Fireball Classic 5K - Race Report

Sorry I'm a bit late on this race report!  As a result, I'm sure I will accidentally leave out important snippets along the way.  Between my mom and me, however, we got some pretty good pictures, so hopefully they will make up for the lack of fine detail.

My parents decided to tag along - as always they made the racing experience all the more fun.  I snapped a few pre-race pictures, then took off on a warm up.  I ran into these guys along the way and just had to get a picture.  Being the heroes that they are, they couldn't say no to a photo op!

(from left to right Thor, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America)

After another warm-up pass, it was time to line up.  I'm claustrophobic, and not a huge fan of crowds, so lining up was a bit difficult on me.  I like getting towards the front so I don't have to fight my way around people to pass, but I also enjoy NOT panicking/hyperventilating pre-race.  I settled on a mid-pack spot and waited for the gun.

Race time temps were supposed to be in the high 80s, but one of the ladies I was lined up next to said it was mid 70s.  If that was the case the humidity had to be at a billion percent because it felt HOT!  Thankfully the race start time was 9 PM, so we at least didn't have the sun to contend with.

I tried to start off fast, but had to spend the majority of the first mile passing other runners.  Given the weather conditions, I wasn't hoping for a PR but I wanted to race my best.  This race is ran on the same road as my current PR and I very much enjoy it.

Mile 1 - 9:15

During the 2nd mile I expected traffic to ease up, but it really didn't.  I was still passing people as I made it to the turn around spot and headed back.  After a brief up hill spurt, the cluster broke up a bit by that point the exhaustion (from passing?  from the humidity?) had kicked in and I couldn't will myself to go any faster.

Mile 2 - 9:36

The next mile was more of the same.  The fire department had a truck along the course spraying us with water, but since I'd brought my iPod along I skirted the outside of the spray.  Bummer too, because I'm sure it felt great for all who ran through it.

Mile 3 - 9:36

I had told my parents to look for me between the 25 minute (a girl can dream, right?) and 30 minute mark.  No matter what I wanted this race to be sub 30, but beyond that I really didn't have a goal.  As I neared the finish line I saw my dad with a cowbell.  He immediately started ringing it and looking towards the finish line.

My mom wasn't with him, and I quickly figured out this was the system they had set up for him to signal her to get the camera ready.  Apparently they didn't do a great job of spacing themselves, because she ended up getting a picture of my back.  The picture looks horrid and makes me look much larger than I am, so I will not be sharing it.  I do, however, applauded their attempt.

(this isn't the above-mentioned picture)

After crossing the finish line, racers were given a bottle of water and a cold, wet towel.  Add to that the Rita's Italian Ice in the snack line and I'd have to say this race had the best after party I've seen at a shorter distance.

How'd I do?

Gun Time: 30:26  
Chip Time: 29:38

Not a PR, but before this year sub 30 was a big goal of mine.  If I can go out and do that on any given race, I consider that a win!

Walt Disney World Marathon - Race Report Part 3

Click on the links for parts one and two.  Please and thank you.

In part 2, I forgot to mention the helpful dude at the water station.  My water bottle holds enough for bout 13-15 miles, depending on how thirsty I get.  I mix my own Gatorade, and knew that what they passed out at the aid stations would be too strong for me.  Instead I packed a zip lock baggy full of just the right amount of powered, and would refill the bottle when the time came.

I stopped just to the side of the water station, and crouched down.  A volunteer offered me a cup of PowerAde that I declined.  I explained I was refilling my bottle and would need water to mix with the powdered.  I just wanted to stop before getting to the water so I didn't hold anyone up.  Before I could get my baggy out and the end bit off (to make a funnel w/the corner), he had grabbed a bottle of water and came to where I was crouched.  He even held the bottle for me while I pushed in the rest of the powder.

I can't say enough how helpful and kind the Disney staff as well as the volunteers were.  They went above and beyond to make the race experience as good as possible.

Okay where were we?  Mile 22 ish?  After talking to my sister one last time, I told her to let my brother-in-law know I'd seen Caballo Blanco (Born to Run anyone?) and told her I should be good to the end.  The race had previously been through the sewer plant Animal Kingdom, and would take us through Hollywood Studios before finishing at Epcot.

I can't recall which came first, the chocolate or Hollywood studios, but remembering my energy when I passed the "American Idol" camera I can only guess that the chocolate came first.  I was going to pass up the chocolate, but then I saw they had Mr. Goodbar.  I can't pass a Mr. Goodbar up.

They had a camera set up in their American Idol section asking us to wave/yell for the camera.  Apparently my "woot" was a little too enthusiastic, because as I passed the guy said "that girl needs to run another marathon."

I had a hard time getting in my zone throughout the race.  I was surrounded by people yet I was still alone.  I didn't see Jay at any of the spectator spots, and I couldn't jam to my music because their speakers were turned up so loud.  I was thankful that the final miles were filled with cheering people, even if they weren't there specifically for me.

In the last 2 miles, I noticed Sleeping Beauty - my nieces favorite princess.  Even though I was ready to have the race done, I knew I had to stop for a few moments for a photo.  Thankfully she didn't have a line and I didn't lose any momentum. 

I almost cried when I saw the legless spectator along the side of the course.  I wondered what he was thinking.  I remembered what Mel had told me about how fortunate these legs of mine would allow me to run.  I tried to decide if he consider his own misfortune, if he wondered why we were destroying our legs, if he was glad we appreciated our legs.

Probably none of the above, but hey it was near the end of the race and I was emotional.  I tend to over think things any way.

I saw the 25 mile marker, and picked up my pace a bit.  I saw the 26 mile marker and picked it up a bit more.  I saw the finish line and tried to pick it up but there was nothing left.  As I crossed the finish line I raised my hands in victory.

I was a marathoner.

I am a marathoner.

I am now in the 1/10 of 1% of the population that can claim that title.