What a dumb idea! Not totally but a little! On February 7th, 2010 I ran the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon.[singlepic id=44 w=320 h=240 float=right] It was something my good friend and I decided to do. Of course it was my dumb idea and my easy convincing was due to the fact that we had run 3 Disney Races (the Fall Series of 2009) which consist of Expedition Everest 5k, Race for the Taste 10k, and Tower of Terror 13k. Those were some great races that we really enjoyed for the atmosphere, challenge, and of course bad ass medals. [singlepic id=47 w=320 h=240 float=left] Now this race was more than a challenge to say the least because the day of the race was not just a marathon race, but also a half marathon race. The reason I say this because after running for two hours straight at around mile 12.8 there were probably 25 people that went left to the finish line to finish their 13.1 miles half marathon and only 1 other person that went right to run another 2 hours to complete the 26.2 miles for the full marathon!
That was one of the hardest things to see and be a part of. I never realized how challenging it would be and I envisioned a completely different experience. I knew it was going to be ridiculously hard, but this course was not like just a long run around a city. This was one loop over two cause ways we had to run over 4 times. After that half way point there was no one on the course to cheer us on, that alone hurts and makes things challenging. Then there were some points on the course that ran out of cups for water and drinks. The course was supposed to have bands all along the way, but only two of the bands played some great rockin music to keep us going, while at least 4 bands weren’t playing when I ran by, were small orchestra and playing very melodic music that could have put anyone to sleep. So throughout the course I would just look at the beautiful sky with the sun shinning and the little bit of clouds showing and start to cry wanting the whole experience to be over. I did receive some great support from Team Thompson and Mandy, they all ran with me throughout the last 4-6 miles of the marathon and really helped me keep going.
Despite it all it was a great experience, and would recommend running a marathon to anyone, but the only marathon I would run again would be a Disney Marathon. I’ve seen it twice with Mandy running them and the experience although painful is much more bearable and enjoyable. So if you ever plan to run a marathon, run one of the larger marathons you can, because there will be more people to help you keep going. Here are other photos from previous races of Rowland and I.
Mandy after a 21.2mile run taking an ice bath
I never understood the desire of running a marathon (maybe for health reasons?). I just thought you would train for a few months, then get to the marathon and pace yourself and keep pushing yourself and that’s it. It’s much more than that…
Mandy’s been training for her January 11th Disney Marthon since around the end of July. The time training, ice baths, the money spent on shoes; equipment, clothes, and power packs for her long runs has been fascinating. She first started to run 2-5 mile runs a couple times a week and once a week she would have a long run. Her first long run was 8 miles, second was 10, third was 16, and now she’s up to 21.2. These runs occur anywhere between 5am-7am in the morning (the longer the run the earlier the start). I watched her first official 5k, which is a short but still hard 3.1 miles.
Saturday she ran her first official Half-Marathon at the OUC Half. I never imagined it was that hard till you see your wife, her friend and many others struggle to stay on pace. I have a whole new respect and understanding of how hard you push your body to it’s absolute limits.
Friday night before the OUC Half we watched Spirit of the Marathon. A documentary recommended to us that follows 5 marathoners from first timers to Olympic Champion runners. You’re moved at why these people do it, be it just to finish, or to finish and beat your last time at the age of 65. It’s unbelievable the struggle you go through to accomplish such a challenging goal. That really pumped me up for supporting Mandy at the OUC Half.
Mandy and Jen on their first 21.2 mile long run.
At the race, I wanted to cheer Mandy on at least 4 places. I was able to do so, and the last few places I saw her pass I ran from one place in the course to another via shortcuts (that was hard in itself and I was thinking how can these people run this long!?!?)! As some of you know I can be pretty loud, and I wasn’t just cheering on the wife, I was cheering on everyone that passed. I’ve never gotten so many thank you’s before and I was glad to be their cheerleader too.
Marathons are fucking hard! Pushing your body to the ultimate extreme looks like a humbling experience. I would do it once to experience such a satisfying life long learning experience. I would also do it to build up such an incredible endurance!
Now I know this Christmas season everyone is asking for money, so I won’t push it but if you could donate a few bucks to Mandy’s cause that would be very honerable of you. And Team Mandy could use all your support for the race on Sunday, January 11th, at Disney!
Mandy has started training for the Disney Half Marathon in January, I’ve heard lots of people do it and I knew she liked to run, but not this much! Anyways her and her girl friends (when it’s ‘girlfriend’ does that mean they’re lesbo and when it’s ‘girl friends’ they’re just friends?) started training together, they run about 4 days a week. She even got a Nike Plus to track how long she runs. Maybe she’ll figure out she can show people her progress online. So go check out her Disney Half or Die Trying blog, and give her a nice comment of encouragement and support!
