Hi everyone!
I got back Monday but have been SOOOO busy! I met Margie and her friend at the expo. She was the first WISHER I saw. Walked up and said HI! then noticed her Hakuna Matata Pin! (Thanks Denise!) We chatted for a bit, but I had to get going. Later, at the Pop meet I met Dave and Erica and Scott and Lynn and saw Margie again if only briefly. We didn't realize there were WISHers inside the food court. and had met some other WISH'ers outside (the man who was doing the vow renewal post race?) and talked to few other people. I didn't see any of our team pre race for the half, but did hang out with some other WISHERS and it was great to be able to pass the time and have something in common with people. I tried to stop and say hi to all the WISHERs I passed during the half. Congratulations to ALL who participated!
Here's a report I posted on the reports board, too
Some random thoughts from a newbie and first time Half'er.
First and foremost, thanks to everyone on these boards. Having the support and wealth of knowledge here before the race was just incredibly helpful. Being able to seek out and find a few other wishers in the pre race area made the time go quickly and keep my mind off the stress. And of course, all the cheering was inspiring and invaluable.
Overall it went well, despite a few setbacks. First was the fact that I had decided to "re-load" my music on my phone so I deleted all the music that was there and at 10:30 at night before the race attempted to install a new playlist. I don't know what the issue was, but nothing would load (except for the songs from the CD "Where the Magic Lives" all WDW theme park music - go figure! I just wasn't sure I could take 25 minutes of Disney music and hear it over and over again for 3.5 hours. Luckily DH had his mp3 player so I borrowed that. Unluckily, he has a different playlist and listening to Frank Sinatra Love songs at mile 8 was tough! I skipped through them and opted for Beethoven, instead! Even though I'm sure some of music helped me keep pace, I don't remember much of it from the last third of the race - not sure I was really listening at that time!
I managed to get a few pictures with characters in the MK, but was disappointed at some the lines for the early porta pods. I remember stopping at the ones just outside TTC and having to wait 4+ Minutes! All of a sudden, the great time I was making (14 minute mile) was gone to just above sweep time - very nerve wracking!
I never did read the post race chapter in Marathoning for Mortals - so post race, went back to my room (which we had to check out to move to another room) took a hot shower, had a glass of wine, and headed out for 12 hours (and probably 12 miles) of park touring and further alchoholic hydration (which in hindsight, I guess, really doesn''t hydrate) I took 3 advil and fell into bed at midnight and woke up sunday at 8:30 feeling like a million bucks. We had to switch rooms again, so got packed up and by 10AM were on our way to another 12-14 hour park touring day (and probably another 12-14 miles) - Had my first cocktail at 11Am and continued on from there. Started to loose steam around 8:30 sunday night. On MOnday, I got up, barely, and felt like I'd been hit by a bus - achy, chills, stomach/ bowel issues, headache (probably dehydrated) and right knee pain. I peeked out of my BWV room at a crowd at the bakery around 8:30 but just couldn't muster the energy to get out of the room quickly.We checked out of the hotel around 10:30 (which by that time, there didn't seem to be many at the bakery) and I hobbled my way from the BW to DS, then to Epcot before heading home. I fell asleep immediately on take off and despite sitting the last row of the plane in a seat that wouldn't recline, I was out cold for 1.5 of the 2 hour flight home. I skipped work the next day, rested, drank lots of water and ate comfort food - homemade macaroni and cheese - not healthy, but hit the spot!
Possible best advice I received - vaseline on your feet - after hearing about others blisters, perhaps the body glide I rubbed all over my feet before putting on my socks was of some benefit!
I'm feeling pretty good tonight, but I probably won't work out for a couple more days yet. And I'm not sure I'm a repeat performer. But am probably going to do the ToT 13K next October.
For those that particpate one day and chear the other (or visa versa)- extra, extra kudos to you! If I do go in future years, I think I'll go just to chear! I feel like I owe some payback! I may have to go alone though, because DH, DD and her friend thought that watching and waiting for me in the cool morning air was probably harder than running the race themselves.
Of course, they didn't get to see the gospel choir - which I thought was great!
So thanks again to all!!!!!!
Denise, Again, thanks for the pins I wore mine all weekend and got lots of curious looks and comments from Cast Members.
I still haven't worked out. Not really for any reason but just TOOOO busy. I really did let alot slide during training and now its catch up time. I figure this week we'll be able to get back into the routine.
Jennifer - Not sure what to say to get you motivated mentally, but when I was reading Marathoning for Mortals, the couldn't stress enough crosstraining to increase your time. I didn't start crosstraining until the weather got cold and I was forced onto the machines at the Y, but I think it really made a difference.
Well - been here an hour already, reading and posting - and I'm supposed to be working!
Anne
I have a long walk scheduled for tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it. The weather is supposed to be very nice! Sorry, all you northern folks! Don't mean to rub it in, but we generally get a really nice few days intermittently through the winter! Of course, they generally come with a wind strong enough to knock you over, but......it's sunny and nice!
