Y'all, it was warm and humid! Like, seriously HUMID! Living in Georgia, I am pretty used to humidity (especially during summer months). However, my longest training runs in November and December left me in temperatures in the 30s-40s. Race start temps in the low 60s and 98% humidity (and in the 80s at the finish) were not exactly ideal, but it is Florida. My strategy today was to try to get as many miles done before the sun came up, but not
You know what makes boo-boos better to me? Animals. Cast members (both two-legged and four-legged) were out to greet us as we were coming into the backstage area of Animal Kingdom. A shout out to the fabulous donkey, Jill, for her encouragement.
Animal Kingdom always makes my heart full and I decided to basically just live my best life while trekking through Animal Kingdom mile 13-14. A few photo stops and ALL THE SMILES gave me life as I cross the halfway mark as I came towards Asia. If you time your race just right, you can take a ride on Expedition Everest at this point (Animal Kingdom opens at 9am). I opted not to ride (I have a sensitivity to motion sickness) but I saw a lot of runners hoping off for a mid-race thrill!
One of my absolute best friends, Julia, was waiting for me with a huge hug and an ice cold Coke. Bless Julia and bless that Coke. I needed that jolt and that hug.
It is funny, if you ask anyone who has ran the Walt Disney World Marathon in the past their feelings on Wide World of Sports, most of them will probably have a very definitive answer for you. Well, in 2014 I had an absolute total meltdown in Wide World of Sports...like total meltdown that included sobbing my eyes out. I think it is a combination of hitting 'the wall' and the amount of time spent making your way through about 3 miles of ground in the complex. Other than my goals of finishing and having fun, my other goal was to not meltdown here. I will not be defeated by Wide World of Sports!
I knew that the toughest part was over. I made it through the most mentally hardest part of any marathon and was on my way to Hollywood Studios!
As I got to the mile 23 marker all I could think about was how much I was looking forward to my chocolate that gets handed out just inside of Hollywood Studios. I wanted sugar. Period. End of story. While I had been drinking PowerAde at the water stations to keep hydrated, I was really craving that little piece of chocolate heaven. I got my candy and all was good in life. The very nice volunteers even gave me two - a pack of M&Ms (full-size at that) and a pack of Skittles.
A big shoutout to my amazing friends (and friends of friends) that were at Boardwalk Bakery waiting for me with hugs and snacks (even though I basically yelled at them that I didn't want food). A special HUGE shoutout to one of my besties, Julia, who met me just before I entered into EPCOT. This amazing girl chased me around Walt Disney World updating Momma K all morning. Yes, Mom and Dad were tracking me (borderline stalking) and I talked to them on the phone during the race, however Julia reassured Momma K that I looked great.
I had made it 26 miles without a single tear, but all that changed as I came up to the Bubblegum Wall at Spaceship Earth and my friend Valerie was there. She gave me a hug and then gave me another hug from Momma K. I totally lost it. Like I was shaking in her arms sobbing.
I collected myself and made my way to the finish line - I had a marathon to finish less than 1/4 mile away. Before I knew it, in true runDisney style, the beautiful voices of the gospel choir greeted me at mile 26!
I got back to the hotel to quickly freshen up, grab a quick bite to eat, and get on the "not so Magical Express" back to the airport.
Thank you to runDisney, volunteers, first responders, cast members, and of course my family and friends for making this an unforgettable weekend!