The first mile I was in a lot of pain and I was freaking out, hating myself for being so stupid. But then it went away and I calmed down a bit. From there it was just a perfect race. Jeff, Betsy, and I ran the first 6 miles together through Epcot before Jeff decided to go ahead. I know how he was feeling since the same thing had happened to me the day before - running at a pace that is much slower than your regular training pace can be really hard on your legs.
After Jeff left us, Betsy and I just ran at my normal training pace and tried to make up a few seconds every mile in the hopes that BEST CASE SCENARIO we would average below 10 minute pace for the race. That was my stretch goal!I had no expectations that I could hold a sub 10:00 pace for the whole race since I had done the half marathon the day before and wasn't trained for a marathon.So we just kept going and I kept feeling awesome and each mile went by with a little more time made up until soon enough we had time in the bank! We took gels (I hadn't brought any nutrition with me but found an espresso gel on the ground, lol!!!) at about mile 10, I think. Then we took another at the first gel station. I turned into superwoman after that gel. I remember they were playing Blink 182 on the speakers and I got totally pumped and energized. I think this was the section that goes by the waste treatment plant and I just felt SO good. We got passed by the 4:15 pace group here but they stayed within our sight until Animal Kingdom. We stopped to pee in Animal Kingdom again and Betsy was having a lot of problems with her knee. Once we left AK and got out into the parking lot Betsy told me to go ahead and I did! I caught the 4:15 pace group and never looked back. I never bonked, I never felt bad, I never hit a wall. It was a very similar experience to Sunmart where I kept expecting it to get hard and it never did. My legs felt light and fast, I was relaxed, I felt invincible. Running with Betsy was totally awesome. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed the course, but I think the most wonderful part of the race for me was at about mile 20-23 where I just felt amazing and kept picking up the pace and had a HUGE grin on my face. This is the point on the road where the out and back section is and most people hate this part, but I was in such a great place mentally and physically that I loved every second of it. I needed vaseline and called for it but they couldn't get it for me in time as I ran by so they waited for me in the middle of the road as I came back from the out and back and gave it to me...those volunteers were awesome! The whole race was so well organized and FUN. I hear lots of complaints about running the Disney races but I really enjoy them. As I headed toward MGM I felt the heat a little bit but just kept going.
I was so happy to get a candy bar at that first aid station in MGM!! Last year we were so slow that they had run out by the time we got there! I was finally feeling some HURT because I was running around 8 minute miles. I was passing people constantly and finally one lady passed me, so I jumped on her tail. She asked me if we were going to break 4 hours and I told her it would be more like 4:05. She said we HAD to beat 4 hours and wanted me to go fast with her, so I got in front and tried to keep up a good pace for her even though I knew there was no way we could break 4 hours. We took turns pacing each other but then she faded and I went on without her, but that was the most challenging part of the race and I enjoyed it a lot. I was working very hard, again just like at Sunmart when I ran with Trixie and our last 10 miles were the fastest of the race, my faster 1/2 of the race was the second half, and in that second half I ran faster for the last 6 miles than I did for the first, so I really negative split the race and that makes a huge difference mentally. I like to be feeling good and picking up the pace instead of just trying to hold on to a hard pace set too early.
The last part of the course through Epcot seemed to last forever but I kept at it and thought of the gospel choir waiting for me. This is my favorite part of the race, the choir at mile 26. Passed them and got goose-bumps and kicked it the last bit. I felt so happy and emotional from accomplishing something I didn't think I was capable of. I was proud, I was elated, it was wonderful.
Some other things: the day before I had really messed up my leg and the arch of my foot and realized that it was plantar fasciitis. Went to The Stick booth at the expo and talked to a nice guy there who gave me some advice on what to do for it so I cold run the marathon. Betsy and Gina felt like my shoes were the problem and Gina took the orthotics out of her shoes and put them in mine so I had some arch support. I ran in those orthotics, which of course is a crazy thing to do, but they worked and I really felt like my legs were getting better the more I ran and the faster I went! I am still sore in the calf and arch area, but it is not NEARLY as bad as it was after the half on Saturday. A HUGE thank you to Betsy and Gina for their help and advice!
I stopped my watch during the two bathroom breaks so I would know what my time was without stops...4:05:24 and the Garmin says 26.64, which is a 9:13 pace.
This was a double PR day...PR for half marathon distance and for marathon distance. WOW!

Crossed the line with a huge smile, got my chip removed, and got some ice wrapped around my calf. Got my medal and went straight to the Goofy tent. Last year I did Goofy as well, but this year was different. I felt like I deserved it this year and I couldn't wait to get my Goofy medal. Last year I went SUPER slow for both races, and it was great because we helped two people complete their first half/full marathons. This year it was for ME - because I had it in me to do it at a decent pace this year - because I am a better athlete. And for that I was proud and felt like I deserved that darn Goofy medal. Got my picture taken, bypassed the food tent because it sucked, and found Jeff. I had some food in my dry clothes bag that I ate. We hung out till Betsy came in a few minutes later, then we left. Showers were taken, pancakes were eaten, and then I left for the airport.


Not training for a marathon and running 13.1 miles the day before.


I love the Goofy Challenge and will do it again next year, for the third year in a row. It may stink to get up at 3 AM, to stand outside for 2 hours before the race starts, to run so many miles on boring roads and through hot parking lots, but I still think Disney races are great. I love the fireworks in the beginning, I love the music and the theme parks and the crowds. I love running under the Sphere in Epcot when it is still dark out. And I love them medals.
This year they gave the Goofy Challenge people a shirt, which they haven't done in the past. They also improved the Goofy medal and it actually looks like Goofy now. The marathon medal this year was great, too. This was the 15th year for the Disney Marathon, so they had a special medal. I think it's the best medal I have ever gotten.
I had a great weekend and am still on cloud nine!