JSBKT The Imperfectly Perfect Family of 5: {WDW Marathon: Part 2}

I have come to learn that I absolutely LOVE running half marathons. They just might be my favorite runs.

Completing the first part of our challenge felt pretty great. After crossing the finish line, I was wrapped in a “running blanket”. You wouldn’t think that you would need one after running 13 miles but there was still a chill in the air and I was very grateful to be warm!

I slowly made my way over to one of the tents to wait for Jason. The moment my feet stopped moving, I knew that I was in a bit of trouble. My legs felt pretty good but my foot was sore. I was terrified to take my shoe off so I just focused on stretching.

After Jason found me, we decided to head straight over to our bus. I think we were both a little worried about making our way back the next day for the full marathon.

The rest of the day was spent soaking, icing, resting, and soaking some more. The hot tub became my best friend that day, probably Jason’s too!!

While soaking in the hot tub, we had the chance to talk with other runners. Some things that were said helped ease my fears but other topics scared me. The people that we talked to couldn’t believe that we were attempting to run our first marathon Goofy style. The looks I got when they found out that I had just come off of a fractured foot 2 weeks prior, were uncanny. I think that scared me more, especially when you consider that we were chatting with people who had run the course before and were familiar with what to expect.

One of the benefits of running the half marathon was that it taught me what to expect on day two, which actually helped A LOT!

Lessons learned on day 1

PR, what PR?

It’s Disney!!! It’s supposed to be FUN and memorable! When we ran our first race at Disneyland, I focused so much on my time that I missed out on a lot of the fun aspects of the race. There are no pictures for me to look back on, heck I didn’t even stop to use the bathroom when I really needed to go!

Make Room For Walkers

This is important to know because the course becomes very narrow during several points which means that it can be quite difficult to weave in and out. There are many areas where you just have to go with the flow until the course widens.

Say Cheese

Characters are EVERYWHERE!!!! Stop as much as possible because this makes the run 100 times better!!! There will most likely be a line (it's Disney) but the wait is definitely worth it! Speaking from experience, the little stops here and there completely change the run for the BETTER!

Use Your Manners

The volunteers are absolutely AMAZING! Be sure to thank them every time you see them because these are the people that keep you going when you feel like you can’t go any further!

Utilize Facilities

Medical tents and porta potties are there for a reason!! Utilize them!!!

Be A Supporter

Find the time to cheer on your fellow runners. They are trying just as hard to make it to the same finish line that you are after. Don’t forget to wave to the spectators. They truly are there for you and they have the best signs!!!

HAVE FUN!!!!

You are at Disney after all!!!! Crossing the finish line is one of the BEST feelings in the world but if you cross it with a smile on your face, then you know that every mile logged, every ache and pain felt, every tear shed, and every downfall faced was absolutely worth it!!!

January 8th:

Mickey’s Full Marathon

Completing Goofy’s Challenge

Wake up time: 2:45 AM

Our routine was similar to the previous day. The only difference, we were both extremely sore. Jason was feeling it in his feet and ankles and I could barely put any pressure on my foot. I think I over compensated a bit the day before because my knee was hurting too. We both taped up. I made sure to tape not only my foot but my toes too.

The bus ride over was a bit nerve racking. I was almost in tears because I honestly feared not being able to finish my first marathon. Jason held my hand and told me to just take my time and to keep things easy.

By the time we made it to Epcot, we both decided that we would use Jeff Galloway’s magic mile method. Our goal was to keep a 4:1 pace. I am a huge Galloway fan and after this race, I will be following his training plans for future full marathon races.

We were in the same corral as the day before. We made our way over to the starting line along with the other 25,000 (or so) runners. I don’t know if it was the chill in the air or my nerves that had me shaking more but, I was very happy to have my “runners blanket” wrapped around me.

As we waited for our countdown, my excitement fueled. I think no matter what happens, you will always get that sudden burst of excitement. Your adrenaline kicks in and suddenly everything seems possible. I talked myself through a lot and said a few prayers. I told myself that I would get through the race even if I had to walk the whole thing. I was not ready to give up on my goals or myself!

Jason and I exchanged good luck wishes and moved forward with the crowd.

The beginning of the race was tough. My body was cold and my knee was on fire. I couldn’t get my pace right because of my foot. Somehow I managed to push forward. I told myself to get to mile one and I did. After that first mile things became a lot easier. I was able to put pressure on my foot and my stride became easier and more natural. I kept the 4:1 pace and managed to keep Jason with me. We stayed together for a long time. I stayed focused on having fun. My goal for the day was to see how many pictures I could take.

For the first time in my running history, I didn’t care about my time. I made sure to utilize both the bathrooms and the medical tents. I ended up making 6 different medical stops. This might be a record of some sort =)

I stopped once to get a band aid for a blister that formed on my big toe. Tylenol, bio-freeze, and I became very well acquainted. I stopped twice for Tylenol and three times for bio-freeze, I’m pretty much a fan of both now!

Now for the extra fun part.

The marathon according to Shannon

1st Character Stop

Mile 6

(Only 20 more to go)

Making our way towards Magic Kingdom

The Contemporary Resort

I can go the distance!

Mile 10

(First double digit mile marker)

The Castle

(Finally made it to Magic Kingdom!)

Alice: This is impossible
Mad Hatter: Only if you believe it is

"People down here think I'm crazy, but I don't care

Trials and tribulations, I've had my share

There ain't nothing gonna stop me now 'cause I'm almost there"

“Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth savor the challenge and promise of the future”

"It just shows what can be done by taking a little trouble," said Eeyore. "Do you see, Pooh? Do you see, Piglet? Brains first and then hard work"

Mile 12: The moment I saw Jason

"It's so much more friendly with two"

“Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?”

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirates life for me

"Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate"

Mile 15

(First Mile Stone)

"Second star to the right, straight on till morning"

"Just around the riverbend"

"Give a little whistle!

And always let your conscience be your guide"

"You follow old Rafiki! He knows the way!"

"Look for the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities"

Minnie

Animal Kingdom

M-I-C-K-E-Y

M-O-U-S-E

Getting Closer

(Only 2 more parks to go)

Mile 20

(ONLY 6 more left)

"That was totally wicked!"

Mike Waszowski & Kitty

Hollywood Studios

He's a "goof" too

The Boardwalk


"Ever just the same

Ever a surprise

Ever as before

Ever just as sure

As the sun will rise"

Duffy

Mile 26

First

Marathon

FINISHED!!!

Jason getting his "Goofy" medal

The last 3 miles tested my strength emotionally, physically, and mentally. My I-pod crashed, my feet were completely numb, and my legs felt like jell-o. For the first time since I began my running journey, I hit “the wall”. I never understood what this was until mile 24. I truly felt like giving up. My body was done and my emotions were high. Everything literally felt like it was going to shut down. I spent that entire mile talking to myself. I don’t exactly know what got me through it other than the fact that I just kept pushing forward.

Mile 25 felt like the longest mile of my life. When I turned the final corner and saw the 26th mile marker staring me in the face, I told myself it was now or never. Now was my only option. I surged forward with everything I had.

I stopped briefly to capture my moment with Donald and Goofy and then pushed forward to cross the finish line. I can’t explain the feeling that came over me. Every sight and every sound around me was intensified. For a moment I think I might have even lost my way. A woman grabbed my arm, placed my medal around my head, and said “Congrats honey! You just finished 39.3 miles!” I looked at her and instantly broke down into tears. The reality of my accomplishment hit me for the first time. I really did it! I ran a full marathon! I completed not only one but two of my running goals!

My first and only phone call was made to my mom. I had to share my moment with my kids! Unfortunately, I couldn’t stop crying long enough to fill them in on all of the details but hearing their little voices in the background gave me everything I needed.

I waited patiently next to the Goofy tent. I scanned the crowd of runners. 30 minutes after I came in, Jason made his way through. As soon as I saw him, I hobbled over as fast as I could to watch him receive his Goofy medal. My vision was blurred but I made it in enough time. I hugged him tighter than ever. Tears flooded my face. I was so proud of My Jay, I was so proud of US!

This was by far one of the hardest things I’ve ever done! I lacked in the training department, I was semi-broken, and I truly had no idea what I was doing.

There were two signs that I read during the race that stuck with me. I didn't get a picture of them but the words are forever ingrained in my brain.

"Courage to start

Faith to finish"

"Pain is temporary but

Pride is forever"

I had the courage to start all of this and faith has gotten me through it all.

I have definitely had my fair share of pain and I'm pretty sure that more is waiting for me but the pride I have in myself and in my husband for making it this far, is something that we will both be able to carry with us for the rest of our lives!

Out of the 22,000-25,000 runners who started the marathon, only 13,478 actually finished!