I did it and it was awesome!
I spent WAY too much time being nervous and worried about this one! What a blast Dan and I had!
We woke up at an awful time like 4am Sunday morning (Sunday the 2nd, I know, I’m really behind!) and got ready. I got dressed and put my hair in a super tight ponytail and filled my SpiBelt with my phone, room key and Gu. I wasn’t hungry but I had a Larabar anyways. Then we were out the door!
Because Dan and I were staying at the Disneyland Hotel the following week for a family reunion (with a nice, overpriced view), we decided to slum it for the half marathon weekend and stayed at the Anaheim Super 8. It took us about 10 minutes to walk to the race which was nice. It was still dark out and police were out, just starting to shut down streets for the run.
We arrived and walked by the finish line. I couldn’t wait to run right through it! We followed signs to our corral, which was in the back half of the race. I think we were in the second or third to last corral.
And so we jumped in our corral, along with 17,000 of our new running friends. Runners as far as the eye can see!
At this point, I have typical runner worries: Getting burnt out too soon, walking too much, getting a blister or foot pain or any pain of some sort. Dan and I chatted and before we knew it, we were inching forward!
Approaching the start line!
This is happening! I was so excited and nervous, I felt like I’d just drank 3 Red Bulls! I waited YEARS to do this! I first heard about a chance to run through Disneyland years ago, but knew I had no chance being so overweight. And after my stress fracture from walking most of the Seattle Rock n Roll Half Marathon, I pretty much shelved the idea for what seemed like forever.
But we were off! Dan took off and I tried to fall into a groove, a comfy pace I could maintain. It was PACKED and I did a lot of dodging around walkers and joggers. A few minutes later I was running comfortably, sometimes getting passed, sometimes doing the passing.
The first mile and a half was on the berm of California Adventure. Just through the empty streets of Anaheim. The weather was great; cool and no humidity. I got really excited as we approached the backstage entrance to California Adventure and had trouble maintaining my pace because I was so excited!
They brought out parade floats that people could take pictures with!
There were employees everywhere offering smiles and high fives. It put me in a great mood. We ran past ride cars, decorations and more parade floats before approaching the actual park and leaving the backstage area.
I got a kick out of this sign. There was also an employee yelling, “what kind of a parade is this?!”
All the rides were up and running, including the World of COlor water show!
This was also my first look at the newest expansion to California Adventure, Cars Land!
Sometimes it got a little slow because so many people wanted to stop and take pictures. Which makes sense, I mean how often do you get to run through a Disney park?! We ran past A Bug’s Land and Tower of Terror and the new Buena Vista Street, and then through a parade gate where we ran back stage as we approached DISNEYLAND.
I just knew this was going to be awesome and I wasn’t let down. We ran backstage along main street, behind City Hall, and emerged through the gates by the fire station. And then I was in Disneyland, running with a stupid smile on my face, but it was ok because thousands of other people knew exactly how I felt!
We ran down Main Street and through Adventureland and Fantasyland. Then we got to run through the castle! They had a photographer stationed to take your picture, so when Dan and I get a look at those maybe I will post them. After that we ran through Tomorrowland and then backstage where we saw all sorts of interesting things. Halloween Decorations, giant hangars with parade floats, and a giant corral called Circle D Ranch, where all the Disney horses are kept!
After that, we exited the Disney parks, and I had about 9.1 miles to go. I was in great spirits though, and I did not feel like I’d just ran 4 miles!
Miles 4-6 weren’t super interesting. We ran through the streets of Anaheim and had plenty of entertainment. High school bands, dance teams, cheerleaders and choirs cheered us on and entertained us. Other groups and clubs were there too, and we even ran through a vintage car show!
Polynesian dancers, some of our many entertainers
I should also mention that we essentially zig-zagged up and down 3-4 blocks. For all the east straightaways, we were running directly into the rising sun. It was SO bright I just stared at my feet for 2 miles!! Might need to look into some shades to wear for running!
I’m still feeling really good! I had a Gu and it made me painfully thirsty, but there was a water station about 10 minutes later. I never did have my second Gu just because I didn’t want to deal with the thirst. Also, this is the only race where I took advantage of nearly every water station! I got a water right away and a Gaterade at the end. Worked out well and I didn’t feel too thirsty! My feet didn’t even feel too tired but my hip felt just a touch sore and I knew it would stiffen up later that day.
Around 8 miles we ran past Honda Center. Go Ducks!
My favorite part about this run was getting to run through Angel Stadium. The approach wasn’t great following Honda Center, we ran along a dried riverbed on a dirt path, so lots of dust and dirt got kicked up. But at mile 9 we reached the stadium!
Again, it was hard to keep my pace because I was so pumped up!
Once inside we ran around the diamond and got high fives from boy and girl scouts and other spectators. This pictures didn’t turn out great but hey, I was trying to run!
We even ran past a camera that put our pictures on the jumbotron! I think I did see myself go by but I’m not 100% sure. I wore my race participant tee shirt along with thousands of others, so I didn’t particularly stand out!
After running under the jumbotron and out the stadium, we were back on the streets on Anaheim and passed a Mile 10 sign. 3.1 to go!
I am still in awe of all the volunteers that kept us entertained, made signs, danced, sand, made music, handed out water cups etc!
These cheerleaders had some funny Disney cheers to keep us running
I hit Mile 11 and started losing steam. On the one hand I was disappointed in myself for being SO close to the end (2.1 to go!) and feeling so drained and ready to take a break, but on the other hand I was very happy I made it this far without feeling burned out. I took a 20 second walk break through a water station and kept on trucking, though my pace was much slower.
I reached Mile 12 and took another 20 second walking break, ran some more and then ANOTHER 20 second walking break. I was fading fast, but I was so close to being done! I felt hungry and a little tired from not enough sleep.
Back to running though, and soon enough I hit the 13 mile sign!! .1 miles to go!!!!
I ran my little heart out and crossed the finish line. I did it! DIsneyland half was down in the books and I felt amazing! Not TOO tired, not in pain, not dying of thirst. I felt amazing!
I got my medal and walked through the finisher’s chute, where they give you water, gatorade, a banana etc. Once I made it past there, I found Dan right away. We hugged and high fived. Got our picture taken and went out to get some space from the crowds.
WOOHOO!!!!!!
And now the question I’ve been texted the most: What was my time?
My time was 2:43:48!
I am ECSTATIC about this! Originally, I wanted my goal to be 2:30, and my elite, take-no-prisoners goal to be 2:23 (an hour under my Seattle half time). But due to the heat and humidity of Tokyo’s summer, I didn’t train as much as I had hoped, and decided I’d be happy with anything under 3 hours. So to exceed my expectations by over 16 minutes left me buzzing with pride! Dan finished in 2 hours and 1 minute and some-odd seconds which was also fantastic!
Our run mapped out!
