I’m finally getting to sit down and write my race report. We were fortunate enough to stay at WDW for the week following the marathon. 
Now we’re back in frigid MA and it seems like just a distant memory. I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone else’s reports.
I arrived at the Epcot parking lot just past 4 AM. I searched around for Safety Green for a while before spotting a small group. I recognized Charlie – Judy’s DH from meeting him previously and I got to meet Denny, Mike-Optimator and Kathy his DH. It was really nice to have others to talk to during the pre-race wait. I entered the runner’s only area with Charlie and we searched for the sea of green. I think many had already started down the path to the corrals. I was trying to meet up with a friend from work, so I parted ways with Charlie while continuing to look for her. I spotted another WISH shirt and met Scott-Scoolover.
I walked down towards the chute area and met my friend. We lined up in Corral B and were off with the fireworks. Definitely the biggest send off I’ve experienced in a race. I quickly lost site of my friend as we had decided to run our own pace. She being 12 years younger and 30 lbs lighter than me was far ahead of me before long. Along the course I ran into Duanerice and Renee-HMHunters. It was really nice to see the WISH shirt while I was running.
By three miles I could tell I was not having a good race. Maybe it was the early wake up, or the hours of standing in line the day before for hotel check-in, bib pick up, lunch and dinner or the liquid air I was trying to breathe while running
, but whatever the reason I was not feeling strong. I made the decision to continue at my pace for as long as I could then just gut the rest out.
Unfortunately by the time I reached the ½ way point I had slowed considerably. It was so devastating to just watch as swarms of people ran past me while I shuffled along. It didn’t help that my family didn’t get to the TTC in time to see me, then by the time they got to the 12-13 mile mark I had already passed. It did really help to see the WISH Scream Teamers. Thank you to everyone who took the time to cheer.
It really did lift my spirits. I wasn’t wearing my WISH shirt since I hadn’t had the chance to train in it, but I did have my visor on. I remember seeing Krista at several points during the race. I’ll have to have you give my husband directions on getting around the course for the next time I run. And Kristi and company just outside of Animal Kingdom were a tremendous help. 
At Mile 19 the calf cramps started in both legs. That was really tough. I began drinking Powerade at every stop after that. I hadn’t had any previously since I figured my gels and sports beans would be enough, but then all my LRs were in 20 or 30 degree weather and I didn’t sweat nearly as much as I did during the marathon. From mile 19 to 23 I did nothing but shuffle and stop to stretch my calves. Whenever I tried to lengthen my stride I’d cramp up again. I saw Stephanie and her DH along the out and back near WWoS.
Finally the Powerade, Tylenol or BioFreeze started to help and the cramps stopped. I actually felt pretty good for the last 5K. I called my DH to let him know I was on my way to Epcot and he said “Boy, your pace really slowed down.” Add that to the list of what not to say to someone who’s having a bad race. He explained later that he didn’t really mean it the way it came out. Not sure how else I should have taken that. Again more WISHers cheering at this point. I saw Mike-Optimator again on the way past YC.
I finally got to see my family inside Epcot. That was a big treat. My kids (ages 5, 2 & 2) had made signs for me. Well actually the sign said “Go Rebecca (my co-worker), WISH, Go Mommy.” Somehow I was relegated to last. Oh well. Finally the last stretch and to the finish line. I was so happy to have finished. My chip time was 4:26:51. Not what I had hoped to run, but a PR by nearly 10 minutes. Given that the last marathon I ran was 14 years ago I know I should be happy with that, and I guess I am OK with the result, just not happy about how I ran the race.
I’ve had mixed emotions when thinking back on my WDW marathon experience. Initially while I was running I thought I’d never do it again. I was having a very bad race and since I had trained for an entire year with this as my goal I was very upset, but now I feel like I’d like to try it again to see if I could run it smarter. Not sure I can convince the DH to go again in 2009. We’ll see. I didn't get to hang around for long after finishing because my entire family was ready to melt down. I figured it would go a long way in creating some harmony if I went back to the hotel with them rather than send them on without me. I hope that I can pay back some of the support I got in the future. Thanks for reading this far. Below are a few pictures my sister took for me.
Pre-race
My Scream Team
Racing to the Finish
Family Photo
Now we’re back in frigid MA and it seems like just a distant memory. I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone else’s reports.I arrived at the Epcot parking lot just past 4 AM. I searched around for Safety Green for a while before spotting a small group. I recognized Charlie – Judy’s DH from meeting him previously and I got to meet Denny, Mike-Optimator and Kathy his DH. It was really nice to have others to talk to during the pre-race wait. I entered the runner’s only area with Charlie and we searched for the sea of green. I think many had already started down the path to the corrals. I was trying to meet up with a friend from work, so I parted ways with Charlie while continuing to look for her. I spotted another WISH shirt and met Scott-Scoolover.
I walked down towards the chute area and met my friend. We lined up in Corral B and were off with the fireworks. Definitely the biggest send off I’ve experienced in a race. I quickly lost site of my friend as we had decided to run our own pace. She being 12 years younger and 30 lbs lighter than me was far ahead of me before long. Along the course I ran into Duanerice and Renee-HMHunters. It was really nice to see the WISH shirt while I was running.
By three miles I could tell I was not having a good race. Maybe it was the early wake up, or the hours of standing in line the day before for hotel check-in, bib pick up, lunch and dinner or the liquid air I was trying to breathe while running
, but whatever the reason I was not feeling strong. I made the decision to continue at my pace for as long as I could then just gut the rest out. Unfortunately by the time I reached the ½ way point I had slowed considerably. It was so devastating to just watch as swarms of people ran past me while I shuffled along. It didn’t help that my family didn’t get to the TTC in time to see me, then by the time they got to the 12-13 mile mark I had already passed. It did really help to see the WISH Scream Teamers. Thank you to everyone who took the time to cheer.
It really did lift my spirits. I wasn’t wearing my WISH shirt since I hadn’t had the chance to train in it, but I did have my visor on. I remember seeing Krista at several points during the race. I’ll have to have you give my husband directions on getting around the course for the next time I run. And Kristi and company just outside of Animal Kingdom were a tremendous help. At Mile 19 the calf cramps started in both legs. That was really tough. I began drinking Powerade at every stop after that. I hadn’t had any previously since I figured my gels and sports beans would be enough, but then all my LRs were in 20 or 30 degree weather and I didn’t sweat nearly as much as I did during the marathon. From mile 19 to 23 I did nothing but shuffle and stop to stretch my calves. Whenever I tried to lengthen my stride I’d cramp up again. I saw Stephanie and her DH along the out and back near WWoS.
Finally the Powerade, Tylenol or BioFreeze started to help and the cramps stopped. I actually felt pretty good for the last 5K. I called my DH to let him know I was on my way to Epcot and he said “Boy, your pace really slowed down.” Add that to the list of what not to say to someone who’s having a bad race. He explained later that he didn’t really mean it the way it came out. Not sure how else I should have taken that. Again more WISHers cheering at this point. I saw Mike-Optimator again on the way past YC.
I finally got to see my family inside Epcot. That was a big treat. My kids (ages 5, 2 & 2) had made signs for me. Well actually the sign said “Go Rebecca (my co-worker), WISH, Go Mommy.” Somehow I was relegated to last. Oh well. Finally the last stretch and to the finish line. I was so happy to have finished. My chip time was 4:26:51. Not what I had hoped to run, but a PR by nearly 10 minutes. Given that the last marathon I ran was 14 years ago I know I should be happy with that, and I guess I am OK with the result, just not happy about how I ran the race.
I’ve had mixed emotions when thinking back on my WDW marathon experience. Initially while I was running I thought I’d never do it again. I was having a very bad race and since I had trained for an entire year with this as my goal I was very upset, but now I feel like I’d like to try it again to see if I could run it smarter. Not sure I can convince the DH to go again in 2009. We’ll see. I didn't get to hang around for long after finishing because my entire family was ready to melt down. I figured it would go a long way in creating some harmony if I went back to the hotel with them rather than send them on without me. I hope that I can pay back some of the support I got in the future. Thanks for reading this far. Below are a few pictures my sister took for me.
Pre-race
My Scream Team
Racing to the Finish
Family Photo
It was great seeing you before the race and you really looked strong as you blew by me.
You did great! 
