Ok, here's part 2 of my marathon trip report.
Alan had a really bad cold when we got to Orlando, and because of that he snored something terrible!!! I knew I needed some sleep, so I crashed on the couch. I set his alarm clock, pager and cell phone to go off by 3:00 a.m. to make sure we would all get up. Can I just tell you all how early 3:00 is?!?!? When those alarms went off, though, I was up and feeling the butterflies in my tummy! I was really beginning to think this whole half marathon thing was a really bad idea. Anyway, I got ready to go, pulled out my meatloaf dinner from the night before and forced myself to eat a few bites. I knew I'd need the energy, but meatloaf at 3:30 is not really something I enjoy, ya know?
We were out the door by 4:15 and were headed to Epcot. We punched Epcot into the GPS in our car, and were on our way. We joked around a lot, nervously, I think, as we were all feeling very inadequate to the task ahead of us. We got to the destination point, and found that the GPS took us to the Cast Member parking lot, so we had to turn around and follow all the other cars that had done the same thing we had. At least we weren't alone. We finally got to the right parking lot, and were guided to a spot. It was amazing to join the throng of people all ready to get out there and sweat! As we looked around, our confidence began to flag. These people were all serious about running, etc. I felt like a fish out of water. However, we were here, and we decided to go ahead with it.
We followed the crowd and were quickly shown to the area where our "wave" would wait for orders to go to the starting line. It was amazing to see how many people there were. Music was blasting, people were dancing and stretching. It was an incredible feeling! We got our picture taken by an official photographer, and really began to feel like this was happening. Pretty quickly, Waves A and B were let to the starting point. We knew that in order to stay ahead of the sweepers, we would need to be at the front of Wave C. So, we started to make our way to the front of the pack. We gave each other one last hug for luck, and decided on a place to meet after the race was over. We knew that there was very little chance of our staying together during the race, and no one wanted to hold anyone back. At least we would start out together. As we made our way toward the starting line, we heard the actual start of the half. There was an official countdown, led my Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald. As the gun fired, fireworks went off overhead and we all stopped walking and cheered! We trudged on towards the starting line and about 5 minutes later Wave B took off. More fireworks and cheering. Now it was our turn. We were at the starting line, and had to wait for about 5 minutes. Finally, the countdown started and the gun fired. A last round of fireworks and we were off!!!
I started off at my usual pace, and felt really good. All 4 of us stuck together for a little while, but Carrie dropped off first to use the restroom. Scott was the next to peel off as he began jogging. Alan and I were still together and we actually stayed together for the first 3 miles. At the 3 mile mark, I could see a crowd of people up ahead, and knew that if I got caught in the crowd, it would slow me down considerably. I found an opening and began sprinting to get through the crowd. At that point, Alan fell behind me. I got through the crowd, and slowed to a good jogging pace. I felt really good and managed to jog/wog for the next couple of miles.
I followed my BIL's advice and took water at every opportunity. I was so surprised at how much the water perked me up. I was really sweating it out! By this time, I was approaching the Magic Kingdom! What an awesome sight to go up Main Street and see the castle. I was wishing that Alan could be there, but I hadn't seen any sign of him for quite a while. I began hoping that he would be smart and not try to kill himself to finish.
Anyway, I got through the castle with a smile on my face and was on to Frontierland. At the water station here, they were also handing out bananas. I was pleasantly surprised to run into my BIL Scott here. We both grabbed a couple of bananas and some water and continued on together. It was kind of nice to have a partner to urge me on and help keep my pace up.
We began to time our pace from mile marker to mile marker. From miles 7-10 we maintained a 13 minute mile pace. It felt good, but I was beginning to tire out. I just kept telling myself, "you're over halfway done! You can finish this!" Scott was wonderful at keeping my spirits up, as I was really beginning to droop. We passed a water station and I took a couple of cups. Immediately after this there was a station where they were handing out Clif Gu. This is pure sugar!!! I wasn't going to take any, as that much sugar normally would send me right into dumping syndrome! Not what I wanted to have happen during the half! However, Scott grabbed some and forced it into my mouth. I was surprised at how it perked me up!!!! My body was burning up energy so fast that I really needed the pick me up. I felt incredible for the next mile, and was amazed at how just that one little packet really picked me up!
By mile 12, we were almost back to Epcot, and starting to go up the on ramp. Boy, did I feel that!!!! It was incredible though, to go around that curve and see the line of people still stretching out behind me. I felt so good that I wasn't at the dead end last of the line. Scott and I just kept going. Occasionally, on the downhill of the ramp, we sprinted for a while, and I couldn't believe I had the energy to do that. Apparently, I was in better shape than I thought I was!
We hit mile 13 in Epcot, and I couldn't believe that I only had a tenth of a mile to go! I really had prepared myself to be swept, or to have to stop for some reason. I was beginning to hurt, though. My left hip was beginning to throb, and when Scott suggested we jog the last little bit, I had to beg off. So, he left, promising to wait for me at the finish line cheering me on! So, I was alone. It was amazing to see the finish line stretching out ahead of me, and hear the crowd cheering! Scott was waiting for me, cheering loudly, and as I crossed the finish line, I broke into tears! I had done it!!! I didn't think I really would do it, but I did!!! I felt so good!!! Scott just held me for a minute and let me cry!
We made our way toward the medical tents, and stopped there to get a space blanket, as we were both beginning to chill. We also had to stop to get our computer chips taken off our shoes. As we were stopped, a volunteer told us to go to the information booth and make sure our mailing information was correct, as they had run out of medals. I WAS LIVID!!!!! Here I had just completed the hardest task of my life, and they weren't going to give me anything to show for it!!! Being angry gave me energy, and we made our way to the information booth. We stopped twice before getting there, once to get some fruit and another time to get an official "finishers" photo. Then we got to the information line. There were hundreds of very angry people in line, all complaining about not getting medals.
While we were in line, Scott called Carrie to see where she was and if she knew where Alan was. Carrie answered and told Scott that she and Alan were together, they had been swept, but had still received medals. She said they were waiting for us at our rendezvous point. Scott started yelling, "YOU GOT SWEPT AND YOU STILL GOT MEDALS?????" People all around us began to swear and complain more loudly. Then, Carrie told Scott she was kidding. She and Alan had crossed the finish line 5 minutes after we did. We told the crowd that she was joking. The lynch mob calmed down somewhat. Carrie said that they had boxes and boxes of medals. She and Alan went back and managed to get 2 more medals for Scott and me. We walked back to the finisher photograph booths, and met them there. All 4 of us posed for another picture and then we began to make our way out to our car!
By the time we got to the car, we were hurting badly! Every muscle just screamed!!! We got in the car and headed back to the house. By the time we got there, my muscles had atrophied, and I couldn't move! None of us could! Somehow, we managed to get out of the car and hobbled into the house. I immediately got into my swimsuit and got into the jacuzzi! I've never felt anything so good in my life. It was so relaxing and felt so good on my sore muscles. After a nice long soak, a hot shower and some clean clothes, I collapsed on the couch and promptly fell asleep. I didn't wake up until 6:00 that night! I couldn't believe it! Everyone else had done the same thing, though, so I didn't feel too badly. None of us felt like going out to dinner, so we ordered in Chinese and just relaxed in front of the tv. We were so sore, that it was hard to believe that we would be moving any time soon!
After dinner, we all literally crashed again.
Next up, our Sunday in Orlando, or "I may never move again!"
I have some congestion, but Colby has had a cold so I'm sure that is why. Thanks for asking.
I'm really not addicted. 
and 
to all.
Pull up a chair!
