The Dopey Challenge Race Recap continues with Part 2: the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 10K!
Before you dive in, be sure to check out yesterday’s Dopey Challenge 5k Recap if you haven’t already.
When we left off, I was crawling into bed after a fun day of racing and exploring Epcot. I had a tough time falling asleep. I think it was a mix of excitement and the fact that overall I’m a pretty light sleeper. Every little noise would wake me up. Eventually I was able to fall asleep, only to wake up at the energetic hour of 3:20am.
THE RACE
We woke up to a rainy morning. Luckily, Angela and I had both packed ponchos in case of this exact occurrence. We ponchoed up and headed out to meet the bus to the race. The 10K, half and full marathon all started at 5:30am, so that meant we had to be on a bus by 4am. We ended up catching a 3:50 bus, and got to the race and through security by 4:15. Easy peasy. The weather was yicky, so we headed inside a tent to stay warm and dry before heading to the corral. We even got a pre-race costume pic. Hello, from Tinkerbell and Olaf!
- Bonus Tip: Take advantage of the tents! On 5K & 10K days, there are tents you can go into to stay sheltered before the race. These become VIP tents on half and full marathon days, but they’re open to all for the shorter distances.
Before we knew it, it was time to head to the corrals. Navigating through the corral was tricky with the width of my Tinkerbell wings, but once the fireworks went off, we were on our way and I had more space to spread my wings so to speak.
We started off on the highway at a nice easy pace, just like the 5K, and ended up shedding our ponchos right before the first mile marker. It was still raining, but at that point our body temperatures had warmed up, and the rain felt refreshing.
It was tough navigating the wet streets in the dark. You can never really judge if there’s a puddle ahead of just a bit of water reflecting, so we took care to watch our steps and not slip. We also made sure to hydrate at all 3 water stations even if we didn’t feel like it. Rain can be deceiving – you still need to hydrate!
Anywho, we stopped along the way to snag a picture with Mr. & Mrs. Incredible! You can’t really tell, but we’re soaked to bone in this picture. Thank goodness I didn’t wear white!
Soon enough, we were making our way into Epcot and then around the Boardwalk. Mike Wazowski was taking cover in a little café, so we popped in for another fun picture. I love that we match with all our green!
Before leaving Epcot, we snagged a photo opp with Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum! The line was long, but why the heck not, right?
Then the finish line was in sight! We crossed again with big smiles and snagged our heat sheets and Minnie Mouse medals. Yahoo!
9.3 miles down. 39.3 to go!
POST RACE
We stayed on similar schedule to 5K day in that we got back to our room, showered, snagged breakfast, and then went back to the room to stretch and relax for a bit. Then it was park time. On the agenda today? The Magic Kingdom!
We were both giddy with excitement upon walking in and seeing Cinderella’s castle. Plus, the rain had cleared up and the sun was starting to make an appearance, so the day was primed for perfection.
- Bonus Tip: Orlando weather is extremely unpredictable. We were checking our weather apps every hour, and every hour the forecast had changed. Come prepared with easy layers, ponchos, and sunglasses so that you’re ready for any weather scenario.
We snagged pictures with the castle, and hit up the Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor (so funny), Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (which I’m terrible at!), Under the Sea, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan’s Flight, The Haunted Mansion (my favorite) and Pirates of the Caribbean. Angela also introduced me to the dairy-free amazingness that is the Dole Whip! If you go to Disney, you HAVE to get one of these. It’s basically pineapple soft serve but dairy-free. We each got a Dole Whip Float, which is the pineapple soft serve in pineapple juice. So delicious!
We were mighty sleepy by the end of the day, so we headed back to the hotel for dinner and to put our feet in the hot tub again. Then we laid out our half marathon digs and into bed we went to dream of a magical 13.1.
Come on back next Wednesday for more Dopey Challenge Recap Magic!
In the meantime, let’s chat:
Have you ever had to race in inclement weather?
Ever been to the Magic Kingdom? What’s your favorite ride?
Something that I find very interesting about Disney races is that during regular races, people wear premade costumes that they buy in stores all the time, but at disney races, people tend more to self made. True?
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…How We Vacation Shows Who We Are
I think that’s a fair assessment. There were some pre-made, but I agree that most were pretty DIY. It’s more fun that way, I think!
Great tip about the tents! I think I would have just assumed that they were reserved for all the races. Those early mornings 4 days in a row sound tough.
Chaitali recently posted…2016 Races
The early mornings were the tough part I think, but the second we were up, the tough part was over!
Sounds fun!
It was a blast!
Once again great pics such a fun time. Excellent tips also. Thanks
Ivanna recently posted…Why I Decided to Stop Trying to Grow my Instagram Following
Thanks, Ivanna! How’s paleo going for you?
Looks like so much fun even if you did get soaked!!! Love that matching picture with you and Mike!
Annmarie recently posted…How To Keep Your Feet Warm During Winter Runs
It was the most fun ever. Wanna do it next year? We can run run run and then take your girls to the parks 🙂
Looks like a blast. Love your costume! I’ve raced in plenty of weather. Hurricane, freezing rain, torrential thunderstorm, 96 degrees, you name it.
Marcia recently posted…Weightloss Week 1: Fail to Plan
Hurricane?! That takes guts, girl!
Loved the tinkerbell costume. Looks like you two had a blast.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #54
It was incredible! Next year, you’ll have to come with me to help me do fun makeup before all the races 🙂
Love this! I have never ran a shorter Disney race, but would love to change that. You are one brave lady doing the dopey challenge. I can’t wait to see the rest of your recaps!
The shorter races were just as fun as the longer ones. I was expecting them to be crowded, but they were perfectly spread out 🙂
Races in the rain usually don’t bother me too much but it can be kind of a drag beforehand when you’re waiting around before the start. Great costumes!
Fiona recently posted…Mackerel for Runners
Waiting in the corrals was definitely the yuckiest part. Once we got running, the rain was actually pretty refreshing!
Cute outfit! Sounds like you had a fun race. I can’t wait to read about the other ones.
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heart Bars Review #hempheartbar
So much fun! Thank you!
Fun, fun, fun! I absolutely adore Minnie’s medal! I think it might be my favorite of the weekend. I loved your costumes!
Artney @ My Pretty Brown Fit recently posted…It’s My One Year Magical Marathon Anniversary!
I love the Minnie one, too, but the Dopey one has to be my favorite ;-P
Welcome to my neck of the woods! Yes Florida weather changes on the hour LOL. Cute costumes! I’ve been thinking about doing one of the Disney races for some time now, I’m just going to buckle down and buy one next time before they all sell out!
You definitely have to do at least one at some point. Though once you do one, you’ll become addicted haha.
Dole Whip is some seriously good stuff!
Glad the race went well despite the rain. Love all your character photos. I also wore those Tweedle Dee & Dum outfits :-))
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Healthy Honey Mashed Potatoes
Oh my goodness it was so amazing! I want to know more about all the characters you were. What’s it like to be in those costumes?
Sounds like a fun race! I’m looking forward to the next installment…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…The whiner’s guide to staying accountable in the winter
It was a blast! Thanks, Wendy!
Oh man I have to wait until next Wednesday lol. I am so enjoying these recaps I heard the rain there an prayed it would slack up. I’m glad yall were all smiles!! Ill be back!!
So glad you’re enjoying them! I’m loving writing them!
LOVE your tink outfit! Dopey seems like so much fun (until I factor in how much I’d have to run haha!)
Carmy recently posted…What Running Means – Guest Post
Thanks, Carmy! The Dopey was WAY less intimidating than I thought it would be. I think the key was really just making the goal to have fun vs. go fast.
LOL at Orlando weather being unpredictable. It’s all part of the adventure.
At the WDW Marathon last year, it was cold, humid, then it rained, then it was muggy, then it rained again. It was miserable. I don’t love the rain, but I’m learning to get more comfortable with it.
I am so excited reading these recaps. I vowed I would never do another 26.2, but now, a year later, I was looking at Dopey pics and posts on Facebook this weekend and found myself thinking “I could do that. How hard could it REALLY be?” And that’s how all my bad ideas come to life.
Can’t wait to read more!
Jenn recently posted…empower coaching – a review
haha that is the nature of being a runner! After my first marathon, I was all, “That was cool, but idk if I’d do it again.” Now I’m 3 in, have a 4th on the books and would do The Dopey Challenge again in a heart beat haha
SO FUN!! I love your costumes and I want to try that Dole whip! 🙂
The last time I went to Disney World, I was 4! Time for a visit.
Good job on the race in the dark and puddles. Love all the pics!
Natalie recently posted…Running Fast On Tired Legs, Ummm – That’s the Marathon!
Oh my gosh, you definitely have to go back! It’s a totally different experience as an adult, but still just as fun!
This is so fun to vicariously share this with you two- I have always had it in my mind that this would be a super fun and super hard challenge…but I never even think about how much harder with the rain, and all the logistical planning is super hard. Kudos to you guys- I am having a blast reading these recaps!
Thanks, Barrie! It really is such a great time. If you stay at a Disney Resort, all the logistics of getting to and from the race are much much easier. The rain was tough, but at least it was warm rain!
Sounds like another fun day! Love your costumes and all the pics!
Sharon recently posted…Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heart Bar Review & Discount Code
Thanks, Sharon! It was a blast!
This looks like SO much fun! Your costumes are great…and you definitely have the Tinker Bell pose down to perfection 😉
Kim Hatting recently posted…Five Favorite Things I Love about Running
Haha thanks, girl!
Seriously looks like so much fun! I really don’t know if I could ever do the dopey challenge but definitely want to do a Disney race. Love your costume!
Patty recently posted…Exercising In The Mornings
You could totally do it! And if not The Dopey Challenge – a Disney race for sure!
Really enjoying your recaps! Funny thing is, I went to Disney in October and I didnt get to hit a lot of those rides – Pirates was closed and we didn’t make it to the Haunted Mansion. Glad you had an enjoyable race despite the rain!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…ZOOMA Run Love 10K Training Week 2
Oh no! I hope you get to go back to do those rides. The Haunted Mansion is my favorite!
I used to go to Disney on a yearly basis when I was a kid. My favorite rides were Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain! I’m sure it has changed so much since I was there last! Bummer about the rain, I know how much that can suck, but at least the temps weren’t too cold!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Weekly Wrap: Mediocre runs and a savings plan
Pirates is definitely one of the best rides! The rain wasn’t too bad. At least is stopped in time to go to the park!