My Marathon Report

[PoohsPal]

I've broken my TR, so if you want to read my general TR, it's here:

http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1095

Here's the marathon by itself.

Well, didn’t sleep much prior to that 3 am alarm, but I don’t think anything would have helped that. Made our way to the bus stop at 3:30 and got on the bus right away. WDW at 3:30 am is surreal. 14,000 people getting ready to run a marathon at that time is also surreal.

I was really afraid of the change in temps. 34 at the start was not a problem for the MI girl, but ending in the 60’s?? That’s quite the change. We started to get a little cold waiting for the 6 am start. Good thing is wasn’t windy, but an hour and a half in the same place gets a little cold. There was some entertainment, but the jumbo tron looked like a micro tron from as far back as we were. The start came before we knew it though. Shed the sweat pants and headed for the line. It took about 3 to 4 minuets just to get to the starting line, but things went pretty quickly after that.

Miles 0 – 2.5 Pretty much just in awe of everything. The people the lights, glimpses of SE. Wow.

Miles 2.5 to 3 Around the World Showcase lagoon with all the lights. Amazing. The hardest part was that we passed the 25 mile mark in here. That made my brain go into overdrive, but there was so much to see, my mind recovered quickly.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/PoohsPal/IMG_1243.jpg

Keep in mind that I’m not a great photographer, but these were taken while running.

Miles 3 to 4.5 Continued to loop around the outside of Epcot. I took pics at every mile marker as they had a different character and saying. At mile 4, had a bit of a mishap when the pavement grabbed my toe (maybe a reflector, who knows). Went down pretty hard and scraped my knee and shin, but didn’t really seem to hurt anything. (like father like daughter if you read my general TR) Helped a lot that I saw my family shortly after that. I never thought we’d find them in the crowds, but it was so great to see them! (Got to give them the first upper body layer we shed too)

Miles 4.5 to 9 Long trek to MK. The loop to go from W to N was cool.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/PoohsPal/IMG_1252.jpg

Look! We’re not last!

Being Disney, they brought in cheerleaders, bands, drum cores, and even hula’ing retirees to cheer us on. That helped pass the time a lot.

Miles 9 to 10 We’re on our way! TTC was cool and a group from Tag team was there to cheer. It’s amazing to hear your name in such crowds. (I kind of fed on that too. Needed all the help I could get.) Under the water bridge

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/PoohsPal/IMG_1269.jpg

Past contemporary and ahead to MK. Wow, it’s getting cool now!!!

Mile 10 to 11 MK!!! We entered on Main Street and my family was right by the Christmas tree. Wow. Worlds just can’t describe it. Plus, I could shed my last layer.

Turn the corner and there’s the castle.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/PoohsPal/IMG_1279.jpg

Through Tomorrowland, quick stop to take a pic of Mr. And Mrs. Incredible. Very appropriate. As I went by, Mrs. I stuck out her hand for me to slap. That was way cool. Right behind her was stitch to slap my hand. Did I mention that they were playing colors of the wind, then Tiki Room? I danced through MK!!!

Miles 12 to 16 were tough. Luckily Tag team caught us on Floridian way and gave me a boost. Hearing that I was half way at 13.1 was not a big perk to me, though. I was feeling pretty bad by the time I hit AK.

[PoohsPal]

Miles 16 to 18 Well, as we came to AK, I could hear Phil singing from Tarzan. A favorite singer and a favorite sound track. That helped. Passed Rafiki on the Jumpin’ Jungle parade platform and that was another perk. Then I heard my Pooh-bear singing. Oh, you could have cut he excitement with a knife. Turned the corner and there were Pooh and Piglet.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/PoohsPal/8d2e888f.jpg

Then around the next corner were Baloo and King Louie. Mad dh get a pic with them. Baloo’s his fav.

Caught some nice views of EE. Wow. Then it got hard. The pavement there is less than spectacular to run on, especially when you’ve already done 16 miles!! I was warned about this, but I don’t know that it made it easier. I also was not looking forward to the stretch after AK.

Miles 18 to 22.5 These were tough. The crowds were nice, but they weren’t my group and it was all straight road (and over passes). Plus miles 20 and 21 were a straight out and back by WWoS. Very hard mentally. Did get a laugh at the beer offered at mile 20, but didn’t drink it. I wanted to die by mile 20. It was the farthest I had run in training and I had 6 miles to go. DH was having a tough time too. Luckily, our tough times were not at the same times! I don’t think that I could have done it by myself.

I just kept thinking that I could make it to MGM. There would be music and characters there. Then BW would have a WISH cheering team and Epcot would be the home stretch. Boy, it sure did take forever to get there though.

Miles 22.5 to 23.5 MGM was cool. They rolled out the red carpet for us. Nice touch, but it stunk to run on. By the time we got there, it was puckered and seemed to stick to your shoes. Got off that quick. Characters weren’t so thrilling here, although seeing someone in a Wings sweatshirt helped. There were a lot of little steep hills that killed me. I knew I was getting close to BW, though and I knew that would help.

Mile 24 to 25 Made it to BW, but I was dying. Luckily the WISH team (including our very own Chimera) made themselves known well and I got revved again. Just needed to enter Epcot and I was golden. Too bad that last high only lasted about 30 seconds. This is when my leg started hurting from my fall. Thank goodness I had 20 miles before it bothered me!

Miles 25 to 26.2 Made it to WS lagoon. It wasn’t as cool as the lit up version and there were very few people cheering. The CMs there seemed tired or were trying to get ready to open as it was right around 11. That ball seemed soooooo far away.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/PoohsPal/5f1c6723.jpg

People were cheering that we were almost there, and usually the last mile I cruise, but I was tired and those bridges were killing me. Next I heard that I was almost there and the gospel choir was right around the corner. Huh???? Well,…

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/PoohsPal/IMG_1338.jpg

Hallelujah!!!! Yup, I needed that.

We were in the bleachers area now and the finish was in sight. DH told me to go ahead, but no way. He never left me in training and I was not going to do it then. (Not that I think I could have at that point) We did finish pretty strong though.

I still can’t believe I finished, but my Mickey medal says I did. Wow.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/PoohsPal/IMG_1340.jpg

[cobbler]

Holy crap!! Kudos to you!! I don't think I could run the whole 26 miles. Maybe I would work my way up and do the half one first.

Are they less stringent on time? I ask because you said you stopped for pics, or did I read that wrong?

Anywho can you speed walk through some of it if you need to?

I would love to do this someday! Maybe in 2008. That seems like a plan.

[jnrrt]

Carrie, I was impressed before, but after reading that, I am seriously in awe of that accomplishment. You should be so proud of yourself. Just reading the details makes it more real, and that's amazing. I don't think I could ever do that.

Way to go!

[Rozzie]

you rock Carrie! Great report, loved the pics!!!!!!!!!

so proud of you! :jumpingbe

[withdisneyspirit]

Oh my God, Carrie, you did make it very real:holymoly: I seriously can't believe how hard that must have been!!!!!!!! I am so sorry you took that fall in mile 4; even though you don't think it hurt, on some level, I am sure it made the challenge even more difficult:worship:

How long do they allow the marathoners to compete? I'd be worried I would do it too slow.

Thank you for the report and the pictures. Considering my daily mileage hovers between 2.5 and 3.5 miles, you are way beyond a role model for me. I am so proud of you:cheerlead :highfive: :jumpingbe :rockband: :clappingh :clappingh :thumbsup: :bouncingm

[PoohsPal]

Thanks all. Beleve it or not, I was not running or walking at all this time last year. Basically, you need a 16 minute pace for either the half or the whole. It can be walked, but a walk jog interval helps give you a little more cushion. I'm sure you could do it Lisa.

MouseOwners Team for 07, let's go!!!:jumpingbe

[lllovell]

Carrie - I am so happy that you made it! You and hubby are fantastic! What an accomplishment! :jumpingbe

I bet you feel like you have never worked harder for a Mickey huh? :upsidedow

I hope you are really proud of youselves because we sure are proud of all of the runners we know and simply amazed!!!

Laura

[jiggerj]

WOW! I am so incredibly impressed and proud of you and hubby too! Great report and I felt that I was right there along side you! (well...I had the easy way out by reading it sitting down at the puter! LOL!)
YOU ROCK AND MANY CONGRATULATIONS!

[DVCByResale]

Carrie,

I LOVE your trip report. I am so proud of you for doing the whole marathon....I love the play by play report. You are an inspiration to us all! (although the half was plenty for me!)

All the best,
Shontell

[PoohsPal]

Shontell - Thanks. FYI - dh are debating on weather the half was really easier. Not as much time at Epcot and the 2 long stretches out to MK and back. Not so easy! COngrats on teh half!

[JimMIA]

Congratulations on your run, and on your runner's wisdom to just get up and go on after the fall.:cheerlead

I had a similar thing happen years ago in my first marathon. After all those training miles, and all the times I'd stepped on things and been sorry for it, I looked down at 3 miles and saw myself about to step on a cup at a water stop.

I lurched to the side, landed on the side of my shoe, and rolled my ankle over so far I skinned the ankle bone on the pavement. I hobbled back to my feet and limped on, figuring it would either warm up and loosen up or not. If it didn't, I'd have to quit.

I didn't really have any pain, and at the five-mile point, another runner complimented me on my "smooth stride," so I had hope. I had planned to run very cautiously for the first ten miles because I'd known too many people who went out too fast. When I crossed ten miles precisely on schedule at 90 minutes, the sharp pain of tendinitis in my big toe kicked in (also right on schedule)...but no problem at all with the ankle. I knew the tendinitis would not get any worse -- it would just come and go for the next 16+ miles -- so I could just relax and and enjoy the run.

The day (and week) after the marathon, every muscle in my body was stiff and sore, but my ankle never swelled up, never hurt, never gave me any problem. Hopefully, you'll have a similar result with your leg.

Amazing what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it, ain't it?

[JudithM]

Carrie, congratulations to you & your husband for your marathon accomplishments!

[TW1]

Thanks for sharing Carrie. A great post to commemorate a great occassion. You Rock!

[TheTimeshareStore]

Carrie,

I'm so proud of you! You said you were going to do it and by golly you did! Your report was so exciting, like a play by play sports announcer. The pictures helped to make it even more authentic. I even saw the "boo boo":scary: on your leg. I hope you are healed and in training for the next one. You are truly an inspiration!:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown::worship: :worship:

[PoohsPal]

Thanks all!! So nice of you to take the time to read.

About the boo boo. Mom did not notice unitl after teh race. Thank goodness! Funny, you could see it in at least oone of the pics she took, though.

We are in our "reverse taper" to get back into a training mode. Have already doen 2 runs. Saturday was not fun, but Monday was better.

So, you think I coudl get a gig as a hockey announcer?

[TheTimeshareStore]

Your Mom didn't notice it because she was watching your face to see how you were doing. I had an advantage because you had mentioned falling down so I looked for it when I saw the shot.

Absolutely, I think you'd be a dandy announcer. Hopefully you know more about hockey than I do, but I'd hire you because not only can you call play by play but you're cute too!! :reporter: I didn't get anywhere when I tried to get Jim the weatherman job :umbrella: Maybe I'll do better with you! :thumbsup:

Tom :sherlock:

[PoohsPal]

OK, tiem to get the hip boots on... :hehehehe:

[jackieslp]

I just read your first marathon report and it brought back so many memories. My husband and I ran our first (and my last- kudos to you for doing another) marathon - the Disney 10 year anniversary one. And I feel your pain - every step of the way - the only things that got me through it waere the characters, the crowd ,and being in the Worlds - it was a great accomplishment but I highly doubt I will run another. We ran it for Team in Training - LLS - and I can undersatnd when you say how it helped when people called your name- it was a real boost

anyway - congrats and good luck for the next one. We will be at disney that weekend but we aren't going to be running - I will hope for good weather too!!

Jackie

[PoohsPal]

Thanks Jackie@ I swore I'd never do another when I was done, but it's teh only thing that will keep us fom becomming couch potatoes again. ;)