Disney - The Race (WW # 76)

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Disney (Part Two)

When I left off (The Prequel), the fireworks had gone off and I was on my way.  My official start time was 5:52.  My feet and hands were completely numb.  The weather - with that cold stiff wind - was brutal.   I did not regret my decision to wear extra layers.  I saw runners in towels, blankets, bathrobes, garbage bags, and heat sheets. It took four miles for my hands and feet to wake up.  After being numb for so long, that was painful.

My strategy?  I'd just have to take it one step at a time. My lower back and hip had been hurting for weeks. It's an old water skiing injury but unusual to be pulling so much in the hip.  I gave serious consideration to DNS-ing.  I desperately clung to the hope that it normally doesn't hurt when I run (just doing everything else!).  But 26 miles?  I would be a fool to think it wouldn't hurt at some point.

The first miles were about jockeying for position.  I had to get away from the large 4:30 pace group whose run/walk method was causing extra weaving for me.  Later, they came up from behind during a very narrow section. Someone pushed on my back for a few seconds .  Was I supposed to move?  I'm biding my time to pass people.  They should do the same.  And do not touch me!  My blood boiled for a little while. They never passed as they slowed again to walk.  Thankfully I never saw them, or felt them, again.   

Disney is all about entertainment!  There were marching bands, cheerleaders, DJs, energizing music and those much-anticipated character scenes.  I have now run four Disney races and have never stopped for a picture {GASP!}.  I can't wrap my brain around standing in lines that deep.  I do find the character stops to be a delightful distraction.  I was disappointed not to see the hot air balloon this year and assumed it's absence was weather related.

First up, Magic Kingdom.  Running down Main Street is breathtaking.  The roaring crowds, the epic Disney music, Cinderella's Castle frosted against the predawn sky -- it's magical.   The conductor blew the train whistle as I crossed the tracks in Frontier Land.  That brought back a special memory from my first half!  I felt the race really started after exiting the park.  Back on open roads, it was easier to run and time to get to work.  There were several miles to zero in on pace before the next park.  The sun rose and it felt even colder for about an hour or so. I have to give major props to all the volunteers and spectators standing in the cold wind for hours on end!

For our arrival at Animal Kingdom, they had a variety of animals out to welcome us -- some in cute costumes!  This is the most challenging park with it's narrow, uneven, curvy pathways.  But, there is not a lot of time spent here.  When I crossed the timing plate at the halfway point, I saw 2:13:xx on my watch.  Could I negative split the race?   Wait!  Hold.The.Phone -- I'd be thrilled with an even split!  I can do this!  There was a sizeable crowd at the park exit and their cheering provided a great energy boost. 

My support crew!   PoPo's pre race help (aka: wind blocking) was invaluable.

After more highway miles, my least favorite section came next.   In my opinion, too much time is spent on the ESPN Wide World of Sports property.  Other than a quick lap around their super cool running track and Braves practice field, most of the running is on sidewalks.  Narrow. Winding. Concrete. Around and around.  The mile 20 marker was a beautiful sight as it signaled the end of this section.  It's here I start to think - I did it!  The worst part was over. 

Blessedly back on the highway and after a much appreciated uphill exit ramp (where my heart went out to a fallen runner), we entered Hollywood Studios.  Seeing my favorite Tower of Terror made me smile.  I knew they would be giving out candy and had been anticipating this for miles.  {It's the little things.}  I grabbed a pack of Crispy M&M's.  But...couldn't open it.  Whaaa?  After an eternity, I gave up and stuck it in my top.  I finally got a Tootsie Roll opened and popped that in my cheek.  Heaven. It stayed there through the finish line.  That trickle of sugar was exactly what I needed to get through the last few miles. 

Hollywood Studios is connected to Epcot by hotel properties so the highway miles were over.  Dig In.  Just Keep Running.  It doesn't matter how fast.  Just Keep Running.   Both of these parks were open and I appreciated the extra cheering from the park visitors coned off in their own lane.  Just Keep Running.

Mile 26.  Head Down.  Digging Deep.  Long past caring about wiping my face!

There it was.  The Ball.  Spaceship Earth.  One more turn, the choir in their golden robes singing We Are The Champions, and  --  the finish line.  I high-fived Donald.  {Where is Mickey when you need him?}  With a quick wave to a shouting PoPo, I kept moving through the long chute.  I stopped for an official photo and was handed a snack box and two bananas.  In the reunion area, I found PoPo who had my favorite Starbucks coffee waiting.  I gave him a tearful hug, guzzled that latte and finally ate those damned Crispy M&Ms.

Disney is big on fun and will never disappoint.  It was not easy.  In fact, I don't consider any race easy.  It's about pushing to your limits, accepting the things you can't control, and managing your own personal and unique struggles on any given day.  Each section had it's challenges.  The park paths are narrow, some hair-pinned and uneven. And all that ESPN concrete?  Quite the test.  The course flatness is also difficult.  The constant pounding using the same exact muscles in the same exact manner wears on you.  I missed the ability to push on an uphill and rest on a downhill.

As expected, I was aware of my back and hip after about an hour.  I made a conscious and continual effort to shorten my stride.  It was manageable and I never walked a step.  I appreciated the ability to be doing what I enjoy most.  Since it was cold, I only drank at half the water stops: mostly Gatorade, some water.  I ate my typical 4 peanut butter GUs and twice took an offered banana.  I find them easy to eat as they need little chewing, although I don't eat the whole thing.

I knew the course would measure long.  Last year, 26.7 miles.  This year, 26.6.  I think it's a combination of weaving, the inability to run tangents in crowds, and those extra curvy parts.  I was on track to run sub 4:30 for the entire race but worried about the extra distance.  It got me.  At 26.2?  4:26  {Boom! Yaasss!}  At race finish?  4:31  {Close! Agghhh!}

I was thrilled with a 13 minute PR.  You may remember, I fell during my last marathon.  I know without a doubt, I did not spend 13 minutes being bandaged at the aid station.  So, I feel very good about the progress I've made at this distance.  It got incredibly, deep-digging tough but I did not fall apart.  I was pleased with my endurance, even though my back and hip were uncomfortable for the majority of the race.  

I was grateful to be running.

And...wait for it...I loved each and every step!  Surely you knew that was coming!

What are your thoughts about the pace group pusher?

What is your favorite post race treat?

An InLinkz Link-up

Disney - My First Marathon (WW # 24)

 

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap! 

This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your adventures. You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  Race recaps are also encouraged!   {See complete rules}

MY FIRST MARATHON

The Alternate Post Titles:

Now Will I Call Myself A Runner?

Biofreeze:  My New Best Friend

At Least I'm Not Pool Running
Look Ma!  No Cramps! 
Foot, What Foot?

How Many Times Do I Gotta Go 'Round France?

The Expo:

After an extremely late arrival on Friday night with a few snafus, I headed to the expo Saturday morning.  The road in front of our hotel was still closed due to the half marathon.  I won't go into the tedious details, but I was sadly misdirected by hotel staff on where to catch the expo bus. When I finally got to the expo -- and standing in the bib pickup line no less -- I realized I stupidly forgot my driver's license.  After begging to three different race officials I made the time consuming journey back to the hotel, bib-less.  PoPo had been in the parks with the kids and met me for lunch.  After lunch, we enjoyed visiting with Tricia and her husband for a short while.  PoPo sweetly returned to the expo with me later in the afternoon.  I think he was worried about my sanity at this point.



My second trip to the expo.

The second visit to the expo was not crowded at all.  I leisurely browsed around and picked up a Disney car magnet.  I wanted a sticker so it couldn't be stolen.  They didn't have any.   I ate the biggest pretzel I'd ever seen, complete with that fake orange cheese, before we headed to Epcot to meet up with the kids.  It was a very long day with over 17,000 steps.  When we called it a night around 9 pm, I felt like nothing had gone right: hydration, rest, fueling, carbo-loading, foam rolling, stretching -- nothing.  A good sign!!

The Start:

After sleeping 4 hours and not needing that 3 a.m. alarm, I was raring to go.  I ate a small breakfast bar and yogurt and took my banana with me for later.  I took time to foam roll a few minutes but gave myself plenty of leeway to make the 4 a.m. transportation deadline.  I stuffed my skirt pockets with 5 peanut butter GU and 7 SaltStick capsules.  Although I usually do not run with my phone, I carried it in my RooSport pocket in case of a foot emergency.  I mixed a Gatorade Endurance drink and sipped it en route.  Neither monorail was extremely crowded and I thankfully had no transportation issues.

The weather, which is usually my biggest concern, was not ideal -- far, far from it.  Oddly, I could have cared less.  I was worried enough about my foot that an incredibly steamy 70 degrees with 100% humidity did not phase me.  I briefly had the thought "It's just a typical Dixie August morning".  I waited a few minutes on Tricia in the staging area and ate my banana.  I continued to sip on my Gatorade.  Yep, it was muggy.   

I got in big trouble with Green Army Man for saluting with my left hand!
If I had saluted correctly, I would have knocked Tricia to the ground!

When Tricia arrived, we began the long trek to the starting corrals.  It was so nice to have someone by my side before a big race for a change!  We walked nearly 5,000 steps before the race started.  That's all the warming up I needed.  After a porta-potty stop in the corral area, it was race time!  It felt surreal to be lining up 15 weeks after a stress fracture!  I was not nervous, just curious how long I could go before the wheels fell off.

The last pic before heading into our corrals.

The Early Miles:

And we're off!  I'm always impressed that every corral gets the same fireworks send off.  It took a few miles for the crowd to thin.  I immediately noticed a change from my prior Disney races.  Instead of the characters just standing out there for you to take pictures with, they now had scenes with props behind them.  I was so darned impressed by these scenes, I almost stopped at some.  But...no.  Because of the excessive moisture in the air, I quickly realized I forgot to lube the back of my upper arms (#oldladyproblems).  At the second medical tent, I stopped for a glob of Vaseline.  Yes, much better!

I kept my watch on the heart rate screen and ran easy.  La dee dah, la dee dah.  I walked through each water stop and this equated to over an 11:00 pace, but I couldn't be concerned with that.  It was very warm and sticky and I religiously took a salt capsule every 4 miles or so.  I promised myself I wouldn't speed up until I passed my hotel just after mile 7.  I continued to run easy and my foot felt GREAT.  I couldn't believe it. 

The First Tears:

The first tears made their appearance when we made the sharp turn onto Main Street.  Cinderella's Castle in all it's frosted sparkling glory was simply spectacular and I got that "I made it happen" goose-bumpy feeling.  The tears continued as we turned into Tomorrowland with its Astro Orbiter shining against the predawn sky.  I loved its new colors.  I heard the cars on the racetrack and thought "Who would stop and ride that?"  I ran under the snow falling from the balcony of Cinderella's Castle and thought that was very cool.

I was ecstatic to spot one of my kids at our hotel.
After passing by, I went back for a high five.

The Middle Miles:

After exiting Magic Kingdom and passing our hotel, I sped up just slightly.  I gave Tricia a mental shout-out at the mile 7 marker and hoped she was having a good race.  As a whole, miles 7-18 were a wee bit faster.  After sunrise, the breeze picked up and it felt easier to breathe.  My left hamstring began feeling tight and I slathered Biofreeze on it at the next medical tent.  {Wow!  Why haven't I ever used this stuff?}  I noticed a blind runner and was motivated and impressed by him and his guide.  I thought it took even more courage to wear Vibrams since he could not see where to step.  There was a little lull in entertainment until we got to Animal Kingdom and I just tried to settle into my new pace.  There were still several characters stops to enjoy.  You can always count on those.

Around mile 10, I felt my left IT band pulling.  I immediately shortened and widened my stride and it thankfully went away.  At the mile 12 water stop and medical tent, I stopped for Tylenol (just as a precaution -- still worried about my foot) and walked while I ate a banana.  My stomach was growling even though I was eating GU as scheduled.  A banana never tasted so good.

They had quite a few animals for you to visit with as we approached Animal Kingdom.  The donkey in his race attire was very cute.  The only time I felt crowded was inside this park.  The paths are somewhat narrow and there were construction barriers along one side.  I did not hear Expedition Everest running but I didn't stop to check it out either.  I've heard runners do stop and ride, but the park was not open yet.  At the halfway point, I excitedly realized I might run a sub 5:00 (spoiler--I didn't).   But I left Animal Kingdom happily singing Tennessee Whiskey, which helped me begin the second half with great excitement and motivation.

Somewhere around mile 15, it completely floored me that this race was not the struggle I thought it would be and once again I became teary.   It was hard!  Heck yes it was!  But typical me had assumed a worst case scenario...and it wasn't.  I was amazed I had not even had a cramp.  I took comfort in the fact that if something went wrong now, I was far enough in that I could definitely finish.

Thank you Karen!  You ran it with me in spirit!

There wasn't much distraction in this area so I began dedicating miles to people.  I ran for Ruth Mary -- the lady who walks her dog daily in the park even though she has a host of serious medical problems and can barely move.  She is always so happy to see me and very interested in my running.  I ran for my sister whose love of running is probably greater than mine, but has been plagued by knee problems for several years.  I ran miles for my incredibly tolerant family and for a brother who died suddenly with a horrific form of cancer.  I ran for all of you amazing Sole Sisters who supported me through this crazy journey.  And by golly, I even ran a mile in honor of good ol' pool running.  I could even smell the chlorine!

The Later Miles:

By the time we entered ESPN Wide World of Sports, I was tiring.  My left IT band had started pulling again around mile 19.  I stopped (not really--just long enough for one pump) at almost every medical tent to slather on more Biofreeze.  We spent a lot of time winding around the campus which I was not too happy about after being there twice the day before.  They allowed us to run on the track and out around the baseball field, home of the Braves Spring Training Camp.  They called out our names over the PA system which was a nice touch.  I walked to eat another banana.  Yep, still starving.  My iPod landed on Boogie Shoes and I got teary again!  We had sang and danced to our own version of Wookiee Shoes during Christmas and it brought back a great memory.  It gave me a needed boost for a few miles.

The Sobbing:

After finally leaving WWS, the IT band started it's full on agonizing screaming -- looking at my Garmin I'm guessing in mile 22.  I pushed on.  Slower.  I tried a few mantras.  "At Least I'm Not Pool Running" and "I'm Tough" seemed to help. We ran through Hollywood Studios where they were giving out Dove chocolate.  Even as a chocolate lover, I had the hardest time choking that down!  We didn't spend a lot of time here and quickly exited to the Boardwalk area.  And that's where it started.  I realized how close I was to finishing.  Holy cow!  My crazy alternate marathon training had worked!  I was upright, healthy (just a stupid, yet comfortingly normal, IT band issue) and the tears flowed freely.  I sobbed.  Loudly.  I didn't care what the crowd lined up on either side thought about it.  I knew my family was waiting at the finish and I cried even louder. 

The Finish:

The last couple of miles were the hardest thing I've ever done.  The thought of PoPo and the kids waiting at the finish propelled me forward.  I swore they were making us run around Epcot's World Showcase twice -- "How many times do I have to go by France?"  When the pain was unbearable, I allowed myself to walk only a bare minimum of steps and then I'd immediately run again.  The great thing about my IT pain is as soon as I stop running, it stops hurting!  I was able to get a little relief.

Hey there, PoPo and kids!  I DID IT!

I high-fived Donald -- the pantless duck -- and crossed the finish line with my arms high in the air and with a huge smile on my face.    My official time was 5:07 plus change.  Apparently I was having so much fun, I decided to tack on an extra .55 miles (per Garmin) which allowed the sub 5 to slip away.  Next time!   I was 157 out of 765 in my age group -- not too shabby being in the top 20% after suffering through 10 weeks of no running. 

My family had a mega Starbucks iced white chocolate mocha waiting for me.   Do they know me, or what?  My tears had all been spilled out on the course so I had none at the finish.  I enjoyed every single step, even the painful ones.  And yes, I will absolutely do another...but the conventional way next time.   Oh, and my foot?  15 weeks from the date of injury, I completely-utterly-totally forgot about my foot.  What stress fracture?  What neuroma?  What bliss!

Afterwards:

After inhaling a crab-cake sandwich and fries at our hotel, we hit Hollywood Studios where I rode my favorite ride Tower of Terror multiple times.  Later than evening we met Tricia and her husband for a down-home country buffet dinner.  We had great fun together!  I think they were shocked to see how much my kids (and me and PoPo) can pack away!  I'm so glad we were able to spend some time with them.  I'm extremely proud of Tricia for finishing when she had her own struggles.  Most importantly, she went on this crazy journey with me and I will be forever grateful!

We stayed a few more days at Disney.  My total four day Disney step count was 126,404.  We had loads of fun with our youngest two kids, who will soon fly from the nest.  Memories like these are priceless as was an incredible surprise private visit with Darth Vader!   So cool.  And he was scary!

Oh, and ROLL TIDE too!  What an awesome game and National Championship win for Alabama.

And that's a wrap!  (Thanks for staying with my through I know what was a very lengthy post!)

Any Disney fanatics out there?

Where would your dream race be? 

An InLinkz Link-up