After much anticipation, I finally completed my first marathon! It was the Walt Disney World Marathon. This very cool course takes runners and walkers through all four Disney World theme parks. First Epcot, then the Magic Kingdom, the Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and finally back through Epcot for the finish. My finish time: 6 hours 45 minutes. I had hoped to do much better, but at mile 9, my ankle was hurting, so I decided to walk some. It didn’t take me long to realize that I wasn’t going to run on it any more. So, for 17.2 miles, I walked. Fast at first, then really really slowly. My ankle is basically sprained now and I am hobbling around.
There are always a few funny stories from any event I have done. This was no exception. At mile two, I was passed by a guy on crutches. I knew I was in trouble then. When we entered the Animal Kingdom, they had some small animals there to greet us, including a tortise. It was then that the guy next to me said, “That turtle is mocking me.” I burst out laughing for the first and last time during that race.
In the end, I got a really cool Mickey Mouse medal, a sprained ankle, and thanks to my friends Chuck and Judy, a Wendy’s Hot and Juicy double cheeseburger with large fries. Mmm!!
