I Ran a Marathon!!!

It has been almost 2 months since I ran my first marathon. I chose to run the Walt Disney World Marathon as my first marathon, because RunDisney has a special place in my heart. My first 1/2 marathon was a RunDisney event so it was only fitting to have my first marathon be at my favorite place. 

I would like to start the recap with telling you that I did not train nearly as much as I should have. Although this was one of my worst races I have ran, I did learn that I truly can do anything I put my mind to. 

The Expo

We started our RunDisney weekend like any other at the fitness expo. The fitness expo is an expo that every runner must go to in order to get your bib. It didn't feel like I was about to run a marathon until I got to that expo. Then it all became very real. We got our bibs and realized that we were in the last corral, this was the first of many wake up calls. I figured that a marathon wouldn't be too bad, we had to maintain a 16min per mile pace (no problem, right?). But being in the last corral meant that we HAD to maintain a 16 min per mile pace. I started to freak out. We took our photo with our bibs and left the expo and went to the park. 

The Night Before
You really could tell it was race weekend and that people were serious about running. Everything was pretty empty but Joe and I decided that we would take advantage of the short lines and enjoy the park. We stayed out late and made poor food choices. Once we got to our hotel room, we picked out our outfits and headed to bed. We had to be out at the bus stop at 4:00am.

Race Day

4:00am came early, we headed out the door and made it to the race with plenty of time to do a whole lot of nothing. Being in the last corral meant that we had to do a lot of waiting around. Even being there with all of the runners I was still in a tiny bit of disbelief that I was about to run a marathon. We got some food, posed for pictures, and went to the bathroom. 

The time had come to get to our corral. We got in our corral and waited. The excitement began to build as each corral started. With every set of fireworks I felt my heart race. About 1 hour and 30 minutes had pasted and we were finally at the start of the race. My anticipation had built up and I was ready for this race to be done. 

We got to the start and the gun and fireworks went off. I started to run. Mile 1-13.1 were all a blur. I just kept running. It was my slowest 1/2 marathon time, but I didn't stop running. I had it in my  mind that I needed to keep going and that the bus that picked people up was right behind me (if you don't maintain that 16 min per mile pace you will get picked up by a bus). I never saw that bus behind me but I knew it was there. That motivated me to keep on running.

The first 13.1 miles took us from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom, through the Magic Kingdom and to Animal Kingdom. The one thing that I do remember was finally getting to Magic Kingdom, it felt like it  took forever, I was beyond excited to get to Main Street and see that castle. Joe and I did stop for a photo opt at the castle and a few other places.

Once I made it to Animal Kingdom and realized that I had ran a 1/2 marathon I was beyond proud of myself. It was a huge relief, but I really wanted to stop. Joe was there right by my side encouraging me to keep going. So, I kept going. At about mile 15 I experienced something that I have never experienced as a runner, chaffing. My inner thighs burned as I kept going. But the thought of not finishing kept me running. The chaffing allowed me to find the best thing that has ever been made for a runner. BioFreeze. At first I put the BioFreeze on my chaffing thinking that is what it was for, mistake. It burned worse. But then I realized that it was for your sore and achy body. I began to stop at every medical station to run BioFreeze all over my legs and shoulders. I did find a solution to my chaffing. 

At mile 16-17 there was a point where you can see the runners that were at mile 20-21. I wanted nothing more then to be where they were. I thought that one I got to mile 20 I would be home free. Miles 16-20 went through the Wide World of Sports, who knew that there were 4 miles to run. I stopped for a bathroom break and wasted a ton of time. But it was worth it not to have to go in a port-o-potty. Once I got to mile 20 I realized that I still had 6.2 more miles to run and the feeling of being home free was gone. at that point I also saw the bus driving on the other side of the road. That helped me pick up my pace a tiny bit. 

The toughest part of the race were the last few miles. I didn't think I was going to make it, but Joe was there to cheer me on and remind me that I could do it. I felt my pace go up and down and 6.2 grueling miles later I found myself at the end of the race. I made it.  I was finished.

I really didn't know what to think. I didn't cry and I wasn't overly joyed. We collected our medals and headed back to the hotel. It wasn't until I was on the bus headed back to our room that I was proud of what I had done. I ran a marathon. 

Have you ever ran a marathon?

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Fun New Things at Disney World!

Earlier this year, Joe and I went to Disney World to Run the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon! I was a Disney World Passholder for 5 years so I figured it was just going to be a normal fun trip to disney. However, I noticed many new things. 

Magic Bands 

Joe and I stayed on property and I was really excited when our Magic Bands were delivered to our house. The box was really nice and the concept was neat. Magic Bands are given to all guest who stay on Disney property, their primary purpose is a way to get into your room. However, you can attached a credit card to the band which allows you the ability to purchase things through out the park. You can attach your ticket to your band. You can also use the bands for Fastpass+. Once you have made your reservations you can go online and set up your vacation. The website is really easy to use and has a ton of information. You can choose your favorite color and your band will be sent to you in that color with your name printed on the inside. The use of Magic Bands start the moment you arrive at Orlando International, so be sure to put them in your carry on. 

Over all the Magic Bands were great, they were not that bad to wear and easy to use. At times it was difficult to get the band to register, you really need to make sure the Mickey ears touch at the right spot. We did decide to attach our credit card to the band and all of the charges were correct. Although Magic Bands are in the test stage, I am sure we will continue to see them at the park. 

Fast Pass+

The Fast Pass is one of Disney's greatest inventions, if you plan your Fast Passes correctly you can spend almost no time at all waiting in lines. Fast Pass+ gives you the tools to plan correctly. You use the Diseny World website or an awesome app called "My Disney Experience" to plan your trip. You are allowed 3 Fast Pass+ passes in one day and your Magic Band to enter in a special Fast Pass+ line. The concept is amazing and I am sure once Disney figures out how to get all of the kinks worked out it will be awesome! But, there are currently kinks... You only can use your 3 passes at one park. For example, if you are spending half of your day at Magic Kingdom and half of your day at Epcot, you have to choose which park you want to use your passes at. Once you use 1 pass at a park you must use the rest at that park. You only get 3 passes a day, but if you have a hard ticket also, you can use both the Magic Band and your hard ticket to get regular Fast Passes. 

Interactive Games 

One last new thing that I wanted to share was Interactive games that were put into Magic Kingdom. There were 2 of them that we found. The first was called Sorcerers at it can be found at the fire station on Main Street. You are given a deck of playing cards, showed how to play the game,  and then handed a map of where all of the locations are.

To play the game you have to place your Key card against the card reader and a video will play. You have to watch the video carefully and then cast your "spell" in order to beat the villan.  Then the video will give you a clue to where you need to go next. The game takes you to a few locations through out the park. I was really impressed with the creative ways that the videos played. It is a good way to entertain small kids or good for someone who has been to the park many times and is looking for something new to do. 

The other game that we found was called A 

Pirate's Adventure. It can be found in Adventure Land just before you get to Frontier Land. Joe and I really liked this game. You are given a pirate map and have to go around and figure out the clues to go to the next spot. The animation for the clues were really good. I would recommend this game for people of all ages. There was no wait to play and only took 15-20 minutes to complete it! 

Joe and I had a such a fun time at Disney and I will be posting a Marathon Recap later this week! I will also be putting together a review of the new Fantasy Land at Magic Kingdom. 

When was the last time you went to Disney World?

Do you know of any fun new things at Disney World?

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