OH, I need a vacation from my vacation.......our week in Disney World was
exhausting. We walked and walked and walked and walked through Magic
Kingdom, Epcot, MGM, Animal Kingdom and Universal Studios. Whew!!!
And then I ended the week by completing my first marathon!!! Oh are my feet
tired!!
I set the alarm clock for 3:30 and also got a wake-up call from Mickey at
3:30, just in case. Dressed, ate a banana and muffin and off to get the
shuttle service to the starting line by 4:15am. The traffic was backed up,
so we ended up starting about 20 mins. late (6:20am) with Mickey starting us
off with fireworks in the dark. It was about 34 degrees at start time (yes,
I was in Florida!!). It took me about 9 mins to get across the starting
line. I was walking by myself, hoping to keep a 15 mpm pace. I bounced in
and out of different groups of people, talking for a while. I finally met
another solo walker just after the 1/2 way point and we walked together until
about mile 24. I felt fine until about mile 16, when I began to feel the
blisters starting. I never did stop to check them, basically because I was
afraid if I sat down I wouldn't get up again. Gayle and I had a great time
walking together, certainly made the time on the lonely highway stretches
pass faster. Walking through the parks was a lot of fun. Many of the Disney
employees were out to cheer us on, and Disney visitors were there later when
the parks opened.
My husband and kids managed to see me at about mile 16 (which made me cry
because I didn't think they were going to be there) and then at the finish.
Gayle needed several potty breaks, so I lost a little bit of time there. And
at mile 24 she was starting to slow and told me to go ahead. I ended up
finishing on my watch at 7:08. Alot longer than I wanted (about 16:40mpm)
but I finished and got my really cool Mickey medal. I wore it all afternoon
and on the plane home Sunday night. We went to Planet Hollywood for lunch,
and a woman (wearing her marathon finisher medal) was carried from the
restaurant by what looked like her husband and son. I felt better....atleast
I hobbled out of the restaurant on my own 2 feet. (probably because I knew my
hubby wouldn't carry me!!)
Anyway, it was a really good week and the marathon was a challenge but
thoroughly exciting. I got a high-five at the finish from Mickey!! A good
finish to a good day!!!
I was glad to meet Amy and her group on the bus from MGM over to Dixie
Landings on Friday night. She even lives in my neck of the woods!! We had
dinner plans with friends, so I couldn't make the encounter there.
The blisters are fading a bit today, and I'm only sore when I get up from
sitting for a long time. I think by tomorrow I might be ready for a brief
walk on the treadmill ..... maybe.....
Carol
hobbling in Williamstown
