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my race report for my friends! (Read 279 times)


Big Chicken!

    Hi all! I finally found the time to write up a race report. It's a bit long so feel free to skim or skip it. I won't be offended. Enjoy! And thanks for all your support and kind words! Let me start by saying that I swore I would never do a marathon again. The half marathon would be my longest until, at least, my kids were old enough to watch themselves during my long runs. Chris’ job keeps him away often and my long runs take a lot of time. I don’t feel comfortable asking someone to watch my kids for 3 or 4 hours so I can run. And the distance is daunting after a while. Especially when you are as slow as me. I went into the Disney marathon with good intentions: It’s on my 35th birthday, it’s my 8th month of quitting smoking, it seemed a reasonable goal when I began running in May. I had no goal other than to finish, and I made it! It was a long day but I somehow mustered up my strength and did it. We started at 6AM with smiles on our faces, all 15,000+ of us. I began in Corral F, certainly toward the back of the pack. I was in front of the dedicated walkers but behind those with reasonable goal times. Yes, there were walkers ahead of me and some of them were, and are, faster than me. My strategy involved a run/walk plan of 3 min/3 min. It was supposed to be 3/2 but I didn’t have the use of my husband’s Garmin so the old Timex Ironman had to do and it doesn’t allow for different timed intervals. I became thankful for that later. I felt fantastic for quite a while. That should have been a warning! After what seemed like forever, I ran through Epcot, around Spaceship Earth, into World Showcase. We merged with the faster corrals who were on the other start course and I was surprised to find there were still lots of people merging in (Chris explained these were probably people who tried to say they were faster than they really were so they could have a time advantage). A total confidence boost!! We continued on as the sun started to come over the horizon and I could finally see where I was going. Getting to the Magic Kingdom seemed, again, to take forever but when I got there I was so excited. Running through Magic Kingdom is the picture I had in my head every time I would think about the marathon. Running through Cinderella’s Castle was the highlight of Magic Kingdom. I continued on out the back of the park (I love the “dirty” side of Disney) and down a back road that goes by the Grand Floridian and Shades of Green. It was great to hear the people cheering us runners on. This was the point that I made that very realization. Spectators calling your name and encouraging you on really helps carry you for a bit. My half marathon time was decent (for me) and I thought I had a chance at under 6 hours. Silly me! Around Mile 16 is when I started falling apart. My feet were killing me like never before. My legs were fine but my feet…But I kept going because Animal Kingdom was just ahead of me. I was going at a considerably slower pace but I was at least throwing in my running intervals. They were only 2 minutes at this point but I kept the walking to 2 minutes as well to even things out. I made it through AK, even giving a thumbs-up to the photographer and smiling at the spectators calling out my name. I got to the AK parking lot and the sun showed itself. That was tough. It persisted through Mile 20 or 21. At about Mile 19 ½ I came across the overpass near the All-Star Resorts. There I saw my sister with my kids trying to make it across the street to see me. I screamed their names and they somehow heard me. I got to see the kids and blow kisses to them. If they had bee n able to make it over the retaining wall on the hill I would have stopped there and called myself finished. But just their smiling faces, words of love and blown kisses were enough to get me to the icky Mile 20 out-and-back section. The band was playing there as we merged to t he other side of the street. I saw a sea of people coming at me, all flinging cups of water. It seemed congested there at the water stops, as they were nearly directly across the street from each other. I finally made it to the U-Turn and made my way to the entrance ramp. I really felt the incline on my legs running around that curve. Upon seeing the Medical Tent at Mile 22 I thought I could just stop there and be done. That was my true Wall. That was the first sign of tears. That was when the mental preparation was tested. But I knew my husband Chris was just around the corner, waiting to bring me in. “Just get through MGM and if he’s not there I’ll stop.” I knew he’d have to wait at the farthest guest-allowed section so I’d have to push myself for just a bit. But then there he was, smiling, hiding his Top Secret medal under his race bib so I couldn’t see it, ready with open arms for me to cry into. I love him. From that point on I knew I’d definitely make it to the finish. I was walking entirely by that point (actually, the walking-only started just after Mile 21) and it wasn’t brisk. I held Chris’ hand for a bit and his energy kept me going. Soon enough we came across the place I have watched him run by for 3 years on the back side of the Boardwalk Villas (just about Mile 24) and smiled to myself that this year we were walking past that spot together. I wasn’t just watching this year. I was doing it myself. We rounded the curve near the Yacht and Beach Club and I knew Epcot was coming soon. Once we hit the World Showcase at Epcot I had a small urge to run but my feet were threatening to fall off if I did. I somehow made it through the World Showcase without seeing the medal. There were several people who were wearing their hard-earned medals for all to see. But I kept my head down and looked away. I really didn’t want to see it until I had earned my own. We walked on, coming upon the gospel choir. What a wonderful group they were. I cannot remember what they were singing about for the life of me but they sounded fantastic. Then Chris pulled me around the curve and there was the finish line in my sights. I could SEE it! It was really there! Some girl ran past us like we were standing still (which isn’t too far off from being the truth). I kept moving closer to the finish. Then I heard the announcer say my name, asking where I was. I raised my arms and he thanked me for my service to my country. Wrong Kris Carmichael! That’s my husband! But he used my full name so I figured he must have just looked at our address. Then I crossed the finish! Chris let me go by myself and I raised my arms for the picture. I HAD MADE IT!! I finished a marathon! I HAD FORGOTTEN TO LOOK AT THE STINKIN’ TIME CLOCK!!!! I really couldn’t believe I did it! My husband was even mildly surprised. He figured I’d be done at the half. Somehow I managed to muster the strength to pull off a finish. I learned a lot along that 26.2 mile course. I am grateful to Sharpie for placing factoid signs along the course for our amusement. I now know that all of Pulp Fiction’s clocks read 4:20. I know John Madden is an accomplished ballroom dancer. And as one sign said, I have forgotten 80% of what I learned that day because I can’t remember any other sign sayings now. I learned that 26.2 miles is far but not nearly as far as I thought it was. Or maybe I am forgetting some of the miles. That’s probably just as well! I learned that I really want a Garmin 205 and a pair of Race Ready shorts. I learned to bring my camera next time. I learned to be sure to drink more PowerAde and less water. I learned that no matter how hungry I am, I still HATE bananas. I learned that smiling at and thanking the volunteers made me feel better. But most important, I learned that I have more mental strength than I ever thought I possessed. Chris has told me more than once that finishing a marathon is often more about mental toughness than physical strength and training. I proved that to myself on January 13, 2008. I proved that I have the mental fortitude to finish a marathon. I said I wouldn’t do a marathon again, even swore to it while running the marathon. I was wrong. Within 2 days I decided I would most definitely be back next year to beat my time. Of course, that time shouldn’t be hard to beat. 6:43:27 (chip time).
    Kris C Running away from the couch one mile at a time!


    Gotta TRI

      WOW!!! Way to go Kris!!!! You did it! We are all so proud of you. I can't imagine running that distance, the 12 I did ( on the 13th) nearly killed me Wink But it was really cool to read your report as my wife and I are huge disney fans and I visually pictured every place you were running. That has got to be SO cool running through all of Disney like that. And what a way to celebrate your B-Day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY btw Big grin And 8 months smoke free has got to feel great! You are an inspiration for us all Kris, Thank-you. Once again, great job!! Andy
      2010 Dec. California International Marathon 2011 Jan. Disney Marathon


      tech geek

        Kris. 1st: Congrats. wow that is really awesome. 2nd: what a beautiful memory this will make for you and your husband. I know I have more motivation to keep it up, and to fight the mental aspects of running not just the physical. Big grin


        Big Chicken!

          Thanks guys! Great job on the 12 Andy! Is that your longest so far? Is that all running? I never went that far without walk breaks. That's my goal for this year. Dray, I did find that the long distance was so much about the mental. Yeah, we can run and we've trained for certain distances. But being able to beat the negative "I want to stop, I can't go on" out of your head is a whole 'nother issue. It really is tough. Those thoughts get louder and louder as the pain continues. I really didn't think I had it in me. (I am a pessimist by nature; I have been feeling more optomistic lately.)
          Kris C Running away from the couch one mile at a time!


          My legs are killing me

            Way to go Kris! I was thinking of you on your marathon morning and pulling for you all the way. You've done something no one can ever take away from you. We're all proud of you! Great job! I'll be doing the New Jersey marathon on May 4th. I tested my groin with a 1 1/2 mile run with very little pain and more importantly no pain this afternoon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way because I would love to join your club Kris.


            Big Chicken!

              Hi Sully! I'll be doing the Minnie Marathon 15K the day you run NJ. I'll be thinking of you! Where in Jersey is it? Is it along the beaches? Is there even one that does that? I'd love to have an excuse to go back to LBI, maybe even Seaside Heights. Anyway, keep up the training! I'd love to have someone join the club. It's lonely here. Smile
              Kris C Running away from the couch one mile at a time!


              My legs are killing me

                Kris, the race is in Long Branch and the course is right along the water. Here is the link http://www.njmarathon.org. It looks like alot of fun! I love the Jersey shore. Are you a Jersey girl? My wife is from W. Orange.
                  Kris- AMAZING! What a beautiful race report. And I'm impressed you're already planning on going back next year and beating your time! Good for you!
                  Meg http://megs411nosmoke.blogspot.com/


                  Big Chicken!

                    Kris, the race is in Long Branch and the course is right along the water. Here is the link http://www.njmarathon.org. It looks like alot of fun! I love the Jersey shore. Are you a Jersey girl? My wife is from W. Orange.
                    Born in Jersey (Passaic), lived in Jersy till I was 4 (Lcifton, Pompton Lakes), then moved to NY. Upstate about 45 minutes NW of the city. Heard of Woodbury Commons? That's my area. I lived 4.1 miles from there. Watched that place being built from across the street in middle school. Thanks for the link. If we get stationed at Macguire I think I'll do it. Or if I need an excuse to travel back homeward. Good luck!! MTA: And thanks Megs!
                    Kris C Running away from the couch one mile at a time!