We left the park and made our way out to the boardwalk area, here is where the course got super cramped!! We didn't really have much room to run properly regardless of our ability to do so as there were a lot of walkers around but we managed the odd jog here and there.
Before we knew it we are approaching Mile 12
You see our pace has taken a major battering at this point!
We were still struggling and our lack of training was definitely apparent through this last mile. I was so excited to finally see spaceship earth and our last park of the run... EPCOT! There was really great crowd support in Epcot and that got me pumped to get to the finish line! I was pushing Rachel to keep her spirits up too and even though she wasn’t too happy with me at the time I knew she would be when we finally crossed the line.
MILE 13!!!!!!!! ALMOST THERE!
Only .1 miles to go!! That extra little bit when you're already dead on your feet is pretty difficult!
Finally we could see the finish line!
As we are crossing the line I hear my name being shouted from the spectator stands, I was totally confused because there wasn't anybody there to cheer for us! I just assumed it was another Karen but later found out it was none other than
@Tiggerish!! (you're finally getting your shout out 12months later... OOOOPS!)
We finished in 3:01:14
I was so relieved to be finished, we collected our snack boxes, our MEDALS and a drink plus a myler blanket that would prove very useful but decided to pass on the free wine/beer because there was a queue and I was COLD already and wanted to get something hot into me!
We stopped to take some photos at the end of the runners finishing chute
I felt really proud of myself at this point, it had been tough running in the bad weather and I was so happy we had completed what we set out to do
It was quite the ordeal getting from the finishing area to the after party. After waiting in a MASSIVE queue to get in past bag check we used the real toilets at the park entrance to get changed. I would recommend using toilets inside the park but we were waiting on Grumpy to meet us. He had finished about 20mins ahead of us.
We all put on our wine & dine race shirts which was officially OK to do because we'd finished! WHOOOOP!!
Unfortunately the weather was still HORRIBLE and we were struggling to keep warm but we really wanted to enjoy some of the after party so we made our way inside. Test Track was down which was the only ride we were really interested in so off to world showcase!
One item I had really enjoyed from the F&W was the pork slider I got at the Hawaii kiosk so I'd been thinking about finally making it to Epcot and eating a pork slider for at least the last 6miles of the half marathon! Myself and Rachel kept reminding each other that we could get one at the finish! So of course my first stop was Hawaii!
I had all these grand plans to have a few drinks after the run and try more from the F&W stalls but I was tired and cold and wet and so I got myself and Rachel a hot chocolate and grumpy got a hot chocolate with some alcohol in it which was really nice too! We stood under a umbrella at a table nearby to enjoy it but we were shivery like mad
We took shelter in Mexico along with a LOT of others but overall the park itself was pretty quiet. Mexican Donald was around so I HAD to get a picture with him, I was disappointed that we saw no photopass photographers at the after party but we got this pic on my camera.
He genuinely thought these trousers were OK
We chilled in Mexico for a bit and then came out to wander back and check test track. It was getting late at this point, I've no idea where the time went but it was around 3am! Test Track looked closed and there was nobody around but there was also nobody telling us that it was down so we made our way over and it was OPEN!! WHOOP!
There was not a single other person in the queue! We quickly made a car and got to the loading platform which was EMPTY too and the CM's seemed kinda glad to see someone! We were so happy to be inside and warm and although lowering ourselves into the car was a bit of struggle we were nice and snuggled inside...
Of course we completely forgot that we were about to get absolutely blasted out of it with cold air and rain when the car made it outside... OOOOPS!
We held up our medals for the ride photo
When we got back around the CM's said we could go again if we liked... this sounded perfect to me because I was really dreading trying to get out of that seat...
We got out and made our way oh so incredibly slowly to the exit and our bus back to Pop. It was here that it dawned on me that we would have to WALK ALL THE WAY back to our room
We waited on the bus for a bit for some more runners to arrive but it was so warm I really didn't mind.
We got off at Pop Century, climbing down the steps to get off the bus was horrible and we had AGES to walk before we'd made it to our room.
THEN THE BEST THING EVER HAPPENED.
A CM pulled up in a golf cart type vehicle and asked if anyone wanted a lift to Art of Animation. I suddenly had the ability to run again and literally jumped at her, I've no idea if there was anyone else behind us or interested but I had my bum on that seat SO FAST... The CM was lovely and we chatted as we rode back and she dropped us right at the stairs to our room.
Golf cart selfie... Oh where's Rachel???
PEEK A BOO
We thanked the CM and crawled up the stairs and into bed for what was a very uncomfortable sleep as my legs were hurting pretty bad but I was so happy to be warm and laying down...
