[This post brought to you entirely by my phone... I'll be back home eventually.]
I had several goals going into Saturday’s race in Disney World.
Goal 1: don’t get swept for not keeping the 16-minute-mile pace. Once I started timing myself, I figured I should be able to manage that as long as I was able to do SOME running (and not break an ankle).
Goal 2 was the one I really had in my sights: no walking. I completed the Couch-to-5K training program, but have started to get some significant leg pain after my runs. And while I finished my 30-minute run, I hadn’t yet made it to the full 3.1 miles.
I couldn’t decide if I was confident or nervous. What if I had dragged my whole family to Florida for a race I couldn’t even finish?
But then I went to pick up my race pack, in true Disney fashion, and got all kinds of excited.
That night, I got to meet my fellow Shredheads, most of whom were running the half-marathon. I got my race shirt, and set it all out for our early-morning start.
The morning was early. On the bus at 5:45. An hour before sunrise. 45 degrees. But the bus was crowded, there were costumes and tiaras all over the place. There were bright lights and a DJ pumping loud music. I jumped and danced to stay warm.
The sun started to come up. We pushed into the starting area. A few hundred feet and a few thousand people between me and the starting line.
Behind us, a preview of what awaited us at mile 3. Pumped.
Fireworks marked the start. It was a mob, but a happy one. We wound around the parking lot and entered Epcot at the one-mile mark, between Mexico and Norway.
There were volunteers cheering us along. Disney characters all along the route, and people stopping to wait in a line 8 people deep to take pictures. Not me. I had a goal.
My pace was slower than I expected. In classic Disney Imagineering, I thought I was close to the finish and the route took a few more hidden turns.
One last turn: finish line. I ran across it. 37:14. Fast? Nah. But I ran it. I ran. The whole thing. 3.1 miles. I earned that silly rubber finisher’s medallion, god dammit.
Alright, so my leg hurt like a motherf–ker for the next two days and I’m still limping down stairs. But I have an appointment with a physical therapist next week. I have another race in May. I’m looking for longer ones. Despite the stabbing pain in my right shin, I found myself jealous of the half marathon runners I saw the next day.
Bring it.
Yay! I’m so proud of you for running the entire distance. You’re going to rock your next race =)
.-= ladyg8r´s last blog ..Race Day Recap: Disney Princess Half Marathon =-.
First, I’m so so so PROUD of you!!!
Second, I’m going to say I told you so – I knew you’d be itching to do another, longer race
You rock! I did C25K but wasn’t smart enough to plan a whole vacay around a race! I sitll need to do one, in fact. Thanks for the inspiration and i hope your leg feels better!!
YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR!!! I love that your first 5k was at Disneyland – perfect! And that you ran the whole way and that you’re going to do another race!!! WOOHOO!!!
Go Liz! Woo hoo!
Liz, I am so proud of you for setting a goal and accomplishing it!(I’m a bit jealous!) And you look great!
Way to go on finishing your first 5K! That is a huge accomplishment and you ran the whole way!
Good luck with the physical therapist.
You look great, BTW!
You look FABULOUS in these pictures! Congrats on your first race and I hope your leg feels better soon!
You are awesome! Congratulations on reaching your goal
Congrats! Sounds like much fun
And I hate to tell you, but it sounds like you’re addicted! I had a running-ending injury many years ago, and had to give it up…I still miss it. Enjoy, and have fun!
.-= whatacard´s last blog ..I’ve finally discovered my superpower =-.
You rule!
It is hard to go normal pace during a big race like that – too many people and too many distractions. YAY for running the whole time!
.-= LauraC´s last blog ..This is going to be a hard post to write without crying =-.
Awesome job! Dare I say you have caught the running bug. Be careful, it is contagious
.-= Erin´s last blog ..As Promised… =-.
I am proud of you!! What an exciting way to celebrate making it to the 5K mile marker! I have gotten to about week six of c25K…but I am feeling so good that I just decided to run a 5K and see what happened. I was sore to be sure, but it is doable…about to go again today! I am totally feeling you on the longer races. I am always in awe of marathon runners! Do you think a 1/2 marathon is out of the question??
.-= Kristen´s last blog ..Words and Snippets =-.
That’s fantastic. You have accomplished some wonderful goals and it is inspiring!
.-= Mommy, Esq.´s last blog ..Sort of Here =-.
Good for you! I’m so proud of you for kicking ass! I had the same half-mary envy you’re talking about when I finished my 5K recently. I want to go big, too!
.-= Amy @ DearMazzy´s last blog ..Bull Balls or Bumper Nuts? =-.
Congratulations. This is great! It is a huge acomplishment in my opinion. Keep it up. What a great example to set for your kids.
Congratulations! What an awesome first race experience. Here’s to hoping the injury is easy enough to get rid of.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Growing Up =-.
Congrats are in order.
At the risk of sounding like an arrogant prick (don’t worry, I redeem myself later), I can’t relate to people like you just starting out. The blog will tell you why.
But I really enjoy reading these reports because it makes me proud of people like you who do overcome whatever in their life to do something like this, and it makes me appreciate my own accomplishments and also realize how lucky I am to be at the starting line.
P.S. A half marathon isn’t nearly as hard as it sounds. Seriously!
.-= pokerpeaker´s last blog ..Down with the sickness =-.
woohoo!
Congratulations! And how awesome that you were able to run the whole thing! What are you planning to run in May? Is it local?
.-= reanbean´s last blog ..Review and Giveaway: One and the Same =-.
Congrats on running and finishing. It’s so great that you not only finishes the program but you also ran a 5K and in Disney! Good luck on your next run and I hope your leg feels better!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Bittersweet =-.
So proud of you Liz, it must feel great, what an accomplishment!!
Congrats! You’re awesome! Did the kids get to see you finish? If your legs are giving you problems at that distance, you might consider doing a mini triatholon instead of a half marathon–better on the body and training for it is a little more interesting.
.-= Tara´s last blog ..Nine Months! =-.
you are fucking awesome! (is this a family blog?) you go Liz! and FYI I do 3 miles in 40 minutes on the elliptical. Regularly.
.-= kami´s last blog ..I Can’t Believe I’m Writing About Cooking =-.
WOOT!! That just rocks
Way to set a goal (or two) and stick to it!!
.-= Nancy´s last blog ..Maggie Style =-.
AWESOME! Many congrats, and you look so fit and healthy- well done
.-= Jungletwins´s last blog ..Don’t Hate Me Cuz I’m Tropical =-.
So awesome! Congrats on a great race!
I am jealous of all you tiarathon-ers. I think I have to do it next year!
I’m very late to this, but CONGRATULATIONS, Liz! I think it’s a wonderful accomplishment that you completed your first 5K. That was the length of my first race, too, and I completed in a little over 32 minutes — also not fast — but look, I went on to run two half marathons. You can too!
The Disneyland Half Marathon was SUPER fun. If you feel like running that one (it’s every August, and yes, it starts at the crack of dawn to avoid the heat), I’ll sign up as your running partner in a heartbeat.
.-= Beverly´s last blog ..Happy St. Patrick’s Day! =-.