Real Women Sweat PINK - A 2013 Marathon Trip Report - COMPLETE 8/8/13

[ZellyB]

So, there we were continuing on Osceola Parkway. I was still doing okay, but the legs were starting to tire and really more than my legs, my FEET were starting to ache. But, not that bad and I still felt okay. The heat, however, was starting to really kick in and there was not a spot of shade to be had on this road. We had taken out our chiller towels and wrapped them around our necks, and that was helping some, but not a great deal.

At mile 16 we came in closer proximity to the folks exiting WWoS. There was an announcer there at what would end up being a little past mile 20 on the course who was telling people, you only have 6 miles left! Okay. That wouldn't be that encouraging to me at mile 20 and it sure as heck wasn't helping me to hear it knowing I was still 4 miles away from that point. Dude.

We turned onto the road that leads back into WWoS and then were running right beside the runners coming out of the loop. Many of them shouted out words of encourgement and that was great to hear. Up ahead we saw a group of workers and realized they were handing out sponges soaked in cold water. HEAVEN!! We squeezed those over our heads and they helped a lot to cool us off. I ended up dropping mine and then remembered advice on this board about keeping it for later. I wish I had.

Anyway, onward we went and started around the loop of WWoS. Right about here, at mile 17-18, is when I hit the wall. I think it might be more appropriate to say I crashed into it. The heat and fatigue were really getting to me and so we started walking through some of the run intervals because I was just exhausted. Chris, bless his heart, was doing everything he could to keep me distracted. Including taking a lot of pictures even though I griped at him about it.



That's the building where the expo was housed.

We ran around a track as well for a quarter mile loop and then moved on to the baseball stadium.



There weren't a lot of people left in here to cheer, but it was still nice to see some spectators again and get a boost. There was a big screen too showing people on it, but I wasn't paying a lot of attention at this point.



Out of the stadium and back up the road where we had previously passed other runners. Only this time for us, there was nobody there. Yep, that means the end of the pack (and the dreaded sweepers were already passed that point.) Now, we never saw the sweepers and that still meant we probably had a 3 mile lead or so on them, but still it scared me!!

But, up ahead I knew was mile 20 and I was excited to see whatever surprise that Disney had in store for us. I was counting on it to boost me on for the last 6 miles.

But, when we got there, honestly, it was a bit of a let down. There were these big puppet type things with people below them working them. I didn't get very good pictures of this...



See? Not too exciting.

At the 20 mile mark though was a stage set up with the classic characters as well as a big arch. We stopped to get in line for a shot.







They had images of all the previous medals on the arch. But, while we were waiting in line, I started to get a little light headed. The sun and heat were really starting to get to me, so I told Chris I thought we'd better keep moving. I was worried if we stood still for too long I wouldn't be able to get moving again.

So, on we went past mile 20 (the farthest I'd ever gone before) and to the last portion of the race. I was just hoping I could keep moving and stay ahead of those sweepers.

Next up: Hollywood Studios, Epcot and miles 20-26.2!

 

[Ariel484]

I give runners that stop and ride EE major props...I'd love to do it but I get my brains rattled pretty good on that ride on a normal day, let alone partway through a marathon.

Yay for a picture with the ladies! I bet Minnie loved your skirt.

I'm reading a lot of your update just doing this: I SO agree with you on lying down for the understakers (ain't gonna happen!), WWoS being hellish, aching feet, "6 miles left" guy , the heavenly sponges, and mile 20 being disappointing. I'm sorry that you hit the wall and got lightheaded! Hooray for showing that wall who's boss!!

Your towels sound very nice indeed...I may need to look into one of those!

 

[ZellyB]

Shannon,
I remember doing the while reading your TR about the marathon too. I think most of us felt that way about this portion of the race.

 

[ZellyB]

Shortly after passing through the 20 mile arch, I got the next update from the run tracker.

20 mile split in 5:15:50. Pace 15:47. Okay, so holding our own at this point and staying ahead of the sweepers.

But, here is where I really started to struggle. I was getting where I just couldn't get myself to run for extended periods of time and we were walking more and more of the time. About here, my Garmin watch also died, so I didn't even have the beeps anymore to signal time to change pace. It was going to be a long haul to the finish, so I put on my determined face and trudged on.



Something you should know about me. I'm a total camera hog. So, anytime I know someone is taking my picture, I plaster on a big smile. But, otherwise, that was how I looked.

Anyway, we moved on through mile 21 and I think somewhere along in here were the Green Army Guys, but no way was I stopping for any pictures.

Up ahead we saw the mile 22 marker. Chris wanted a picture so we stopped.



Unfortunately, as soon as we stopped to take the picture, my lightheadedness returned. Only this time, I started to get that tunnel vision that preceeds blacking out. I told Chris and he hurried me over to a guard rail that was under a shade tree. Luckily there was a med tent right there, so Chris went in to get me some ice. As I was sitting there, I put my head between my knees to keep from keeling over. About that time, a runner stopped to stretch his hamstring on the rail. He noticed me and asked in an Australian accent, "are you okay?" I told him I was just over heated but that my husband was getting me ice. He stayed with me until Chris came back. So sweet. It really demonstrated again what a great supportive community there is among runners.

Anyway, armed with an ice bag on my neck, we headed out again. No way in the world was I stopping at mile 22!!

Just a bit further down the road and we were coming in the backside of Hollywood Studios.




Tower of Terror!! Our favorite ride in all of Disney. There were some more character meets along in here, but I was in a fog and don't remember who they were. I think right about here was where they were handing out the chocolate bars. I snatched a couple up and snarfed them down. One thing about me and running. I've never gotten nauseated and seem to be able to eat just about anything. Figures.

A little further down and we got to run through the tunnel where the costume makers work. I have no idea the name of it. But, getting into the shade even for that short time was heavenly. We ran on through Hollywood Studios and gradually I was starting to feel a bit better. The ice was doing the trick and cooling me down.





Coming out of Hollywood Studios were some people handing out Twizzlers. I snatched up a couple of those as well and ate them. I found out later that I think they were actually Disers from the WISH board handing them out. They were delicious!!

On we went and past mile 23 and making our way to mile 24. Around in here, I knew that I was going to make it and finish. It was a great feeling. It was also the moment that I pronounced to Chris that I was a "one and done" marathoner. At that moment, I could not imagine ever putting myself through something like this again.

This part of the run took us along the boardwalk and in my previous visits to Disney, I had never come to this part of the world. It was really lovely and there was a pretty good amount of spectator support here. It did a lot to boost my spirits and move me on toward the end.



There go those arms again.



I had to post this because of that poor woman behind us. She was having such a hard time and her sweet husband (or whoever that is) was just dragging her along. I don't know if she made it the whole way but I sure hope she did.

Then suddenly looming up ahead was this...



and the entrance to Epcot!!

We were nearly there.

Next up: Epcot and the BIG FINISH!!

 

[jwgm2012]

I'm all caught up! As I'm reading your report (like I did with Ariel's) I feel tired WITH you! I know I would have a similar run - if I even made it!!
I'm glad you pushed through and kept moving. That's the toughest part, I'm sure. I love your pic with Minnie - her hat trim and shirt match your skirt perfectly!

gina

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I'm in awe!!!!!! So awesome and I cannot WAIT to hear the end!

 

[Bayoumama]

Been following your trip report......AWESOME !!! I love that determination. Can't wait to read about the finish line !!!

 

[ZellyB]

I'm all caught up! As I'm reading your report (like I did with Ariel's) I feel tired WITH you! I know I would have a similar run - if I even made it!!
I'm glad you pushed through and kept moving. That's the toughest part, I'm sure. I love your pic with Minnie - her hat trim and shirt match your skirt perfectly!

gina

And, I got tired again writing about it! And, trust me, you could totally do it.

I'm in awe!!!!!! So awesome and I cannot WAIT to hear the end!

The end was great! And none too soon!!

Been following your trip report......AWESOME !!! I love that determination. Can't wait to read about the finish line !!!

Thanks for reading along!

 

[ZellyB]

I cannot tell you how happy I was to be in Epcot and just a little over a mile from the finish. I was still dog tired and my feet were aching and I really wanted to just be done, but it was such a relief to know we were nearly there. I think had I felt better, this part of the race would have been amazing. Epcot is such a pretty park and as we got to run through the various countries there was a lot to see again.




By this time, the park was open and in full swing, so I saw a couple of people who looked pretty irritated at being blocked from moving freely about the park because of us runners that were still on the course. I can’t say I really blame them, although I would avoid Epcot like the plague if I were there for marathon weekend on a marathon race day and not a runner. Anyway, we made the loop through Epcot and then as we came around a corner to see mile 26 and a gospel choir. I wished I had snapped a picture, but again I was totally focused on the finish. It was really exciting to see them though and know the end was that close. I told Chris that I figured when we heard them singing that we were either going to finish momentarily or I had died and gone to heaven. Either way, my legs and feet would feel better soon.

Around the corner from the gospel choir and we were in the chute headed to the finish. Lots of spectators still and cheering and the announcer were all enough to get me running again to the finish. The announcer said something like, “This is the .2 miles you dream about, so just enjoy it.” And I did. We got to the finish and crossed holding hands just like I had imagined we would.



You can see our clock time there. Our actual chip time was 7:08:04. And our final update from the Run tracker gave us a pace of 16:20. EEK! We had slowed down a lot obviously in that last 6.2 miles. Thankfully we had that cushion so no sign of sweepers to take us off the course at any point. Right before the finish was Mickey, and Chris tried to get me to stop and I wouldn’t. I’m kicking myself now for that, but once I had that finish line in sight, nothing was going to stop me. Not even that mouse!!

Once over the line there were lots of people moving you forward and shoving water into your hands. They were saying non-stop, “make sure you are drinking water. Make sure you are drinking Gatorade.” A few feet further on and there were the folks waiting with our bling.





I’m not an especially emotional person and it takes a lot to get me sappy, but if there was a moment I almost choked up it was getting that stupid piece of metal put around my neck. I was just so happy. Partly that I had done it and partly that I didn’t have to keep on going.

We moved on past and got our little bags (which contained a whole lot of nothing honestly) and grabbed a couple of bananas and some Gatorade. Lots more photographers along here.



Here’s where I tell you why I titled my trip report the way I did. Look at my shirt. I had bought this hot pink sports bra to go with my Minnie skirt and somewhere along the way between my sweat and all the water and ice I had dumped on my head, the color bled out and all over my white shirt. Even my running bib ended up with pink stains on it. I told Chris that it seemed sort of appropriate though given my breast cancer diagnosis, and that clearly my body had just decided to sweat pink in honor of that. I guess forever that bib will be a reminder of the accomplishment and what was going on in my life at the time.

We moved through the tents and post race activities and looked for our bus back to Shades of Green. I was just so exhausted and tired, and all I wanted to do was sit down. We found the bus for Shades of Green easily and thankfully one was sitting there waiting for us. Ahhhhh! How blessed it was to sit down. And just to finish the bus ride the way we started….


Our bus headed to Shades of Green, but just as we were passing through the parking gates for Magic Kingdom someone from further back in the bus started crying out for help. A man had passed out and was having a small seizure! Thankfully, he came around pretty quickly and turned out he was okay, but we sat for quite some time after calling 911 waiting for emergency crews to arrive. I think just the heat and exertion got the better of him, but it was scary.

We finally got back to Shades of Green around 2 pm or so and headed to our room. Remember how earlier on we were congratulating ourselves on the great room we had in a far quiet corner of the resort? Well, now we were cursing how far we had to walk!! Each step was a challenge. But, we eventually made it back to our room and I took the most wonderful shower of my entire life!! That might be a slight exaggeration, but I don’t think by much.

After we got cleaned up, we decided to head straight back out to Epcot. We were both afraid to sit down for very long because we didn’t think we’d get moving again and we had dinner reservations at the Biergarten at 6 and, boy, were we hungry!!! So, we put on our race shirts and our medals around our necks and took the long trek back out to the front and a walk over to the Poly to get on the monorail and journey back to Epcot.

Next up: Epcot and BEER me!

 

[wiigirl]

 

[jwgm2012]

I love the story of your pink bleeding through - so significant and fitting... How awesome that you finished and with hubby right by your side!
Can't wait to read the rest...

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

You are amazing!!! I love that you sweat pink!

 

[BelleLulu]

You did it! Pink sweat and all...I don't think I would stop even for Mickey if the finish line was in sight. You deserve a large beer and good dinner.

 

[Ariel484]

I love that shot of you and Chris in front of the Tower of Terror...the way the sun is shining down on you guys is so pretty!

YOU DID IT! Congratulations to both of you! And just look at those Mickey Medals...bee-yoo-tiful.

I actually noticed your pink sweat in one of the earlier updates, and yet it somehow didn't occur to me that this was where the title of your report came from...DUH.

So scary about the man that passed out on the bus! Glad he was okay.

Very smart of you guys to keep moving after the race was over.

Looking forward to heading about your celebratory dinner and the marathon aftermath!

 

[ZellyB]

We got to Epcot in the late afternoon and had a couple of hours before our dinner reservation. We started out by picking up a Fastpass for Soarin that would fit in well for us after dinner. I had really wanted to try out the new Test Track, but it was down. We checked back once or twice, but it never came back up. Oh well, something to look forward to on the next trip!

We rode Nemo and it was a literal walk-on. Not another person in the whole line. I mentioned earlier that our other trips to Disney were at peak visiting times, so we were just thrilled at how empty the place seemed. We rode Spaceship Earth and then wandered through Innoventions before heading back to the world showcase.

I tried to find that Coke station place because I wanted to try the famous Beverly, but I must have been blinded by fatigue because I never saw it. Where the heck is that place? Anyway, I was too tired to take more steps than absolutely necessary, so I gave up the quest.

Back in World Showcase we grabbed a cup of coffee and wandered through some of the areas for a time. We were walking nice and slow. We got lots of congratulations thrown our way by folks who noticed our shirts and medals. It’s another great thing about Disney races. Where else do you actually get the opportunity to wear your medal around and hear well wishes for that long? Other races you basically wear them until you get home and they go in a drawer or on display. It was nice to relish the accomplishment.

While in France, we wanted to get a shot of us with the Eiffel tower in the background. We were about to snap another of our famous self-portraits when a CM saw us and offered to take our picture.


We worked our way on around to Germany just wandering through the various areas. I’d never really taken that much time to explore in the World Showcase before, so it was nice and relaxing. And again, so uncrowded.

Finally it was time to eat and we headed to the Biergarten. We were both starving and ready to eat. We got seated fairly quickly. At our table were two young girls who had run the marathon as well as a couple where the wife ran the half and her husband did the Goofy. We were all wearing our medals. I was jealous of the orange Goofy shirt and medal. It was probably about that time that the wheels in my head started turning about how, just maybe, I could run another marathon one day. As long as it was at Disney.
Eventually, our beverages came…


As you can see, Chris opted for the small beer.

Dinner was great as usual but I took no pictures. We had a great time visiting with our table mates about our respective races and generally just enjoyed a really nice evening. I know there are a lot of people who don’t like the seating arrangements at Biergarten, but we loved it.

Anyway, once we had stuffed ourselves, it was time to head back out. Standing up was a challenge anytime after sitting for very long, but we managed to get ourselves moving again. I really wanted to go in the caramel shop, but Chris wasn’t in the mood to look, so we passed it by.
The sun was in the final stages of going down and a family asked if we’d take a picture of them and of course we did and then they reciprocated for us.


We were pretty well exhausted by this time, so we used our Soarin passes on the way out and then headed back to Shades of Green for an early bedtime. By the time I collapsed into that bed, my legs and feet were not happy with me, but I know all the moving around and walking was exactly what was needed, but boy was I glad to finally lie down!!

We are getting ready to head off on a family vacation for a cruise (not Disney unfortunately), so my next installment won’t be for another week or so, but hang in there with me. There’s more to come.

Next Up: Our 24th Wedding Anniversary, Hollywood Studios and Victoria and Albert’s. YUM!!

 

[Bayoumama]

I can't believe you had enough energy to go back to Epcot. Looks like it was worth it. Walking through the parks at a slow pace is such a different experience.

I've just started the couch to 5K program. I can't imagine running a marathon and then still being able to function the rest of the day...lol

Really enjoying your trip report. Go rest on that cruise.

 

[beachta1]

I'm impressed with your energy as well! I'm planning to have dinner at Narcossee's after the half marathon in January, but that is really are only plan. If we make it to MK, I may just sit on the train and take in the parks without really having to use my legs. I'm hoping the pool/hot tub at CBR also help with some of the soreness.

Either way, congrats on finishing and you absolutely deserve that beer!!

 

[BelleLulu]

You look amazingly happy in all your after pictures. Those medals are so impressive. I agree, you should be able to wear your medal for days after. Disney is so good about celebrating accomplishments.

 

[dmross]

Thank you for writing this TR!! Loved it. After 3 halfs (two at Disney World), I found Ariel484's report and now your report. I'm thinking a marathon may be in my future. Thanks for sharing!

"ROUS's? I don't think they exist..."

 

[ZellyB]

I can't believe you had enough energy to go back to Epcot. Looks like it was worth it. Walking through the parks at a slow pace is such a different experience.

I've just started the couch to 5K program. I can't imagine running a marathon and then still being able to function the rest of the day...lol

Really enjoying your trip report. Go rest on that cruise.

The cruise was great. We had a wonderful time and beautiful weather. It's been hectic since we've been back, so haven't had a chance to add to the report yet, but I will tonight or tomorrow. And, trust me, when I first started running I couldn't have imagined walking around after a marathon (well, I couldn't imagine doing a marathon), but it was well worth it.

I'm impressed with your energy as well! I'm planning to have dinner at Narcossee's after the half marathon in January, but that is really are only plan. If we make it to MK, I may just sit on the train and take in the parks without really having to use my legs. I'm hoping the pool/hot tub at CBR also help with some of the soreness.

Either way, congrats on finishing and you absolutely deserve that beer!!

Thanks! It took some determination on our part to make ourselves go out and walk, but I think it was the best thing we could have done to work through the soreness. Just take it nice and slow!! We intended to hit the hot tub at some point after, but we were so slow with the race we just didn't take the time. I'm sure it would have helped though.

You look amazingly happy in all your after pictures. Those medals are so impressive. I agree, you should be able to wear your medal for days after. Disney is so good about celebrating accomplishments.

I WAS incredibly happy. It was a great night. And, yeah, the celebration of the medal at Disney is just unmatched elsewhere.

Thank you for writing this TR!! Loved it. After 3 halfs (two at Disney World), I found Ariel484's report and now your report. I'm thinking a marathon may be in my future. Thanks for sharing!

"ROUS's? I don't think they exist..."

The marathon was tough and certainly a different beast from a half, but the feeling of accomplishment was just amazing. I have no doubt you could do it. Thanks for joining in. The more Princess Bride fans, the better.

I'll get to that next installment very soon. Promise!