Race Report: Mickey Mouse Marathon Part 2 (Goofy Challenge Day 2)

Picking up from where I left off yesterday...

After finally getting my watch going again, we carried on down to the road toward Animal Kingdom.  It was pretty neat because right when we got there I heard someone say "Oh look!  An owl!"  Sure enough, there were people lining the road with animals - goats, owls, snakes, reptiles - I didn't stop to take any pictures because I was way on the other side of the road but it was neat to see some little animals along the way.

Running through animal kingdom was pretty neat.  As soon as we turned in there were lots of people cheering us on.  Many were spectators but I think a lot of them were Animal Kingdom staff getting things set up for the day and so many of them stopped to cheer us on.  It was cool.

I don't remember a whole lot of Animal Kingdom because at the time Cori and I were engulfed in a pretty deep conversation.  For the life of me I couldn't tell you what we were talking about but I remember chatting non stop through this stretch.  We did stop for a couple pictures and also noticed people ducking off the course.  We finally realized that they were running off to ride the roller coaster and we said to each other, "Should we?".  We both agreed that although it would be fun, we were worried we would either throw up and be too stiff to get up out of the cars at the end!  It would have been super fun and if I ever do the Disney marathon again I'll totally ride the coaster...

I also got a chance somewhere in Animal Kingdom for another train shot for the boys...

Coming out of Animal Kingdom we sort of teamed up with another TNT runner who kept our tired minds and bodies occupied.  He had all kinds of stories about his many times working with TNT and asked Cori lots of questions about why she got involved etc.  It made for very interesting conversation and really helped those few miles out of Animal Kingdom pass quickly.  Turns out that was a good thing because the remaining miles were about to become by far the toughest of the whole marathon.

Up to this point I was still feeling pretty good.  We had been in full sun for quite a few miles so the heat was starting to get pretty tough but otherwise I was pretty pleased to be faring okay.  I was so worried that I'd have troubles with blisters or pulled muscles or weird chafing but none of that was a problem at all and I was thrilled.

When we started off down the parkway, we were kept busy with all kinds of signs posted in the median.  There were so many inspirational quotes, a few of my favorites may have even brought out a tear or two...

And this pic I stole from Cori because I missed getting a picture myself, but it kind of sums up how I felt about the whole Goofy experience...

Up to this point there had been many places along the way where either Cori, I or both of us together had emotional moments.  For me, I was just so darn proud and excited to be out there running that marathon I never thought I could do.  If you had told me 8 years ago when I got hurt that I'd be out there chasing my running dreams one day I never would have believed you.  And yet, here I was.  I just had to have a few "pinch me" moments to make sure I was present and taking in every moment.  These signs just kind of reinforced all those feelings.

But despite the warm and fuzzies those signs left us with, they weren't quite enough for what came next.  Ugh.  The dreaded 3 mile stretch along Osceola Parkway that would take us down to ESPN Wide World of Sports.  This stretch was long, straight and hot, hot, hot.  This is where the heat really got to me - there were some points where my skin felt so hot I seriously thought it was going to just burst into flame.  It honestly felt like I was running on the surface of the sun.  Seriously.

It was a tough stretch mentally.  I was so hot.  Getting tired.  Not injured in any way, but I could definitely tell I was getting into the longer distance.  We didn't chat a whole lot through this part.  Our pace wasn't quite where I had hoped it would be and it's not like I likely could have done anything about it anyways.  The walk breaks got a bit longer each time.  Ugh.  Personally, I think they could have done a lot more in the entertainment department along this stretch.  More characters, more activities, just anything to give people a break on such a long boring stretch.

Definitely feeling the heat by this point...

We finally reached ESPN and I was excited because I knew we were getting close to the big 20 mile spectacular they had been teasing us with.  But first, we had to get through ESPN and it was a big shock when I realized we'd be running a whole 5km inside the Wide World of Sports.  Thankfully they had the sponge station right as we entered and Cori and I delightfully sponged ourselves down and tucked sponges into our tank straps to keep us cool.

I love you Sponge!

Now, back to that 5k in ESPN.  All I can say is BORING!  The Wide World of Sports is a huge complex of baseball diamonds, running tracks, football fields etc. and the course wound it way around and through all of these.  There were random people and teams practising as we ran by but to me I felt like we were intruding.  It felt kind of "unofficial" all through ESPN and even when we entered the ball diamond there wasn't very much fanfare.  There were a few rows of spectators but for the most part it was just a big empty ball field.  It would have been awesome to have some characters playing a game there or to have the stands filled to the brim.  We were just shy of 20 miles and I think most of us could have used a motivational boost.

We finally made our way out and were headed back to the highway again.  Like I said, these highway stretches were by far the toughest.  I was tired, Cori was tired, I tried to be positive and motivational but it's tough to inspire others when your own feet are getting sore and you're hot as hell.  We managed to make our way along the highway though, both pretty quiet and focused, but we did it.  I think this was the part of the marathon that challenged both of us the most but in each of our own ways, we dug deep and found we needed to carry on.  And for that I am so proud of us.

We had been guessing what the 20 mile spectacular would be pretty much the whole marathon and finally, we were there.  Turns out, they had some cool stilt characters lining the road and a big banner marking the 20th mile.

Huh.  Was it neat?  Yes.  But was it spectacular?  Hell no!  After running 20 miles in that kind of heat and humidity, I was hoping for sprinklers, a popsicle or even just a wicked DJ.  Stilt puppets just didn't do it for me so on we trudged.  A couple miles ahead I knew the candy station was waiting for us.

It was somewhere around here that Cori's TNT coach caught up with us and her conversation and motivation was so welcome.  We took some additional time walking and there were several times when we looked around and couldn't see anybody else running.  I think the conditions were getting a lot of people down and many were just walking.  Our pace and extra walking breaks also had us farther back in the corral groups so it kind of made sense we'd see more walkers.

Eventually we made our way into Hollywood Studios and we hit the much anticipated candy station!  I took several chocolate bars and wolfed them down in a hurry.  Warm, half-melted Hershey products never tasted so good - this tired runner was suddenly a much happier girl!

It was soon after that we also got to run through the costume department which gave us some much needed time in the shade...

Thanks for the pic Cori (Source)

It had been a long, hot and slow go up to this point but we were doing it and I think just knowing we were getting closer to the finish helped put a bit of extra pep in my step...

Thanks for the pic Cori (Source)

We made our way down the main street in Hollywood Studios...

I especially enjoyed the spectators and crowds through this part because the cheering was just what we needed to hear at that point.  And then all of a sudden we found ourself on the boardwalk that wound around the lakes back to Epcot.  I heard someone close behind me say that this was the home stretch and I couldn't believe it.  It was a lovely part of the course and I think I got a small burst of energy because were getting close.

Unfortunately this was one of those super frustrating stretches for me because the boardwalk was very narrow.   It became so hard to weave around all the walkers and my frustration levels rose back up again.   I was close and I felt good and I just wanted to get to the finish.

As we got closer all of the emotions started welling up in me again.  Only a couple miles to go and we'd be done!  I'd be a marathoner!  It was hard not to reflect on all of the work that got me to this day and I probably had some ugly crying going on as I ran past all the spectators.  There was one lady who struck a chord with almost everyone in my training group that day.  She was sitting there in a motorized buggy because she couldn't walk and she was holding a sign that said something like "I don't know you, but you inspire me".

I think it brought a tear to all of our eyes and just meant so much that she'd take the time to be out there for us.  The support from the crowds that day was amazing.  Just as we got back into Epcot we passed a princess or fairy or something who didn't have a huge line and we stopped for one last picture...

I'm pretty sure I dragged Cori through the last mile because I was so darn excited to get to that finish line.  I tried my best to weave through all the walkers and I hope she didn't think I was trying to lose her in the crowd!  We were almost there!  Just a few more turns...we were at the gospel choir again.  This was it, a couple more turns and we'd be in the finish chute...

And suddenly, there we were.  The crowds were full and everyone was cheering and Cori and I were both in full on ugly cry mode.  We were so excited.  I grabbed her hand and said, "This is it!  We did it!" and we ran off to the finish line bawling our eyes out.  As I ran by I gave Minnie Mouse a huge hug and Donald Duck a big high five and then crossed the line.

Cori and I turned to each other and collapsed into the biggest hug ever, again, still bawling our eyes out.  We were so proud and so happy yet we cried the whole way over to receive our medals.  And as we received our lunch bags and bottles of water our lips were quivering and still I was crying.  But they were all tears of pure joy.  I did it.  And all things considered I felt pretty good, dare I say, possibly with even a little bit of gas left in my tank.  It was amazing.

After getting a bit of water and Powerade down we headed off to that Goofy tent and received our coveted medals...

But, like good bloggers, we made sure to take turns and have our cameras ready so that we could get pictures of the big moment!

Anyhow, we went off to get our checked bags where that big bag of salty chips was calling my name...

Also in our checked bags, Cori and I both had our Donald Duck and 5k medals stashed away so we could take photos with the whole medal haul, which were immediately texted off to family, Twitter and Facebook...

That looks like one happy marathoner and Goofy Challenge finisher to me!

It was a long race.  It was a hot race.  It was a tough race.  It was a mentally challenging race.  But it was a marathon and I did it!  And somewhere out on that course there was a moment where I realized that I was properly prepared for this challenge and that my training did exactly what it was supposed to do.  It was such a wonderful realization to know that all of those early morning hours in the dark and the freezing rain, the cold, the snow and the wind paid off and made this once very injured, deflated and at times very hopeless feeling car accident survivor into a real life marathoner.  Even though my actual Goofy training only began last September, the journey to this marathon finish line started many years before when decided to believe in myself, though very few others did, and decided I was going to start running.

Other than the days my boys were born, I have never had a prouder moment in my life.  I wish I could bottle that feeling up and save it forever.