over.  I honestly didn't care how fast or slow I went at that point -- I wanted to just keep running to the end.

Snow White in Germany -- less than a mile left

And then it was the last stretch.  I passed by the Epcot globe and then the big gospel choir singing  just before the final turns.  When I saw that finish line, there are no words to describe the feeling.

High fives from Chip and Dale!

Officially a Dopey Finisher (again)!

It is an overwhelming, emotional moment crossing the finish line of a marathon.  Completing the Dopey Challenge only heightens those emotions.  I think it's the lack of sleep and all the running over the four days and knowing you stepped up and met the challenge -- it's absolutely amazing.  I got teary getting my medals and I needed a minute to get myself together for my finisher photo.

I DID IT!

Celebrating with Mickey...

...and of course with Dopey!

Showing off the medals!

I wasn't sure I would do Dopey again after this year -- and then I came and did it and remembered all the reasons I love it and runDisney.  Once I got home, I recapped the whole experience of running Dopey for a second time for Chicago Athlete.  You can read my article here.  I have to say that I think it is one of my best articles to date -- probably because the whole experience resonates on such an emotional level with me.  So am I thinking about how to fit Dopey 2020 into my plans?  Of course!

Walt Disney World Half Marathon

I have been slow getting these posts up for the half and full marathons.  After I finished, I was exhausted and just wanted to celebrate my accomplishment.  Now that a little time has passed and I've recovered, I'm ready to write about them.

Saturday of marathon weekend brought yet another early morning.  This time, they wanted all runners on the bus by 3:30 in order to make the longer walk to the starting corrals.  I was at the staging area before they even opened the corrals, so I think it was more than enough time.

Starting line of the Half Marathon

There are aspects of the half marathon course that I do enjoy.  You start outside Epcot and run up to Magic Kingdom.  The road is usually dark and it is quiet with just the sound of other runners and your own breathing and the occasional monorail passing by on the side.  You pass through the Ticket and Transportation Center where there are usually people cheering runners on.  From there you run by the Contemporary before entering Magic Kingdom around mile 5.  I love those first moments entering Magic Kingdom.  There are cheering spectators all along Main Street.  Disney leaves the Christmas decorations up in the parks until just after the marathon, so as you turn onto Main Street you are greeted by the sight of the castle all lit up in icicle lights and the sound of loud cheers from supporters and cast members.  It's a wonderful moment and I savor it every time I do it.

I stopped numerous times for pictures during the race.  There are usually a couple character stops on the road outside the parking lots and then numerous characters inside the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

The Evil Queen was outside the Magic Kingdom

Anastasia, Drizella and Lady Tremaine outside the castle

The temperature was around 50 - perfect for running a half marathon.  I wasn't too cold before the race and I was comfortable during it.  I was determined to have fun and enjoy myself during the race, and I certainly did.  Even with all my picture stops, I still ended up running my second fastest half marathon ever -- not too shabby!  After running about a mile through the Magic Kingdom, you make your way back down to Epcot to run through there and on to the finish.

Finishing strong in Epcot -- it looks like I'm running on air!

After collecting my medal at the finish, I made sure to get my requisite pictures with the characters before heading back to the resort for some well deserved sleep.  3 races done, just the marathon to go!

Donald is always on the Half Marathon medal and is the star of this race

NYC Marathon Acceptance

I know I still have to post my recaps of the Half Marathon and Marathon at Disney, but I received my 2019 NYC Marathon acceptance today and thought it worth sharing. 

The registration period for NYC opened last Monday.  The last several years I have been unsuccessful getting in through the lottery.  So when I ran a time that qualified me for guaranteed entry at last May's Chicago Spring Half, I was even more overjoyed.  Applications for time qualifiers using non-NYRR events are supposed to be first come, first served, but I have never heard of someone being turned away who submitted a qualifying time.  I finally submitted my application last Thursday night, and this morning I got the email that I am in!

I'm going to wait to see how things go over the next several months before making the final decision whether to do it this year or not.  Boston in April is my main focus right now and then we have Berlin in September.  NYC is 6 weeks after Berlin -- it's a lot but barring injury I think it is doable.  Seeing NYC in that way and being part of the largest marathon in the world is sure to be an amazing experience.  Let's see what the year brings...

So happy to get this!

Walt Disney World 10K

Yesterday was Day 2 of the Dopey Challenge - the Walt Disney World 10K.  My schedule was pretty much the same as the previous day - up way to early to get a bus to Epcot to stand around in my corral for a long time before running the race.

At the starting line for the 10K

The temperature was a little warmer than the previous morning, but I still chose to wear pants and a long sleeve since I didn't want to get cold before the race began.  I was comfortable for most of the race but was sweating by the end. 

The last stretch before the finish line

Crossing the finish line

The first half of the race was out and back on a road near Epcot.  We didn't enter Epcot until after mile 3.5.  From there we ran around the World Showcase before exiting out the back entrance to the park.  We ran around the Boardwalk and then over past the Yacht and Beach Club (a route I am VERY familiar with from the last several vacations) before entering Epcot again for the last mile of the race.  I again stopped for 3 pictures with characters on the course.  I ran a pretty fast race and was only 11 seconds off my 10K PR time so I was very pleased with the results.  My pace was consistent throughout.

The Old Hag was along the road before Epcot

Goofy was on the Boardwalk next to ESPN Zone

After I got my medal, I posed for pictures with the characters in the staging area.  Minnie is on the 10K medal so I had to make sure to get my picture with her (I also got a high five from her at the finish line).

Posing with Minnie Mouse

Once I got back to the resort, I climbed back into bed for some more sleep.  Later in the day I spent a little time at Hollywood Studios and then made the walk over to Epcot to look around and pick up dessert.  Then it was back to the Wilderness Lodge for more rest before heading to bed early.

I told Daisy she needs to be on a medal and she agreed with me!

Walt Disney World 5K

Yesterday I was up before 3:15 and on a bus to Epcot by 3:45 in the morning for the Walt Disney World 5K.  In past years, Pluto was always on the 5K medal.  This year, however, they changed it and made Oswald the star of this race.

Ready for the 5K!

I headed straight to my corral when I got there and was near the front.  The 5K races are all family-friendly, untimed events (although a time is recorded for Dopey participants), so I knew that I needed to be in the front to avoid walkers and slower runners.  There were only 3 corrals for this race.  Luckily I didn't have to weave past too many people once the race started.

The race began right at 5:30 and we were off!  I entered Epcot around the first mile marker and the rest of the race was mostly in the park.  There were several characters along the course, and I stopped 3 times for a picture.  I love being in the front of the pack because I can run right up to the character for a picture and speed off again without too much loss of time.

Lots of photographers in the park

Donald Duck...

...and Pinocchio

The race was over pretty quickly.  I got my medal and a few more pictures with the characters back in the staging area.  Of course I had to make sure I got my picture with Oswald since he was on the medal!

First race done!

Once I got back to the resort, I climbed back into bed for another hour of sleep.  I spent a couple hours later that day at Hollywood Studios and doing some shopping at Disney Springs before spending the remainder of the day just resting at the Wilderness Lodge.  These are several long days and I'll take all the rest I can get!

I always love posing for a picture with Chip and Dale

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Expo

I was awake at 4 AM this morning for my 6 AM flight to Orlando for this year's marathon weekend.  This is the fourth year I have attended and the second year that I am doing the Dopey Challenge (5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon).  My flight landed before 9:30.  I was at the Wilderness Lodge to drop off my luggage by 10 AM and was on the bus pulling into the ESPN Complex for the expo around 10:30 -- not too bad.  Last year I came in the afternoon and dealt with terrible crowds and lines to buy merchandise, so I was determined to avoid that this year.

Another year of the Marathon Weekend!

Outside the merchandise area

There was no real line to get my Dopey bibs and shirts and after those were secure I headed over to the official merchandise area.  Even though I was there before 11 (the expo opened at 10), I still had to wait in a line to get in!

Better than last year's line which was outside in the cold

Luckily, the line moved quickly and I waited less than 20 minutes to get into the merchandise.  I knew what I wanted to buy (the usual souvenirs -- wine glasses, pint glass, headband, magnet, shoe ornament) but I also enjoyed looking around at all the new apparel.

So very true -- I love Disney desserts!

I thought this would be perfect for Mike and my parents!

I also briefly looked around the area where all the different vendors were set up.  I needed a couple Gu's for Sunday so I was able to pick them up.  I was back on the bus before 12:30 so I spent less than 2 hours there which I'm happy with.

Now to rest up for the next four very early mornings and running 48.6 miles!

Ready for Dopey!

Another article for Chicago Athlete

I submitted another article to Chicago Athlete last November, but with the holidays it got lost in the shuffle of things.  I wrote about last year's injury and why I think my rehab experience was much different the second time around.  It was finally published online today and so I am sharing the link below:

How a Different Mindset, Recovery Method Helped Heal My Repeat Injury More Quickly