It’s finally race day!

I was actually quite pleased with my night’s sleep. I know some don’t sleep AT ALL the night before a race, and that makes sense since that wake-up call is coming at 2:30 am and pre-race nerves are notorious sleep robbers. But I woke up ready to get this thing done!

The weather was looking slightly warmer than it had been, but still very chilly so I was super glad I had purchased the race retreat. Although I have to say, for $120, you can buy an awful lot of throw away gear, so let your own personal finances set the tone here. Evidently I was feeling pretty flush way back last year when I made the reservation. Not sure what happened there. Maybe college for the twins seemed further away? Yikes. This is a good time to mention that it IS non-refundable so when you commit to it, that’s it. You’re paying for that $120 bagel;).

I was on the bus by 3:15 and didn’t wait long at all (and we waited inside the convention center at The Yacht Club for the bus which was nice). Once you get to the Epcot parking lot you have to go through security bag check, and then walk to the race retreat which is a bit of a ways. Once inside the tent, I quickly found friends! Kierstn and I have been friends for awhile and she does amazing things with Team in Training! I didn’t do any of the character meets in the tent, but I know they had a lot of the Duck Tales characters that you don’t normally see so that was fun.

For food they had very limited offerings (more limited then I remember in years past). Coffee, water, bagels (with toasters provided), cream cheese, oranges and bananas. There were also men’s and women’s porta-potties (the ones outside are all unisex and the only benefit here is that the women’s stay cleaner and you don’t have to use the bathroom with your face in a urinal that’s been recently used. So gross.). They also provide a private bag check area.

We chatted for a bit and then left the warm tent around 4:45 to start the walk to the corrals. They start yelling at you to get out of there are 4:15 but you really don’t HAVE to leave until as late as 5 when they actually do kick you out;).

We then began the very long walk (about 20 minutes) to the start line which is a pain in the butt, but it is what it is. It was very cold while we were walking and I thought about the Dopey runners who, by this point, must have been just so sick of being in the dark and the cold.

I don’t stop for characters, but I have so many friends who do so as soon as their posts are up I’ll put a list here. I also don’t take pictures, but thankfully the photo-pass photographers do so I can share some of those!

Here’s how this course breaks down, if you’re thinking of running it:

Mile 1 – 4: cold and dark and somewhat boring but you’re excited so it’s OK.

Miles 5 – 7: in the Magic Kingdom so they FLY BY. Seriously the best part of the race.

Miles 7 – 12 are headed back to Epcot and they suck. You’re just running on a freeway. And there are 3 angled overpass hills which also suck.

Miles 12 to the finish are good because you’re almost there and then you’re in Epcot and hurray.

In my opinion, they could do more with those dreaded miles 7 – 12. I’m not sure what but SOMETHING.

I worked really hard this entire race and although I was fine, there was a nagging sense in the back of mind that something was a little off. It felt harder than it should have and I needed to engage more of my mental tricks than is normal for me during a half marathon (insert little did she know here . . .). I was also really surprised at how slow my time was (2:46). My PR for this course is 2:29 and I truly expected to be around 2:30. Golly, it’s almost like I could be getting sick or something . . . DUH DUH DUH (that was scary anticipation music. Did that come across?)

Crossed the finish line at Epcot (HURRAY!) and then walked as quickly as I could back to the race retreat to warm up and have some brunch and throw on some dry clothes. Although I really wasn’t all that hungry and I kept thinking that I needed to hurry somewhat in order to get back to the room to shower before 11am. They had a nice spread with eggs and sausage, muffins and bagels and fruit and juice. Again, worth $120? Not really.

I started the walk back through Epcot and was super glad I had put a small back pack in my gear check bag. The gear check bags are so awkward to walk around with and a backpack is MUCH NICER. It takes a minute to get through Epcot when the race is still going on but it really wasn’t bad and I didn’t have to go through security again because of the way they had it blocked off. That was a time saver for sure. Also saved the poor security guards from having to go through my sweaty, disgusting race gear:).

I noticed that the Character Stop in Epcot only had a 5 minute wait and thought, well, why not?? SO GLAD I stopped and got these fun shots!

After I’d showered I got William out of bed and we headed to Epcot for the rest of the day where we did a few attractions, ate lots of food, and did really obscure things like the Circle of Life movie which is weird and i just found out is going away. I can see why.

Oh and I got my cronut!! Nothing says “HURRAY I JUST RAN A HALF MARATHON!” like a cronut.

This was also the day when we checked out of Yacht Club and into resort #2 of the trip, The Boardwalk Villas! Next installment I’ll give my full review of our 2 nights there.

I always enjoy this race (even though I complain about it, see above) and today was a gorgeous day to celebrate running, Disney, and the community that makes up both!! And yes, I’m already considering doing it all again next year! And if you haven’t already, make sure you go check out posts one and two in this series.