DisneyLAND bound!!

[littlegreydonkey]

Hi Cam -no I just bought mine direct from the official site, I'm a suspicious little thing re online trading..... Helen

 

[Maherae]

59 DAYS!!!​

 

[lap3]

59 DAYS!!!​

Woohoo! I can't wait!!! BTW, how's everyone's training going?

 

[littlegreydonkey]

Training going okay - I'll get up to 2 hours running over the weekend, which might sound a lot for 59 days out, but I'm actually training a lot less than I would normally for a half (not that this makes me go any faster, it just means that the 2+ hours I'm out there don't hurt as much).

And wow, talk about service - my tickets have arrived already. I only ordered them Tuesday and they've had to come half way across the world. Getting very excited now. Helen

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone! Glad to hear everyone is training and getting psyched!

I have been pretty good about sticking to the training plan, though I flipped last week's 3 mile LW with this week's 6 miles because we are doing a 5K tomorrow. SO, I did the 6 miles last Saturday and the 3 will be tomorrow.

Next Saturday will be 7 miles, which will be very difficult because we will be away and I don't expect to be able to fit that LW in. We will be walking around Busch Gardens and Water Country USA all weekend, but I really don't want to count on that in place of training. I am going to really have to figure this out in the next several days.

In the meantime, I am very frustrated about everything that WON'T be going on at DL. HM will be closed for holiday fitout, and I think Matterhorn is closed too. Fantasmic is only Friday and Saturday and Sunday nights, I believe. And Aladdin is not playing at all. IF all of that is true, I am disappointed to miss all those things. Maybe the schedule will change by the time we get there.

 

[msblrobs]

I have been pretty good about sticking to the training plan, though I flipped last week's 3 mile LW with this week's 6 miles because we are doing a 5K tomorrow. SO, I did the 6 miles last Saturday and the 3 will be tomorrow.

Best of luck to you and Howard on the 5K tomorrow!!

In the meantime, I am very frustrated about everything that WON'T be going on at DL. HM will be closed for holiday fitout, and I think Matterhorn is closed too. Fantasmic is only Friday and Saturday and Sunday nights, I believe. And Aladdin is not playing at all. IF all of that is true, I am disappointed to miss all those things. Maybe the schedule will change by the time we get there.

It'll still be magical just the same. Since you've never been to DL, you'll be so amazed in all of the differences you won't even miss the closures. It's also an excuse to HAVE to go back. Being a WDW expert myself, it was wonderful to see DL for the first time and not really know the "ins and outs." You'll have a blast, especially since you're at the Grand Californian!!

Helen - Glad to hear training is going well and your tickets have arrived.

Anne - Thanks so much for the countdown!! I am way too excited.

Since I am not really training for this event, my mileage has been on par with my schedule for a full marathon in October. Staying injury free is my main concern.

I hope training is going well for everyone with only 8 weeks left!!

Where's Lily with the WISH team cheer? Okay, at the risk of sounding like a total geek (old-timers don't laugh), I will admit to chanting the WISH team cheer to my girls this morning. THUNDER, THUNDER, THUNDERATION...
We had ordered matching lime green shirts for WDW in January when we're going to be the scream team for DH during the 1/2 and I was explaining to DD5 why the shirts are lime green.

I can't wait to see my WISH friends again Be well.

 

[Maherae]

Hello, Teammates!!
After seeing all of these great count down tickers, I made myself investigate further..and got one for us! Pat has it on the first page of this thread so we'll know right where to go to see how many days left...if you need to!
I ordered a Guide to Disneyland 2006 book that arrive yesterday. DH last visited DL in 1997 and my last visit was in 1979..so figured it was best to get updated!! Already disappointed though, as Napolini's is not even mentioned in this 2006 edition!! Had to go to the DL website to reassure myself!! It does say that it's the newest restaurant, so maybe that accounts for the guide's non knowledge!
Helen, great job on your training
Cam, as Sara says, you'll have a great time cause you'll be with your family in DL, regardless of what's not open. That will just leave more time to enjoy those things that ARE open!
Sara It cracks me up that DL is part of your training plan for your marathon in October!! You go, girl!!
Keep on getting that training in! It really will be here before we know it! Anne

 

[WDWFAN9]

Hi Team!

My training is going well. Tomorrow I have a 10m LW as part of week 11 preparation for the Chicago Distance Classic. The CDC has a very generous 4 hr time limit, and I intend to use most of it, as my main focus is preparing for DL and that beautiful castle medal.

Cam, I ordered our tickets online directly from Disneyland, $169ea for a 4 day hopper bonus pass, that included tax and shipping. We also got a coupon for 10% off $50 purchase or 20% off $100 purchase. I won't have a problem spending that!! I am still debating if the Fantasmic dessert buffet is worth the $$$.

Keep up the good work everyone, and I'll see ya real soon (insert best Mickey Mouse voice!)

 

[keenercam]

My training is going well. Tomorrow I have a 10m LW as part of week 11 preparation for the Chicago Distance Classic. The CDC has a very generous 4 hr time limit, and I intend to use most of it, as my main focus is preparing for DL and that beautiful castle medal.

I am still so sad I can't do the CDC, but it is DD17's last weekend home before colleg and I just couldn't justify the cost right before DL.

Cam, I ordered our tickets online directly from Disneyland, $169ea for a 4 day hopper bonus pass, that included tax and shipping. We also got a coupon for 10% off $50 purchase or 20% off $100 purchase. I won't have a problem spending that!! I am still debating if the Fantasmic dessert buffet is worth the $$$.

I think we are going to go with the ticket source recommended on mousesavers. We end up getting a 5 day hopper with one bonus for $173, I believe and we have figured we will really need to be in the parks the weekend of the 1/2 because some stuff won't be going on come Monday. There is a $10 shipping charge, but that still makes the effective cost of 5 day hoppers less than $180 each.

 

[thndrmatt]

For all those of you who think its too late to get really serious about this race...

Can you run 2 miles twice during the week, and run a long run of 4 miles on the weekend? Have you been doing close to that for at least a few weeks?

Then try this plan out:
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-51-55-0-2197-3-1X3X6X8-5,00.html

It's a beginner's half marathon plan that starts with exactly the workouts I just mentioned, slowly increasing distance as it goes. It's 8 weeks long so that's right, if you start it on Monday (which happens to be a day of rest, so Tuesday) then it will culminate with the Disneyland Half Marathon right on schedule!

The longest run you'll do is 10 miles late in the program, which is a great mental accomplishment for those who haven't made it that far yet. I've completed a half once before, but have gained a bit of weight since, so I'm using this plan to try to beat my previous time. By the way since I'm forced to do PT three times a week I just changed the long run to Monday, which puts the shorter runs on Wed and Fri. Feel free to move the week forward or backward at the beginning to fit your schedule! It might alter your final week a bit but that's pretty flexible with the days of rest.

For those who are especially motivated, if you follow up the Disneyland half by jumping right into the beginner's marathon training schedule on the same site, you'll time it perfectly for the Disneyworld marathon. That's my goal anyway!

Good luck for the final 8 weeks everyone! I'll certainly be out there!

 

[littlegreydonkey]

H Cam - I go tthe 5 day hopper for the DL site for $179, with the money off voucher and it has an early entry too - just so you have options. Helen

 

[wfloyd]

I saw on the Disneyland site that they are supposed to send out packets sometime. Has anyone gotten one yet or heard when they might be arriving?

 

[keenercam]

H Cam - I go tthe 5 day hopper for the DL site for $179, with the money off voucher and it has an early entry too - just so you have options. Helen

Thanks, Helen! I just looked again and found that option. I couldn't find it before. It comes out to only $5 more than ARES total, but with the coupon that is included, I am sure that will more than make up the difference. Thanks again!

 

[WDWFAN9]

Oh, I am jealous of those of you with 5 days in the parks. DH and I will only have Thurs-Sun. We fly home early on Monday, so we won't even be able to wear our medals in the parks other than Sunday.

I guess I should add (before you all feel SO sorry for me) that DH and I are flying into Vegas on the 4th (staying a couple of nights at the Orleans for free) and then heading to Bryce and Zion National Parks for some hiking. Then we head back to Vegas for one more night, then off to CA and Sequoia National Park for a couple of nights before heading to DL and the Candy Cane Inn. I would have much preferred to do DL at the beginning of our vacation, but DH couldn't get time off, so......we will just have to make this work!!

I think someone had mentioned they were going to be in Vegas before DL too, if so...there is a Disney outlet at one of the discount malls, full of DisneyLAND items. On our last trip to Vegas I was able to get some pretty good DL bargains. And speaking of bargains, our Dollar car rental has gone down in price twice since DH booked it online, saving us $50 - if you rented a car online you should see if the same thing can happen for you.

I am looking forward to seeing you all soon

 

[DianeL]

I saw on the Disneyland site that they are supposed to send out packets sometime. Has anyone gotten one yet or heard when they might be arriving?

Not here but I'm expecting them to arrive soon. For January they were suppose to be mailed sometime between the 1st and mid Nov, I wish I wrote down the date I received mine back then but I think it was somewhere in the teens. So that is like a month and a half. I would think our Sept packets are due anytime. I don't know if they listed a ship date for WDW last year on the site but I am checking daily to see if they make an announcement. I can't wait to know my bib #

I fully expect whoever receives their packets to post IMMEDIATELY!!!! Do not stop to answer the phone, make dinner or take out the trash. We MUST have our priorities!!!!

 

[TiffJ]

7 weeks and 2 days until I head to the left coast

I forgot about receiving the packet ! I hope we get it soon!

Pat-that sounds like a great trip! I love Vegas.

 

[Kristi1357]

I just got a newsletter from the DL marathon. In part of it is this, so we should get packets really soon:

Inaugural Program
The Happiest Race on Earth Commemorative Inaugural Program will be mailed shortly! With all of the need-to-know race information, from the Expo to the Awards Ceremony & Runner Celebration, the program will preview the magic that awaits you. To ensure you receive your program …

 

[AprilN]

I was also excited to read in today's newsletter that there will be a food stop during the race! According to the email:

Clif will be providing Gel Shots on course at Food Stop #1, located at Mile Marker #9, as well as offering Builder Bars for runners at the Finish Line.

Assuming I can stand the taste of the Gel (fingers crossed), I'm so glad to hear that hopefully I won't have to carry food during the Half!

 

[debm]

I got the newsletter too. I'm getting so excited! I don't think I could stand to eat though---will I really want food at Mile 9? But if you have never eaten the Gel Shots I would not recommend doing it for the first time the day of the race, or during it. I eat a specific energy bar before I exercise but I know to eat it about 20 minutes prior to because I usually have to get a drink and go to the bathroom after it. You never know how your body will react. Keep an eye out for those packets!!

 

[getnthinr]

If you've never tried it before, I'd also encourage you to sign up for the live runner tracking during the event. Basically you give them a runner's name and an email address or cellphone or pager number and when the runner's chip is read along the course, the times are automatically sent to the recipient.

I used it during the half and marathon last year to let my family know how I was doing on race day. Be aware that a confirmation is sent to the email/phone/pager and the recipient has to confirm the request from that email/phone before race day to get the messages.

It was cool for my family -- and cool for me to see those emails with all my stats at work and at home when I returned.

Getting excited now!