So I am going to be posting a lot of info from the trip but also as it nearly Christmas, lots of Christmassy stuff too.
But though I'd start off with posting about my Disney Run.
Firstly had to go to the expo - was so nervous about the run, that there was so much good merchandise saying "I did it" I was too afraid to buy anything just in case I didn't make it.
Well I did get to meet Lumiere so at leas that was worth the trouble and got my goodie bag with my free top in it.
So the race day, it all started at a very early I had to get up a 3am to get the bus at 3.30am - go the free bus from my hotel to the holding Area.
At the holding area they had music blaring out and thankfully a lot of toilets what is it with nerves and the need to wee, it not great!!
I managed to take my mind off the impending 13 miles I would have to trudge and got to meet Remy and his brother Emile.
Although the 2 hours from the time I got to the holding area to the start of the race flew by, and it was time get into the corral and the slow walk to the start line.
Luckily they penned me in as it seemed so ominous especially as they let the corral go one by one and they all started to the sound of fireworks, boom!! RUN! boom! RUN.
So I got closer, closer and then it was READY, STEADY. GO! GO! GO! oh and BOOM BOOM BOOM of our fireworks.
I was off !!
I was a bit of a slow start as you're caught in the pack with the other guys and girls of your corral, but once they'd thinned I was off at I think was pretty good pace.
It was a fresh clear morning and everyone at this point in the race had their energy level high, the first mile went so quickly when I was trying to take it all in.
Between the 2nd and the 3rd mile I passed the 3hour pace setters, so my target in my head which started in just getting round and finishing before the cow catcher got me. My new target was finish and finish under 3 hours.
My confidence grew as mile 4 was coming up as I knew that I would be coming up on Animal Kingdom
It was so, so much fun running through the Animal Kingdom before it was open there was also some photopass by that time I was still feeling really good.
Running and Running, I really wished I brought some head phones as when you left the Animal Kingdom there wasn't really much to see, until you hit mile 11 when you where coming up on Epcot.
I know in previous years they did run the half through Hollywood Studio, but due to all the construction they couldn't so don't get me wrong running through Disney and seeing areas you wouldn't necessarily is great I just though it was bit far between Animal Kingdom and Epcot from a psychological point of view
Disney did try their best and put on entertainment and character to meet (although as I was trying to get round didn't want to stop for pictures)
But as the sun came up it got hot very hot so my pace dropped off I think Mile 8 to 9 was the hardest and I did think at that point if I had a way out I would have taken it.
There was a lot of water and gatoraid stops to keep me going but the sun was hot.
Although as soon as I saw mile 10 Double figures - I felt okay again and knew I was going to complete it.
Didn't help that at around that point that you needed to run up a fly over, I can run but I hate hill it wasn't even that big but my legs were tired. Although I did get to run down the other side.
So I could see the entrance to Epcot, was still a long way off but I knew my Husband and Son would be their to support me and that spurred me on.
After well past the 2 hour mark I made it into the car park of Epcot to enter the park, I thought I would see my family then but I didn't. Did feel a little disappointed and started to worry that they didn't make it and I wouldn't see them.
I put that to the back of my mind as I had the other side to find them.
At Epcot they had the photo pass people too, as you can see there is a big difference between my Animal Kingdom cold morning mile 4 and my Hot sun long run mile 12
I made it round the mile of Epcot and people where starting to come into the park so I got a cheer which really help. Honestly if you ever go to see a run if you see people cheer as it really helps.
So outside the other side of Epcot on the last bit on the run I finally saw my family I was so happy, although I didn't want to stop as the end was so near and I just wanted to make sure I finished and got my hand on that medal
I crossed the finish line, didn't get a good picture boo
Although the feeling I had could be summed up in a picture. I felt amazing I had such a sense of achievement - although did feel a bit sick a bit dehydrated and very hungry.
They lovely people at the end of the run gave me water, a banana and of course my medal
So yay I did it 13.1 miles all that training paid off which made all those early morning an late night runs worth it. I also did it in 2 Hour 54 Minutes - So made it in the under 3 hours mark.
I spend the rest of the day in the medal, hobbling about - your legs do hurt after that amount of running.
But I managed to treat myself!!
So will definitely keep up the running and definitely want to do another Disney Run - hmm thinking of the Princess Half.
