THE MARATHON - Cheerleader Minnie (Part Two)
Let’s see where were we… Oh yes, just leaving Animal Kingdom, two parks down, WWoS and two parks to go! On our way out of AK,
@Bree and I made a bathroom break because we wanted to use a “real” bathroom. Well, it was nice and all but smelled just like a porta potty, so that was cool. Anyway, moving on...
This section as we were leaving AK was definitely in the top 5 favorite parts of the race for me. Dear people who were hanging out in the AK parking lot handing out snacks, YOU ARE THE REAL MVPs. I had pretzels and goldfish and candy and a freaking JELLO SHOT. Yes. Thank you. Love you.
Then I died and came back as a ghost who still had to finish a Marathon. Rude.
So now we were on our way to the Wide World of Sports, which everyone says is the worst part. Let me tell you the actual worst park: any time you are on a freeway and not in a Disney property…
Fun fact: at the VERY start of the race, I dropped my sunglasses and they were gone forever. RIP.
Un-fun fact: IT WAS SO SUNNY THE WHOLE LAST HALF OF THE MARATHON AND I WISH I HAD MY SUNNIES.
We ran by the McDonald’s that McFlurry John frequents and as tempting as that sounded if I went into that McDonald’s there would have been no way I would have left. Nope.
We make it to Pluto who had found some dinosaur bones. I had to stop for him!
Then we made our way into the WWoS where we were greeted with a wet sponge that I stupidly didn’t keep with me even though someone in the group chat was like “KEEP THAT SH*T”.
At this point I could see the dreaded “WALL” and knew I was gonna hit it STRAIGHT ON. My legs couldn’t leg anymore. It was hot. I was blinded by the sun. And Bree looked AMAZING. I felt really bad that I was slowing her down…
BUT ALSO, I knew Minnie was coming up and I was so excited to show her my outfit! Aaaand she loved it!
That helped pump me up a bit and we powered through and got pictures with everyone!
I loved running through the little Stadium that was there. The cheerleaders in the stands saw me and went wild! It was super fun!
There was some walking and some running going on at this point. But we were out of WWoS and on our way to Hollywood Studios. As we were right in front of the DJ booth at WWoS where he tells the people coming in they are at mile 17.5 and the people leaving they are at mile 21.something, We saw the Balloon Ladies going in! So we knew we were fine and wouldn’t have to worry but it was still surreal.
By now, I have hit the wall and was reflecting on all of my life choices up to this point.
My emotions were running high. I was not. There was a lot of walking on my part and Bree was just such a sweet person to have shared this experience with. My legs couldn’t move faster than a slow jog when I was “running” so she would run ahead and then wait or come back for me. We got to Sarge’s Hill of Death and Desolation and I ran up that thing because I was already feeling defeated and knew I couldn’t let Sarge win. So I ran up it. Like a turtle. But I ran.
The highway between that hill and Hollywood Studios was hot and barren and they were playing “Sweet Caroline” on a loop. W T F. That was my actual hell. But some guy asked me to say a cheer for him, so I did! I said something that I cannot remember and I gave my Poms a shake. I think I needed that just as much as he did, thanks guy.
FINALLY we get to HS! Yay! A Park! People! Excitement! I found a small will to live and I even look like I might be having fun 23 miles into a Marathon!
On our way from HS to the Boardwalk we see
@mrsg00fy and give her the BIGGEST hug ever of my life and then it starts. The tears. I hold back what I can and take the strength that Monica gave me to get through the end of this thing!
Then we make our way across the Boardwalk and see One & Two, who ordered me my beer a few minutes too late. We stole some of their water and left because at this point I just wanted to be done. (RIP Beer, hope someone drank you!)
I shuffled along and we get to Epcot, the final park of this journey! At this point, Bree still looked SO AMAZING. And she would run ahead and then come back and find me when she couldn’t hear my Poms anymore. (Seriously, best running partner ever!!!) We were so close. I was so done. Emotionally, physically. Then, in true Epcot fashion, they were playing the most emotion filled songs and the tears swelled and I kept going… I feel like
@croach had text me at this point and asked if I was doing okay. I didn’t reply but I definitely appreciated that check in.
As we passed SSE I heard someone yell “GO JENNA!!” and it was
@camaker! I was still getting a lot of cheers for my outfit and with all the people in Epcot it was a much needed boost. We get to the choir and see the mile 26 marker (the only one I wanted a picture of)! WE WERE ALMOST THERE!!!
And then we turned the corner. I see Rudy and he gives me a cheer. I see the crowds of people. I see the finish line. The end was near and I did it and I didn’t die and I effing DID IT. I am a Marathoner and a Dopey finisher!!!
And just like I knew I would, I broke down. I grabbed Bree and gave her a huge hug. I literally would not have done it without her. And I cried. Because I made the impossible, possible.
I made my way through the finisher chute and to the beer tent where Cliff and
@rteetz were waiting. Ryan sees me and throws his arms open in celebration and I give him a huge hug and cry again. (I am sure he regrets doing that so much, hahahaha. #EmotionalSupportPanda) Then I drank a bunch of beers.
So many emotions and I couldn’t have had a better group of people to share this experience with. The Disboards gave me this group of people who are like family to me now and I will forever be thankful. <3
WHEW. Okay… I think that sums up the race.
Up next: non-running related things!
Sorry kid, stop being such a drag if you don't like it.
