This past weekend I escaped the cold weather in Chicago for a warm weekend in FL. I went back to Walt Disney World for the Glass Slipper Challenge–10K on Saturday and half marathon on Sunday. After completing the Goofy Challenge last month, I was convinced that I could accomplish anything. Well, I already knew I could but the challenge “sealed the deal” for me.
Travel plans began on Friday morning. After last month’s travel fiasco to CA for Tinker Bell Half Marathon, I told myself that for future trips I would get on the first available flight. My flight was supposed to leave at 6am but due to weather conditions and other technical difficulties, it left 2 hours later.
AR and I arrived in Orlando about 11:30 or so, picked up her luggage, and then headed to Terminal B for the Disney’s Magical Express Bus. Our wait time was about 15 minutes and then we were on our way to the hotel. The bus ride was about 45 minutes but it sure went by fast.
Check-in at the hotel was fast and easy! We each got a personalized MagicBand to unlock our hotel room, enter the parks, and buy food and merchandise.
We stayed at the All-Star Movies Resort and this was on the way to our room.
We had a quick lunch and then off to the expo. It was pretty much the same as the WDW Weekend last month. This time I bought two tops from Running Skirts. I was tempted to buy a long sleeve shirt too but realize that I have too many of them.
After walking around for a couple of hours, it was time for a drink. Check out the cool bib!
The next morning I was up at 3:10am for the 10K. I got ready and then headed to the lobby to get on the bus. I did not wait long and was at Epcot about 4:15. Then it was just to wait for the 5:30 start time. I didn’t want to put together another costume so I wore the same one from the WDW Half Marathon.
It was a humid morning. Finally it was time to run. The first 3 miles were B-O-R-I-N-G. Oh dear! It was dark and we were running on roads so pretty much there was nothing to see. The next half was the best part. The best part was running along the Boardwalk. Oh, and I ran again with Jeff Galloway. He is such a cool guy!
I only took one picture along the course. Love it! I think this was about mile 5 or so.
Finish time is 1:10:38. Definitely not my best time but I was not expecting to PR or anything like that.
I felt OK throughout the race. The humidity did not help at all. I was disappointed with the course. This was the first year of the 10K so hopefully they’ll change it for next year.
I liked the convenience of staying at a Disney property. There was an airport pick up, transportation to/from the expo, and transportation to/from Epcot for the race. Oh, and I loved the MagicBand. My only complaint is that there was no coffee maker in the room. In every hotel I’ve stayed in, there’s always been a coffee maker. The cafeteria was not open on race morning nor was there any coffee in the lobby. I am a big fan of coffee and MUST have it every single morning.
