Ready to fly!
Triumph Thursdays hosted by Smitha from Running With SD Mom, Linzie from Sharp Endurance & Carlee from Carlee McDot. I will be finishing up my Tinkerbell Pixie Dust Challenge recap!
It's here! The tinkerbell half! I was up at 3:55 and out of the door by 4:30. I got dressed much faster today so had more time to chill in the pre-race area. I met up with my friend from grad school and we did a real bathroom break in the Paradise Pier hotel before splitting off to our corrals.
Corral A was abuzz with excitement but also pretty crowded. I really wish they would adopt the smaller corrals of Princess were each corral has around 500 people instead of 2000. Sub 2:15 is a huge span considering the race was won in 1:15!
Before I knew it, we did the national anthem and off we went. We had the same start as the 10k with the overpasses so I took my time going slow and walking all of the uphills and running the downhills. We were backstage before I knew it and entered DCA by tower of terror. There was a decent line for buzz light year and the girls from the parade. I skipped it as it was pretty long (the first one usually is) and continued on. As we headed back to Carsland, we got to see the first women coming through and it was exciting:they are fast!!
Carsland had mater and McQueen and I skipped them as I got them the day before. We continued to backstage and ended up on the Pier and took my first pic! Silvermist was across the way but I couldn't safely get over to her.
It's here! The tinkerbell half! I was up at 3:55 and out of the door by 4:30. I got dressed much faster today so had more time to chill in the pre-race area. I met up with my friend from grad school and we did a real bathroom break in the Paradise Pier hotel before splitting off to our corrals.
Corral A was abuzz with excitement but also pretty crowded. I really wish they would adopt the smaller corrals of Princess were each corral has around 500 people instead of 2000. Sub 2:15 is a huge span considering the race was won in 1:15!
Before I knew it, we did the national anthem and off we went. We had the same start as the 10k with the overpasses so I took my time going slow and walking all of the uphills and running the downhills. We were backstage before I knew it and entered DCA by tower of terror. There was a decent line for buzz light year and the girls from the parade. I skipped it as it was pretty long (the first one usually is) and continued on. As we headed back to Carsland, we got to see the first women coming through and it was exciting:they are fast!!
Carsland had mater and McQueen and I skipped them as I got them the day before. We continued to backstage and ended up on the Pier and took my first pic! Silvermist was across the way but I couldn't safely get over to her.
We continued towards Burna Vista St and I got a pic with Storytellers again.
We entered the plaza and the crowd was electrifying and finally made it to Disneyland! I took a picture with the entrance and continued to Main Street.
I stopped for a pic with chip, Dale and goofy from Soundsational and chatted with a few first time Disneylanders! How exciting.
I took a picture with the castle coming down Main St and FINALLY got a jumping pic with the castle that I love.
We ran through the castle into Fantasyland and the Lost Boys took a pic with me! How exciting!
Heading out of fantasyland, I saw Tink by Matterhorn!! I decided to do a quick potty break at the Alice bathrooms before hoping in line. I waited less than 5 min and was so pumped to finally get a pic with her during her race!
Heading into Tomorrowland, storm troopers were out so I had to stop and take a fun pic.
By small world, Iridessa and Rosetta were out so I had to stop.
We headed backstage and there were floats back there to take pics with and also horses. I took a fun pic with the train engine!
We entered in toontown and I took a pic with Donald and Pluto. Sadly that was the last photo stop :(
I took a selfie with the Columbia ship and totally didn't notice Jack Sparrow chillin by PotC but no picture opportunities! I took one final bathroom break by Hungry Bear.
We headed backstage then ran the entire length of Downtown Disney which had incredible energy. At the end were the Red Hat Society that was SO massive! It was easily 3x bigger than before and so touching.
The start of the red hat society
By then, we were by DtD and hit a water stop. I stopped at the medical tent to bio freeze my butt and calves and off I went.
The rest of the course is really boring. Very flat and through neighborhoods and QUIET. Very few people are out so keep that in mind because it can be jarring to newbies.
We head out into Anaheim towards the City Hall, and the Ducks practice arena. After that is the Clif Zone and then back towards Disneyland. The mile 12 marker is pretty much the same as the beginning of the race.
Overall I felt strong. I ran by feel and my pace was definitely picking up as I continued on. I never felt tired and always had enough time to fuel (basically every 2 miles or so). The course wasn't crowded but one huge tip I can give is use the whole area! Often times there were 4 lines open and people were crowding in the right 2 so pay attention!
There were a few bands and cheerleaders out but not near as many as were out at the DL half. I really think they should step up the entertainment but now it can be hard because so much of it is through neighborhood streets.
After entering property again, we finished with the same ending as the 10k. Before I knew it, it was mile 13 and I was about to finish. I pushed hard and got a new Disney PR by almost 8 minutes! My 16th race of the year, and 40th race ever! I felt great after and made my way through to get all of my medals. I waited for my friend to finish and we took some pics before heading back to the hotel to shower and pack.
The rest of the course is really boring. Very flat and through neighborhoods and QUIET. Very few people are out so keep that in mind because it can be jarring to newbies.
We head out into Anaheim towards the City Hall, and the Ducks practice arena. After that is the Clif Zone and then back towards Disneyland. The mile 12 marker is pretty much the same as the beginning of the race.
Overall I felt strong. I ran by feel and my pace was definitely picking up as I continued on. I never felt tired and always had enough time to fuel (basically every 2 miles or so). The course wasn't crowded but one huge tip I can give is use the whole area! Often times there were 4 lines open and people were crowding in the right 2 so pay attention!
There were a few bands and cheerleaders out but not near as many as were out at the DL half. I really think they should step up the entertainment but now it can be hard because so much of it is through neighborhood streets.
After entering property again, we finished with the same ending as the 10k. Before I knew it, it was mile 13 and I was about to finish. I pushed hard and got a new Disney PR by almost 8 minutes! My 16th race of the year, and 40th race ever! I felt great after and made my way through to get all of my medals. I waited for my friend to finish and we took some pics before heading back to the hotel to shower and pack.
I went to get pics in the park and had Jolly Holiday combo which was a fantastic way to celebrate another rundisney weekends in the books. I also went to see the Tomorrowland preview and I'm so excited for that movie!
Overall, this race was just what I remembered! It was fantastic and I had such a good time. I can't wait to do it again next year for the 5th anniversary. I will most likely do all 3 races as a way to celebrate. Tink is back on top for my favorite DL race weekends (sorry Star Wars, love you but...)
Oh and the best news ever? I graduate in 2 years, and my graduation will be thurs/fri and pixie dust will be sat/sun! YAYAYAYA! I'm already anticipating the best weekend ever 2 years in advance.
Did you run the Tink half? What did you think of it?
Oh and the best news ever? I graduate in 2 years, and my graduation will be thurs/fri and pixie dust will be sat/sun! YAYAYAYA! I'm already anticipating the best weekend ever 2 years in advance.
Did you run the Tink half? What did you think of it?
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