A year ago, when I signed for the Walt Disney World half marathon, I did not officially consider myself a runner. I’d never competed in a race (triathlons, yes, but running events, no), I had only run about 8 miles as my PDR, and I was in awe of people that could actually complete a race of that distance.
So today, even though I had some disappointments along the way, I am proud to say that I not only did the half marathon at Disney, I gave it my all.
Originally, I had hoped to set a new PR — basing my goals on my performance at the OUC Half Marathon in December, I was shooting for under 2:10:00 and even possibly under 2:05:00. But when I woke up to this:
I knew that just finishing the race would be a success. Yeah, that’s sleet. In Florida.
But I had a wonderful message waiting for me as I got dressed:
and to brave the weather, I piled on the layers:
- Ski leggings
- Running pants
- Balega socks
- Ski turtleneck
- Wicking, long-sleeved shirt
- Track jacket
- Sweatshirt
- Two pair of gloves
- Neck warmer
- Hat
I took a moment to tweet a picture of my rockin’ orange hair extensions:
Then headed out to Epcot to run! I did not stay on property, so I had a 2am wakeup call. Before you feel too bad for me, you should know that Lucas — who was not running — was facing the same wakeup call and weather. He came to support me. What a man, huh?
My friend Carolyn flew down from Buffalo to run the half marathon — I hadn’t seen her in a year, so it was great to catch up with her before the start of the race and for most of the course.
We had a long walk down from the parking lot to the corrals, then had to wait there for about a half hour. It was c-c-c-c-c-cold! We caught up on news and gossip, listened to the national anthem, stomped our feet and FINALLY — time to go!
The run started off pretty well — after battling through the group start, we found some clear running room, and settled into a decent pace. At this point, I thought I would be able to PR. The start of the race was a long, cold, dark straightaway — Carolyn and I could feel the sleet bouncing off our foreheads, and see what sure looked like snow in the lights! And in a moment that was both cool and defeating, as we ended the second mile of our run, we could see the leaders on their way back to Epcot. The winning man finished in 1:07!
The rest of the race went like this:
- Miles 1-3: Feeling good! We bounced between paces but stayed steadily under 10:00. Since we’d never run together before, this was a good chance for us to settle in with each other, get to a comfortable pace, and find some room to run. We moved up some spots, weaving in and out a bit, but getting into a groove.
- Miles 4-6: Feeling great! We kept our nice, steady pace, continuing to move up. Somewhere in here, I ditched the sweatshirt and took off my gloves. The air was still cold, but I had definitely heated up at this point. I still felt very comfortable here — my legs felt fresh, I wasn’t breathing hard and I was really enjoying the time through the parks.
- Miles 7-9: Struggling a little, but still feeling strong. We continued to maintain a sub-10:00 pace and I thought I’d still have gas in the tank for a final kick. We lost quite a bit of time behind some very slow runners and walkers, and also really slowed down through the parks because so many people were stopping to take pictures, etc.
- Mile 10: The race-killer. Carolyn had warned me that there were a few hills toward the end, and I thought I was ready. I was not. The hill — really, an on-ramp — was a looooong, steady climb. I felt my resolve whoosh away from me about halfway up. My pace had dropped, my legs hurt, I was mentally tired of running, and I just didn’t have anything left to give. I felt the cold, I felt every injury I’ve ever had, and I gave up a little. Carolyn was still rocking it, so I told her to go ahead at her own pace.
- Miles 11: After the hill, I got back into the race, mentally. I knew that I only had 2.1 miles to go, and I tried everything I could to get my legs back up to speed. But when I saw a second hill approaching, and the rain was still coming down, I went into survival mode. As long as my legs were moving, I considered it a success. I knew my pace was over 10:00 and I just told myself, “give it what you have and that will be good enough.”
- Miles 12-13.1: Slow and mentally painful. The kick I was counting on just never came. I felt empty as I passed the 12-mile mark, and the same when I hit 12.5. The sprint to the finish line never came and I crossed with a final time of 2:12:17. (My PR for this distance is 2:11:01)
The best moment: Hearing bugles and trumpets herald me as I ran through Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom. That is a moment I wish I could have frozen in time.
The worst moment: The hill at mile 10.5. Not just the hill, the realization that my mind was giving up faster than my body.
Overall? I will have great memories of this race. I ran with a friend, in an event that attracts people from all over the world, in Florida sleet and I still had a time that doesn’t embarrass me.
Did I have fun? For 10 miles, I sure did. But when I crossed the finish line, for the first time, my mind was not on the race, or the glory…it was on the pain and emptiness I felt at the end.
Don’t get me wrong — this is not a negative, depressing post. I think it’s a sign that I need to take some time off and let my body rest. I’ve ignored some pretty serious overuse injuries for the last few months, and I paid for it today. I love running, and I love fitness, and I will never stop pursuing either. But I do want to get back to having fun at these events, so I need to figure out how.
After the race, Carolyn and I took a quick picture:
Then we all headed to breakfast, and (thank goodness) coffee! Lucas, the rockstar husband, indulged in a bagel platter, while I had an egg white omelet.
My appetite is still off (the norm for long races) so while this was delicious, it was a bit of a chore to force down. After breakfast, I hugged Carolyn goodbye and stuck around at the restaurant for the big blogger lunch/meetup that Ashley planned! I’ll recap that later…for now…
ZZZZZZzzzzzz….
P.S. If you want to learn more about my race history, I keep all the recaps and reviews here!
P.P.S. I am so proud of all the men and women running the full marathon at Walt Disney World tomorrow…I can’t wait to see how they all do and hear/read about their experiences!
You are amazing! Thank you for sharing it all with us. The good, the bad the ugly. Enjoy your time off
What an awesome accomplishment!! CONGRATULATIONS!! One thing I've learned from running half marathons and marathons is that it is difficult to compare your finish times with other races that you have run previously. Don't do it because they don't compare! Running conditions are very different depending on the time of year and weather which of course affects your pace. The course is also different which affects your pace. I did the Disneyland half years ago and I remember how congested that race was! It was my worst time and I still blame all the people stopping to take pictures throughout the race (and I'm sticking to it!!) =) You did an amazing job and your time was awesome considering the crowds and weather conditions! You rock! Enjoy your dinner! I feel you with the after race eating. I can barely eat! However by dinner my appetite is back…watch out!!! =)
Congrats! Way to push through some tough times and cruddy weather! I think you're being smart taking some time off. Listen to your body. Good job also on picking such a supportive husband.
Congrats! That is so awesome, especially in that weather!
You rock my socks off. You really do.
Congratulations! Not only are you now a “runner” you are a “wicked hardcore marathoner” who ran a half marathon in SLEET! In Florida! Yay you!
Congratulations on finishing! That is *so* inspiring!
wow girl..i am just in awe of you and people like you who run races like this!!!! It's such an inspiration. It's good that you realize that you need to take some time away to focus and see how you can bring joy back into these activities that you love!
Congratz!!!
Congrats on not only signing up but showing up to complete the 1/2 marathon. WTG! I know the feeling of a hill at that same mark and it just kills you. It's like a road block thrown into a perfectly good race. Enjoy the rest of the day!
I'm glad you were able to make it through that race, even with the sleet and rain! that is some strength!
I'm sad I didn't get to talk to you much at the blogger lunch yesterday though! hopefully we'll be able to meet up in the future!!!
I'm glad you were able to make it through that race, even with the sleet and rain! that is some strength!
I'm sad I didn't get to talk to you much at the blogger lunch yesterday though! hopefully we'll be able to meet up in the future!!!
Great job! BTW, I am jealous of your hubby's yummy breakfast salmon. Yummm! I haven't had salmon like that in awhile! Your breakfast however was the perfect combo for your accomplishments. Again, great job!
as i said at lunch, its important to put a * next to race times and consider them in terms of weather, injuries, etc. you did GREAT considering all of the above. congrats!
Congratulations! Great accomplishment.
I agree with Caitlin about the “*” when the weather or your health is sucky!
Congrats! You had an awesome time; considering the weather and how really slow it was, you did wonderfully. What's funny is that I actually *enjoyed* the hill at 10.5; I run better uphill and actually got a second wind at that point. You're right though, after 10 miles it was painful.
Hi Katy! I know this is an old post, I just came across it from another blog,, anyways- I ran the Disney full that weekend, and it was an amazing accomplishment to even SHOW UP for the race, considering the horribly cold weather! I think yall had it worse than we did- however so many people chickened out- that showing up and completing it was amazing in itself
Hope you plan on doing more Disney races in the future, they sure are fun! Congratulations!
Hi Lindsey!
A lot of people told me they thought the full was easier, weather-wise…although yo crazy kids had to be out in the elements a lot longer than me!
Your post inspires me. I am not a runner, but I have wanted to try for quite a while now. Unfortunately, in High School I had gotten shin splints and had been turned off the activity for years. I live fairly close to Orlando, and only two years ago heard of the Disney Princess Half Marathon. It has been a goal of mine to one day run it, and reading your post makes me want it all the more. I think that at this time next year, I just may be able to call myself a runner! (Here’s hoping!) I enjoy your tweets, and now your blog! Thanks for the insight and entertainment! (BTW, your omlette looked much better than the bagel!)
I’ll always have nothing but scorn for the Disney Marathon, the Track Shack and anything associated with that obnoxious theme park and corporation on the whole. I say this even though I placed well in the marathon and didn’t have to pay for my entry or hotel room. The race gets great reviews from newcomers because they have no frame of reference, and don’t understand that not every marathon has 1) cobblestones, 2) a requirement to show up at the start at 4 friggin’ a.m., 3) a long, unshaded stretch on a concrete-reinforced superhighway late in the race, 4) a first-rate jackass for a race director, 5) no scenery to speak of other than capering costumed characters, and 6) other serious drawbacks I have apparently blocked from memory. Most marathons in the state of Florida should be banned anyway, and this wreck of an event tops the list.
Chimpanzee Refuge recently posted..“Trust me — I have first-hand knowledge,” says serial liar