All of the medals
Tuesday 1/8
After work and eating dinner at home, I started heading out to LAX for my red-eye flight to Orlando. I first stopped at the usual Chevron gas station to fill up the tank. For this trip I parked in the parking structure at the Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel. The spaces were a bit tight, but I found a spot on level 3, just below the roof level. I then waited for the shuttle to take me over to the terminals. Once I got through TSA, I noticed that my flight was slightly delayed. It was past my normal bedtime, so I was pretty tired and really looking forward to sleeping on the plane.
Wednesday 1/9
The plane landed at MCO a little after 8 am. After getting off of the plane, I made my way down to the rental car area to pick up my rental car. After looking at my choices, I ended up picking a dark grey Toyota Corolla.
Landed at MCO
Rental car
Since the expo wasn't scheduled to open until 10 am, I drove over to a nearby Cracker Barrel to eat breakfast. I ordered the Grandpa's Breakfast with country fried steak and coffee.
Grandpa's Country Fried Steak
After paying the bill, I drove over to the expo at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. I noticed that they had been tinkering with the flow of vehicular traffic, so it was pretty easy getting in and out of the parking lot. The resort motorcoaches had their own separate entrance and lot.
After picking up my bib, getting my photo taken, and picking up my race shirts at the HP Field House, I walked over to the Visa Athletic Center to check out the expo. It was pretty much the same booths as years prior. I then headed over to the Arena to check out the official merchandise. Unfortunately the queue just to get inside was ridiculously long. They had us walk all the way to a large room in the back where the line was formed. I didn't feel like waiting in a line that looked to be at least an hour long, so I left.
Dopey Challenge bib pick-up
5k shirt
10k shirt
Half marathon shirt
Marathon shirt
Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge
Dopey Challenge
After getting back to my car, I drove over to Disney Springs to catch a movie at the AMC movie theater. I watched the movie, Vice. Even though the story of Dick Cheney was told from a liberal point of view, I thought overall it was a pretty fair presentation of his political career.
After the movie, I drove over to WorldMark Orlando Kingstown Reef to check into my room. This was my 3rd time staying here since becoming a WorldMark owner, so I was pretty familiar with the property.
After dropping off my stuff in the room, I drove over to the nearby Publix to buy some groceries for the week. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to find some Mallomars.
Groceries and stuff from Publix
After cooking and eating a quick dinner, I laid out my flat runner for tomorrow's 5k. I was definitely not looking forward to waking up early tomorrow.
Staying in and cooking a cheap meal
5k flat runner
Thursday 1/10
I arrived at the Epcot parking lot at about a quarter to 4 am. I waited in the car for a bit before heading over to the staging area. They didn't release us to the corrals until about 4:15 am. Looks like this year, Pluto had been replaced by Oswald.
Once the corrals were opened, I headed over to the large cache of portapotties to empty the bladder one last time before the race.
5k start line
5k finish line
5k finish: 23:28
Click here for my Garmin data.
After crossing the finish line, I got my finisher medal and a mylar blanket followed by the usual post-race goodies. I received a bottle of Powerade, bottle of water, a banana, and a snack box. I liked it better when the snack box had included a Ferrero Rocher, Almond Roca, or Oreo cookie.Relive 'Walt Disney World 5k'
5k medal
Post race snack box and drinks
Before heading back to my car, I walked over to the line for Oswald to get a post race finisher photo.
Oswald!
Back at my room, I ate the contents of the snack box and supplemented it with some Mallomars. I'm not a big fan of sweets, but these are one of my favorite cookies. Too bad they're not available in California or at least I have yet to find them back home.
Powered by Mallomars
Now that the races had begun, I had to increase my protein intake. I added meatballs to the sauce for my usual pasta lunch.
Added meatballs
After lunch, I drove back out to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to check out the official merchandise inside the Arena. This time there wasn't a long line to get inside. I was able to just walk straight in.
Official merchandise
There were 2 shirts that I thought about buying. I thought that the Sleepy Challenge shirt was pretty funny. Unfortunately or fortunately, I'm no longer an annual passholder, so I wasn't able to purchase the passholder shirt. Also they were out of medium.
Sleepy challenge
AP shirt
I currently have a thing or obsession for Tervis mugs and I found 3 decent ones available. The inventory for the 2 metal mugs were getting quite low so I was advised to purchase one today or they will probably be gone before tomorrow. I liked the blue one, but I ended up buying the chrome one.
Tervis
After I was done giving the Mouse more of my money, I headed back to my car and drove back to my room to relax for the rest of the day.
For dinner, I cooked more of the same pasta and vegetables. It felt like being in college again where I kept everything cheap, fast, and simple.
More of the same for dinner
Before going to sleep, I laid out my flat runner. This is one of my favorite shirts and I was hoping to run into the Genie tomorrow.
10k flat runner
Friday 1/11
Normally I have the most difficult time waking up for race#2, but I got up at about the same time as yesterday and arrived at the Epcot parking lot just a little before 4 am. I pretty much stuck to the same routine as yesterday.
Waffle House sounds nice
10k start line
Unfortunately the Genie wasn't there, but I did run into Abu! He was pretty happy to see my shirt. I also stopped for Emile and Remy since I already had my phone out.
Abu!
Emile and Remy!
10k finish line
10k finish: 48:38
Click here for my Garmin data.
After crossing the finish line, it was the same routine... collect my medal, post race snacks and drinks before heading over to the line for Minnie Mouse. We did however had to wait a bit for Minnie Mouse to show up. The cast member at the line told us that we had to wait as Minnie was still over at the finish line. Apparently Minnie was not allowed to be seen at two different locations at the same time.Relive 'Walt Disney World 10k'
10k medal
Minnie Mouse!
After getting my photo with Minnie, I drove back to my room. After eating the contents of the snack box, getting cleaned up, and relaxing a bit, I drove over to Disney Springs to catch a movie. I caught a matinee showing of The Upside. As to be expected, it was quite funny with Kevin Hart in it. However it was pretty cheesy and quite predictable. Overall it was still good enough to be one of the best comedy movies that I've seen in a while.
The Upside
After the movie, I stopped in at the Publix on the way back to my place to pick up some more vegetables, pasta and meat for the sauce. This time I got the regular ground chuck with 20% fat as the meat I got a couple days ago was too lean for my taste at 7% fat. It so happened to be on sale.
For an early dinner, I made some new meatballs with the fattier meat and switched to rotini pasta. The extra fat made the meatball taste much better.
Switched to rotini
Before going to sleep, I laid out my flat runner. I decided to go with my McDonald's t-shirt since it was Donald Duck's race and I do love McDonald's. :)
Half marathon flat runner
Saturday 1/12
Since World Center Dr was part of the race course, I took the 4 freeway South down to Irlo Bronson Highway. I then connected to World Dr heading North to Epcot. Just like clockwork, I arrived at the parking lot at a little before 4 am.
Per the usual, it was a crowded walk out to World Center Dr. Once we actually get to World Center Dr, it was much easier to walk around as the corrals were all spread out. Before heading to my corral, I used one of the portapotties that was off to the side on the grass. I love that there was no wait for the portapotties.
Half marathon start line
The race went pretty well, but my legs felt tired once I hit the 10k mark. It was pretty much a grind from that point on to the finish line.
Half marathon finish line
Half marathon finish: 1:56:52
Click here for my Garmin data.
After getting my finisher medal, we were given a cooling towel instead of a mylar blanket since the weather was starting to warm up. Then it was the usual Powerade, water, banana, and a snack box.Relive 'Walt Disney World Half Marathon'
Half marathon medal
After grabbing my post race goodies, I walked over to the line for Donald Duck. After getting my photo with him, I drove back to my hotel.
The ConDucktor
Back at my hotel, it was more rotini pasta with meatball and vegetables for lunch.
More rotini pasta!
After eating lunch, I drove out to Disney Springs to watch another movie with my AMC A-List membership. As I pulled up to the usual Orange Parking Structure, there was an accident at the ramp, so we were redirected to the Watermelon parking lot. It made for a longer walk over to the movie theater. This time I watched Replicas which starred Keanu Reeves. It was a movie about human cloning and how memories are stored in our brain. Some parts were intriguing, but overall the movie was downright horrible with mediocre acting and a bad story line.
After the movie, I stopped in at the nearby McDonald's before going back to my room to catch the game between the Chiefs and the Colts. I took advantage of the $5 mix and match deal to get 2 Quarter Pounders with cheese. It was a much welcomed break from eating the usual pasta and meatballs.
Quarter Pounder with cheese x2
I laid out my flat runner for tomorrow's marathon before going to sleep.
Marathon flat runner
Sunday 1/13
I tried taking a different route to the Epcot parking lot. I took Vineland to get on the 4 South exiting off at Osceola Parkway. I was supposed to then connect to World Dr and head over to Epcot. However I was following a bunch of cars which happened to take the wrong turn which took us to the back parking lot of Hollywood Studios. The cars ahead of me were either lost or going some place else, but thank goodness the Waze app led me back to where I needed to go.
Marathon start line
I started off moving okay, but I felt tightness in the left hamstring and groin. I stuck to the goal of just finishing under 5 hrs.
I must have passed my friend while she was in a photo line, but she caught me during one of my many walk breaks just as we were approaching the Animal Kingdom Park.
Jacky passes me!
Joy and Sadness
As I was heading West along Osceola Parkway approaching mile marker 22, a guy from Austria saw my shirt and came up to me to tell me that he belongs to a 100 marathon club in his country. He was moving much better than I was.
Once I reached mile 25 near France of the Epcot World Showcase and I knew that I had run enough to finish under 5 hrs, I just didn't feel like running anymore. Unfortunately there weren't too many photo ops during that last mile.
Belle
Marathon finish line
Marathon finish: 4:54:01
Click here for my Garmin data.
After getting my marathon medal, I continued down the finisher chute. I got a wet cooling towel and a pair of Mickey ears. Then that was followed by a bottle of Powerade, and a bottle of water. Further down, right before the finisher photo stations, I got in line for my challenge medals. I got my Goofy medal, Dopey medal, and a Dopey legacy lanyard. I got a banana, but skipped on the post race snack box. Before walking over to the lines for the characters, I added the legacy lanyard to my Dopey medal.Relive 'Walt Disney World Marathon'
Marathon medal
Goofy medal
Dopey medal
I first got in line for Dopey. This year makes year 6. Then I got in line for Goofy, followed by Mickey Mouse. After I was done taking photos, I headed back to my car.
Dopey x6
Goofy!
Mickey Mouse!
For a late lunch/early dinner, I finished off the rest of the pasta, sauce, and vegetables. This time I had the California Blend vegetables.
Monday 1/14
Since my friends that I normally hang out with at Epcot were not here this year, I decided to go to the Magic Kingdom instead. Before heading out to the Transportation & Ticket Center, I stopped at the Publix to buy a 1.5L bottle of water so I wouldn't have to spend $$$$ inside the park. After paying $25 to park and getting through bag security, I got in line for the monorail ride to the entrance. Getting inside the park is always so much easier here in Orlando vs Disneyland in Anaheim. I got inside at about 9:15 am. Now that I was done with the Dopey Challenge, today's challenge would be to stay awake until the nighttime fireworks! :)
Magic Kingdom
Before going on any of the rides, I took my customary post race medal picture this time with Cinderella's Castle in the background.
For my first ride, I got in line for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This ride might be geared towards little kids, but it's one of my favorites here.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
For my second ride, I used my first FastPass for the Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Fortunately I was able to remember all of the high value targets to get the max score.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
I still remember the high value targets
For my third ride, I used my second FastPass for Pirates of the Caribbean. We pillage, we plunder, we sell chicken and eggs! Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho! :)
Dead men tells no tales
We pillage, we plunder, we sell chicken and eggs!
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho!
For lunch, I just went across the way to the Tortuga Tavern and got the obligatory day-after-the-marathon turkey leg. Eating the turkey leg always ruin my appetite for dinner, but thankfully this year, I didn't have a fancy gourmet dinner waiting for me later in the evening.
Turkey leg!
After I demolished the turkey leg, I went to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for my fourth ride. It's the wildest ride in the wilderness!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
My fifth ride was the Haunted Mansion.
The Haunted Mansion
Hurry back!
My sixth ride was "it's a small world" ride. I was in line just as the clock struck 2:30 pm, so I got to see the clock doors open.
It's a small world
Do my eyes really look like that? :)
My seventh ride was Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid. They never show how they defeated the Sea Witch!
Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid
Beluga sevruga
Come winds of the Caspian Sea
There you see her, sitting there across the way...
My eighth ride was Space Mountain. The stand-by line was much longer than the estimated wait time on the board. I believe that this was my first time riding Space Mountain in Walt Disney World. I thought I had rode it here before, but I have no recollection of this version of Space Mountain once the ride started.
Space Mountain
I was pretty tired and feeling wiped out, so for my ninth ride, I got in line to ride the PeopleMover. It was a nice and relaxing ride seeing different parts of Tomorrowland. It was also good to do a little bit of people watching.
PeopleMover
My tenth "ride" was visiting The Hall of Presidents. This is one of my favorite places to visit at the Magic Kingdom. Once the doors were opened, I found a seat front and center.
Hall of Presidents
I then stopped in at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street to check out Vanellope's Ice Cream Sundae. The Ralph's family challenge comprised of five hand-scoops of ice cream topped with whipped cream, fruity cereal, chocolate candy, hot fudge, and cherries. All for $24.99. I was considering it, but the trophy looked cheap and the sun had just gone down so there was already a chill in the air. It was almost a guarantee that I would be hating myself afterwards, so I passed.
For my eleventh ride, I used my third and final FastPass for Space Mountain. It was much easier being able to skip the long stand-by line.
For my twelfth and final ride, I got in line for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin since the board was showing a short wait time. However while in the line, the ride was shut down for whatever reason, so it ended up being a rather lengthy wait. This time around, I was a bit cocky trying to shoot with both guns, so I wasn't able to get the maximum score.
Only a Cosmic Commando this time
Waiting for the fireworks
My goal was to stay long enough for the 8 pm fireworks. I ended up catching the one just right before it at about 7:30 pm called, Once Upon A Time. The ones at 8 pm was called, Happily Ever After. Both firework shows involved a lot of visual projections onto Cinderella's Castle. I must have been tired because I wasn't all that impressed. All of the people with their cellphones out recording the show probably also detracted from the experience.
Okay, now I can go home!
It was so crowded that I kept bumping into people. The girl in front of me even turned around as if I was trying to go through her backpack. As soon as the fireworks were done, I started heading for the exits to catch a ride on the monorail back to my car.
Along the way back to the hotel, I stopped in at the McDonald's to pick up a late meal. This time I went with a Big Mac and a Quarter Pounder with cheese for the $5 mix and match deal.
Dinner at McDonald's
Big Mac and Quarter Pounder with cheese
Tuesday 1/15
After packing up my stuff and checking out, I drove over to Disney Springs to catch a movie. I was there a bit early so the movie theater wasn't opened yet. I walked around a bit stopping in at the Marvel Super Hero Headquarters and DisneyStyle to do a little window shopping.
Thanos mug
Hello Sunshine!
The movie I watched today was A Dog's Way Home. It was shown in one of their large multi-floor theaters, but it was pretty dang empty since it was a Tuesday morning matinee. It was a very predictable feel-good movie. I would've enjoyed it a bit more if they hadn't anthropomorphized every animal in the movie.
A Dog's Way Home
I wasn't sure if the government shutdown was going to affect the security screening with the TSA at MCO, so I started heading over to the airport. Along the way, I stopped at the usual RaceTrac gas station to fill up the tank before I returned the rental car.
Fill up the tank before returning the rental car
After dropping off the rental car and getting into the main terminal, I noticed that the lines for the TSA were pretty much non-existent. It would turn out that I didn't need to be there extra early especially since Tuesday is a light travel day. Since I had about 5 hrs to pass before my evening flight, I had to find things to do. After checking out the Disney Store and the Universal Store, I stopped by the food court to eat a meal at McDonald's. I ordered 2 Sausage Egg McMuffins for $3.39 on the mobile app. Good deals on the mobile app are definitely hard to come by these days.
Sausage McMuffin with egg x2
After getting through TSA, I waited at my gate catching up on Facebook, playing a bunch of games on the tablet that I normally reserve for time on the can, and good ol' people-watching. A couple of people congratulated me when they saw my Dopey Challenge shirt.
When it came time to finally board the plane, I got to my seat and pretty much got myself ready to go to sleep. I drank some cran-apple juice before getting some shut-eye. I had to get some sleep since I would be landing at about midnight and was planning to go into work in the morning.
They didn't have Cran-apple juice, so I get to mix it myself
Wednesday 1/16
After landing at LAX, I made my way over to the median to catch the hotel shuttle back to my car. It was raining a bit off and on. I was looking out for the Renaissance Hotel shuttle, but when the Four Points Hotel shuttle showed up, I hopped on. The two hotels were right next to each other, so it was a short walk over. Before going to my car, I showed the valet my SpotHero receipt in order to get an exit ticket for the parking garage. It was a pretty good deal at $83 for the entire week.
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