I’m so happy to be getting to this part of our trip because although I loved running the half, I think cheering for the full may have been my favorite part of marathon weekend!

We had an amazing room location at the Boardwalk Villas (literally steps to the lobby) and we loved the newly updated rooms with the murphy bed. So comfortable and just charming with plenty of Disney details. Liked these rooms much better than Yacht Club. Here I truly felt like we were “home” but maybe that’s because these are DVC rooms and just have a different feel? No idea but I was much happier here.

I woke up around 6:30 and got a message from Patty Holiday of My No Guilt Life! Patty is one of those internet friends that totally feels like an “in real life friend”, so when she asked if I was up and wanted to join them in front of the Yacht Club to cheer for the wheelchair athletes I was out the door like a shot! LOVE this human being! And having never seen the front of the pack wheelchair athletes, it was TRULY an amazing experience. Thanks for getting me out there, Friend!

So the day was starting off to be incredibly inspirational and the theme continued! I stopped into Boardwalk Bakery and got Wil and I both a breakfast sandwich (YUMMY), got my coffee, and out the door to help my runners.

I want to say I was out there cheering by 9am? So, since the first runners started at 5:30 and I was at the 24mile marker, I really was cheering the front of the pack. And although the very front runners looked like one would expect (young, thin as rails, etc) many of the sub 4 hour finishers surprised even me, and really put me in my place about what a “fast” marathoner looks like. There are fast marathon runners of all shapes, sizes and ages and I was just in awe. And inspired to maybe get my speed work game on again:).

My sign was a big hit and I got lots of fun comments as well as many runners who seriously looked very moved by the words. Patty had been the one to suggest it, and it was PERFECT. I didn’t take pictures or video because I had a job to do and holding that sign took both hands. 

My great friend and travel agent, Katie, came over to help me cheer and it was great to have some company! And we were LOUD. If you know either one of us you know I’m not kidding.

One of the volunteers had asked me before we really started cheering “which runner are you cheering for?” My answer: ALL OF THEM. Seriously, I’ve never known a marathon runner that didn’t need cheering and encouragement, or one that wasn’t deserving of it. One of my pet peeves is when people are there to cheer and just stand there waiting for THEIR runner before they make some noise. CHEER FOR ALL THE PEOPLE!

But it was great to see my friend Amelia run by in a blur (GIRL WAS ON FIRE), but not so fast that she couldn’t scream “Love you!” at me (although I later found out she didn’t realize it was me at first! Runners just have so much love . . .). I got to see my  Best Running Friend, Sara, running her last marathon (so she says but I think she means it this time). So many other great friends from the internet ran by including Sandra, Justin, Pam (who was focused so didn’t see me but I screamed her name any way) and many others. An absolutely perfect way to spend a morning!!!

A note to all who ran: you may have been in the front of the pack, the middle of the pack, or the very back. You may have even ended up with a DNF (did not finish) or didn’t have the race you’d hoped you’d have. But you are A MIRACLE. You set out to do something that very few ever even attempt and I am SO SO proud of you all!

Around 11:30 I reluctantly left the course to go get Wil and head to the Magic Kingdom but Katie stayed with the sign and other cheerleaders held it up after she left, so I felt represented for the entire race. Next year, I plan to cheer the entire time because I do regret leaving when I did.

We were then off for a few fun hours at Magic Kingdom, a late lunch at The Plaza, and why am I SO SO COLD?? I mean, not just cold for the weather but actually freezing. We decided to head back somewhat early to watch The Golden Globes and I realized I was sick. There was also weather heading into Atlanta and school was cancelled for William, so we made the decision to extend our trip an extra day for me to rest up (thought I had a cold) and to ensure we wouldn’t have any road issues. This would prove to be an excellent decision . . . .

Up next: ever been to Disney Urgent Care?? A full review:)