A One-Time Only Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge Trip Report

Hey everyone! I am back from a trip to WDW to partake in Marathon Weekend and more specifically to take on the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge! This trip did not go entirely how I thought it would but it is over now and its time for a recap. My pictures especially for the races are a little lacking from my last marathon report. I just wasn't feeling it this trip. Cast of characters is just me (Kristy) and husband Dan.

Here is a link to my pre-trip report if you are interested in the backround - http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/goofy-challenge-pre-trip-report.857764/


The days leading up to this trip were very stressful. The Thursday before we left our gas furnace died. Luckily we have a fireplace and were able to keep warm with that and space heaters. We needed to get estimates and have it installed in less than a week. I didn't want my friend who was staying to take care of our animals to have to worry about keeping a fire going. Funds are stretched here already and a new furnace was not in the budget. Ugh. We had the new furnace installed on Wednesday and we left on Thursday morning. Talk about cutting it close! Along with having a furnace installed, my husband calls me on Wed while I am at work and tells me that our one horse is sick again. He had an issue in the past, which we thought had been dealt with and it resurfaced the day before we leave. STRESS, STRESS, STRESS! Call in to the vet but it is after hours by now. It is not a life-threatening issue but one that I don't want to be unattended to while we are gone. Needless to say, I was having second thoughts about this trip with all the problems we have been having.

We left our house around 3:45 am and arrived at our off-site airport parking about an hour later. We had a 6:30 flight out of Philly. We found a great parking service that will take you to the airport in your own car, drop you off and then pick you up in your own car when you come back. For an extra fee, at pickup, you can leave straight from the airport and they will get a ride back to the lot. Very convenient!

We finally arrived for the flight and there were a lot of other runners on this flight as well. We were all pretty quiet due to the early hour I think. In no time, we were boarding and then waiting to taxi.

I was still pretty stressed having not heard from the vet yet. I just didn't have the normal Disney excitement. I tried to sit back and enjoy the ride. We did have a beautiful sunrise!

Soon we were passing over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel system. Looks neat from the air.

Starting to descend into the Orlando area, I see the Port Canaveral area! Kind of need another cruise! (at least I think it might be Port Canaveral)

 

[Ariel484]

Woohoo! One race down, one to go!

I didn't know you took a pic of us at Mad Tea Party! I LOVE that picture of the castle after you guys ran through! And I am glad Dan got his two must-have pictures. The Jessie pic made me LOL!

 

[Kristia]

Kristy- Love the report so far. Can't wait to hear about the marathon run!
Little disconcerning about the crowds I hope Disney reconsiders the amount of participants for future events.

Somehow I doubt it! As long as they are making money at it, I think it will continue. They have definitely reached their limit for the 1/2 and Marathon. In 2011, the 1/2 had 27000 people but they capped the full around 17000 I think. They added more spots this year since it was the 20th anniversary so it will be interesting to see if they keep those spots in the future. Thanks for reading! You will get a big shout out during the full for texting me to keep me going! I was definitely struggling that day and you really helped me out! Thank you!!!

 

[Kristia]

Woohoo! One race down, one to go!

I didn't know you took a pic of us at Mad Tea Party! I LOVE that picture of the castle after you guys ran through! And I am glad Dan got his two must-have pictures. The Jessie pic made me LOL!

I wish I got a better picture of you guys. My niece will get a kick out of the Q of H too! Luckily I got a better, less blurry pic of Alice later in the trip. That castle really did look great that morning. I don't think I noticed it much during the full. Just wanted to be done that day!

 

[fmingo36]

Somehow I doubt it! As long as they are making money at it, I think it will continue.

I agree but I think if enough people complain and people state they will not sign up for another RUNDisney event then maybe they will reconsider. They have to start considering the safety of the runners. 27,000 runners tripping over each other for 5 miles is not a good thing.

Thanks for reading! You will get a big shout out during the full for texting me to keep me going! I was definitely struggling that day and you really helped me out! Thank you!!!

Can't wait!

 

[Kristia]

After a much needed nap, we decided to spend the afternoon at MK. Love this statue outside of BCV!

After entering MK, we stopped for our first photopass pic! Still haven't gotten my CD yet. There was a security guard that was joking around with the photographer and he offered to take our pic with my camera. Thank you Mr. Security Guard!

We planned to stay at MK till about 6 because we needed a good night's sleep for the marathon tomorrow. My throat was still dry and scratchy, so I bought some water and tried to stay hydrated. First order of business was to try to get some FP for Peter Pan. Unfortunately the return time was already for 6:15-7:15. As we stood discussing weather we should get them, a nice lady came up and offered to give us her fastpasses. They had gotten extras because the ride had broken down while they were in line and they were given anytime fastpasses. Awesome!! Thank you! The return time on her FP was 4:00 or so. That works!

In the meantime, we went to see Philharmagic. We needed some nice relaxing attractions.

I think we just did some shopping and walked around. I am not totally sure because, again, my pictures are a little lacking! We picked up some FPs for BTMRR which about the same window as Peter Pan.

We planned on an early dinner and in Nov 2011, Dan had Chicken Parm at Pinnochios. We figured chicken and pasta would be a good pre-marathon dinner. Unfortunately we found that they no longer serve this at Pinnochios. Our second choice was something at Tortuga Tavern but that wasn't open. The sign outside of Tortuga suggested we try Pecos Bills for some offerings that Tortuga had. So off we go to Pecos Bills. Finally some dinner! Dan had steak, bbq pork, some kind of black bean side dish and corn bread. He said it was delicious and was surprised that the steak was pretty good for a QS restaurant. I had a chicken wrap with fries. The wrap was huge! I couldn't quite finish it so Dan finished mine along with his own. The cornbread was awesome too.

I took some pics in Liberty Square on our way to use our FPs for Peter Pan.

 

[Ariel484]

I love that statue in front of BCV too. And not a bad pic at all from the security guard!

That steak does look pretty good! So that is something they would normally have at Tortuga? I have had that chicken wrap, and you're right...very tasty!

 

[Kristia]

I love that statue in front of BCV too. And not a bad pic at all from the security guard!

That steak does look pretty good! So that is something they would normally have at Tortuga? I have had that chicken wrap, and you're right...very tasty!

Not sure about the steak in Tortuga. We had never been there before and Dan has always wanted to try it. He loves burritos and tacos, but they didn't have those at Pecos. They only had a taco salad.

 

[Kristia]

After dinner, we skedaddled over to take a ride on BTMRR. I tried to take some on ride photos. Boy was that tough! Next to impossible actually! We were seated in the very last row and that was the wildest ride I have ever had on that train LOL. Everytime we went over a hill, I could feel myself flying up and out of the seat! It was tons of fun but not for picture taking. Here are a few that worked.

Much easier to take them from the ground.

After our rip-roaring ride, we went for a gentler ride at PPF.

We still had a little time before we wanted to leave so Dan allowed me to partake in a guilty pleasure. We went to see CBJ. Last time we were here, we missed it. I think I like it mainly for nostalgic reasons but it is still cute and fun to see. Definitely not one of Dan's favorites but he puts up with it for me!

The show is a little shorter than it used to be, but you could really tell that all the bears had been re-furred. They were all so dark! I wonder if they were this dark when the the attraction first opened?

This bear definitely looked so different!

 

[Kristia]

After CBJ, we called it a night. On our way out, I bought some water (still had dry, scratchy throat) and some cinnamon sugar glazed almonds for a snack.

 

[Kristia]

We got back to the room and made sure our supplies were ready for tomorrow. Shoes, camera, clothes, running belts stocked with necessities (GU Peach Tea Chomps, tissues, chapstick), protein/nutbars for breakfast, etc.

I went out on the balcony for a few minutes and said goodnight to SE. We will be seeing you in a few hours! Gotta love that view!

We went to bed and were soon awakened by Epcots fireworks. I groggily listened to them and then fell asleep after they were over.

The next morning we were up again at 2:30 am. Unfortunately overnight, my dry scratchy throat escalated to the start of a chest cold. I woke up coughing and feeling generally not great. This was going to be a tough day. I think there were only 2 things we did different this morning. The first was we both brought our water belts because we were concerned about the warm weather. The other thing was we left our check bags at the hotel. We didn't need them today because we were going right back to the hotel after the race so we didn't need to carry anything with us.

A bit after 3 am, we were out at the bus stop. This time, we only waited a few minutes and a totally empty bus picked us up. Yay! We nearly filled it and we went straight to the Epcot drop off. While I was on the bus, my friend from college (who I haven't seen in about 15+ years) texted me that she was on her bus and on her way too. She also informed me that she was so nervous she felt like she was going to puke LOL. It was her first marathon and she has been pretty freaked out about it for the past few months. Its kind of funny that we used to TRY to run in college and we might go a mile or two and feel like we were going to die. We never thought that either of us would run a marathon someday! Also we both live in Jersey and it takes going to FL to get together again!

After we got off the bus, I got another text that her bus had just pulled up too. We decided to wait for her to get off the bus so we keep her calm!

Two old college buds waiting to run a marathon!

We hung out close to the "W" tent hoping to meet up with some other WDWMagic runners but I somehow missed them. I think next time we need a sign LOL! Maybe I was a little too early?

Staging area

Marathon morning was much more organized than half marathon morning. The DJ called for certain corrals to start making their way to the starting line rather than just call everyone at once. I think around 4:15 we went to the holding area just after bag check to wait in a portapot line. My friend was waiting for her friend who was stuck on a bus. We waited with her till about 4:50 am. Her friend had finally arrived and was on her way. I wanted to start the walk to our corral. We were in corral C and she was in G. We wished each other good luck and hoped to meet after the finish. We also threw away our "cold weather" clothes that we didn't really need.

On our way to the corrals, I was surprised to see the Fairy Godmother along the roadway! Never saw a character there before! She caught me by surprise so I didn't get a pic. She had quite the line going too.

So...there we are hangin' in good ole corral C. I have deja vu. Didn't we just do this? I sure felt better yesterday. Just like yesterday, the DJ pumps up the crowd and the national anthem is sung.

And Corral A starts with fireworks in front and behind! One thing we noticed was absent were the giant flames when you ran through the start. Was that because the weather was so warm? I remember being chilly in 2011 and it felt so good to feel those flames. Yeah, I think I am thankful they weren't there this year.

Slowly moving up!

Those fireworks are for us!

Let's do this!

Hope to see you at the finish if I make it!

So, I couldn't have been more than 100 feet from the start line, doing a slow jog (due the crowds) and I start coughing. Dan looks at me with real worry and says, "Are you going to be able to do this?" I think I said something like "I have too". Ugh, it was going to be a long day.

 

[Ariel484]

You were running into people all over the place that weekend! Sad that you missed the meet-up though.

I'm so sorry you got sick...that sucks.

So weird how everything was just a little more organized the morning of the marathon compared to the half...?? Same amount of people, right? I don't get it.

 

[LindsayLoves]

I can not even imagine running 26.2 miles feeling under the weather. You are a real trooper for sticking it out! I am glad to hear they got their act together in the day between the half and the full, it was pretty seamless to move from the ready area to the corrals (it was pretty packed on the road the whole way there but we never stopped moving).

 

[Katherine]

Sorry you felt crummy. Hope the marathon didn't hurt you too much. Can't wait to read the rest of your report!

 

[Kristia]

You were running into people all over the place that weekend! Sad that you missed the meet-up though.

I'm so sorry you got sick...that sucks.

So weird how everything was just a little more organized the morning of the marathon compared to the half...?? Same amount of people, right? I don't get it.

I can not even imagine running 26.2 miles feeling under the weather. You are a real trooper for sticking it out! I am glad to hear they got their act together in the day between the half and the full, it was pretty seamless to move from the ready area to the corrals (it was pretty packed on the road the whole way there but we never stopped moving).

Thanks..I did suck being sick! I haven't had a cold in 3 years and I get one this day..REALLY? Hopefully it won't happen again! I don't know why they didn't have their act together the first day. The half is always crowded so it seems like this would be old hat for Disney. I think it was the same amount for the full. I don't know why the big difference.

 

[Kristia]

Sorry you felt crummy. Hope the marathon didn't hurt you too much. Can't wait to read the rest of your report!

Thanks! I actually felt better the second half then the first but more on that to follow!

 

[fmingo36]

Kristy...I feel your pain. My first 1/2 marathon was the Princess 1/2 in 2010 and I woke up the day before the race with stomach issues. I had no appetite the whole day. Even canceled dinner reservations at Teppan Edo!
The day of the race, I couldn't even drink water without getting this horrible fowl tasting burping. I remember thinking "how am I going to get through this?" but I did-- not a pretty as I wanted my first race to be but i did it. I'm not sure which is worse the physical sickness or the mental anguish of knowing how hard you've trained for the race and not being 100%.

 

[Sumrdog]

So, I couldn't have been more than 100 feet from the start line, doing a slow jog (due the crowds) and I start coughing. Dan looks at me with real worry and says, "Are you going to be able to do this?" I think I said something like "I have too". Ugh, it was going to be a long day.

I am really enjoying your trip report!

That stinks about getting sick, I can totally relate, I ran my only marathon with a stomach flu, it was torture, but there was no way I wasn't going to finish, since I had worked so hard and paid so much money to enter.

I am looking forward to reading how the marathon went, you left us hanging!

 

[Kristia]

Kristy...I feel your pain. My first 1/2 marathon was the Princess 1/2 in 2010 and I woke up the day before the race with stomach issues. I had no appetite the whole day. Even canceled dinner reservations at Teppan Edo!
The day of the race, I couldn't even drink water without getting this horrible fowl tasting burping. I remember thinking "how am I going to get through this?" but I did-- not a pretty as I wanted my first race to be but i did it. I'm not sure which is worse the physical sickness or the mental anguish of knowing how hard you've trained for the race and not being 100%.

That stinks about your Princess 1/2 experience. I think the mental anguish is worse. We were so pumped going in because our training runs had been going so well and we were on track to crush our previous marathon time. When I came back, people didn't understand why I was kind of meh about finishing. They kept saying "but you did it!" and I was still meh. I know it is a super accomplishment but wish it was better.

I am really enjoying your trip report!

That stinks about getting sick, I can totally relate, I ran my only marathon with a stomach flu, it was torture, but there was no way I wasn't going to finish, since I had worked so hard and paid so much money to enter.

I am looking forward to reading how the marathon went, you left us hanging!

Glad you are enjoying! Thank goodness I didn't have stomach flu! I really don't think I could have handled that. I probably wouldn't have even started. Kudos for you sticking that torture out! Hopefully I will do an update tonight!

 

[Mrs.Skellington]

Following along. My dream is to run through Disney. One of these days I will!!!

 

[Kristia]

Following along. My dream is to run through Disney. One of these days I will!!!

Thanks for reading! Despite my being sick, it really is the best place to run!