The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

[ttdriver]

Where do I begin?

Oh okay .. yesterday, January 7, I ran the Walt Disney World Marathon (that's 26.2 miles, folks) ..

Let me say first of all, what the conditions were like:

Start time, 6AM
Weather:
DENSE FOG, temperature 70 degrees, humidity 100%.
That was the running condition for the first 3 miles until the SUN came out..
Temperature for the next 23.2 miles: 86 degrees, humidity 60%, no wind, and NO SHADE for all 26.2 miles.

Crowd: 14,000 runners
Running Route: Narrow, obstructed, crowded. No ability to pass or overtake. Your spot was YOUR spot for 26.2 miles. Planned on a PR? Forget it. Just finish the race, get your medal, and go home.

That was what I did!

This was the WORST marathon of all-time, hands down. Who would have thought it would be 86 degrees in central Florida on January 7th? Last year to the day, it was 38 degrees at start time, and in the upper 50s at the end. Perfect. This year, complete switcheroo.

I don't now how many thousands of people were taken via ambulances to emergency rooms, but the paramedics were busy every mile of the way. Runners were overcome with heatstroke / racing heartrates / hyperventilation / dehydration .. It was INSANE.

Don't ask me today if I plan to ever run another marathon.

Betty

[Richt]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Betty, a well known quote I have read a few times in different places.

"People only ever run their next marathon after they have forgotten the pain from their last one".

Marathons are never going to be easy, yesterdays was just a lot worse. Personally I know you will do another one, you are an addict.

Congrats on finishing yesterday, you did well.

Rich

[ttdriver]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Thanks, Rich.

I think only those who have endured this self-inflicted torture can fully understand the pain of it. And the PRIDE of it.

It was interesting to read the tshirts that some runners were wearing during the race. These two in particular stand out in my mind:

Marathoning: When desire overcomes reason.

And this one:

DLF > DNF > DNS

(which means:
Dead last finish is greater than
Did not finish which is greater than
Did not start)

Betty

[Richt]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Thanks, Rich.

I think only those who have endured this self-inflicted torture can fully understand the pain of it. And the PRIDE of it.

Betty

Betty, I totally agree. Even though a half marathon isnt as far as a full one, when I finished my first half I thought I would never do another one. Now however, I am unsure if I can do a FULL one, I mean, thats 2 x halves!!!!! OMG

YOu did good

[ttdriver]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Even though a half marathon isnt as far as a full one, when I finished my first half I thought I would never do another one. Now however, I am unsure if I can do a FULL one, I mean, thats 2 x halves!!!!! OMG

I felt the same way after my first halfer, Rich. Now, I love the half marathon distance. And during yesterday's marathon, I felt awesome at 13.1 miles. Like I could run forever. BUT ..........

Something happens at about 18 miles that changes all that .... By mile 22 I had little left. Thoughts of quitting were rampant in my mind. But no ... a good running friend of mine said the secret is to keep repeating the words: RELENTLESS...FORWARD...MOTION over and over .. so I did. For 4.2 miles that's all I kept saying to myself.

I have a "26.2" necklace that I have worn everyday since completing my first marathon last February 26th. I wear it knowing that whatever challenges life throws at me, I have proven that I have what it takes to battle through it because I've battled my way through 26.2 grueling miles.

Today, I wear that same necklace with an even greater sense of appreciation to my body for having not only battled through those miles once, but TWICE.

Its an awe-inspiring achievement for this woman of 51 years who was never gifted with athletic ability, but only with tenaciously competitive spirit to see that dream realized.

Betty

[sadie147]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Betty sorry to hear you had a bad experience with ths marathon, but congrats on running it! I can't even imagine running that far..the most i've done is 7k. So the thought of running over 26 miles (or over 5miles for that matter lol) blows me away!

Good job!

[Lisa M]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Betty, I just have to say, I really admire you for you competiveness and wonderful spirit to go beyond limits of what you may have set in the very beginning of your journey to running, and with this woe.

Sounds like a really memorable time for this marathon! I love the medal....only because I'm a Disney fan and not because I want to run a marathon to get one myself. LOL.

Awesome accomplishment!

[jroche5998]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Betty,

Great job on your finish, in horrific conditions no less!

I would love to run Disney, if I can just convince DW that early January is a great time to go to Disney on vacation. "Hey honey, the WDW marathon is the SAME WEEK we'll be there, I'm gonna run it, OK?" I can just see her reaction now. LOL

Again, way to go!

[ttdriver]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Thanks so much, you guys!!! Your support and encouragement mean the world to me!

I would love to run Disney, if I can just convince DW that early January is a great time to go to Disney on vacation. "Hey honey, the WDW marathon is the SAME WEEK we'll be there, I'm gonna run it, OK?" I can just see her reaction now. LOL

LOL Jim .. yes, I got the same reaction from DH when I told him my plan .. he laughed AT FIRST until he saw that determination in my eyes..........then he knew, I wasn't kidding ....

Lisa, I am a HUGE fan of Mickey .. OMG, you should see my kitchen .. ALL DONE UP IN MICKEY .... I might as well endorse every paycheck over to Disney and get it over with.........So when I found out the Marathon medal was Mickey .. it was a DONE DEAL. And he was there at the start line and along the route and waived to me .. that kept me going!

M-I-C-K-E-Y ... M-O-U-S-E !!

Betty

[Adena]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Betty, you should come for the ING Georgia Marathon on March 17. The weather should be perfect -- a beautiful spring day in Atlanta, dogwood trees in bloom. So, when you have forgotten the pain... consider it! You can even stay with me (seriously)! Maybe if you come, we can finally convince Joy to join me for the half. And Jess will come cheer us on...

Seriously, congratulations on an amazing feat. I know you must feel absolutely incredible. And even after 26.2 miles, you look great!

We have coverage of the marathons here at work (I work for ING), and someone took pictures of people's shirts. One I liked had written on the back... "I may be fat, but I'm in front of you."

[ttdriver]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Adena, that is so sweet of you to suggest it! Believe me, girl, I will consider it! Right now, the pain in my hips is telling me "DON'T YOU DARE..."

I love the tshirt .. its so true of me .. SLOW, BUT OUT THERE!

This is one of my favorite marathon sayings which is very appropriate for today:

YOU MUST FORGET YOUR LAST MARATHON BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANOTHER. THE BODY CANNOT KNOW WHAT'S COMING...

OH SO TRUE.

Betty

[ShannonK]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Hi Betty,
I am sorry that you had a miserable time! I live in Orlando and we are definitely feeling the heat right now. It is unbelieveable. That is why I run indoors on my treadmill.

You can't quit, though. I know you won't.

You have been an inspiration to me for awhile. I see your posts and I love them. I decided... drum roll... to run my first 5K at Disney in March. I have been doing a fast walk/ slow jog (slog) for awhile now, but my little brother finally challenged me. Our father passed away a year ago next week and in honor of our own attention to our health and in HIS honor, we are going to do it!!

Let me tell you, it hurts! Who knew? And I cannot even run three miles straight yet!

[Alexa]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Betty,

Big congrats and well done! What a great achievement, espec in horrible conditions!

You've inspired me to enter a (albeit microscopically short) race. I'm going to have a search now!

Baarb

[Brook]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Betty - You continue to awe and inspire me with every challenge you take on and conquer!

It sounds horrific. It sounds like the conditions were *really* sucky. But you? You knocked it out - just like you always do.

I'm *SO* proud of you!! WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ttdriver]

Re: The Marathon: And Why Its Not For Wimps

Thanks you guys! I LOVE YA!!

I felt really DEFEATED after the race; like I had let myself down, not doing as well as I had hoped. I'm sooo soooo hard on myself at times; which really ISN'T something I'm proud of .. yes, the determination drives me on, but it also drives me nuts! I wanted to do alot better, and bless his heart, despite valiant efforts by DH to tell me JUST FINISHING in those conditions was unbelievably GREAT .. I still felt down about it all the way home .. I didn't tell him how bad I felt, but after being married to me for nearly 30 years, HE KNEW WHAT I WAS THINKING. He is out there with me every weekend training in this dire heat and humidity; THE MAN KNOWS.

I have the medal, that's enough for now. I'll keep fighting. I'll keep training. Time for Betty to practice what she preaches, and KEEP ON TRYING.

The lady in front of me during the marathon had this on the back of her tshirt:

NEVER STOP CHALLENGING YOURSELF.

I won't.

TO ALL!

Betty