Good morning everyone! (As I'm eating this, I'm eating a whole appetizer size portion of calamari... and not feeling guilty AT ALL.) Here is my recap for my most recent race.
5:00 P.M.: Ate grilled chicken with pasta and marinara. Took a nap because I had a headache.
6:30 P.M.: Woke up from an hour long nap. Had all my stuff set out on the floor, so all I had to do was put on the stuff. Ashlie drove me to Epcot, where we boarded buses that took us to the start line at Disney's Wide World of Sports. Pleasantly enough, as if God had perfect timing for all of us, we were blessed enough to have the temperature drop to around the 60's. No/little humidity. No chance of rain.
8:00 P.M.: Finally got off the bus. I wish they worked on the bus situation, since it was the same as last year, but less time spending lazing around. Ashlie left around 9:00 P.M., and it was into the 'runners area' for me to stretch lightly and just mentally prepare myself for it.
Even though I ran last year, the feeling was surreal.
9:20 P.M.: I found a great spot in corral B. The corrals this year went from A - E, so I was placed with people that ran around my pace. (My goal for next year is to get into corral A.) I sat on the concrete, waiting, much like cattle waiting to be let out into the pasture. I didn't start playing my music until around 9:55. My dread was for my iPhone to die. I also placed my phone on airplane mode. I people watched to pass the time.
My favorite costume pair this year: the lobster in a pot & his wife, the cook.
This year, Disney added a feature where you could inform your family and friends via text message about where you were in the race. So Joe and my parents could tell that I hadn't died yet. It was particularly helpful when you were trying to meet up, and it gave them an accurate idea of where you were.
9:58 P.M.: Wheel chair athlete (yes, singular) took off. Anticipation was in the air. I took my first GU + water. Began playing my playlist - 2011 Wine & Dine. Time began for the race.
10:00 P.M.: Corral A fireworks. I didn't want to take a picture of our corral's fireworks and start because last year I was almost run over for doing that. 5 minutes of waiting was excruciating.
10:05 P.M.: Corral B start time (7 minutes behind wheelchair athlete, who started off the show). As I was heading onto Osceola Parkway, I had that feeling of dread. Miles 1 - 4, I doubted if I could make it. I thought for sure I would be swept. The thing with training on a treadmill is that it really doesn't give you the impact of a road. (I refuse to run on a treadmill now that the weather is beautiful.)
My favorite costume pair this year: the lobster in a pot & his wife, the cook.
This year, Disney added a feature where you could inform your family and friends via text message about where you were in the race. So Joe and my parents could tell that I hadn't died yet. It was particularly helpful when you were trying to meet up, and it gave them an accurate idea of where you were.
9:58 P.M.: Wheel chair athlete (yes, singular) took off. Anticipation was in the air. I took my first GU + water. Began playing my playlist - 2011 Wine & Dine. Time began for the race.
10:00 P.M.: Corral A fireworks. I didn't want to take a picture of our corral's fireworks and start because last year I was almost run over for doing that. 5 minutes of waiting was excruciating.
10:05 P.M.: Corral B start time (7 minutes behind wheelchair athlete, who started off the show). As I was heading onto Osceola Parkway, I had that feeling of dread. Miles 1 - 4, I doubted if I could make it. I thought for sure I would be swept. The thing with training on a treadmill is that it really doesn't give you the impact of a road. (I refuse to run on a treadmill now that the weather is beautiful.)
My feet ached for the first four miles.
As we approached Animal Kingdom, my pace had begun to settle. I ran the first four miles with an 11 minute pace, which was 2 minutes up from what I had been training from. Not too shabby. Only stopped to power walk up the incline, which I think is for the best. My left knee had been bothering me the whole way already, and I didn't want to not finish because of an injury.
The sad thing with being a slow runner is that those sub-8 minute milers were already making their way on to mile 7. (The route loops through Animal Kingdom back onto Osceola Parkway.)
Animal Kingdom is my least favorite part. I know Expedition Everest looks amazing, but the smell of animals + seemingly increased humidity stinks. They had restroom facilities open throughout the park, so that runners wouldn't have to be faced with using a port-a-potty. They did a good job though this year. They didn't use those stupid cones to try to force everyone to keep in a little path. There was more room for experienced runners to get by.
Race Tip: Do not let the feeling of everyone passing you get you down. Do not increase your speed. Keep at training speed (+/- a minute or two). My biggest failure last year was that I ran my first three miles at a 7 minute mile (= burnout). Chances are they're only running the first half of the relay!
As we made our way through a backstage area of Dinoland, USA, we headed onto a very dimly lit path. They did set up lights, and this is where the relay exchange took place. Runners for the half marathon stayed left, and runners for the relay stayed right. Turning around a lake, I saw the constant stream of runners. (At least I wasn't at the end!)
Making our way through the exchange point, we saw the power walkers, followed closely by the police escort at the end of the race. At almost mile 6, this is the point I knew I was going to make it (barring any race-ending injuries).
The sad thing with being a slow runner is that those sub-8 minute milers were already making their way on to mile 7. (The route loops through Animal Kingdom back onto Osceola Parkway.)
Animal Kingdom is my least favorite part. I know Expedition Everest looks amazing, but the smell of animals + seemingly increased humidity stinks. They had restroom facilities open throughout the park, so that runners wouldn't have to be faced with using a port-a-potty. They did a good job though this year. They didn't use those stupid cones to try to force everyone to keep in a little path. There was more room for experienced runners to get by.
Race Tip: Do not let the feeling of everyone passing you get you down. Do not increase your speed. Keep at training speed (+/- a minute or two). My biggest failure last year was that I ran my first three miles at a 7 minute mile (= burnout). Chances are they're only running the first half of the relay!
As we made our way through a backstage area of Dinoland, USA, we headed onto a very dimly lit path. They did set up lights, and this is where the relay exchange took place. Runners for the half marathon stayed left, and runners for the relay stayed right. Turning around a lake, I saw the constant stream of runners. (At least I wasn't at the end!)
Making our way through the exchange point, we saw the power walkers, followed closely by the police escort at the end of the race. At almost mile 6, this is the point I knew I was going to make it (barring any race-ending injuries).
Just keep running... Just keep running...
Powering (in my own way) towards mile 7, I wondered whether they had changed the route so that we wouldn't all be funneled on a single lane and made to do a complete 180 on another single lane. They did. Good job, guys! I definitely saw the improvement between this year and last year.
Just around this time, I asked myself: "Why did you sign up for this? Why did you sign up for a marathon?" Followed by a: "Surely, you've completely lost it, Vanessa. You'd only be a quarter of a way towards 26 miles." As we headed up on World Drive, there was a ClifBar stop. I had just taken my second GU, so I snagged some for the road (and for future training purposes).
Around mile 9, we entered Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) through the back cast entrance by where Fantasmic! is. Past Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, made a loop over by the Fantasmic! theater was. Past Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Toy Story: Midway Mania, and through the backlot tour area. We got to run on the backlot tour route, which is where I stopped and walked to peek into the windows. But then, I continued - towards mile 10, followed shortly by a trip to the Lights, Motor, Action! stage. We got to run on the part where the cars drive. I tried to take a picture of myself on the big screen, but that failed.
Mile 11 was just exiting the park, and then I knew only 2.1 miles left. It's an amazing feeling. It really is. Knowing you're almost done. We headed towards the sidewalk leading to the Boardwalk from Hollywood Studios, which Disney had thankfully left those stupid cones off, so I ran in the grass for a little bit. Good feeling - relieving my knees of the impact for a little. Snagged some BioFreeze and slapped it on my knees and around my legs. It made them tingle. I wasn't in pain so much as I was annoyed. Then I thought about Civil Procedure, and that made the whole running bit better.
Mile 12 was on the Boardwalk someplace. Only 1.1 miles left.
Race tip: If you see someone struggling, give them a thumbs up, a smile, or something! Smiling really helps. Something with the positive attitude. Regardless, I had someone come up to me after the race and thank me for giving them encouragement. Not everyone feels like they can run it alone.
Mile 13 was just near the finish line for last year. They pushed the route back, which was a great idea! Instead of having the signs stuck in the ground, they had volunteers waving them around. Surprisingly, this year I was so hungry after the race. (You'll get to see what my first meal back was.)
I stopped at the finish line to wait in a five minute line to see Mickey and Minnie and take a picture with them. I didn't get one last year, so this year was it!
I crossed at 2:48:05. Realistically, that includes the 7 minutes for the wheelchair athlete and 5 minutes for Corral A. So, I definitely shaved off time since last year. I'd like to think 12, but even just knowing that I did better than last year (with only a week and a half of training), made me feel so amazing.
Just around this time, I asked myself: "Why did you sign up for this? Why did you sign up for a marathon?" Followed by a: "Surely, you've completely lost it, Vanessa. You'd only be a quarter of a way towards 26 miles." As we headed up on World Drive, there was a ClifBar stop. I had just taken my second GU, so I snagged some for the road (and for future training purposes).
Around mile 9, we entered Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) through the back cast entrance by where Fantasmic! is. Past Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, made a loop over by the Fantasmic! theater was. Past Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Toy Story: Midway Mania, and through the backlot tour area. We got to run on the backlot tour route, which is where I stopped and walked to peek into the windows. But then, I continued - towards mile 10, followed shortly by a trip to the Lights, Motor, Action! stage. We got to run on the part where the cars drive. I tried to take a picture of myself on the big screen, but that failed.
Mile 11 was just exiting the park, and then I knew only 2.1 miles left. It's an amazing feeling. It really is. Knowing you're almost done. We headed towards the sidewalk leading to the Boardwalk from Hollywood Studios, which Disney had thankfully left those stupid cones off, so I ran in the grass for a little bit. Good feeling - relieving my knees of the impact for a little. Snagged some BioFreeze and slapped it on my knees and around my legs. It made them tingle. I wasn't in pain so much as I was annoyed. Then I thought about Civil Procedure, and that made the whole running bit better.
Mile 12 was on the Boardwalk someplace. Only 1.1 miles left.
Race tip: If you see someone struggling, give them a thumbs up, a smile, or something! Smiling really helps. Something with the positive attitude. Regardless, I had someone come up to me after the race and thank me for giving them encouragement. Not everyone feels like they can run it alone.
Mile 13 was just near the finish line for last year. They pushed the route back, which was a great idea! Instead of having the signs stuck in the ground, they had volunteers waving them around. Surprisingly, this year I was so hungry after the race. (You'll get to see what my first meal back was.)
I stopped at the finish line to wait in a five minute line to see Mickey and Minnie and take a picture with them. I didn't get one last year, so this year was it!
I crossed at 2:48:05. Realistically, that includes the 7 minutes for the wheelchair athlete and 5 minutes for Corral A. So, I definitely shaved off time since last year. I'd like to think 12, but even just knowing that I did better than last year (with only a week and a half of training), made me feel so amazing.
Resisting the urge to cry with tears of joy...
It's a great feeling knowing that you have friends on the other side waiting for you. I grabbed my medal, took a picture, and then headed for the goodies (i.e. food - banana, muffin, water, powerade, Clif bars). I was so hungry/dehydrated, but the first place I headed was to the race recovery area 'self medical tent,' where I slapped more BioFreeze on my knees, legs, and back. I wrapped my knees with ice and headed to a small area for stretching and reflection.
After that, I met up with Joe and Ashlie, took some photos, and found out: the food stopped serving at 1:30 A.M. (What the heck...) I grabbed a BudLight, which I sipped on. (YES! First beer in ... I can't remember.) I know I was nowhere near the end of the runners, but I had spent so much time in recovery because I knew I needed it. Instead of heading in to Epcot, I had Joe drive me to my favorite late-night spot... McDonalds. Were you wondering what I ate? A Big Mac, fries & powerade. Yes. That burger did NOT last two minutes.
After that, I met up with Joe and Ashlie, took some photos, and found out: the food stopped serving at 1:30 A.M. (What the heck...) I grabbed a BudLight, which I sipped on. (YES! First beer in ... I can't remember.) I know I was nowhere near the end of the runners, but I had spent so much time in recovery because I knew I needed it. Instead of heading in to Epcot, I had Joe drive me to my favorite late-night spot... McDonalds. Were you wondering what I ate? A Big Mac, fries & powerade. Yes. That burger did NOT last two minutes.
Don't EVER let anyone tell you that you CAN'T.
I started running about a year and a half ago. Someone told me that I should start little, almost implying that I couldn't ever finish a half marathon. "How long is a half marathon?" "13.1 miles." (Silence on the other end.) So if you stick it out, train, eat healthy (don't use me as a model for this), you can do it. So, now as I'm thinking about running outside (yes, I am actually able to move/walk/run), I'm planning on upping my challenge & pushing myself further.
See you in January 2012 for my first marathon! xx
P.S. Photos to come when Blogger feels like cooperating.
See you in January 2012 for my first marathon! xx
P.S. Photos to come when Blogger feels like cooperating.
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