I stopped by the Downtown Disney parking lot after work to pick up my race packet. Parking was scarce, but I circled one of the lots and was able to grab a spot just as someone was backing out. They really should fix the flow of parking traffic next year. I'm sure I could just pay $10-$15 to avoid the headache, but I'd rather not. I picked up my race packet downstairs and got my wristband for the coast to coast challenge before heading upstairs for the expo to pick up my shirt.
Coast to coast!
As with the prior years, with the race being a women's race, the expo was geared towards women so there wasn't much for me to look at or to buy. I did however buy a set of blue wings from Team Sparkle since I was going to wear mostly blue on race day. I looked at my bib and I'm glad that they decided to have the men start in corral B instead of C this year. It's just too dangerous for everybody when there's such a speed difference.
Returned home with a new pair of wings
Sunday
I arrived at the Mickey & Friends parking structure at about a quarter before 4am. I've been fortunate in the past two years to get free parking, but this year they charged me $16. In the years prior they assumed that I was there to be a volunteer and gave me a free volunteer's pass. Before heading over to the starting area, I used the restroom at the bottom of the escalators of the parking structure.
$16 for parking!
They had entertainment at the starting area to keep us entertained before the race. I made my way to the corrals before it became super crowded.
Tinker Bell sending us off
The race started at 5am. I positioned myself near the front of the corral. Shortly after corral A was released, we were moved into position. There were plenty of women pushing their way in front of me. Once we were released, all of the male runners start weaving their way around the overzealous female runners. During the first mile, we had already caught up with the stragglers in corral A. Having run the Dopey Challenge just this past weekend, I was surprised at how good I felt. I just keep pushing along at what felt like a comfortable pace. I didn't start feeling some sort of fatigue until about mile 8. But the legs were still turning over. By mile 12, I knew that I had a PR in the bag. During the last mile, my right foot did feel a little sore.
1: 7:15
2: 8:00
3: 7:35
4: 8:06
5: 7:43
6: 7:50
7: 8:06
8: 8:15
9: 8:14
10: 8:02
11: 8:03
12: 8:12
13: 8:06
13.1: 1:03
Finish: 1:44:31
So just a week after completing the insane Dopey Challenge and for my 80th half marathon, I demolished my previous half marathon PR (1:49:29) by nearly 5 minutes. I'm so glad that both of my legs are finally injury free. I also picked up a second medal for completing the Coast to Coast Challenge. I waited in the finishing area for my friend. Great minds think alike. I swear we didn't call each other to color coordinate, but my friend and I were both decked out in blue. :)
Me and my good friend after the race
Post race entertainment
After swapping race stories and taking a few pictures, we went our separate ways. In an attempt to get my money's worth for parking, I hung around a little at Downtown Disney before going home. I went through the Disney Store to check out some of the merchandise. I still can't find a good Disney polo shirt to buy.
Coast to coast challenge done!
2 comments:
Awesome PR! In wings nonetheless!
Thanks. The wings probably made me run faster. :)
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