So I’ve been training for the Walt Disney World Marathon for a few months now. I’m starting to get up there in mileage and its exciting and scary all at the same time. I ran 9 miles about a month or so ago and did ok. I tried 11 miles a few weeks back and horribly failed… it was all a problem of nutrition and not having enough fuel, I only got about half way. I was determined to hammer out the 13-miler I had on the schedule this weekend without having a near black out/puking experience. and I did it!!!!!
I woke up around 5:45am yesterday… I heard the pitter patter of raindrops and got a little discouraged but got up and dressed anyway. I had some peanut butter toast and got my gear ready and by that time the rain had stopped. It was around 6:20 when I headed out. A few minutes of walking then some light jogging until I got out of the neighborhood. To be honest the first 2 miles were a little rough. It was slightly chilly and my muscles were tight. Once I got to miles 3,4 and 5 I felt like I was crusin along. I hit a hill and decided it was time for a walk/water/fuel break. I had some Clif Shot Blocks, my new favorite. Sometimes “Gu” makes me queasy, its like I’m swallowing a 1/4 cup of sugary frosting. I got to the halfway point, about 6.5 miles and got some power-ade and still was feeling pretty good. I varied my speed a bit finding different visual markers to “run fast” to. I kept telling myself “I am fast, I am strong” and I think I started to believe it. The thing that I like/hate about running outside is that you have to get back to your starting point one way or another…. so I figure I should run. On a treadmill you can just jump off whenever you want. Around the 10 mile mark it started to sprinkle a bit, but it actually felt pretty good. The hardest part was the last mile…. My legs started getting really tight and my feet were hurting a bit…. not to mention in was in my neighborhood and there were yard sales everywhere!
buuuut, I finished! I made sure to go a little beyond the 13 miles just to be able to say I ran a “half-marathon” haha. No big deal, right. I just ran a half marathon! I did it in just around 3 hours, which was my goal. So I felt pretty good. I can say this was the first “long” run that I didn’t feel like I was crazy for doing. I actually feel confident that I can stay on this path and meet my goal of finishing the Disney Marathon. And that feels great! I was super sore for most of the day and had some pain in my knees, but today I’m feeling pretty good, with just a little soreness… enough to remind me of my accomplishment!
imperfectly courtney 