A Disney Story (originally posted by Jane Clement)

I posted my Disney story on the Running Room website, so I thought maybe I should post it here, for anyone who MIGHT be interested. If not, just stop reading now! Plus, I want Sandy to know how much I appreciate her help and for being my cheerleader! So here is my Running Room submission of my experience at Disney!

Here is the extra-long version of my Disney experience. The Reader's Digest condensed version will be coming out shortly!

Hi everyone! Well, I made it through Disney, and I am posting this under Personal Achievements because I did beat my first marathon's time of 4:57 by about 15 minutes. I ended up with 4:42 (chip time) this time. BUT IT WAS A STRUGGLE!! I don't know what I would have done without Sandy urging me on and encouraging me to keep running and to try to lengthen my stride in order to keep my legs from tightening up even more -- and to get to the finish line sooner! Without her, I definitely would have been walking the last several miles. Or maybe even given up!

The start of the race was overwhelming. I don't know why, but standing there in the corral with my friends, all of a sudden I was crying and felt like a fool. But they started crying (thanks to me) too and we all had a group hug before the run started. I still couldn't believe I was actually there.

The first 18 miles were fine. Sandy and I took a couple of pictures and she pointed out all the points of interest to me, as I was not that familiar with Disney. She was a wonderful tour guide. It was amazing to run through the dark in Epcot and then through the daylight in the Magic Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom.

I am not known for loving warm weather running and by mile 18 it was getting pretty hot! I even brought along my own personal sponge to use, as I knew they only had sponges at one stop (I believe Mile 17). It turns out that their sponges were only half as thick as mine, so I was glad I had that handy dandy sponge (who says everything is bigger in the States???). I tell you, that sponge sure did come in handy!

The last part of the race is a blur. I barely remember running through MGM and EPCOT. Sandy said I sort of got tunnel vision. My only focus was on trying to eat and drink when Sandy said I should, all the while controlling the waves of nausea that would occasionally come over me, and try not to think too much about how much my legs hurt and the blisters on my feet. It didn't help that my shoes were soaked from trying to cool down more by pouring water over my head. I felt like I was in rough shape, but I did notice some people who were in even rougher shape than me. Sandy said we passed a lot of people during the last few miles and now that I think about it, I do remember there seemed to be an awful lot of people walking.

Sandy told me that we were running to the finish line at the ball in Epcot and it seemed like we were running toward it forever. Then we were there but we had to keep running!! I just kept going, following her (it was like she had an invisible rope that she was pulling me with). We rounded a corner and there was a crowd of people along the edge of the route and then and a grandstand with people cheering! Sandy grabbed my hand and said, "Come on" and started sprinting. I didn't know I could go even faster, but she managed to get me to speed up and we raised our arms as we went over the finish line. I had thought I would bawl my eyes out when I hit that finish line, but I think I had somehow managed to even shut off my emotions, and didn't feel the least bit like crying! I was mainly worried about feeling sick like I did after Ottawa. But I was ok! Despite all the nauseous feelings during the last few miles of the race, I was ok! They cut off our chips, gave us one of those foil capes, which I never needed because I was so hot, and presented us with our medals.

Then we stayed in the finish line area, sitting in the shade on a curb, to wait for our two friends who were also running. {This was the most fun part of the run!! } We were surprised that they actually let us stay -- nobody said a word as we sat there for over an hour. Sandy gave me a recovery gel (she is SO GOOD to me) which made me feel better fairly quickly. I called my daughter at home (I hate to think of the roaming charges!) and found out that she had been tracking me all morning and she knew that I had finished only five minutes before! Technology is wonderful! I have since found out that I had more than six friends/family members checking up on me all morning and cheering me on from their computers.

We made friends with one of the volunteers who provided us with Coke, water and chocolate bars, even though he should have kicked us out of the finish line area! It was quite the experience watching people come through the finish area. Many many were already on their cell phones to let loved ones know they were finished and were ok. There were quite a few taken away in wheel chairs with injuries. There some who were sick to their stomachs as they went by. I could really sympathize with all of them!!

My other two friends came in at just under six hours. We were starting to get worried about them. They had a great time taking photos for the first part, but they too encountered difficulties from about 18 miles on.... and ended up walking for quite a bit. They came over the finish line in tears, and so we finished up the race the same way we started -- all bawling together in a group hug.

All in all, it was quite the experience. I was happy with my completion time. Sandy said that I actually ended up running faster in the second half, with a 9:30 min/mile, according to her forerunner (no wonder it was SO DIFFICULT!). There were great times, but there were also really ugly times. I do remember talking to a woman at about mile 16 who said she was turning 70 next week and was doing her 74TH marathon. Now THAT is amazing. But that will not be me. I have decided that there is very little chance that I will ever do a 3rd marathon. It was just too draining physically, mentally and emotionally. When weighing the good with the bad, I feel that two is enough for me. However, I think I might still try the ATB, since it should end right about the time I start to get really ugly (18 Miles) . And I really want to continue with 25K Trail runs and Half Marathons and try to increase my speed.

** PS - Since I posted this entry on the Running Room website, the bad parts have faded in my memory somewhat -- still not sure I want to do another marathon though. But the Around the Bay is a definite consideration - if not this year, then next year!**
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Jane