So it's been a while since I last posted and so many things have
happened.
We ran the Disney Goofy - you know, the
one that Shannon wanted to run. I am happy to say that we DID complete it
and WE HAVE BLING Baby! It was a very valuable learning tool running the
full marathon. We learned a lot and had a lot of fun too. We also
made some new friends along the way.
While running on day one - the half we
thought let's take it easy since tomorrow we have 26.2 miles to run.
Started out great and had a GREAT race and event. Finished with a
time of 3:14 which I was completely happy with. Seeing as I wanted to
conserve AND the course was extremely congested, I accepted it and went to take
an ice bath. I learned to say bad word rather quickly, quietly and loudly
all that the same time. Some of them I am not sure were even in English.
I do however, recommend that if you take an ice bath, WEAR SOCKS!!!!
The higher up the leg the better!
Day two rolls around and we get ready to
run 26.2 miles. It was a bit cooler than the first day but still
wonderful running weather. At Mile 4 I wanted to take my shirt off - but
told myself - LINDA - if you are still hot at 13 then you can. I listened
- LOL
Running the Full was amazing. We ran
through all four of the Disney parks AND we got to run on the Richard Petty
Racing Experience Race Track. Having never run it before and not sure
where the Balloon Ladies were - I didn't stop for pictures or anything. I
did stop once on the track so that an ambulance could transport a runner off.
Running through the Castle - I understand it is an amazing experience but
when you "RUN" please do so - please don't walk through it!
Many bad thoughts crossed my mind with bad words. Besides, it makes
for a better picture than when you walk through it - LOL DUH no brainer there.
When we arrived into Animal Kingdom I
again didn't want to stop but Everest was open and NO WAITING! Sadly I
kept going! NEXT YEAR I will stop for a ride! Why, because I
got this! I got this course now and I am going to ride that ride!
LOL As I exited Animal Kingdom, I saw that my time was 3:09 for the
half - TOOOOO FAST!!!!! I would burn out before I finished so I slowed my
pace and took my shirt off - remember, I told myself I had to wait until at
least the 13 mile marker.
About Mile 18 inside ESPN Wide World of
Sports (WWOS), I sent a picture to Shannon stating - this sounded like a good
idea in April - and THAT is where I hit the wall. The dreaded wall.
I wanted to quit and give up. The balls of my feet hurt and I was done.
A loving text from Brandyn who was behind me told me NO Mama Left behind
and to wait for them. I didn't wait - I wanted to be done! I kept
going. I would get through this one way or another. When I exited
WWOS, I saw the dreaded Balloon Ladies going IN to ESPN WWOS. I new I was
ok then. YAY!!!!! I wasn't going to be swept! Wall was gone -
renewed sense of being able to run. Mile 21 picture sent to Shannon again
- "If I don't talk to you for a couple of days it is because I dislike you
right now" Ok so maybe the wall wasn't completely gone but I was
still going forward. Mile 22 - Right Knee said "I'm DONE!!!!"
I stopped at the Medical Tent got the big red X on my hand and took two
Tylenol. I had no choice but to walk for a while - BIG mistake - it
messed up my feet. Oh well - live and learn. Inside Hollywood
Studios, just passed Mile 23 (thank you for the chocolate bars Disney) Brandyn,
Okely and Richelle caught me. They offered to stay with me but why?
Go for your time I am ok. Besides, Brandyn ALWAYS meets me at the
finish line - LOL I went on and found the renewed energy to try to jog.
I got to Mile 24 and the Incredibles were there on the Mile Marker!
I KNEW I could do it. Then I took a shot of Coca-Cola and began a
ridiculous run again. I made it through the Boardwalk to where I wished
I was staying at the Yacht and Beach Club - but luckily I wasn't so I couldn't
just go to the room - LOL I made my way in to Epcot finally and the people -
Talk about boosting your spirits!!! As I crossed in to France, I hollered
out "Anyone want to buy me a Margarita?" There were no takers
so I can only assume that they just don't like them in France. I kept
going and asked, "Anyone want to buy me a beer?" Next thing I
know, full beer in hand - going down the hatch! The lady running next to
me said, "I can't believe you did that, and got a beer!" ME:
"Watch, this!, Anyone want to buy me another beer?"
Mind you I am still running. When all was said and done, I had had
three beers BEFORE I left the World Showcase. On the third one, the wife
asked me, "Honey, do you want another one?" I told her,
"Thank you but no, I think I'm good now!" Then I was off
running again. I felt amazing - buzzing - and finished strong. I
finished in 6:50 which wasn't bad for my FIRST ever Full Marathon. When I
got done, who did I find in the finish area? BRANDYN!!!! YAY
She asked me "Did you have a Beer in Epcot?" I responded
with "Three" She laughed and told me she knew I would have a
beer - OK REALLY where else can you run and have beer on the course!?!?!?!
Hello - I'm going to have a beer - or three!
I iced up, went back to the hotel and
soaked my feet in the kids pool only to be told that the heater in the smaller
pool wasn't working and the water was COLD! Thank you baby Jesus and
Betty Sue for booking me in that resort! I went and soaked in the cold
pool with a lot of other runners who did the same thing - much much easier than
and Ice Bath!
After all was said and done, I had an
amazing weekend and learned A LOT about my running. I also learned that I
can NOT wear my Tarsal Inserts in my shoes - it did it's job by lifting my
Tarsals and in doing so, I also killed SIX (6) Toenails. I have since
lost four (4) of them and am waiting on the other two (2) to fall off - LOL
After this, I went to Podiatry and he
helped me with my feet and told me - "NO RUNNING until the first of the
month" WHAT? That was going to be THREE FULL WEEKS!!!! Maybe
One or Two but THREE? I followed his orders and then my knees began to
act up into the first week. SO, I called ORTHO and HE extended it for an
ADDITIONAL Two weeks - WHAT?!?!? That is FIVE WEEKS Of NO Running!!!!
You are killing me and I missed the Celebration Half and Full! I wasn't
registered for it but I still went to cheer on my fellow Mama's and friends.
Cheering is HARD work - but Running in flipflops is even harder.
SO my friends held me to the 5 weeks of no
running - even wouldn't let me run in 5k's - but I did Walk two of them with
Shannon!!!! Hey when Girl Scout Cookies are involved....................
So here I am now 5 weeks out and am
finally cleared to run - what do I do - NOTHING! I don't run unless it is
an errand or a child to the Dr. Then come Disney Princess Half - ummmm I
have now gone SIX 6 weeks of NO running and I am planning on running a half
Marathon?!??!!?!?!?!? I MUST be nuts.
I hit a milestone in my life at this point - I am now 22 YEARS Seizure Free!
Disney Princess comes up and I am now 22
years Seizure Free - Can I get an AMEN SISTA!!!!! I run the Half and feel
REALLY REALLY REALLY Good - I finish it in 3:19 which is totally acceptable by
me because Why? I haven't run for 6 weeks, it is only 5 minutes longer
than the one in January and there were MORE People on the course this time!
Well, More Women at least! I also lost my filter between the
corrals and the finish line because when I went through the castle, what I was
thinking in January came out! The lady next to me loved it and hung with
me for a bit until we got through the crazy people - again - Pictures come out
better on the OTHER side of the Castle - you know where the Photographer is and
is taking the pictures FOR YOU!!!!!!!
Now, I am planning and Preparing for SO MANY more races. I did cancel Paris in April due to Shannon being Pregnant and habit of preterm labor. However, I DID switch to Alaska!
Here is the current list of remaining races we have SO FAR for this year!
March: We are thinking of going to DC for the Epilepsy Walk March 22nd
April: 5th, Run or Dye 5k in Kissimmee - we will be walking this one with a very pregnant Shannon. 6th, we are thinking of going to Newark for another Epilepsy 5k
May: 3rd, we have the LL Cool Run - Get your tickets now
June: 21st we will be running in Alaska for the Mayor's Midnight Marathon
July: Most likely local races - maybe
August: Disneyland for the Half Marathon and we will earn our Coast to Coast Medal - Whoop Whoop -
September: 13th we will be in Georgia for the Run Like a Diva Half in Peachtree, GA
October: 4th we will be doing the Disney Tower of Terror 10 miler
November: 2nd - we will be running the NYC Marathon. This one courtesy of the Epilepsy Foundation of America and Athletes vs. Epilepsy (we'll go in to that more), 8th and 9th is Wine and Dine at Disney - still haven't decided if we want to do that one this year or wait, then there is the 14-16 we are hoping to run in Disneyland again for the Inaugural Avengers Half Marathon, 30th we are running the Space Coast Marathon.
December: We are debating running the Galloway 13.1 in GA and/or the Biggest Loser Half in Panama City Beach again.
January: We are hoping to secure a spot for Dopey at Disney
Now - Getting back to Athletes vs. Epilepsy. I was asked to contact them through the Epilepsy Foundation of America. I did so being that I have been living with Epilepsy since I was 5. On the day I hit my 22 year anniversary, I posted on their FB page I was 22 years Seizure Free. Then I told them I was celebrating by running a half marathon the next day. Like I said, I was asked to contact them so I did. I was asked to become a member of their Athletes vs. Epilepsy team. To get more information, click here. I will now be running to help raise awareness and to bring hope and encourage others with Epilepsy. I have always run for Cancer, Heart Disease, Autism etc.... but I have NEVER run for myself or Epilepsy. NOW I will. I have the ability and I will do this. This is also why we changed the name of the blog - I will be (hopefully) doing more blogging about running and running with Epilepsy. I want to bring this to the forefront. You don't have to have Epilepsy to help bring about awareness, you just have to have a heart and care.
Well, It is time I must close this for now - Running just became even MORE real than before and just got even more intense. I need to rest - busy day tomorrow.
AND if you see me out there running - most likely I will have a sign on my back that says, "I'm Running with Epilepsy and I have been Seizure Free for 22 Years and ___ days now!"
Run on my friends - Run on and Disorders - beware! Whether you are Cancer, Heart Disease or Epilepsy - I will run After you and I will help to run you into the ground! I will win this battle and YOU WILL LOSE!!!!!
Finally one last thing, I would like to thank Betty Sue Sanders with mouseearvacations.com and cruisingco.com for being the best Travel Agent and Friend. You always take care of me and my needs - even when you don't know it! I hope to keep you busy in the next year - even if you can't make it to all of my races.
