Unlike many of you, yesterday was a totally new experience for me. Keep
in mind I come from a town where the "big" event the year that actually has a
division for walking give us racers a lovely, (choke, gag) shirt with a
turtle on the back; emblazoned with the title of our division... the "Slo
Bunch," and the only walking group in the area is comprised of 6 sweet, but
gosspy gals who like to stroll amongst the flowers and pause to marvel at the
colors every 10 steps.
I admit, I really could've trained better; I got discouraged a number of
times; both because of old injuires but also because I sometimes found it
hard to get out there for those long training walks. I slacked off far too
much in the month before, hardly getting out at all.
So..... I went into the half marathon with doubts that I'd survive in one
piece! One thing I did have, was the support of all the Deads that have been
my "bible" for this; and for the support of my DH and DD; and a couple of
close friends.
DH stayed home this trip; but not before giving me a card that simply
wished me good luck and how proud he was of me, and DD, who accompanied me,
was the ultimate in a support crew. She not only pushed the carbos but
almost drown me in my water intake in preparation. She was up at 3 am; made
sure I ate my oatmeal, got me out the door and on my way; then was at every
single spectator spot shouting encouragement and snapping pictures like she
was the single woman's news team.
I loved the almost the whole thing....might sound "Dopey" but I actually
got tears in my eyes at the start. Maybe 'cause I've never done this big of
a thing before; always wanted to but, well, I was the kid that they fought
over in h.s. gym class; "NO... that's not fair, we got stuck with HER last
time,,," yeah, I was THAT one!! Mile 4 I thought I was doing pretty good;
then I realized that I was really going out too fast; that I had to keep in
mind I had a long way to good. So I tried to concentrate on the correct
racewalking form since I'd taken Dave's advice and registered as a
racewalker. I knew in that mass of people nobody was going to be be
wondering why my hips were moving so oddly!
Just before entering the Magic Kindgdom I was beginning to wonder if my
body was going to keep going; I kept remembering my daughter saying that I
needed to keep my mind on the end; not the pain, just trust the good training
that I had done and to think of other things. So I looked around at the
sights, at the support crews, the other competitiors. Chatted with a nice
man from San Franciisco a number of times; (he was doing the full, I looked
for him later hoping to see him when I got back to Boardwalk but I must have
missed him, wanted to cheer him on), I walked along with a guy in wheelchair
for a bit, (tapped a few people to ask them to move left for him), stopped to
go the bathroom a few times; even stopped for a photo with Pluto. So, my
time wasn't fantastic.... chip time was a 3:07.11 --- but, hey, I DIDN'T get
disqualifed from the racewalking.... I didn't drop dead,,, I only tripped
over a curb once.... I didn't lose my breakfast or drop from dehydration... I
only got soaked from the rain while waiting forever at the Ticket and
Transportation center for a bus back to the Boardwalk.
I've got an awesome medal to take home and show to friends back home...I
had a great time doing it...and, well, I MIGHT just do it again...
A bit sore today...no blisters... no sprains or breaks! I just
ache...everywhere!! This afternoon I'm resting.... tomorrow I should be up
to Animal Kingdom!
Linda
