Short: 1. I came, I saw, the marathon and I agreed that I could finish.
2. 6:50:xx.
3. Satch is right. 26.2 miles is a long way to drive let alone run.
This was the best excuse for a vacation that the family has ever had. I
turned 30 on Jan 3, my mother retired Jan 1 so we were both due for a
blow out vacation. We arrived in Orlando on Jan 4 and stayed at the
Polynesian. Staying on Disney property is the BEST way to go. All the
Disney transportation you could ever need is right there. Brings new
meaning to leave the driving to us.
I was going to run the marathon with my uncle (who is a speedy fast but
was going to go with me) and a very good friend (they're both named
Tim). Tim the friend and I had a discussion and I convinced him that it
would be better for him to run his own race. Run what he had trained
for - because that's what I was going to do. I knew I'd never convince
my uncle to run anywhere except right next to me. On Wed. (Jan 5)
night, I had a dream. Kitty Cole came and gave me a hug and told me it
would be o.k. and everything would be fine. Weird, because, I don't
usually remember dreams and if I do there's nothing "concrete" to
remember. Anyway, on Thursday I got a call from my uncle. He has the
flu. Could barely make it up the steps to his bedroom, let alone run a
marathon (his HR went up 25 bpm just walking up a few stairs). It's
o.k. though because I know the only person able to drag me across the
finish line is me.
Friday, The Expo: Was quite tame. Saw Charles Cohn. Bought Mom a new
pair of shoes. Couldn't handle the crowds and the stress so we left to
do Epcot.
Saturday: Since we had been there since Tuesday it was a day to rest by
the pool. Soak up the rays. Stopped by the expo to pick up my uncle's
T-shirt and went to a quiet (until the rest of the marathoners got
there) restaurant for my own personal pasta party. In bed by 9pm (slept
like a rock)
Sunday: Up at 3am at my Power Bar, drank my water, got dressed and was
at the bus stop at 3:45. Looked like there were close to 100
marathoners staying at the Polynesian so there were lots of people to
hang out with. The weather was great. Cool, foggy, humid but not too
bad. Would have been great had it stayed like that. Got to the staging
area, dropped my bag, visited the potty for the 4th time and walked
towards the start.
The start: Was very Disney. Loved it! African Type Drums, music from
the Epcot Millennium Parade, fireworks . . . It was exciting and the
perfect start to my first marathon. I had to keep Tim from crying.
It's taken me awhile to put my feelings into words. You've heard
details but let me tell you about my experience. This is free flow so
stay with me. I got to the start without a hitch. I thought the temp
and humidity were fine at the start. Had the whole race been like that
I would have been happy. I have found that in training for Disney I
have gotten slower. Hard to believe that I could have gotten much
slower but I did. Up until mile 13 I was having a fine time. Running
through the Magic Kingdom was so much fun. I did well, stayed on my
plan etc. until mile 17-18. I wasn't in "pain" - o.k. so a little but I
expected that I just wasn't psychologically ready for the extreme
loneliness I felt. Almost every step I took I wanted to cry. Though
fortunately I waited until the finish line for my cry. I didn't
understand, and still don't, why I felt so emotionally vacant. I had
run up to 19 with absolutely no problems before. Today was different.
I just wanted it to be over. The sun and heat probably played a big
factor. It was in the low 80's by the time I finished. I saw Linae
(our FANTASTIC scream team) somewhere. I think she was in Epcot (mile
25 ish). She asked how I was I said I was in pain but that I'd be o.k.
It really wasn't that much pain just the unexpected, weird psychological
stuff. I was definitely in the bite me zone. From 20-26.2 all I wanted
to do was sit down. I knew that if I did even for a minute that I
wouldn't get up. I am exceedingly proud of myself. If I had to do it
again I wouldn't have picked Disney as my first marathon. Although
there is a special magic surrounding it. I got lots of pictures my
favorite was one I had a medal volunteer take. She took a picture of me
getting my medal. Becky ran the whole race with me. She quietly kept
me going. I think she knew a word need not be spoken. Just her
presence was enough. I picked up my certificate on Monday and it says
congratulations this is to certify that Molly E. Ellsworth has completed
the most magical 26.2 miles . . . so true.
I would definitely recommend the ½ marathon. In fact I think I'm going
back next year to pick up Donald. So I have the complete set.
Does anyone know where Becky is going next?
Thanks for sticking with me.
Molly (the Marathoner) in Indy
