I. Ran. A. Half. Marathon.
Say what?! I did it. I really did. In the rain, along with the wind and temperature dropping.
Let's start with the expo.
There was so much going on! The lines however, for picking up bibs and shirts were short. I was able to walk up with no line at all. This was a first!! I was a little sad that there were no character spots though. With PHM weekend, there were characters and we did pictures. I'm a nerd yes, but it helps set the mood for a Run Disney event.
Pictures! (even if the baby is on his back)!
We finished up at the expo and went back to the vacation rental to relax. After naps and carb loading on pasta, it was time to get ready. My son fell ill during this time with a fever and was complaining of neck pain. It was scary and nerve wrecking to not know what is wrong. Thankfully grandma was there though. She is the best! We got him settled and I finished getting ready.
I was very undecided about what to wear; capri's, shorts, or pants. The weather was going to be chilly, but then rain got added into that factor, (thanks Florida weather). So I just decided on shorts. Looking back I am glad with that decision.
We went with a pirate theme for Pirates of the Caribbean. Simple not over doing it. 13.1 miles is a long way to go and I didn't want to be uncomfortable.
We got to ESPN for warm ups and had a lot of fun dancing along to the music.
As you can see it was nice a dry! That lasted until it was time to line up in our corrals (again, thanks Florida weather).
As we got in line the rain started, We pulled on ponchos that grandma had told us to pack. They were super thin so it wouldn't be so hot. But just the thought of running in one was irking me. I didn't train with a poncho. HA! I also didn't train in cold, windy weather. The odds were not with me. I was a little nervous as the fireworks went off. Go time for real!
At first, the rain wasn't bothering me so much. Sisnlaw and I just took it slow and laughed it off at first. That only lasted so long. Then came running through puddles that we couldn't see because it was dark and lighting wasn't the best everywhere. Wet shoes = wet feet, which is NEVER fun. Yes, I was wearing features, but at Animal Kingdom the puddles were really bad. We smiled and carried on.
The temperature started dropping and It just felt like it was getting colder by the minute. Of course that could have been because my feet were wet, who knows. By the time we hit mile 6 my hands and feet were numb. There is no mile 6 picture either, To much rain, and wet hands, clothes that we couldn't get the phones to open the camera. Dang touch screen! I was still smiling though. I was still happy. Enjoying the race just chatting away with sisnlaw. By the way, we didn't listen to any music.
We stretched every few miles and made sure to take water from all stops.
The mile pictures didn't come out so good, Very bright lighting and I was not taking the time to adjust my camera settings in the rain. I got pictures, that's all that matters right?!
By mile 10 Sisnlaw was over it. I was almost agreeing with her. Our half marathon had turned into an endurance half marathon. The saying "you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have", Yup that is exactly how I was feeling at that point.
Just keep running Just keep running. Before I knew it we were coming into Hollywood Studios! I was so excited to see the Osborne lights! I think that might have been my favorite part. And maybe because at Hollywood Studios it stopped raining and I yanked off my poncho!
It was beautiful. I could have cried, except I was still to numb.
We carried on through the park and I actually felt like I was warming up. That lasted maybe 5 minutes total. Leaving the park to make our way towards Epcot the rain came back. So much for that little dry spell. My knee started to bother me at this point. I just kept telling myself a little further you only have a little further to go. Running the path to the Beach and Yacht club and Boardwalk was not fun. It was narrow and way to many people. Some were walking and they had no care to move over to the right side, I even said as we came up on them, runner to your left. Not one person moved. No one. It was a little annoying. I just wanted to get through the herd and finish. The Boardwalk was very slippery. I did do a very fast walk through most of that as I didn't want to fall or injure myself so close to the finish line. (Fireman told me later a runner slipped and hit her face. He helped her to the nearest cast member). How scary!
Gosh I was so happy to see mile 13!!! The end was near!!
The finish line was a blur. Fireman took photos, but they didn't come out, the guy running next to me blocked all pictures. Not his fault, it happens. I don't even remember if I cried. I was in so much pain because of my knee I just wanted ice for it.
I will say the volunteers and spectators were amazing! They stayed in the rain for us! I thanked so many as I ran by. It's one thing to run in the rain, but to just stand there and cheer runners on or hand out water. Just an amazing feeling!! People are good!!
The after party was still rainy and cold, We brought cothes and changed and attempted to enjoy the early morning! The food was great!
In Mexico, Donald was waiting for us! It was nice to be dry for a few minutes!
Overall, I will say this race was an experience! Would I do another half marathon? Maybe. I'm not opposed to it, I would just want better weather conditions. HA!
