Its only walking right?

Recently someone said to me... Well Mandy only WALKS the half marathon.. and the full marathon. Emphasis on the word walking.. I guess to imply that somehow by my walking I am inferior.. or that I am sub par to a person who runs the whole distance.. It got to me.. After 20 half marathons and two fulls (not that I am counting or anything) I still somehow am not as good as a someone who runs. I have to admit these words are usually from someone who has no idea how far 26 miles are walking.. for that matter how far 13 miles are walking.. They are also from people who have no idea how much I train. They have no idea that I do anywhere from 25- 50 miles a week .. or that I have to do long runs when I really would rather sit on the couch. Its funny when I hear someone say that it makes me cringe.. But I thought long about this this week. I started out doing a 5k... and wondered if I could make it through a half. My first half ended up getting called short in the middle due to a  tropical storm so it only ended up being ten miles and it took me four hours. FOUR hours.. But I was working hard then.. Now I have a few under 3 hour half marathons under my belt and I still have to hear people say .. well you only walk. I also remember why I started this process. It was when I needed something to control. I was in a bad situation at work.. involved in bad lawsuit and really needed something that was mine. Walking was it.. I never planned to get so involved.. it was just a release. But I am proud of how far I have come. I am proud of the effect it has had on my health .. but really on others health. I am proud of my boys who love to sign up for races and train for them.. I am proud of my husband who has been walking even with his bad back .. I am proud of my friends who I have walked across the finish line of several half marathons with. I bet all of them would tell you that walking those half's was hard work.I am proud of the fact that since I made it they knew they could make it. Walking / running its the same distance.. 13 miles.... 26 miles.. Are the miles shorter when you walk them?  Do they decrease? Do you have to train less? Do you spend less time mentally preparing? I do wonder why people have to say that about me.. But really I cant waste anymore time thinking about it.. I got to walk....

Dopey? At least its not Goofy right?

So .. I know I said I was done with marathons after last year. I also heard once the only way you can run another marathon is if the memory of the last one is no longer in your head... Well I still remember all too well the way the last one ended but somehow I find myself signed up again for another one. Disney introduced another race.. called the dopey challenge.. A 5k Thursday.. 10K Friday 1/2 Saturday.. Full Sunday. and somehow I feel like I should do this.. Once. So I am training again.. I got my training plan.. I have several pairs of new shoes.. and I am off.  I have several races between now and then to keep on track. I am excited . I do really feel like this is my last hurrah at this distance.. ( I know I said this before but this time I MEAN IT!) I have put a lot of thought into this. I will do it alone except the 5k/10k the boys are both signed up for those .. I am looking forward to seeing how this works out..

http://www.rundisney.com/blog/articles/introducing-the-dopey-challenge-and-inaugural-walt-disney-world-10k/

Twenty Things I learned from Twenty Half Marathons.

I never claimed to be an expert. I am the same person who cried the ugly cry.. when it was run a mile day in elementary school.. I knew I would die from embarrassment or the kids laughing cause I was so slow. But somehow I found myself yesterday at the finish line of my 20 half marathon.. here are twenty things I learned some the hard way.

1. No matter what you can finish. If you want it bad enough..
2. If you get tired.. Just keep moving forward. NO matter how slow. If in doubt if you are moving forward ask someone on the course. They will help you.
3. Body Glide; Don't leave home without it. You can use that stuff anywhere.. Arms / Feet. ANYWHERE!
4. There is a huge difference between cotton and dri weave especially when it comes to socks.
5. The faster you go the faster you are done.
6. No matter how great you feel crossing the finish line.. crossing it with someone you have trained  beats that feeling 100 times over. Watching them cross that off there bucket list is amazing.
7. There is no such thing as too many running shoes. Some women prefer purses/ or jewelry. I am happiest with new running shoes.
8.If they are calling for rain.. bring a poncho. If it doesn't rain you can throw it down.. if your poncho rips during the race help yourself to one that has been discarded. There is no shame ( not that I have ever done that :) )
9. If it's hot.. slow down.
10.Crossing the finish line with a friend is way better than alone. It gets lonely on the course.
11. That being said the first time you cross it alone. You know it was all you. It is quite a feeling.
12. Whether you walk or run.. its the same finish line.
13. Nothing beats your family following you around the course cheering you on.
14. Except maybe your kids holding your hands arm in arm across the finish line.. after you beat your PR that they have heard you talk about. Saying .." Lets break this record today Mom"
15. Sometimes training sucks. Period.
16. Ibuprofen.. almost as necessary as body glide.
17. Desination races can become addicting. But I have decided there are far worse things to be addicted to.
18. Runners are not always a size two. Don't  judge a book by its cover.
19. Any friend who is by side for  your first half with you in a tropical storm .. is a friend you want by your for life.
20. The minute you cross the finish line. You are always thinking about your next race.

First half in tropical storm Ike...






               20 half's later.

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 ..