Hi Everyone,
First, I have to say, it's been a lot of fun reading everyone's report on our
excellent adventures in the full and half marathon last Sunday. Each email brings
back fun memories of the weekend and from the marathon!!
As a first time marathoner, I have to say it was one of the most emotionally
gratifying times of my life when I crossed the finish line! Once I got my medal,
I started to cry, tears of joy. The photographer actually took a second picture
of me at the end so I wouldn't look like I was crying.
Even though we had to get to the starting area so early, the time seemed to fly by.
Guess it was the excitement of all the runners and all the energy you could feel.
I liked the guys playing "Who let the dogs out" as we went under the
bridge at about the first mile. Going into Epcot in the dark with the lights was
cool. I loved the steel drums and the volunteers all along the course were great.
And I really liked the fact that they put our names on our numbers. Nothing like
hearing people scream your name out with words of encouragement all along the course,
especially toward the end. I got a kick out of the tortoise and parrot just as
we were going into Animal Kingdom. Something symbolic about the tortoise at that
point in the race! As far as Animal Kindgom goes, I don't remember seeing anything.
Guess I was just focused on running.
Seeing the familiar and friendly face of Kris as I was coming back into Epcot was
great and I absolutely loved the gospel singers. They gave me the boost I needed
to get to the finish line.
Overall, it was everything I expected and more. I'm so glad I did this. And I was
pleasantly surprised that I really didn't experience any problems. Well, only one
problem with a miracle solution. At mile 13 the inside of my left ankle started
to really hurt. By 13 and a half I had to stop and massage it. I was starting to
think that I was going to have to drop out, it hurt soooo bad. But then we turned
the corner and sitting in the middle of nowhere was the guy on a golf cart with
a gallon jar of Biofreeze. I put a handful of Biofreeze on my ankle and within a
half mile it stopped hurting and never bothered me again. No wall at 20 miles!
(another miracle) The only thing that bothered my by the end were the balls of
my feet. And I too, would have preferred it to be much cooler! I'm not a hot
weather runner.
I just want to thank everyone on this list for all the advice and positive energy
over the past year. I loved the marathon experience and will definitely do it again!
Mary Beth Campau
Green Brook, NJ
