13.1...Been there RUN THAT!

I did it! I ran 13.1 miles and when I say ran I mean I ran every step. I wasn’t the fastest or the slowest but I ran my own race.  I’m actually getting giddy thinking of it again as I’m writing!

First off, if you ever run in Disney be prepared to get up and some ungodly hour! I think when we caught the bus some people were just getting in from partying. It was a lot of sitting and waiting for a while. My nerves really started to kick in but I forced a bagel with peanut butter down and a bottle of water. By the time we were on our way to the start line it was like a cattle drive! There were just SO MANY PEOPLE! We were freezing so I really didn’t mind. Kelly and Deanna had the right idea with layering, I did not! I remember right before the gun, I thought I was going to throw up, but I got a hug from Kelly and off we went. 

Miles 1-3 were basically before the sun came up and people were shedding clothes and running in the woods to go to the bathroom (honestly people, go before you start!!!) and I ran with Kelly for about 2 miles and then I fell back as I knew I couldn’t keep her pace. When I got to mile 3 the leaders were on their way back (it was a staggered start) and I was seriously in awe of the girl! There were opportunities for pictures but I knew if I stopped I would never start again, so on we ran!

Mile 6 you run out of the castle which was awesome and I literally ran into Deanna on the way out, it’s funny because there is a video and you can see it happen and then our conversation! So really I got to run with everyone that day!

Miles 7-10 were pretty boring, you’re winding your way back to Epcot and it’s a lot of just road, they were blasting Kelly Clarkson “Stronger” at mile 6.5 (1/2 way point) and I’m pretty sure out of boredom I was singing Disney songs in my head over my music. You run up and on ramp near mile 11 which is cool, you can see all the people behind you and you can see Epcot. It rained a little but honestly didn’t bother me. I was good and at every water stop I got either Powerade or water.

Mile 12- oh Mile 12 how I hate you so! You are coming into Epcot at mile 12 so you know you’re almost finished. Side note: there was a woman who was in a wheelchair and was holding up a sign that said “I don’t know you but I am proud of you”, I almost started to cry. It was cool to see some of the same people from earlier in the race who had trucked it down to the end. Here’s the thing about Epcot, it’s got a lot of circles, so in a ½ marathon you run around said circles, we ran around the sphere, the fountain, the rides and ON AND ON! I did have some fun with the photographers though. Everyone keeps yelling “You’re almost there” to which at one point I yelled back “ You keep saying that!”, but you turn the corner in the back lot and you can hear the people and the music and see the storybook that says Mile 13 and I knew I was almost there. I didn’t sprint, my legs just didn’t have it in them, but I run across with my arms up and a huge smile on my face.

The woman who gave me my medal was so sweet. She asked if it was my first ½ and then gave me a hug, I got some pixie dust and called Kelly on my way to pick my stuff up. Funny part was I was fine after the run. I wasn’t tired or out of breath, but I wanted to take my damn sneakers off for sure!

I got my stuff and found Kelly and I think that’s when it finally hit me. No one made me finish, I did it all on my own. Cue the tears for a while and then I remembered I still had my sneakers on. My poor toes were all set with being suffocated! I don’t even remember inhaling the banana and peanut butter and I stayed hydrated and stretched for a while.  The whole bus situation back to the hotel was kinda messed up but we met some nice people and to be honest I was scared to sit, knowing I had to get back up! back at the hotel, 2 ibuprofen later I fell into a haze and we all slept for a good 3-4 hours.

If you ever want to see something funny, watch people walk after a race and a nap, the lactic acid just built up and I looked like a 90 old person (shout out to 90 year old people who hang out at dueling piano bars!) Alcohol makes EVERYTHING better and I think the runners high lasted a few days!

I have the medal, I have the certificate, I have the missing toe nail (WHAT? Toenails are for sissy’s!) and the know how that there really isn’t anything I can’t do! Do I want to run a marathon, er um well, not right now! I want to improve my mile times and my posture and other weird things only runners think about. I also have a very special gift I have to get myself too!

This isn’t the end of my journey, oh people have I got fun stuff to blog about, but it’s the end of this fairytale chapter! I want to do this again for sure, so who’s in???

 

Daily Mantra-

The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start. One step at a time!

One week to go...

Holy shit balls Batman, this time next week I will have completed my first 1/2 marathon (at least that's the plan!). I still cannot believe it's right around the corner as well as vacation. I'm like a 5 year old when it comes to Disney. I have a list of must do things, mostly It's a Small World :-) I mean who doesn't like creepy machines singing at you that may or may not attack you when you are sleeping!

Recap:

34 has been such a learning year for me. I've learned there is nothing I can't do. I lost and kept off 45 pounds. I became an inspiration to other people and to myself. I ran my first 5k and instantly became hooked. I survived a 10k and I plan on finishing the 1/2 in 3 hours or less.

I learned there will always be people who try to bring you down and give you excuses NOT to do something. They just aren't open to change. I think people like that will be pretty unhappy in their life. I was, I thought I was happy with who I was, but I'm not going to lie, going to buy a pair of size 8 jeans felt a hell of a lot better than that value meal from McDonald's. But I also know they will embrace the change when they are ready. I did.

People have gone from my life, but I've have some great people come into my life. Viva Trifecta!

Patience is a virtue, one that I've needed to work on. The class I'm taking right now has been a perfect example of that. I'm used to being able to coast through and have instant gratification from a professor, not so with this one. But now that I've gotten more than 1/2 way through the class I know what is expected. It's been an uphill battle but I think I'm almost to the top!

I've had an amazing birthday month for sure! I got to sit center ice on the glass at a Bruins game and even had a moment with Shawn Thornton. Pats didn't really get it done for me but you can't win them all. I've gotten to celebrate with some amazing people and laughed till I cried. Though I may forever be scarred by tartar sauce!

So that's it, well not really but it's all I have right now. I have to try and bang out a 5 page paper before we leave on Wednesday since I'm not really keen on shelling out $13 a day for internet at the hotel and really who wants to do homework on vacation. So on that note I shall see you on the other side of 13.1

Daily Mantra:

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney

Resolutions? We don't need no stinking resolutions!

I don't make resolutions, they're dumb. People break them. In case you were wondering today is break your resolution day. And now you know, go break that resolution and I'll wait...I have made goals for this year and they are as follow:

1. Turn 35. What? It's a goal, in fact I could totally be in denial and say I'm only 28! Seriously, it's a number. Sometimes it seems higher than it should be, but I'm still good with it! I plan to turn 25, I mean 35 with a very sparkly tiara, lunch with Cinderella and drinking my way through Epcot!

2. Finish a 1/2 marathon. I still can't believe I'm doing this. I have a 7 mile run on Friday and honestly I'm not the fastest running but I just keep moving! I know I won't be running the whole thing straight, I mean after all there are photo opportunities! I am so very thankful for my 2 running buddies Kelly and Deanna. All I said was I want to run the Princess 1/2 marathon and next thing I knew they were signed up too! I'm also very thankful for my awesome parents who are making the trek and getting up at O'dark thirty as my father calls it.

3. Conquer Math and Stats for Business. This class got the best of me when I took it the first time and I had to drop it after 5 weeks, this year I'm armed with a better sense of what is going on and a kick ass teacher/tutor (Matt, cupcakes for you and Elly for LIFE!) and anyone else who knows 2+2=5!

Nothing else, just to be happy, drink good wine, smile and laugh as often as possible. And you never know what else 35 will bring, guess we'll all have to wait and see..

Today's mantra: BAZINGA~Sheldon, Big Bang Theory

52 days and counting!

Happy New Year! I cannot belive the ½ marathon is next month. I can’t believe I’m going to be 35 next month too. It’s all kind of hit me now. I started this journey February 7, 2011 when I made a decision to take back control of my life and my weight and everything else just kind of fell into place. I couldn’t ask for a better running team too! Kelly and Deanna are the motivation I need to keep running when I want to quit! I have a 7 mile run coming up and it’s a mental challenge to get past it. I know I can do it just to see 7 miles and run for 90+ minutes is hard to wrap your brain around. But I CAN do this! Doesn’t hurt to be running at the happiest place on earth. It’s like the Disney Princess ½ marathon was made for me! I’m not dressing up but I’m going to have a custom shirt made…well I’m getting shirts for Disney but I want something to remember this race. After all it’s the pinnacle and end of my running career! I kid but it is the pinnacle and I will probably continue to do 5k races, but please don’t ever look for me in the Boston Marathon!

Jingle Bell 5k

Last race of the year. If you’re keeping count it’s #11 in 7 months of running, not too shabby! Another cold one and I have never seen more people in all of my life. There had to be 6,000 people running this race. Kelly was back and her and I positiioned ourselves further back as I couldn’t get caught in the crowds running fast. We decided before we every started there were not personal records to be set but just a fun run. It took almost 5 minutes for us to get to the starting mat! I had Christmas music on my Ipod and we were watching all the fun costumes go by. We were outfitted in our leopart print Santa hats. There were some very creative people. My favorite was the skiier that was followed by giant snow balls who kept yelling avalanche! There were also serveral sets of Santa and his reindeer. The hill at the end was tough. I mean really who puts a hill at the end of a race. A sick individual that’s who. But one step at a time! Got my second wind at the end and decided Kelly and I needed to race! I know she loves it when I do that! We went and got our obligatory beer and reflected on our races and thought it was a pretty good year.

There is only one thing to focus on now…The Disney Princess ½ marathon!

Winter Classic 5k

I wanted to beat 35 minutes. It was 28 degrees when we started. I didn’t pace myself well mile 1. Mile 2 is usually my best mile. I struggled to get my breathing under control for a while too. I could see the finish line and I knew it was close to beat 35 minutes and I had Deanna running next to me cheering me on, but I had absolutely NOTHING left. I had to find the positive in that I finished the race and I had a great time of 35:19 but you always want to beat yourself. I’m so competetive sometimes I beat myself in my head before the race ever starts. Gotta get better at that! Still I got a fun long sleeved shirt I will actually wear!

PS I know some of these are short, but really what can you say about a 5k you haven't said 9 other times!!

Fisher Cat Thanksgiving 5k

I signed up for this race since my parents wanted to see me run. Luckily Deanna was close by and signed up with me! I also ended up running into my friend Dave from work so good times! It was really cold and I haven’t done a lot of cold weather running yet so I had my gloves with me as well as a couple of layers. Here’s the thing I have 10 years on Deanna so I chase her for about a mile and that’s it. My little almost 35 year old legs are that fast. It was a really nice course there is only one slight hill and once you’re over that you’re at mile 2 and then it’s mostly downhill. We ran into Fisher Cat staduim and you run along the warning track. I was hoping to not find Deanna being detained by police for running on the field and luckily she was on her best behavior. I finished in a personal best time of 35:10. I felt awesome after the race, it was awesome to see my parents waiting too! It also made the giant mimosa I made when I got home totally worth it!