A Real Pain in the... Foot.

So, I thought I would try to show you why the WDW Marathon was such a challenge this year.

(As if 26.2 miles is not challenge enough.)

I have a foot condition called Plantar Faciitis.

No, not warts.... people always ask me that.

Here is a diagram.

The top arrow is pointing to the Heel Bone.

The bottom arrow is a strained Plantar Fascia.

It hurts... like a... well, you know.

Along with this strain, I have a heel spur.

See that little hook coming off the bottom of the heel in the top illustration?

That is it.

It feels like a stake being driven through my foot.

Truth be told, this was probably not caused by running.

But standing, for long periods of time.

Think retail.

Personally, call me crazy, but I think the running helps... stretches my foot and all.

Running through the pain!

Remember, my sport is your sport's punishment.

LOL

Dat Dat, when I was on the stairs...

...my bellybutton was hungry.

Tookie's say the funniest things.

Hair Loss

So, the time has finally come.

Grady has waited a long time.

We convinced him to wait until Halloween.

And you have to admit, he was an AWESOME Thor!

But recently, the hair situation, has been a bit of a problem.

Kids have been making fun of him.

I say it is envy.

But who am?

 Oh just his MOTHER!

Todd and I had even caught him pulling out strands recently.

So, that did it.

As beautiful as it was.

It was time to let the locks go.

So, off to Mr. Eddie's Barber Shop we went.

By the way, in the several times I have taken the boys to Mr. Eddie's, there has never been a Mr. Eddie there.  In fact, on female barbers.

Curious.

Why all the pony tails?

A donations to Locks of Love, of course.

Such a handsome face.

A little off the back.

And the final product.

On a rather funny note, when we came home and called Grammie and Dada to let them know, Grady tucked his non existent hair behind his ear before putting the phone to it.

Too funny.

Miss the hair.

But Grady is Happy.

That is all that matters.

Don't Forget the .2

I finally hijacked some photos from Dada's Facebook page!

First though, a few fun facts about the marathon from http://www.athensmarathon.com/

■The modern Athens Marathon commemorates the run of the soldier Pheidippides from a battlefield at the site of the town of Marathon, Greece, to Athens in 490 B.C.


■Legend has it that Pheidippides delivered the momentous message "Niki!" ("victory"), then collapsed and died.

■The Athens Marathon is recognized as the original marathon course and it's the same course used in the 2004 Olympics held in Athens.

■The first modern Olympic games were held in 1896 in Greece.

■The legend of Pheidippides was honored by a 24.85 mile (40,000 meters) run from Marathon Bridge to Olympic stadium in Athens.

■Athens Stadium, the finish line for the Athens Marathon stands on the site of a stadium used in classical times.

■Spiridon Louis, a Greek postal worker, won the first modern Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 58 minutes, 50 seconds, an average pace of 7:11 minutes per mile.

■At the 1908 Olympic Games in London, the marathon distance was changed to 26.2 miles to cover the ground from Windsor Castle to White City Stadium, with the 2.2 miles added on so the race could finish in front of royal family's viewing box. This added two miles to the course, and is the origin of the Marathon tradition of shouting "God save the Queen!" (or other words relating to the Queen) as mile post 24 is passed.

I imagine I may have also wanted to hurl a few insults to the Queen.

Check out my handsome husband with a very proud Grammie...

All our boys... so proud of Dat Dat!

Putting on Compression Socks... 26.2 takes a toll!

Me, in serious pain, but overwhelmed and relieved.

SERIOUS BLING!

My Rock, My Hero, My Husband... holding me up and being there for me even when he was just as tired. Gotta love him!

Swim felt so good.

But the sangria was better:)

Up bright and early again to take on the Magic Kingdom.

Had an AMAZING time and cannot wait to do it again.



We Did It!

Well, the Holidays have come and gone.

And the boys have returned to school.

But there was so much that happened!

Todd Jr required an application of superglue to his head... Don't ask!

Santa brought a PS3 for the boys, and life will never be the same again.

Meme and Foe Foe have left the Big Easy and returned to the Alabama Coast... they even came over for Christmas day!

And finally after another year of training... and a few bouts of pain, we returned to the Walt Disney World Resort to take on the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge.

First, we visited with Grammie and Dada in Tampa...

We even got to spend some special time with Great Grandad and Gigi...

Also, while in Tampa the boys had a great time with their cousins, Kati, Timmy, Sarah and Jessica!

When we arrived at WDW we made our way to the ESPN Wide World of Sports to pick up our race packets and check out the EXPO.

Then, first thing Friday morning, was Todd Jr's race.

He and his Uncle Cory ran the Family Fiesta 5K.

Unfortunately, the photo with Uncle Cory was seriously blurry, you wil have to check out facebook to see the others from that race! 

We were so proud of them both!

And yes, Todd "won"!

Grant waiting for Todd and Cory to Star their run.

Next, bright and early on Saturday morning was the 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles)!

And Woody and Jessie were on the scene...

Tutu's and all....

Todd was a HUGE HIT!!!

Here we are around the 1/2 way point of the race getting our photo in front of the Castle!

The Gang's all here!

There was only .1 left to go!

Until the next day when there was another 26.2 more.

Sadly, I had no pics on our camera of this day.

I have to say though, I am so proud of Todd... he did an amazing job... 4hrs 37min for the Full Marathon!

Mine was not nearly as impressive and I will be honest at mile 10 I considered throwing in the towel.

But, despite the stake that was being driven through my right foot, I made it in plenty of time and with lots of tears!  (Heel spurs and Plantar Faciitis SUCKS!!)

I will get some photos from Dada to upload on the next post.

Speaking of Dada and Grammie....

Thank you so much again for taking such good care of our boys while we were running.

You are AMAZING and take such good care of us.

BTW, Grant is still talking!

We love you!!!!!!!!

As always, the experience was fantastic, funny and full of memories!

Thanks Walt.