Wow, what a great weekend! They had sent out a request for volunteers the weekend before the marathon, so I took that as a sign that its time for me to step up. Scott, Margie and I signed up for 1 to 5 at packet pickup Saturday. Well, how can you go wrong with these shirts???
Yes, it really says Obey Me at the bottom!
We met Maura and saw Diane and Lynne and Erin at the expo. How fun! Not too much time to talk, though.
Packet handout was fun. I actually got to give my former and all-time favorite dentist (which speaks volumes) his packet for the half. Too cool! Getting to know the other volunteers was a lot of fun too. They very much had the WISH mentality.
A handful of people were kind of rude, but most of the people were great. I will never wonder about the brain capacity of anyone who seems to take a long time to give me my packet either. After about an hour, I swear they change the alphabet on you.
The best part, though, were the 2 people who gave me a deer in the headlights look when I asked if they wanted safety pins. Then they would get all embarrassed and say, I dont know. Ive never done this before. Luckily, neither of them had people behind them. So, Id take them through bibs and chips. And tell them a little of what would happen. That was very cool for me.
The first-timer woman came back a few minutes later and said, Since youre not busy, can I ask you a few more questions. I just wanted to hug her and giver her my cell and tell her to call me in the morning and wed take care of her. She was so quiet and scared. I think Hugging her may have scared her more, though.
The half had a 6.5 hour time limit, so it was great for beginners. Still, I cant imagine doing a half as your first race ever. Wow.
Volunteering was fun, though, and I will be sure to do my share more often, though.
Then it was back to my parents and off to carb load with Lynne, Erin and Margie. That was just too great for words to have so much time to spend with WISHers. OK, it went too fast as always, but I tend to be more of a small group person and this was just a great size. Hugs to you 3 for making it such a special weekend!
Before we knew it, it was time to go to the race. Morning came early, as some of us had a bit of a hard time settling down Saturday night.
We had time for a pic before we went, though.
I need to work on my remote picture taking capabilities, but Erin said shed fix it.
We got to the race and hung out inside for a while and Diane, Susan and Cathy found us. It was cool to have a nice group to walk to the start. More time for pix too.
The first aid tent, lol.
We met another Disney-lover at the start when she came to tell us she liked our shirts. She had done DL.
Actually, we say a good number of WDW race shirts throughout the ace. That always perks you up.
So, we start. Takes 3 to 4 min to get to the start and we were off. Had to rain Scott in when we were doing 9:30s, as our goal time for a PR was 11:27. Well, we got it down around 1o by mile 1.
Sad when you like these a lot better than the sharpie signs.
Mile 2 was a little more to our pace, but not much. Around mile 3, we were on to the out and back.
Passed Marshall Maura. Thanks so much for being there all day!!!!
Passed cone heads. Lol. The cones were from test Track!
The weather was absolutely perfect and we continued to fly doing pace in the 10:40s. I kept thinking I would hit a wall, but was gonna keep it up while it felt good. Caught up to Lynne and Erin as they made a pit stop at Mile ~5.5. At mile 7.75 were did the turn around. Only 5.5 miles to go! It was fun to see the other WISHers and the people we volunteered with on the course. Very good thing about this out and back.
Around mile 8, I started to get tired, but nothing too bad. I kept wanting to check my average pace, but I was afraid Id do the math, know how slow I could do for the last miles and still PR and let off the gas. Very proud of myself for not looking.
In addition to friends, it was fun to see people who were struggling and cheer for them. We slapped hands with a few people and it was nice to distract myself for a bit. Before I knew it, we were here.
Holy cow! I was slowing down, but still only had 2 miles over 11 minutes. They were both when I had a water stop and/or had a clothing change and were still below 11:10. OMG! I was very tired, but only had 2 miles to go. Had another water stop and mile 12 was just over 11 too. Even more amazing was that Lynne and Erin were still in sight.
OK, so that was due to another pit stop, but Ill take it any way I can get it.
Still, I was bound for a PR. My only goal the last mile was to be under 11:27, my goal time. There was another hill (there were lots), but I was well below 11 for my last mile. As I approached the clock, I saw that I would break my goal by around 6 minute by clock time. How cool is that???????
Garmin had me at 13.23 miles, 2:22 and an average pace of 10:43. I was stunned!
Wow. And WISHers at the end to celebrate with. Woo hoo! Had to say goodbye to Lynne and Erin, as they had a long trip home
, but we got our cow bells and were off to cheer for the others. We had several shouts of Need more cowbell. Lol.
I guess I was too excited and forgot to get a pic for Margie.
She PRd, though, and is on track for having pic time for WDW 09! Yay!!!
Diane came not long after.
Stayed for Susan and Cathy and of course forgot pix for them too.
It was time to be off and sad to be ending the weekend, but my carful was happy. What a wonderful WISH weekend! Hugs to everyone for making it special! Best way to append a weekend if you cant be at WDW!
PS - I have officially been taken over by aliens!
). She plugged through in ALOT of pain. And she did it! 
for hanign in there adn still gettign your goal. WTG!
