During the Dark Side Half-Marathon I may not have achieved my goals but it will not stop me.
Now it is time for me to put on my big girl panties and set new goals. I plan to focus on my fitness/health goals here.
Here we go!
S. - Specific - I will complete the runDisney Princess 10k in 2019 M. - Measurable (Motivating) - I want to prove to myself that I can A. – Achievable (Ambitious) - This year I need to have a qualifying time for better corral placement R. - Realistic - With training this is a realistic goal T. – Time based - The race will take place 274 days from today
Upcoming races
June - The Incredibles virtual 5k
July - The Incredibles virtual 5k
August - The Incredibles virtual 5k
September - George Washington Patriot Run 10k (?)
October - SMAWL Rescue 5k Fun Run and Trail Walk 2018 (?)
November - Across the Bay 10k, Project Echo Turkey Trot 5k (?)
December - Jingle Bell Run 5k
January
February - Princess 5k and 10k
W.o.W - Within one Week
Re-start the Easy 5k with Jeff Galloway lolo app.
Kellie woke me at 2:30am and I pleaded for 10 more minutes. Sadly I was denied for the second morning in a row. We got dressed in our 10k outfits, had a half of a half of a bagel (again with "it's a quarter") and walked to the buses.
For this race I had a lot of anxiety. Kellie knew that she would be picked up by the sweeper bus but wanted to go as far as she could. I wanted to cross the finish line. This bus ride felt different. Not sure if it was due to the lighting on the bus, the anticipation, or my anxiety.
The walk for the bus drop off seemed longer. I felt rushed getting to the corral. Kellie and I split up for gear drop off/bathroom breaks but then it took forever to find her.
Again we were in corral F. Not a great starting place so we knew we had to make our way to the front. During the pre-race fun we stretched and weaved through a mass of people. We had a great spot to view the monitors and start line. As each corral started I became more excited to start the race until...
I'm in the back! There are only 20 people behind me! How did this happen?
Take a deep breath...
I cross the start line and start to jog. Remember you can do this. I round a corner and see that Kellie is being passed by the balloon ladies. DON"T PANIC!
Take a deep breath...
Medics on bicycles are passing me to assist with a lady that has twisted her ankle. People who had stopped for a bathroom break are leaving the line and running. Just keep moving! You can do this!
Mile marker 1.
"Pump your arms. You're doing great." It can't be the balloon ladies already.
Don't panic! Keep close to them.
A medic on a bike goes by and asks if I'm okay. With a smile plastered to my face I let her know that I am great.
Take a deep breath...
"You've fallen behind pace. You need to pick it up or you'll be picked up."
Keep moving and smile. Don't stop! Don't quit!
Mile marker 2 is just up ahead.
"Ma'am you need to move off the course." What!?! My race can't end this way.
I start to cry. Ugly cry.
Thank you to all the runners at mile marker 2 for your love and support. Your words were kind and I heard them.
As we are loading the bus I can hear Kellie telling everyone that she was the first loser. The sweeper bus got to her first. She is offering kind words to everyone. Her words of advice to me "stop hiding your face, cry but hold your head up high".
I failed! It didn't matter what anyone said to me I failed.
It was a long ride to the finishing area. I am still ugly crying.
Thank you to all the Make-A-Wish volunteers for your love and support. At this point Kellie has all the volunteers turn because there is only one way to stop someone from crying. It didn't work; still ugly crying.
We received our medals and snack boxes. I have no desire to hang out at the post-race festivities so it's time to get on the resort bus.
Good friends know when you need to be alone and cry.
At least the outfit is cute
I was able to complete 2 miles in 34:24. Roughly a 17 min/mile pace. This was the same pace I had for the Across the Bay 10k. If I had been in a different corral I could have finished. I was on pace to finish in 1:48; the last person to cross the finish line did it at 2:22.
Take a deep breath...and a shower.
Good friends also know when you need breakfast.
“Asante sana squash banana!”
I wore my 10k shirt but couldn't bring myself to wear the medal. It felt like I didn't earn it. Finally the crying had stopped and we had a full day ahead of us. Since we were not running in the half our plan was to drink around the world in Epcot.
There are 11 countries in Epcot's World Showcase. We made it to Canada for a Maple Popcorn Shake with Whiskey. The UK offered a Cider Flight but the only flavor I remember was black cherry. In France we had some sort of wine slushy. At the Akershus Royal Banquet in Norway I had this wonderful red drink that was yummy. Did not like the margarita from Mexico.
The day had been exhausting both mentally and physically so we went back to the resort early. This weekend has made me realize that I am getting old physically. I will never grow up mentally.
These post took awhile to write because every time I think about this race I cry. The medal is hung on the rack with a sticker that clearly marks it as a DNF (did not finish).
The alarm went off at 2:30am. Thank goodness Kellie was up because I did not want to get out of bed. I begged for 10 for minutes but was denied. We got dressed and managed to eat a half of a half of a bagel (Kellie says it was a quarter). The resort was eerily quite as we made our way to the buses.
The energy on the bus was AMAZING! Kellie was trying to appear tired but don't let her fool you.
We made our way to corral F (the last corral) and worked our way toward the front. Kellie is a social butterfly so we met some great runners. This certainly helped the time pass. We had front row "seats" for the pre-race fun. We also had a great spot to see some impressive costumes.
As soon as the first corral was released I could feel the adrenaline. Each corral was broken down into mini-corrals. This allowed for less congestion at the starting line. I was surprised at how quickly each corral was released.
We started in the parking lot at Epcot which would also serve at the finish. After crossing the start line you make your way long some of the back roads but a majority of this race take place in Epcot. My job on this race was to keep Kellie moving at a good pace. She refused to believe me that there would not be a sweeper bus for this race.
We decided to make a quick stop in front of Spaceship Earth since our goal was to finish. No stopping for characters.
Well maybe we will stop for a purple droid and a Jawa!
Kellie had a personal record of 1:07. Congratulations!
Since my focus was on the 10k I just enjoyed the race and was thankful that I could participate.
After the race we went back to the resort with our goody box to grab a quick shower before heading to the Magic Kingdom. Celebration dinner was at Cinderella's Royal Table. A character dining experience should be on everyone's Disney to do list. We were treated like royalty.
Tip: Wear your medal all day. EVERYONE will congratulate you!
It will be an early bed time because we will do this all again tomorrow!
