Recap: Disneyland Health & Fitness Expo

Well it's been a week since I was in California. I was super exhausted this whole week trying to get my life back in order. But I am already missing the magic of Disney. This was my first trip to California, and my first trip to Disneyland and Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.

Some of you may have already seen my photo log from my first day. If not be sure to check it out. Day two of our trip was Disneyland Health & Fitness Expo day. I always get so excited for the expo. It is my favorite thing during the whole race weekend. I had my plan of attack for the expo drafted two week prior. I was ready.

My sister (who wasn't suppose to come to California, surprised me at the airport. Sneaky sneaky) had been to the 2011 Wine & Dine Expo and my Mama had never been to an expo before. Kelcy May and I assured my mom that they are really well organized and really fun.

She stole my glasses and thought she was so funny.

Friday morning we woke up 6 am California time. In our world it was 9 am EST. We slowly moved around, grab some breakfast and headed towards Downtown Disney District. We made a quick pit stop at Cars Land to ride Radiator Springs Racers (Single Riders Line) and then headed over to the Disneyland Hotel.

We arrived at 9:10 with the Expo opening at 10:00, I figured we would have a really great spot in line. Boy was I wrong. We walked into a big cluster of people with no idea which line was which. The only indication of a line was some green tape placed on the ground. We chose to go to the expo first and get out packets later. Kelcy May and I really wanted to get some runDisney merchandise. After finding our spot in line, we quickly told mama to go sit in the shade near the door. There was no need for her to suffer in line in the heat for 50 mins.

Soaking wet in sweat the mass of people coming to the expo got bigger and bigger. Kelcy May and I made a plan to make a mad dash (without Mama) to the merchandise and grab different stuff in our sizes. And if we grabbed stuff we didn't want or doubles we would put them back.

Finally the doors to the expo opened and we stood there for about 10 mins until we figured out some how the line we where in turned into the packet pick up line. We made a mad dash to the merchandise passing our Mama on the way. We instructed her to stay there in the shade and we would call her once we got our merchandise and then would walk the expo.

Once we got to the merchandise EVERYTHING was basically gone. Our little mouths dropped. Tears nearly formed in my eyes. Kelcy May grabbed my arm and said "Ky it's not worth it. We will come back later tonight." With our heads hanging we grabbed Mama and walked the expo

Taking an expo break.

Boy did we get a ton of free stuff. Water bottles, draw string back packs, stickers, wrist bands, T-shirts, samples of products. We had such a great time! My FAVORITE booth of all was the Raw Threads booth. They have the best running shirts and Disney related running shirts ever! Kelcy May and I picked up 2 sleeveless shirts. One for our 10k (Kelcy May got a Mermaid Shirt and I got one that said Rose) and we got Dee and Dum shirts. So cute. Mama even got one shirt that said SeaWitch.

We walked around for another 45 mins and took some pictures with Ali Vincent and Jeff Galloway. Plus some really nice California Police Officer who Kelcy May LOVED. But Mama was loving the free stuff.

Kelcy May made friends with the California Police Officer. Ooh La La! 

We headed back to the park after that. We got to explore Disneyland all day. It was great. Then we headed back to the expo at about 5:00 to walk around a little more and get our race packets. Much to our disliking there was hardly any runDisney stuff left. But I managed to get a few things. I did get a Dumbo Double Dare Green Hoodie, Disneyland runDisney tech, Disneyland Half Marathon "I DID IT" Shirt, some pins and a medal for my runDisney vinylmation. We then headed down to get our packets. It was way less crowded and way more fun.

Overall I think Disneyland needs to have the expo in a bigger location and possible consider doing a presale of their mechandise with pick up at the expo. But it did not damper my Disney Running expo love. I am totally looking forward to WDW Marathon Weekend Expo! Be sure to check out tomorrow when I recap the Disneyland 10k!

Until next time everyone!

QOTD: How did you feel about the Disneyland Health & Fitness Expo? 

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with runDisney or The Walt Disney Company in anyway. I am not paid for my views. All views and comments are my own. 

Friday Fab 5: September Goals

Hi everyone! So I have been a little MIA (missing in action) the last couple of days. I have been playing catch up at work and home. California was great! I can't wait to share with you guys my adventures next week!

Since today is Friday it's time for my Friday Fab 5! But this week is going to be a little different. My Friday Fab 5 are my 5 September Goals..... 5 days late.

Goal 1: Get more organized! I have been living in organized chaos at work, home and sometimes the blog world (aka my blog email is a MESS!). Being gone for 5 days totally got me off track

Goal 2: My 10k is almost 2 weeks away. This will be my first race since Disneyland! I would like to drop 10 mins off my Dinseyland 10k time because there will be no photo ops and bathroom breaks! Should totally be do-able! 

Goal 3: I want to read a book! In this chaos I call my life I would like some quiet time to relax. So my goal is to read one book. 

Goal 4: Being in California, tapering for the Dumbo Double Dare completely got me off track in my work-out routine! So starting this weekend I will be getting back on track with a 3 mile run. 

Goal 5: As many of you know my calendar is my LIFE. I have a digital calendar (work) and a written calendar (home). I notice when I got back from vacation that the two calendars don't match. AND IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY! So I will be trying to get that in order and keep it in order! 

Those are my Friday Fab 5 and September goals! It feels so good to be blogging again! Keep an eye out for my Disneyland review! I am super excited! Can't wait to share it with you guys! 

Until next time everyone! 

QOTD: Do you ever set monthly goals for yourself? Do you have any goals for September? 

Greetings from Disneyland! Photo Log Day 1

Hi everyone! We got to California yesterday at noon (Cali time) and have been exploring the city of Anaheim and headed down to Downtown Disney District. Plus I got a MAJOR surprise when I was at the airport! Best day ever! Today we are headed to the expo. My favorite thing to do! I hope you enjoy my first Photo Log! Here we go!

6 AM Flight to Houston then on to LAX

This was my surprise! My sissy came to Cali with Mama! And she made tutus! 

Finally made it!

Painting the roses red? I am just smelling for paint! 

Very funny trash can! Mama and I wanted a picture!

Loving Disneyland so far! 

Having fun at the World of Disney!

My lego twin? Maybe! 

Until next time everyone! 

QOTD: Did you make it to Disneyland yet? If so what have you done so far?

Ready? Set? DISNEYLAND!

Hi everyone! Well I am offically on VACATION! WOOOOO!! I will be spending majority of today packing and getting my act together before my 6 AM flight tomorrow morning to meet Mama in California.

With me being in California the next couple day, I won't be able to post like normal. So I will being doing photo post from my previous day before! This will be fun so you can see first hand what I have been up too! So be on the look out for those each morning! I will be a little behind on the time because of the time difference.

Did you happen to see the Disney Park Blog last night? OMG I am about to blow my whole pay check that I got today on Friday. Ooops! Word on the street is they are making a special Dooney & Bourke! I got my first Disney Dooney last January at the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.

Photo courtesy of Disney Park Blog

As I've said my sister Kelcy May won't be making the race this year. We found that out 2 weeks ago. She had her little heart set on a Dooney. Maybe if she is nice I will get her one! Love ya Sis!

I hope you all have a great rest of the week! If you are heading out to Disneyland be sure to check me out on Twitter or Facebook! I will be posting a lot there. And if you see me out and about be sure to stop me and say hi!

Until next time everyone! 

QOTD: What do you look forward to most about race weekend?

Countdown to Disneyland!

Well we are all days away from boarding planes and heading to Disneyland. Unless you are already there. If you are, I am super jealous! I am one of the lucky 5,500 (give or take) runners taking part in the inaugural Dumbo Double Dare!

Packing, laundry and preparations have begun at our house. Chris will not be taking part in this race weekend. Someone has to stay home and watch the furbabies! But Mama is coming with me! Tons of pictures will be taken and I will probably get lost a time or two because neither Mama or myself have ever been to California!

Trying to pack for a destination race is something I have never done before. And as I started last night I quickly became overwhelmed. I will have a backpack and my carryon luggage. We will only be there for a short time and having to change planes twice, I am afraid to check it!

So with this short little post today, have you started packing yet? Do you have any tips on packing?

Until next time everyone!

QOTD: How do you pack for a destination race? 

Race Recap: North Collier Regional 5k

Saturday concluded the Elite Events Summer 5k Series with the North Collier Regional 5k. This is 5k series is now in its 4th summer. Starting in the summer of 2010. I have done a couple Elite events. Not many. But this was the first time competing in the summer series.

Photo courtesy of eliteevents.org

What is a series you may ask? Well, you have to run 2 out of the 3 summer series races to be eligible for the over all series award. Or you could be really awesome and run all 3 races. Which is really cool. So you get points for every race you compete in. And if you place you get more points. The great thing about Elite Events is that they give awards 5 deep. So the top 5 in each age group gets recognized. I have a chance to be recognized which gives me an extra boost cause I wanna kick some butt.

This course was a really nice course overall. It is a local park, where there is a water park and soccer fields. It was very scenic. There was actually a soccer tournament going on while we where there. At some points in the course we had to make a couple of U-turns. My favorite part of the course was between mile 1 and 2 because it was like a swampy marsh. It was a bit humid but it was like running through a forest.

I felt really great starting out. The first mile I think my RunKeeper app told me I was running around an 8:30/mile. I remember thinking "SAY WHAT!" But the heat and Florida humidity got to me and I started to slow down. After mile two I took a one min walk. I have a interval timer strapped to my arm that is set to a 3:1 ratio. I tend to do speed work instead of a 1 min walk. I run normal for 3 mins and speed up for  a min.

At mile 2.5 we crossed a small bridge that was over a marsh. The bridge was a bit slippery from the morning dew and I started to slide a bit when we had to take a slight right turn on the bridge. By the time we passed mile 3 I could see the finish line in sight. The sun was already high in the sky and I forgot my racing sunglasses. I just kept telling myself, "Ky, you got this." and soon the finish line was insight.

I ran as fast as my little legs could take me. One of my co-workers was at the finish line waiting for me and cheering me on. She is awesome and runs so much faster than me! So nice to see a familiar face. After finish I felt a little over heated. I quickly grabbed a bottle of water and started pouring it on my arms, legs and splashed some on my face. I felt so much better after that.

I made my way down to the awards area and grabbed a banana on the way. I was proud of myself because I finished 31:18.8 and I ended up dropping 33 seconds off my last race time! Go me! I sadly didn't place in my age group. I placed 8th. I was just proud of dropping some much time off since my last race!

As I was getting ready to leave I heard my name called and found out I place 5th in my series of two races and won a series award! I felt like a rock star! All in all it was a great Saturday and a great race!

PS Shout out to Fit2Run! Love ya Kimmi!

I was a happy, happy, happy girl!

Until next time everyone! 

QOTD: Have you ever placed at a race or dropped some time? 

Weekly Workout Roundup: Aug 18-24

Happy Sunday! I hope you guys are having a great week. I took a little bloggy break yesterday. I had so much to do and needed a little break. But I did have a race yesterday. You will hear all about it in tomorrows post. Now to my weekly recap!

I took this week very easy. Since I am leaving for California on Thursday. I have been trying not to over do it. I have been majorly slacking this week because I am afraid if I over do it I will get sick. Mostly because Chris was sick last week. If I sneeze I freak out. NO BEING SICK FOR ME!


Here is what I did the rest of the week!

Sunday: 2 mile walk.

Monday: rest

Tuesday: 2 mile run

Wednesday: rest

Thursday: rest

Friday: rest

Saturday: 3 mile run

Very uneventful week. I am in the process of trying to get a key to our club workout house. It have a couple of machines like a treadmill, elliptical and other minor things. This would help me out so much of those super hot Florida afternoons or evenings! 

Until next time everyone!

QOTD: How did your weekly workouts turn out?