A story of renewed hope & the power of Dis

[SunDial]

Not even at the half way point yet. Wish the Wedway People Mover would take me to the finish line

 

[SunDial]

Back stage behind Splash Mountain and starting the road back to Epcot and the finish. Wish I had the time to wait in all of the character lines

 

[SunDial]

 

[SunDial]

This was across from the Poly

 

[SunDial]

Just one of the many people cheering every runner along and with their signs all through out the course

 

[RGirl]

Hi Ruthie! Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve made my way over to this thread.

I hope that you are feeling better and that 2014 will be a great year for you.

Ed, I am really enjoying reading about the race. Getting to stop to meet characters could almost make running fun….

 

[SunDial]

Mile eight and I have hidden the oxygen tank pretty good didn't I And this is where the couple of miles stretch back to Epcot is

And pay no attention to those white legs. I am not a shorts wearing person. Outside of swimming and the training I did during the summer I am in long pants.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Love the pictures, Ed. You look like you did that run like I would do a walk in the park.

 

[SunDial]

This is the last mile marker that I felt pretty good at. Right calf was starting to cramp up just past here.

 

[SunDial]

Now this is at the big sweeping cloverleaf to get back on to Epcot Dr. A simple stairway would have been great but no. It had to be a long incline cloverleaf.

This is where everything was going bad. Right calf was cramping bad, left was starting, left quad said I am not going to miss this pain party!!! It became a walkathon from here and was praying to dad for help that I could make it. Starting in the last corral was an issue so I had built up some comfortable space in front of the sweepers. They were almost a mile behind.

I also was happy that I got to this point ahead of the 10 mile time from the Tower of Terror 10 mile run.

 

[SunDial]

After a few stops to stretch claves I got to this point. The 11th mile was the slowest and most painful. One big pain party. Sweepers closing in. Just past this point was the next medical tent. Thank God!!! Made a stop there to put some Biofreeze on the legs and suck down a couple of Tylenol. I then continued on walking and stretching.

As you see in this pic all thru out the course they have the bike medics riding around looking for those that need help. I found one almost to the 12 mile mark that rode with me the rest of the way. At one point I was the last runner on course just ahead of the sweepers. I can honestly say that I really did want to stop cause it hurt so bad, but then I felt dad was helping. The pain would subside a little and the cramping would ease. I would continue on and then pain came back even more then eased and back and eased. Also the 12th mile I was picking up the pace a little too. 2 minutes quicker than mile 11.

 

[SunDial]

Now while the medic was with me we chatted. He knew what had happened and why the run was being done. That I had to finish no matter what. Sweepers were still right behind although I was not the last runner on course as I approached the 12 mile sign.

I had asked as we were approaching the 12 mile marker at what point would they stop the remaining runners? I knew I was falling behind the required pace. He replied that being at the 12 they would allow me to finish. That if I needed to stop and seek medical help they would be right there for. It would be my choice to stop for medical reasons. I thought that would be the case since I was now off of the roadways and in Epcot's parking lot. That is really nice that they do that.

I kept going. When you get into Epcot behind Spaceship Earth you make a straight line toward the lake and then make a U-turn and come back to Spaceship Earth and go out a back stage exit to the parking lot and finish line. Well the medic that was with me said that those in need can skip the walk to the lake and back by just crossing and going out the back stage exit. I said that you know the reasons why I have to complete the run and that I was not going to short cut it.

 

[SunDial]

As I approached the 13 mile mark I stopped and thanked the medic that was with me for being there. For the support he gave me to get to this point. I had been taking the mile marker pics as I went along and he said let me take this one for you. I thanked him again and went on to the cross the finish line that was near the white tent in the background. I was also another 2 minutes quick than the last mile.

Next time I think I will get some of that spray on tan for the legs.

 

[SunDial]

Now I thought about running across the finish line but the common sense said don't hurt yourself anymore that you already are. I shook Donald Ducks hand as I crossed.

Was I the fastest No, was I the slowest No, was I the last one in my age group No, what was the time, it didn't matter, with 4 months of no training leading up to this because of what was going on in the background the only thing that matters is THAT I FINISHED

SO THANK YOU DAD FOR HELPING ME GET TO THE FINISH LINE

 

[SunDial]

 

[SunDial]

They handed out really nice shirts when you picked your runners package. Each race had their own print.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great finish, Ed. Love the medal.

 

[SunDial]

Great finish, Ed. Love the medal.

Thanks PIO.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I have been here all along reading since you started to post about your race I am honored that you did it here and I wanted you to have the floor without interruptions from me about anything

I know all that you have been going through and my heart is bursting with the sense of fulfillment you had running this race Even though I knew the outcome and we had contact that morning I felt like I was right there with you through the miles cheering you on as I was anxiously reading

This is a race you will always treasure and something I will never forget that you shared

I would love to run it next year with you & glad you want to too...white chicken legs and all okay leghorn foghorn we will laugh our way through

Love you

 

[SunDial]

Now that the legs are feeling better I am going back into training. I will also train with carrying my Nikon so I can get shoot your pics from on track.