Wife Mother Runner #WhyIRunDisney Archives

Dumbo Double Dare 10K

September 24, 2015

The first day of racing for us began on Saturday for the Disneyland 10K. This is one of my favorite runDisney races, if not my favorite. The alarm went off at 4:00 a.m. and I got up and began to get “sparkled” for my Disney anniversary costume. We walked from our hotel to the Disneyland hotel and arrive around 5:00. The crowds for the 10K are not as large as they are for the Disneyland Half Marathon so we had no trouble walking over to our corral and getting right in with very little wait time.

We met a cool girl Stephanie Adams, in the corral and got a few pictures before it was time to run the race. If anyone knows her, I’m trying to connect via Facebook. I know she said she was part of the Double Dare Challenge Team but I can’t locate the group. As we took off running it was the normal rush of people in the beginning so we didn’t begin our intervals right away. We also saw a lot of people tripping over the curbs and falling while trying to pass others or just running out of room.

The first mile of the race takes place on the streets of Anaheim and then we entered the backlot of Disney California Adventure. I couldn’t wait for Diana to see Cars Land while it was still early in the morning and the sun wasn’t fully up yet. We rounded the corner into Cars Land and it was perfect! The lighting was just right and I told Diana to get in line for pictures. This is what the races are all about. I had to remind her that we were going to take as many pictures as we could in the park, then we would run on the streets or between picture stops depending on the time.

The characters at the character stops were villains and they had great characters out on the course! There was DJ from Cars, Lotso from Toy Story 3, Shadow Man or Dr. Facilier from Princess and the Frog and Governor Ratcliffe from Pocahontas and many, many more! My favorite was The Hun from Mulan! My family and I just watched that movie the week before and I was playing the main song continuously during my runs so it was appropriate to have such a rare character out on the course and actually get a picture with him! While standing in line for them the cast members were warning us that the pacers were about 10 minutes behind us and that if we remained in line we were risking getting swept off the course. Diana started to freak out but I told her we were fine. We could outrun them even if they were right upon us.

After our picture stop with the Hun, we ran towards the Haunted Mansion and got some pictures in front of the mansion and also as ghosts. Then we continued on through Disneyland towards Downtown Disney and the finish line.

As usual, the race wasn’t about time. Our finish time was just under 2 hours. The Disneyland 10K is one of my favorite races because most of the course takes place within the two parks.

After the race, we went back to our room to shower and then worked on the hats for our Sleeping Beauty Fairies for the half marathon the next day. I carried the materials out to California with me in my suitcase to assemble them in our room. I didn’t want the hats to get squished in the suitcase. I also knew that we would be spending most of the day and night at the parks, so I wanted everything in order before we left the room because I assumed we would be collapsing like we did the night before!

We met Mandy at the Expo and I spent a little more time shopping at the Expo, listened to Tara Guidus talk about nutrition and running, and visited Jeff Galloway for pictures and his autograph of my race medal. I usually have him sign my bib; but I forgot to bring that with me. I also took the opportunity to register for the Tinkerbell race next May. I haven’t run that race yet and it was falling at a time that we weren’t going to be on vacation in Walt Disney World so I went for it. It’s the 5 year anniversary of the Tinkerbell races so I’m also happy about getting an anniversary medal as well!

After the Expo we went over to Downtown Disney so I could find some of the anniversary items that I wanted to purchase and to also find some gifts for the kids. Then we went to California Adventure and Disneyland for lunch, rides and dinner with the World of Color to end the night.

Dumbo Double Dare Travel Day 1 and Expo

September 8, 2015

I can’t believe this trip was already a week ago. Life was so hectic right up to the trip and then right afterwards. I will be providing you my details of the trip in segments. Today we will begin with the travel day out to California and the Expo.

The trip began with a little bit of frenzy. When my alarm went off at 6:00 I snoozed it. Then when my backup alarm went off at 6:15 I snoozed that. I finally got up at 6:30. I wasn’t motivated to get moving too quickly. I wanted to be around to see Kevin get on the bus and then at least I’d have a few minutes with Adrienne also. I watched the traffic on the news so I was keeping up with any issues on the highway. With the last traffic check I did at 8:05 there was an accident just outside of Hartford! That’s when a little panic set in. I grabbed the
last of my things, kissed Adrienne and my husband and got on the road. Thank God for the Waze app. The traffic was looking OK according to the app. My estimated arrival time was 9:07 and I was leaving my house at 8:20 for a flight at 10:30. I arrived at 9:00 – Perfect.

I parked the car and got on the shuttle. Diana texted me that the line at the counter to check bags was very long. When I arrived, there was no one left! A flight to Chicago had a large amount of people there so they moved them all through. Security had a longer than usual line. It was doing the Disney zig zag rather than the usual straight lanes. But even with that we got through in less than 10 minutes. But of course, BOTH of my carry on bags needed
to be inspected. We were fine though. We had plenty of time to get a tea, use the restroom and chill for a few minutes before getting on the puddle jumper to New Jersey.

It was a quick 1 hour trip to New Jersey and when we arrived, we picked up sandwiches and snacks for lunch since it was close to lunch time and our flight to California was 6 hour flight. We wanted to make sure we had sufficient food with us to keep us fueled up for the flight. The flight ended up taking 5 hours and 30 minutes flight and was a good flight. I got some work done and rested and Diana read her book and rested. When I think back on it, it did go by quite fast.

When we landed we gathered our luggage and used the restroom. I had a moment in the restroom where I heard a woman calling out for help. I was alone in there with another woman and the woman in the stall. So we both walked over to see what was wrong. The woman who needed help had MS. She needed help moving from her motorized scooter toward the toilet so she could go to the bathroom. She did need the help of both of us women in the bathroom to help her move her legs. She had no feeling and mobility in her legs. We helped her and left her to her privacy and then helped her get dressed and move back into her chair again. She was a wonderful woman, whose daughter was going to run the Dumbo Double Dare Races. After she was all set and back into her chair we said our goodbyes and I felt grateful for my health and to appreciate the little things like how easy it is for me to quickly go in and out of a stall to get my business done and rush onto my way.

Diana and I got our rental car and went on with our journey to Disneyland. I took the advice from the man at the rental car check-out counter and we took the back roads to the Disneyland hotel. He said the highway at that time of night was a mess. That didn’t surprise me because that is how it was for me for the past two prior years. So we typed in the address to our phones and started on our way. As usual, it took 45-50 minutes to get to the hotel, when it is usually a 15-20 minute drive. Like in the past, I had to make a few U-turns and then we parked at the Downtown Disney parking lot and walked over to the Disneyland Hotel to go to the expo.

It was around 6 pm and many of the items at the Expo were picked over and there wasn’t as much of a selection left. I purchase an “I Did It” shirt; but it was only for the Disneyland Half Marathon, it wasn’t even for the Dumbo Double Dare. I also picked up a new Coast to Coast shirt. Those are the two items that I always want to grab when I run the Dumbo Double Dare races.

I did have the chance to go to the New Balance booth with no wait time and had the chance to pick up a pair of children sized Donald Sneakers. They didn’t have the exact size I wanted; but I was able to squeeze my foot into a half size smaller and was OK with that. We went downstairs to pick up our bibs, park passes, and coast to coast wrist band. Then we went upstairs to pick up our shirts. As we walked to the car it dawned on me that I had a coast to coast wrist band and Diana didn’t. Good thing I noticed it! We went back to the expo and talked to Runner Relations to get that resolved and she got her wristband.

It was getting late and we were getting hungry. So we dropped our items into the car and grabbed a sweatshirt to bring with us to Disneyland to watch the Electrical Parade and fireworks. Mandy had landed around this time and we were making arrangements to meet up near the gate so we could give them their passes. Diana and I went to Earl of Sandwich to pick up dinner and brought it with us into Disneyland to eat. But being close to the parade time; there was a large crowd on Main Street. I didn’t want to be too far from the gate because I still had to walk out to meet Mandy to give her the park passes.

We finally met up and the parade had started. Unfortunately, it was just too crowded to enjoy the parade. There wasn’t a good place where I could see the floats. But I did my best to take some pictures. We hung out for a little bit at the park and then decided it was time to head back to our hotels because it was getting close to 9:30 (12:30 back home) and I wanted to be asleep by 11:00 PST the latest.

We checked into the hotel, laid out our race materials for the next day and hit the sack around 11:00 p.m. The alarms were set for 4:00 a.m.

Stay tuned for my recap of the Disneyland 10K race recap.

#whyIRunDisney New Video Released – Sarah Kate Sligh

June 30, 2014

Need a little inspiration this morning? This will get you going!

Sarah Kate is a Runner, She is a Champion! She is AWESOME!! Watch her awesome story about why she runs and doesn’t let anything get in her way! We all need to live and think like she does!! I loved sharing this video with my children. I know it made an impact on them. Sarah says, ““I run to prove what I can do and who I am.” She is 11 years old. What a profound statement from an 11 year old! This is her message:

“If you want to do something just go for it and don’t let anything stand in your way, and just finish strong.”

Such a powerful message and something that I think really impacted my 5 year old daughter. I love these stories that runDisney’s Robert Hitchcock is profiling. They are so amazing, special and motivational. Please read more about Sarah Kate on the Disney Parks blog.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUioDGG-RGE&w=560&h=315]

#whyIRunDisney New Video Released – Matt Swartz

June 5, 2014

runDisney released its next video for the #whyirundisney program. Matt Swartz lost a lot weight and gained a special relationship with his children. Matt Swartz started to lose weight to survive a hike to Mt. Kilimanjaro with his 17 year old son and found out how much he loved running. While doing so, he began running with his daughters. Their time together connecting was a surprise that their love of running fueled his own love of running. He decided to run the Princess Half marathon because of his daughter Emmalie. When she asked him to run it with her he knew he couldn’t say no to this all (mostly) women’s race. It’s about the connection that he has made and wants to keep with his girls through their running. I had the chance to meet Matt and Emmalie at the corrals for the Princess Half Marathon this year and it was great to meet them and hear their story. I love meeting the people that are being profiled for the #whyirundisney program. Watch the video to hear Matt’s story of why he runs Disney. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak34YyHc5Ak]

A Mother’s Day Story About Why Allison Foley Runs Disney

May 10, 2014

As part of the #whyirundisney program, Allison Foley was filmed on why she runs Disney. She is a perfect example of a selfless mother. She runs because her daughter can’t due to RETT syndrome.

I must say that my mother is a selfless mother. My brother has special needs. He will live with my parents his entire life, but not once have I heard my parents complain about that. I hope that I live my life as a selfless mother for my children.

So in honor of Mother’s Day, watch this video and be inspired by a mother who runs for her daughter.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiunbjwvy5A&w=560&h=315]

#whyirundisney Linda Ambard

April 11, 2014

I had the pleasure of meeting Linda at the starting line of the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon. She was being profiled by runDisney for the #whyirundisney program. She is a sweetheart and truly misses the love of her life who lost his life serving for our country. It is because of men like him why we need to appreciate our freedom. She will be running the Boston Marathon in a week and I am hoping for the chance to see her again!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPpusqCuuEc&w=560&h=315]

Everyone Has a Story – Peter Chuchro

January 31, 2014

A few weeks ago I had the chance to meet Peter Chuchro at the starting line of the Disney World marathon. Like Kimberly Markey Torres and Linda Leonard Ambard, Peter was being profiled for the #whyirundisney program.

Peter is a 33 year old who had a stroke when he was 32 years old. Now, the father of a young baby and husband; he chose running a marathon as a goal after his sudden change in health.

Watch the video about his story! The human spirit is amazing! “If you can dream it, you can do it” Walt Disney.

Everyone has a story – Alison’s story

January 28, 2014

On Sunday, January 12, four of us ran together at the WDW Marathon weekend to support our friend Kimberly Markey Torres. Alison Jackeman Nicklas is one of Kim’s close friends. This is her story…

“In 2010 I made a decision to run my first Marathon after having lost 50 pounds. I knew the only way I could do it was by joining some type of running training program and I found out the the Hartford Marathon Foundation had a terrific program. They meet up on Saturday mornings at 6:30 in the Summer and that June they made their first run a short “9 miles.”

When I arrived I was pretty nervous. So many runners that looked to be experts and here I was, having run as little as possible (although I had already completed 4 half marathons (without training for any!) As I was waiting for the training to begin, I looked over and saw this girl in a Goofy Challenge T-Shirt. It was from that very January and it was the COLDEST WDW Marathon Weekend – and I WAS THERE TOO! I didn’t run the Goofy, but my cousin did and I was so impressed to see that this young girl had done the same.

I decided to strike up a conversation and we chatted about that crazy January weekend that none of us will ever forget. As the weeks went on, we became more than just training buddies – we became friends. We finished the summer program, connected with another runner (Janice Small) and made a pact that we would go for Goofy together in 2011. It was a crazy thought, but I thought that if Kim could do it, so could i! We have not missed a WDW weekend together since. In fact, we have also done the Disneyland Half together!

In addition to training and running together, after our first summer running together as trainees, Kim and I became coaches for the Hartford Marathon Foundation and have supported more than 40 people through their very first marathon or their first “coached” training group. Kim and I participated in the RRCA Coaching class together and she has become family to me. She is not only fighting her own fight with breast cancer, she is also supporting my niece, diagnosed the same week, through the same fight. I am looking forward to many more years of training runs and races with her.”

I met Alison for the first time when I met Kim for the first time at the Cheshire Half marathon in April, 2013. She is just as sweet as Kim. We saw each other again for the #whyIRunDisney filming in December and we reconnected again in Disney and ran the 26.2 miles together. She was the leader of the pack.

During the race after the Expedition Everest roller coaster ride (which as you can tell here, she really loved!), her toe started to swell up. As we entered ESPN she was visibly limping so we had to encourage her to slow down and do something about her foot. Finally at a bathroom break she was able to elevate her foot for a while and it helped reduce the swelling along with drinking some more water. But she never complained! She kept leading the pack through the race course to get us to the finish line! Yet another Dopey finisher. I admire all you Dopey racers! I am making a serious decision to decide to do the Dopey race next year.

I am looking forward to running more races with you Alison! Hoping to run another 26.2 with you at the Providence Marathon on May 4th!

#WhyIRunDisney filming of Kimberly Markey Torres

December 18, 2013

Kim and Bob post run

On Tuesday, December 17th, I had the opportunity to run with Kimberly Markey Torres and four of Kim’s close friends, Allison, Jolynn, Nicole and Janice. Not only were we getting together for a run, but runDisney was there to film us running together as they capture Kim’s story about why she runs Disney. RunDisney is running a contest on Instagram called #whyiRunDisney. She was selected to be filmed. It was a beautiful snowy cold 16 degree morning, but that never slows us runners down!

Last Friday Kim had her 5th chemo treatment for breast cancer and Monday she had her white blood cell shot which sucks as much as the chemo. She could barely get out of bed. She said she got up to make the bed and just collapsed back into it. But what did she do the next morning? She went out on a run with all of her friends! Despite her nausea from the chemo and all of the drugs she has to endure, she still got out there for a run and smiled! And what I observed when we were all together is the strength of her friendships. I had met Allison and Janice at previous races. In fact, I met them both the same day I met Kim at the Cheshire Half marathon in April, 2013. After we met in person at that race we kept in touch over the summer. That’s when she told me in July that she had breast cancer and was undergoing the double mastectomy and chemo but would still be running the Dumbo Double Dare challenge which I was running also. That race was the carrot at the end of the stick for her to recovery quickly from her surgery so she wouldn’t miss out on all of the run in store for that inaugural race. So we planned to hook up in California and the rest is history!

While running I was talking with Nicole and Jolynn and learned how they met Kim. She has great friends. During the run we had to stop a few times for filming purposes. I could see Kim was tired, and she had said she was tired. We were all concerned for her and were there for her. It was amazing to see us all come around to make sure she was ok. But she still did it all with a smile!

She truly is amazing. I have traveled with her the day after she had to shave her head. I wasn’t sure how she would feel about it, and she bravely carried on with her cute color coordinated scarves. While we went to the parks, she was the one I thought who dragged me around the Magic Kingdom. When we ran the Tower of Terror 10 miler race, she took the lead with the intervals and has a great coaching spirit about her. It is evident in her take charge attitude for starting and stopping our intervals, watching out for obstacles in the road and keeping our pace. I enjoy running with her. Kim is so determined. I hope the essence of her determination and love of running is captured by the filming of why she loves to run Disney. I am glad she asked me to join her and her friends for this event.

She is training for the Dopey which is a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon in January. She has one last chemo session left the week before the Dopey event and I am hoping and praying her body will make it through the event. I know how challenging just running a few of those races are, but ALL of them in another story. It’s a major event and I know that she has the will to do it, there’s no doubt about that.

Cancer sucks. It really does. All too recently it has affected family members and close friends in my life; but I have also seen what cancer does to those that unfortunately have to fight it. And those who do are warriors. When I am having a bad day or a tough run, I think about those who have had to fight the battle of cancer and talk myself out of my tough place and really dig deep to think of how hard they are fighting to just have a normal day, let alone run. And Kim is doing that while working, taking care of her family (who is also taking care of her), training for her Dopey Challenge and healing her body. She has a lot ahead of her with her reconstrutive surgery and other surgeries to prevent further cancer spreading; but like she has fought before she will pull through with more future races on her horizon to carry her through.

Thank you for asking me to join you for this event Kim! I am so glad to have met you and become your friend and am looking forward to your finish line of this cancer treatment and your Dopey challenge! I also can’t wait to run the Princess Glass Slipper Challenge with you!

Getting ready for the run in Kim’s house

The camera man filmed us from the trunk of the car!

The reservoir covered in fresh cold snow.

Kim doing her interview during the run.

Staying warm on the sidelines and watching out for cars!

Tag: #WhyIRunDisney