I'm still horse (hoarse, really)....from the Disney Marathon

Cindy pre-race texting. Perhaps she was trying to e-bay her race number since she had not really trained for this event because of a foot surgery in Sept. (note: for those of you who are observant, yes this is a bathroom...it was cold so we were lurking in the bathroom to stay warm). I REALLY love real bathrooms before, during and after events. The climate controlled-ness, the running water and the ambiance is the best:-)

Mile 3 in 40 minutes...this is a disaster, what am I doing going so quickly??

Mickey and I striking a runner's pose at mile 18 or so during the marathon. Over the course of the marathon, I got pictures of Mickey in various outfits. I think he might have been cutting the course and/or using mass transit along the course!

Yes, you will see me in 2010 because I have already signed up for the "Goofy". Now all I need to do is arrange my flight, hotel and purchase a larger memory stick for my trusty Olympus 1030SW Camera! Or maybe I just need to get another camera so I can seamlessly transition from one to the other when the memory stick becomes full or the battery needs to be replaced.

After the half marathon Tristan and I went to Port Orleans/Riverside for some tasty treats (beignets from Port Orleans) and some recreation (Kayaking at Riverside). You will notice I was smart and suggested a double Kayak. And of course my job became official photographer, not paddler. Anyway I am doing Tristan a favor by assisting in his upper body workout. He'll thank me in June when he is climbing Mt. Rainier and he is the strongest in the group! (BTW: I also say this when I pawn off items from my backpack on him or make him carry my luggage:-)

This past week it has been a bit tough for me to speak (but luckily I have been able to). During the half marathon, full marathon and even the day before the event I spent a significant amount of time shrieking like a girl (I think I could be an actress in a horror movie but I would get away because I can shriek so loudly!). I do this anytime I am on a thrill ride.

During my races I spent a significant amount of time talking and hooting and hollering (using my outside voice I might add!). By the time I arrived at work monday I could barely speak above a whisper. Oddly enough my co-workers thought I was sick. But I had to explain in my hoarse voice was self-inflicted by too many "wahoo's" and lots of cheering. Although in my mind you cannot have too many "wahoo's"! In fact I had a bunch of co-workers saying "I hope you feel better" In fact I was hopped up on endorphins and could not feel better then I did. I suppose I was a little tired because for 3 days straight I had gotten up prior to 4 a.m. (Fri, I volunteered at thd 5 km race and had to get up by 4 a.m., Sat & Sun I had to get up about 3 a.m. to get to the "Goofy" Marathon). Then Sunday night we did not arrive home until about Midnight.

I still have a bit of hoarseness and wonder if I will be able to sufficiently hoot and hollar at the Arizona Rock and Roll Marathon this Sunday.

I am getting excited about this trip. I will be meeting up with my dad to celebrate his 70th birthday (which is a bit later in Jan, but it's not everyday a 4 day weekend occurs). I hope to show him how much fun marathons are as well as how kind the other runners are. I think he is planning to go the EXPO (which I am volunteering at) and will be able to feel the energy of a marathon. Maybe he will get inspired to run a marathon in the future. And of course since this is a Rock n Roll Marathon, we get to go to a headliner concert Sunday night. I've never been to a rock concert with my dad, so this could be an interesting experience.