Disneyland 10k: Race Report

On the second day in California, I got up at 4:30 a.m. for the 5:30 a.m. race (The Disneyland 10k). I put on my Baymax race day costume that I loved (especially my I'm Not Fast t-shirt)! I was a little bit sore from hitting the parks a little too hard the day before, but I wasn't too concerned. I run 10ks in my training all the time, so I felt ready. I headed to corral D, which was way back from the starting line. But Corral D, only took about 20 minutes to get up to the starting line after the race begun. 

I got a little disheartened because although I never looked at my time, it seemed like I was going really slow! The first mile was taking me forever. And then I rounded a corner, and I saw mile marker 2! I had totally missed the first mile marker! I was relieved, and then disappointed because I wanted a picture of all the mile markers.  But I was super excited to enter Disney's California Adventure (as I had never been there). I ran past Paradise Pier & The Mickey Fun Wheel. And then I entered Carsland! And I was just amazed as I thought I would be. It was like stepping into the movie. I stopped to take a picture with "The King."

I loved the villains theme of the race. There were a lot of great villains on the course. I especially loved the ones from the Song of the South! I'm hoping at upcoming races I'll feel confident enough in my time to stop and meet the characters, but I always get anxiety about standing in line, because I don't want to get swept!

Of course, nothing beats running through Disneyland and the Castle proper! I always linger a little too long in the parks, but I can't help it. Running through them is just magical! 

After leaving Disneyland, I ran through Downtown Disney, and I headed toward the finish line. With all my stopping, I finished the race in about1:49, which I was totally cool with. I never run these races to get good times! It's all about having fun. 

I couldn't believe the next day I would be doing it all over again, running the half-marathon!

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Disneyland 2015: Digital Scrapbooking Pages Part 2

These pages cover my first day in Disneyland. I actually ended up doing a lot of park hopping on this trip, so I've decided to organize my album by park rather than chronologically. These pages are my Disneyland title page, The Diamond Celebration, Minnie & Friends Breakfast (2 pages), Fantasyland rides, The Tiki Room, Blue Bayou, and the Jungle Cruise ride  (combined with Splash Mountain from later on in the trip). Read about the events from these photos here.

Materials Used:
Project Mouse
Tutorial on Extracting Autographs


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Disneyland 2015 Trip Report: Part Two

Is there anything more exciting than waking up and getting ready for your first day in the parks of a Disney trip? I think not! I donned my Mickey shirt and matching custom made 60th celebration ears just for the occasion! So many people asked me where I got my ears while in the parks, so in case you were wondering, I got them from this seller on ETSY.

I have to say main street and the castle were looking pretty spiffy for the Diamond Celebration. Everyone always says Cinderella's Castle in Disney world is more impressive, and it definitely is. But I have a soft spot for Sleeping Beauty's Castle, as it's the first one I ever saw. I find it charming, and pink, and girly in the best way.

First up on the agenda was the Minnie & Friends breakfast at the Plaza Inn on Main street. I love a character breakfast, because one of the things I love most about Disney is meeting characters! And the plaza had such a random assortment of characters!  We met Captain Hook, Eeyore, The Fairy Godmother, Chip, Dale, Tigger, Max, Minnie, and Rafiki!

My two favorite meet and greets were Captain Hook and Dale. Hook was hilarious, I brought up crocodiles and he pretended to be scared. He also kept running off with people's race medals from earlier in the day, pretending to "pirate them." Dale said he couldn't run because of his big tummy, and I said that's how I lost my tummy, so that is why he should run. So I think I accidentally called Dale fat? 

 

 

After breakfast, it was time for our first round of rides! We hit up Small World first. I knew mom would love it, but I didn't know how much. We rode it twice that morning, and a whole bunch  of times the rest of the trip! Next, was the teacups, which was another mom favorite! We didn't spin it though, we were just a long for the ride. I'm too old to enjoy being dizzy anymore.

We did Mr. Toad's Wild Road, which is such a fun dark ride! I mean I find it so funny that during the ride you go to hell, and in the movie that doesn't even happen! We also got our fill of lame jokes, and got to admire the backside of water on the Jungle Cruise. And I rode a long time favorite, Indy. 

It was time for a break. And I got to try out two new Disneyland experiences by having a Dole Whip & enjoying it in The Enchanted Tiki Room. I listen to a lot of Disney podcasts, and they all talk about Dole Whips. So I was excited to try it. I got the Dole Whip Float. And it was sooo good, soo refreshing. I had no clue that citrus and ice cream went so well together.

We took our floats into the Tiki room. I think the Tiki Room is one of those things in life  that is soo cheesy that it becomes cool. It's a fun little show, and honestly I have had that darn song in my head ever since! 

Mom went back to the hotel to take a break, and I went to the Race Expo to pick up my race gear for the 10k and the Half Marathon. I really loved this shirts this year, and I was so excited to collect my Dumbo Double Dare race bib. It was starting to sink in that I would be racing the next two days! 

We went back to Disneyland for dinner. On my first trip to Disneyland, I saw the restaurant Blue Bayou from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. I wanted to eat there. So I made sure I got my reservation for us on this trip, three years later. The atmosphere was so wonderful. We started our meal with refreshing non-alcoholic mint juleps. We split the Jambalaya as an entree, and then had the lemon raspberry creme brulee for a dessert. Everything was as amazing as I imagined it to be.  After the meal, we of course had to go for a spin on the Pirates ride (a true classic). 

I spent a few evening hours in the park by myself. And I certainly don't mind being in the park by myself, especially at night. I rode Pinocchio's Daring Journey for the first time, and I ended up waiting for Peter's Pan flight for 50 minutes! I had to do it though, it is my favorite ride (but probably something I shouldn't have done because it made my legs sore for the 10k the next morning).

I then headed back to the room somewhat early, since I had to get up at 4:30 am the next morning. But not before admiring the castle all lit up for nighttime.

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