Short: What an exciting time for me! I actually finished, and the "pick
up the stragglers van" was never in sight! This was a huge surprise to me,
I really had doubts and pre race jitters. After all the obstacles placed
in my path the last 3 months, all I wanted was to finish, and I did
it......... the Donald was icing on the cake! I definitely had tears in my
eyes when they put that medal around my neck!
Finish time: 3:10:39 - a slow 14:30 per mile, 3 minutes a mile slower than
pre-injury/surgery-----but I'll take it with a huge grin and be very happy
with it. Now: if I can do 13 on a 2 month old knee surgery, can I do a 26
in a year with a healthy knee? That's the new goal, and I'll be
registering come March 1. :^)
Long: I got up at 2:15am, met my co-runner at the food court at 3 (banana,
bagel, and water in hand), took one of the first busses to the staging
area, and after several potty stops, we made our way to the start with
every one else! Wow, a lot of people!
We were far back in corrals L and M, and could barely see Donald, Mickey
not at all but could hear him, but the excitement sizzled in the air! The
first couple of miles were pretty crowded. I shed the throw-away running
suit at the start, the long sleeved T in the first mile, and finished the
rest in short sleeved T and shorts. For a Michigander, it was
great running temperature! I carried my own water this time and had
refills at the stops as well as their powerade, as I did not want another
Mackinaw Island type disaster! At about mile 6 or so, a blister popped up
on my left foot----I guess I mostly ignored it (son drained it after the
race at the resort, and placed a compeed, and it never bothered me
again). About mile 8 a very nice Team in Training coach came up behind me
and encouraged me, and patted me on the back ----- what a nice thing to do
(I wasn't part of his group), and brother did I need it at the time! I
can't thank him enough! At mile 10 or 11 my right foot tried to cramp, and
I walked it out (for the most part). It rained at about mile 12, just the
sprinkles, and the downpour happened after I finished - in the parking lot
- a real drenching! I felt bad for the runners still out for the full
marathon, sloshing around in wet shoes! I basically ignored the villain
signs, there's always someone who tries to be negative....... I was a
little disappointed not to see more characters, and thought there would be
more music. Next time I will wear my headphones and cd (I saw LOTS!) Also
thought the fireworks were a little weak......guess I anticipated something
bigger........But all in all, I wouldn't have missed it for the world, and
I'm already encouraging some friends to do it next year!
Running thru EPCOT at 6 am was a thrill (read tears), as was coming into
the Magic Kingdom (more tears). Running down Mainstreet (tears again), and
out of the Castle was super! I stopped for a couple of pictures (Buzz
Lightyear and Pluto - no one else was lined up, and I didn't think I had
even seconds to spare to wait at other character stops where others were
lining up to wait .........something I now regret) It was an experience I
wish everyone could have. Then to the finish, which was sheer
exhilaration! I never saw my family until the grandstands at the end!
And, I heard them long before I saw them!
After the finish, I claimed my water, muffin, banana, and orange, had my
photo taken, found my family, and went back to CBR where I took a long
cold soak (brrrrrr, that was HARD), then a nice hot shower. Then we (hubby
and I) took the family to Rainforest Cafe for lunch, and shopping. After
they left to go back home to Jacksonville, we hit EPCOT (IBM for an e-mail
to friends and supporters back home), and then to MGM to see the Osborne
Family Lights (awesome) since it was the last night for the display. I
finally felt like crashing about 7 that night, and did.
I was surprised at how NOT sore I was........others in the park on Sunday
afternoon and Monday were obviously suffering, but I was not.......a little
slower getting around, but not suffering. The knee held up nicely (until
Thursday afternoon this week), and I felt darned good, considering it
all. Call it a "high" on the "magic"!
I have to thank all the Disney Deads who encouraged a crazed 57 year
old Disney addicted grandmother who had such a notion as to run a 1/2
marathon! And thanks to the Team in Training coach who came up behind me,
and said just a few words of encouragement that meant the world to me. I
missed the Friday get together because the kids arrived about that time,
and the Sunday bragathon because we had to get to the IBM machine and MGM,
but next year I will not miss either of them, and that's a promise to
myself! Thanks especially to Beth and to Bart for their encouragement and
answers to questions when I had them thru the year. I'm sorry I missed
meeting you........next time for sure! I hope everyone stays in touch
through out the year until next Jan. 12!
See you next year! Weez PS Bib # 18510 if you want to look me up in the
official photos........what a scream!
