My Training Blog

Mar 11, 2011

Miles run/walked: 13.1

Time: 2:58

Buddies: 2

Feeling: Absolute euphoria


We did it! Thank you so much for your support, your generosity and your kindness. Now that it’s all said and done, I have to be honest with you and share that what kept me motivated and on task was the fact that you donated money for this cause. Every time I wanted to stop or not train, I would think: you believed enough in this cause and had enough faith in me to donate on my behalf, so I had better see this thing to completion. So thank you. I beat my fundraising goal by 14% and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) raised a total of $700,000 because of supporters like you. Thank you.


It’s hard to explain and believe, but this was one of the best experiences in my life. I can hardly put into words how wonderful the whole weekend was. My cousin did a much better job putting into words the entire race. Check out his blog. l I met so many people with stories and felt so supported by Team in Training that I would highly recommend signing up with them if you wanted to do an event with the LLS. For instance, I met a mother and her two daughters who raised money because they had received a grant from the LLS to help pay for her husband’s medical expenses since he was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She had never run before and was just as nervous as I was, but I saw her at the end of the race, proudly wearing her medal.


But as with everything, there were some things that I wasn’t prepared for. For instance:


No one told me that I should also train for the half marathon by using a small, dark, airless port-a-potty while trying to hold up a puffy tutu.


No one told me that Disney would try and purposefully slow you down by lining up all the various Disney princes along the road (as well as random firemen) to entice you to stop running and take a picture or two. I was actually a little surprised to see the long lines of runners waiting to get their picture taken. Afraid of losing time and getting picked up by the bus, my friend Carrie, my cousin Sean and I didn’t stop.


And no one told me that there would be 16,000 people registered for the race! Out of the 16,000 people, 500 of them were men. And believe it or not, they were dressed up too. I’ve never seen so many men wearing pink tutus, dressed up as the princesses or even frogs! It was hilarious.


We had to be at the starting line by 5:45 am, which meant that because of the crowds we needed to get to Epcot at 3:30 am. To make sure that I didn’t miss anything, I got up at 2 am to get ready after a night of no sleeping. (It wasn’t from a lack of trying, let me tell you. I just couldn’t fall asleep.) Because of all the people though the race started at 5:45 am, by the time we crossed the start line it was 6:25 am. When we hit mile 2, to our amazement we saw a woman running back already. (I should probably mention that she wasn’t dressed as a princess.) Our run took us from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom where we ran inside the Kingdom through Tomorrowland and the Cinderella Castle, and then back out onto service roads until we hit Epcot and finally finished.


Before the race we decided that since we had to finish in 3 hours and 30 minutes, we wanted to finish in 3 hours and believe it or not we beat our own goal! We ended up finishing in 2 hours and 58 minutes. Hahah! We kept a pretty steady pace but lost significant time when we stopped in Tomorrowland to use the restrooms. I think for the men it was a first time actually having to wait in line as we took up both the men’s and women’s bathrooms.


The last two miles were the hardest for me. I was loosing steam and I got a cramp in the arch of my right foot. As we rounded the bend in Epcot we came upon an enormous gospel choir. They were so happy and the music was so invigorating that I found my energy again. What fueled us even more was the fact that I had some friends waiting for us with an enormous banner congratulating us. We were shocked but still managed cross the finish line holding hands. I’m no expert on finish lines here, but I have to tell you, this one looked pretty fantastic.


And as I stood there getting my Disney medal I thought: I finished. Because of you, I finished. So thank you.






Feb 21, 2011

Miles run/walked: 12


Tuesday I had a conference call with the Virtual Team in Training group and I found out that Disney doesn’t just have a bus that picks up the slow run/walkers they also have fences. Because Disney needs to end the race in time to open the parks, they encourage the runners to keep their pace by pulling a fence across the track at certain mile markers. We were told that we needed to watch not only our pace but to be wary of the portable bathrooms as lines can average at minimum 10 minutes.


If hearing those words and again thinking about them, produces in me a sudden and inexplicable urge to find and use a bathroom, I can only imagine what race morning will be like.


If that wasn't bad enough, I was told that last year Disney lost 2000 runners because those guys didn’t make it to the first mile-marker (which is at 4 miles) on time. They were late, the fence was pulled across the road, and they couldn't go any further. Our coach went on to explain that after our first mile-marker, every other mile or so Disney continues to pull fences across the road but not before waving a yellow flag. So if we’re run/walking and we’re approaching a mile-marker and see a yellow flag that means we have to push it because the fence is closing soon.


When asked what we should do in case we need to use a bathroom, our coach laughed and said the woods were always available. Let me just gently clarify that I choose to run in the Disney Princess Marathon...emphasis on the word, princess. Which is why I decided to go with Depends.


I realize this is still not quite princess material, but wearing Depends is fitting don’t you think? Because in truth this half-marathon depends on so many things that I just hope one doesn't get snagged as I attempt to clear a fence.


Feb 10, 2011

Miles run/walked since last post: 16.14


I decided tonight that if I were Catholic, I would easily give up running for Lent.

Jan 22, 2011

Miles run/walked: 12


I’m a labored runner. At least I can only assume that I am because I certainly feel labored when I run. Professionals run with a straight back, a tight upper body, and quick clean steps. I know this because I see them as they pass me, giving me wide berth as they do so. I try hard to be happy for them and at what I can only imagine to be all their hard work, which has so obviously (and if you ask me, a little arrogantly) paid off. Instead, as their sugarless coordinated steps buoyantly patter near mine, I only end up feeling harassed, wizened, and sloppy.


Usually when I start running I think I do resemble one of those runners. My legs are sprightly, my arms are low and snug above my hips, my back is straight and my head is also held high. But only after a few miles does my body begin to slowly unravel. My shoulders begin to droop, my arms loosen and fall, my legs tighten, my feet shuffle and sometimes drag, my carriage becomes soft and slopes forward gently as though I’m reaching out to tag someone in front of me, and my jaw slackens so that no matter how hard I try to assume the face of a serious runner, I end up looking like I’m in a state of perpetual surprise.


And then I had an epiphany this week. Wednesday evening I ran 12 miles and it took me all night. At least, it felt like it took me all night. Interestingly, it only took me 2 hours and 38 minutes. The maximum amount of time I have to run the 13.1 miles for the half-marathon is 3 hours and 30 minutes. As I limped back to my car, I felt for the first time that I could actually do this, even if I do look labored, and my running tortured. And I thought of each of you who have believed in me since the beginning, and while I don’t want to appear as though I’ve run the half already and I’m sending my thanks out prematurely, I think at this point I’m finally on the same page as you. We’ll see what happens come race morning, but I finally believe I can do this.


So thank you, for holding the page for me, it only took me 12 miles to get there.


Jan 06, 2011

Miles run/walked: 8.36


Really, it's the water that I blame.


Yesterday I got an email from my coach saying that we needed to start practicing drinking while running. This made sense to me. I mean, how else does someone casually lift a disposable cup from a hydration station while running a half-marathon? So last night I set off to practice drinking while running. I decided to start small and run with a water bottle. The only size I had was a medium-sized Gatorade bottle but I didn't think it would be any trouble. Armed with my bottle, my i-pod and my friend Stefanie who said she would like to walk around the lake while I trained, I was ready.


I placed my i-pod in my pocket so that I could hold onto the water bottle while I ran. It wasn't long though before I started to get annoyed at the i-pod banging against my leg everytime I moved. I could see this water nonsense was already becoming a problem. As I started to cross the bridge over the lake where I was running, I tried to take my i-pod out of my pocket but it was stuck on something and wouldn't come out. Getting irritated I gave the i-pod a good tug and finally freed it from my pocket...along with my driver's license. In slow motion I watched my license arc into the air and then land inches from my feet. I lunged for it but it quickly slipped between the plank boards of the bridge and into the dark waters below. I was stunned. I couldn't believe what just happened, and I actually liked that license picture too.


I was still standing where my license fell, when Stefanie came up and asked what was wrong. I told her and she said to keep running. Not sure what else to do, I took her advice and started run/walking again. It was in that state that I took my first sip. It was difficult to actually get the burdensome bottle to connect with my lips as my arm was moving so much, but eventually some water got in my mouth. Most splashed up my nose.


Pretty soon I saw Stefanie's parents emerge from their car carrying something very long and spindly. As I approached them I saw that Kim, Stefanie's dad, had taken two long wooden poles and duct-taped them together. Not only that, but he had taken a small tupperware container and taped it to the end of his make-shift pole. It was a contraption like none I had ever seen before, and it looked glorious.


Urged on by their insistance to keep running, I took off and the rest of the night went something like this:


Lap 3--Kim, Ann, and Stefanie are peering over the bridge keeping my floating license within sight as Kim demonstrates how the wooden license scoop will work. Things are looking up.


Lap 4--Tried drinking again. This time there is less water on my face, more in my mouth, some in my hair. Kim, Ann, and Stefanie are nowhere to be seen. Did they retrieve the license? No, they are down by the shore of the lake now balancing on large rocks pointing at what can only be my license in the water. It's coming towards them!


Lap 5--The water bottle is getting heavy in my hand; I finish the last half of the water so I can throw the bottle away and free my hand. The front of my shirt is only minimally wet. Kim, Ann, and Stefanie lost sight of the license but got a flashlight and are still peering down in the waters. Hope is not gone!


Lap 6--My stomach has never felt so heavy or full in all my life. I decide that dehydrating is easier than all this drinking-while-running commotion. The Johnsons spot the license again and they feel confident that the wind is blowing it to a place they can reach. It's a miracle!


Lap 7--I can barely move and I want to throw up. I over did the water in my zeal to rid myself of the bottle. It's dixie cups from hydration stations for me from now on. Kim is now tightly holding on to Stefanie's shirt while she is precariously leaning far into the water balanced on one of the large white rocks near the shoreline. She is holding out the wooden license scoop. I decide that I will bleach the life out of my license when I get it back because the water is filthy.


Lap 8--I'm so water-logged and bladder heavy that I get confused with my intervals and I'm now running 1 minute, walking 2 instead of the other way around. Kim went off in search of a bucket while Stefanie and Ann are staring into the water forlornly. They had it, it sunk, and now the license is gone.


I completed my 8 miles dragging through the last half mile in my water-thickened state. Not bad considering I drank too much too fast and lost my license. While the Johnsons were amazing, this morning when I looked at my new driver's license photo at the DMV, I could feel my irritation growing again.


And really, its the water that I blame.





Make a Donation

We are no longer accepting donations for this event, however you can still make a donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Supporter Comments

"What a great idea, Yvette."
Christie Cales
Fri Oct 22 04:14:51 EDT 2010
"Good luck Yvette! Have a great run!"
Monisha Seth
Mon Oct 25 01:29:39 EDT 2010
"Yvette -awesome effort -- love the blog. Go for it! - Alicia"
Alicia Homrich
Fri Oct 29 10:29:36 EDT 2010
"Go go go!"
Paul
Wed Nov 17 08:51:39 EST 2010
"Eat (& run) Like a Rabbit"
Amanda
Wed Nov 17 08:53:28 EST 2010
"Good luck with your training! You are an inspiration to everyone, and I am blessed to know you and call you a friend. With love, Karen"
Karen Studer
Tue Dec 14 04:40:00 EST 2010
"Love you Yvette! So proud of you for doing this."
Tochi Greene
Mon Jan 3 09:58:15 EST 2011
"Good Luck Yvette!! I'm thinking your going to finish first! --Betty"
Betty Varghese
Thu Jan 20 09:34:22 EST 2011

My Fundraising Total

114%
114 %

Make a Donation

We are no longer accepting donations for this event, however you can still make a donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

In Memory of

Pat Saliba

Supporter Comments

"What a great idea, Yvette."
Christie Cales
Fri Oct 22 04:14:51 EDT 2010
"Good luck Yvette! Have a great run!"
Monisha Seth
Mon Oct 25 01:29:39 EDT 2010
"Yvette -awesome effort -- love the blog. Go for it! - Alicia"
Alicia Homrich
Fri Oct 29 10:29:36 EDT 2010
"Go go go!"
Paul
Wed Nov 17 08:51:39 EST 2010
"Eat (& run) Like a Rabbit"
Amanda
Wed Nov 17 08:53:28 EST 2010
"Good luck with your training! You are an inspiration to everyone, and I am blessed to know you and call you a friend. With love, Karen"
Karen Studer
Tue Dec 14 04:40:00 EST 2010
"Love you Yvette! So proud of you for doing this."
Tochi Greene
Mon Jan 3 09:58:15 EST 2011
"Good Luck Yvette!! I'm thinking your going to finish first! --Betty"
Betty Varghese
Thu Jan 20 09:34:22 EST 2011