Here's my review of the race.
First, Disney people are so nice. I am not one to strike up conversation with strangers but I do at Disney. Everyone I talked to would answer back and at least have a small conversation. When I got to the airport (still in Disney mode) to go home I tried talking to a guy and he looked at me like I had 4 heads and ignored me. It was then I realized my trip was over and I was no longer at Disney.
I LOVED the whole experience. They run everything so well. This whole experience for me was about getting out of my comfort zone and I did that. I would do some things differently for my next race but it was a learning experience so I learned stuff.
First thing I would change I think, I would go right before the race and use any extra days for after the race. I was so worried about stomach issues during the race if I ate the wrong thing I was stressed at meal time. And, I was trying so hard to fit everything in that I was walking so fast I got a huge blister. I came home with 3 huge blisters on my left foot and one on my right.
I might also rent DVC for my next race so I can have a kitchen and make my own food. Not only would it be cheaper but I could eat healthy. By the race I had a pain in my stomach and ran with it. I think it was from eating crappy food, and I was trying to eat well. Its just not the same when you can't control what you put in it.
I was a bit disappointed in the Expo. I'm sure the other races are bigger, and I went on Saturday so that might be part of it. I just didn't think the race merchandise was worth it. I did take a pic with Jeff Galloway but he got swept off to do some promotional video so I didn't get to talk to him. I attended one of the speaker sessions, which was good. I bought a new arm band for my phone. I needed it and I got a good deal. That's all the money I spent.
As for the race itself. I sat next to a woman on the bus who was in corral A. She was very supportive. She obviously takes this stuff seriously. She runs 3-4 Disney races a year. Has run the Chicago marathon 10 times and Boston 3. Once off the bus she took a few minutes to show me how to navigate the parking lot as it was pretty overwhelming to me when I first got there. I got there early. As it got closer to the race the place was packed.
I wandered around the parking lot. I signed the "book" they had. I talked to a few people. The DJ was great. The lines for the porta potties were ridiculous. Another thing I wish I did differently was to get in the corral sooner. I would have finished higher had I started sooner. I was planning on it but underestimated the lines for the potty.
I ran the race in 1:29:50. RunKeeper said my paces was 8:52, which was 10 seconds faster than my previous race. I pushed myself hard because I wanted to finish in the top 500. I did not do that but I know I gave it everything I had so I am happy about my effort.
The weather was perfect. I was still dripping sweat when I finished but it was great. Because I finished pretty early I had no issues finding a bathroom to change in. I never saw the changing tent. I did see the lines for the women's rooms to change were LONG later in the after party. I was able to get on RnR 2 times and ToT one time before the lines got big. The party itelf was A LOT more crowded than I expected. They dropped the ride 5 times on ToT when I was on it. It was not a good feeling after running 10 miles and being hungry.
I left the party at 2 am. It took me until about 4am to settle down and fall asleep.
Overall, I was really proud of myself. The last year has been tough with the marital issues and stuff. I could have given up but I worked hard and did it.
I'm probably missing something so I may add more another day if I remember it. I will do many more Disney races in the future. I made a new set of goals on the flight home and it will be time to get to work on those this week (once my blisters heal
) My marathon is 2 weeks from yesterday. That one has me nervous.
