Okay, so now my "brief" trip and marathon report, in case it is of interest to anyone.
Flew in on Friday afternoon. Got in late because of a flat tire on the plane that had to be changed. Missed the expo and our dinner plans. Okay, par for the course I guess. Next time: will try to arrive on Thursday, early afternoon, if possible.
Saturday, visited the expo. Not much merchandise left at all! It was disappointing, but at least my race shirt mostly fit. Was it just me or were they all running LARGE this year? I'm glad I went with a small. If I had selected medium, I could have belted the shirt and wore it as a dress it was so long. We cancelled any theme park plans and just relaxed the rest of the day mostly by the pool. I would stay with this plan for the next time, unless the weather was colder.
Saturday night - was so nervous at dinner time! I couldn't eat much. Just ate lightly a little flatbread pizza and some ice cream. This seemed to work out for the race. Also this time, I laid out all of my racing gear BEFORE dinner. This helped immensely as it kept me from getting so anxious about the race by laying out race gear just before bedtime. I actually got about 3 or 3.5 hours of good sleep. Much better than my previous 2 Disney halves, where I got only about 2 hours of bad sleep.
Sunday - Race morning. I am not an early riser. Out of bed at 3:15 and on monorail by 4 AM. In corral by 5 eating some light breakfast. Next time, I would try to arrive at the staging area about 15 minutes earlier only, maybe for a pre race pic, otherwise, I'd stay with the same plan.
Getting to the corrals was slow going, but probably not as bad as I had heard it was for the half marathoners. I was in corral D, and it was odd getting to the corral by walking through the grass on that median, I think it was the median! It was so humid. I had a long-sleeved sweatshirt on to keep the chill off pre-race, but it was damp before the race started. The temperature was perfect for me at the start, but so very humid!
All was good running through the Magic Kingdom. I only stopped at one picture stop because I was concerned about my time and wanted to get as far on the course as I could before the sun came up.
Entering the race track was strange on that steep down hill then up hill ramp. Was there not a better place to bring in the runners? But I actually liked running the race track and seeing all of the cars.
By the time we reached Animal Kingdom, I was getting pretty hot and tired. My pace was slowing quite a bit. But I really enjoyed the run through AK. It was mostly shady as I remember, and mostly down hill, and it was just as the park was opening, so some runners were taking the EE detour. I can't even ride the coaster on my best days without getting ill, but it sure would have been fun to do that in a race if I could. I think I got another character pic at AK too.
Now, after AK, I was ready to stop. Everything bad was coming earlier than I had expected, earlier than in training - blisters, fatigue, muscle tightness. I think around mile 15, I started to feel a little odd. I was not sure if I was over hydrating or under hydrating, was it the heat? I never felt this way in training. I considered a medical tent, but decided to just slow down to walking only to see if I would feel better. I could always stop at the next medical tent if necessary. I started pouring water over my head at all of the water stops and I made sure I took in some nutrition. After awhile I was feeling better, but just monitored myself closely. I was able to resume my run/walk and that "odd" feeling never returned, but I did still continue pouring water over my head at every water stop and made sure I would eat something regularly, because I was kind of forgetting to eat. I even finished the race with part of my nutrition bar left.
I made a pre-race agreement with myself that if I ever became injured or ill on the course I would ALLOW myself to stop instead of forcing myself to finish and I would not feel guilty about it. I shall continue this plan for any race of any distance. It truly took the pressure off of me.
I actually was happy to finally reach WWOS. Not only because of the supposed mile 20 surprise, but I just needed to get off the highway! I saw the other runners on the other side of the highway heading toward the Studios and I wondered if when I reached that point, if there would be any runners still heading into WWOS.
I really didn't mind running through WWOS, but wish there were a few more character stops to break things up. I liked running on the track, and I liked the gravel surface around the stadium. But wow, did that stadium field ever seem empty! Was there supposed to be a hot air balloon their earlier? There really could have been more there for the runners. The mile 20 surprise was okay, but RunDisney could have done better, since they hyped it up so much. Still overall, the WWOS section was a good diversion.
Now coming out of WWOS was really tough. By this time, the outside of my legs, from hips to knees, were so tight! Not actually cramping, but just so tight I could barely run. It was starting to go into my lower back too. Never experienced anything like this so bad in training, even when I ran my 20 miler. Then I saw what probably was the last runner heading into WWOS. She was followed by several cyclists who were talking to her. They were followed by several sweeper vans. Followed by the road clean up crews. THIS put the fear in me. I was too tired to figure out how many miles they were behind me. So despite the pain and tightness in my legs, I pushed on. And I pushed on. I was walking a lot more at this point. Not because of fatigue, but that darn, painful tightness in my IT band area (for lack of a better description). Those muscle groups were telling me that they were through! But I just kept walking, and added in a little running when I could.
Studios - we finally made it here. I was pretty certain I would not be swept at this point. But I walked most of the way through the Studios. I was so afraid that if I tried to run more, my tight painful IT band muscles would start cramping and then I might really be in trouble. I just wanted to finish! The chocolate break was excellent! I was starting to really get tired of water, PowerAde, bananas, and my other nutritional supplements. And I was totally craving a beer, since I had seen some folks a WWOS with beers. Oh those beers looked so good!
Leaving the Studios, I saw my DH and stopped briefly to talk to him. He said I actually looked good.
And I actually think he meant it! He said you have it wrapped up, and I pretty much agreed with him. By this time, I was only walking. I couldn't have run if I wanted to. The pathway to the Boardwalk was all filled with walkers at this point. I think we were just all relaxing and enjoying it as we were so close to the finish.
Things opened up a little once we reached the Boardwalk area. It was very enjoyable walk/running along the boardwalk and yacht and beach club. I've never really seen them in the daytime before. Still mostly walking at this point, but I was able to pick up the pace and throw in some running just to try to keep under the maximum pace limit.
EPCOT. Now, coming into EPCOT was just WONDERFUL. I was just about out of anything I had left. My IT band muscles were still so tight and sore. I just could not move them much at all, even while walking. But the crowd in the UK area when we entered were cheering us on and it almost brought tears to my eyes because I knew I would finish for certain. I had so many doubts when I started 25 miles earlier (or whatever it was) and I had doubts along the course. I was just so emotional at that point that I actually was going to do this!
I remember running past Morocco and seeing some folks at the outdoor cafe and thought eating at Morocco never looked so good. And then there was the BEER again! I was still craving it! I don't usually go crazy over beer so I don't know why it looked so extraordinarily good! In fact, I think I want one now as I type this. Is it the carbs? The carbonation and hydration? The vitamin B? It was all I could do to keep from pulling off course to buy one. But I was afraid if I stopped I might not get going again. Maybe next time.
Then the last .2 miles... I saved enough in me to start running again. I ran the last .2 miles straight and crossed the finish line feeling great! Yes, still tight sore muscles, but overall okay. One little blister - I blame that on the heat and humidity.
I was happy that they gave out bags for all of our goodies. I didn't need medical. I just needed a pool! Oh and I wish they would give out milk! Is that too difficult? And was there any soda? I had seen that in last years half and could have really used one. I was so sick of water, but did drink another bottle.
Overall - Wonderful, awesome experience. Hard and difficult to be sure. I didn't run/walk as fast as I would have liked, but pretty much kept to training pace the whole way. Finished under the required pace and got some pics and videos along the way. I finished without injury or illness. I was able to have my celebratory glass of champagne that evening and walk around the Magic Kingdom until closing. All goals met.
The volunteers, spectators, and cast members along the course were just awesome! Such great support! I tried to thank them every time I could and when I still had energy to do so. The BEST of any race I've participated in large or small.
I definitely have some things to work out before the next marathon. The worst thing was that tight IT band muscle group. I tried foam rolling prior to the race my legs (all through training actually), I tried stretching several times during the race. Just didn't help much. I really need to get that worked out. Could it have been caused by the heat? Lack of electrolytes? Lack of training, lack of muscle strength? I just want to get that fixed before the next race. Anything else that was problematic, I think I can fix for the next time, but this muscle stiffness must be worked out. I don't even care if I'm slow again. I just want a more painless race experience and to be able to keep run walking to the end, if possible.
Well, that's my story. Thank you for sticking with me if you've read this far.
Now, to start thinking about 2014...
WTH did they give me a medal? That kind of pissed me off actually!
Congratulations marathoners! We did it! It is almost hard to believe it is all over, after months of training and wondering if I could actually do it. 
Hugs to you all that started but could not finish for whatever reason. I admire those people bringing up the back more than the ones in the front. We were staying at BWV, and after I got back to the room I was watching the last runners go by just hoping they were going to make it. 
I can't leave an unfinished marathon over my head so I have decided that I'm going to do Goofy in 2015! I'm not ready to face it again in 2014 so 2015 it is. That gives me time to get to my goal weight, get in much better shape and be more mentally prepared for all contingencies (heat, cold, etc.) I WILL FINISH!
