Disney Runs in the Family: Throwback Thursday: 2013 runDisney Meet-Up/Tweet-Up

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Throwback Thursday: 2013 runDisney Meet-Up/Tweet-Up

Less than a month to go! I love reading race reports from previous years to get my psyched up for this year's race. Here's another Throwback Thursday for you. If you missed the others, check them out HERE & HERE & HERE & HERE. This one's a little different; it's about the meet-up, which runDisney has stopped offering (insert hysterical crying, whining, pouting, etc here). I was very lucky to get into the last west coast meet-up. runDisney, if you're listening, bring it back! This was such a truly magical way to start the race weekend!

Original Post: September 7, 2013-Disneyland Half Meet-Up/Tweet-Up

Holy cow I'm tired! It's been one week since the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend and I'm still in recovery mode. Of course, it doesn't help that this weekend coincides with the first week students are back at school, my office person retired, we hired 14 new employees...but I digress...

Here is my recap of the first part of my weekend: the runDisney Meet-Up/Tweet-Up.

Photo credit: Jimmy DeFlippo

This was the first time I got in! I was so stinkin' excited I barely slept the night before. It made the 4:30 wake-up call a little hard to take, but the excitement replaced my tiredness (well, except in the pictures...I look VERY tired in all of my pictures!).

Photo credit: Jimmy DeFlippo

We met bright and early under the Sorcerer's Hat at the Disneyland Hotel. This definitely would have been the perfect trip to stay at the Disneyland Hotel, but let's face it, with all these races coming up, who can afford it?!?!?! I was greeted by smiling faces from runDisney, giving me my new tech shirt and swag bag. Guess I should have taken a picture... I'm still getting this blogging thing down...
The swag was great! We got full-size lotion and body wash from H2O, pins from ABC from the new series Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, a park-hopper ticket, buttons, and the bag was a great reusable shopping bag. I met some fun people from a few Facebook groups I belong to, and before we knew it, we were off and heading to Downtown Disney.

Photo credit: Jimmy DeFlippo

Our first stop was right across the street to be formally greeted by the runDisney staff and introduced to all the celebs joining us (hellllooooo--Joey Fatone, Ali Vincent, Sean Astin...yes, please!). We were also introduced to all the runDisney staff & consultants. I have to say, this is one group of happy people! New Balance then presented their Good Form Clinic, abbreviated. They talked about how to correct your form to be the most efficient runner. I actually found myself thinking back to those tips throughout the many runs of the weekend--thank you New Balance!

Photo credit: Jimmy DeFlippo

Ali Vincent is a doll!

Quickly, we were in for our first surprise: the White Rabbit came out of nowhere! We were late, we were late! Then off we went on our run. I chose the "slow" group--figured what was the point in killing myself now. I had another 19.3 to run after this! That gave me plenty of time for a few pictures. And the first moment of--damn, I should have brought a good camera, or a least not had my crappy phone with me.

My 16 year old self just died!

Jeff Galloway led our group in a 30/30 run-walk-run. I know people do it, but I would seriously never make 13.1 miles going 30/30...I felt like a crazy person--run--no walk--no run--no walk...lol :)

We got to run through Disneyland and California Adventure. Okay, I know some people on the run are used to this and all, but afterwards, I couldn't find myself in any pictures because I was floating away, mesmerized that I was in Disneyland practically all alone! (p.s. If I ever get to go again, I will run in the front to get some good shots!)

runDisney planned some other fun surprises--photos with Alice and a spin on the teacups, of course with no line!

We ended the run in California Adventure where we had breakfast and were treated to great speakers. I have to give it to them--all the celebs and runDisney folks were so inspiring and all gave great bits of advice.

Here's the rest of the morning in photos: