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)

 

[Kristia]

Glad you made it your lunch at Le Cellier! Having a reservation is a good plan for after the race to motivate you out of the hotel.

Also yay for people passing off Fastpasses! In my experience it always comes at the best time, there was an hour long standby wait for ToT and a guy just walked up and gave us Fast Passes that were currently valid because his family decided that they didn't want to ride again after going through standby.

I loved chatting with other runners the whole weekend, it made standing in lines fly by with some interesting conversation.

Yeah, I am glad we forced ourselves to go. We really did feel better after walking a bit. I think this was the first trip that we had people give us fastpasses. It was so nice!

HOORAY for The Stick! It hurts so good.

Congrats on getting out the door and making it to your ADR! That's so funny about the medals...last year I was in line to meet Goofy and the girl in front of me asked where I got my Mickey medal. I told her I'd run the marathon and she looked at me like I was absolutely crazy...haha! Your Le Cellier review is very timely - we haven't been there since 2011 (right before it went Signature - we decided that we probably weren't going back once it made the switch) and last night Will was wondering out loud whether it was any good...and then I read about your meal. Sounds like we'll keep avoiding it.

I had a reservation for breakfast at Cape May last year and canceled it ahead of time...sounds like it's a good thing I did! I'm sorry it wasn't very good for you guys.

BEAUTIFUL Yacht Club pictures! Love the colors.

I'm right there with you on RNRC...I can barely handle that thing on a good day. Love that TSMM queue. That's awesome that you guys got some fastpasses this time around! Can't beat that.

Yep! The Stick! Best purchase ever!

Yeah the one guy thought we were crazy too! He said, "Guess I am never getting one of those!". Not sure when you are going next, but we are going in August and I just made my sis and her husband an ADR there. I will let you know what they think. They wanted to go there for their date night while we watch the munchkin! And Cape May....if you go, go for dinner. I thought that was much better although that was 2009.

Thanks about the pictures! Easy to take beautiful pictures at such a beautiful place!

You ran a marathon then walked to DHS from EPCOT? Impressive!

Awesome that you got those fastpasses. Nice way to cap off the day.

We are tough cookies lol! The surprise fastpasses were awesome!

Congratulations on finishing! Especially with your not being at your best, that's such a great accomplishment. Y'all are amazing!

Thank you!!!

 

[Kristia]

Congrats on toughing it out and finishing. I can't even imagine that.

Of course, I may have to "imagine" running from now on, as I went to the doctor a couple weeks ago with lower back pain, which was occasionally excruciating, and he diagnosed early stages of arthritis and "cannot recommend" continuing to run, since the constant pounding could make it worse. Suggested I take up cycling.

That really stinks. I have had back pain too off and on, mostly from muscle cramping and rotated vertebrae which is easily fixed with some back manipulations. Hopefully you will find something you enjoy as much as running. Getting old stinks! My knees aren't quite what they used to be, but so far they are holding up.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Wow! Tacky chick at mile 22!!
I'm so impressed that you were walking so much after all that racing too!!
Well I'm just flat out impressed by that much racing.

 

[Kristia]

Wow! Tacky chick at mile 22!!
I'm so impressed that you were walking so much after all that racing too!!
Well I'm just flat out impressed by that much racing.

Thanks!

 

[Tiggerish]

That really stinks. I have had back pain too off and on, mostly from muscle cramping and rotated vertebrae which is easily fixed with some back manipulations. Hopefully you will find something you enjoy as much as running. Getting old stinks! My knees aren't quite what they used to be, but so far they are holding up.

I'd only just started running, Kristia, so I didn't "love" it yet, although I was enjoying it. Thought that someday I could aspire to a half-marathon. Running was definitely second to my usual aerobics with weights routine, which I can still do. I'm afraid if I took up cycling, I'd ruin my knees!! As for getting old, it sure beats the alternative. Maybe from now on I'll just walk the heck out of a 5K.

 

[Kristia]

I'd only just started running, Kristia, so I didn't "love" it yet, although I was enjoying it. Thought that someday I could aspire to a half-marathon. Running was definitely second to my usual aerobics with weights routine, which I can still do. I'm afraid if I took up cycling, I'd ruin my knees!! As for getting old, it sure beats the alternative. Maybe from now on I'll just walk the heck out of a 5K.

Actually, I think cycling is really good for your knees. It doesn't have the impact that running has yet it keeps them moving. When I was rehabbing my knee, I did all biking. They use bike work for a lot of different knee rehabs, so I think your knees would be fine with that.

 

[Ariel484]

I'd only just started running, Kristia, so I didn't "love" it yet, although I was enjoying it. Thought that someday I could aspire to a half-marathon. Running was definitely second to my usual aerobics with weights routine, which I can still do. I'm afraid if I took up cycling, I'd ruin my knees!! As for getting old, it sure beats the alternative. Maybe from now on I'll just walk the heck out of a 5K.

Actually, I think cycling is really good for your knees. It doesn't have the impact that running has yet it keeps them moving. When I was rehabbing my knee, I did all biking. They use bike work for a lot of different knee rehabs, so I think your knees would be fine with that.

Cycling never agreed with my knees...maybe because I didn't do it enough to actually get good at it.

@Tiggerish - on another board I read about a guy that walks all of the Disney races (this year he did the 5K, half and full). His half marathon PR (Personal Record) for walking is 2:11 or something...faster than my half marathon PR when I'm running! So it's definitely possible to walk the races within the allotted time if you know how to do it correctly.

 

[Kristia]

Cycling never agreed with my knees...maybe because I didn't do it enough to actually get good at it.

@Tiggerish - on another board I read about a guy that walks all of the Disney races (this year he did the 5K, half and full). His half marathon PR (Personal Record) for walking is 2:11 or something...faster than my half marathon PR when I'm running! So it's definitely possible to walk the races within the allotted time if you know how to do it correctly.

In nearly every race I do, I have at least one walker pass me! I am amazed at how fast some of them can go. I find walking fast tougher than running!

 

[Ariel484]

In nearly every race I do, I have at least one walker pass me! I am amazed at how fast some of them can go. I find walking fast tougher than running!

I know! I don't understand how it's physically possible to walk that fast! I think that guy said his marathon PR is 4:54 or something...crazy!

 

[Tiggerish]

Thanks for the encouragement, ladies!! I don't know if I could go for that wobbly-gaited "race-walking", but I am a pretty brisk regular walker, I think I can maintain a 15-minute mile, although I've never deliberately walked more than a couple of miles. Something to shoot for! And maybe I could get hubby to join me walking--he never had any interest in running.

 

[Ariel484]

Thanks for the encouragement, ladies!! I don't know if I could go for that wobbly-gaited "race-walking", but I am a pretty brisk regular walker, I think I can maintain a 15-minute mile, although I've never deliberately walked more than a couple of miles. Something to shoot for! And maybe I could get hubby to join me walking--he never had any interest in running.

I think this is what the guy referenced when it came to good walking form: http://www.chiwalking.com/ Hope your back is feeling better!

 

[Sumrdog]

In nearly every race I do, I have at least one walker pass me! I am amazed at how fast some of them can go. I find walking fast tougher than running!

That has happened to me too! I just can't get the whole rhythm of the fast walk going for me...

 

[Kristia]

We got the photos that we ordered from Marathonfoto. The first 3 are from the half and the last one is during the marathon.

 

[Kristia]

After Dan rode RNRC, we made our way to the exit.

There was one thing that I really wanted to do on this trip and I had yet to do it. I LOVE Illuminations and I hadn't been able to see it yet. Illuminatiohens is my favorite nighttime show at WDW. I just love the music and it gets me everytime.

After walking all day, we opted to take the boat to Epcot, rather than tackling the walk. We actually took a little walk as we got off at YC because we figured we could make it to Epcot faster than the boat since it still had to make a stop at BW. We were right! We arrived at Epcot with about 2 hours till Illuminations. We walked around WS for a bit before the show.

Our photopass pic in front of France

Dan stopped for a potty break and a fellow Goofy runner struck up a conversation with me. He was waiting for his wife. They had run the half last year and went straight for Goofy this year! His wife came out and we talked to them for a little bit. They said the same thing as us.....NEVER AGAIN! Apparently they had a bit of a rough time, but finished. Wonder if they have changed their minds like us! She did say she would do it again if they made doing the Dopey official and offered a special medal if you did all 3 races. She was all about the medals lol! Aren't we all! Very nice, funny people!

We took a ride on Maelstrom since there was no wait. When we came out, it was time to find a place to watch Illuminations. I was amazed how many people had lined up while we were at Maelstrom. There was almost no one when we went in!

We found a spot. It wasn't the greatest since there was a big tree blocking our view but it was ok. I didn't take any pictures and just enjoyed the show.

After, it was time to go back to the room and pack up. Luckily, we still had most of the day to enjoy tomorrow since were were able to get a late flight home. I hate last days!

 

[fmingo36]

In nearly every race I do, I have at least one walker pass me! I am amazed at how fast some of them can go. I find walking fast tougher than running!

I am a very fast walker and a very slow runner.

 

[Bama14]

Glad you made it your lunch at Le Cellier! Having a reservation is a good plan for after the race to motivate you out of the hotel.

Also yay for people passing off Fastpasses! In my experience it always comes at the best time, there was an hour long standby wait for ToT and a guy just walked up and gave us Fast Passes that were currently valid because his family decided that they didn't want to ride again after going through standby.

I loved chatting with other runners the whole weekend, it made standing in lines fly by with some interesting conversation.

We passed some TSMM to a couple on our last trip. My son was getting hot and grumpy which meant it was time for a rest. We still had an hour before our FP was up so we passed a couple and offered them. Apparantly they had just come back from trying to get some, but the passes were all out and there was a long wait. Glad to be able to help some fellow Disney travellers.

 

[Kristia]

I am a very fast walker and a very slow runner.

I am a slow walker AND a slow runner! Even walking as fast as I can, I can barely keep a 16 min mile going!

 

[Tidbit]

I know! I don't understand how it's physically possible to walk that fast! I think that guy said his marathon PR is 4:54 or something...crazy!

I walk crazy fast, and when I do the ToT in 2014 I plan to walk it. I already walk a 14min mile pace just walking, and I only need to keep a 16min mile pace! I am working on be able to walk faster! I can't handle the "impact" that my back gets from the pavement while running, however, I do plan to do a little jogging if I stop to much for pictures! All of you runners/walkers that I have read trip reports about your time has got me excited!

 

[Kristia]

Ok! I am off work today due to President's Day, so I decided to try and finally finish this trip report!

As I was looking at my pictures, I saw on our photopass pic that we have on wristbands. I totally forgot that after breakfast, we didn't go straight to DHS. We decided to relax for a couple hours at Stormalong Bay! How could I forget that? I know how...because I didn't take any pictures! I usually don't take notes and write my trip reports according to my photos. Guess that'll learn me! Maybe I will take notes next time. When we booked Beach Club, one of the things that I really wanted to do was swim in Stormalong Bay. I thought it was probably a long shot because January weather is usually too cool for swimming. Not this trip! We were in luck as the temp was in the high 70's by the time we made it to the pool. We snoozed in the sun for a bit and then went for a swim. LOVE the sand bottom! It felt so soothing on my feet. We enjoyed the lazy river, although it wasn't so lazy for us! We thought we would just walk it to check it out, but were surprised to find that it is 8ft deep in spots. We had to swim a lot of it but it was still fun. They have life vests to where if you want to float along it. I think I saw some tubes off to the side too but not sure. There was no one else in the river section of the pool so it was nice and quiet. After a bit we got out and snoozed in the sun some more. Soon the clouds rolled in and it got a little chilly. We decided to head to DHS around this time.

So....fast forward back to our last night. We went back to our room and packed all our junk. First we stopped at the Marketplace. I bought a Beach Club tshirt and I finally broke down and got a Villains Vinylmation. I have been sucked in.

We went back to the room and I opened my Vinylmation. As you might remember, I was hoping for Si/Am from Lady and the Tramp or Chernabog.

And I got.......

Yay! Score! We finished packing and went to bed.

The next morning we got up and went down to the Marketplace to have some breakfast. I think I had a yogurt parfait and I can't remember what Dan had. After breakfast, we went back to the room to collect all our stuff and lugged to airline checkin. Our flight wasn't until 8:30 pm so we had to be back for ME pickup at 5:35. We left our carryon bags with bell services and waited for a bus to MK. Dan tried his hand at photography while we waited.

Shortly after we arrived at the bus stop, a bus pulled up and we were on our way. On the bus, we sat across from this really odd couple. First of all, they just looked like a very odd match (and that is all I will say about that). Second, they were eating muffins and the guy ate his muffin very grossly. He would tear off a tiny piece and eat it. After each teeny tiny piece, he would lick his fingers. It was really grossing me. Then, when I thought it couldn't get any grosser, his wife started kissing and biting his arm. REALLY? He was totally ignoring her while she was doing this. It was the weirdest, most gross thing. I thought I was going to lose my parfait but like a car accident, you just can't look away.

Thankfully we arrived at the MK and I was able to pull myself away from the carnival show!

Ahhh......this is a nicer sight!

We went straight to Space Mountain to get some fastpasses. The wait till our ride time was only about an hour or so.

 

[Kristia]

COP is always a favorite of ours and there was no wait so it was a no brainer! Now, I never take pictures inside COP as they always make an announcement that NO photography is allowed and I try to respect the rules. Not sure why this is the only attraction that I know of where they say no photography rather than no flash photography.

While waiting for SM return time, we went to see Monsters Inc and took a spin with Buzz.

Soon it was time for SM! It seems like that ride gets rougher everytime I ride it!

Love these retro signs!

We caught this guy in action and there was a little boy that was fascinated with his drawing.

He let the boy give it a try! How awesome!

Without a definite plan, we decided to just walk and see where we ended up. I caught this neat scene. Notice Alice in the backround.

We ended up in Adventureland!

Time to see some Tiki birds!