Trip Report - Day III

Most of January 10, 2009 occurs in my mind in flashes.

It was a very very early morning on January 10th. More so than I anticipated. I woke up at 1:30am with a slight acid reflux attack. Just what I was afraid of. But I got an hour or two more sleep, and met Lisa at the monorail at 3am. This was my first meeting of Trace, as well, who recorded some PRE-race moments on the monorail. 

Once off, what a surreal experience. Empty EPCOT. But the parking lot? FULL. Blaring music. Text messages to find Team Voice. A pre-race picture (see above). Frantically trying to find Kate to give her a hug, but she was in the retreat tent. She found us about 4 minutes before we headed to our corrals.

Speaking of which - it's about a 20 minute walk to the corrals. And then a 20 minute walk to the starting line. But let me say this. 16,000 people sounds like a lot. But when you're IN IT - it feels ENORMOUS.

I stayed with the team until we crossed the starting line. What a moment that was. Stepping over the line. Then we gradually found our own paces, and soon I realized I was at the back of our pack. But I was passing folks in the darkness. Talking to Team in Training folks. Listening to my iPod. Holding my pace. Pushing strong. Shivering!

Then we saw the first runners coming BACK the other direction. We cheered and screamed. The monorail honked at us! And then there it was - the Magic Kingdom SIGN. Who knew a sign would be so cool?

The sun was coming up, and we could see more. Already the coolest thing I'd ever done, I rounded the corner by the Richard Petty Experience and saw two things I'd been waiting for. The Polynesian, and Byron!

I walked with Byron for a bit, and then picked my pace back up. It was GREAT to see him on the course, and I know how hard he pushed himself. I'm proud of him. Hey - the music is getting louder.

The contemporary! Am I really going to make it to Main Street? Flora Fauna and Merryweather! I have to walk with them. Look! Space Mountain! We're backstage. 

When the gate to Main Street opened before me, I can't express what I felt. Here it was. It'd been waiting for me all this time. I turned and saw the castle and began to well up. Then I saw Trace. And Lou! And kept going...and there was Runny Bunny...and Amber. I hugged her tight, and kept on going. She kept telling me to stand still so she could get a picture, but I didn't have time. Into Tomorrowland. What a high. Cast members. Characters. High fives.

The castle. TRUMPETERS when I went through! They trumpeted for me! And there's Amber again! God, I'm actually doing this! Down and to the right into Frontierland. The Country Bears! Out the parade route - Captain Jack! So this is where the parade floats live.

Grabbed some more water. Thanked a volunteer. Tried to focus on the task ahead of me now. Survive the long trek back. Feet warming. Side stitch. Mary Poppins is outside the Grand Floridian.

The track seems to be sparser, but lots of spectators. And now I can see the Dolphin! It's waaaay out there, but there it is! Focus on that. Mile 8. Mile 9. The overpass. It's banked, and my footing stays solid, but slips slightly. As we get to the top, I look down over the crowd, and realize there IS NO crowd anymore. There's a bus in front of the overpass. A few straggling walkers. But I'm about 300 people ahead of the sweeper. Have to pick it up.

Feet burning more. Mile 11. My PHONE rings. It's Bryan. He's finished. He wants to know where I am.

Mile 11.5. I meet John "The Penguin" and Coach Jenny. I tell them my story. John says: "Now I have two rules for you: 1) you can't stop now because you know better. 2) you must tell your story - you're a success!" You got it! Then he pats my shoulder and tells me to run my race as we turn the hairpin towards EPCOT.

EPCOT?!?! I'm here? Lou is in the entranceway. I'm backstage. I find a girl who's running for her departed mother. I'm by Nemo. The music is swelling in my ears. I can see Spaceship Earth. I'm passing the fountain and coming back. "King of Pride Rock" is filling my head. I turn past Spaceship Earth. See Lou again. Tears are free flowing from my face.

The finish line is there! I can see it! Stitch! Dale! Chip! And the guy yells Go Team Voice! I CROSS THE FINISH LINE!

Rae and Eric and Matt are WAITING FOR ME. They scream and hug me. They point me to the stands. AMBER! I get my medal. We take a photo together.
Rae suggests I have some fruit. My exact words. "Forget that, I want my wife."

I collapse into Amber's arms. She whispers to me "You did it, baby. I'm so proud of you!" over and over. I cry so hard she has to ask me if I'm hurt. I'm not. I'm just....overwhelmed.

We walk back to the monorail to change for lunch. I call my mom. I cry again. I wear my medal with pride.

Dinner at Tutto Italia is WONDERFUL. We watch the World Showcase Players with Bryan and gang. We go to France. We see the MouseKateers!

Allyson and Riley give me all of Riley's hard earned "good girl" money. We all cry again and shower Riley with gifts. Illuminations plays.

Lou shows up. I give him a faux check for $3800+ (it'll be more next week when I make the donation). Lou and Pat cry. I cry. We all walk to Jellyrolls. We are exhausted. We can't hear. We're beaming with happiness. I hug EVERYONE.

Amber and I catch a cab to the contemporary.

I sleep hard and soundly for the first time in three weeks. All night.

I WAS ON MAIN STREET TODAY. I did it.