I made it out to LA for the race. Sunday morning was a good day for the run, 60 degrees and cloudy. Ran a 2:20 with some cramping issues (calf) due to the humidity and sweat loss. The first couple of miles ran through the parks (California Adventure and Disneyland) then out onto the streets of Anaheim (not very scenic). They had many, many high school cheering squads and bands on that part of the course, which helped a lot. Miles 9-10 were around the Anaheim Duck Pond (where the NHL Ducks play) and then into Angel's Stadium where we got to run around the warning track, and they had the camera for the Jumbotron on us as we ran! They had hundreds of boy scouts and their families in the stadium cheering for us! Finished in Downtown Disney.
However, the highlight of my trip west was visiting Edwards Lifesciences where my valve was made, and meeting the very people who made the valve in my chest! It was VERY emotional...and I gave them all my Disney finishers medals from over the years as a thank you, and they wore them proudly! Each had a picture taken with me, and they keep them to show off to others the people who have been saved by their work.
However, the highlight of my trip west was visiting Edwards Lifesciences where my valve was made, and meeting the very people who made the valve in my chest! It was VERY emotional...and I gave them all my Disney finishers medals from over the years as a thank you, and they wore them proudly! Each had a picture taken with me, and they keep them to show off to others the people who have been saved by their work.
