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2006 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Report: Debi
| Just got the photos developed from the disposable camera I took with me on the marathon. I'm afraid the quality
of many photos aren't too great, but they're pretty special to me anyway. Alicia told me the day before the race that aside from her wedding and the birth of her kids, running her first marathon was the most emotional time of her life. She was NOT kidding! I don't consider myself to be a very mushy person. I tend to be a little on the stoic side. But I admit to crying for at least half the race. This was such an emotional journey for me. I lost about a hundred pounds last year and had never done anything athletic in my life before this. I started with the idea that I needed to keep the weight off, but it went oh-so-much further than that. Anyway, here are my photos from the race: Here's some of our group waiting for the walk to the start line. Most everyone was wearing black trash bags to keep warm. That's BetsyAnn, SusanL, Jenine, Belle, Ally and GH John in front catching a nap. 
After standing around for 2 hrs, freezing, the race finally begins. Of course it doesn't feel like a race for quite a while due to all the congestion. But finally we break loose and after what seems like ages, the sun does come out. 
Here we're approaching the Ticket and Transportation Area: 
I spotted some unknown people holding a sign that said Tag Team and took their picture to figure out who they were later on. Turned out to be Faline and her DH: 
Here we are walking behind the scenes at the MK. Not too pretty back there, but we were about to emerge on Main St: 
Finally we arrive on Main St USA and the crowds here are wild!! It's incredibly exciting. I started sobbing from emotion. 
Spotted a familiar face in the crowd. It's Rosebud with a big hot pink sign! (this is my second time spotting her on the route. What a cheerleader.) She warns me that DH and DS are up ahead. 
At the hub, there's my DH Paul and my DS Chase with a huge banner that says "Go ddoll" and my avatar!! DS is holding the sign I made at the Expo that says "That's My Mom". I ran over to hug them and sob and cry on DH's shoulder. He tells me how proud they are of me. I manage to tell him that I am so excited, I can't really speak. 
Then I cried all the way thru Tomorrowland up to the Indy Speedway. Definitely lost some time here. We turn and come up to the castle from the rear: 
Coming thru the castle, I spot Paul and Chase waiting for me again: 
Lots of boring road with occasional fun groups out to cheer us on. What would we do without them? It feels like they're speaking to each of us as we go by. Some even call us by name. 
I start really feeling a blister on one toe. I start looking for a medical tent so I can stop and adjust my socks. When one does finally does come into sight, I run on past. By now I figured removing my shoes will only make it worse. Besides...who wants to lose the time? LOL Finally, we approach Epcot A guy on the route yells to us that at the bottom of the hill is mile marker 12. He tells us we can "Run like a Kenyan to the finish line from there" There, finally is mile marker 12 
And then Epcot 
Running through Epcot is fantastic! Supporters and CMs everywhere, yelling and clapping for us. We run through FW and turn around at the Christmas tree at WS where several characters wait and cheer: 
Then comes mile 13 as we approach the geosphere. And there is a chorus singing for us as we pass: 
Finally, the finish line. What a feeling!!! There's a HUGE crowd here! 
Crying and sobbing, I wander around looking for familiar faces. We pass the line, get our medals and foil blankets. Then to get our formal photos and some refreshments. I'm neither hungry nor thirsty, but take them both knowing it's necessary. Then at last, I locate the reunion tents. There's Paul and Chase waiting for me: 
And the rest of the gang. 
And the UK division 
We watch a few more people join the group then limp off to find our car. What a journey! |
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