You see, one of the many great things about a RunDisney race is the fact that dressing in costume is perfectly acceptable and encouraged. I prepared for months for my costumes. My outfit for the 5k was an Olaf apron turned costume. It was cold, so instead of wearing only my tank, I would wear a long sleeve shirt under it as well.
I boarded the bus, and began the journey to the Epcot Parking lot. I took in every aspect of this journey; the people around me, the darkness in the sky, and how amazing Spaceship Earth looked glowing in the night sky.
Once we got to the race area, there were people everywhere. Music was blaring, and people were pumped. I was in Corral E, (F being the last one) but I knew this race was for fun. Normally the 5k at Disney is the fun race, it isn't timed. It is timed for the Dopeys, but I could walk the entire race and still complete the challenge.
The race kicked off with a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers and heroes. It was amazing to see so many people honor this moment. The National Anthem followed, and then the race began.
I didn't want to exert myself, so I walked the entire 5k. I took in every sight. We walked around the World Showcase, and it was such an amazing sight to see the sun rise in Epcot. I stopped for selfies along the way, since I was alone. Often, I would find another person alone, and we would trade photo ops for each other, because let's face it, you can only have so many selfies!
I finished the 5k in an hour. I stopped for photos with Lilo from Lilo and Stitch. It was a lot of fun!
After we finished the 5k, we went back to the Expo, because I wanted to see if there were any jackets restocked this morning. I am a member of a Dopey Challenge group on facebook and have since became friends with many on these boards. I had posted earlier if anyone had bought an extra jacket to please let me buy it from them. Kindly enough, a friend who was unable to attend Dopey this year offered to let me pick up her pre-order jacket, and then just mail her the money once I got back home. Liz, I can't thank you enough for your kindness! Dopey, 2017--here we come, right? :D
Following the Expo, we went to the Magic Kingdom. What's a trip to Disney without going to the parks, right? According to my Fit Bit, we walked an additional 13 miles at the Magic Kingdom that day. We rode the Mine Train, and while in line I told Brandon, "If I finish the Dopey Challenge, we are coming back that night and riding Mine Train without holding on!" Knowing that probably wouldn't happen, I made the deal anyways.
In the middle of our day, I started feeling very weak. I was exhausted. I started falling asleep in the middle of a ride, so that let me know that I was really exhausted. I've gone full throttle since October, and knew my body was wearing down. So, we went back to the room for a nap. I slept 3 hours, and was ready to go after that, feeling much better.
I had ordered a lot of carb bars, and race fuel food for my trip to have it delivered via Amazon Pantry. It was delivered that afternoon, but was told that it would not be sent to my room until it went through a sorting facility. :( I kept emphasizing how I needed my food for these races in order to succeed but it went without notice. It was perhaps the most frustrating part of the entire trip. It was Thursday night, and they tell me that my food would be delivered to my room on Friday. Without the breakfast food and fuel I needed, I was forced to buy a "runners' box" so that I would have breakfast Friday morning. I was in a state of panic because I knew I could NOT do a half marathon without these items.
Off to bed early tonight, because I had a 10k to do on Friday morning, and let's face it, 2am comes early.
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