2011 Marathon weekend trip report - COMPLETE!! 4/5 - Page 9 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I found it amusing at the time. But then, the time was likely around 6:30am and after being up since 3 after going to sleep at 10.... well it doesn't take much to amuse me!!
That must be why I don't remember it; it was waaaay too early in the morning!
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Originally Posted by islandgirl
Great updates & pictures!!! (and I just love your Minnie drawing from AA!)
Oh, thanks! The only place my drawings ever come out is at the Animation Academy!
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Originally Posted by Minnie Lor
Awesome! I know that we'll meet up at Lou's event but maybe we'll meet before the race. Will you be doing the race retreat on either day? I'm indecisive about signing up for it.
We haven't talked about the race retreat yet, so I'm not sure. We'll definitely have to have a mini-Passporter meet in addition to the WDW Radio Running team meet, Lorie!
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Originally Posted by Grammy Grumpy
Wow! You run and WRITE a great marathon! I am definately not a runner but our Associate Pastor and her daughter have run the 1/2 marathon two years running and I am so proud of them, and you and your DH!!!
Well, thanks so much!
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Originally Posted by mcc0313
Loved all the photopass pictures...I can't believe you both lasted so long after the race, I think I would have dropped. Glad you were able to meet up with some of the other racers. Congratulations to the both of you on an amazing accomplishment.
Thanks, Meg! One thing I've learned about races, though...I'm always more sore the NEXT day (and the day after that!) than I am right after the race!
Before I tell you about our final morning, I wanted to share a little about the Segway tour at Epcot. We'd been wanting to do this tour since 2007, and for one reason or another (usually four reasons....we usually had our kids with us!), we were never able to do it. We'd tried the January before, but it was sold out.
We actually got a call on Friday while we were at MK that our Saturday time had to be changed, due to the half marathon. They weren't even supposed to schedule any tours that weekend because of the races, but somebody made a mistake and booked them anyway. I don't remember what time our tour was originally supposed to start, but they told us to come at 9:30, when most of the racers would already be finished or close to finished. As it turned out, we still had to wait quite a while by the time we finally got there (park transportation is a nightmare on marathon weekend; if you're not going to be racing, take my advice and skip this weekend!) But we got to cheer the remaining runners on as we waited for our tour to start. We stood outside Guest Relations, and once the runners get past Spaceship Earth, they're almost to the finish line. I kept yelling out, "The finish line is just on the other side of that big silver ball! Keep going!!!!" It was a really great experience, and I hoped I'd get a little of that support the next day when I did MY big race!
We eventually got going on the tour; there were about ten couples, plus two instructors. We practiced for a while in one of the Innoventions buildings, and then were able to head out into World Showcase. The tour was just as amazing as I'd hoped it would be! We had two great tour guides, and beautiful weather. I adore WS, so it was very to be able to go through it on a segway! Here are a couple of photos:
This is Michael, from Hawaii. He was VERY personable, and told us lots of cool trivia. Did you know that it's actually bad luck to walk between the two big columns in the Italy pavilion? Remember that the next time you're there!
I would highly recommend the tour, and may even take it again someday. My favorite part was going up and around the little pathways in the Japanese pavilion. I saw a picture of that area the other day, and remembered what it was like to traverse them on a segway. Just like the race changed my perspective, so did the segway tour!
Now, please travel with me through time from Saturday morning to Monday morning...
The morning after the race, we checked out of POFQ, stored our stuff in the car and headed to the Polynesian. I'd made an ADR that morning for a little breakfast with a certain mouse!
Unfortunately, it was about 10 a.m. and there were lots of people going the same direction as we were, and we got stuck in the lane for the TTC instead of the Poly. It looked like it would take a while to go back out and then get on the right road, and we were running late, so we parked where we were directed, which was waaaay in the back of the TTC. We joked about how we should flash our medals and ask for a closer spot!
We walked to the Poly, reminiscing about our stay there in 2008, when we could all still fit in one room because our youngest was under 3. We had a lovely breakfast and a few quick visits with the characters there.
I was a little disappointed with our interaction with the Main Mouse, because I had seen Mickey make a big deal out of the medals of the couple one table over. Well, Mickey took a break before he came to our table, and when he came out again, let's just say he wasn't the same. But I got my photo, so I was happy.
After breakfast, we took the monorail to the MK and traded in our Marathon Monday vouchers for one-day tickets. We only planned to do a little shopping and a few Photopass pictures before we had to head to the airport.
Boy, did we see a lot of medals at MK! We shopped a little, but didn't find a couple of the items we needed since we hadn't picked them up when we saw them (we never learn! ) We were heading out of the park when the heavens opened! We'd been spoiled with gorgeous weather all weekend, so I guess we had it coming! We went to the Contemporary to get the 2011 mugs we needed for babysitter gifts. They didn't have the Pooh baby that DD11 wanted, and since we were running a little late, as usual, we decided to split up. DH would head to the Poly on the monorail , and I would go to the TTC to get the car and pick him up at the Poly.He was also instructed to get my a Duffy bear. I'd seen them all over, and finally decided to get one after I felt how soft that little guy is!
Let me tell you, once I got to the TTC, it was a long wet ride on the tram to get to my car! (And no, I didn't have an umbrella!) The spot I'd chosen to sit at had an intermittent drip coming down from the roof. I would have moved, but the seats were all wet, and my seat was already pretty wet, so I didn't want to make it any worse!
We got most of what we needed, drove to the airport, returned our car, made a quick stop at the Disney Store at the airport to get that pesky Pooh, and had an uneventful flight home. I realized a little too late that I'd forgotten to buy DD5 a gift, so guess what I ended up giving her? My Duffy! (DH remedied this situation by getting me one from ebay for Valentine's Day!)
DH and I are officially registered for the Disneyland half. Now we just have to book hotel and air. I'm excited both about going to DLR, which I've only been to for one day back in 1999, and doing another Disney Race.
Can't wait until next marathon weekend! Look out, Goofy Challenge, here I come!
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Last edited by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince; 04-05-2011 at 04:58 PM..
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Great finish to your TR! Congrats on your lovely shiny medal!!
I think you will love DLR! DH did the Goofy last year and got his Coast to Coast at the DLR half-marathon. He said he was surprised how much he enjoyed the race at DLR. And the kids and I loved that we didn't have to fight throngs of people and deal with race day transportation to see him finish. We stayed at the Grand Californian, and the finish line was just steps from our hotel. Can't beat that!
Sounds like it was a wonderful trip all the way around! Congrats on your marathon and thanks for sharing the magic with us!
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great finish Beth! Congrats on running and finishing the marathon, and for sharing your trip with us! Good luck at DL!
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Originally Posted by goofysdtr
Great job, Beth, on both the race & the TR! Thanks for sharing it with us!
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Originally Posted by shnewell
Great finish to your TR! Congrats on your lovely shiny medal!!
I think you will love DLR! DH did the Goofy last year and got his Coast to Coast at the DLR half-marathon. He said he was surprised how much he enjoyed the race at DLR. And the kids and I loved that we didn't have to fight throngs of people and deal with race day transportation to see him finish. We stayed at the Grand Californian, and the finish line was just steps from our hotel. Can't beat that! Good luck in September!
That does sounds good!
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Originally Posted by lauriep
Great report! Congrats again to you both!
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Originally Posted by deerislemom
Great TR! Congrats on the marathon and a wonderful trip! I'm thinking about the 1/2 for Jan 2012 .... maybe I'll see you working on your Goofy.
I think the half is really a lot of fun, without all the ridiculous training that a full marathon takes! Good choice! (Not that it'll be a walk in the park...oh, wait, yes it will! )
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Last edited by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince; 04-05-2011 at 07:53 PM..
for the review of the Epcot Segway tour as this is one Luke and I will do some day when Stefanie will have some to watch her while we are away. Great last day!
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Thanks for sharing all the info about the Segway tour. That's one I'm highly interested in... but I don't think ala solo trip. I'd rather do it with someone along - seems to be more fun that way! Looked like a great tour!
Your story is inspirational - and I ran the dang thing too!!! But there's something about hearing about someone else's trials and tribulations regarding the race that makes it a completely different experience. Amazing. It's just amazing that ordinary people (like you and me ) can actually say that we've run a marathon. A MARATHON!! I still don't think of myself as a runner, more of a casual jogger (with a runDisney problem). But Beth, I think we're runners now. Display that medal proudly - you've earned it!
Good luck in the Disneyland, it's a totally different race. Fun, yes! But.... different. (At least in my experience.) And the Goofy. Geeez!! I'm holding out for the 20th anniversary of 26.2 at WDW for the Goofy in 2013, but I can't wait to hear all about your hard work next year! And maybe some tips for future Goofy's??!! I'm working up some mojo for someone to join me in the Marathon relay 2012, so there's a chance I may be there after all.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
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Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
for the review of the Epcot Segway tour as this is one Luke and I will do some day when Stefanie will have some to watch her while we are away. Great last day!
Oh, you definitely should do the tour. It is so fun!
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Originally Posted by shanmac
Great finish! Congrats on qualifying for the coast-to-coast!
Thanks! I am excited about going to Disneyland for more than just a day. The last time I was there, I was not the Disney "enthusiast" that I am now, so I am super happy about walking where Walt walked!!!
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Originally Posted by disney_duke
Thanks for sharing all the info about the Segway tour. That's one I'm highly interested in... but I don't think ala solo trip. I'd rather do it with someone along - seems to be more fun that way! Looked like a great tour!
I can imagine that it wouldn't be quite as much fun by yourself! Maybe if you rope someone into doing the Relay with you next year, you can have them do the Segway tour with you, too!
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Originally Posted by disney_duke
I still don't think of myself as a runner, more of a casual jogger (with a runDisney problem).
I like that! I like to say that I'm a racer, not a runner, because I love events but the training...not so much! I just did a half on Saturday and had to walk the last few miles because my knee was really bothering me. I'm pretty sure it's my IT band; time to get it looked at. I've got too much racing to do to have my knee giving me trouble!
Originally Posted by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince
I like that! I like to say that I'm a racer, not a runner, because I love events but the training...not so much! I just did a half on Saturday and had to walk the last few miles because my knee was really bothering me. I'm pretty sure it's my IT band; time to get it looked at. I've got too much racing to do to have my knee giving me trouble!
Oh yes. The knee. I meet with a surgeon next Monday and then have to schedule surgery to fix my torn meniscus. Haven't run since March 12 and it's making me nuts! Had to cancel the Expedition Everest trip, and am hoping the Wine and Dine half will at least be walkable for me. to you and your knee - hope it's nothing serious!
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Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
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(and I just love your Minnie drawing from AA!)
) than I am right after the race!
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to be able to go through it on a segway! Here are a couple of photos:
(we never learn! 
) We were heading out of the park when the heavens opened! We'd been spoiled with gorgeous weather all weekend, so I guess we had it coming!
We went to the Contemporary to get the 2011 mugs we needed for babysitter gifts. They didn't have the Pooh baby that DD11 wanted, and since we were running a little late, as usual, we decided to split up. DH would head to the Poly on the monorail , and I would go to the TTC to get the car and pick him up at the Poly.He was also instructed to get my a Duffy bear. I'd seen them all over, and finally decided to get one after I felt how soft that little guy is!
(And no, I didn't have an umbrella!) The spot I'd chosen to sit at had an intermittent drip coming down from the roof. I would have moved, but the seats were all wet, and my seat was already pretty wet, so I didn't want to make it any worse!
(DH remedied this situation by getting me one from ebay for Valentine's Day!)
Congrats on running and finishing the marathon, and for sharing your trip with us! 
Deer Isle Mom
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