My Marathon Man

Okay, before I even begin, I must tell everyone . . . Lawton has NO IDEA that we even left town last weekend, so local friends, please don't blow our cover ;) . On Thursday morning the 7th, when snow was predicted, we told him that he was going to spend a few days at Noni and Dandy's, which would be so much fun because they have hills and our yard is completely flat!! He never saw our bags and never asked any questions about what we were doing while he was at my parents so we never divulged any info. Just to clear the air - we did NOT lie to him . . . just didn't tell him . . . because we went to Disney World!! (and I am so paranoid that he is going to see these pictures on the blog or on my camera - he is tech savvy like that!)

Friday - Epcot and Wide World of Sports
Well, it was freezing back home, and by Orlando standards, it was freezing there, too. (literally) We look like Pillsbury dough boys because we each have like six layers on - but we still had fun!
There was more of a crowd than I thought there would be, but obviously not on this ride! (But I don't think there is ever a huge crowd on Figment anyways . . . not our favorite.)

Friday afternoon we headed to the Wide World of Sports for the real reason we were at Disney. Chad ran his first marathon ever! After running the half in April, the bug hit him to run a full and really wanted for Disney to be his first since it would be WARM (not at all) and flat. We had to go pick up his race packet and check out the Expo at the Wide World of Sports. His race number was 2911 - which is one of our favorite verses - Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." My old email account even used to be laurabeth2911 because of this verse. We thought his race number was pretty awesome. . .

Here's a shot at the expo - it was crazy!

Here we are in China at Epcot. I had the fun idea to get our picture made in hats at every different country. My straight laced hubby grudgingly went along. . .

Saturday, Disney Studios and Animal Kingdom

Okay - right before this picture was made, I looked up at the Disney employee who told you to go next and I saw her pick her nose and . . . ingest it . . . for lack of a more discreet term. I about lost it. That is so wrong on so many levels!! First of all, she was an adult. She was working right in front of everyone. It is flu season and she is handling every one's cameras so she can take pictures of Mickey. Not only is that nasty for the handling of my camera and my health, but for her health, too!! Thank goodness a new employee switched places with her when it was our turn because non-confrontational me was about to confront her and tell her that I had seen her eat her booger and she should be ashamed because that was so disgusting. ick!!

A Bug's Life photo op. . .

Sunday - Race Day and Magic Kingdom

We had to leave our hotel room at 3:30 a.m. - (2:30 a.m. Central) This was one of the many reasons we didn't take the kids. Oh my. Anyways, the race started at 5:40 - and there was a wind chill of TWENTY degrees. Oh my. Fuh-reeeezing!! I made this sign for Chad so that he would be able to easily locate me if I saw him before he saw me. It worked! (and it provided a good reading distraction for lots of the runners) I was able to see him at the very beginning, mile 4, mile 9, mile 12 and the finish line.

Here he is at mile 12ish.

And he finished!!

What you can't tell here is that he was in excruciating pain - Mr. No Expression Ever Face. (can I get any amens from people who know him well? Me, on the other hand, reveal too much expression on my face for my detriment. sigh.) He started having crippling cramps around mile 14 and his hips and ankles were bothering him as well. When he reached his 18 and 20 mile in his training runs, his hips started bothering him, so he was expecting some pain. However, he was not expecting to cramp like he did. I am so proud that he persevered and finished the marathon!!

We stayed at Pop Century in the 80's section. (We are children of the eighties, so that was kinda fun!

When I saw this huge walkman, I seriously almost doubled over laughing. Chad was using a walkman IDENTICAL to this as recent as December of 2008. Seriously. It's still in our closet somewhere. Sad, huh??

After an ice bath and a nap, we headed to Magic Kingdom for a little bit. Most marathoners were wearing their medals - and they almost all had the Marathon waddle. :(

The castle at night - so pretty!

On Monday morning, we went to Epcot again and ate lunch in China. This is where the guilt and irony really kick in . . . Since we have been back, Lawton has mentioned Disney World so many times in specific ways that he has never mentioned before. (we went last July if you didn't know)

Lawton told me Thursday that he wanted to go back to China in Epcot because he wanted to learn more about China and what it looked like. (guilt)

He also told me Thursday that he wanted to go stand in front of the camel in MK that shoots water and catch it in his mouth. (guilt)

He has said a few other specific things that I can't remember now. Poor thing. It's as though his subconscious is punishing us for leaving them behind.

We sure did have fun, though. And I'm proud of my Marathon Man!! :)