HighRoller Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 I thought that my first Half Marathon would be a good occasion for my first Photo TR. I'm hoping that it comes together as coherent; feedback is most appreciated.
HighRoller Posted February 3, 2012 Author Posted February 3, 2012 Day 1: Arrival Look over there... I know where I'm headed Across the pool, up the blue cone, to find... My home away from home for the next few days Now, off to the expo with my running partner: my sister. Hi Sis!
HighRoller Posted February 3, 2012 Author Posted February 3, 2012 Day 2: A little wandering at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Let's see if we find anything interesting... Nice to see the Christmas Decorations still up for the runners! First we were off to the new Star Tours! Saw the show three times before the line got long enough that it wasn't a walk on any more. After that, we were headed towards... Fozzie and some of Gonzo's props? Must be... MuppetVision 3D! Don't forget the Scientific Doohickeys! Lightning McQueen visits us at Lights, Motors, Action! Some more wandering, we went to see Fantasmic! Because it was my first time, I elected to watch the show rather than worry about pictures. Afterwards, though, a little more wandering, to find... The Osborne Lights were still up too! A tree of Green and a canopy of dancing lights. Early morning tomorrow, so it's time to head for bed.
HighRoller Posted February 4, 2012 Author Posted February 4, 2012 Race Day begins - Spaceship Earth at 3:30 AM. Glad I've got my coffee... At the warmup and wait zone - a couple of runners and a couple of nuts. You decide which is which. Off to the starting line - sort of. I'm in the fourth group; not bad for my very first race! And they're off - wave 1 that is. I expected these fireworks at the starting line. But these fireworks surprised the sh*t out of me! D*mn! Those really are right over my head! My wave gets to start! with about 7 minutes between waves, that puts me 21-ish minutes behind the elites. Starting, that is. We'd planned 13-minute miles! What the... No time to think about that - we're at a pretty recognizable landmark. But we're still a long way from the park... ok, the math says that last mile was about 13 minutes - right on pace. But the clock?!? Yep, 13 minute miles. Wait - that's it! The 21 minute delayed start! That's right... that's the water bridge by the contemporary I'm about to run underneath! No time to think about mile markers... Welcome to the Magic Kingdom! Entering from backstage by the Mickey/Princess Fastpass station. The obligatory "Running up Main Street, U.S.A." picture. Headed for Cindy's Castle... ...by way of Tomorrowland! A quick stop across from "Old Dumbo" for the elusive Rapunzel AND FLYNN RIDER picture. OK, NOW we can head for the castle. One more look at Cindy's on the way to Liberty Square. uh oh... lost about 4 minutes while in the park.. got to make it up, and we're still in the park! but not before a picture in front of Splash Mountain. And one with the Magic Kingdom Railway. OK, made up some time. I was down by the Polynesian before I caught up to my sister, who ran it straight without the stops I made. But my knees are killing me from the shorter steps to stay with my sister... time to pick up the pace to keep from injury. Let me tell you, that 8 1/2 minute mile felt REALLY good. The finish line is just ahead. WTF?!?!? 13 mile marker? Quick run-by picture! I'm not stopping! Finished! Spaceship Earth at 8:40 AM. My chip time: 2:46. My sister finished with a very respectable 3:03. Celebrating with a nice big breakfast at Kona!
HighRoller Posted February 4, 2012 Author Posted February 4, 2012 After the very large and very tasty breakfast, we headed back to our room to shower and relax in the pool for a while. That made it about 4PM when we decided to head back to the Magic Kingdom to finish our day. I was not thinking much about pictures at that point, so just a few from that evening. Walt, Mickey, and the half marathon finisher. Accomplishments all around. Mine is probably more recent than theirs. The castle is still dressed for Christmas too! Love this one with the reflection. Such vibrant colors! Love the holiday lights on the Castle. It's been a long day. I'm not closing the park, but close.
HighRoller Posted February 4, 2012 Author Posted February 4, 2012 Marathon Day! I'm not running it this year, though. Congrats to all who did. Instead, I'll be at Epcot today, cheering on the runners and doing a little drinking around the world. I also discovered something that is somewhat special to this park, too! The Epcot Christmas Tree! Ran up and around this yesterday, today there's time to stop for a picture. Strange angle, though, because the marathon is still passing on the other side of it. Viking Helmet Ears? How cool! Lets see how many other countries have these! Norway makes 1! Germany makes 2! Can't leave Germany without lunch, though. And what would lunch at the biergarten be without a Bier Flight (foreground - mine) or a wine flight (background - sister's)? OK, moving on. Italy = 3! Mexico? Found you at the shop over by the international gateway. 4! Onward to Britain! 5! One of the Castmembers in Britain had just finished her sidewalk art for today. Hopscotch Court... ...in honor of Marathon Weekend. Thanks for the fun! After stopping to watch Off Kilter, we found the ears for Canada! 6! Headed back to Future World to find some food...but first a nighttime shot of the tree. Supper at my favorite quick-service restaurant in all of WDW - Sunshine Seasons! The quality and value here can't be beat. Wish there were more like this at WDW!
HighRoller Posted February 4, 2012 Author Posted February 4, 2012 Monday - time to head home. I have an evening flight, though, so I'm going to do some resort wandering today. I'll be finishing with something that I've wanted to do since I was a kid - spend some time riding the monorail, just looking at the resorts and the grounds. I couldn't resist taking at least a FEW pictures, though. These are all from the monorail. I see you Electrical Water Pageant Floats! The most beautiful building on this side of Future World. I really miss Horizons, though. The Imagination! pavilion, with its upward waterfall. Hey! It's The Living, er, The Seas! with Nemo and Friends! And this one tells me it's time to head home. Until next time, WDW!
Midgetman82 Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 I, myself, am in no way, shape, or form to complete even a half-marathon! The closest I've done something to it was marching a quarter of a mile with a 20 pound drum strapped on! Congrats on finishing the race! Looked like a lot of fun!
HighRoller Posted February 7, 2012 Author Posted February 7, 2012 Congrats on finishing the half marathon! Thanks! I'm signed up to go get my Coast-to-Coast medal with the Disneyland 1/2 in September. Any chance you'll be out there?
gisco Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 If I was going to do a half marathon, this is the one I would want to do!
Sir Clinksalot Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Congrats on your first 1/2!!! Very respectable time for your first one. The DL 1/2 Marathon is fun as well.
dylanreich Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 I'm doing the DL 1/2 in September. I'm shooting for 10 minute miles and qualified at a 10K this past week for the prioritized start! Excited. Sir Clinksalot, didn't you just run the one last month? How was it?
nay Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Thanks! I'm signed up to go get my Coast-to-Coast medal with the Disneyland 1/2 in September. Any chance you'll be out there? Yup, I'm registered for that one as well!
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