Poor Unfortunate Soles: A 2013 Marathon Weekend (5K, Half and Full Marathon) Trip Report!

Another Marathon Weekend at Disney has come to a close. Let me tell you about it!

The cast includes me (Shannon, 28), my husband Will (27), my brother Craig (aka Princess Craiggy, 26), my mom, Kriss, my aunt Laurie, and my mom’s childhood best friend Barb. I got no photo of all 6 of us, and in fact have no photos at all of my mom, aunt or Barb (not my choice). Le sigh.

Anyhoo, as the title of this report suggests, this year I participated in the 5K, half marathon and full marathon (unofficially known as the Dopey Challenge) during Disney’s Marathon Weekend. Originally this trip was strictly for the Goofy Challenge (the half and full), but the idea of the 5K had been in the back of my mind for a while...eventually I pulled the trigger and signed up in August.

In my previous race reports (for the 2011 Princess Half and the 2012 WDW Full) I rambled on quite a bit about training. This time around I’m going to restrain myself. I actually did document my training on a different message board (not sure why I didn’t do it here…I guess I wanted it to be somewhere where I felt more “anonymous.” I’m weird), so if anyone is interested in reading about that, shoot me a PM and I’ll send you the link. Or if anyone wants the Cliff’s Notes version I can post that here too. I will say that I am extremely Type A and was very, very diligent when it came to preparing for these races. I should also warn you that you won’t find any speedy fast times here, but if you’re looking for a somewhat detailed play-by-play of all 3 races with lots of character pictures, you’ve come to the right place.

4 parks. 3 races. 42.4 miles. Let’s do this!

 

[Ariel484]

Now we were approaching Champion Stadium where the Braves practice for Spring Training. We took a VERY sharp turn to enter the ballpark. Didn't like that so much.

So remember that loop I said I'd watched on the WWoS channel, the one with the race info? One part of the loop had Bart Yasso (running legend and editor of Runner’s World magazine) describing the course. He said that the stands of Champion Stadium would be filled with tons of fans. He also said that the Mile 20 Spectacular would take place here. What's the Mile 20 Spectacular, you ask? It was some surprise that runDisney had been hyping for months – something they were working on in secret in honor of the 20th anniversary of the marathon that would knock our socks off.

Now, runDisney has a weird history with "surprises." Awhile back they put on an elaborate scavenger hunt to introduce a new race. It went on for weeks and resulted in them announcing the Tinkerbell Half Marathon. Obviously it’s great that Disneyland got another race, but making a huge deal out of what is essentially the West-cost version of the Princess Half marathon disappointed a lot of people. (Similarly there was a lot of fanfare around releasing the concept art for the special 20th anniversary marathon medal...but I DO think that the medal lived up to the hype.)

So when this surprise was announced months before the race I tried not to get my hopes up, but I was really hoping there would be tons of rare characters to meet. In particular I had visions of Steamboat Willie dancing in my head. On the other hand, runDisney had really annoyed me with the Tinkerbell Half stuff, so I also knew it was quite possible that after all this hype the big surprise would be seeing ourselves on the jumbo-tron in the stadium. One extreme or the other.

Anyway, we made the (way-too-sharp) turn into the stadium. Folks that had completed the lap around the warning track were heading out...nothing looked "spectacular."

The warning track gravel was nice - softer than the concrete - but kind of uneven. Where are the tons of fans??

So yeah, that was it. One lap around the track, a few fans, then gone. I think we were on the jumbo-tron but I totally missed myself. Had we been punk'd by runDisney again?

Blerg. The thought of getting my Goofy medal cheered me up!

Yasso saying the surprise was in the stadium had been confusing to me since the course map clearly indicated that mile 20 was OUTSIDE of the stadium. So I quickly decided that we just hadn't made it to the surprise yet. And despite the fact that I had tried not to think much about the surprise in the months leading up to the marathon, it suddenly became my motivation to get through WWoS. "Just keep going…you’re almost out and you’ll find the surprise."

 

[Disneyfalcon]

They got hit by a ball? Ouch!! That would have been a horrible surprise!

 

[LindsayLoves]

Glad that I wasn't the only one who thought the mile 20 thing was the stadium (thanks to that video). I was annoyed and a little depressed exiting the stadium because that was *it*, also my marathonphotos from in the stadium are me at my worst - unhappiness was written all over my face. I think there were more fans in the stadium when I went through, also WAY less runners it seems pretty packed in there from your photo around the warning track.

 

[Ariel484]

They got hit by a ball? Ouch!! That would have been a horrible surprise!

I know! I feel so bad for that person.

Glad that I wasn't the only one who thought the mile 20 thing was the stadium (thanks to that video). I was annoyed and a little depressed exiting the stadium because that was *it*, also my marathonphotos from in the stadium are me at my worst - unhappiness was written all over my face. I think there were more fans in the stadium when I went through, also WAY less runners it seems pretty packed in there from your photo around the warning track.

Yeah, after the person took my picture by the Goofy medal thing above I grabbed my camera back and was like "So, um...was that the surprise in the stadium?" She looked at me like I was totally nuts and didn't even know what the surprise was. But I definitely remember Yasso talking about the stadium and saying "It's here that runDisney has prepared the surprise" or whatever...that's what made me think it was tons of characters, because it would be a big space that wouldn't tie up traffic and was contained on Disney property.

There were probably more fans when you went in because you were there, like, an hour ahead of me! That's funny that you have marathonphoto pictures from there...I'm not sure if I do but if I did I'm sure I wouldn't look happy in mine either.

 

[Kristia]

I actually took some notes this time lol!

First, there is no chance that I would do Everest during a run. While it seems like a good idea, that ride definitely messes me up for a little bit after! I get what your saying about scrambling your brains a little more each time. It's called getting older!

I had a kind of bad feeling when we left AK because in 2011, the race was in countdown single digit mode. We hit mile 17 and only had 9 to go. I know it was all mental, but it just felt weird.

Love the pics with you and Daisy and Minnie. Great pic of DW Duck. Funny pic of the guy stretching. It is always a fun distraction when you hear people making humorous comments. Am I the only one who wants to punch the girl on the trampoline?! At least give a little bounce, make a little effort! Not like you are running a marathon or anything!

I don't think I ever looked at how many turns were on the WWoS map. That is crazy! Didn't see so bad when we were running it except for it being LONG! I did like that there were some tree lined areas to keep in the shade at least a little bit of the time. I didn't take note of the real bathrooms which is a good thing because I didn't feel like I needed them every couple miles by this time! Definitely a good thing.

I had to laugh at you and @LindsayLoves saying your photos in the stadium look so unhappy or that you felt that way. That is one of the pictures that I actually bought of myself! I actually look happy in that pic. I think I must have been feeling better finally.

 

[LindsayLoves]

I had to laugh at you and @LindsayLoves saying your photos in the stadium look so unhappy or that you felt that way. That is one of the pictures that I actually bought of myself! I actually look happy in that pic. I think I must have been feeling better finally.

I think that was my "wall" I was soooooooo tired of WWoS at that point - all the running on the sidewalks was h**l on my legs, then having to run around that warning track I felt my legs just wouldn't push me forward. I knew there were cameras but I couldn't fake it for those pictures. I am glad you liked it, I wouldn't have hated it so much if it were earlier in the race.

 

[Kristia]

I think that was my "wall" I was soooooooo tired of WWoS at that point - all the running on the sidewalks was h**l on my legs, then having to run around that warning track I felt my legs just wouldn't push me forward. I knew there were cameras but I couldn't fake it for those pictures. I am glad you liked it, I wouldn't have hated it so much if it were earlier in the race.

I wouldn't go as far as saying I liked it! It was just better than I felt all morning. Still not great but better. My other marathon pics had a grimace of death on them. I got the one from the marathon and a couple from the half.

 

[LindsayLoves]

I wouldn't go as far as saying I liked it! It was just better than I felt all morning. Still not great but better. My other marathon pics had a grimace of death on them. I got the one from the marathon and a couple from the half.

Fair enough I imagine most people who do the Goofy look a lot happier in the half photos than they do in the full photos. I was in such a bad place that when I heard my name called out in the stadium I thought "well that was stupid".

 

[MKCP 1985]

I envision running a marathon as climbing a mountain, but in fairness I have never gone mountain climbing.

Still, I like to think as the first 5-6 miles as a warmup, getting to base camp. From base camp, you mount your assault to climb to the summit. Miles 6-13 are the climb to the top. I used to like that in the old layout Everest was around mile 16-17, so that when I actually saw Everest, I was actually a few miles down from the summit. That gave me a little boost right before hitting that killer stretch of the race.

Historically, miles 18-24 are the hardest so it makes them more tolerable for me to tell myself I am coming down the mountain, have reached base camp and every step is bringing me closer to the finish.

Having a big surprise to look forward to at mile 20 would have been a huge deal psychologically. For it to have been a dud would have been very harmful to my psyche. At that point in a marathon, your mind is playing games with you already.

Can't wait to hear more details!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

The highway stretch on Osceola during the ToT 10 miler was AWFUL!! And it wasn't just one way, it was the out and back.... We were staying at All Star Sports and honestly I contemplated taking the exit and just running back to the room and going to bed. The only park was actually ran through was HS and that was at the very end. We also had the pleasure of running through WWoS but after the out and back that was a very welcome part of the course for us!!

Yay, yo'u're almost done!!!! Super bummed Will missed you running by GF

Can I tell you how much I LOVE the pic with Darkwing Duck?! I loved that show when I was younger!!!! *Darkwing Duck... let's get dangerous!!!* (at least, I think those are the words... lol)

 

[Ariel484]

I actually took some notes this time lol!

Wow! Gold Star for you!

First, there is no chance that I would do Everest during a run. While it seems like a good idea, that ride definitely messes me up for a little bit after! I get what your saying about scrambling your brains a little more each time. It's called getting older!

Oh, is that what it is? Haha...my 13-year-old, roller coaster-loving self would be very disappointed to hear that.

I had a kind of bad feeling when we left AK because in 2011, the race was in countdown single digit mode. We hit mile 17 and only had 9 to go. I know it was all mental, but it just felt weird.

No, that's totally what I was thinking too. This year it was just kind of like, "okay, we still have the latter half of the race left and no more park time until mile 22...ugh."

Love the pics with you and Daisy and Minnie. Great pic of DW Duck. Funny pic of the guy stretching. It is always a fun distraction when you hear people making humorous comments. Am I the only one who wants to punch the girl on the trampoline?! At least give a little bounce, make a little effort! Not like you are running a marathon or anything!

I love the Minnie/Daisy one too...that's definitely one of my top favorites from any of my race pictures. I'm so glad I don't listen to music during these things...I feel like people who do miss a lot, whether it's the music played on the course, people's conversations, etc. Trampoline girl was a giant bummer.

I don't think I ever looked at how many turns were on the WWoS map. That is crazy! Didn't see so bad when we were running it except for it being LONG! I did like that there were some tree lined areas to keep in the shade at least a little bit of the time. I didn't take note of the real bathrooms which is a good thing because I didn't feel like I needed them every couple miles by this time! Definitely a good thing.

I think I only noticed it because I had run a half last year that had tons of turns and it added SO much to my total distance, so that's what I was afraid of here. I'mm with you though, when I was actually running in WWoS it was okay...just NEVER ENDING.

I had to laugh at you and @LindsayLoves saying your photos in the stadium look so unhappy or that you felt that way. That is one of the pictures that I actually bought of myself! I actually look happy in that pic. I think I must have been feeling better finally.

You know, now that I look back at my photos I'm actually not sure that I do have any in WWoS...but if they did I'm sure I'd be making a big ol' "not impressed"-type face.

I think that was my "wall" I was soooooooo tired of WWoS at that point - all the running on the sidewalks was h**l on my legs, then having to run around that warning track I felt my legs just wouldn't push me forward. I knew there were cameras but I couldn't fake it for those pictures. I am glad you liked it, I wouldn't have hated it so much if it were earlier in the race.

LOL! I think I was just annoyed that THIS was where we spent so much of our time rather than in the parks...but I guess it's just a logistical thing.

I wouldn't go as far as saying I liked it! It was just better than I felt all morning. Still not great but better. My other marathon pics had a grimace of death on them. I got the one from the marathon and a couple from the half.

Ah, the grimace of death...I know it well.

Fair enough I imagine most people who do the Goofy look a lot happier in the half photos than they do in the full photos. I was in such a bad place that when I heard my name called out in the stadium I thought "well that was stupid".

Haha...I just had this vision of you turning to the announcers and shouting "SHUT UP!"

I envision running a marathon as climbing a mountain, but in fairness I have never gone mountain climbing.

Still, I like to think as the first 5-6 miles as a warmup, getting to base camp. From base camp, you mount your assault to climb to the summit. Miles 6-13 are the climb to the top. I used to like that in the old layout Everest was around mile 16-17, so that when I actually saw Everest, I was actually a few miles down from the summit. That gave me a little boost right before hitting that killer stretch of the race.

Historically, miles 18-24 are the hardest so it makes them more tolerable for me to tell myself I am coming down the mountain, have reached base camp and every step is bringing me closer to the finish.

Having a big surprise to look forward to at mile 20 would have been a huge deal psychologically. For it to have been a dud would have been very harmful to my psyche. At that point in a marathon, your mind is playing games with you already.

Can't wait to hear more details!

That's a great way to look at it...there's such a huge mental aspect to these things. The biggest thing that played with my mind is what @Kristia and I mentioned above...that once we got out of Animal Kingdom we still had the entire second half to go, not just 9 miles or whatever it was last year. Those 4 miles made SUCH a huge difference. And like I said, the mile 20 thing wasn't really something I thought about too much until I was in that hardest portion of the race (18-24)...so suddenly it did become a big deal. I'll post some pictures of that in a minute.

The highway stretch on Osceola during the ToT 10 miler was AWFUL!! And it wasn't just one way, it was the out and back.... We were staying at All Star Sports and honestly I contemplated taking the exit and just running back to the room and going to bed. The only park was actually ran through was HS and that was at the very end. We also had the pleasure of running through WWoS but after the out and back that was a very welcome part of the course for us!!

Yay, yo'u're almost done!!!! Super bummed Will missed you running by GF

Can I tell you how much I LOVE the pic with Darkwing Duck?! I loved that show when I was younger!!!! *Darkwing Duck... let's get dangerous!!!* (at least, I think those are the words... lol)

Osceola is the worst...and I think it's in the Wine & Dine too? I guess it's going to pop up on any course where they want to connect Animal Kingdom/WWoS and the Studios. I know the out-and-back you're talking about, I think it's similar to the one they had for the marathon last year. I HATED that part.

I'm bummed I missed Will at the GF too! But he did catch me later!

Woohoo Darkwing Duck!! Gotta love these classic characters on the race courses.

 

[Ariel484]

And now, here it is: the Mile 20 spectacular. Turns out I was right. The surprise WAS beyond the stadium...and it was over-hyped.

(No idea what the sky-writing says.)

I guess these are from an old Disneyland show?

Basically the 5 giant puppets, the race mascots (who I later heard were switching out with other members of the Fab Five), and a special mile marker...

I definitely thought the mile marker was cool - it has art of all 20 WDW marathon medals.

I think I actually laughed when I realized that this was it. THIS was what they'd been talking up for months. THIS was what they had been working on. THIS was supposed to get us excited and give us the energy to push through to the end. Oh runDisney...you got me again.

(20-mile split: 20 miles in 4:40:35, average pace of 14:02/mile. Estimated finish time of 6:07:50 (11:58AM). Ate more Gu chomps here! Nom.)

I truly don't know why they do this. Scratch that, I do - they put on these big campaigns to draw attention and get people to sign up for the races. I have actually read statements from people saying that the Mile 20 surprise was a deciding factor in signing up for the race. I don't think I have read ONE person say that they weren't disappointed in the surprise. If I hadn't heard this being talked about for months and totally didn't know about it I think I would have thought this was a really awesome little area of the course. Instead it just ended up being a let-down.

 

[Ariel484]

Moving on from the Mile 20...thing.

By now we were back on Osceola Parkway (oh goody...you again ). At least now when the announcer said there was less than 6 miles to go I didn't do a face palm.

Lots of folks just entering the WWoS from the other side of Osceola...

Shuffling along...legs and feet still on fire, otherwise feeling pretty good.

For awhile I'd been running near a guy dressed as Richard Simmons (you can see him in the above post in the Sebastian picture). Sounds bizarre now, but my brain was so warped 21 miles in that at the time it seemed completely normal. Like...OF COURSE fake Richard Simmons would be running the marathon. DUH.

We reached Sarge and some soldiers, and Richard dropped and gave Sarge 10. Better you than me, sir.

Oh good, Mile Marker 22. Time for the Studios!

We ran down a highway toward the park and sang (shouted) along to "Sweet Caroline" blaring from the speakers. We entered the park behind the MOST AWESOME Tower of Terror and I passed Mr. Incredible on his Pixar Pals float.

The Studios was my least-favorite park in 2012 as far as characters go, so I wasn't expecting much this year. I did get a picture with this guy though...

I'm gonna wreck it!

And down through the Backlot Tour Tunnel...oh man did it feel amazing to be in the cool shade.

Then I got to Mile Marker 23...

As odd as it sounds, throughout training I never gave much thought as to whether or not I'd actually be able to complete all three races...but I definitely would not have signed up if I didn't think I was capable. And up until this point - throughout the weekend and during this race itself - I also hadn't thought too much about it. I'd been able to keep my emotions in check for the most part, but now, standing at Mile Marker 23, I felt myself start to get choked up. At first I didn't know why - I wasn't even at the finish line yet! - but then it dawned on me: I had 3.2 miles left. Just a little over a 5K...and I'd crawl that last 5K if I had to. For the first time, I knew without a doubt that I was going to finish this thing.

 

[Fievel]

As odd as it sounds, throughout training I never gave much thought as to whether or not I'd actually be able to complete all three races...but I definitely would not have signed up if I didn't think I was capable. And up until this point - throughout the weekend and during this race itself - I also hadn't thought too much about it. I'd been able to keep my emotions in check for the most part, but now, standing at Mile Marker 23, I felt myself start to get choked up. At first I didn't know why - I wasn't even at the finish line yet! - but then it dawned on me: I had 3.2 miles left. Just a little over a 5K...and I'd crawl that last 5K if I had to. For the first time, I knew without a doubt that I was going to finish this thing.

That's how I was. I had doubts, and your mind starts to play tricks on you at about mile 21. That stretch back down Osceola and World Drive was the longest part of the race for me. We passed 2 sets of sweep buses. When we entered Epcot and heard the music, I thought to myself "I'm actually going to do this." I got teary-eyed...it gave me that little bit of fire I needed to finish. The emotions of finishing hit me much easier than I thought they would. I expected a big release upon finishing. The release came for me with about 2 miles to go....

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I hear ya on the getting emotional part. I got choked up when we crossed the finish line for the 10 miler. It was my first big race so it was a huge deal for me.

Can't wait to see Wreck It Ralph in May when I'm there!! Woot!!!

oh, and the surprise.... yeah... super lame!!

 

[Kristia]

I bet I was on the other side of that out and back when you took the pic before mile 21!

ETA: I just went back and looked at my pics lol. I was about mile 18 at your mile 21. Guess I wasn't in that group!

 

[TakeMeThere81]

Lots of folks just entering the WWoS from the other side of Osceola...

As odd as it sounds, throughout training I never gave much thought as to whether or not I'd actually be able to complete all three races...but I definitely would not have signed up if I didn't think I was capable. And up until this point - throughout the weekend and during this race itself - I also hadn't thought too much about it. I'd been able to keep my emotions in check for the most part, but now, standing at Mile Marker 23, I felt myself start to get choked up. At first I didn't know why - I wasn't even at the finish line yet! - but then it dawned on me: I had 3.2 miles left. Just a little over a 5K...and I'd crawl that last 5K if I had to. For the first time, I knew without a doubt that I was going to finish this thing.

Wow, look at all of those CUPS in that first picture! I never pay attention because usually I am a runner, but MAN!

What an awesome description of your feeling. I can almost imagine it! Go Shannon Go!! *cowbell*

 

[Sumrdog]

...but now, standing at Mile Marker 23, I felt myself start to get choked up. At first I didn't know why - I wasn't even at the finish line yet! - but then it dawned on me: I had 3.2 miles left. Just a little over a 5K...and I'd crawl that last 5K if I had to. For the first time, I knew without a doubt that I was going to finish this thing.

I am getting choked up just reading this...finishing big long races is an awesome feeling!

 

[CinderMama]

Reading along, but not yet caught up. Loving your report! Congratulations! I can't imagine what an amazing feeling of accomplishment you must have had.

I've got a question for you or any of the other runDisney participants out there. I've recently starting running thanks to my cross-country running sons, so while I've got a long way to go, I've got my sights set on running the Princess half - maybe next year, maybe 2015. I'm wondering how many teenagers you've noticed running any of the half marathons you've run? Or if you noticed? My boys would be at least 15 & 16 y/o and I think they'd really get a kick out of running the Princess. They regularly run 8-9 mile runs for practices, so I'm fairly certain they could do it. Any input would be appreciated.

I'm off to read more . . .

 

[Ariel484]

That's how I was. I had doubts, and your mind starts to play tricks on you at about mile 21. That stretch back down Osceola and World Drive was the longest part of the race for me. We passed 2 sets of sweep buses. When we entered Epcot and heard the music, I thought to myself "I'm actually going to do this." I got teary-eyed...it gave me that little bit of fire I needed to finish. The emotions of finishing hit me much easier than I thought they would. I expected a big release upon finishing. The release came for me with about 2 miles to go....

I totally know what you mean. Last year I cried at the finish line, but not this year...it just hit me earlier. Not what I expected at all! The physical part of these races is obviously a huge deal, but once you get near the end it's so mentally and emotionally challenging...

I hear ya on the getting emotional part. I got choked up when we crossed the finish line for the 10 miler. It was my first big race so it was a huge deal for me.

Can't wait to see Wreck It Ralph in May when I'm there!! Woot!!!

oh, and the surprise.... yeah... super lame!!

Finishing your first long race IS a huge deal!

Ralph is in the animation building in the Studios, right? I hope he's still there in May!

The surprise...ahhhh. They just should not have mentioned it beforehand. Silly runDisney.

I bet I was on the other side of that out and back when you took the pic before mile 21!

ETA: I just went back and looked at my pics lol. I was about mile 18 at your mile 21. Guess I wasn't in that group!

Ah, so you were twisting and turning through the WWoS. For ever and ever and ever...

Wow, look at all of those CUPS in that first picture! I never pay attention because usually I am a runner, but MAN!

What an awesome description of your feeling. I can almost imagine it! Go Shannon Go!! *cowbell*

Yeah, TONS of cups. Those volunteers were so amazing.

Thanks for the cowbell!

I am getting choked up just reading this...finishing big long races is an awesome feeling!

Yeah it is! Crossing the finish line is the best.

Reading along, but not yet caught up. Loving your report! Congratulations! I can't imagine what an amazing feeling of accomplishment you must have had.

I've got a question for you or any of the other runDisney participants out there. I've recently starting running thanks to my cross-country running sons, so while I've got a long way to go, I've got my sights set on running the Princess half - maybe next year, maybe 2015. I'm wondering how many teenagers you've noticed running any of the half marathons you've run? Or if you noticed? My boys would be at least 15 & 16 y/o and I think they'd really get a kick out of running the Princess. They regularly run 8-9 mile runs for practices, so I'm fairly certain they could do it. Any input would be appreciated.

I'm off to read more . . .

Welcome!

The Princess Half is a really fun race...you will love it. Your kiddos will be old enough to register - the minimum age is 14 so teenagers are definitely welcome. I don't specifically remember how many teenagers I saw during the races, but if you are curious you can look up last year's results on rundisney.com and filter them by age group. They WILL definitely be in the minority gender-wise...I think the ratio of ladies:men is 30:1 for the Princess! At least they have men's cut shirts now (despite them not having women's cut shirts for any other races...but I digress). I am sure that they would be fine running the distance, like you said.

I would suggest checking out the Princess Half section of rundisney.com for information, and make sure to pay attention to registration dates...it's cheaper to register early and the race WILL fill up, so you don't want to get shut out. I would also recommend that all of you run a local 10K so you can use that time for your corral placement.

Any other questions, just ask! I think it sounds like a really fun thing to do with your sons. My brother and I had a blast at that race in 2011.