runDisney / New Balance Shoes - product tested by my 10 year old boy

One year ago last month (January of 2013) I was at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend at Disneyland.  You can read about that weekend HERE and HERE if you like.  A couple of years ago runDisney entered into a partnership with New Balance shoes.  New Balance actually designed and released 2 versions (men's and women's) of "Disney running shoes" in 2013.  I hemmed and hawed about purchasing a pair of these prior to going to TINK and then I wasn't able to even have an opportunity to purchase because when I attended the Tink weekend in 2013 New Balance had only brought a VERY LIMITED amount of shoes to the TINK EXPO so by the time I got to the EXPO they were LONG gone.  So sad!  Here is a photo I snagged online of the first edition of the shoes.  I still dream about owning a pair of these... I just saw a pair (slightly worn and IN MY SIZE) appear on EBAY last week.  I bid on them but was sad when the price exceeded what I was willing to spend on a pair of used shoes.  They actually ended up selling for OVER what they were new!  Can you believe that?  Pssst... New Balance... bring back the originals!

Photo courtesy of runDisney/New Balance

Anyway - fast forward to January of 2014... New Balance had promised a new batch of shoes to be released that month.  They didn't disappoint... New Balance actually came out with 4 new styles (6 if you want to count the kid shoes as separate designs)!  

Photo courtesy of runDisney/New Balance

I was still in love with the original women's design from 2013 but I figured if I liked the shoes I would possibly buy some if I had the chance when I headed down to the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in mid January 2014.   runDisney and new Balance did a much better job this second time around with being prepared for the demand.  They had a queue system in place for purchasing the shoes also.  Basically it worked like this... you got in a line to be able to input your texting information into a kiosk... then you were free to leave and then you would receive a text later for when you should return for your slotted "purchase time".  It worked pretty slick.  No problems for anyone in out party.  We came back when we got our texts and waited may 10 minutes before someone was helping us.  I tried on the Pink Minnie shoes and couldn't help my self... I had to have them.  Then I started thinking about my kiddos.  These shoes were well made and MORE then I would normally spend on any pair of kids shoes.  BUT... I had planned on bringing each of my kids something home and what could be better then a cool pair of Disney shoes.  Basically my souvenir money was burning a hole in my pocket.  So I went home with these... for my two older kids...

and these... for me.

I didn't buy them for running but really just bought them for fun.  So my real point of this post is to review how they have held up... I can't really give a good review of the Pink Minnies... I haven't worn them a ton.  They are very comfortable - I will give them that!  I had some issues with the insert slipping around when I first wore them but then my husband suggested using some shoe glue on the actual insert and that solved the problem.   My daughter hasn't worn hers very much either... she loves them... but doesn't want to get them dirty or "ruin" them.  We have worn them to match at a few 5Ks...

Safeco Field - Refuse to Abuse 5K - Summer 2014

So mine and my daughter's shoes still look awesome and are in practically brand new condition (I bought my daughter's a little big to last as long as possible).  My son - on the other hand is SUPER HARD on his shoes... he has worn the heck out his Sorcerer Mickey shoes.  I have to say though that considering how hard he is on shoes... these shoes have held up so well!  Don't get me wrong... they are well worn and have smelled better... (gross I know)... but he is still wearing them most days... there are no holes... the soles haven't cracked... and Mickey is still smiling!  These were pricey shoes but worth it in my book!  Here are a few photos of the Sorcerer Mickey shoes... one year later after a 10 year old boy has had his way with them... I will say that I have thrown them into the washer a few times in the past year but never dried them in the dryer.  Let me also add that this is a lot more money then I would normally spend on my kids' shoes... it was a total splurge! 

Recently runDisney released the 2015 versions of the runDisney running shoes and "re" released the 2014 versions for more sales because they were so popular... I am glad for those people who didn't have the chance to buy the ones they wanted in 2014... or for those that are just finding runDisney and deciding they can't live without the shoes either.  The new 2015 versions were met with some disappointment ... there are elements that I do like about the 2 new versions of the shoes but not enough to purchase them.

Photo courtesy of runDisney/New Balance

My only complaint?  BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL Minnie Mouse shoes... please???  I must have them!

Photo courtesy of runDisney/New Balance

Do you own a pair of the runDisney shoes?  Which ones?

What Disney characters are you hoping that New Balance will use next in their designs?  

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?

Tinker Bell Half Marathon 2014 - Race Recap

Let me start by saying that I can't believe it is over... again.  I was prepared this time around about how I would feel when I returned home.  Participating last January 2013 in my first runDisney weekend at Disneyland was also my FIRST Half Marathon... a huge deal to me and something I worked VERY hard towards.  The emotions are high when participating in such an event... I must also add that I do not have the budget to do multiple runDisney events... so for me this was it.  When I came home last year after our time at Disneyland I felt like crawling in a hole.   To have this goal out in front of me for months and months... working towards it and then accomplishing it was awesome but also a learning experience of pacing myself.  I have learned that I need goals in front of me to keep myself motivated.   That is an entirely different post...  SO lets get back to the business at hand here... How was the Tinker Bell Half Marathon 2014?

First of all... I felt so fortunate to be able to go back and repeat this experience in 2014!  It was AWESOME (again)!   I still can't believe I have 2 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Medals hanging in my house... (actually 3 because I ran the Inaugural 10K on January 18th as well and you can read about it HERE.) 

This year I traveled with Carrie, a friend of mine from home.  My awesome husband stayed in Washington with our 3 kids... Carrie and I stayed at the same hotel as my husband and I had in 2013.  We flew down from Seattle in the wee hours of Wednesday, January 15th... prior to the weekend activities we got a couple of Park days in before the weekend began.  In 2013 I did this the opposite with our Park days mostly after the race weekend.   After experiencing both approaches... I much prefer the Park days after but either way it was fun and low crowds on those days made it so much fun!  (Walking on to Radiator Springs Racers was awesome! #nolineonwednesday)

The Half Marathon was on Sunday, January 19th.  Exactly 364 days since I had run my first Half Marathon... right there at the same magical place!  This Tinker Bell Half Marathon would be my 6th Half in one year!  Wow!  What a year!  My friend Carrie and I were prepared for the early morning wake up.  We had laid out our race necessities the night before so when that alarm went off at 3am we were ready!

We stayed just off Disney property at the Best Western Stovall on the corner of Katella and Disneyland Dr.  In my opinion there just isn't an off property hotel with a better location and set up for runDisney Race Weekends.  Free Breakfast, reasonable prices, and close proximity to the Racing area... just can't beat it!  Did I mention the reasonable price?  We saved so much!

We made our way to the Corrals on Disneyland Dr which was literally just a few minutes walk from our hotel room door.   I was in Corral C and Carrie was in Corral E... so at this point we parted ways and wished each other luck!  I walked on down to Corral C and entered the fenced off area.  There were volunteers checking our Bibs for the correct Corral assignment to prevent folks from entering a corral that wasn't assigned to them.   Being a "rule follower" I appreciated the checkers and said thank you to them.

  It is dark at 4:15 in the morning!

 

 I got to my corral in plenty of time and was very near the front of the C Corral.  The race was scheduled to begin at 5am.  It was probably about 4:15 or so when I entered my corral.  The weather was perfect... I can't remember the exact temperature that morning but it wasn't that chilly and I was just fine.  I had brought a throw away jacket and found out after 15 minutes or so that I really didn't need it.   Time went by fairly quickly especially after the announcers began their banter prior to the start of Corral A at 5am.  It seemed to be about 5 minutes between the release of each corral so before I knew it... it was our turn!

 

above photo credit - runDisney

 

 We stepped up to the start line and we were off!  The course was very similar to what I had remembered from 2013.  I am including a course map for your enjoyment.    We started out on Disneyland Dr just like the 10K did the day before and then made a right onto Ball Rd and then another right onto Harbor Blvd. and then headed into the Backstage areas and into the Parks.
 

 

We started out in California Adventure and then across the Esplanade to Disneyland Park.  Amazing fun!  Pictures are the best way to tell the story...

 

 

 

 World of Color and Mickey's Fun Wheel

 

 

Carthay Circle and the Red Trolley at California Adventure

 

I am not really a "stand in line for the characters" kind of girl during the races but I love to stop for good photo ops... I do stop and take pictures of the characters but usually do not prefer wait in the lines.

After the course wrapped through California Adventure we headed across the Esplanade and into Disneyland Park.

  

 Running through the castle to Fantasyland

 

 Backstage areas... the Train!

Circle D!!!  My Favorite!  Home to the Happiest Horses on Earth!

This is Lucky!  I want to bring him home with me!

Soon we were heading out of the parks and onto the friendly streets of Anaheim.

 

 

This is a quick selfie of a friend of mine named Ellen and I... she drove up from San Diego to run Tinker Bell.  We hadn't actually seen each other yet... she didn't turn in a proof of time and had to start in Corral F... she ran all the up from the back and caught me about mile 6... then went onto to finish in just 2 hours!  She is AWESOME fast!  I am so not worthy!

 

 

I had not noticed these signs in 2013... maybe they are new.  These signs were along the route in some of the Anaheim residential neighborhoods.

The Finish!

The route through the streets of Anaheim was pleasant... many high schools had come out with their bands and cheerleaders to keep the runners motivated and happy!  One group in the downtown area was even handing out red vines to the runners.  Generous for sure!  The race itself was awesome... plentiful water and powerade on the course.  

 Ellen and I celebrating!

 Merritt and I with our medals! 

(Merritt is a friend from home and came to run her first Half at Tinker Bell!)

 Carrie coming into the FINISH! 

Just 3 girls from Stanwood, Washington 

with our Tinker Bell Half Marathon BLING!

I had so much fun this year... when the Half was over I was so sad.  I only had that day left at the Parks and then was headed home on a very early flight Monday morning.  The race was so well organized and the weather was perfect!   For 2015 the Tinker Bell Race Weekend is moving to May on the Mother's Day weekend.  I am not sure if I will be able to come back in 2015... funds are tight and my poor kids need a trip sooner or later.  I am going to try my best to make it happen!  We were able to get them there in December of 2011.  I have been 3 times without them now and they haven't even seen Carsland yet.  I do feel a bit guilty about that.

I would love to encourage anyone to consider training for a runDisney event.  Such an amazing experience!  I thoroughly loved every moment (both years)!  Thank you runDisney for a terrific time!  I can't wait to do it all over again!

Both of my hard earned medals from the Half Marathon and the 10K that had taken place the day before.  I am also wearing a "Challenge" Medal that I purchased through a fundraiser that commemorates finishing both races in 2 days!  This is taken outside the door of our hotel room... this gives somewhat of a good perspective how close we were to the Parks.

Did you run Tinker Bell this year?  What was your favorite part?

If you could participate in a runDisney race other than Tinker Bell - which race sounds fun to you?

Have you run other runDisney races?  Which one is your favorite?