Friday afternoon they loaded us into buses to go over to the Epcot Center for the Team in training (TNT) Pasta Party. There were at least 10 buffet tables set up with salads, pasta, sauces and chicken breasts. Then there were the tables of cookies. I think there were close to 1000 people in the room getting fired up for the coming race. For this race participants have raised over $5 million to support work toward finding cures for blod cancers and supporting patients and their families. There was a speaker and there were pictures of patient heroes from all over the country. One of the speakers was a survivor of Lymphoma who is completing the 1/2 Marathon Saturday morning. Ours was the first of 2 seatings. It was kind of odd having the traditional pasta dinner at 2:00 in the afternoon. Of course we are getting up on race day at 2:00 in the morning to catch the bus to starting line by 3:30.
We have had our team meeting. Organized our clothes and emergency information for the race and now just need to race until the starting gun at 6:00 AM.
More pictures will appear Saturday afternoon after Laura and Cathy finish this race.
We have had our team meeting. Organized our clothes and emergency information for the race and now just need to race until the starting gun at 6:00 AM.
More pictures will appear Saturday afternoon after Laura and Cathy finish this race.
1 comment:
One of the many things that surprised me about my father-in-law Ollie, whom Cathy has run in honor of in Florida, was his strength. And I mean his strength of body, backed up by his will.
Even after years of impairment from his original blood disorder, he would talk about his exercise class, or about walking in the morning with Betty, or about some trip to a far-flung and interesting place.
He didn't give up; he adjusted and continued.
He is proud of his daughter, today, as he was at so many points before.
One of Ollie's responses to difficult things that his little children would encounter was to say, "Buck up!" Or. as I have come to imagine it, "Buck up, little soldier!" The treat at the center of this plump chestnut meant for upset children is some loving, fatherly encouragement good enough, right now, for anyone:
Life is hard, and wonderful at the same time. Remember that.
Adjust.
Continue. Repeat as necessary.
Cry if you have to.
Continue.
-- Jon R-G
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