The night before the race, I got all my stuff ready – pinned my bib on my tank, put my chip on my shoe, stocked my belt with necessities (ID, money, hotel key) and nutrition – Clif Blok Shots – Margarita flavored. I checked my iPod and it was about 80% charged, so I left it to charge fully.

Kristine arrived around 10:00 PM. We set the alarm for 5:15 AM to give us time to get to the start at 6:00 AM.

I first woke up around 4:00 AM – UGH. I went to the bathroom, then tried to get more sleep. I am not sure if I actually fell asleep, but I rested at least until about 4:50 AM and got out of bed. I started getting washed up and dressed. Kristine got up when the alarm went off.

Things were going smoothly, I got my stuff together, checked my iPod and… it was now uncharged! It was down to the last red bar. WTF? Crap. I swore a few times, rechecked the cable, and decided to try and charge it for 15 minutes. We were going to leave around 5:30, but didn’t leave until 5:40.

We started the trek towards the gate. And then realized that the start was at the OTHER end of Downtown Disney – a bit farther than the 10 minute walk to the front gates.

We walked briskly – there were A LOT of people with bibs on, even behind us. As we neared the parking lot, we saw fireworks start to go – the first wave had gone. Corral A, B, then C would start. As we neared the starting line, I noticed I was in Corral C! Kristine was in Corral D. I asked someone where Corral C was and was informed- they already left. Oops.

So I booked it towards the starting line, fiddling with my iPod to get started. I think I might have been the last person in Corral C to cross the starting line. Mickey and Minnie were on the platform at the start. I waved mightily at them, then looked up to see Donald and Daisy in the monorail up ahead and waved, too.

I was off! And it was HUMID!

Course Map

My adrenaline was pretty high, I think – the first few miles were kind of a daze. We started down Disneyland Drive, where I caught up and passed the back of the Corral C pack. We turned the corner onto Katella – I remember the pretty palm tree lined street, and not much else.

From 20080830 Maida's Trip to California

I had decided that I would not check my pace on the iPod throughout the race – I thought it might drain the barely charged battery. Then another left onto Harbor for Mile 1. The clock read 0:18: something – so I started at least 6 minutes after the clock was started.

We ran through the parking lot, just water for me at the first station – I drank a few sips then poured the rest onto my head, then turned into the entrance of Disney’s California Adventure and were headed around Paradise Bay towards the pier when we hit Mile 2. I think the clock was at 0:30: something now. The first 2-3 miles of the race is always slow going as I try to find my pace and work through the pack.

We continued through DCA, then went through the tram area, and headed into the Disneyland entrance. I passed several characters – more like floats – that I wasn’t as interested in taking photos with. I got my first photo with Flik from A Bug’s Life, then a few minutes later, Buzz Lightyear.

From 20080830 Maida's Trip to California

We took a side route around to Tomorrowland, which looked VERY much like the Disney World Tomorrowland, and continued around through to Fantasyland for Mile 3. We went under the Sleeping Beauty Castle. We passed the 5k chip mats (37:10). Then I got a picture with the Finding Nemo crew.

From 20080830 Maida's Trip to California

We ran through Frontierland, Adventureland, then back out the park through the Tram Area, got just water at the next aid station – again a few sips and the rest on my head, and then onto Disneyland Drive for Mile 4.

From 20080830 Maida's Trip to California

Once we left the park – it was just a run with a lot of people. We turned onto Ball Road – another few sips of water for me, then I decided to grab some Powerade, too. Then we hit Mile 5. I was feeling good, running all the time. My sciatica was twinging a tiny bit, and my right ankle, too, but nothing major. We turned onto Anaheim Blvd, and when we hit the first medical station, I decided to go ahead and grab some biofreeze. I quickly smeared it on my ankle and right glute, and kept going. The humidity was crazy. To get the biofreeze off my hand, I swiped at the back of my neck, which was drenched with sweat and the water I kept pouring on my head.

We hit Mile 6 on Cerritos – and I was pleased to notice that I was making up good time. I was calculating about an 11 minute mile off the start clock and the previous miles. I had already made up nearly 3 minutes. Another water stop as we turned onto Lewis Street.

All this time we saw lots of police officers, cheerleaders, marching bands. And families of the runners. A dad near me saw 3 boys cheering on their dad, and lamented, “Where are my kids?” I empathized and said something about it being nice to have family on the route. He then said that he only lived 5 miles from where we were. Oh. I was glad to have the excuse that my kids were in Colorado. I felt bad for him.

We passed the 10k chip mats (1:09:54). There was a group of Hawaiian dancers on this street (I think) – and there was a cute group of little girls in their grass skirts and leis. Adorable!

We turned back onto Ball St for mile 7 – over halfway finished – YAHOO! I decided to dig into my Clif Blok Shots and had one – yummy! Back onto Cerritos for Mile 8 and another water/Powerade station. We crossed the Orange Freeway, took a short jaunt down Douglass Road and got onto a nice dirt bike trail. That was a nice surprise for me. I like trail running. Another Clif Blok Shot gave me more energy.

The past few miles were pretty boring, and I relied on my iPod to keep me distracted. I kept hoping that it wouldn’t quit working before the finish. Each mile was a triumph.
As I was running down, I heard Rob Bass’ Joy and Pain and sang it to myself. A guy next to me said – “Keep singing – sounds good!” So I felt bolstered, sang the chorus a bit louder and used that energy to pass more people as we came upon Mile 9.

Joy! And Pain!
Like Sunshine
And Rain

We passed the 15K chip mats (1:42:51).

From 20080830 Maida's Trip to California

Then we came around Angel’s Stadium. Here there were even more cheerleaders, bands, girl/boy scouts. We hit Mile 10, another water station and I had another Clif Blok Shot. “Only 5k to go!” I yelled. “Almost there – WOO HOO!”

We hit Mile 11 as we turned onto S Anaheim Way, and I was so happy! We went through a tunnel and then back onto Disney Way. I caught and passed the 2:30 Clif Pace group – and I was feeling good as we hit Mile 12. Just 1.1 to go!

From 20080830 Maida's Trip to California

I got a picture with the Monsters, Inc. crew and Elastigirl as we re-entered Disney’s California Adventure and then blew through Downtown Disney for the finish. As we passed the 13 mile clock, I was bummed to see it read 2:30:10 already.

I rounded the corner to the finish, and saw the clock ahead at the finish read 2:28!!! – so I started booking it! I really wanted to finish under 2:30:00.

From 20080830 Maida's Trip to California

I heard my name from the announcer as I crossed. YAHOO! I ran the whole thing!

I grabbed a bottle of water and a glove full of ice from the medical tent. I shoved the ice glove down my back and chugged the water.

From 20080830 Maida's Trip to California

Then it was a blur – chip removal, then I got my medal. Shortly afterwards, I got my Coast to Coast medal for doing both the Walt Disney World Marathon and this one.

I grabbed a bagel, banana, and mandarin oranges from the food tent. I got my photo taken with my medals. As I headed out, I saw the Pushing Daisies booth. They were giving out free pies courtesy of The Pie Hole. And I answered a trivia question and got a free Pushing Daisies Pie Cutter. (What was Ned’s beloved dog’s name? Starts with a D…
Digby!)

I checked out the overpriced tees and tanks from Disneyland commemorating the half – I had my tech shirt and it was nicer than anything I saw hanging there.

I walked back to the hotel. I started running a cold bath, then ran down to get 2 buckets of ice for the bath. I poured them in, took off my shoes, socks and tank and got in the tub with my shorts and running bra. Not cold enough. I went down and got 2 more buckets of ice. I got back in the tub and dumped those 2 in – Perfect. I closed my eyes and sat there until all the ice melted. I was beginning to think the water wwasn’t so cold anymore, so I checked the temp with my hands – BRRR – still super cold. I sat for a while longer.

Finally, I decided to get up, drain the tub and start my hot shower. Ahhhh…

Christine came in while I was in the shower – she finished and was doing okay – YAY!

I went online to check my official time

Distance	HALF MAR
Clock Time	2:28:56
Chip Time	2:21:23
Overall Place	4016 / 10849
Gender Place	1722 / 6407
Division Place	327 / 1021
Age Grade	48.2%
5K	37:10
10K	1:09:54
15K	1:42:51

2:21:23 Chip Time – YAHOO!!! 10:47 Pace overall – not too shabby.

I’m definitely a half marathon kind of gal.

…right back where we started from. California … here I come….

Cue The OC Theme Song

I’m in the airport, all by myself. No one to corral or entertain or soothe. Ahhh…

I got a copy of The Bourne Sanction at half price. And had a rootbeer float before I went through security.

I did just notice that my phone is almost out of charge and I didn’t bring a charger – DOH! I’m hoping someone has a compatible charger this weekend or I might have to go out and buy one.

I’ve got a full itinerary this weekend – Kristine’s picking up me and we’re going to get our packets for the race, hopefully spending a couple of hours at Disneyland and then hooking up with Alice & meeting her girlfriend Terri for dinner at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion tonight. Tomorrow is the race at 6:00 AM! Then some time at Disney’s California Adventure, followed by a Scott family bonfire with Kristine, Gary, Debbie, Dustin and Jake. Then on Monday, a morning at the beach with Hal, Lea and Halea before they take me to the airport. I probably didn’t even have to get Disney Park tickets.

They’re boarding my plane…

Cue The OC Theme Song

It’s true. I really do. I don’t have much time to do it anymore, but I wish I did.

When I was in junior high, high school and college, I spent time in the arcades. Frogger, Missile Command, Joust, Dig Dug, Centipede, Gauntlet, Rampage, Crystal Castles and my all time favorite – Tempest. At home we had an Atari system – Pitfall and Space Invaders were my favorites to play. We even played Castle Wolfenstein on our Apple IIe.

After I joined the Air Force in 1988, I guess I lost interest. We were always going out and partying (or staying in the dorms and partying) when we weren’t working/eating/sleeping/working out.

Then I think I was anti-game for a while. I really wasn’t interested in having a game system in the house.

In 2001, through a radio station giveaway at my dojo, I entered a drawing and won an XBox. I immediately thought that I would just give it to my nephew Tyler.

Until I took it home and tried it. Then I was hooked. I think the first game I got was Munch’s Odyssey. I really had fun with it.

Then came Halo.

Cue Halo Theme

I was hooked. I picked a great game to be my very first first person shooter game. We played cooperative campaign all the way through on Easy, Normal, Heroic and Legendary. Throughout my pregnancy with Zander, we played nearly every night. After Zander was born, I swear the familiar sounds of us killing aliens lulled him to sleep at night. When friends came over, it was all about multiplayer – and the joy of hearing “Killing Spree” as I mowed down all my friends with a sniper rifle or a rocket launcher.

As Zander got a bit older, I wasn’t able to play as much. Zander and I spent a good deal of time watching Dad play Morrowind. Then Zevan was born. And later in 2004, Halo 2 was released. Of course we got it. And the discovery of wielding multiple weapons and the ability to use an energy sword made the game really fun. What sucked was that it had a cliffhanger ending. And Halo 3 would be created for XBox 360. Which we still don’t have. And I have not yet played.

When Zander was 4, we introduced him to video games on our XBox. Cars, Finding Nemo and Godzilla. Then we had to take Godzilla away until he turned 5 because it made him overexcited and prone to tantrums. Then we got a Nintendo 64 which got him introduced to more kid friendly games like Yoshi’s Story (which I love but am not very good at) and Pokemon Snap. And Zevan got into the games as well.

And then they graduated to a GameCube. And now they’re playing games that I actually enjoy playing with them – like Teen Titans or Lego Star Wars. And that they actually ask me to play with them.

Nothing warmed my heart more than, “Mom, you have to play Teen Titans with us. We always get farther on the level when you play with us.”

It’s even more fun when Doug comes in, and we invite him to join us. Yep, it’s pretty cool.

I’m glad I’m a mom that likes playing video games.

This haiku sums it up –

So, yippee for me
I manifested a Wii
Oh, thank you, Karma

So today turned out pretty good. Took the boys to school, worked, chatted with a neighbor, went for a 3 mi run, worked some more, showered, picked up Zevan, had my annual with Dr. Baer (best OB/GYN ever), went to the mall with Zevan for lunch (and picked up a Bionicles game for $6 for the GameCube), ate a dark chocolate caramel from Rocky Mtn Chocolate, picked up Zander, came home, tried unsuccessfully to take them to the library (they wanted to stay home and play), worked, did laundry, picked up around the house…

At 6:25 PM, I left for the climbing gym. And had a fabulous climbing night. I climbed two 5.11s (mostly clean), a 5.10 (not so much) and a 5.11- I left the gym feeling powerful and pleased. May climbed those, too. And Lisa joined us for the last 3 climbs. We did push ups and dips tonight, too.

Then we went to Ruby Tuesday to meet up with Candy and Megan. Good food and conversation. It had been a while since we ALL were together. It was really nice.

Then I realized that I forgot to get new inside shoes for Zander for school. He outgrew the ones from last year. So first I stopped by King Soopers to pick up random essentials, but they had no shoes. I went by Wal-Greens, just as they closed. I decided to just go to Wal-Mart.

On the way there, I envisioned this scenario in my head:

I casually go by the electronics counter, looking around. “May I help you?” someone asks me.

” Do you know if you will get in any more Wiis?”

“You’re in luck. A shipment just arrived.”

Or something like that. I played it over and over in my mind.

So, I did casually go to the electronics area, looked in the usual spots for the Wii, and didn’t see any. An employee was locking up a case, and as he stood up, I asked, as casually as possible, ” Do you think you’ll get any more Wiis in?”

“Yes. We have one.”

I asked if I could please have it. He teased me and said it was up for the highest bidder, and that was for $300. I raised my eyebrow at him, thought for a second, and just grinned and said, “Pretty Please?”

“Okay.”

He did try to upsell me and said he’d have to get management approval to sell it separately. I mentioned the ad said nothing about a bundle package. He said that they only get Wiis back in stock if they sell an accessory with it. I acted appropriately concerned ::), then said I was already overextending myself by buying the Wii. The managers were in a meeting, of course, so I had to wait. So I went shopping for Zander’s slippers for school.

I went back a couple of times, and the meeting was still going on. So I waited patiently. When I saw the clerk again, he told me I was in luck and gave me a big speech about how I the manager was doing me a HUGE favor, etc, etc.

I didn’t care. I just smiled and let him go on. I was getting a Wii for $249 plus tax –

So the Wii went on sale at Wal-mart this week for $250. I got the circular on Sunday from Doug’s mom, and I should have just picked one up that day. I have $100 saved up from the boys baby/toddler stuff that I’ve sold, and I can loan myself the rest.

But I didn’t go yesterday. So I thought I’d try today. I called the closest Wal-Mart and they had 6 in stock. Okay – so they aren’t totally sold out, good.

Then I worked. And did the school pick up. Cam home and worked some more. Then it got late. Dinner, bedtime, etc.

Around 9:30 PM, I remembered. So I started calling all the Wal-Mart’s in town. And they were all sold out. Crap. I had to call the Platte Wal-Mart twice because the first time I was left on hold. When I called back, they told me that they have them. So I got in the car and drove over there (not my closest one).

And they didn’t have them. In fact, the 8th Street Wal-Mart (the one I called earlier today) were the last store to have any.

And everyone I talked to there was a stereotypical, apathetic and empty-headed minimum wage earner.

“I just called 10 minutes ago and someone told me you have them.”

“Sorry.”

FRAK.

I know it’s the hormones, but now I feel like an idiot for trusting the word of a pubescent late night Wal-Mart employee AND I am kicking myself for not going there earlier when I knew they had them.

STUPID. STUPID. STUPID.

And then I feel like even more stupid for beating myself up about it. I’ve been on the verge of tears ever since I left the store.

Okay, I’m done. I’m going to look for chips or ice cream to soothe my irrational sorrow.

Today was the 1st day of school for the Zboys this year – and Zander’s first full day of school ever.

Zander was especially excited to start kindergarten. He’s been talking about it for two weeks, ever since we got back from San Diego. Zevan wasn’t as exuberant, but he did really great – found his new hook, and went right in.

I picked Zevan up at 11:00 AM. Since it’s the first week of school, only the returning 4 year olds were in the playground. There were only 5 of them! It turns out Zevan is the only 4 year old that’s half day. The rest are in full day.

And the thing is, he really wants to be full day. Ever since he found out Zander is going to be there all day, he wanted to be there, too.

BUT. We didn’t plan for it. Particularly financially. It’s an extra $250 a month for him to stay all day. The plan was to let him be half day until winter break and then give him the option to stay full day starting in January.

The hope was that we’d be a little more financially secure. My additional hope was that I would be able to make the money to pay for the extra tuition from now until then.

And, to be honest, I wanted the alone time with him. Not every day, but on Tues/Thurs when I didn’t plan to work as much.

Sigh.

After he settles in (and after the 3 year olds start), I will check with him again to see if really wants to go full time sooner. Then I guess I’ll just use the time to work and pay for it. Maybe as soon as October.

So, where was I? Oh, yes, I picked Zevan up from school. I said, “It’s just you and me.”

He looked around, “Where’s Zander?”

“Oh, he has to stay at school until later.”

“Oh, yeah,” he said, clearly disappointed.

So then we got in the car and went over to my mom’s house for lunch.

I asked him about his day, and if he liked school. He said that he did like school, and we chatted a bit about it.

After we had lunch at my mom’s, I left him there to get some work done.

Then I met him and my mom at school at pick up time. And he wasn’t on the preschool playground where I had always picked him up last year. So we walked around back to his classroom door. There he was. Running out the door for a big flying hug.

“Mom, it was AWESOME! I ate in the cafeteria. I had specials. And we had recess TWO times in the big playground!”

My big boy!

“I ate my whole lunch. It was chicken nuggets, and pears and oranges. I got to pick.”

We chatted a bit with the Wolfes. Then we stopped by my dad’s classroom to say hi to him. Then we chatted with Chris while the boys horsed around with Alita and Pancho. And then the Wolfes came by again. Then we finally left school. We did a quick errand at the post office, and then over to Dairy Queen for ice cream. Where we ran into the Wolfes again

Then my mom took the boys to her place, and I’m here writing this when I should be working.

Oh, my big, big boys!!! They’re growing up so fast!

12 years – can you believe it?