Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Ep 29 - Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 2026
641 Plays1 month ago
Ok, this is the BIG runDisney event of the year and we've been counting down to this one from the day we registered! In this episode we're sharing all the things about our experience at the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend... from spectating the half marathon to running the full marathon, supporting friends to meeting y'all in person, it was an exciting and jammed packed weekend.
We share the good and the bad from our perspective, plus we asked on instagram what your favorite thing about Marathon Weekend was and we share some of those answers on the show!
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Marathon Weekend Excitement
00:00:00
Speaker
We just got home from the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend and boy, do we have a lot to talk about. Whether you were there, wishing you were there, or have the marathon on your bucket list, this episode is gonna be a good
00:00:18
Speaker
one. Hey there, friends. Welcome to episode number 29, the moment we've been building up to, Erica. This is the season finale.
00:00:29
Speaker
Can you call it a season finale on a podcast? I don't know. This is the season finale of One More Run the Podcast. We said we were going to build up to Marathon Weekend. That was our goal. We weren't sure if we were going to continue. We decided to continue. That's right. And it all built to this major weekend. That's right. And so I'm calling this the finale, whether anybody else does or not.
00:00:49
Speaker
Sounds good. um So yeah. So welcome to the finale. Welcome to the finale. But don't worry.
Podcast Goals and Listener Feedback
00:00:54
Speaker
Season two starts next week and with a very special guest to help us kick off the next chapter of the podcast. We always start every episode where we kind of just lay out the goal of the podcast. So if you're new here, you kind of know what to expect. And if you're ah not new here and you've been here for a while, then sorry for this little repeat. We just... got to make sure we're running everything through the, you know, through this one lens. So we set out to help y'all feel prepared and inspired going into whatever your race is. Right. And I got to tell you that we felt that come to life oh my gosh at marathon weekend when we got to meet so many of you in person. And so like, i don't know. I, we have the tissue box. I guess that's what I'm saying is it's here right in case anybody needs In case, I have cried more about the people that we've met and their stories and what they've said that we meant to them than I have about not funny to the marathon. like yeah Yeah, for sure. So again, like it's not about how we feel about it, but it it it we set out to help you feel prepared, inspired, ready, confident, all that stuff. And we got a little bit of feedback this week yeah that that it genuinely is having an impact, even if it's just a little impact. That's totally okay. So totally that's what we're doing here. And as we kick off season two next week with a special guest on the podcast, it's just going to continue. Like the information, the inspiration, transformation. I mean, all the nations are going to be in full effect as we continue. So anyway, thank you for listening to the podcast. I guess as we you know continue this thing, I really just wanted to say thank you. Y'all are awesome. Yeah. um We read reviews on the podcast. And this one's cool because we got to meet Troy.
00:02:30
Speaker
That's right. In person. oh We sure it is And so he had left a review quite a while back, but we saved it and wanted to read it on the podcast. Yes. So Troy says, I just discovered this wonderful podcast and it's now in my weekly rotation. i will be taking AJ and Erica along on my runs and find their positive energy and tips helpful and fun.
00:02:49
Speaker
I made a connection with Holler Hype and that is how I found One More Run. Keep it going. Awesome. We met Troy at the meetup, the Rise and Run meetup. Yes. And he said positive vibe or energy whatever. His positive. Yeah. who yeah Whole another thing. Can't even keep up. You what I mean? And if too if you use the Holler Hype app, you obviously know who Troy is Right. There's no doubt about that. Yes.
Marathon Weekend Reflections and Observations
00:03:12
Speaker
Okay, Erica, should we dive into talking about our experience at the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend? Yes, absolutely. Is there a shorter way I can say that have to say that so many times? about just Marathon Weekend? Marathon Weekend. If I say Marathon Weekend or Marathon, we'll just call it that. Okay. um So let's dive right into it. Okay. couple disclaimers just so you know what filters we're running all of our comments through. um Bottom line is we're going to share everything like in timeline order. Yeah. And then with some like good and bads at the end. Right. So everybody's timeline, when they arrived, when they left, what races they did, like, you know, all that is going to be different. We're just kind of talking about our in order, like as the series of events happen, we're going to talk about them in order for us. Totally. Also, there are a lot of different ways to experience a race weekend, and we are not saying that what we did is right or the best. This is just how we did it. Yeah, yeah for sure. yeah And then, of course, we all i like with everything, we always hope that this is helpful for you to decide.
00:04:09
Speaker
on something. Right. So whether you're there or not, right. If this, if you're kind of listening to this, if, do I ever want to do this again? do I want to do it for the first time? Anything like that? We hope that even if it's not like a tip or a trick or whatever, that it's some kind of helpful for helping you decide, maybe i do want to do marathon or, Oh, you know, I mean, I'm glad you guys did it, but maybe that's not for me. Yeah. You know, like, but hopefully it's helpful. Totally.
00:04:34
Speaker
Also this year we did just the marathon. I'm doing this in air quotes. Um, so we don't really have anything else to say about the other races or challenges we have done goofy in the past. We did not this year. We have not done dopey, no intention to no intentions to. So today we're just going to talk about the
Race Day Challenges and Community Spirit
00:04:51
Speaker
marathon.
00:04:51
Speaker
Right. So we got to exceed the half marathon. Yes. We ran the full marathon. Um, and, and you said air quotes, like we hate that phrase, just the marathon. Correct. All weekend, everyone would say like what are you doing this weekend? And I would say, I'm doing the marathon.
00:05:04
Speaker
That's right. Like, like confidently. Yes. And, um, you know, I, I, I'm single-handedly on a mission, you know, like change the narrative around that is that just because there's other races that weekend, you know, like a local race will have a half marathon and a 10 K or whatever. And nobody says I'm doing just the half marathon. yeah and Everybody says I'm here to run the half marathon. Yeah.
00:05:25
Speaker
And it's a Disney thing. I think my most favorite thing that I heard Carissa say from the stage this weekend was no one would ever go to Boston and say, you just ran the marathon. Like you would never hear that. No kidding. You know what I mean? But like for some reason people want to say that at Disney. So yeah, yeah we're stopping that.
00:05:44
Speaker
Yep. Single-handedly. You and me, you me, the only two, but we're still on a mission. Great. You want to talk through kind of how things transpired for us? Totally. ah You know, day by day. Yes. um Our, you know, the expo started on Wednesday, yeah but we were not there for that. we We saw all of that kind of go down online. Yeah, that's a great way to describe it. What do you mean? Why why why' did you make that? It seemed like there was a lot of drama happening. It seemed like it. And I think it's a marathon weekend standard. you know Of course. That something's going to go wrong, right? All the dopey merch is gone or whatever it is. It seems to be something. This year, I think they tried some new things that we didn't experience, so I don't want to talk too long on it. But they you know like limited the dopey merchandise to only dopey runners. you know You had to have a dopey bib, but i think that might have caused some whatever. Yeah.
00:06:34
Speaker
yeah It seemed like even with that new policy in place, they still ran out of merchandise really, really quickly. Which I guess is good because then that means only dopey runners got it. So it's not that they ran out that I think was like my issue from a distance, like looking at it from a distance. It was, they had to wait in another line that I think looked like it took an hour or longer. Yes, that is true. But I mean, I also read a bunch of people say like by 11 AM, like the certain sweatshirts were gone. on I feel like if you're going to limit it to people that have dopey bibs, how do you not have enough merchandise? you know how many dopey runners there are, right? Yeah, exactly. And you and if you want to get technical, you know what size they wear because you have their t-shirt size. So I feel like you should have some sort of like general idea sure of how many of each size you need. I don't know, whatever. We weren't there for any of it. So we're not going to comment long on that. But I guess, you know, like every every expo day seems to have some piece of drama that comes with it. You know, the virtual queue thing didn't work or, you know, they ran out of this or, you know, there's always so... We missed it completely. We missed it. And that's why we remind you, you're not there for the merchandise. You're there to run the race. yeah And the merchandise is just a fun bonus if you happen to get Yeah. We firmly believe that. So we did leave Wednesday. We headed down, but we had um the privilege and honor of getting to move our daughter into college yes on Thursday. But that means we had to leave Wednesday night to go that direction. um So two cars, you know, hers is loaded down, ours is loaded down with extra stuff. And we headed and we stayed at a night in a hotel just dreaming of being at Disney, you know, like ah like a Disney resort. We stayed at a normal hotel. yeah right But it was really important for us to experience that. So We committed to it a long time ago and then just, you know, emotionally and everything like locked in. This is what we're doing on Wednesday. And then of course I'd, know, check Facebook and be like, well, actually kind of glad I'm not there right now. Right, right, right. know, I'd rather be doing this with, with our daughter. So yeah that was Wednesday night and it was great to spend the time with her. I got to ride in the car with her, you know? And so it's just good. I'll be honest, emotional time, but good, good time, um, with her on Wednesday. yeah
00:08:37
Speaker
Good. Yeah. Let's move on to Thursday. Thursday, we end up arriving, but what did we do first? Well, first we moved her into that dorm room. We we unpacked everything, moved her in. Yeah.
00:08:48
Speaker
yeah How'd you do with that? i did I think I did better with that than you did. I think you're right. Yes. She's been gone in Arizona for the last like six or seven months working. And so for me, I think that was kind of like the first emotional sure break, if you will, of her moving out. yeah, yeah.
00:09:06
Speaker
So, I mean, I definitely still cried when we left, but, um, but no, I was excited for her and, um, and it was fun. i didn't think she would want me to help her set up her room, but she did. So that was fun. So I liked it. We kind of set up and, you know, we talk a lot, of even on the podcast about like good, clear communication. Yeah. You know, like set your expectations. Like this this is how you can communicate to me in a moment of stress. You know, things like that. So she and I had, and I don't know if y'all did, but we just had that clear expectation going in. Hey, do you want me to take a bunch of pictures and whatever? Right. Do you want my help hanging stuff? Yes. Is there a code word? Like, do you want to say mistletoe when it's time for me to get out?
Expo Drama and Marathon Preparations
00:09:41
Speaker
You know what mean? yeah Like, yeah you know, and so I think that made it really smooth right for that. But then just at the bottom bottom line there at the end, like you just at some point we had to leave. Right. And that was that was where i
00:09:51
Speaker
You know? Yeah. I lost it at that point. I'm like, she's totally capable. Totally. She's a smart woman. Like all the things. Yeah. Not worried about her. Right. It was just that moment of like, this is my best little buddy. Now I'm letting her go.
00:10:04
Speaker
You know? Okay. all right. I don't want to start crying here. So. So we did that. We had that. And I kind of say that because we were like a little bit like emotionally, whatever, set up going into marathon weekend because we had this very important to us moment. We did the late night drive. We stopped at Bucky's. Yes, we did. On the way. And so um yeah several hours back in the car and we just processed all the things, you know, and yeah and all that. And, you know, I did a, oh, what you going to Oh, no, no. i was gonna say i did a poll on Instagram. Yes. And I love that everybody's on team Bucky's. Yes. You know, don't remember the way I phrased it. I was like, do you stop at Buc-ee's on a road trip or something? Like yes, no, or what the heck is a Buc-ee's? You know what mean? And it was like almost unanimous correct that everybody stops at a Buc-ee's. If you don't know what a Buc-ee's is, you need to come visit us in the south part of the United States and go to Buc-ee's. It's the world's best gas station, bottom line.
00:10:55
Speaker
It is. Were going to say something and I cut you off because was talking about Bucky's? No, no. i was just I was going to tell everyone where we stayed. Okay, perfect. Yeah, yeah where did we stay? So we stayed at Coronado Springs, which is one of our favorite resorts for a race weekend. It is quiet. There are so many food options. Yeah. There's like the main pool and then there's like a quiet pool. and Multiple quiet pools. Yeah, multiple quiet pools. They have a fitness center that has a filtered water station, which we use all the time for all of our waters. yep We found that it works for us. Some people don't like it because it's spread out, you know, whatever. But we found that it works for us. So when we arrived, it was really great. We did the online check-in thing yeah earlier in the day. yeah So our whatever. Credit card was already locked in. Our room number was already set. We put in the room preference, which we got. Yes. You know, all of that. We still stop by like the front desk to make sure our magic bands are good and whatever. And it is funny because the guy's like, do you need a map of the resort and wherever? Like, no, we know exactly. yeah Like we know exactly where we're going because this is our resort. yes we We love it for a race weekend. So getting there and everything was good. It was it was a late night. It was late. Yeah. But we got there. Yeah.
00:11:58
Speaker
So we got there and then I unpacked and you like went outside for a little bit, which I love because you know that it like calms me down or something to unpack and get settled. um Set everything out. Yeah. I needed some space, not from you, but just some, you know, yeah like I said about moving Taylor in, like it just, you know.
00:12:18
Speaker
I wasn't a mess, yeah but I was just like off. Yeah. Does that make sense? I could tell that you were processing a lot of feelings. And so, yeah. So Coronado has ah um around the lake in the middle. It's a mile. Yeah. If you walk it, you know what mean? All the way around. And so that's what i did. Yeah. right Late night walk. Yeah.
00:12:37
Speaker
Okay. um So Friday is when like our race stuff actually started. So we woke up Friday and kind of, you know, leisurely got around or whatever, but we had the expo to go to that day. So, um you know, late when, I think it opened at 10 or 11, right? So real easy peasy morning. We went to the expo and interestingly, they've already had two days of the expo. And so I expected it to be like nobody there.
00:13:01
Speaker
yeah which was kind of true for about 30 minutes. Right. And then everybody showed up. Yeah. And so, yes, it was very calm when we first got there. where I think we were like the second bus, you know, to get there, um which we know how to do is very easy. i mean, and because there wasn't the merchandise stuff, we weren't doing dopey. We weren't fighting for anything. Right. We were kind of like walked on the property and we're like, Where do you want to go first? You know, like just very, like we told people, this is kind of how we do it, but this was totally different because we'd arrived way late, middle of the day, you know? And so we went to merchandise first. We did. We did that. Nothing in my size, nothing in your size. I don't think they had super small or super large sizes and stuff, but in this, this is going to come up later. It also just wasn't my favorite. And I think it wasn't my favorite when I saw the preview of the merchandise. And so I wasn't after anything anything major. I got the the standards, right? Got a magnet, ornament, a hat, the standard stuff. yeah you know No water bottle. You know why?
00:14:02
Speaker
Because they didn't have the corksicle that you would like. I think it was corksicle, but it was not the corksicle. Correct. right So I did think that the um Dopey Challenge sweatshirt was actually really cute. It was really good. Normally, i don't like those aren't really my colors. The purple and green aren't your colors? Not so much. But I was like, man, if I ran Dopey, that sweatshirt would be cute.
00:14:22
Speaker
Yeah, it was it was a really good looking sweatshirt. This was the first time I've ever seen you walk out empty handed. With no merchandise. No merchandise. There were a few like of the new Ren Disney, like this year's Ren Disney theme, you know, generic whatever. You call it the core merchandise, I think? Sure, yeah yeah. There was a few things that I thought were cute, but nothing that I was like had to have. Right.
Spectating Experiences and Emotional Reactions
00:14:44
Speaker
um Yeah, I think I'm probably going to want more merchandise for the Disneyland half and Princess Weekend. So i figured I'd just wait and wait.
00:14:53
Speaker
I had that. Save up for that. I had that where I felt obligated to buy something because it was said run Disney or whatever, but I didn't love it enough yeah that I was like, I don't know, it's still $90. Yeah. You know? And so I ended up walking away from a few things. Totally. All right. So we left that building empty handed. Well, you left empty handed. I just got a couple of small things, but what what was next? So next we went to pick up our bibs and we had the coolest thing happen to us when we were there. yeah it was fun.
00:15:18
Speaker
We're in lines next to each other. um Our numbers were similar for our um for our bibs. um And I saw this girl and I was like texting you and I'm like, AJ, I think that's Jack from Rise and Run at your three o'clock. yeah But we've only met...
00:15:35
Speaker
that crew, like through, you know, I'm going to say Zoom. that Virtually. yeah Yeah. Virtually. Yeah. I've never seen her in person before. And so i was like, I think that's her. And I'm texting you. And then all of a sudden from behind us, we hear like, Hey, AJ. And I'm like, it's Greg. Like before I even turned my head and looked, I'm like, I didn't, I was like, it's Greg. ye And, uh, so anyway, that was, that was hilarious. I turned around and what was funny is I was wearing a camera Yes. For like key moments. Right. Right. All the process. So like when I walk under the banner, you know, I have them wearing this camera on, you know, and i I record. Okay. So I have it for like like video footage. Right. Oh, I got my bib. you know, they handed me my bib, you know. And so I turn it off. Yeah.
00:16:15
Speaker
I'm. backing away and i hear hey aj and i turn around and i have the most authentically genuine excited yes reaction yeah like because i'm now meeting like one of my favorite celebrities right right you know what mean and my camera was off i know and it happened like multiple times throughout the weekend killed me Yes, but it was, it was clearly it was Greg and it was Jack yes and her new husband. They had literally just come off the ship. She had just gotten married on the cruise and it was really fun to run into them and and see them and and all that good stuff. The good thing about and the camera not being on or whatever, like not that I really, like when I wear it i don't really think about it, but like the good thing is now I have that memory for me. Right. You know what I mean? I don't yeah need that for any other reason. It just irritated me, like the video guy in me. yeah It was on 10 seconds ago. Right. Yeah. How did this happen? yeah But anyway, meeting them was like.
00:17:06
Speaker
So great. Yeah. I loved it. Okay. Yeah. So we did that. We didn't hang around in the bib area very long. I think we even opted not to get pictures because there weren't characters out at the time that we wanted. i don't think. We didn't. Also, I had a first yeah for this. It was hilarious. I think because like I knew I wasn't going to be able to finish the marathon.
00:17:24
Speaker
This whole weekend was like a lot less stressful for me than it normally is. Yeah. I'd never even looked at what corral I was in. Like normally, right normally that's like the first thing that I'm doing the moment we step onto like the yeah ESPN center, like concrete. like right And ah someone said, hey, what, what, what corral did you get? And I'm like, uh, let me look. Like that was just a funny moment to me.
00:17:47
Speaker
Yeah. Okay, cool. All right. So we knocked that out. And then um was this the point where we got the famous pineapple cider? I think so. Yes. And then we just headed back to the resort. That's right. Took it easy. Well, we went over and got our shirts, but nothing nothing exciting about that, right? For the first time, I don't think you changed shirt sizes. Was this like the first time you didn't do that?
00:18:06
Speaker
You always change the shirt size. Yeah. I've started- How do you feel about the shirts? Oh, that's what I'd love to know. Hold on, detour. We're ready. Hot take. Do you need the Kleenex box? No. I do not need the Kleenex box. Okay. I have two issues with the shirt. Okay. One is that I i do not like the fabric of the new shirts. This is our first time at a race that has the new shirts for for context. We didn't do springtime where they brought in the new Brooks stuff. Okay. So you don't like the way it feels? No. And I have an issue with this type of fabric anyway. Like you have some other like Atlanta track stuff. Yeah. like that yup And like we, when we did the 4th July, you're like, Hey, you want a shirt? And i'm like, no, that fabric gives me the heebie jeebies. Like, I don't know how to describe it. It's little weird. It's weird. Okay. So that's my first thing. The second thing,
00:18:50
Speaker
me and like 5 million people all feel the same way. yeah The like plastic ginormous print. I mean, it's, it's, it's like heavy. I feel like the shirt's like leaning forward on its own. would never run in the shirt because if you sweat in it, it's just going to pool up right there. Right. Yeah. It's not great, nope but that's okay. Okay. So we picked up our shirts. Didn't make different didn't exchange any sizes. I think even if it was the wrong size, you might've just, whatever. You know, I've started getting the men's shirts because i don't really like the V-neck yeah and I just like the way the men's fit better. So, yeah.
00:19:25
Speaker
Great. And then I think we've said it before, you can exchange it. Yes, you can if you need to. We took off. We left the expo. We were there for, i don't know, still took a couple hours because of the lines and all that stuff. yeah um And then we went back to the resort and just took it easy. yeah It was very chill that afternoon. you know yeah think I might have taken a nap even. I think you did, yes. Yep. Yeah. So then that night, we had dinner at the resort with our good friends Trevor and Leanne. Trevor, who we've had on the podcast, was running his very first half marathon at Disney. So exciting. um We also had some other really good friends that we've known for years, Zach and Jesse. um They ran with us last year. Jesse and i ran the half marathon together. Zach ran the full marathon. This year, he ran the Goofy Challenge for the first time ever. yeah and so that was exciting. And so anyway, that night, we had dinner with Trevor and his wife Leanne. Um, super, super good
Personal Race Experiences and Challenges
00:20:15
Speaker
friends of ours. We've produced with them before. And so it's like pre-race meal. Yes. Pre-race meal. Super fun to like, just talk to him, help calm down last minute jitters. What time do you want to meet in the morning? yeah You know, like things like that.
00:20:28
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. It was really, it was nice. And then of course it was early, you know, at his request. And yeah he was smart enough to know that, yeah, we need to eat at five. Right. Yes. Yeah. But because we weren't running the next day, right we you know, we made sure that we kept dinner as short as he wanted it to be so we could go get ready. And i think that he was making all good choices. Yes. He's like six o'clock. He's like, all right, I'm going to go to bed. Right. You know? And so he did. yeah So now we're looking at her each other going, we're not running in the morning. It's six o'clock. Right. So we went just on a little ah adventure. Yep. And we didn't go into a park or anything like that. um We jumped on a bus over to Hollywood Studios to catch the Skyliner. And I think we did the entire Skyliner route. We did, yeah. We just took it to all the different spots you could take it. Ended up grabbing dessert on the Skyliner route. You know, just kind of
00:21:13
Speaker
You and me just chilling. Yep. Right. And I think, you know, even if I, whatever, psychoanalyzer or whatever, like it was a nice time. I think it might've been the first time that we were calm and collected, nothing to unpack. Yes. Nothing to process. No anything. You know what mean? No expo, no anything. Yeah. I think it was the first time that we were just wandering without anything having to, you anything. Yeah. And so it was really nice. It was date night, bottom line. Yeah.
00:21:39
Speaker
You know, so Skyliner date night. Yep. So then Saturday we woke up at 2 a.m. to go spectate on Main Street. We have never spectated a Disney race before. So that was super fun just in and of itself. And then to see Zach and Jesse and Trevor run, that was really awesome. Yeah, it was also awesome to like just be the support crew. And it's interesting because like you have certain stresses, like because we'd never spectated before, like how to get from here to there, how long does it take? You have little stresses, but not the same amount of stress that you would normally carry on a race day. So we're riding on the bus, just like calm as can be. right yeah super chill you know everyone else you can tell they're just like you know in the zone locked in right you know they're like did i did i bring my phone you know they're like yeah just tell it was so funny when we walked on it was like dead quiet and i was thinking about our episode a couple weeks back where we talked about like how quiet it might be because people are nervous or like tired or processing and i was like this is it right here Yeah, absolutely. It was, it was, it was nice to be kind of chill and even walking in, you know, like just walking through security. It's just, it's just different when you're wearing jeans. Totally. You know, I'm not in a bad way different. mean, just like a, wow, I'm normally so stressed out and like, you know, feel like I have to pee the whole time. And now I'm like, could go to the bathroom whenever I want. That's right. That's right. Yeah. So, I mean, it was just so special, like I said, to see Trevor come down Main Street, Zach and Jesse. And also we got to see a couple of other new friends that we've made through the podcast come down Main Street. That was a fun surprise.
00:23:15
Speaker
It was really neat for me. I mean, seeing people's faces as they came down Main Street, knowing that feeling Cue the waterworks. Okay, here we go. I was like, I can't believe I've made it like 15 minutes without crying. yeah um But just seeing that moment on their faces and like, I i i don't know. It was so special.
00:23:35
Speaker
I loved spectating. It was very fun. It was a lot of fun. Yeah. We're going to do an entire episode on spectating. Yes. um And so like even some of the how. Yeah, because yeah I went in a little bit like, OK, but to make it on time this or that or whatever? So I understand that, you know, there's questions about it. We're going to get to that. This, you know, for now, it was just really awesome to get to see our friends. Yeah, totally.
00:23:57
Speaker
So once we saw them go by, we rushed off to the TTC and we got to see them go by there as well, which was cool. Yeah. I don't think most people expect to be able to do that. We just, we just made it a high priority. We really wanted to, you know, be able to see um Trevor go through a second time. Yeah. And so we just, I mean, the minute he was gone off the main street, we actually ran. Yes. And yeah so we just hauled and we barely made it. Yep. You know, cause the TTC is not far from the magic kingdom and he's running. Yeah. You know? So I would not bank on being able to do that. Right. You know, ever, yeah you know, what was really good about the spot we had on main street and you have to, we'll talk about in our episode about it. You have to,
00:24:37
Speaker
it's right It's a weird balance of like letting people have the front because you don't know when they're runners coming through. And I don't want to hold the front of the, right on the rope. I know, I knew that Trevor, cause we got there so early. i knew he was still four or five miles away. right I don't want to hold up a spot for yeah four miles yeah for someone who could need the spot. right But if you don't fight and hold that position or communicate with all the people around, then you don't get to get up front. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah. So that was really hard. But they what was awesome is we got right in that corner. Yes. Where they turn and they've seen the castle for the first time. Yeah.
00:25:13
Speaker
Oh my gosh. So not just on Trevor's face, but every single yes woman- that made that turn was like, oh, it was awesome. When they started crying, I started crying. Oh my gosh.
00:25:28
Speaker
I really like that people um want to capture the moment, yeah but you could tell the difference between the people who were filming it with their phone and the people who just enjoyed it. Right. It was a different look on their face. Totally. With the people that, yes, they don't have a video of it now, yeah but it means something to them. Totally. Because they experienced it not through their phone. Right. Yeah. Were you going to say something like five comments ago? um I was just going to say when you were talking about fighting for a spot yeah at the front, yep um the thing that I appreciated was um when people would say like, hey, let me know if your runner's coming and we'll switch places. There was a couple that was on the front um for the half marathon day that she said that to like everybody. And I really appreciated that. She was great. um And so then I would like, you know, when I was waiting for you at the finish line for the marathon, I was saying same thing. um And there were several people that, you know, did that. So I appreciated that. I thought that was nice. Yeah, you got to be a little bold and and kind and all the things, you know what mean, to be able to do that. yeah But um that to me is is part of the community of Run Disney. That's right. no yeah um
00:26:32
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. Great. Okay, so we took the monorail. So we were at the TTC. We took the monorail back to Epcot because was going to be our last spot to be able to see them come through. And we got to like the corner. Like if you've run the race, you know that last like turn to the right. There's like a PhotoPass person there. All the PhotoPass people, You know, so we got right behind the photo pass person because we knew they'd be looking right there. So we didn't see any of them cross the finish line, but that's a really crowded spot. And I feel like having run it enough times, it's so overstimulating at that time, you know, because someone's yelling on the microphone and the music's like fully blaring and everyone's screaming. Right. And you know, you're about to have your picture taken. Yes. So it's like, I actually like as much as I wanted to see them cross the finish line, I wanted to support them. Right. I wanted them to see me.
00:27:23
Speaker
yeah Yeah. Does that make sense? Yep. Because I'm so good looking. You know, I wanted them to see, see this. handsome Yes. No, you know what I'm talking about. I wanted them to know their person was there. Right. Yeah. And so we did. We hung out in that corner. Yeah. Point one miles away from the finish line. And we did. We saw them all come through. Yep. And it was, it was super good. Did you enjoy that moment? Yeah. I did.
00:27:41
Speaker
I did. I had a sweet conversation with Leanne while we were waiting for Trevor to come through yeah because we've shared in the past about how their one of their daughters ran with us.
00:27:54
Speaker
What race weekend was that? Oh, boy. It was a springtime surprise years ago. That's what was going say. Yep. And so she's a friend of Taylor's. Sorry for all the names, by the way. Taylor's our daughter. Yes. So Trevor and Leanne, who we were there with this week, their daughter came with us without her parents. Right. Yes. Can I make that more confusing?
00:28:12
Speaker
To hang out with Taylor and run with us. Right. And so i was telling Leanne... gonna cry ok about the moment when we got to that curve huh and we were like come on and you're like this is it like push and she just like took off running and so it was cool to be able to experience that with her and then watch her dad do it too so oh yeah that was neat it was I'm telling you guys, like supporting somebody yeah doing this is as valuable and important and whatever as doing it. yeah Like you don't think, you know, you're like oh, I'm just here spectating. No, no you don't even know. Like yes I'm going to make tons of comments about spectators later. yeah Like it means a ton. So we got to experience it for the first time. We just had not had the chance. yeah And we did today. That's right.
00:29:02
Speaker
So then he finished. And of course we had to celebrate with a cider. Oh yeah. I went to get the cider and I sent you with my camera. Yes. and I said, film Trevor. Yep. So yeah, filmed Trevor, filmed Leanne putting Trevor's medal on him, which was very special. yeah So anyway, it was awesome. Yep. So we threw back a few ciders and then then headed back to the resort. Yes. Got showered, got breakfast, all the things we debriefed with them over breakfast, you know, when we' we're fresh and not stinky and all that stuff. Yeah. I had to do a shakeout run. Yeah. And I've actually seen people before running at a race weekend, like when I've been back at the resort. Right. During the day and I thought,
00:29:41
Speaker
Oh, they're doing their little baby run when I did my my my half marathon this morning. And now I realize there might be people like me who have a marathon the next day right and need to go run a few miles yeah because they've been traveling and all that. and you need to, you know, if you don't know what a shakeout run is, you know what Bottom line, you got to just loosen some stuff up. It's not hard. It's not, you know, yeah you know whatever. You just, you know what I do? I like treating the 10K before we do a half marathon, the challenge, whatever. like I like treating that 10K like a shakeout where like- We're doing all the characters. Every character stop we're stopping for. right you know I mean? We're getting all the pictures and whatever. And then performance day is the next day, right? right So I had to do a shakeout run. So I did that around the resort and it was hot. Holy smokes. It was hot.
00:30:25
Speaker
The whole weekend was way hotter than we anticipated. Absolutely. We packed like- Yeah, I did not pack properly. Yeah. I had all these super cute sweatshirts that I'd ordered from everybody for marathon and all my leggings and all their fun colors and whatnot. And I'm like, where are my shorts? I'm glad I ended up throwing a pair shorts in, like not race shorts, like normal shorts in. Because I did. I packed jeans. Yeah.
00:30:48
Speaker
It just wasn't expected. I saw it on the weather. I just wasn't expecting Yeah. Um, after I did my run, I, you know, set out all my race stuff. Cause we talk about, you don't want that stress at 8 PM or 2 AM. You know, you don't want that stress at that time. So try to do that stuff in the afternoon. So I got my bib put on and all the stuff that we say on the podcast. Yeah, right that's right. I did that.
00:31:09
Speaker
After that, we did probably one of the highlights of our entire weekend for both of us, right? We went to the Rise and Run podcast meetup. If you want to meet the nicest people in the world, go to the Rise and Run meetup. Oh, yeah.
00:31:25
Speaker
It was so neat to see them in person, meet people that have, you know, sent hypes on Holler Hype. Oh, yeah. um People that have heard our podcast, you know, that are also Rise and Run podcast listeners, they came up and talked to us and shared some of their stories. I mean,
00:31:40
Speaker
it was really sweet. It was really, it was amazing. Like, um, like we've said it before the community they've built that we're not in competition with or anything that we're a part yeah of their community. Like, we like we are rising run listeners. Yeah. You know what i mean? Supporters and we love it. And just the people are just, I mean, it's just, it's like, I don't know. Like we've said the best of Disney is found at run Disney. Yeah. Like the best of run Disney is found at the rise and run meetup. Like it's just crazy how, how just genuine everybody Yeah.
00:32:09
Speaker
Totally. Just hearing some stories, things that people are fighting through, yeah you know, like ah struggles and things in their own life. Like it was just, it was so inspiring. Yeah. I enjoyed, you mentioned holler hype. I enjoyed being able to put faces to, like I already, like I could hear their voice. Right. over there and i'm like oh wait right i know that voice you know and so being able to put a face and like not just a name but like just like you were part of my training right yes you know you were there a dozen or more times yeah talking in my ear yeah you know and so the holler hype i mean it was really cool to be able to connect with some people that met that way Yeah. I'm really looking forward to using Holler Hype more um as I start training again.
00:32:51
Speaker
Honestly, like it was a little bit hard ah with not being able to run the last few weeks. So I had to kind of like put a pause on that. But I'm really excited to like get into hyping other people yeah um once I start training again. So super excited about that.
00:33:05
Speaker
Yeah. Right now I don't feel like, cause we just ran a marathon. I don't feel like I ever want to run again. So you might not hear me on a holler hype for for a little while. Actually you might hear me on a holler hype, hyping you up or hyping someone else up, but and you might not see me on there until I can get up the courage to run again. Right. So, we were talking about, yeah, how we were so encouraged at the, at the meetup or whatever. Yeah. i was going to say anything else about the meetup.
00:33:28
Speaker
Yeah. So my favorite was as we were leaving, Greg looks at me and says, Erica, it's okay to cry tomorrow at the marathon. I was like, thank you. Nice. He gave you permission. Yes. Yes. yeah He, yeah he encouraged both of us a lot over the weekend. So that was, that was sweet. Yep.
00:33:44
Speaker
For sure. Okay. So we left our favorite place in the world, which is Disney Springs. ah We loved the meetup, but we just, Disney Springs, just still a little, you know, salty about that one. It was fine when we got there, but then it got just crazy. Yeah. So we arrived at like 2 in the afternoon, 2.30 in the afternoon, and yeah, there's nobody there. was great. Yeah, it was fine. But then when we left at 5 or whatever time it was. It's just like no one knows like how to walk or like the flow of traffic, and I don't know.
00:34:10
Speaker
yeah Anyway, it's right. So we left Disney Springs. Yes. And went to dinner. yeah Met up with Zach and Jesse, who we just talked about. And then, um, so we had dinner at the Riviera. We love eating at the, I don't remember the name of it, but the place at the bottom. Um, so we met up with them and then, uh, you, some other friends that, you know, from the podcast, that's right Aaron and Tricia, who ran the wine and dine. Yep. They came on and talked all about their experience. If you remember, I don't remember what episode number it is, but they live in the area. Yeah. And they supported us by coming out and having dinner with us as well. so Yes, that was very fun.
00:34:40
Speaker
Again, just we felt so loved on yeah know like yeah people that believe in us and support in us. So thank you all for coming. So we did dinner and then- it was time for bed. There was no hanging out at that point. That's right. I did have to, I was the one that stood up at dinner and said,
00:34:53
Speaker
Okay. Yeah. Sorry, everybody, but yeah this old man's got to go to bed. That's right. Yeah. So we called it a day. That was Saturday. Any other comments about Saturday? We haven't even run yet. All this and we haven't even run yet. No. Any comments? Yeah. No, that was it for Saturday. Great. Sunday's marathon day.
00:35:10
Speaker
2 a.m. wake up. Yes, ma'am. Yep. We commented on it. The weather really just kind of threw us off. Like I was walking around. i stepped outside. Yeah. You know, in my just shirt and shorts and was like, yeah, babe, it's hot. Yeah. Not hot, but like, no, I don't think we need to bring the mylar. Yeah. You know, I don't think we need to bring anything. Yeah. You know? No, it's bizarre. It was so weird. So I still put sleeves on just in case, you know, and I actually ended up wearing them, but I put sleeves on, so I put into shorts. put it Didn't bring a myelander. I threw the hot hands in my bag just in case. Right. Yeah. Which is funny because after the race, when I went got my gear check back, the lady giving me my gear check back says, hot hands? What are these for? like, I didn't know if was going to be cold this morning. She goes, son, it is hot out here. I'm like, I know that now. That's hilarious. So yeah, it was really funny. But yeah, the weather just kind of threw me. I felt like I was pacing the room going, I feel like I'm doing this wrong. Right. And I'm not sure what to take. And all I really needed was just a t-shirt, shorts, and shoes. You know? It was weird. It was very weird. Yeah. So because we weren't super concerned with getting to our corral early, we left a little later than normal to save our legs. Yeah.
00:36:20
Speaker
On one hand, it was nice. It was kind of chill. But on the other hand, we ran into a few things. A couple snags, right? So our bus, and we've never experienced a major bus issue.
00:36:31
Speaker
Yeah, was tongue-tied there for a second. We've never experienced a major bus issue, but he went the wrong way. Yeah. He pulled into the gas station. Yeah. And everyone in the bus is like, ugh. Yeah, he's like pulling up to the service entrance, and the lady comes out she goes, you are going the wrong way. He goes, I know, I know, I know, I know. Yeah. And so like, it wasn't a long delay, but it gave me enough of a heart attack. Oh, totally.
00:36:54
Speaker
That I was like, oh, we're going to miss the marathon. Are you kidding me? Yeah. I heard him say the phrase like, I'm trying to get to Epcot, but the roads close. So i have to figure out another way. And I was like, oh my gosh, this is going to be the race where we miss it. I couldn't. yeah I had a heart attack. Yeah. I would like the stress that we've told everybody, Hey, just get an early bus. Don't worry about it. You know, all of that. Yeah. I immediately just like regret it. I was, i was like on the edge where i was like, let me off the bus. Like, let me off. I will run to the star line. I was like, I'll figure out a minivan o little live right or something. Just get me off the bus. Yes. You know, Fortunately, all he did on accident was he took a left out of our hotel.
00:37:33
Speaker
And I think that's when he knew yeah he was going the wrong way. right And the only turnaround spot was this service entrance behind the gas station or something. right yeah So he just had to go back, but it still gave me a heart attack. yeah I did not like it at all. Totally.
00:37:46
Speaker
I know. Next race, you're going to we're leaving an hour early. Actually, because of several reasons we're going to be doing go early. Absolutely. um Another little snag that we had, um which we've never experienced because we always get this here early, is if you get there too close to the restart, the gear check lines are closing and they were very long. There was only one or yeah there' was only two two trucks that were open and the line was very long. right so that We listened to the Dapper Dan's.
00:38:14
Speaker
And the race start from the line yeah of the corral of the ah gear check. Gear check, yeah. And I'm like, literally. What is happening? Yeah, I'm thinking, I'm i'm just going to throw this bag away, first of all. And then I'm thinking, I hope nobody who listens to our podcast sees me in this line because I've said a million times. Right. Get there early. Yes. you know And here I am just lollygagging. Oh, my gosh. Yes. So you're like, I'm going to stop at the porta potty. I had to pee really bad. yeah Can I say that again? You said, i'm going to stop at the porta potty. Yes, I had to pee really bad. You always give me hard time about how I always have to go.
00:38:49
Speaker
So anyways, I'm like, OK, cool. I'll you at the corral. So I get to the corral and they've just closed our corral. yeah um And the lady goes, oh, it's okay. Come on in. And I'm like, oh, my husband's in the bathroom. And I'm like, like, like willing you mentally from the, like from the corral start, like, come on, AJ, come on, AJ. And then you come out and you start to walk towards the next corral because we had seen as you were going to the porta potty that it was closed. yeah Right. And so we said, okay, I'll meet you at E yeah because we were supposed to go in D. yeah So anyway, then I'm like,
00:39:22
Speaker
She's like, okay, is that him? And I'm like, yeah. And so I'm like calling your name, screaming your name. Then she starts screaming your name and you can hear us calling you, but you don't know where it's coming from. And I'm like, come on, hurry, please. Like finally you see us and you come like running over and she's like, go ahead, go in. Which was so sweet and gracious of her to let in the back. Yeah, because that is not normally the case and we would not have expected them to do that.
00:39:44
Speaker
Yeah. Nope. Okay. So that was, yeah, that was a race start. It was very easy peasy. Yeah. Because we were at the very back of D, we didn't fight for position anything like that. We just kind of did the waves, you know, and just kind of went. But we knew we were walking. Yeah. You know, for the for the first little bit. So we had no reason for us to get in front of anybody. Right. Yeah. And be in their way. Yeah. So we just went out.
00:40:06
Speaker
Yep. And that was that. Yeah. And we walked, we walked together for what? Like three miles. Yeah. So a road mile, two miles kind of... or no, two road miles and a mile through Epcot, something like that. And then, um, our goal was to take a picture together. That was the goal.
00:40:21
Speaker
And there was like, what felt like no photo pass photographers in Epcot. I felt like that. Like, I think we saw one. Yeah. Maybe two. And, and we, we got, um, I don't want to say cut off, but like, we just did not get a good picture and we knew we didn't get a good picture. That's right. Yeah. There was just, it was too crowded. Someone yeah was in our way. You know, we didn't want to impact people behind us. Right. yeah And so, um, Yeah.
00:40:43
Speaker
So at that point, like we left Epcot and I was supposed to, we predetermined plan. I'm supposed to leave you. Yes. You know, and, um, and, and go. And, uh, I did. Yeah.
00:40:55
Speaker
And I, I'm going, right. start running and I get my headphones out, you know, and I'm like, no, I'm we didn't get the picture yeah i was like mad yeah you know i'm like no we didn't get a picture yeah but now we're on the road right which the road means no photo no course photos right because they're only in the parks yeah and so i'm like but we have six miles yeah till the next potential spot like there's no way i can know we can make yeah that work so i pull over to the first character stop and just wait yep and uh And then we got a character photo. Yeah.
00:41:29
Speaker
Which turned out terrible. It did, yes. It's ugly. You'll never see it. But we got it. We have it. Right. and then we um And then it ended up, the course photo, which is still not good. Yeah, it's not great. It's usable. Right. So we have a proof a proof that we were together.
00:41:47
Speaker
Yes. At the marathon. That's right. In the first few miles. And then about mile four and a half or so, yeah I said, all right, love you, babe. Yeah. And then and I went on ahead. And the rest of the race, we we were apart. Yep. We were not AJ and Erica. We were AJ. It's okay. And Erica. you want to talk about your race? Yeah, totally. um So everybody, I think, knows that you injured yourself, you know, just non-running incident. You broke some toes. yeah You've been on the mend. You've been trying to figure out how much you're allowed to walk. Right. um And so that was why we split up.
00:42:23
Speaker
Yeah. Right? And so you want to talk about your race? Yes. So I knew that I was not going to be able to finish, not even close. um My original goal was was, well, I think my original goal was just to have like a photo. yeah And then I was like, well, I want to make it to Epcot.
00:42:38
Speaker
yeah And then I was like, well, I think I could make it to the Magic Kingdom. I really want a castle photo. And then, yeah. And so then I ended up going and I'll talk about that in a minute. i went much further, but um I would say that in general, this race was like way more chill than normal for so many reasons. I knew I wasn't going to finish. There wasn't any pressure for that. um i wasn't you know I wasn't worried about getting swept or anything.
00:43:03
Speaker
If I needed to use the bathroom, I could use the bathroom. i didn't try to hold it or anything crazy. If I wanted to stop for photo, I could do that. um We didn't wait that long in the corral, which is bad and good. like i didn't There wasn't that like long anticipation of sitting around a waiting. so Um, just much more chill, which was nice. yep So yeah, I wasn't worried about getting caught by the balloon ladies.
00:43:23
Speaker
I did walk speed walk, like some of the fastest speed walking I've ever done yeah ever. yeah But, um, that was more of just like for a physical challenge for myself, you know, but, um, but yeah, just overall it was much, much more relaxed than any other race I've ever had. ok I would say that one of the coolest things happened, ah from the marathon was on mile two You were running with me, right? That was mile two. Yeah, we were walking through Epcot. Yeah, we were walking through Epcot. And over our shoulders, I hear someone yell, Erica. And I turned around and ah this woman, her name's Linnell, she had sent us a message a while back and she said, hey, I want to run a mile for you.
00:44:02
Speaker
When she found out you were injured. That's right. Yes. And she said, which one you want me to do? And I said, how about mile 20? Because that's a hard one, you know? And so anyway, and so she said, I'm one out and I'm running mile 20 for you. And it was the sweetest thing. And she talked to us about the podcast and all that. And it was just so neat to meet her in person and to be able to encourage her as she was, you know, just at the start of the marathon. And so that was just a really sweet moment. It was totally sweet. And we had a couple, you know, or, you know, a good handful of those type things where someone would recognize us, which we don't do this to be recognized. Right. I took every opportunity whenever somebody recognized us or recognized me when I was separate from you and would say something about the podcast or whatever. Like I made sure to take that opportunity to encourage them on their race, find out what their thing was. You know what mean? Yeah. And that was just, it was so great. You know mean? Like I can't, you know, I don't want to go through like trying to name drop and forget everybody or whatever. But like it was just I think what I'm trying to say is that I hope that we were an encouragement to you on the course, but you were an encouragement to us the course. Totally, yeah. Like that meant a lot. Yeah. How you recognize this, I don't know, but thanks for being bold and whatever and saying something. Yeah. You know mean? really, if it was awkward for you, just know that it meant a lot for us. Yeah, absolutely. Another really cool moment was seeing Greg at the TTC. It was so funny. I was like, Greg. And he looked at me and goes, Erica. Like, he couldn't believe that I'd made it that far. And then he yells, keep going. And then he pauses and he goes, but make smart choices. And honestly, it was seeing him that I was like, you know what? I think I could make it. I mean... At that point, I thought, I think I can make it to the half marathon mark. Yes. Which I got to the half marathon mark and I totally could have kept going. Yeah. But I heard in the back of my mind us telling listeners, make smart choices. Yes. you know, to myself, don't be stubborn. Like we're supposed to run the Disneyland half marathon in two and a half weeks, the princess half marathon three weeks after that. And, you know, I hadn't run in six weeks. I had, I think I had walked like six,
00:46:15
Speaker
seven or eight miles maybe, but that was it. Like that was long as I'd gone. And so i I mean, I definitely felt my toes and my hip was bothering me, but I was like, I bet I could go further, but I just thought, you know, let's make a smart choice. So um um glad you yeah, it was not, was not um natural for me to put myself on the bus. But I was very proud of what I had done up until that point. And um so I saw the half marathon flag marker thing and there was a bus ahead of it. And so I just thought this is a good place to call it. So I did not actually cry when I got on the bus. oh that That was good. i was kind of surprised. I think I was just proud of what I had done. Um, I did, I did cry for a couple of the other people that the bus with me, but, um, but I just used it as an opportunity to try to encourage them and had a sweet conversation with a girl sitting next to me. So that was fun. I will tell you going into the marathon, I wasn't sure how I felt about the medal, like at all. I don't even think I had talked to you about it, but I was like, i don't know if I want to keep the medal.
00:47:13
Speaker
Oh, knowing that I down knowing that knowing that i wasn't to be able to finish. I see. I see. Yes. I didn't even know if I would want it. I see. and then um And then Leanne was asking me at the end, like, could she put the medal on me or whatever? um And I decided after doing it that, yes, I felt like as long as I stated from the get-go that I only earned half of this marathon medal, you know, that I speed walked half of it. And i actually ran a couple of times too, which was fun. But I think at that moment, like I was just proud of the months of training that we had put into it up until that point. We always talk about how, you know, the race itself is like the victory lap for all the miles you've put in before. So if someone were to ask me, I'll be the first person to say, like, I did not finish the marathon. I only ran half of the marathon. yeah But I was proud to wear my medal. So...
00:48:03
Speaker
I'm glad. i am very proud of you because you did do the hard work for months and you still showed up. You know what i mean? You showed up for yourself and you gave it a really solid, good effort yeah in the heat on an injury yeah and then made a smart choice.
00:48:21
Speaker
You know what i mean? and For your future. So I'm super proud of you. I will say at some point I was, I got on the find my friends to check and see, you know, if you were back at Epcot on the bus, whatever. And it showed you moving like mile 11. And I'm like, I think I texted you and said, are you still on the course? Right. Yeah. and yeah I don't know. I mean, we've been married 24 years. I shouldn't be surprised. Right. Right. Yeah. But I'm really proud that you,
00:48:52
Speaker
You could have given more, but you made the smart choice right for the future. And I'm really proud of that. There was a woman walking with me, sort of, you know, I'd pass her, she'd pass me when I'd stop in the bathroom, whatever. She had on the back of her shirt, it said something along the lines of, starting is better than not showing up. Yeah.
00:49:13
Speaker
Finishing dead last is better than not finishing at all or something. Later, she ended up getting swept and was on the bus with me. um But I thought, sorry, I'm not crying for me. I've cried for everyone else this weekend, that weekend, except for me. um Because I'm not sad for me. I'm proud of me. But it's, you know, I i feel bad for other people. But I also am so proud of everybody, which is the point I'm trying to make here is that no matter what distance you did or whether you finished or did not finish,
00:49:46
Speaker
Everybody that was there that started has something to be proud of. Yeah. It's a lot easier to hide and not show up and and all that. So yes, absolutely. Anything else, Erica, about your experience? Is there anything that you, you know, your hindsight now, anything you wish you'd have done the same or different or whatever? Do you like the way that, I mean, obviously you would have preferred to cross the finish line. I get that. But is there anything, um,
00:50:10
Speaker
Same, different, any new perspective you have? You know, I think we talked about that weeks ago. Yeah. Was this idea that like you're now going to see things probably differently than you would have. Or even I see it now. Right.
00:50:22
Speaker
Just that, that like I have a new perspective that I didn't have before maybe have. I mean, I always have a lot of empathy for other people, which is why I'm always crying. but yeah I will say that I think that the way that Disney handles the people that can't finish is really great. Really? Yeah. Like they bring us to the um sort of like the back of the gear check area. Okay. So nobody would know basically.
00:50:47
Speaker
Like, you know, you get off, they hand you your medal, they give you your water and... your snack box and um they have people there like to help with you know medical stuff because a lot of the people that had to stop us because of injury right yes um so i just feel like they handled that with like just a lot of grace like you know there's no shame so it was still a really hard moment for a lot of people of course but i just feel like it they couldn't have handled it any better disney or the people that got swept so yeah okay well i'm proud of you i really am
00:51:19
Speaker
Thank you. I appreciate that. Tell us about your race experience. Not, not the same level of emotion and challenge. I don't, I don't think, but I did have, I did have a moment. That's not true. I did have a moment. I'll get to that in just a second. Um, I'm trying to think where to, so I left you around mile four and a half, five, something like that. so as that stretch up to the magic kingdom, you just all road miles. So that was normal. Main Street was the most crowded I think I've ever experienced it. I don't know what it was like for you going through. Something about the time that I went through, i don't know what happened. you know So it was it was very crowded. like i
00:51:56
Speaker
Trevor sent me a video of me coming through, and you can see me like dodge and weave to try and get to them. Does that make sense? To be like, hi. Yeah, I had to watch it twice just to find you. yeah I was like, where is he? And I knew what you were wearing. And your video, when you came through, which was after me, yeah wasn't nearly as crowded. So something about, I caught it at a bad time. yeah So I don't have a Main Street photo either because it was just slammed in there, which kind of, you mentioned earlier that like, feel like there was no photo spots yeah on the course. And maybe it's just me and I'm just not remembering right. But I swear we have like four or five Magic Kingdom photo spots from last year. And this time I think there were,
00:52:36
Speaker
Yes. Like on course photos. On course photos. Yeah. Maybe I'm just not remembering right. But the whole course, I feel like there was not very many as compared to what I've experienced before. Yes. And that was a bummer for me because I knew that I wasn't going to go much further than the half mark. Yeah.
00:52:54
Speaker
And I was like, I have a limited number of photos. i actually got Wazowski at one point and I was like so irritated, which is not like me, but I was like... Later, I thought I should have just turned around and gone back and been like, this is one of my only photo opportunities. I'm doing that again. Yes. yes Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So anyway, that was just a a random you know comment about that. Like I didn't have any issue like like getting through Main Street. was just crowded. um I got to see Trevor and Leanne on Main Street. And that was really sweet. I didn't stop. I have a weird like because the spectators are on the left and you're supposed to run on the left, walk on the right, stop on the right. Yeah.
00:53:33
Speaker
I had a like ah wanted to stop and say hi, but like other people were stopped and it was like causing a problem. Yes. Does that make any sense? So I'm not sure how to handle that. So I didn't, I just didn't stop. what mean? i'm just not going be a problem to someone else's race. Right.
00:53:47
Speaker
I had the same thing. Like I wanted to stop and see them. I wanted to stop and take a photo with Greg at the TTC, but like, I just like, we're always telling people like, don't stop on the course like you know because your people are gonna crash into you or whatever from a safety and a bottlenecking perspective but i also get it's once in a lifetime i'll not see trevor andly and leanne cheering for me like that again most likely yeah you know what so it's kind of like a weird i don't know what to do with it it was a bummer but it was awesome to have them there oh my gosh like we yeah i can't even it's so good it it it was like a totally different experience like having people cheering us on Seeing a face that you know yeah is like, I mean, it's just so good.
00:54:28
Speaker
Yeah. i just see it's it's the It's the boost that you need. Yes. So anyway, i made it through all that. And Powerline Max yeah was the character stop. He's a ride or die he is a character stop. And I see Powerline Max coming up. And this is outside of the Magic Kingdom, kind of after the contemporary and all that. I see him. And I literally said out loud, are of Of course. Yeah.
00:54:52
Speaker
Of course he's here and Erica's not. And I'm not wearing Powerline outfit. I've worn the Powerline outfit multiple times. Yes. And he was not all around. Right. Of course he's here when I'm dressed as Mickey Mouse. Yeah. And Erica's not with me.
00:55:06
Speaker
Yes. And so. But we did both stop. But I didn't know you were kind you going to even stop. Right.
Race Highlights and Memories
00:55:12
Speaker
So here I am going, ah do I stop? Because now I'll have my picture with Powerline Max, but she might not. you know She won't.
00:55:19
Speaker
I kid you not. I told him, I was like, you are my favorite. And I swear he like leaned in and like gave me a squeeze. Like normally they don't touch you when you're running because we're all sweaty. I was like, thank you, Max. yeah Yeah. Maybe his squeeze was telling you, hey, make smart choices, by the way. You know you're at mile 11, right? Yeah. Oh my gosh. Yep. So we got to see Powerline Max. That was really good. um The Magic Kingdom parking a lot.
00:55:46
Speaker
Did you experience any of it? Or was that after the 13.1 mile marker? No, I think that- looping back and forth through the parking lot? That was- Part of it? Yeah, that was part of it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that's when I got real hot and ah you're real boring. Yeah. know But it because we've done it before last year, it actually wasn't as bad for me anyway as last year. Last year, because we'd never done that before, yeah it was the worst. Yeah.
00:56:10
Speaker
Right. Yes. I was counting every step last year. yeah This time I'm like, oh, we just have to go down here and this and whatever. Right. Yeah. Yeah. If I'm not mistaken, the half marathon marker was right as you were like exiting the parking lot. ok So I was doing a lot of like mulling in that parking lot. Like I want to, I can keep going. You shouldn't keep going, but I can, it's fine. I don't want to sit on the bus and watch people pass me, but you should stop. Like, yeah. Yeah. But no, it wasn't bad. Okay, good. After that was the Star Wars area. Oh, man. I'm so bummed I missed that. It was not as good as last year.
00:56:40
Speaker
Let me just say that. And yeah again, I think we've said this before, is that this would be amazing. I've seen videos of it now on social media. This would be amazing in the dark. Right. You know? Yes. Fog and- Right. choo choo choo choo. Which if it was a half marathon, we'd be there in the dark. Yes, exactly. um The videos of people going through in the dark is like, oh my gosh. Yes, you know it's awesome. But you go through now and it's just like daytime and right you hear the music. Right. You know, and and so it wasn't as good as last year. They didn't have as many characters. I'm telling you, they did not have as many characters I feel like last year. And so on the characters I did get last year, I didn't stop for this year. Well, that was smart.
00:57:15
Speaker
yeah Because I got Vader last year. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And so i I just wasn't worried about that. Yeah. um And so anyway, I stopped for a few. They had stormtroopers was pretty cool. I don't remember that from last year. I think it was three stormtroopers. So that was pretty cool. Okay. So the Star Wars area was great. I caught up to Zach.
00:57:28
Speaker
That's awesome. And so it was right somewhere in that area, yeah you know, which is a hard part of the course yeah because now you've left the magical part. Right. and you're headed to the sewage area. treatment plant, you know, whatever. and so I was with Zach when I when i passed the the water treatment plant, whatever it is. and I said, oh, look, it's our favorite, you know, it's the best part of the course yeah right here, you know? Yeah. And so we ran together on and off a couple times. Did they have animals out like there last year? Nope.
00:57:57
Speaker
At Animal Kingdom? Nope. No turtles on the road. Sad. Yeah. I don't know if it's a staffing issue, yeah ah congestion on the course issue. What I feel like there was not as much photo opportunities, character opportunities. And I should probably just go like count, you know, like online, like how many were there last year? How many were there this year? You know, yeah um I just feel like there weren't as many.
00:58:19
Speaker
um Like I've walked away and I have photos from the marathon, yeah but last year's folder of photos, we have a mountain of them. Right. We've said before, almost all our photos come from the marathon. Right. Because it's less congested. There's so many stops. There's so many characters. Right. Right. This year I'm like, i have like four photos. That's sad. You know? Yeah. Like good ones. Yeah. You know, the usable, they were, you know, someone isn't in my way or yeah anything.
00:58:43
Speaker
Yeah. right. So let me think. How I with Zach? Oh, Animal Kingdom. Yes. I'm coming out of Animal Kingdom. This is the this was the hardest part for me. So I'm coming out of the Animal Kingdom. This is mile, I'm going to say 18, which is when they say you hit the wall or whatever. And I didn't physically hit a wall. But you're doing like the service road out. And this is when like core memories lock into place and I get hit in the face of with an emotional hardship.
00:59:12
Speaker
You know what i mean? Because, and I'm sorry, Erica, and I texted you or I called you on the course about this, but like, this is when my person wasn't with me, but we've only ever done this race together.
00:59:24
Speaker
And all the way through this whole point, I'm distracted enough or, or I've done it before on a bunch of different half marathons, you know, whatever it is. And now I'm at the point of the race now where if you The only time I've experienced this is with you. And it's when I need the most support, right? Because we've talked about before, there's a lot of times when you need me to help you. And there's some times when I really need you to distract me, guide me, help me. right This is that spot. Yeah. Two times before and now for the third time. And I'm looking, I don't have you.
00:59:56
Speaker
You know what i mean? And I'm like, oh my gosh, it hurt. You know, like teared up, kind of like whatever. So now I'm going, you know, you like all the people coming into Animal Kingdom are on the left side of the road and we're on the right going out. Yeah.
01:00:10
Speaker
I just decided... I'm just going to like cheer for all these people going the other way. So I just like like a total nerd. I'm just like, start clapping over my head, slamming my fingers. started screaming, you've got this. Right. And so like when I did that, like people would start screaming back on the other side. yeah So then I start high-fiving people on the other side, like yeah like totally against my introverted self. Right. I'm like, bang, bang, bang. Yeah, you can. You know, me and just like high-fiving. Like, don't you quit. Yeah. You know? And it got me through that.
01:00:42
Speaker
section. yeah You know what i mean? Because I really needed you. and And in that moment, it was helping other people or whatever. Yes. was helping me. Yeah. I was just going to say, like you will be a core memory for someone who didn't know if they could keep going at that point. and they're going to say, this guy was running the other way and he was going crazy. and They're going to say, this total dork. yeah They're not going to say that. They're going to say, this guy was going crazy and encouraged me. And he's the reason why I made it the next six miles. like that's That's what's going to happen. I hope so because I made it the next six miles, yeah you know, because I, I don't know, just, it was fun. You know, like ah I needed a boost to energy.
01:01:17
Speaker
That's a tough part of the course. um Speaking of a tough part of the course, Blizzard Beach was after that. And that was, that was just Blizzard Beach. You know, the parking lot's the parking lot. That's right. And it's no fun. I know that later, um folks later in the race, that part of the course got cut off. um And it's like a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing you didn't have to do it because they cut it off because of the heat. Yeah. Lucky.
01:01:40
Speaker
You know, you didn't have to go through that misery. I also understand the logic or the mindset that you didn't do a full 26, you know, and if you were doing the Dopey Challenge, so you're trying to get to that 48 point whatever number, you know, now you're a little short. I understand
Post-race Reflections and Celebrations
01:01:54
Speaker
that's frustrating, but I mean, it is just the parking lot, you know, it's hot and it's, you know, safety issue, right? Like, yeah, I read a lot of people are getting treated by medical, so. I can tell why too. like they went and They handed out those sponges. They said, take as many as you want, right you know the cold sponges. yeah And I did. I i totally rinsed myself off with the sponges. I got to a water station and I took Powerade, drank a water, got another water, dunked it on my head and just soaked myself, trying and cool off. I ended up doing that at most of the last stations yeah because I was just, I mean, I was hot. yeah you know I was getting really hot. so Yeah. Um, the cheering support or the cheer squad, whatever it's called from like Hollywood studios on was next level. That's awesome. And, you know, I have a story about a guy that yelled my name in Hollywood studios yeah on our first marathon. And it was just like the power up I needed. Yeah. High five to me, you know? Yeah. And, uh,
01:02:51
Speaker
That guy. you So you just said- Yes. you know Your whole story, you just said, I have that guy. Yes. That I'll never know his name. And now you are that guy. Okay. So i yeah I have that guy. Anyway, so that guy did that for me. Anyway, Aaron and Tricia, who we had dinner with the night before, they've been on the podcast, they were there. They were in that guy's spot. Oh, and that's awesome. And i they mentioned they might come out and try and support. They had some other friends, I think, running this the race too. Right. And totally forgot.
01:03:17
Speaker
Yeah. about that never crossed my mind that they were gonna you know what mean and not because i don't like them it's just i just forgot yeah that they ever even mentioned they might be there and so now i'm just running down sunset boulevard and i hear my name from the right and again two faces you know that i've known for 25 years yeah i look over and i'm just like Yeah. Yeah. So I went and got my high five and I'm telling you the cheer section from then on was just fire. That's awesome. You know, I had, what's that? Two and a half, three miles left. Yeah. Maybe more. And it just, I mean, I just, I cooked, you know, I needed it and i and they gave it to me.
01:03:58
Speaker
That's awesome. I know Lexi from Rise and Run, she was cheering from Coronado. And i we had talked about meet me meeting up with her after I got swept. I got high five from her. But then I went further and then I was like, I didn't want to go there and miss seeing you at the finish line. So I sent her a message on Instagram. I'm like, I'm not going to make it. but One of these times I'd love to to cheer with her there because that's such a hard, you know, you're so depleted by that point. And those people really need it. And so... It's a fantastic spot. I yeah saw them coming from a distance. She sent me message. She's like, I just saw AJ. And I went over and got my high five. That's awesome. You know, from Lexi. And it was just so good. yeah I mean...
01:04:38
Speaker
half marathon is a tough deal right like it's a hard distance it is okay but that marathon i've got to be honest and you're dealing with the heat and all that whatever and it can be lonely it can be all the things that the impact somebody like that can have yes on somebody trying to do a hard thing yeah crazy good yeah so i mean the epcot cheer like through epcot you know like what do you call them Like in the open park area, not in the backstage area where you ended up being. Just so good. mean, they were just, it was just so good. That's awesome. It was really great. And then coming around the final curve, you stood in the exact same spot that we stood for Trevor and Zach and Jesse the day before. You stood there. I come around that corner and just seeing your face, just, it was enough.
01:05:26
Speaker
I loved it. It was so good. And this is the second year in a row that Jesse has been screaming, go AJ at the finish line. yeah And so, I mean, it's just so good. I know that I'm blessed, right? We are to have the support, right? right And we've run the races quietly and solo without it. yeah And it's still fun. It's still magical. But when someone shows up for you,
01:05:48
Speaker
Oh man, it's huge. Yep. So seeing you was, it meant it meant a lot. And so thanks for cheering for me. You're I've got to be on that corner for you a few times and it's really special to see someone make the corner. um But it's really special to get to see your face as I did it. Um, and then I went down and, uh, cross the finish line. Yep. And, uh, I have to say, I'm glad you have a Kleenex cause it was anticlimactic because this is the finish line I crossed with you. It very, very, i don't have a photo. They, the photo pass people never got to like they never showed up.
01:06:22
Speaker
And I'm kind of like, was it meant to be that? I just am not supposed to have a photo. The announcers didn't say my name. The music, I don't even know what song was playing. I just crossed the finish line and walked. You know what mean? Like it was like a very like wah. Not on Run Disney's side. Right. Like it was just, I don't know what happened. It's just, you know, I hope that whoever else was getting cheered for whatever at that moment needed it. Yeah. Because I had my moment with you 0.2 miles ago. Right. Yeah. You know what I mean? So anyway, anyway, I crossed the finish line. Yeah.
01:06:49
Speaker
Let's talk post-race stuff. what Let's finish this out. Let's keep crying. Our our experience. What did you say? I said, let's just keep on crying. Yeah? Yeah. Why? Why do you say that? Oh, because I had a very special moment um at the finish line. So we um we were cheering on our friend, Kristen, who is from Running to Makeup yeah or known as Running to Makeup. She had shared with us when she was on the podcast about how this year you know she was running marathon training dopey races for herself this year, um, for lots of different reasons. And so we were just really excited for her and proud of her. And so we were talking to her for a while afterwards. And then I saw her to like whisper to a friend of her, something with the metal. And, um,
01:07:31
Speaker
Anyway, she told me, i totally going to cry. She told me that every race she like picks someone important to her to put her medals on for her. And so, um, she asked if I would put her medal on for her, which was so sweet.
01:07:48
Speaker
oh It was awesome. It was awesome to watch. I couldn't, I mean, it was, I mean, what a what an honor to be asked, you know, it was, and I was just really proud of her.
01:07:59
Speaker
So, ah hundred percent. She set aside all the just other stuff, right. And said, I'm doing this. I'm conquering this challenge for me. Yeah. I want to do it. And she had a time goal and all that. And she PR'd by a massive amount. Yeah.
01:08:13
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. Just lots of different reasons. Just, i was so proud of her and for her to ask me, it was just a huge honor and, um, something I will remember forever. Absolutely. yep I'm glad. I'm glad. It was a really special moment. It was, yep.
01:08:26
Speaker
You know, I think I said it, and I didn't mean to say so profoundly whatever. A couple episodes ago, I said that we register for these races and we show up for these races for the medal and to run down Main Street, and then something else happens in the process. And that was one of those, like a clear example of that, right? Of like how you can mean something to somebody and they can mean something to you Over this idea of running. Running. You know I mean? Yeah. Of like, you know what I'm going to do? going to put in hundreds of miles at home by myself with my headphones in. Right. And I'm going to send you a message online and whatever. And then I'm going to meet you in person. Yeah. And then we're going to like have these incredible special moments. Right. You know? Yeah. And so we say that these run Disney races are magical, right? And it is magical from the Disney side. Right. But there's a whole nother level of magic. Yeah. that that's going on the community oh it's so good yeah it's so good yeah well we didn't hang around too long no in the post-race area we never do so i hobbled to the bus yep and we went back showered i took a little bit of a nap but we had uh plans to go to the magic kingdom because we wanted to experience some of that before we had to head home so work and life happened right back on as soon as we got home. So we wanted at least spend a little bit of time in the park. We rode some of our favorite rides. We just had that Disney, that thing you talk, the way you want to celebrate with some Disney stuff. Little Pirates of the Caribbean. You know what I We just did the stuff we wanted to do. And then I really wanted to watch the fireworks. It's one of my things.
01:10:05
Speaker
Well, we did we didn't end up getting photos. We did. So right before it got hair's a little sad looking, but it's fine. was It was raining and humid and all the stuff. so while we were waiting around to get to do the fireworks, we snagged some photos right before the sunset, m which was really great. Yes, I was very glad. Yep. um So ah the capture your moment is the best way to get your metal photos, by the way, if you want. It's an extra extra charge. But we did not do that. These are just the regular PhotoPass photographers. We did that last year. We did. That was awesome. and it was worth it. You get your own photographer for 20 minutes. They know exactly what you want because they do the Run Disney thing. Yeah. And that was the time we had all of our medals. So it would have been a little bit too crazy to do for like a normal photo pass on Street. Oh yeah. No way. you way No way. No No.
01:10:51
Speaker
Yeah. Great. So we got our photos. We ah stuck around long enough to see the fireworks. Yep. I was shivering to death and my body started shutting down. I could tell. yeah I was like the kind of like I'd already eaten enough food, but my body couldn't sustain itself anymore. I was starting to like shake. Yeah. And I was starting to like not blurred vision, but just like I couldn't focus. Yeah.
01:11:13
Speaker
Does that make sense? Yep. And I couldn't, I was i wasn't enjoying the fireworks anymore. Right, right. Yeah. And so I just turned to you. You were actually hugging me to like keep me yeah warm, you know, and which is really nice of you. And I just, I turned to you and I'm like, we need to go go home. Yeah. Yeah. And you didn't even question it. You know, you're just like, okay. Yeah. And we went back. I went straight. Didn't pack like I say you're supposed to. Yep. You know, I went straight into the room, got under the covers. Yep. Wrapped up cocoon style. Yep. And crashed. yes Yes. Until the next day. Yep.
01:11:45
Speaker
Yep. So that was it. Yep. And the next day we did the sad, sad part. Yep. We loaded everything up in the in the car and left. Bummer. That was our experience in timeline order. I want to just a couple, you know, questions. I want to do the good and the bad. We do that. and You know, what was the good parts and bad parts. Before we do the good and the bad, I posted...
01:12:05
Speaker
About an hour. How long have we been recording? An hour, hour and a half ago. Yeah. I posted on Instagram, like, ah you know, you ask a question. And I asked, and I don't know how many responses are there, if there's enough to make this worth it. But just what was your, like, before we talk about our good moments, what was your good moment or favorite moment? So um are they, or do we have some on there? Yeah, we have a whole bunch.
01:12:29
Speaker
Maybe we can like alternate, share a few. what do you think about that? Yeah. All right. You ready? Yep. All right. so Erica, we've got our we got the Instagram pulled up and let's just go through some of these. We'll see how well this this works or whatever, reading this live on the podcast. Yes. um This is what people loved about Marathon Weekend. Or I think the question was, what was your favorite thing about Marathon Weekend? Laced up dad life. He said, just the community of run Disney. It never gets old. Yes. Kristen for money to make up says getting a new marathon PR in less than ideal conditions and not great corral placement. Also meeting y'all in person. Um, I don't know how to say this name.
01:13:07
Speaker
How would you say that? I don't know. Sorry. I don't know how to say it. Uh, so much amazing crowd support. Yeah. hundred percent agree. Frank is dopey says obviously meeting you guys. The medals were nice. The nicest I've ever had or seen. Yep, absolutely. Another name I can't pronounce, but it looks like maybe it's, don't know.
01:13:24
Speaker
Yeah, Ellie. Yeah, Ellie, the people with an exclamation point. um Brianna or Brianna says, running alongside my husband as he completed his first half, Awesome. Congratulations. N Ayers says, the amazing people, athletes, cast members, volunteers, and spectators. Erica, I'm noticing a theme here. Yes. Sarah says, community with total strangers. Colleen says, wasn't even there, but watching everyone got me so hyped for next year.
01:13:51
Speaker
Bleed Orange 89 says, getting an Uncrustable for my six-year-old at Animal Kingdom and Writing Tower. Perfect. Hopefully bleed orange does not mean they're a Tennessee fan. Kim Marie says cast member supports. Yes. Alyssa says watching others support others. The ice angel of the boardwalk at mile 25. I bet. Yeah.
01:14:11
Speaker
Someone hooked her up with some ice, I guess. yeah Oh, I saw. Yeah. I didn't talk about that. no This lady had a cooler uh-hu and she was just big scoops of ice. Need some ice. Ooh, nice. yeah That's very smart. I did see her. I did see her. And then last one here is Maddie says, seeing my dad succeed in the race.
01:14:28
Speaker
Love it. That's Trevor's daughter. That is. Yeah. That's perfect. Yeah. Awesome. Thank you all for submitting some of those. We're going to talk about our good and what we loved about the race, but that was just kind of fun to see. And I think the common theme there, and we said it even earlier, was that it's the people. The people. The community. You know what mean? That
Community Involvement and Race Weekend Analysis
01:14:44
Speaker
you noticed that there weren't really any character photos or medals or whatever on that list. It was almost all people things. Yeah.
01:14:51
Speaker
Yep. So. Cool. Let's talk about the good and the bad. Yes. Okay. What'd you like? What'd you not like? And ah actually haven't read your notes, so this would be interesting. Okay. I'm going to go first. The good is exactly what everyone else just said. That's right. It was the community, right? Meeting people, meeting people that I didn't know before, meeting people that I had met online, yes meeting people that i already had met, well, like just people, people, people, people. Yes. It was the best was one of the best parts for me. And then especially seeing people who were working to overcome something really hard. Like that was the like a joy for me on the course. Yeah.
01:15:25
Speaker
Whether I was spectating or running, like just watching someone do a hard thing. Yeah, absolutely. um In no particular order yes because I agree with everything you just said. a mine unknown But one of my one of my goods this time was just like I said, no stress. Like, oh yeah just, I don't know, just super chill, which I loved. yeah Yeah, it's nice. And we try to reduce stress by doing this podcast. Yes. Right. like you But we still experience stress. It's just natural. yeah like You're trying to do something hard. You're worried about the weather, all that. yeah so But this was a little bit even more chill for you, which was a nice experience. nice um
01:16:01
Speaker
This basically is a cheating answer because it's just like my last one, which was the spectators. yes right like i've i just People I didn't know just screaming. Yes. You know, yeah and cowbelling all over the place. Yes. was was awesome Yes. Yes.
01:16:16
Speaker
Um, that was on a mine is just spectating because we haven't done that before. So being able to cheer on so many friends, new friends that we've met through the podcast, old friends that we've known for years. Um, also just knowing that our podcast has really been encouraging and helpful to folks. Like you said earlier, so many people came up and talked to us and, um, You know, we say every week the goal of this podcast is just to help people and encourage them. And um so to be able to know that that that's what we're doing. It's actually having that kind of impact. Yeah. it it um
01:16:47
Speaker
I mean, we love doing this. We would do it regardless. But its it makes it feel like what we're doing is working. So, yeah. Yeah. Look, if somebody, and I know some names, and I, you know, love people that they may not have, you know, gone in with the same level of confidence or whatever that they they were able to, yes you know? yeah And ah I saw her on the course doing the thing, you know? Yes. It's amazing. Yep. Okay.
01:17:10
Speaker
My last thing that I loved, I actually, surprisingly, because I wasn't like totally bought into the theme of the year. Right. I love my medal. Yeah. it's Like it's the, and we got the marathon medal. Yeah. It's, I really like it. And the ears this year were not the standard black.
01:17:27
Speaker
Right. That we have some from other years, you know, yeah yeah ah they were gold, yeah which I mean, they just, they're awesome. Yeah. And so, um, surprisingly, I really liked those. Yes. um And like you were just saying, I loved seeing so many new friends succeed in the marathon when they weren't sure they were going to make it.
01:17:44
Speaker
We got lots of messages like from people that we had talked to on Saturday that were like, I'm not sure. like I'm sure it's really nervous. like I didn't get to train enough, you know whatever. And then they're messaging us like, I did it. you know And it's like, yeah, you did. We are so excited. So that was that was definitely um a major high for me for the weekend. Yeah.
01:18:03
Speaker
For sure. You know, if you focus on the people side, this is just a thought I'm thinking of now. If you focus on the people side, you can let go of the merchandise issues and the bus issues and whatever. You can you can look past that stuff if what you're focused on is what the hard thing you're trying to do, the thing you're trying and to accomplish, helping someone else accomplish it. Right, right. You can kind of not worry so much about, they didn't have it in my size. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Um, a couple of bads and these aren't that bad.
01:18:35
Speaker
Like just, you know, okay. You know, if the if the weekend didn't have this, it might've been better. Um, the, the dopey pressure, you and I talked about this in the car ride home. Um, I feel like it's getting worse each year. And when I say the dopey pressure, it's like, there's just a kind of just an aura of like, you know, that, that you're just doing the marathon, you know, like, like it's dopey or nothing. You know what i mean? It just team seems to be grow. Like at least in the few years we've been doing this. The first time I was like, oh, cool. They're doing dopey. You know what i mean? And this year I felt like it really felt not from run Disney side per se, but just, you know, in general. Yeah.
01:19:13
Speaker
That like, you're only really doing something hard if you're doing dopey this weekend. That's how interpreted
Merchandise Disappointments and Personal Achievements
01:19:19
Speaker
it. Oh, yeah. No. I don't know if that's how most people did. I just felt that way a lot. And I'm confident enough in myself and what I have to do that I could dismiss that. I would hate for someone who's new at this, who maybe is doing their first half. or first 10K or whatever, and someone's doing 48, is it 48.6, whatever it is. Yes, I think so, yeah. Like, that inadvertently makes someone doing 6.2 feel like crap. Yeah. Like you said, we talked about it on the way home, and I thought, like, I mostly just hate it for, like, new Ren Disney people. I would hate for someone to have come into this marathon weekend as their first Ren Disney experience, have a bad experience, and then not want to do it again.
01:20:01
Speaker
I don't feel like there's this kind of pressure at the other race weekends. so No. And yeah, yeah. I mean, yeah, sure. Getting more medals is more fun. Yeah. You know, but i' i think that it's a dopey thing. Yeah. I don't even think Goofy doesn't even have it as much. No, totally. And Goofy is almost as hard as Dopey because right really the difference between ah doing Goofy and Dopey is nine miles. Yeah. Yeah.
01:20:26
Speaker
You know what I mean? Like it's really as hard. Yeah. And I met several people on the bus um on the way back that like it was their first run Disney and they tried to do dopey like and then they couldn't they didn't succeed. And and you could tell how discouraged they were. sure And so I just want to say like for any of our listeners that are new to run Disney, like doing a challenge is awesome. You should totally go after that if you want to. But maybe start with like a challenge that from another weekend, like that's a little bit less so that, I mean, i would rather be able to go after the challenge and, and succeed. yeah You know what I mean? Then go after this massive challenge over four days of not sleeping and and all the things and just being exhausted mentally and physically and then not be able to achieve it. So yes, maybe work your way up to that. i agree. And don't feel bad if, if you did any of the races on their own.
01:21:21
Speaker
And the flip side is that I'm incredibly proud of every friend that I have that did the Dopey Challenge. Oh my gosh. because A thousand percent. Because I don't want to touch it. Yeah, no. Me either. Me either. It's too hard. like is That's too much. Yeah. You know? like I am so proud. Yeah. We don't want to diminish their accomplishment.
01:21:37
Speaker
ah Like on the flip side, like it's amazing. And we are so proud of them. Yeah. Right. How do we all live in this balance of like, I say like, just be proud of what you did, no matter what the distance was, whether it was three miles or whatever, 40 miles.
01:21:54
Speaker
celebrate what celebrate with people who did a different thing. Yeah. Right. So if you did 48.6, I'm hoping I say that number, right? I actually don't know what it is. I don't either. If you celebrate almost 50 miles, right? Yeah. Yeah. Like if, if, if you can celebrate someone else doing that while you're doing your half, great. yeah And on the flip side, if you're doing the crazy mileage, if you can celebrate a half marathoner yes and make them feel loved and appreciated, it's probably the answer. Yeah, that is the answer. You know? Yeah. um I just hope that run, not run Disney like the organization, just run Disney, the community yeah can get to a place where yes, it's totally cool whatever you're doing this weekend because all of it's hard. Yes. Running is hard. That is correct.
01:22:38
Speaker
Yeah. Anyway, yeah soapbox. Hopefully most of that doesn't get cut out of the podcast. We'll find out. who We'll find out. All right. So another one of the negatives that we've already talked about multiple times, but let's just say it again, is where were the photographers in the park? yeah The on course, there just didn't seem to be as many. you know And that was sad for me because I wasn't going the whole distance. So, yeah.
01:23:01
Speaker
yeah Yeah. And the photos they take are so good yeah that you want as many of them as possible. Totally. Yeah. I really would love to know if it was just a coarse crowding issue. Like if they had so many last year that it ended up causing too much of a problem. like yeah Or I don't know.
01:23:18
Speaker
But yeah I would agree that was ah that was a bummer. Yeah. Okay, my last bummer is the merchandise. It just wasn't it for me. Or me. yeah who Which was great for our wallet.
01:23:30
Speaker
Yeah, good for the wallet. Yeah. Bad for the wardrobe that's collection. Okay. Hopefully this was helpful for folks. um If hopefully wasn't just rambling. Yeah. We'll find out when I go to edit this and we'll see. but Yes. Hopefully it was good for y'all. I feel like wish we started and we should also end with these are just our.
01:23:48
Speaker
Agreed. Opinions. Yeah. This is not like, you know, the way that we did this is not the only way. If you had the world's best dopey weekend, I'm so proud and glad. And we have so many friends that did dopey and we're so proud of you. So ecstatic for all that you, you know, accomplish. So don't hear anything that we said like as being negative. No, Trevor, we're so proud of you for doing your first half marathon
Closing Remarks and Future Engagement
01:24:10
Speaker
and Zach for doing your first goofy and people doing their first marathon. It doesn't even, gosh, this was my third marathon and I'm proud of myself. Yeah, you should be. So yeah, we're proud of y'all.
01:24:21
Speaker
Yeah. Okay. That's it for today. Join us next week. We're going to have a very special guest on the show. Yes. We're going to have Amanda from Once Upon a Marathon. She's coming on to our little podcast. Oh my gosh, I'm so excited. She's coming on to help us with strategies for running a Disney race with friends. yeahp And that's something we've just never, like we've talked about having friends around, but we've never just talked about the strategies with that. You need to think through a lot. So she's going to help us with that. Yeah, totally. If you love the show, please consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and share with your friends. Yep. We'd love you if you did. That's it for today. We'll catch you next week for another episode of One More Run.
01:24:59
Speaker
Thanks for joining us for this episode of One More Run, the podcast. If you like what we're up to, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram.
01:25:12
Speaker
You can find links to all of that at aginganderica.com.