Scenes from the Disney World Marathon

After the previous day's half marathon, I was pretty bummed out. Not because of my performance, but because of the pain that came back and what that might mean for the Marathon. I knew that I was going to get through this race, but I didn't train all that time to "just get through it".  Even if I was in pain, there was no way I was going to walk this marathon. That is not what I came to do!

Even though the weather for the marathon was much warmer then the day before, I still decided to wear compression pants. The pair I had on the day before kind of helped keep my knee strap in place, so I thought I would try that again. I don't really feel like the strap helped me the day before, but I DID get through the first 3 miles with out any pain. Weather or not that was contributed to the strap or not, I don't know but it was worth wearing if it would let me run pain free for only the first 3 miles.  I had not really counted on wearing pants to race in so I only brought one pair of black ones and one pair of gray ones. Today I had to wear the gray ones. Pairing those along with my hot pink calf sleeves, I totally wasn't making any fashion statements today!

When I was in the medical tent the day before, the nurse had asked me if the pain is more or less when I run faster. Sure enough, it is less painful when I sprint and more painful when I am trying to take it slow. She said that made sense. She told me that I should try to just try to get by with doing little sprints throughout the race.

My sister was nice enough to move back to a further corral so she could run with me. We had a little hiccup in the beginning because we went to use the potty before we got in the corral. The corrals had already started moving up and we ended up getting into a corral even further back. It all worked out okay anyway but word of advice, unless you are in the very last corral, make sure you are in your corral by the time the National Anthem is playing!

When the race started, I started off with a power walk, then a gallop, then a full out sprint.  I did this for the first few miles. I even discovered that if I skipped, I had no pain. Believe it or not I found that skipping took more energy out of me than actually running. I didn't do the skipping thing anymore after the first few miles because other runners were starting to make fun of me.  During this time I was so excited to see that we ran into our friend Lois and the girls she was running with. They were doing a run-walk method and I loved how she was calling out when it was time to either "run" or "walk".  We tried to stick with them for a little while but because I was doing a walk-sprint, our rhythms weren't syncing up and we lost them.

The first several miles were the same as the half marathon course the day before. Of course we stopped in Magic Kingdom for a few pictures.  For the sake of this post, we will be borrowing some photos from Marathon foto until we decided which ones we want to purchase.

As we left MK, we headed on to the Disney Speedway.
On the Disney Speedway
 After the speedway it was about another 3 miles till we hit another park, which was Animal Kingdom. Before we actually entered the park there were some animals standing along the road ( with handlers of course) and some runners were stopping for pictures.  Once we got into Animal Kingdom, we thought that was a good time for a bathroom break. There wasn't even anyone in the restroom we went to so we were able to get right in and right out.  As we left Animal Kingdom, we approached the half way mark!

After Animal Kingdom it was a pretty long stretch of road until we got to ESPN wide world of sports. It wasn't until we passed mile 15 that I turned to my sister and said "Ya know what, I might do this again".  Of course I had 11.2 more miles to go, but I admit I may have been too quick to say that this marathon was a "one and done".   As we were approaching mile 17, the announcer was telling runners that they were already at mile 20! Of course he was talking to the runners that were on the other side of the highway from us!

Running through the baseball stadium at wide world of sports.

I liked all the different surfaces we got to run on at wide world of sports. I actually picked up a little speed on my sprints as we were running around the baseball field.  Chip and Dale were spotted up at wide world of sports and I thought it might have been nice to get a picture but it started to rain and I didn't feel like getting my camera out. In fact, we really slacked on taking pictures during this race. I know I didn't even make an attempt to look happy in the photos that marathon foto was taking. I was in pain when I was running but at least I was trying to manage it slightly. We stopped again for a potty break at wide world of sports. It turned out that the hydration belt that I was wearing kept pushing on my bladder and falsely kept making me think I had to go. We solved this problem by letting Lacey wear the belt the rest of the way. We didn't stop for anymore bathroom breaks after that!

After leaving wide world of sports, we headed to Hollywood Studios, then the boardwalk, and then finally to Epcot.  I know I really slowed down in Epcot because it started to rain and it was making the surface slippery. I really didn't want to wipe out when I was so close to the finish!
A somewhat wet and rainy finish
We decided that we were going to hold hands as we crossed the finish line. I totally expected to breakdown and sob after getting through this marathon in this much pain, but I didn't. I was just so happy that I did it. We did it!  Yea, it wasn't the finish time that I had trained for, but who cares. Considering that I was in pain, we stopped for pictures in MK, and we made two bathroom stops, I was pretty darn pleased!

Fairytales and Fitness

I was a volunteer the year that Lacey ran her first marathon, so I was able to present her with her first marathon medal. Of course it would only be right for her to present me with mine!

I am very thankful that my sister put her own PR aside and ran with me at my pace. I know this was hard for her. She was actually starting to get tired. She is not use to being out on the course this long...lol.

I am glad that it worked out that THIS was my first marathon. Disney was my sister's first marathon when she ran it a few years ago too! Now, this was her 10th marathon and the 10th anniversary of the Goofy Challenge which we both did. How fitting.


We kid that we really got our monies worth out of this race. After we finished we got a few character pictures, went back to the finish line and waited for some of our friends to finish , then went to go get a massage. After that we watched the rest of the runners come in. We literally stayed till the end.

 Check out the group of runners who were dressed as chimney sweeps. They were literally doing a little dance before they crossed the finish line!


 The medals we earned. Top left is the marathon medal. Top right is the half marathon medal. Center is the 10th anniversary Goofy challenge medal.

I would absolutely consider running this marathon again! (Gasp, I can't believe I just said that). The only thing that would hold me back is the training. The training is a huge commitment.  Plus, whose to say that after all the training that I put in  that I still won't end up injured at the end of it?   -M

How did you feel after your biggest race?

Click HERE to read about the Disney World Half Marathon that we ran the day before.
Click HERE if you would like to read about the Runner Cook off with Chef Mickey.

61 comments:

  1. That is such an amazing accomplishment! I can't imagine running a full the day after a half. That is interesting that you have less pain when you run faster!

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    1. Thank you. It is not pain free when I run fast but it is a little less. probably because I am using my legs for a shorter period of time!

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  2. Congratulations on such a wonderful achievement!! Looks like a fantastic day!!!

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  3. Girl, I applaud you! You are a rock star for real. I know how much pain IT Band flareups can inflict and to not only complete a half but also a full in the same weekend for Goofy's Challenge - you're amazing! Congratulations on an awesome and well deserved achievement! Love your Goofy shirts at the end...and those chimney sweeps, how cute!

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    1. Than you so much Karen! I surprised myself how I even got through it with that much pain!

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  4. Congrats on finishing your first marathon,Meranda! And kudos to Lacey for running the whole thing with you. I love that Lacey presented you with your medal, just like you had presented her with her first marathon medal. If this race wasn't sisterly bonding, then I don't know what is!

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    1. Yes, it was a special time for both of us! I don't know which I was more proud of, completing it myself or giving her her medal!

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  5. Congratulations! It is so amazing that you were able to do this while in so much pain. And that's great that you guys stayed until the end.

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    1. Had I hadn't been in pain, I would say this race wasn't that bad!

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  6. Oh man. I got emotional just reading that! I can't wait for that to be me in a few years. Congratulations!

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    1. If you are a runner, it is something you definitely have to do!

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  7. Congratulations on finishing! Hopefully if you do it again you won't be injured the second time around. Isn't it funny how we can get so much enjoyment out of something that hurts so much sometimes?

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  8. Ugh. IT band problems are the worst! I've been there. I feel for you! My first marathon was in Kona with the American Stroke Association's marathon training program. It was my very first run ever, except for the 10K we did in training to get a feel for what an event would be like. It was warm, there was no cloud cover or breeze and it was an out and back mostly comprised of lava fields with no trees. At a certain point, I really wondered why I thought I'd be able to do it, but I just pressed on. When I crossed the finish line, I can only describe it as a feeling of loss that the whole experience was over. It took me a while to process. Congrats on finishing! Your pics look great and it looks like it warmed up and dried up compared to the day before.

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    1. It literally stinks when you train so hard for something and the result isn't what you hoped for, but either way I am proud I had done it!

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  9. Congrats on finishing your first marathon!

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  10. Say it with me... Marathoner! You did so awesome! You endured, you thought out your strategy, you changed it accordingly when things took a bad turn and you conquered. Way. To. Go. And here you are on the other side thinking of doing it again. Hope you do. Maybe next year I get to meet both of you during marathon weekend.

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    1. Yes, I AM A MARATHONER! I am seriously considering next year!

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  11. I am so proud of you!!!! YOU DID IT!!!! Shows what strength you have inside of you! :)
    I love your sister stuck with you the whole way... I want a sister :)
    The chimney sweeps... so fun!!!!!!
    Wear those medals with pride lady... you earned it!!!!!

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    1. Awww, thank you so much Rebecca! It definitely showed me I am stronger than I thought!

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  12. I love that picture of your sister medaling you. So sweet! Big congratulations - my gosh, you not only ran your first marathon, but you did it the day after running a half marathon!!! Incredible.

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    1. Incredible Goofy, right? That picture is one of my favorites from the entire weekend!

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  13. You are amazing, seriously...congrats! YOU ARE A MARATHONER!!! I love that Lacey was there by your side the whole way through, that is such a sweet thing and a memory you both will have forever. Congrats again, I am SO happy for you!

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  14. Oh my gosh you're so brave for continuing to push through that kind of pain! I don't know if I'd be able to do the same. Congrats to you! I'm so happy you finished!

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    1. I was just so happy to be there. I hope I get to run a Disney race soon where I am not in pain!

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  15. congrats-you are awesome and a MARATHONER! and just as we told you-you may not be one and done!!

    finishing Dopey was the greatest thing I have ever done in my life-seeing that finish line was beyond words and I cried (like really sobbed and ugly cried) when I got my medals.

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  16. Congratulations on pushing through!! I love that you and your sister finished together - AWESOME!

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    1. Thank you! I don't think I would have been able to do it without her.

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  17. It stinks to race injured but at least you finished. Congrats on Goofy, I am sure doing it again would be a different experience for you. Finishing my race last March when I qualified for Boston was one of my biggest race moments!

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    1. I do hope that I get the opportunity to run it again un-injured!

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  18. AHHHH, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! I'm so excited for you! There's NOTHING like completing your first marathon...and you couldn't have chosen a better first 26.2, IMHO. ;) It's so awesome that you guys ran together, and you got some cute pictures! I'm sorry it was so painful -- I was struggling, too, and it's incredibly frustrating after all of that training. But as your first marathon, the most important thing is that you stuck it out and got to that finish line. You are officially a MARATHONER, and that's ALL that counts! :-D

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    1. I am so glad that this was my first 26.2 at Disney. if I ever do another one it will be here for sure!

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  19. Congrats! You should be so proud - such a rock star!

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  20. I have a race this weekend and I am extremely scared to run in pain. I have rested my feet and knees for about two weeks in hopes of a pain free run. Fingers crossed!

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    1. I hope that your pain goes away by race day! Do your best though!

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  21. i love that you are considering doing it again! congratulations- so awesome!!

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  22. I can just picture you two skipping-LOL. Congrats on making it through together.

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  23. Congratulations Meranda! YOU DID IT!!! And Way to Go Lacey on finishing your 10th marathon, wow! You two are both so inspiring!! Great pics!!

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  24. Congratulations!!!! I'm considering the WDW full next year, even though I said I would never run another one! Maybe I'll see you guys there!

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  25. Congratulations! What a special memory it will always be.

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  26. Congrats to both of you! What a wonderful accomplishment and how sweet to be able to run with your sister! I think you'll find subsequent marathons less stressful on your body. My first was by far the hardest for me. The body has a way of adapting.

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  27. Way to go ladies! :) This looks like such a fun event! My Instagram feed was flooded with photos of the Disney Races. I was super jealous...lol.

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  28. Congratulations!!!! Way to manage the pain & get through. I liked all the pictures, but the one of Lacey presenting you the medal is my favorite! Have you ever looked into Hansons Marathon Method? I have been reading reports that it helped injury-prone people sail through a marathon relatively easy & without getting injured. The downside is that the training is really tough & very high mileage.

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  29. Congratulations Ms. Marathoner!!!! I'm in awe that you were able to conquer it in so much pain! Rockstar!!!

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  30. Congrats!!! First marathon done!! What a special experience to have as sisters too, very cool!

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  31. Congrats on completing your 1st marathon! Since you're running another marathon, will we see you at Dopey 2016? -DG.

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  32. Woo Hoo, you're now in the 1/2 of 1% of the population who has finished a marathon! Way to go!!

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  33. I am so proud of you both!!! 🌟

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  34. EPIC!!! Congratulations!!! I would just hand over my whole wallet for those race pics. They are all fantastic. I can't wait to do this next year. :)

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  35. Sorry its taken me a few days to get online and read this post! I have been so excited for you since I hear this was going to be your first marathon!
    I must say, what your sister did pretty much gave me chills, that is awesome. True sister love, that is for sure!!!! I am so glad you both made it. Not only did you run a marathon, but you crazy girls finished the Goofy challenge:) So awesome!
    I hear ya on the corrals and the port-o-potties, back in 2005 when I ran this (just the marathon, the goofy challenge didn't come until years later:) I remember I was in corral 5, and at that time they had no port-o-potties within about 1/2 mile of the start. Yeah.. So basically I sat in my corral for an hour and really needed to go, but didn't want to chance the swampy bushes, I mean in my mind I kept thinking swamps, alligators, LOL I know I had nothing to worry about, but if someones butt would find one, it would be me:) Anyhow, I had to stop at mile 1 and use the bathroom, although I got in quick, by the time I got back to the course I was around corral 10-11ish and it took forever to be able to get back to running a regular pace again. (they had the full and half marathons run at the same time, it was awful, I love how they do it now:) Okay, enough of memory lane:)
    Great job to both of you girls, and I LOVE the pictures so awesome, especially crossing the finishline holding hands, and the medal one. Very special, pics love them!!!

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  36. So glad that you were able to finish, even with pain! Congrats on the great accomplishment!

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  37. Congrats! And your pictures are so stinking cute :) You can tell how thrilled you were for each other. I was considering Disney for my first full... it sounds so overwhelming in my head, but it sounds like the marathon has been a pretty good experience for a lot of people!

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  38. Congratulations to both of you!! I absolutely loved this race too and can't wait to run it again!

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.