26.2...been there, run that

And I live to tell about it...again.

When I committed to do this again I made 3 goals:

1) Train harder and be better prepared than last year.

2) Finish in under 5 hours.

3) Make sure that this year's pictures are much better than last year's. This is a big one. As a scrapbooker it really hurts my layouts when I look like death in each and every picture. I just can't have that.

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Going into the marathon I had accomplished my first goal. I was much better prepared this time. Sure, I could have been even better prepared, but I had put in the time and put in the miles so I was ready for this one.

This is Brittney and I before the start.

It is roughly 4:30 AM in this picture so back off with any snide comments!

The next few hours would be telling as to whether or not I would accomplish my other 2 goals.

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Lee did a great job of trekking around all over Disney to cheer us on and snap some photos.
This is the first one he got of us at ~9 miles into it as we ran through the Ticket & Transportation Center on our way to Magic Kingdom.

So far so good on the pictures.
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Yep, he carried it the entire way.

And check this guy out!
It's Spartan Guy!
And he is fully garbed in his helmet, arm guards, and cape while carrying a sword...for 26.2 miles.
What you cannot see is that he is also wearing boots-not Nikes, but knee high boots.
Impressive, I must say (and also quite nutty).

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I am not trying to bite anyone here.

This is just the best smile I could muster at ~24-25 miles with burning thighs and achy feet.

At least I don't quite look like death, however.

So I am going to go with #3 goal accomplished: much better pics this time around!

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And with a finishing time of 4:49:27 I accomplished that 2nd goal also.

Sweet.

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We don't look too bad after running all over Disney, do we?!?!

And there was still enough energy left in the tank to play a little.
(well, after lots of food & Gatorade, a long shower, and a nap that is!)

So when is the next one??!!

gretchen