RUNNING WITH DONALD AND GOOFY

I begin with an apology to all of our friends and  family (with the exception of Joel and Sarah)!  I apologize for our constant talk about training, shoes, blisters, sciatica, knees, pulled muscles and the merits of  tylenol, aspirin and bag balm.  I apologize for our constant ramblings about training schedules, weather conditions and most of all our persistent and not too subtle suggestions that you join us in our 'madness'. 

In the interest of full disclosure I will now relate the events of the last 48 hours.  But first a brief review of the last 8 months.

Joel and Sarah worked their voodoo reverse psychology  mind  meld and forced us into signing up for the DONALD (13.1 miles) and the GOOFY (39.3 miles).  Cindy (who is not cursed with a "weak mind") was able to avoid going over the cliff.

We bought a new set of running shoes and began training in June.  Cindy logged over 300 miles in training and I did over 500.  At least three times a weeks we jogged to Chippewa  Lake and back.  Beginning in late August at least once a week we increased our distances and I began doing back to back runs culminating in a 23 mile run from Big Rapids to Reed City and back.... in the snow with a howling wind in my face (both ways).

Our last training run together, on an outdoor track in Traverse City, was 13 miles. We did great. The next day I was supposed to do 26 but pulled a muscle after only 15....I was crushed...Again I apologize for constantly talking about it!

Now for the last 48 hours.

On Saturday the 'wake up' call came at 2:45 am.  Dressed and clutching a cup of coffee we got on the bus at 3:15.  Around 4 we were dropped in the Epcot parking lot and got in line with 26,000 other runners.  After walking 3 miles we were in our assigned corral (H...the last one) and awaited the start signal.  It's now about 5 am.

The wheel chairs go off at 5:30 and the corrals (each containing over 3,000 runners) are given the start signal at 10 minute intervals.  As each corral was released we moved forward (another mile to the start line).  Finally at 6:30 we cross the start line.

Our first sight is a man sprawled on his back being worked on by EMTs.  Ouch!

Cindy was the "mother ship" and set the pace.  Joel, Sarah and I followed in her wake.  Around mile 3 the sun came up and at mile 6 we ran through Cinderella's Castle....really cool.  At mile 12 we entered Epcot and cruised though the park finishing well ahead of the "Goofy Bus'.  (Yes there is a bus that follows and 'sweeps' up any runner if they fall behind the pace.)

Cindy laughing and grinning.  The rest of us were grim.

Sunday up at 2:45...ditto on above start information for me (Cindy grinned and went back to sleep)
Also I didn't see my first body until mile `14....

Cinderella's Castle Mile... 6... (70 degrees),  NASCAR race track,  Mile 8...(began dumping water on my head and drinking power aid) , Animal Kingdom Mile...13...(75 degrees),  ESPN sport complex.... Mile 18, (Got a stone in my shoe on the baseball field)

Hollywood Studios... Mile 22...(80 degrees)...(Discovered the wonders of Bio Freeze...distributed at every medical tent...which was where most of the bodies were laid out)....

Mile 23 got confused and dumped power aid on my head and drank the water...didn't give a shit...

 Blessed Mile 25...EPCOT...entered the park at the PUB...bastards...85 degrees...one mile to go, no gas in the tank and thousands of tourists lined up and cheering...Mile 26...Huge choir singing gospel music...thought "this is it I'm dead"...Finish Line...Upright position....Cindy smiling...Kiss...Joel bought me a beer...Life is good...