Today brought us the race at Disney which I was awaiting, the Inaugural Minnie Mouse 10K. I’m pretty sure I signed up for the Dopey Challenge JUST to run this race cuz really, who would come all this way to run a 10K? Maybe me but I added in a few other races to make it seem legit for hubby. Without further adoo, my photo with my girl, Minnie. We are totally BFF’s now. She hugged me and complimented me on my outfit. Total BESTIES!

Of course, before I got to the point where Minnie and I got to have a real girlfriend “moment” we had a few things on the agenda. First, it was a 2:45 am wakeup call. That’s 1:45 am Chicago time and yes, I’ll keep mentioning that in EVERY post. Then a short drive to Epcot where we lucked out in getting the best parking spot ever {totally hoping we luck out like that on marathon day!}. Next, into the “holding area” for some amazing photos. I’d like to thank my Dopey Rockstar pals for being particularly cheery, amazing sports, and VERY photogenic for my most anticipated race of the series!

We even got to meet a couple TTF readers Becky & Amy, see photo below {and let me apologize to Kristina S from yesterday who I met but neglected to take a photo of her in her amazing costume. Kristina, find me tomorrow, ok?}

A few potties stops later and we were packed into B corral and ready to roll. The corral starts were much slower today with maybe 10 minutes between corrals. This was due to the congestion in and out of the park for yesterday’s 5K event and I, for one, appreciate that they noticed. Once again each corral was sent off with fireworks and I managed to snag a shot today!

Off we went with a group of 10,000 total 10K runners. Remember that approximately 7,000 are Dopey Challenge participants. Today certainly SEEMED bigger, even though the numbers were about the same as yesterday. Today also brought more costumes, some which were even more amazing than yesterday. The 10K bought us a better race route too. Space. Fun. And loads of amazing people and sights. The people watching at the Disney races IS one of the main attractions and I was constantly blown away by the creativity that some showed on their artistic costumes. Kudos to you creative types. I super impressed and somewhat embarrassed that I didn’t try harder!!!! Needless to say the 10K flew by. I played music and sang in the boring parts of the race course. I waived and yelled to the crowd and volunteers. I really hammed it up during the race and LOVED every minute of it. I loved it so much that I had a brilliant idea to attempt a jumping photo with my Dopey Rockstars at the finish line. Not my most brilliant moment of the day. In my defense, I was excited. I was also assuming with the 5 billion photogs at the finish line, that SOMEONE would manage to get our jump shot. Yeah, well, the amazing action shot that they managed to capture wasn’t exactly what I had envisioned as I slipped on the wet pavement and fell down on my ass, while simultaneously hitting my head, scraping my elbows and spraining my thumb a mere step away from the finish line. Yes, I’m okay. No I’m not really embarrassed, more irritated that I ruined our photo. No, I won’t be trying again for the jumping photo tomorrow. I mean, like I’m not totally stupid. And yes, I’ll post the action shot later of me slipping and falling IF it doesn’t look like it will scare my mom too badly. No, I didn’t remember to stop my Garmin as I walked across the finish line in a very dazed and confused state. Fortuneately, my Dopey Rockstar friends did usher me in the proper direction for Dopey Challenge Finishers. Disney officials then made a mark on our 5K bracelets before giving us a 10K wristband to add to the collection.

And they made sure that I got my medal. Priorities!

Finally, we made our way to the line to wait to see Minnie Mouse. I thought sure since we were Besties now that my friends and I would get to skip the line. However, the Disney officials are very professional and didn’t want anyone to think that we were getting preferential treatment, due to my friendship with Minnie, so alas we waited in line with everyone else to see her but it was TOTALLY worth the wait.

Great race. I really did love every minute of it minus the few seconds that I was flat on my ass at the finish line letting everyone get a glance of my “under the skirt” attire. Thanks, Minnie. Thanks, Disney. Thanks, Dopey Rockstar pals!