I had mentioned already that I finished but here is the long report!
I have finally returned home (on Friday) and just now caught up on reading all
the posts.
LONG VERISON OF MY RACE REPORT:
I did meet Marce on Saturday at the Expo and a few other penguins(Russ and Cheryl)
at the P tent before the race. But the weekend was not full of penguins. I did
also sit in my corral with Steve, Peggy, Erin and ???? I know there was one or 2
more…I am sorry I forgot who… it was early. My husband was with me in the corral…
we walked to the start line together after the fireworks where I said my goodbyes.
He did great! It was his first marathon ever as well and he finished in 3:56:12 –
I am SOOO proud of him!] Shortly after the start I heard my dad's voice yell
"GO CARRIE" from the fans…he must have seem me through all of those ˝
marathoners.
By mile 2 I had tied my wind breaker around my waist. Even as slow as I run (and
I use that word loosely) it was hard to maneuver around some of the large groups
of walkers that started in front of me. I loved entering Epcot in the dark…the
lights in the sidewalks… Spaceship Earth glowing….the lights around the countries….
all very cool! There was a back-up by the fountain were the sidewalk got real
narrow. Shortly after that I found Susie…she was wearing exactly what she described-
making her easy to pick out. (Susie in your last few posts you referred to me as
Cassie, but it is Carrie). We chatted and ran together for a while…then we took
turns passing each other the rest of the way. At mile 4 the sun was coming up…and
there was my Dad and my brother's girlfriend, Laura! I gave him my windbreaker and
smiled and picked up the pace. Then there was Terri in her Pink Boa. Thanks Terri!
As I crossed that big bridge after mile 5, where all the runner had looped down
and under on the way to the MK I looked down and saw Erin… I waved and she waved
back…she looked strong! My knees and I hated the slanted overpasses and exits…but
we kept going. I was enjoying the crowds…as they all yelled my name…it was a great
idea to put my name on my shirt. I had some runners comment on the penguins as
they past…letting me know they were lurkers on the list…not wearing any pink or
penguins while running either. But it was fun to meet them. I loved the crowds at
the Transportation Center – I was slapping everybody's hand…feeling very pumped!
The hill under the water bridge just before the Contemporary was tough…it took me
quoting Isaiah 40:27-31 to Main Street was packed! I saw Terri and the pink boa…
Susie's Scream Team ….then there was Dad and Laura! As I turn toward Tomorrowland
there was a wedding taking place. I made a quick bathroom stop in Tomorrowland with
no line! Then back around and thru the castle…very cool! There was Dad and
Laura again – it was neat for my Dad to be out there cheering for me…my best fan!
I was feeling strong as I left the Magic Kingdom.
There was great excitement near the ˝ marathon finish…I stayed to the right and
soaked it all in. Then it was on to the hard part…the second half. I enjoyed running
past miles 14 thru 16…somewhere in here Susie showed back up! Then either she picked
up the pace…or I slowed…or the stronger possibility is that both happened. Just
after mile 16 there were animals waiting to cheer us on. I stopped briefly to pet
the llama. I bet there as very few people in this world that can say they petted a
llama in the middle of running a marathon. =
Just after entering Animal Kingdom my Sister and 18 month old niece, Amanda, were
there to cheer me on. Amanda was all smiles…clapping and smiling…that really pumped
me up. At this point my shoulders were getting tight…and my knee was more vocal
about the pain…but I was determined to finish. As I exited Animal Kingdom there was
Dad and Laura again. I stopped for Dad to give me a quit shoulder rub. That helped
sooo much…and on I went.
At this point I was making friends with those around me…there was Richard, Elizabeth,
Katie, and Doug. As we approached mile 19 Doug was tempted to take the exit on the
highway back to his hotel which was closer than the finish, but I told him there was
no way he was going to do that…and made him stay with me. At that point he was
walking (with very long legs). So I would jog for a while and walk … and as I walked
he would catch me again…this happened for the next mile or 2…. I did see him at the
finish. I jogged/ walked most of mile 20-23. But I ran through MGM, at waiting for
me at the exit of MGM was Eeyore with a great big hug!
The crowds between MGM and the boardwalk were great! I felt like each of them were
out there to cheer for me specifically. I ran most of the way on the Boardwalk and
as I made that turn to the backstage part of Epcot I found Epcot…most of that was
a blur. Susie pointed out that the fountain was going as we went by…then we saw the
turn to the finish. And we decided we could run it out…. As we made the turn I saw
and heard my Aunt and husband…a little further down was my Dad and Laura, now with
my brother….and just after I finished…there was my mom. I actually ran that last
200 yards faster than I had gone all day. I gave Susie a hug when we finished!
I was so thrilled.
The rest is just a blur….but I want to thank each of you for helping me complete
this goal! I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks. I haven't yet decided if
you should count me in for next year or not. I will let you all know.
Thanks again,
Carrie in LA
(but I am not telling the temp so Larry doesn't think I am rubbing it in.) ;-)
