sk8ingmom
<font color=teal>I get funny looks from people who
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2001
Hey WISHers, I just posted this on my Facebook page, but I thought I would share it here since this group has been such an inspiration to me. Maybe I can pay it back by inspiring someone who is thinking about running next year.
First of all, I finished. I’m not fast, but I finished. I thought I could make it between 2:45 and 3 hours, but all bets went out the window with the sleet, rain, and freezing temps.
I finished in 2:59:31. Yes I’m slow. If you have ever either:
a) Finished a half or full marathon at a faster pace,
or
b) kept your body in continuous aerobic motion for 3 hours, please feel free to make fun of me. If not, sit down!
The first 20 minutes of every run sucks. Then it gets better.
The terms “record freeze” and “Marathon weekend’ should never be uttered in the same sentence.
Layers are good – I waited outside for 2 hours before the race started wearing running tights, sweatpants, long sleeve running shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, fleece, sweatshirt, blanket, trash bag, 2 headbands, gloves and hand warmers.
Port-a-potty lines are much longer when it is cold. See layers above.
A yard size trash bag is “ball gown length” on a 5’2” person and “tea length” on a 6’ tall person.
Dance party at 4-5am is fine since it is not technically morning – it is still party time.
High school friends – remember the reasonably athletic girl who almost failed the 12 minute run in 10th grade? Yeah, that’s me.
I’m glad I didn’t carry my room key with me. Running past Bay Lake Tower at mile 4 just might have been too tempting.
Pot holes are bad.
People with funny sayings on the back of their shirts are good.
Thank goodness for bright red nail polish. I think I have at least 2 black toenails.
Volunteers are awesome. They had to have been really, really cold, but they were still out there. Same with the spectators.
Dressing in Tinkerbell colors helps. I don’t know why, but it does.
Always, always, always skip up Main Street – even if it is mile 6.
Fun-size Snickers make great “energy bars”.
The lounge singer set up at the end of the Grand Floridian driveway may be the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. Come on Baby Light My Fire.
Knowing the exact location of every restroom in every Disney park is a distinct race advantage.
Thank you to the gentleman on the side of the road playing the accordion during a particularly boring part of the course. And his wife who held the umbrella.
Highway on ramps are very, very bad. I will never look at the ramp to EPCOT the same way again.
“Keep it together, M.” moment #1: running behind two women wearing shirts with “Run for Our Sons” on the back…right past their family cheering section including two teen boys in wheelchairs.
At least once in your life, you should go to the finish line of a local half, full, or triathlon. If you do that, you will realize that Finishers come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and speeds.
Take candy from strangers. I am thankful for the lady with Twizzlers at mile 12.
Every race should have a gospel choir .1 mile from the finish.
“Keep it together, M.” moment #2: crossing the finish line.
If you are even at Disney World during Marathon Weekend, don’t mind the person shivering on the monorail. I probably looked like I had rickets or something.
There is an advantage to having a husband who is fast. Our room was a toasty 80 degrees when I arrived.
Never ride Space Mountain the day after a race. It is impossible to get out of that car.
I’m not a runner. I will never be a runner – but it is good to set goals and even better to achieve them.
Yeah, I’ll do it again next year.
Who else is in?
First of all, I finished. I’m not fast, but I finished. I thought I could make it between 2:45 and 3 hours, but all bets went out the window with the sleet, rain, and freezing temps.
I finished in 2:59:31. Yes I’m slow. If you have ever either:
a) Finished a half or full marathon at a faster pace,
or
b) kept your body in continuous aerobic motion for 3 hours, please feel free to make fun of me. If not, sit down!
The first 20 minutes of every run sucks. Then it gets better.
The terms “record freeze” and “Marathon weekend’ should never be uttered in the same sentence.
Layers are good – I waited outside for 2 hours before the race started wearing running tights, sweatpants, long sleeve running shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, fleece, sweatshirt, blanket, trash bag, 2 headbands, gloves and hand warmers.
Port-a-potty lines are much longer when it is cold. See layers above.
A yard size trash bag is “ball gown length” on a 5’2” person and “tea length” on a 6’ tall person.
Dance party at 4-5am is fine since it is not technically morning – it is still party time.
High school friends – remember the reasonably athletic girl who almost failed the 12 minute run in 10th grade? Yeah, that’s me.
I’m glad I didn’t carry my room key with me. Running past Bay Lake Tower at mile 4 just might have been too tempting.
Pot holes are bad.
People with funny sayings on the back of their shirts are good.
Thank goodness for bright red nail polish. I think I have at least 2 black toenails.
Volunteers are awesome. They had to have been really, really cold, but they were still out there. Same with the spectators.
Dressing in Tinkerbell colors helps. I don’t know why, but it does.
Always, always, always skip up Main Street – even if it is mile 6.
Fun-size Snickers make great “energy bars”.
The lounge singer set up at the end of the Grand Floridian driveway may be the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. Come on Baby Light My Fire.
Knowing the exact location of every restroom in every Disney park is a distinct race advantage.
Thank you to the gentleman on the side of the road playing the accordion during a particularly boring part of the course. And his wife who held the umbrella.
Highway on ramps are very, very bad. I will never look at the ramp to EPCOT the same way again.
“Keep it together, M.” moment #1: running behind two women wearing shirts with “Run for Our Sons” on the back…right past their family cheering section including two teen boys in wheelchairs.
At least once in your life, you should go to the finish line of a local half, full, or triathlon. If you do that, you will realize that Finishers come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and speeds.
Take candy from strangers. I am thankful for the lady with Twizzlers at mile 12.
Every race should have a gospel choir .1 mile from the finish.
“Keep it together, M.” moment #2: crossing the finish line.
If you are even at Disney World during Marathon Weekend, don’t mind the person shivering on the monorail. I probably looked like I had rickets or something.
There is an advantage to having a husband who is fast. Our room was a toasty 80 degrees when I arrived.
Never ride Space Mountain the day after a race. It is impossible to get out of that car.
I’m not a runner. I will never be a runner – but it is good to set goals and even better to achieve them.
Yeah, I’ll do it again next year.
Who else is in?
I loved your observations and hope to see you at future events.
funny!
) and which only have 2 stalls and long lines - important!! 
