Fort Simpson (Mar 24/06) - To celebrate their birthdays some people want to sleep in, others party with friends, but Kim Schlosser wanted to run a marathon.

On her 29th birthday Schlosser, a warden for Nahanni National Park Reserve, set a goal to run a marathon on her next birthday. For her first marathon Schlosser didn’t choose any old run, she picked the Disney World marathon.

Incorporating the event into their vacation plans, Schlosser and her husband Troy Searson travelled to Orlando, Fla., where she ran the race on Jan. 8.

“It was really fun,” said Schlosser.

Schlosser finished 2,413th, an impressive position considering there were 14,000 runners. The 42-km run took her four hours and 15 minutes to complete.

It takes a lot of dedication to get ready for a marathon. Schlosser started training slowly last January by walking and doing 5 km runs. Every week she increased her distance by 10 per cent.

Depending on the week, she would fit in about four runs. By the end of the year her usual runs were 10 km long and took her 50 to 55 minutes to complete depending on snow and wind conditions.

Each week she did one long run which started out being 10 km and ended at 37 km. The runs took her around Fort Simpson, to the airport and back.

Staying motivated was difficult and weather was an important factor, said Schlosser.

“It was pretty hard in the late fall because it was chilly,” she said. After a year of being excited about the marathon the actual event was a bit anti-climactic, said Schlosser.

At the beginning of training you start out walking and with so many people at the race you had to walk off the starting line, she said.

It was also anti-climactic because at 6 a.m. when the race started it was only 1C. Schlosser spent the first hour running in a toque and mitts.

After getting up to speed you were surrounded by hundreds of other runners moving at the same pace, she said. Schlosser chatted with people who all had different reasons for running.

One man had broken his neck a few years ago and had progressed from walking to running to marathons.

“Everyone was really friendly,” she said.

The route was lined with spectators and Disney staff who would read the names on the race bibs and cheer for you.

“It was really, really encouraging,” she said.

Crossing the finish line, Schlosser realized she’d completed her goal.

“I cried. A whole year of training and I finally accomplished my goal,” she said.

Through the race Schlosser raised $4,200 for the Alberta and NWT chapter of the Arthritis Society.

She can still be seen on runs around Fort Simpson and said it’s nice to no be able to get out without a watch and not worry about how far she has to go. But she isn’t shying away from future competitions.

“I’d definitely like to do more,” said Schlosser.