Chip'n'Dale Runner: Go Nuts!

Tonight, we had a celebratory post-half-marathon pre-marathon dinner at California Grill – this is quickly becoming one of my favorite WDW restaurants. Of course, it would have to start raining during dinner, and continue on and off through the evening. After dinner, I headed over to Hollywood Studios with Lisa and Rachel for a quick trip on Star Tours, and then we followed it up with the Sorcery in the Sky Star Wars fireworks (in a drizzle). I must say, this was one of the best fireworks displays in Disney, even better than Illuminations.

I had to get to bed at a reasonable hour, with Marathon #3 coming up tomorrow… yeah, let me say that again, Marathon #3 tomorrow… still can’t believe I keep coming back to do 26.2 miles in a shot. Here goes nothing to Goofy #2!

1st Time I’ve tried a “Mini Kitchen Sink”!?!?!

Tom, Nick, Meghan, Ethan, Rachel, Lisa – California Grill 1/9/16

2016 WDW Half Marathon Finisher! (This IS Donald’s Race after all!)

Another half marathon in the books! The 2016 WDW Half Marathon is a wrap, after a very humid 13.1 miles! Overall, a typical runDisney finish time for me in the half distance… I took it easy, and enjoyed the sights. I also managed to catch up with my friend Jen, and we ran together for a bit. All in all, a good warmup ahead of tomorrow’s full marathon. No rest for the weary – dinner tonight, some rides in Hollywood Studios, then off to bed and the big one tomorrow.

2016 WDW Half Marathon – can’t miss a photo op with Chip and Dale!

Nick, Lisa, Karen – 2016 WDW Half Marathon

First time I ever stopped short of the finish for a picture… with Minnie… during Donald’s race!

2016 WDW Half Marathon Completed!

Caught a morning flight of Lehigh Valley International Airport to Orlando, with a quick stop in Charlotte. After the usual trek through Orlando Intl. Airport, hopped the rather drawn out ride on Disney’s Magical Express, and then met up with a former coworker who I was rooming with for the weekend. Tom and I met up at the Beach Club, dropped my stuff in the room, then off to the WDW Marathon Weekend expo for bib pickup. Back to the room to drop that off, then over to Disney Springs (the rebranded Downtown Disney) for a runDisney Challenge Trainers (rDCT) Meetup to end the night. What a whirlwind start to my second attempt at Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge (Half+Full = 39.3 miles in 2 days).

Todd, Ethan, Lisa, Nick, Rachel, Ben – WDW Marathon Weekend rDCT Meetup @ Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bay, Disney Springs

Two days out from heading to the Most Magical Place on Earth, runDisney sent out a “Revised Costume & Safety Update”. While I understand the need for things such as this, especially given the recent issues with weapons and such, doing it two days before a major race weekend when many people purposely wear costumes isn’t necessarily a good costumer service approach. Having said that, it’s Disney, they essentially can do what they want (within the legal system) because people will keep coming (and paying) for these events. Here’s the basics of the message:

While I completely understand with these changes, I have to step back and wonder why the timing ended up being the way it was. Some of the costumes I’ve seen in recent races are just plain old dangerous to other runners. A guy with a 6′ tall fabric character strapped to his back has the making of an accident. Running around with weapons as well… although interestingly enough light sabers and toy swords are allowed… as are light up fairy wings. This is one of those Disney hypocritical things – can’t ban these things when they built multiple races around the themes.

For those of you traveling to complete any of the WDW Marathon Weekend races, hopefully this doesn’t damage your costuming plans. I’ve always taken the approach of wearing a custom race shirt, with the Chip’n’Dale Runner theme, rather a full-on costume. I’m still amazed at how some people “run” in costumes to begin with… although, the term “run” is sometimes stretched at runDisney events. Let me know your thoughts on these changes.