It has been just over three weeks since I ran my second half marathon. This year, my husband and I decided to be brave and conquer a 10k the day before our half marathon. I don’t know if that was brave or dumb.
Back in February, when I was deployed, I signed both of us up to run the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon at Walt Disney World (WDW). Last year, after we ran our first half marathon, we both felt so good afterwards that we felt like we could have easily done a 10k the day before. For those unaware, a 10k is 6.2 miles. A half marathon is 13.1 miles. Basic math indicates that those two combined equals 19.3 miles in two days. Never in my life, have I ever run that many miles in such a short amount of time.
Last year, when I ran my first marathon, I posted a blog about it. You can read that here.
We got to Florida on Thursday and immediately checked into our hotel. Once we checked into our hotel, we made our way to ESPN Wide World of Sports to check out the Health and Fitness Expo and pick up our packets. Afterwards, we decided to spend time at Disney Springs before Lulani arrived. Then on Friday, we just hung out at Disney Springs and celebrated Lulani’s birthday.
Saturday morning was the day of the 10k. We woke up around 330am to get dressed and head downstairs to wait for an Uber to pick us up. Last year, runDisney coordinated with all of the hotels in the immediate Disneyland vicinity and runners could catch a free shuttle to the start of the runs. That wasn’t an available option this year, unless runners were staying at a Disney resort. Luckily it was a busy morning, so there were Uber drivers all over the place. I was surprised that there were so many Uber drivers so early in the morning. We made our way to the Rapunzel parking lot at WDW to find our assigned corrals to begin the 10k.
The time went by quickly and before I knew it, it was 530am and the run was beginning. I was assigned to corral D and Bill was assigned to corral B. Even though he could have started about 10 minutes before me, he decided to stay with me so we could at least start together. Finally it was our turn! I started off pretty fast. I think my first mile pace was just over nine minutes. I was happy with that! If only I could keep that pace for the rest of the run. Admittedly, the run was a little boring. I had my music on and there were TONS of people, but there wasn’t a lot to see along the route. We didn’t see much until about the 4th mile when we got into Hollywood Studios. I felt so good the entire run and was able to keep a consistent pace. Not once did I have to stop for water or to walk, even though there were a couple of water stops along the way. We ran through Hollywood Studios and then ended in Epcot. The whole run flew by and before I knew it, I was done. My goal time was 1:00:06 because before that, the fastest I had ever done a 10k was 1:00:07. I had such a great run for the 10k; my breathing was great, my pace was great, and I didn’t have any pain in any part of my body. I accomplished my goal and finished the 10k in 59:54, which ended up being 13 seconds faster than my fastest. I was so elated to get a PR! Plus I was super happy that I only finished five minutes slower than Bill did! I was glad that he didn’t have to wait forever for me to finish, too!
After the run, we went back to the hotel and had breakfast at their continental breakfast. That is the best continental breakfast I have ever had! They had so much food; waffles, eggs, biscuits and gravy, pastries, various types of bread, yogurt, cereal, coffee. I have never seen a continental breakfast that well put together. Once we had breakfast, we felt pretty good so we decided that we would go to Epcot for the day. Even though I had a great run, not long after the run, I noticed my knee was hurting really bad. I didn’t stretch after the 10k, which was a huge mistake.
We went to bed relatively early because we knew we had to wake up at 330am again on Sunday for the half marathon. My knee was still hurting really bad and I had no idea how the hell I was going to run 13.1 miles with a hurt knee. The pain wasn’t just an annoying pain that wouldn’t go away. I could hardly walk down the stairs because it hurt so bad. I probably shouldn’t have run a half marathon with my knee in that condition, but I did it anyway. Once again, we got an Uber and made our way to the WDW Rapunzel parking lot. Since it was so early, it was a bit chilly and I was a little grouchy. I hate to admit it, but I wasn’t as excited for this half marathon as I was last year. It had nothing to do with the run itself or the fact that I was a little cold. It had every thing to do with the fact that my knee was hurting as bad as it was. I just didn’t know how I was going to be able to run that far. I was scared. I was nervous. What if I really messed up my knee and wouldn’t be able to finish? I didn’t want all of my training (more this year than last year) to be in vain.
Again, Bill was placed in a corral that would allow him to start sooner than me. Even though he had the option to go to corral D, he decided to stay with me in corral F. I was so thankful for that because I didn’t want to start alone. Unlike the day before where my confidence was flying through the roof, I didn’t have much confidence going into the half marathon. No amount of training prepared me for having a messed up knee the morning of.
Finally, it was 530am and it was time for the first corral to get their party started. This part always makes me so emotional. By this time, the National Anthem has already played and runners are getting ready. Before the first corral of runners are released, the wheelchair participants are set and they make their go. This makes me so emotional because the wheelchair participants have someone pushing them through the course of the run. The people who push wheelchair participants amaze me; not only do they have to train to run 13.1 miles (or whatever distance), they also have to train to run that distance and push someone in a wheelchair. I love that and am so proud of the wheelchair participants and their pushers.
It didn’t take too long for my corral to be released. I think it was about 555am when we were finally released to begin our run. As soon as I started running, I wanted to quit. My knee was throbbing. We hadn’t even gone a quarter of a mile and already, I was limping. I couldn’t put much pressure on my left knee, so when I landed, my right side had to absorb most of the impact. It was a brutal start. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. I had been training for this half marathon for the better part of a year and I didn’t think I was going to even get through the first mile. I remember thinking, “I really hope I don’t come across a medical tent right now, because if I do, I will quit.” In the 10k the day prior, I was passing people left and right. Although I am sure I passed some people, I don’t distinctly remember passing anyone during that first mile. The start of the run felt boring. I couldn’t focus on anything except my knee hurting so that made for a treacherous start. I was crying. I couldn’t focus. I wasn’t breathing right. I just wanted it to end.
The route didn’t have a lot going on. At about mile four, we made our way through Animal Kingdom which was really awesome to run through. Through the whole run, we ran through Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. Those were the best parts of the run because there were so many people cheering you on and lots of photo opportunities.
As much as I didn’t want to be on the course anymore, I kept pushing through. I didn’t stop at the restroom or water breaks at the beginning, because I knew if I stopped, it was likely I wouldn’t start again. Finally around mile 6, I stopped just long enough to use the restroom. As soon I was done, I started running again. I felt like I had just run into a truck. I felt like my knee hurt even more after my stop than it did before. It felt like it was going to explode. I did pull over to every medical tent that was available so I could get Biofreeze for my knee. Luckily, the Biofreeze helped numb my knee to keep my mind off it until the next medical tent.
I didn’t actually stop running for a walk break until about 8.5 miles in. I was really proud that I was even able to go that long without walking at all. I didn’t walk long though. Even though my knee was hurting me so bad, I still had a goal time that I was trying to meet. I really wanted to finish the half marathon in two hours and thirty minutes, but I wasn’t sure if that was going to happen. I swear if my knee hadn’t been messed up, I would have completed the half marathon in less than 2:30:00.
Somewhere around mile nine or ten, I saw two random people on the side of the road. We were crossing a bridge making our way into Hollywood Studios. They had a sign that said, “we have beer and pickles and pretzels!” Hellz yeah! I didn’t want the heaviness of beer or pretzels, so I opted for the pickles. In case you didn’t know, pickles are good for runners because the vinegar sends a signal to the brain that tells the muscles to stop contracting and relax. I got a couple of pickles and asked the lady for some pickle juice, too. Of course she said yes and I took both, thanked them and said, “You saved my life and I love you!” Haha, the things runners say to strangers.
There wasn’t much that happened after that point that was super significant. We made our way through Hollywood Studios and then on to Epcot, where the run ended. Like I mentioned, the best thing about running through the parks was that there were tons of people (cast members and cheer squad) cheering you on, clapping for you, and positively encouraging you. That is so important to me as a runner, especially towards the end. The last 5k (3.1 miles) always goes by so quickly, then before you know it, the run is over. My final time for the half marathon was 2:39:30, which is eight minutes faster than last year’s time. I am really proud of myself for finishing it in that time, even with a messed up knee.
After I ran through the finish line, I received my half marathon medal as well as my Two Course Challenge medal, which we received for running the 10k on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday. I had some post-race pictures taken and then went to find Bill. After he finished, got his medals, and got his pictures taken, he stayed in the same general area, so it was really easy to find him. Once we reunited, we got some pictures taken and finished our snacks that they give you at the end of the run. Then we went to the merchandise tent to look around for a minute. I could barely stand up, so I told him I was going to go to the medical tent and have them wrap my knees with ice. Y’all my pain was so excruciating that I could barely stand, let alone walk. Once Bill was done shopping in the merchandise tent, we met back up and he surprised me with this super awesome runner jacket that was made especially for the run. On the back, it lists all of the runs for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend (5k, Kids Races, 10k, Half Marathon, and Two Course Challenge). I thought this was so sweet of him, especially since he knew what a difficult run I had for the half marathon.
After walking around for a little bit, we decided to go back to the hotel. I don’t even think we ate breakfast after the run since we had the snacks they gave us (bananas, Oreo cookies, and tortilla chips), along with bottled water and Gatorade. Or was it PowerAde? I can’t remember. Once we got back to the hotel, we both took a nap because after waking up at 330am two days in a row, you tend to be a little tired.
That night, we went to Epcot for the Post-Race party which was so much fun! Epcot was open for extended hours, from 8pm to 1am exclusively for runners and their guests. They had all kinds of food vendors and a couple of rides were open. We were able to ride the rides with minimal wait times and indulge in delicious food from different countries because the International Food and Wine Festival was going on at Epcot. Surprisingly, we stayed at the park until just after midnight. Of course, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we went to the rest of the WDW parks (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom). We got to ride the new Frozen ride, as well as the new Avatar ride – Flight of Passage, which is easily the best ride at Disney. Although we had to wait in line for about an hour, it was so worth the four minutes that you are on the ride. I cannot even explain how amazing this ride is. It activates all of your senses and is the most visually pleasing ride I have ever been on. If you are ever at Animal Kingdom, you must ride this ride, even if it means standing in line. Also, the safari at Animal Kingdom is amazing. On this “ride”, you are in an actual safari truck and get to see live animals. It is like a zoo only way better!
When we got back home to Colorado, my knee and hip (hip started hurting a couple of days after half marathon) were still bothering me pretty bad. I made an appointment with my doctor to get them checked out. Turns out I have bursitis in my hip and a sprained MCL and meniscus. I have been told no running for three weeks. *sigh* I guess fortunately it is winter here, so I wouldn’t want to run outside anyway. Still. I have run twice since the half marathon and both times, my knee and hip have hurt me. I didn’t go long distance, only a mile and a half and a mile, respectively. I am going to take it easy though, because I don’t want to further aggravate the injury and have to have surgery or something like that.
Post-Run Final Thoughts: I would definitely say that we had a great time at both the 10k and the half marathon. Purely because of injury, the 10k was better for me this year. It is so hard to have a good run when you are injured like what happened to me after the 10k/during the half marathon. I don’t think I will ever again run that many miles in that short amount of time. Although I am in good shape and a decent runner, I don’t think I conditioned myself to run that many miles in [basically] 24 hours. If I ever do decide to run a 10k and a half marathon immediately after, I am going to have to increase my training plan so that I am running more miles on back-to-back days. When I think about comparing the half marathon in California to the half marathon in Florida, I have to say that I liked the one in California better. There were way more people and stuff to see along the course in California. I think that is because in California, we ran through the city of Anaheim as well as the parks. In Florida, we were on Disney property the entire time, so not as many people were there to cheer you on. Either way, I love Disney runs and I will definitely run more whether in CA or FL. Sadly, runDisney is not scheduling any runs in CA for all of 2018. Something about new construction for the parks and resorts. I sure hope they bring the runs back though because I really liked that course, a lot.
Even though I cannot run now, I am not done running half marathons. I will run another one next year. In fact, Bill and I are thinking about making the journey to Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio in September 2018 to run the Air Force Half Marathon. In my Air Force life, I have thought about how cool that would be to run that run, but I have never been in shape to do it. Now that I have two half marathons under my belt, I think I am ready.
Right now, though, I am just anxious for this pain in my hip and knee to go away so I can get back to what I love: running.
Vagabond Texan 