Gimmie the Hot Chocolate!

The Seattle Hot Chocolate 15K took place on March 6 this year... I hitched a ride with a friend down to the race and we arrived in plenty of time.  The weather was not sizing up to be great. It was cold and a little drizzly by the time we had parked and got to the corral area at the Seattle Center.  The 5K started well before the 15K and we saw that some of the corrals for the 5K had not even began the race yet as we walked onto the grounds at the Seattle Center.  So we headed over to the Center House to use the flush toilets and stay warm.   We made note of the large bag check area near the Center House on our way since we both planned on checking bags before the start.   We used the potties and got warm and realized it had started raining outside... it is Seattle after all but I am not excited about running wet and being cold... for over 9 miles.

My friend decided to use the restroom one more time so we parted ways and said "see ya at the finish line!"  She is way faster than me and had been placed in a further up corral.  I was in corral J... I didn't realize my placement would be so far back... but I am a rule follower so back to Corral J I went.  I had decided to ditch my jacket at bag check at the last minute... I knew even if it started to rain hard that I would regret having it 5 minutes into the run.  I am not sure I made the right choice.

After a slow move forward we were off... The weather was all over place... first a little rain and then the sun would break through for a bit.  Then as I hit the middle of the mileage the weather took a turn and got worse.  There were moments of diagonal rain and inches of water on the roadway.  Needless to say I was soaked!  Then the wind... geez... really?  My strategy to finish well was to turn off my trusty Galloway timer around mile 7 and go for landmarks.  This basically means... run through the next two cones... walk one cone... run through the next two and so on.  

Finally that finish line was in view (up another hill but that is Seattle for you).  The sun broke out a bit for my big finish.  I was just so glad to be done and all I wanted was my jacket!  I had picked up some little kids hat that had dropped it right in front of me as he and his tiny sister jumped in with their mom on the home stretch to finish with her.  Now I am all for cheering and celebrating someone's accomplishments... BUT... the volunteers handing out medals gave these two kids 15K medals.  REALLY?  I am not sure they were suppose to do that and at the time it bothered me A LOT.  I guess it still bothers me.  Would that upset you?  This wasn't a cheap local 5K... I EARNED (and paid for) that 15K medal... and you just gave two little kids the same thing I EARNED (and paid for?).  Hmmm.  I know these were volunteers and they probably thought it was cute... two little kids running across the finish line with their mom... it was cute and HIGH FIVE would have been enough.  Hand their mom the medal she earned (which they did) and simply high five the kids.  Oh well... 

So was this race worth it this year?  What drew me in again? (This was my 3rd Seattle Hot Chocolate 15K)  I have to say it is the challenge.  A 15K is not my favorite distance... it is far... did I say far for me on a good day  and this year the weather presented not so perfect conditions.  I do like the medal... that is part of the draw for me.  Time with a great friend on the ride down and back.  Participating in a large race... next to Disneyland this is probably the largest race that I do.  A lot of people like the spread at the end... the hot chocolate and snacks. 

Not my photo ...but this is almost exactly 

what we received at the Seattle race.

The snacks are good and plentiful... but seriously a water and a banana would have been enough for me.  I did appreciate holding the hot drink but it was SUPER sweet and REALLY thick for my liking so I tossed that pretty quickly.  I ate the banana (I did dip that thing in the hot fudge) and brought the rest home for my kiddos.  I have heard that some people find fun uses for the cups but I tossed it in the recycle.  It is pretty cheap and a really thin plastic.

So... would I do this race again.  Probably.  The biggest reasons... the challenge for myself and I do like that medal.  Lets hope the weather is better next year!

My great friend Merritt and I at the finish!

Bless her for waiting around for my slow #%*!

What would be your fun snack of choice at the end of a race?

Have you seen medals handed out to people who didn't actually participate in the race? 

(I am okay with a volunteer receiving one... this wasn't a cheap local 5K... this race was long... hilly... and that medal was earned!) wah wah

Coming up... Half Marathon # 20 The Rain Run

Yes... that is correct... Half Marathon # 20!!!  How in the world did I get here?   It really seems unreal but then real all at the same time!   

Yep... I signed up for my 20th Half Marathon!  I am participating in The Rain Run in Redmond, WA on January 23rd, 2015.   I participated in this race in 2015 and had a terrific time.   When I started to think about my 2016 race schedule The Rain Run was definitely one that came to mind as one I wanted to repeat.  The course is fairly flat... scenic... and has a really awesome medal!  That is what drew me in the first time and participating a 2nd time is a no brainer!  I am not a fast runner... in fact I walk a lot... I do what is called intervals... run... then walk... then run again. I use what is called an interval timer.   Looks like a little pager... it beeps to tell me to walk or run and I can program it to what ever intervals I want.   

The official website of The Rain Run lists these benefits to participating... I wholeheartedly agree!  (especially about the bragging rights and the finish line food!)

- Chip Timed Half Marathon
- A huge and shiny finisher's medal!
- Rain Run Umbrella
- Finish line food - which include cupcakes with SPRINKLES!
- Random prize giveaways from race sponsors
- Bragging rights that you kicked butt in the rain!

The Rain Run (so perfectly named for the Pacific Northwest) is about an hour of driving time (one way) from my home... about as far as I like to go for a local race.  The race begins at Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA very near Lake Sammamish.  The course begin at the Park and travels up the paved trail along the Sammamish River Trail between Redmond and Woodinville (just east of Seattle).  The out and back course is scenic and FLAT!  There will be aid stations at miles 3, 7, and 11.  The race is limited to 750 participants.

If you have read anything here before you might know that I haven't always been a "runner".  I used to laugh when people asked if I ran... and say "Me?  No Way!  The only place I run is to the shower when I am late!"  But in spite of that... one day in 2012 I just said... I want to do this!  I had seen a picture in a magazine ad for a Half Marathon at Disneyland.  I sat looking at the picture... thinking... "I want to do that!" but not knowing if I ever could or how I would ever get there.  The answer to... "How do you do that?"   It is making one big decision and then thousands of little decisions everyday after that.  You just keep making the decision to do it and then it happens.  I found some great advice and training tips through Jeff Galloway and set off on my training.  Then... Half Marathon #1 happened... in January of 2013 at DISNEYLAND... it was epic.  I never thought I would get there but I did!  Slowly... my mindset was changing!  It is possible and I can! 

Then I came home from that trip and I wondered... should I try again?  Maybe the miles at Disneyland weren't really real miles?  My husband encouraged me to sign up for another Half Marathon... one closer to home.  So I did.  I did that one...  I was so nervous at the start wondering If I could finish.  I did it and I didn't die. 

So I signed up for another one...

I finished that one too... and so on and so on... 

I have been back to Disneyland two more times to run the Tinker Bell Half Marathon and am going back for my 4th time this coming May!

This last picture is me at the finish of The Rain Run Half Marathon in January of 2015.  I try and think of actual races as a victory lap of all of the hard training I put in.  My victory lap!  I will toe the line at The Rain Run Half Marathon next Saturday the 23rd of January... wish me luck on my 20th Half Marathon!   I am sure I won't die but I might get a little wet... but have a lot of fun doing it!  I never thought this would be me... but it is!  


How many races have you participated in?

What is a challenge you never thought you could do but then surprised yourself and did it?

Biggest Loser Race Series RECAP

On October 25, 2015 I had the pleasure of participating in my 3rd Biggest Loser Half Marathon north of Seattle in Lake Stevens, Washington.  The Biggest Loser Run Walk Race Series is a special one and always a ton of fun!  All 3 years I have participated in this Seattle area race the location has been different.  In 2013 the event took place in north Seattle starting at Gas Works Park.  Click HERE to read my recap of that race.  I wrote that post in 2 parts with the Expo in Part !... Read about the Expo HERE.  In 2014, because of construction in Seattle, the event was moved to Everett, Washington.  I wrote about that race too...read all about the 2014 event HERE.

My 1 EXPO shot... My daughter with Dan from Season 5 of the Biggest Loser

For 2015 the event was moved to Lake Stevens, Washington which is even farther north of Seattle.  Good for me because it meant a less then an hour drive the morning of the race.  I definitely took less pictures this year... thank goodness for the FREE photos that the Biggest Loser Run Walk offers.  YES... that is right... they have photographers on the course and at the finish snapping tons of photos and they are ALL yours for FREE!

 The medals for this race series are awesome!  Themes to each city they come to... even medals for the 5K Finishers too!

Half Marathon Medal Biggest Loser 2015 

Lake Stevens, WA - Oct 25, 2015

The pre race area for this race was set up great... vendors, tons of port of potties and a scenic setting there in Lake Stevens.   I did pay a little extra for the VIP Tent experience at this race... I had never done that before but thought the access sounded great and the snacks both before and after the race were included.  I was not disappointed about the food options... they had TONS of food both pre race and after... BUT the porta potty... the VIP one was a Handicap (a really big one) located right there in the VIP tented area.  I did enjoy the extra room but it would have been nice to have a couple more available at that location.  Just sayin... if you are going to take the extra  time to change clothes or whatever I shouldn't feel like I am holding up EVERYONE else from just going potty... I felt badly but oh well.

I will say that this race series is the MOST welcoming atmosphere for beginners and/or new runners (or walkers for that matter)... the generous time limit to finish is awesome and they CHEER you in at the finish!  Not to mention the BLING!  They have awesome medals!

Here I am showing off with ALL 3 of my Seattle Biggest Loser Half Medals and the Legacy Medal I received this year for completing all 3 Half Marathons in Seattle.

Pictures really tell the story... 

I had so much fun doing this race...  I was hoping for an under 2:30 time but oh well... with just a few hills (which I do not enjoy)  and I was happy with just finishing!   My chip time was 2:37 and I finished 6th in my age group!

I would definitely do this race again... I began doing this race thing in 2013... with my first Half Marathon in January of 2013.  I have now completed 19 Half Marathons to date and the Biggest Loser Half has been 3 of those.  My weight loss and fitness journey is ongoing but in a nutshell... I lost about 75 pounds between 2010 and 2012... with Weight Watchers... not really introducing much of a fitness plan.  I needed something to help me stay active and help me maintain the weight loss I had worked so hard to achieve.  I was introduced to the Run Walk Run program though Jeff Galloway and I was sold!    I complete all of my races using intervals... and use a little timer called a gymboss to alert me when to walk and run.  It works for me and I have never felt better!

The Biggest Loser Race Series is a great one and I would HIGHLY recommend it to any runner/walker... especially for newbies and or people who feel like they are slower then your average racer!  I seriously would have NEVER predicted I would be doing this 4 or 5 years ago... me a runner?  Really?  Yes - I am!  Get out there and participate... you won't regret it!

WINNER!!! Biggest Loser Half Marathon Registration Giveaway!

CONGRATULATIONS to 

Camiya Wilson!!!

Camiya won a FREE registration to the

Biggest Loser

Half Marathon (or 5K)

October 25, 2015

in Lake Stevens' WA

Woo Hoo!!!

Congratulations Camiya!

Stay tuned for more from

neverenoughdisney.blogspot.com

Race Entry! A Chance to Win! GIVEAWAY!!!

On October 25th, 2015 in Lake Stevens, WA 

The Biggest Loser Run Walk Race Series is returning to the Seattle area!!!

  Would you like to WIN a FREE entry for the Half Marathon or 5K?

Come back for more chances each day!  Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*** Disclosure: The Biggest Loser Run Walk Series is sponsoring this race entry giveaway by providing a unique, single use coupon code for the winner. Winner must register themselves for the race . No travel or accommodations will be provided. Winner will receive registration code at end of contest.

This contest is open through September 14, 2015 at 12:00am PST.  A winner will then be chosen from all of the entries via Rafflecopter and notified by Never Enough Disney.  The Biggest Loser Run Walk Race Series will then be notified and a unique code will be issued for the winner.  Never Enough Disney will distribute the code to the winner.  The winner will then be responsible for registering for the event on their own.

If you would like a code for 15% off registration to the Lake Stevens, Washington race I have been given a code from the Biggest Loser Run Walk to give out to the readers of Never Enough Disney... just comment below and I will be glad to send that code on to you!

Coming back for the 3rd time! Love this Half Marathon!

The Biggest Loser Run Walk Race Series is a popular racing series that traverses the country each year.  It has gained popularity on the shirt tails of the ever popular TV reality series... The Biggest Loser.  Directly from the Biggest Loser Run Walk site they state - 

"The Biggest Loser RunWalk is a non-intimidating race series designed to challenge America to get fit. You’ve been inspired by the hit reality show “The Biggest Loser,” now it’s time to get off the couch and hit the pavement and achieve your fitness goals. This race series will include a challenge for everyone.

We believe that anyone and everyone can be an athlete and invite you to take part in an inspiring event for all fitness levels."

I was immediately drawn to this Half Marathon after I completed my first Half in January of 2013.  I had LOVED the show on TV so why wouldn't the Biggest Loser Half be a great experience too?  So after I returned home from my first Half Marathon adventure at Disneyland in 2013... I found this one and registered.  Staying committed to the fitness goals I had set for myself was so important so it made sense to find races that I could do locally and do it!

I did write some blog posts about my participation in the Seattle 2013 Biggest Loser Half Marathon HERE and HERE... in two parts.  Then again in 2014 I decided that compared to Disneyland this race series that would come to my area was one of my favorites... so I did it again in 2014 and I wrote about it HERE.

In 2013 - the Race series took place right in Seattle and took off from Gas Works Park on the waterfront in Seattle.  It was definitely a challenging but fun course around Lake Union... and then finishing back where you had begun at Gas Works Park.  I did that particular race with my younger sister and for someone that doesn't usually run with anyone else (me  - I am the solo runner) - it was fun to experience it with her.

2013 (with my sister)

I loved the experience and set a pretty good PR that day also!  My friend Carrie participated in her VERY FIRST Half that day too and found the experience awesome!

Carrie at the finish of her FIRST Half!

Fast Forward another year and a few Half Marathons later... I found out the Biggest Loser Race Series was coming back to the area but this time to Everett... which is a suburb north of Seattle and actually quite a bit closer for me then even Seattle had been.  I registered again knowing I would have a terrific experience and be surrounded by a super supportive atmosphere on Race Day!  It did not disappoint!  The course started out on the waterfront in Everett at the Port of Everett and traversed the neighborhoods above the Port and then ended back down at the Port.  It was not particularly a scenic route except for the beginning and the end but once again a good course that had such an encouraging atmosphere!

2014

So I bet you guessed that I am going back for more!  Yes!  2015 - October 25th - The Biggest Loser Run Walk Series is coming back to the area!   This time the race will be taking place in Lake Stevens, WA.  They keep getting closer and closer to my house!  So exciting!

I want to say in closing that before I began my run/walk fitness journey I didn't believe I could do it.  There has been a lot of encouragement along the way... in the form of internet, people and events like this one!  I couldn't have done what I have done or what I am doing without events like this to work towards!  This Half Marathon will be my 20th!  So if you need that extra boost to get going... sign up!  You won't be sorry.  The Biggest Loser Race on October 25th consists of a 5K (3.1 miles) or the Half Marathon (13.1 miles).  Yes YOU Can!

PS - They also offer a Kids Mile Run... and they get a medal!  I love it when I don't have to do anything to motivate my kids to be active!  They had so much fun doing this!

Would like a chance to participate in this event? 

I have been given a code for my readers to receive 15% off your entry to the Lake Stevens, WA - 
Biggest Loser Run Walk 2015
Just comment below and I can make sure you receive that discount code so you can register at the discounted price. 

Stay tuned! 

A chance to win a FREE race entry to the Lake Stevens, WA Biggest Loser Race coming up tomorrow... 
right here!!!

**The opinions in this article are completely my own - I did receive a free entry for the Biggest Loser Half Marathon in Lake Stevens, WA on October 25th, 2015 for becoming a Blogger Partner with the Biggest Loser Race Series.

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?