Recap: Disneyland Half Marathon

Sunday morning my alarm went off bright and early at 3:00 AM. I was exhausted from the day before. Kelcy May was leaving to head back to the airport at 9:30 AM, so I knew I would have to kick my race into high gear so I could see her before I left.

I quickly got dressed and headed out to the Disneyland Hotel once more with my snack bag in hand. This morning was more organized then yesterday Disneyland 10k. I walked right to Corral C and sat on a curb to munch on some snacks.

The race didn't start for another hour so I started tweeting with some of my favs and called Chris to inform him that I was at the race and he should get out of bed because it was almost 8 AM EST. He said "Good Luck, I love you but you just woke the dogs up. And I am going back to bed.".

Finally Corral A went off and I got this sick feeling in my stomach. I think it was my nerves from this whole weekend. It was coming to a close and I had set out to do everything I wanted. There was only one catch, it was 13.1 miles away.

It was my turn to start and I knew I had to push myself a little harder but not burn myself out. intervals would start about a half mile in. When I woke up in the morning my legs where so tight. I didn't want to injury myself.

Miles one, two and three went by like nothing. Most of the course I had seen the day before because it was going though the parks. So I just enjoyed and looked around for things I hadn't seen the day before. It was a little different this time because I didn't have a camera with me to take tons of pictures.

By mile four and five we where out of the parks and in the city of Anaheim. This was the part I was most excited for. When we arrived in California we took a bus right from LAX to Disneyland. So I hadn't really explored the area. I slowed down my pace so I could enjoy the city.

Mile six rolled around and I had a god awful cramp in my left shoulder behind my shoulder blade that was coursing down my left arm. I quickly grabbed some Bio-Freeze from the medical tent and slathered it all over my shoulder and shoulder blade. One of the joys I had at mile six and a half was there where a group of people on the side of the road holding signs that said "Free Candy from Strangers" I laughed and saw a woman giving out some Twizzlers. It was exactly what I needed at that point.

Mile seven and eight I enjoyed some local high school bands along with some Hawaiian and Latin dancers. I really wanted to stop and dance with them. Mile 8.5 I started to see all these cars lined the side of the road. This was the most AMAZING thing I have ever seen in my life. for about two miles (or what seemed like two miles to me) there had to be like 250+ antique and souped up cars.

One random fact about Chris and I is we share a love for mustangs. My first car was a 2000 green V-6 mustang. Chris has a 2007 custom mustang. The joke around our house is that he loves that car more than he loves us (meaning me + Stella & Bentley).

I stopped my RunKeeper app on my phone and started snapping pictures as fast as I could. Soon it was mile nine and we where on a trail headed to the Angels Stadium. I could see it in the distance. I have run around the ESPN ball field but not and and actual MLB field. As we approached the field I heard all this screaming and cheering it was one of the biggest crowds I have seen cheering for runners. I saw some Boy and Girl Scouts, cheerleaders and marching bands. Then we headed into the stadium.

I felt like a super star. Everyone was screaming and cheering it was the most amazing feeling in the world. I took tons of pictures on my phone after stopping my RunKeeper app one last time. We headed out of the Angels stadium and I saw the Mile 10 sign. From mile eight to nine was the shortest mile by far to me. I took a deep breath and said to myself "Ky, you have a 5k to go and your done.".

Off I went as far as my little sore legs would take me. Miles 11 & 12 took us near the high way and I swear I passed our hotel in the process. I looked down at my watch and it was about 8:30 I knew I needed to pick up the pace if I wanted to see Kelcy May before she left and I had one mile to go.

I saw the mile 13 sign in the distance and at the same time I heard a scream (only my sister can do) say "Ky-Ky!" and a huge smile and wave. Kelcy May and Mama where near the finish line. I ran over said hello. Kelcy looked at me and said "Your hurting huh?" I smiled and said "Only .1 to go." and off I went to the finish line.

I crossed the finish line with a time of 2:54:32 with an average pace of 13:19 a mile. I had FINALLY completed the runDisney Coast to Coast Challenge and the Inaugural Disneyland Dumbo Double Dare.

Overall: I think the course was great. It took me through a city I have never seen before. Some parts of the city where nicer than others, but who doesn't have that problem? I wish there had been a couple more medical tents seeing as it was very hot for some people. I luckily trained in heat and was prepared for it. I would for sure go back and do the Disneyland Half Marathon again.

Until next time everyone! 

QOTD: Did you do the Disneyland Half? What did you think of it? 

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?