ohMom
Kids Get Arthritis Too!
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 7,363
I wanted to journal everything I could remember and felt during my first 1/2 marathon. This is LONG I forewarn you 
Marathon day:
Cat napping, yoga breathing, relaxation techniques pulled me through a not-so-restful period of lying in bed and arising at 2:47 a.m. There wasnt much for me to do as I had my bag packed, my clothes laid out, my do-rag folded, I just went through the motions and started psyching myself into it. Promptly at 3:15 our crew (myself, my Mom (AlreadyexcitedGrammy) and my cousin (evansmom)) headed out the door, meeting up with Tammy (TammyNC), Melanie (MelanieC), Cheryl (CherylNWI) and her bunch. Walking towards the bus stop we realized there were several charter buses lined up awaiting eager and chipper participants. Climbing aboard we settled in, broke open the bag of whole wheat bagels to dunk in our natural peanut butter chased with a diet coke in order to use my caffeine-duster for the cobwebs in my brain. A short bus ride took us to Epcot parking lot where we aimlessly wondered around the first 30 mins, talked with other WISHers, drank water bottles and commented in wonder on just how many participants there really were. Close to 5 a.m. we went and checked our post-race bags and began the walk to the starting area, we were told it was a .6 of a mile walk. The path was crowded and we shuffled along in the dark, thankful for our glo-necklaces to keep with our friends. After the split of the half and full-marathoners, we continued up the highway stretch for a final port-a-potty stop. Its about 30 mins pre-race and we are disgusted but still belly-laughing at the squatters on the other side of the road who prefer tall grass tickling their behinds to a private port-a-potty stocked with t.p. I suppose its all in the moment. Start time is less than 30 mins away as we enter our Corral on Epcot Center Drive; and weave through to find a spot big enough for our gang. Emotions start to run high here, this is THE moment we have spent the past 12 months training for, psyching up for, reading up on, anticipating and finally living out.
Just before 6 a.m. the wheelchair participants are started, we shuffle up a bit and soon hear Mickey and Minnies voice followed by fireworks signaling the official start! Giddy and antsy as kids on Christmas morning, we make our way to cross the start line at approx 6 mins 20 seconds clocktime. The streets were lined with cheerers and already their energy is invigorating. The first mile or two is highway walking on the outskirts of Epcot, as far as the eye can see both in front and behind are marathoners. Not far after the first mile marker we enter Epcot park and the next mile took us behind the scenes of Future World. As we approached World Showcase I realized the course took us into the countries and the sight was breath-taking. At our entrance there was a torch lit and all the countries were lit and lined with Cast members cheering us on. That mile passed very quickly and we soon found ourselves on the other side of the park, in the service area again, it seemed so gloomy.
The next mile retraced our first steps on the course and reaching mile 5 we embarked our journey to the Magic Kingdom. The next 4 miles were the slowest as the scenery was not much more than road signs, thousands of participants, and a clover-leaf entrance onto World Drive. The volunteers at the water stops were uplifting, some even cheered me by name as I reached out and quickly snatched the cup they offered. Until this time I had no idea how much the occasional group of cheerers would boost my spirits and revive my energy. About mile 5.75 we were blessed by a pep band of what appeared to be high school students blaring their instruments in a dynamic way. The pounding of the drums and the liveliness of the horns brought a wave of energy, power, and determination. Those kids will never know they are etched in my memory and precious their gift in getting up early, facing the traffic, and simply playing for me. Twice we passed a group of elderly gentlemen dressed in grass skirts and hula-dancing to their boom box thanks guys! By some crazy osmosis your spirit lifted mine.
Approaching the Transportation and Ticket Center brought an atmosphere of vivacity. More spectators had lined the course and we began to see landmarks signifying a closeness to the park. In my mind I knew THE hill, aka the Contemporary Hill was imminent. I had done some hills in my training and felt confident; but the legend lingered in my mind. Not to waste energy stressing about it, we faced it and conquered it and quite honestly it wasnt a big deal. At the top there was a sense of victory and we continued to come upon mile 10.
This brings us to the entrance of Magic Kingdom and another emotional moment. This being my third trip to a place I love, I knew walking down Main Street and seeing the Castle would be very significant for me. A right turn at the Confectionary store and we began the quick jaunt and soon entered Tomorrowland. The path through Magic Kingdom stretched only one mile and much too quickly we had passed through the castle, Adventureland and were heading out the side service area. We did make a quick stop for a picture with Goofy, and all along the way I just tried to memorize what I saw.
The last two mile stretch was on Floridian Way and brought us to the finish line. We had never walked further than 11 miles and the last two proved no different than any other of the hundreds of miles walked in preparation for these 13.1 miles. I will admit disappointment in the Finish Line area, maybe its the rookie in me, but I expected more characters to cheer our success. My feet were aching, the sun had become strong and hot, and three hours and 20 mins after crossing the start line my journey was over. Simple as that my walk was finished.
In the year I spent preparing for that day I never dreamed the emotions it would stir, the appreciation I would cultivate for the physical ability God has given me that enabled me to achieve the status of half-marathoner, the gratitude I would have for my family and friends who supported my aspiration to finish this race, my training partners from the WISH board whom I knew completely understood my journey as we experienced it together, the pride I would feel wearing my Donald medal and encouraging others to Go for it!
Marathon day:
Cat napping, yoga breathing, relaxation techniques pulled me through a not-so-restful period of lying in bed and arising at 2:47 a.m. There wasnt much for me to do as I had my bag packed, my clothes laid out, my do-rag folded, I just went through the motions and started psyching myself into it. Promptly at 3:15 our crew (myself, my Mom (AlreadyexcitedGrammy) and my cousin (evansmom)) headed out the door, meeting up with Tammy (TammyNC), Melanie (MelanieC), Cheryl (CherylNWI) and her bunch. Walking towards the bus stop we realized there were several charter buses lined up awaiting eager and chipper participants. Climbing aboard we settled in, broke open the bag of whole wheat bagels to dunk in our natural peanut butter chased with a diet coke in order to use my caffeine-duster for the cobwebs in my brain. A short bus ride took us to Epcot parking lot where we aimlessly wondered around the first 30 mins, talked with other WISHers, drank water bottles and commented in wonder on just how many participants there really were. Close to 5 a.m. we went and checked our post-race bags and began the walk to the starting area, we were told it was a .6 of a mile walk. The path was crowded and we shuffled along in the dark, thankful for our glo-necklaces to keep with our friends. After the split of the half and full-marathoners, we continued up the highway stretch for a final port-a-potty stop. Its about 30 mins pre-race and we are disgusted but still belly-laughing at the squatters on the other side of the road who prefer tall grass tickling their behinds to a private port-a-potty stocked with t.p. I suppose its all in the moment. Start time is less than 30 mins away as we enter our Corral on Epcot Center Drive; and weave through to find a spot big enough for our gang. Emotions start to run high here, this is THE moment we have spent the past 12 months training for, psyching up for, reading up on, anticipating and finally living out.
Just before 6 a.m. the wheelchair participants are started, we shuffle up a bit and soon hear Mickey and Minnies voice followed by fireworks signaling the official start! Giddy and antsy as kids on Christmas morning, we make our way to cross the start line at approx 6 mins 20 seconds clocktime. The streets were lined with cheerers and already their energy is invigorating. The first mile or two is highway walking on the outskirts of Epcot, as far as the eye can see both in front and behind are marathoners. Not far after the first mile marker we enter Epcot park and the next mile took us behind the scenes of Future World. As we approached World Showcase I realized the course took us into the countries and the sight was breath-taking. At our entrance there was a torch lit and all the countries were lit and lined with Cast members cheering us on. That mile passed very quickly and we soon found ourselves on the other side of the park, in the service area again, it seemed so gloomy.
The next mile retraced our first steps on the course and reaching mile 5 we embarked our journey to the Magic Kingdom. The next 4 miles were the slowest as the scenery was not much more than road signs, thousands of participants, and a clover-leaf entrance onto World Drive. The volunteers at the water stops were uplifting, some even cheered me by name as I reached out and quickly snatched the cup they offered. Until this time I had no idea how much the occasional group of cheerers would boost my spirits and revive my energy. About mile 5.75 we were blessed by a pep band of what appeared to be high school students blaring their instruments in a dynamic way. The pounding of the drums and the liveliness of the horns brought a wave of energy, power, and determination. Those kids will never know they are etched in my memory and precious their gift in getting up early, facing the traffic, and simply playing for me. Twice we passed a group of elderly gentlemen dressed in grass skirts and hula-dancing to their boom box thanks guys! By some crazy osmosis your spirit lifted mine.
Approaching the Transportation and Ticket Center brought an atmosphere of vivacity. More spectators had lined the course and we began to see landmarks signifying a closeness to the park. In my mind I knew THE hill, aka the Contemporary Hill was imminent. I had done some hills in my training and felt confident; but the legend lingered in my mind. Not to waste energy stressing about it, we faced it and conquered it and quite honestly it wasnt a big deal. At the top there was a sense of victory and we continued to come upon mile 10.
This brings us to the entrance of Magic Kingdom and another emotional moment. This being my third trip to a place I love, I knew walking down Main Street and seeing the Castle would be very significant for me. A right turn at the Confectionary store and we began the quick jaunt and soon entered Tomorrowland. The path through Magic Kingdom stretched only one mile and much too quickly we had passed through the castle, Adventureland and were heading out the side service area. We did make a quick stop for a picture with Goofy, and all along the way I just tried to memorize what I saw.
The last two mile stretch was on Floridian Way and brought us to the finish line. We had never walked further than 11 miles and the last two proved no different than any other of the hundreds of miles walked in preparation for these 13.1 miles. I will admit disappointment in the Finish Line area, maybe its the rookie in me, but I expected more characters to cheer our success. My feet were aching, the sun had become strong and hot, and three hours and 20 mins after crossing the start line my journey was over. Simple as that my walk was finished.
In the year I spent preparing for that day I never dreamed the emotions it would stir, the appreciation I would cultivate for the physical ability God has given me that enabled me to achieve the status of half-marathoner, the gratitude I would have for my family and friends who supported my aspiration to finish this race, my training partners from the WISH board whom I knew completely understood my journey as we experienced it together, the pride I would feel wearing my Donald medal and encouraging others to Go for it!
CONGRATULATIONS!
