It's taken me 20 days to write this report. Between work and life, things have been pretty busy. As time marches on, I almost feel like it's too late to write this report, but it was such an incredible day and I really want to share it with you.
I decided again this year to stay at home and drive out to Disney on race morning. I had gone out to spectate the 1/2 marathon on Saturday and spent Saturday afternoon lounging, resting and watching TV. I laid out my gear, made dinner, spaghetti with pork sausage, and went to sleep early.
Sunday morning my alarm went off sometime before 3:00 AM and I was dressed and on the road shortly after. I planned to meet up with some friends at 4:15. We all met, took pictures and chatted. While we were chatting Lee from
The Running Couple asked me what my goal was. He and his gorgeous wife, Isis had registered for the Goofy Race and Half Challenge. Isis decided to run the half only because she is pregnant. Lee was flying solo for the marathon.
Friday night, I talked with my coach,
Speedy Sasquatch about my goal and the strategy. I had written everything down, read it over and over between Friday night and Sunday morning and I was confident I was going to meet the goal.
I told Lee what my goal was. He asked what corral I was in. I told him "D". He smiled and said he was in "D" also. He said my goal sounded good and we could run together.
The race started and we moved with the crowd, not expending a lot of energy weaving around people. Before the first mile the girl behind us who was skipping and singing loudly to the rap music she was listening to kicked the underside of my shoe. Thankfully, there was no harm, but I was annoyed.
Lee and I ran and talked. We talked and ran. The pace was comfortable and I was really enjoying the weather and the conversation. It really seemed effortless.
As we ran through the Transportation and Ticket Center we saw
Marathon Chris and her daughter cheering for us. It is so awesome to have friends on the course!
We went through the Magic Kingdom and just like that we were at the half. The goal was to be at the half at 2:30 although Speedy Sasquatch said he thought I would be there before that. He was right and we cruised over the checkpoint at 2:21:37.
This is the part of the course that a lot people don't like. It's a back road, there is no crowd support, and even though Disney provides entertainment, I hear people complain about it. I have always really enjoyed this part of the course. I know we're almost to Animal Kingdom and I'm still having fun.
We ran through Animal Kingdom and as we passed the 18 mile mark, I looked at my Garmin and it was somewhere around 3:10. My 18 mile training run was 3:30 - although that was days after being pretty sick (It was the I missed two days of work type of sick). I was 20 minutes ahead of where I was on that day.
As we got close to water stop around mile 19 Lee, who had walked through the water stops and the catch up to me. Said "I'll try to catch up with you." Try? Uh oh.
It wasn't long and Lee was running with me again. As we approached the next water stop, right before mile 20 again Lee said, "I'll try to catch up with you." I kept going. After a few minutes, I was still running solo. I decided to put both headphones in and focus on moving forward. I was alone as I entered Hollywood Studios. I saw
Jim in his usual spot, got a piece of chocolate and just kept going. I was happy to hear the "Herbie" theme music as I entered the park.
Outside the park I saw my friend Alett and she jumped out to give me a hug. I quickly hugged her without stopping and told her I thought I was on-track for a huge PR.
Right after I passed Alett, Lee ran up to my left side, like he had been there all along and started talking. What a great friend!
I was starting to hurt. I was tired, I was slowing, but we just kept going. I will admit that I was thinking "I bet I could walk the last mile and still sub 5 the race. Although I was thinking it, it was never an option.
Lee was talking me through the tough spots, making sure I wasn't slowing down too much. When we got to EPCOT, it was a blur. I remember mile 25 and thinking we were almost done and thinking the little bridge had to be the last hill. I remember America and the small incline and telling Lee about the forced perspective of the pavilion which is actually a seven story building. I remember passing through Germany. I remember passing through Mexico.
Lee asked me when I thought we should start pushing the pace. I told him once we made the turn toward Spaceship Earth, I'd be ready to go. We turned the corner and we were moving!
We were so close. Almost there. Nearly every race at Disney I have run has taken this same path to the finish. I could taste the finish line.
The choir. Where was the choir? The place I have seen them for years was empty. I was disappointed. I kept going. They moved the choir closer to the finish. Whew, there they were. So close. Almost there.
We could see the finish line and we threw down the final kick.
We were done! We finished!
My time:
4:49:51. A new PR.
A new PR by 24:43. A nearly 25 minute PR.
What an incredibly special day. Major thanks to Lee for staying with me and helping me not only Sub 5 the marathon, but sub 4:50 the marathon.
I also need to thank Speedy Sasquatch for helping me train smart, train right and get past the running demons that had clouded my running for so long. The day would not have been possible without his guidance and support.
Recovery has gone well, if not making me a little crazy. I've been fighting with a cranky tight hip, but it's a small bump in the road.
Next up for me is the
Orange Blossom Half in Tavares on March 6th.