Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Time flies when you're having fun!
Just after exiting the Disney-MGM Studios, I can't remember what mile I'm in. Not that I'm tired, not that I'm hungry or thirsty, not that I hit "the wall." I just can't seem to remember the miles.
"What mile did we just pass?" I asked the closest person to me. "Mile 23," he said. And that's how I met Mike from Canada.
We struck up a conversation as we both walked at a good pace, and I learned his story. He and a bunch of his friends from Canada were participating in the marathon. They were quite spirited--I remember them at the beginning of the race. After our national anthem played, they sang the Canadian anthem at the top of their lungs with much energy. Mike asked me if that was bad. I said, "Heck no! That was pretty cool!" I asked where the rest of his bunch were. Somewhere behind us. He'd started walking the marathon at some point--he thought he injured his knee but he wasn't giving up. He was there to finish his first marathon and that was that!
Somewhere in mile 24, we realized that we had about two miles left. Wow! Where had the mileage gone! I looked at my watch, and Mike said, "I think we can finish under six hours." I had wanted to finish in 5:30 but that wasn't to be since it was about 5:30 at this point. I can finish under six--easy! Piece of cake!
I bid Mike farewell and good luck! "I'll see you at the finish line!" And I started running again...
"What mile did we just pass?" I asked the closest person to me. "Mile 23," he said. And that's how I met Mike from Canada.
We struck up a conversation as we both walked at a good pace, and I learned his story. He and a bunch of his friends from Canada were participating in the marathon. They were quite spirited--I remember them at the beginning of the race. After our national anthem played, they sang the Canadian anthem at the top of their lungs with much energy. Mike asked me if that was bad. I said, "Heck no! That was pretty cool!" I asked where the rest of his bunch were. Somewhere behind us. He'd started walking the marathon at some point--he thought he injured his knee but he wasn't giving up. He was there to finish his first marathon and that was that!
Somewhere in mile 24, we realized that we had about two miles left. Wow! Where had the mileage gone! I looked at my watch, and Mike said, "I think we can finish under six hours." I had wanted to finish in 5:30 but that wasn't to be since it was about 5:30 at this point. I can finish under six--easy! Piece of cake!
I bid Mike farewell and good luck! "I'll see you at the finish line!" And I started running again...
Disney-MGM Studios
"Check it out, " I say to myself. "There's that new ride currently under construction called Expedition EVEREST! It looks just like a snow capped mountain." I have to stop and take a picture as I know it will go well with the one I snapped just one year ago when the ride was REALLY under construction. This is one of the last sights we see as we exit the Animal Kingdom. Ba-bye, Animal Kingdom! I'm on the road again...
I know I have just a little over four miles to go until I enter the Disney-MGM Studios. But these miles are on a three-lane road that takes us by the All Star Resorts and the Wide World of Sports Complex. Kristy and I are staying at the All Star Music Resort so it's kind of weird to pass this entrance on foot. And there's the only McDonald's on Disney property! Pretty wild!
Just before mile 20, the route gets interesting. I remember now that this part has us heading southeast, rounding a hairpin curve, and then heading pretty much back where we came from on the opposite side of the road. As I forge ahead to the hairpin curve, I scan the faces of the people that are at least 10 minutes ahead of me and running toward me on the left. "There's a girl the three of us talked to at the beginning of the race," I thought. "Where's her friend? And how the heck did she get in front of me?" Enough motivation for me to step it up!
As I round the hairpin curve and head back the way I came, I scan the faces of the people that are about 10 minutes behind me. I have no idea what distance or time separates Kristy, Kim, and I. But I look for them anyway.
I haven't mentioned it before but I did come prepared. Knowing that Kristy, Kim, and I would be separated, my companion for most of the miles is my ipod Nano (although I've chatted with folks along the way). My sweet husband gave it to me as a gift--a just because gift! I think he secretly knew that I was going to need those singing voices in my head to help pass the time. As I head toward mile 22, my anthem plays..."Come on, Eileen..." That helps me keep the momentum!
Then, finally, it's the Disney-MGM Studios! What a beautiful sight! Of course, we first see some back lot stuff, which is pretty cool! And there's Woody! Another Kodak picture moment. I stop and ask Woody's friend to take our picture. This reminds me that my friend Woody (that's really his nickname!) was supposed to be running with me. I miss his smiling face and wish he were here to experience this with me!
Just past mile 23 is Sorcerer Mickey's hat. I stop, turn around, and snap a picture of the people behind me with the hat in the background. Little did I know that I've captured Mike in this picture until after the film is developed. How ironic...
