2014 Dumbo Double Dare Recap:
CARBLOADING
EXPO
10K
LILO COSTUME
HALF
DUMBO COSTUME
FINAL THOUGHTS
Here is the big race of the weekend!
We got up at 3:30 am and were out of the door by 4:05. We were tight from the day before so had to add in time to roll. We went to meet up with some more teamrundisney peeps and then headed to the start.
We took a pic with the Green Army Men with Erica and Greg, got some more pictures, checked our bags, potty break and headed to the corrals. Having the Green Army Men out was GREAT as that was one less stop we had to make on the course.
Well this is where it was a bit of a mess. They were more organized than last year (much larger) but you had to cross in front of the corrals to get to corral H so it soon turned very ugly. Also, for some reason, there were spectators waiting on the path, further making it congested.
While waiting for the start, we played a game of rating costumes. We rated them on how cute they were but also how practical as it was going to get very hot, very quickly. I was feeling pretty well and just ready to get going.
So it finally was start time and they released A and B together, then C and D together. It was very strange-why not just make them one large corral? Then E and F went and finally it was corral G’s turn. This is where it was a HOT MESS. Remember the pathway? Well they never could get it blocked off so even though we went to the corral early and were in the front. By the time the barriers were moved, TONS of people hopped in (including some from corral H) and we were about 600 people back. Sorry yall, but that was not cool. I got there early because I wanted to be towards the front and now people just hop in front of me? Along with people from corral H (that went from a 2:30-3:15 finish time?). Disney has GOT to fix the corral situation.
We decided to just make the best of it and with the course starting on a downhill, it spread out quickly. We stuck with out 2:15 run/:30 sec walk intervals and decided to take it easy to conserve energy and then could speed up after we left Angels stadium if we felt like it.
Before long, we were backstage. Yay for the park miles! We had a goal of finding a rundisney photographer and trying to get on their facebook. As we entered DCA we decided to get a pic with Storytellers and guess what? WE GOT ON FACEBOOK! Woo-hoo! So much fun!
We had a great time taking pics and there were definitely more characters out then at the Disneyland 10k the day before. As we entered Disneyland, it was nice to have cheersquad out (however it was still not as many spectators that are our on Main St at Magic Kingdom) and saw Donald and the 3 cabalerellos out. Of course as we soon as we got in line, the 3 left and it was just Donald but we wanted the pic anyway. We eventually looped through and decided to use the bathrooms at Pinocchio Village Haus, which was very uncrowded, then took a pic by the Dumbo ride of course!
As we looped through the castle to Tomorrowland and over to Small World, we saw the best character stop-DR FACILIER from Princess and the frog. We had to stop and it was not too long of a line. His hands were epic as was his costume. I was so happy we had a good character stop. Cruella de vil was also there and she was mortified I would ever dress as an elephant because how could she make a coat out of an elephant?
Soon after, we were headed to Toontown and out of the streets. This is where we went to work. As this was my 4th time running this course (which is INSANE to think about), I knew this course very well. We were able to maneuver pretty well and tried to keep the maneuvering but it was a bit to have to weave in and out of people but we were able to try and spread out.
We saw a few bands and dance groups and then saw the mile (or maybe more) of the old cars. It was a great way to pass the time and I was feeling great too.
Before we knew it, we were to Honda Center (love the Batmobile and Lightning McQueen car), and on to the Santa Ana River Trail. This trail has definitely gotten better as some of it was paved but it still pretty narrow. It was nice to see the new Anaheim train station being built-it is going to be beautiful when it is in done.
Soon after, we hit mile 9 and the start of the boy scouts and the Clif area and Angels stadium. Seriously, this race is worth the crowd support of Angels stadium-seeing all the Boy and Girl Scouts always brings tears to my eyes and gives me chills. It is such a good boost.
After leaving the stadium, we saw a few bands and then it was only 10 miles until we were done.
Did I mention the 501st had out stormtroopers? SO AWESOME! We were heading back stage and I started to get a bit emotionally. It has been a hot and rough summer with training and the last month has been a very trying time in my life. I don’t talk about it much but it has been very hectic and busy with work and school. There were so many days I would wake up, be mentally exhausted, go out for a run that was hot and blah and really disappointed and doubting myself. The devil will always try to bring you down and I am so happy, I let those bad thoughts get out of my head. I can do 10k+half, I can do Dopey, I can do 5k+10k+half-no matter what my mind may feel sometime.
Before we knew it, we were on our way to the finish. We continued to do strong intervals and were both so happy to be done. DONE! Our finish time was 3:04:32 (14:05 pace) which is my second fastest time at a Disney half! (Still 13 minutes off my PR in 2010 as that weather was much better). Our running time according to my garmin was 2:42: 20 (12:22 pace) which is not bad considering the weather and humidity. I really wanted to go under 3 hours however with the heat and humidity, I think we did it really well not pushing it too hard. We were actually doing faster intervals than the day before.
Got medals, got food, relaxed and headed back to the hotel. We decided this time to just walk the way we needed to and it was a much shorter walk back. The greatest thing did happen though, we had to cross back over the course and it was so much fun to be able to cheer on people as they came through especially so close to the finish. So great! J
We headed back to the hotel to pack, roll, stretch and shower and get to Goofy’s Kitchen for brunch. We had an amazing brunch but the characters were really slow. We saw Rafiki, Alice, Captain Hook, Pluto, Dale and Goofy. We missed Chip (we think) and Jasmine as they were really slow.
The amount of food we ate was so much but it was so good. Our legs were a bit tight so we decided to go to Disneyland
Afterwards, I got gas and went to Rafa’s to relax and then to Ralph’s aunts house for a BBQ. I was exhausted and probably should have skipped the BBQ as I didn’t get home until 11 PM. Monday was a great day as I had a ton of errands to do, readings to do and so much packing and laundry. I definitely learned my lesson for next year-after Dumbo, I need to go home and do laundry and homework so I can pack for my Conference (yes, the conference next year is the same time frame).
If you want to see more pics of the course (I didn’t take too many!) visit Greg’s blog and Patty’s blog. All my pics turned out blurry-oops.
Overall, I feel I had a good race. I was rested but I would love for next year to spend less time in the parks and more time relaxing so that I can feel even better.
What were your thoughts on the 2014 DL half?
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