Tink Half recap - is it too late for this?

[open24hours]

I completed my first half marathon. It wasn't nearly as painful as I thought it would be, especially since I was sidelined for two weeks before the race with an upper respiratory infection.

H and I flew in Saturday morning, went to the Expo, and ate a very early dinner with my dad. I had debated about whether to stay at a Disney area hotel or with my dad the night before the race. My dad lives less than 20 minutes from the park but all the warnings about bad traffic persuaded me to use a hotel and shuttle transportation. In the end, staying with my dad would have been a better choice. I laid out all my race gear for the morning and was in bed by 8:30 pm with my alarm set for 2:30 am. At 11:30 pm I woke up and was never able to get back to sleep. Too much excitement, I guess. Instead of restlessly tossing and turning for three hours, I read a book until I needed to get ready.

Got ready, headed to the shuttle stop and got on the shuttle. H was with me and we were going over areas where he would be able to see me along the course. What should have been a 10 minute drive took a lot longer. Apparently, the shuttle drivers were not given routes that avoided road closures due to the race. The driver couldn't get to the park. As we drove farther and farther away from the park and it was getting closer and closer to 5, I got antsy as did a few other people on the shuttle who knew we were no where close to where we needed to be. I tried to tell myself that I was still okay time wise since I was in a later corral. It didn't help.  

The shuttle got to the park at 5, just in time to see the fireworks for the corral A start. Since the race start is at the opposite end of the complex from the shuttle drop off, I sprinted to the race start. It was my warm up, I guess. I was glad I went to the bathroom just before we left the hotel and I wasn't checking any gear. I wouldn't have had time to do either. I made it into my corral with time to spare, but I had really wanted to put myself in the front of the corral. I was able to maneuver myself a little way up from the back and over to the right hand side, so  H could see me as I passed by. By the time I got situated, it was time to start.

Holy hell, there were a lot of people. I spent a lot of time maneuvering around people who had no concept of slower racers staying to the right. But, I was running Disney(!) so I didn't let it bother me. Running through the parks was awesome and amazing. I stopped for pictures, texting H, and shamelessly posting FB status updates. I was able to see H and my dad (who had zero trouble driving or parking) when we ran from California Adventure to Disneyland and then again in Downtown Disney. H texted me their location so I could look out for them and I texted H shortly before I arrived at their viewing locations. 

I was feeling really good until about 7 1/2 miles in, 8 according to my Garmin. I walked a lot in the parks (because Disney!). Other than that, I only stopped to walk through water stations. But at mile 7.5 I realized there was a disconnect between the race markers and my Garmin. Did I really weave around people so much that I added an extra 1/2 mile to my distance? Anything over 13.1 at this point seemed too much and I thought I might wind up with a whole extra mile. I signed up for 13.1, not 14.1. I took a 1/2 mile walking break and then fell into a group that was doing a 3:2 run:walk ratio. That helped me get to mile 10.

Mile 10 was the best mile of the race for me. Part of it was a burst of excitement from knowing that this was the longest distance I had ever run (my longest training run was 9.5 miles) and part from know I was nearly finished. I ran the whole mile and really felt like I could run to the finish, until I hit the 11 mile marker.

While mile 10 was the best mile, mile 11 was the worst. Both IT bands decided to get really angry and both my legs were cramping. I also realized that I could no longer feel any of my toes. I walked and stretched, walked and stretched, and walked and stretched some more. I was fighting a battle with myself over whether or not I could just walk the rest of the way. But, at mile 12, I texted H to let him know I was close and found some resolve to run. So I ran, slowly, but I ran. It was hard, but I did it, and felt so much relief when I crossed the finish line. When I met up with my dad and H, I started bawling. They both thought something was seriously wrong with me, but it was just a reaction to the adrenaline and finishing my first ever half marathon. A year ago, running a mile straight seemed ludicrous to me and I had just finished 13.1 (13.65 according to my Garmin). 

A week later, I am still ridiculously proud of myself, even though I finished my half in the same time some of you run a full. I really want to do Wine and Dine in October, but it will be difficult to take the time off. A Coast to Coast medal may have to wait.



 

[runaways]

Definitely not too late! Sounds like it was tough, but you pushed through really well. Congrats on a hard-earned half marathon finish!

[adcobe]

Congrats!

[coconutbug]

Great job! Congrats!

[shorewife]

Wow congrats!!!
I have to say I'm surprised about he shuttle bus situation though. Disney does lots of races and I always got the impression they were super-organized.

[bostonmichelle]

Congrats!

[taratru]

Jan 26, 2014 17:01:17 GMT -5 shorewife said:

Wow congrats!!!
I have to say I'm surprised about he shuttle bus situation though. Disney does lots of races and I always got the impression they were super-organized.

I don't think Disney runs the shuttles in CA. I think I love the CA races because I walked out of my hotel right into a corral. So nice to get up 45 minutes pre race and still have plenty of time.

[taratru]

And congrats,OP! Sounds like you really had a strong mental race.

[gt7301b]

Congrats!!

[jchokie79]

How awesome! Congratulations on your first Half!!!

[open24hours]

Jan 26, 2014 17:01:17 GMT -5 shorewife said:

Wow congrats!!!
I have to say I'm surprised about he shuttle bus situation though. Disney does lots of races and I always got the impression they were super-organized.

I was surprised too. Shuttles are run by the Anaheim Transportation Network. The sole purpose of the shuttles is to take Disney's good neighbor hotel guests to the parks and back. Disney recommends using ATN shuttles for those who are not within walking distance. The shuttles run year round, and aren't special for races. They do however operate on a different schedule for the races. So, while the shuttles are not owned or operated by Disney, there is a significant relationship between the two. I would have thought there would have been some planning of routes to accommodate road closures.

[noisemaker2]

Great job! Isn't it amazing what we can push ourselves through? Great recap, too. Congrats!!

[libbygrl109]

Great job with staying with it and finishing strong. Congrats!

[water*drop]

Congrats!

[gncorman]

Congrats!!!

[shauni27]

congratulations on your first half! you should be really proud

[Deleted]

Congrats on completing your first half! Definitely an awesome accomplishment to be proud of. So glad your DH and dad were able to be there for you. It always helps.

[clseale]

Congratulations!! I love the recaps of the Disney races. Everyone always seems to really embrace the spirit of the races, taking pics, and having fun along the way. Well done!