The Disneyland Half Marathon

I can now add a half marathon to my list of life achievements. I have to be honest, once I crossed the finish line (and a few days afterwards)...I couldn't for the life of me remember why I ever cared about completing one!

 

Then I started feeling better and call me crazy...but I kinda want to do another race! The hubs and I have decided to do the Family Fun Run 5K in Disneyland so that we can do it together and take the kids with us;)

 

Here was the start line on our way to the expo to pick up my final race instructions and race bib:

 

Picking up my bib and starting to get a little nervous... 

 

I left the hotel around 4:10am. As soon as I got downstairs, there were hundreds of other people headed for the park. I found my corral (second to last one) around 4:45am and waited for the race to start. I had read that it's best to be at the front of your corral (especially since I was walk/running the race), so I was happy to find myself only about 10 people back...considering there was another 1000+ in my corral alone.

 

Finally, it was our turn to head up to the start line (around 6:30am by now). Then it was time to GO! 

 

Mile 1 went by, no problem: 

 

Mile 2...nice to see ya: 

 

Once we passed Mile 2...then we entered the park. It was so fun running through California Disney (since I haven't been there before): 

 

Now into Disneyland Park: 

 

Mile 3....and I started feeling some pain on the bottom of my feet, like blisters.

 

I pulled off into a Disney bathroom to check my feet since I had never encountered blisters in my training (I was wearing the same socks and shoes I had trained in)...and sure enough...some blisters were starting to form.

 

I kinda freaked out. I mean, it was only Mile 3....what was I supposed to do for 10 more miles??

 

I left the bathroom and kept walk/running...still freaking out a bit. I tried to enjoy the rest of the park, but each step was becoming more painful. 

 

Oh Mile 4....it seemed like it would never come. 

 

At this point, I passed our hotel and called my husband. I told him about my feet and how it was getting worse and how I didn't know what to do...etc. So, I just kept walk/running.

 

Mile 6...almost halfway!

 

I gotta be honest...Miles 6, 7, and 8 were kinda a painful blur. At one point my blisters burst, and it gave me some relief...I know...super gross.

 

Mile 9: 

 

Mile 9 was a changing point. I decided to stop crying in my head and stop the negative talk. It was time to get over the pain and finish the race. I mean, if I had someone walking by me and shouting negative things to me...I would punch them, right? So, why was I doing it to myself?

 

So I started saying positive things and being proud of myself...instead of feeling sorry for myself. I had to remind myself that I was completing something I had always wanted to do...and I had a baby 9 friggin' months ago! You go girl!...you know, stuff like that;)

 

We entered Angel's Stadium and walked around the field, which was pretty cool:) 

 

Mile 10...SO long. Then Mile 11...only 2 more to go! 

 

Mile 12...no time to stop for a photo! 1.1 miles to go and I gotta stay above the pace;)  

 

Mile 13: I took a picture and took off running: 

 

I ran straight across the finish line (sorry for the blurry picture...I took it after I passed through): 

 

I was done...I found my husband and kids...and needed to sit down. My feet hurt so bad and the adrenaline starting wearing off. We walked back to the hotel and I cried over my feet that I couldn't walk on at this point.

 

I soaked in a cold bath and the baby and I took a three hour nap. I woke up to my husband bringing back double stuffed oreos and a Big Mac....I love him.

 

I had a hard time emotionally after the race. We were still on vacation for the next 4 days...but I couldn't walk. My blisters were so intense. My muscles were fine. I was a little sore the next day...but nothing I couldn't deal with. I was frustrated that after all my training, something happened that I didn't plan for.

 

A couple of days later, after lots of prayers by me and others (thank you, friends!!) I was able to walk a lot better and we were able to enjoy Disneyland as a family!

 

So, in the end...I am super happy I finished. Next to childbirth, it was the hardest physical thing I have ever done. I am proud that I finished it and didn't quit. It was so exciting to wear the medal and pass other runners who had theirs too;)

 

I finished the race in 3 hours and 45 minutes. Not bad considering it was my first race (ever!) and I stopped to use the bathroom, take photos, and with horrible pain with each step:)

 

I did catch the running bug a bit and I want to get better at it. For now I will just look at my medal:)