2013 Wine and Dine Half Marathon Re-Cap
I got home last night from a great weekend at the Wine and Dine Half Marathon at Walt Disney World. I’m trying to get back on track with my normal routine so here I am at 5am writing a race re-cap before the kiddos get up and we start our day. I’ll try to focus on the race day here and not stray too much to other topics. The weekend was a whirlwind of activity and DisBroad craziness. Here’s an idea of how things went:
Yep. It was fun, y’all! (Thanks to Bonnie for capturing all the awesome that you see there!)
Back on Sunday I said this race was not my favorite. You know how after a few days things start to grow on you, and your memory of events fade, and suddenly everything you can remember was awesome? Yeah- that didn’t happen here. I still don’t think it’s my favorite, BUT, I do think I want to try it again next year.
I know. You are SHOCKED.
Pre-Race
I just can’t be in Disney World without being at the parks. It’s physically impossible for me to pass up my favorite places in all the world so up and out the door we went bright and early! We headed to Hollywood Studios where we rode a few rides and then went to Epcot for lunch.
And nap I did. That was the easy choice and one that probably saved my race. Mr. Shenanigans and I set an alarm and were out for the count by 2pm. I love margaritas y’all, but I might love naps even more.
Corrals
At 6pm we started getting dressed and ready to transport out to the corrals. It was a heck of a lot warmer than I hoped and I knew my costume was adorable, but not functional, for this race. I wore it anyway. If I can’t PR at a runDisney race in time, I certainly can PR with looking good in a costume! All the DisBroads dressed up and we met for the ride out to the staging area.
I have no complaints about this part of the race. We were out in a field at the Wide World of Sports complex, which was nicer to stand around on for a couple of hours than the asphalt you find at Princess Half Marathon. My legs and feet thank you runDisney! The buses ran smoothly and we didn’t have to road march a mile to get to the bag check and staging areas, and then another mile to get to the corrals themselves. Score one BIG for the Wine and Dine over Donald and Princess.
We stood in a very long line for a Chef Mickey picture and it was more than worth it!
Mickey knew who I was right away (Jose from the Three Caballeros in case you are confused!) and seemed to love it.
Race
When it was time to get into our corrals, we took a quick left out of the gates and boom- we were there. This is such an improvement over Princess. We made our way toward the front of Corral H. We only had about an hour to wait in the corral area and it went quickly.
Rudy and Carissa sent us off in grand style as always!
From the start- and I’m talking, the VERY start- I knew I was in trouble. I peeled off the costume by mile .25 and tried to settle into my intervals. The first mile was ok. The second was ok. But somewhere between three and four, I was over it.
Part of this was the course. You spend about 4 miles heading over to Animal Kingdom and I believe we saw two sets of characters in that time. I need more! It was dark and there wasn’t anything to distract me. Mr. Shenanigans was a trooper- he and Julie did their best to get my head into the proper mode, but Shenanigans wasn’t having it.
I briefly perked up when I heard this guy come up behind us. I so wanted to hang with the Awesome Larry, but alas, my pace was much slower than his 2:59:59 goal.
If you EVER get a chance to meet Larry and run with him, I highly recommend it. He’s a fabulous man and had the whole crowd cracking up with his Animal Kingdom trivia as we entered the park.
Animal Kingdom
Not a huge fan. As this is my least favorite park of ALL Disney parks, I wasn’t surprised to find that running through it did not appeal to me. There were quite a few characters posted here so this was a good thing (but since I was over this race I didn’t bother to stop.) The problems with Animal Kingdom for me: it was too dark, it was too crowded, and it was too hilly. I know, I know, my Garmin says otherwise and normal runners will agree: hills? Woman you crazy! These aren’t hills!
I know. Really I do. But I don’t like them- whatever they are. It was the low part of the race for me. Wait- no- exiting Animal Kingdom was the low part of the race for me. We were greeted to a lovely tour of the parking lot! And man, Animal Kingdom has a HUGE parking lot y’all.
At this point Julie went ahead of us. She was walking faster than my run intervals so it made sense for her to just go on. Laters, J! Mr. Shenanigans stayed by my side and yep- that’s a GOOD man right there. Cause I was whining and sad faced and just not into this race at all. This was the point that I popped in the headphones, cranked up the tunes, and just tried to zone out.
It worked.
Hollywood Studios
Just as we went up the 1000th banked ramp of the race, I saw these:
Ugh. NO. That was just not happening. So we motored on. Sarge was waiting for us at the top of the hill and encouraged us to get moving, soldiers! So we did. I think seeing the entrance to Hollywood Studios flipped a switch in my brain: YES YES YES. This was the part I wanted to see- this was the whole reason I wanted to do this race. Our pace picked up, my spirits picked up, and my camera finally got some use!
This was the best part of the race- no question. Packed full of entertainment: tons of fun characters, fantastic DJ under the Sorcerer’s Hat, and a total circuit through the park. And I do mean the full circuit- even the parking garage out back and the trash areas were toured. Ewww. But I forgive that part of the course as it just made me run a wee bit faster!
The Disco Tunnel, as it has been dubbed, made me super happy. I don’t know if this was new to the course, but it sure was fun! My whole race turned around thanks to this one small section of the course. Disco LIVES y’all!
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights- just breathtaking. We spent a lot of time standing around here, taking pictures, and soaking it all in. I hear the rumor this will be moved or possibly going away altogether. So. Yeah. That’s going to be a HUGE let down for anyone who runs this race.
I ran it for the lights! I really hope Disney finds a way to keep them because they are AMAZING.
I jumped for joy when we rounded the corner at Star Tours to see Darth Vader. AND Boba Fett. Fist Pump!
Epcot
When we left DHS we traveled through the Boardwalk area (and had lots of fantastic spectators still hanging around for us caboose runners!) and into Epcot. The Boardwalk was another highlight for me as I love these resorts! We ran into quite a few of my online running club friends and I loved chatting with them. The big negative is that it’s really quite tight here. Luckily we were thinned out by the time we raced through but I suspect others in earlier corrals were bottle-necked here.
We ran through Epcot and the party was in full swing. I quickly assessed that I didn’t want anything to do with the after party. It looked pretty crowded. The partygoers had to cross the course to get to the good stuff (ahem, Mexico and other counties with booze!) and this looked like a big snafu as I went by. People were lined up at least 20 deep waiting for the chance to move across the course to get to the party. No bueno. I also noticed the womens bathroom had a line out the door of ladies hoping to score a stall to change. I’d suggest NOT going into the first bathrooms at Epcot if you wish to change. The end of the race had a changing room (yeah- you had to give up some modesty but hey, you probably won’t see these peeps again, so who cares?) but that was preferable to taking a much needed potty away from someone in my book.
The Big Finish
I loved the finish line, loved the medal, and loved the changing room set up. I wish they offered changing rooms at all the races as I am someone who just wants to get into clean stuff ASAP after a race. We had lasers at the finish- hellllooooo- what’s not to love about lasers?
Final Thoughts
I stand by my first assessment. This race is NOT my favorite one. But I think it was more me than it was the race itself. I’m not a night runner. I am not really a night person at all. I much prefer getting up at 3 am to run than trying to work a schedule to make 10 pm happen. I was exhausted by the end of the race and had no interest in the zoo happening over in Epcot- I sent Mr. Shenanigans on ahead of me and he had a blast however.
The course was tougher than I expected. More “hills” and certainly more banked and slanted areas to cover. This really did a number on my IT Band and I was not a happy camper until I hit the med tent around mile 8. By the way- they only give you ONE measly Tylenol. One. Mr. S said my face said it all- a clear WTF moment as she tried to send me on my way with ONE Tylenol. So pack your own meds if you think you might have any need for pain relief.
I’ll really be bummed if the lights go away. That might make me reconsider this race for the future. They were THAT cool y’all.
I’d do some things differently. Probably including not flying in until Friday night or Saturday morning. I think I had too much park time under my feet pre-race. And I just can’t say no to the parks. I’m addicted to the Magic, what can I say?! I’ll also make sure I eat an actual meal before the race. I had a Hammer bar and a banana, but I suspect it wasn’t enough.
List of characters found on the course:
Fantasia Ostrich and a Hippo dancing
Rafiki
Baloo
Timon
King Louie
Pluto
Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa
Tigger
Sebastian
Army Guy
Fillmore
Lilo and Stitch
Woody and Buzz
The Incredibles
Darth Vadar and Boba Fett
Lumiere
Genie from Aladdin
Wreck-it Ralph
I loved the characters and I REALLY love this medal!
How was your Wine and Dine experience? Any thoughts on how I can improve my race next year? Besides the obvious of training better and not drinking the night before… I got that part. HA!
Patty Holliday has been running Disney since 2011. She knows just about every tip, trick, and hack there is to cover the runDisney Magical Miles at Disney World and Disneyland. She knows every mile isn’t *always* magical- but with training, tips, and a little bit of pixie dust, they can be a lot of fun! You can also find her at noguiltlife.com and noguiltfangirl.com
I did love Animal Kingdom! Maybe it’s because I own nature boys, but I really liked running through that park. The Disco Tunnel was DA BOMB! I shook my groove thing all the way down.
I think we need a relay again- ha ha. You do the front of the race, I’ll do the back!
The race had it’s ups and downs for me(figuratively and literally!). Luckily the Mr. has taken away the option of me doing it next year lol. I’m sure I’d cave given the chance. I love the pic of you and Mr. S with Darth Vader!!
Noooooo! I need ya to come back and do more Christmas Party! I missed out on that with you. BTW- Rob LOVED the “Like a Boss” pic on Space Mountain.
Thanks for the recap! I’m crossing my fingers that the lights stay- they look so amazing!
My fingers are crossed too! My husband loved this race and wants to go back again, so I would be very excited to do it if the lights are there.
I’m not a fan of night races either. It’s too tempting to go and do stuff all day. I’d rather roll out of bed and run. The lights do look beautiful, though! And at least you weren’t alone. Having people there with you to support you when you were low must have helped a lot.
That’s exactly it Jennifer. I am a morning person, so even if I stayed out of the parks I would need to be up and doing “something” all day. So it was tough to take is slow. We tried, but you know… I’m a commando park visitor! But the lights! LOVE LOVE LOVE! And I could not have managed this race without support. Pretty sure I would have volunteered to get on a bus at some point if they hadn’t been there. Made all the difference. Not as hot as DL half, but we went slower and spent much more time in DHS than I expected. But so worth it!
That’s exactly how I felt after the first Tower race. I know it’s easier to have characters in the parks, but those long boring stretches of highway need them more.
What do you mean they won’t have the lights anymore?! Like, just for the race or for everything? I feel like that’s a HUGE draw for this race and I hope they still have them. . .I mean, next year is the 5th anniversary! They HAVE to have them. . . right?
The rumor I heard was the Osborne Lights were going away totally or possibly moving to Epcot. In Epcot- I don’t know where they would go though! I can’t see Disney draping them across the countries- but maybe? I believe it had to do with new rides/construction going on in DHS… so yeah… gone. It will be a heart breaker for sure for the runners. This is a HUGE HUGE draw!
Thank you for the recap! My mom and I have already decided that this will be our WDW race for 2015 so we can earn the C2C medal! I heard it will be the 5th year, so hoping for some extra Disney magic (maybe they’ll keep the lights for one more year!) Trying to decide if the littles should come along or not….
Good luck to you and mom! I’ve got it in the back of my head to go C2C again here as well especially with the anniversary coming around. Kids- personally, I think the next day would be TOUGH with kids. And unless they nap or you have someone to take them out of your hair pre-race, it might be hard to get the rest you need for a night race. That’s my initial thoughts on it.
Love the disco tunnel. Too cool! I can’t wait to do a Disney run…I don’t care what it is!
LOL Amy- I hear ya! I feel the same way. It’s the entire weekend and experience! Running through Disney is just amazing. Even a bad run isn’t bad when you get to do it at one of the parks!
I haven’t ran this race yet, but I cannot wait to run it next year!! The fact that you get to run through 3 parks and part of it is the pretty Christmas lights makes me happy :0) Also, I love the bling and the fact that you can indulge in food/wine afterwards!
The bling is Saaaawhhheeeeettt! I think its my favorite medal. HUGE!
Patty, I’m glad you wrote this, it helps me not pine away for yet another Disney race. To be honest, I would probably hate it, I’m a MORNING person, like MORNING morning…like 3-4am every day. 10pm is past my bedtime, I cannot imagine running that late! LOL.
It was rough on me Karen. I think if I had been properly trained (Sept and Oct got TOTALLY away from me) it would have been much better. But not training, plus being at parks for a few days, plus the late night… it was not a fun race for me at all. When I do it again, I’ll make a lot of changes!
Totally loved the lights, that was part of the huge draw for me to this race for me. So hoping these don’t go away permanently. I’ve wavered some on my stance from after. I loved the three parks and the decorations, really loved the encouragement through the boardwalk area, but I’m not sure I will do it again. Though, if coerced, I’m sure I would cave.
You know we are good coercers Suzanne! 😉 But I understand how you feel totally!
I was very nervous as it was a last minute decision to participate – I had a tendon strain in my foot with no impact training for the last 2 months (argh!) and was not supposed to be running this Fall. But I got very agitated seeing my husband pack (he did C2C challenge). He said pack my gear, I didn’t have to do it but take it with me. As I’d paid anyway, and was traveling with him too. I decided at the Expo that I was going to walk it. To start and see how far I could go. My first Disney race but not my first Half. I liked the night race because I got a full nights sleep on Friday! We stayed out of the parks though, rode the two monorails and mooched about the hotels. Headed back for a rest/nap after lunch, and then went to Shutters in Caribbean Beach for chicken and rice dinner at 5pm. Worked perfectly for us. It was a good waiting area – the characters made the time fly, and of course Disney have people walking up and down the potty line handing out new rolls of toilet paper just in case the port-a-loo has run out! What service!!
It was pretty up and down for a ‘flat’ course, and the camber on the roads was painful at times, but they are better quality streets than in CA. Loved the parks, loved the start and finish. Didn’t make a connection with anyone around me – probably my first race that’s happened, I talk to everyone – and hubby was several corrals ahead, so I plugged in my tunes and busted some Zumba moves on my way around. I didn’t stop for character photos, mainly because I was worried about time and did not want to be swept, and I was on my own :-/ I did end up ‘pep talking’ a young girl from mile 11.5 to the finish as she was having a very rough time. But we made it!
My foot was OK, although I am very achey in general! But kind of impressed I could pull a Half out of the hat with no recent training and not die. Or get swept.
I’ll never forget my first runDisney Half! Back for Tinkerbell & Princess with Glass Slipper challenge next year. With a lot more training!
Look at you! CONGRATS on the amazing finish! I’ll see you at Tink and Princess (also with A LOT more training here!)
I think the key for me to really enjoying the race and being able to feel good (ok, in pain but still good) at the after party was staying out of the parks entirely the day of the race (I learned that lesson with Expedition Everest back in May, my legs felt like lead) and taking a good nap and going about a minute per mile slower than I trained. I figure it’s silly to runDisney for a PR when I’ve got Space Coast in three weeks, so I put my ego in check and slowed down every time I started feeling tired and ended up with fuel left in my tank at the end. I was really worried about the night race and the fact that I missed my last long run (and two weeks of running in October) due to a nasty cold, but it ended up being a really fun race for me. I will be royally pissed if they take the Osbourne lights away though, that’s the absolute best part of the hilly hilly course.
You are my favorite. hilly hilly course. YES. It’s nor just me. 😉 Around mile 7 I thought- forget Space Coast, I’m not ready! But I believe in a bad run before you have a good one… hopefully THIS was my bad run and Space will be out of this world! See ya there April!
I totally loved the Darth and Boba Fett character stop too! Last year it was just Darth Vader so it was a nice surprise for me. I loved running with the broads too! Glad you had Rob to run with. He was super nice. 🙂 And I am so glad I got to meet you!
I loved the course. My issues were self imposed…but honestly it did not seem like it took as long as it did. I only wish at the end I could rally….but alas after my Canada petit filet, I was done. Fun hanging with you and Rob!
I had an awesome time as well, but after lying around all day, it was SO hard to get ready to run. Being in that field with nowhere to go definitely did not help!
I slammed on the brakes when I saw Darth Vader AND Boba Fett!!! LOVED. But I did not love the Disco tunnel…it made me feel claustrophobic or something.
I had the best trip, though…heading down with my husband but no kids for the F&W festival is pretty much the best decision I’ve made in a looooong time. 🙂
I would do this one again; I think I’d change up the way I did a few things so that I could enjoy the race more – and if they could not take us by smelly garbage that would be GREAT… 🙂
This sounds like an awesome race! I want to start running again but keep finding reasons not to. I think this would be a great goal to work towards. And I am quite jelly of you getting to see Barbossa!