Amazing! There aren’t words to explain the experience of running a marathon. Especially, with Team In Training! Physically, this was the hardest, most challenging thing either of us has ever done. We trained for months, worked hard, endured sore muscles, joints, feet, and blisters. Mentally, we remembered Lyndsay, Julie and Mathew, their hope, courage and smiles strengthened us every step (especially in those last few miles), for them we could continue. The cheers from the crowds and Team coaches and other Team members were the icing on the cake!
It seems hard to believe that after 4 + months of training for our first marathon, it over and WE DID IT! Running at Disney World was fabulous. We woke at 2am to get ready to meet the rest of the team at the staging area at 3:30am. It felt like we were at a club with bands playing and people milling around in groups, all filled with adrenaline for the up coming start of the race. We were then all corralled in to our starting positions and before we knew it, fireworks were lighting the sky and we were off!
The first 10 miles were a blur! We were in and out of Epcot in the blink of an eye then off to the Magic Kingdom. The energy when we came in to the park was so charged it pushed us towards the castle with a burst of speed, the next thing we knew we were at the half way mark, 13.1 miles. We were now on a long stretch of road that wound around to the Animal Kingdom park. Here we were greeted with animals (sheep, I think) and a live African band. We didn’t stop many times for pictures, but our first glimpse of the “Tree of Life” was breathtaking and we couldn’t resist.
From there, we were on our way to Disney’s Hollywood Studio. This section, between the two parks was very emotional for us. We hit mile 21, which we had dedicated to Julie one of our mentors. Neither one us said much during this time, but our hearts were praying for her, Lyndsay and Mathew…both had tears mixed with sweat as we pressed on.
After pressing through Hollywood Studios, it was on to Epcot and the finish line. We starting hearing things like, “it’s not much further” and “only 2 more miles”…just in case you’re wondering…these are the longest miles ever. I think they become exponential here! I have to say up until this point we had been running pretty strong, but I hit a wall and we slowed down a lot. As I look back, it felt like I was running almost as fast as when we had started, but I wasn’t ever close. Thankfully, the finish line was in sight! Together, just like we started, Mike & I crossed the finish line with a smile and a heart so filled with accomplishment and love, it was bursting! Team In Training raised over 7 million dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for this race alone. Like I said, Amazing!!!!
Mike and I would like to thank all of you who supported us whether financially or with your prayers and encouragement. To our coach, Ken and Happy, our assistant coach, you both taught us so much and knew just when to step in and give that little piece of advice or word of encouragement, thank you. Colin, thanks for finding us on race day and running with us, it gave us a burst of energy to bring us to the next park! Our mentor, Aimee, each week you would keep us posted and check in with us, keeping us accountable (I needed that) and to all the SD Team Mentors who, ran “sweep” making sure that we were on our way back, who shared your experiences and helped make our training go that much better, you guys ROCK! Of course, our whole team we feel like you are all family now! Mostly, we want to thank Lyndsay, our reason for running! She glows with faith and grace and always has a positive outlook. She has blessed us and encouraged us in ways she will never know, Thank you.
It seems hard to believe that after 4 + months of training for our first marathon, it over and WE DID IT! Running at Disney World was fabulous. We woke at 2am to get ready to meet the rest of the team at the staging area at 3:30am. It felt like we were at a club with bands playing and people milling around in groups, all filled with adrenaline for the up coming start of the race. We were then all corralled in to our starting positions and before we knew it, fireworks were lighting the sky and we were off!
The first 10 miles were a blur! We were in and out of Epcot in the blink of an eye then off to the Magic Kingdom. The energy when we came in to the park was so charged it pushed us towards the castle with a burst of speed, the next thing we knew we were at the half way mark, 13.1 miles. We were now on a long stretch of road that wound around to the Animal Kingdom park. Here we were greeted with animals (sheep, I think) and a live African band. We didn’t stop many times for pictures, but our first glimpse of the “Tree of Life” was breathtaking and we couldn’t resist.
From there, we were on our way to Disney’s Hollywood Studio. This section, between the two parks was very emotional for us. We hit mile 21, which we had dedicated to Julie one of our mentors. Neither one us said much during this time, but our hearts were praying for her, Lyndsay and Mathew…both had tears mixed with sweat as we pressed on.
After pressing through Hollywood Studios, it was on to Epcot and the finish line. We starting hearing things like, “it’s not much further” and “only 2 more miles”…just in case you’re wondering…these are the longest miles ever. I think they become exponential here! I have to say up until this point we had been running pretty strong, but I hit a wall and we slowed down a lot. As I look back, it felt like I was running almost as fast as when we had started, but I wasn’t ever close. Thankfully, the finish line was in sight! Together, just like we started, Mike & I crossed the finish line with a smile and a heart so filled with accomplishment and love, it was bursting! Team In Training raised over 7 million dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for this race alone. Like I said, Amazing!!!!
Mike and I would like to thank all of you who supported us whether financially or with your prayers and encouragement. To our coach, Ken and Happy, our assistant coach, you both taught us so much and knew just when to step in and give that little piece of advice or word of encouragement, thank you. Colin, thanks for finding us on race day and running with us, it gave us a burst of energy to bring us to the next park! Our mentor, Aimee, each week you would keep us posted and check in with us, keeping us accountable (I needed that) and to all the SD Team Mentors who, ran “sweep” making sure that we were on our way back, who shared your experiences and helped make our training go that much better, you guys ROCK! Of course, our whole team we feel like you are all family now! Mostly, we want to thank Lyndsay, our reason for running! She glows with faith and grace and always has a positive outlook. She has blessed us and encouraged us in ways she will never know, Thank you.
