Marathon morning. Once again, the alarm clock rang at the crack of dawn! But today, I was ready. Mentally, I was in the zone. And to be honest, I think a marathon is mostly mental. I knew what it was like to run a marathon (blessing and a curse) so I knew what I was up against. 26 long long miles.
Everyone kept asking me what was my plan for the marathon. A plan ... hmmm ... I did not have a plan. I kind of was just going to "wing it." See whatever felt right.
I arrived to the start area incredibly early. I waited for Daisy and Elsbeth and we walked over to the corrals together. I was so conflicted on which corral to start in. Did I want to start in my corral? Or Daisy and Elsbeths corral? (I was corral K they were corral L). I ended up walking to their corral with them.I was going to go to my corral once the race started.
.... but I was so exhausted I dozed off sitting waiting for the start.
This was a blessing in disguise because the Cliff Bar 5:30 pace group was in corral L! 5:30 (five hours and thirty minutes)? Wait ... but I ran my first marathon (with a bummed knee) in 5:22. I could do 5:30!!
Ten minutes before the marathon started, I had a plan! I would be running with the Cliff Bar 5:30 pace group.
Everyone kept asking me what was my plan for the marathon. A plan ... hmmm ... I did not have a plan. I kind of was just going to "wing it." See whatever felt right.
I arrived to the start area incredibly early. I waited for Daisy and Elsbeth and we walked over to the corrals together. I was so conflicted on which corral to start in. Did I want to start in my corral? Or Daisy and Elsbeths corral? (I was corral K they were corral L). I ended up walking to their corral with them.I was going to go to my corral once the race started.
.... but I was so exhausted I dozed off sitting waiting for the start.
This was a blessing in disguise because the Cliff Bar 5:30 pace group was in corral L! 5:30 (five hours and thirty minutes)? Wait ... but I ran my first marathon (with a bummed knee) in 5:22. I could do 5:30!!
Ten minutes before the marathon started, I had a plan! I would be running with the Cliff Bar 5:30 pace group.
and we are off!
The pace group ran 5:30 (five minutes and thirty seconds), walked a minute, and ran 5:30 again. They were at a 12:30 mile pace. So for every mile they walked two minutes of that mile.
Once we hit mile 2, someone yelled out 'We are half way done!" Three races and two miles in and we were finally half way done.
The beginning of the course was the same as the half marathon. We ran into Magic Kingdom, around, and out the same way. This time though the castle had the lights on it (the lights were not on it the day before)! Too bad I am not fast and didn't hit Magic Kingdom before it became light out. I would have loved to see the castle lit up! (My goal for next time!!)
Once we hit mile 2, someone yelled out 'We are half way done!" Three races and two miles in and we were finally half way done.
The beginning of the course was the same as the half marathon. We ran into Magic Kingdom, around, and out the same way. This time though the castle had the lights on it (the lights were not on it the day before)! Too bad I am not fast and didn't hit Magic Kingdom before it became light out. I would have loved to see the castle lit up! (My goal for next time!!)
5 Mile time: 1:02:17
Pace: 12:28
Once we left Magic Kingdom we headed towards the race track!! My least favorite and most favorite part all at the same time.
Least favorite part because :
1. Once we left Magic Kingom the road we run on for a few miles is SO narrow. Everyone is smashing into each other.
2. Running into the race track there is a MASSIVE slope. People say there were signs warning of the slop, but I did not see any. For anyone who has bad knees, you know running downhill is 10x more painful then running up hill!
3. Lastly, some people were so taken back by the hill that they just stopped. Have you ever just stopped your car dead in the middle of the road? .... basically it turned into a pile up. People tripping over other people.
Favorite part because:
1. The race track was GORGEOUS.
2. It had race cars that were revving up their engines.
3. We passed mile 9 inside the race track.
Pace: 12:28
Once we left Magic Kingdom we headed towards the race track!! My least favorite and most favorite part all at the same time.
Least favorite part because :
1. Once we left Magic Kingom the road we run on for a few miles is SO narrow. Everyone is smashing into each other.
2. Running into the race track there is a MASSIVE slope. People say there were signs warning of the slop, but I did not see any. For anyone who has bad knees, you know running downhill is 10x more painful then running up hill!
3. Lastly, some people were so taken back by the hill that they just stopped. Have you ever just stopped your car dead in the middle of the road? .... basically it turned into a pile up. People tripping over other people.
Favorite part because:
1. The race track was GORGEOUS.
2. It had race cars that were revving up their engines.
3. We passed mile 9 inside the race track.
You can kind of see mile 9!
Miles 9-12 we ran on the Osceola Highway.
10 Mile time: 2:04:16
Pace 12:26
For those of you who have been to Florida before, you know how strong the sun is. The sun was killing me. Absolutely no shade on the Osceola Highway. (The Highway from Hell ... just kidding ... but seriously).
Once my Mom got the 10 Mile split time she texted me:
10 Mile time: 2:04:16
Pace 12:26
For those of you who have been to Florida before, you know how strong the sun is. The sun was killing me. Absolutely no shade on the Osceola Highway. (The Highway from Hell ... just kidding ... but seriously).
Once my Mom got the 10 Mile split time she texted me:
Accurately describes how I was feeling at that point.
Although I was hot, I was very comfortable at the pace we were running at. I knew I was able to keep this up for another 16 miles.
Right before mile 12 we were given food! BANNANAS! I have never in my life been so happy to see a bannana. I usually do not eat while running, but I was so hungry! It was the best surprise. (Next year I may take two bannanas).
We ran through Animal Kingom next. I was SO focused that I did not even realize we ran past the Tree of Life :( Because of the number of people, and the ground was a little wet, I kept my head down to make sure I did not trip on anyone or anything. We also only ran through Animal Kingdom for all of three minutes.
Fun Fact: The Yeti ride is open during the marathon. Some people stop and even ride it!
Right after Animal Kingdom is Mile 13.
HALF WAY DONE!
Halfway Split: 2:43:18
Pace: 12:28
I still felt good. Next was the ESPN Wide World of Sports!
Right before mile 17 I had to use the bathroom. I tried to hold it in as long as possible because I did not want to lose the pace group. If you stop for any reason, you just need to catch up with the pace group, The pace group leader holds red balloons so they're easy to spot in the crowd.
After I went to the bathroom I tried catching up with them. My goal was to stick with them until AT LEAST mile 20.
While running to catch up to them, we ran through some more really narrow areas (27.000 runners and narrow areas don't mix well). Right before mile 18 someone bumped into me, knocking me off the course, causing me to roll my bad ankle.
Immediately I knew my knee was injured. I felt like this:
Right before mile 12 we were given food! BANNANAS! I have never in my life been so happy to see a bannana. I usually do not eat while running, but I was so hungry! It was the best surprise. (Next year I may take two bannanas).
We ran through Animal Kingom next. I was SO focused that I did not even realize we ran past the Tree of Life :( Because of the number of people, and the ground was a little wet, I kept my head down to make sure I did not trip on anyone or anything. We also only ran through Animal Kingdom for all of three minutes.
Fun Fact: The Yeti ride is open during the marathon. Some people stop and even ride it!
Right after Animal Kingdom is Mile 13.
HALF WAY DONE!
Halfway Split: 2:43:18
Pace: 12:28
I still felt good. Next was the ESPN Wide World of Sports!
Right before mile 17 I had to use the bathroom. I tried to hold it in as long as possible because I did not want to lose the pace group. If you stop for any reason, you just need to catch up with the pace group, The pace group leader holds red balloons so they're easy to spot in the crowd.
After I went to the bathroom I tried catching up with them. My goal was to stick with them until AT LEAST mile 20.
While running to catch up to them, we ran through some more really narrow areas (27.000 runners and narrow areas don't mix well). Right before mile 18 someone bumped into me, knocking me off the course, causing me to roll my bad ankle.
Immediately I knew my knee was injured. I felt like this:
My good body falling.
Me watching helplessy as it happened.
I tried to run after it happened but the pain was so severe. It was Hartford all over again. I was so angry!! Right after mile 18 were more bannanas. I ate them, cried for a minute, and then continuted on running. I was determind, pain and all, to keep up with the pace group until at least mile 20.
20 Mile time: 4:09:28
Pace: 12:29
Once again, as my Mom got the 20 mile notification she texted me:
20 Mile time: 4:09:28
Pace: 12:29
Once again, as my Mom got the 20 mile notification she texted me:
"wrap it for you." Love you Mom!
The next 6.2 miles were run/walk/mostly walking for me. I was so so upset because I knew Brad was at the finish line waiting for me and I was so sad to make him wait. But he was so supportive telling me to take my time.
Right after mile 22, just as we were getting into Hollywood studios, we were given more food!!
Right after mile 22, just as we were getting into Hollywood studios, we were given more food!!
You can't tell, but this was a FULL sized bag! I ate the entire thing in about 90 seconds.
The Boardwalk followed Hollywood studios, then our final park .. Epcot.
While running through Epcot I saw characters that I had never seen before at a park, and the time I wanted to make was already out the window, so I thought "Why not stop?" And for the first time in my RunDisney history , I stopped during the course to take picture with characters.
While running through Epcot I saw characters that I had never seen before at a park, and the time I wanted to make was already out the window, so I thought "Why not stop?" And for the first time in my RunDisney history , I stopped during the course to take picture with characters.
The next .5 miles were a blur. I didn't stop to take a picure of mile 26. To be honest, I don't even remember what character it was. I do remember though that Brad was standing at the finish line, with a rose in his hand, and he saw me cross.
What an amazing moment. I had just completed the inaugural Dopey Challenge.
Marathon time: 5:49:53
Pace: 13:21
What an amazing moment. I had just completed the inaugural Dopey Challenge.
Marathon time: 5:49:53
Pace: 13:21
Such a sweet moment in my life!
I did not finish at the 5:30 pace that I had wanted, but I had 21 really great miles. I felt strong. I could have run 21 more miles (if I needed to)!
I can say I found my "happy pace." A 12:30 mile is the perfect pace for me for a marathon. Eventually, I would like to get faster, but until then I am happy to just finish strong.
This week I had the most incredible time. I ran the craziest challenge with 7.000 other incredible people, saw my sister and life long friend Elsbeth, spent the week with my best friend, Brad, AND got him to go on roller coasters!
Maybe there really is magic in Disney.
Until Princess Half weekend Disney, xo.
I can say I found my "happy pace." A 12:30 mile is the perfect pace for me for a marathon. Eventually, I would like to get faster, but until then I am happy to just finish strong.
This week I had the most incredible time. I ran the craziest challenge with 7.000 other incredible people, saw my sister and life long friend Elsbeth, spent the week with my best friend, Brad, AND got him to go on roller coasters!
Maybe there really is magic in Disney.
Until Princess Half weekend Disney, xo.