I can’t believe it…..after months and months of training my FIRST marathon is almost here. Only 9 more days to the Walt Disney World Marathon – GULP.
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| Jack is cool, calm and collected...he's not worried a bit. |
I am nervous. I have a million things running through my head: Did I train hard enough, what will the weather be like, what if my plane is delayed and I can’t make it, getting up at 1am for a race is INSANE – I’ll be exhausted before it starts, what if I cramp up, what if I can’t finish, what if I get sick???????…….all these crazy thoughts. Michael - JUST BREATHE!
So I thought I needed to put together some goals to help calm my nerves. My A, B, C Goals…..basically what I MUST do, what I would LIKE to do, and what I would LOVE to do.
Walt Disney World Marathon Goals
A Goals
Finish my first marathon
Have fun and enjoy every step of the experience
Spend quality time with my husband and girlfriends
Pace myself, don’t start too fast
B Goals
Finish in less than 6 hours
Finish with a smile on my face
Get great race pictures
Finish with no new injuries
Finish strong
C Goals
Finish between 5:45 and 5:59 (or below…but not gonna happen)
Do a cartwheel across the finish line – NO this isn’t serious….I couldn’t do a cartwheel without running 26.2, but it would make for a fun picture
Be able to walk the next day
So what do you think? Any “goals” I should add? Any advice from your first marathons? I’m going to give myself an ulcer if I don’t stop stressing about this race. Help ME J
You HAVE trained hard enough. You've got this! Add this to the A goals: soak in the last .2 of the race. It's a pretty magical place and you are about to finish a HUGE accomplishment at that moment. Don't get too focused on getting to the finish line as fast as possible or by looking at your watch. You can't get the feeling of finishing your first marathon back so I always tell people to soak those last few minutes because it really is amazing. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat Amber said! You are ready...ENJOY EVERY STEP (even the ones that hurt). Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteYou. Are. Ready.
ReplyDeleteI've done the Disney Half twice (that doesn't count for a full, does it?). The weather can be all over the place (from snow to hot) and you have to get up very early to get to the start in time. It can get very crowded. Most people are doing it (not racing it) for fun or the experience so don't get too bummed if you get behind a bunch of people lined up to take a picture with a Disney Character.
Enjoy the experience and can't wait to read all about it.
Enjoy the day! That's the most important thing since you are well trained for it!
ReplyDeletelove this and I CAN'T wait to hear how it goes. I think your goals are good and very realistic. Just try to have fun, relish in the moment and how far you've come and know that no matter what, you are doing something truly amazing. Keep telling yourself to trust your body and your training and I know you'll be great!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for you. I know how you feel being nervous. Just try and think back on your longest training run and replicate that. Bet you weren't too nervous that day! I can't wait for the pictures!
ReplyDeleteYour goals sound perfect and you sound sooooooooo ready. I hope to be in your same shoes in less than a year. Good job, you're awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI have done Disney Marathon 3 times - absolutely loved it 2 or the 3 (the 3rd time in 2010 the weather was 26 degrees and sleeting at the start - never did warm up)
ReplyDeleteIf it isn't full - the best thing that you can do is buy a pass to the VIP tent - at least you are out of the elements at 4:00 in the morning and the food is wonderful at the start and finish. So worth the $100 or so it costs.
I love the Disney races so much - I have 2 more already planned.
Best of luck - bring your camera if you want pictures with characters along the way. Also, the mile markers are great photo opportunities. Many people stop at each mile marker.
Oh girl, you are so freaking ready! You only get to do your first marathon once! Relax and enjoy the day - have fun! That start is really awesome! Running through the Castle is really neat.
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember that early wake up call for Disney! It's eerie as you walk outside and see so many other runners stumbling thru the darkness, all headed for the staging area. But as half-asleep as everyone is, there's still an electricity about all the runners!
ReplyDeleteENJOY!!!!
You are going to do awesome!!! I think you made some great goals too! Just remember, don't start off too fast (the adrenaline is intense and can make you a speedster!), take in your nutrition, and just enjoy the day! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are going to do GREAT!! You've prepared physically and mentally and you're going to KILL IT!!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your A goals - they are the MOST important!
you are going to be so awesome! and also I just want to tell you that as someone who has never ran a marathon I love your goals. I think just finishing and keeping time off the table is a great way to tackle your first :D that's what I'll do when I'm ready.
ReplyDeleteI watched "spirit of the marathon" and I LOVED it. I hope you feel that great :D
I've got no advice since I'm no where close to doing a marathon. But I wish you well and I['m confident you can accomplish your A Goals. If you start feeling tired, just look around and get distracted by one of the best (or at least funnest) places on Earth!
ReplyDeleteTrust your training!!! You can do it!!
ReplyDeletePS. Do you want me to send you Mary?! :) http://www.littlemissrunshine.com/blog-fun/mary-the-bear
I was stupid nervous before my first marathon too. So nervous that I couldn't stand still before the race without wanting to throw up so I spent at least an hour before the race pacing and dry-reaching. I wasted so much energy. My advice is to trust your training. You'll make the distance - you've done the work. And if you don't someone will look after you but that's not going to be an issue.
ReplyDeleteyou are ready! I get the being nervous part...you will be fine...
ReplyDeleteraise your hands up high when you cross and hug that husband of yours!
happy new year!
If I saw someone cartwheel across a finish line, I'd probably die because that would be awesome! You are going to do great and you can say you really started 2012 off with a bang!
ReplyDeleteYou have so got this! My first marathon was Disney so it has a special place in my heart. My only advice is to have a great time and enjoy it. Don't worry about the time, just have a blast out there on the course and take a ton of pictures :)
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ReplyDeleteLike others have said, just relax and enjoy yourself! You've done the training and now it's time to reap the benefits. You will do awesome! Can't wait to read the recap.
ReplyDeleteI love that your first marathon is almost here!! Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it, enjoy it, enjoy it! I still smile when I remember my first marathon. I loved it and smiled a lot. Yeah, there were tough not so great parts but those memories have faded! Finish and have fun. No worries about time.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!!! You are totally ready and are going to have a fantastic time!!! I'm not sure about that 'walking the next day' part, but the 'finishing with a smile' - you've totally got that!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and have fun!!
Oh my gosh. Okay first off I am so jealous that you are running this race! It is on my list of dream races and I WILL do it one year, I know it. I think that you should just relax and enjoy every step of the way. I know if I ever run it, I'm going to have fun, stop to take pictures, breath, and take in the surroundings. It's the most magical place on earth! I know it's easier said than done, but just DO IT! You will have a blast!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!! :)
Oh, yes you are ready!! Do not fear!!
ReplyDeleteI say...just mainly try to enjoy the experience. Your time does not matter. I can't wait to read about it. And you will LOVE reliving it for...well, forever!
Best of luck, Michael! I'm very excited for you.
Sometime during my pre-marathon freakout, someone told me to stop worrying about the time and just enjoy it. You only get to run your 1st marathon once....just smile and enjoy the experience. Best advice ever. Just sayin....
ReplyDeleteOk, I say move your cart wheels to your A goals!!! That would be AWESOME!!!
ReplyDeleteJack is so cute! :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun with your first ever marathon! You'll totally rock it! :D
Remember... smile and have fun! You've done the work. Now enjoy the reward! :)
ReplyDeleteMy coach says any time you do a new event or distance, your only goal is to finish. I love that advice; it takes a lot of pressure off. Just enjoy and appreciate all the hard work you did to get to this point!
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