Half Marathon Week...13.1 miles and 60 pounds later!

[cannp123165]

Great TR so far! Congratulations on the half marathon!

 

[RENThead09]

Thanks for the comments. It has been fun doing this. I went into it thinking I would update everyday from the hotel, but there isn’t enough time to do that. Sorry it has taken a while to get this done, but we are on the home stretch and these are the final 2 posts. YEAH!

I wish I could put some of the great pics that I have from my PhotoPass on here. The day of the Half, I used the Photo pass to get pic with my medal around the parks and with the characters. They were all great about interacting with my medal and really made it special. And actually, all the CM’s that saw the medal or my shirt were great with their comments. I did not wear the medal within the park, just kept it in my bag and pulled it out for photo ops. Maybe next year when I have my coast to coast medal.

OK, on to the pics!

Up at 3:30. I do not do mornings well at all. I had a wake up call, my cell phone alarm, and the alarm clock in the room set to make sure that I got up.
Was out of the room and on the street about 4:15. I decided to walk over there as a warmup/stretch.
Left the Super 8

Walked down Harbor

Through the transportation hub

Across the promenade

Past the Finish line

And to the starting area

Sorry, no pics from the race. But I would like to share a few things that I learned:
1…Bring a camera and take pictures. Even if you are running by yourself, there are CMs there to take the pic for you. BRING A CAMERA!
2…Use the pace groups. I ran a time that I didn’t think I could with their help and encouragement. They keep the pace even and make it fun. You have your own little team. I felt good at the end and did not feel bad leaving the pace group to go ahead. My only regret is I never got a chance to say thank you to our leader.
3…Bring a camera. Did I mention this yet. Kickin my butt for this one.
4…Have fun. I was a little stressed about the race and probably did not enjoy it as much as I could have. It was my first and I put a lot of pressure on myself as it was my ultimate goal in my training (until the following week when I signed up for the WDW Marathon in January).
5…use the band and cheerleaders to your advantage. The first half of the race I saw people high five them and cheer and stuff and all I could think of was Left Right Left Right Left Right. The second half I started cheering for the bands and especially the colorguards (I taught guard for 15 years). This made them cheer more and since you name in on your bib, they cheer with you name. It is a HUGE motivation to hear you name throughout the run. Do use them to your advantage!
6…Walk through the water areas. I learned this from my pace group and I will use it to help me with the marathon. It gives you a nice break and refreshes you for the next mile or two. Pick up your water about half way through the stop to avoid the chaos of everyone who is trying to get the first cup of water or powerade.

7…BRING A CAMERA!!!!!!!!!

After the race, headed back to the hotel.
Checked out the finish line area on the way.

Got my picture taken At Harbor and Disney Way.

Headed over to Fire and Ice for my celebration brunch.

No picture of my omlette, cause all the good stuff was inside. But had some incredible chicken and veggies with a mandarin sauce. Mmmmmmm.

After a short rest, it was over to DCA for a little TSMM. (gosh darn cat)

On the way, saw HSM3. Isn’t it about time for this to move on. Not sure what they can bring in next, but there seem to be no crowds for the show. At least if people are watching, they aren’t on the attractions that I am going on.

Looks like someone forgot to put away one of the stages from the half that the characters were on. Oops!

Over to Disneyland…
Loved to see characters that aren’t around every day!

Caught the second show of Celebrate!

Got me a corn on the cob, a chili cheese dog, a 32 oz diet coke and settled down for a Magical end to the day.

I was so excited that I had the perfect picture set up, but only one of Mickey’s ears showed up! HAHAHAHA but it was still a magical day all around!

 

[RENThead09]

Random pictures from Labor Day

Thanks for letting me share me week with you. For those of you that are participating in the upcoming races…have fun! And if you are ever in doubt…Just Do It! See ya on the streets.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Renthead09, cool report! Thanks for posting. You are inspiring me to look into this some more. I suck at running though. And I get a lot of blisters. Any suggestions for people like me? I broke a couple of toes a few years ago and since then, I can't wear enclosed shoes for extended periods of time because I get blisters in places I never did before. An orthopedic surgeon told me that the way you bear weight changes completely once you break your toes.

 

[geaux_half]

1…Bring a camera and take pictures. Even if you are running by yourself, there are CMs there to take the pic for you. BRING A CAMERA!
3…Bring a camera. Did I mention this yet. Kickin my butt for this one.
7…BRING A CAMERA!!!!!!!!!

Have you seen that a "Specially themed KODAK single use camera" is part of the marathon package this year? I sweat so much when running that I wouldn't want to carry anything that could possibly get waterlogged so that works out great for me.

 

[RENThead09]

Renthead09, cool report! Thanks for posting. You are inspiring me to look into this some more. I suck at running though. And I get a lot of blisters. Any suggestions for people like me? I broke a couple of toes a few years ago and since then, I can't wear enclosed shoes for extended periods of time because I get blisters in places I never did before. An orthopedic surgeon told me that the way you bear weight changes completely once you break your toes.

Not sure about the blister issue. This is the time where I am suppose to admit I work for the #1 sports footwear and apparel company in the world, but not sure that will help me with am answer! In all honestly, different companies build their shoes on different lasts. So I would try to see what brand feel best for you. There are sandals out there that have a straps that cover most of the foot, but not sure about the support and cushioning that you would need.

I hope that you find something that works. And that whole "I suck at running"...I hear ya. I NEVER ran a lick in my whole life before that day (not counting back in HS for gym class or tennis practice). I just decided one day that it was time. I started by walking, then wogging (walk and jog) and now I kinda run (10-11 min mile pace). But it feels good to me and it is what my body likes. The people that are running 6 min mile...congrats! The people that are walking the distances...congrats! Do what is right for you!

Even if you can get in one day of "running" and do you others on an eliptical or something. Find what you like. I HATE lifting weights. I feel awkward and geeky and all out place and have flashbacks to being in HS with acne and braces and all the cool jocks are in the weightroom lifting all their weights and I am struggling with just the bar. So I will force myself to do it once in a while, but it is just not my thing.

Keep us informed. I would love to join a group of people from the board for the 5K! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

 

[RENThead09]

Have you seen that a "Specially themed KODAK single use camera" is part of the marathon package this year? I sweat so much when running that I wouldn't want to carry anything that could possibly get waterlogged so that works out great for me.

I will definitely have to check that out. That would be perfect. I was acutally going to try to get my old digital camera working, but this will be MUCH better (even if I will have to wait to get my pictures). I train on my longer runs with a water belt, but did not use it for the half. I would like to do the full without it and have been studying the map to get an idea of the waterstop locations, but it would be nice to have it for no other reason then a camera holder!

Thanks for the info and good luck with your runs! That is amazing!

 

[Hawleys]

Hey RENThead09. Congrats on the half marathon! You are an inspiration. I like your idea of getting a group to run the 5k. When is the race?

 

[RENThead09]

Hey RENThead09. Congrats on the half marathon! You are an inspiration. I like your idea of getting a group to run the 5k. When is the race?

I belive it is september 4th for the 5K and september 5th for the half. I am working on getting a bunch of people from work to do the half next year. It would be great to meet up for the 5K with a group from the boards. I work for the worlds top sporting apparel and footwear company, and I have been bugging the people at our store in OC that they need to run next year and have some pre-race weekend runs at their store. I will share that info if we can make it happen.

Have a great weekend everyone! I am off to Disneyland tomorrow. Just have to figure out when to get a 9 mile training run in this weekend. Guess I can worry about that after the Angels game tomorrow! Woo Hoo!

 

[mickey&arielsmom]

Congratulations! I loved reading your report and looking at the pictures. My friend and I are planning on doing the half marathon next year. I have a couple of questions for you.
Did anyone walk the marathon? I am not a runner, but love to walk and feel like I would enjoy walking it so much more.
How long did you train from the very beginning to the actual marathon day?
Thanks for sharing your story! It was inspiring and fun to read.

 

[emememem]

Great Trip Report. We did this race too as part of the Coast to Coast. Did the Disney half and the Princess...I really liked the course at Disneyland, kept my interest. This was the 1st race I didnt carry my camera, I regret it too. I had my Iphone but found it too cumbersome to use. Keep up the great work..See ya at Disney...I'm volunteering for the full, DH is running.