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(2016)
"Dumbo Double Dare Challenge"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

I registered for the Disneyland Half Dumbo Doubledare Challenge pretty early on. I knew several other of my Twitter buddies were running it and had recommended it, and so I signed up. If I'm being transparent, I would NOT have signed up if I had done so after running the Tinkerbell Half. Since I signed up BEFORE I ran it, I was committed.

I made the drive to California alone, like most of my racecations, and it was a good time. I like the serenity and decompression that can allow. Sometimes I get sleepy while driving, but that's what the Starbucks parking lot is for... 30 minute nap and a double shot.

When I arrived to Anaheim, I was early. I chose to check in, and then walk to the Disneyland Hotel for packet pickup. I arrived Friday just after it opened, which meant there was quite a line. Surprisingly, despite being about person 500, I was in and printing my release form in about five minutes. After printing my form, I made it to the pickup line, and was about 15th in line. However, it took about 30 minutes here. The cast members were quick, but for many people, they didn't know what they needed, had questions, etc. But honestly, it's Disneyland... expect to wait and enjoy the moment.

After getting my bib, I headed inside for my swag bag and to check out the expo. I was so saddened at the lack of dude stuff at the Tinkerbell Half, that I decided if I could find things this time, I was going to spend the ridiculous money and make it part of the experience. I didn't have to wait at all for my swag bag and shirts, and so I set out to shop. I found a cool New Balance tank with the Dumbo feather and FLY on the front... copped it. I went to the official mercy tent, and found a new Star Wars shirt... copped it. And then I started my collection of Disney pins... little pins that looked like the race medals. Pretty stinking cool, although the prices were typically Disney.

I then had the afternoon to do nothing, so I walked my goodies back to the hotel, and then ran back to the park. I spent the day at the parks (hurray for single rider lines at Cars), and completely carbloaded (even though I only had the 5k on Saturday). I got in a total of 9 miles that day... and also saw the new Star Ward world they are building... I really need that to open.

I got up at 4:30 Saturday and chose to walk to the starting line. I sty right next to a Starbucks that opens at 4, and wanted the two mile warmup. I arrived to the starting line which was surprisingly easy to navigate compared to the fiasco I felt May was. It was very easy to get in and very easy to get to my corral. Of course the usual people were speaking and I tried to tune them out with my headphones because they are just a little too perky for me at 5am, but hey, whatevskis. After hanging out for about 40 minutes, and stretching from time to time, I was off and running!

I had been dealing with bad IT bands in the weeks leading up to this, and so I had decided I would just PR in fun... I didn't start running to be fast or have the body I did at 20... I started running because I wanted healthy ME time and to do something I hadn't done before. When I entered with this mentality, I was in love with running again. It was a brisk morning, still dark out as we headed out through the course and into the park. The first mile of a Disney event is something like running with bulls... people get into corrals in which they don't belong, many runners don't know proper etiquette, etc., so instead of trying to go around them, I just moved to the side of the pack so that I could high five everyone lined up to cheer. I clapped for them as they clapped for us, and as usual, made sure to stop and thank the officers securing the roads.

Before long we were at characters set up, and this meant stopping to take a picture. Now, you can stand in line and get a personal photo with the characters, but 1, I really didn't want to be that weird, single middle-aged dude taking a picture with Goofy so that everyone gives me the side eye, and 2, I was already sweaty and stinky... no need to torture the people in the costume. I had a good time stopping and taking the pictures as the sun was rising in the park, but as with any 5k, the fun is over in less than 30 minutes. Sad face.

The good news was that Saturday was early park entrance, so I through on the shirt I brought, a bit of spray-on deodorant, and my day at the park began before most everyone else's. Around 1pm I went back to the hotel for a nap since it was getting hot and I had rode every ride twice, so I jogged my two miles back. Around 5pm, I jogged back and park-hopped all night, experiencing the awesome fireworks and color shows they had going on for their 60th anniversary. Good times. I think I got back to the hotel for the night around 12a, which is fine considering I needed to be back up at 4...

Same scenario for the Half, as the 5k. Remarkably easy to get to the corrals, and it was just not like that in May. We were off and running in due time, but with the half marathon, the first two miles were impossible to navigate with any sort of speed... there's just too many people in a narrow area. I love people that walk and are out there doing these half marathons- it warms my heart- I just wish they would either move right and not be more than two abreast, or would place themselves in the proper corrals. But alas... it's Disney and so just roll with it.

I stopped at every mile marker for a photo. I must have taken 60 pictures. There was a lot going on along this course. Some things that really stand out were Mexican dancers where the kids were in the most beautiful outfits. They ones that were not dancing were lined up for high fives, so you better believe I high five everyone of them and thanked them (fun points went up). There was the longest car show I've seen in my life... unreal. I think I said good morning about 200 times to the different owners lined up. One dude had a Star Wars van... he said the paint job alone was $150,000. I nearly lost my bowels.

Moving along, we ran to the Angels stadium, but then INSIDE the stadium, where people were cheering us on. Boy scouts were lines up to cheer on the runners and walkers, as well as high school bands playing their hearts out. I had to snap some photos and thank them for working hard to keep us going. It's one thing to run for a couple of hours... I can't imagine playing music for 3, 4, hours...

Finally, I crossed the finish line, with my slowest time ever in a half at about 2:30... but I did set a PR in good times. With as much money as RunDisney charges, I think going slow is the best value. Get every dollar out of the race you can... spend every moment on the course you can. Make it an experience, not a race. See you for Star Wars 2018, Disney.

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(2016)
"Angel Fire Fun... green, cool, HILLS"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Packet pickup was at a sporting goods store in the small ski town of Angelfire. I couldn't quite find it using the map that was emailed, but I had no problem plugging it into Google Maps. Parking was a bit tough, but the email forewarned it would be... And honestly, by a little tough, I mean I had to walk about 100 yards... oooooh. The ladies at the booth were very friendly and got my shirt and GU gel, and some literature about other races. My mind was so lost at the moment because of how green everything was... I was literally standing across from a meadow... in 70 degree temperatures. Perfect. The ladies forewarned me about running at such high altitude, as both of my previous marathons were at sea level. They were right, and I knew they would be... but that would just add to the fun.

I drove slowly through the hills back to the hotel (I stayed about 22 miles away for under $70, and the commute was NOT an issue but rather a joy. I didn't do much other than a quick tour of the tourist town and then crashed for the evening watching TV. There were plenty of things to do including neat little shops, but I was just too tired to go it alone after driving all morning.

I got up at 4:30 and did my preface ritual (including making coffee since no Starbucks), and headed out towards Angelfire. I got to see fog as I drove (the temp was 33 degrees), and wildlife grazing. As the sun did its best to illuminate the sky, I felt like I was staring at a Bob Ross painting. Eventually I defended to the starting line parking area. Parking was an absolute breeze. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a walk to get to the starting line. It probably felt far because of how open everything is, rather than the usual commute of some downtown city area. Music was playing and the MC was calling everyone over. There weren't a ton of people, so it felt pretty intimate, but there was a nice range of people, most doing the half. I had wanted to keep with the 5-hour pacer, knowing that I couldn't do it, so hoping to hang tight as ling as I could, thinking I might do 5:30. I was wrong :-)

The course was a gradual downhill for the first several miles, then a few rolling hills. At mile 7, there was a turnaround, and then a gradual uphill the way back for the half. I was keeping with the 5-hour guys through this point, despite not being acclimated to this altitude (8,500 ft). As soon as you pass the half finish, the gradual uphill becomes a bit more steep... like the course is yelling at you to just quit type of hill. At mile 15, I could feel myself starting to cramp, and started thinking holy hell... I have 10 miles to go and I don't even know when the uphill stops. There were some serious hills, up and down, until 20... which was the turnaround, so I got to do them all the way back. Several people I passed had quit... cramped/injured/tired. My heart hurt for them, as this was the toughest course I'd ever seen... like something you would create in Excitebike back on Nintendo as a kid.

I walked, very slowly, not even on and off anymore, at mile 23. I had been stopping to capture pictures of the beautiful course, but had been running on and off through this point. No more, though. The calves were tight, the groin was more yarn than elastic, quads were done... and I was sunburned. But with three miles to go, I just wanted to finish. Since it was a turnaround course, I know there were only about 10 people behind me. At mile 25, two nice ladies that were obviously strangers to each other but decided to pace each other (they were hurting and walking, too, but much faster than I), asked me if I was okay and if I was would I like to join them. I tried to keep up, but I couldn't... even speed walking. See the cool thing about running though, is there's not a judgement. It's fine that I'm going at my pace, everyone celebrates for you.

Eventually I got to the home stretch, and they call your name over the speaker as you approach the finish. Even though I had been running for 6 hours, these lovely people and volunteers had been standing at the finish waiting to make me, and the rest of us, feel like champions. I got my groovy medal, I took a hundred more pictures, and waddled to my car. I just kind of sat there for about 20 minutes, not trusting my legs to drive... which was fine. I was in no hurry to get back to 118 degrees. I absolutely recommend this event. Do it for the challenge. Do it for the scenery. Do not do it for a PR in time. But do it.

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(2016)
"I finished, and so can you!"
Overall
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Let's start with the trip. Driving from Phoenix (when we left it was to be 117 as a high), it is barren and brown. There's not much to see along I-8 except the occasional farm town and cattle ranch (you can smell it long before you see it). My mom had committed to going just to escape AZ, but then at the last minute my aunt wanted to go. Very cool- they can entertain each other while I run and prepare to run. However, I did try to sign my mom up for the 5k online, and I missed it by two minutes. I told her that if there were any spaces left at the expo, she was getting signed up.

We got to the expo on Friday around 1. Parking was outrageous ($15).

It was easy to find where to go once we got out of the parking garage and started walking. As soon as we walked into the expo, I saw they had space left for the 5k... I signed them both up immediately.
They were reluctant, but I think they were also curious.

We went through the merchandise are, and I purchased my usual guitar magnet, and I bought a 26.2 car magnet since this is my first marathon. Then, we exited and went to the expo. Rock N Roll has THE best expos of the races I have been to thus far. The amount of free stuff and variety of brands has been unparalleled, and it has been consistent in every city thus far. They were having a blast. My mom got free sandals from the Toyota booth, my aunt was taking pictures with the Geiko lizard... and I was stocking up on Glukos. We all filled our bags with free trials and my aunt bought a Tube belt for her 5k and for the casino (HA!). After spending close to two hours in there, we checked into our hotel and then proceeded to the outlet mall. We stayed at a Days Inn, and the neighborhood was a bit drug-infested (as evidenced by the needle under the bed), but the staff was so friendly and we never felt unsafe and really weren't bothered. Moreover, it was an extremely convenient location to everything from Mission Beach, to the mall, to the expo, to the Zoo and Sea World.

Just before check-in, we realized that I had forgot my luggage in my garage (I'm insanely forgetful). So the mall gave us opportunity to replace some items. Under Armour had great deals on shorts and T's, and I already was wearing my running shoes. Nike had good enough socks and I figured I would just wear the race T's that were given for free. Not too bad. So, it was a long and drawn out process to arrive and prepare, but finally, it was time to get ready to get ready to run...

After a short sleep (got up at 4:45), we all headed down to Balboa Park for the race. We wanted to be early so that we would have parking... mission accomplished. There is such a difference in the production of the 5k's and the marathon events... my mom had seen me at the finish of RNRSF, and commented how there wasn't much going on at the 5k. I had to assure her this was just what a 5k was... a warm up for most people... casual runners just enjoying the atmosphere. As the music turned up, she and my aunt got excited and we all made our way to the start line, and found our different corrals.

The course was relatively flat, save two short, but steep, hills. I jogged a pace that would keep me loose for the marathon, but also prepare me. I finished at around 26 minutes, nothing to write home about, but I was careful to never look at my clock, but instead just listen to my body. After I finished, I started looking for my mom and aunt.

They were the last corral, being a late signee, so I found them at about the one mile marker. They had both met random people to walk and talk with (this is what's awesome about the running community). I started walking with my aunt, then my mom. I think they were both trying so hard to conserve energy because of the mental challenge... not the physical. At mile two, my mom was realizing she was going to complete a 5k, and she became visibly more energetic. I sent her on her own through the finisher's section, and she got her medal and the awesome free food and water. They were both excited and immediately talked of how they could have went faster and want to start doing more to get faster and do longer ones... I created addicts... just as planned. We left, and knowing I had 26.2 to prepare for and they had nothing, I went to the hotel and slept and stretched, they tore up San Diego.

I got up around 5:30 on Sunday, and mom dropped me off about a mile from the start line. As I made my way to my corral, I felt like maybe I doubted myself too much, just based on the eye test. And then I saw the pacers for 6 hours in the corral behind me... I thought it would take 5:30 when I signed up,,, at the time of sign up, my PR for 13.1 was 2:30... and I thought I would need another 3 hours for the back end. In my head this morning, I was thinking 5 was a possibility since 13.1 was now two hours.

It took a while to get to corral 29, but eventually, we were off and running. The course was very flat for the longest time. The neighborhoods were adorable and the amount of people on the course cheering us on was incredible. In the first couple of miles, we saw the elite runners coming back in the other direction... holy cow! Normal Heights was picturesque, and the amount of people in their driveways giving out snacks and drinks (even adult ones) was amazing. The weather was divine in my opinion, but the race had issued a heat warning and stated they were providing salt packs along the race. I laughed at this notion, considering the weather I just left and what I had become accustomed to.

I was running with my Strava app, and also completing the Phoenix Marathon 2016 virtual run. At mile 1, I was at 10-minute pace... and I was planning to start with a 10:30 pace. I felt fine, however, so I continued at that pace. I was taking Gatorade and water at stations and hydration was not going to be problem. I brought a bottle as well, and had six Glukos gel packs.

The course winds its way through neighborhoods, and eventually you get to the half way point, just before you head to mission beach and the bike path. I was at the 13.1 in 2:20, and felt like I was right on pace for the 5 hour mark. My body felt fine. And then, mile 15 happened.

At first, my right quad got that pre-cramp twitch, so I stopped to stretch it out. That was bad. When I stood on my left leg to stretch my right, my left calf cramped and wouldn't release. Meanwhile I dropped my right leg and that caused my right hamstring to cramp. In my head I was realizing my muscles were done. I never got out of breath, and felt terrific, but I just didn't have the ions for proper muscle function... let alone for 10 more miles. I was getting pissed at the situation. But, I was also in a beautiful place, with amazing weather, and on a course with a bunch of runners who were cheering me one. So, I started walking. The course limit is severn hours, so I thought, screw it... I WILL finish.

Apparently, walking uses completely different muscles than running. I could walk as fast or faster than some runners... I was actually passing people. I got to the medical tent, and they were handing out salt packets... I took four, and ate them. Again, I wasn't dehydrated, so it went down easily before I got to some Gatorade. About 30 minutes of walking went by, and I could feel my calf releasing and my quads were losing the painful twitch... I was wondering if it was rest of the sale that was helping them. So then, I started running again; slowly to feel it out. As you enter the freeway, right around the 35k mark, theres a steep downhill. I usually open my stride to take advantage of downhill running, but my quads couldn't support that, and so both cramped.

I did finish the race, however I was quite dissatisfied with the time of 5:43. I was really bummed out that I wasn't prepared to run the race I wanted to run. However, I will say that at mile 22, I caught myself getting teary- I couldn't believe I was going to finish this, yet I knew I was. Along the last couple of miles, people were being taken by ambulance and many others were stopped along the road... the physical toll too much. However, many others were cruising along at their own pace, enjoying each minute and each step- not worried about a time or impressions- just enjoying what they set out to do that morning. I want to be like them.

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(2016)
"Beautiful Course"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Expo:
The expo was fantastic... there were the usual vendors for Rock N Roll events, but there were also new ones I hadn't seen before. Several samples of products were being distributed, and there was a definite vibe and buzz in the atmosphere. It was really difficult to find parking on Friday, but COPA was happening and it caused unexpected traffic near the stadium. After about 30 minutes of driving around, we got a spot and made our way with relative ease.

Pre-Race parking
The event gave the option of parking at the finish and a shuttle ride to the start for $20. This is a pretty good deal compared to parking prices in the Seattle area. However, I had planned to do some walking around after the race at Pike Place and other nearby sites, so I chose to park at Pike Place public parking. The price was $30 for the day... pretty high, but it was surge pricing due to the events. It sits equidistant from start and finish lines at about a mile each way. There was next to no one there when we arrived at 6:15am

Race
The start took place below the Space Needle, and rain was projected in the forecast. However, while it was cloudy, no rain was happening and it was a nice 50 degrees. For whatever reason, the race was delayed about 15 minutes, but they did inform us it would be delayed upon arrival. There were no port a potties anywhere along the corrals, so those of us near the back would need to make a pretty good trek if needing to use one.

Once the race started, the first 5k was terrific. From the urban landscape, one goes to the coastline and gets great views of the pier (and also the construction of the new tunnel). Those 5k don't require much energy, and there are great places to stop and take a picture if you are into enjoy the course rather than pushing for a PR.

The next 5k takes you back across the city with a couple of short, but steep hills. There were plenty of cheerleaders from the local HS out to celebrate everyone running the event. It's not long, and the 8k team is turning towards the finish, while the rest of us head out towards Lake Washington.

There are so many terrific things to see along the lake shore, including birds swooping in to grab a fish for their morning meal. I had to stop and take a few pictures of one I saw. It's not something we get in Az, so it was a must for me.

Eventually, the marathoners and half marathoners separate (they rejoin later). Marathoners go out and back across the floating bridge for a couple of miles... there is a tunnel in there with a huge angle... probable around 35 degrees. For me, I wasn't ready for this, and it did cause a pull on my hamstring. However, this was also about mile 20, so fatigue also played a part. Many people conquered it with no problem, so I think my slight injury had more to do with conditioning and fatigue.

After coming back from the bridge, one enters the freeway (and sees some questionable objects discarded along the freeway, but made for good pictures). It's a struggle here getting up the hills (this is mile 23), but, the view from the top is just awesome! As you reach the peak, there is greenery and water to the left, the port working hard to bring in cargo, and the downtown area, complete with stadiums and the space needle to the right. Again, I had to stop for pictures because this isn't something one normally gets to see from this perspective.

Finally, you come down from the freeway, a steep downhill will test what is left of your quads if you open your stride here. After coming down the hill, it's just a couple of turns until you reach the finish, with plenty of people waiting to give you high fives (and I say this as one of the last to finish).

Overall
I drove 1,500 miles from Phoenix for this event (and saw some national parks along the way), and I can't wait to do this again next year. I loved the weather (even the drizzle along the lake), the people, they markets with amazing produce. It would be even better if this could be a remix opportunity, as I wouldn't mind racing two days in the city.

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(2016)
"One giant hill"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
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Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
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The first mile is downhill. The next six are a +500 ft in elevation change. If you have enough energy for the way back, it's mostly downhill... until that last mile; it's all uphill. There is water about every 1.5 miles, and the volunteers are local (football team, track team, etc.). There was a whole range of runners/walkers, but either way enjoy the desert scenery and views of the town.

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