The short version:
Full marathon finish, 6:37:54, with the help of Val and a little pixie
dust. This is exactly one minute slower than MCM but I feel MUCH better
than I did after MCM.
Words aren't coming easily this morning. Disney was a very different
marathon. I truly hadn't trained for it, never planned to run it, and was
never in the mind set to run a marathon. Before I left for MCM, I
considered every minute detail of my preparation and race. Before I left
for Disney, I was throwing dirty clothes into my bag, hoping I'd have time
to wash my socks before the race. Haphazard. I guess that's the word.
The best parts of Disney were running with Val and the course support.
The worst parts were actually seeing the sag wagon and the empty miles
between mile 15-23.
Other random thoughts:
Mile 5: For you, Robin.
Entering the Magic Kingdom.
From the guy at the parking gate to the people showering us with Mickey
Mouse confetti, the run through the Magic Kingdom was everything Disney
claims the marathon to be.
The magic water from the volunteer at Mile 13.
He said it was magic "guaranteed to finish" water. Guess it worked. :-)
In fact, all the water stations rocked. Without their enthusiastic
support, we would have been all alone in the back woods of Disney.
Taped crowed noises at Mile 19.
How funny! They were better than nothing but I would have preferred
music.
Doing the YMCA around mile 20 then catching up with Vashie around 21.
I'm certain she was not happy we caught up with her but it was great to
run with her. Definitely added a little fire to the run! :-)
Of course, nothing adds a little fire to your run like seeing the sag
wagon at mile 21 as you finish up mile 22. Ahhh! When I asked a cop and
course staff member when the course would close, they replied when the
course clock read seven hours. AHHH! We were not on pace to finish by
the time the course clock said 7 hours. It took us 10 minutes to get to
start line.
My favorite part of the course came around mile 23 as we entered the back
areas of MGM Studios. No one was there except this guy, bib number 136.
A little research this morning revealed that he finished the full marathon
in 3:18. He stood all alone out back, offering encouragement. I wondered
what possessed this runner, who finished 3 hours ago, to stand at mile 23,
offering encouragement to anyone who needed it.
The only thing better than his encouragement were the Spree and Sweet
Tarts at Mile 23. After 6 hours of "Just Plain" GU, they tasted great!
Even though we ran among the last of the runners, if Disney promised Power
Gel at an aid station, there was Power Gel. If they promised Spree candy,
there was BOX of Spree to hand out.
The turning point.
When we left MGM, I figured we had past the cut off point. The run
between MGM and Epcot crosses several resort areas. Given that closing
the course can cause a scene, I didn't think Disney would try to do it in
front of regular resort guests.
Then we reached EPCOT.
As we ran into the World Showcase, there they were. The penguins. Seven
or so pink hats exploded into cheers and welcomes. YEAH. And, as
promised, my sister and Michelle were waiting with a Guinness. HAH! My
stomach was still complaining about the Spree so I only managed one big
sip but it was perfect.
The rest of the race went quickly.
Thanks to Val for convincing me to run down the finish cute, even if you
did run faster than I did. :-) Thanks to Molly and Sue Zooper's daughter
for staying at the finish. Without them, we would have finished without
anyone to cheer for us.
Amy, you looked RADIANT! Vashie, congrats, you're a marathoner
girlfriend!
And that's it!
Linae
=====
Linae Boehme
"If we weren't all crazy
We would go insane" -J. Buffett
