Our first "Welcome Home" and 26.2 miles - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
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We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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It was interesting to read the race through the eyes of a spectator. Congrats to your uncle, dad and DH on finishing their race! It's kind of funny about the wake up call. on your race!!
Interesting to see how it works for family who are cheering. Really sounds like there were some issues with transportation and organization at the start for this race. I saw a photo of the temporary location for the Boardwalk Bakery and it seems like they could have done better! I'm not a fan of the baked goods there, but it's the only fast-food at BW (aside from the lounge) for most of the day.
That is one downside of DVC resorts: no real counter service! I guess they expect everybody to be using the kitchens they provide!
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Originally Posted by chezp
I found that really interesting, seeing it through the eyes of a spectator. with your race! I can't wait to hear about that.
I haven't read much about spectating, so I am glad to be able to provide a little insight.
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Originally Posted by disney_duke
"I didn't understand what you meant." That's funny!!!
How the heck did your Dad make it to the start of the race if he was still at SSR at 4:15? They must have still had busses running. Or he took a cab. How fun to be a spectator!! Every year, the crowds grow and grow and you know us runners are so thankful for them and their support. I'd just love to be on the other side someday.
It was fun to see you!! I realized at about mile 4 that I never told you what I'd be wearing. I started to text you before heading into MK but figured you wouldn't see it. No matter, we saw each other anyway!!! It's nice to know someone in those crowds!!
I'm so glad you liked the pizza! Mmmm, so good. Sorry we didn't meet up that afternoon, but I needed to rest. You understand.
I definitely understand about needing rest! I was very aware of my own need for rest, and I'm happy to say that I was able to take it easier on this trip than I have in the past. My dad was on the bus at 4:15, but it had just left SSR. I have no idea how he made it to the race on time. Must have been his long legs!
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Originally Posted by pamcarey
That sounds like an amazing experience! I think it's good that you had it all planned out where to stand, so that your DH saw you when he ran by!
I told everybody that might have a remote chance of seeing me exactly where I would be standing. Our group is pretty big, so we take up a bit of real estate when we're all together!
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Originally Posted by MayraLR
Joining in. Congrats to your husband, dad and uncle for finishing the half marathon. Good luck on yours!
Thanks! As you'll soon read, I needed it!
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Glad you were able to see everyone at their race! Lunch sounds delish! Hope all went well for you in your race!
That pizza was the perfect pre-race food!
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Originally Posted by lsugirlinutah
Did you say, "Well, excuuuuuuse me!" to the rude lady in the VIP bus?
Also, I told my brother all about you riding EE on your last marathon, so quite a few people know that story. You are very famous!
We ate at Via Napoli on Friday night. It is one of my favorite EPCOT restaurants!
I should have gone all Steve Martin on her, but it was early and I didn't think of it. Apparently, we've inspired many to give EE a try during the marathon, because many of my friends did it this year!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
It was interesting to read the race through the eyes of a spectator. Congrats to your uncle, dad and DH on finishing their race! It's kind of funny about the wake up call. on your race!!
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Last edited by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince; 01-20-2013 at 08:01 PM..
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I have so much to say about this marathon. It was my third Disney marathon in a row, but each one had been different. DH and I ran the first one together; the next year, I ran it as part of the Goofy Challenge; and this year, it was my first major race in seven months after I’d spent the summer and early fall in physical therapy.
During my last half marathon, I had had issues with my IT band, which is something I’d had trouble with off and on pretty much since I started running. At about mile 11.5, I had severe pain in my left knee, so much so that I could barely walk. I was able to hobble to the finish line, but it was pain like I’d never experienced, and I knew that I couldn’t ignore the problem any longer. I finally forced myself to call and make an appointment with a physical therapist. I worked really hard three times a week for three months, and added speed work and strength training into my regular running routine. I’d added the proper mileage, so I was physical prepared for 26.2.
But, I was scared. When people asked me about the marathon, I would tell them I was excited about the new course and really wanted to earn that gorgeous medal, but inside I knew that I wasn’t as confident as I pretended to be. I was afraid that I’d have the same problems that I’d had during my last race, mostly because my left IT band was starting to make its presence known because of all the walking we’d been doing. I had been stretching it out when I could over the past couple of days. I’d even brought my foam roller from home and tried to roll it out…but then I started worrying about foam rolling it TOO much!
The night before the race, I figured that I’d done all I was going to be able to do at that point, and tried to get some rest. I think I slept pretty well, but I can’t always tell, because I’ll wake up and wonder if I’d actually been asleep. When my alarm rang at 2:15, the first thing I did was check to see the outcome of last night’s Packer game. (I probably should have waited until after the race, since I was unhappy with the results.) I got myself ready and out the door. There were no snotty ladies this time around, and I think I got on a waiting bus, but it was early so I don’t really remember.
What I DO remember is taking a seat next to another runner. I should have kept my mouth shut, but I think I asked her how she was feeling. She proceeded to tell me that she hadn’t finished her last two marathons, and this weekend, she was doing the Goofy. (I could have told her that wasn’t a very good idea, but this time I managed to not say anything.) At this point, she asked me if I knew where the sweepers would be. I told her what I could, that they’d be at the back (DUH!) and there would be balloons and bike riders, but if she made it to the Studios, she’d probably be fine. Her response to this was, “What Studios? You mean Universal?” (Seriously, I’m not making this up.)
Then she wanted to write down how far along she should be at every other mile maker, so I stupidly told her that I had a pace calculator and I could help her figure that out. Unfortunately for both of us, the calculator gives you minutes, but not hours. So, at 3:00 in the morning, I had to help her figure out that 224 minutes was 3 hours and 44 minutes, and 384 minutes was 6 hours and 24 minutes, etc. I do all of this for her, and she doesn’t even say thank you, much less good luck as we get off the bus. I’m sure she was nervous, as I was, but I was really annoyed.
We made it to the meeting areas, and I made my way to the T-W tent, where both the Tour Guide Mike group and the WDW Radio Running team would be meeting. I didn’t see anyone I recognized, so I headed to the Race Retreat, thinking I’d get my bag checked, hit the port-a-potties at least once, maybe grab a drink of water, and come back out to see my friends. (At one time, we’d discussed having them let me know when they arrived so I wouldn’t miss the group photo. We apparently didn’t reiterate this expectation the last time I saw them, however.)
I was feeling a little nauseous, which isn’t normal for race morning, and I really didn’t feel like eating anything, but I didn’t want to try to run 26.2 miles on an empty stomach, either. I went into the retreat and saw an acquaintance and went over to say hello. She asked me how I was doing, and I started to cry a little bit. Embarrassed, I quickly told her good luck and scooted away. I sat down at an empty table and started feeling sorry for myself, but then I heard my name being called. I looked over and saw a couple of people I recognized from the WDW Radio Running team. I went over and sat with them, but didn’t really know them, so conversation was awkward. I’d sent texts to two of my friends and left a voicemail for the third, so I kept checking my phone to see when I should come back out to the tent.
I never heard from anybody, but it was getting late, so I used the bathroom and got my stuff together before I took advantage of the private bag check and headed out. When I got out to the tent, I was able to catch the group photo with my team, but when I got over to the TGM group, I saw that I’d missed out on the group photo because I took so long to come out. When I reached my friends, I pretended to yell at them that I’d texted them and called them and nobody responded! (I say “pretend”, because I really was hurt that nobody tried to get in touch with me; apparently, they didn’t see the texts or get the voicemails because their phones are not surgically attached to their hands like mine is! None of this was helping to improve my mood.)
They did take pity on me and took a mini-group shoe shot.
I said hello to a couple of other friends, and then saw someone that I knew would help me: my dear friend, Jen. She is a pastor from Texas, and we’ve gotten to know each other over the past year or so. She is a real blessing to me, and she was just what I needed this morning. I walked over to her, and when she asked me how I was doing, I started to cry in earnest. She gave me a hug and said a beautiful prayer for me. We were then able to chat some more while we walked toward the corrals with a group of friends. I don’t think I’ve told her how much she helped pull me out of my funk and get some perspective and feel better about the race.
When we got to where the corrals split, Jen went one way and I went another with the rest of the group. I train alone, and usually race alone, so I said good-bye to the others and made me way as far up to the front of Corral D as I could go.
I sat down and began the long wait until our corral would start. I couldn’t see the screen where they showed everything that was happening at the front, so I started feeling sorry for myself AGAIN.
It's Joey Fatone!
It was at this point that I needed to get some inspiration from somewhere, so I posted on Facebook: “To quote Bilbo Baggins, I’m going on an adventure!” This helped a bit, as did a text I received from Tanya. She asked me where I was, and after a couple texts back and forth, we found each other along the same side of the corral. We visited for a few minutes, and I cried AGAIN, but she encouraged me and reminded me that we’d see each other for drinks later on in Epcot. Her getting in touch with me meant a lot, because she and I don't know each other very well, but she took the time to text me so we could meet up. I was glad to have had a chance to catch up with her before the race. Sorry I blubbered to you, Tanya, but thanks for being there for me!
Sorry there's so much! I know it sounds a bit whiny, and it's only now that I'm a week past the race that I can see the reasons behind my mood. I'll have the real race report and pictures tomorrow!
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Last edited by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince; 01-20-2013 at 10:12 PM..
Oh Beth!! The first race after injury and healing is always a tough one. The Wine and Dine was mine. Lucky for me though, it was only a Half not a Full! Also on my side were my newfound friends at the time (from the "other" board!!) to take away the anxiety. They even smuggled me into corral B instead of C for that one! Don't ask.... Since your friends kind of bailed on you, I totally understand how you could have been such a mixed bag of emotions at the time. Don't apoligize for blubbering - you weren't blubbering! You just needed some reassurance! And to get running, for crying out loud!
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Tanya
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This year, they did a thing with Runner's World magazine where you paid (a lot!) extra and got some VIP perks.
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Originally Posted by Amy L
We have run in the Wine & Dine two times. You should sign up, you would LOVE this race!
We were just talking about that tonight. If we did Wine & Dine, we'd have to skip marathon weekend. We just can't afford to race as much as we'd like to!
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Originally Posted by Amy L
I am really enjoying your TR and learning a lot! I have not heard of Mickey Miles Podcast, where can I find that?
It's available on iTunes, and they have a FB page.
I don't think it sounds like whining at all. I can totally understand why you felt so emotional, unsure of yourself and worried. That very strange woman on the bus didn't help at all, either! To have gone through PT and training and come back for the full marathon is amazing! You runners have fortitude! Now I can't wait to hear more.
It's not whining at all, and reading it, I wanted to reach out and give you a great big to make you feel better. I hope the race goes better than your pre-race time.
What a great TR! I am enjoying reading all the details and will be looking anxiously for the next update.
Your emotions are understandable. I remember feeling much the same on my first ski trip when I felt abandoned by my friends - long before the days of cell phones
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Tricia
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on your race!!
That's funny!!!
How fun to be a spectator!! Every year, the crowds grow and grow and you know us runners are so thankful for them and their support. I'd just love to be on the other side someday. 
Mmmm, so good. Sorry we didn't meet up that afternoon, but I needed to rest. You understand. 
PassPorter Guide Author
to make you feel better. I hope the race goes better than your pre-race time. 
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