Wife Mother Runner runDisney Archives - Page 6 of 12

2015 WDW Marathon Weekend – Day 1 Travel Day

January 15, 2016

After surprising the kids at 4:00 a.m. that we were taking them to Disney we arrived at the airport, had breakfast there and boarded our plane. I heard that the Osborne Lights were being extended another few days into Wednesday so we had to change to a flight that had a connection in Baltimore. We landed in Baltimore and hung out at the airport for a little less than two hours, had lunch and then boarded the plan for Orlando.

Once we arrived in Orlando, we picked up our rental car and went to Target to get groceries for the week. The plan was to surprise the kids once again, with the arrival of my parents. As we left Target and were heading back towards the airport, my mom called pretending to be someone from the airport and told us that we forgot something. I told the kids we had to head back to pick it up. When we arrived at the airport the kids spotted my parents and were very surprised! I love tricking them with our surprises.

We dropped off our bags at the hotel and my mom, dad and I went to the Expo while my husband stayed with the kids so they could swim. We arrived to the expo around 5:00 p.m. and picked up my Dopey challenge gear, my mom’s 5K bib and the kids’ race bibs and shirts. I saw Mandy, Kenn and Diana at the Expo at the bib pickup. Mandy had a 5:00 appointment with New Balance and I also had one from earlier in the day and I really wanted to check out the shoes

We headed over there after picking up my mom and kids’ bibs and I saw Kenn and Mandy and Diana there too. I had to check in with my actual appointment time because there is a limit of 6 pairs of shoes that could be purchased per appointment. I tried on the Dumbo and Ariel children’s sized shoes and was able to purchase them at the lower price than the adult size shoes.

After the New Balance booth I went to the shirt exchange area to exchange my shirts. They always run narrow for me. Then my mom and I went to the official merchandise booth where I picked up the Anger Shirt from Inside Out, sweaty bands, a Dopey sweatshirt, a magnet, a wine glass and a water glass. I was so happy to see that they had things still there that are usually gone by the time I arrive to the expo.

After making our purchases, we had to rush back and eat a quick sandwich for dinner so we could go to the Osborne Lights. We knew they were on display from 5:45 to 9:00 and it was already 6:00. As we arrived towards Hollywood Studios there were signs directing us to Animal Kingdom because the parking lot was “full” at Hollywood Studios and we would have to take a bus from Animal Kingdom.

When we arrived at Hollywood Studios we had to activate our military tickets that my dad got and then we were inquiring on how to upgrade them. We lost a lot of time while standing at that ticket counter. When all was said and done it was 8:30 and we had to pay for a full park admission in order to see the lights. My parents decided to sit it out and would wait for us while having coffee outside the gates. It was painful to pay all that money for what we thought would only be a half hour of the lights.

We arrived to the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights and the children loved the show! They had music playing to the lights so they were dancing and there was fake snow being blown down to the street from the rooftops. It was very fun. Someone was passing out 3-D glasses and it made the lights look like they were snow flakes! Thankfully when 9:00 came the lights were not turned off, they continued to play the music and the lights until park close. We left around 9:45 to take the bus back to Animal Kingdom. I was glad that I Was able to share that experience with the kids. I wished my parents were able to participate also; but I completely understand the cost factor involved, especially when retired and on a fixed income.

I put the 3D glasses against my phone to get the visual effect from the glasses!

It was a very long day and my mom and I had to get back to get to sleep for the 5K the next morning. When we got back to the hotel, we got everyone situated and I went to bed while my husband took care of the kids. I believe i was in bed before 11:00. I knew the 5K started later than the rest of the races so we could get away with waking up at 4:00 and leaving the hotel by 5:00 for the 6:00 start. Especially since we weren’t in the front corrals.

It was a fun and long travel day and I was getting excited to get the races started.

Stay tuned for the recap of the 2016 WDW Marathon Weekend 5K!

Operation runDisney Marathon Weekend Surprise is Under Way

January 5, 2016

The flurry and scurrying around to pack and sneak my kids’ summer clothes, flip flops, swimming goggles and bathing suits took place last week while they were home from school. Thankfully I was able to seclude myself in my room to do this while they were playing with their new Christmas toys. But the last two days to prepare for the actual departure was in full swing.

We are going to Disney for my WDW marathon weekend where I am running the Dopey Challenge and my mother is running her first Disney 5K and close friends of ours are running their first runDisney 10K!

On Sunday, as we were leaving the movie theater from seeing Star Wars the Force Awakens (AWESOME MOVIE), I saw a Facebook post that the Osborne Lights were being extended from January 3 to January 6th. Once I heard that I knew I HAD to do something to get the kids and my parents to Hollywood Studios that night to see the lights. So we had to distract the kids so I could call Southwest and find out what options we had to move my husband and kids from their Thursday flight to my Wednesday flight. Good news and bad news. They could move to Wednesday for only $38 each; but I had to give up my 12:30 direct flight and we are all now flying down at 8:00 a.m. with a stop and change plans in BWI. BLECH! I HATE early flights! Also since I will be getting up early 4 days in a row for the races, that was the last thing I wanted to do. BUT it is for the sake of the JOY that I hope to see on my childrens’ and parents’ faces when they go through the Osborne Lights to see something like no other.

When I ran the Wine and Dine Half Half marathon one of the highlights of the race is that we can run through the Osborne Lights. Diana and I spent and extra long time there because we knew it was going to be the last time we could see it. But, she was on her trip with her family so she decided that the next night they were going to see the lights for sure. When I flew home I was sad. I wanted to find a way to fly our whole family down either for Thanksgiving or for a few days after Thanksgiving JUST so they could experience those lights. Well, my wish is now going to come true!

The kids don’t know yet that we are going to Disney. As usual, we like to pull it off as a surprise to them. The notes have been sent to school and given to the bus driver. Homework has been sent home and now we just have to get their butts into bed real soon because we will have to wake them up at 4:00 a.m. to begin the surprise vacation. I know my daughter is on to me. She reads my texts on my phone at times and saw some communication going on between my dad and I. So I had to squash those questions and I think we may be able to pull this off. It’s going to be different, waking them from their sleep to announce the news. So stay tuned!

2016 New Balance runDisney Collection Released

January 4, 2016

Many of my obsessed runDisney friends (who shall go unnamed) and I have been impatiently waiting for the news that was finally released today from runDisney and New Balance.

On December 18 we were teased with a Tweet from New Balance asking which characters will star in the 2016 runDisney New Balance collection. My phone started chiming with my friends asking me if I saw the clues and what did I think they would be! We couldn’t wait to find out! My guess was Dumbo, Belle and Ariel.

Photo from New Balance

But then time went on and we are just three days away from day 1 of the WDW race weekend and we were starting to get antsy jumping every time our Twitter chirped. Well, maybe I was the only one who was. Finally just before 3:00 p.m. the collection photographs were released. Again my friends were making sure I got the news. Thanks everyone!

So here they are… Dumbo, Ariel, Mickey and Minnie!

Photo by New Balance

Photo by New Balance

The Dumbo and Ariel models are Vazee Pace models, which features the neutral cushioning of the New Balance Vazee Pace shoes. There are elements of Dumbo hidden throughout the shoe, including his signature inside the shoe.

The Ariel model uses the mermaids main colors and textures to represent her signature look along with small details found throughout the shoe.

The Mickey and Minnie models are the 860v6s. View a video of the Minnie and Mickey reveal.

So how do you get your hands on these shoes? On Wednesday, January 6th at 6:00 a.m. the New Balance www.NBVirtualQueue.com will open and runners can begin to sign up with their bib number. The virtual queue will let you know when it’s your turn.

How much do they cost?

The Dumbo and Ariel Vazee Pace will be available for $124.95 for adults and $79.95 for kids.

The Red Carpet Minnie and Mickey 860v6s will be available for $139.95.

Be sure to visit NBvirtualqueue.com to get all the pdetails on reserving a pair and checking the latest announcements, inventory availability and updates.

Will you be purchasing a pair or pairs of these shoes this upcoming weekend?!

Running Goals for 2016

January 3, 2016

I have several things to talk about for my goals for 2016. But for now I will just give a brief summary of my running goals. Since this week kicks off the official week of the January Walt Disney World marathon events I will give a brief summary of my thoughts of my plans for my races and overall running goals this year.

Something that I began to include in my weekly routine is strength training. Before I started running I used to be very diligent with my weight training. So I want to make Strength training a more important element to my routine.
Next I want to add more JOY to my runs. Last Fall my running became more of a chore than my enjoyable time to myself. I was dreading my long runs. After Labor Day weekend I didn’t want to put in the time for the Marine Corps Marathon and once that race was done I didn’t want to put in the time for my Dopey training. But after listening to Dimity at the Girls Night Out event I really wanted my running time to be my play time again. So this year after my Dopey Challenge race is over I will determine what races I want to run this year and if I want to improve my finish times or my quality of my training runs.

I noticed that many of my runner friends also felt some burnout this past year. It seems that we have all participated in the same amount of runDisney races so we are at the same “mature” running age of participating in races. When you travel to these races and do as many as them plus local races it takes a toll on you. So I think we all felt like we were overbooked. Something I will think about for next Fall. It’s hard to train for a Fall marathon because the long runs do begin in the late summer and it is still very hot.

With that in mind I have to ponder the decision to re apply for the lottery for the Marine Corps Marathon to redeem myself at that race and I also want to enter the lottery for the NYC marathon. That marathon has been on my radar for many years.

So as I prepare for my second Dopey challenge and have these 48.6 miles ahead of me I will wait to decide what the rest of my 2016 racing season will look like and enjoy all 48.6 miles. The first 3.1 miles will be with my mom for her first runDisney 5K. The next 6.2 miles will be with my friend for 20+ years PK and his daughter who now live in North Carolina. And I will finish off the half marathon with Diana and Mandy will be joining us for the full marathon. And I want to enjoy every single one of those miles!!

Gillette Castle Christmas 2015

December 14, 2015

As part of our strategy to keep the Christmas Spirit alive this weekend one of our destinations on our must-do list was Gillette Castle. Before we went on our road trip to the Castle, I went for a run. When we were on our bike ride Saturday it rained on us briefly. I told my son that I love running in the rain. I told him it was so peaceful. He then told me that he wanted to go for a run with me in the rain. In the morning when I told him I was going to run he said he wanted to join me. So I made plans to do my route and then stop by the house to pick him up and we would do a mile or so and see how he felt. Surprisingly, by the time I got back to the house he had his shoes laced up and he was still interested in going!

I really enjoyed running with him. We ran from our house to the new development down the street from us. We ran together for a total of around 1.75 miles and he didn’t really complain! Running with him also made the time go by faster. My daughter is having trouble with her asthma right now, otherwise she would have been out there with us, too. When we were on our bike ride Saturday, Adrienne kicked butt and rode up the entire hill towards the vineyard without getting off her bike! She’s a badass! So I can’t wait until she can also run with us.

After our run we packed up lunches, and my parents met us at the house and we made the journey to Gillette Castle. It was 60 degrees outside, on December 13th! I won’t complain, it was perfect! We listened to Christmas music on the way there and had lunch in the car. It was perfect.

When we arrived we made a family vote to decide to skip the tour and go out onto the hiking trails instead. Last year we went to the castle and did the tour inside. This year it was unbelievably warm so we decided to skip the indoors tour and tour the grounds instead. Not much will change between last year and this year and we didn’t want to pass up the chance to enjoy the beautiful weather outdoors. The park has so many hiking trails and the last time my kids were there with my parents, my son found a “secret staircase” that lead down to a beach onto the Connecticut River. So I couldn’t wait for him to show me this “secret staircase”.

We hiked the trails, explored the beach and I checked out the Chester/Hadlyme Ferry docks and then rejoined the family on the trail to head back to our cars. The park was going to close at 4:30 and the sun was setting. On our way back to the castle I noticed someone special leaving! It was Sherlock Holmes! I’m not quite sure who his female companion is so if you happen to know, please share that information with me! I couldn’t pass up the chance to get a picture with these characters!

After the park, we stopped at Dunkin Donuts with my family to discuss our dinner plans. We decided to go to the market across the street from the coffee shop and grab some items to make a potluck spaghetti and meatball with salad dinner back at our house. The kids wanted to wrap some gifts for Kevin and I in secret and we still needed to put the train under the tree; which was a perfect task for my dad to help out with!

After dinner we all watched American’s Funniest Home Videos and called it a night. It was the perfect ending to a perfect holiday festivity filled weekend!

2016 WDW Marathon Weekend Is Less Than a Month Away!

December 9, 2015

Well it’s less than 30 days away now! For me, the Dopey challenge is close to half way completed 30 days from now. I will have been through Day 4 of the challenge on the half-marathon portion of the event. The funny thing is, you aren’t halfway through the mileage until around mile 1.9 of the marathon on Sunday.

The runDisney Official Event Guide is now published and has all of the information you need to know for what to do, where to go, what time the Expo takes place, when and where the kid races are, Pasta in the Park info and so much more!

What I was waiting most for was the map of the marathon course. Now that the Richard Petty Speedway was demolished that removed some distance off the course we used in the past. My friends in Team Shenanigans put together screens comparing the 2015 and 2016 course maps.

From what you can see in the Magic Kingdom portion of the course, it appears that we will be running through the castle and Towards Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and then out through the back side of the park and towards Cone Alley and the long road towards Animal Kingdom. There is also a little out and back portion in there on the way to Animal Kingdom created to make up some of the distance. I’m just grateful we aren’t making up the difference in ESPN Wide World of Sports. Although I have to say that last year it didn’t feel as long and dreadful in that part of the course as it did the two years prior.

I’m getting excited to know that in less than a month I’ll be racing in Florida. I was listening to the Mickey Miles Podcast today where Jeff Galloway was answering questions and he answered the question I had posted to the Mickey Milers Team page. I asked what to do about my training since Marine Corps was my longest distance since October and then in November I was up to 10 miles (plus the 12 i did last weekend). Jeff’s recommendation is to do a cluster of runs to simulate Dopey beginning on December 17. He said to do 3 miles, then 5 the next day, walk 7-10 the following day and then on the last day get in 23 miles with either most of it walking or walk a mile, then run with 15/30 intervals. So I am going to think about this suggestion and compare it to what I had in my mind which was to do a longer run that weekend of 15-17 miles (mostly running) and perhaps I’ll tack on the last 3 miles as a walk to get the 20 miles under my feet for the endurance. I know Jeff knows best. But many of my fellow running pals are getting training burnout. But we all know what happens when we don’t train like we should (see my Marine Corps Marathon recap).

I’m starting in Corral I and the corrals go up to letter P so that give me about a 20 minute buffer between when we take off and when the last of the pack takes off. I’m not worried about finish time with the race this year. I just want to have fun. And it wouldn’t be fun if we didn’t see the balloon ladies at the races!

I just registered my kids today for the Kids Dash races for Friday. I usually register them for Saturday based on when they fly down; but in the past that was crazy for me to rush back from the half marathon, pick everyone up at the hotel and then get over to ESPN. So it will be nice for a chance to do the 10K and then shower and head over to ESPN for their race. This is becoming a tradition that I would like to keep doing with them while I can. It’s easier to get them up for an 11:00 race than it will be to get them to a 5K that takes place at 5 a.m.!

Now I have to start putting together my costume ideas! I already have one planned with my mom! She and I are doing her first Disney race at the 5K. We have been sharing ideas back and forth from Etsy, we both have the same Minnie ears and Team Sparkle Skirt so now we have to find coordinating skirts. I have another one planned with Christina and Diana and that leaves the half and full marathons to plan for. I have to really get going to put something together. Let the fun of packing and planning begin!

runDisney Star Wars Dark Side Challenge Medals Released

December 4, 2015

Are you running the Inaugural Star Wars Dark Side Challenge in April? I am! I try to run almost every inaugural event that runDisney launches. But then that means I have to keep running them so that I can eventually earn legacy status with their special recognition.

Today runDisney launched their medal designs for the Star Wars races in April and they look awesome! I wish I were running the Star Wars challenge in January in California so that I could also earn the Star Wars Kessel Run Challenge Medal. It’s all about the BLING!!!

Photo by runDisney

There was another teaser in the email which was the announcements for the registration dates and race dates for 2016 and some for 2017. As a fellow Mickey Miler, Eddie McCoy pointed out. There is the caveat at the bottom of the list telling us to stay tuned for 2017 additional race dates. Wonder what that means!

Photo by runDisney

Which races will you be running in 2016 and 2017? I will be running the Dopey Challenge, Princess Glass Slipper Challenge, Star wars Dark Side Challenge, Tinkerbell Half Marathon and the Dumbo Double Dare. With intentions of doing Wine and Dine when registration opens.

runDisney Wine & Dine Half Half Marathon 2015

November 25, 2015

The final event of the runDisney Wine & Dine race weekend is the half marathon. It takes place on Saturday night at 10:00 p.m. The starting line is at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and the race ends just outside of Epcot.

The day of the race I ran the 5k in the morning, went back to my hotel to shower and quickly drove to the expo to pick up my half marathon bin and race shirts. I ran into Brittany and Kendrick, Mark and Caryn there doing the same thing before our breakfast reservation.

After that I spent time with the Mickey Milers at breakfast at Kona in the Polynesian Village Resort. We had a 10:40 reservation but didn’t eat until close to 11:30 and left there close to 1:00. My plan was to go back to the Expo and do a little more shopping. Find a light meal and rest in my bed or maybe nap prior to heading to the starting line. That was my plan. What I actually did was meet Brittany and Caryn at their room to get the wine glass she bought for me the day before and then I went over to the Expo where I saw Dale, Jennifer, Robert and Donna.

I didn’t have a lot of time there because it was closing at 3:00 so I quickly shopped for a shirt with a wine glass design and found something at Raw Threads. I can always rely on finding something at Raw Threads and not have an issue with wearing it for the first time on a race day.

After the Expo I went to Disney Springs to do some shopping for the kids. There is still a lot of construction going on there but what is completed looks nice. There are pedestrian bridges that cross over the street from parking lots to Disney Springs.

It was very hot out so I was sure to hydrate. I picked up an ice tea from a shop and then refilled with water at Ghiradelli.

I was on a mission to find Tsum Tsum’s for the kids. So after going to World of Disney I was told they are in Once Upon a Story. I found some for the kids, and made my way back to my car so I could rest in my room. On the way back I got a message from Dale inviting me to join them for dinner at their hotel, Riverside to have pasta at 6:00 and then we can take the bus from there. That was a good plan so I could leave my car there for when we return after the Wine & Dine after party.

So after a quick rest to recharge my phone and my feet I got dressed and went over to Port Orleans Riverside to meet everyone for dinner. We got pasta with broccoli and shrimp and oil, which was just right for prior to the race. Then we all used a bathroom and went to the bus. We got in line at the perfect time because the line got very long and we were able to take the first bus to ESPN. Good thing because we were stuck in traffic for a very long time. This was very similar to when we were on the bus for Tower of Terror two years ago.

When we arrived we went through bag check and then found the rest of the Team Shenanigans members and the Mickey Milers. The Team Shenanigan members were dressed as Spaceship Earth and the characters within the ride. It was an awesome costume idea! We took pictures with everyone and then I needed to go find Diana and Christina.

As I was about to connect with them there was lightning in the distance and a strange change in the weather. It started to get very windy and the temperature dropped a noticeable 15 degrees. Suddenly everyone started to leave the runners gathering area and we were told that we were being evacuated and moved to shelter in the Wide World of Sports complex due to severe weather in the area.

This was a first for me and I think it was actually a first for runDisney to have to do this. We all shuffled from one area to the Stadium and the Jostens center to wait out the storm and wait for instructions. Diana and I decided to go to an area where we could actually see outside so we could watch the storm. We also wanted to find a bathroom. Since the women’s bathroom line was so long people started to use the men’s room. Then we were lucky to bump into Chip and Christina so we sat down and waited for further instructions. While we waited we kept checking the radar to see what all of the concern was about because nothing was really happening where we were.

After about an hour we saw people moving back towards the corrals so we followed the crowd. It was finally time to race, but we were hearing people talking about modifications to the course. Then I received alerts via Twitter that the course is going to be shortened. The section leading from ESPN to Animal Kingdom was being eliminated. With the humidity being so high and it being so warm and late I was relieved.

So finally at 11:10 we were released from the starting line and onto the course. We ran from ESPN onto Osceola Parkway towards Hollywood Studios. From there we ran towards the back stage area of Hollywood Studios and then into the park. There was a lot of zigging and zagging inside the park and I was so teased to see the Osborne Light Spectacular. Just when I thought we were going to see them we were in a different direction. When we finally arrived at the Osborn Light Spectacular we spent a LOT of time in there taking in all of the visuals. I noticed that there were hidden Mickeys in the lights and a cast member said there were over 40 of them scattered throughout the lights. Diana and I started to look for them as we were taking a million pictures. I didn’t want to leave the area! Knowing that this was the last time they would be displaying these lights I wanted to enjoy them as long as possible. But we were in a race and had to get going so we could finish and then I was going to attend the party afterwards in Epcot.

We used a “real bathroom” before leaving the park since we knew that after finishing the race it would be a while before we could get to one, and the continued on to exit Hollywood Studios. We ran towards the path that connects the Boardwalk Hotel and Hollywood Studios (miles 23-24 during the full marathon) and made our way towards the Boardwalk. The path was extremely crowded with people. It was practically impossible to run in this area. We did the best we could to zig and zag between everyone but couldn’t really run again until we got over the bridge near the Swan and Dolphin hotels and towards the Beach and Yacht Club. The end of the race runs through the back entrance of Epcot, back stage and then past Spaceship Earth and back stage to the Finish Line.

I was glad this race was cut short. It was extremely hot and humid (even at night) and when we finished it was past 1:00 a.m. I think if our corral was released at the original start time we would finish close to when we did with the shortened route; but we would have felt more worn out and affected by the heat and humidity. There was a lot of water support on the course, which helped.

Diana was heading back to her hotel and her family because they were here for their vacation; and I went towards the exit area of the runner’s zone to find my Mickey Miler friends Dale, Dave and the gang so we could go to the After Party. I saw my friend Anne as I waited for the gang and we got a photo together and then I finally hooked up with Dale and Dave. After receiving our free drink from Disney we went towards the entrance to Epcot where we had to go through a bag check AGAIN. This process took quite a long time and was frustrating since we had already been checked at the beginning of the race. This was a situation we went through last year as well.

After we got through security we began our trip around the World Showcase. We first met up with Brittany, Kendrick, Caryn, Dave, Susanna and her husband, Mark and Chris. Then we decided to head to Canada for the filet mignon. After that we headed towards Ireland for the seafood shepherds pie. Then we headed towards France, Morroco, Japan, America and then to Germany to try to find some of the other Mickey Milers and get some German beer. We had a Shöfferhofer Zitrone Weizen-Mix, which is a lemon flavored beer and was quite delicious! Dave Dunkowski got a the beer flight from there but I just got one of the full size drinks. Stephanie Grace and her husband Shane found us and we hung out for the rest of the nigh then walked towards the exit of the park. It was close to 3:40 and the party ended at 4:00. We caught a bus back to the hotel and then I hit the sack for the night. I had a flight home at 12:40 so this would give me the chance to get at least 4-5 hours of sleep.

I had a great time and a fun weekend with friends a love the runDisney races. Being back home now I have to step up my training for the Dopey challenge taking place in less than 60 days!

runDisney Jingle Jungle 5K

November 24, 2015

This year I did what I considered to be my first runDisney 5K race during the Wine & Dine race weekend. I participated in the Jingle Jungle 5K race Saturday morning. I consider this my first 5K because I typically don’t sign up for 5K races during the runDisney race weekends. The reason for that is because I usually have to fly in the day before the bigger race or the challenge races so I can’t get the time off to participate in the 5K which takes place on the day I am flying. With this race it occurs on the same day as the half marathon. The first 5K race that I did run was during the Dopey Challenge last year, but I considered that different because it was the Dopey Challenge. How does that make sense? I don’t know but it does to me!

I also wanted to participate in this race because it starts at 7:00 a.m. (one of the latest start times of a 5K race in the runDisney series), and because it runs entirely through Animal Kingdom. In most of the runDisney races I participate in we run through Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom and ESPN Wide World of Sports. But not as many races go through Animal Kingdom besides the Wine and Dine Half Marathon, a few miles during the full marathon and the Jingle Jingle 5K.

The morning of the race I set my alarm for 5:00 and was ready and in the car before 6:00. Because my flight got in after the expo closed on Friday night I knew I would have to pick up my bib at the information tent at the race start. I had to be sure I brought my license with me or else I wouldn’t be able to pick up my bib. So when I arrived, I got a great parking spot and walked right over to the information booth and signed a waiver and picked up my bib. Then I looked around to connect with my other racing buddies. I spotted the Mickey Milers and their amazing costumes, said hello to them and then found Diana, Christina and Diana’s daughter Kenzie. This was going to be Kenzie’s first 5K.

Since this was Diana’s first race with her daughter and they were in corral C I told them I’d stick with the Mickey Milers and hang back in corral D. She wasn’t sure how long it would take them to get through the race and they were planning on stopping for every picture.

I went to my corral and reunited with the Mickey Milers. The team was easy to find with Bill Taylor’s “Elf” costume! Everyone was so creative with their costumes. I went with my low key approach but should consider stepping it up next time if I decide to do that race again. I also ran into Mike Rahlmann and his family in my corral so we got a picture together of course! I always try to grab a picture with Mike when we see each other at our races.

Jocelyn and her daughter (left), Pam and Mallory, myself and Mike from the Be Our Guest Podcast

The race started at 7:00 and we passed the start line at 7:10. The first section of the race went around the outside edge of the Animal Kingdom parking lot and then we entered in through the front gate. From there we walked towards the Tree of Life, towards Everest and then back stage before we went back to the finish line.

There were several character stops along the course and I was happy with the amount that was out there for the 5K. There was Rafiki, Timon, Chip and Dale, Donald and Goofy, Pluto, and a few others that I didn’t snag pictures of.

It was a very very warm and humid morning so I am glad we took it slow and walked this race. If this was any indication of how the rest of the race weekend was going to be, we were going to be up against some dangerous heat and humidity for the half marathon. I was sure to drink a lot of water after the race so that I would be hydrated for the rest of the day. I finished the race in a little over and hour which was perfect. We were done by 8:15 and I had time to go back to my hotel to shower for our 10:40 Mickey Milers breakfast reservation at Kona at the Polynesian Village Resort.

I was also glad to see that starting in the last corral and walking the entire race I finished in a little over and hour and there are no sweepers at that race. My mom is participating in her first runDisney 5K during marathon weekend and had been worried about not finishing the race in time. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the 5K course through Epcot and even take pictures. This race was a good way for me to estimate the pace and timing for our January race.

I really enjoyed this race and would consider doing it again. The downside to it is that you have to wake up early for the 5K race on the same day that you will be starting the half marathon at 10:00 that same night. If you are good about going back to your room and taking a nap then that works out great. But like me, I enjoy the social events that take place during the short trips that I have there so I generally don’t take the time to go back to my room and rest, let alone nap. So I ended up staying up for 24 hours straight. But again, it’s fun, I see my friends, have a great time and I’m at Disney so sleep isn’t necessary right?!

Disney Wine and Dine weekend kick off

November 23, 2015

On Friday, November 6 I took at 4:00 flight to Orlando. It was the cheapest flight I could get last minute for that weekend. Free! I was able to use my Southwest Airline miles for this flight. I tend to wait until the last minute to book many of my flights. Sometimes that works for me, sometimes it doesn’t. It is definitely a gamble, but it worked in my favor this time. I landed around 7:00 and was unable to go to the Wine & Dine Health and Fitness Expo and pick up my bibs because the Expo closes at 7:00. Knowing that ahead of time, my plan was to go straight to Disney Springs to purchase some accessories for my costume.

I got my rental car and went straight to Disney Springs. I was unsure where to park so I kept following my way around towards the end of the area and parked near Cirque du Soleil. I had to go all the way to the Marketplace but was fortunate to find the Sassagoula Steam Boat Company that transports people from the West Side to the Marketplace.

Cirque du Soleil

Thank Goodness for this option because I had to go all the way across to the other side!

It was a nice ride and I had the chance to take some fun night time photographs of Disney Springs (it will always be Downtown Disney to me), along the way.

When I arrived at my dock I headed straight for the Disney Days of Christmas Shop. I needed to purchase Christmas Mickey ears to go with my costume for the Jingle Jungle 5K through Animal Kingdom. I had seen my friend Jennifer Taylor wearing them on Facebook and knew those were the ears to complete my outfit!

After my purchase, and some additional holiday decorations for home, I walked straight across to Earl of Sandwich. I had to get some dinner; but I wanted something light. I opted for the tomato soup and it was the perfect choice. I got my soup to go and continued to my favorite shops, the Co-op. I wanted to check out the new Alex and Ani bracelets, the cute items at Tren-D. Then the new Pandora charms at Cherry Treey Lane, and searched for a cool new phone case at D-Tech.

On my Wish List!

Another item on my wish list

Pandora Charms

The newly released Pandora Charms ($90 each)

After shopping I found a cozy spot just outside the Co-op to sit down and have my soup and window shop. I felt like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s!

I had to head to my hotel so I could check in, get groceries and lay everything out for the race in the morning. I stayed at the Comfort Inn on Palm Parkway this time. I usually stay at the Clarion; but I wanted to try this hotel out for a change. I liked the hotel. It was priced similar to the Clarion and what I liked about it was that it was a little bit quieter than the Clarion. It wasn’t as close to the highway and the hotel room door was off of a hallway internally in the building; rather than facing out to the public. My parents stayed there two years ago when they came to Florida to surprise the kids during marathon weekend. I like the location because it is always a 10-15 minute ride (max) to the race start.

My family always make sure that I don’t miss them while I am away!

The rooms were clean, quiet and had a fridge, microwave and coffee maker. All the essentials I need for race weekends so that I could make my tea and oatmeal in the mornings prior to the race. I laid out my gear for the morning and set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. and hit the sack.

I made the best of a late night flight into town, got to see some sights, get some good food, do a little shopping and got to bed a a decent hour to prepare for a very long day the next day with theANDORA_NA race in the morning and the Wine & Dine Half Marathon at 10:00 at night. Stay tuned for the 5K recap!

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Tag: runDisney