Tinker Bell Half Marathon 2015 - Mother's Day

I once again had the opportunity to take a trip to Anaheim, California and participate in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon in May of 2015.  It took place over Mother's Day weekend in May.  

Let me give you a little background...
The Tinker Bell Race Weekend began at Disneyland in 2012 - the Inaugural weekend as a part of the runDisney Race Series offered through runDisney at both of it's North American theme parks (Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Flordia).  In 2012 the Tinker Bell Half weekend at Disneyland consisted of a 5K and Half Marathon races respectively and took place in January.   I did not participate that year because - well at that point for me personally - running (or walking for that matter) a Half Marathon was a total out of the question... no way... a complete impossibility.  Or at least I thought...

Fast forward... I did it!  The 2nd year of Tinker Bell in 2013 I somehow trained, made the trip, and participated in my first Half Marathon... (and I did the 5K too)!  It was a total - off the charts - awesome experience!  ...and I was hooked!

Tinker Bell Half Marathon 2013

I came home after that first trip and signed up for more races... a lot more... and I registered to go back to the Tinker Bell Half at Disneyland again... and again!

Tinker Bell Half Weekend 2014

Obviously - I LOVE it and can't stay away.  If I could afford to do more runDisney I would!  

This past May of 2015 - we were set and ready - I was traveling this year with friends and we were definitely making this a girl's weekend!  We flew down from Seattle early Thursday morning the 7th of May.  The Race EXPO was opening that morning and we were registered for the 5K and the Pixie Dust Challenge so we wanted to make sure we were there early enough to get all of our needed Race EXPO things (bibs, shirts, and free stuff) as well as have time to shop a bit at the fun Disney Race EXPO. (The Pixie Dust Challenge is a registration that combines the 10K and the Half Marathon as a "Challenge" and then you receive an extra medal and shirt in addition to the regular things.)  Our flight was an early one out of Seattle and we flew directly into John Wayne airport in Orange County - which I think is the most convenient when traveling to Disneyland from one of the local airports.  We made it with no major glitches... checked in at our Good Neighbor Hotel - Best Western Stovalls and we were off to the EXPO!

The EXPO was a bit crowded when we got there (which was about 10am) - we had some fun shopping the official merchandise and then made our way around to the other booths.  As usual runDisney had a good mix of booths and merchandise available... as well as an interesting and helpful speaker series that took place at scheduled times on the main stage.

Now... this Blog post is suppose to be about the Half Marathon that took place on Sunday - May 9th - Mother's Day... specifically... so lets get down to it.  I did write about the Neverland 5K HERE and the Tinker Bell 10K HERE.  I had done this actual half marathon twice before... so there were no big surprises... or should I say Brand New to me things about it.  It was still an AMAZING experience and so much fun I can't even explain it... this year was a little different because I was doing this race as a part of the Pixie Dust Challenge and would receive and extra medal for my accomplishment at the end!  (which I did... yeah me!)  runDisney added this feature to the race for this year... the 10K had been added in 2014 but not part of any challenge.  I had done both the 10K and the Half in 2014 as well.

Photos on the course tell the story best...

 The start line - Corral C

 Looking Back from Corral C

 Time to make this REAL!

 CARSLAND!

 Running through Sleeping Beauty's Castle is the BEST!

 I am so sorry Tink... your line is just toooooooo long!

 The line for "Brother" the Disneyland Horse was much shorter... 

he's one of my faves anyway!

 After our spectacular Finish!  

This is my friend Merritt - Love her Rosetta costume!

The BLING!

So... the Tinker Bell Half Marathon... another one is in the books.  So much fun and an experience that is really hard to explain unless you do it for yourself!  You are in luck for 2016... at least at this point because there is still room to register and experience it for yourself!  Check out runDisney's website and read all about it!  ...Or pick one of runDisney's other events that they offer throughout the year - you will not be disappointed... Disney delivers!  Whether you are already a runner/active person or not... setting goals is key to maintaining - so if you love Disney and want a supercalifragilous way to stay motivated... you have found it!  

I am so looking forward to going back in 2016... (Yes - I am registered!) BUT this time I am taking my daughter with me!  She will turn 10 in April and will be old enough to participate in the 10K!  Of course we registered for everything we could... because when you go all that way - you might as well run them ALL!!!  So... Makenna will do the 5K and the 10K!  I will be participating in the 5K and the Pixie Dust Challenge (which consists of the 10K and the Half Marathon!)

Leave me a comment below!  I LOVE to hear other people's stories and hear about other events!

Have you done one of the runDisney races?  Which one is your favorite?

What kind of fitness events or goals help to keep you motivated?

National Running Day! June 3rd! #GorunitJune3 with Asics!

June 3rd is National Running Day!

Did you know that?  To learn more about National Running Day click HERE! Asics America is sponsoring a fun promotion that is encouraging people to get out there (or on a treadmill) and participate!  (You can even win prizes!)

  

You can participate and be part of it all!  No matter what distance you choose! 

Be part of the movement:

Go Run It means something different for every runner. ASICS wants to know what it means to YOU! Here’s how to share it:

- Show ASICS how you will Go Run It on June 3 by snapping a picture of your favorite running trail, your winning race outfit, your post-run fuel-up stop, or best ‘shoefie’ using the hashtag #GoRunItJune3

- Post this on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and tell us more about it in the caption

- By doing so, you will be joining thousands of runners across the country, who have committed to Go Run It on National Running Day to celebrate the joy of running!

- You also might see yourself featured on ASICS Facebook Page, Twitter or Instagram page on June 3!

National Running Day Shoe Giveaway Sweepstakes:
Runners share many things in common; one of them is a love for great shoes! On June 3^rd:

·   ASICS America will be giving away a free pair for shoes to a random winner* for every 100 tweets that use the #GoRunItJune3 hashtag on Twitter.

·   Strap on your favorite pair of shoes, get out your mobile phone, join in the #GoRunItJune3 conversation, and GO RUN IT!

I RAN IT June 3!
Once you run on June 3^rd, head back HERE and share on social media that you ran it with the world with one of the ASICS badges on National Running Day!

Looking forward to seeing photos from EVERYWHERE!!!

Look HERE for full contest rules and regulations from ASICS.




Will you be running on June 3rd???

Be creative and have fun!

Race Recap... The Rain Run Half Marathon

Wait what?  Half Marathon #14... that is so crazy. 

Let me start out by saying that last January when I returned from my trip to California for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon I happened to notice the following weekend... some of my Northwest runDisney friends posting pictures of themselves at another local Half Marathon that had the cutest medal (other then runDisney medals of course)! I decided right then and there that I had to do this race in 2015.  

Image not my own... 

So when the 2015 registration opened for this event... I threw my name in.  I wondered how it would be to run another Half Marathon the next weekend after Tinker Bell in 2015... but then later in 2014 it was announced that my Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend was being moved to May of 2015.  runDisney had moved the Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend to Mother's Day weekend 2015 to make an addition to their race schedule... the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend was announced - but that is another story.  So my little worries about back to back weekends of Half Marathons disappeared quickly.

The Rain Run (so perfectly named for the Pacific Northwest) is a relatively small half marathon located in Redmond, WA.  This is about an hour of driving from my home... one way.  About as far as I like to go for a local race.  The race was set to begin at Marymoor Park near Lake Sammamish.  I had completed another Half Marathon (Lake Sammamish Half Marathon) that had this same start location but had a completely different route.  I was looking forward to a new route and the opportunity to explore a different place all within the confines of an organized race.  The runner capacity on this race according to their website was 700 runners and this race was sold out.  At the start... it didn't seem to be that many people but I am never very skilled at counting groups of people when looking at a crowd.  When I looked at the online posted results only 566 finishers are listed... still didn't seem like that many people out there that day.  This made me a little sad too because I know some gals that had wanted to sign up after the race was full online... too bad for the no shows.

Other than the long drive south that morning of January 24th... all went well.  I pulled off about a mile before I arrived at a Starbucks to use their nice restroom and then drove the rest of the way to Marymoor Park.  Signage was easy to find and I never had any questions about where to park.  My friend (Diana) had picked up my bib for me the day before and she was already messaging me on my arrival that she was there and waiting for me.  Parking was a breeze... in fact I was was literally about 50 paces to the start line from where I parked.  I do not like to be rushed on race days so I had arrived with plenty of time to spare.  There was about an hour before the actual start.  So I sat in my warm van waiting, used the porta potty (which there were plenty of), and scrolled Facebook for a bit before the start.  

The actual start of the race was quite informal... no corrals... no real announcements other then to look forward to the cupcakes at the finish.  This course was an out and back (not my favorite type of course) all on Park and County paved trails... no streets to deal with although the trail was not closed so we would be dealing with other bikers, runners, and walkers just using the trail that day...

The course was mostly flat and the weather that day was really nice for running.  Overcast and cool... there was a slight breeze now and then that actually felt quite good.  It sprinkled just a little bit a couple of times while I was out there but nothing to get you really wet or anything... enough to be able to call it the The Rain Run I guess.  Like I mentioned before an out and back course is not my mental favorite but it was nice not being out on streets and having to worry about traffic or other things.  

The clock time is different then the chip time... I started near the back of the pack.

Another FREE race photo!

I finished in 2 hours and 40 minutes... not my best and not my worst so I will take it.  My running app freaked out a little on the course so my mileage in my head was messed up but I am not going to blame my time on that.  I was hoping for a little faster time but who cares... I received the same medal regardless and always the sense of accomplishment!  I hadn't run a race since October... so it was good to get back out there and challenge myself.

One of my free race photos!

Another really great and fun perk of doing this race was FREE race photos!  I love that!  We also received a really fun umbrella instead of a T shirt... My race shirts are in abundance and who can't use a spare umbrella living where we do?

My cute model is my youngest... LUKE!

I would definitely do this one again.  The medal is right up there with my favorites and the after race treats... WOW!  

Next RACE... Hot Chocolate 15K in Seattle - March 1st! 

What are the best treats you have seen at a finish line? 

If you could have any treat at the end of race waiting for you ... what would it be? (my answer would be donuts)

On deck... 11th Half Marathon this Sunday...

I have another Half Marathon coming up this Sunday... my 11th since January of 2013.  I haven't run a Half since June... that is over 3 months ago.   I have done a few shorter distance races this summer but nothing close to a half. 

I am excited, nervous, have a bit of a sense of dread... but I have learned by doing a few of these that envisioning the finish is very helpful to me.  I have done the training and I know I can finish.  Picturing the medal and how I will feel when I finish.  That helps me with "pre race jitters". 

The medal for this Sunday's race is an interesting design... I have to say I was a little disappointed when I saw the preview of it on Facebook.  I ran this race last year and the medal was really cool... and a fancy ribbon to boot.  The medals are important to me... I kind of loved the sticker charts in Kindergarten so this is probably why I love the medals.  Bling motivated...

Last years (2013) shirt and medal (the orange ribbon is the Half)

 

 2014 Medals and shirts

The Half version of the medal is probably smaller...

 

I am looking forward to this Sunday... running in Bellingham, Washington is beautiful and the course will be fun.  I have some friends who will be participating so seeing them will be fun too.  I am not looking forward to some of the hills on this course (I HATE hills) and do not expect to break any of my time records for this distance.  I want to finish and to be still smiling at the end!  Like last year!

 



2013 Bellingham Bay Half Finish

 

Also in the back of my mind is my schedule for races coming up...  I have another Half in 2 weeks and then ANOTHER Half 2 weeks after that!  The Biggest Loser Half and the Snohomish River Run Half (a new race to me) Those both promise "flat and fast" courses.  So maybe I can break my time barrier?  Maybe? 

 

I have once again registered for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland for 2015. 

 

January 2014 - Disneyland

 

 

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend will take place in May of 2015.  I would LOVE to be able to turn in a little faster time for corral placement for that weekend.  We shall see!   I am registered for the 5K, the 10K and the Half for that weekend!  I figure if you are going to be at Disneyland... run ALL the races! 

 

 

Well... that updates my racing for now... I will check back and turn in a race report from this Sunday's Half.  Make sure I am still alive and finished!

 

 

 

 

How close do you schedule your races together?

 

 

If you could (or have) run at Disney (Land or World)... what is your favorite race to date?

 

 



Run through SAFECO Field! Yes Please!

We had so much fun the other evening running a fun 5K through SAFECO Field in Seattle benefiting Mariner's Care and their Refuse to Abuse charity!  I participated in this fun event last year but my daughter wasn't able to run last year because of age restrictions.  This year they changed the policy on age of children and made it possible for any children to run as long as they could finish "under their own power".  Makenna and I headed down for this fun evening race in our matching Sparkle Athletic skirts!

We arrived and took advantage of the FREE parking for running participants in the Mariner's official parking garage.  Made our way to the Bib pick up, got our bibs and bags quickly and then headed back to the van to dump our loot.  We quickly attached our race bibs... got our stuff together and made our way back to the start line to find some friends who were also there to participate.

Makenna got #888 - She said it was because she is 8 years old! 

I call that LUCKY!  What a fun number! (and she is adorable!)

 

 

 We waited for a bit at the start line and soon it was time for the race to begin.  There were slightly over 1000 participants.  The race organizers did not have corral assignments but just asked that folks line up with faster runners to the front.  Then they let the runners go in groups of about 75 or so at a time having a minute or so between groups.  We were in the 4th or so group and off we went.  Makenna did such a great job staying with me this time and taking the walk breaks when my interval timer would sound.  At about miile 2 or so she was tiring a little and asked to walk more then the timer was calling for but it was no big deal... we were there to have fun!  And we did!

 

The Medals were so much fun... little baseballs!

There are not a lot of races that can measure up to the "fun setting" (except for runDisney but that is another story)!  This race took us through the entire park and even across the bridges onto the top two levels of the parking garage.  So much fun to run through the Suite hallways and then down to access tunnels that the players use!  Then the finish took us out onto the actual field and the final steps are from Home plate to about 3rd base!  Access to the Medals and the after race treats was up through the Pitching area. 

So much fun!  I loved doing this race again and doubly loved it because my daughter could do it with me!  Loved it!



Have you ever run through a Major League Stadium?

Where would be your "dream spot" for a fun run? 

Who is your favorite person to get out and run with?  Or do you like to run with anyone at all?

My 10th Half and other things...

This might be a race review and some reflection...

This past weekend I finished my 10th Half Marathon... that is super crazy considering I had never even finished any sort of race before the Fall of 2012.  But... I did do that... finished 10. 

 

 

This race took place down in Carnation, WA... slightly over a hour drive from where I live.  I didn't know anyone else participating so I made the drive alone.  The Half was set to begin at 9am (with a 10K starting at 9:30) and this was the Inaugural year for this race so I had no idea what to expect.  I knew that this race wasn't set to be huge... the Seattle Rock and Roll Race series was happening the same morning.  I picked this one because it seemed to be much more up my alley.  Smaller... more of a country setting... and lets face it the medal was just much better then the Rock and Roll one (in my opinion).  Lets compare...

 

 

First ... here is the Rock and Roll medal

 

Then this is the Snoqualmie Valley Half medal I earned...

 

All a matter of opinion but I like the one I got better.  I feel a bit sorry for the folks earning this years medal at the Rock and Roll.  Other years the medal has been much more attractive.  I will give it clever but not super cool.

Back to the race.  I wasn't sure what to expect on arrival so I gave myself lots of extra time.  I actually arrived at the parking area over a hour before race time.   The hike to the staging area was significant but doable.   Most of this course took place on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail beginning at King County's Tolt MacDonald Park.  I believe the cap for the Half was 300... and the race was full.  No folks were allowed day of Race registration.    There weren't any corrals or anything fancy... no pacers... they just announced the line up about 10 minutes prior and then had a countdown.  We were off. 

The course was advertised as Flat and Fast.  Yeah... right.  It seemed like it should be but as my friend with a Garmin noted afterwards the first 7 miles had a significant uphill grade.  I was sure feeling that by mile 12.  I enjoyed this course though having it not be on any kind of open roads and mostly neatly tucked away on a Park Trail.  The course was wide and open... mostly covered by trees.  I missed a PR by a few minutes... and I am blaming that on the "gradual incline of the first 7 miles".  It was fun though and definitely a course I would consider again!

My friend Penny and I at the finish.  I have been doing this running thing for a little while now and even though I went down alone... I always seem to run into someone I know now.

I wore my Pro Compression socks for this race... during the race.  I think I did notice a difference in how my legs felt.  Especially the 2nd half of the race.  I think I my have to add to my collection of these.  I had previously only used them for post race recovery.  I like how they made me feel less fatigued.   


Do you go to races alone?  Or prefer to make it a fun outing with friends?

Compression Socks during a race?  Yes or no?



A BRAND NEW Nordic Track Treadmill! Yes please... BUT I NEED your vote!

Okay folks!  I do a lot of treadmill running in my training and fitness regime.  It has helped me lose a lot of weight (over 60 pounds) and reach goals I never thought possible! (6 Half Marathons in one year!)   

When I first started running over a year and a half ago training a lot on the treadmill worried me... I worried it wouldn't be good enough for me to train on a treadmill and then go and try to do road races.  Over time I have realized that it helps to get outside when I can but the treadmill is a very good and effective tool at this stage of life... I have 3 younger children... I have a commuting husband that is gone a lot during the week and I live in the Pacific Northwest (it can be a little rainy here from time to time).  My family uses my treadmill too... my husband is sporadic but is trying to be more faithful about workouts... my 7 year old daughter is training for a 5K we are doing together in April! 

My daughter and I at a local 5K we did together...  

 

The whole family at another local 5K... (I told you it rains here)

I am a huge fan of Another Mother Runner (the books, the blog, the BAMRunners themselves). BAMR stands for Bad Ass Mother Runner ... sorry if that is too graphic for some but I love it.  I actually got called Bad Ass recently when a friend was asking about my recent trip to Disneyland to run the Tinker Bell Half Marathon and run the Inaugural 10K on back to back days.  Bad Ass... okay!

Recently AMR offered a creativity contest on their blog...  to enter and win a brand spankin' new Nordic Track Treadmill - a super nice one that I could never ever afford.  Here is a picture of her... isn't she beautiful?

For the contest you had to work a little okay maybe a lot... basically they asked you to customize your dream treadmill display to whatever you wanted... the sky is the limit...  then email in a photo of the display and they would choose a winner on February 22nd.  So I warmed up the creative juices... worked on an entry and sent it in! 

Yep... that was February 22nd.  Instead they posted on February 22nd that they couldn't decide a winner and were going to leave it up to the masses to decide.  Seriously... down to a popular vote...alrighty then...
 

Here is my creative Entry...

So on the Another Mother Runner Blog in no particular order are their "Top Ten" entries they picked of the ones that they received.  In no particular order they are listed HERE - and I say again they are in no particular order.  Mine is #10 - they titled mine the "EZ Button Treadmill".  Vote for #10 - did I say vote for #10?

I could go and take a quick photo of the sad example of a treadmill I have currently and go on and on about how much I (we) really need a new treadmill. (all of which is true) 

The voting for the contest is open until Friday - February 28th at 12pm - I am not sure if you can vote more then once... but you can bet I will go back tomorrow to check.

I will just get to the point!  Could you take a second and click over HERE and vote for #10?  I will order up some special pixie dust that will come down all over you for voting for #10!  

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!