Okay I will provide you yet again with this map for referencing ; ).  Oh and before I continue I want to clarify I don’t dislike the Disney course.  I actually love it.  It is the best supported course I have ever been on, I swear the last 10 miles had more water and med stops than most courses have on the entire thing.  The staff and volunteers are so amazing (and some of the volunteers have shifts starting at midnight!).  Running through the parks is awesome and even the highway stretches are pretty entertaining but that stretch from Animal Kingdom to Hollywood Studios just hit me at a mental low and therefore I would have been unhappy no matter where I was running.  So yes in Disney you do spend some time on highways but it has never bothered me on any of the half courses or the majority of the marathon course…I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  So don’t let that discourage you from running a Disney race if you are thinking about it!

Mile 20-21 was this little out and back and you literally ran along side other runners going in the opposite direction.  That boosted up some momentum.  This is one of the many reasons I love the running community.  There are always people there willing to cheer you on whether they are slower or faster than you.  Yes of course there are a select few runners who run to win.  I am not one of them.  I never will be.  Every race is against myself and pushing my own limits and the majority of runners are the same way.  Therefore it is always fun to cheer on others to their goal.

Once I hit Hollywood Studios I got my second wind.  I wasn’t really looking at my watch a ton but I was hitting a comfortable 9:30ish.  We behind past Tower of Terror and then town past the hat.  And then I saw my aunt and cousins!  It was the little pick me up I needed!  I wasn’t expecting to see them so I was really shocked and excited.  They snapped a quick picture and I was on my way.

I had a little over 3 miles left.  Nothing right?  Well after running 23 miles, 3 miles can still seem a bit daunting so I made myself a deal.  No more looking at my watch.  I wanted to finish happy so I was going to let me legs determine my pace the rest of the run.  I also decided that I would walk through the water stops if I needed to and run the rest.  Oh and I had to stop and take a picture with Dug.  He’s J’s favorite.

"I just met you and I LOVEEEE you"

I got lucky with the pictures.  There weren’t lines for any of the characters so I was able to grab a few more in the last little bit.  After leaving Hollywood Studios, the course took us down by the water and along Disney’s Boardwalk which was packed with spectators.  This part of the course was full of energy thank goodness.  And then I realized I was running next to a guy in a Ravens Hat and carrying a Ravens Flag!  Love it!

After the Boardwalk, the course took us back into Epcot, into the World Showcase.  This part was really fun running around all the different “countries” but I was fading fast.  I could see the big Epcot ball where the finish was but it just seemed to be getting further away!  So I took a few more pictures (as an excuse to catch my breath for a quick second)…

I had to play Belle for a second

Snow White is Peanut's Favorite

I really wanted to stop.  I was drained.  Those 39 miles were catching up to me.  But then this guy came up right behind me and said “Hey! We’ve been playing flip flop for the past 15 miles.  You’ve been my unofficial pacer, thank you!”.  I thought that was pretty cool because there have been many races where I have found a complete stranger and done my best to keep pace with them so I was happy to help ; ).  He was a Goofy runner too and we chatted the best we could.  Then we hit the 26!

woohoo!

My running buddy said “WOW can you believe we are going to finish this thing!” and then as the finish line came into view he yelled “Go for it Princess!”.  Man I love runners!  So I did.  I gave it the last little kick I had in me and I crossed the finish line!  39.3 miles is 2 days!

I didn’t cry at the finish.  I laughed.  I was just sooo exhausted but so excited!  I turned around and watched my running body finish.  She shared a quick high five and congrats and then I knew I needed to keep walking or I was in trouble.  So I headed down and got my medal.  I mean MEDALS!

I hurt.  My legs were TIRED.  But nothing past the typical long run soreness.  I made the trek over to the TNT tent to see if any of my TEAM had finished.  And to snap a picture with my two amazing staff members.

I was excited and tired but I still had a lot of people to head back and cheer on so I headed back to the finish line!  I missed my uncle but I was able to watch most of my team finish.  I also ran into Courtney!  I was so excited for her but the poor thing had blood running down her leg.  Go read her recap HERE.  I saw Betty and Chelsea finish!  They are a mother daughter duo on our team and Betty is a cancer survivor!

they really look more like sisters huh?

Although I didn’t get to see him finish I found my uncle who did amazing on his first marathon!  He had been having a few aches and pains leading up the run but he finished strong!

as a family we accomplished so much this weekend!

And of course right before my last 5 teammate crossed the finish (including Erin) my camera died.  Cool.  Oh well at least I got to see them finish!  Erin had been texting me her progress and I was getting worried about her.  I knew she was really hurting and she told me she was struggling.  But once I got the text that she had hit 20.5 I knew she had it in the bag.  So when I saw her coming across the finish line with tears in her eyes I was soooooo excited!  I didn’t cry when I finished but I did when my buddy did!  I knew she had been under a lot of stress the past few weeks and I was just so happy for her.  My team accomplished amazing things that weekend and I am still so excited for and proud of them!  Go Team! Go read Erin’s recap HERE.  She has one of the best finishers’ photos I’ve seen ; )

So there you have it people.  Goofy Challenge complete.  It was hard.  It was tiring.  But so worth it.  A few of my friends and I planned last year to make a big Goofy trip (GOOFY 2012!) next year and of course we’ve already talked many into it.  Any takers??

Oh and as usual…there will be no proof reading.  I apologize ; )