The Happiest Race on Earth - A Race Report

Disneyland Half Marathon - 08/31/08

This is my first attempt at a race report. I have read many that I adored and found others to be super helpful in getting ready for a new race. So here I go...

I did this race last year under a heat advisory and it was very hot. I stayed at a local hotel, got there early, did everything I was instructed to do because it was new to me. They said to get there super early...and I was up at 3:30 or so to get over there to the area. This year I didn't pay for a hotel. I stayed with my sister and just about 45 minutes - an hour away. I woke up at 4, got ready and we headed out the door at 4:30 - so much better. I knew that the primary event parking ($12 for the day) was right by the corrals and I knew that there was a huge bank of portopotties at the back of the corrals. I also knew which corral I was in and exactly where to go. So I didn't have a mind numbing wait in the holding area and then marched out to the corrals. I was in the corral by 5:30 or so. This is Corral F next to my corral:

and my corral (I made no efforts to jockey for position) but I wasn't in the back...

I had NO time expectations at all for this race because this is Disney and the best part of the race is that they have characters and everyone out for photo ops during the first part of the race. I had my camera and my plan this year was to run super easy and loose through the park (that is about 4 miles) then I would run intervals to mile 10 and then see how I felt - if good, then close it, if eh, then continue intervals...

Last year it was very hot and although the weather was supposed to be cooler and we didn't have a heat advisory I was still a little weary (after Chicago last year, I don't think I will ever take race hydration lightly ever again) so I sported the camelpak for the race. That way I had a place for my phone, my camera, my e-caps, and my water (and a wee bit of cash)...

At the beginning of the race one of the race directors or announcers, I don't know who surprised his girlfriend with a proposal...many ahs and oohs from the crowd...they didn't do fireworks at the start this year - but it is better for the environment, so I am not going to complain. The race started and then about 10 minutes later my corral was moving up to the start line. To my surprise my sista, Ninjhey, who was gracious enough to drive me down, caught me at the start line. Anyway, I started out nice easy as promised met a few other renegade runners and started the loop to head into the park. You go through California Adventure first...and here you can kind of see it in the distance...notice the humpty characters on the left...

getting a bit closer...still pretty dark out so everything looks blurry

and we have entered the holy land of all things animatronic...

First up...Bug's Life

Then around Paradise Pier - there were a couple of guys who were chasing each other and cutting around...had I not been so determined to get my picture with every character on the course I would have made it my mission to stay on my race plan and beat them...but I was having fun...and was fairly certain I would never see the Blue/White Gang again...

Ran into these toy loving fools on the pier...

Next up Bear Country (or whatever that area is called)
Then we headed out CA Adventure and hoofed it over to Disneyland...
It wasn't hot...but it was humid...and I was definitely sweating...sexy...

Once in Disney...these guys tried to hold me back...
Able to break free, I ran into Nemo and his gang (my best land fish impression - and check out the guy on the far rights expression - love it!)
under the castle...

honor thy Belle...

a boatload of princesses...

and then you are out of the park...and have 9 miles to run through Anaheim...not particularly full of photo highlights...but I love how flat you are dear Anaheim...

oh, but first we have to get over I-5...

after about a 10k tour through the tile outlets of Anaheim - (the spirit on the course was great) we arrived at Angels Stadium, this is one of the best parts of the race because the scouts (girls and boys) are all lined up and cheering like mad as you get to run through the stadium, around the field and see yourself on the jumbo-tron...

and then to the jumbo-tron...

the jumbo...hey like last year - see...

okay...we are snaking around the stadium parking lot this year....and we are at the front...I guess no jumbo-tron this year...sadness...but hey, Mile 10

oh, hey, Chicago, this is a cooling station...a Coooooling station, a cooling station we didn't even really need...oh the technology of it all...

I was cruising along, checking my watch thinking "hey, I have goofed off a lot during this thing, but I might just make it under 2:30..." when what to my wondering eyes should appear but members of the Blue/White Gang...I was shocked, there was no way they had flamed out that much that I could be this close...so I set my targets on them as we winded through the last 3 miles...but they changed the course, and instead of going through more of downtown Disney...we ended going through the park...and there were more character photo-ops!

So I was faced with this horrible decision...try to finish in under 2:30 even though this was supposed to be a fun training run - but definitely catch those guys (and oh how I wanted to)...or stop and get my pics so that I could say I had every available character photo-op this year....I chose... Rats! - One more time...

So with less than a mile left, I headed towards the finish...I turn closer to the finish line and hear Ninjhey scream "close it, close it" and then I see just down the chute...Blue/White Gang - I kicked it in gear and SPRINTED down to edge them out (my own personal vindication of which they knew nothing about and probably never even noticed me)...but I did it...and finished strong - yeah! at a 2:38 - no mocking the time - it was about having a good time as in enjoyable - not in bragging rights!

But do you know what you feel like the next day after you try and sprint after a 13 mile run...

You feel like this...stupid - but worth it

Summary - Very good race, very good time (because it was about having fun) - good weather, great support on course - recommend it...and for those of you looking for a good course to PB - you should consider this race...for me, I doubt I will ever try to PB this course, I think it is too much fun to just enjoy yourself on this run and use it as a training run...

My Friday Favorite

For that is our unyielding faith - that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it. - Barack Obama

Take a moment...

I am new to this blogging community and world, but today after reading Amy's post this morning I find myself watery eyed at my desk. The Riggs family is now faced with the unimaginable challenge of leukemia. Unfortunately, one of their adopted twins, Abby, was recently diagnosed with leukemia and is just now starting her five month chemo treatment.


Amy, blogess that she is, is organizing and coordinating meal preparation for the family as they travel through this very difficult time. Please check out Amy's site for instructions on how you can buy a meal for this family. 1 meal for a family of 7 = $25...not much at all but will make a huge impact for the family...not having to worry about meal preparation and coordination when you want to spend 100% of your time focusing on fighting cancer is a huge gift that all of us can give.


Thank you, Amy for coordinating this...and best wishes to the Riggs as they walk down this path...


For anyone that has been involved in Team in Training, please consider heading over to Amy's page and helping out with this project...

TNT Ride and The Crash

So we woke up pretty early and I finished marking the bike and run course for the group. El was waiting on the deck for people to start arriving...and DH was filling the cooler with beers, etc. for the barbecue...

People started arriving and getting ready...there was some confusion about start time and the day was getting hot...

Finally everyone (almost) was there and the group headed out for the ride...I went out with the first group and as we went by a neighbor's ranch about 2 miles out I realized that their little dogs were out...and they were running towards the line...the first 5 or so bikes handled it pretty much okay, but then I looked up and saw the big giant black dog come barrelling down the drive...I said "I am going to U and keep the dogs on the other side of the road" called the U audibly and with hand gesture...no one behind me and I turn...I was past the center line of the road almost done with my turn and I hear this girl scream from the other side of the road...she is veering hard left (for no apparent reason) and coming right at me...there is no one on her right at all...and she is gripping the middle of her handlebars instead of over her brakes...I speed up to tuck into the other side...and she just keeps coming right at me! I get to the other side of the road, unclip and have my legs out and here she comes...she doesn't

No...she just t-bones my back fork, buries her handlebars in my wheel, rips off my saddlebag and throws her weight forward...I reach back and keep her from falling...because I am thinking "no way I am going to fall down for this..." She yanks out her handlebars further damaging my spokes and is super pissy...I am trying to be cool and be understanding that this is a very new rider and she just kind of panicked, but everyone is okay...and surely my bike isn't too bad...because her bike was fine...she pedals off with the group...and I have to wait for SAG because my wheel is jacked, my gears are stuck and my bike is screwed (I didn't have my camera and then I was too irritated when I got back to the house to document)...but the workout continued and the group practiced their transitions...so that was a good thing...
Then afterwards hung out at the bar for lunch and drinks....

Yes...there was some remaining drama from the other cyclist and she required ice and wanted people to bring her things...while I (the one that took the entire brunt of the hit) ran around hostessing...today I still have the bruise indentations of her handlebars and wheel on my left side...awesome...but a friend that was here let me borrow his wife's bike for the tri...so it all worked out and in sum a great day and a great ride...our pool has been trouble all summer and Saturday in the middle of the event the guys showed up to start jackhammering the pool...kind of funny...but we were able to feed them too...I am told I will have my pool back and refinished this weekend...since it is supposed to be 104 again, I will really need it! That is unless we decide to get out of dodge...we will see...no decisions yet....

Congratulations, Oklahoma City!

I just saw the press release that OKC will be hosting the 2009 USA Triathlon Halfmax Long Course and Club National Championships.

So the Redman Triathlon will be an even bigger event next year.

A tease and a musical recommendation...

I am swamped and have many things I need to do today, so must post later regarding the weekend's activities...here are just a few highlights:

1. Saturday - t-boned by another cyclist and jacked up my bike (errrrrr....)
2. Surprise early birthday present from husband - registered for Luna Tri Festival for Sunday (no bling but great tech shirt)
3. Mad dash to find replacement bike for me for event
4. Tri on Sunday (last chance to have 33 on my calf) with strange bike

In the meantime, I would like to provide my most recent obsession. I adore Adele and her album, 19...I love running to these songs, particularly Chasing Pavements, Cold Shoulder and Tired (feels like it somewhat hits on many of my thoughts these days - love it because it feels like I can just run out my life to these lyrics - for me I feel like the IF process has been an insane relationship or like I am getting over a bad break-up, so I like it)...

Anyway, I am fairly sure you will enjoy these musical selections. Adele was 19 when she wrote the album and is a whopping 20 now...(can you tell my birthday is tomorrrow)...all the same, I first heard of her when we were visiting in CO and read about her background...checked her out and have since been forcing others to listen to her...

I do love to run to some of these songs...particularly for interval training...and others for warming up or cooling down...I think it works so well for running in part because in her interview for Chasing Pavements she talks about most of her relationship with her ex she was physically running after him...it provides interesting perspective that there are so many things we should run for and to...and others we just need to let go...

Hometown Glory is just beautiful to me, and it reminds me of this sense of wonder we should have as we think about our hometowns, who you are, how you are defined and what to appreciate...when nephew Fish was just a wee little man of 3 we took him on his first float trip and I will never forget after we pushed off and were just getting started he said "Can you believe how beautiful it is here? We have EVERYTHING!"

Hometown Glory (this is an edited version - oh well)

Chasing Pavements

Cold Shoulder

Tired

Live - Make You Feel My Love

News from the front line...

for now things are quiet, without use of poison or any other toxins it appears we are winning...this is very good news...I did scour the kitchen last night before bed and tossed and turned during the night thinking perhaps there would be a counter strike...but nothing...quiet...nothing...I am hopeful.

As for the ride last night, again it was punishment but I loved it. I flat hit a wall and was thankful that my cycle diva friend was with me and I was able to tuck in behind her and get my speed back. However, after she pulled out the last mile to head back to her house...I was completely dropped and limped my bike back to the car. I know that my real problem here is that I am running on Tuesday and Thursday mornings so my legs are not fresh. Everyone else is doing their first workout for the day and this is my 2nd. The prideful side of me wants to rearrange my morning run schedule so that I am ready to really attack the ride. But this would mean changing my run schedule with Eva Luna and this is her first 1/2 marathon and I don't want to deviate from a proven successful plan with adequate recovery for her first big training. So the other side of me says keep it the same, know that you really push on Tuesdays and Thursdays and just take your endurance licks from this group...be happy in the back and when you do well know that you really did well...and if I fall off a bit, take it, push through and know it is your 2nd session for the day...

The best part is that Wednesdays and Thursdays are rest days on this training session with Eva Luna so instead of getting up and doing yoga which I really should do, I have just been sleeping in till 6:15 or so...and that is nice. Hmmm....sounds like I am just going to stick with this schedule until the days get too short.

Tomorrow we are hosting a TNT (Team in Training) ride and barbecue at our property. This season there are 2 groups: One training for Pacific Grove Tri; and, the other for the Nations Tri. I am so sad that I am not doing either of these events this year. IronGrandma, my tri mentor, is doing the Nations Tri this year...I was going to do it, but then you had to register super early and I was fairly convinced that if I didn't register and remained more "positive" and not "distracted" I would be pregnant and then it would end up being just a big waste of money because I wouldn't be able to do the event...unfortunately, that is the big monster bummer this fall for me...everyone else is gearing up for events and I am...uh, not...

I didn't register for anything because some nameless stranger person made some flippant remark about how my problem was that I assumed failure and I wasn't positive and that I was somehow with my negative thoughts killing the pregnancy possibilities...why do I even listen or react to these statements - I'll tell you why because you are on so many ridiculous hormones and drugs and you are so stressed out that every single little thing impacts you and when you are not getting pregnant you have this horrible feeling that is ultimately somehow exclusively your fault (or at least that is me)...anyway, better days ahead...

So I must swing by the store and pick up supplies for tomorrow (beer, beer, beer, tequila, tequila, chalk paint oh and tequila and beer - you know you want to come) run home mark a course, clean the house, pick up the outside bar, and get everything ready...hopefully the yards are mowed otherwise my tired self will be doing that tonight...oh the madness of it all...like I don't love and adore it!

And there was a great battle...

In the 10 minutes or so before I need to refocus and get back to work let me tell you about my morning. So, El and I meet up with Eva Luna for our run this morning. We decide to take it easy because Eva Luna is getting over vertigo so she hasn't run for 2 days or so. El and I get back to the house and my dear husband ("DH") is cooking in the kitchen and he has only the oven light on. He walks over to the garbage can and says "oh no, the baby left dog food on the ground and ants are on it."

I grab a sponge and head over to investigate and terminate. Sure enough red ants are swarming on the food, I scoop it up, throw it away, pick up the trash can and it seems like there are more and more ants...then they start biting my feet and I can feel more of them coming up my legs. I panic and scream for DH to turn on the light. Instead he says "put down the trash can." I make it over to the dining room light and flip it on...and what do I see...

and more and more in fact a 5 inch thick red ant super highway that goes from the front door through the dining room to the kitchen, swarming, wriggling, pulsating red ants all stuck in an ant manic traffic jam across my house...now I am really freaked out...I run to the kitchen sink and grab the Clean Green and an entire roll of paper towels and start my own nuclear annihilation of these intruders...I can not even begin to explain how many freaking ants were in my house this morning...it was like they were throwing some mad ant rave and I was just some dumb unwitting warehouse owner... So I sprayed and I crushed and I sprayed and wiped and cursed and sprayed and smothered the ant 101...but no that is not enough they were a smart enemy and had also sent scouts to the living room where the baby had been eating crackers on a blanket in front of the television more than likely next to his brother and uncle probably also eating something...yes something crumbly...something cracker...something enticing for man and ANT...because now I see that some of these fire devils had taken an exit from the superhighway and were ALL OVER THE BLANKET...I pick it up and throw it outside...staring breathlessly at the wave of ants underneath the blanket and heading to the couch...so I grab my trusty 6-shooter of Clean Green and start spraying like mad...
started firing away... (Thank you Yosemite...but I really didn't feel like that I felt more like this)

In actuality, that is what I kept chanting to myself to keep my sanity...I am Shiva Lord of Destruction...you will not live here...you will be gone...as I periodically would jump and scream and swat myself because I felt like they were still crawling all over me and biting me...a feeling that I am still struggling with hours later and miles away from the battlefield...now I am just a paranoid mess sitting at work wondering, worrying...are those little buggers back in my house, have they regrouped since this mornings attack...did my message get through...will I come home and find that they have taken poor little Eleanor hostage...will I find some cruel note scrolled by the multiple hands of those ant evil doers that we must leave food out every night or we will never see our baby dog again! So now I must wait...I must trust that the defenses I left in place this morning will hold...and Eleanor, brave Eleanor who ran and burrowed into a pile of laundry this morning for protection and who was still there looking at me when I left like "what the hell was that...and why are they so mean" is okay...I must stay strong...regroup...plan...pray that DH remembers the ant poison on his way home tonight...focus...and then summon my inner because we can not let them win...oh no, we will not let them win...we must struggle on and fight this unholy war to the end...till only one remains (meaning me)...and I have the daddy long legs on my side...I don't know how tough they are in a fight...but I have their support...they are a member in my Coalition of the Willing...and as some guy said "I would rather lose an erection...er...inspection...oh, complexion...no introspection, than lose a war!" Kick ass, baby...the ants must die! Victory albeit slow will be mine...God willing...