We're back from Florida after an lovely eight day vacation. It was so nice to not worry about work, school etc. for a few days.
The Disney Princess Half-Marathon was wonderful, crazy, hot, enjoyable, maddening...
Imagine EIGHTEEN THOUSAND people tromping around through the swampy backroads of Florida at 4:00 AM to get to the very remote starting line about 40 minutes away... CRAZY. I'm surprised no one was eaten by alligators.
We were in corral E (of A-F) so it took an additional 35 minutes after the beginning of the race to cross the starting line. Here we are when the fireworks went off:
The majority of the race was on the freeway and going back and forth across overpasses. Overpasses really feel like hills when you're running them and the steep angle of the road was tough on our knees, back and feet. But then we ran into the Magic Kingdom and all was forgotten.
Main Street:
(this is the thinnest crowd we ran in and it's still very tightly packed)
Running Through Sleeping Beauty's Castle:
Getting our Medals at 2:47
And then we high-tailed it to the medical tent (as did every single person we saw)
I'll never do another huge (population) run again. There was too many miles when we couldn't run for crowding and it was poorly organized. That said, it was an amazing experience and a deeply satisfying way to celebrate the one year anniversary of my spinal surgery.
9 comments:
Thanks so much for sharing your pictures! I cannot imagine running with THAT many people! And you call that a thinning crowd? Wow! CONGRATS again on this momentous occasion!
I have friends who did the Disney marathon some years back, and they had a miserable time, too. (As I recall, it was supposed to hit all the theme parks? So it was mostly freeways.)
Poorly organized: Augh! Big marathons CAN'T be poorly-organized and still be a good marathon!
There are marathons in Alaska where the field is, like, 30 people. (Remote!) I've long fantasized about doing that one, it sounds so idyllic.
Yeah, packed events can be very un-fun. I'm never going to do the Bridge Pedal in Portland ever again after my dreadful experience in 2005.
... but I am so proud of you - both of you - for doing the half marathon. That is terrific! And running through Disney World looks like it was fun.
Congratulations again on a good run and a good time.
Wow...you are my hero...when I go on vacation, i try very hard NOT to run...and you do just the opposite! :-) I love the picture with the ice...it made me giggle.
Congrats to you both for training for and finishing the marathon.
Though it might not have been ideal, YOU DID IT!!!
What a great way to celebrate the anniversary of your surgery.
Heh, there are some fed-up-looking princesses in those shots! I know Disney is not about running, but they should be about excellent crowd control.
I really wanted the crowds and fuss for my first marathon (Arizona Rock and Roll), and then later gravitated toward smaller races. (And trail races!) Are there lots of options near your hometown?
You're both glowing in your photos! Congratulations and happy recovery! :)
Loved reading about and SEEING the photos of your experience at the Disney Half-Marathon. That looks like a big 'ol mess, though!! Wow!! But, you know what? YOU DID IT!! You are amaaaazing!! Congratulations!! YOU ROCK!!! \m/ \m/
well done, lady! you rock!
-meg
@ http://clutzycooking.blogspot.com
Congratulations to you both!!!
And I'm so glad the alligators didn't eat you ;-)
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