2008 5k and 1/2 marathon

[twotoohappy]

What an incredible experience!
I was so nervous about the races, especially the 1/2 that
I almost backed out of it. I'm in pretty good shape, but
lacked the confidence to try a race.
I am so glad that I did!!!!
Here's a brief overview:

Arrived Wed. night at BCV from chilly Massachusetts.

Thurs - We (myself and my friend Susan) walked around
Epcot until the Expo was open. I decided to wear my WISH
shirt hoping to see fellow WISHers. I've only been to one
Dismeet a few years back, but never had the chance to meet
up with anyone else. I'm an outgoing person, kinda, but a
little nervous meeting new people.
We arrived at the Expo and I was immediately found and hugged
by Anne and several WISHers. Thank you Anne!!! You made my
first WISH experience at the Expo as well as in the race so incredible!
You are an extremely special person
I'll apologize now because I am HORRIBLE with names!
I'd love to get a pic of everyone I met,
so the next time I'll be more able to put names with faces, instead
of screen-names and faces lol.
So.... it was really, really wonderful to be so welcomed that I can't
even tell you much it meant to me! We then waited in line and met
up with Wendy. She told us that she was doing all 3 races and
reassured me that I'd be fine even it I walked. I'd been told that by
many people, but actually hearing it from somebody who has done
it was a huge relief and probably the biggest confidence booster that
I got. Thank you Wendy!!!!!
We head home, much poorer, but I have a new race shirt - thanks for
the advice re:how hot the short sleeve shirts can be and also the
coolest race belt for all my power gel!
I got the BEST running belt (in my opinion) that worked great
for the 1/2 marathon from Overton at the expo. It looks small,
but it holds my cel phone, mp3 player, gel, jellybeans and then some.
The bib hooks worked great on it. I got the lime green. They don't
have the lime on their website yet, but I emailed them in case somebody
else wanted one. It worked super and didn't bounce around at all
and it didn't feel like I had a belt on at all. Definately my favorite
item I got at the expo.
Here's the link http://www.overtonfitness.com/spibelt.php


Fri - Got up oh so early at 4:30 to make the bus at 5:30am.
We headed over to AK and immediately found the WISH team.
Got to hang out with everyone, got pics taken, again forgot everyone's
name, but it was a blast! It was so nice to see the scream team and
hear those cow bells! I can't tell you again how much the scream teams
help keep you going. I made it through the 5k,
stopping only to offer to take pics for people who were taking turns
photographing their running partners -
it was so much fun! I'd definately do it again!

Sat- Got up at 2:30am to catch the bus for 3:30am. Geesh this was
early! I remembered all the great WISH advice and stopped at every
port a potty before heading into the corrals! It totally saved me! The
race was such and experience. I loved passing WISHers and saying hi
to them along the course. LOVED all the scream teams!
I'm going to do the 1/2 next year and stay for the full to scream team!

thank you to the WISHer who shared their body glide with me!!!!!!

The course was
basically flat with only the Contemporary hill and the one onramp around
mile 11. Having the DJ's, bands, choirs and characters and all the people
cheering you on was just the best! I did have my mp3 player on and saw
many people with them also. I finished within the time limit,
got my medal and just couldn't be happier!

I'm so looking forward to next year!
I'm solo as of right now, but I know there will be lots of WISH
friends there, so I'm not worried

notes for next year:
1. get a WISH sleeveless shirt/hat/armband because the short
sleeved shirt was too hot for me
2. slow down in MK to take everything in
3. bring a small camera to take pics with
4. charge my mp3 player so it doesn't die on mile 13
5. remember my WISH friends names lol
6. stay longer to be a scream teamer!

Thanks everyone! I can't wait to see lots of pics that everyone took!
There are great races here on Cape Cod if anybody wants to come
for a visit

~Liz

 

[getnthinr]

<snip>
We arrived at the Expo and I was immediately found and hugged
by Anne and several WISHers. Thank you Anne!!! You made my
first WISH experience at the Expo as well as in the race so incredible!
You are an extremely special person
I'll apologize now because I am HORRIBLE with names!
I'd love to get a pic of everyone I met,
so the next time I'll be more able to put names with faces, instead
of screen-names and faces lol.
So.... it was really, really wonderful to be so welcomed that I can't
even tell you much it meant to me! We then waited in line and met
up with Wendy. She told us that she was doing all 3 races and
reassured me that I'd be fine even it I walked. I'd been told that by
many people, but actually hearing it from somebody who has done
it was a huge relief and probably the biggest confidence booster that
I got. Thank you Wendy!!!!!
<snip>
~Liz

Second the big THANK YOU to Anne who amazes me by being able to remember everyone's name, schedule, ambitions, children, hometown -- okay I may be exaggerating, but only a little tiny bit!

Liz, you are quite welcome. I would not tell everyone they could walk and be okay, because I have come far too close to being swept myself and know it takes a brisk walk to keep ahead of the sweepers, but after seeing you at the 5K, there was no doubt in my mind that (barring serious illness or injury) you could definitely make it. So glad my encouragement helped! Congratulations!!!!!!

 

[twotoohappy]

Second the big THANK YOU to Anne who amazes me by being able to remember everyone's name, schedule, ambitions, children, hometown -- okay I may be exaggerating, but only a little tiny bit!

Liz, you are quite welcome. I would not tell everyone they could walk and be okay, because I have come far too close to being swept myself and know it takes a brisk walk to keep ahead of the sweepers, but after seeing you at the 5K, there was no doubt in my mind that (barring serious illness or injury) you could definitely make it. So glad my encouragement helped! Congratulations!!!!!!

Hey Wendy! You're right, not everyone could "walk" it, but the 1/2 to me
now is so much more do-able. I guess everyone's speed of walking is different
because your walk I noticed at the 5k was much faster than my jog,
so I'm going to be doing more power walking over the next year
so I will hopefully be able to keep up to you next year
(well at least for the 5k and the 1/2, I'm not a "goofy" or a "dopey" yet!)
Thanks for all the support and you're more than welcome to crash at the
BCV next year with me if you want

 

[hoosmi]

Liz- great report! I never in a million of years could have kept up the training and completed the Goofy without WISH. The team makes all the difference- I did a half without WISHers about a month ago and was grumpy for about 8 miles of the 13. At Disney with my WISHers, I don't think I ever stopped smiling.

Wendy- I have 6 medals. What do you think- if I space them out enough, is it time for a curtain rod? You know I always think of yours when I see you! And did I read you drank a Diet Coke on the full course? Nice!

Jen in GA

 

[travelin' tigger]

What an incredible experience!
I was so nervous about the races, especially the 1/2 that
I almost backed out of it. I'm in pretty good shape, but
lacked the confidence to try a race.
I am so glad that I did!!!!

I knew you could do it - and now you've given me the inspiration to give the 5K a shot!!

I'm so looking forward to next year!
I'm solo as of right now, but I know there will be lots of WISH
friends there, so I'm not worried

Not solo any more!!