Progress at The Point
Rhiannon's birthday was last week and I asked what she wanted to do...she wanted to go to Cedar Point. One thing about Rhiannon, she loves rollercoasters. I...do not. I never have. They terrify me. But, I do LOVE a theme/amusement park. So we took Friday off and drove the 3 hours down to Sandusky, OH and spent the day at the park.
Rhiannon and I went to our first theme park together back in 2022 for our honeymoon. We drove out to California and went to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. I started the day walking but about half way through I realized that I needed assistance. My lower back was screaming, my feet were on fire, and I felt like my calves were going to snap. So, I broke down and rented one of the ECVs from the park. It was humiliating. I was 31 years old, there is no reason that I should have needed to use an ECV to get around Disney. When I was at my heaviest, I had no problem walking around for hours on end. We put in 12 miles in NYC in one day just 4 years earlier. Rhiannon explained that when I was over 400 pounds, my body was used to what walking around with that felt like. Then I dropped 100 pounds and my body wasn't used to what that would feel like. I also have a herniated disc in my lower back and losing the weight probably played into that as well. We aren't doctors, and we all know I am not going to a doctor, so these were all guesses.
After that trip, My Aunt and Uncle took us to Epcot as a wedding gift. I started the day walking again. I was doing pretty good, until after lunch. I was in tears with how bad I was hurting. We tried to rent an ECV but they were out of them, so instead Rhiannon talked me into a wheelchair and she pushed me around the park. After this trip, I realized that I just needed to accept the fact that I couldn't do the parks without some form of assistance. The next time we went to Disney, it was a week long, all 4 parks trip. I didn't even give myself a chance to walk. I rented an ECV from a 3rd party source so that I would have it to use if we went somewhere besides the Parks. It was the best decision that I have ever made. There is no way I would have survived that trip without it.
So, going to Cedar Point was going to be a test. I walked all around New York City just a few months ago, so I was hopeful that I could handle a theme park. AND I DID! Rhiannon and I got to Cedar Point around 9:30am and we left the park about 8:30pm. We put in about 14k steps that day. Now, I know that is nothing compared to what some people do...but I am not some people. I have an office job where I sit all day. The only walking that I do is to prepare for this marathon...and right now it isn't that many steps. My average a day is around 1500-2000. So a day of 14k is HUGE for me! That night when we got home, I cried before going to sleep. Maybe a little from the pain in my legs but mostly because I was so proud of myself for going to an amusement park and not getting an ECV. The thought never crossed my mind. I was limping on my way out of the park, but hell, so was everyone else.
Overall, we had a fantastic day. I had been craving theme park food for a few weeks...Cedar Point's was fine, definitely not my favorite, but it was okay. I will say the food I enjoyed the most was the food we bought ourselves that wasn't included on the dining plan. HUGE shout out to the pierogies and the end of the night funnel cake. Rhiannon got to ride on her favorite coaster. We played so many midway games (I am GREAT at them...but only winning the small prizes lol). Watching Sirens Curse and Top Thrill 2 in person was majestic. I will never ride a coaster, but I love watching them. They are just so massive and beautiful. Then to end the night we watched the Boardwalk
Nights Cavalcade.
I am so glad that we went to Cedar Point. I am so proud of myself for walking the entire time. I cannot wait to get back to Disney/Universal and walk through those parks (and eat their PERFECT theme park food). Are you also a theme park/amusement park lover? What is your favorite park? #JoyfulJourneyHappyHeart
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