My first 26.2

Well, I'm back at home now. We arrived here Monday night around 11:30 and things have been crazy since. The marathon is over. Disney World 2008 is now done (until our honeymoon). The results have been calculated. My legs are FINALLY recovering. And what an experience it was.

To recap the race:

I woke up at 2:50AM to shower and get ready. I took a warm shower and woke up, got dressed, applied tons of sunscreen (which was sweat off before the sun came up) and loaded my feet with bodyglide to avoid chaffing and blisters. And off we went- on the bus by 3:50AM.

We got to the EPCOT center parking lot and checked our bags and then found a nice little spot of pavement to sit. The weather was a bit warmer and muggier than I would have liked, but it is Florida and that is what you have to expect. We relaxed until about 5:00 when we decided to begin following the crowd to the corrals to await the start of the race. On the way, dad stepped in a big puddle up to his ankle so that sucked, but we got through it. We sat in the corrals until about 5:45 when it was too exciting to sit anymore. Around 5:53 the National Anthem was sung and the wheelchairs left the starting line at 5:55. Five minutes later the official start of the race commenced with tons of fireworks and cheering from the 20000 runners that had been up since the wee hours of the morning. Although it took about 5-6 minutes to get to the starting line, it was a great experience.

I crossed the starting line and we were on our way. . . 26.2 miles in front of us and it was quite muggy. I was feeling great. We entered into EPCOT center near England and took a right and ran up the little hill towards France. We went through France and into Morocco (where I happily used a real bathroom due to my porta potty performance anxiety) and then into Japan and the American Adventure. We exited in Germany I think and were in backstage EPCOT when we met up with the other runners who beganin Corrals D-G. We then passed back by the starting line which didn't even look like the start anymore and wrapped around EPCOT. As we made our way towards the Magic Kingdom I was still feeling great. The miles were passing quickly and I was happy to see mile 6 because it meant only 20 more to go- I've run that many before! We took a quick walk break through a water station so I could take something in. We continued through Ticket and Transportation where I got a boost seeing Mom, AJ, Mel and Tony. We stopped for a picture and continued on our way into the Magic Kingdom and down Main Street USA. We ran into Tomorrowland where I again decided to pee in a real bathroom. We continued into Fantasyland where we saw Alice and the Mad Hatter and then through the Castle and into Liberty Square. We continued through Frontierland and out into backstage where I was thrilled to see a pirate ship with Captain Jack Sparrow!

On we continued past the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian where we again saw mom, AJ, Mel and Tony and then down a long road which is also about where the heat and humidity began bothering me. I realized how much further we had to go and hit a wall... but continued anyway. It was about mile 15 where I heard someone say "Mr. Martin?" "Amy?" And I turned my head to see Andy G that I went to high school with! It was sooooooo awesome! That was a boost that I needed. We talked to him for a while until we hit mile 16 and took our walk break. Andy- if you read this, you have no idea how much that chat helped me!

We entered animal kingdom where it smelled like poo and a man running near us joked and said it was gorilla poo and he knows because he is a poo-ologist- quite funny. We ran through Animal Kindgom and then towards Disney Studios (formerly known as MGM Studios) and let me just tell you that it seemed like forever and they are next to each other. We had this down and out thing we had to do and I was struggling. I was in so much pain and wanted to sit just for a second because my legs hated me, but I continued. We finally got into Disney Studios where I was thrilled to be running down the main street there because that meant it was almost over. We left Disney Studios and ended up on the boardwalk near the Yacht and Beach Club and ran from there back into EPCOT center. We went in the back way and ended up exactly where we started 23 miles ago- and entered near England and up that stupid hill which was no longer small, but like a mountain. . . yes, we walked up it. Then we went over the bridge and I was so happy to see mile 25 in France. On we continued, past Morocco, Japan, American Adventure (where i wanted to punch the asshole who was there saying "RUNNERS! Look to your left where you see other runners, that is where you are going!" I'm sorry- I don't want to hear that while running. . . I know where I am going- yes I was mad at this point). On we continued past all the other countries and finally into future world towards Spaceship Earth! No more walking now! There were people cheering and we saw Tracy and Stan and then Mel and Tony! WE WERE ALMOST THERE. We left through a cast entrance and were greeted by the awesome gospel choir singing fabulous tunes, rounded a corner and there it was- the finish line.

I wanted to cry- but I had no more liquid left in me. So we approached that fabulous line where my legs moved more than I thought they could and they carried me past the finish line holding my fathers hand and there it was- I completed my first marathon.

It took me 40 minutes longer than I wanted and finished in 5 hours and 9 minutes, but I finished. They put the medal around my neck and it was the greatest feeling ever. Despite what people said I couldn't do- I DID IT!

Looking back and ahead:
My first marathon is over. I finished in the top 30% of runners and am thrilled that I could be a part of it. I now know what it takes to finish a marathon and my new resolution for the year is to run harder and improve my time drastically. Granted, the weather plays a big role and my goal times were adjusted almost immediately on race day, but I know if I trained a bit harder, I would have done better. More long runs and I am not going to give in to that temptation to walk when I am being lazy. I want a good marathon time and I expect to get it. Also- did I mention I had no ankle pain the entire time?! I'm ready for my next challenge and on Saturday, I begin training for the Holyoke marathon in May along side my dad as he trains for his second Boston Marathon in April. I will push myself to become stronger and will also do a lot of work on my core.

Other stuff:
Champion was handing out medals to runners to give to people who helped them get where they are and my dad got one on Saturday because he ran the half marathon on Saturday and he gave me his and when I got mine on Sunday, I gave it to dad. He is my champion because without him, I could not have done what I did. And I am his champion because he knows there was a time when I didn't think I'd be able to run again and I am. . . and I will continue to do this.

Thank you to everyone who helped me get here- your support is my inspiration and motivation.

I will continue to update my blog as I train for my next race.

Gotta run!