Sports and exercise in zero gravity

The 2009 Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World is rapidly approaching. Or rather, the ability to register is swiftly coming to a close. Though the Half and Full Marathons are not until January 9th and 10th, 2009, respectfully, registration is already starting to fill up. Goofy’s Challenge, those participant running in both the Half and Full Marathon, has already reached its capacity registration. And while there is still plenty of room for those wishing to run the full Marathon, the Half Marathon has already reached the 75 percent registration level. If you are looking for any further incentive, the price to register is currently discounted, and will go up at the end of the month.

Why do I know this? Well, because yesterday was the anniversary of the day my wife and I met. We decided that we would do gifts this year, small inexpensive gifts. Well, my wife broke the rules and went big. What did I get, you ask? An annual pass? No. Framed artwork from the Art of Disney store? No. Rare ticket booklets? No. A copy of Walt Disney’s Epcot Center? No. Instead of sweet gifts, my wife decided to give me a swift kick in the bum and sign us both up for next year’s Half Marathon.

Now, I have been a runner most of my life, sans the past few years, so getting back into shape shouldn’t be too big of an ordeal, but this wasn’t exactly on my agenda for this year. My wife took up running a few years ago as a social hobby. She first enlisted my cousin to run with her. These runs were filled with grips about my cousin’s boyfriend and me. Since my cousin has moved away, it has become a topic with a close friend of ours who runs marathons on a regular basis. These two, I might add, seem to spend a substantial part of their day talking, emailing, and texting one another, so I am not surprised that this marathon idea seems to have crept up on me.

Now I would love to run for a charity organization, say Lou’s Dream Team, but currently I am only running for myself. Aside from wanting some good to come of my race, besides getting healthier, I will also be running in the memory of my Aunt Keeni. For those of you who have followed the Main Street Gazette for a while, you know that my Aunt worked in security for Walt Disney World for twenty years before she was killed in a car accident on her way to work a year and a half ago. Several members of my family, including myself, have commented on the odd sensations we feel when at Walt Disney World now, as if she is still there, around the next corner, showing us all of the secrets. So I will run for Keeni and, perhaps, if the opportunity presents itself, I will be able to run for the good of those still with us as well.

If you would like to be part of the next marathon weekend, I suggest you register as soon as possible. You can find registration information at Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. For those of you looking for a Valentine’s Gift for your special someone, the total to register as a couple is currently 214 dollars. 2 and 14, the date of Valentine’s Day, coincidence? I think not!

I hope to see you, and run with you, there!