SoCal Diva 1/2 Marathon

SoCal Diva 1/2 Marathon

December 8, 2013

I signed up for this race in February, the second month into my twelve half marathons for my 2013 race goal year. You see, I was going to be turning 40 in 2013 and I decided this was going to be my big year. I began calling it my midlife crisis year. I recruited a not so happy husband, Jason, to come along with me on my journey.

The exact location was not set yet, the only thing we knew was that the race was going to be in Southern California. The only other thing I knew was, I had to have this medal. The bling was awesome!! Plus, as a bonus, we received a tiara, boa, and glass of bubbly at the finish line. Who wouldn't want those things?  Oh yea, my husband!! He signed up with me anyways! That's true love!!

California is my home state and I'm pretty familiar with where to stay, however, this race ended up being in Ontario. I'm not too familiar with Ontario. I usually map out where the hotel is in reference to the start line. I do this because who wants to mess with driving and finding a parking place early in the morning on race day? Not me! It's bad enough some of these races start at 0500. I pretty much waited until the last minute to book our hotel for this race and I never mapped it out. I couldn't have planned this any better. Our hotel was literally across the street from the start line!! We could walk out the front and cross at the light and bam, we were there! Not only did this mean, no hassling with parking, but we could also sleep in a little longer!

Race morning was a freezing 40 degrees in beautiful sunny California. The first thing out of my daughter's mouth that morning was, "Can we go home?" She was going to be doing the 5K that morning just a half an hour after we started the half marathon. I told her "No, I already paid for this race! Don't worry, you'll warm up once you get going!" She looked at me with this I don't buy it face!

  

 

I knew a fellow #run3rd-er, Tracy, would be at this race. I was hoping to see her!! And just before the race started, I saw her out of all these women dressed in pink. I yelled her name out and we hung out until the race started and snapped a quick picture. Later, my hubby saw her at the finish line. I had forgotten my #run3rd patch, but I proudly displayed #run3rd on my arm and carried my dedications with me as always! 

 

This was a pretty boring race route with nothing exciting to look at and several repeat loops. It was a mostly flat course with a couple little hills over freeways, nothing terrible. There were a few places where there was course entertainment, but not too many. There was one man, who I noticed throughout the whole race that would move his chair up farther and farther. I learned he was there to cheer on his girlfriend and the rest of us strangers. What a great guy!

I have to say, I wasn't ready for this race and I really didn't want to do it. I was tired! I just wanted to stay in my warm bed the morning we were leaving. But, I have something inside me that won't let me quit! So, we did it! I actually felt pretty darn good during this race and pushed myself a little more than usual. I got my second best time with this race for 2013. I was pretty happy to approach the finish line and see my family cheering me on at the corner. It's always a great feeling to see someone especially family cheering me on! My daughter, Gillian, even ran with me to the finish line, something my husband usually does. It was awesome and when I saw the clock time, I decided to sprint. 3:17:42

Disney World Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon

Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon

November 9, 2013

Last year was my first experience with the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon. My husband and I made a trip out of it with no kids, just us!! All my friends were like, "You're going to Disney World alone?" YES!!! 

Being at Disney World with no kids was great, except we found ourselves saying, “The kids would really like this!” So, while we were there, we decided that we would definitely come back next year for the race and bring the kids. 

A year in planning and the excitement was full throughout the year. I couldn’t wait to get back to Disney World for the Wine & Dine ½ marathon, but also to experience the parks with our kids. We actually had a countdown going on our Disney trip website, which was fun to watch.  Each race I completed this year only led me one month closer to Disney World. Even though I’m a die hard Disneyland person, Disney World was great. They both have their pros and cons and my favorite is still Disneyland!

We found out before we arrived that Disney World was doing something a little different with their park tickets, room keys, and Magical Express bus and because we were participating in the half marathon, we got to participate in the test group testing out the new Magic Bands. I was able to link all of our reservations to the bands and even customize the color of each person’s band. The Magic Bands ended up being awesome! Great idea Disney!! 

We arrived in Orlando and headed to the Magical Express bus. I was so excited and so were the kids. My youngest had woke up that morning not feeling well, so she was fighting hard to stay awake and watch as we arrived at the hotel. It had already been a long day of traveling. At the hotel, we discovered that after multiple phone calls and requests, everyone in our party was spread out in different buildings over the resort. After 90 minutes at check in, when we were already pre-checked in, we finally were able to get all rooms in the same building and same floor. We made it to our room, unpacked and then headed out for dinner. During dinner, we planned out the next day. It was decided we were going to the Magic Kingdom. We spent about eight hours there, before we headed off on a side adventure. We went to see the Cirque Du Soleil show La Nouba in downtown Disney courtesy of a dear friend.

The next day we divided our time between Animal Kingdom and Epcot, after heading to ESPN Zone to pick up our race packets and bibs. It was only the first day of the expo and most of the merchandise was sold out! Disney should get a hint and order a ton more! It’s all going to be sold! It sells out every year. I’m lucky there was nothing I needed, since I pre-ordered my commemorative pin!

This year, I decided to create a costume for the Wine & Dine, since last year I didn’t. After seeing so many cute and creative costumes, I had to. Thank God my husband is such a good sport! I made the costume simple enough so he couldn’t object even if he wanted to. We were going to be chefs! Super easy, white shirts, black bottoms, white aprons, and chefs’ hats which I personalized (see photo)! My hubby even added his own idea while we were getting ready, he added a small washcloth to his apron. It really finished off the costume.

We were off to the start line!!I couldn’t wait!! I knew immediately upon arriving that I would head straight for the picture line with Mickey. He was so cute dressed as a chef. We were completing this race with a few friends this year, so there were six of us. While we waited in line, we took several group shots with each other and even got a couple shots of other people dressed up as characters. My one friend was dying to get a photo with a very furry, very skimpy dressed Woody from Toy Story. I obliged and jumped in the photo with her. Great fun! After waiting in line for two hours for Mickey, we were about ten people away when they shut the line down and Mickey left. Devastated does not even explain how I felt!! Mickey had to get to the start line which meant it was time to get in our corrals. 

Furry guy!

There were so many people this year that there were a few more corrals than last year. I heard that Disney was trying to create smaller corrals which is why there were more. Of course, I was not in any of the corrals with my group of friends. They were allowed to come back to my corral but I couldn’t go up to their corral. There was no sneaking into corrals this year, as there was strict enforcement at each corral. So, I told my friends to go and I’ll see them at the finish. My hubby and good friend, Trish, did not want me to be alone, so they stayed with me in my corral. I told them I’ll see you at the finish. I got my usual kiss from my hubby as the race started.

This year I ran with no music, I just wanted to take in the sites! I really love this race. Each corral that starts gets fireworks when they are released. Last year, we froze our buns off. So this year, I thought I was prepared. Ha ha, I packed long sleeve and should have packed short sleeve. When the year before, I packed short sleeve and should have packed long sleeve. I’ll be covered next year, I’m packing both!! Just after the first mile, my long sleeve shirt was off and tucked into my apron. Hey, that thing served a dual purpose! Awesome!

This race was amazing again. The racers were great, the on course support was great, and the entertainment was awesome! My only complaint that seems to be consistent with every race is the slow runners/walkers, PLEASE move to the right!! Doesn’t anyone read the race etiquette? Apparently not! I’m not fast at all, but I know when to get out of someone’s way!  I didn’t stop and take any photos until I hit mile 12. I always try to snap a picture at mile 12, not because this is my favorite mile, but because 12 has always been my favorite number! Throughout the race, I saw my friends as we passed by each other we gave high fives and yelled words of encouragement.

I made it to the finish line. It was set up a little different this time, which was kind of a bummer because my husband, Jason, wasn’t able to be right there when I crossed the finish line. I love looking ahead and seeing his smiling face! It was very crowded and congested as I tried to make my way out to our group. There we hugged and got some more group photos, this time with our medals and our coast to coast bonus medals. Half of our group was tired and headed back to the hotel, while the rest of us headed into Epcot to enjoy the International Food & Wine festival. We headed straight to Canada for their delicious cheesy soup!! We rode a few rides and enjoyed Epcot until they closed the place down at 4 in the morning.  

  

 Already making my plans for the 2014 Wine & Dine ½ Marathon!!! I can’t wait!! This race has become my favorite race, sorry Tink!!