My dad and Kaylee had the perfect beginning spot! They were the first thing I saw after I crossed the starting line and it was a huge boost to see them cheering us on! It was also really great to see them because I figured the only time I'd see them would be at the finish line!
My mom, Kari and I stayed together in the beginning. There were so many people that it was kind of hard to run. But once we really got going, and people thinned out, we wished each other luck and went at our own paces.
My music was working great and I was having a blast! I was so excited when I finally came up on the first mile post!! One mile down and I felt great!
We ran past the convention center and then onto Harbor Boulevard. There were some spectators standing along the street holding some really awesome signs! At that moment, I thought I would totally remember what they said..... but now.... I have no idea.... I think there was one about Ariel and "up where they RUN"...
And then it was into the back lot of California Adventure! I love seeing the behind the scenes stuff!! There were lots of Disney cast members along the course cheering us on and giving high-fives!! How cool that they would show up at 6:00 a.m. to do that!
We ran past Radiator Springs, ran over the Paradise Pier Bridge and past California Screamin'. Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie were there and you could stop to take pictures with them if you wanted. I was still kind of worried about how I was doing time wise, so I just kept on going!
We ran through the rest of the park and then ended up back on the road, running toward Disneyland! At one point a really awesome lady started talking to me about my crazy tutu and we ran together for a little while.
At that point, I knew I was halfway through the race and I was still feeling great! As I got closer to the entrance of Disneyland, I got another surprise. My dad and Kaylee were there waiting for me!! I was SO happy to see them there and it gave me an added boost to keep running!!
I ran into the park and down headed down Main Street. It probably sounds totally cheesy.... but it felt like a dream! I had trained for that moment and it was finally happening. After Main Street we headed toward Tomorrowland. Just past Space Mountain I stopped to take my first picture at the four mile marker.
I was kind of nervous at that point.... I had only ever run a little over four miles and I still had two more. But I knew that five miles was by the castle and beyond that I'd only have a little over a mile to go.
I got to see some more backlot as we ran behind It's A Small World and I was SO grateful for a drinking fountain in Toon Town.
I finally made it Fantasyland! The first character I saw was the White Rabbit. I was dressed as Alice in Wonderland so there was no way I was going to miss taking some pictures.... plus it gave me short breather! I also took a picture in the teacup, with the Queen of Hearts, and of course with Alice and the Mad Hatter.
I was standing in line, waiting to get my picture taken with Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, when someone came running by yelling "SWEEPERS". Everyone scattered! I looked behind me and there were race officials on bikes and behind them a golf cart. The bikers came by and told everyone to pick up the pace or they'd have to get in the cart.
I panicked a little (actually, I panicked a lot) and took off!!
I ran through Sleeping Beauty's castle and over the drawbridge and headed toward Frontierland.
At that point, I was starting to feel all of those miles and was getting kind of tired. At one point, while running up the hill near Splash Mountain, I started talking to a couple of the racers around me. We were talking about how crappy it would be if we got picked up at the end of the race. Another racer ran by and said " They can't make you get in that cart! Just run away from them"!!
We ran through the back lot again, behind Splash Mountain, and started running through Downtown Disney. The park was going to open soon so there were TONS of people on the sidelines.
By this point I was tried.... really tired..... and trying to run further that I had ever run before!! Despite my greatest efforts, I had to do a walk/run combo. At one point, when I was particularly tired, a guy on the sidelines shouted "Keep going! You can do it! Your medal is right around the corner"!! I looked over, and it was Sean Astin {Samwise from LOTR}.
It gave me just the boost I needed and I ran toward the finish line. Even as I think back to it now I get a little teary eyed!! It's not like he was directly speaking to me.... it was just the fact that someone was standing there, reminding me the end was close and the prize was waiting for me!!
As I got closer I saw my dad and sister on the sideline going crazy... I was already pretty emotional, but as I got closer, I realized my dad was crying! As I passed he was shouting "You did it! You did it" and it took everything I had not to burst into tears!
There is NOTHING like the feeling of crossing the finish line!
I had worked so hard to get to that moment.... so many things had happened that made me doubt whether or not I could actually do it!
But in the end, I made it!! And I ran almost every step of the way!
Just on the other side of the line, my aunt Linda, Katie and Kari were waiting for me! It was SO great having them there and was SO grateful for Linda's big hug!!
I had a lady at the finish line take a picture more me. Looking at it now, I realize how lame I look! I was trying so hard not to cry!!
After a quick picture at the finish line, I walked over and got my medal!!
I didn't know it, but my mom was there waiting for me! As soon as I saw her we hugged and cried!
I had taken SO much to get to that point and I had overcome so much..... self-doubt, broken bones and a cold!! But, as the great Walt Disney said "If you can dream it, you can do it"!
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