Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend

Last Thursday Josh came home from North Dakota. I was so happy he came home...we weren't sure if he was going to be able to come home for the weekend. He had been sick for several days, so we weren't sure if we'd have enough funds for him to fly home. Thankfully we were able to get him home. I told him if he wasn't able to make it, I'd be okay with him not being at the half marathon I was doing, but in the end I was totally relieved he was there!

Friday morning Josh, Nicole, Mom, Robbie and I loaded up the Sequioa for our drive to Anaheim, CA. But when we went to start the Sequioa, it wouldn't start...so we had to give it a jump start. (For some reason the Sequioa has a mind of it's own & decides not to start at the randomest times.) Once we got it started we were on our way. The drive wasn't too bad. Josh & I watched a movie. I felt asleep watching it, like I always do. But I think it was just for a couple minutes. Josh actually fell asleep as well for a little bit, which is NOT a common occurrence for him...

See proof he was actually asleep in the car! I don't mind, he needs as much rest as he can because he works so hard! Normally when he's home I can't get him to stop working! So having him rest was a nice change for him.

We had lunch at Subway. Nicole & I shared a veggie sandwich. After lunch we were on our way again. Next stop Tinkerbell Expo...

We didn't really have a hard time with directions since all of us have GPS mapping on our phones. We drove and parked rather close (at least closer than what I thought we'd park considering all the people there). The expo was at the Disneyland Hotel. 

They have a convention center as well at the hotel, which is nice because it was all just right there. We were guided to walk up a sidewalk then to the black carpet...

We went to the packet pick up area, which was me signing in and getting my number bid...

Here I am signing in. I was so excited, I was shaking.

There's my number! Can you tell I was holding back my excitement tears? 

We then purchased our Disneyland tickets, since it was in this same area. Then we were guided to go upstairs to the main expo...it was packed! This is where I got the rest of my goodies!

See! My super cool running shirt! I can't wait to wear it! We walked around the expo just to see what was there . We found some sandals with good arch support for mom. I found a cute flower to wear in my hair (pics posted later). And we found a fun chalk wall....

Here's the wall...

This is Josh's drawing...(there is a small r in there! I promise)

This is Nicole's...almost done!

There it's done! I loved it! (In fact while I was running the half, I happened to think of this every moment).  We didn't stay at the expo very much longer. It was so crowded and I wasn't too interested in most of the stuff. I figured I can look the information up online from the booklet I received anyway. 

We then left to go check into our hotel. We stayed across the street at the Hilton. It was rather nice, except for the shower...you couldn't get it to set on a comfortable hot or cold! When you adjusted it, it was either really hot or super cold. So our showers were really quick...I was happy to know that ours wasn't the only one. I told my mom about what was going on & she said hers was the same! So apparently Hilton has some water issues!!!

This is the outside corner of the hotel. The entrance is to the left and the huge parking garage is to the right (like anyone really cares).

That night for dinner we didn't know what we were going to do. So we just started to drive. Ironically, we ended up driving a couple miles, but only ended up a block from our hotel at Bubba Gump's. (So much for planning). It was good, I had lots of shrimp...so much that I don't want to eat shrimp again for a long time!

Josh & I at our outside table at Bubba Gump...I know cheesy, but we don't take random pictures like this together.  

After dinner we went back to the hotel. Nicole & I went wondering around the hotel just to see what was there. Josh laid down and watched tv. We found lots of stuff, but ended back at our room just in time to watch the fireworks at Disneyland....

After the fireworks I think I fell asleep. I felt really tired because I was emotionally drain from the excitement.

The next day was just a take it easy kinda day. We didn't really have much planned for the day because I needed to take it easy and prepare for the run. We walked across the street to eat breakfast at IHOP. It was typical IHOP....nothing exciting, except for the people sitting behind me that kept bumping into me. I never received an excuse me or an I'm sorry. They knew they kept bumping me too! Oh well, I guess some people just don't know what manners are anymore!

After breakfast we went and got the car to drive the route I'd be running. I wanted to have a visual of where I would be. It was a nice drive. I figured out I'd be running up two hills, which wasn't too bad because they were at the beginning...

When we were done driving we tried to find a grocery store. Who knew trying to find a grocery store would be so difficult? Mom dropped Josh, Nicole & I off at Best Buy so Josh could buy a new phone case, while she went to find a grocery store. The grocery store ended up being across the street from where we were...go figure!

We then went back to the hotel. I was starving so we heated up the spaghetti we had made and brought with us. It was yummy. Needed to fill up on my carbs for the next day...after dinner was cleaned up I watched tv for a little bit then decided I had better try to get some sleep since I had to wake up at 3:00. That's 3:00 in the morning!!! Unfortunately I was having a hard time falling asleep so I asked my mom if she had any PM pills. Of course she didn't! Of all times when she goes out of town she doesn't have it, when normally she does. So we went down to the lobby to see if there was anything...I found some for $11.00! That sucks! But I needed it and it worked!!!!

Half Marathon Day!!!!

3:00 AM wake up! Oh my goodness! I think I was just filled with excitement and nerves to even notice how early it was. I got dressed in my running clothes Josh bought for me. I also ate a bagel...then it was time to walk over to the starting area across the street.

Organization was fabulous. Finding where I needed to go was pretty easy. So off I went to corral E, all by myself. I have to admit, being by myself was the hardest part of the entire run. I normally do runs with someone else, but this one was only me! Nobody else was able to do it...

Me all alone...cute outfit & a flower of course!

Again me alone...my mom said she felt like she was sending her kindergartener off to school on this first day all over again. Yes, I was nervous and unsure, just like a child would feel starting something new and feeling unsure about what they were doing...

That's me in the yellow surrounded only by 13,999 other participants. Lots if people were dressed up as Disney characters, I didn't feel I could run that far and enjoy the overall experience if I had on the added stuff. But I felt good with my choice and my cute flower added at the last minute.

This is when my corral started toward the start line. To me it felt like it took forever to get started, but it was actually like 5:25! Once I started I hit my iPod to start my music & pacer. I was fine until I heard the pacer say my miles, it was off quite a bit compared to what the mile markers for the run said. When I heard that I just focused on my surroundings and just bring there and being able to actual do what I was doing! 

Running around and through the Disney parks was wonderful! Music was playing, lights were on the rides I ran past. The World of Color fountains were going too (it was rather beautiful). Characters were out for people to stop and take pictures with. I wasn't interested in stopping for that! I did make one stop to go potty just as I was leaving California Adventure. After that, I just kept going. Leaving the Disneyland area was at about mile 6. Once out on the streets of Anaheim I just focused on moving forward. People were lined up on the streets holding signs showing support. I loved that! There were cheerleaders & marching bands (well they weren't marching then) playing music for the runners. Oh, I forgot to mention...lining the course in front of the Disney hotel were a ton of Red Hat Society ladies....one lady had Downs Syndrome, she gave me a high 5! I loved that! Again, I just kept going...one foot in front of the other. At about mile 10.5, I felt myself start struggling. I had to push myself. I slowed my pace a little listening to my body and what was going on. At one point I had to just walk as fast as I could. For the last mile and a half I jogged and walked. My legs felt like they were burning off! I mentioned two hills earlier, nope there was a hidden hill in the park I had to do twice! The second time I had to do that hill was at mile 12! I pushed as hard as I could to run up that hill again, I made it 3/4 of the way up before I had to walk again. From there on I did a run/walk combination. Once I saw the 13 mile sign, I took off running as fast as I could! I know I was running fast because I passed tons of people! I didn't even see Mickey Mouse who was at the finish line. I did see Chip & Dale though! My final time was 2:53:10!

Not as good as I expected, but 8 minutes faster than the last half marathon I did a few years ago. I was just proud I did it, finished it, and all by myself!

When I finished I didn't know where  my family was, so I had to tell them (by text) I was done. Josh found me and came to help me. He gave me a hug & was proud of me, I shed a little victory (proud of myself) tear...I remember walking a little and feeling lightheaded and felt like I was going to pass out. Then Nicole started giving me my food and nutrients they were handing out... I took off my shoes and socks because my toes were burning and put my flip flops on. I also took off my soaking wet shirt & put on my jacket to keep warm (I always get really cold when I'm done running a long way). We then took several pics...of course the one above with my medal and several others.

This is one of my favorites...I love my family so much! Just wish the other kids were there with us... I do know the kids were thinking about me though because I got a text from them while I was running. I happened to know that because I had to adjust my armband (I refuse to text while I'm focused on my running time). It made me happy when I saw that. 

After pictures, we walked back to the hotel. It was a hard walk. My toes were hurting so bad...I couldn't wait to get into the Epsom salt bath. But when we went to start the bath in our room, the plug wouldn't work! So I went into my moms room (the bathtub) to sit and soak! It felt so good! I then started the shower to wash my hair. It took some time to get finished and get ready. I also ate a sandwich. I happened to be starving by that time....

Then it was Disneyland time! We walked there. Remember we were across the street...

I wore my fabulous medal all day!!!

Hahaha...Nicole's mouth wide open cracks me up! See that blinging medal? It showed up on Screaming with a big thumbs up!

We were in line to try out a ride we'd never been on before...I was so tired! But I didn't want to stop because I knew if I did I wouldn't be able to go again.

There's my medal again...I look like I'm picking my teeth with it! Hahaha....

There's Colie and I waiting...

I can't remember what this ride is called, but I'm sure it would be fun if we knew the right way to operate it!

Of course we couldn't miss our traditional spot we HAVE to get a picture at every time we go...hahaha poor Josh! Of course the medal had to make it's appearance!

We're a couple goof balls! Nicole's eyes crack me up!

Normally I don't really care about getting pictures with characters, but this time we saw Mickey and his line wasn't crazy long. In fact we were one of the last because they closed the line behind us...

While Nicole & I were in line to see Mickey, my mom sat on a bench...the parade happened to be starting shortly so we just stayed there! Bench was perfect viewing...

Of course I had to get my favorite princess in there!

And Tinkerbell...afterall her half marathon was the reason we were there! 

When the parade was over we decided to try to get on a few more rides. The park was packed, so we were attempting. We were able to get onto Buzz Lightyear...

Mom decided to go back to the hotel after this. I don't blame her, I was getting tired too, but I wasn't quite ready to call it quits!

Josh's shirt cracks me up! He really is always grumpy because he's tired. But this trip he wasn't grumpy at all! People kept asking him where he got his shirt too! (I tend to get annoyed when people ask me that question, because it isn't like they're going to go buy it anytime soon!)

Our other must take pic place...

My Minnie Mouse ears did make an appearance. The medal couldn't get all the attention...

Hahaha...Breanne made a visit to us,via FaceTime, while we were waiting in line for food! I guess I was tired or mid blink!

Soup bowls...that's what's for dinner. Nowhere to sit, so pull up a wall!

Then it was finally time to use our fast passes for Tower of Terror. Funny thing I told my mom I wanted to ride it when it was dark...so it so happened that is when our time to ride was...

This makes me laugh because Nicole was there...on the left, behind Josh's right arm!

We zoomed in on us...Josh has gum in his mouth!!! Hahaha... After Tower, Robbie called it quits! 

Oh and Nicole finally got Mickey ears....

We decided we still had some time before the World of Color show, so we went on the Soaring ride. That was a bit more than I could take...when we got off I couldn't  last much longer. We would still have an hour to stand to wait for the show. By this time I was getting really tired. We all agreed we were satisfied with that we had done for the day. So we decided to go back to the hotel and not wait for the show. More walking...but before we left, we stopped for a treat! Josh & I got an ice cream cone and Nicole got a Carmel Apple. We walked back to the hotel enjoying our treats!

When we got to our room, the fireworks were just starting so we sat on Nicole's bed & enjoyed them once again....

It was a fun weekend. I would definitely want to do it all over again! Maybe one day I will run it again and have my girls at my side...or maybe even have my entire family there cheering "Go Granny Go!"