tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55238078392820161712024-03-05T04:56:15.929-05:00Run and not Grow WearyA Christian Mother's Running Blog for runDisney and BeyondAmanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-83840245097770642922015-07-19T23:15:00.002-04:002015-07-19T23:15:29.378-04:00On a Cold, Cold Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't think I've ever been as cold as I was on the morning of the 5K. Nor do I hope to ever be that cold again. Of course, runDisney gave us a warning:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQw5SI8mQn0xyVuLXWXHfFVNXNuVtBOEzNpmEDwp9eJVtUr7mBm5WWWCEFbuDI7x5YP34Qyba0qSjwWvH-rvFfMybstW0jvBrWWGVlkWgXezDSQqrkRMBbnwwYbQ4YqffNY5LKqA4bB0/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQw5SI8mQn0xyVuLXWXHfFVNXNuVtBOEzNpmEDwp9eJVtUr7mBm5WWWCEFbuDI7x5YP34Qyba0qSjwWvH-rvFfMybstW0jvBrWWGVlkWgXezDSQqrkRMBbnwwYbQ4YqffNY5LKqA4bB0/s320/IMG_0805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BRRR!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had not really brought appropriate cold weather gear to Disney. This was as best as it could get:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwt7kWcV3t1MleUnOmJ6e55fvTTMTUryo6RJxGryVNBfywaSP4E9g3ekH5hfP2qWpnFUagwiZ9m_VB6ioAngDAbaJV5nQyehyphenhyphenHh5lC_Aafi2l1wohrqacR87mb53QFkH-N6um8k0XPgs/s1600/IMG_0823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwt7kWcV3t1MleUnOmJ6e55fvTTMTUryo6RJxGryVNBfywaSP4E9g3ekH5hfP2qWpnFUagwiZ9m_VB6ioAngDAbaJV5nQyehyphenhyphenHh5lC_Aafi2l1wohrqacR87mb53QFkH-N6um8k0XPgs/s320/IMG_0823.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The 5K starts at 6ish am, so I was able to sleep in for the first morning--if you consider sleeping until 3:30am sleeping in. I ambled slowly through the resort.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7vrlG30B7yuJtWjmhWPBUw4AnOP8eJsueaQABdzDM5rBwDZ_b1FPfFsKmXxj1jCUyFyHvjYWq3IPTvxFl3p2fEd0lKhiuW6mOmEMWnypY68u5c48nuY8VyY1zsCpVJ9pNhAmuav8OPo/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7vrlG30B7yuJtWjmhWPBUw4AnOP8eJsueaQABdzDM5rBwDZ_b1FPfFsKmXxj1jCUyFyHvjYWq3IPTvxFl3p2fEd0lKhiuW6mOmEMWnypY68u5c48nuY8VyY1zsCpVJ9pNhAmuav8OPo/s320/IMG_0822.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> Mornings before sunrise--my favorite time in Disney resorts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">I met up with a group from the Princess Posse. I remember Jill did not want to leave the porta-potty because it was warm in there.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvFgCI0XmlSUDVr3Ebs1UXgcNUfn-6mh5YuuWJwhHmN14ZtkTsgWWFZpMd5-Sm2HSiOJEzW138Xx2Shv_yRj89KK1IN9VN6rSv_uchEujyo5OUobaezeLIB377MgLUVGvBgtHMoGALxU/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvFgCI0XmlSUDVr3Ebs1UXgcNUfn-6mh5YuuWJwhHmN14ZtkTsgWWFZpMd5-Sm2HSiOJEzW138Xx2Shv_yRj89KK1IN9VN6rSv_uchEujyo5OUobaezeLIB377MgLUVGvBgtHMoGALxU/s320/IMG_0829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Posse On!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Disney Family Fun 5K theme was a Pluto theme. There are not that many corrals and I think most of the slots are now taken up by Dopey participants.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi331zjP5BWOWvsyTJRD1dp1NUDBtpH7rpQC7xB4_boVaFLAv14O0s44CBAZgq-o5eHoPyMktr1rcH8LyEPK2RwsAEm8PbudoxionEL-McY_feAmamfuNP0t2Z61my6QbSYt8YFKyGbjRk/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi331zjP5BWOWvsyTJRD1dp1NUDBtpH7rpQC7xB4_boVaFLAv14O0s44CBAZgq-o5eHoPyMktr1rcH8LyEPK2RwsAEm8PbudoxionEL-McY_feAmamfuNP0t2Z61my6QbSYt8YFKyGbjRk/s320/IMG_0833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Start Line</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp-LY_Gv-C_u67lHh8Ibus73d6sCeGU05p9JiQ3Lpq5UHFDfFEeFJETnS-XY46HhTLz1L5vQK6zdkwDKNqhsvhLXe1FOBPIE430xitP709xLYQQxTorjtpZugUUWM7ydHULiVAV4vunw/s1600/IMG_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp-LY_Gv-C_u67lHh8Ibus73d6sCeGU05p9JiQ3Lpq5UHFDfFEeFJETnS-XY46HhTLz1L5vQK6zdkwDKNqhsvhLXe1FOBPIE430xitP709xLYQQxTorjtpZugUUWM7ydHULiVAV4vunw/s320/IMG_0836.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mile 1!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vIhCc3qyQrwxTrWNIdadp8dNC4wo7Aw5eCVsBGvNIHiuSdm5BAtE6CXRZir9zEXHMzTKXDW_g9YHZ0SVSTCKOGghY7Vq_eUuhRlEd512Nc7rr57luSMwAXyd2WddI4MPZWtkT-SP8pY/s1600/IMG_0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vIhCc3qyQrwxTrWNIdadp8dNC4wo7Aw5eCVsBGvNIHiuSdm5BAtE6CXRZir9zEXHMzTKXDW_g9YHZ0SVSTCKOGghY7Vq_eUuhRlEd512Nc7rr57luSMwAXyd2WddI4MPZWtkT-SP8pY/s320/IMG_0840.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What a beautiful morning!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_Y4sRVB2DlS8rY-KlJHahPTvrNlg-gwFSrvEOLtHWWzemwF3SeHw461PH48LH-5QMv_fLoOm2o1vC2ouHXXHtD5KV6jXKPPzbUlP09nmZJheBIomUp-g9lBohDT7XQuw4UjhUNNWXjA/s1600/IMG_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_Y4sRVB2DlS8rY-KlJHahPTvrNlg-gwFSrvEOLtHWWzemwF3SeHw461PH48LH-5QMv_fLoOm2o1vC2ouHXXHtD5KV6jXKPPzbUlP09nmZJheBIomUp-g9lBohDT7XQuw4UjhUNNWXjA/s320/IMG_0841.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was really too cold to stop.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaVdhWmOsoQ4WEEd49p3auOVAUOANs56K7N0PfLBT_hUYTmomRsCMECSF5Zy_MQuNCNStmVXWOyLhOsNuodJlZkRWMeHGpWY2vF5nFhBXY_v3Be6d0c30xtK1lh8SrikRddog4i8ndYA/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaVdhWmOsoQ4WEEd49p3auOVAUOANs56K7N0PfLBT_hUYTmomRsCMECSF5Zy_MQuNCNStmVXWOyLhOsNuodJlZkRWMeHGpWY2vF5nFhBXY_v3Be6d0c30xtK1lh8SrikRddog4i8ndYA/s320/IMG_0843.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spaceship Earth</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5Bvw7xj9Hgdq3KV3H5G_jWbK60qcPr7ixgYLFpVOjXAgaX2OF0cnCqmsqwfsISnJq9knxzqZoVVZ2bkQrBX86CZicck5J1U1KOWePVcwA1r_z1dVjKFiYO1LPIdx-aqlLfQUNiXhe74/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5Bvw7xj9Hgdq3KV3H5G_jWbK60qcPr7ixgYLFpVOjXAgaX2OF0cnCqmsqwfsISnJq9knxzqZoVVZ2bkQrBX86CZicck5J1U1KOWePVcwA1r_z1dVjKFiYO1LPIdx-aqlLfQUNiXhe74/s320/IMG_0851.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mile 2</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXckB7fshTmrRlDCLtm1tU63Gnv-zx4aq4rATtugzOxRcqtd62a4F1T5a9ZGcKQCe_sKyU-pq2FGiMzXR4ZPnxp6YxQCTe20jiSmKjGG4WgkJVPSoYcmj_Dd5Rh8lg9cdYoAUxXPHiggw/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXckB7fshTmrRlDCLtm1tU63Gnv-zx4aq4rATtugzOxRcqtd62a4F1T5a9ZGcKQCe_sKyU-pq2FGiMzXR4ZPnxp6YxQCTe20jiSmKjGG4WgkJVPSoYcmj_Dd5Rh8lg9cdYoAUxXPHiggw/s320/IMG_0858.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coming towards the end</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3byL6JUfeKFPcHddKTRnP3g4JfR6PE1n5y5oLjsgX08fvjIqN89Wo1JeyRYBhFbvwsNqzOia9Cuk0irxTkcy2Ieymv4GlYLYdULptLCPJfEwJiAcWPZ761BvhKZ8oTTyPHCIMa_mICo/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3byL6JUfeKFPcHddKTRnP3g4JfR6PE1n5y5oLjsgX08fvjIqN89Wo1JeyRYBhFbvwsNqzOia9Cuk0irxTkcy2Ieymv4GlYLYdULptLCPJfEwJiAcWPZ761BvhKZ8oTTyPHCIMa_mICo/s320/IMG_0862.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mile 3</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25xzUUH9VVZgSQR0dV6CtKR0kdUiDc2C75SGaC5UUPkZPdGMmodzxZI6ukmiXjMFt8V6KHQCSwdYdWtQwUoFFp-WJ7Tj5iiV_k-KMKAIDd-2qd3O1qMF6Ju1rYn2YhPmiXktIFQ_X_Kk/s1600/IMG_0863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25xzUUH9VVZgSQR0dV6CtKR0kdUiDc2C75SGaC5UUPkZPdGMmodzxZI6ukmiXjMFt8V6KHQCSwdYdWtQwUoFFp-WJ7Tj5iiV_k-KMKAIDd-2qd3O1qMF6Ju1rYn2YhPmiXktIFQ_X_Kk/s320/IMG_0863.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finish line!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZF9b-c1tVXiG-ctju_ygFWbWLTWhhKFQFDa0zb00Z9umUHGnWaD2pEWyR3O2aQ8WD0sj7dwcW8oooPWeAkzrtketZc9BIjTwOfM8MXsSkkoS_zpRDNt_feVXR7KAnadmXrASevLmVbo/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZF9b-c1tVXiG-ctju_ygFWbWLTWhhKFQFDa0zb00Z9umUHGnWaD2pEWyR3O2aQ8WD0sj7dwcW8oooPWeAkzrtketZc9BIjTwOfM8MXsSkkoS_zpRDNt_feVXR7KAnadmXrASevLmVbo/s320/IMG_0865.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Final time.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Some thoughts on the 5K as a race:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's a real good race through Epcot, and has some surprising elevations.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I ran the race too fast. I was cold, and I wanted out. In my next Dopey, I'll stick with the 16 min mile for the 5K, 10K, and half.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was cold!!! I was still cold at 10:26, when I stopped for Starbucks.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoB-kdn0m6RhH92euYUl5W5pByG5JALxR2gmmoUTRxAZDLTdNEzEpBrxO5krJC-Xh6wWlvHWnkxs863ziNLPFws8LC43L-9nXfqgRX5AuUnbxZiiaDNCI0M7BygRP8psvCERp2VMrOK0/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoB-kdn0m6RhH92euYUl5W5pByG5JALxR2gmmoUTRxAZDLTdNEzEpBrxO5krJC-Xh6wWlvHWnkxs863ziNLPFws8LC43L-9nXfqgRX5AuUnbxZiiaDNCI0M7BygRP8psvCERp2VMrOK0/s320/IMG_0872.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I may not have thawed out completely until two days later.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-18546335172594999542015-05-03T13:46:00.002-04:002015-05-03T13:46:54.837-04:00My Jamberry PartyI'm not an especially big person on pampering or that kind of thing for myself. Every once in a while I will get a manicure. My last pedicure was forever ago. So when friends mentioned Jamberry to me, I have to say, I dismissed it. And then I saw pictures from Pinterest.<br />
<br />
I became intrigued. <br />
<br />
And then a friend became a consultant. I tried them.<br />
<br />
You know how fingernail polish chips?<br />
<br />
A lot?<br />
<br />
You know how Acrylic nails destroy your fingernails? And it takes forever to fix them?<br />
<br />
Yeah, these things don't.<br />
<br />
And I think they look super cute:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEjZbFsZp-vvNsGGyiIz9a40ja-zl8Mu6uGgJQnQHO-6SAbRXKYCVNKJ6Eaaa_QTxNklbHRyr5GpMhfVmswRPf6w32CgJc-rv_NPd4ybIHt-Kp8Q0QcCIV5qaQsXhQ2MNGRvJXqfLF4I/s1600/IMG_2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEjZbFsZp-vvNsGGyiIz9a40ja-zl8Mu6uGgJQnQHO-6SAbRXKYCVNKJ6Eaaa_QTxNklbHRyr5GpMhfVmswRPf6w32CgJc-rv_NPd4ybIHt-Kp8Q0QcCIV5qaQsXhQ2MNGRvJXqfLF4I/s1600/IMG_2259.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first trial with them--the design is a Jamberry, with the others being polish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPmzW30x0IYTEeQXApIg8Z20s7DhOg_RLG43F7nByhkMym98T62UVQP8ov7WeIiADuJ33baMxhoFtyJTHxVcJg8ixxgNcF93z6AWhSDYfvMIoqk7Tjs_B-C3Xf7yj8duN7vdJexZnnQs/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPmzW30x0IYTEeQXApIg8Z20s7DhOg_RLG43F7nByhkMym98T62UVQP8ov7WeIiADuJ33baMxhoFtyJTHxVcJg8ixxgNcF93z6AWhSDYfvMIoqk7Tjs_B-C3Xf7yj8duN7vdJexZnnQs/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A week later--the Jam holds up, but I had to change the polish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY8ycq9PnQKGhzwZygd5EH7aS04wBMcxCE-Ws7Zp-W6IazQ-LVvPFZ_FSeEaYFdcboy88yMSEXzoLqnh9YvuCz36bSsNW7_ejojS5bVAnfORvEwHlGcTK7W4opvCd-XMACJxqYJ2xDlE/s1600/IMG_2343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY8ycq9PnQKGhzwZygd5EH7aS04wBMcxCE-Ws7Zp-W6IazQ-LVvPFZ_FSeEaYFdcboy88yMSEXzoLqnh9YvuCz36bSsNW7_ejojS5bVAnfORvEwHlGcTK7W4opvCd-XMACJxqYJ2xDlE/s1600/IMG_2343.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day one of a full Jamicure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RbGsAdGLjv6nD9gcYWGr_zmsYtjtDtm22VjNI0GOM3DtDs4TL1ZHj7hx_Q2WWuZ0jlUP-hOg33n6ys-c2_D7RWegFs_nTRH33eGGpmqUBm3XkA8WG1HP5HLtrKva5QMvVLK8oBIcixM/s1600/IMG_2372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RbGsAdGLjv6nD9gcYWGr_zmsYtjtDtm22VjNI0GOM3DtDs4TL1ZHj7hx_Q2WWuZ0jlUP-hOg33n6ys-c2_D7RWegFs_nTRH33eGGpmqUBm3XkA8WG1HP5HLtrKva5QMvVLK8oBIcixM/s1600/IMG_2372.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day seven of the same Jamicure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGXKq-W86yyQpLEa4EM0OrBW0MurMyCqCVjzPVtY8yMcCCPNibECqKR6jF1kXQMUkl8Bu2PCIyqm7wtCN4LGmdCcms2d-qOSPT1PogbbR-nwh98EnZ-XgGbTmUWyl-nW40XzGOqdR_po/s1600/IMG_2502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGXKq-W86yyQpLEa4EM0OrBW0MurMyCqCVjzPVtY8yMcCCPNibECqKR6jF1kXQMUkl8Bu2PCIyqm7wtCN4LGmdCcms2d-qOSPT1PogbbR-nwh98EnZ-XgGbTmUWyl-nW40XzGOqdR_po/s1600/IMG_2502.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newest look<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You may wonder how Jamberry nails ends up on a running blog. <div>
My friend, Amie Pirkle, is a Jamberry consultant and has agreed to do a fundraiser for me for St. Jude's Heros. I have forfeited all hostess rewards and Amie will make nothing on this fundraiser. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Please consider giving to St. Judes and supporting me through your purchase with Jamberry nails.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
More information is on my Facebook group:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/825674230858659/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/825674230858659/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can order here: <a href="http://amielpirkle.jamberrynails.net/party/?uid=8600b803-5ed6-4121-8681-e6e8cf19d05b">http://amielpirkle.jamberrynails.net/party/?uid=8600b803-5ed6-4121-8681-e6e8cf19d05b</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you for your support!<br /><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-65332814680904281552015-04-17T17:21:00.001-04:002015-04-17T17:53:36.116-04:00Dopey for St Jude's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oEiqySD0r6zo8sFIr-g1hW4lUQqOshASBU6o8cdOnji903HeMQu_owo5yav4AeT-fZmN4VZPLw_GkXAs1lCYPLQUpPXVVDOQbGmrpH3_wHDwZrk07_6sdgCmzmS9-CNYxO0bULzkw2w/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oEiqySD0r6zo8sFIr-g1hW4lUQqOshASBU6o8cdOnji903HeMQu_owo5yav4AeT-fZmN4VZPLw_GkXAs1lCYPLQUpPXVVDOQbGmrpH3_wHDwZrk07_6sdgCmzmS9-CNYxO0bULzkw2w/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
From the St. Jude's Heros Website:<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6); color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 2.2em; line-height: 38.2799987792969px; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: center; text-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.74902) 1px 1px 4px;">
Do more with your race. Be a Hero, and run for the kids of St. Jude.</h2>
<div>
After debating whether or not I would run Dopey this year, I came to a decision. I wanted to run it. And I wanted to run it for a cause. There are several organizations that are sponsored during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, but it seems that none reach out to me like St. Jude's Research Hospital. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
According to their website, this is the mission of St. Jude's:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay."</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">As a mother, I cannot imagine the heartache of learning my child needs medical care like the children of St Jude do. I cannot imagine the helplessness those parents feel. Isn't it wonderful that if their child has to go to St. Jude, they know paying the bill is not something to worry about?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">In 2015, I ran the Dopey Challenge. Over the next few months, my blog will turn into a stroll down memory lane, along with spotlights of the children of St. Jude's Research Hospital. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">For those of you who do not know, the Dopey Challenge during Walt Disney World's Marathon Weekend is a 4 day challenge for a total of 48.6 miles. On Thursday, runners run a 5K, of Friday a 10K, on Saturday a half marathon, and on Sunday the Marathon. I won't lie. It's not for the faint of heart. But it also is a few days of pain that is nothing next to what the children of St. Jude's live through daily.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">So, I ask all of my followers to pray for my fundraising goal of $2500. Please also, give to St. Jude's. You won't regret it. My personal fundraising page will be at the end.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><u><a href="http://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=2721643&fr_id=40511&pg=personal">http://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=2721643&fr_id=40511&pg=personal</a></u></span></span>Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-7335793130041402862014-11-09T11:30:00.000-05:002014-11-09T11:30:09.198-05:00You Carry MeThere have always been times when I believe God throws a song out there to lift me up. The most recent one is Moriah Peters' "You Carry Me". It's one of those songs that seems like it's everywhere when I turn on the radio these days. <br />
<br />
I'll be honest: Dopey Training has not been going so well as of late. Yesterday was particularly difficult for several reasons:<br />
<ol>
<li>Last weekend I had a significant injury to a toe. It started really acting up on me.</li>
<li>I didn't really want to run 20 miles</li>
<li>My back started hurting me (it still does)</li>
<li>All I had eaten all day was a bowl of oatmeal</li>
<li>I ran by a house full of people out on the porch drinking and cursing. I felt very exposed and uncomfortable.</li>
</ol>
As soon as I went by that house, even though I was still 2 miles from my car, I quit. I have never, ever quit during a long run. Never in my life. <br />
<br />
I hope that I will never feel the sense of failure I did yesterday, but I also have to admit something: it's truly out of my hands.<br />
<br />
Yes, I'm going to train as well as I can for the weekend, but ultimately whether or not I am successful depends on the One who carries me:<br />
<br />
"Feels like it's been miles and miles<br />
Feels like it's an uphill climb<br />
Sometimes I get weary on the way<br />
But when I look back at where I've been<br /> When I look back, I'm sure of it<br />
I was right there in Your arms and I can say<br />
<br />
Every moment of my life<br />
God, You never left my side<br /> Every valley, every storm<br />
You were there, You were there<br />
I don't need to know what's next<br />
You'll be with me every step<br />
Through it all, through it all<br />
I can see You carry me"<br />
<br />
So, yesterday was a storm. I wasn't alone. If it's His will, I will be carried across the finish line. Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-29883012454669130942014-09-29T22:34:00.002-04:002014-09-29T22:34:46.557-04:00100 Days of DopeynessI don't even know why I have not shared this on my blog until now. After the marathon I vowed to never do a marathon again. I was in pain, and I felt as if my ankles needed to be removed from my body.<br />
<br />
I didn't even run once for a month after.<br />
<br />
So, in April, I did the only logical thing.<br />
<br />
For runDisney events, it's the end all of all challenges: the Dopey Challenge during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.<br />
<br />
So what is Dopey?<br />
<br />
It's four races over four days for a total of 48.6 miles:<br />
<ul>
<li>Thursday, January 8: I run a 5k</li>
<li>Friday, January 9: I run a 10k</li>
<li>Saturday, January 10: I run a half marathon</li>
<li>Sunday, January 11: I run a marathon</li>
</ul>
The prize just for finishing? Six (yes, 6) medals. One for each of the individual races, one for completing the Goofy Challenge (running the half and full marathons) and one for running the full Dopey challenge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthDqOfZvNErZo_n8BkgXYSILQP-_GgwFo48qP3XwhJFsZTkWljc4sGaNaUqrPJMsSyNLupUSnBuCX3b3_tEy_gQw6Rf8JX7BJkgNupAeQYjYhUFqoOJJk7Bx_CEyCB8RIosdLisXr21w/s1600/10256999_10203780639897846_7860188637957904917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthDqOfZvNErZo_n8BkgXYSILQP-_GgwFo48qP3XwhJFsZTkWljc4sGaNaUqrPJMsSyNLupUSnBuCX3b3_tEy_gQw6Rf8JX7BJkgNupAeQYjYhUFqoOJJk7Bx_CEyCB8RIosdLisXr21w/s1600/10256999_10203780639897846_7860188637957904917_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In 100 days, I will be at the race expo, picking up my race packet and most likely freaking out and listening to whatever wisdom Jeff Galloway can give us. For four days, I will discover soreness like I've never felt before and experience a whole new level of sleep deprivation as Disney races typically mean a 2am or 3am wake up call.<br />
<br />
And yet, all of this serves a bigger purpose. I know I can't run these races on my own. I can certainly train as hard as possible, which I intend to do. But this challenge is to give God glory in that all of me will be stripped away during that four day time period and all that will be left is His glory and His strength in me. <br />
<br />
In all honesty, my running has lost it's way. I was basking in all I could do for myself and forgetting the One who made it all possible. In all of that self-reliance, I was getting cocky. And I was getting injured. I need to let the One who gave me the ability to endure to complete His work and get over my "Power Trip".<br />
<br />
<em>Who made the crowd put they hands in the sky? Me.<br />Who made the sky with they
hands? What if y'all can't see?<br />This is kinda strange, God makes the weather
change<br />And we braggin' up on our change like "look how we make it
rain!"<br />We Invictus, this sin sickness is in us<br />Running a muck and causing
that mischief, tell me this then, "Who could really fix us?"<br />I'm, trippin' to
think that I'm really not limited in this position in sitting in, <br />Gravity
pulling me back to earth gradually, reality's hittin'<br />(Who's got the
power?)--LeCrae, <u>Power Trip</u></em><br />
<br />
I listen to that song often on runs, but the words haven't meant much until recently. So for the next 100+4 days, I will have to let God take control now and for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."--Philippians 1:6</em></strong><br />
Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-72250117091109168552014-05-26T20:43:00.000-04:002014-05-26T20:43:12.158-04:00What do you do after a race?After the race, I of course, changed clothes and showered back at the room. I also knew it was best to keep moving. <br />
<br />
If you are at Disney, and you need to keep moving, where do you go?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk5yLLF9ZNFciT36tAbwHA27dFwQSGrs2ZkqQrrant1w_j0zzoI6pZqsv5UrtsxVG46_ytF1JGB5Qdo0cX_kRS44VPy9MkS0aCm6FfyV9KCz8zWKonYWHc8jerJnSRkAoC9KGABHNd0w/s1600/DSCN1261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk5yLLF9ZNFciT36tAbwHA27dFwQSGrs2ZkqQrrant1w_j0zzoI6pZqsv5UrtsxVG46_ytF1JGB5Qdo0cX_kRS44VPy9MkS0aCm6FfyV9KCz8zWKonYWHc8jerJnSRkAoC9KGABHNd0w/s1600/DSCN1261.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWq0b1SFzSZks9MPFQRN_tee-VGVjBqobAARIYSa-gMko-DG2Kk-5Fifmn4kqPjNlBkB5bplox3Q2gZ9Y0zrYE5geSUh5sDbZRUidYnEph_R1i1E0GFu3W16IltecfqzCyQCYEVMNRc4/s1600/DSCN1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWq0b1SFzSZks9MPFQRN_tee-VGVjBqobAARIYSa-gMko-DG2Kk-5Fifmn4kqPjNlBkB5bplox3Q2gZ9Y0zrYE5geSUh5sDbZRUidYnEph_R1i1E0GFu3W16IltecfqzCyQCYEVMNRc4/s1600/DSCN1269.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgC5gLVj4R_7HaGQsMUhQlmWI9PhVci4mN0c9I7IMbKEJUc5pcTNnYqplBUJciGp9k2RK0BNmflGY43PChIsgCCovypA7F_aj3jWCZYTFvOkeGuqGPcQLsYmr1UZDCa_x8qGbAgrEqBo/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgC5gLVj4R_7HaGQsMUhQlmWI9PhVci4mN0c9I7IMbKEJUc5pcTNnYqplBUJciGp9k2RK0BNmflGY43PChIsgCCovypA7F_aj3jWCZYTFvOkeGuqGPcQLsYmr1UZDCa_x8qGbAgrEqBo/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I do not regret that particular decision. Sunday night, I strolled through the Magic Kingdom, and rested when I needed. It was a difficult walk through the park that night because of the ankle, which was completely swollen by this point. I was wrapping and icing it every chance available. <br />
<br />
Throughout the next few days, I spent a lot of time in the room. I watch a lot of old episodes of Law and Order, and it was this plus my early wake up call for the marathon that made me decide something: never again would I stay at a Value Resort for a solo vacation. I was bored out of my mind recuperating in the room. I did, however, get out of the room some. Here are some examples of the rest of the week:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP5xJh9BaG2kQLjVs87EgKNhIz9ypP9uBTRpEsuq7Go1uXNZl2zM2oFWdTtzdrXNsT7LM1_XqJtM_NJHk-jZ1vDKqajgnVAyP37j3jdPlPAieAlc0BR-6DIfCQUuKbbdj0IEb4-XJEdA/s1600/DSC_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP5xJh9BaG2kQLjVs87EgKNhIz9ypP9uBTRpEsuq7Go1uXNZl2zM2oFWdTtzdrXNsT7LM1_XqJtM_NJHk-jZ1vDKqajgnVAyP37j3jdPlPAieAlc0BR-6DIfCQUuKbbdj0IEb4-XJEdA/s1600/DSC_0433.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A quiet morning at Downtown Disney the day after the Marathon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMnu_qW1MauWR8A1k8yyiCz9fUvhq4Oco2_kupQiylytRqKZS0YW6riZDr_Yc_nPXuo3WC5e94yef3bPBcgAbE2_nUSPWCXA6DYR2hQgSNp5PU6rxY0_Uhd-YonvVDYDu6_2eG4zJqYQ/s1600/DSC_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMnu_qW1MauWR8A1k8yyiCz9fUvhq4Oco2_kupQiylytRqKZS0YW6riZDr_Yc_nPXuo3WC5e94yef3bPBcgAbE2_nUSPWCXA6DYR2hQgSNp5PU6rxY0_Uhd-YonvVDYDu6_2eG4zJqYQ/s1600/DSC_0435.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cloudy afternoon at Epcot</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHSoxVMDndpaH2Ts7upbxNmh8aPQQOPHcrauUaixNHdcqrbLc1NAlZfM5yqZ2dSscIncHU0qMW5Nyfr5HRXka9y2kweBgQAS0tsmdVr95faCDyku_MnR1-l1SZ3IuZBE1D-2CT9VelrA/s1600/DSC_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHSoxVMDndpaH2Ts7upbxNmh8aPQQOPHcrauUaixNHdcqrbLc1NAlZfM5yqZ2dSscIncHU0qMW5Nyfr5HRXka9y2kweBgQAS0tsmdVr95faCDyku_MnR1-l1SZ3IuZBE1D-2CT9VelrA/s1600/DSC_0467.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know many people aren't happy with Starbucks at Disney. I'm just fine with it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KG8Es8E567A6Ex04UY0V4SvVRQsSxVZ38-IyaPu2HeQ6_6zlfjkYK_ZKW33WQ3nJQpxyBNR0eDOUzqxvcPa4mqeLUrjUcuooAd_4iS9xrAJ_DDS5wTZ2LMs1pGjrvqNzJQTTdg5PQtg/s1600/DSC_0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KG8Es8E567A6Ex04UY0V4SvVRQsSxVZ38-IyaPu2HeQ6_6zlfjkYK_ZKW33WQ3nJQpxyBNR0eDOUzqxvcPa4mqeLUrjUcuooAd_4iS9xrAJ_DDS5wTZ2LMs1pGjrvqNzJQTTdg5PQtg/s1600/DSC_0560.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quiet lunch at Boardwalk Bakery</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAcOtOT5W78lGWddmgrzf8dWumUKA2H226C3AYyujSKitdXQ7rBJwL1NKMbRgxhBuhCny0U7PumdLPgBcrB48WJ6A8TyrW2EFtqNLsXB8_yNBgmt1YASRtFA-NFNvo3qggedlKvX_WYo/s1600/DSC_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAcOtOT5W78lGWddmgrzf8dWumUKA2H226C3AYyujSKitdXQ7rBJwL1NKMbRgxhBuhCny0U7PumdLPgBcrB48WJ6A8TyrW2EFtqNLsXB8_yNBgmt1YASRtFA-NFNvo3qggedlKvX_WYo/s1600/DSC_0575.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is about the spot where I bawled my eyes out during the marathon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR2dE0J7y_NIL_hu2W6QMChSVZM8kLB0uElpx4pWzF-93sAclcmMdQ0C3Lb7y-m0nm8O7nAxrOFqnouQPmbM8v1SkXu9Iy72v7Ni7mI7WVA3C2q_UGfKZQQP1S0iWOyQVT_0Jx5nrBuw/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR2dE0J7y_NIL_hu2W6QMChSVZM8kLB0uElpx4pWzF-93sAclcmMdQ0C3Lb7y-m0nm8O7nAxrOFqnouQPmbM8v1SkXu9Iy72v7Ni7mI7WVA3C2q_UGfKZQQP1S0iWOyQVT_0Jx5nrBuw/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My second favorite icon at Disney after my castle</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDw7S1u2tUQ5RiwsNvJVeSOqWrGKvg4Xocv3KrxyUQREuC7wttOrS-A29hyphenhyphenr2N4puPmaozI6OO77CCVnpTNGNkr5CNm9rqwwsKMzhU0vtHea5jby1dxr_CTuIZhehqW6xhjfGECSx6puY/s1600/DSC_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDw7S1u2tUQ5RiwsNvJVeSOqWrGKvg4Xocv3KrxyUQREuC7wttOrS-A29hyphenhyphenr2N4puPmaozI6OO77CCVnpTNGNkr5CNm9rqwwsKMzhU0vtHea5jby1dxr_CTuIZhehqW6xhjfGECSx6puY/s1600/DSC_0668.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The animals were really out during the safari</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kBb2im7-vMMzdD7xoYP-_e2Cw9qUZIY6sLXu6qISVrjXjcBe62zY_kXl17Pnb5fAJuut9899twNN6RU-CwyQjuFu_D11Y4ZxcGYM7qHb82xEyxvRjzqWsV_hSNfu-227mCE8QeiXAGo/s1600/DSC_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kBb2im7-vMMzdD7xoYP-_e2Cw9qUZIY6sLXu6qISVrjXjcBe62zY_kXl17Pnb5fAJuut9899twNN6RU-CwyQjuFu_D11Y4ZxcGYM7qHb82xEyxvRjzqWsV_hSNfu-227mCE8QeiXAGo/s1600/DSC_0709.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They look friendly. . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rO7mHQYohWjPNwAFpCaT4FnkrkY4SUrKqrYa8k9NnX89orh_4RUqamsa3UVP-nQ1vKrFMg6g5I-rZYrM0AkeCAzMCyAmZ9_QNnt5sKbzSxYu1sjwDB4_h-pGGG5I84X5PJWosLiGWdk/s1600/DSC_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rO7mHQYohWjPNwAFpCaT4FnkrkY4SUrKqrYa8k9NnX89orh_4RUqamsa3UVP-nQ1vKrFMg6g5I-rZYrM0AkeCAzMCyAmZ9_QNnt5sKbzSxYu1sjwDB4_h-pGGG5I84X5PJWosLiGWdk/s1600/DSC_0748.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to Magic Kingdom. . .Turn LEFT</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxvtCYPZB2KKl5Kuw7Tj8OdftGsGiifar0Xo86SLKhcif1uQgnTiWMyhsxkCJXmWF4m2xx42ibcGw4-9XRbt9BkvXUk8DEVzfzLpse2mODQiRXUGTWHJEqo72gC6L6XyIj6xQsmJy6gs/s1600/DSCN1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxvtCYPZB2KKl5Kuw7Tj8OdftGsGiifar0Xo86SLKhcif1uQgnTiWMyhsxkCJXmWF4m2xx42ibcGw4-9XRbt9BkvXUk8DEVzfzLpse2mODQiRXUGTWHJEqo72gC6L6XyIj6xQsmJy6gs/s1600/DSCN1408.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, waving to the public</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VoqJC9yUAuc9cefJHxRegMKtySNPZMPsX9Jh7bQD7bE425eBPjbPljy03yhci7gQMdkoYUtUdYBl8dphBO8xrvMSWvMCd1uxa1P201i3KNOhN376LTUyhyoF9mP90eebYl13PQ0nCFY/s1600/DSCN1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VoqJC9yUAuc9cefJHxRegMKtySNPZMPsX9Jh7bQD7bE425eBPjbPljy03yhci7gQMdkoYUtUdYBl8dphBO8xrvMSWvMCd1uxa1P201i3KNOhN376LTUyhyoF9mP90eebYl13PQ0nCFY/s1600/DSCN1425.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love this lighthouse</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rV3nHc9oXXDoS4-f8IPruvxk7IvnYQsf3m3eujvl80rcO7cyAYRNAkK648F4YeCWWb1i8hHXBDSkKkaVbUQYtgesmc3-FPkc3PdpRTN032KMtpQEn8H8qntZtxg3-GrPx_lRH4Jmxko/s1600/DSCN1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rV3nHc9oXXDoS4-f8IPruvxk7IvnYQsf3m3eujvl80rcO7cyAYRNAkK648F4YeCWWb1i8hHXBDSkKkaVbUQYtgesmc3-FPkc3PdpRTN032KMtpQEn8H8qntZtxg3-GrPx_lRH4Jmxko/s1600/DSCN1453.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
New Disney Vacation Club Property. Too bad I'd never be able to afford it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlUhHvbUmxuj1kVwfQaYZgywxhvw5V4vREzEXiotPU7UTrxrxJJljrESrsxZalhx9cqPTO-Y-8-6qngpr83nqVAepY8VIejLlvYgbDPa2sknUfWcNZQANeoAxJSVF9tW4KJw7WG5Jsko/s1600/DSCN1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlUhHvbUmxuj1kVwfQaYZgywxhvw5V4vREzEXiotPU7UTrxrxJJljrESrsxZalhx9cqPTO-Y-8-6qngpr83nqVAepY8VIejLlvYgbDPa2sknUfWcNZQANeoAxJSVF9tW4KJw7WG5Jsko/s1600/DSCN1515.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lunch at Be Our Guest on the last day</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVg23VZ5cYBSIMAQSAvg79F8YVGtF6D7rTkUY0gA2JUoBJ1XF881cYuaVa3JMfvl8enJVyx69PQALuyjmlpo0TCWRZrvYZzIAGuf8m6YC_yq8_XAMh1NB61hd29sU7QQEmrHIS9P1rOOM/s1600/IMG_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVg23VZ5cYBSIMAQSAvg79F8YVGtF6D7rTkUY0gA2JUoBJ1XF881cYuaVa3JMfvl8enJVyx69PQALuyjmlpo0TCWRZrvYZzIAGuf8m6YC_yq8_XAMh1NB61hd29sU7QQEmrHIS9P1rOOM/s1600/IMG_0256.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love this view of Hollywood Studios</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC-kJ01ANlNnXxyGyH4cY8-gCWx1YRRLn0CMHXKUDN4ldVpcaA08bzDTHaRe-l6Lvoo_83EG6MAi8w99RNmT8q3rU5N6qXMPG5f3zKy8VSnx-yP2HCN59Ind8yRar1lMewLScPmViVDU/s1600/DSCN1486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC-kJ01ANlNnXxyGyH4cY8-gCWx1YRRLn0CMHXKUDN4ldVpcaA08bzDTHaRe-l6Lvoo_83EG6MAi8w99RNmT8q3rU5N6qXMPG5f3zKy8VSnx-yP2HCN59Ind8yRar1lMewLScPmViVDU/s1600/DSCN1486.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't know how I managed those crowds. . .hehe</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15qilxgoq6m6fVwilDVVgAAjRrKw5rxkfDlfue1Ran1QiKn10VWN_bl7vTDSQn-RbON7PMJuzvPhmM-SCzUYeuRGzD5cQwyGZbHooe7ljOcy3hcLDXLUUa7hjuY9ws-WTWzSSUwwJ4Jw/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15qilxgoq6m6fVwilDVVgAAjRrKw5rxkfDlfue1Ran1QiKn10VWN_bl7vTDSQn-RbON7PMJuzvPhmM-SCzUYeuRGzD5cQwyGZbHooe7ljOcy3hcLDXLUUa7hjuY9ws-WTWzSSUwwJ4Jw/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By the end of my days there, it was getting colder. Steam from the heated pools in January</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LpoJStkCttJXREey6xJEaNJ1bL76LlgsvrciSMsatFS4Lvm2zQi-YqCPq97X5ziTQBKDNShBHzT_g_o7UzGlcgPBIeD-PzoykcAB6O0jYlha-9j6heE1CvuVW_Ep8aCWRPMWFWQiA3k/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LpoJStkCttJXREey6xJEaNJ1bL76LlgsvrciSMsatFS4Lvm2zQi-YqCPq97X5ziTQBKDNShBHzT_g_o7UzGlcgPBIeD-PzoykcAB6O0jYlha-9j6heE1CvuVW_Ep8aCWRPMWFWQiA3k/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The new, cram a million people in a bus, bus at Magic Kingdom</div>
<br />
And before long, it was over. I had run the race, relaxed at Disney, and was ready to return to real life. Magical Express took me back to the Orlando airport, and I had a non-magical monorail ride and Starbucks there:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAKsKepFTbAYjruolsj-8Joks_SC1LWrk6tYwDnPXD37OfdHWv2f3345QyVhtEratuxGuwCoUdpkDhjedu4cQSEV-RXsSKhUG2VsqYBF2U237yTFLFNTbQHs1rb17hrGBqbjkJ14yxVM/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAKsKepFTbAYjruolsj-8Joks_SC1LWrk6tYwDnPXD37OfdHWv2f3345QyVhtEratuxGuwCoUdpkDhjedu4cQSEV-RXsSKhUG2VsqYBF2U237yTFLFNTbQHs1rb17hrGBqbjkJ14yxVM/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYkGOYtsSP66sJVB10-UT9u0A8QQvNojfdls321NNZgOKHq5B6mDxUNZwU0a4oyT-NBPqXAwkjpQQ6AE5hw9HMmEhEabBxGkjScy9K5oKRGYC8lBZi8ZxNbqivKV4KYRieHtSqw4ZKAI/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYkGOYtsSP66sJVB10-UT9u0A8QQvNojfdls321NNZgOKHq5B6mDxUNZwU0a4oyT-NBPqXAwkjpQQ6AE5hw9HMmEhEabBxGkjScy9K5oKRGYC8lBZi8ZxNbqivKV4KYRieHtSqw4ZKAI/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69dMpwwjSuSRT9EauEJPBAxajRl5-TKk0e2e4tl8Xkp4a4mFKfsUeNUkI_0_IvaXuSBXySXCUCIhygHLFXb5KUUhTK-M4-ycvnkyQeaEjwLzQZ74vyrq66obed7JEMGUDRpNRWMgD5LI/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69dMpwwjSuSRT9EauEJPBAxajRl5-TKk0e2e4tl8Xkp4a4mFKfsUeNUkI_0_IvaXuSBXySXCUCIhygHLFXb5KUUhTK-M4-ycvnkyQeaEjwLzQZ74vyrq66obed7JEMGUDRpNRWMgD5LI/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Luggage coming on the plane. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My plane was delayed by an hour and I learned how much a sprained ankle hurts with the change in elevation on a plane. It was enough to also decide to drive down to Disney from here on out.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Post trip, I was not willing to do another marathon again. This has since changed, but that's left for another time. Until that point, we'll look at three other races I've run this year and my training for my next big adventure. . .the 2015 Dopey Challenge. </div>
Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-60693200633702412272014-05-24T18:53:00.002-04:002014-05-24T18:53:41.308-04:00There's No Place Like FinishSo, last time, I left off just after my Nike+ GPS watch died. I was heading towards Hollywood Studios and I also did something interesting. . .I turned off my SecondsPro app, that times run-walk intervals. If I was going to do this thing blindly, I was going to do it without that confounded beeping.<br />
<br />
No lie.<br />
<br />
Now, here's something interesting. Up until now, you can see that I've taken a picture of every. Single. Mile Marker. So something may surprise you.<br />
<br />
I missed 23. I was told later it was behind the final sweeper bus. I remember thinking it was taking forever to get to 23. I was now running one song, walking the next. Still on an ankle that felt as if it were going to fall off. And now I had another thing to add: <br />
<br />
I was starving. Smelling the food going by ABC Commissary did not help matters much. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCJ9fN81DXDm-aXE8hV0yzWKUYtg0mGQBkBq_wDVJeBNtNGSwXEGmy-Fh1tH2Ha3aMiVtEyHDxThmdqu_Yw4WLTWPLA2XdpSs2bdDdxElkJl1nIiK4WYhBncQkH2-VGumwsz4PWDzFgA/s1600/DSCN1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCJ9fN81DXDm-aXE8hV0yzWKUYtg0mGQBkBq_wDVJeBNtNGSwXEGmy-Fh1tH2Ha3aMiVtEyHDxThmdqu_Yw4WLTWPLA2XdpSs2bdDdxElkJl1nIiK4WYhBncQkH2-VGumwsz4PWDzFgA/s1600/DSCN1243.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Heading to Crossroads of the World and my favorite spinning Mickey!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsSOvbfFG5JT0t0qpwiJXblcPb0PB5jWoTvy6Qb7X21nzq79xcWPWc3HMLPsJq3ipwmtc5NY3oM5rQGOwkx3CJNshDZvdqiUNQlkcQPeGkvmp4qHluTguKzSnvcq5jxQDHK2pU-AfdiE/s1600/DSCN1245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsSOvbfFG5JT0t0qpwiJXblcPb0PB5jWoTvy6Qb7X21nzq79xcWPWc3HMLPsJq3ipwmtc5NY3oM5rQGOwkx3CJNshDZvdqiUNQlkcQPeGkvmp4qHluTguKzSnvcq5jxQDHK2pU-AfdiE/s1600/DSCN1245.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, that dude is wearing a blue tutu. Just roll with it. I've come to appreciate it.<br />
<br />
And soon. . .<br />
<br />
I was on the Boardwalk and no longer in danger of being swept from the race! <br />
<br />
It was here when I realized that, I began to cry.<br />
<br />
Not a cute, princess-like cry. An ugly cry. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoX5OBMrEFCC7VPk8QZbu5G_K3inT580sB08WAbZwr92kslftZ9uLSFO9XD3cXT4MtvOuDO_LhTRCzlT9jSobYNkoeShvEvbOi6S1gsZiEc26hyGrYwYaAt10MLDIVU_oEOLqUR9ApJQ/s1600/DSCN1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoX5OBMrEFCC7VPk8QZbu5G_K3inT580sB08WAbZwr92kslftZ9uLSFO9XD3cXT4MtvOuDO_LhTRCzlT9jSobYNkoeShvEvbOi6S1gsZiEc26hyGrYwYaAt10MLDIVU_oEOLqUR9ApJQ/s1600/DSCN1246.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
By now, I was just walking 19 minute miles, more or less. I was attempting to get over the fact that my ankle felt like it was swelling out of my shoe. It was a problem for later, because I was now at Mile 24!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjk9TlEzcliniaOzZnK_LBmtznPVtcsk5z173D8wQxQBlgVd8vYqoBLrtZT2bCnzMQoHgyarM7DGn0McFjyGr7mTFCbPZv0vxEhj7Zv_jaEMqPYIcEmfAAnG_KURkniVxRzkpaGOp62zU/s1600/DSCN1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjk9TlEzcliniaOzZnK_LBmtznPVtcsk5z173D8wQxQBlgVd8vYqoBLrtZT2bCnzMQoHgyarM7DGn0McFjyGr7mTFCbPZv0vxEhj7Zv_jaEMqPYIcEmfAAnG_KURkniVxRzkpaGOp62zU/s1600/DSCN1247.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
In France, and see-19 ish minute mile.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9d9CgkmGPEx3xX0J2WkfTRwyNN0wMNMZroShsqHzeG1LIrXfzFhTGnx-2wRoUGTeCjpD5n4QHV5OAXKCVspiBsqtuaP8Xxwilt5JSLUGwfi3WTMJjNLXaYomFcGq5niWsj3CZ8riHvo/s1600/DSCN1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9d9CgkmGPEx3xX0J2WkfTRwyNN0wMNMZroShsqHzeG1LIrXfzFhTGnx-2wRoUGTeCjpD5n4QHV5OAXKCVspiBsqtuaP8Xxwilt5JSLUGwfi3WTMJjNLXaYomFcGq5niWsj3CZ8riHvo/s1600/DSCN1249.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
But this sight was making it all worth it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ma5Gu4sdRHdlZzkUv01ihET3-imb-MwyTLTLSo3Ko0EebDNb3jBFfLjcNoZcXTLAaoQrHhjj_8y-5jkoD6YXx1aZijVX-cojMTkeAJ6UUV2TPIafgvHb6sEPK6QuBbwUSME27CWByCY/s1600/DSCN1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ma5Gu4sdRHdlZzkUv01ihET3-imb-MwyTLTLSo3Ko0EebDNb3jBFfLjcNoZcXTLAaoQrHhjj_8y-5jkoD6YXx1aZijVX-cojMTkeAJ6UUV2TPIafgvHb6sEPK6QuBbwUSME27CWByCY/s1600/DSCN1250.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Having run the Princess Half, I knew what was coming up next!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3PgvKObmOn2A5n05RcDmwxBFOqj2_nH1wjlP9CcDvNwEGU_ghyphenhyphen78mtdaO4fQhxUZ8Lx0zntbl1BcvH4GT5LAFSwQpCtu36Y0_et6p5Uw9ENUE0l16huqV3aC2VMRxJrUZKScVpw51IE/s1600/DSCN1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3PgvKObmOn2A5n05RcDmwxBFOqj2_nH1wjlP9CcDvNwEGU_ghyphenhyphen78mtdaO4fQhxUZ8Lx0zntbl1BcvH4GT5LAFSwQpCtu36Y0_et6p5Uw9ENUE0l16huqV3aC2VMRxJrUZKScVpw51IE/s1600/DSCN1251.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I clapped and sang along with them like a nut! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B4sPIUi4zd6eK3IC0zvbKyNyVbCaGfePm-7YnyOR79wMtst7ELRpNpW0Dq7Ew0VGBlr_Yov9-UiiVW_oRF-0fXsAp6fbsvHmV7PUXyq73AAROAfB7vHRiisgoaZj5jOzHZU-Ul3xUeM/s1600/DSCN1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B4sPIUi4zd6eK3IC0zvbKyNyVbCaGfePm-7YnyOR79wMtst7ELRpNpW0Dq7Ew0VGBlr_Yov9-UiiVW_oRF-0fXsAp6fbsvHmV7PUXyq73AAROAfB7vHRiisgoaZj5jOzHZU-Ul3xUeM/s1600/DSCN1253.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And by mile 26, I was limping <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja03h6rV_mMIvetVFe7F53gjrR9WOcv24WtkFuuvRz-eKQLkV-PT73hR4LIJascggESwmb5EKp22tPe7thk-N9ANTCQHYb1onZTswWirxLFMS6RlOMt1uQNOr_s-ttk6KOLjGs2FnF4fI/s1600/DSCN1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja03h6rV_mMIvetVFe7F53gjrR9WOcv24WtkFuuvRz-eKQLkV-PT73hR4LIJascggESwmb5EKp22tPe7thk-N9ANTCQHYb1onZTswWirxLFMS6RlOMt1uQNOr_s-ttk6KOLjGs2FnF4fI/s1600/DSCN1254.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
But I was finished!!!!<br />
<br />
Forget ugly cries. This was the worst ever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h29bvgAmjHIgYPGAjmCZHnpKHQVgNrP6qwSC9H_pS8df9z2bYIEeswMGU7APx270KfI6pLgorahziyBXg9lmDFNhFX51xOMP7-pEfu60Zl8FIEOOtxsR4WHg-9elwJeRbMUe_H-GDuA/s1600/DSCN1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h29bvgAmjHIgYPGAjmCZHnpKHQVgNrP6qwSC9H_pS8df9z2bYIEeswMGU7APx270KfI6pLgorahziyBXg9lmDFNhFX51xOMP7-pEfu60Zl8FIEOOtxsR4WHg-9elwJeRbMUe_H-GDuA/s1600/DSCN1255.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Back at Race Retreat, I had all the food my plate could hold. I know lots of people who don't think Race Retreat is a big deal. For the marathon, I would never skip it at Disney. Having a place to change and sit for a while before boarding the bus was worth it all. I then printed my live race results and watched the last person cross the finish line about 45 minutes after me surrounded by and cheered on by Team in Training. No wonder I didn't see the balloon ladies or the sweepers. They were 45 minutes behind me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohyTy_-W4YhDMTgmL15Fe_8L6Bg2WkH5sgw2lqatonOtL46jxm1DwcGGwUyWBJaq-Zk570CtYG_aIJXDxIrXs9vUf3mlmXzCwGvHarFA3SiNBm_aSKMlKwETogZlkyIKK4T06JGmM6yo/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohyTy_-W4YhDMTgmL15Fe_8L6Bg2WkH5sgw2lqatonOtL46jxm1DwcGGwUyWBJaq-Zk570CtYG_aIJXDxIrXs9vUf3mlmXzCwGvHarFA3SiNBm_aSKMlKwETogZlkyIKK4T06JGmM6yo/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And it was all over. At the time, I told the Princess Posse I was never doing another marathon again. I told people to remind me of that. For the next month, I was recuperating from the ankle. But you know what? I finished. I had ups, downs, pains, ugly cry tears, laughter, and fears that I would not finish after all.<br />
<br />
I'm reminded here of the lyrics of a little known husband-wife duo, Russell and Kristi Johnson from Conway, South Carolina. (Seriously, look them up:)<br />
<br />
<i>I want to run the race,</i><br />
<i>Embracing every moment I'm given,</i><br />
<i>Whether mountains or valleys You're leading.</i><br />
<i>I want to fight the fight, keep the faith,</i><br />
<i>Trust in You day by day, </i><br />
<i>Through the storms and the pain You stay the same,</i><br />
<i>You never change</i><br />
<i>It's only by Your power and Your grace</i><br />
<i>I run the race.</i><br />
<i>("Run the Race", Russell and Kristi; From the album, No Other Name)</i><br />
<br />
I went through both valleys and mountains in this marathon. More than any fun time, I finished. I finished slowly, with fear of being swept, with a throbbing ankle, and with fear that I would not finish just because I'd never done 26 miles before.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>But God does something interesting or really, amazing.</i><br />
<br />
Every time I wanted to stop, I got a text or a phone call, or someone on the path handed me chocolate or pretzels. The right song would loop through my iPod. A race sign would make me laugh. A fellow runner would encourage me.<br />
<i> </i><br />
I've known people who scoff that God can't even be bothered with those little things that are seemingly inconsequential, but I disagree. His Word says:<br />
<br />
<i>"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who are called according to His purpose. . .What, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him,graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:28, 31-32</i><br />
<br />
I believe wholeheartedly that because He calls me to His purpose, He gives me the strength to run the race. He gives me every nudge along the way that brings me to a finish line. It is by His power and His grace that I run and finish a race.<br />
<br />Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-27392747510574514232014-05-22T22:44:00.001-04:002014-05-22T22:44:30.666-04:00Ugh. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are times during a race that are tougher than others. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Miles 14 through 22 of the marathon were killer for me. As you all know, I was struggling by this point with my ankle. I had popped meds that were in my Sparkle Skirt pocket and kept going. By the time I was here at mile 14, the sun was pushing down on us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13zQkVKe8hPaKcTU87cVdqJ57-uonm6-4MvvofRqofpAGIkTR5b-brzDa1vxolQANbpyyfU_fuk-jTl2uTjm3T3Hf_UUS9WkNo4QRjl1vpcHdld9AChjTrsUNsK4Fq9jc3V1mNBhGuIk/s1600/DSCN1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13zQkVKe8hPaKcTU87cVdqJ57-uonm6-4MvvofRqofpAGIkTR5b-brzDa1vxolQANbpyyfU_fuk-jTl2uTjm3T3Hf_UUS9WkNo4QRjl1vpcHdld9AChjTrsUNsK4Fq9jc3V1mNBhGuIk/s1600/DSCN1221.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Here, a random runner offered to take my picture. Hey, I was at a milestone. Mile 15. I also still can't believe I was smiling here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-3gBvCVAiDMFPcK3BZnpu512BzVorgZtmJI-QFG7JFNVuugfoLrhjQDnuo7m2XQwiUdiDBbN5wk92b_NPfVSvum0ybF6SBt2h88cV1Kbpx_2Fjeha_JznHZLLO6bc3SY67U6zSDzry0/s1600/DSCN1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-3gBvCVAiDMFPcK3BZnpu512BzVorgZtmJI-QFG7JFNVuugfoLrhjQDnuo7m2XQwiUdiDBbN5wk92b_NPfVSvum0ybF6SBt2h88cV1Kbpx_2Fjeha_JznHZLLO6bc3SY67U6zSDzry0/s1600/DSCN1227.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Notice a trend here? I was finished with scenery and sticking mostly to the mile markers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GDTtxZeI9Fe2t7uP-CzXxCiB9MCYU0qzKXrO4MACMflIFUuh9CMpr1o3tlUUn9dyNL4O5-JXY4_2cJ1xnA65UEP3fYdHCiwRabdnWdsGyUWW1PnqlPZO3NFGCC_U_s8AG_Ohk9MBUpY/s1600/DSCN1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GDTtxZeI9Fe2t7uP-CzXxCiB9MCYU0qzKXrO4MACMflIFUuh9CMpr1o3tlUUn9dyNL4O5-JXY4_2cJ1xnA65UEP3fYdHCiwRabdnWdsGyUWW1PnqlPZO3NFGCC_U_s8AG_Ohk9MBUpY/s1600/DSCN1229.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Before long, I was here, at Wide World of Sports. It was also here I got a text from a friend and I called my husband. It was also where we got the glorious wet washcloths that stayed on my back for a long time. And we started an ascent to the rat race that is the Wide World of Sports.<br />
<br />
Just a hint: it lasts forever.<br />
<br />
and ever<br />
<br />
and ever<br />
<br />
and ever<br />
<br />
and. . . .<br />
<br />
I'll just use ellipses here. Where's that infinity sign when you need it? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_1gvEKpfqGpestuN1TtgM1ppCYPbqKswSDgHAv4Feh31tMRDxo0VqXCd6yziR_-4F0EumkhShoQYgir7J2ti4s6WntQENFQaJpiv533NYRjmLO3zvLme9Hnk54c0rab8AoyNhleWiPE/s1600/DSCN1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_1gvEKpfqGpestuN1TtgM1ppCYPbqKswSDgHAv4Feh31tMRDxo0VqXCd6yziR_-4F0EumkhShoQYgir7J2ti4s6WntQENFQaJpiv533NYRjmLO3zvLme9Hnk54c0rab8AoyNhleWiPE/s1600/DSCN1230.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Note the walkers here--everyone looks so defeated!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7uAXa95S0mC15rjjmg8FRbAUQ1ed-AW89eMxgz9YDl1Q2l-lDL4azO7CLLPGXfK7_2U9-EtROdWHY8XR4U9JtXRmKDlc5XVYXW_fkmBCi-NHH-jBK4jfWdX9haQjiYab_bEkAZX3NKQ/s1600/DSCN1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7uAXa95S0mC15rjjmg8FRbAUQ1ed-AW89eMxgz9YDl1Q2l-lDL4azO7CLLPGXfK7_2U9-EtROdWHY8XR4U9JtXRmKDlc5XVYXW_fkmBCi-NHH-jBK4jfWdX9haQjiYab_bEkAZX3NKQ/s1600/DSCN1231.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
"Just keep swimming my foot" Where's the monorail?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5ZpTkpjfj8u_7lg1riVL9pVY7MU2CIxG3XvrfcDuABPbQBCqM3QTyWu11XFBRIJkcg1uMmWkN9Zp88CFBbIAmzXM2fhETsCPF_UwE1MhiKFCIId8bofi-1paBymesLLoRSXQMrAFgic/s1600/DSCN1232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5ZpTkpjfj8u_7lg1riVL9pVY7MU2CIxG3XvrfcDuABPbQBCqM3QTyWu11XFBRIJkcg1uMmWkN9Zp88CFBbIAmzXM2fhETsCPF_UwE1MhiKFCIId8bofi-1paBymesLLoRSXQMrAFgic/s1600/DSCN1232.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
By now, we are feeling Goofy. And still in the Wide World of Sports. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30O4G0Wup4bgZbMDihp9pt9S8HBRlhuvy4NWopjR_UtKKWg77GiSWIgM3CnOcXFsANVpO0Oac_-33RgkgGPIsjBrCqSFKIokMWZUHUzqZ12U4v-jZceS4KsXi0lBV4XphAWiaZK76mNE/s1600/DSCN1234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30O4G0Wup4bgZbMDihp9pt9S8HBRlhuvy4NWopjR_UtKKWg77GiSWIgM3CnOcXFsANVpO0Oac_-33RgkgGPIsjBrCqSFKIokMWZUHUzqZ12U4v-jZceS4KsXi0lBV4XphAWiaZK76mNE/s1600/DSCN1234.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Baseball field. We have to be close to the end, right? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GRT5zdunWxCv76pCZBEGKSUPAER7DSIcn-z7IHpME3TNo5kd1cNwLi5sUPHkhyjYL9FyU7dxcoZEyclmevXwjhTQ8Oz_eeDpFYB9nkLzUrNpiWPm3heenxEdFRTDuIHdUNaWnIBj58A/s1600/DSCN1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GRT5zdunWxCv76pCZBEGKSUPAER7DSIcn-z7IHpME3TNo5kd1cNwLi5sUPHkhyjYL9FyU7dxcoZEyclmevXwjhTQ8Oz_eeDpFYB9nkLzUrNpiWPm3heenxEdFRTDuIHdUNaWnIBj58A/s1600/DSCN1235.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37nxswl6gipWqJQl-nS4HyUBY8lKV5tu4-P8iuMVYiAL0mE6qcoEbjdSD1GlYUwyHrClXmVWsqr3oaK2glVZHo6KPPvdGkoiGPsvx555E-9RblOrVvJNtvKaPpb_Zfrs1MSI5b9DZIP8/s1600/DSCN1236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37nxswl6gipWqJQl-nS4HyUBY8lKV5tu4-P8iuMVYiAL0mE6qcoEbjdSD1GlYUwyHrClXmVWsqr3oaK2glVZHo6KPPvdGkoiGPsvx555E-9RblOrVvJNtvKaPpb_Zfrs1MSI5b9DZIP8/s1600/DSCN1236.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
It was fun seeing us on the Jumbotron<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLpAac4v5R2JRtMkJWKrAmAG7f1U5BKeyde-VFw_OQc7bKzvrNILjNtbQ9pKgA8c6OPZR4c4MTj9l8PSIPUsB8p9frSmqj_TSvxaLu1ulLkyKR89TU9vaXJJFVK0SF4vU8MuZYA6M3cI/s1600/DSCN1238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLpAac4v5R2JRtMkJWKrAmAG7f1U5BKeyde-VFw_OQc7bKzvrNILjNtbQ9pKgA8c6OPZR4c4MTj9l8PSIPUsB8p9frSmqj_TSvxaLu1ulLkyKR89TU9vaXJJFVK0SF4vU8MuZYA6M3cI/s1600/DSCN1238.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Finally! We're coming out of there!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8XecIPZ0mZ-TWHDIKFwZa2_IO_mlvME5BTHv8o40GGQJs_ZV0iYejNGXhXD03Ts2IWOo7xVNeQcikie7JweeFVw9SETYr5XCEfAV1fM738TumqutSFirJhUyYcjqzaCIsLsPlkiclpU/s1600/DSCN1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8XecIPZ0mZ-TWHDIKFwZa2_IO_mlvME5BTHv8o40GGQJs_ZV0iYejNGXhXD03Ts2IWOo7xVNeQcikie7JweeFVw9SETYr5XCEfAV1fM738TumqutSFirJhUyYcjqzaCIsLsPlkiclpU/s1600/DSCN1239.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
And somewhere between here, my Nike+ Sportwatch died.<br />
Forever<br />
And ever.<br />
Never to wake up again. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv69GeApXdllzLpMXONWSNy2QV4EXSzwY9g8j_BoCAs-0mM0T2bLvOd3Mht1G2ZGdXNg2jnaH8nf5acSUpcAVV11u6WbS9W7KlXVPspJ-q7GpG43iPdcYGIwwvHoNqaiC57XkYB5bugsc/s1600/DSCN1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv69GeApXdllzLpMXONWSNy2QV4EXSzwY9g8j_BoCAs-0mM0T2bLvOd3Mht1G2ZGdXNg2jnaH8nf5acSUpcAVV11u6WbS9W7KlXVPspJ-q7GpG43iPdcYGIwwvHoNqaiC57XkYB5bugsc/s1600/DSCN1241.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Here's where the real challenge came. I had no way of knowing where I was or my pace or anything. At this point, I stopped my intervals as well. I was just ready to be finished. I hurt, I was hungry (next year, some type of protein will be eaten at mile 13), and I was ready to be done. I was almost at Hollywood Studios and I needed to get to the Boardwalk so I would not be swept off of the course.<br />
<br />
It was about here that I started worrying that I'd be swept. The clocks were turned off on a couple of the mile markers. I never, however, saw balloon ladies. I did start looking behind me.<br />
<br />
When you are stripped down to nothing, you learn the most about yourself. <br />
<br />
I could have given up.<br />
<br />
I could have stopped and waited for the balloon ladies.<br />
<br />
I hurt, I was hungry, and my watch had stopped.<br />
<br />
It was here I stopped by a medical tent, slapped some more biofreeze on my ankle, took some Tylenol from them, and ate another Gu.<br />
<br />
Call me determined.<br />
<br />
Call me stubborn.<br />
<br />
I don't care which one.<br />
<br />
I was going to finish, come heck or high water.Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-1541920143102827422014-05-05T23:32:00.002-04:002014-05-05T23:32:41.570-04:00I feel like I'm in NASCARLeaving the castle, I headed out of Magic Kingdom Park, but not before I got to another great picture in near Liberty Square with Louis from <i>The Princess and the Frog</i>, which remains one of my favorite all time Disney movies. (I know that is probably blasphemy to all of you <i>Frozen</i> lovers out there) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMKzQM5ift_Uiver0khTupixpkFB1KxvFVQN9SypIzpIWoueRm2dihM-naEQ7N9V4bzyVxOZT35gy-WQDh3pHhNq10sqoPrjVLfXigUUS2X94-8LbxBF7oMV7znJ5L1MzBCWWaSZoG04/s1600/DSCN1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMKzQM5ift_Uiver0khTupixpkFB1KxvFVQN9SypIzpIWoueRm2dihM-naEQ7N9V4bzyVxOZT35gy-WQDh3pHhNq10sqoPrjVLfXigUUS2X94-8LbxBF7oMV7znJ5L1MzBCWWaSZoG04/s1600/DSCN1185.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Frontierland sees Mile 6. . . <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bnPRKFpCA7VnKcy1Ea3iO1QMdMEnJEzcfXiYl5d2iuNgXhSrcPePYVho-FO2cD_XExFbdBB1VKvLEKT08_VL03jz0nnp-bj2fhDtzI9Bp2EytuIYFxWl4-rIDMEPgor-vcV3I2KIM70/s1600/DSCN1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bnPRKFpCA7VnKcy1Ea3iO1QMdMEnJEzcfXiYl5d2iuNgXhSrcPePYVho-FO2cD_XExFbdBB1VKvLEKT08_VL03jz0nnp-bj2fhDtzI9Bp2EytuIYFxWl4-rIDMEPgor-vcV3I2KIM70/s1600/DSCN1187.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
And just out of the park near Splash Mountain, the engineers and the WDW Train. I love this ride, mostly because Walt loved it so much.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBP39nVN_lx3BT0VB4A69XyPbpVB5crT4YTH0NK6eZlSohsWw4E1hYQfCasaEasTXz5y-g12wysM2TZmnXBFpb1EePIIQMsq8A7AIlkk08LNPJ5GM4NdX2977HHMgxcyCBXBdSnwVyGk4/s1600/DSCN1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBP39nVN_lx3BT0VB4A69XyPbpVB5crT4YTH0NK6eZlSohsWw4E1hYQfCasaEasTXz5y-g12wysM2TZmnXBFpb1EePIIQMsq8A7AIlkk08LNPJ5GM4NdX2977HHMgxcyCBXBdSnwVyGk4/s1600/DSCN1188.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And then heading out and about towards Cone Alley. . . <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOvePVZi38N_EJrz-9ci5eW_L-I_zLd6doFe82yLDeVOMcuQ6A7Alx5x4L7p9XmF9X6YmVQJIJYhn4kusNj4vWKjF4og4rp-sR3PYdnlyhc1b4mQt9q_9ZXhDT-dBvC7d29htuNQhO6A/s1600/DSCN1189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOvePVZi38N_EJrz-9ci5eW_L-I_zLd6doFe82yLDeVOMcuQ6A7Alx5x4L7p9XmF9X6YmVQJIJYhn4kusNj4vWKjF4og4rp-sR3PYdnlyhc1b4mQt9q_9ZXhDT-dBvC7d29htuNQhO6A/s1600/DSCN1189.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
And in Cone Alley.<br />
<br />
Cone Alley is the Grand Floridian Way, called that during the races, because there are cones that divide the runners from one lane of traffic. It can be highly dangerous to travel on the other side of the cones, but it is also an area where there is a lot of congestion. You have 26,000 runners in one lane. Cah-Razy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZnU0LJY38wa8LmyKSt-jNoM9x0MlbcdKr_pcNdI1RhFdKFYPcICln5IzzsjJGss0kCk-586BGOvoRu5r3M_fOL57FgmOas7cLq2xq3EleprOBWqFvvVobfJonSFoBU0GCWdFsuxWEXM/s1600/DSCN1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZnU0LJY38wa8LmyKSt-jNoM9x0MlbcdKr_pcNdI1RhFdKFYPcICln5IzzsjJGss0kCk-586BGOvoRu5r3M_fOL57FgmOas7cLq2xq3EleprOBWqFvvVobfJonSFoBU0GCWdFsuxWEXM/s1600/DSCN1191.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Something that was added to the marathon last year was a trip around the
Walt Disney World Speedway. I remember thinking, "huh, that might be
cool." What I didn't expect was the hill down and into the speedway.
Thank goodness for people telling me beforehand. I was able to
decelerate before I got there. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig65IzNKooXYf3TxVva7wW6J7ZrwESGSR_It4ukPpYYoH1YvpJIoaNeUTsLqEOgF0sEKakJ7SviI9qiQJ99FDFnwifm3Rch9F3qEKGW71SmDaRNW05IB8V3c62LBM4nZK9S4B5w2NkPmc/s1600/DSCN1197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig65IzNKooXYf3TxVva7wW6J7ZrwESGSR_It4ukPpYYoH1YvpJIoaNeUTsLqEOgF0sEKakJ7SviI9qiQJ99FDFnwifm3Rch9F3qEKGW71SmDaRNW05IB8V3c62LBM4nZK9S4B5w2NkPmc/s1600/DSCN1197.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Oops. . .I guess they forgot about us pedestrians!<br />
<br />
And the hill down and up!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQ3jHUcQUIjoHB-pNwzOXswyVs78h5u3-cAeNgRYcZcN65VKubFcye08TiiUYNMkc21IWetfDQCHp6hTKbr42NWw_KiXcaHqXBCM3IIjCwIg2M22m63PR5h3Jc3WXHrOXZKAd27CQwf8/s1600/DSCN1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQ3jHUcQUIjoHB-pNwzOXswyVs78h5u3-cAeNgRYcZcN65VKubFcye08TiiUYNMkc21IWetfDQCHp6hTKbr42NWw_KiXcaHqXBCM3IIjCwIg2M22m63PR5h3Jc3WXHrOXZKAd27CQwf8/s1600/DSCN1198.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
By the time you get here, you are so happy to be on flat land.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Y7OnQjnJhQANrsQ9gfjw8JZ6yb90JJH9PgPUVeK4ELNKLBiiLQRp9zC88v6o1_xmT86TZ7Ijrh7vOJ-jtU15Np4IIfe96XMZjBZOgaLs28yLcH-fiZy1V_OgEdJd8K7Rzh5GgCfuDGE/s1600/DSCN1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Y7OnQjnJhQANrsQ9gfjw8JZ6yb90JJH9PgPUVeK4ELNKLBiiLQRp9zC88v6o1_xmT86TZ7Ijrh7vOJ-jtU15Np4IIfe96XMZjBZOgaLs28yLcH-fiZy1V_OgEdJd8K7Rzh5GgCfuDGE/s1600/DSCN1200.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Mile 9, I believe just as we are leaving the race track.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjBLh_4Z-KCc4QphkOss537czKGHkzALD9Nl9mbJ2xlkceAeWCVqU64ytb3toPKeAuE5wANyQFPgutlRgRlLpN92m2bLv5k89MOJtipcujvW9PlBDGoq-6oqH0GC-MN9CAje2E_yJvDE/s1600/DSCN1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjBLh_4Z-KCc4QphkOss537czKGHkzALD9Nl9mbJ2xlkceAeWCVqU64ytb3toPKeAuE5wANyQFPgutlRgRlLpN92m2bLv5k89MOJtipcujvW9PlBDGoq-6oqH0GC-MN9CAje2E_yJvDE/s1600/DSCN1203.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
You'll note I'm getting tired by now. . .fewer pictures of scenery. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGe1hd6vAYGbnx-cqtzAN4yEs6iucEda6PeVO8ZJU7xiVYx1OsfvsIeKrjfxocgv0TGKjkAlKzX8r1QLX-QsUcaghvTJ1TptAMtzFQeLIT0B2yNttLFow7IBWmlqA8F0SnwvxeLK-9NQ/s1600/DSCN1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGe1hd6vAYGbnx-cqtzAN4yEs6iucEda6PeVO8ZJU7xiVYx1OsfvsIeKrjfxocgv0TGKjkAlKzX8r1QLX-QsUcaghvTJ1TptAMtzFQeLIT0B2yNttLFow7IBWmlqA8F0SnwvxeLK-9NQ/s1600/DSCN1204.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Coming behind Animal Kingdom. . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbXsDAOKsMB6_MESwMIigeWX9_wrG_0K4_P6SpsSgE9e0celIHvPfORrjbFfHmtBg30q8TSf4sQb_2cyaKwNScjjy3vjB5YUaaa4uwH7X679uQm_I62gtp0Hg4VAboutLZehj4hyQhJk/s1600/DSCN1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbXsDAOKsMB6_MESwMIigeWX9_wrG_0K4_P6SpsSgE9e0celIHvPfORrjbFfHmtBg30q8TSf4sQb_2cyaKwNScjjy3vjB5YUaaa4uwH7X679uQm_I62gtp0Hg4VAboutLZehj4hyQhJk/s1600/DSCN1205.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Dottie, the amazing warthog! She was so sweet! There were plenty of animals here, but I got a picture with Dottie because my youngest child loves pigs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y1_HIbkPyEjUh2u9n90nLvrc7rar8rjTEILQ4o-Nf2_RYc2EYeVWkKYratfHEGEuSYWOcbVVmmR1_aaA_VPmihSrJhteKHI7jJZCxY-rQCYffm4M1LAWhyphenhyphenI6FvOUgGb_HJd3Rod4SGA/s1600/DSCN1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y1_HIbkPyEjUh2u9n90nLvrc7rar8rjTEILQ4o-Nf2_RYc2EYeVWkKYratfHEGEuSYWOcbVVmmR1_aaA_VPmihSrJhteKHI7jJZCxY-rQCYffm4M1LAWhyphenhyphenI6FvOUgGb_HJd3Rod4SGA/s1600/DSCN1206.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh9DWaThhgdgK6go9LSPtAOxEO9OSGCT17drKOzyRFw0xQsgUMrOll05PPn5xn719e-aWuODcxXYz6A4FphKfP8MsjpTBh3UORULtInn_sYKRPYvILn5X9h69NxCQ5t7bVD6k6GE9Cuk/s1600/DSCN1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh9DWaThhgdgK6go9LSPtAOxEO9OSGCT17drKOzyRFw0xQsgUMrOll05PPn5xn719e-aWuODcxXYz6A4FphKfP8MsjpTBh3UORULtInn_sYKRPYvILn5X9h69NxCQ5t7bVD6k6GE9Cuk/s1600/DSCN1207.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Mile 12, coming into Animal Kingdom. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdKa58NB_QUHRXL65J1kC_qjN3ikmWgGf2JHviMm_OhyxZsYGzbgRsYMHYJhA7XTHmzPmMcGEtN7WsW4iZp9l2tW0Zh1daMtrUdTlZ8J4XAZThp87i7WT4CuXoGcrHrSQQp_dIlkVTvY/s1600/DSCN1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdKa58NB_QUHRXL65J1kC_qjN3ikmWgGf2JHviMm_OhyxZsYGzbgRsYMHYJhA7XTHmzPmMcGEtN7WsW4iZp9l2tW0Zh1daMtrUdTlZ8J4XAZThp87i7WT4CuXoGcrHrSQQp_dIlkVTvY/s1600/DSCN1208.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
And Rafiki! He's been my Facebook profile many times!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbftrlyLmigk1GCuRG5AaxmGrb-_NxWArLxcs06ZgQqEmKsIkA2sAK_QWoShIAIrBWSGQ2hkLcIFcL8_M7-Wnt_b6-E7IXKbwkslydXqyI5ma70c5gNjz9EP3Fl-5LPJzOU_5FWWcZX8/s1600/DSCN1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbftrlyLmigk1GCuRG5AaxmGrb-_NxWArLxcs06ZgQqEmKsIkA2sAK_QWoShIAIrBWSGQ2hkLcIFcL8_M7-Wnt_b6-E7IXKbwkslydXqyI5ma70c5gNjz9EP3Fl-5LPJzOU_5FWWcZX8/s1600/DSCN1209.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
A little-known tidbit of information: runners who time things right can ride Expedition Everest. During the race. Did I time things right?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBFmd8HamKhWrpxomD_5pi49F-mACeNiLONmIq_OId3OrqWaaTgIdh9ncKeGcDN0x_DubTqk1yjfSIlQMvXu28LGnDCNstTKe1cKUzngALAn9urLY4cU5y-lIF-z-3ZSiovDaHsDsQJQ/s1600/DSCN1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBFmd8HamKhWrpxomD_5pi49F-mACeNiLONmIq_OId3OrqWaaTgIdh9ncKeGcDN0x_DubTqk1yjfSIlQMvXu28LGnDCNstTKe1cKUzngALAn9urLY4cU5y-lIF-z-3ZSiovDaHsDsQJQ/s1600/DSCN1215.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQMRMzpMD5xJcsXenDVMKkMl2uHrpKexE5Bnd3quoiI0__wXaFZznpjMu9p-6gJbuMlGBj3sio2aVGYTnf7-9J3MvG3H_MmESmHX0XEX9ABWEosB2mEn1NqP4ReUofCh3-DoAlLGzknA/s1600/DSCN1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQMRMzpMD5xJcsXenDVMKkMl2uHrpKexE5Bnd3quoiI0__wXaFZznpjMu9p-6gJbuMlGBj3sio2aVGYTnf7-9J3MvG3H_MmESmHX0XEX9ABWEosB2mEn1NqP4ReUofCh3-DoAlLGzknA/s1600/DSCN1216.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I entered the area at around 9:34. Great timing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BukgWBtUZIrOgb2fsYNjryKFUagxl8awuGVw9LIWIM8yKlL1Bg7GbUgopKD0EwxuioVJiO89lMGp3Wy_YwKgHmBw1v3MxNbYDBqPFWQIRkKEzMf1c4KW5QO5LNBcBuo_8HO6eUnpeMA/s1600/DSCN1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BukgWBtUZIrOgb2fsYNjryKFUagxl8awuGVw9LIWIM8yKlL1Bg7GbUgopKD0EwxuioVJiO89lMGp3Wy_YwKgHmBw1v3MxNbYDBqPFWQIRkKEzMf1c4KW5QO5LNBcBuo_8HO6eUnpeMA/s1600/DSCN1218.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
And there I am, in the back, with all other people wearing race bibs, too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauTDKAmp9cxM4qHXIrhFAYeSZkwo6dOhfIVuQBriJbKoSLf_CuMS6YufwifKQ1O59hNPmhHMjQuUbQEM85_TLPdVodCWCsHc5qMqUYGQgOjn_zC8CBWngAAJO-tAk7mXz6Aa6T0C2xHU/s1600/DSCN1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauTDKAmp9cxM4qHXIrhFAYeSZkwo6dOhfIVuQBriJbKoSLf_CuMS6YufwifKQ1O59hNPmhHMjQuUbQEM85_TLPdVodCWCsHc5qMqUYGQgOjn_zC8CBWngAAJO-tAk7mXz6Aa6T0C2xHU/s1600/DSCN1219.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Excited about being at the halfway point, I was already feeling a few pains. One of which was in my left ankle. It was just a little sore, but nothing to truly be worried about, until here.<br />
<br />
I was so glad I had made it to this point, I stepped off a curb checking to make sure I got this picture. I was also having trouble with my iPhone here and was turning it back on. <br />
<br />
My ankle? Devastation. It hurt to keep going, but go I did. I had trained so long. I ran 20-mile training runs in the rain with my husband coming to check on me throughout. I had run 9 milers on the treadmill. I had paid $200 in race registration and $125 for race retreat. I was not giving up.<br />
<br />
In hindsight, I probably should never have finished that race. In a training run, I never would have kept going. Throughout the last 13.2 miles, I took 2 Advil, 2 Tylenol, and put Biofreeze on my ankle three times. I had sprained my left ankle and I'm lucky it was not broken.<br />
<br />
People have asked me why I kept going, and the reason is similar to why I kept going after my knee started hurting in my first half marathon. One may find it silly, but I certainly don't. <br />
<br />
The pain from that race is NOWHERE near the pain that Jesus felt on the cross. Nowhere near the despair He must have felt when He said, "'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.'" (Matthew 26:39)<br />
<br />
You see, I knew I could finish the race. I could fight the fight. The pain I was feeling was temporary. My suffering was no where near the pain Jesus felt on that fateful day. I would heal. And I was strong enough.<br />
<br />
I won't lie. The next 13.2 miles involved a lot of prayer. I've found, however, that when I'm stripped down, that is when I'm closer to God. When I'm running and I'm thinking there is nothing else in me, that's when I rely on the Creator's creation. Isn't it wonderful that we have an All-powerful God who can giv eus the strength to finish when we don't think we can?Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-19181956319235487942014-04-27T15:44:00.002-04:002014-04-27T15:44:55.038-04:00Race you to the Castle!Marathon morning started with a 12:38 wake up call from my next-door neighbors at POP Century Resort. Yeah. Even for a Disney race, that's an early start. I got back to sleep until my true ake up time of 2:50am.<br />
<br />
I got dressed and headed over to Epcot on the first bus at 3:30am. One thing I did for this race that I had never done for any other race was Race Retreat. It involves a climate controlled area with breakfast, some freebies, a private changing area, and brunch after the race. January weather in Florida can be any combination of seasons, with one year even being snowy! I made my way through the new security and to race retreat that morning. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdvzMZV0vpzBAc8ktbv-P9YHVrmsbEqA61giXh8MtiS8PJHY4hW6QtVykOEHPLWDMx4H-5-GgkePk59ERVhawhhdh4stw8PmweuCHUK9YyYNu_3zPGWkzfbrpW9_Wbtv8kajt6y-QUSk/s1600/DSCN1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdvzMZV0vpzBAc8ktbv-P9YHVrmsbEqA61giXh8MtiS8PJHY4hW6QtVykOEHPLWDMx4H-5-GgkePk59ERVhawhhdh4stw8PmweuCHUK9YyYNu_3zPGWkzfbrpW9_Wbtv8kajt6y-QUSk/s1600/DSCN1130.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVpVKODk6t5NnnsG80beAbcI7717aLU0Hmf9BP7B4RwHyiBg_t3OObJoCJUcNI5t5RDaYgMZjQMtizgPZbv4Zrc_0hKKulxkYctM2EsVJWpJNvyNgLtcv15onwKUXS3AwJEIZvT5J6ec/s1600/DSCN1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVpVKODk6t5NnnsG80beAbcI7717aLU0Hmf9BP7B4RwHyiBg_t3OObJoCJUcNI5t5RDaYgMZjQMtizgPZbv4Zrc_0hKKulxkYctM2EsVJWpJNvyNgLtcv15onwKUXS3AwJEIZvT5J6ec/s1600/DSCN1131.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To be honest, I don't even remember eating this breakfast. I was so scared that morning, by myself, and wishing I had someone there with me for my first marathon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncOCKV9AqY4noQJDyo9L7fZNgxUNnAZ5Ecdfaate1ln218yhxpCQVolMjJDr6C5xMySoRVQuS7Qa9_VOuFIa88wmR3_qSK46xUtnfT1PLQEV1su2dyqHqvRzU3HHiHwvEAvUps2kwe8Q/s1600/DSCN1133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncOCKV9AqY4noQJDyo9L7fZNgxUNnAZ5Ecdfaate1ln218yhxpCQVolMjJDr6C5xMySoRVQuS7Qa9_VOuFIa88wmR3_qSK46xUtnfT1PLQEV1su2dyqHqvRzU3HHiHwvEAvUps2kwe8Q/s1600/DSCN1133.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I did have time to meet Mary Poppins and get a picture.<br />
<br />
And met up with some of the Princess Posse there:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRkcCF1EPcmKd5BZ8KUcQvCFYmMkoW1d0G9k1XiN2_s-Ugfh9fR3OJp6PCryKU5YetB1dnxS9If5YjPSAWggf5-HYOGuCYSmc1rkjs-Bmuqbk8XIzTfg9tJsMcIgVgGSIHH6pGBPhOJM/s1600/DSCN1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRkcCF1EPcmKd5BZ8KUcQvCFYmMkoW1d0G9k1XiN2_s-Ugfh9fR3OJp6PCryKU5YetB1dnxS9If5YjPSAWggf5-HYOGuCYSmc1rkjs-Bmuqbk8XIzTfg9tJsMcIgVgGSIHH6pGBPhOJM/s1600/DSCN1134.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now one thing you don't know about Disney races, is that from the holding area, there is about a half a mile walk to the start line:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm95WgpqdtrOsdjfmYh_xPyzGtT2UnI_kneE0TbpWGof8aXEVAaJj-4BpfmBT1uc-4x_VOcyryixV0rYxyfgQj9ZlhqqzetkaBqezTLCuXRljp1ZZEc-xSS2DCwyOI0rFPTh-Kp7illw/s1600/DSCN1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm95WgpqdtrOsdjfmYh_xPyzGtT2UnI_kneE0TbpWGof8aXEVAaJj-4BpfmBT1uc-4x_VOcyryixV0rYxyfgQj9ZlhqqzetkaBqezTLCuXRljp1ZZEc-xSS2DCwyOI0rFPTh-Kp7illw/s1600/DSCN1137.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The first start was at 5:30. Each group got their own fireworks and countdown from Mickey himself. I started my race at 6:16 am.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrDrhISLEv0xmW1dD0mezwaZ6VdPGiXHNkfCl7RrXINxiGmd5njHb66E2MoluCDjGHxMcBvWw5BnKalm7txCPGX5AJcP3qKHEG4hM0TTQOC-aKaI3Dpk1b_K4R0Yb7FiNLrF2egfIqYI/s1600/DSCN1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrDrhISLEv0xmW1dD0mezwaZ6VdPGiXHNkfCl7RrXINxiGmd5njHb66E2MoluCDjGHxMcBvWw5BnKalm7txCPGX5AJcP3qKHEG4hM0TTQOC-aKaI3Dpk1b_K4R0Yb7FiNLrF2egfIqYI/s1600/DSCN1141.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJpXIC8gKRgOd2er1Lxv8v4Bczds5_HrhhYmaqAHrGj_CEPzoB7qD-zua2qRbE753nf3wdB8EC8ogyFjUxZF3N2I2c9HwdRU0hD1Q9YsKLMPvSCT2gQDSpRqeKqQLgO0bQsiwyntV0hA/s1600/DSCN1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJpXIC8gKRgOd2er1Lxv8v4Bczds5_HrhhYmaqAHrGj_CEPzoB7qD-zua2qRbE753nf3wdB8EC8ogyFjUxZF3N2I2c9HwdRU0hD1Q9YsKLMPvSCT2gQDSpRqeKqQLgO0bQsiwyntV0hA/s1600/DSCN1142.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxI3PZ7uTD8mnVdoYCezRDXQGVLZXc3cjepwSh8Z3RAQ7sE8wvDTKX6xHOcTtxDLoLQsHfeu3XFrYNrwmuX19zHFekzvlySX2GFdv_KuByLlv-X2pPFPhSZh4pZYWbXcC-cyDv8yxKXw/s1600/DSCN1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxI3PZ7uTD8mnVdoYCezRDXQGVLZXc3cjepwSh8Z3RAQ7sE8wvDTKX6xHOcTtxDLoLQsHfeu3XFrYNrwmuX19zHFekzvlySX2GFdv_KuByLlv-X2pPFPhSZh4pZYWbXcC-cyDv8yxKXw/s1600/DSCN1147.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The first couple of miles were in the dark. All I remember from those miles is I wish I had stopped at the last set of porta-potties.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbagYODW_UB5ZBL-qKrWy-y7GygAJruawFnu_HTumlcwxsWEKwDxJYryDMscVc8wvAhJ82oI07Q_NSaGV6y8L6DtSrpTpQrTSfeJUy2b2GgEV_NVut7XzYqIqzAIykJL8JJdN_3Y4Zva8/s1600/DSCN1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbagYODW_UB5ZBL-qKrWy-y7GygAJruawFnu_HTumlcwxsWEKwDxJYryDMscVc8wvAhJ82oI07Q_NSaGV6y8L6DtSrpTpQrTSfeJUy2b2GgEV_NVut7XzYqIqzAIykJL8JJdN_3Y4Zva8/s1600/DSCN1148.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS563CE4zt3KwyCg0hiUerROXTjwtimOhHJE5sBRnUg7ycnQzgR062RoO3q9oUjJlsRRXc8Zv1_GBQTJOxU0hwWCoeKk8tKL9HjGG9QKjwYyZApBm97HF0p1gfT3SyBRrjwZS2RmOd6V8/s1600/DSCN1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS563CE4zt3KwyCg0hiUerROXTjwtimOhHJE5sBRnUg7ycnQzgR062RoO3q9oUjJlsRRXc8Zv1_GBQTJOxU0hwWCoeKk8tKL9HjGG9QKjwYyZApBm97HF0p1gfT3SyBRrjwZS2RmOd6V8/s1600/DSCN1150.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Between miles 2 and 3, runners enter the Magic Kingdom parking lot at the Ticket and Transportation Center. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd30pG_22un0vi1N4119yJSN29W_-YeSVfCh3lX1tvuQk4_x9v5SLMwuQmx-j9efzc3JH3-pE3gfa3UiqD4GlBR54LKpEpi-trERv55SymRqNM67LBiVRlK8uZfKQNm0yMH63HbVf77Ao/s1600/DSCN1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd30pG_22un0vi1N4119yJSN29W_-YeSVfCh3lX1tvuQk4_x9v5SLMwuQmx-j9efzc3JH3-pE3gfa3UiqD4GlBR54LKpEpi-trERv55SymRqNM67LBiVRlK8uZfKQNm0yMH63HbVf77Ao/s1600/DSCN1155.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-B7K05yWfrgxSQ2NdPWNkQHEUZB69YBJxVSJHlkIH-vLf_Lb-XG7f55jtNLfeRBIlBx7N2jVxMMJTZFT8lj4jnp4JYebyBF0i_a70-KfkDxJAEeCjOrud5BVeFb1s3IBD7qA81GB1iE/s1600/DSCN1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-B7K05yWfrgxSQ2NdPWNkQHEUZB69YBJxVSJHlkIH-vLf_Lb-XG7f55jtNLfeRBIlBx7N2jVxMMJTZFT8lj4jnp4JYebyBF0i_a70-KfkDxJAEeCjOrud5BVeFb1s3IBD7qA81GB1iE/s1600/DSCN1157.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In this area is where Jack Skellington race up behind me, yelled, "Boo" and I screamed louder than necessary!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDMClscZEpVj33o5x-vN_IZGn1_HyqzwxJs5SQOGjRn0q-deT3ZsdLSggjAjihMGlCnkXHjt1bNZa0w3jJ_N1EwvHm593t0DzV86FgRX_-CFuqbo6iJ1dGGtG_DwdnnWthsH-XI_SRtA/s1600/DSCN1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDMClscZEpVj33o5x-vN_IZGn1_HyqzwxJs5SQOGjRn0q-deT3ZsdLSggjAjihMGlCnkXHjt1bNZa0w3jJ_N1EwvHm593t0DzV86FgRX_-CFuqbo6iJ1dGGtG_DwdnnWthsH-XI_SRtA/s1600/DSCN1158.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaPGY1kQtY9KexPBDWHoM4x6SfrFQyKzVaNjb0adNn-4WDl4xggFRVtcO5Ob_mKCcaYKaTAllFrHgD9GdfZxYbVsz4Wjx6SC3Uepp8YjmtA0EANgtoXHhcUH_wqgZR5dtcLkyaOTHcLo/s1600/DSCN1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaPGY1kQtY9KexPBDWHoM4x6SfrFQyKzVaNjb0adNn-4WDl4xggFRVtcO5Ob_mKCcaYKaTAllFrHgD9GdfZxYbVsz4Wjx6SC3Uepp8YjmtA0EANgtoXHhcUH_wqgZR5dtcLkyaOTHcLo/s1600/DSCN1159.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqWl907745L8cMhjgaXvHw35Wu8FX45ncQ5fO642TaYRW2WX410OUpPibNe95sgu9MQ1PVY5nQmkbuqskxBEgon7VF1Ova88jY_cnQpKhNwojj8j-7Fl630Rvj8lywMhdSrEOIEPE9Oo/s1600/DSCN1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqWl907745L8cMhjgaXvHw35Wu8FX45ncQ5fO642TaYRW2WX410OUpPibNe95sgu9MQ1PVY5nQmkbuqskxBEgon7VF1Ova88jY_cnQpKhNwojj8j-7Fl630Rvj8lywMhdSrEOIEPE9Oo/s1600/DSCN1161.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QLopsYT6nCxv-pFwOhmBKcoP1MsJfK65_MsuarlHQ2b_xKJL8cymvLrejma1qpjvqtYU5eRAcBXBFWue0g2FYKi6tCcj6kNj0AVPfg5yR2QycZ57jjxx8hkB5UBi-Zc0Fp5iNb7pxhY/s1600/DSCN1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QLopsYT6nCxv-pFwOhmBKcoP1MsJfK65_MsuarlHQ2b_xKJL8cymvLrejma1qpjvqtYU5eRAcBXBFWue0g2FYKi6tCcj6kNj0AVPfg5yR2QycZ57jjxx8hkB5UBi-Zc0Fp5iNb7pxhY/s1600/DSCN1162.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Past the TTC, runners are limited to one lane going by the Contemporary Resort. We also have a steep downhill under the canal that joins Bay Lake to the Seven Seas Lagoon. IT Bands, beware! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoFAhaYYhB-1MS0nNJQHW6HuW_1gxGYPYP2Ri2f6BU3Y5RfFqtDMvy9OjXbPrgL6Hoa5fnbFYtrhW8tlON63P5y2Hwn6LVNiZvJASAIiQdHEirIyCi8hB3ZNyjHUU0_RRF3NycrBbljY/s1600/DSCN1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoFAhaYYhB-1MS0nNJQHW6HuW_1gxGYPYP2Ri2f6BU3Y5RfFqtDMvy9OjXbPrgL6Hoa5fnbFYtrhW8tlON63P5y2Hwn6LVNiZvJASAIiQdHEirIyCi8hB3ZNyjHUU0_RRF3NycrBbljY/s1600/DSCN1165.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Before we know it, we are at Mile 5, going into the Magic Kingdom:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ub-5JMN6G7N4QYWlS9az9OMKKChYIrX2RMZQYw4AqggUwOEBfat35wnNjKe8tLn8Gf0rFgJsUp7Eb8_6B_fdUzyqMKOVLPmZPV2semDKTzuZ8m8u5zJoFmoXGqxgjRRZpFxuo_IK3GA/s1600/DSCN1168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ub-5JMN6G7N4QYWlS9az9OMKKChYIrX2RMZQYw4AqggUwOEBfat35wnNjKe8tLn8Gf0rFgJsUp7Eb8_6B_fdUzyqMKOVLPmZPV2semDKTzuZ8m8u5zJoFmoXGqxgjRRZpFxuo_IK3GA/s1600/DSCN1168.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And towards Cinderella's Castle. I get teary-eyed everytime I get here. There are lots of people cheering us on there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyfjyfuDI6onHStsvE-j43NbL6PJfVQwk-c_z5WtgSMJaPG_oDFb6hOczr7pTu83NqloVUgXz6YrvngIVSbMk2cBsyakI3LLXWbO6TIrH1bPb8DoSonGjnl5Wfar2CKhM30oRnDj4TZU/s1600/DSCN1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyfjyfuDI6onHStsvE-j43NbL6PJfVQwk-c_z5WtgSMJaPG_oDFb6hOczr7pTu83NqloVUgXz6YrvngIVSbMk2cBsyakI3LLXWbO6TIrH1bPb8DoSonGjnl5Wfar2CKhM30oRnDj4TZU/s1600/DSCN1172.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_NjhvEvTz8VUQS9_hbrlMCcwk-veInu2ItD47J8zfcYw2-dxezU6sqd_ZSCZSwNveLjsorWVcTiRK6ZkvGLQwYwAZsUZUgFfWk912EfQ34x1u4E4tewsLtB6nm1Esay4yCdi5Oe2J6Y/s1600/DSCN1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_NjhvEvTz8VUQS9_hbrlMCcwk-veInu2ItD47J8zfcYw2-dxezU6sqd_ZSCZSwNveLjsorWVcTiRK6ZkvGLQwYwAZsUZUgFfWk912EfQ34x1u4E4tewsLtB6nm1Esay4yCdi5Oe2J6Y/s1600/DSCN1173.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx_uGmYJysROQlArbaDeJBdegSnN1N43PNIg5YhRm4_F3NUu9sBg7-ik9dF_nHOeFa-HBbkizXrzLqS3Gq0vxLbXjizSzWU_6qMseoc6VJ0xXLfw2uZ0bSliH1NIsLpJgBRE4RguQe14/s1600/DSCN1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx_uGmYJysROQlArbaDeJBdegSnN1N43PNIg5YhRm4_F3NUu9sBg7-ik9dF_nHOeFa-HBbkizXrzLqS3Gq0vxLbXjizSzWU_6qMseoc6VJ0xXLfw2uZ0bSliH1NIsLpJgBRE4RguQe14/s1600/DSCN1175.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLpeWMv6lBvcJshmuBGVSVZnDCweZosf1cDyaxL0mprVsPOq6Zmol-rowfEtSRFzRo0RIqsFzFyjyBAVlSbG10LN3FS63m00fSRnR0vv0n0Bslb0rextr-UJ0qnWrQ9AsDVt1OlNZHgQ/s1600/DSCN1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLpeWMv6lBvcJshmuBGVSVZnDCweZosf1cDyaxL0mprVsPOq6Zmol-rowfEtSRFzRo0RIqsFzFyjyBAVlSbG10LN3FS63m00fSRnR0vv0n0Bslb0rextr-UJ0qnWrQ9AsDVt1OlNZHgQ/s1600/DSCN1176.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
So, you go straight for the castle, and turn right at Tomorrowland, then towards the Tea Cups. I stopped for a photo opp with the White Rabbit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTI6YPRJ8sCwNTsO0aC_zyGUvJ6zJBJzjvvo1Yts_398PIrCHbu30BzViUFWJgBqKWGMuDUOoZjDY12dMvCwjITBKA31v_7C9XxqYCpkE1setRZuOKFGwYd84ThVoZrw5ESqx8WiR-FrM/s1600/DSCN1178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTI6YPRJ8sCwNTsO0aC_zyGUvJ6zJBJzjvvo1Yts_398PIrCHbu30BzViUFWJgBqKWGMuDUOoZjDY12dMvCwjITBKA31v_7C9XxqYCpkE1setRZuOKFGwYd84ThVoZrw5ESqx8WiR-FrM/s1600/DSCN1178.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
And on to the back of the castle<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBl-1rzoXF0hi1UBihzcRtVOG9dw2BSsqNB6hOTsr6lUOefhgEFOy6r3eeUb5yXO0HejYHP2vjnnEY80jUqIXvVCx15tyHAQLHxNantCMPuYyCpZ3sMkqCQsvsZFHdhttHBUyWrl9suo/s1600/DSCN1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBl-1rzoXF0hi1UBihzcRtVOG9dw2BSsqNB6hOTsr6lUOefhgEFOy6r3eeUb5yXO0HejYHP2vjnnEY80jUqIXvVCx15tyHAQLHxNantCMPuYyCpZ3sMkqCQsvsZFHdhttHBUyWrl9suo/s1600/DSCN1181.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
And through the castle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1CJt29DQPCGvIqdHcJ2X0VGjbcd34NVNECOlSEHoj5OWgrHEsz0TG6kiHFmN9v8NZZcYmbChFb7a-51P1d3_ORY3ZLtDz-2OX_UhbBUYvM2F4LaiF0-fanaEJ4ymI5YyASpEbc6rqV8/s1600/DSCN1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1CJt29DQPCGvIqdHcJ2X0VGjbcd34NVNECOlSEHoj5OWgrHEsz0TG6kiHFmN9v8NZZcYmbChFb7a-51P1d3_ORY3ZLtDz-2OX_UhbBUYvM2F4LaiF0-fanaEJ4ymI5YyASpEbc6rqV8/s1600/DSCN1183.JPG" height="240" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Just beautiful.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, I was heading to Mile 6. So far, it's the same path as the princess half marathon. Very shortly, however, I would be heading towards uncharted territory.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Coming up--I feel like I'm in NASCAR. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-34022312343409689362014-04-23T18:24:00.000-04:002014-04-23T18:24:16.111-04:00T-Minus 24-HoursI guess Saturday is what one might call the calm before the storm. It was a day where I had intentions to relax. I did something I've only ever done once before at Disney World: I slept in.<br />
<br />
Yes, those of you who know me read that right. I slept in Saturday morning knowing that this would not be the case the next day.<br />
<br />
My goal for the morning? Breakfast at Boma.<br />
<br />
The Animal Kingdom Lodge itself is really its own little attraction at Disney. The perfect place for a leisurely stroll in the morning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLa642GlaVZvqzFoEkNaCMn2NjIfmype_9dXKv5LALZdAhyiuzeO7HABU2QHRfsc9MLEUf3OZZ-sfkT7nE0gpKYHpKOOJWCMAoto2Ac2Ypkh-nWd_U0DShn3B3sMtqD6UhAlPV_LWhW68/s1600/DSCN1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLa642GlaVZvqzFoEkNaCMn2NjIfmype_9dXKv5LALZdAhyiuzeO7HABU2QHRfsc9MLEUf3OZZ-sfkT7nE0gpKYHpKOOJWCMAoto2Ac2Ypkh-nWd_U0DShn3B3sMtqD6UhAlPV_LWhW68/s1600/DSCN1027.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7WZujsGL6Xx0SQr70-3utAIV7ewauyiQpTiEt8AwvAeUxsNqgDy54r2Qo32vHXAwgHgUgHK4Rp1r6SG5Gou7NaOyqgs-sgbWb9_My1UUkmDRzgZx-UMyhQd8C6HnYTZcN2MN0arie3Q/s1600/DSCN1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7WZujsGL6Xx0SQr70-3utAIV7ewauyiQpTiEt8AwvAeUxsNqgDy54r2Qo32vHXAwgHgUgHK4Rp1r6SG5Gou7NaOyqgs-sgbWb9_My1UUkmDRzgZx-UMyhQd8C6HnYTZcN2MN0arie3Q/s1600/DSCN1029.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My view from my table for breakfast:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5FPhbGXdUQa8S6KPbpmF40-Y0673_hEb38O0AiHN5ccBpfSqdIbUSFEbWduntW3qB5O5mn0aPeCJOvm6HJq2NzneM8ZYquzPJYWcgLdJ8rP_9sqfMZioPgw4gvsBask46yfeZ9MNdqo/s1600/DSCN1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5FPhbGXdUQa8S6KPbpmF40-Y0673_hEb38O0AiHN5ccBpfSqdIbUSFEbWduntW3qB5O5mn0aPeCJOvm6HJq2NzneM8ZYquzPJYWcgLdJ8rP_9sqfMZioPgw4gvsBask46yfeZ9MNdqo/s1600/DSCN1041.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHdzylQG-t7l00fwab4vdRkBQf3bdQUu-9AgKbZQg2aahUL6zkOiZnFngenSbDpuZMTMjd2cVTSZAQLauXButReJejM3bWXUQYcaR0QVSXG0ILNRIjX9TzNPKao5jZPt_ZbvgR7BQYuc/s1600/DSCN1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHdzylQG-t7l00fwab4vdRkBQf3bdQUu-9AgKbZQg2aahUL6zkOiZnFngenSbDpuZMTMjd2cVTSZAQLauXButReJejM3bWXUQYcaR0QVSXG0ILNRIjX9TzNPKao5jZPt_ZbvgR7BQYuc/s1600/DSCN1051.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After dinner, I went over to Hollywood Studios. There was a show I haven't seen in a long time--Beauty in the Beast. I understand plans are for this show to go after some time, so I wanted to see it one last time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm0JKO7Jk7KqclJEXtkjkApBv2nSVO4jjx74bphz4hbjlgr8L6M_eTTwIUbDSXK_l26al1uWZCUDwtzUt5jRkCu1ToBxgfDlma0ecyK3GlC7NKrKW_zcKB1KBtMXvJRcUhglgnXIvWkM/s1600/DSCN1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm0JKO7Jk7KqclJEXtkjkApBv2nSVO4jjx74bphz4hbjlgr8L6M_eTTwIUbDSXK_l26al1uWZCUDwtzUt5jRkCu1ToBxgfDlma0ecyK3GlC7NKrKW_zcKB1KBtMXvJRcUhglgnXIvWkM/s1600/DSCN1054.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim50yKblh15V0jJ8Ks2uKTL1AlxbanM-WrkOWfFp0OMG1SyxidoPeehKxkPV2j-QeZNVUNFnbcwbKIkPcMtzUrB-vh4K4Dxn3S3OwcW5YtBenaShVia2N4-XRuQpM1oXu967v-Y2R_AJ8/s1600/DSCN1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim50yKblh15V0jJ8Ks2uKTL1AlxbanM-WrkOWfFp0OMG1SyxidoPeehKxkPV2j-QeZNVUNFnbcwbKIkPcMtzUrB-vh4K4Dxn3S3OwcW5YtBenaShVia2N4-XRuQpM1oXu967v-Y2R_AJ8/s1600/DSCN1059.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I didn't leave before I got a cupcake from Starring Rolls<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3Mp8y4qldIYtm07Xs5MCQyzqd_ETJlmBAgKHbjADMZEmHudQNAc-Vhfxydijnsb-QU0C2t9nZG0-tfLeiyD2RCuX5t3aSrbNOUN_KlTMQYjIFFJFUiiSe0-S65c8cmZRO99-h-VHSW4/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3Mp8y4qldIYtm07Xs5MCQyzqd_ETJlmBAgKHbjADMZEmHudQNAc-Vhfxydijnsb-QU0C2t9nZG0-tfLeiyD2RCuX5t3aSrbNOUN_KlTMQYjIFFJFUiiSe0-S65c8cmZRO99-h-VHSW4/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I left there to rest for some time. It was beautiful enough to sit by the pool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuybLb2qDudoeAFawksT8ixbc4euE04NuzM_K39ecaY21JovKfRivQxwHTd1yWYre94ZrHxNyYzNuVH_RHEgsSJjrK2cIfnhl-9buYO31ptG4Fyr__0i8dmuPhEngP0Z0GKWSoxSMXqmQ/s1600/DSCN1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuybLb2qDudoeAFawksT8ixbc4euE04NuzM_K39ecaY21JovKfRivQxwHTd1yWYre94ZrHxNyYzNuVH_RHEgsSJjrK2cIfnhl-9buYO31ptG4Fyr__0i8dmuPhEngP0Z0GKWSoxSMXqmQ/s1600/DSCN1086.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Back in the room, I laid in the bed with my feet propped up. I got back up just in time to go to Animal Kingdom and ride Everest several times before the late closure.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
See, in the summer, you can't ride Everest in the dark. I was able to get to Animal Kingdom for the late evening just after dinner (make your own pasta at Art of Animation).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfv5OeMu_8tPt-4HOzpNdt1tnrGcmS3Uzc-xjm01Q_vCcrNIFZ61_2O8M4YMQZDNUdWcZ56-DucEvknG_OKCO1JNM47s9cwzuEK7PXv1Y9NeIFPNGjYx0oAidUHgDvEw6QoVN37Jco6o/s1600/DSCN1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfv5OeMu_8tPt-4HOzpNdt1tnrGcmS3Uzc-xjm01Q_vCcrNIFZ61_2O8M4YMQZDNUdWcZ56-DucEvknG_OKCO1JNM47s9cwzuEK7PXv1Y9NeIFPNGjYx0oAidUHgDvEw6QoVN37Jco6o/s1600/DSCN1105.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuc5Okk52w0EY6dDIFl1YfEyx_yoG7qxvmDLj1yOUS2QwEwZoHOCjJlrAmFzBIV98W8E490huYqxq4xjZIC-DRy4iQhPfuCo58HjVflrNugvxp5x8kp81FhcpaB3eT29uArKH2cqGpuOM/s1600/DSCN1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuc5Okk52w0EY6dDIFl1YfEyx_yoG7qxvmDLj1yOUS2QwEwZoHOCjJlrAmFzBIV98W8E490huYqxq4xjZIC-DRy4iQhPfuCo58HjVflrNugvxp5x8kp81FhcpaB3eT29uArKH2cqGpuOM/s1600/DSCN1107.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzoCakZrpbLBaLU6SWwuyiUmoZi0MC6KCtKFW03vM3p25UPAOKG_a2jLF1THk9eEcVP93vcbHnNF2rIZ1XNZSQEwisoG5oCBKqdib-FifJqOFIYIYJEdtchAys_S93CSHfp0Z5TP_W68/s1600/DSCN1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzoCakZrpbLBaLU6SWwuyiUmoZi0MC6KCtKFW03vM3p25UPAOKG_a2jLF1THk9eEcVP93vcbHnNF2rIZ1XNZSQEwisoG5oCBKqdib-FifJqOFIYIYJEdtchAys_S93CSHfp0Z5TP_W68/s1600/DSCN1108.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Tbo04m9rjTadErTx90DMHd-N69Y-MjQb51PnxQvnm7bYyb9CrvVkh09PqsV4R7RHSIIpqStC5YEjtLiv0y2N8BxLvb2bkY4Sxa4RBhej4L_8i5X6l1twWwVq8T3tMahWjiy4clq2XBY/s1600/DSCN1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Tbo04m9rjTadErTx90DMHd-N69Y-MjQb51PnxQvnm7bYyb9CrvVkh09PqsV4R7RHSIIpqStC5YEjtLiv0y2N8BxLvb2bkY4Sxa4RBhej4L_8i5X6l1twWwVq8T3tMahWjiy4clq2XBY/s1600/DSCN1112.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yycvuy2cAfnuV5Km2zdaw00zCm51hel3MKavTHw_bN1CQlrhoNp3SBC5ks2ZZPk18y-YvPlTV9JmSdWOqXRgkxOVQJ-XW4kx_-wTHSLxo_9dEVKJpb5AT2hK-_yR7a9cONIcLWW1e2M/s1600/DSCN1119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yycvuy2cAfnuV5Km2zdaw00zCm51hel3MKavTHw_bN1CQlrhoNp3SBC5ks2ZZPk18y-YvPlTV9JmSdWOqXRgkxOVQJ-XW4kx_-wTHSLxo_9dEVKJpb5AT2hK-_yR7a9cONIcLWW1e2M/s1600/DSCN1119.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3rL7_6daPS_AXYh58Rnqgh_DjDBqwtNmv43_JuNZ6xPlFn_xonxtsPomzjAuxp16BhHJtc0QEeuylog0yYeSjDhLZ8uBfZ5vyx49_OGiWjdCh-aNMwNjzPV0ROk0uMWs5uB5uzZRtPM/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3rL7_6daPS_AXYh58Rnqgh_DjDBqwtNmv43_JuNZ6xPlFn_xonxtsPomzjAuxp16BhHJtc0QEeuylog0yYeSjDhLZ8uBfZ5vyx49_OGiWjdCh-aNMwNjzPV0ROk0uMWs5uB5uzZRtPM/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvmAABqYBXGL2YsOHLNsPg24ig6Kj8ygCuDdPYIyO2bMtEqb3yt23ZHHR0xPIHw3xqcvL6pc49ftx3x-ioTjMDsJ144fZkNUghDulVYBdKuz18hk7viylcdjCNPN62Tm9ihXBIBHPA6U/s1600/DSCN1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvmAABqYBXGL2YsOHLNsPg24ig6Kj8ygCuDdPYIyO2bMtEqb3yt23ZHHR0xPIHw3xqcvL6pc49ftx3x-ioTjMDsJ144fZkNUghDulVYBdKuz18hk7viylcdjCNPN62Tm9ihXBIBHPA6U/s1600/DSCN1120.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />I love Animal Kingdom at night!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UUQW46-p7VL0ScbuZ9RYHi8wCzbw8uZfapkwcN9nWrphf3nY-ovEi7zp-iNjgRe3j2YFsj_TgNAJ-9D0NGq_227utryNSBM-rUzk0Ked5HH2XuZAAedXbxMlUzzqwrjbO-UDD0SwxqI/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UUQW46-p7VL0ScbuZ9RYHi8wCzbw8uZfapkwcN9nWrphf3nY-ovEi7zp-iNjgRe3j2YFsj_TgNAJ-9D0NGq_227utryNSBM-rUzk0Ked5HH2XuZAAedXbxMlUzzqwrjbO-UDD0SwxqI/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Back at the room, I laid out my clothes for the next day. I was very nervous. Several veteran runners were good about talking me out of my fear-funk, and I even found this quote--how appropriate:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MLUrlhWXTkTkZ-b3iQ5pJSZz5lKjQwHfdOBJC2wX-FY0xenRATW2956UYS1xPe13yGxl3LIktrhtUgB_FUfB0ezTWxQeDajTGCSA5fPcW8X07C5j2Y5lUmnpg-C9qTNhuqQ4snVKJic/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MLUrlhWXTkTkZ-b3iQ5pJSZz5lKjQwHfdOBJC2wX-FY0xenRATW2956UYS1xPe13yGxl3LIktrhtUgB_FUfB0ezTWxQeDajTGCSA5fPcW8X07C5j2Y5lUmnpg-C9qTNhuqQ4snVKJic/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The morning would come soon enough, and I would be running my first ever marathon!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-50156603329581670992014-03-27T19:41:00.002-04:002014-03-27T19:41:34.653-04:00Home Sweet Home. . .For the rest of my life, I will consider the Beach Club Resort home. I don't know why. Perhaps it's the smell of the lobby. Or the feeling that I have when I go there. But it's a peaceful place in the middle of all of the hecticness that is Walt Disney World.<br />
<br />
Sure, I know it. "Hecticness" is not a word. <br />
<br />
I woke up from my peaceful nap to take the bus over to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios.<br />
<br />
Whichever bus came first.<br />
<br />
The winner?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8frirPHrNpxMxL9qlZo0ne6kZnO-yasEDf_CPgIPr0efirIvW_JC7bVICSymC-NauJbfJ0qslC7cM7zsY8AUuLtgd0Uv322BZt8yt_EKs6-wXq5W9ZvJNCJHG57G0zHq6Npa5sbr7USY/s1600/DSC_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8frirPHrNpxMxL9qlZo0ne6kZnO-yasEDf_CPgIPr0efirIvW_JC7bVICSymC-NauJbfJ0qslC7cM7zsY8AUuLtgd0Uv322BZt8yt_EKs6-wXq5W9ZvJNCJHG57G0zHq6Npa5sbr7USY/s1600/DSC_0344.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a beautiful day for a slow walk in Epcot, with one of these in hand:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7bBQO9Tlt7C2sLIWNo6pCzX4uVt43oVvtHtSXQVbmCLxi_IKMXoDthDc8UQhcg3cgrylCKhD_cOoSUdO9FHCURB6cSYEr0i2h1vnkwD6vLQ7fF4oGbK4zq1vYCq-HhL6B6pwItFZu4g/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7bBQO9Tlt7C2sLIWNo6pCzX4uVt43oVvtHtSXQVbmCLxi_IKMXoDthDc8UQhcg3cgrylCKhD_cOoSUdO9FHCURB6cSYEr0i2h1vnkwD6vLQ7fF4oGbK4zq1vYCq-HhL6B6pwItFZu4g/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I typically do not drink at all in the two- to three-months before a race. But I'm glad that I did get this, because for the rest of the trip, I only got one more adult drink. <br />
<br />
When I got to the Beach Club for dinner, I was early, so I decided to walk over to the Solarium.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mQJPq5bR88CDXbS0ofj6BELcxBXVOxkR4qQ1s1GbDHA698St4S9BGldU6oq5ubhol7keQ9S8UdTwwrWn1RU_skgIlwCgTXeY-pvCV7nnUqxHfFYBZWCSVB4AuqLSX2EeCanOcKKGjXs/s1600/DSC_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mQJPq5bR88CDXbS0ofj6BELcxBXVOxkR4qQ1s1GbDHA698St4S9BGldU6oq5ubhol7keQ9S8UdTwwrWn1RU_skgIlwCgTXeY-pvCV7nnUqxHfFYBZWCSVB4AuqLSX2EeCanOcKKGjXs/s1600/DSC_0374.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There was a group in there and I quickly realized that it was a Mickey Miles Podcast meeting. They were discussing the 10K. I listened for some time, and did not offer input, as I had not run the 10K myself so I had nothing to compare it to. It seemed interesting that the feeling regarding the 10K was generally not positive. That was too bad. The 10K in DIsney World is still on my bucket list.<br />
<br />
From there I moseyed on to dinner at Cape May Cafe. Research tells you not to carb load the night before a race, rather to do it 36-48 hours ahead. I don't know how much carb loading I did. It was, however, deliciousness!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0_BMElwJybEJkPSSzXxgH7UG8oeN6rREwWT7MLnTRuYq7YWIz2FTv2RH7lsVyznlHyF1ynR2K8rXoH3wdQeY9t8gxgG97pAk62sGg9SFStjBD4mbIYEQCLHmpeIHl-ipC-5uC9WX9e0/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0_BMElwJybEJkPSSzXxgH7UG8oeN6rREwWT7MLnTRuYq7YWIz2FTv2RH7lsVyznlHyF1ynR2K8rXoH3wdQeY9t8gxgG97pAk62sGg9SFStjBD4mbIYEQCLHmpeIHl-ipC-5uC9WX9e0/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7Xf1UWuvpE7GcYEMdMeknTdUxfG_cHftmMHBYaZ26TJSLZjtKsZNz-OvrTQYzkRtEgAawhxsgLj2qJ-A3ViDcGmo3-eMXwNsWtfI9oC3RGdSvy6qDDQHC67TQo2pMQr9uqtOmsjMdac/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7Xf1UWuvpE7GcYEMdMeknTdUxfG_cHftmMHBYaZ26TJSLZjtKsZNz-OvrTQYzkRtEgAawhxsgLj2qJ-A3ViDcGmo3-eMXwNsWtfI9oC3RGdSvy6qDDQHC67TQo2pMQr9uqtOmsjMdac/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabg84FqERv08UZrZhTpfjsFjdPHyT3CQnwyVffpwCuo1IHPeBYJZFymV2Dk2DytB-gagLXBCXZ9P5fgd4auiy7Kp60EBM1AQz5e75lLPeaQv6KdMEE9ZgpOPfXTnQBaWnLO-JVafb_nM/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabg84FqERv08UZrZhTpfjsFjdPHyT3CQnwyVffpwCuo1IHPeBYJZFymV2Dk2DytB-gagLXBCXZ9P5fgd4auiy7Kp60EBM1AQz5e75lLPeaQv6KdMEE9ZgpOPfXTnQBaWnLO-JVafb_nM/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Well, there are pasta, potatoes, bread, and caramel flan in there.<br />
<br />
(My stomach is all the sudden growling!)<br />
<br />
Anyway, after dinner, I hopped on the bus to the Magic Kingdom. I rode a couple of rides, heading my favorite direction after entering the park:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVYl3CrN7R0yNPevKMaTun8rh4qv0sPa3yBSULyJdbJMajnYVchzVHIayC5yUhRuiM50IPBSNZ-U3GqHaeDbywQM9IaFtaiPVbPhnbCHd6xemiL_2ms0Umn-KQeFRn86J0P3FrJb8xV0/s1600/DSC_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVYl3CrN7R0yNPevKMaTun8rh4qv0sPa3yBSULyJdbJMajnYVchzVHIayC5yUhRuiM50IPBSNZ-U3GqHaeDbywQM9IaFtaiPVbPhnbCHd6xemiL_2ms0Umn-KQeFRn86J0P3FrJb8xV0/s1600/DSC_0380.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
As seen from in front of the Crystal Palace.<br />
<br />
As I said, I rode a few rides, and then although I was still full, I needed something to help me bide my time until Wishes:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7kips7oqXpzdVuJnHvEFShZ8iD7zB3yOzw9_P2rW-DFfKbZt3TdO5S2DlnnO9QyV5k63xItYh8KigxNzJQcHcVgrixddNTWQP9IO1s9l4gkaFWdQlp5WVKp6gwinscMIOsrEkWwrmYY/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7kips7oqXpzdVuJnHvEFShZ8iD7zB3yOzw9_P2rW-DFfKbZt3TdO5S2DlnnO9QyV5k63xItYh8KigxNzJQcHcVgrixddNTWQP9IO1s9l4gkaFWdQlp5WVKp6gwinscMIOsrEkWwrmYY/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbovJiGFDTyn5Pc1dxnbuvW0aCdD2oL2JeQRCRgwvqDFNysgFlpUZuSF4mL8WAL1CpziOwp6OJ1stNgy3dNLEhm7ThJfOjojZVlGGe6DHR4fn5SA22ju1tpw_sHuCUPIL5YnEFU7VT7aM/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbovJiGFDTyn5Pc1dxnbuvW0aCdD2oL2JeQRCRgwvqDFNysgFlpUZuSF4mL8WAL1CpziOwp6OJ1stNgy3dNLEhm7ThJfOjojZVlGGe6DHR4fn5SA22ju1tpw_sHuCUPIL5YnEFU7VT7aM/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
No line!<br />
<br />
I found a spot to sit in the hub and waited for the fireworks:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqktE7khkFcr1UyuWpj-iCyleGyRar1fgCnjF2uQNiMoevp8SfMjV81VpPQkCErC-0soHmU70I3PF7IDqIPpHmQZ1XS1P2vN3pnHNjTO0xNS74c_FB8nlW6TXGzurHoB-Gv9mL4lYXNo/s1600/DSC_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqktE7khkFcr1UyuWpj-iCyleGyRar1fgCnjF2uQNiMoevp8SfMjV81VpPQkCErC-0soHmU70I3PF7IDqIPpHmQZ1XS1P2vN3pnHNjTO0xNS74c_FB8nlW6TXGzurHoB-Gv9mL4lYXNo/s1600/DSC_0415.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And then I did my favorite thing to do: I moved through the crowd gingerly and up to the train station to people watch. Except they are going the opposite direction, have you ever wondered what it looks like when people are running the marathon on Main Street? This is some idea:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh872KyqTR0bTafWOh-0EYdbhqCATV0fJy_olJfEQOHWMJYjy6zWJ-jBoLpC65p-OCHyG-XX-MzB-PxtX_GF5kBwFWluRECxah41F2MDPoyF2YV23FhH99XLJj1A_hh1KeZ-8tUh2VQKZw/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh872KyqTR0bTafWOh-0EYdbhqCATV0fJy_olJfEQOHWMJYjy6zWJ-jBoLpC65p-OCHyG-XX-MzB-PxtX_GF5kBwFWluRECxah41F2MDPoyF2YV23FhH99XLJj1A_hh1KeZ-8tUh2VQKZw/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Seriously. You can't really run on it.<br />
<br />
Having spent my full day out, I knew the next one was to be one of relaxation. I took the bus back to the resort and just rested my feet.<br />
<br />
T-Minus 28 hours til the marathon!Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-81502937421616256212014-02-15T12:07:00.000-05:002014-02-15T12:07:22.935-05:00We're walkin' right down the middle of Main Street, USA. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, here's a little known fact about a Disney vacation. . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
you have to get up at the same time of the morning as if you were working that week.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No lie.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Most people don't know this and make a fundamental mistake. While I've gotten up early, and ridden all the rides I want to in a two hour period, and am ready to go back to the room for a nap, others have slept in and gotten to the parks to discover that they have 2 and 3 hour long waits for rides.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Don't be like the others.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You've been warned. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My morning started with one of my favorite Disney treats. . .the early morning coffee walk.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcDgJNUBCkDGdr7Ln7UCtbPdemGeVbEcXejaZ7mqqcXjyRUV-mQsyLPjpR6P2mrSx3zKvb016jVevatnBqtplWDmYMRH_Gy8-HXXY4T6mW4tPBnAunttymAl3TtzeE-TDbYWE-sacC6k/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcDgJNUBCkDGdr7Ln7UCtbPdemGeVbEcXejaZ7mqqcXjyRUV-mQsyLPjpR6P2mrSx3zKvb016jVevatnBqtplWDmYMRH_Gy8-HXXY4T6mW4tPBnAunttymAl3TtzeE-TDbYWE-sacC6k/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyumPa2MrwprHApkUDZSj2X2nwN5smGnF3rHbyv2JDTSa6g8afOrsBPk73HSbFpftFtNih5UCd39UuG3IVN31VLN1RYc6N8Yf6lQ7tU2M7gVaSPlYmph2UJz7KT2NNpmOFklK7SLLi3c/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyumPa2MrwprHApkUDZSj2X2nwN5smGnF3rHbyv2JDTSa6g8afOrsBPk73HSbFpftFtNih5UCd39UuG3IVN31VLN1RYc6N8Yf6lQ7tU2M7gVaSPlYmph2UJz7KT2NNpmOFklK7SLLi3c/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
Coffee in the food courts isn't the best, although it's recently gotten marginally better. But have you ever heard of a person who needs coffee so she can make coffee?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yeah, that would be me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Coffee in hand, I was ready to take on the day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdNwAIXRxDPlPgplbXPa6FI1J6ClMCwclYUhn9vZtAZYVtXAgfGnJEwa7GnAuzn5ddcjOxUDhcSzCN5WLDlAZPJw6WtBxRLelAf3mVC0YyzINwSKE0KeR-AWHr-akXk0YBiY272i700A/s1600/DSC_0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdNwAIXRxDPlPgplbXPa6FI1J6ClMCwclYUhn9vZtAZYVtXAgfGnJEwa7GnAuzn5ddcjOxUDhcSzCN5WLDlAZPJw6WtBxRLelAf3mVC0YyzINwSKE0KeR-AWHr-akXk0YBiY272i700A/s1600/DSC_0216.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv0miT2PLjZlqmOy5oykUWOdUs4W7J_mrpAWMpl23YDF9lLnKd_FGtXRYWTSeV0FnFumZYvaPd84ZJJN0oM0Gm8TUoJ67AtMYuVe_kw2vNaV3gJ3dpVM_K7Tc2pllvYGtKMsHHi9wSZw/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv0miT2PLjZlqmOy5oykUWOdUs4W7J_mrpAWMpl23YDF9lLnKd_FGtXRYWTSeV0FnFumZYvaPd84ZJJN0oM0Gm8TUoJ67AtMYuVe_kw2vNaV3gJ3dpVM_K7Tc2pllvYGtKMsHHi9wSZw/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYNnE_Ahj5wUV8FA7GVa5U-ACzzXjcrZPCv9AMdA7rRRUhc8NHNN1ddb66-Kmp_TcSE3C2Tqoyj7catkn22mhPourczlx50rCgx8IoKw4V7JsHjTxbyaHzgpuLWjW4ZHuHIgDZapwUg4/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYNnE_Ahj5wUV8FA7GVa5U-ACzzXjcrZPCv9AMdA7rRRUhc8NHNN1ddb66-Kmp_TcSE3C2Tqoyj7catkn22mhPourczlx50rCgx8IoKw4V7JsHjTxbyaHzgpuLWjW4ZHuHIgDZapwUg4/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
The walk back to the bus stop after getting ready.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes, those flowers are azaleas. Typically not seen until April here, they were beginning to bloom this week.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On I went to the Magic Kingdom. . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnSxRI7R9gL5AZelovCTM8iCR_XieE2E_2zHbYnyYHS1r5d2Y9vfnLRz9yvIAenEI0UkLLYh63eexob2jpp4RBlJqQo1JZha6Z_QVzKA4aDGdo8j2lak5MncdWfPtzdIzu9TjIi1SRiM/s1600/DSC_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnSxRI7R9gL5AZelovCTM8iCR_XieE2E_2zHbYnyYHS1r5d2Y9vfnLRz9yvIAenEI0UkLLYh63eexob2jpp4RBlJqQo1JZha6Z_QVzKA4aDGdo8j2lak5MncdWfPtzdIzu9TjIi1SRiM/s1600/DSC_0224.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPtm5d83eHFZkH2K-VxVp_rXU7orJ-sAPl4Qsss9Rwi-AmcyTCW1m9bW1pdqvhfXDADNgMonoU86obJjnjN7whhDwFlww8Aaqn41LpOL0Sy08RoHX-M6foJqZXyAUNtzqt3Lni-b4sqs/s1600/DSC_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPtm5d83eHFZkH2K-VxVp_rXU7orJ-sAPl4Qsss9Rwi-AmcyTCW1m9bW1pdqvhfXDADNgMonoU86obJjnjN7whhDwFlww8Aaqn41LpOL0Sy08RoHX-M6foJqZXyAUNtzqt3Lni-b4sqs/s1600/DSC_0227.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4UsULjN9xWPQnNgB7chL61nD3L6TAPj60H-OTToJJHmzwW1WEQhwx-7va1bm9CEC53fN3nuos1n-pnit_jSkys31Ji0eiG2I52z9T9AWVH0Ygo1SWs9NN2q9VrnOXnNDzLY3N7oOFAw/s1600/DSC_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4UsULjN9xWPQnNgB7chL61nD3L6TAPj60H-OTToJJHmzwW1WEQhwx-7va1bm9CEC53fN3nuos1n-pnit_jSkys31Ji0eiG2I52z9T9AWVH0Ygo1SWs9NN2q9VrnOXnNDzLY3N7oOFAw/s1600/DSC_0247.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
I watched the family of the day open the Magic Kingdom, and then made my way down Main Street. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Crowds were. . . well, to be honest, there were no crowds this week!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMlSdWFUUGaOfe_ZPLrQm_mmgIVkWS-7HNe6BYGXW68zlxYpDvgz6GzGjgF8TukwOWf2qVsAweDT87qgSWiq41eMR8t60Uztu9JpBR2-LH7ULokXQk8PA855YYlQlhOme1us7tLvmj-w/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMlSdWFUUGaOfe_ZPLrQm_mmgIVkWS-7HNe6BYGXW68zlxYpDvgz6GzGjgF8TukwOWf2qVsAweDT87qgSWiq41eMR8t60Uztu9JpBR2-LH7ULokXQk8PA855YYlQlhOme1us7tLvmj-w/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
I headed to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I did not want to hit Space Mountain before the marathon, as it could do damage to my back, which I needed to carry me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2nJLJ9SuDD0D6sXqIlNfl2F4gNmriWSkktfTdWxz7wlVTPFyXzpChgiWk_TxiRjsBV42bMSJsn1RIMkLDyPSukDcP54tlowBups-4oHOX5VKF5prIK50TulOV0DfCKwcIeZGTUnfH5I/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2nJLJ9SuDD0D6sXqIlNfl2F4gNmriWSkktfTdWxz7wlVTPFyXzpChgiWk_TxiRjsBV42bMSJsn1RIMkLDyPSukDcP54tlowBups-4oHOX5VKF5prIK50TulOV0DfCKwcIeZGTUnfH5I/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkEjUve_k19WR4yu3gllsXxzDq1NIogPyezF88NCBYoslIhtS70JFse8SRk1ZIM1YDtK5a02wjHzivEdI-FQpJYeI2liv36Ff2_mP0CP5RRSUUhItly6dPzMEkAYhxjGtXuRFG8i_ZHw/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkEjUve_k19WR4yu3gllsXxzDq1NIogPyezF88NCBYoslIhtS70JFse8SRk1ZIM1YDtK5a02wjHzivEdI-FQpJYeI2liv36Ff2_mP0CP5RRSUUhItly6dPzMEkAYhxjGtXuRFG8i_ZHw/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vpNmKDTwH-3DuzLtnrO2xUb18pp7-RlW8bddfSU3flbgXZildjxW9yu-H7LZlb-wZPGUtPLVyqGI23aHM3-O-XIx1Due5D0S9nt5ibue1JNuak2BgpkK47UxqYQFOe4pFu6EeSpEU3E/s1600/DSC_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vpNmKDTwH-3DuzLtnrO2xUb18pp7-RlW8bddfSU3flbgXZildjxW9yu-H7LZlb-wZPGUtPLVyqGI23aHM3-O-XIx1Due5D0S9nt5ibue1JNuak2BgpkK47UxqYQFOe4pFu6EeSpEU3E/s1600/DSC_0267.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfoEJVXayJys5kaGJDWbCSS8Zc3E8aOdVoxPweWdcfytWWrYP-6DPy8CaHMtOuwjgwfq6Sihy1FtGBR8c1uiXlEKAOGq8DcEhxQYMPB5UBLqfj7wQxaii_3g4rznffh9rEW3-myrdp9w/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfoEJVXayJys5kaGJDWbCSS8Zc3E8aOdVoxPweWdcfytWWrYP-6DPy8CaHMtOuwjgwfq6Sihy1FtGBR8c1uiXlEKAOGq8DcEhxQYMPB5UBLqfj7wQxaii_3g4rznffh9rEW3-myrdp9w/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<div>
Splash Mountain was once again closed, so I headed on to Pirates and then the Haunted Mansion. I finally got to see the new Rapunzel themed restrooms in Fantasyland</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwkR5WLDMVCLiAs4mCZwbHS9QYTz-GWPAK7dVaay-ku8qNfoFWrlOb_d5eUj_zMDAvVUzSQlAECMmD4WN__yJ3YipzDLwhewePdiyVlA6w3w73hEHnHAo2AGZyvbHOoOaktjBuvRj3cc/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwkR5WLDMVCLiAs4mCZwbHS9QYTz-GWPAK7dVaay-ku8qNfoFWrlOb_d5eUj_zMDAvVUzSQlAECMmD4WN__yJ3YipzDLwhewePdiyVlA6w3w73hEHnHAo2AGZyvbHOoOaktjBuvRj3cc/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T7bUYmMFy7PZmD-zASNVTkjIuUaOTLWEcmH_nknOUvyWhiclT3BJwGnrPPS16NX_Tfqm-LkuXF5rR3kOPo6bawWB7lhCWtm8_5zjg0hEKvSXAdUDswoUgnY4UnbSApmPsg3UyYJQ9XU/s1600/DSC_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T7bUYmMFy7PZmD-zASNVTkjIuUaOTLWEcmH_nknOUvyWhiclT3BJwGnrPPS16NX_Tfqm-LkuXF5rR3kOPo6bawWB7lhCWtm8_5zjg0hEKvSXAdUDswoUgnY4UnbSApmPsg3UyYJQ9XU/s1600/DSC_0274.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
The theming on these were beautiful. . .I took pictures later in the week of the inside.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDn0F6hPh6or4kGaOTaFkzjEXc-7l3ZQE-4xzlmsni1t1JseWgwaTKvtBmzQPjQB8LfEyLnUVeYY2CxloMsbxqW2hXrsMJ6tvseVTtUYMIGQjvodLKxMuSmlF4WFS7Md_YjPANmhWyLw/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDn0F6hPh6or4kGaOTaFkzjEXc-7l3ZQE-4xzlmsni1t1JseWgwaTKvtBmzQPjQB8LfEyLnUVeYY2CxloMsbxqW2hXrsMJ6tvseVTtUYMIGQjvodLKxMuSmlF4WFS7Md_YjPANmhWyLw/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2OaaWiFhcGWuLdwLDKlXME-EzkaqsOMiNaNMrf866TRBNQnqINWMUyrcxOIRQfD75MQyrGZW7_XRzQ0tDRo5KafjPydPDUXDwfuxDPTpaXKrwj8bo8sGQcie2vSZ8OziG6twebuXadU/s1600/DSC_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2OaaWiFhcGWuLdwLDKlXME-EzkaqsOMiNaNMrf866TRBNQnqINWMUyrcxOIRQfD75MQyrGZW7_XRzQ0tDRo5KafjPydPDUXDwfuxDPTpaXKrwj8bo8sGQcie2vSZ8OziG6twebuXadU/s1600/DSC_0281.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88EIzmyCgC2KPLXBtKKHgyPXi9wUHwIAezw5_y8OHStX5L5J16-Gs7n9OpCcaLBkRUzEWTPteMhnmXND9Xywc7Z8iIRnV9XxAAClOeg51pUolgW_uCLRWSHsebngsEm1dHfs-0jsNGB4/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88EIzmyCgC2KPLXBtKKHgyPXi9wUHwIAezw5_y8OHStX5L5J16-Gs7n9OpCcaLBkRUzEWTPteMhnmXND9Xywc7Z8iIRnV9XxAAClOeg51pUolgW_uCLRWSHsebngsEm1dHfs-0jsNGB4/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C2M3qoRWcAggbzEWgURYbfhuG00_8cLS9SIaMJduWrs4uBgKvYsIb5Xz-R8uMMELMiUWtrHd9Fah9dP145MJYVqKrrsn0hAwQDctTHBUhbYM8hm0JGjnfDqVfj4oiTE9cNjBkaIBgh4/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C2M3qoRWcAggbzEWgURYbfhuG00_8cLS9SIaMJduWrs4uBgKvYsIb5Xz-R8uMMELMiUWtrHd9Fah9dP145MJYVqKrrsn0hAwQDctTHBUhbYM8hm0JGjnfDqVfj4oiTE9cNjBkaIBgh4/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_8GpIN4xOdpj8CYuEkw1IVL_ZmBorsuOdpKnSpAbqpWcxrUfx3tDnZpj0Kyv9S-NZnYL51oZrme-EurhGNCEi5uOFV-Bm4Xr6tw6_tZYhTEZKunpeD8NPBNbDSguYioiGfIYNnyjh-Q/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_8GpIN4xOdpj8CYuEkw1IVL_ZmBorsuOdpKnSpAbqpWcxrUfx3tDnZpj0Kyv9S-NZnYL51oZrme-EurhGNCEi5uOFV-Bm4Xr6tw6_tZYhTEZKunpeD8NPBNbDSguYioiGfIYNnyjh-Q/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBtcu3rJDKqwpXz5X8oe0U8EyoH9DDLq8gO3JP4QHZcvkQHtUdkMnG9EltymBHNOKA5AX-BPuL-J_jy5metG02jQUiLvHn-5UPDzFtLHn_WGzDnZEq4wOS9LYWBBF4BUNwhtxWU2z104/s1600/DSC_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBtcu3rJDKqwpXz5X8oe0U8EyoH9DDLq8gO3JP4QHZcvkQHtUdkMnG9EltymBHNOKA5AX-BPuL-J_jy5metG02jQUiLvHn-5UPDzFtLHn_WGzDnZEq4wOS9LYWBBF4BUNwhtxWU2z104/s1600/DSC_0321.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
I made my way through fantasyland and spied the new 7 Dwarfs mine from Dumbo.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98sZP_iBXYqNUJUCmGfaguAZq19tGO-IU-pG44V4Mb3h7FGlRcL_Z1Wc0yyjVZIwyUTYz8Ow58aeFUxwrYN5nI2OQwiZNlqQLi_oobv9mMsu4jrmoVipbzvWYfkLl90lorbCYw7PdIrU/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98sZP_iBXYqNUJUCmGfaguAZq19tGO-IU-pG44V4Mb3h7FGlRcL_Z1Wc0yyjVZIwyUTYz8Ow58aeFUxwrYN5nI2OQwiZNlqQLi_oobv9mMsu4jrmoVipbzvWYfkLl90lorbCYw7PdIrU/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
The best part was seeing Daisy and Minnie</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkw2LFoYa1voU_6yvLlJLk2k8J4TN7e_YHbu-UuoTZWSflGp7dsDnHv87lpJxoA0yjFq7hOoZ77krR5LZb1188U7mWq0sNxaaO_lfCjIcCdlaBF9gxXk5cJQ8Q9bjGJX0lYLJE2THUOU/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkw2LFoYa1voU_6yvLlJLk2k8J4TN7e_YHbu-UuoTZWSflGp7dsDnHv87lpJxoA0yjFq7hOoZ77krR5LZb1188U7mWq0sNxaaO_lfCjIcCdlaBF9gxXk5cJQ8Q9bjGJX0lYLJE2THUOU/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAb5CZa0AAfTWpuT3QOBJd4UFn2N5U6HduNx6zvwIDxYDKQJCc9iBNT1p0zDSanPdrXKnghiAxjsT-V8FbFQIR9945V7Mp4niJXb69girGb444ZIQpEXXKxhTuLOVc-dwK3INpOO28EuI/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAb5CZa0AAfTWpuT3QOBJd4UFn2N5U6HduNx6zvwIDxYDKQJCc9iBNT1p0zDSanPdrXKnghiAxjsT-V8FbFQIR9945V7Mp4niJXb69girGb444ZIQpEXXKxhTuLOVc-dwK3INpOO28EuI/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By that time, hunger had hit. I want to my favorite Counter Service in the Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Rays</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaascskjjcLc-VlJ95HFb6hoeQVEcHhI0UlpgpQJWBUtnTiL6U-pytWloCfazs5NUERCBmYIaGef3AYxBlQWVqT9bkDft_dMqufr_RHN2hXgCIs8eSBbIwqqCDruNX5Pgbm6Gb0YA84U/s1600/IMG_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaascskjjcLc-VlJ95HFb6hoeQVEcHhI0UlpgpQJWBUtnTiL6U-pytWloCfazs5NUERCBmYIaGef3AYxBlQWVqT9bkDft_dMqufr_RHN2hXgCIs8eSBbIwqqCDruNX5Pgbm6Gb0YA84U/s1600/IMG_0167.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioQj6n2pxJMcYKr6h8h2YQEbt5v6K74PnRdq7DvyoaQ2PTBSO9yqzll2a7QGJe2mxDShu_UmERaq2K3Ef1geCCP0hve-lcQw5cT49o00uOI94aIGbkuD1hfuilI7gUpAJQOOCQDsqSCs/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioQj6n2pxJMcYKr6h8h2YQEbt5v6K74PnRdq7DvyoaQ2PTBSO9yqzll2a7QGJe2mxDShu_UmERaq2K3Ef1geCCP0hve-lcQw5cT49o00uOI94aIGbkuD1hfuilI7gUpAJQOOCQDsqSCs/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I always have the best view there</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rqjwmjlrZGPazeNpR-R-ZUfd2yBTuOwCU9DxFzK97Ixgf0edRAouZGFc3p9d029WA5NOYoIitmw-Oi-oXu5y66IFtbz_858fUKgl9Zl2NmnZs3mdaCvbzQ4V04KsbR51yCLZIqmXIX0/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rqjwmjlrZGPazeNpR-R-ZUfd2yBTuOwCU9DxFzK97Ixgf0edRAouZGFc3p9d029WA5NOYoIitmw-Oi-oXu5y66IFtbz_858fUKgl9Zl2NmnZs3mdaCvbzQ4V04KsbR51yCLZIqmXIX0/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cvhIKUBoIoeuLvH63Lz5SnU1sxne6n8WM6OSKR3fnEe3XVWD3m13B_d5tr-eiYM5v4BwuwWgARgJgRziFvjO6kvgmgB5t9ueOyG35YidtqnlvVOdcIatupXcW1v2_QSJMvSog7YIGKU/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cvhIKUBoIoeuLvH63Lz5SnU1sxne6n8WM6OSKR3fnEe3XVWD3m13B_d5tr-eiYM5v4BwuwWgARgJgRziFvjO6kvgmgB5t9ueOyG35YidtqnlvVOdcIatupXcW1v2_QSJMvSog7YIGKU/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I then rode the People Mover and headed back to the room for a nap. By this time, it was around noon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Coming up. . .Dinner at my favorite resort and Pretty lights!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-15580880212035480522014-02-12T14:47:00.002-05:002014-02-12T14:47:22.304-05:00Marathon Madness. . .Day OneWow. It's been one month since I finished the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon. It honestly doesn't feel like it's been that long. But it has. Day one of the weekend starts with an on-time Southwest Flight from Raleigh-Durham Airport. <br />
<br />
I do get the same feeling as I'm flying. . .<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>"Oh Lord, Our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth" (Psalm 8:1)</i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe8KxnImyKYADNbgDzElbQpuIVrB4OcAfU2f289F_kKhJJCoWg5JYaeui7QvRnoznF16BZzdL0JtHlubY6Ukh_Biay_u-LPV8SzNbILrI08MyoD3GrXFljHQ09pvnFncng24NAfIrYSg/s1600/DSCN1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe8KxnImyKYADNbgDzElbQpuIVrB4OcAfU2f289F_kKhJJCoWg5JYaeui7QvRnoznF16BZzdL0JtHlubY6Ukh_Biay_u-LPV8SzNbILrI08MyoD3GrXFljHQ09pvnFncng24NAfIrYSg/s1600/DSCN1004.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Isn't that beautiful?!?<br />
<br />
It wasn't long before I was in Orlando, and although I had planned on breakfast, I decided I wanted to get to Disney for that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSHx_axv5yrkVjy7Efoxvk56mupdvhjVy2FYeDGKhGDcD8dfaG6CrgSx8E929_KQWshVKkVG8BxA3BdURWs4DdV1wuO6XpAMKwwhf3Aj5mNRddaKV4WFgmYo9g18zjsVSzyvQW8ZP8sU/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSHx_axv5yrkVjy7Efoxvk56mupdvhjVy2FYeDGKhGDcD8dfaG6CrgSx8E929_KQWshVKkVG8BxA3BdURWs4DdV1wuO6XpAMKwwhf3Aj5mNRddaKV4WFgmYo9g18zjsVSzyvQW8ZP8sU/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZX8Dts7ibwrVT1bvkH5mlTwSmq7sS6yxuitkrKXnY4_33AfycJ4yR63IS0edhLwA4IoqxK4Ur15QtzopllLx9oxoCFVlX0vFVuCwaWAjGvRIIF15GvyoTvlc76UKDH2UGquZZYwtyd8/s1600/DSC_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZX8Dts7ibwrVT1bvkH5mlTwSmq7sS6yxuitkrKXnY4_33AfycJ4yR63IS0edhLwA4IoqxK4Ur15QtzopllLx9oxoCFVlX0vFVuCwaWAjGvRIIF15GvyoTvlc76UKDH2UGquZZYwtyd8/s1600/DSC_0212.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Check in was a short affair. The room was already ready, so I dropped off my overnight bag in the room and then had breakfast. Breakfast was the normal Disney fare for counter service, but I was starving!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjls1QGKbpaFBlUWJHwJAS3u91Tw9sb1lNF06C4wGjchwGHF0DjQh9GCxdmDpyDWLDIzI2fUQvM3dSDh69fDjpCqIhkYgj2DBwXtqT56JXzyglUWPs0YuGHwfUVtP34YoSB80qIjnU9w/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjls1QGKbpaFBlUWJHwJAS3u91Tw9sb1lNF06C4wGjchwGHF0DjQh9GCxdmDpyDWLDIzI2fUQvM3dSDh69fDjpCqIhkYgj2DBwXtqT56JXzyglUWPs0YuGHwfUVtP34YoSB80qIjnU9w/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0xA1506_p_oDECYoR-IPIuJlHHERGa-KRi6rqasZJyOy3HIEfCXZ3NDCC-CdK2WzxfMmK9zLWzkfwvolQY38vmt4lQ13rc5ygGRGJ2sxrurH8jOJVEA4NcDtsfP6Xp2w3kBwvIKGySI/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0xA1506_p_oDECYoR-IPIuJlHHERGa-KRi6rqasZJyOy3HIEfCXZ3NDCC-CdK2WzxfMmK9zLWzkfwvolQY38vmt4lQ13rc5ygGRGJ2sxrurH8jOJVEA4NcDtsfP6Xp2w3kBwvIKGySI/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Carb loading done right? Meh, probably not. . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I headed over on race transport to the Expo.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHBijPMoBMxRZiIUX8c9NYXt_Zl-CMEckJMN4N6X7tZ-VHosRH1oDIdJuOs2cpnKyQB6l9mOzan7R8lEDroZXIvRJJekoefPaHKFMA_JKfYrCrTicGJmHIa-o7emX__YVsjsDKuD9Bqk/s1600/DSCN1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHBijPMoBMxRZiIUX8c9NYXt_Zl-CMEckJMN4N6X7tZ-VHosRH1oDIdJuOs2cpnKyQB6l9mOzan7R8lEDroZXIvRJJekoefPaHKFMA_JKfYrCrTicGJmHIa-o7emX__YVsjsDKuD9Bqk/s1600/DSCN1008.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDriCDvGOpnUhY1FJy-0hy3KCc9FHx4uJWHBSYgQw7Uq1hg0MlXHgJ2mMH7arVJne78xlK6_oGRe6nSJkiZ0xIrG-fBe7vZj0P1_ah_fWLHNmcdrlFvoeMo16XYO6tt_ffhV2wrPbBK18/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDriCDvGOpnUhY1FJy-0hy3KCc9FHx4uJWHBSYgQw7Uq1hg0MlXHgJ2mMH7arVJne78xlK6_oGRe6nSJkiZ0xIrG-fBe7vZj0P1_ah_fWLHNmcdrlFvoeMo16XYO6tt_ffhV2wrPbBK18/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The expo was over at the Wide World of Sports. Last year for the Princess Half Marathon, the Expo was at Coronado Springs. I much prefer WWoS. Even though things are in different buildings, they are definitely more put together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was in and out of the Expo in an hour.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After that, I went to the room, where my luggage had arrived.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For those of you who are not familiar, Disney has a transportation system known as Magical Express to and from the Orlando International Airport. They give you yellow tags to put on your suitcases, and once you drop of your suitcases, you do not have to claim them. Disney claims them for you and they Magically appear in your room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I took a short nap, then headed over to Epcot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpJd4udPHQjeMOedtsgXDCQfe5F2kwarC7eHX9ZcfXLhaJDaEGAW9wqVwUJhtZ3BOkU9rZhOalNt393kyTlf6WxtMoevq9S6zfGiNoeLcqt1bNsyGzcYVztJk_-bPErpF-RMfM-o9AEU/s1600/DSCN1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpJd4udPHQjeMOedtsgXDCQfe5F2kwarC7eHX9ZcfXLhaJDaEGAW9wqVwUJhtZ3BOkU9rZhOalNt393kyTlf6WxtMoevq9S6zfGiNoeLcqt1bNsyGzcYVztJk_-bPErpF-RMfM-o9AEU/s1600/DSCN1012.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The rain had started</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uRSVIQ27J61SQsCQiAHGqiXd7lNSGNsShEOfUD8lBMe9qPLXKUUosXVRLimdgUoGpe8zM86XGk-e_cVTHO5OhuHv5F2I3CPlKh6S6QV29bLOZsqfaJofZTP38sXOWLTr_Qr7q0T16RM/s1600/DSCN1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uRSVIQ27J61SQsCQiAHGqiXd7lNSGNsShEOfUD8lBMe9qPLXKUUosXVRLimdgUoGpe8zM86XGk-e_cVTHO5OhuHv5F2I3CPlKh6S6QV29bLOZsqfaJofZTP38sXOWLTr_Qr7q0T16RM/s1600/DSCN1014.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWAxdD2i2e_VcLpSkproy394pyS-DbPjkF5QihXmIw32qSnIb8DgbMFSM0boiRs6nxEIbklaymTpyp2rjupjiMprNlROga7OjMOJjz4FrisA9wPeW6OYQvTQHiPnWY33BsOXu6S5_5Ek/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWAxdD2i2e_VcLpSkproy394pyS-DbPjkF5QihXmIw32qSnIb8DgbMFSM0boiRs6nxEIbklaymTpyp2rjupjiMprNlROga7OjMOJjz4FrisA9wPeW6OYQvTQHiPnWY33BsOXu6S5_5Ek/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now available as snack credits on the meal plan.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s7J7PJhra_KOOXb-nOWZBpNcmV24b7345XVwc1HVJGIZU5w7B_0mzpLMu-Y9fbZdzXD3qLeP9VzrLSbmhpDt8utGm4rSCq8DTs0Yw73QAuq8krRQjHcg8IBGgt6ugLXYDpO8fHidIK8/s1600/DSCN1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s7J7PJhra_KOOXb-nOWZBpNcmV24b7345XVwc1HVJGIZU5w7B_0mzpLMu-Y9fbZdzXD3qLeP9VzrLSbmhpDt8utGm4rSCq8DTs0Yw73QAuq8krRQjHcg8IBGgt6ugLXYDpO8fHidIK8/s1600/DSCN1018.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My first fastpass+ ride :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I piddled around Epcot until it was time for the Pasta in the Park Party. This party is in Epcot and it included preferred fireworks viewing, which I did not do because I was exhausted. It also includes character greets, dinner, and music. Cost is about $55.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUl30JQm2HxxXOvKrrgoZoEzQWsQNxLiec9eo3SS3lNsRFBdOEphtGKr2bLc8QMDMD8o6_NdaFcjDVep4i4xhApW3q0UkBNgWfV-DolbJNk3tQHOr6wOJ3RiQ192nkMg5Dmqb8uZy9no/s1600/DSCN1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUl30JQm2HxxXOvKrrgoZoEzQWsQNxLiec9eo3SS3lNsRFBdOEphtGKr2bLc8QMDMD8o6_NdaFcjDVep4i4xhApW3q0UkBNgWfV-DolbJNk3tQHOr6wOJ3RiQ192nkMg5Dmqb8uZy9no/s1600/DSCN1019.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Somewhat dark in there</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SBeR1gdCJkp6dL7KblT8d-8QJTIE_ZGWgkigQ8Q9Kuq0BrB6Sqk62Jl6Swe6DE8BNREOax6HqUMzDLFbtE7Mx0FNwcPl-k9wXolTJEz40JzkM1A0DCtDG__os5rR5vyVbT5Xx48ZCpk/s1600/DSCN1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SBeR1gdCJkp6dL7KblT8d-8QJTIE_ZGWgkigQ8Q9Kuq0BrB6Sqk62Jl6Swe6DE8BNREOax6HqUMzDLFbtE7Mx0FNwcPl-k9wXolTJEz40JzkM1A0DCtDG__os5rR5vyVbT5Xx48ZCpk/s1600/DSCN1020.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My dinner plate</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvCpg9jvMuCCMNC4KSUew35d-iPgpQZk3wcORD_vQYKQI7d60Rx3yHyfPRlkvTdqnhxBesm1_DewCnFMueqfgu3kMahSCyYhLmvgIG1OghWcExZFxYbp7KS1ocA0mvJz9EX2QWIaLAeM/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvCpg9jvMuCCMNC4KSUew35d-iPgpQZk3wcORD_vQYKQI7d60Rx3yHyfPRlkvTdqnhxBesm1_DewCnFMueqfgu3kMahSCyYhLmvgIG1OghWcExZFxYbp7KS1ocA0mvJz9EX2QWIaLAeM/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A few more people. . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I met a lady doing the Dopey challenge (all four races for the weekend--5K, 10K, half, full), and enjoyed our time talking there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the end, I would not do the Pasta in the Park Party again. It was about the same price as the Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party with not near enough perks, IMO.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was relaxing, and getting into my Disney groove, though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I returned to the room for the night. The next day (Friday) was rope drop at Magic Kingdom, and my last real busy day before the race.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Coming up. . .Day 2 of Marathon Madness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-86965842500742006612013-12-19T16:28:00.003-05:002013-12-19T16:28:29.593-05:00When you are uncertain you can finish24 days. . .<br />
<br />
Yep, that's it. That's how many days I have until I run my first (and quite possibly only) marathon.<br />
<br />
It's been a struggle. And that is putting it mildly. Do I know if I'll make it? Not really. <br />
<br />
I've trained. I've run one 20-mile practice run and have another soon. According to experts, whoever they are, if a person can do 20 miles, they can do 26.2. I'll believe that in 24 days. <br />
<br />
If I calculate correctly, that's just a little over 3 weeks from now. I've done everything humanly I think I can do. I've read literature, gotten the right shoes, trained hard, found the right clothes, used Body Glide. I've booked my flight, my room, my dining reservations, planned exactly how much time I'm spending off of my feet on the day before. I run on days that I don't feel like it. When my knee hurts, I take time off of running to let it heal.<br />
<br />
The fact of the matter, though, is I'm uncertain. I'm uncertain that I'm going to finish that marathon.<br />
<br />
But aren't we all uncertain at some point?<br />
<br />
My favorite scripture verse is<i> "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans for hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)</i><br />
<br />
It sounds simplistic, but it is not. I can plan and hope and dream, but the fact of the matter is this--everything, and I mean <b>everything</b> is in God's hands. And is God even concerned about whether or not I finish this race? <br />
<br />
I think so: <i>"Why even the hairs on your head are all numbered." (Luke 12:7)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
It's hard not to worry when faced with the uncertainty of all that life puts in our paths. But I am convinced that <i>"in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
If it's for my good, I will finish. If it isn't, I will not.<br />
<br />
So, for now, I just can't worry about that.<br />
<br />
<i>"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear'? For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33)</i><br />
<br />Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-30462218803071022742013-08-10T21:20:00.004-04:002013-08-10T21:20:46.333-04:00What Does That Make Me?<b><i>"You make everything glorious and I am Yours,</i></b><br />
<b><i>What does that make me?"</i></b><br />
<b><i>~~David Crowder Band, <u>Everything Glorious</u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b>
One thing can be said about women that is almost always true. . .we tend to compare ourselves with others way too much. And no matter what, we never seem to be good enough. The song sung by David Crowder Band tells us differently. . .if God made the creation glorious, then that means we are also glorious.<br />
<br />
It's time for all of us to stop looking at ourselves as persons who didn't look good enough, lose enough weight this week, and (ouch, this steps on my toes) run fast enough. We are God's creation and we are therefore glorious in His eyes. . .<br />
<br />
<b><i>"And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good." ~~Genesis 1:31</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
My prayer this week is that we all see the beauty of the creation that we are in God's eyes, and that we who trust in Him use that beauty to show Him to the world which needs Jesus greatly.<br />
<br />
<b><i>"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath ordained that we should walk in them." ~~Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)</i></b>Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-49399016848379646402013-08-07T19:14:00.001-04:002013-08-07T19:14:22.449-04:00Aches and Pains. . .Listen to Your Body!I'm stubborn.<br />
<br />
There, I admitted it.<br />
<br />
My name is Amanda, and stubborn-ness is my problem. I try not to be, but I still find myself there.<br />
<br />
And what is the problem with that?<br />
<br />
<i><b>"I will break down your stubborn pride." ~~Leviticus 26:19</b></i><br />
<br />
Oh. Wow. Stubborn and proud. Way to step on my toes.<br />
<br />
The theme of today's post involves the aches and pains involved with training for long runs. See, for two weeks, I did something I know not to do. I've done it before, with the same disastrous results.<br />
<br />
I did leg extensions with 100+ pounds of weight, leg presses with 90+ pounds of weight, and 10 sets of squats. There's really not a problem with that unless you plan to run seven miles soon after. Me, in my stubborn pridefulness, thought that it would be okay.<br />
<br />
It wasn't.<br />
<br />
And it hasn't ever been before. I thought I could be she-man, and lift way too heavy with my legs and my knees not pay the price. I was prideful and therefore lost it all there.<br />
<br />
Yes, I still ran 7 miles. Yes, I was really slow. I did not listen to my training. I knew better than the books I've read, podcasts I've listened to, even Jeff Galloway. I knew in my mind better what the temple God gave me had already shown me. I was prideful. I was going to do be the big gal on the block.<br />
<br />
Guess what? I'm almost 40 years old. I am still overweight. Old knees aren't meant to withstand all of that work. And it does not pay to forget all of that.<br />
<br />
Last night, I ate some humble pie, took it slowly, and forgot all of that extra too much.<br />
<br />
That two miles was much better.<br />
<br />
<i><b>"Before his downfall, a man's heart is proud; but humility comes before honor." ~~Proverbs 18:12</b></i>Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-67585690747294658812013-08-03T13:41:00.001-04:002013-08-03T13:44:08.159-04:00Feelin' HOT, HOT, HOT!!! What's your commitment?Temperatures go up. And your speed goes down. It's discouraging. I know. I dealt with it this morning. It can be discouraging going from a race where your average was less than a 12 minute mile to a training run with a 15 minute mile. Very discouraging, indeed. Some days, it can be enough to make you pack up your running shoes, Gu Chomps, and Sparkle skirts and put them in the attic.<br />
<br />
Here's the truth of the matter: according to Jeff Galloway, you should add 30 seconds to your time for every 5 degrees above 60 degrees. The day I ran that 12 minute mile, it was around 60 degrees. Today's temperature was 85 degrees. So I could expect a 2.5 minute per mile increase--around 14.5 minutes per mile. I started faster than I should have this morning, so I can understand the 15 minute mile. That doesn't keep it from being discouraging when you see the average speed going down on the Nike+ Sport Watch. It doesn't keep the irritating voice in your head from stealing your thunder.<br />
<br />
I've long talked about my playlists that I listen to when running. At about 3 miles today, I hit a wall. The song that the iPhone shuffled to was <i>Praise You in this Storm</i> by Casting Crowns:<br />
<br />
"And I will Praise You in this storm<br />
And I will lift my hands<br />
For You are Who You are,<br />
No matter where I am<br />
And every tear I've cried<br />
You hold in Your hand<br />
You never left my side. . ."<br />
<br />
Wow. I've also seen on Pinterest two quotes that I relate well to:<br />
<br />
"Commitment means <b>staying loyal</b> to what you said you were going to do long <b>after</b> the <b>mood</b> you said it in has <b>left</b> you"<br />
<br />
"I rather say 'I did it' than 'I gave up'" <br />
<br />
There is no reason to turn your back on a commitment. I liken my running to signing a contract for a job or taking a vow. I've committed to that job, whether I like it all the time or not. Seventeen years ago, I took a vow. There are times that he makes me mad, frustrated, tired. In other words, sometimes the mood in which I was in on August 3, 1996 has completely left me. But I made a commitment. Here's the thing--is running as serious as a commitment to run a marathon?<br />
<br />
I think every commitment, if worth taking, is as important as the others.<br />
<br />
Regardless of how hot, tired, sore, cold I feel, I intend to keep my commitment.<br />
<br />
Even if it means that I go way too slow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps877c0c66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps877c0c66.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A welcome sight from yesterday's run: My finish line.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." ~~Joshua 1:9</i></b></div>
<br />Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-32143495994294331352013-07-27T16:26:00.000-04:002013-07-27T16:28:05.551-04:00Be Safe, My Friends<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was quite a shock when I saw that a young father who went running was missing. You usually see a female running alone ending up missing. Very rarely it's a man. After being missing four days, it was not really a shock, but disappointment in the fact that this father of a young child and husband to a wife would not be coming to his earthly home. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because he was called Home.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While we don't know the circumstances, one thing is for certain: this father and husband won't be returning to his family. By all information, this man knew and loved the Lord. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And while we certainly want to go home to our Father someday, we also have a responsibility to our loved ones to prevent it from happening to us.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, while nothing will completely keep us from something happening, we can be proactive.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At roadid.com one can purchase identification for themselves for under $20:</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpsed79910a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpsed79910a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Road ID also has an app:</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can let contacts know you are running and how long you will be gone:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps7ed134a7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps7ed134a7.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It will also alert your contacts if you are stationary for 5 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And there is a HORRIBLE alert sound you can make the phone make</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpsa02e6fa4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpsa02e6fa4.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also, a lot has to be said for the FindMyFriends app. A little bit stalker-type, but useful. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, that won't change what happened to Chad Rogers. Whatever it was, he is now running with his Father. Which is awesome for him.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But tough for his family.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujkig15jUKQlxE_Yvi8CQZaYyUoFcAsB_r61m7a18uzNYsewri7YTzYfbrAOQF7q8z8g4LR-q2sNUtNnCV1HthtKWoY71jhS6jPUhwIc8Vf_d7sRdRxWngL31m8qeFaIyje6G_6M8z9k/s1600/1000523_553667154669944_2129580393_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujkig15jUKQlxE_Yvi8CQZaYyUoFcAsB_r61m7a18uzNYsewri7YTzYfbrAOQF7q8z8g4LR-q2sNUtNnCV1HthtKWoY71jhS6jPUhwIc8Vf_d7sRdRxWngL31m8qeFaIyje6G_6M8z9k/s320/1000523_553667154669944_2129580393_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>"Through death into life everlasting</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>He passed and we follow Him there</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Over us sin no more hath dominion,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>For more than conquerors we are!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Turn your eyes upon Jesus,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Look full in His wonderful face,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>In the light of His glory and grace."</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>~Helen Limmel, 1922, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"</i></b></span>Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-47242204213722907882013-07-19T16:12:00.001-04:002013-07-19T16:12:14.079-04:00Run Like a DivaAfter months and months and months (or at least it felt like it) of racing, I was finally at my last race before the summer started. . .the Divas Half Marathon in North Myrtle Beach.<br />
<br />
Going up to this particular race, my friend Jessica and I had walked the path. People were touting how flat the race was. I have to gracefully disagree with that assessment. The day before the race, I dropped by the Expo, which made the Princess Half Marathon expo look like there was no one present. I then went to Jessica's house. Same process as the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon. I had learned from experience to get ready the night before by laying everything out:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps5ebaf251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps5ebaf251.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This particular race was not too long after the Boston Marathon bombings. It was evident that security was ramped up:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps29babd76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps29babd76.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you for being there, unknown South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agent.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was feeling pretty good that morning, with the exception of a small amount of tendonitis (that would subsequently put me out of commission after this race for over a month)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps0e3a2d3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps0e3a2d3d.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was about this point that I heard nearby: "Amanda?" Manisha, a fellow buddy from the Princess Posse Facebook group showed up at my side:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps752174db.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps752174db.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is a race where I did not take pictures in the middle of it. As I said earlier, I had a weird tendinitis thing going on that seemed to get worse. Although I would not typically do this, I actually took some Advil mid-run.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Which, I need to tell you who are not runners and want to do it. . .that is absolutely the WRONG thing to do for your kidneys. Do as I say, not as I do. I would have been better off carrying Biofreeze or Icy Hot on the run rather than popping that Advil.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, as I've said before, this is a pretty hilly course. Near the last hill, I spotted Jessica's husband, who was working one of the medical tents, and then in the last three miles, another Athletic trainer friend of mine, Andrea. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
BTW, Andrea, so, so, so, sorry for trying to knock you down with my sweaty self!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the back of my mind all along, I wanted to run a sub 3-hour half marathon. It was my goal for the Princess, and Jessica herself knows how disappointed I was that I didn't for that race. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But for the Divas? With a hurt knee?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps0fe3e191.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps0fe3e191.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And the bling?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpsea247496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpsea247496.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Even Nike knew what it was all about:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps87e466ca.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps87e466ca.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpsf7294e88.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpsf7294e88.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Unlike Myrtle Beach Mini, I stayed right on target.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After I watched Jessica and her neighbor cross the finish line, we went over for celebratory cheeseburgers. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the aftermath of that race, I had such pain that I was out of commission from running for a month. First for the pain, then for the flu. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was not until today I was able to reward myself for such a great PR: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltzxQQYDh-sjq5pqzULJeNSwrstB2MVNLuHimItROSOOku04Nl0ZIM_zYUX57r-OG3vCZFOhoxAgz8re_gQvBkRv3jMeo_Zp-MtrF-8ADWERHQbELB-0OOXoNsXe_BoBpg_7NRf_hXxU/s1600/coach-silververmillion-saffiano-large-city-tote-product-1-6375045-029946714_large_flex.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltzxQQYDh-sjq5pqzULJeNSwrstB2MVNLuHimItROSOOku04Nl0ZIM_zYUX57r-OG3vCZFOhoxAgz8re_gQvBkRv3jMeo_Zp-MtrF-8ADWERHQbELB-0OOXoNsXe_BoBpg_7NRf_hXxU/s320/coach-silververmillion-saffiano-large-city-tote-product-1-6375045-029946714_large_flex.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The original plan was a Disney Dooney, but I think this matches me. And I see the Dooney possibly coming into play for finishing a marathon the year of my 40th birthday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But my reward is much more than a bag. Or a PR. Every day, I am finding I can do more than I imagined. I couldn't run a quarter of a mile, much less a half marathon. Tomorrow, I'll finish my third week of Galloway training for a full marathon. It's taking a commitment to finish something--something I never thought I could do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>"Whatever you do; do well." ~Ecclesiates 9:10</i></b></div>
Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-91046939695206698662013-07-13T14:05:00.002-04:002013-07-13T14:05:33.218-04:00Just Get Over It!Ah. Charleston, South Carolina. The place of my birth. A city that seems to step back in time and run slower and more deliberate than others. The only city in the world I love more than Charleston is Lake Buena Vista, Florida. <br />
<br />
You get that? In the top five cities I love list, they are as follows:<br />
<br />
1. Lake Buena Vista, Florida<br />
2. Charleston, South Carolina<br />
3. Asheville, North Carolina<br />
4. St. Augustine, Florida<br />
5. North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina<br />
<br />
Notice something about all of them? <br />
<br />
One race I've wanted to run for a long time is one of the oldest races in the United States: The Cooper River Bridge Run.<br />
<br />
So when I signed up for this one, I was met with a great deal of excitement.<br />
<br />
Followed by terror.<br />
<br />
Even though I had proven myself by running a half marathon, and was training for the Princess Half at the time, I was extremely nervous about the Cooper River Bridge Run.<br />
<br />
This is one race I thought the family would finally see, but within a week or so of going, my husband's friend let us know he was going to be coming through that same weekend. Although the plan would possibly have us home in time to see them, it was cutting it too close as far as I was concerned. Part of the thrill of a race is the after stuff. <br />
<br />
So I ditched the family.<br />
<br />
And the terror increased by 10,000 fold.<br />
<br />
I was going to be in Charleston by myself.<br />
<br />
Early the day before the race, I got up and headed into Charleston. First stop: the Expo.<br />
<br />
Now the last Expo I had been to was for the Disney Princess. I was expecting a mob here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1006_zpscd7fed20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1006_zpscd7fed20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I was wrong.<br />
<br />
After picking up my bib, I headed into the city of Charleston to walk around:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/DSCN0964_zpsc599eb95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/DSCN0964_zpsc599eb95.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/DSCN0967_zps0ecabee9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/DSCN0967_zps0ecabee9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/DSCN0970_zpsa6097822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/DSCN0970_zpsa6097822.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then I headed through the Market. I was hungry, and it was starting to mist rain.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1011_zps601164b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1011_zps601164b1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pasta for lunch at Bubba Gump's.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Soon after lunch, I headed to the hotel to check in. A friend of mine from college and I arranged dinner together, and I got in a much needed nap. I was catching cold, and I knew rest was necessary.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After dinner with my friend, I headed back to the room and put together my race outfit for the next day</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1012_zps81ec8380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1012_zps81ec8380.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What they don't tell you about running is that it takes forever to be ready.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The next morning, I got up, and drove to park in a garage. I was so afraid I'd forget where I parked, I took a picture of the ticket.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1014_zps54fbbd1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1014_zps54fbbd1b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Toldya!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I walked to the school buses and ate my oatmeal on the way. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now when I say school buses, I mean school buses. Gone were the Disney Cruise Line buses to take me to a race, lulling me to sleep.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These buses took us what seemed to be halfway to the race start while we had to trek a good 2 miles to the corrals. On the way, I passed a Dunkin Donuts that was open. I bypassed it, but stopped at the Starbucks that didn't have too much of a line.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know those places made a killing that morning!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It wasn't too long until it was time to start. And honestly, I took no pictures during the race.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The race was pretty, yet at the same time, no doubt the 2nd toughest course I've done (after one runs any half marathon in Disney World, you understand). Had I not been sick, I'm pretty sure I would have PR'd this race.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1042_zpse35cb696.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1042_zpse35cb696.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nearing the finish line</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/DSCN0994_zpsfa727644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/DSCN0994_zpsfa727644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
A very welcome sight.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The key to this run is that miles 2-4ish are over the Arthur Ravenel Bridge in Charleston. It crosses the Cooper River, and it is a pretty steep climb. 42,000 people run this race, but to me, it was less crowded than the Princess Half, which had about half the number of participants.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And what does it look like?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/893420_10151508153213818_870348873_o_zpse757c4ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/893420_10151508153213818_870348873_o_zpse757c4ab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yeah, that's a whole bunch of ants there starting their way up the bridge.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One of my best races ever, and a comeback for me:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1023_zps8ba3d545.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1023_zps8ba3d545.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After the race, I found my truck, put some miscellaneous items in, and walked over to have lunch near the Market. My typical post race lunch is a cheeseburger.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But not in Charleston.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1021_zps55d2c4b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Cooper%20River%20Bridge%20Run/IMG_1021_zps55d2c4b3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
That'll be Shrimp and Grits, y'all. With sweet tea.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I learned a lot about myself and racing after this race:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>After a disastrous 10K in Florence, this one was highly successful</li>
<li>I got over my terror and conquered it</li>
<li>This is almost my favorite race I've ever done</li>
</ol>
<div>
So, I got over it. I got over the failure of a previous race. I got over a head cold. I got over terror of an unknown.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyone can. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just take the first step out the door.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>"The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still." ~Exodus 14:4</i></b> </div>
</div>
Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-223959702229186752013-07-12T14:13:00.001-04:002013-07-12T14:18:25.983-04:00Her Irish Eyes weren't SmilinAh. The race that started it all. The one that convinced me I could actually finish a race. In 2011, for that particular race (the 5K, not the 10K), I had a difficult time convincing myself I could actually complete 3 miles.<br />
<br />
3 Piddlely Miles. That was it. Today, three miles is nothing. Then, in 2011, 3 miles was forever. And to be honest, I almost didn't make it. At the end, I was woosy, had a headache, and just wanted to go home.<br />
<br />
But the morning of the McLeod Sports Medicine Challenge on March 16, 2013, I knew 6.22 miles was nothing.<br />
<br />
After all, I had already done 13.1. Twice.<br />
<br />
When it was time to start the race, I noticed one thing, though. There were only about 50 of us running the 10K and most of them looked like elite runners. As the race started, all of them ran past me. I was left in the dust. And that was with me running a 9.42 minute mile.<br />
<br />
There are races that are great successes. Those that the runners feel were perfect in every way.<br />
<br />
Although I had high hopes for this one, it was definitely NOT one of those successful races.<br />
<br />
As a matter of fact, it was as far from a successful race as possible.<br />
<br />
First of all, during the 10K, the first 3.1 miles is with the 5K runners. Although I don't have a particular problem with that, planning is that the 10K runners are BEHIND the 5K. I thought I was going to knock over some 5K walkers. As I finished the first 3.1 miles and started the second half of the 10K, I realized something. I was no longer surrounded by runners.<br />
<br />
I was by myself.<br />
<br />
All by myself.<br />
<br />
Except for at the mile 4 mark.<br />
<br />
Where 50% of the 10K runners met me on their way to the finish line.<br />
<br />
Talk about discouraging.<br />
<br />
For 90% of the rest of the race, I clearly felt I was in last place. I was running as hard as I could, pushing myself, mostly because I didn't want people to be waiting for me too long. And to top it off, between miles 2 and 5, there were no water stops. I didn't carry water, because I expected since there were 2 water stops on the first half, there would be 2 on the second half. I was so totally wrong.<br />
<br />
It was also, however, at that point that I realized that there were either 2 or 3 people behind me. Which made me feel better, but not much.<br />
<br />
At about 1 hour 15 minutes later, I was coming in for the finish:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/6ACA1F56-FB1A-49C1-A29F-9195655E2940-10885-00000DA86B644843_zps8100d944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/6ACA1F56-FB1A-49C1-A29F-9195655E2940-10885-00000DA86B644843_zps8100d944.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/4CE4D797-0156-4CEA-B31D-14009CAC9525-10885-00000DA87292C249_zpsc53245b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/4CE4D797-0156-4CEA-B31D-14009CAC9525-10885-00000DA87292C249_zpsc53245b8.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpse86599f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpse86599f3.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And let me say, I really love how my triceps look in that particular picture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A few notes about this particular race:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpsc1ec50a8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zpsc1ec50a8.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ol>
<li>This is the fastest race I've ever run</li>
<li>Races planned by the Carolina Running Company look like rat races. Take a look at that map.</li>
<li>Even the worst race is a success when you don't give up.</li>
</ol>
To date, those were my race bibs. 6 Races since 2011. Before the end of April, I would have run 5 races in 2013. That, by itself, is a success.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps89209bab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps89209bab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." ~Psalm 18:32</i></b></div>
<br />
<br />Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-32623976187456708442013-06-30T16:39:00.000-04:002013-06-30T16:39:22.876-04:00So how many PRINCEsses are here, anyway? AND Somewhere over the MOUNTAIN!"Keep your kicks laced, get your grips straight before you quit, you kick, this is the big race"<br />
~~LeCrae, <i>Run</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
When I last left all of you in the blogosphere, I mentioned the title. Just what, pray tell, is a PRINCEss?<br />
<br />
I'll give you all some hints:<br />
<br />
This--<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0807_zps9495a470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0807_zps9495a470.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay, at least he is dressed like a prince.<br />
<br />
This dude had a skirt on:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0810_zpsb0b095a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0810_zpsb0b095a1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
But I think he gets the prize:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0816_zpsb498e083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0816_zpsb498e083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Dude, did you seriously lose a bet?<br />
<br />
Anyway, backing up to the dude in the skirt at mile 10. . .just a picture up. Do you see how we are at the bottom and there are people on the bridge up there. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, between miles 10 and 12, there is an up ramp. It's a killer. At first I did great, but I ended up fizzling out:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps22261a45.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/null_zps22261a45.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I promise you, when I saw this sign, I started praying hard. . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0811_zps94d642d6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0811_zps94d642d6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I was sure I'd walk it, but when I started up, the easiest thing to do was simply run it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0813_zps1217241d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0813_zps1217241d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It was still wall to wall people.<br />
<br />
But when I got to the top, I could see the people coming into Epcot to start their park touring for the day<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0815_zps6aaa196d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0815_zps6aaa196d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0817_zpse5d5480e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0817_zpse5d5480e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Is that a golf ball I see! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0818_zps5e296aeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0818_zps5e296aeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Why, yes it is, meaning I'm in the home stretch!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0820_zps66c470c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0820_zps66c470c6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
About this time, I want to hug every single one of the volunteers passing out water.<br />
<br />
We round about the corner past Spaceship Earth through what is typically only a castmember alley, and I see these people:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0828_zps45c5c4a4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0828_zps45c5c4a4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You all know what that means. . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0829_zpsfec58b82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0829_zpsfec58b82.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0831_zpsaabb77bd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0831_zpsaabb77bd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0832_zps90bb6d95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/DSCN0832_zps90bb6d95.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And you all want to know the truth?<br />
<br />
I cried harder when I went through this than I did when I went through the castle.<br />
<br />
"The Holy Spirit got the breath you breathe,<br />
So if the cramps kick in it's all the breath you need,<br />
Wait on the Lord to renew you man,<br />
Don't stop, keep going, you can do this, man"<br />
~~LeCrae, <i>Run</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
It's a little thing, running a race. You get up in the early morning hours, fight the fog and and caffeine withdrawals. You constantly look for the next mile marker, the next piece of entertainment, the finish line. But the fact of the matter is, you are never finished. You start the morning wondering what on earth you were thinking only at the end to want to do it all over again. You run for the prize that is yours to obtain.<br />
<br />
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives a prize? So run that you may obtain it." ~~1 Corinthians 9:24<br />
<br />
In my case, is the prize this?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/IMG_0951_zpsd4096a33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/IMG_0951_zpsd4096a33.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
No. <br />
<br />
Your winning prize can be the first place medal, or it can be the feeling that you and only you have when you finish. That was part of my prize, but not all of it.<br />
<br />
I've said this many, many times. Most of these big races are on Sunday morning. Starting with the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon, I determined what my races were going to accomplish. While I feel great after them and love how my body is doing things I never thought possible, in the end, these races are in fact 3 hour times alone with God. I pray every step I take. I encourage others along the path. I listen to worship music. And above all, even with all of the entertainment, I look at the creation around me that God made. The rising sun over the horizon, the birds flying, and the trees in the breeze and I realize something: He made this earth so that we can enjoy it, while at the same time worshiping Him. Every step I take in a long run or a race is one that He determined would happen in His divine providence.<br />
<br />
And I'm thankful for every one.<br />
<br />
Leaving the race, I was ready for an ice bath. Nicole carried buckets of ice back to the room and I settled in. I had a paper to write, because I had not used time wisely throughout the week in order to not have to do this on a Sunday afternoon.<br />
<br />
I finished it, and then headed over to the Magic Kingdom, where I indulged in my post race treat of choice:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/IMG_0952_zps438f57bd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/IMG_0952_zps438f57bd.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/IMG_0953_zps016bcf13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/Princess%20Half%20Disney%20Trip/IMG_0953_zps016bcf13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
A bacon cheeseburger.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Man, I could go for one of these right now.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And you know what?!? I scarfed that bad boy right down!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have lots of memories of that day, but I remember most going through the castle, taking that massive hill, and the finish line. Unlike the Isrealites who walked for forty years, my feet DID hurt. But I am thankful that I had the feet to put one in front of the other in order to hurt.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Run this is your race, boy, run, don't stop" ~~LeCrae, <i>Run</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." ~~2 Timothy 4:7</div>
Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-4046920581534270472013-06-22T16:17:00.001-04:002013-06-22T16:17:28.843-04:00Walking Right Down the Middle of Main Street, USARun so hard, don't ya want yer reward<div>
Now run now run now run some more</div>
<div>
~~LeCrae, <b><i>Run</i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
When I last left you all, I was on my way to the Magic Kingdom.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This, my friends, is why many people run the Disney races. Just a chance to bypass the ticket stiles and run, as the song goes, "right down the middle of Main Street, USA." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The fuzzy picture of Space Mountain in sight, I felt my blood starting to pump a little harder.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0782_zpsfc9a9b2e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0782_zpsfc9a9b2e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I kept looking for a sign that we were on the right path. They brought us through an area typically seen only by cast members shuffling through their work day. And then. . .</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0785_zps65d3e9d2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0785_zps65d3e9d2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, town hall, what a lovely sight you are.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, for those of you who frequent Disney as much as I do, you know what is at the next right turn.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm told that many women get to this point and completely bawl. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not afraid to tell you all.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was one of those women.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0787_zps2c833986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0787_zps2c833986.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now in my post after the Boston Marathon bombing, I allude to the spectators. On the left of the rope is the group of spectators and by this time I know I am close to halfway through the race. I was bawling because I made it this far, because I was running towards the castle, because my body was doing things I never thought it could.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0790_zps71ebb0ae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0790_zps71ebb0ae.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
LOL, first time I've noticed the Grumpy Cat poster: "I ran once, it was horrible"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I found an unsuspecting cast member who was kind enough to take my picture:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0792_zps1264a98e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0792_zps1264a98e.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When I rant through the castle, I waited in line for a picture. Which was stupid. It ruined my time, and the picture never showed up. But I got my own pretty good picture:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0797_zps2db555e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0797_zps2db555e3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And just like that, the castle was through. And I still had a little over 7 miles left!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0799_zps5342f3ca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0799_zps5342f3ca.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm assuming I missed mile 5, as well</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuPaEcYsE1Po5HiPIhAdGNb8EHeel8M9L_LXdf3cQkc4InjnnM4MmHogczrHRD0iqxSpp1qNVf5H6v9nT9AXqtuOYuxLERziMFpfSSzA35KUOFId5z6LngSktNWdb0urqsjQXobPWytc/s1600/DSCN0803_zps3ca265f4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuPaEcYsE1Po5HiPIhAdGNb8EHeel8M9L_LXdf3cQkc4InjnnM4MmHogczrHRD0iqxSpp1qNVf5H6v9nT9AXqtuOYuxLERziMFpfSSzA35KUOFId5z6LngSktNWdb0urqsjQXobPWytc/s320/DSCN0803_zps3ca265f4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, my feet were certainly on fire!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Remember in Exodus how the Israelites wandered for 40 years and their feet never hurt? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I would have given anything for that kind of divine intervention at this point. What you don't see is this is known as cone alley. It's the stretch of road between the Magic Kingdom and the Grand Floridian. I'm pretty sure this is Grand Floridian Way. There is only one lane of traffic here for people to run--and remember there were 26,000 of us there. I ended up mainly on the grass here because it really just bottlenecked so that I felt like I was on I-95 rush hour DC traffic.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yeah, it was really that bad.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0804_zps34e4ea86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0804_zps34e4ea86.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
By now, I know the odds of me finishing a sub-three-hour half marathon were squashed. :(</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0805_zpsb9b0b35c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0805_zpsb9b0b35c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I sure don't know what happened to Mile 8.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/a52bffe0-2aa7-4fea-8e32-b861b069b7b3_zps506b529f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/a52bffe0-2aa7-4fea-8e32-b861b069b7b3_zps506b529f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I did get in another photo stop</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
By now, I'm feeling good. I know my toenail that was hanging on by a thread at the beginning of the race has probably met its demise. But I also know I'm going to finish.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Coming up. . .So how many PRINCEsses are here, anyway?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Yeah, we still in it, dawg, we can't quit it dawg,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
all my cousins who runnin stick with it y'all</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jezebel is jumpin' your path, you best run</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They tempting you puff,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Puff past, just run"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
~~LeCrae, Run</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"But the one who endures to the end will be saved." ~~Matthew 24:13</div>
Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523807839282016171.post-24789938015067163972013-06-21T20:49:00.002-04:002013-06-21T20:49:47.276-04:00Why, yes, I AM a Princess<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The night before any race can be one of nerves. You check your gear. Once, twice, twenty-three times. You put everything together in a nice, neat little pile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/CDAE41A3-1D40-4708-A820-B38B444D930A-1583-000001B681E5104A_zpsd459b8c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/CDAE41A3-1D40-4708-A820-B38B444D930A-1583-000001B681E5104A_zpsd459b8c1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then you try to sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oftentimes, sleep is difficult to come. That held true for the Princess Half Marathon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needed to sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Couldn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I taped my plantar fascitis. Then check emails. Then watched television.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why on earth was it so hard to sleep?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, and graciously, sleep finally did come to me. And it was a good thing. The chords of Soarin' were waking me within what felt like minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What people don't tell you about Disney races like the Princess Half Marathon is how early you have to wake up. In my case? It was 2ish am. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hopped in the shower after I tore off the KT Tape from my left foot, leaving behind my first blister for the day. But I sucked it up and put on my big girl britches. By 3:30, I was on the but towards Epcot, where I definitely was not the first person there:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/F9D36716-5BB5-40BD-BD29-1BDE661C32F6-1583-000001B68A2121FC_zps8eff66a6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/F9D36716-5BB5-40BD-BD29-1BDE661C32F6-1583-000001B68A2121FC_zps8eff66a6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were yet again, playing loud music, trying to get everyone pepped up. I bought a cup of the nastiest coffee ever known to man, but was grateful for the pickmeup.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I checked my bag, and headed towards the start line. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What they don't tell you about the Princess Half is that before you get to the start line, you walk almost the first 2 miles of the 5K.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I'm lyin' I'm dyin'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/B8E1D132-2937-4790-BC5E-98DC2582639E-1583-000001B69316BC1C_zps0b9ec841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/B8E1D132-2937-4790-BC5E-98DC2582639E-1583-000001B69316BC1C_zps0b9ec841.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep, saw it the day before</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/66605591-4E49-4157-964E-844B4642CA77-1583-000001B69B24DAD5_zps296aaf21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/66605591-4E49-4157-964E-844B4642CA77-1583-000001B69B24DAD5_zps296aaf21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plenty of sparkle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/D5877502-42D3-43F3-9F3A-6D4A5C169F42-1583-000001B6A2D6BE48_zpsb8420e40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/D5877502-42D3-43F3-9F3A-6D4A5C169F42-1583-000001B6A2D6BE48_zpsb8420e40.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sea of porta-potties</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/F7D70D0A-668C-42C6-B9C8-2B4029036B03-1583-000001B6AB3ED06C_zpsbf0bf5bd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/F7D70D0A-668C-42C6-B9C8-2B4029036B03-1583-000001B6AB3ED06C_zpsbf0bf5bd.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally in Egypt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once I was there, I got into my corral, which was E. I think they went from Elite to A to H. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the amazing things about Disney is the way they start the races. Every corral began with fireworks. I've seen races do things only for the first corral and that was it. Disney does it right:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/D22F49B1-A9AD-4E9D-8C8C-29C0221B0C5B-1583-000001B6C9EA8694_zpsc09c7708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/D22F49B1-A9AD-4E9D-8C8C-29C0221B0C5B-1583-000001B6C9EA8694_zpsc09c7708.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And although it seemed like it takes forever in other races, I was here before long:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/3C2A3F50-FE84-431B-912C-FAD115B98367-1583-000001B6DD71C5F3_zpsd7cec51b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/3C2A3F50-FE84-431B-912C-FAD115B98367-1583-000001B6DD71C5F3_zpsd7cec51b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0743_zps90e01bda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0743_zps90e01bda.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I was nudged on by the Fairy Godmother herself!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0753_zps76510d07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0753_zps76510d07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were off and I was running. In fact, I ran the first mile. Before I knew it, I was here:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0756_zps15d6206a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0756_zps15d6206a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And although I really thought I'd stop for Captain Jack, I didn't.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0760_zps744fca0e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0760_zps744fca0e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kept on going, and before long I was here:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0765_zpscf108b21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0765_zpscf108b21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I don't know why, but for some reason, I was really looking forward to getting to this point of the race. I think I was looking forward to it so much, that I missed Mile 2.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because my next picture is. . .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0766_zps3f46a03e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0766_zps3f46a03e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0767_zps2bd957f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0767_zps2bd957f3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somewhere between 3 and 4 I got my first runDisney text that alluded to a sub 3-hour finish. I got excited and kept running.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, we were getting closer and closer to the Magic Kingdom. And I was starting to be surprised by some of the runners.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean, really, are people running after losing a bet?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/4c6a8719-8f93-4455-b004-680a9fda789f_zpsc57858b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/4c6a8719-8f93-4455-b004-680a9fda789f_zpsc57858b8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, NotSoSnowWhite</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0771_zps7fad5589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0771_zps7fad5589.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hmmm. . .maybe the monorail would have been a better choice. . .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0772_zps557bcc25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0772_zps557bcc25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now how often do you see this while running?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0773_zpsf9aa944c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0773_zpsf9aa944c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the sea of people going under water</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0777_zpsf9714436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0777_zpsf9714436.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm told these were from the marathon weekend</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0779_zps55117972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a404/creativeamanda74/DSCN0779_zps55117972.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One day, I will stay here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, all of you know where I am about now. Coming up is the real reason why most people run Disney races. But let me tell you a few things about this particular race thus far:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I was feeling good. No knee pain, well hydrated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. It was hot. By this point, my hair is soaked even though I started off with dry hair</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. The POCKETS of my Sparkle skirt made it worth every penny</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Everyone there made me feel like a princess.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By far, as long as I live, this will be the best half marathon I've ever run. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming up. . .Right Down the Middle of Main Street USA</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll leave you with a few words from LeCrae, who tends to be my best running friend:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nah, I ain't sweaty and my breath's pretty steady</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My feet don't hurt and my legs ain't heavy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm still in the marathon, I keep my pace steady</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Temptation is quick/but the Spirit stay ready</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My eyes on the prize, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah they fixed on Christ</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~LeCrae, "Run"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Amanda Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04439009640318989403noreply@blogger.com1