IT'S ALMOST HERE! AND I AM BEYOND EXCITED!!
However to get to the point to get ready to run, we have to prepare! Here is a final prep list to help you make it the finish line on time and with all of your stuff.
PRE-1. FINAL TRAINING RUNS
Make sure to get in your final training runs so you will be ready. According to Jeff Galloway's Training plan, you need to do 30-45 minutes on Tues and Thurs, which I did!
1. PACKING
it's super important to get a packing list and Rundisney has a great one to base off what you will need. Tinkerbell is a bit different as I am just heading down the road, however traveling on a plane can be just as easy.
I personally use an app called PackTheBag. It's free and let's you make packing lists based on certain trips (I added a business trip and running list) and then you keep a running total of what you pack and don't pack. I have customized it to everything I need/want and it has made packing today so amazing and stress free.see the screen captures at the end of the post to see what I'm talking about.
Don't forget:
- YOUR COSTUME. Costumes are what make disney races so fun! I will be tinkerbell for this race. Need inspiration? follow my Rundisney pinterest board
- Your running shoes. Gotta be able to run!
- Your roller-you need to roll religious before and after your race to loosen your muscles
- Your waiver. It will speed up the process at the Expo immensely
- Relaxing outfit. You need to be comfortable walking around the Expo. Make sure to have another pair of shoes that you won't be running in.
- Pre-race food. Don't wait until the last minute! Pack what you need to fuel. I packed a banana, bagel, peanut butter, tea and gatorade for after the race.
- Race fuel. What do you use to fuel? I use shot bloks. Pack what you need so you aren't running around the Expo trying to find products for you
- Water and gatorade. You need to hydrate like crazy a few days before the race. Jeff Galloway suggests 6-8 oz/hour at least. It's been so warm here in LA (88 here in pasadena!) I have been chugging water all day and will do the same tomorrow
- ipod/phone case and chargers-gotta have the tunes!
- RANDOM THINGS: mylar blanket, gloves, all your toiletries
2. MUSIC
Make sure your ipod is charged and ready to go. I always like to add 3-5 new songs to my playlist for a race to give myself a bit of my race.
New songs I just put on my playlist:
Let It Go and pretty much the rest of the Frozen soundtrack
The Illest by Far East Movement
Timber by Pitbull and Kesha
Animals
Peter Pan Queue Music
3. PLANNING
Make sure you have looked over the Expo information and know where to go and what you want to look at. It can be very overwhelming so heading in with a plan is always a good idea.
My personal list:
Expo: Disneyland hotel: downstairs for bib, upstairs for shirt
Want to get a Coast to Coast shirt from the merchandise. I already have 2 wine glasses so I am good on that front.
Also would like to get new balance shoes but I doubt they will have my size still free, but there is always hope!
I want to go to ABC booth and see if they are giving away any goodies
If time, see a new pilot or two (if they have that)
Hear Jeff Galloway speak if time
4. PLAN FOR THE EVENING (INCLUDING DINNER)
Make sure that you have your dinner plans scheduled. If you need dining reservations they need to be made and made for an early dinner so you get to your room and rest and relax and get enough sleep because it'll be an early morning. Also, if people will be coming to watch you, make sure you make plans about where to park, when to be there and where to meet. You don't want to worry about all of this while you are running.
What time should dinner be? You need to work backwards!
5 AM start time, be there by 4, up by 3:30
get at least 6-7 hours of sleep so bed by 9
back to the room by 730/8 to get everything ready and laid out
so dinner needs to be around 6/630
Our dinner plan is to eat at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta in DCA. It's quick, easy and cheap and uncrowded. and I love their ravioli!
Other places to eat that don't require a reservation?
Cones
Lucky Fortune Cookery
5. RELAX
make sure you have time to rest and relax. If you are doing a park day before a race, make sure it is a low-key race day. No crazy park hopping. Have dinner and take it easy. I always bring books and magazines to read in the room so I can relax before going to sleep.
6. HAVE EVERYTHING READY TO GO
When you get to your hotel room, lay out everything you need. Your outfit (costume, shirt, shorts, underwear, bra, socks, shoes), your fuel, your food, everything out and ready to go. Pin your bib on. At 3 AM you will not want to forget anything and you will not want to deal with all of it! Also pack your bag to check (shoes to change into, a roller, etc).
That should do it for now! Below is all of my stuff while I have been packing. I think I am ready to go (minus a few food items to pack the day of). YAYAYAYAY IT'S FINALLY HERE!