I did it!
Let's continue on the journey (here are the past parts:Expo, 5K, 10K, HALF, and Marathon part 1).
We came upon safari Mickey and only waited about 3 min for a picture! I'm loving the wait times during the marathon for pics.
We came upon safari Mickey and only waited about 3 min for a picture! I'm loving the wait times during the marathon for pics.
gotta love seeing Mickey
We exited Animal Kingdom and came upon my favorite picture of the entire weekend-the grave diggers! I loved this pic so much but getting up and down off the ground was a bit tough! We kept on and it started to rain-UH WHAT? It actually felt pretty good but since we were on overpasses, it made the road very slick so we were trying to be as careful as possible.
We came onto the Clif stop and they were handing out bars. Uh what? They had run out of shots-so frustrating. I had lost one of fuels I'm assuming at a med stop and was already freaking out over that. I knew I needed a shot blok with caffeine and only had 1 emergency one. As we headed towards wide world of sports, I noticed there were TONS of unopened shot blocks on the ground so we each found 2 and kept them for emergency. I felt much better after that clif shot. That was wall number 2-around mile 15-16.
Since it was raining, there wasn't much going on as many of the characters left (I heard phineas and Ferb were out somewhere) so we turned to convo and music. As we headed into WWoS, we could see people exiting which also helped with morale. People were starting to really struggle around me but I was feeling fine still. I was excited to get the grand tour of WWOS as I have never been there except for Expos and it's really nice.
We came onto the Clif stop and they were handing out bars. Uh what? They had run out of shots-so frustrating. I had lost one of fuels I'm assuming at a med stop and was already freaking out over that. I knew I needed a shot blok with caffeine and only had 1 emergency one. As we headed towards wide world of sports, I noticed there were TONS of unopened shot blocks on the ground so we each found 2 and kept them for emergency. I felt much better after that clif shot. That was wall number 2-around mile 15-16.
Since it was raining, there wasn't much going on as many of the characters left (I heard phineas and Ferb were out somewhere) so we turned to convo and music. As we headed into WWoS, we could see people exiting which also helped with morale. People were starting to really struggle around me but I was feeling fine still. I was excited to get the grand tour of WWOS as I have never been there except for Expos and it's really nice.
Grave diggers-my favorite race pic ever
As we entered, we saw a huge inflatable Baymax and got towels which were great. Even though it wasn't warm, the towel felt great and I kept it to the end just incase I needed it.
It started to rain again by the soccer fields and we came upon the track. Both of our hip flexors were hurting so we took a few min break and did some hip flexor stretches on the track. I think this was our saving grace and it was much needed. We continued round the track nd took a bathroom break where I only waited bout 3 min! Not too bad.
At this point, I noticed we were struggling so I split our interval to 1:20 and :20 sec walking and it did the trick. We both felt strong and knew we would finish this.
We eventually came up to referee chip and Dale with no wait! Love it!
It started to rain again by the soccer fields and we came upon the track. Both of our hip flexors were hurting so we took a few min break and did some hip flexor stretches on the track. I think this was our saving grace and it was much needed. We continued round the track nd took a bathroom break where I only waited bout 3 min! Not too bad.
At this point, I noticed we were struggling so I split our interval to 1:20 and :20 sec walking and it did the trick. We both felt strong and knew we would finish this.
We eventually came up to referee chip and Dale with no wait! Love it!
Baymax before the sponges
Ref chip and dale
We continued through wide world of sports to the baseball field (which will always remind me of the DL half!) and I couldn't believe mile 20 was around the corner.
baseball stadium
As we exited WWOS, we took a pic by the dopey challenge poster as we figured Dopey would not be on the course. At mile 20, there was a DJ and we were feeling much better with our smaller intervals.
As we continued to Hollywood studios, we knew we could do this! We kept stopping at med tents and then the rain started again and we decided to call Devins mom and ask her to cancel our Biergarten reservation. We didn't want to deal with the rain any longer and figured we would just eat at the hotel. We were heading into Hollywood studios (same route from wine and dine) and I was getting excited and not going to lie-a bit sad the Osborne Lights wouldn't be out- and could really visualize everything to the finish.
As we headed into HS, we got candy (love me some Hershey Dark Chocolate!) and saw a few things backstage and also saw Mr Incredible and Sully and Mike. We kept going and got to the front and took one last pic with the Socrerer Hat and also did a potty break (or last one!). We continued through the park with great crowd support and were pretty close to finishing!
As we continued to Hollywood studios, we knew we could do this! We kept stopping at med tents and then the rain started again and we decided to call Devins mom and ask her to cancel our Biergarten reservation. We didn't want to deal with the rain any longer and figured we would just eat at the hotel. We were heading into Hollywood studios (same route from wine and dine) and I was getting excited and not going to lie-a bit sad the Osborne Lights wouldn't be out- and could really visualize everything to the finish.
As we headed into HS, we got candy (love me some Hershey Dark Chocolate!) and saw a few things backstage and also saw Mr Incredible and Sully and Mike. We kept going and got to the front and took one last pic with the Socrerer Hat and also did a potty break (or last one!). We continued through the park with great crowd support and were pretty close to finishing!
the closest I got to a pic of Dopey
last picture with the hat
We kept going and we headed outside, I burst into tears, nothing was wrong I was literally just so happy and feeling so good and couldn't believe what I was about to accomplish in about 3 miles.
Heading towards the Boardwalk, it gets really narrow. People were really struggling so we had to walk more than we wanted to. Great crowd support and one of our final water stops!
We got to the final med stop right at Swan and Dolphin, let it go came on. It really pumped me up and I was feeling great as we headed into Epcot. The crowd support at Yacht and Beach Club was top notch and kept spirits high as we headed through the International Gateway.
We went back stage for a bit and saw some random pink fairy (still no idea who she is!) and that's when it set in: one last loop around World Showcase (which I have done countless times before) and to the parking lot and I was Dopey!
Heading towards the Boardwalk, it gets really narrow. People were really struggling so we had to walk more than we wanted to. Great crowd support and one of our final water stops!
We got to the final med stop right at Swan and Dolphin, let it go came on. It really pumped me up and I was feeling great as we headed into Epcot. The crowd support at Yacht and Beach Club was top notch and kept spirits high as we headed through the International Gateway.
We went back stage for a bit and saw some random pink fairy (still no idea who she is!) and that's when it set in: one last loop around World Showcase (which I have done countless times before) and to the parking lot and I was Dopey!
the tears-I told you! #keepinitreal
As we headed into world showcase, there were a lot of characters out but I was confused if they were for runners or not turns out they were but the character handlers weren't letting runners cut in. The only person we stopped for was Jasmine in Morocco.
We had a plan to stop for Devin to get a beer and a pretzel and I would go ahead and stop at Mexico and get my beloved margarita and meet back up in Mexico. I was feeling great but then I saw a medical emergency and it made me sad. A lady finishing Goofy was off to the side with her legs elevated-we were less than a mile away so I hope she was able to finish!
We had a plan to stop for Devin to get a beer and a pretzel and I would go ahead and stop at Mexico and get my beloved margarita and meet back up in Mexico. I was feeling great but then I saw a medical emergency and it made me sad. A lady finishing Goofy was off to the side with her legs elevated-we were less than a mile away so I hope she was able to finish!
Jasmine
Dopey in Germany!
Stopped at margarita where I showed my ID and paid with magicband for my beloved margarita on the rocks. THE SALT WAS THE BEST THING! And the tequila wasn't so bad either. As I waited for Devin, I stretched and tried to take a pic.
We continued around and knew it was so close. We drank and we kept on and people loved the crossing with drinks in our hand. Saw spaceship earth and headed back stage to see the Gospel Choir (praise Jesus we are almost done!), mile 26 sign and the finish. I was freaking out.
We continued around and knew it was so close. We drank and we kept on and people loved the crossing with drinks in our hand. Saw spaceship earth and headed back stage to see the Gospel Choir (praise Jesus we are almost done!), mile 26 sign and the finish. I was freaking out.
my gorgeous Margarita
48.4 miles done, .2 to go!
All the training runs, planning sessions at my table, rolling hours, overcoming hip flexor issues, sciatica and shin pain, the tears, the fears and doubts I would ever be able to do it, and it was all building up to this finish line!!
We saw Devins mom and stepdad and continued on our way. Saw finish line Minnie and daisy and then BOOM: crossed the finish line. DOPEY 2015 IS COMPLETE! At that moment, Devin and I hugged in shock we actually did t and I burst into tears immediately. Without sunglasses, there was no hiding it. The joy and tear and all of the hardwork was all over my face and I didn't care.
We saw Devins mom and stepdad and continued on our way. Saw finish line Minnie and daisy and then BOOM: crossed the finish line. DOPEY 2015 IS COMPLETE! At that moment, Devin and I hugged in shock we actually did t and I burst into tears immediately. Without sunglasses, there was no hiding it. The joy and tear and all of the hardwork was all over my face and I didn't care.
the tears flowed
In that moment, that was the happiest moment of my life. People may think I'm exaggerating but I'm not. Nothing will probably too it until I have a wedding or a child. (My boyfriend says that statement is rude because meeting him should be the happiest moment of my life haha. Oops).
My boyfriend was tracking me so as soon as we got the finished text he called me and I was crying so much I could barely talk and let's not forget the margarita that I had just finished so I was slightly buzzed as well.
We got all of our marathon medal, our goodies, and finally the tent to get cleared with our picture. The guy waved me through and I went to get my goofy medal crying and hugged it and then got my dopey medal and was crying so hard. I got many hugs from volunteers because they thought something was wrong but nope-just tears of happiness.
That medal was MINE. MY PRECIOUS (yes I have turned into Gollum with my Dopey medal) and I stared at it every chance I got.
My boyfriend was tracking me so as soon as we got the finished text he called me and I was crying so much I could barely talk and let's not forget the margarita that I had just finished so I was slightly buzzed as well.
We got all of our marathon medal, our goodies, and finally the tent to get cleared with our picture. The guy waved me through and I went to get my goofy medal crying and hugged it and then got my dopey medal and was crying so hard. I got many hugs from volunteers because they thought something was wrong but nope-just tears of happiness.
That medal was MINE. MY PRECIOUS (yes I have turned into Gollum with my Dopey medal) and I stared at it every chance I got.
THEY ARE ALL MINE
IN UTTER SHOCK
Afterwards we had a mini stretch break and took pics and then had a glass of champagne to celebrate.
We headed towards the buses and I ate my snack box and called my parents. We got back to our room And showered and rolled and stretched before going to get food at Art of Animation as we had dinner reservations at 630 at Be Our Guest.
We headed towards the buses and I ate my snack box and called my parents. We got back to our room And showered and rolled and stretched before going to get food at Art of Animation as we had dinner reservations at 630 at Be Our Guest.
total disbelief (and maybe a bit of tequila)
celebrate good times
oh the tan lines and thats with sunscreen on!
cheers to 48.6!!!
We got back to the room and relaxed before heading to MK for some pics, a few rides and dinner. BOG was fabulous as usual and we had the best waiter. We all had a glass of wine to celebrate French onion soup (yay gluten free food!) and once my steak came I knew I couldn't eat so we got our food to go. We were exhausted and after a great pic with the beast we called it a night. But as we walked out during Wishes, Mickey had a short wait so we decided to say hi. The bus ride home was rough-I wanted to sleep so bad knew I would never wake up! So I fought the tired until we were back in our room and put on the golden gloves and we were both passed out before 10.
So remember when I talked about sleeping in? Well I did-to 7am! WOO WOO. but I did pass out at 10 so I got in some good hard sleep and woke up and felt great. A bit sore but nothing too bad. We spent Monday morning doing laundry and packing and heading to a late breakfast and drinking around the world.
So remember when I talked about sleeping in? Well I did-to 7am! WOO WOO. but I did pass out at 10 so I got in some good hard sleep and woke up and felt great. A bit sore but nothing too bad. We spent Monday morning doing laundry and packing and heading to a late breakfast and drinking around the world.
celebration!
mickey liked our medals
Overall, this WDW Marathon experience exceeded my expectations. The characters out were great and I had a blast! My body held up well (especially because we had to run Rebel Challenge the next week!) and I'm still in awe of all it accomplished. I will do a wrap-up post on Dopey next week before getting into the rebel challenge recaps! I will also do a tips section for those of you thinking about running the Dopey Challenge next year.
What did you think of the WDW marathon? Have you ever done the marathon? would you want to?
What did you think of the WDW marathon? Have you ever done the marathon? would you want to?
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