The race is over and I got my Mickey Medal. It was a tough race for me
due to not being able to train after Marine Corps but I am happy to have
finished. The Mickey is hanging in my kitchen so everyone can see it, I
am so proud of it.
The race started out too cold for most of us. I did bump into a girl from
Alaska who said it was warm compared to where she was from. I realized
there was a strong mixture of international runners at the start and it
amazes me how far a runner/fast walker will go to attend a race. Yes, we
are a rare breed.
Standing around in below freezing weather with not a lot of clothing on
doesn't go well with me or most runners and having to stand in the cold
past the 6am start gun, again, didn't go well with most runners. So when
the gun finally went off and we headed past the chip mat most of us
started out too fast due to tight muscles from the cold. I paid for it
later on in the game, at the 14 mile marker I could feel the soreness
coming on. I tried focusing on the long road ahead. The first part of the
race was fun and I laughed with the other runners. I enjoyed running with
the Mayor for part of it. She was busy talking to other runners/fast
walkers and truly acting out her part. I kept looking for the flamingoes
to show up. We were partly in Hysterics, USA ,as we entered Magic
Kingdom.
At the half way point I was very much tempted to finish as I could feel
the fatique coming on. But stubborn me continued on and after we left the
half marathoners behind I could hear the rumble of talking throughout the
rest of us saying "this is it folks" and into the 14 mile area I noticed
everyone was walking. I can honestly say that was the first time I have
seen that in a marathon so it must have something psychologicly to do
with the half being part of the whole. LOL.....
As the miles reached out before us it was obvious boredom set in as we
were running on back roads without any cheering squads, only canned
cheers from huge stereo blasters. Well, at least Disney tried. But it was
at this point I was fed up with the race and told myself "Never again".
We actually had to run into Animal Kingdom and the entrance way was so
narrow that I felt sorry for the front and middle of the pack when they
approached it. They must have bumped into each other and caused a lot of
friction. Then you had the narrow roads inside the Kingdom and uneven
pavement. But it was good to be cheered on and more as we hit the
Boardwalk area which was so beautiful with the boaters on the lake and
the sun in full force. It was here Linae, Val and another penguin
greeted me as they passed by. I tried staying with them but found it very
difficult and again told myself this year will be my year of TRAINING.
As I continued into Epcot I was greeted by a warm hello and it was David
Zooper (the Mayor's son) who I saw and he ran with me part of the way
asking how I was doing and trying to take my mind off the negative
feelings I was having. As I came to the curve of the .2 left in the race
I heard my name being yelled and there was Rich, my hubby, waving me on.
I stopped to hug him and then proceeded on to the Finish Line with
screams coming from Lisa Zooper (Mayor's other child)yelling at me. Then
my mother Gracie with her camera waving and then through the chute. But
NO medal. Not even a response from the workers. I had to ask. "Oh it's
over there (as she pointed)and I said "that's great". I walked to the
area where people had them in their hands and were busy talking to each
other. I just stood there and waited till they saw me. I was tired and
now I was mad. When one lady put it on my neck she got it all tangled and
I tried to force a smile. It was just such a let down compared to doing
the Disney half last year. And then this was my husband's first race,
seeing me come in and he was yelled at by the security as he wanted to
come over to where I was getting my medal and they wouldn't allow it. It
just put a damper on it. I told him MCM is the place he should have been.
But he was happy to see me finish and so was I.
I wont do Disney marathon again. I will do the half as I love Disney but
this race was not for me. I am grateful for Mickey to be a part of my
collection and I will look upon it with gratitude that I was able to
reach my goal.
Pamsy in Florida
"Wherever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me."
**** Christopher Robin and Pooh ****
