Dear runDisney!

Dear runDisney,

Photo credit: Team Sparkle

As an avid Disney runner, and one who just HAS to be part of the cool kids club, I'm begging you PLEASE give Dumbo/Disneyland Double Dare runners legacy status!!!

The rumors have been swirling that challenges other than Goofy will not get legacy status. This just can't be! I know that Mickey wouldn't want it that way! I get that some of the shorter races don't have legacy status, but 19.3 miles deserves some recognition (not to mention the hefty price tag, times 5 that we've gladly paid year after year). Now that I'm an east coast girl, traveling for this weekend is tradition and even though it will be a pain in the butt I'm still doing it. We've run every half since the 5th anniversary, so even though we aren't legacy half runners, this feels like OUR race! When Dumbo was added, it was perfect! We could finally have a legacy race during the weekend that started our runDisney obsession. Don't take that away!

In case you are less about heart and more about practicality, I came up with 5 great reasons to acknowledge us Dumbo legacies:

1. Money! It encourages those repeat runners to continue to register year after year.
2. More Money! It encourages other challenge racers to be repeat customers.
3. Repeat Customers Equals More Money! It will get those new runDisney nuts committed to earning legacy at a race weekend when the opportunity presents itself.
4. Let's be honest, the sellouts aren't happening at warp-speed anymore. A little happiness with some runDisney enthusiasts (who likely will spread the happiness to new runners) wouldn't hurt. While we're here, can I put in a plug for more blogger events too?
5. Magic! Anniversary years are definitely more special when you can see all those runners who have run every year of the race. 

Okay, I know not everyone will feel me on this one, but really if you're a nut like me, you've gone to GREAT lengths to maintain legacy status (yes, even planning pregnancy around running this race--that has to count for SOMETHING). I know it shouldn't mean that much, but I'd love a spatula, a special ribbon, a bib, really anything just to make me feel a little more special on race day.  C'mon, you know you can't resist the runDisney spirit!

From the Inaugural Dumbo Double Dare

My Disneyland Double Dare Training Plan

It's coming up quickly: the 2017 Disneyland Double Dare (you know, that race we used to call Dumbo...). I just ran the Tink half poorly trained, so I knew that I wanted to put a little more time into my next runDisney race.

Since Robby's been born, I have not had much success sticking to a structured training plan. I used to be SO good. Color coded calendars. Journaling my progress. I did it all. Then, well, baby and life and home and work (but let's be honest, it's mostly baby). 

2016 Dumbo Double Dare!

I have been able to really think about the challenges that are holding me back from a highly structured plan. First, my neighborhood doesn't have sidewalks. Not a big deal when you run solo, but I don't feel comfortable on country roads with lots of turns and hills with a big stroller. Second, the weather. Okay, I know most people have to deal with weather, but my Vegas self isn't used to it. I also feel pretty guilty dragging my toddler out in the rain so I can run. Finally, our schedule, which is probably the most prohibitive. For those of you who don't know, Bill travels for work, which means most of the time is just me and Robby. That means no early morning runs while he sleeps; no late nights after dinner. This also means no runs over about 4-5 miles with a stroller.

After thinking about my individual challenges, my current plan is a little nontraditional, at least for me. I came up with a weekly plan with 4 runs each week. Instead of putting them on specific days, I have put them in order of importance: long run, short run, speed work, short run. I have to say, in the few weeks since starting, I haven't been able to get these all in. What has worked, though, is I'm getting in my long runs, regardless of the day of the week. I'm getting at least one more run, and this week I actually got a track speed session in.

Obviously I still have many weeks to go (thankfully) and I still am not completely sold on this training plan. I like to be a bit more committed, but hey, life, right? Anyone else have a nontraditional training plan? What's it look like?

Disclaimer: This post is all about my personal plan, as an intermediate, middle of the pack runner. As a coach, I personalize plans for clients based on individual goals, running levels, and other factors. This post is not intended to provide direct coaching advice. If you would like more information on coaching or have a specific question, please email disneyrunsinthefamily@gmail.com

Flashback Friday: Race Report--2016 Disneyland Half Marathon

Happy Flashback Friday! Remember WAY back to September when there was this little half marathon in Disneyland. Then remember how I never even blogged about it. Well, luckily we have these days like Flashback Friday to give me an excuse to catch up with races long gone (I'm still blaming the baby for my lack of blogging).

This was our 7th time running the Disneyland Half Marathon. We seriously cannot see ourselves ever not running this race! This year, with baby in tow, we had a bit of a different experience, from starting at the last corral to not really training well to worrying about Robby more than worrying about the race.

We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, so the start was pretty easy--basically a wake up, roll out of bed, and head to the start. Of course, this year since we were in the last corral, that meant add an extra hour of waiting before actually starting. The last corral was really a mixed bag of runners: some first-timers, some walkers, some like us who just didn't enter a proof of time. Everyone we talked to was super nice and we had some great conversations to pass the time. I would say the biggest drawback of the last corral is the waiting and the later finish. I'm one who likes to get miles ticked off before the sun rises, but on this morning, we were barely starting as the sun was coming up.

The BEST cheer squad ever!

Once we were on our way, the course was very familiar with a few noticeable changes. Mainly, it was significantly less time in the parks. Not mileage-wise, but actual foot time in the parks. I miss running up Main Street (you still run down as you go through the castle). There was lots of backstage and corridor running on Disney property, but I love being in the park itself, so the course changes were a bit disappointing.

One noticeable improvement was the paving of the torturous stretch before you hit Angel's Stadium. Of course, Disney has nothing to do with that, but it was nice to not have rocks and dirt in your shoes...as much. I still ended up needing to take my shoe off after the stadium and shake out some rocks.

Onto our race experience: We had a blast running together! Prior to my knee surgery, I hated running with Bill.  I was a more serious runner (yes, faster, but it wasn't a knock on him, I just trained more). I enjoyed being alone and pounding the pavement. After my surgery, though, I found a new comfort in running with him and making the run more social. We talk, laugh, and enjoy the race. We never even think of putting in earbuds because the miles just tick by with fun conversation. Yes, technically I think we slow each other down, but hey, I'm not shattering any world records here, so who cares?!?!

We ran 1 minute run/30 second walk intervals the entire race. I have definitely found my happy place at a 30 second walk. Anything more than that and I lose momentum and really slow down. We stopped for pics along the way and honestly didn't feel too bad at the finish. Not too shabby for a pair of runners who did less than stellar training. There will be a day when we come back and race this race fast, but that was not in the cards for 2016.

We're all registered for the 2017 race! I can't wait to complete the 5th Dumbo Double Dare, our one and only legacy race. On the course this year, we came up with our costumes for 2017, and they are FUN! I can't wait! Truly originals, so sorry friends, I won't be revealing them until closer to race day.

My Disneyland Half Marathon Goals

I've made no secret of the fact that I'm not prepared for the upcoming Disneyland Half Marathon weekend. I actually don't even have costumes ready. SO not like me! Especially when I haven't run a Disney race since last November's Avengers Half. These little humans really do take over your life!

Yesterday I managed an 8 mile training run. It actually went better than expected, but I was dealing with ideal running conditions which are never guaranteed on race day. I also have a bit of an advantage (I think) in that all of the runs I have done have been pushing a stroller. I'm hoping that race day will prove a bit easier without Robby in tow.

When you're on the road for 8 miles, you get to thinking a lot about race day and your goals. When I train clients, I always suggest giving yourself 3 goals for any given race. On a perfect day, you'd reach all three goals, but it's always nice to have your mind set on things that are achievable too.

Here are my 3 goals for the half (for the 5k and 10k, it's just finish and have fun):

1. Finish the race. That's my "given" goal, that I will pretty much achieve, regardless of the day. I'm pretty stubborn that way and our Castle to Chateau medal depends on it.

2. Finish the race in under 3 hours. I've been running an easy 13 min/mile pace with the stroller, so as long as I don't completely exhaust myself the previous days, this pace should be doable.

3. Finish the race in under 2:45. This will be a stretch, especially since I know I'll lose some time starting in the last corral. I refuse to be rude and unsafe in getting around walkers, so I already expect a slow start (and I'm okay with that, because we are there to have FUN first and foremost).

Anyone else have specific goals for the race weekend?

Corrals Are Like a Mullet

Have you heard this before? I hadn't, until I posted my somewhat major runDisney mistake: I forgot to enter a proof of time for Bill. Whoops! Looks like we'll be starting back in corral J. Honestly, we haven't trained properly at all so it's not like we were going to run these great races anyway. Might as well have fun.

This is when I learned that corrals are like mullets--business in the front, party in the back! How funny is that? And I'm sure it's quite true. My only concern is the hour+ it'll probably take for us to get started and how that's going to cut into our time in the parks. Nevertheless, it was our mistake and I refuse to whine about it or let it put a damper on our race. I do, though, all of a sudden feel like I really need to get a costume together. We weren't planning on anything fun for the half because we've just been too busy with the move.

If you are running the Disneyland Half Marathon or the Dumbo Double Dare, you can find your waiver HERE and the corral information HERE for Dumbo and HERE for the half. You just need to get your number from your waiver and match it to the corral. Hope to see you there!

My First Run in a New Town

Well, the move is complete. I'm currently writing to you from the great state of New York. It's quite the change from Las Vegas in so many ways. We're not even kind of sort of unpacked. Had a bit of drama during the move (the truck broke down), and if I thought packing was hard with an infant, unpacking is nearly impossible! Robby is just off--but of course he is, because it's not like he understands what's going on. I think we've finally adjusted to the new timezone, but getting on a schedule is far from reality.

EEK! Super blurry, but you get the picture

Today, though, I finally bit the bullet and went out for a run. It was awesome! Of course, I never thought that I'd be so behind on unpacking so I didn't set aside my running shoes or my Garmin. I know, I don't know what I was thinking!!! I had a pair of New Balance running shoes that I wear to the gym and just hanging around, so those were my shoes for today. Luckily I only really packed workout clothes anyway to wear while moving, so I had plenty of those. I also had to download the Run Keeper app to track my mileage.

A quick social media shout out and a few minutes on Google and I had a solid plan for where I would run. My immediate area is not really conducive to running with an infant--no sidewalks, lots of hills and blind spots for drivers, plus terrible cell phone reception (which is important when you still rely on GPS to get you home from pretty much everywhere). I did find a biking, running, walking path about 12 miles from my house. I, of course, prefer the convenience of starting my run from my front door, but an 11 mile paved path is awesome when you have no clue where you live.

Robby clearly was super excited to run!

Along with this being my first run at our new home, this was also my first run with Robby. He's 6 months old now and has amazing head and trunk control, so we are in the clear for the impact of running--I'm planning on a separate post for that info!

I did a quick (or rather, not so quick) 3 miles today. My main deterrent from going longer was the simple fact of I had to pee! I'm not used to having no other option other than to drive home to use a bathroom. I figure I need to get started on some back to back runs for Dumbo prep, so I plan to get 6 miles in tomorrow.

It really felt great to be on the road again. I remember why I love to run, but I hate that it's been so long since I've trained consistently. I ran at a pretty consistent 12 min/mile pace, but had to take some walk breaks in there. I definitely need to buckle down and stick to a schedule now. There's not much time before fall races begin. I have 3 halves, 1 10k, and 1 5k already on the calendar. I better get to it!

New York has such a great running community. I can't wait to make some connections and really get out and run!

It's Time to Register for the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend!

Tomorrow is the big day for all of you "regular" folks...me included...who do not have annual passes or DVC. It's time to warm up the credit cards, get all computers going, and register for the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend!

This year will be Bill's and my 4th Dumbo Double Dare and, of course, our newest addition will be joining in on the fun in his very first runDisney event: the Diaper Dash. This puts HUGE pressure on me to get all of us registered! I have enough anxiety registering just the two of us, heck, even just me, but 3? THREE registrations! I've got to be on my A-game. There's no doubt that Dumbo will continue to sell out fast. I would also expect the 10k and 5k to be quick sellouts, with kids races not far behind. The half--who knows? It seems as if the half marathons have been having some trouble selling out lately, so we'll see how it goes tomorrow.

2015 Disneyland Half Marathon

So how do you guarantee yourself a spot? Here are some great tips:
1. Have your Active.com account already pulled up and logged in on one tab.
2. Have runDisney open on another tab.
3. Be logged into Facebook and Twitter, following runDisney (in case the website crashes, which it always seems to do) and be on the lookout for a link.
4. Have your credit card ready to go.
5. Do this on a reliable computer--I find mobile devices too slow and unreliable!

You'll be put in a queue to register, so don't exit that queue or you risk losing your spot "in line". Finally, I also have some back up travel partners ready to go in case I can't get into the races I want. We've used a bunch of different travel partners in the past, and I can say with pretty good confidence that as long as they are listed on the runDisney site, you should be fine.

Dumbo is our legacy race, so the stress is always on to get registered for this one. Of course, this year, the pressure is also on for the Diaper Dash, since there's only a 6 month window when he can run. My mom was quick to point out that if we don't get in this time, we can always make another trip to WDW for either Wine and Dine or Marathon Weekend. Twist my arm, right?!?!

For now, though, my fingers are crossed and I will just follow my own advice, hoping to get all registered tomorrow! Any other tips to share? Will you be running this year?

Disneyland Half Cigna Blogger Meetup

I had the pleasure of being invited to a blogger event by Cigna, one of the sponsors of the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. It was so much fun to meet other blogger friends and reconnect with those I've been at events with before.  runDisney people are the best!!!

We met at Napa Rose in the Grand Californian Hotel at 10 and were greeted with chef hats and a warm welcome from Disney and Cigna.  We talked a little about health eating and the importance of spreading the word of health through what we do (hellloooo...this seriously IS my life's calling!). We were split into 4 groups and got to attend 4 cooking demonstrations by some of Disney's best chefs. Someday I have great hopes of working with runDisney on running training or fitness in some aspect...clearly I have NO hope of working with Disney in a kitchen! They made it look so easy!

We started with a delicious chicken with pesto, veggies, and farrow. Yep, I'd never heard of it either, but it was delicious. Chef Chris from Disney's Banquet Dept flew threw the recipe, even butchering a whole chicken in minutes. It would have easily taken an hour for me, but it's definitely inspiring to see someone so passionate about the creative side of cooking!

We followed up with the dessert station where we tried tons of delicious fruits I had never heard of, including cotton candy grapes (what???). They actually tasted like cotton candy. The main ingredient was peaches, of course. The ONE thing I can't even touch because I'm allergic. They did look delicious, and we also learned to make a yummy crumble, which I plan on using for a different cobbler. Don't worry, I had a big spoonful of the crumble to make up for the lack of peaches in my tummy!

Mmmmm...dessert!

Next up was smoothies. We did a pre-workout and a post-workout. They were simple and tasty. I made sure to take meticulous notes, so I'll be sharing both of those in a separate post so you can make them too! I guess this is my level of chef-status...throwing things in a blender!

Finally, we headed to the salad station, where we learned how to make our own dressing, as well as a salad filled with berries, Delish! I definitely need to make my own salad dressing--it not only is healthier, but saves money too. Forget all those chemicals they put in the bottled junk at the store!

Of course, after we finished, the man of the hour appeared: Chef Mickey! Nothing like an appearance by the big cheese to get a bunch of Disney nuts excited. We took some pictures, then sat to eat all of the yummy things we'd been staring at for over an hour. This preggo lady was ready to EAT!!! Not that I had any doubts, but each dish was more delicious than the last. It was a great meal, and a great start to my Disneyland weekend.

I have to give a HUGE THANK YOU to Cigna for hosting such a fun event! I had a blast, and I hope there are more in the future. See you at the next race!

And finally...we EAT!

Race Report: 2015 Disneyland Half Marathon

Well, I considered naming this post "The tour de port-o-potties" but thought I'd just stick to "race report".  This was technically not my first half marathon pregnant, however the first was Tink when I was about 6 weeks along and had not even hit morning sickness yet. This time around I was sporting my bump, about 10 extra pounds, and a lot slower pace.

Bill and I decided to run together--he never has enough time to train for this race since it's right at the end of his busiest season at work and he wanted to be sure to support me and Baby S.  Luckily he didn't mind going slow! We made some shirts (they came out great) and stuck to a pretty low-key look.

We headed to the start with enough time to leisurely get into corral C.  We made sure to line up toward the right since we knew we'd be walking and definitely hung back a little to let the faster runners get a good pace going.  We started out at a 2:1 run/walk ratio, but a few miles in, the heat started getting to me (it wasn't bad, but it wasn't cool and being preggo doesn't help).  We had to switch to a 1:1 run/walk and it felt much better.  Yes, I'm taking notes for the next race.

The course was a little different running through Disneyland. It felt like we had less park time and in less fun places than in previous years.  I usually don't stop often for the bathrooms, but clearly this time around was different--I also noticed the lack of passing by park bathrooms!  I was looking forward to taking advantage of the real bathrooms, but it was mostly port-o-potties on this course!

Once we left the parks, it started to get light out.  I'm usually through at least half of the course or more before the sun comes up. This was strange, and I was getting nervous about the heat.  We made sure to stop at every water station and hydrate (of course, this added to the tour de port-o-potties).  It was kind of fun to just take in the sights and sounds.  This being our 6th year running we knew what to expect: classic cars, mariachi bands and dancers, tons of cheerleaders, and of course the huge crowd at the stadium.


A few random course notes: You'll hear people complain about the dirt path right before the stadium. It stinks! This time around we actually saw a person fall right off the side ledge.  Listen up runners--be careful--it's a short distance so just slow it down!  The back of the pack is fun, but PACKED.  I'm not super fast, but at Disney races I'm usually in corral A or B, and keep that pace.  This was definitely a different experience, but it was fun.  We found ourselves running really slow because we were surrounded by runners with a slower pace.  It's kind of a funny phenomenon. You just end up going with the flow, and it was okay with us!

We finished in about 3:30 I think--I haven't even bothered to look.  Total stop time, according to my Garmin was 17+ minutes.  That's a LOT of potty breaks! This was one of the most fun times I've had at the race though. No pressure, lots of great conversation with my hubs, and no soreness/limited tiredness at the end.  Of course, I already have my plan set to come back with a vengeance in 2016! I'm going back to chasing PRs in 2016!!!!  Guess it's a hard habit to break!!!

What did you think of the 2015 Disneyland Half? Did you notice a difference in the course, or was I crazy?

Race Report: 2015 Disneyland 10k

We're back from Disneyland, starting to get caught up on sleep and laundry, and ready to reflect on a great weekend.  There were so many highlights, so be patient--you've got LOTS of posts coming your way!

Let's start with the races themselves.  No one ran the 5k, but by looking at pictures and reading other recaps, it seemed like a great race.  Darn work that keeps expecting me to actually show up in order to collect my paycheck! Hahaha!

The expo for us was fairly unremarkable.  We got our bibs and shirts, looked at the line for official merchandise and decided to not even bother, and I had a quick chat with Jeff Galloway about coaching.  He recommended a few books for me as a new coach and really got me excited about the opportunity ahead of me to coach all levels of athletes.  Needless to say, I'm taking his advice very seriously--he's a pro!

Let's jump to the morning of the 10k.  The whole crew was running!  My mom dressed up in race-themed Red Queen, and Bill, Chris, Katie, and I were the Dapper Dans.  This was BY FAR the most elaborate costume we'd ever done.  We had been crafting for months and I just barely finished ours the day before.

Got photo-bombed!

We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel--can you say SPOILED!  Chris and Katie were asking if we were ready and we had just woken up.  I don't know how we'll ever go back to the other hotels.  We headed to the start line, all starting in corral D.  We must have been stopped a dozen times for pictures--the costumes were definitely a hit.

Being in corral D, we didn't get much of the beginning of race fanfare.  We kept ourselves occupied until it was our turn to begin.  We settled into a 1:30/1 run/walk ratio.  It felt great to be running in cool weather and of course, running through Disneyland.  Should I tell you all again how much I love this 10k course?  It has so much park time!

Of course, running pregnant means lots of port-o-potty stops for me, so I had to stop right after mile 1.  The rest of the Dans went along without me, so I had to really run to catch up. I ran into a few friends and got back to the crew within a few minutes (but phew...I was tired from running a 9:30 pace...I'm definitely slower pregnant!)

This is my fave pic from the course

The course sends you through the convention center area, Disneyland, DCA, and Downtown Disney. No need for music or distractions...it was all just pure fun!  I did get a cramp from either running too fast catching up or from too much water so my last half mile was all walking, but hey, I was just there for the fun!

The medal was impressive, but in all honesty I wasn't really into the theme.  Disney always does great medals though, and the finish is always a party.  It was getting warm and we were ready to shower and hit the parks, but first, we had BIG finish plans--we needed a picture with the real Dapper Dans!

We headed to Disneyland and a cast member told us that their first appearance was scheduled at 11. We had breakfast, rode a ride, and hung out on Main St waiting...and waiting...and waiting. No show for the Dapper Dans!  We were seriously bummed!  The irony was the rest of the weekend we saw them everywhere!!!!  Oh well...we at least had our awesome costumes and pictures together.

We met another set of Dans at the Finish Line!

Overall it was another great race and the start of a great weekend.  Baby S' second 10k, and our 3rd Dumbo Double Dare was off to a great start!

Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Preview

Our FIRST DL Half in 2010

We are in the home stretch on our way to the 10th Anniversary Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend!!!  EEK!!!  We are ALL super excited to be running again this year.  My first DL Half was during the 5th anniversary, and I have a feeling I will see many more anniversaries of this race!  It's been our annual tradition since.

So, to get you ready with all you need to know...here we GO!

Expo

Chris & Katie's first half in 2011

The expo is open Thursday (10-8), Friday (12-8), & Saturday (9-4).  Remember, you have to actually go to the expo to pick up your own bib, using your photo ID and waiver.  Unfortunately, you can no longer pick up a bib for a friend or family member.  Yes, it's inconvenient, but I'm seeing this more and more at large races across the country.  If you forget your waiver, no worries--they will have printers available at the expo.  Another fun part of the expo is the speaker series, though a schedule hasn't been released yet.  I'm hoping for a good schedule for Friday, since we don't have park tickets that day.  Of course, the MOST fun part of the expo is shopping!  runDisney has great merchandise, but don't overlook some of the other vendors.  I love finding new favorite running items at the expo, and often there are some great sales!  Remember too, if you are unsure of what corral you are in prior to arriving, your corral information for each race will be listed on your bib.

Anniversary Party
On Thursday night, some lucky runners will be attending the 10th Anniversary Party (my mom is one of them...jealous!).  They will be treated to special characters, parade viewing, and of course, shorter lines for some great rides.  I would imagine this event to be similar to the annual passholder event we attended back in April.  It was a blast, and well worth the extra caffeine to stay up until midnight!

Disneyland 5k
Early Friday morning, runners will be taking off for 3.1 miles of magic through the Disneyland parks. I love these shorter races at Disneyland especially because of how much time you get in the parks. Be sure to get there early enough to use the bathroom and get into your corrals.  You definitely won't need to line up quite as early as you do for the half, but leave yourself time.  I also love to get up early if I'm not running to cheer on the runners--there are always super cute kids running and awesome costumes for this race!

First Dumbo Double Dare
Photo Credit: Sparkle Athletic

Disneyland 10k
Saturday morning, our family will be heading out to take on the Disneyland 10k.  I love this race!  So much park time!  It starts promptly at 5:30 am, so I'd suggest being down in the staging area no later than 5 so you can get into your corrals without having to rush.  Also, if you are worried about being swept, get to your corral early and make your way to the front.  Sweeping starts after the last person has crossed the start line, so any extra minutes will be worth it.

Pasta Party
While we aren't going this year, we have attended the Pasta Party in the past, and it was SUPER fun! If you're going, you are going to want to get there early so you can not only eat, but also take pictures with characters!  When we went, all of the characters were dressed in their sports clothes. We got great pictures. It is a buffet, so come hungry, but be forewarned:  When we went, I ate so much (way too much) and it really effected me during the half the next day.  Remember the #1 rule of racing: don't do anything different on race day (or the night before).  Be careful about what you eat, but of course, ENJOY!

Disneyland Half Marathon
It's the main event!  Prep for an early morning--we usually leave our hotel around 4 (though we'll be at the Disneyland Hotel this year, so we get to sleep in a bit).  Aim to arrive around 4:30, especially if you plan to check a bag and/or have a nervous (or pregnant) bladder and will need to use the bathroom...multiple times.  Yes, I have a ritual.  You will notice many more runners for this event than in the previous two races.  The corrals get packed, so get there early if you want to move up to the front.  I'll also go on my rant here: Go to your assigned corral or move back.  You can't move up. Don't try it, and don't get mad at the volunteers who are enforcing this rule!  I always see runners get rude with the volunteers--it's not necessary and it makes us look bad as a group.

LOVE the coast to coast!

Once the fireworks go off, your in for a few miles in the parks, then you're out on the streets of Anaheim.  Be careful!  There are a few areas with train tracks, poorly paved roads, and of course that slim path right before you hit Anaheim Stadium.  Be aware of your surroundings and please don't run more than 2 abreast, especially in tight spaces.  The weather is looking a little warm, so also be sure to hydrate early and hydrate often.  Don't be ashamed to slow down in the heat too!
When you hit the finish line, it's time to celebrate.  If you are a Dumbo runner, don't forget to grab that medal, and of course, get that Coast to Coast too!  Celebrate, take pictures, and relish in this HUGE accomplishment.

I'm getting butterflies in my stomach just thinking about the fun ahead of us this weekend! PLEASE...if you see us in the parks, come say hi!  We've got AWESOME costumes planned for the races, so hopefully we'll stand out.  It's time to get packing.  We'll see ya real soon!!!

Plans for Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

It's almost time!!!  EEK!!!

Bill and I LOVE this race weekend for many reasons.  First, we have run this race every year for the past 6 years.  In the past four years, though, this weekend marks the end of the craziest month of the year for both of us.  He travels a ton and I put in long hours at work.  It's like our little treat of making it through another August!

This year seems especially packed full of fun and special events.  Here's what we have planned:

Blogger meet-up on Friday at Napa Rose
Staying at the Disneyland Hotel, which only means one thing: TRADER SAM'S (yes, they have yummy non-alcoholic drinks for the mamas-to-be too)
Dinner at Storytellers Cafe with the whole family
A very special dinner and our GENDER REVEAL at Carthay Circle
Mom is going to the anniversary party
We are definitely carving out time for fireworks, World of Color, and the parade

All that's left to do is finish costumes and pack.  I'm SO ready!!!!  What special plans do you have for this race weekend?

I Lost My Motivation...

Can you help me find it?  I know that every runner goes through a slump, and I'm deep into mine.  Blame it on too many races in the winter/spring.  Blame it on pregnancy and the never-ending fatigue that has become my daily life.  Blame it on the limited hours of "cool" weather that I can run in the Vegas heat.  Just blame it on plain old me not wanting to lace up my shoes.  Whatever the cause, I have officially lost my motivation!  (hence the lack of posting too...)

AHHHH!  37 days?!?!?!?

Normally, I'd give myself a break and then I'd be fine.  Not this time...I've been "breaking" for too long, and now with the Dumbo Double Dare breathing down my neck, I'm starting to panic a little.  Weekday runs have been non-existent and long run weekends have be sporadic at best.  My goal is really just to finish, but I also have to remember I'm growing a human in my belly, and I need to be well-prepared so I don't shock my system on race day.  Ugh!  My head totally knows what to do, but my body is just not cooperating.

Here's the perfect example: yesterday, I set my alarm for 4:30 am (yes, you have to get up that early in Vegas to do a long run in the summer).  I got up, made sure all of my electronics were charged up, had my bagel (standard pre-run breakfast), then sat on the couch. I put on some reruns of reality TV and watched the time tick by until I could use the excuse of "it's too hot" to not run.  I even tell myself that "I'll run tonight when the sun goes down," knowing full well that that would NEVER happen!  Then today, I set my alarm again, thinking "I'll make up for it and run this morning".  Nope.  I was awake, just didn't bother to get out of bed.  Again.

So--I know some of you have lost your motivation from time to time.  Other than taking a break, what have you done to get it back?  I need some tips! 

The Big Medal Reveal

We've been waiting anxiously in anticipation for the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend medals and today they were finally revealed! There was a lot of excitement with this being the 10th anniversary of the race and the 60th anniversary of the park. Well, with today's "big" reveal I have to admit I'm not so excited.

I do really like the thought behind the half medal with the Disney quote and the diamond spinner, but my person thought is "that's it?"  I was hoping for more. Dumbo is still the same, but I've come to accept that and the 10k is plain okay.  I think the real winner of the bunch is the 5k, which I won't be running.

Are we just getting spoiled with some extravagant medals? Are the expectations too outrageous? Maybe, but my conclusion is that these aren't motivating me to train any harder. What about you? Love them? Hate them? Or are you somewhere in between?  Of course I'm still super excited to run this race weekend; it was out first runDisney event and it will always be a special race. Dumbo is our legacy race, so we are in it for the long haul. Two months to go!

Tuesdays on the Run: Tips to Survive a Challenge

Challenge accepted!  This week I'm linking up with the ladies from My No Guilt Life, Run the Great Wide Somewhere, and MCM Mama Runs to talk about those crazy back to back (to back to back) challenges.  I love these challenges, and Disney does them the BEST!  Okay, I don't have much to compare it to, but I can't imagine a better race series than Disney!

Here are my top 10 tips for taking on a challenge:

1. Train! I get on my high-horse here, and it should go without saying, but you need to train for races.  I know these can be "fun runs" but trust me, it's more fun when you have a great race and you're not dying of pain.

2. Train how you plan to run the races.  When I did the inaugural Dopey, I modified different training plans and actually did my runs with the same pace and intervals that I ran on race day when I did my weekends of running back to back.  When it came time for race day, there were no surprises!

3. Set individual goals for each race.  Some you might run slow and take pictures.  Some you might race.  The most important thing, though, is that you look at your individual ability and set your goal based on your training...and stick to it!

4. Don't be afraid to PR!  You'll hear plenty of people who will tell you a challenge is not the time to run your best race.  I say, do it (especially if you followed tip 1 & 2).  I PR-ed my marathon at Dopey, after running a 5k, a 10k, and a half.  I had a plan, I stuck to it, and I left it all on the course.  Oh...and I shaved 26 minutes off my best marathon time!  Seriously the BEST running moment of my life!

5. Have a recovery plan.  I've talked a lot about Dopey, but my first challenge was the "unofficial" Dopey where I ran the 5k, half, & full.  I had to figure out a lot about my body and recovery while prepping for that race--what to eat, what to drink, ice baths, compression gear, all that stuff!  I'm still fine-tuning, but I have a pretty solid routine.  This is another part of training, so play around with what works for you.

6. Focus on hydration pre, during, and post race.  Dehydration is the enemy, so throughout your training, figure out what works for you.  Remember, you are hydrating for the final race, so be sure it's on your mind.

7. Don't sit around.  Yes, rest is an important part of recovery, but you also need to keep those muscles loose.  Personally, I hit the parks between races (well..and before and after and any chance I get).  I don't go crazy and I make sure I'm not hopping from one end to the other, but strolling through Disney keeps my muscles moving.  I highly suggest you leave your FitBit off, though...it can really psych you out knowing you did an extra 7 miles the day before a marathon!

8. Get enough sleep!  These are EARLY race mornings and tempting park nights.  Yes, you will miss the fireworks and Fantasmic, but remember what you are ultimately there for!  I typically head back to my room around dinnertime.  Even if I can't sleep, I lay in bed, watch TV, and just relax before the next race.

9. Know before you go--about food!  We all know that fueling properly is important, but it's even more important for challenges.  Have a plan of where to go for good carbs.  Some of my favorites are Mickey pretzels when strolling around, pizza at Downtown Disney, Mama Melrose and the pasta meals at the resort quick service restaurants.  Also, I pack and bring my own breakfast for race morning.  I don't leave that to chance!

10. Make it fun! Dress up, run with friends, meet new people, just have a blast!  These races are seriously so much fun!  Why else would we all do it???

Hope this helps you in your next challenge!  We'll see you at Dumbo Double Dare!

Don't forget to check out some of the other bloggers sharing some of their favorite tips too!

It's time to get serious!

I'm not really sure where the time went, but it's definitely time to get serious about training for the Dumbo Double Dare!  I've only run a few times since Tink, and I definitely need to get my running conditioning back up to speed.  I guess that's an occupational hazard of being a fitness/running coach: you spend so much time helping others achieve their fitness goals, yours sometimes go out the window!

Today, I finally sat down with a calendar, a pencil and some fun markers and spent time designing my own training plan to get me through Dumbo.  My first task was to set my A, B, & C goals.  I always like to have 3 goals for every race.  I also thought through my strategy for race days.  Our family has a super fun group costume planned, so I knew the 4 of us would be running the 10k together (it just won't make sense if one of us runs off).  We all decided that the 10k would be our "take it easy and just enjoy" race so we can save ourselves for the half the next day.  I know most people use this strategy, but I've had weekends where I've raced the 10k and took the half easy.

I started working backwards from race day to be sure I got in enough long runs to get me to the finish line.  I also had to account for all of my "other" workouts--the classes I teach at the gym as well as the weight training I keep up with, especially for my knees.  When you add all of that, my schedule left 3-4 days per week that I can fit in running.  Oh...and of course one day of absolute rest per week is essential!

Now all that's left to do is lace up the shoes and GO!  That, of course, is the hard part, since it's 9 million degrees here and all I want to do is sit in front of a fan with some ice cream!  Keep me in line people!  There are races to be run!

Have you started training for your fall races yet? 

My Year in Review

Well, we've come to the end of 2014, and it's been a heck of a year!  This blog has been up and running for a full year, and I'm so grateful to all the friends I've met through social media.  It's been awesome to meet people in "real life" that I feel so connected to online.

As we get ready to ring in 2015, everyone is looking back as their own personal ups and downs of this past year.  Sometimes I feel like the year flew by, and other times I can't believe some things were just a year ago.  Here are some of my bests and worsts from 2014:

January: Completing the Dopey Challenge!  That may be the best of the whole year.  I've never been so proud of myself.  I PR'ed the full and cut 26 minutes off my previous PR.  It was seriously one of the coolest things ever.  If you are a pretty serious runner, I highly suggest taking on this challenge.

March:  We took an amazing trip to Hawaii.  It was there I realized how important being healthy and fit was.  I got to enjoy things like hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, and snorkeling with ease because I was in good shape.  It was the first time I looked around and realized how fitness is not only fun, it allows you to have more fun in "real life" too.

May:  Worst day of the year for sure--May 18th when I fell during a routine 8-mile run in my neighborhood.  This incident defined the rest of the year and I'm still struggling with it today.  Ironically enough, I had no idea how bad it was at the time.  I even went shopping all over town before going to the urgent care.

July:  Knee surgery.  It didn't fix anything.  It was an overall cruddy experience. 

August/September: My return to running in the Dumbo Double Dare.  It was such a slow race, but a little sign I posted on my back (and on social media) turned it around.  Runners are the best group in the world, and they pulled be through with each and every encouraging word.  It was the race that brought me back to life.


September:  I made a conscious decision to start pursuing fitness as a full-time career.  I signed up as a Beachbody Coach and registered to become a RCAA running coach (training is in March, 2015).  Making lemonade--and realizing that I have a huge passion for fitness and I'm pretty good at it too.

November: I completed the Wine & Dine half in the rain and the Vegas RnR Half in the freezing cold.  Oh yeah, and I registered for this little race called the Goofy Challenge.

And now, I sit here reflecting back on a year FILLED with blessings.  Even at some dark times, I was able to see that there are positives that can come out of every negative.  So, thank you 2014 for the ups, the down, and everything in between.  Happy New Year everyone!  I hope you had a great 2014 and 2015 promises even better.  Cheers!

Race Report: 2014 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend--Disneyland Half

We are finally here, the Disneyland Half Marathon!  This race will always have a special place in my heart; it was the first runDisney event I ran five years ago, and we've run this race every year since.  We've seen some changes and a lot of growth over the years, but nevertheless, no diminishing of magic!

We woke up bright and early a little after 3:00 am. This was the third early morning, and surprisingly enough, it wasn't too bad since we made a point to be in bed very early the night before.  We got our costumes on and ate our typical breakfast: PB&J sandwich and some water.  I also drink an energy drink (I'm not a huge fan of coffee) and bring a banana to the starting line.  Soon enough, we were headed to the ART bus to the starting line.

We met up with our family at the bus again and headed to the start.  It's almost comical how systematic we are on this race morning.  We know exactly which bathrooms to use, what the order of tasks are, and exactly where to go.  It's somewhat comforting to have that knowledge and really put my mind at ease on this difficult morning.  Chris and Katie left early for their corrals, and Bill walked with me.  I had to stop again for the bathroom (it was really just nerves).  I was starting in corral B, so I said goodbye and headed off on my own.

Blogger disclaimer: Sorry for the lack of pictures.  I was really worried about finishing this race, so I didn't stop.  I had only one focus--cross the finish line!

Duuude...Sorry I'm slow!

It was almost time to start, and the announcers told us A & B would be let off together.  Seriously???  C'mon runDisney!  Just give me an A corral placement already!!!  I lined up at the very end, knowing I'd be the slowest in the crowd.  I did try to be a considerate runner--I started last, stayed to the right (even taking wide turns when needed), and had a warning sign on my back. I had my run/walk/run timer set to 30 second run/1 minute walk.  I tried trotting a little yesterday, which didn't feel terrible, so why not?  I started to trot.

I was going SO slow, the crowd thinned out quickly at the first mile.  Soon it was just me and a few others running down Katella.  I couldn't help but wonder what they were doing back there.  Were they injured too? Did they not train enough?  I was so focused on one foot in front of another, no time to really figure it out.

Just before mile 2 where you enter the back road to California Adventure, the speedy corral C folks started passing me.  Once we were up to mile 2, I was in the thick of corral C.  I got a few "way to go"s and a couple "you got this" cheers.  Once we were into California Adventure, I was at the back of the corral C runners and some corral Ds were there too.  That was the last time I was really alone in the race.

The sites and sounds of DCA and Disneyland definitely kept me preoccupied for the next few miles.  You spend 2-4.5 in the parks.  All those special moments are there and was comfortable keeping my 30 sec/1 min pace.  Then you hit the streets of Anaheim.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, the community support at this race is awesome!  Personally, I don't mind the endless miles of streets because there always seems to be something fun to look at. 

This is where, I have to say, the running community put my on their backs and carried me to the finish.  I am not exagerating when I say I think I had at least 500 people stop, say "Hi", tell me to keep going, tell me I was an inspiration (really...me?  I take that very seriously and I get teary-eyed even writing that here).  I kept going.  It was seriously a miracle.  It was like for these few hours my pain was secondary to my happiness.

We Did It!

Before long, I could see the Honda Center and Anaheim Stadium.  Is it just me or was that stadium louder and more packed this year than ever before?  It was the perfect pick-me-up and it meant that I was almost to the finish.  I keep up my pace, and even noticed I might get into the 2 hour range.  After the stadium, it was almost a blur to the finish, but I paced it perfectly and finish in 3 hours and 47 seconds.  Just 48 seconds out from a 2 hour-something finish.  Poetic to say the least--I needed to let the time go!  Who cares how long it takes?  It's about finishing what you start!  

In Disney races, you might say I'm usually a "front of the pack" runner--no, not super speedy in any way, but I'm usually in the first few corrals and finish in the top 25% percentage.  This year, though, I spent my hours with the middle of the pack, even into the back of the pack. It was AWESOME!  I definitely no longer fear being in the last corral or having my time messed up.  The people I ran alongside pushed me past what I thought was even possible.  It was fun, and everyone was positive and encouraging.  Truly a magic race experience.

So there you have it! The 2014 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend!  It was our 5th time running this event, and no doubt it will NOT be our last.  Were you there?  How was your race?

In case you missed it, check out the reports of the Expo Disneyland 5k & Disneyland 10k

My C2C Bling! Dopey + Dumbo!

Race Report: 2014 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend--Disneyland 10k

On Saturday, August 30, 2014, the second Disneyland 10k was off and running!  This was the first part of the Dumbo Double Dare.  Since this was the first time I was out for any distance since surgery, we planed to keep this one slow.

2 Olafs!

 Full OLAF!

We left our hotel a little before 4 am and took the ART bus to the Disneyland area.  Our family met us at the bus stop; they were staying right across the street.  The weather was much better than last year and we were quite optimistic about the morning.  My mom was cheering, so we said goodbye early and she gave me these words of wisdom-- "I hope you make it". LOL... thanks mom!  I just couldn't let her live that down. 

The four of us headed for the starting corrals.  My hubby and I were planning to "run" together (actually walk and save our legs for the half marathon), so we lined up together at the back of corral B.  runDisney went all out on the Elvis/Stitch theme right from the start.  It was fun, but not really my thing.  Confession time: I only first saw Lilo & Stitch a few months ago.  We were off about 8-10 minutes after corral A, and we started out walking. 

Starting line

I look nervous! (I was...)

The first mile + are outside the parks.  I give it to the spectators, they were kind trying to cheer us on (we were really straggling), and I seriously lost it.  Crying, whining, ready to go back to the hotel and just give up.  It was humbling to be walking while everyone flies by. My hubby really had to talk me off a ledge just to get me to keep moving forward. 

Somewhere between mile 1 & 2 (I think)...or maybe right after mile 2...hmmmm, maybe I should have stopped pouting and payed more attention.  Anyway, somewhere around there we entered California Adventure. Once we were in the parks, my mood definitely improved.  We were walking at a good pace--somewhere around a 15:30 min/mile.  Since we started in corral B, we knew we had plenty of time to finish, so my worries were gone. 

DCA has tons to look at, and we arrived just around dawn, letting the glow of Cars Land capture our attention.  There is something so different about running through the parks.  There's just a little more magic than when its crowded with people everywhere.  DCA pulls out all the stops, running World of Color, running rides, and giving runners plenty to look at.  The course was also themed out with plenty of Elvis.  Might have been pretty novel for some, but for this Vegas girl, an Elvis sighting is almost a daily occurrence.


After a run through Cars Land, through Tower of Terror, around Paradise Pier, and out through the front of the park, we were off to Disneyland.  The crowd really perked up and gave us a good push into the next park.  Right around the corner and we were on to one of the highlights: running down Main Street USA!  For those who have never done it, I promise you, it's one of the most magical moments of ANY Disney race.  No matter how many times you do it, it's still super special. 


Through Tomorrowland, then Fantasyland, then through the castle--another huge highlight! Over and over again, no matter how many times, it's always magical!  Then through the rest of the park, and it definitely makes the miles fly by.  You also get a few steps "behind the scenes" which is always fun.  Okay, not always--the trash area and animals can get pretty smelly, but it's still pretty impressive, especially when you think about how many thousands of people never get this perspective.

We love funny pics!

You are around mile 5 when you finally exit the parks, but then you just swing into Downtown Disney.  The crowds are raring to go and cheer, and you are still surrounded by Disney!  Seriously, if you are looking to run at Disney and want a race full of magic, the 10k is the way to go! 

These two Dole Whips were a hit!

A few twists and turns and you're at the finish line.  Oh, the sweet, sweet finish line!  I immediately collected my bling and headed straight for the ice!  I wasn't going to jeopardize my half the next day by being stupid.  I even opted for 2 bags :)  We got our snack box, our water and PowerAde, and were off to meet up with the rest of the family.  My mom was already waiting and Chris & Katie weren't far behind.

We took a bunch of pictures (the Dole Whips were a HUGE hit), and we were headed for the showers!  Overall, the race was a little warm and humid, but not nearly as bad as last year.  I really do love this course, and I know we will all be back again next year to conquer the 10k...and the Dumbo Double Dare!

Yep...Disney DOES Run in the Family!