I’ve been home for a couple of days now and although I had hoped to give you a true trip report, between the house remodel and some new challenges at work, that may need to wait awhile. In the meantime, I thought I’d do a quick overview of what was great this year, what was so-so and what ABSOLUTELY can never happen again. But let’s start with the positive, shall we?

The Good

My friends. They rock. My friend, Selma, who was my chaufer from the airport, my friends Sara and Erin who were the best roommates EVAH and my cousins, Kimberly and Jennifer all contributed to a great weekend filled with laughter, awesome conversation and about 6 months worth of greatness crammed into a short 3 days. Thanks, Girls, for being wonderful friends! Oh, and to Liz, Lynda, Deb, Jill, Kari, Renee, Katie and all the other “Perfect Princesses” you are an inspiration!! Can’t wait to see the Cosmo article (you all will just have to wait for that and no, I’m not kidding. I have famous friends!)

My Sweet Cousins, Kimberly and Jennifer

The race itself. Maybe (most likely) because I was in Corral A this time, the crowds were thin and I usually had plenty of space. I’d love to hear from those who were further back but it felt much less crowded to me than the full in January. Again, my corral most likely had a lot to do with that. The entertainment was great, the character interaction was well spaced and the crowds were enthusiastic for the most part. Running with my great friend Selma for several miles was also a huge highlight. When it works out, it really is more fun to run with a friend.:)

Sara, Shawn, Laura, Selma and me!

Me and a Few Good Men!

The Medal: GORGEOUS. I really love it. It’s already quite at home on my medal rack.;)

Disney in general? Amazing. We ate at Be Our Guest (in the new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom) and although I’ve been going to Disney for years and had high expectations, it exceeded them all. I really was blown away. If you’re headed to Florida anytime soon, just go.

Me and Liz at Be Our Guest

Beach Club was also very pleasant. You can’t beat the location, and three of us in a 2 bdrm villa was perfect. I even slept on the pullout and was very comfortable. Just love the whole Epcot resort area. It helps when friends use their points so you don’t have to pay for it (my advice? Quickly go find a generous friend with lots of DVC points. It’s truly the best way;).

The Bad

The Expo – for years it has been held at ESPN Wide World of Sports but due to the Braves training schedule, it was moved to Coronado Springs. You couldn’t drive to it (had to take the bus) the cast members at our hotel were uninformed on how to get us there. I’ve done this race 3 times (and many of my friends have done it all five) and WE were confused. If it had been your first time? Well, you might STILL be trying to figure it out. Not good, Run Disney. Please don’t do that again.

The lines at the Expo. Disney, please have a better understanding of your audience. Clearly, if year after year there is a huge line to buy race merch, the store MUST be bigger, you MUST have more cashiers and there has to be a better customer experience. I am lucky because sweet friends bought me cute stuff even though my high anxiety around large crowds got me out of dodge right after I picked up my bib.

Getting up at 2:15am to run a race. I get why it has to be this way but it stinks. Every time I do this I think never again. But then I finish. And get my medal. And celebrate with my friends. And here we go again.

the U   G   L   Y

The HUMIDITY! Often the star of any family’s trip to Orlando, the humidity made an especially impressive appearance for the race. I was completely drenched in sweat by mile 3. So, Florida weather, that’s two races in a row that you’ve made unpleasant by having unseasonable warm and humid weather. Could you cut it out? I mean it. No. Really. I’m serious.

Overall? Yeah, I’ll be back again. And judging from my cousin, Kimberly, and her friend, Kiersten (both first timers) none of the issues affected them too much. And honestly? Running races is much like labor – you do forget about all the bad once you’ve crossed that finish line and get that medal put around your neck. Thanks, Run Disney, for another great weekend. And thanks, my Sweet Running Friends, for being such a great community!!

Another Subtle Race Pose!

Up next: Irving Half Marathon, April 27th. Training starts next week. Woohoo!!

Jen