Throughout my Achilles tendon recovery process, I’ve circled several dates on my calendar. Most of these important ‘do not forget’ dates involved a medical appointment, i.e. cast removal, physical therapy dates, etc.
Last November, I circled today’s date, i.e. Tuesday, February 11, 2025. And certainly not for anything directly medically related.
No… not medical… rather something much more ‘important’…
Yes…MUCH MORE IMPORTANT… For this was the day to register for RunDisney’s October 26th 2025 Wine & Dine Half Marathon.
Readers of this BLOG know my ‘road to recovery’ started back on Sunday, October 27, 2024 when during a training run, my right ankle hit a hole I did not see and I ruptured more than 70% of my right Achilles Tendon. I was immediately told I would not be able to run/pace again for at least 6 – 9 months. (I don’t know what hurt worse… the actual injury or having to call the pace team directors and remove my name from the various pacing team.)
Knowing I would be out of running commission for a good portion of the coming year, I started to review the race calendar for an appropriate ‘comeback’ half marathon race.
The search parameters for my ‘comeback’ event were quite simple… the target race would have to be at least 12 months out from my surgery and at a location that would be a fun destination trip.
That left only 1 option… Walt Disney World.
Exactly 1 year from the date of my ruptured Achilles tendon was the October 26th RunDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend. In recent years, this race has been set for the same weekend as the NYC Marathon, i.e. first weekend in November. It must have been divine intervention with this race being moved up to the last weekend in October.
Registering for Disney races can be easily described as stressful at best. You and likely 30,000 of your closest running friends are all entering the registration queue in the hopes of securing a coveted spot.
Registration was set to set at 9AM CT on February 11th. At 8:30, I already have my laptop, work computer, and iPad all ‘READY TO GO’.
I enter the race’s web page to find this:
Then I scroll down to see this:
Yes… I know these races are expensive… don’t judge me as they are fun!
Then the waiting game begins for 9AM.
Once 9AM hits, I click on the race I want to do… in my case, I’m going for the challenge.
Then the waiting game changes to being in the RunDisney registration queue… with this page:
Then I wait. All 3 of my screens are lit up as I read the ‘fine print’ stating: ‘Please note that race events may sell out and your participation is not guaranteed until your registration and payment are fully processed and you receive a confirmation email.’
I’ve seen posts where people are in this queue, get into the registration process, only to find out their race has sold out while they were in the registration process.
I say a quick prayer hoping this does not happen to me.
I hear a ‘ding’ sound… one of my screens has been released from the queue into the registration process. It’s my iPad.
I frantically select a race (the challenge) and enter all the proper data into the slots (mine), and press the ‘Register Another Participant’. I click that race (half) and enter that data (wife’s) and click ‘Register Another Participant’ button… this time for my daughter.
I know I’m living on borrowed time.
I complete that process… go to the payment screen… and quickly scroll past the extra items you buy section… and nervously enter my credit card INFO.
It’s finally time for the rubber to meet the road and find out if was I able to register for these races or did they sell out prior.
I click the button…
Ladies & Gentlemen… The Ruptured Runner himself will be at the October 24-26, 2025 Walt Disney World Wine & Dine weekend!
I do hope to see you there too!
Let’s talk: Feel free to email me at: RupturedRunner@gmail.com.
Ruptured Runner 
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