Walt Disney World Marathon - RunMarathon

Gels every 30' starting at 30' in to the race. Stayed within my HR zones. First 2 hours were a breeze. I think I had a smile on my face the whole time. I just felt great. Turned the iPod on at the 12 mile mark and was so pumped. My body felt so strong the whole time. I actually had 2 other Canadians pacing me but I didn't see them anymore after mile 13. Every 10' I drank my Eload and I didn't have to use the potties on the course throughout the whole race. During the last hour, I was starting to feel a bit thirsty, especially given the heat, so I'd grab water at the aid stations, take a small sip and pour the rest on my head. It was getting really warm and so many people were walking (they could have been the 'Goofy' runners though, having run the 1/2 marathon the day before). At the end of the race, I realized I hadn't finished my Eload so I had drank a lot less fluid than I planned to drink. Mile 24 and 25 felt really long but other than at those points, I think I had this goofy giddy grin on my face the whole time. I felt so well trained and fit and I couldn't believe I was running, and finishing, a marathon. I guess Disney World is truly the place where all dreams come true...sigh...

Drink more Eload.

Asked medical tent personnel if I could stay in there to get some shade...they actually said 'no' because I didn't need medical attention. I told them I might if they didn't grant me a chair in the shade. They let me sit for a while, then I went to their designated area for runners to rest, and I was handed a plastic bag with ice in it that I gladly accepted and moved from my head to my knees to my hips to my ankles and back again. Didn't feel like I would easily and gracefully get up from my chair so I asked someone to get me some more water/Powerade and I sat around for a bit to finish that off...was VERY thirsty. Then I eventually got up from the chair and waddled over to accept my beautiful medal and made it to the food area to grab a banana. After that, I headed to the spectator area and graciously accepted a big hug from the girls.


First marathon.
Destination marathon...tried to make the best food choices as possible...a little added stress...didn't want to have an upset stomach during the trip.
Calves were really sore on Saturday due to 3 hours of walking around Magic Kingdom on Friday afternoon in flip flops...I'll have to add flip flops to my list of "new things not to do before race day"...felt a bit better by Sunday morning but I'm sure my adrenaline and nervous energy had something to do with it!
30 degree weather and not a cloud in the sky by 0900 on race day...it was a little warm...in general, the weather was hot and humid and I trained in cooler weather (albeit hardly winter weather).
Didn't drink as much as I planned which could have affected my pace at the end.


I couldn't believe how much fun my first marathon was and how well I did, how great I felt. It seemed like I recovered quite quickly too which I didn't expect. You hear all the horror stories of how you're going to feel afterward, and I have to admit that I could walk around a lot better than I expected, even down the stairs...facing forward :) COACH ADAM: I am so grateful to you for your confidence in me to be able to accomplish all that I have set out to achieve thus far as an athlete. You convinced me that I could do all that I have and then you taught me how. You showed me the path, not the short cuts, and the journey has been incredible. Thank you.