Our first "Welcome Home" and 26.2 miles - Page 11 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
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To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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Congrats!!! This has been such an inspirational report.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
So exciting, Beth! Sorry there was no one to take your photo when you got your medal, but the one you took of the medal-giver is so sweet!
I really like volunteering at local races; I'm sure the medal givers enjoy doing that; he sure looked like he did!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Congrats! I agree this has been such an inspirational report!
Cheryl!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mushu22
Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Wow! I don't know you in person but I am all teared up - PROUD of you!!!
It sounds like this was such a challenge for you to do by yourself and you did it!!!!! That is awesome!!!! . I wish I had the strength to do this!
It was challenging, and looking back, maybe I should have run with some of my friends to make it more fun. I probably wouldn't have been much fun to race with, though!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pictures from the race! Congrats on finishing!
Glad you enjoyed the pictures! I just finished putting an online book together; I usually make my own scrapbook, but I've done two other marathon books and wanted to do something different this time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wydivers
Awesome job sand great report!!!
Thank you! More report to come.
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Originally Posted by misty hailey
So awesome!!!! Congrats!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlb38
Way to go Beth! The lady on the scooter with the sign is wonderful. It's so great to have people cheering you on. Even better when you know them. Great reporting of the races but I hope the TR isn't over yet.
Thanks! I've got post-race stuff coming up, and our last day at MK.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke
The best feeling - to be done!!! That's funny that you didn't see your DH! I didn't either, I also only saw Lou! Good idea to get a photo of the volunteer. Next race, next race.... Congrats again Beth!!!!
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Hi Beth! I'm just now catching up on your TR and just at the start of your race, but I wanted to comment now instead of waiting until I catch up. I had no idea that you had such a rough start to the race. I'm glad that Jen and Tanya were able to cheer you up a little. I wish I'd had a chance to see you during the race, I was watching for you along with Danell at each of my stops, but it's tough with so many people passing so quickly. I should have let you know where I'd be.
I'm glad you got a chance to be a spectator for the half. I hope you found it as fun as I did, although I've never run one, so my perspective is probably a little different. I had an awesome time and I feel like an expert now, so if anyone needs any advice on watching I'm your girl.
Ok, I'm all caught up now! I just loved seeing the race through your eyes, thanks so much for all the pictures and this report!! I am so inspired by you, Danell and all the other runners I saw out there that I've started the Couch to 5k, currently on week 2. I know it's a long way off, but I'm hoping to run the Wine and Dine 2014 with Danell. Maybe with you too, hint, hint!
I still can't believe I didn't see you, I saw the ant guy, Richard Simmons and the chipmunk hat guy all several times.
I'm excited that you started Couch to 5K. It's amazing to think of where it might take you!
I should have asked you where you'd be so I could look for you. I really just kept my head down and didn't pay too much attention, but I would have loved to see another familiar face!
I'm hoping to do Wine & Dine at some point! It's a great goal, and my recommendation would be to sign up on the first day so you'll stick with the training even when it gets to be un-fun!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Originally Posted by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince
I'm excited that you started Couch to 5K. It's amazing to think of where it might take you!
I'm hoping to do Wine & Dine at some point! It's a great goal, and my recommendation would be to sign up on the first day so you'll stick with the training even when it gets to be un-fun!
It's a long way off, but if we do it, I will sign up right away. First I need to find a 5k and get through that!
Sorry it's been a few days...once I finished up the race portion of the report, I kind of lost my motivation!
A few random thoughts from the marathon:
I have a song on my playlist called "Strong Enough" by a Christian artist named Matthew West. Here's how the first part goes:
"You must
You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through
Well, forgive me
Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own
I know I'm not strong enough to be
everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not strong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
For the both of us"
I don't remember when this song came on during the race, but it must have been at a point where I was struggling, because while I normally think the words apply to my life in a more general sense, today they spoke directly to what I was going through right at that moment: I didn't know if I was strong enough to finish the race. I listened to what the song said, though, and had faith that I would finish.
Secondly, while I was training, I'd found a great new flavor of Gu, the fuel supplement I use during long runs: 2012 limited edition twisted peppermint! I even had to special order it to make sure I had some for the race, since my local store had run out! I discovered, however, during the marathon that twisted peppermint Gu tastes much better when it's 30 degrees out than when it's 85 degrees out! It was not as yummy as I remembered, and I came home with extra because I just couldn't choke it down during the race!
Also, I talked to a lot of runners who said their feet were killing them by the end of the race. My legs were tired and sore, but my feet were really hurting, for probably the last three miles or so. I think it probably had something to do with the heat and humidity. I'm sure they swelled up and were very tender to run on! Not fun!
Finally, the RunDisney folks had told the runners not to worry about time or pace, but just to take it easy and finish the race. I'd originally come into the race hoping for a 5:30 finish, but knew with the weather being what it was, I should put away that goal. However, I was able to finish in 6:05, which was 21 minutes faster than my marathon time from last year. I don't think I ran any faster than I did in last year's race; I think it's just because I didn't stop for characters, etc. I hope to shave a few more minutes off of my time next year, although I haven't decided yet if I'm doing "just" the marathon again or going Goofy!
Back to race day:
After crossing the finish line and getting my medal from the awesome volunteer with the great smile, I hobbled my way out of the area. I was given a beverage, but in my post-race state, I thought I'd missed the food. I saw people with little bags advertising the Great and Powerful Oz movie, but somehow missed getting one, so I flagged down a volunteer and asked if I'd missed the food. He told me that the bags were empty and I hadn't gotten to the food yet, but he hunted down a bag for me anyway.
I was given the food box, which was the same as the one DH got for the half marathon, and left the finish area to head for the Race Retreat. It was a very long walk, and I was grateful when I finally reached it. First, I grabbed my bag from the private bag check -- one of the perks that makes RR completely worth it, I think -- and made my way to a table. First order of business was to get my running shoes off and put my Crocs on! I hate shoes, but I my Crocs. They always feel great on my feet after a race.
I think I sat for a minute with my feet up on a chair before I went to get some food. My body was completely worn out and my feet were killing me! It didn't stop me from getting my picture taken with Tinkerbell and Terrence, though (yet another RR perk!) On the way back, I grabbed a strawberry popsicle from an ice cream cart. Eventually, I made my way up to the buffet. I didn't really feel like eating, but I wanted to get my dad's money's worth!
See the coffee cup? Believe it or not, I had some hot chocolate! When the sweat started to dry, I started feeling chilled, and the hot cocoa helped.
So, as I'm sitting there, a man comes up and asked if anyone is sitting in the seat opposite me. I told him no, and to help himself. He said to me, "Nice shirt!" and I actually had to look down to remind myself of what I was wearing! He was wearing a WDW Radio Running team shirt, too! We sat in companionable silence for a while, and I was hoping that he wouldn't want to chat, because I didn't think I was up for it. But then, he asked a question or two, and we started talking, and we had a nice conversation.
Suddenly, he asked me if I was from Michigan. Um, yes.... and if my DH's name was Rick... Turns out, he and DH had met during the half marathon and had run together for a couple of miles! This reminded me that DH had mentioned running with a nice man, so I asked if his name was Edward, and he said it was! Now, the Race Retreat is huge. There are probably 100 tables in the tent, with probably 400 seats, and Edward happened to sit down at the table of the wife of a man he'd run with the day before! Bizarre! Or, as I said to Edward, "of all the gin joints..." We finished up our food, and when I spotted Vidia and Rosetta back in the character meet area, both of us went over and had our photos taken. I took one of Edward just to show DH who I'd run into!
After we said good-bye, I used the private portapotties - another great RR perk -- and headed out toward the resort buses, but not before picking up the RR giveaways: a pair of comfy socks AND a marathon face towel! I didn't have long to wait before a Boardwalk bus pulled up, and I had a nice conversation with another runner, much nicer than the one I'd sat next to so many hours ago.
Up next: recovery and fun at Epcot!
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Last edited by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince; 02-03-2013 at 11:43 PM..
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I agree this has been such an inspirational report! 
Cheryl!
. I wish I had the strength to do this!
Good idea to get a photo of the volunteer. Next race, next race.... Congrats again Beth!!!!
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Pixie Dust
Holly: 
I'm glad that Jen and Tanya were able to cheer you up a little. I wish I'd had a chance to see you during the race, I was watching for you along with Danell at each of my stops, but it's tough with so many people passing so quickly. I should have let you know where I'd be. 
my Crocs. They always feel great on my feet after a race.
Eventually, I made my way up to the buffet. I didn't really feel like eating, but I wanted to get my dad's money's worth!
He was wearing a WDW Radio Running team shirt, too! We sat in companionable silence for a while, and I was hoping that he wouldn't want to chat, because I didn't think I was up for it. 
But then, he asked a question or two, and we started talking, and we had a nice conversation.
and if my DH's name was Rick...
Turns out, he and DH had met during the half marathon and had run together for a couple of miles! This reminded me that DH had mentioned running with a nice man, so I asked if his name was Edward, and he said it was! Now, the Race Retreat is huge. There are probably 100 tables in the tent, with probably 400 seats, and Edward happened to sit down at the table of the wife of a man he'd run with the day before! Bizarre! Or, as I said to Edward, "of all the gin joints..."
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