So last weekend, the race days finally came and looking back now, it was kind of a bittersweet weekend... one I am glad I made it through, but I'm also eternally grateful for the support I had coming from every direction.
First rolling 5K!
I had resigned myself to starting in the last section (I hope I changed this automatic positioning for this race in the future), but when we went to the corral they said they had split the last section so that anyone with wheels left absolutely last. Not wanting to be stuck with the strollers I asked if I could be in the front of that particular pack. The volunteer grabbed someone official, who took one look at me and my wheelchair (the one I was obviously pushing myself) and told me I had to be going 16-minute miles to be back there.... I had no idea how fast I was going to be, but I knew it would be faster than that. He then gave my options; 16-minute miles or we start you all the way in the front.
Uhhhhh..... do what now?
Given those choices (and my bodyguard yelling things like "go to the front!!!"), I chose the front... then got there and realized I was the only one.. in the front... I did ask the race director to seed said bodyguard into the very front of the first corral so she could chase me down easier.
This was the 20th year of this particular 5K and it seemed like I was the first wheelchair start they'd ever had, or was extremely rare to have. While they were announcing me, runners cheering for me, getting my own fireworks, spectators cheering for me on my way out (some even thanking me for being out there), and getting congrats/more cheering all along the course.. I felt privileged to be there and proud that I could be. I only hope I inspired someone else to move up to the front with me next year. I have had all these low moments the last few months so it was nice to feel on top of the world for a while, I wish that feeling for the others that need it.
As someone else commented when they saw this picture, the grin says it all!
Me with my bodyguard at the end of the 5K. Time: 42 minutes
My last Half Marathon on foot.
Bundle of nerves that morning? Nooooooo.... unless you count me getting quieter and smaller the closer we got to Epcot, then to the corrals. I lost count of how many pep talks I got that morning.
On my own in the corral, I comforted myself by sneaking as close to the front of the corral as possible by walking in the dirt everyone else was avoiding. Out on the course, I decided to take it on in small goals;
5K- doing really well, also starting to get texts from my aunt, which end up being a great distraction
Make it to the Castle- still moving strong and able to run small bits of downhill, now getting texts from the aforementioned bodyguard (who had just finished her half), who thankfully distracts me even more!
10K- doing okay, but some aches are pushing through already
15K- had to stop and stretch my legs out twice, until right after the 9 mile marker when I got a handful of Biofreeze from an aid tent and, to the horror/shock of an older gentleman walking next to me, proceeded to put my hands down my pants to rub it onto my hips, sides of my thighs, and lower back
.... after that I decided if I made it to the double digit miles, then I was just going to finish. Dammit.
I made it past the 10 mile marker 2 minutes ahead of the sweepers and reveled in the rumors that either 10 or 11 was where you were safe from them. By the time the magical number 11 started filtering back through the ranks I was only 30 seconds ahead, but managed to use the combination of downhill and grass to stay ahead just long enough to make sure I wasn't getting picked up. It didn't take long for them to get lost in the crowd ahead of me after that. And then things got bad; my leg finally gave up piece by piece and went down quickly... I felt like I was limping so bad at times that I should have had a hump and started calling for sanctuary. Luckily my texts were coming more frequently now, with extra capital letters and exclamation points. I was coached into Epcot this way, where I finally had 2 sightings of my personal (and very loud) cheerleader. I'm pretty sure she's the only one that would have been capable of getting a smile out of me at that point. Now all I had to do was get to the finish.
I'll never know how it happens, but I ran (or hobbled in a running motion, whatever, my aunt told me I looked good) to the finish as soon as I had a clear shot of it. I did show great restraint in not demanding a medal as soon as I crossed.
Finishers!!
Time: 3:48:40 (I believe that's my third highest time.. 1 and 2 minutes lower than my first two halfs and 1 minute higher than another half I did coming back from an injury)
Best part of this weekend? While wearing one of my two very special, hard-earned medals I got to have lunch with a great friend (once again, the aforementioned bodyguard and cheerleader... and pep talker.. and so many other things), my aunt (the texting one) and uncle who also did the 5K, and some local family (whom I haven't seen in a long time) that drove over to see us. Pizza and wonderful company has to be the best after-race reward I can think of. To my company, thank you and I love you all!!
For my next adventure, I just signed up to do the Dumbo Double Dare in September... That's a 10K, then a Half the next day. I'm sure I'll do some 10Ks by then, but that'll be my first Half Marathon!
