Marathoning with Mike and Mickey: Race Aftermath: Part 2

Sunday: The Day After

I woke up and the first thing I thought was, “Okay, let’s see what the knee has to say.”
It didn’t say anything. It sort of screamed at me.

A hot shower helped with the stiffness.

I headed to the Studios theme park to have lunch with Deb and Linda at the Brown Derby.

Along the way the knee actually felt better. However, any first steps after sitting for a while were reminders for me to see the doctor down the road.

Of course the Full Marathon was in full swing. Thankfully the foreboding forecast for this day was going to be a bit wrong or late. There was no rain in sight as most of the runners were plodding through the Studios.

For this course about the time you start heading down Hollywood Blvd. you’ve already covered over 20+ miles and you are just anxiously awaiting to get out this park, make it over to EPCOT, and finish.

The characters were there to cheer the runners on.

Some runners did take the opportunity to pose with some of their favorite characters.

The Brown Derby is famous for its Cobb Salad and that’s what we all opted for.

While at the restaurant we received a visit from Hollywood’s Tastiest Celebrity Gossip Columnist, Vivian Dish. I’m sure you have read her column, “Tasty Tidbits from Vivian Dish.”
She and Deb got along famously.

Beci was able to join us for a bit before speeding off to yet another meeting.

As we prepared to leave Brown Derby the skies opened up. I was hoping all the runners had crossed the Finish Line before the downpour. Luckily we had our ponchos.

Linda and Deb were heading out of the park and I had to go to a meeting. We bid farewell and off we went on our separate ways.

After my meeting with several folks I headed back to the room to rest, a request from my left knee.

I then headed to EPCOT to hopefully take in Spaceship Earth while soft openings were still going on.

So what did I find?

Well, I’m going to give the Imagineers the benefit of the doubt and say that there are still some things to do to complete this rehab of SPE. So I will hold off mentioning any details and passing judgement. I will say however that the attraction has undergone much more of a change than I had anticipated.

I stopped over at the pin board to purchase a few Disney Valentine’s Day pins for Carol before heading to World Showcase.

Along the way I heard my name being called and turned around and did not recognize anyone within my sight. About eight people approached me and said, “You don’t know us but we know you.”

That’s a scary thing to hear being said to you”¦even at Walt Disney World.

These were folks who had been at the 2007 MagicMeets and wanted to say hello. I believe at least one of them had also run that weekend.

After a few minutes of good talk I had to excuse myself and meet Mike Newell.

I met Mike right in front of where OffKilter performs and we headed to the American Adventure where I wanted to do some research.

While in AA we ran into some other friends, notable AEN researcher Kenny Cottrell.
I spent time talking with Mr. American Adventure himself Lonnie who told me a few tidbits about the attraction. Some of these tidbits were mentioned in my newsletter article.

Here’s a shot of folks walking past that painting with the plane whose nose follows you.

Time was running short and we had to scoot over to Marakesh for dinner.

I thanked Lonnie for his time and Mike and I walked briskly to the Moroccan Pavilion.

This was my third meal at Morocco and I’m still on the fence regarding this restaurant. It’s not spicy by any means but the variety on the menu leaves a lot to be desired. Still if you are looking for a place to eat on a weekend night in EPCOT this could be one of the few places where you can walk right up and be seated immediately.

Beci joined us and we ate quickly because Illuminations would be starting soon.

We found ourselves walking around World Showcase just as Illuminations was beginning”¦first time that had ever happened to me.

We met up with some friends and watched the rest of this spectacular.

After that Mike, Beci and I met up with the very elegant Deb and Linda for some quiet time chat

Don’t they look like the type of people they are…special?

The quiet time involved good talk and we enjoyed the company so much that we talked until 1:30 A.M.

Deb and Linda were leaving in the morning so it was time for final hugs and goodbyes.

I had a long walk back to where I had parked my car. I think the temps were in the 40’s and I had shorts and a short sleeve shirt on”¦brrr.

I found myself hungry. Well”¦it was 2 A.M. and I had last ate at 8 P.M.

I was more tired than hungry so fatigue won over hunger.

I probably got to sleep about 2:30 A.M.

Next time: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

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