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..

Finding inspiration where it strikes

Last weekend I did my 9 mile training at the track during  events at my sons swim meet.  Why?  Well I couldn't figure out how I would get it in otherwise. So there I was during there warm ups 4 miles.. Back inside to watch a few events.. back outside to do more laps.. It made me think about how if you want it you will make time.  I was reminded of a friend of mine who walks while waiting for her daughter to be picked up from horse riding lessons.. or another friend who never did have time away from her kids to train for a half marathon so she used a walking DVD in her living room.. Think about that for dedication... or my friend who runs before her kids get up so she can get it in.. or the two random strangers I see EVERY SINGLE DAY as I go to work at 3am walking.. Talk about wanting to get it in. Or a friend from college who gets her workouts/ mileage in even though her family is dealing with a illness that is effecting them all. I thought about why we do it.. not to win any recognition.. most of  us never even win our age group division. ( most except one.. you know who you are chica:) Why do we wear workout clothes any place we think we can get a workout in.. Why do we look past the stares from other moms or answer the questions. You must have lots of energy.. you must really love to work out.. etc. etc.  I can't answer for the rest of  them but I know for me. Its not about loving a workout . Its about the way I feel after I am done. I thought about the perfect workout conditions as I put my gloves on each time I went outside.. and how the perfect conditions rarely exist. I thought about my girls from college completing there first half  rain pouring down and tornado sirens going off. I thought about my first half with my buddy in Hurricane Ike.. I thought about friends who have had injuries and fought there way back and kept going. None of us have any less or more time than others. we all work/ have families etc. But we all get it in.  As I walked around and around I was so motivated to keep going thinking about who else was squeezing a workout in.

Training.

It can't be race day every day.. Sometimes you have to train. I don't always like training. In fact I hate it. I like to train with a friend but sometimes it is just me and the road. I think people assume since I do it so much I must like it.. Well here is what goes through my head as I go..

Today I needed to do 11 miles.

Mile 1: Ok 11 miles one mile at a time.. Man its beautiful out here . I am so thankful to be able to train out here today. Its so nice.. I can not wait.. One mile at a time. Here I go.
Mile 2: Great pace. I feel good. I am doing great. Man it is so nice out.. The lake is so pretty today.. Oh look people are kayaking.. It is so great out here.. Two mile over and done..
Mile 3: Great pace.. Doing good.. this is my day.. Oh look an inchworm.. Thank you God for such a great world you made..
Mile 4: I am bored. Is my leg cramping up? How can I only be at four miles.. come on pick it up.. lets go.. Four miles running to mile five.. Hello mile five..
Mile 5: Man its hot.. I sure could use a drink. Headed  back to the car.. One lap almost done.. See I did it .. One lap almost done.. I  did it.. I  CAN do one more.. I got this.. I got this..
Mile 6: Water .. I  need water.. almost to the car.. Hello car.. Come on car.. Get to the car get some water it will all be ok..
Mile 7: I dont want to go one more lap.. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this.. I hate this. Water did not help. I thought it was only supposed to be 75 today.. Why is it so hot.. I hate this . I hate this. I hate this.
Mile 8: I am not quitting. I am not quitting. I am not quitting. Come on pick up the pace. I sure wish I had a friend with me. I am not quitting..Gotta get back to the car.
Mile 9: Almost double digits. Almost ten. I can do it. An easy 5k. You cant do a 5k? I can do a 5k keep going. Keep going.. Keep going.. Keep going..
Mile 10. One mile. I think I will quit. Who would know? I could do ten there is no shame in ten. I am going to quit. I am going to quit,
Mile 11: I did it. You finished it.. you did it 11 miles done.. See now don't you feel good.. I did it.. I made it..


Training can show you just how mental running is. When its just you and the road at some point you have to decide to go on. When people ask how I do so many miles.. I always say.. I don't stop. It's funny but true. I want to but I don't ..

Please don't Supersize me or my clothes..

One added bonus to loosing weights is being able to buy clothes from regular stores.. no more Lane Bryant and Fashion Bug. I can now go to normal people stores AND I do not have to shop in the Plus section.. I honestly have no idea how long I have been shopping in this section. I say I was shopping there when I was in college.. Probably when my parents were still buying my clothes.. I realized I can go into any store and buy clothes and not the biggest size they have either.. Imagine the options I have. I no longer have to wear .. waffle type stretch shirts. pants with an elastic waste or my favorite clothes with birdhouses or teacher looking clothes. Cause all plus size people apparently love these two styles.. And I no longer have to pay more to have these clothes.. I can now buy clothes on sale.. off the clearance rack .. NO more thinking I need some new running shorts.. Go to the store and finding they do not carry any plus size workout clothes which is another things I find ironic.. They do not make plus size work out clothes. I one time told a sales associate maybe if they did the person may not be plus size. Anyway.. I am like a kid in a candy store. A whole new world has been opened up to me. I can shop at any store. Stores I would walk by call me .. I have to go in and try stuff on .. just because it fits. Then I have to say to Phil .. can you believe this fits? Do you think it is mismarked? Or Phils favorite.. I say to him from the dressing room oh my goodness this size ___ is falling off me. Can you get me a smaller size.. I can remember a time not so long ago I had almost outgrown the plus size stores and thinking... then were will I shop.. And Now look at my options.. It is a whole new world. I'm exploring one smaller leg at a time.

Everyday I'm shuffeling

Its funny how motivation works. You never know what is going to motivate you. Two years ago when I helped a friend finish her first half marathon I knew I could push myself further. A year ago I asked a friend to join me on a four mile walk and the impact has been amazing. She says I encouraged her to do it. She was unsure she could even walk four miles. She must of told me ten times I don't know if I can do it. I knew she could do it. She did it. .but what happened next was amazing. She started to exercise regularly and walk with me four times a week and she had lost weight. She is now training for her first half marathon and attends boot camp. She says I motivated her.. but she doesn't realize how she motivates me. There are many days I don't want to let her down. I want to push myself harder than I ever have before because I know she is . I made up my own toning exercises and make myself do them at home.. to make up for boot camp. I can't have her showing me up. I love her willingness to try and keep going. It is hard. And I love hearing her success.. and seeing her success. I love seeing her hard work pay off. It makes me laugh when she says I motivate her. I wonder sometimes who is motivating who?

My first Marathon.. Mickey Mouse Full Marathon.. and Goofy Challenge

When I first signed up for the Goofy challenge I was not completely sure I could finish. I had to run the half on Saturday then the full on Sunday. It would be my first marathon. It got to the point where I stopped talking about it to people because there were not many people who felt like that was a good idea. SO there I was again in the Epcot parking lot walking to my corral.. Making the mile and a half hike with my brother in law Solomon.. he was less than happy to be heading out to run the full after the half. The pace from yesterday had been hard on his body.. It was cold again so we walked to our corrals and used the bathroom..we got in our corral as we heard the first corral take off. I again asked Solomon are you excited.. he said No I wish I would of trained more. I know you are excited. We had decided I would run my race today and not worry about him he would try to keep up but to leave him if I needed. It was soon our turn to go.. We took off. I could tell I had run the half the day before but I was excited. I kept thinking this is what you trained for all year. TODAY IS THE DAY!! I was off I started running.. and I kept going . I saw Solomon around mile two and then I didn't see him again till the finish line he said go ahead and go so I did.. this time we had to make a lap around Epcot before heading up to the magic kingdom I knew Phil and the boys were going to be at the water stop at four miles I kept thinking run to Phil .. I got to the water stop and they weren't there. I figured they had missed me.. So I ran on.. I began the trip to the magic kingdom.. I felt good I kept running and walked when I needed too. I realized I was on pace to beat yesterdays half so I kept going. I saw Phil and the boys around mile 10.. Phil said Oh my goodness you are fast today.. I gave them high fives and ran on.. I felt good.. I didn't have my ipod since I thought I would have Sol with me.. At one point they were playing MIC KEY MOU SE.. I looked around and everyone was signing while they ran.. men / women/ young /old it made me laugh..My friend Cindy had flew in from Chicago to watch the marathon.. I saw her on mainstreet. How cool is that? I ran on.. into the castle again.. and out mile ten.. three miles to the half .. I was still on pace to beat Saturday's time. SO I carried on.. I made it 13 miles done.. I was so happy half over.. I knew I had plenty of time built up so I could walk some.. I began to walk.. I kept thinking get to 16 four hours then only two left.. I kept on walking.. walking .. walking.. 16, 17 , 18 this was not the most scenic part of the course. It was back roads to Animal Kingdom through the water treatment plant and conservation area.. Finally Animal Kingdom.. past the tree of life.. past expedition Everest I figured it was a good time for a pit stop.. best race bathrooms ever in theme park. I ran on.. mile 19 .. 20. I kept thinking six to go.. six to go.. Mile 21 it was getting warm 76 or so.. I could not swallow cause I didn't have any spit.. I saw a lady at mile 21 she said do you want some ice.. I took four pieces and I was back on track again.. Mile 23.. candy.. who wants chocolate when they have been running five hours and in the heat? But I took some fruit chews, I ate them but then I saw the UP characters they didn't have a line. So I jumped in to get a picture with them.. But I couldn't smile since I had fruit chews stuck to my teeth.. What was I thinking.. On to mile 24 past the Boardwalk hotel.. this is when I got a little choked up. I realized I was going to finish by this time I was walking only. I was tired. I was praying and thanking God for how far I had come.. From the first half in Hurricane Ike to now.. For my family.. for the boys.. for Phil..Mile 25 back to Epcot.. I could not believe how many random strangers were cheering me on.. Come on Amanda you got this.. Your goofy.. I was walking along to mile 26 and then I saw it.. mile 26 there was the same praise brand singing.. I turned the corner and saw Phil.. I said I did it.. and I was crying.. I was so proud of myself....Only .2 to go.. I went over to goofy and high fived him and Mickey. I did it.. I am a marathon runner. Who would of ever thought? I DID IT. I was so proud of myself. I did it.. and I did it alone. Solomon finished 45 minutes behind me. I never thought I would finish a full marathon. It was not the hardest thing I have ever done but it shows me how far I have come. I DID IT! I AM GOOFY!!