the group!
Sunday came early but I was ready to tackle my 5 year runniversary! Ralph was tired but my brother seemed ready to go. We met up with the crew (Devin and Mari) and walked over the race start. It was much busier than the day before so we checked our stuff and used the restroom and met up with one of my grad students I work with, Karen and headed to the corrals!
Typical corral fodder before it was time to start! I tried to start slow but with the downhill and then turning backstage instead of heading down Katella it was not easy! As soon as we headed backstage, it was insanely narrow and crowded and made it pretty congested. We spent A LOT of time backstage and finally entered the park by the pier. I went potty and then met up with Devin and Jake and we started the pictures!
Typical corral fodder before it was time to start! I tried to start slow but with the downhill and then turning backstage instead of heading down Katella it was not easy! As soon as we headed backstage, it was insanely narrow and crowded and made it pretty congested. We spent A LOT of time backstage and finally entered the park by the pier. I went potty and then met up with Devin and Jake and we started the pictures!
me and one of my grad students Karen (all my talk of running inspired her to run too!)
We ran by the Pier and got a fantastic picture before heading towards the front of the park and got another pic with the signs in front of Carthay.
We then made our way into Disneyland and took a picture by the train station, Partners and Naveen and Tiana. At this point, my brother ran ahead to scope characters and report back. With no one else catching his interest (and a lot of the course backstage!) he continued on and I didn't see him until I was back at the hotel!
We made our way to the castle and took some fun pics before continuing through tomorrowland, and back towards Small World to meet Captain Hook and Peter Pan.
We then went to small world and took some of favorite pictures of the whole day!
We stopped backstage for a pic with the horses as they will be moving when they break down on Star Wars in the Jan and the horse tried to eat my tutu! This horse selfie is HILARIOUS as his nose went under my tutu as soon as I snapped the photo. Too funny!
At this point we were backstage more and eventually came upon a really unique photo pop with Mac from Paint the Night!
After that, it was time to head out to the streets. We hit the Ball Road bridge right as the sun was coming up which made it insanely hard to see so we had to slow down.
We both felt fine as we continued through Anaheim. Before we knew it, we were seeing dancing groups to keep us entertained and got to the miles of old cars, which definitely grows every year!
We got a free sponge from MousePlanet (awesome sauce!!) that I kept for the whole race. From there on out, we got an extra cup of water for use of the sponge!
At mile 7, we got a donut from Sparkle Athletic, which definitely made my stomach a bit upset but it was worth it. After that, we turned towards the Artic train station and towards the sad Santa Ana trail. The part is always difficult as it is narrow and a bit up and down so it's definitely a slow process.
We soon got to Angel Stadium, got our Clif shot and I had another potty stop as it was a bit humid so I had been drinking a lot of fluids. We made our way into Angel stadium which is always a favorite on this course! It was packed to the brim with Boy And Girl Scouts! Outside of the stadium was marching bands which I also appreciate as a former Band nerd!
One story that really inspired me was a blind runner. We had been running about the same pace as him and he had a whole group that took turns running next to him and yelling -BLIND RUNNER COMING THROUGH! They ended up stopping to get interviewed by the news and I don't remember seeing them finish.
We were both feeling strong but it was getting warmer so we were starting to push the pace a bit. They added a new section of cheering sponsored by new balance around mile 12 which was an awesome pick me up
As we headed into mile 12, we decided to try and run out fastest mile. I wanted training on tired legs and I definitely got it
Our finishing time 2:31:05 running and an official time of 2:58:25 with all of our photo stops. The final mile was 10:34! Woohoo!
We both felt fine as we continued through Anaheim. Before we knew it, we were seeing dancing groups to keep us entertained and got to the miles of old cars, which definitely grows every year!
We got a free sponge from MousePlanet (awesome sauce!!) that I kept for the whole race. From there on out, we got an extra cup of water for use of the sponge!
At mile 7, we got a donut from Sparkle Athletic, which definitely made my stomach a bit upset but it was worth it. After that, we turned towards the Artic train station and towards the sad Santa Ana trail. The part is always difficult as it is narrow and a bit up and down so it's definitely a slow process.
We soon got to Angel Stadium, got our Clif shot and I had another potty stop as it was a bit humid so I had been drinking a lot of fluids. We made our way into Angel stadium which is always a favorite on this course! It was packed to the brim with Boy And Girl Scouts! Outside of the stadium was marching bands which I also appreciate as a former Band nerd!
One story that really inspired me was a blind runner. We had been running about the same pace as him and he had a whole group that took turns running next to him and yelling -BLIND RUNNER COMING THROUGH! They ended up stopping to get interviewed by the news and I don't remember seeing them finish.
We were both feeling strong but it was getting warmer so we were starting to push the pace a bit. They added a new section of cheering sponsored by new balance around mile 12 which was an awesome pick me up
As we headed into mile 12, we decided to try and run out fastest mile. I wanted training on tired legs and I definitely got it
Our finishing time 2:31:05 running and an official time of 2:58:25 with all of our photo stops. The final mile was 10:34! Woohoo!
Once I finished, the tears started. Happy tears of course! The last few miles I had been counting down towards the end remembering how far I had come with my running. It insane to remember the mind frame I was in during my first race and where I am now! No pain, just happy to be done! And on top of that, the half medal was my 45th rundisney medal!!
This race will always be so special to me and this was the furthest up I have been to the front. I did not like the course changes as we entered backstage sooner and it was super congested. There was also more backstage time than usual and I'm expecting it'll get worse as the construction begins in Jan with the rivers of America area all closed.
Overall, this was the best 5 year runniversary I could ask for. I adored every minute however I definitely learned it is much different when someone comes to visit for a race. My legs were definitely more tired than usual and I got less sleep. I need to make sure to keep that in control for the future.
Did you run the Disneyland Half this year?
Overall, this was the best 5 year runniversary I could ask for. I adored every minute however I definitely learned it is much different when someone comes to visit for a race. My legs were definitely more tired than usual and I got less sleep. I need to make sure to keep that in control for the future.
Did you run the Disneyland Half this year?
Afterwards, we had the typical photo shoot before heading back to shower, get ready and head to breakfast. We had reservations at the Paradise Grill at Paradise Pier (and also got to see the end of the race). Basically to make a long story short, it was a HOT MESS! NEVER AGAIN! There was an insane wait (mainly because people made reservations too early after the race so we were showing up 45-90 minutes late) and also there was a 45 person party. they kept telling us-5 min more for about 40 minutes. We finally got seated and the food was good but it just took too long. In the future, we are going to try to just head into the park for some pictures and food and not deal with sit down meals-they are just too crazy.
Afterwards, we were going to go to the Angels game but it was just too hot so we went to Disneyland instead. We had to park at the convention center! eek! but we took an uber to the front and had a good time. We met with Mallory and some other friends and enjoyed some celebratory drinks at Flo's and Wine Trattoria and Mad T party. We also got my brother to see Paint the Night and Fireworks (which he loved!) before I had to drive us home. What a weekend! especially because I flew out to Tampa the next night-insane!
Afterwards, we were going to go to the Angels game but it was just too hot so we went to Disneyland instead. We had to park at the convention center! eek! but we took an uber to the front and had a good time. We met with Mallory and some other friends and enjoyed some celebratory drinks at Flo's and Wine Trattoria and Mad T party. We also got my brother to see Paint the Night and Fireworks (which he loved!) before I had to drive us home. What a weekend! especially because I flew out to Tampa the next night-insane!
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