Its official ... I AM GOOFY

Day Two!!

I'm not quite sure how it happened.I can't say I didn't know what to expect.. I can't say it was a bucket list item.. I am not sure how but I found myself at the starting line of the Mickey Mouse full marathon for the second time. I had run the half the day before and felt pretty good. I was ready. I waited at the back of my corral.. I kept thinking about what made me sign up.. Why? I kept thinking about the challenge. Teaching my boys to not give up. Or that . If a middle age overweight mom can run 39.3. miles in two days what can they do? Finally it was time.. and I was off. I decided no pictures would be taken today on the course. I would need every minute to complete the race.. The course for the half was the same for the first part of the full. I settled in and found a nice rhythm. I was surprised at my pace.. doing the half the day before I thought I would be slower.. but I was about the same as the day before. The course was not as crowded.. so I headed toward the castle..
I was happy to again see the boys.. I love that my family will follow along on the marathon course. I ran through the castle.. and..............I had to take just one picture. ( who can resist a marathon with characters and not take a picture?)

So I headed toward the Polynesian.. and say Phil and the boys again.. almost half way done.. I was happy with my time so I rewarded myself with..

Did you rub my lamp.....

Another Picture.. I had never seen the genie on a course so I jumped in line.. Almost half done.. I was on my way.. The course had changed this year and it went through the Walt Disney world speedway I was excited to see what it was like. I was even more excited when I realized the cars characters were on the track. I was so excited to see them I forgot my no picture rule.... I had to get a picture with SALLY!!!!

Imagine how mad  I was when My boys told me later that was not Sally.. Apparently I need to watch the Cars movie a bit more I even said.. bye Sally when I left her.. Oh well.. So after we left the WWS we were almost to mile 12.. Animal kingdom was next and we were half done.. I had finished in the same time as the previous day.. I only had 13 miles left..

13 miles done!

I kept going.. around mile 15 my feet started to burn.. I was not sure why but they were on fire.. By this time the sun was up and it was getting warm.. It was hot but also humid.. I kept going.. Around mile 16 I realized I was developing blisters on my feet.. Not one foot but both feet and the blisters were in the middle and the sides. As I walked they just rubbed and rubbed. I kept going but stopped at a medical tent to get some band aids.. I was miserable. Every step I could feel. I was headed toward mile 18. and the wide world of sports. I knew Phil and the boys would be there in the stadium. I tried everything I could to not focus on my feet. I was miserable. By this time I felt like I was not making much progress. My feet hurt so bad I could not imagine how I could finish. I knew I would have to tell Phil and mile 20 I could not go on. I stopped at mile 18 to use the bathroom and said a little prayer. I was not sure how I could or would finish.. I came out of the bathroom and kept walking toward Phil and mile 20. I noticed a lady around me who I had seen off and on.. I started to talk to her. Turns out she was from St. Louis and it was  her first marathon. She was not feeling well herself and was thinking about quitting. We decided to move forward together. I was still miserable but we walked slow toward mile 20. I saw Phil and the boys.. and told him I was staying with her and would be slow.. We kept on moving forward.. Mile 20.. 21.. 22.. and another medical tent. More band aids.. and we kept on. There is a point where  I knew I would finish I suppose it was around mile 23.. 24 came.. and it was HOT.. We noticed people getting heat stroke and falling down.. We stayed together and kept walking.. Mile 25 ..one mile left. MAN It was hot.. and my feet were on fire.. We got a cup of ice from the hot dog vendor in Epcot.. a man next to us fell out.. from the heat.. we propped him up on the fence and called the medic.. and kept walking. Mile 26.. we could see the finish line. I must of said thank you God 100 times.. I was so happy to see that finish line. I fully believe that I would of never finished that race if God had not brought me the lady outside the bathroom at mile 18.. My feet were bleeding from the blisters. I crossed the finish line.. took a finishers picture ( I do have priorities ) got my goofy medal ( again priorities) and met Phil and the boys.. and cried.. I mean ugly cry.. I hurt so bad.. I was so happy to be done and proud I made myself finish.. It took me 7 hours.. and I am really surprised I finished.. Seven hours in the sun and 100 percent humidity to prove to myself I could do it. I am goofy.. Was it the hardest thing I ever did? Yes. It was the most mentally challenging thing I have done. I proved to myself again I am a lot tougher than I thought. I am so proud of myself .. Since I have had a week to think about it I wonder why I even thought I could do a full marathon to begin with. I think I can complete it or even try because of the support I have from Philip and the boys. They think I can do anything. They have faith in me and I don't want to let them down. I think this race proves what we all knew all along.. I am goofy.. I think I am done with goofy.. for now..I did see 2015 was a anniversary year... I think I am retired from this race.. For now wink wink..

Going Goofy again... Walt Disney Half

Somehow I found myself on a highway somewhere outside Epcot January 13 2013 around 4:30 a.m waiting to run my 18th half marathon by myself. I was excited yet a little lonely to be all alone. How can you be alone with 25,000 people around?. I waited for my corral to begin and I was off. I felt better knowing my friends were tracking me at home. I wanted to do well for them. The fireworks went off and I was off. I knew I had to run the full the next day so I planned to get some pictures on the course and enjoy the race. I felt good I was headed to the castle where I would see Phil and the boys. The first part of the race was in the dark.. and so I just settled in kept moving and watched the  people. I never did feel like I could hit my stride due to the fact that the course was so crowded.. I saw the magic kingdom gates and kept going.. Before I knew it.. I was hearing the cast member say.. Welcome to the Magic Kingdom.. I love that part of the race. I turned the corner and was on Main street and there was Phil and the boys.. I said hello and kept going.. Through tomorrow land and through the castle.. I kept going. By this time it was getting light.. and I couldn't resist a few pictures. I knew I would not be stopping during the full and I was happy with my time so I jumped in a few shorter picture lines..

Who could resist ? I left the magic kingdom.. and headed back on the highway toward Epcot. The race felt good. I was feeling great and was surprised how quickly it was going. I got to mile ten which I knew was the overpass.. I was happy to see one of my favorite characters there..

The army man from toy story.. yelling.. do not walk.. if you walk you will drop and give me fifty.. I got a quick picture and was on my way up the hill. I could not resist snapping this picture..

This was from the overpass. ( see I wasn't last:) anyway.. up the hill.. and around the corner and I saw some friends ahead. I said hello.. and ran on.

 

I saw Phil and the boys at mile 12 and told them I would see them at the finish line... I rounded the corner and it was all over.. 3 hours even with photos after it started. I was surprised how quick it went. I crossed the finish line and took one last picture..
Goofy! ! ! !

I was happy to make it alone. I was happy it was over and I was ready for the full the next day..