So I am here at the Orlando International Airport four hours ahead of my departure time.  There are certainly pros to being here this early and I am taking advantage of them.  First, I get to claim a prized work area at the gate where I am supposed to depart from in a few hours.  Secondly, I get to do some blogging and internet surfing using the free internet access the airport provides.  Some airports have no free internet/wireless signal and others have a pay-per-use site that is automatically linked to the web browser when opened.  How great is this for passengers to pass their time or get some work done while waiting.  I might do some work, but will mostly pass the time.

I had a great week away.  Very eventful and very successful.  Soon, a link to photos will be posted once I transfer them from my camera to my personal computer.  I traveled with my work computer since I did lots of work while I was here.  At one point I felt like I was answering more calls and emails that I would normally if I was in the office so I might just have to negotiate with the Head of Schools to see if I really was ‘absent’ the three days I was not in the building.  I’ll keep you abreast of the negotiations.

Physically, I actually feel good.  Given the fact that I ran almost 40 miles over the course of two days at Disney, I felt better yesterday after all the running than the morning of the full marathon having only run 13.1 miles the morning prior….hahaha, ONLY ran 13.1 – how funny is that.

There is a reason it is called the “Goofy Challenge” and I can honestly say that it certainly was a challenge for me.  The half marathon was fun, almost like a warm-up.  I felt great the rest of the day and had a good dinner and sleep afterwards.  The full marathon was tough for me and my pace certainly slowed considerably as the race went on.  A strong and steady start tapered to a labored speed walk that was finished with a steady sprint-like speed to make up lost time and complete the challenge in the required time frame.  That was close!  Less than a minute to spare, the finish line was crossed and the medals were earned.  The theme for the challenge was completion, not speed.  It was completed…and now I can check that off my bucket list.

My flight is scheduled to arrive back in Baltimore around 8pm, then I will take the shuttle to my car which is parked off the airport property, then a quick 20-minute drive back to Cheverly.  Not sure if I will unpack or just head to bed and get ready for what will be a busy day at work tomorrow, as any day after an absence normally is.

Sure, in the future will be laundry, house cleaning, bill paying, and watching my new 42″ flat screen LCD television that arrived while I was away, but first I must sit and reflect on the many accomplishments had this weekend, personally and physically.  Some I have blogged about and will blog about, but others will just remain in my heart and push me to be a better person, a better boyfriend, a better friend - and will remain a special part of this marathon weekend that will last for a long time to come.  Thank you.