I guess I've thought about it long enough, if I don't write it down,
I'll forget the important parts (well, important to me). Travelling with
a group has advantages and disadvantages, the disadvantage this time was
taking ten thousand years to get on a bus and get to the hotel (we
stayed at Coronado Springs), byt the time we got there and got to our
rooms it was, I considered, too late to make it to the Dixie Landings
encounter so I went with my roomate and others to the race expo. We had
a kind of non-Disney moment when my roommate Vicky got harrased because
she didn't have a photo ID, she'd brought her room key which did have
her name but this guy insisted on berating her for no photo ID. Again,
cause of the group thing, we didn't have the little card for getting our
packets so we had to explain all that too. It all worked out and we got
our numbers and goodie bags, then set into the expo to spend some cash
and take advantage of a coupon for free race gloves (thanks Kris). I had
realised at the hotel that I forgot to grab Gu before I got out of the
car at the Airport shuttle stop, so planned on muying some at the Expo.
To my suprise, Power Bar had made a power grab and forbid exhibitors
from selling anything but their stuff. I'm all for supporting the
sponsor, but damn, you ain't gonna convert people the day before a race
and I plan on writing a scathing letter of complaint to Power Bar, the
jerks. Did buy some shorts, and even wore a pair of them during the
race. Back to the hotel, ate a little something and hit the hay.
Due to foot problems and lack of training, I pretty much expected this
race to be a slog fest, and wasn't even really sure I could finish, only
2 runs in the new orthotis, neither of them longer than 5 miles so, I
had no idea what to expect from my feet. Nevertheless, I was determinedm
if nothing else, to have fun. In that light, roomie & I got up early on
Sat, and headed to MGM Studios. Did Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller
Coaster (oh MAN does that ROCK!!!), then to Magic Kingdom to take in the
thrills there. We weren't totally stupid though and were back at the
hotel by 2pm, sat by the pool, hit the jacuzzi, even slid on the water
slide. Then to the TNT pasta dinner, afterward I stopped at the hotel
store, decided I needed head gear for the race as I'd forgotten my
Penguin Brigade hat. Found a pair of Minnie Mouse ears and decided that
they would help remind me that this race was just for fun. Went to the
room, tried for early bed.... tossed and turned mostly but - oh well!
Awoke at 3:30 am, hopped in the shower (some people thinnk this is weird
but I pretty much always take a shower before a long run). Caught the
bus at 4:15 to the start. I was dressed in tights over my shorts, a
coolmax under my singlet, I had my windbreaker with me and my freebie
gloves on (oh, and my mouse ears!). Decided to drop off the tights and
the windbreaker. Someguy on a PA said we should all be in the holding
area by now so off we went, dropped the gear and stood with the rest of
the crowd for what seemed and unreasonably long time. I wasn't cold
though - too many people around for that. Finally got to the corral and
the start, Mickey was way behind where I was in the red start area, I'm
sure he'll be barely visible in the picture I took. Fiunaly, the start
and off we went. I had my watch set to do 5min run 1 min walk intervals
and I stuck to that fro the very start. Loved the guy with the giant
Mickey hands playing tunes on the road out there, totally enjoyed the
trip through EPCOT and running under the lighted archway, soon we were
out of EPCOT and meeting the blue start people. I enjoyed the course
immensly at this point, felt much better than I thought possible and
just kept enjoying myself. Saw the head coaches from my TNT chapter
between miles 6 and 7, by which time the little toe on my right foot was
hurting a bit from a developing blister. Having come prepared, I dropped
and taped the toe. Decided if I kept the coolmax any longer I'd end up
hot and not wanting it so I left it with the coaches. Off I went and
took a picture with Snow White & friends. Soon enought the sign for
Magic Kingdom!! This was just past mile 7, I was excited and supriosed,
cause I'd told a freind that asked that I thought we hit the Kingdom
later in the race. Well, little did I know that the sign was a big fake
out and I wouldn't enter the park for what, 5 more miles?? Somewhere
around here I passed John Bingham (then he passed me, then I passed him,
our walk breaks didn't coincide) and we chatted breifly a couple of
times, it's always nice to see him during a race. Did finally get to
Magic Kingdom (I didn't see anyone handing out cookies though) and just
inside the entry was Minnie, with whom, I of course (still wearing my
Minnie ears) had a picture taking, mere steps later was Mickey. Passed
by Chip & Dale, too many people waiting. Didn't see Buzz in
Tommorrowland, when I got to the Queen of Hearts she was stomping off to
take a break. Again a line at Dum & Dee, and no mice at the Castle for
me. As we exited the park we went through a back storage area, I
couldn't figure out what it was, and laughed out loud and said.. the
floats! when I realised, a couple of Disney cast members were close by
and they thought that was pretty funny... I reminded them that it's hard
to use your brain when all the blood is in your legs. Anyway.. off we
go..
Thought for a minute about turning left at the 1/2 marathon mark, but
then decided, I didn't come all that way for Donald. My feet were
starting to hurt a bit, bit it wasn't too bad. Came up on an injuerd
runner from my TNT chapter not long after and waled with her until mile
15 - then I decided, by checking my watch, that it MIGHT be possible to
go under 5:30 even with the lack of training so off I went. Animal
Kingdom was cool cause there were people there again. I knew the stretch
after that was tought so I was prepared for it mentally, it was a bit
tough. Just starting to really get sunny and warm up and there we are in
the biggest streatch with NO shade. Oh well!. Soon enough we make the
turn toward All Star Sports, how come it seemed like a hill going up,
but not coming down??? They were playing "Go the Distance" by M.
Bolton.... thinking of my friend Suzanne, who will find out today if she
does or does not need to start chemo, and realizing at that point that I
really was going to finish and get my Mockey... made me cry. Hit the
bottom of that non-hill and my feet were really hurting, just achy over
use hurting and not neuroma pain though. Then came that ramp, and that
beautiful wonderful man with the big smile and that oh so beautiful,
shiny Mickey medal.... ahhhh......
TNT coach ran with me for a few hundred yards just before we entered
MGM, though my feet hurt I was exhilarated... I knew I was getting that
Mickey, I laughed and cried with her, this was going SO much easier than
I anticipated! Didn't see the green army men (my one disappointment
about the race).
Took the turn onto the board walk, ohhhhhhhh, it felt SO good to be off
the pavement and on those boards. Turned into EPCOT, what's this??
Cramps at the medial side of my knees, my quads were rocks! A TNT coach
asked if I needed jhelp a just shoved my thumbs into the muscles and
kept going, the cramps eased... then I got one in my glute!! It left
quickly, finally.....mile 26!!!! Jept running, how the hell far is .2
miles in yards I asked aloud..... no one knew (why can I NEVER remember
that during a race??... 385 yards)... and then, there it was in front of
me.. the finish line.. the clock was at about 5:31, I sprinted realizing
that in fact I COULD go under 5:30.. yehaw.. 5:28 something, only 16
minutes of my PB and I got to high 5 Mickey on the way in.
I was alone during 99% of this race and yet, it was more fun than either
of the other 2 I have run.. I still haven't figured out why, but I have
my Mickey and ever time I look at it , I smile. Man, I love Disney.
Did finally manage to get to en encounter to the Bragathon.. met Gary,
Charles, Bart from Belgium, Bill (I think, or was it Bob.. I'll remember
when I see the pictures) and a couple of others. So nice to put faces
with names! I don't know when, but I'm doing Disney again.......they
REALLY know how to run a maarthon (IMHO), besides, I gotta see those
army guys and next time... I'll make the encounters.......
Beth Wadman
Loveland, CO
