Each of the kids were introduced to Disney early in life, all were still in diapers. It’s one commonality they share.
25 years later, 2 of 3 still feel that magic. The force is strong with these two 🙂
Since finding my ‘forever home’ in Colorado, I often struggle with our distance & actively maintaining relationships. Dave’s a moderate-to highly operating autistic…has been since age 3. Now 21, he’s Level 2 on the spectrum: “requiring substantial support”. David has the truest heart of the 3, the kindest soul…but he will always need care. Physically strong, mentally adept – but trapped in a mind which misfires social signals. Always been Disney-motivated, super strong bond to his Mom. Plan B? My guest room in Colorado is adorned with Peter Pan memorabilia. Dave will always have a home.
Took advantage of an open-ended offer to join David & family sometime during their 3-week Disney adventure. Purchased airfare & a Park Pass, bed-shared at the family’s timeshare. Although not a fan of crowds…I do love my family. PLUS, crazy fun to see Dave & Michaela in their element/favourite place on Earth/where they feel most comfortable.
Quick shower after my Saturday morning marathon, shared two half-days at MGM Studios…sandwiched ‘round a full day at Magic Kingdom. Park rides, Disney princesses galore…and a whole lotta shows. FAAANNNTASTIC magical time!
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- Dave’s fave
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- Cinderella castle
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- who doesn’t love a parade?
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- Tigger: T-I-double-guh-er
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- YIKES!
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- hands UP for the big DROP
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- best photo-bomb EVER!
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- Beauty and Gaston 🙂
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- Star Wars showcased ‘front-n-center’
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- fake flakes in sunny Florida
Magic Kingdom 2016
MGM Studios 2016
5 consecutive weeks marathoning – hey, didn’t I already finish my 50 State Quest last May? Healthy addiction 🙂 Takes the mind off health issues/negative thoughts, provides daily goals – proving I can still marathon, even thru chemo.
After family invited [me] to join their Disney World vacation, I did what all Marathon Maniacs do: Calendar-checked for a nearby marathon. AND as luck would have, YES – the Orlando Marathon, a Veterans Day run in Winter Park.
Jetted work 2 hours early. Friday nite flight, Florida arrival just before midnight. Hotel, rental car, 5 hours shut-eye. Bib check-in at American Legion Post 112, an hour before race start. Post Commander gave a rousing speech about the importance of Veterans Day & serving our country. Hats off for the National Anthem. Air horn start…2 laps on Cady Way Trail.
Flat neighborhood trek, not super scenic – but ALL proceeds (100%) support War Veterans. Course not a BQ qualifier either…who cares, right? 27 miles – that’s .8 [miles] too much folks. Guess what’s another mile, bigger bang for your buck. LOL>
Miles 8 & 9 (21 & 22) looped a local shopping mall…bit odd. Weather however stayed fair. Sure it topped 80 degrees…but running in Florida, could’ve been far worse. Dropped pace on my 2nd lap – higher temps & lack of water – but stayed focused on the Finish.
Orlando Marathon
Bib # Name Time
254 Haga, K R 5:05:48
Keenan – You just finished your 76th marathon, what are you going to do next? I’m going to Disney World!! Yep, that’s exactly what I did. Ok, showered first but then, Disney-shuttled to MGM Studios. But that’s a story for another day 🙂
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- Veterans Day run in Winter Park
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- marathon SUCCESS & won my Age Group — FAAANNNTASTIC!
Thursday nite pre-race activity – Jersey Boys, my first in Denver’s Buell Theatre. Orchestra, Row C – FAAANNNTASTIC!
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- Broadway hit, Jersey Boys!!
Orlando Marathon (Veterans Day start)
Early to bed, early to rise — woke marathon morning to FOG. Dense, thick, ‘can’t see 10 feet in front of you‘ FOG.
Layered up — 2 shirts (long sleeves under yesterday’s ‘Run WV’ purchase), shorts, running tights, ball cap & gloves. 35 degrees, pretty much perfect conditions. All signs point to marathon EXCELLENCE!
Drove in early from neighboring Barboursville, stadium parked, pre-race porta-potty’d, patiently waited for my run sister Carolyn. BQ — all about HER this day. Months of texts back-n-forth; I’m just the lucky guy signed up to enjoy the ride. Flat 2-lap course — notta fan of laps, never been…but a flat course in West Virginia? That I dig.
Crowded field. Could not connect with Indiana. Hovered ’round the 4 hr pace group. Cannon pop, we’re off. Two/three minutes, happy upbeat Carolyn tags in. No tunes, no playlist. Passed the morn with runner banter. Whole lotta chatter.
Slow first mile, then paced up. 8:20, sub-8, 8:35 — slow down she says, voice of reason. My best chance for sub-4 would be a quick first half. Not steady enough to run 9 minute/miles the entire duration, haven’t finished a strong 2nd in over a year. We agree on 1:55 — “it’s a marathon, not a 10K”…I know, I know. Chilly weather, good sleeps & remembered my meds — popping anti-nausea at 9 & 15…no pain pills ’til the end — dulls the pain but zaps the adrenaline…sweat a lot, jacks my breathing.
No head games, steady easy run. STRONG today.
St. Mary’s Marathon:
K R HAGA crossed the 13.1 Mile at 08:54
Course time: 01:53:37
Pace: 08:41 min/mi
2nd lap: slowed our pace 2 miles in. Quads, legs tight. Hadn’t run this fast all year. No giving in to pain, best chance at sub-4. Stopped briefly at mile 18, hydrated. Carolyn shed layers; I chose to run warm. Lagged a step behind thru 19 — and said our goodbyes.
Running empty but knew I had 7 ‘1st Half‘ minutes banked. 10 min, 10:20, pacing too slow. Puked at 23 — come on man, dig deep!
Aid station straight ahead. Stopped for water, 4 hr pace group bounced by…with one mile to go. Super frustrating. 9 minute/mile no longer possible. Nothing left. Laid on a park bench, wrecked. 5 minutes. Blew my nose, deep breath. Ok, it is what it is.
Steady jog to Joan C Edwards Stadium, grabbed a football & did my lap. Marathon 75. Check, done.
St. Mary’s Marathon:
K R HAGA crossed the Finish at 11:08
Course time: 04:08:18
Pace: 09:29 min/mi
my friend Carolyn? sub-3:55, new PR, Boston 2018. Couldn’t be prouder.
40 minute drive in rural Appalachia for a true West Virginia celebration. Hillbilly Hotdogs. Highlighted on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives”, had this joint scoped out before leaving the Rockies. Picnic tables outside, school bus seating inside, a true dining destination. If ever in Lesage WV, gotta/hafta/must go. Highly recommended.
Next weekend, family weekend — DisneyWorld…but first, marathoning in nearby Winter Park, FL 🙂
Marshall University Marathon
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- where’s the Stadium? F-O-G!
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- ‘run West Virginia’
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- missed sub-4 by minutes
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- marathon #75 (WV PR)
Hillbilly Hotdogs, WV
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- wanna get hitched?
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- Food Network’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives’
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- whole lotta hot dogs
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- school bus seating — Appalachia fine dining 🙂
