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2007 Walt Disney World Marathon Report: Denise Leckie
| Well I've only been home for a mere 24 hrs but I had to get this written as I've come to find this very theraputic. Most of my peers are none runners and therefore don't have the same valuable understanding of how I feel today.
I should start off by saying that we made this a family vacation and we had a great time! My kids had a ball and I too enjoyed the rest of my vacation after the run. I had never done a full and truly hadn't trained properly for it. I knew all this going to Florida but I still had a whisper goal of finishing around 5 to 5:30. I know what you are all saying "You shouldn't have a time goal for your first - just to finish will be an accomplishment" but we all know that's easier said then done! It was the hottest day of the trip as everyone has mentioned. Before the sun came out it was warm but still comfortable. The first 1/2 I was perfectly on pace for my 5 hr finish. Then it got hotter and hotter. I met my parents and kids at mile 19 not far from our hotel. My daughter asked me for a drink - was she kidding she was just standing around! My husband had gone from the Magic Kingdom where I missed his cheers to the finish. After having missed my finish in Kelowna I think he was slightly obsessed he wouldn't miss this one! At around mile 21 I realized that all hope was not lost as I had caught up to the 5:30 pace team. However it was so stinkin' hot and I was getting to the point I told myself I wouldn't - I decided to walk for a bit. I really didn't want to allow myself to get caught up in time and numbers (I say as I ran the first 1/2 with a splits pace band and checked it religiously). I wanted to take it all in and enjoy it. I had been piggy backing a guy with a Canada shirt on and decided to spark up a conversation with him. I think this was around mile 22. We chatted and walked the last 4 miles together. We ran it in but I have to say I'm struggling with what could have been. With a time of 5:45 and 4 miles of walking - it could have been a good time for me. I guess the next time around I train properly and maybe even in the heat I'll have gas left in the tank. Perhaps if my new friend from Toronto hadn't been so interesting I would've run a bit more near the end. Well having said all that I have a score to settle with Mickey so I will be back next year for sure. I remember thinking to myself at around mile 18 "I will never do this again" - how quickly we forget! My mom has expressed interest in walking the 1/2 as a milestone for her to reach in her 60th year. So it looks like next year I'm doing the Goofy. I'm even trying to convince my husband to run the 1/2 .....as long as his training doesn't interfere with mine! Thank you for reading and the free therapy! My only hope is that in the future I will respond with pride when someonse asks what my time was like. Right now I still go into a rambling list of reasons it took me that long. _________________ HBC 10km - July 2005/2006 OIM 1/2 Marathon - October 2006 Disney Marathon - January 2007 1/2 Marathon - May 2007 Goofy's Race & Half Challenge - January 2008 |
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Home | Marathon | Half Marathon | Goofy's Challenge |Disneyland Half Marathon |Minnie Marathon |Disney's Race for the Taste | WDW Jogging Trails | Email | Links |