Post-Marathon Thoughts

I did it!!  I am officially a marathoner!

I'm so far behind on race recaps but I wanted to get my thoughts out now before I forgot them.  I was sooo nervous in the corral waiting for the race to start.  Because of my injury, I honestly had no idea if I would even make it to mile 1.  And so when I got mile 1.5 (with a stop at the 1 miler marker for a picture of course) I realized that I really needed to start my run/walk intervals because everyone said to slow down at the beginning.  But I was feeling that good that I could easily have kept going.  I had no pain in the beginning!  I had a few twinges in my calf start at about mile 2.5.  It was really only the first few steps of my run intervals so I was playing around with which foot to start with and then it went away in a few miles.  And that was the end of the leg pain for the whole race!!

I got a huge blister on my left pinky toe at mile 19.  I stopped twice during mile 19 & 20 (to see what it was & then at the medical tent to put a bandaid on it).  Putting tight compression socks back on sweaty legs takes FOREVER!!  So the blister hurt for a few miles and then I felt it pop.  Yes, that killed but then the pain went to something manageable. 

I don't think I really ever hit the wall.  Yes, miles 19 & 20 were tough due to the pain and I was wondering how I was going to do 7 more miles like that.  But then it went away.  At mile 20, I dropped to 1:1 intervals since that was farther than I had ever gone but I never hit that mental point where I didn't think I could do it.  I'm not sure if it was because I wasn't going that fast or hard.  Or maybe it was because I had had a mental wall for the past week wondering about if I was going to be able to run at all due to the injury so that the last few miles weren't tough.  I mean, I DEFINITELY got tired.  After WWOS, I was wondering if the we were ever going to get to the Studios.  But it wasn't nearly as horrible as I thought it was going to be. 

Except for during the blister part, I didn't take any extra walk breaks that weren't planned (the walk intervals, picture stops, and water stops, oh and one bathroom break).  So I was proud of that.

I never got bored either.  I think it's because I'm used to the long runs by myself on the boring stretch of street where I live.  So even though Osceola Parkway was a long stretch of nothing, I was completely entertained by the other runners.  And I was also checking my Facebook and Twitter a bunch too.  The comments on my page were sooo motivating!  And I loved the crowd support, especially towards the end from the Studios on (I definitely took advantage of some spectators that were passing out pretzels--just what I needed!!!)

My finishing time was 5:31:19.  I was only 7 minutes off my pre-injury goal.  And even though I had said that my only goal was to finish, I kinda got mad at myself because I was so close!  If I hadn't fought with getting my compression socks on, I just might have made it!  Oh, and the almost 50 picture stops affected my time too.

I was feeling so good after the race.  No leg pain or soreness.  The only thing that was bugging me was my feet--I wanted my shoes off immediately and luckily I had told my hubby to bring flip flops.  Everyone kept trying to help me around but I didn't need it (including getting down to the ground to take the socks off and then standing up again).  But yesterday afternoon was a different story.  I didn't have much muscle pain but my joints hurt--both knees, both ankles and then both Achilles hurt.  And I had a weird bruising sensation all of the top of my body.  Still can't figure that one out (but it's gone today).  As for the pain today, my  muscles are a little more sore but nothing terrible.  My right ankle is the only thing still really bothering me.  It hurts quite a bit!  Its the same one that was hurting before the race, so a doctors apt might be necessary--agh.

People keep asking me if I'd do another marathon and the answer is yes!  But probably only if it's a Disney marathon.  I need the stimulation of the parks and the characters and entertainment and people dressed in costume.  I don't think I could handle a regular marathon without all of that to keep me occupied.  As for Dopey or Goofy, I don't think my body could handle the training or the races so that's out.  But one day I will do another Disney marathon!!  I had a blast!!

Final Thoughts Before the Big Race

It's the night before the Walt Disney World Marathon--my first full marathon and I'm freaking out.  I always knew I would be because I tend to get really nervous about things.  But it's a different kind of nervous. 

Before I was nervous because I just wanted to finish in a way that I was proud of--mostly keeping up my 2:1 intervals with only a few extra walks thrown in.  But now, with my hurt leg, I'm worried about finishing at all.  I've had guys at running stores and the KT tape guy tell me I probably shouldn't be running. But I trained for so long that I just can't NOT try. Oh, and lets not talk about the fact that I'm running a marathon in brand new shoes in a new-to-me brand.  I've been walking around in them in the past week so hopefully that counts as breaking them in.    

And I'm mad.  Mad because I should have listened to my gut when getting new shoes instead of the running store guy.  Mad because until 2 1/2 weeks ago I was pretty good at following the training plan.  Mad that I'm letting this get to me.

I haven't run in 2 weeks.  The last time I ran, it was when I was trying on new shoes in the store and it hurt just to do that and I was limping while running.  But I'm really hoping the 2 weeks rest was just what I needed and that I'll feel great tomorrow. 

There is a part of me that's excited for tomorrow.  But it's smaller than I thought it would be.  I think once I get there tomorrow and see all the runners, it'll kick in.  I hope so.  I just need to relax and enjoy the magic like I do with all the other runDisney events.

Enough of the negative--I've had so much fun this week meeting up with different groups of running friends.  It's been so great talking about running and life and getting great advice and support.  And I've thoroughly enjoyed spending lots of money at the expo (is going to the expo 4 times in one week too much?  NAH!!!)  Spend all the money!!

My costume is ready--it's a loose version of Sleeping Beauty.  I had a way better shirt but it bugged me on a training run so I ditched it.  But I still think it's pretty cute.

Good luck to everyone running tomorrow!  I have the alarm set for 2:45am.  See you out there!

runDisney's Wine & Dine Meetup

I was lucky enough to get into the Wine & Dine Meetup.  It was at night so I wouldn't have to take off from work, so it was perfect!  It was my first meetup and I was so excited!

Cori and I met up with Kristin (A Mom on the Run) and her hubby, Adam.  We showed up at the entrance to Epcot to get our shirts and we got another goody too--a fastpass for Test Track!  I hadn't ridden the new version so this was a plus!

So right after changing into our shirts, we headed over there.

 Once inside, you get to design your vehicle

 

Then it was time to get on board

After our ride, we headed to the countries for some Food & Wine goodies!

 I had to get my favorite--the Dragonberry Colada!

I also stopped in Canada for the filet with the yummy mushroom sauce!

 Then we headed to the special viewing area to watch Illuminations.  It was fun to see so many runners that I chat with on Facebook and Twitter (although I was too shy to say hi to most of them!)

 

 

Then we headed over to America.  We got in line for a picture with the head Chef himself!

 Then we got to the food! This was a vegetarian dish with a spicy curry sauce.  Not sure who thought it was a good idea to feed runners something spicy before a run.  But it was okay.

We also had some fruit, veggies, humus, and cookies.

Then we listened to some speakers. Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, and Faron Kelley, Director, Marketing and Communication for Disney Sports started us off.

 We listened to Jeff Galloway and runDisney nutritionist Tara Gidus.

 We learned about the new New Balance runDisney shoes that will be coming out as well as other New Balance products.  (Cindy shoes, I'm coming for you!!)














And we learned about some of the food and wine from the countries from some of the chefs and a sommelier. 

They also had several prizes to be won.  Cori won a free entry into any runDisney race.  How lucky! 

We got to take a picture with same famous people: Minnie, Goofy, & Mickey!

Then it was time for the running portion.  We usually do run/walk intervals but when I heard that the group was going to be doing something like :20/:20 I knew I couldn't handle that much starting and stopping.  Cori was worried about the straight running pace so I asked and they said it would be a slow 11ish minute pace.  Well, it turned out to be about a minute faster but we kept up the whole time! 

We ran around the countries once and then back to in front of the fountain where we stopped for some pictures.

Just the straight runners group

And everyone

Then we ran to in front of Spaceship Earth where they had special champagne toast for us!  I forget the exact toast but it went something like "May the road rise up to meet you.  May the wind always be at your back.  May your splits be negative.  And your miles be magic."  Something like that.  Anyways, it was great!

 

 

 

 

I had so much fun and hope I get to participate in another runDisney Meetup!

My Year in Running--2013

I got this from Run Stretch Go who got this from Shoelaces and Bibs and  Miss Zippy.

1) My main goal for 2013 was: to PR in my a half marathon and the ten miler (to get a good corral for the 2014 WDW marathon!) I PR'd the ten miler at the Evergreen Pumpkin 10 Miler and the half marathon at the Space Coast Half Marathon (I haven't written my recap yet)

Evergreen Pumpkin 10 Miler

 





Space Coast Half Marathon

2) My Running Shoes: I started with Brooks Ravennas, which I loved but when it came time for a new pair, they had narrowed the toe box.  Then I got the Saucony Guide 6.  I loved them too except the heel toe drop was too low and they gave me Achilles problems.  So they put me in Brooks Ghosts except they were neutral shoes and I wore them for one race and got knee problems (so I used the Saucony again until the heel problem kicked in again).  Then they put me in Brooks Adrenaline 14 which gave me ankle problems because they're stability shoes.  So now I'm in Asics 2000-2.  Let's hope this works!!

3)Favorite running gear item of 2013:  My Garmin Forerunner 10.  I love constantly looking at my watch to do the math to try to figure out when I am going to finish a run. 

 

 

4) Playlist screenshot: I have too many songs to take a screenshot but they're all upbeat.  I've also gotten into Rock My Run recently.

5) Number of Races: 28
 Break it down:
1 miler: 1 (Tour de Pain 1 Mile Sizzler)
5ks:12 (Dick Batchelor Run for the Children 5k, Lady Footlocker 5k, Color Me Rad 5k, Castaway Cay 5k, Dawn Brancheau Dream Big 5k, Run in the Garden 5k, Expedition Everest, Hilton Head Firecracker 5000, Splash N Dash, Tour de Pain 5k, Drenched 5k, Gridiron 5k)
6k: 1 (Subaru Distance Classic 6k)
4 miler: 1 (Tour de Pain 4 miler)
10ks: 3 (Winter Garden 10k, Winter Park Road Race 10k, Dumbo Double Dare Disneyland 10k)
15k: 2 (Gate River Run, Miracle Miles 15k)
10 miler: 2 (Tower of Terror 10 Miler, Evergreen Pumpkin 10 Miler)
Half Marathons: 6 (Disney's Marathon Weekend Half Marathon, Princess Half Marathon, Dumbo Double Dare Disneyland Half Marathon, chORD Half Marathon, Wine and Dine Half Marathon, Space Coast Half Marathon)

6) Most Difficult Race and Why: I'm not really sure.  Maybe a tie between the Gate River Run (because of the two huge bridges, one right at the end) and the Tour de Pain 1 mile Sizzler because I ran the whole thing as fast I could without stopping.

7) Favorite Fun Run:  Castaway Cay 5k.  It was so much fun to run on the island! 

8) Favorite Course: Wow--this is really hard.  I love all of the Walt Disney World ones because of running through the parks.  I can't pick just one! 

9) Race I want to do again next year:  Well, I'm already signed up for Princess and the Gate River Run again.  Might possibly do the Dick Batchelor, Lady Footlocker, Dawn Brancheau, and Winter Garden 10k.  The rest will depend on when we decide to start a family.

10)  Best Bling: I love my Princess Half Marathon medal

11) PRs:
 5k: Hilton Head Firecracker 5000: 29:44
10k: Winter Garden 10k: 1:08:20
15k: Gate River Run: 1:41:42
10 Miler: Evergreen Pumpkin 10 Miler: 1:43:38
Half Marathon: Space Coast Half Marathon: 2:21:38

12) Longest run: 19 miles to prepare for the Walt Disney World Marathon

13) Out of State runs: Castaway Cay 5k, Hilton Head Firecracker 5000 and the Dumbo Double Dare (Disneyland 10k and Disneyland Half Marathon)

14) Total miles ran: 642.50

15) Favorite motivational/inspirational quote of 2013:  I don't have one so I'll just use my mantra "Just keep running.  Just keep running."  Said like in Finding Nemo.

16) Lessons I've Learned: Nothing new on race day!! 

17) Injuries I battled and overcame: Achilles issues.  I am currently batting a knee issue and an ankle (possibly stress fracture) injury.

18) 3-5 Most inspiring people: List their blog, twitter, instagram- wherever you follow them"
Kristin from A Mom on the Run @amomontherun
Justin from Always Running Forward  @DisnyRunr24
Meghann from Meals and Miles

19) Favorite place on social media to connect with runners: Definitely twitter!  I have gotten so much great advice from the Twitter running community!

20) 2 goals for the next year: Finish the Walt Disney World Marathon and get another PR in a half marathon


How would you answer these questions?

Weekly Recap- December 23-29, 2013

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!  We certainly did!  It was so great to just relax and enjoy time with family.

I was going to run the Jacksonville Bank Half Marathon on Sunday but I wanted to wait til the last minute to sign up to make sure I was feeling okay and I'm so glad I didn't.  I ran on Tuesday and Thursday and my leg was killing me.  I'm pretty sure that I've narrowed it down to the shoes.  Last time I got fitted, they put me in stability shoes, even though I'd always worn guidance shoes.  He assured me it was the right fit.  It wasn't.  Now my ankle is bothering me and I'm worried about a stress fracture in my upper shin.  I got new shoes today, Asics 2002 2.  I'm planning on walking around in them for the next 2 weeks but I'm not sure I'm going to run in them.  I want to rest my leg as long as possible.  I hope that's the right decision!

Tuesday--5.01 miles in 54:06 ( Mile 1: 9:50, Mile 2: 11:10, Mile 3: 11:14, Mile 4: 11:16, Mile 5: 10:33, average pace: 10:48)

Thursday--4 miles in 42:46 (Mile 1: 9:34, Mile 2: 11:26, Mile 3: 11:19, Mile 4: 10:28, average pace: 10:42)

Total miles this week: 9.01
Total  miles in 2013: 642.50
Total miles: 1067.99

Merry Christmas!

I hope your and your family have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!

Weekly Recap- December 16-22, 2013

I took this week, during the week off, too so I could try to get my leg to feel better.  I knew I had a long run on Sunday--20 miles.  And I was not looking forward to it!

I drove up to Jacksonville (where my parents live and where we spend Christmas) a few days early so I could run the Zooma training run with Kristin (A Mom on the Run).  The route was only going to be 10 miles so we got there a little early to get 3 miles in before the training run started. 

The training run was set up nicely.  They had several water stations and there was a van that would come pick you up if needed.  Unfortunately, I was a little out of my league.  I've never been one of the slowest in a group before.  I'm usually right in the middle.  But in this small group, I was definitely toward the end.  And I had no idea where I was.  They gave us maps but I'm horrible with them and I spent the whole run freaking out because they were so far ahead of me and I was worried that I was going to lose sight of them and get lost.  So I felt like I was pushing it to keep them in sight and that just made me tired more quickly.  At one point I almost stopped and called my brother to come get me since he lives right there.  But I kept on going and only lost them at the very end (luckily there was one other runner coming up behind me at that point and she told me where to go).  By the time we finished those ten miles, it was getting to be way too hot, and I was in quite a bit of pain so we decided to finish up the 7 miles later that night.

So after dark, I drove to Kristin's and we ran the last 7 miles.  I felt bad because I'm so much slower than her but she kept reassuring me that it was fine.  And I'm so glad I ran with her!  I was tired and needed something to keep my mind occupied so it was nice to have someone to chat with!

I actually feel pretty okay today.  I'm a little sore, muscle-wise but nothing too bad.  I don't have any stairs here like I do at home to test it out, but my knee doesn't hurt walking and my heel doesn't hurt at all.  I do still have that weird pain shooting up my leg bone though.  It got worse after the run yesterday. 

So I got the 20 miler done.  I just hope that it counts.  I'm a little worried that since we broke it up, my body won't be ready.  But I did the 19 miler and it was fine and I know some people only do 18 so I'm hoping I'm good! 

Sunday--20 miles in 3:50:13 (Mile 1: 9:56, Mile 2: 11:41, Mile 3: 12:11, Mile 4: 10:46, Mile 5: 10:44, Mile 6: 11:02, Mile 7: 11:50, Mile 8: 10:59, Mile 9: 11:25, Mile 10: 11:29, Mile 11: 11:29, Mile 12: 14:09, Mile 13: 12:13, Mile 14: 9:58, Mile 15: 11:36, Mile 16: 11:33, Mile 17: 11:24, Mile 18: 11:50, Mile 19: 11:59, Mile 20: 11:28, average pace: 11:30)

Total miles this week: 20
Total miles in 2013: 633.49
Total miles: 1058.98