I got on the second bus out of the resort. I get really nervous about getting to the race on time, so I'm always down at the bus stop and in line pretty early. Thus, my awful early alarm...
The Hubbie snapped a pic before I left. First time I ever wore a sparkle skirt for a race. This was my best attempt at a "costume". I told him he did not have to go to the race and he happily went back to bed while I trekked across the resort to the bus stop. 
There's not much to do before a Disney race, so I stood in line and got some princess character pictures. 
I finally decided it was time to drop my stuff off at bag check and move to the corral. My nerves were starting to kick in and I wanted to make sure I was somewhere near the front.
Once we finally started running I felt pretty good. I passed someone I knew and said hi, but even being close to the front, I still had to do a lot of zigzagging and weaving to find a spot were I could find my own pace and stride. The first mile was a 7:31.
The second mile starts with a sharp turn and then a run up an overpass. I took the hill moderately hard, passing people along the way, and then picked up speed down the other side. I still felt pretty good, but new I wasn't on pace for a sub 45:00. 7:32 second mile.
Mike three is boring. I hung on but was beginning to feel discouraged. 7:31. Mile 4 is when you get to finally run into Epcot. I love running around the world, though it's not completely flat so I find it hard to keep a consistent stride/pace. Random hills of varying degrees pop up, annoyingly, just to mess with your legs. 7:37.
Going into the boardwalk area is where I really lost it. I don't know if I just mentally gave up or what, but as I ran apart one of my favorite parts of the course I struggled to keep my pace up. Once I saw the 7:56 flash on my Garmin I was heartbroken. I tried to urge myself to go faster, but that's when I realized my goal was out of reach.
Mile 6 is through some backstage stuff before you get to re-enter Epcot with a great finish past Spaceship Earth and out the the parking lot/finish line. 7:57
I still had something left in my legs and pushed through the last few tenths, finishing with a 6:33 pace as I finished in a 47:10. I was very disappointed. I'm not sure if I just peaked early, if the A1A Half I did the week before took more out of me than I thought, or if my vacation in FL tore me down, but I was way off my intended time. I walked through the finishing area and tried not to be too cranky, but it was hard. 
I returned to my hotel room and at least got to look forward to an excellent buffet breakfast at Beach Club's Cale May. What better way to recover and refuel for the next day's half than stuffing myself full of delicious food?
Luckily I tend to have a strong stomach so I am able to enjoy some questionable prerace activities. And Minnie loved my skirt!
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