{"id":113,"date":"2012-05-09T12:28:41","date_gmt":"2012-05-09T16:28:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.mritty.net\/?p=113"},"modified":"2012-05-09T12:28:41","modified_gmt":"2012-05-09T16:28:41","slug":"expedition-everest-challenge-with-amanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mritty.net\/disneyblog\/?p=113","title":{"rendered":"Expedition Everest Challenge with Amanda"},"content":{"rendered":"

This past weekend, my sister Amanda flew down from MA for a ridiculously short visit, so that we could run in the 2012 Expedition Everest Challenge. It was a great weekend, filled with success and happiness.<\/p>\n

Pre Race Preparations<\/h3>\n

On Friday I picked Amanda up from the airport and we simply went back to my apartment, watched TV for an hour or so, and then called it a night. (Not wanting her to miss any school, I’d booked the last flight of the night for her, so it was around 10pm when we got out of the airport).<\/p>\n

Saturday morning we impulse-decided on breakfast at Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, which was fantastic. From there, we drove to the ESPN Wide World of Sports for packet-pickup. We turned in our race waivers, and got our bibs, final race instructions, race shirt, and pins. They also had a series of “Course Talks” in which a runDisney Cast Member went over the course and what we could expect. Before the talk started, we asked her to explain the “Scavenger Hunt” portion of this event. It really wasn’t a “Scavenger Hunt” in the traditional sense. We didn’t have a list of objects or people to find or search for. Instead, we were to be given clues to solve, and once we solved each one and turned it in, a volunteer would give us the next one. We’d have to solve all five before crossing the finish line.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We drove over to Epcot next, and went on Mission: Space and the Seas with Nemo. We looked at Spaceship Earth but the line was fairly ridiculous, so we decided to try again the next day. Instead we got some lunch off-site and then drove home to rest up for the race. \u00c2\u00a0We watched TV, played a game or two, and had a small dinner of Mac & Cheese. \u00c2\u00a0At 7pm, we left my apartment for the Animal Kingdom.<\/p>\n

Race Evening<\/h3>\n

We got to the Animal Kingdom around 7:30pm. \u00c2\u00a0The race was scheduled to start at 9:30, with the race instructions telling us we had to be in the corrals by 8:45pm. \u00c2\u00a0Try to contain your shock that I was early.<\/p>\n

We waited in an unusually long line to check our bags. \u00c2\u00a0Like, ridiculously long, longer than any runDisney race I’ve ever seen. \u00c2\u00a0When we got to the front, it became apparent why it was taking so long – Disney Security CMs were inspecting each bag, like they do when you enter the park. \u00c2\u00a0I am assuming now that this is because bag pickup was actually in<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0the park later that evening, so they had to check all the bags that came in. \u00c2\u00a0Since Amanda and I signed up as a two-person team, we had one bib number, and therefore the volunteers tied our bags together with a ziptie.<\/p>\n

We wandered around the parking lot at Animal Kingdom for the next hour or so, listening to the increasingly less entertaining DJs, who were trying to make a running joke that absolutely did not work. \u00c2\u00a0Our bibs placed us in Wave 3. \u00c2\u00a0As I’ve always been in the last wave in all previous runDisney events, I assumed that there were only 3 waves this time (which matches the last 5k I did in January). \u00c2\u00a0However, as we were wandering around, we saw bibs on people that listed all the way up to “Wave 8”. \u00c2\u00a0Why we were placed in such a preferred wave, I have no idea. \u00c2\u00a0Must have been random, I guess.<\/p>\n

The National Anthem was sung, and Wave 1 was instructed to fill the start corral. \u00c2\u00a0Fireworks (of course, it’s Disney…) kicked off the official start to the event. \u00c2\u00a0Six minutes later, Wave 2 repeated the process. \u00c2\u00a0When they took off, it was our turn to get into the corral. \u00c2\u00a0I looked at Amanda and could tell that this was all a bit overwhelming. \u00c2\u00a0Training for a 5k by running on your own a few times a week is significantly different from actually participating in a race with over 5,000 other people.<\/p>\n

The Everest Challenge<\/h3>\n

5k + Obstacle Course<\/h4>\n

When the Fireworks were shot off for the 3rd time, we started. \u00c2\u00a0We were using the Jeff Galloway run-walk method<\/a>, with Amanda putting her iPhone on Jeff’s app and dictating our run\/walk segments. \u00c2\u00a0We were following a rough 20 second run \/ 40 second walk pattern, having to adjust due to the crowded race course. \u00c2\u00a0The first mile took us from the start line through the Animal Kingdom Parking lot and to the front gate. \u00c2\u00a0Just before the first mile marker, we came upon the first obstacle on the course: hay bails. \u00c2\u00a0These were not difficult. \u00c2\u00a0They were basically lines of hay made up into miniature hurdles, maybe a foot and a half tall. \u00c2\u00a0Amanda and I both cleared them without issue, but other participants chose to step on top of them, step over them, or even simply run around them.<\/p>\n

I motioned to Amanda that the first mile was coming up, and she reacted with a look that said “Really?” \u00c2\u00a0Apparently we were doing better than she’d thought. \u00c2\u00a0We next entered the Animal Kingdom park itself, running through the Oasis and up to the bridge to Discovery Island. \u00c2\u00a0It was marginally less well lit than I would have expected, but not dangerously so. \u00c2\u00a0We started circling the Tree of Life clockwise, running toward Africa. \u00c2\u00a0We passed the entrance to Killimanjaro Safari and reached the backstage area. \u00c2\u00a0As predicted, the odor here was rather unpleasant. \u00c2\u00a0This was about mile 1.5, and here is our first water stop. \u00c2\u00a0Unfortunately, the water was rather disgustingly warm, but hey, it was water.<\/p>\n

The course through backstage narrowed\u00c2\u00a0significantly, because runners ahead of us were coming back the same way, with naught but a row of cones to divide us. \u00c2\u00a0Just after making the turn around, we encountered the second obstacle: tires. \u00c2\u00a0There were three or four “lanes” to choose from (or, again, they could be skipped entirely), but even so everyone slowed to an absolute tip toe. \u00c2\u00a0No one was running through the tires – even if someone wanted to, the person in front of them would have prevented them from trying. \u00c2\u00a0We made it out of the tires without problem (my heel caught on a rim at one point, but I recovered quickly enough), and continued our run\/walk, reaching mile 2 while still backstage.<\/p>\n

When we got to the point where runners behind us were entering the backstage area, we got our second water stop. \u00c2\u00a0Again, unfortunately, water was nastily warm. \u00c2\u00a0Back onstage now, as we ran behind the Tree of Life into Asia, and then over the bridge back to Discovery Island. \u00c2\u00a0We again went backstage, this time near the Oasis. \u00c2\u00a0Every so often, Amanda and I agreed to skip one of the ‘run’ segments, as our time was well within the pace requirements. \u00c2\u00a0This entire backstage area near a small body of water was obviously not normally lit, as they had a series of loud generators and attached street lights, painting the way forward for us.<\/p>\n

As we exited the park via this backstage area, I could see the sign for Mile 3. \u00c2\u00a0Almost there!! \u00c2\u00a0A 5k is only 3.11 miles, so the finish line must be just around this corner, right? \u00c2\u00a0Well, yes, but you forgot about the 3rd and final obstacle, Paul. \u00c2\u00a0A rope crawl (think every boot camp movie you’ve ever seen). \u00c2\u00a0We got on our hands and knees, got under the rope, and crawled our way through it. \u00c2\u00a0The only problem I had was that the bottle of water in my racing belt was on my backside, and kept getting caught on the rope, threatening to \u00c2\u00a0pull my belt down (and my shorts with it). \u00c2\u00a0Fortunately for everyone involved, that didn’t happen. \u00c2\u00a0We got out from under the rope, and the finish line was literally right there. \u00c2\u00a0Amanda and I had to remind ourselves that the race portion was now finished, as we almost instinctively went to start another run segment.<\/p>\n

Scavenger Hunt<\/h4>\n

But wait, there’ s more! \u00c2\u00a0Unlike every other runDisney event I’ve done, this one didn’t end with crossing the finish line. \u00c2\u00a0Now we had to make our way back to the front of the park, to begin the “Scavenger Hunt” portion of the event. \u00c2\u00a0Each team was given a clue card and a keychain with a red mini-flashlight and a red marker (why no one saw how that would be a bad idea is beyond me…). \u00c2\u00a0Here was our first clue:<\/p>\n

\"Expedition<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As you can see, it was fairly simple brain teaser. \u00c2\u00a0We solved it in a matter of seconds and then started making our way back to the front gate of Animal Kingdom. \u00c2\u00a0We decided we were done running, and would take the Scavenger Hunt portion much more leisurely. \u00c2\u00a0We even stopped to use the rest rooms on Discovery Island. \u00c2\u00a0We finally made our way over to Camp Minnie Mickey. \u00c2\u00a0Each step in the hunt actually had about 5 different clues, to try to curtail any cheating. \u00c2\u00a0So we had to find the specific check-in area for our clue. \u00c2\u00a0Once we did, and showed our solution to the Volunteer, she gave us our next clue:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This process repeated itself as we traveled to Africa and Asia for clues 3 and 4:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It should be pointed out that the organization here left a little to be desired. \u00c2\u00a0There were people coming and going from the hunt stations, with some people still trying to run through it to get a good time, and others (like us) walking. \u00c2\u00a0There were no paths set up for those entering the station and those leaving, so it was a free-for-all with everyone trying to squeeze past each other. \u00c2\u00a0Plus there were still stragglers on the 5k portion of the course. \u00c2\u00a0I’m not saying it was “bad”, just that it could have been better with a little more planning.<\/p>\n

The final race clue required us to use all the previous race clues to solve it:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Once we solved this final one, we presented it to the Volunteers at the final station, and then saw the real<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0finish line. \u00c2\u00a0We agreed to, for the heck of it, to sprint to the finish. \u00c2\u00a0We did it. \u00c2\u00a0We finished. \u00c2\u00a0Go us!! \u00c2\u00a0\ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Post-race Party<\/h4>\n

After crossing the finish line, we were given powerade, bananas, and water. \u00c2\u00a0And oh, yes, we got our medals. \u00c2\u00a0The medals are beautiful. \u00c2\u00a0Unlike other 5ks, this is a real metallic metal, not a piece of rubber.<\/p>\n

\"Everest<\/a><\/p>\n

But wait, it gets better. \u00c2\u00a0The medal opens up, to reveal a compass!<\/p>\n

\"Everest<\/a><\/p>\n

After getting our medals, we went to go claim our bags, so that we could change into some non-sweat-filled clothes. \u00c2\u00a0But the line was insane<\/strong>. \u00c2\u00a0Like, at least 30 minutes long. \u00c2\u00a0I couldn’t believe it. \u00c2\u00a0I assumed it had to be some kind of temporary glitch, so we decided to head back toward Kali River Rapids instead, figuring that getting drenched with cool water would actually feel really good right now. \u00c2\u00a0There was a posted 5 minute wait, but that must have just meant the time it takes to walk through the queue, because once we got there it was a complete walk-on.<\/p>\n

After Kali, we walked back through the park toward Dinoland (where the packet pickup was), navigating our way through the throngs of people still finishing the race. \u00c2\u00a0Unfortunately, it wasn’ t a glitch. \u00c2\u00a0Bag pickup really was that bad. \u00c2\u00a0I have no idea why. \u00c2\u00a0To anyone considering a runDisney event – this is NOT how bag pickup usually is. \u00c2\u00a0It’s usually virtually instantaneous. \u00c2\u00a0I have no idea what the problem was, why they were so bad at it this time. \u00c2\u00a0It took us about 30 minutes, and when we finally got our bags, we discovered that they were still ziptied together. \u00c2\u00a0With no way to cut the ziptie. \u00c2\u00a0What on earth<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0were they thinking?! \u00c2\u00a0How did NO ONE realize this was a problem?! \u00c2\u00a0Did they think we were bringing scissors on the race course with us?! \u00c2\u00a0Ugh. \u00c2\u00a0I was really<\/em>\u00c2\u00a0disappointed in runDisney for this one. \u00c2\u00a0Usually they organize everything so well, but this was just a debacle.<\/p>\n

ANYway…. after having to tear our bags open so we could get our stuff, we each changed into clean clothes. \u00c2\u00a0We were feeling pretty beat, so we thought of just leaving right then and there, but we noticed that Dinosaur only had a 10 minute wait, so we did that first (again, other than the pre-show, it was basically a walk-on).<\/p>\n

After Dinosaur, we made our way back over to Asia and asked a nice couple of guests to take our picture with our race medals with Everest in the background. \u00c2\u00a0This, my friends, is what you call happiness and pride:<\/p>\n

\"Everest<\/a><\/p>\n

We left the park around 12:45am, took a tram back to the parking lot, got in the car, drove home, and collapsed. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Meeting the Group<\/h3>\n

On Sunday morning, we each slept in a bit (which, for me, meant about 8:15am). \u00c2\u00a0After showering and such, we took off for Epcot to meet up with the Weekly Walt Disney World group. \u00c2\u00a0We met up with one of my friends (Kevin B) outside MouseGear, then went shopping there for a bit (Amanda had a $10 gift card from Disney Movie Rewards). \u00c2\u00a0Upon exiting MouseGear, we randomly ran into a bunch of my other friends, getting pictures with a penguin behind the fountain (only about Disney can you write a sentence like that). \u00c2\u00a0We all walked over to World Showcase, and took the Friendship boat to the other side of the lagoon. \u00c2\u00a0We then walked over to Italy and checked in at Via Napoli.<\/p>\n

When everyone else arrived (I think 22 of us in total), we were all seated at one huge table. \u00c2\u00a0Lunch was delicious, with a lot of good conversation and fun people. \u00c2\u00a0Amanda told me more than once how much she liked these people and was having a good time, which made me kinda deliriously happy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After lunch, Amanda and I walked over to the Mexico pavilion to ride the Gran Fiesta Tour, then met back up with everyone at the hall behind Club Cool for our weekly meet. \u00c2\u00a0Amanda even decided to participate in our weekly Beverly toast (and I still have no idea why we’re doing this to ourselves).<\/p>\n

We then said goodbye to the group, and went over to Spaceship Earth, which had a significantly smaller wait than we’d seen the previous day. \u00c2\u00a0Then we decided to hop over to Magic Kingdom for a ride on Amanda’s favorite attraction (Carousel of Progress). \u00c2\u00a0On our way up the monorail ramp, another guest stopped us and gave us two any-time any-attraction FastPasses! \u00c2\u00a0Whoo! When we got to the MK itself, we each got a pack of SotMK cards, then took the WDW Railroad to Fantasyland, so that Amanda could see the new Storybook Circus area. \u00c2\u00a0Then we walked over to Tomorrowland and used those FastPasses for Space Mountain, then over to CoP. \u00c2\u00a0Finally, one round on the TTA, and then it was time to leave WDW.<\/p>\n

I took Amanda back to the airport, we had dinner at one of the restaurants there, and we said our goodbyes when her plane started boarding. \u00c2\u00a0Overall, it was a great short trip, a lot of success was had, she met all my Orlando friends, and we were both very happy with it.<\/p>\n