A Procrastinator's Super Late 2011 Marathon Trip Report!

Hi All! As I await our trip in November, I spend a lot of time reading others trip reports and I really enjoy them. It immensely helps to pass the time before we embark on yet another trip to our favorite vacation destination. I had always planned on writing a trip report on our Disney Marathon, but life got in the way and I didn't get around to it. I keep receiving emails about next year's marathon and it brings about mixed feelings. On the one hand, I am happy to not have to put in the grueling miles of preparation to prepare for it but also pangs of jealousy for those that are doing it because it was such an awesome experience.

So to relive the experience and to psych myself up for the next trip, I decide to write this much delayed trip report. I think it will be mostly pics with a short narrative as so much time has passed. I hope you enjoy!

On to the report!
Cast of Characters: My husband, Dan and myself, Kristi
Stayed at Coronado Springs from Jan 7-14, 2011

My short backround story to our madness begins in October of 2009 when I read Hollybelle's Marathon Trip Report. I thought it sounded like such a great time that I somehow convinced my husband that we should do it in 2011. Keep in mind that I have never been a runner. I could barely run a mile when we started training. We started with the Couch To 5K program. We entered a few 5ks then a 5 miler. In August, I injured my knee and it looked as though the marathon was in jeopardy. Luckily my husband is a PT and rehabbed my knee. We continued training with me back to running in October. In December, we had worked up to a long run of 15 miles. That was the longest run we were able to get in before the marathon, so we were a little worried but figured we would just go, have fun and make the most of the experience.

We took a later flight on Friday from Atlantic City to Orlando. The plane left around 6:30 pm. We landed in Orlando around 9 pm. The line for Magical Express was pretty long.
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I was surprised because we usually land in the early morning and are able to get right on the bus. We waited about 45 min before we were able to board the bus. We were starting to get pretty tired and hungry. We were looking forward to seeing Coronado Springs since this is the first time we would be staying at this resort. We were the second stop and starving by this point.

We checked in at a empty registration. We had done online check in but I guess that didn't matter since we were the only ones.

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By the time we got there, checked in and dropped off our luggage, the counter service was closed. There was a menu stuffed under our door for a pizza place that delivered. Dan talked me into letting him order pizza. Unfortunately it would take 45 min for the pizza to be delivered. That meant dinner at midnight! Yay! And we had to be up and on a bus around 3 am to cheer on my friend who was running the half marathon.

The pizza delivery guy would call Dan on his cell when he arrived at the front of the resort. I wandered around taking some pics while waiting.
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Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Isn't it crazy, all the stuff one needs for a long race??? :lol:

I think that is part of the reason I dread my long runs. It takes so much time getting everything together and making sure I have everything. Runs under 5 miles, I just take my music and my watch. I can do it spur of the moment.
 

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
Yes, you run the half marathon on Saturday and the full marathon the next day! :eek:

EDITED TO ADD: And if you run the 5K on Friday (so the three races 3 days in a row) it's unofficially known as the Dopey challenge! :eek: :eek:

ZOMG! That's craziness right there!! I might keel over if I ran all that!! lol.. My aunt does run 20+ miles a day, in the Florida heat and humidity, so she's prepared for it. Kudos to anyone who runs any kind of race... 5k, 10k, full, half... Finishing one of those is a good accomplishment :D
 

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
I don't know why I love marathon trip reports, but I do! I'm glad you're writing it! Ya'll were so nice to get up and watch your friend on 2 hours of sleep!! :)
 

Ariel484

Well-Known Member
ZOMG! That's craziness right there!! I might keel over if I ran all that!! lol.. My aunt does run 20+ miles a day, in the Florida heat and humidity, so she's prepared for it. Kudos to anyone who runs any kind of race... 5k, 10k, full, half... Finishing one of those is a good accomplishment :D

Wow, props to your aunt. I am a huge baby when it comes to running in heat/humidity...

...sorry for the thread drift, Kristi! :o
 

Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I don't know why I love marathon trip reports, but I do! I'm glad you're writing it! Ya'll were so nice to get up and watch your friend on 2 hours of sleep!! :)
Glad you are enjoying it! I figured I had to watch her since she would be doing the same for us the next day. Although she was able to get a bit more sleep before coming to see us!

Wow, props to your aunt. I am a huge baby when it comes to running in heat/humidity...

...sorry for the thread drift, Kristi! :o

:lol: No worries!
 

Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Continuing towards the TTC we saw some old fashion bikes.
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Hello Trono-rail! Dan made it a point to catch the Trono-rail whenever possible :)

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Just before Mile 9 we entered the TTC area.

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Mile 9! The Magic Kingdom is a little over a mile away!

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Here we are about to run under the water canal that connects Bay Lake to the Seven Seas Lagoon.

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Hello Contemporary and spectators!

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I should mention that the pace group had gotten pretty far ahead of us. There was no way we could catch up. So much for that plan :ROFLOL: But that's ok. We were still having a good time!
 

Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I see Space Mountain looming in the distance! Woohoo!

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Mile 10! More than 1/3 of the way there!

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After Mile 10, passed into the backstage area of the Magic Kingdom via a service entrance.

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We entered Main Street and had crowds of people cheering us on! What a rush!

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Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We headed down Main Street and hung a right into Tomorrowland. Dan and I made a quick pit stop at the restrooms. Our only pit stop of the whole race! I think I took some salt tabs and a gel at this point.

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We came back through Fantasyland and headed towards the castle. Throughout the race we did see quite a few characters, but we were afraid to stop and loose time. We weren't sure how much wiggle room we had. Most of the characters we saw had lines and we didn't want to chance it.

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We ran through the castle to the sound of trumpeters. Here is my ASI photo. Sadly Dan's castle photo is MIA :(

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We came out of the castle and went to the right over the bridge for Liberty Square and then on to Frontierland.

Woody and Jessie greeting runners.

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Dan is deliriously happy that we have made it to Mile 11! Actually, we were still feeling pretty good and making decent time even though we lost the pace group.

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Sadly though we were getting ready to leave the Magic Kingdom and it was a long haul to the next park, Animal Kingdom.

Hello train! I recognized the engineers from Hollybelle's marathon report!

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Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We left Magic Kingdom near Splash Mountain and came across some pirates backstage. Dan regrets not stopping for a photo op. Next time!

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Mile 12! Leaving the Magic Kingdom...Onward to conquer Animal Kingdom!

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More tomorrow!
 

Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We had left Magic Kingdom and were now heading towards the Grand Floridian. We saw Mary Poppins, Bert and a runner that was dressed as Peter Pan.

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I had to get a pic of the carousel horse. As you may be able to tell from my avatar, I love them!

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Near the wedding pavillion, we passed the "wedding singer". He was singing "Sway with Me". Love that song and it gave me a little energy boost!

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We passed the golf courses. I tried to snap a pic of golfer Mickey and Goofy but someone stepped right in front of me. Dang it! Oh well. Their line was really long, so we continued onward.
 

Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Holey Moley! Mile 13 already! We are halfway there and feeling awesome! We have been running most of the time with a minute walk at each mile marker.

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Hmmmm....an accordian band? Ok!

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Dan tries to get some good mojo from an Adventurer's Club guy (forgive me, I don't know their names :)) as we start down the long boring Bear Island Road. Dan rubbed the skull head as we ran by.

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We saw a few characters on this road and I think they had food stop around here as well. We grabbed some bananas and continued. We saw Davy Crockett and Thumper with Miss Bunny on the road. I think they had some Country Bears out here but I don't have a picture of them.


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Mile 14! Ok, it is starting to get a little tough now. Everytime I stop, my knee aches a bit. Running actually makes it feel better! My feet are burning and my muscles are starting to ache. Hopefully the banana energy will kick in soon and we will get a second wind!

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Mile 15! Looks like there was a water stop here:ROFLOL:

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Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Look at that! It is the end of Bear Island Road! Yay! Animal Kingdom is not far now.

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We came upon Zorro and his horse. Made me think of my horse at home. Looks like mine except mine is just a little smaller.

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I think around this point, we passed by the wastewater treatment plant. Peeee yew! A little bit stinky!

We soon saw some CMs with animals. Thank goodness, we were approaching Animal Kingdom. Finally another park!

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Backstage AK buildings - Rhino Housing

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Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
As we entered Animal Kingdom we were greeted by Rafiki and African drummers. I tried to get Dan to stop for Flik, who had no line, but he was running ahead and didn't hear me.

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We ran by Expedition Everest on our way to Mile 17.

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Our ASI photos heading towards Expedition Everest

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Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
ASI photo after leaving Everest and on way to Dinoland!

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There's Mile 17...quite a significant mile since we can now begin to count down the miles in single digits! 9 to go! I can finally visualize us finishing this now!

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There's Mickey with his Jammin' Jungle float. They had a few other floats from the parade out as well.

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We did a kind of loop around the parking lot and headed out. Just before leaving the parking area, we hit mile 18. A nice lady took our picture in front of the mile marker in exchange for me taking one of her.

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We were now really starting to feel the pain. Sometime around Mile 19 we had to stop and stretch our calves and quads. We were both cramping up.

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A little entertainment from stilt walkers

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Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Mile 20! We had arrived at the dreaded killer out and back section of the course.

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Out....

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and back! Woohoo! People behind us as far as I can see! I don't think we will be swept. According to the clock we have about 2 hours to go 6 miles.

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At the turn around to head back, they had a jumbotron screen that captured you as you ran by. The announcer was making comments and calling out hometowns as people ran by. That was kind of fun.

I remember coming up to Mile 21 and hearing the song "Sweet Caroline" which put a much needed spring in my step...."Oh, Sweeeet Caroline...bum, bum, bum...good times never seem so good" Yes, I am a dork :lol:

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Stay tuned tomorrow for our only picture with a character and our finish!
 

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
You guys are doing great so far! I know when we run the Wine and Dine, we will definitely be stopping for character pics. That's actually one of the reasons we want to do it!! :)
 

MKCP 1985

Well-Known Member
Great job capturing the experiences of the dreaded 18-21 mile stretch where many hit the wall. How did you feel through that particular portion of the race? Sounds like you breezed through!

Your photos have been so complete - did you see the Haunted Mansion gravediggers outside the exit to the Animal Kingdom park?
 

Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
You guys are doing great so far! I know when we run the Wine and Dine, we will definitely be stopping for character pics. That's actually one of the reasons we want to do it!! :)

Now that I have done a race like this, I am hoping at the next one I will be more confident time-wise and be able to stop for pics. Hopefully I will be able to submit a time and get a better corral placement too. We have a half marathon coming up this weekend in Seaside, NJ this weekend. Won't be as fun as Disney though.

Great job capturing the experiences of the dreaded 18-21 mile stretch where many hit the wall. How did you feel through that particular portion of the race? Sounds like you breezed through
Your photos have been so complete - did you see the Haunted Mansion gravediggers outside the exit to the Animal Kingdom park?
I did see the gravediggers! I got pictures of everything else, I can't believe I didn't get them. I would have loved a pic, but at that point, I don't think I would have been able to get up. We definitely weren't breezing by 18-21. We were definitely feeling the pain and did walk a bit in those miles. I think I really hit a wall around Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach etc.

What a great marathon report! Can't wait to see how the last few miles go.
Thanks! Hopefully will update tonight. If not, definitely tomorrow night.
 

Kristia

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I'm back.....

After we passed Mile 21 we made our way up and around and the on ramp for the road that goes to Hollywood Studios (sorry, not good with road names!). As we got to the top of the on ramp, there was a green army man shouting orders to us. Dan couldn't resist a photo and there was no line. So this is our only character photo:lol:

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Mile 21! Only 4 miles left, but we hadn't even hit the Studios yet. It felt like we still had forever to go!

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Finally we have reach the Studios!

Hello Incredibles!

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Hello Russell!

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We probably should have stopped for pics here. There were no lines. I figure that most people probably just wanted to be done like we did. We were so close, but so far!

Dan loves planes so he stopped for this photo op.

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