Hi Everyone,
I could never begin to put into words the emotions I am feeling. I sit
here at the keyboard tears streaming down my cheeks trying to find a way, so
forgive me if I am incoherent at times. Feel free to skip the blithering
for the final finish at the end :)
Friday night I had the pleasure of meeting Charles, Julia and Harriet.
They are everything I would have expected of Penguins and more. Kind,
supportive, welcoming, just so wonderful. At the expo on Saturday I met lots more
Penguins including getting to meet John for the first time. (I had him sign
my hat "Go Amy") Everyone was SO nice and I felt like I was seeing old
friends, not like I was just meeting people. You guys are AWESOME!!!!!! The
TNT pasta dinner was great, I have had a wonderful experience with them and
would recommend the organization to anyone interested.
Sunday morning - race day- wake up call at 3:00 am, boarded a bus at 3:45.
It was cold. I stood at the start completely overwhelmed I couldn't
believe that I had arrived at that moment. The first few miles we didn't take our
walk breaks because we were so cold and wanted to warm up. Plus, it was
really crowded. One of the highlights along the way - running up Main
Street in the Magic Kingdom toward Cinderella's castle around mile 10, I felt so
good them. Somewhere around mile 19, I started to feel a little nauseous
so we started to walk more. Around 20.5 I had my "marathon moment." As we
came around by Wide World of Sports they had a picture of Mary Lou Retton from
the Olympics and they were playing "Go the Distance" and at that moment I knew,
really knew that I was going to make it! Around mile 25 there was a
Penguin cheering section to send me off to the finish.
And finish I did, it took about 6 1/2 hours, I haven't actually checked the
results yet. When I crossed the finish line they gave me the space blanket
and removed my chip, all I was worried about is "where are the medals?" And
there was that wonderful volunteer ready to drape that finishers medal
around my neck. I sobbed, I cried, I laughed, I smiled I wanted to capture that
feeling, that moment to hold with me forever. All the training, all the
hard work, it was so worth it!!!!
I don't think I stopped smiling the whole time. Crowd support was great
and I stopped and took pictures along they way. I had such a great time.
I can never thank you all enough for the support and help you have given me
over the last 18 months, I would not have made it without you. I am so
honored to be part of this Penguin family, you are all very special!
Hugs,
Amy Stanton
Sewell, NJ
MARATHONER
PS when will I be able to walk normally again? :)
