Diving Into Blue

And then I see it...

It's an awesome sight! I've reached Mile 26! I can't believe it! The mile marker makes me pause. And then I hear the sweet music. Am I dreaming or delusional? I drag my eyes away from the mile marker and look to the right.

I can't believe it! It's a church choir decked out in gold robes, standing on risers, singing sweet music, swaying back and forth, rhythmically clapping their hands. I turn back to the mile marker and then back to the choir. Quick! Decide! Take one picture! What will it be? It was such a hasty decision--I regret now that I didn't take a picture of the choir in addition to the mile marker. Both deserved equal billing. But I'll always remember the choir.

Then, I snap out of it. Focus! You only have .2 miles to go to the finish! Remember the goal to finish under six hours. I start running again and pass between the 26th mile marker and the choir. A little jig to the left, a quick turn to the right, and then the pot of gold--the finish line!

I remember the rest like it happened in slow motion...
I pointed to the finish line and yelled, "I see it!" Crowds of fans lined the left side of the course, peering around the bend in the road, hoping to catch sight of their runner/walker. I'll need to muster every last ounce of strength and fortitude I had. I was so close I could taste it!

"Let me hear it!" I yelled at the fans as I motioned with my hands for them to cheer. The excitement caught on, and they cheered. It didn't matter to me that I didn't know any of these people. It didn't matter that they had no idea who I was. I was smiling and feeling good--they knew it and I knew it. My eyes were then drawn to the finish line.

Do it like you practiced...see the finish line, give it all you got, run like the wind! After it was over, I would remember one stupid thought that went through my head as a raced toward the line, although, at the time, it wasn't so stupid. I could see a Disney character--one of the Ducks--just a few yards in front of the finish line and to the left. He was high-fiving folks as they ran by--but he wasn't just standing there with his hand out. He ran toward people with his hand outstretched.

"If that duck gets in my way, I'm running over him." And I was serious.

The seconds sped by; the finish line drew closer; the crowds on both sides cheered; my heart pounded in my chest. My arms and legs pumped as fast as they could after 26 miles.

And then I crossed the finish line...

I remember running along the boardwalk--by the coastal village of Disney's Yacht and Beach Club. What impressed me the most was the people lined up, cheering us on! They clapped, cheered, and held out their hands to give us five. And I thanked them! I noticed that some of these folks were half marathon finishers because they proudly wore their medals. What a boost that was! To think that they cared enough to hang out along the last few miles to cheer us in!

I past Mile 25 just after entering into Epcot once again. It was kind of weird. I'd been along this same route hours before in the dark, between miles two and three. But it was different somehow. Of course, the sun was up, and there were people that had paid an admission to get into the park who didn't really understand what we were doing there.

I looked across the lake at the Epcot ball that I knew was at the front of the park. I started getting choked up. I think I finally realized that I was really close to finishing the marathon. But I had to get past that because I didn't want to slow down now. I was on a mission, remember? You've got to finish under six hours!

And when I got to the Epcot ball, I had someone take my picture! It was a milestone I needed to remember. Thanks to all those volunteers along the route who took my picture without hesitation. These pictures bring back sweet memories of my first marathon!

Mile 26 was real close. I could feel it.