Wow. there is so much to say, but so many things I find so hard to put into words. I know, I know. It's not often I am speechless.
Our flights down were great, POR was fabulous! I really loved it! Will definitely stay there again. We picked up our rental car at Dolphin then Charlie went to DiveQuest and I took the boat to Downtown. I didn't plan on walking around but I did. Went to Ghiardelli's for a sundae. Came back, sent all four alarms as a test, and went to bed early.
Friday morning we went to Kona for Tonga Toast then to the Expo. I was really glad we had the rental car. With a GPS we were able to get around very easily. We got to the Expo around 10:00 and it was mobbed! We got our goody bags, looked around a bit and left. There was no way we could hang around until 1:00 for John Bingham. Charlie doesn't handle crowds very well and he couldn't wait to get out of there, although he did stop to buy a pair of shorts. (I was wondering how he would handle the start of the race....)
We spent the rest of the afternoon driving around to resorts we had never been to. We went to AKL...wow, it's beautiful! Checked out OKW, which was cute. Then back to POR to get ready for our meet.
I was so nervous on the way to PC! > It's such an odd feeling to "know" you guys so well when we had never met. But it was such fun! After the initial minute I got over my nervousness and it was so great to meet you all! Charlie was shocked at how much you all knew about us, but I told him "You'd be amazed....". It didn't bother him, he just thought it was funny. Now he sees how I can spend all day talking to you guys. Because you are all so nice!
After the meet, we went back to POR, set all four alarms again, and went to bed at 7:30. Amazingly, I was perfectly calm. I told Charlie I think by that point, there was no turning back and I was just resigned to it. At 9:00 I was woken up by the family next door being outside our door, with their kid playing Jingle Bells on the kazoo. Plus we could hear Illuminations (I think that's what it was). But I went right back to sleep. Our alarms, yup, all four of them, went off at 2:28, 2:29, 2:30 and 2:31. By the fourth alarm we were both up, the lights were all on, and we were in motion. Thanks to Cam, I had all my checklists laid out on the other bed, along with my race uniform, with chip and number attached. We ate breakfast, well, I had half a bagel. Who can eat at that hour?? And off we went. We walked to the bus depot and got right on. It was again a very odd feeling, to be sitting on a bus at WDW at 3:30 in the morning, filled with people who are wide awake...and all of it feeling perfectly normal.
We got to the staging area and checked our bags. When we walked to the other side of the tent I thought "Oh wow, there are PLENTY of Port-a-Potties". Shows you what I know! Although I did make myself go FIVE times because I didn't want to stop once I got going. Figures you can do weeks worth of LRs and not have to stop, but get to Mile 5 of the race and I gotta go.
It was really great hanging out with everyone as we made out own sort of potty line. It really helped keep my nervousness at bay. That was, at least, until they started moving Corral C up to the starting line. Then I started to get scared. I mean, really scared. As we got up as far as we were going to go, I told Charlie "I don't think I want to do this." He looked at me like "WHO ARE YOU?". But what he actually said was "Come on, you'll do fine." Isn't he the best?
Remembering Craig's advice, I tried to take it all in. It's unbelievable, amazing, too much to describe to someone who hasn't done it.
Then it was time. We started inching forward. I started crying. The countdown started.
Remember back a few issues in RW when they did that article on the nuns who run with the orphans? One nun would say at the beginning of every run "Jesus, run with us". Well, I sort of paraphrased that, and I hope it wasn't sacrilegious. When I was 8 I got my first pony. Although her name was PeeWee, I would often call her Dulcinea, because we also had a donkey called Don Quixote, who absolutely loved PeeWee. PeeWee was my best friend growing up. I had her for 35 years. So as Charlie and I held hands and crossed the start line, I looked at the sky and said "Dulcinea, run with me".
So off we went. I felt great, although hot already, for the first five miles or so. It was really really crowded. Charlie and I had to dodge and dart around people. Many, may times there was just no way to get around people. Guess they didn't get the race etiquette memo about only two abreast.
Going thru the MK was fabulous! Seeing Cam on Main Street was the best part! Sorry about that sweaty kiss, I was just so happy to see you! I thought the footing was a little slippery there for a bit. Then going thru the Castle we came out and had to make a very abrupt halt. There was the photographer sitting right on the ramp. Ok that wasn't really the best place, KWIM?
I was doing good until after we left the MK and were headed towards the GF. I started to feel really tired. I'm not sure what that mile marker was but my splits at 10,11 & 12 weren't so good. I kept thinking "This is NOT fun". I was getting mad at myself for being so tired, for being so out of shape, for being so fat, for being so stupid for attempting this in the first place. I started thinking of my mother, and how she never got to come to WDW, although she really wanted to. That inspired me to push on.
Charlie had stayed with me the entire race. He was never more than 15 or so feet away. I did tell him many times to go on, don't wait for me. But he wanted to do it with me. He kept saying the whole point was to be together. Gosh, I guess I'll keep him, don't you think?
That high school band that was just past the GF was great! They were so inspirational! A bunch of girls gave me high-fives and were cheering me on! That felt really nice. I picked up my pace again and dug down and found some strength. I didn't know it at the time, but I was suffering from dehydration. More on that in a minute.
So, wait a minute. Let's pause here for a question. Who said WDW was a flat course? OK I knew about the Contemporary Hill. How come, in all our posts and threads, no one ever mentioned that last up ramp into Epcot? As we were going under the over pass, I said to the girl next to me "You don't suppose they are taking us up there in an elevator, do you"? Alright, fine, I can do this. I didn't look up and just kept going and soon I was on top of the overpass, looking down at the sea of people still coming up World Drive.
At that last water stop right in Epcot a volunteer handed me water and said with a big smile "Judy, you look GREAT!". I don't know why, but that made me so happy. That really touched me. Thank you so much, Mr Volunteer. Maybe it was the way he said it. I don't know.
The last mile or so really wasn't that bad. Probably because I KNEW it was the LAST mile or so. Then OMG...you could start to feel the excitement. Then...there it was. The Finish Line. I knew what it looked like because I had taped a picture of it next to the treadmill and I had been looking at it for a year. Oh my goodness! The excitement! Charlie and I held hands and went over it together!
Then I REALLY started crying! Three times officials asked me if I was OK. I told them all "I'M BETTER THEN OK! I'm FABULOUS!" They laughed. Honestly, other then when we got married, I don't think I have ever been so happy in my entire life as I was right then and there.
So I got my chip cut off, got my blanket, then saw Kristi and she told me...no more medals. I was shocked. At first I thought she was teasing me. But no, she was right! Ohhh was I mad!
So we went and got out bag but then I started feeling light headed so I sat on my mylar for a few minutes. Then we got up and found Cam and Howard and Carrie and everyone else. (I'M REALLY SORRY I can't remember who else was there. Please tell me if you were!!!) I had to sit down for another minute, then I went to get up so Cam could take our picture and I pretty much passed out.
I remember someone getting me a chair, then the next thing I remember is a man asking me to open my eyes and asking me if I knew where I was. I said "Yes, I'm in the parking lot." Then I guess they put me on a stretcher and attached an EKG machine to me. I think I was talking to them, but honestly I don't remember what I said. I remember them saying my BP was very low. I do, however, remember looking up and seeing all these green shirts and thinking "OMG, what they must think of me." But I also thought how sweet of everyone. These people don't even really know me, yet they are all making sure I am OK. I also remember an EMT putting his hand under my shirt, I assume to attached the EKG, but I was thinking "Shouldn't we at least have a drink first". See? I entertain myself even while passing out.
After a few minutes, and thanks very much to Cam's being prepared for things like this with SportBeans and PowerAde, I was fine. They did insist on taking me to the bus in a wheelchair, which at first was embarrassing but after seeing how far it was, I was really grateful!
BTW I did get my medal. Before I totally passed out, Charlie took my number and went and got our medals. It was all the better that he got to put it on me.
Well, I'm sorry this is so long. Like I said, there was so much to say. It was fabulous, really. In a nutshell, here are a few last thoughts...
Apparently I didn't drink enough, although I did stop at every water station. However, I did often drink half and pour half in my shirt to cool off. I was carrying 20 oz, but drank one before we even started. And...I forgot to take my salt, as Cam told me too.
Next year we have to stay longer. It seemed like we had to run out on Sunday and missed a lot. Next time we'll stay for the whole week.
It was very comforting to have Karen and her family near us during the whole race. Although we didn't do it together, they were always nearby, which I liked a lot. Thanks very much, Karen for sharing your blanket that morning. Plus, it was really fun cheering with you on Sunday. Hope I didn't embarrass you too much when I was dancing around with the sign.
Charlie took lots of pictures during the Full. I'll try to get him to download them tonight.
Jodi - I am SO SORRY we didn't see you coming Sunday. We felt really bad about that after you passed by.
I wished I had gotten to meet Christa and Dave and Kevin. Next year, eh guys????
Mile 1) 13:27
Mile 2) 13:12
Mile 3) 13:20
Mile 4) 13:33
Mile 5) 15:22
Mile 6) 14:36
Mile 7) 14:32
Mile 8) 14:44
Mile 9) 14:38
Mile10) 15:00
Mile 11)15:12
Mile 12)16:24
Mile 13) 15:32
Mile 14) 15:17 (.35mi)
3:14:48 on my Garmin, 13.35 miles, 14:36 average.
