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In 2004 I ran my first half marathon and loved it. I was talking about it at work and joked that I might run a full next. I wasn't sure if I meant it until Randy, the track coach, said "Oh don't run a marathon! It'll ruin your body. It's way too hard."

So I ran a marathon because NO ONE tells me I can't do something. I had a GREAT time. You can see me on the right there running in front of the guy in the Hawaiian shirt.

Then I heard of the Disneyworld Marathon, so I joined Seattlefit for a second year to train with them. They were training for the Seattle Marathon, and since I'd run the half the year before, I figured they'd take me to the full Disneyworld if I just revamped the training a little. Of course as we got closer to Seattle I wanted to run it, so I shared with an experienced marathoner friend of mine that I was considering running Seattle full on after Thanksgiving and then 7 weeks later running the Disneyworld Marathon. He said "No! Don't do that. You'll wreck your body and never be recovered enough to run the Disneyworld.

So of course I did. I was fine and had a blast and not once have I wrecked my body.

Well the first year of the Disneyworld Marathon Goofy Challenge was that year and the idea of running a half marathon one day and a full marathon the next seemed a special kind of crazy. However, I knew I wanted to return! I had SUCH a great time, particularly running with my honey! (Sadly he announced his retirement from marathoning at the finish line.) I decided I wanted to return in 2010.

The closer we got to 2010 the crazier I got, so of course I knew I had to do the Goofy Challenge! I couldn't wait to head back and leave behind the cold, wet weather of Washington and run in sunny Florida. The year we ran the first time it was "unseasonably cold" although at least by the end of the race it was in the low 70s.

Fast Forward to 2010. 

We decided to take the redeye on Wednesday night to Florida so we'd have all day Thursday and Friday to play in the park. We got there at about 9:40 Thursday morning after sleeping about an hour on the plane. Still couldn't wait to get to the park! It took us well over an hour to get to our hotel, most of it spent standing in line for the Magical Express. We got to the hotel and they checked us right in. We dropped our stuff, squealed over the towel design in a Mickey head on our bed, and headed out to the expo. 

I got my race numbers and off we went directly to the park. On the way to the bus, who did we see but Marie and Tim! Big hugs and shout outs as we ran for the bus to Hollywood Studios and they headed into the expo.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in Hollywood Studios...had lunch at the Sci Fi Theater (our favorite silly restaurant in there), and talked about the upcoming races. 

After hugging Linda goodbye, Roy and I headed to the Magic Kingdom. This is my favorite park and we played and played like little kids! I think we got on every ride we wanted to, saw some great shows, and acted like kids...as usual. I love Disney with Roy. It always feels like "our place".  After a busy day in the park, we met Marie, Tim, Matt, Betsy, Laurie, and a few others for dinner at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney and sort of carbo loaded for the next morning's half marathon. We had a great time at dinner, swapping stories, making plans, and laughing a LOT. I had chicken breast and mashed potatoes. Others had sausages on forks...I can't imagine eating that the day before a race, but apparently it worked for them! LOL! Laurie was particularly animated that night and it was interesting getting to know her better. I'd met her a few times on marathons, and had read some of her posts on the Marathon Maniacs message board, but we'd never really gotten to know each other. 

We made it home by about 8:00 p.m. and I spent the evening showering and getting ready for the race and watching the weather channel, praying for a good day.

Let me just say, how freaking COOL is it to go across the country to run with friends you know? Really?

The next morning we got up at 2:30 a.m. to get ready for the half marathon. The first thing we did was turn on the weather channel...weather forecast was for lows in the low 30s, highs in the low 40s. WHAT THE CUSS? Are you KIDDING me? Where's my sunshine? Where's my heat? Where's my mid-winter tan? 

Okay, it was still early in the morning (let me point out that we are PST kinda people so 2:30 EST is the night before for us) and it might warm up, right?

No such luck! 

Roy stayed behind and planned to meet me later to cheer me in. I grabbed the bus around 4:00 and headed to the holding area at EPCOT. It was SO cold. I mean SOOOOO cold, I could hardly feel any of my extremities. Fortunately I was pretty ready for it. 

After awhile Marie and Susan showed up. We hung out and listened to the music, then when directed by Sarge (to the left) we headed out to the corrals. For some reason I was corralled both days in really high letters. My best marathon is slightly slower than Marie's, and our best halves are within minutes, but I was still well behind her. We wanted to run together so I climbed a fence, and snuck into the corral behind her and Susan. They came to the back of their corral and climbed into my corral and there we were!

Soon the fireworks went off and we were off! No one mentioned it might SNOW, but it did. I do believe it was the first snow in Orlando since 1955. Yeah, just my luck! The snow and sleet kept up for about 7 miles...slapping us in the face. It was SO cold the only layer I shed was my heat blanket. I was sure glad for all the other clothes! As you can see by my photo from the first WDW marathon, I had NOT dressed for cold weather that day. 

We started out in EPCOT. It was so beautiful with all the lights on and the cast members cheering us in the cold. How sweet of them to be out there! We ran and talked and talked some more. I got to know Susan a lot better, and of course Marie and I are always talking. 

There weren't as many characters out as I expected, but it was okay. We were having fun just being out there running and we really weren't wanting to stop too badly because it was so cold! 

After EPCOT we found ourselves "running around the world" in the World Showcase. I was looking forward to visiting it later in the day. 

Between EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom we shed our outer layers. It was still pouring down rain and freezing cold and sleety, but we were warming up and having fun. I had my camera out ready to take pictures. It was so wet and cold, though, that everything was fogged up.

As we ran into the Magic Kingdom it took my breath away. I love Disney at night, and I really REALLY love Disney around Christmas at night! It was SO beautiful!

I tried to get pictures but they just didn't turn out, but this one of the three of us in front of the castle did!

We saw a lot more characters in the Magic Kingdom, but didn't stop. I figured we had one more day, and we'd decided to "race" this one and play a little more tomorrow. However, I could not pass up the chance to get a picture with Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, and Louie from "The Princess and the Frog". 

Pretty soon we were headed back to EPCOT and the finish line. The rain had stopped, but the wind had whipped up. While we were fine while running, oh my gosh did we get cold as soon as we stopped!

We finished in 2:26, which is not any of our best times, but considering the weather and the event, we weren't unhappy with it at all. 

We got our Donald medals and I ogled it while we made our way to the Goofy Challenge tent. We exchanged our silver wrist bands for blue ones. That proved we had finished the half marathon in time. I wondered to myself how Linda had done. Her plan was to at least start the half marathon, knowing she wouldn't finish it. I hadn't gotten any alerts for her, so I wasn't sure how far she'd gone. I hoped she had at least enjoyed the fireworks and the excitement of the start.

Roy met me at the finish line...actually he somehow missed me and was SO disappointed! I was watching for him, but didn't see him. We agreed to make sure we found each other the next day. We said goodbye to Marie and Susan with many hugs. We planned to have dinner with Marie and Tim and Matt and Betsy later in EPCOT, so we'd see them later on.

After just a few minutes of not running, I was freezing cold. I grabbed some food and we headed straight over to EPCOT. No point going back to the hotel. Roy had brought me warm clothes to change into. We were going to get a locker and enjoy the park, meeting our friends in Italy for dinner. I was SO cold when I went in to get changed. I couldn't stop shivering. I took off all my gear carefully laying it out, and got changed. I put everything into my pack, and headed out to meet Roy so we could go on rides. After stowing our pack, we went on Spaceship Earth. Just as the ride was about to end I realized I had forgotten my Garmin in the restroom! OH NO! I told Roy and said I needed to go see if it was there. I didn't figure it would be, but it didn't hurt to try. After all, the park hadn't been open long and it was a restroom right outside the entrance. Of course right then the ride stopped and we sat for 15 minutes waiting for it to start up again. I tried not to get anxious, but realized the longer we waited the less chance I had to regain my beloved Garmin.

Of course he was gone...sad sad sad. Poor Van. I'd worn him first on the Vancouver Half Marathon (the one where it rained torentially the entire time and I think I nearly drowned three times), so I named him Van. We'd had many many good miles together. We went to the lost and found and they looked, but he hadn't been turned in. We said we'd try again later.

About that time Marie texted me that they wanted to go to lunch instead of dinner, if that worked for me. I loved the idea. That would leave the evening free, and I preferred to eat my heavy meal earlier. We went over to The Land to have breakfast (I was SO hungry) and I scarfed down a child's plate of french toast. We went on The Land, then over to The Seas and watched the dolphins for WAY longer than we should have! I really wanted to go over and do the Electricity thing with Ellen, and also that one where you go through the body, but we didnt have the time. We zipped on over to Italy and met Marie, Tim, Matt, and Betsy and had a GREAT time at lunch. The food was fantastic, especially the cappucino (the coffee in Disneyland is horrible). We laughed and laughed, all wearing our medals! After lunch we went back over to the Lost and Found, but no Van. I told Roy I really needed to get another Garmin because I had bootcamp on Monday night and wouldn't have time to get one before then. (I use it to time bootcamp.) 

We ran over and spent more time and money at the expo. I decided that I really "needed" a new skirt (red with white polka dots), along with my new Garmin 310xt (aptly named Goofy). I lucked out, too, because they were selling it for 15% off...almost impossible to get a new Garmin at a discount! I still hope they'll mail back my Garmin at some point. I did lose something in WDW one other time and about three weeks later, got it back in the mail. 

We also took time to take some photos!

After the expo we went to head back to the park, but it was so cold and windy we decided that we would just go back to the hotel and spend more time at EPCOT the next day after the marathon. We went back to the hotel, had dinner (I indulged for the first time since 2002, in a double bacon cheeseburger...I only ate 2/3 of it, but it tasted very good and now I don't need another for a very long time). 

I laid out the new outfit I'd bought and we went to bed. Another night of not very much sleep, but oh well. 

Again with the 2:30 in the morning, being our 11:30 the night before. Up and got dressed. The forecast for today was COLDER than yesterday, but at least no rain! Eeep! Colder? 

I layered on up. Roy was going to go with me out to the start, but I insisted he stay back in bed for awhile. After all, it was in the low 20s, he didn't need to stand outside and catch his death while waiting for me to finish. We went and had breakfast, he saw me to the bus, then went back to bed. I was glad. I would have worried about him. 

I found Cindy when I got there. She messaged me that she was by the Coke Truck so I headed over. It was SO good to see her. Like Linda, she's one of "my" runners. She was SO excited about the race. She introduced me to her sister-in-law and their friend and we chatted. She was going to do the best she could do as she was sporting an injury. The point was to have fun, try to make it to the castle, and the rest was cake! Unfortunately she was swept at mile 18, but she did meet her goal of having fun and going through the castle and you know what? She had a bad foot injury! If she hadn't, she would have made it and will next time for sure! 

I soon found Marie and Susan. We kicked back and made plans to try to sneak me into their corral, which was FOUR ahead of mine! Still don't understand that. When ordered to head out to our corrals, we trudged out in the cold, glad it was at least dry. 

Unfortunately, we weren't able to get me into the corral and the race was about to start, to I headed back to my proper corral and hoped I'd be able to find them. I started out feeling kind of bummed, but then I thought "Run your own race, take a million pictures, and just have fun." I figured I'd still try to catch up, but if I couldn't that was okay!

Pretty soon the first set of fireworks went off. Yay! We were off! Race two! We started to make our way towards the front but I was in a wave later than Marie and Susan so they went off with the second set of fireworks, and I went off with the third...so I never did catch up. I stopped for pictures right away, before even starting the race! Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy saw us off, and I had to get a photo of them!

We started off heading towards EPCOT. It was clear, cold, and beautiful! I was all bundled up again with a garbage bag over the entire ensemble. It was so cold, I ran for miles in that thing. It was a lot better than rain though! 

Pretty soon we saw Spaceship Earth glowing in the distance as mile two came pretty quickly and took us into the Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow. Mile three was just around the corner as we entered the World Showcase. LOTS of cast members were out cheering us on all bundled up in mittens and muffs! We were the lucky ones running. 

Here are some photos from the first five miles:

As we headed into mile six, the Magic Kingdom loomed in the distance and the sun started coming out. Yay! Actual sun! Maybe I'd get that mid-winter tan yet! It was gorgeous out, and I couldn't wait to run through the castle! Bands entertained us on the way, and cheerleaders cheered for us like it was the State Championships. I still hadn't seen Marie and Susan, but I did meet and talk with a few others on the route. I also enjoyed just being in my own head, stopping for photos along the way, and not feeling like I was holding anyone up. 

It did feel like the MK wasn't getting any closer, and in a way it wasn't. We actually ran around and near the MK, but it was awhile yet until we ran IN to the MK! There was still plenty to see. Mile 8 was dedicated to Goofy, who posed with me for a photo.

Finally between 9 and 10 we went into the Magic Kingdom! What a beautiful park! There were LOTS of characters in there, too!

Heading out of the park we got to go next to the most exciting area of the marathon! We got to see the Sewage Treatment Plant, the Compost Plant (it was exhilarating), and the recycling plant! We also saw some interesting wildlife including bears, alligators, rabbits, and root trolls (my trail running class will recognize them).

During the Animal Kingdom I figured I should check in with Roy. I knew he had to be in EPCOT and there were only 9 miles left (30 down, 9 to go) so I stopped in the restroom to use it and give him a quick call. It was a call...he was so funny. He started telling me a story about the bus and I'm trying to juggle my gear without dropping anything in the toilet, then to get it all back ON as he's still rambling about the bus driver and people getting mad and spending an hour on the bus...finally I was able to break in (yes, Roy does talk a LOT sometimes), and find out where he was. He was waiting for me right at mile 25, so I still had a ways to go before I'd get to see him, so I stopped to visit with a few of my crazy friends along the way.

Mile 18 took us out of the park and onto an out and back section. Fortunately Disney never lets you get too bored (I mean we DID see the composting facility...come on...how can you ask for more). There was lots of entertainment and music on this part, and they also warmed up the sun for us! I actually took off my jacket and let my pasty white arms hang out for awhile! It was great!

Wheeeee!

Mile 22 and we were back in the parks! Yay! Hollywood Studios! It was so strange running in the tunnel at the prop/costume department because it was so dark and hard to see, but neat to see all the costumes. Almost ran into a few people who stopped without warning, but managed to make it around them. There were lots of characters in Hollywood Studios, so I stopped taking walk breaks and only "broke" for photos.

We rounded the Boardwalk towards World Showcase. My only complaint along this area is that I do not feel that the TNT coaches should enter the course in the narrow areas. There were a number of times in mile 21 that I could not get past groups of TNT walkers walking with their coach. How disrespectful to the rest of the runners. I support what they do, but I have had so many negative experiences with TNT it's really disappointing. I know it's not THEM, it's the individuals being more focused on their runners and not thinking (being truly thoughtless...not intentional). But often they impede other runners, they cheer only for their group, and they disrupt the race. I was feeling awesome at this point and wanted to really book it in, but I was simply unable to!

Ah well! Into World Showcase! FINALLY I was going to see my honey! And here he is! Round the world and into my honey's arms!

The last mile went by SO fast! Roy was going to meet me again at the end, but somehow I missed him. I whipped on in feeling amazingly good for having run 39 miles in the last 30 hours, or so...and 3 marathons and one half marathon in 11 days. 

My good friend, Goofy, met me at the finish line. 

I missed seeing Roy, so I hurried to get my Mickey medal for the full marathon, then got in line to get my Goofy medal for 39.3 miles in 2 days! It was awesome! Fortunately Marie had told me to bring my Donald with me, so I had all three medals for my photo!

The funny thing is, as I was heading out of the gate towards the food, one of the cast members stopped me and asked me if I would like to have my photo taken for next year's advertising! Sure thing! Let's face it, I'm an attention whore! I signed a release and went into a little tent where they took a bunch of pictures of me in this outfit...yeah, go figure. I mean I know I always look like a fashion model after running 26.2 miles, so who wouldn't want a picture of this glorious vision? (HA!) It was kind of fun, though! Probably their advertising will be, "If this crazy woman can do it, you can too!" I am sure they took pictures of lots of people, so it probably won't show up...but it was still fun.

Got around and met my honey. I was feeling great, so we headed over to EPCOT to get food. We ended up in France where we each had a Prix Fixe with French Onion Soup, French Fries, and French Toast...okay not really. The soup we had, and a pasta dish, and creme brulet (with more bad coffee...darn it). It was SO good, but I couldn't even eat half of it. 

While we ate we chatted with a lady at the next table who had run the half the day before (she thought I was insane, I warned her that it was addicting). We also watched the very last of the runners and walkers come in, cheering like crazy for them. I asked Roy what he did all day and he shared:

I'm so glad he got to have a little fun. I think we often forget what our running does to our non-running spouses. It's a lot of commitment and love that goes behind supporting someone with this addiction passion. It's long days waiting to catch a glimpse of your runner, cold mornings biking alongside her on long runs, assistant coaching training programs (without being asked), sitting at water stops on training runs, fetching coffee, making pasta the night before, giving up weekend after weekend for training and races and never coming home with your own medal. That, my friends, is love and while I am proud of my running and the health and "life" it has awarded me, I could not do it without Roy.