I could procrastinate no longer (i.e., the price increases tomorrow)… I’ve signed up for the Philadelphia Marathon! This will be my second go at 26.2 miles. I’m extremely excited for this race. I went to college in Philadelphia and running through the city will bring back plenty of happy memories.
Now, how do I fit in 20+ mile runs on a 13.4 mile long island? Central park loops? Maybe this time I’ll join a group!
I DID IT! Yesterday I completed the Walt Disney World Marathon in 4 hours, 31 minutes and 3 seconds. I still feel a runner’s high despite my ever-growing aches and pains.
The experience itself was amazing. I’ve really fallen in love with the race environment. Seeing families and friends cheering on a loved one, little kids sticking out their hands for a passing high-five, strangers offering Sour Patch Kids at the top of a really tough hill– not to sound cheesy, but it brought tears to my eyes. The sport has great camaraderie. Knowing the inspiration, dedication, and perseverance of my fellow 20,000 marathoners creates an atmosphere charged with support. A marathon is so much more than race day. The gospel choir at mile 26 nearly turned me into a blubbering mess. It gave me the energy to sprint that final two tenth’s of a mile when all I wanted to do was stop.
I also love Disney races. Yes, there are a lot of people and yes, you have to start at an ungodly hour (5:30am) but they know how to entertain. Running through every park put a gigantic smile on my face. Seeing Rapunzel, Doug, Flynn’s hideous soul patch, Mrs. Incredible, Captain Jack Sparrow, and the other characters along the course helped distract from the endless miles. I was having the time of my life up until about mile 19.5 when running became the last thing I wanted to do and I seriously considered stealing a medical volunteer’s bike. This race is a biathlon, no? But the suffering and pain just made the encouragement that much more real.
My wonderful friend Danielle was a medical volunteer and treated me to a quick ice wrap, Tylenol, and Biofreeze slathering.
I look like death and have crazy “I just finished a marathon” eyes. Great.
Anybody want to run Chicago with me? 
By this time tomorrow I’ll be in the midst of a 26.2 mile run. In case you were curious what running a marathon looks like, I’m pretty sure this is accurate:
I think I have everything important in order. I’ll be wearing CWX compression capris, lululemon (or UA…) t-shirt, Injinji socks, visor, and Mizunos. My playlist is only 3.2 hrs long but I’ve run out of music that doesn’t annoy me. Repeats will have to be in order because there’s no way I could finish in 3.2 hrs unless, as Maureen and I discussed, I steal an ostrich in Animal Kingdom to ride to the finish. If you see the news story, “Girl Rides Wild Animal to Photo-worthy Marathon Finish,” it’s me.
I’ll tweet the experience if you want to follow along. Curse you past Brenna for signing up for this thing!
Just bit the bullet and registered for the 2012 Walt Disney World® Marathon!
67 days. That doesn’t seem very far off…
