Had a great time again as always for the races. Its always nice to see all our friends and hang out with them at the various encounters. Thats really what makes going back year after year so much fun.
So we flew down on Wednesday and spent the night at Pop Century. My parents were both sick so Eileen and Ellen took them to Celebration to be checked on Thursday while I went golfing with my buddy from college who now lives in Florida. Eventually, the whole family met back at Boardwalk then Eileen, Ellen, and I went to get our race packets and shop at the Expo.
Got up early for the 5k on Friday. Saw Dave and Eileen Lawrence in the lobby of the Boardwalk and then headed over to MGM where we met up with Stan and Sheila. The new course was a nice change, the 1st mile was a little crowded with the out and back though. Once we got into the parks though it was nice. All 3 of us stayed together through the course which was nice too. Saw Bart and Isabelle at the end, headed back to change, then I headed over to Animal Kingdom. As I was walking from the parking lot, I saw Scott King on the tram and we waited for the other Deads to arrive. Nice to see all our friends, and new faces like Robert and Linda along for the cruise. Managed to stay fairly dry the 1st time through, but lost my sandal exiting the boat. (Capt. Bart, please let me know an address so I can forward the bill for my new sandals to you). The 2nd voyage was another story as I pressed my luck and got soaked. The rest of the day was fun at the park, then headed back to get ready for the meeting at Pop Century food court. Once again good to see so many familiar faces and catch up with everyone. I prepared for tomorrow, following my strict training schedule, with a meal of Chicken Alfredo and a hot fudge sundae. Headed back for an early night.
Got up and headed over to the start and met up with the Deads at the D tent. The plan was to keep a pace of about 15 minute miles and make it through the half. I did just that keeping a pace of about 14:56 for the race. The weather wasn't much of a problem today as the cloud cover did its job. Eileen caught up to me in EPCOT and we finished the race together. Went back, took a nap, then met up with the Laux's and in-laws for dinner at the Macaroni Grill. Went back for another early night.
Got up once again and headed to the parking lot and met up with the Deads at the D tent. No real plan today except to finish and bring home Goofy #2. I was fine through the 1st half of the marathon, but the sun started to take its toll on my on the stretch from Animal Kingdom on. A few stops with no water and no beer at the Hashers made for a long stretch with nothing to drink. Saw Julie at the 20-21 turnaround and she said she would slow down and wait for me. This is when the heat really started to affect me. On the stretch of World Drive, I thought I was walking it all uphill while it is pretty flat. Then I thought I finally caught up to Julie in MGM and started talking to her. When I told her I saw Eileen a while back, she asked who Eileen was, and I realized it wasn't Julie I was talking to. So I kept going, saw Julie's family outside MGM, Tom at the Boardwalk, and Stan and Sheila at Mexico where they had a Dos Equis waiting for me. Took the cup with me and enjoyed that through EPCOT. Crossed the line and averaged a pace of 15:09 for the full, but really slowed down the 2nd half because of the heat. But thats why I was banking time earlier anyway. So headed back and showered. Didn't have time for a nap before heading to the Bragathon and then dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse.
Got up and got Bart, Isabelle, and Julie at their hotels and headed back to Boardwalk for the next day stroll. Wasn't feeling too bad at all actually. I think having the 1/2 the day before helps me actually stretch out since the past 2 years I have felt better the next day than I have after just doing 1 race. Headed to the WDWDW II and spent the day with all of our friend around the World Showcase. A lot of good pictures and times with a lot of the Deads taking part in at least part of the trip. Finished the night with Illuminations.
The rest of the week we spent around the parks with the family. With the races and all the encounters, a week really isn't enough time anymore to do everything you want to do, but it was great to see everyone again. I have my sheet printed out already to register for the Goofy III in 2008.
