Just 13.1 Miles Through The Parks ... And Anaheim ...

After falling asleep last night around 8pm, I got a solid night's sleep, so waking up at 4:30am was no problem. Molly and I got up, got dressed, and headed to our corrals. At 5:30am, the first corral was sent off, and soon we all were on our way for the Disneyland Half Marathon!!

After wogging in and out and about Disneyland and California Adventure, we hit the streets of Anaheim, passing cheerleaders, bands, hula dancers, Spanish dancers, antique cars, and many supporters yelling encouragement. Eventually (around Mile 9), we made it to Angel Stadium! Once you enter the stadium and start running on the warning track, you're greeted by thousands of cheering fans! The announcer even announces your name as you show up (well, as many as he can read off the prompter of who has entered the stadium).

  

The good news is that once you leave the stadium, you're close to Mile 10 - only three more miles. Unfortunately, those three miles were pretty much in direct sunlight, and my body was about ready to give it up. But, thanks to more bands and cheerleaders and supporters, I managed to make it to the finish and then back to the hotel for a quick lay-down on the bed and shower before the shuttle picked us up for the airport.  This weekend I managed to snag four medals - one for the 10K, one for the half-marathon, one for the Dumbo Double Dare (doing both the 10K and the half-marathon), and one for the Coast to Coast Challenge (for doing a half-marathon both at Disney World and Disneyland in the same year). And if you're wondering where the 4th medal is, it's in yesterday's blog post.

Soon we were at the airport waiting for our flight back home to Nashville. The good news is that the flight wasn't full, so we weren't cramped together for the four-hour flight back home. God gave us a smooth, safe flight home and I actually finished reading a book on the way home! 

Another half-marathon is in the books. Our next planned one is in November, so it gives me a good incentive to see if I can do better with that one.

Guess I need to start training!!

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Thankful today for: all the supporters and groups along the course whose encouragement keeps us going; race volunteers who provide water and encouragement; a beautiful day for running and for flying; nice shuttle driver who pointed out the "Hollywood" sign on the mountains; sweet baby and mommy who shared a airplane row with me; sleeping in my own bed