129: Rise and Run Rewind - A Conversation with Handcycle Champion Wendy Larsen

Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by life's curveballs, only to find a new path that fills you with even more passion and purpose? That's precisely what happened to Wendy Larsen, our returning hand cycling champion, whose story is a testament to the human spirit's resilience. Join us as we recount her journey, exploring not just her remarkable athletic achievements but also the day-to-day realities and disciplines that pave her way to success. From the mechanics of hand cycling to the rigorous mental and dietary regimes required at the pinnacle of sport, Wendy's insights are a goldmine for anyone looking to push their own boundaries.

This episode is more than a reflection on triumph over adversity; it's a celebration of the running community and the shared excitement that comes from racing. We revel in the thrill of securing runDisney Wine and Dine registrations, the electric atmosphere of crossing the finish line, and the warm camaraderie that defines our experiences.

As we wrap up, we extend a heartfelt thanks to our community for participating in the Race Report and sharing their personal victories. The announcement of upcoming guests promises to continue bringing diverse and motivating stories. Episode 129 isn't just a compendium of anecdotes; it's a mosaic of the running community's spirit, showcasing the unique journeys of individuals and the collective exhilaration of our running adventures. So join us, and let's rise together with every stride and turn of the wheel.

Wendy Larson Links
Wendy's Instagram
Wendy's Website
Race Availability Alerts
@ runDisAlerts Twitter
@ runDisAlerts Telegram
Will Run For Podcast Virtual Run
Rise and Run Links
Rise and Run Podcast Facebook Page
Rise and Run Podcast Instagram
Rise and Run Podcast Website and Shop
Rise and Run Patreon
Passport to Run
Runningwithalysha Alysha’s Run Coaching (Mention Rise And Run and get $10 off) 

Transcript

Speaker 2: 0:04

3am again. Why did I ever think this was a good idea? Welcome to the Rise and Run Podcast. Join our group of Run Disney Friends. As we talk about running at Walt Disney World and beyond. We'll discuss recent runs, training, upcoming races and surprise topics suggested by you, our listeners. Well, the alarm's gone off, so let's go.

Speaker 3: 0:37

Good morning from Dicucula, Georgia, right side of Atlanta. This is Nick and Riley and you're listening to the Rise and Run Podcast. We hope everyone has a wonderful time training for their upcoming events and we'll see you in November.

Speaker 4: 0:50

Nick Riley Riley. What a great intro you guys. Riley, you're a star now. I hope you know that we are so excited that you listened to the podcast and that you wanted to make that recording. We had to play it just as soon as we got it. So thanks, guys, we appreciate that.

Speaker 4: 1:07

Hello, my friends, welcome to episode 129 of the Rise and Run Podcast. As always, we are delighted to have you with us. Friends on Bob, I am here this beautiful evening with John hey, how you doing. With Alicia, hello. With Greg, hey, hey, hey. With Jack Hiya. And with Lexi, hello. Hello, my friends. Lovely as always to see you here. Friends, episode 129 this week we are going to replay an interview we conducted with hand cycling champion Wendy Larson, I believe it was. It's been over a year, I think it was November of 22. We had a chance to talk with Wendy. We think you're going to enjoy it. We are hoping. Wendy's been busy here over the last summer in 23 and she's got some exciting news. We are hoping to visit with her again in the next couple of weeks. So we wanted to run this one by you and then we'll see if she can join us again later In our race report spotlight. Our friend Ally, without an E, ran a shamrock 5k in Baltimore. She's here to tell us about that.

Speaker 1: 2:35

And if you enjoy the podcast, please share us with your friends and introduce them. We want to share it in their training journey. So please follow us on Facebook at Ryzen Run Podcast. Instagram at Ryzen Run Pod. Check out our YouTube and our website, ryzenrunpodcastcom. If you have a question, comment, race report or would like to introduce an upcoming episode, call us at 727-266-2344 and leave us a recorded message.

Speaker 4: 3:03

Yeah, just like our budding superstar Riley did. Leave us a recorded message. Friends, we want to thank our patrons who support us and help keep the Ryzen Run Podcast rising and running. If you'd like to join the Patreon team, please check us out at patreoncom. I'd like to recognize one new Patreon, Holly, and I'd like to recognize Catherine, who has upgraded to the plastic cheese level.

Speaker 2: 3:35

I will say one quick reminder for our patrons. If you have not voted in the first rounds of what we will be doing next week or the first annual Ryzen Run, march Madness, be sure to go place your votes because the Patreon members will be getting a vote in our internal brackets. That we'll be doing here on the podcast in the next couple of weeks and I'm forewarning everybody now you're going to hear a really really bad Dick Vitale and a really really bad Bill Rafferty impression a lot over the course of next three weeks.

Speaker 4: 4:13

So get ready. It's fun. We've had pretty good response so far. Patrons, thank you for participating in that. I owe you. Well, by the time this airs, I think we will have wrapped up the first round. So we'll have our patrons first round votes and then the Ryzen Run Gang will talk about it next week. But we hope it's going to be a lot of fun. We took a look at the attractions at the four parks at Disney World Gang. There's a website that Disney runs about attractions at Disney World. Would you like to guess how many attractions they list amongst the four parks? How about 270? What photo opportunity with Bell is an attraction? Photo opportunity with Snow White is an attraction If you go on the Kilimanjaro safaris. The lions are an attraction. The hippos are an attraction 270 when all is said and done. The committee, the selection committee, met and narrowed it to 64 plus four.

Speaker 2: 5:31

The committee of one.

Speaker 4: 5:32

Hey, yeah, but it's been fun and we've had actually a pretty good reaction.

Speaker 2: 5:42

No, no, it's been a lot of fun to see the patrons comment on everything like that. So these next couple of weeks are going to be a blast.

Speaker 4: 5:48

That's coming out. That's an idea I stole directly from our buddy Craig at the Beyond the Mouse podcast and I let him know I was going to do it, so I'll give him full credit when we get to it. But yeah, we'll kick that into gear next week and we'll run through it the following three weeks, kind of like the NCAA basketball tournament.

Speaker 2: 6:06

Outside of Christmas, best time of year.

Speaker 4: 6:10

Oh, let's see friends. The Rise and Run podcast is sponsored by our very good friends at Magic Bound Travel. Hey, wine and Dine registration is done. If you haven't done it already, now is the time. Get in touch with the good folks at Magic Bound Travel. Lock in those rooms for Wine and Dine weekend and, while you're at it, why don't you lock them in for the rest of the season also? Because you know you've got that $200 refundable deposit that you make to get your room at the best available rate right now and if, for some reason, you don't get in, you can cancel that reservation, no problem. Later. All of the Magic Bound Travel Run Disney agents are Run Disney veterans, so they're going to know just what you need. And, the best part, all of Magic Bound's services are free to you. When you do it, let them know. You heard them on the Rise and Run podcast and Maggie and Brad will be with us next week maybe to give us a little more information. This as we always do.

Speaker 4: 7:26

Take a look at the training schedule, of course. Springtime, surprise end of this season Coming up now in five. We're, on one hand, we just can count them on one hand now Five weeks. We are in training week 13. Your long run this weekend is four miles, one of which is a magic mile. Oh gosh, we had wine and dine reservation. We had wine and dine registration today. The summer virtual series registration is coming up in just a little under two weeks, 12 days from today, and then Marathon Weekend. Not far behind it, marathon Weekend is. Registration is just now, four weeks away. We'll talk a little bit more about registration in general in just a minute. Let's talk training for a little bit. Jack, you've got some training news you wanted to share.

Speaker 5: 8:30

Yeah, I'm really excited, you guys. After our interview last week, I made the decision to get a personal trainer. And guess what he wears? A tutu, yeah. So I thought with all the goals. That's cool, I thought with all the goals that I have for this coming year, I mean I've got the 100-miler. Here's another thing I start my private training with Jam Stunt Gym here in Atlanta, not this coming Saturday, but the next Saturday after that. Oh, cool. Yeah, I'll be learning fight choreography and then hopefully that can be consistent as well.

Speaker 6: 9:17

Jack explain a little bit what a stunt gym is to people who are not in the film industry and might not know what that means A stunt gym is a little slightly different than, obviously, the regular gym.

Speaker 5: 9:29

Basically, you go and practice your craft. It's a place where you can go. If you want to learn fight choreography, like I'm doing, you can learn parkour tumbling. I feel like a good bit of stunt gyms. I haven't been to this one yet, but I've been to another one where they do wire work, and wire work is basically you're rigged to something and they'll make you fly and do crazy stuff.

Speaker 7: 9:52

Oh, wow.

Speaker 5: 9:53

Yeah, I've done that twice, which was a lot of fun. I like to get back into it, but I kind of need to start from the basics and work my way back up to that.

Speaker 5: 10:04

But yeah, so I have that and that will hopefully be consistent on Saturdays. And then now I have a personal training. I got a refund for my tax refund, so that's where it's going. There you go, and I have a lot of goals. I said I want to get toned, but I want to get strong because there's so many things that I would like to do this year. And coach twigs, don't wear on comeback.

Speaker 5: 10:30

I start training in May for the 100-miler and I'm excited to do customized training. If you guys are looking to find a running coach, I highly suggest him. He's fantastic.

Speaker 4: 10:43

And remember we get a discount on that. It's listed at the top of our Facebook group page.

Speaker 1: 10:48

I'm so excited to see all the things that you're going to do, jack, I just wanted to mention about my training too. I was on a cruise and then I was sick, so I'm getting back into it. But I've been doing this thing where I get up at sunrise time and I move my body every single day. So, if it's running or yoga, I do active recovery at least once a week. But, yeah, I've really been enjoying my time and getting outside, even though it's been cold again here.

Speaker 1: 11:19

Oh, god Getting up in the morning and getting out there has been really great and I'm really excited for this upcoming race season to see what happens.

Speaker 4: 11:29

Excellent, excellent.

Speaker 6: 11:32

That makes me think about something that I don't think we've talked about in a while. I think a lot of times us as hosts and as the podcast, we get in a cyclical like okay, we're starting this race, and now we're starting this race, and now we're doing this race, but with registration for wine and dine just happening this morning, we have some people that are just starting to figure out their workout schedule.

Speaker 4: 12:02

Oh, absolutely.

Speaker 6: 12:02

They're just going to be starting out of. What does running three miles feel like? And one of the things that I struggle with now or have always been like my Achilles heel, I guess is time management. How do you balance a training schedule strength training and work, and Emily and doggies and making sure you're eating healthy while you're trying to train for your first race, the half marathon, 10k, 5k, whatever so go give tip.

Speaker 4: 12:44

I'd like to suggest that you let your children grow up and become adults and then retire and it's easy.

Speaker 6: 12:50

Next, oh wow.

Speaker 5: 12:55

Well, if I could say this, one big thing is that consistency is key. It takes 30 days to make a habit. It takes what? 60 or 90 days to keep the habit. So if you are going to make yourself accountable and you're going to work hard, you're going to set yourself a schedule. Okay, let's say at 7 AM, monday, wednesday, saturday those are my three days of running. I will wake up at this time and I will go and do my running workouts. It's kind of like if you have a to-do list, you kind of may want to set aside time to make sure you get them all done. I mean, consistency is the best thing to continue forward and be successful on that race day for you. I mean I've had Lexi as my accountable partner for a while. I mean obviously you guys here as accountability partners. I also suggest getting one of those because it kind of keeps you in check.

Speaker 1: 13:47

You know, Yep.

Speaker 1: 13:49

I think along with that, jack too, is you'd mentioned about having a checklist, and I think that's a great thing is setting aside that time and for the people who are new out there that are just getting into running or haven't done this for a while, taking that time to really set it up. I know it takes a little bit, but you can find little rewards too, and maybe you need that to get out the door too. It doesn't have to be like this big, extravagant electronic thing that you're going to give yourself, but little rewards here and there. Yes, that might help you along the way. I don't agree with that.

Speaker 4: 14:24

Things that helped me getting prepared for the morning run the day before the night before laying stuff out. So it's ready in there and ready there, put it on, get out the door. And something that's helped me since the very first day I started is I come back and I record the run. I put it in a spreadsheet. It's a habit, but I find it motivational to fill that thing out and check things off and just keep track of how I'm progressing.

Speaker 2: 14:55

This is all really, really good advice. I will say, though if none of this works, though, what you need to do is you need to find Dr Strange, then you need to find somewhere in the multiverse where the day is 48 hours instead of 24 hours. That way, it gives you plenty of time to fit on all these important and wonderful things so that we can have healthy bodies, but no.

Speaker 5: 15:21

I like where you're going with this girl. I like it Thanks.

Speaker 2: 15:25

But no, I'm so glad you brought this up because this is something that I really do struggle with and I've gotten into habits and stuff like that. But sometimes as life changes, you fall out of those habits and the first step in all of that is at least to try. You might try something and it might not work, and guess what. That is okay. Refocus, maybe, tool some things around, try something different and just keep kind of like when you're making tianas gumbo or something like that adding, finding the right ingredients and that secret sauce to make a delicious meal.

Speaker 6: 16:06

And speaking of ingredients, I think one of the key things that is so hard but it helps me stay in the mindset of success is doing some sort of meal prep, of knowing, because whenever you get in the thick of work and you wake up and you're like, oh but I'm tired this morning, so I'll just push my run to after I get off work, but then you get off work.

Speaker 7: 16:34

Yeah, that never works.

Speaker 6: 16:35

You have to eat and then the kids have to do their homework, or the kids have to go to bed and then you're like, oh my gosh, it's already dark outside and I didn't work out today. One thing that helps every single time is either having quick meals that you can just Google and be like what are some 20 minute meals, or prepping it at night before or prepping it in the morning before you go to work. There have been a couple of times where, like I fed my dog well and given him food so he would be occupied while I'd be in the kitchen cutting vegetables, so that when I come home all the vegetables are already cut and just boom in the oven.

Speaker 4: 17:16

Good stuff Training. What are we training for? One of the things we're training for springtime maybe, but we've got next season coming up. We registered for part of it today. Who got in kids? I did 10K right Lexi.

Speaker 6: 17:35

Yes, so I had originally said I wasn't gonna do one and nine, but you know how run Disney is.

Speaker 4: 17:43

Yeah, I do, I do.

Speaker 6: 17:45

So, as of right now, I'm still taking a break, but I signed up for the 10K because I absolutely love the artwork and I don't think I was here a couple of weeks ago whenever we talked about the artwork, but I loved it. And then I'm going to see if something opens up in the summer or whatever, and if I feel like training by then. Like July-ish, that's still enough time for me to get up to half-marathon and I'll register for that then. I'm just not in the mindset right now where I want to have that on the calendar yet. So 10K, but it was an interesting morning.

Speaker 6: 18:31

All of my browsers said more than an hour and then, Greg came in with the registration fairy and gave me an amazing link that had 11 minutes and I got in, and then all of a sudden, the website started glitching out, and let me put it in my equation and I was like well, I can't refresh it because then it'll kick me out of the queue.

Speaker 5: 18:57

And I made a horrible joke too.

Speaker 6: 18:59

Yeah, she did. She was sitting across the room and she said, oh well, I guess it's sold out. And my eyes oh no.

Speaker 5: 19:10

I immediately apologized and I was like I'm just kidding, I'm just kidding, I'm just kidding.

Speaker 6: 19:14

I was like it is, it's sold out already. But no, it finally decided to work for me and I was able to pay, but like my heart dropped for a second.

Speaker 4: 19:27

Yeah, yeah, I'd be freaking.

Speaker 2: 19:30

So I'm sort of in I guess that's the best way I can describe it. I do plan on doing Wine and Dine the challenge, but I have made the decision that I am going to fundraise for this one on behalf of Good Kids the World. Again, Okay, the thing is, as of time of recording, they have not officially made their registration links live yet, so but I've been in contact with the new gentleman over there who's in charge of the running team and he said that they'll be up in due time and everything like that. So once that becomes live, I'll be signing up that way.

Speaker 2: 20:12

Ra have been brainstorming some potentially unique ways to fundraise, and one of them could involve a CERN attraction in Adventureland that was brought up a few weeks ago, but details on that soon. But yeah, I'm just patiently waiting back. But it was great to be able to be in the chat today to help things out. Lexi, I'm glad I was able to help you out, Was able to help out a few other people with links and everything like that. But yeah, let the conspiracy theories fly as to why there was that unique pause about 45 minutes into registration today.

Speaker 6: 20:57

And I even heard that some of the registrations went up in time while they were waiting and we were like, oh no, it's gonna be dopey 23 again, or wait, was that 22 or 23? I get them all mixed up 23, 23. 23. Yeah.

Speaker 4: 21:14

Yeah, but that's not unusual from the go back up, but it was an unusual morning it was. Registrations seem to be taking too long. I have our friend Mark to thank for getting me in. I'm in for all three races.

Speaker 4: 21:33

I was with our friends in the community chat and what's happened is we've grown a little too big and we need to bring a little more order. We are trying very hard to help one another in the community chat but we need to get a little more structure into how we share our links and I've got really basically four weeks to work on that between now and Marathon Weekend Registration. I just want to say the spirit in there and the camaraderie and the helpfulness amongst everybody that was in there and again there was at one point I looked I need to have like 160 some odd people in the chat and it was hard to manage is what it was so when you would try to respond to somebody and things would go by real fast. But we'll try and establish some ground rules. I don't want to make it sound like it's you have to do it this way, but we need to be efficient.

Speaker 6: 22:37

We want to help people out and we want everyone to be able to have links, and the way to do that is through efficiency. Yep.

Speaker 2: 22:46

And Bob, you know, speaking of registration today I tried to do my own impression of Ryan Teetz to start tracking in terms of the timing of sellouts and everything like that. So if anyone is curious on the stats, at least by my calculations and the Run Disney Twitter alerts and everything like that, didn't have this one on my bingo card. The first race to sell out was the 10K, which was surprising. That went down at 11.53. Then the Muppet Effect finally came into play. That closed up at 12.23. Then it was the half at 12.32 and the challenge at 12.35. So I think whenever that, what's being deemed as a pause in registration happened, maybe that's why things took a little bit longer than normal.

Speaker 2: 23:51

But the one other working theory that I'm very curious to see if is plausible once we get like race data numbers is our friend Amanda over at Once Upon a Marathon. She was doing a deep dive the other week. She had ordered a copy of the new Run Disney book that came out a few weeks ago and in there they actually have the estimated field sizes of all of the race weekends, which is something that I figured would never be like a public number by any means. And when she was looking at that, the numbers were higher than what we have seen in terms of like. We know. We don't know the number of people who did not start, but at least, based on finishers, it seems like an increase. So I'm wondering if they're interested in upping the numbers of the field by a little bit and maybe that's why it was open for a little bit longer than normal.

Speaker 2: 24:52

But we'll have to, we'll have to wait and see. On that, one Could be, greg could be.

Speaker 6: 24:56

Well, I have to ask Bob is Becky coming out of retirement?

Speaker 4: 25:01

Becky is not registered for any run. Wow one and nine.

Speaker 2: 25:05

Nope, nope, what a day, what a day yeah.

Speaker 4: 25:10

So, as of this moment then, I think it's just me and the 5K. I didn't hear anybody else saying they were on the 5K right now.

Speaker 2: 25:19

Yeah.

Speaker 7: 25:21

I think the 5K my thing on the 5K, going late is the Halloween effect.

Speaker 2: 25:26

Halloween. I think you're right. No, no, very true. I think it could be.

Speaker 7: 25:30

A lot of people are probably coming in on Friday.

Speaker 2: 25:33

Yeah, I think that's my next time sense.

Speaker 4: 25:34

Good point. Okay, hopefully, if you try to register for one and nine, you got in. You got the races you wanted. If not, there's charity bibs out there. Again, our friend Mark has updated the charity spreadsheet. You heard Greg say that Give Kids. The World is not quite ready on theirs yet, but I think some others are that will be updated and of course there's always these things open back up from time to time and I have a high degree of confidence this one will. But that becomes. You have to be in the right place at the right time and have a very fast trigger finger to get in on those you should sign up for those alerts on Telegram or Twitter from Matt.

Speaker 7: 26:19

It's called it's at run dis alerts, I think is the Twitter handle and I forget the Telegram, but he's got. If you go there, it's hashtag team run Disney. He has all the alerts up there and you can find out how to get in Cause I know a lot of people that get in with those alerts.

Speaker 4: 26:38

Let's put that info in the show notes too, John. Okay, Okay, we'll get that in the show notes.

Speaker 7: 26:42

I want to say one other thing about why did I so, guys? If you did not get into one and nine weekend and you're still on the edge about doing New York City, new York City has the non guaranteed entry drawing to sign up through March 21st. So you have to March 21st to put yourself in the lottery to get picked for a New York City marathon. If you want to do that, just cause if you get into wine and dye, cause I know it's always the same weekend.

Speaker 4: 27:15

Thanks, john. That's great information. Appreciate it. But continuing looking at upcoming events, we got some information about springtime surprise. At about the same time we were registering for wine and dye, we saw the 10 mile course revealed Comments my friends, what I am about to say, I want to preface by saying that I understand.

Speaker 2: 27:42

I understand that I. It is a privilege to be able to run these races. No matter where we run these races, it is always a good time because we're with our friends and our extended family, and it brings a lot of joy to my life. But that being said, though, I do not understand how you have a race themed around the lion king and it is not going through animal kingdom.

Speaker 2: 28:11

Well that's a good point here here, you know, I mean I like, granted, I understand that they have these courses mapped out and it's not going to be the exact same thing as the springtime surprise the last two years, and I'll fully, and I'll fully admit too, as a 10 mile course, this is a great. I mean, yeah, I mean the first five miles.

Speaker 2: 28:36

The fact that you're getting World Showcase, the Epcot Resort area, you're getting Hollywood Studios with Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land. That's great and that worked really well last year when you were doing the Toy Story 10 Miler or the Tower of Terror 10 Miler. But adventure is out there. Symbas on the metal, you do the, you do the metal reveal photo shoot in animal kingdom and we're miles away from the park. Like, I understand that there are a lot of race logistics, that that go into these things, but to me the rinsing and repeating of courses is getting tiresome and I hope that at least maybe starting with next race season, we start, we start to explore other opportunities. I mean, in the time that I've been doing run Disney, we've had races that started at the ticket and transportation center, right. We've had races that have started at ESPN why World of Sports Started at ESPN. Right, there have been races that have started that animal kingdom.

Speaker 2: 29:48

I understand that. You know, by starting and ending everything in Epcot there is plenty of space. There's plenty of spaces for the buses and the you know the new security scanners, which are a godsend. I will admit, walking through those things is a lot better than your traditional metal detectors and everything like that. But the fact that it's just, you know, we have these like set A and set B of courses and then we're just going to flip flop between the two all the time and you know we don't want to erect, you know staging areas and then tear them down, even though we were doing that for, you know, 20-some-odd years.

Speaker 2: 30:28

We want to get away from that now. You know it. Just again, I don't want to come off, as you know, disgruntled here because, again, I love the Run Disney product and I'm beyond thrilled to see you all and the rest of my Run Disney family in a couple of weeks. But it's just. I was a little disappointed to see that there was zero creativity to adapt the theme into this course. No, I think that's a fair take.

Speaker 7: 30:55

Just tell me what you really mean, Greg.

Speaker 4: 30:59

He did say he was gruntled, so we're okay. You know that. Do you know that's? Here's a side track. You know that's a word. Gruntled is an acceptable word. Okay, you can be gruntled, Greg, it's okay.

Speaker 2: 31:14

Is it scrabble legal? That's all I needed, absolutely.

Speaker 4: 31:18

Absolutely.

Speaker 5: 31:20

I totally get what you're saying, though, because I mean it just seems logical to do a race. That is all about adventure, and what place at Disney is all about? That is Animal Kingdom. You guys know that's my favorite park at Disney, and I mean they even did the Everest 5K over there for the first Spritting Time surprise. So I mean it's not like you haven't done it before, you know.

Speaker 5: 31:46

Just have a little bit like start at Animal Kingdom, finish it up, cut. I mean it's 10 miles, and if you did that that would be the most epic course, because then you get to go through three parks, right, then you know just a two, and I mean half of it's on the highway anyways.

Speaker 5: 32:04

So, I don't know. I understand they probably just don't want to do a point-to-point, because then it's going to be like the whole, like where is everybody's drop bags? Well, you know, you could do it like other races, where you have them at one point and then you drive them over to the finish line and just state when they're going to be there next. I mean, that's just me.

Speaker 7: 32:23

Can I see the point? Can I see the point that Animal Kingdom parking lot is not that big and I know for the 5K that year they took a lot of space up for that race.

Speaker 6: 32:34

Yeah, but I think also the thing is it is big enough, like because we'll be done with those races before the parks open, so we'll be cleared out and the volunteers too.

Speaker 2: 32:48

Yeah, I really wish I had more time between when this course dropped and recording tonight, because I was. I can't remember the name of the website, but kind of, if you use Google Maps and you can set pins and then, like it creates, like you know it will calculate the distance for you and everything like that.

Speaker 2: 33:05

I wanted to play around with that so bad to see if there was a way that you could get from Epcot to Animal Kingdom and back. It might be tight, but you know, jack, that's one thing I never thought of. I wonder, in like run Disney history, if there's ever been a point-to-point race. You know, I mean, like in theory we kind of get it, but you know. But again, it's Epcot to Epcot. You know, even though you're not starting, you know you're starting and finishing technically two different places.

Speaker 4: 33:36

but Well, certainly there have great. The one that you just mentioned we started at ESPN, we didn't finish at ESPN. When we started at the Magic Kingdom parking lot, we would finish at Epcot.

Speaker 2: 33:47

Oh, that's true, that's very true.

Speaker 4: 33:48

Yeah, yeah, so there certainly have been.

Speaker 5: 33:52

What I will say is Disney has a great formula for races, I mean that's why we like it.

Speaker 1: 33:57

I do agree with.

Speaker 5: 33:58

Greg and the gang, that if there was some changes every so often just to kind of, you know, switch things up. I'll be open to the idea. Yeah. See if it works, you know.

Speaker 6: 34:10

Yeah, and especially, like you know, we have new themes every single race and some of the themes of the races I really, really love. But then I'm like but I've already done this exact same course 16 times.

Speaker 2: 34:25

Well, and I think too, the other thing is that If you want to toy around with something, Springtime Surprise is the weekend to do it yeah. No, obviously you can't touch Marathon weekend and you can't touch Princess.

Speaker 2: 34:40

No, you can't no you know, in the last couple of years you know we have seen variety with wine and dine. But again, you know the fact that you know run Disney themselves, have, you know, have said that like, listen, you know there's never going to be a perfect because we might do different distances every year and stuff like that. So like, if you're going to, if you're going to, you know, if you want to mess around with it, do it here. And you know, if it crashes and burns, great, then you don't have to go back to it.

Speaker 7: 35:06

But I don't know, Do that or Marathon there instead.

Speaker 6: 35:11

I will also throw out there they have not changed the distance that's what I was going to say at all since they started Right. So where's my perfect?

Speaker 4: 35:22

Right, and part of that is the magic 19.3, which has been the distance of the challenges on every weekend except Marathon weekend, and Springtime also adds up to 19.3. Not that that's sacred, I mean, if we had a 19.5 or an 18.4 challenge, it wouldn't bother me at all.

Speaker 4: 35:44

But I don't know if that plays into it or not. All right, friends, let's move along. It was November of 22 where our friend, wendy Larson dropped by to talk with us. What an impressive champion Wendy is. We hope you enjoy it, the conversation. All right, friends, we've had some talented athletes with us in the past, but I'm about to say something I've never said in introducing an athlete who's joining us tonight, and I will probably never say it again. Please meet the Boston Marathon Champion from 2021 and 22 and the New York City Champion 2022 in the hand cycling division, wendy Larson. Wendy, thanks for joining us. We're excited to have you here.

Speaker 9: 36:39

Well, thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to talk to y'all tonight. This should be fun.

Speaker 4: 36:44

That is quite an intro. I mean, those are the biggies.

Speaker 9: 36:50

They are, and it still sounds weird to me to hear that too. It's just. I tell my husband a couple times a week. It's just crazy. I think he gets tired of hearing that, but it's still crazy to me. I went Boston in 2021 and I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around that at the time.

Speaker 4: 37:10

I know that's what I don't know, I don't know and I never will know, but I appreciate what you're saying. I think it's absolutely marvelous. Hey, let's just kick this off. Wendy, how did all this get started? How did you get into hand cycling? What happened? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Speaker 9: 37:30

Oh my gosh. So I could spend days talking about this, so I'll try to make it as concise as I can. I have several rare genetic diseases. I'm what doctors refer to as medically complex or, as my geneticist has told me, I'm a genetic train wreck.

Speaker 9: 37:48

So I spent most of my growing up years very sickly in and out of the hospital, had a lot of issues with joints and injuries and just you name it. I had issues. I was told a lot growing up that my joints were too weak to participate in sports and this and that, and I would get involved in softball or dancing or a track and I would get injured and doctors would tell me I couldn't do that anymore. And it was just this constant merry-go-round growing up. So over the years I just had so many issues and knee surgeries and this and that I became very inactive. I didn't do a whole lot. I gained a whole lot of weight and then in 2006 I was in a really horrific car accident and I almost lost my right leg and when I finally, almost a month later, got out of the hospital, got released by my surgeon after I think it was 15 leg surgeries to reconstruct my leg. The last thing the surgeon said to me was well, you might walk again, but you'll never run a marathon, just said off the cuff, sarcastically, to me.

Speaker 9: 39:16

Something clicked at that point and I just had had enough and I decided, huh, I'm gonna go run a marathon. I knew where this was going. I had no business doing so. At the time I couldn't even walk, you know. I came home and in a wheelchair I had to completely relearn to walk again. You know it took a year for me to learn to walk again. But I did get to a point where I could walk again and I started running and I say running, I use that term very loosely because I was kind of shuffling along. I was a backpacker, I'm doing what I could. I was one of those that was getting passed by balloon ladies and took rides on this sag wagon and DNF'd multiple times. You know all of that. So over I, but I finished multiple half marathons. I never finished a marathon on my feet, but I did finish multiple half marathons and the first Disney race I did was actually Princess in 2010.

Speaker 1: 40:25

Okay.

Speaker 9: 40:26

So I was doing okay, not great, and then my health took a downturn a few years after that and things just kind of went from bad to worse and I spent a year kind of in and out of the hospital and I continued to have more and more issues with the connective tissue disorder I have. Ehler-stanley syndrome is the connective tissue disorder I have, and then I also have a primary immunodeficiency disease. The primary immunodeficiency disease what that means, it's a genetic disease. I was born without a fully functioning immune system, so I actually get my immune system through weekly immunoglobulin infusions that come from donated plasma. So without that I would not be here. So I it's a lifelong treatment. The disease has no cure.

Speaker 9: 41:25

So I've got all of this different stuff going on from all different angles and eventually the EDS caused a spinal cord injury because all of my joints are super, super unstable, including my spine. So I have one of my vertebrae and my spine that actually slipped down on top of another vertebrae, causing a spinal cord injury in my lumbar spine. So as all of this was going on and I still, I loved the running community and I wanted to be part of that and I was trying so hard to continue to run, even though I had no business doing it, and so one of my physical therapists finally suggested hand cycling to me. I had never heard of it, so I went home. I googled hand cycling Houston and I came up with Achilles International. Yeah.

Speaker 9: 42:22

Achilles International is an organization for disabled athletes that helps athletes with disabilities participate in mainstream running events and that can be through mobility impaired programs for people that are disabled but still running.

Speaker 9: 42:40

It can be hand cycling, it can be racing in a push rim, racing chair kind of whatever you need to do for your particular situation. So that's essentially how I got into hand cycling and that was you know about the same time that I started using a wheelchair daily, which for a lot of people is a really scary thing. But what I found was when I finally agreed to use a wheelchair, that was the best thing that ever happened to me, because it really gave me my independence and freedom back when I actually started using the wheelchair, because that worked for me in my disability and I was able to get around and start moving and being active again when I started using the wheelchair. So it just kind of all came together and the first time I ever got into a hand cycle, it was just one of those things where I instantly knew that was what I was supposed to be doing.

Speaker 4: 43:42

Okay, because that's what. That's what I was going to kind of go. How do you go from okay, this hand cycle is pretty cool to winning the Boston Marathon? Yeah, it doesn't happen overnight.

Speaker 9: 43:55

No, it didn't happen overnight. It happened over a number of years, but it was something that I just instantly fell in love with. I took to it right away, I think, because for me, it was finally something that I was able to work with my body instead of against my body, and it was just such a sense of freedom and being able to get out there and move how I wanted to move, but I had never been able to before. So I got on the hand cycle and I mean, basically, that's just all I want to do now is just be on my hand cycle. I just love it that much.

Speaker 9: 44:40

So the very first Marathon I ever did in a hand cycle was the Houston Marathon in I think it was 2017, and I went out with the attitude I was just doing it to finish. Yeah, I was gonna go out and do my best and enjoy it and finish, and I had a blast. I stopped along the route and you know, my, my oldest son, showed up with my dog on the race course and I stopped and took selfies with my dog.

Speaker 4: 45:13

Nice, nice.

Speaker 9: 45:13

Just fun stuff like that, and I finished in second place. Oh wow, and I, you know, I knew, I knew I was fast, but I didn't really at the time have a real good concept of how fast I was or what that meant or anything. And it was later that day that the director of our local Achilles chapter sent me a text and said do you know you qualified for the Boston Marathon today. Wow.

Speaker 9: 45:48

And I was just shocked. So the very first Marathon, just going out and having fun, I qualified for Boston, so that kind of you know from there. It got me thinking, hmm, maybe I could be good at this. Yeah, you know it was, I guess, during COVID, at the very beginning of COVID, that I was like, hmm, I think I could be really really good at this if I got a good coach and a dietitian and I really devoted everything to it.

Speaker 4: 46:23

Because that leads to my next what's training like Wendy?

Speaker 9: 46:26

So training varies from week to week. I I spend a lot of hours on my hand cycle and it's just, you know, kind of like a runner would train. I have days where I do intervals. I have days when I do long endurance rides. I have days when I do shorter, easier rides, and then I have my cross training days.

Speaker 4: 46:51

I was going to ask about that cross training.

Speaker 9: 46:53

I do spend a lot more time than your typical athlete does with my training. So at this point I did actually quit my job at the beginning of the year and I do train full-time now. So I am essentially full-time professional athlete at this point and I every. I live in Houston, where it's really flat, so on the weekends I travel to the Austin area almost every weekend to do hill training, because I have to get hill training in all of that as well. So it's it's a lot of time. It takes a lot of juggling of schedules and this and that.

Speaker 4: 47:40

I would imagine that hill training, just like for running, increases your strength quite a bit, doesn't it?

Speaker 9: 47:45

It does, it's, yes, it really does.

Speaker 8: 47:48

What kind of activities do you do for cross training so typically?

Speaker 9: 47:52

I do light weight training, so I do lighter weights, high reps. I do a lot of stuff with resistance bands, light weights, that sort of thing. My coach doesn't like me doing heavy weights where I would bolt up. It's more about building muscular endurance, so it's more of the light weights, resistant bands, high reps, that sort of thing.

Speaker 4: 48:17

Somewhere along your travels, you lost a whole bunch of weight, didn't you? I?

Speaker 9: 48:21

did. Yeah, I actually I've lost over a hundred pounds over the last five to six years. Yeah, and that was that was part of the whole thing, too is I got to the point where I knew my weight was holding me back and that was really the incentive I needed to get the weight off. And I started working with a registered dietitian and I still work with her today. She is a sports dietitian, but she's the one that really was able to work with me one-on-one in getting that weight off and really because I have a lot, a lot of GI issues as well and I have a lot of severe food allergies, so she helped really tailor my diet and really dial it in so that I was able to lose the weight without compromising my training.

Speaker 9: 49:15

So it was you know it was a little tricky at times. Now I'm where I need to be and I'm maintaining, and now the focus with her is my optimizing my nutrition for performance.

Speaker 4: 49:33

I think that's quite a challenge. It is. Especially as you just talked about trying to lose weight while training, because you got the calorie requirements and still you've got to be.

Speaker 9: 49:44

you got to be smart about it, yeah you have to be very smart about it and you know, and one of the things that we did is, you know I needed to lose the weight but at the same time, you can't lose it too quickly, because that's going to do more harm to your body than good and you're not gonna keep it off long term if you lose it too quickly. But I also needed to make sure I was losing weight but I was still getting enough calories to get my workouts in and my training in.

Speaker 9: 50:12

So it's a it is a very delicate balancing and luckily I have the most amazing dietitian ever in the whole world Cool. It has really guided me through all of this. I couldn't have done it without her.

Speaker 8: 50:28

You're welcome to shout her out if you want to. Her name is Catherine.

Speaker 9: 50:31

Kropa with advice for eating.

Speaker 4: 50:34

Nice, thank you.

Speaker 9: 50:35

Amazing and she does stuff online over Zoom as well as in person. So even if you're not, she's local in Houston, but she works with a lot of people that are not local as well, so she's, she's amazing.

Speaker 4: 50:52

We may look for her for a future episode. This is just me now I'm gonna be a little geeky here. I'm curious about the vehicle, about the race chair, about the hand cycle. Okay, I know it's a, it's a recumbent type thing. I mean, you're just about flat, aren't you on this?

Speaker 9: 51:10

Yeah, so there are a couple of different types of hand cycles.

Speaker 9: 51:15

I am in a recumbent hand cycle and I have my feet out in front of me and I'm laying almost completely flat.

Speaker 9: 51:23

So we have gears like a bicycle dies, yeah, okay, well, with our arms. So there are recumbent hand cycles, there are more upright hand cycles those are more if what you'll see a lot like at the Disney races that are not quite as competitive. They're built a little bit more for leisure riding and not quite as much for racing and they're gonna set a little bit more upright, but their feet are still gonna be out in front of them, they're still gonna pedal with their arms. And then the other type you'll see is called a kneeler and you'll see those even less frequently. And the kneeler you actually, instead of having your feet out in front of you, you're kneeling in this bucket but then you're peddling with your arms. And that is a very specific type of hand cycle. That is for a certain class of disabilities within the International Paralympic Circuit and system. So depending on how your class will depend will decide if you're in a kneeler or a recumbent.

Speaker 4: 52:41

Now I had not seen one before me. I don't think I did. I was a little surprised to see that your arms move in unison. Yeah, like it's not like a bicycle, where right is that the case for all the kind of?

Speaker 9: 52:56

Yeah, that's the case for all hand cycles and you get a little bit more power that way, because it's if you're moving both of your arms at the same time get a little bit more power. If they're opposite, you don't quite as much power.

Speaker 4: 53:16

Yeah, I can. I can see that now that you're talking to me, that you can push over the top and then pull coming back. Exactly so you think about it.

Speaker 9: 53:25

You know you can lift more weight with both hands than you can if you're just using one hand. You know if you're trying to bench press you use both hands because you can bench press a lot more weight. If you're just using one, you're not gonna be able to lift as much. Well that makes sense. Yeah, I like that. It's essentially what you're doing.

Speaker 4: 53:49

You said they're geared. I imagine that cadence is more important than Cadence primary importance to you.

Speaker 9: 53:59

Yes, cadence is very important. It's very important, and so each hand cyclist, their cadence is gonna be a little bit different, but not a whole lot. In general, most hand cyclists are going to have a cadence anywhere from 80 to 90 RPMs. Some people are gonna get more power a little higher, some people are gonna get more power a little lower, depending on what gear you're in. So my average cadence for a race ranges anywhere from 85 to 90 generally.

Speaker 4: 54:35

Okay, okay, I'm relating. I'm a bicyclist, wendy, I do that also and I'm relating, and that's probably for an average cyclist. Now the Tour de France guys are in a whole different level. Okay, the pros are probably about a hundred, but 85 to 95 is about what you're doing. Only, I'm doing it with my legs.

Speaker 9: 54:55

Right.

Speaker 4: 54:55

It's easier for me to generate power.

Speaker 9: 54:58

Right.

Speaker 4: 54:58

Muscles are a lot bigger. How navigable are these?

Speaker 9: 55:02

Oh, they're not. They're not at all so. I tell people quite literally my car has a better turning radius than my hand cycle.

Speaker 4: 55:14

Oh jeez, oh man.

Speaker 9: 55:16

Yes, so that's one of the things that sometimes is difficult in in the running races is if you are back mixed in with runners, it is really, really difficult to turn a hand cycle or a push rim racer for that matter. Both are very, very difficult and a lot of times runners don't realize that we cannot move like a bicycle can. So people think that we have the same maneuver ability that a bike guys and we just simply don't not even close, huh not even close.

Speaker 9: 55:52

It's very difficult to turn because on a hand cycle, our gears are on our and our cassette is on our front wheel, so we can't make the same kinds of turns that a bike can, because a bike, your chain, your cassette is on your rear wheel and ours is on our front wheel, so we have a really long chain. Our cassette is up front. It makes it difficult to turn.

Speaker 9: 56:17

The other thing that people don't think about or don't realize is they see us on three wheels and so they think we're very stable, and that is not true at all we are very unstable and we can flip very easily, because if you're going around a corner on a bike, you can lean into that right right right and on a hand cycle you can't do that, so you just flip.

Speaker 4: 56:45

I get it, I get it it is.

Speaker 9: 56:48

It takes a lot of practice, a lot of technical ability to be able to make tight turns and make corners at any kind of speed without crashing, and basically every hand cyclist I know that has, you know, been around for any length of time as at some point or another crashed their hand cycle and flipped it so what I'm curious about is have you ever flipped it during a race?

Speaker 5: 57:19

and if you did, how do you get yourself back up?

Speaker 9: 57:22

I have not flipped during a race. I have flipped during practice several times, but not during a race. So yeah, it's kind of comical maybe after the.

Speaker 9: 57:40

You know I have a good sense of humor and I can laugh at myself, so I guess the one time I'm thinking about that was probably the most humorous was I was. I was actually down in Tampa training and there is a very popular bike loop outside of Tampa called Flatwoods and I just took a turn too fast, my front wheel went off the side and I flipped and of course there's all these cyclists there. Oh my god, are you okay? So my hand cycles over here. I'm over there and you know I just have to like scoop my butt back to my hand cycle, turn it over and climb back in and yeah, it's, yeah, oh, it's quite a scene, it's. And yeah, I attract attention when it happens.

Speaker 9: 58:34

I've done all kinds of crazy stuff I so you know, really you should always have your feet strapped into your feet rests because you know, most of us in our in a hand cycle don't really have good control over our feet. And there was one day that I was training and I was training with some of the elite men and I didn't have my feet strapped in, because I don't like to strap my feet in because I can't do it by myself and then it's really hard to get out when I have my feet strapped in. So my feet weren't strapped in and I wasn't paying attention. And next thing I know, my foot flopped over into my front wheel and got caught in the spokes. It was ugly, yeah doesn't show.

Speaker 9: 59:21

It's one of those times that you're like, and I'm glad I can't feel my feet because oh my goodness, oh wow yeah, I've done some crazy stuff.

Speaker 8: 59:33

I love your sense of humor so much. I'm a little intimidated talking to this year's Boston and New York champions, so I'm sorry if I'm a little shaky. My question for you is, knowing that you've came from being a back of the packer to being the champion of the two races that I just said today, what kind of changes did you make mentally and what kind of changes did you make, perhaps like dietarily, that somebody could put into practice in their own running? So, like I'm training for a marathon right now and I know I probably should be doing some mental training, which I'm sure you do- and I also know that I probably could be maybe eating more.

Speaker 8: 1:00:17

So what kind of those things could you recommend to our listeners?

Speaker 9: 1:00:21

My diet and what I do is that of any elite athlete that is performing at the very top levels. So I watch every single thing I put into my mouth, because I know everything I put into my mouth has an effect on how I feel, how I perform, how my body functions. So I am very careful about the amount of fat I eat and the types of fat I eat. So I like to get my fat not from I don't eat butter at all, like no butter, nothing like that. I eat healthy fats, like from avocados and nuts and things like that. I rarely drink alcohol. Rarely drink alcohol. I used to have a couple of glasses of wine a week and that sort of thing, and now it's really only on special occasions.

Speaker 9: 1:01:16

I'm much better about eating breakfast now than I used to be and I make sure that my breakfast. I eat a very healthy, well-rounded, fairly large breakfast every day and lots and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. So even at breakfast I have vegetables with my breakfast every single morning. So peppers and tomatoes and that sort of thing with eggs for breakfast, and it's usually egg whites or protein, pancake, fat free yogurt, that sort of thing, and I think a lot of it. It's stuff we all know we should do. We just don't. Yeah, that's it.

Speaker 9: 1:01:56

It takes a lot of willpower, a lot of self-control, and it's one of those things. You just have to find a reason that you're willing to go all in, and for me that was hand cycling and that was really what got me to realize that I could not continue to treat my body like that with all of the junk I was eating. And once I started eating healthier and I got the weight off and I started feeling so much better, it's easier now for me to continue with it, because I know how I felt before and I know how I feel now, and so now I'm able to really see that. But it takes time and it takes consistency.

Speaker 9: 1:02:49

As far as the mental side of things. It's still a mental hurdle for me a lot of times because there's still days when I still think of myself as that back of the packer that might get swept from a race or get passed by the balloon ladies or whatever. I actually work with a sports psychologist and I use her to help me with a lot of the mental side of things, because now I'm dealing with completely different things. There's a lot of pressure that comes with this once you start winning races like that.

Speaker 9: 1:03:30

And then the social media, and I have to be very careful not to spend too much time on social media because sometimes that can do more harm than good. I do a lot of mental visualization of races, and that doesn't mean just visualizing myself winning and crossing that finish line and breaking that banner. That also means visualizing okay, when something goes wrong, how am I going to handle it, what am I going to do? And visualizing different scenarios and how I'm gonna work through that, because races are not always going to go according to plan. You're going to have issues. Case in point New York Marathon last weekend.

Speaker 9: 1:04:19

I had an issue with my break Going down the Verasano Bridge very beginning, and going went great. I was going uphill, doing exactly what I needed to be, and on the downhill my break started rubbing and so I had to pull over and fix my break and try to catch back up with the lead back, which I did. But that was one of those scenarios that I had visualized beforehand and I had thought about that. Okay, what do I do? How am I going to physically, what am I going to do Mentally? How am I going to react to that? What am I going to do so I think that sort of thing is one of the things that has really helped me. And just think about all of these crazy scenarios, because things happen. Things happen what happens if you get sick or you have GI issues or you run out of water or whatever it may be, and think about that ahead of time, visualize that, what you're going to do, how you're going to react to it and continue on.

Speaker 4: 1:05:34

Awesome advice. Awesome advice for people listening. Thanks, all right, I'm going to change gears just a little bit. No pun intended, since we're talking about cycling, but I was out this weekend on my bike. I got a nice bike. I rode for about an hour, averaged about 15 miles an hour. That's not bad. Wendy, how fast do you go in your hand cycle using just your arms?

Speaker 9: 1:06:01

So that really depends on the distance. And is it flat, Is it hilly, that sort of thing. So for a time trial distance which would be about half marathon, 13, 15 miles, something like that, I'll average 20 to 21 miles an hour.

Speaker 9: 1:06:18

That's amazing On a relatively flat course, rolling flat course or rolling hills. If it's really hilly, it's going to be lower. I think that's incredible. I did 100K a few weeks ago in the mountains and that had some really crazy, crazy climbs and I averaged 14 miles an hour, wow wow, the gearing good enough to get you.

Speaker 4: 1:06:44

I mean, you've got to provide the power, but we call them granny gears on a bike. You got a gear to get you up the hills pretty well.

Speaker 9: 1:06:51

I do so I actually run a single chain ring. I have a one-by system, which I love, and a really huge cassette so I have a really wide range on my cassette. So I do have that granny gear that I do have to drop into that granny gear for the really steep climbs. So one of the places where I do my hill training on the weekends I've got a 16 to 17% grade climb that.

Speaker 9: 1:07:23

I do, and on that one I'll be dropping down into my lowest gear for that one. So, and then I have a couple of different size chain rings that I can swap in and out depending on the terrain.

Speaker 4: 1:07:37

Depending on the course. Yeah, yeah, tell us about. You competed in a race I don't know if it was in Houston, it was in Texas against bicyclists.

Speaker 9: 1:07:47

Yeah, so that was actually the 100K in the mountains and that was out in far West Texas, and so I'm actually what I've been doing recently is doing more of the ultra cycling races with upright cyclists. So that was a 100K race out in far West Texas out towards Big Bend, and I was the first hand cyclist to ever do that and I was actually competing against able-bodied upright cyclists because they did not have a hand cycle category, so I came in third in my age group and that's incredible. I was super excited about.

Speaker 4: 1:08:25

You should be.

Speaker 9: 1:08:26

Because a hand cycle just cannot get the same power as an upright bike. No, Because you don't have as much muscle in your arms as you do your legs and in a hand cycle, being in the recumbent position, you can't get up over your pedals and get that additional power, especially when you're climbing up hills. So we're gonna always be slower than an upright bike going uphill. We just it just is what it is.

Speaker 4: 1:08:57

Yeah, just physics.

Speaker 9: 1:08:58

It's just physics, so yeah, so I did that and I'm doing more of those, and my ultimate goal, what I'm really working towards right now, is it's race across the West, and that is a 930 mile ultra endurance cycling event. That'll be June of 2023. It's 930 miles. It starts in Oceanside, california, and it ends in Durango, colorado, and it has 56,000 feet of climbing.

Speaker 4: 1:09:34

Oh, my goodness.

Speaker 9: 1:09:35

And it goes through the deserts of Arizona. You know 120 degrees in the deserts and then you start climbing up into the Rocky Mountains. So that's why I'm doing these ultra cycling events with able-bodied upright cyclists. So I decided I needed a new challenge and apparently I'm just stupid.

Speaker 9: 1:10:03

Because I yeah, so that's what I'm actually working for right now. I'll be no hand cyclist has ever attempted this race before, so I'll be the first and I am super, super excited about that. It's just completely bonkers insane to attend something that on a hand cyclist on a hand cycle. But yeah, I'm going to. So I think that's amazing. It's gonna be crazy.

Speaker 4: 1:10:31

We wanna talk to you after that one, if we can.

Speaker 9: 1:10:33

Oh yeah, yeah, it's not a stage race like the Tour de France, this is straight through. Oh my goodness.

Speaker 4: 1:10:40

And so you decide when to sleep and when to rest.

Speaker 9: 1:10:44

Yeah, wow, and it's again. It's a cycling, ultra cycling, endurance race and they are not giving me any additional time to complete it. So I have 92 hours as a solo rider to complete the distance. So there's not gonna be much sleep involved.

Speaker 4: 1:11:08

No, not in that event. That's incredible, amazing.

Speaker 5: 1:11:12

So I love everything ultra running and ultra distances in general and I'm just fascinated. So wait, so you have 92 hours to complete it. What is your projected time? And is this self assisted, or are there aid stations there for you?

Speaker 9: 1:11:30

So there are timing stations where we have to check in, but it's not an aid station like you would see at an ultra running event.

Speaker 9: 1:11:42

It is self supported with a crew.

Speaker 9: 1:11:46

So the way that works is I will have a follow van behind me at all times and I will have crew members in the van, and I'll probably actually have two vans so that the crew can swap back and forth, and I'll have a crew of about five to six people. I'm right now in the process of nailing down and finalizing my crew, so what I hope to have is an MD on the crew, a bike mechanic on the crew. My dietician is Mae Joynes, if she is able. She's trying to work out her schedule to see if she's going to be actually present with me or if she's just going to be talking remotely back and forth to the crew. So the crew they will be constantly assessing my health, monitoring my calorie intake, my fluid intake, my fluid output, all of that to try to keep me going, basically Monitoring my temperature through the desert, trying to cool me down through the desert, trying to make sure that I am not hallucinating and falling asleep and in danger to myself and all of that stuff that happens with ultra-marathon.

Speaker 4: 1:13:07

That's real.

Speaker 9: 1:13:09

It's very real. So my husband's an ultra-marathoner and so he's been there, he's done that, he gets it. The crazy hallucinations and this and that. So, yeah, I'll have a full crew. They'll be behind me in a van with flashing lights and signs and they'll follow me the whole way. And, yeah, I hope for the best, that's so epic and awesome. I'm excited. It's crazy nuts but I'm excited.

Speaker 1: 1:13:40

So I don't have a question. I just want to say how incredibly inspiring it is of your story and how we might have listeners that were in the same position as you of having a disability or an autoimmune disorder or something where they weren't able to move the way that they were previously, and the amazing things that you're showing that you can do is just so inspiring to all.

Speaker 9: 1:14:12

Well, thank you and I hope, I hope even if I inspire one person to get out there and try something different and move and be active, then I kind of feel like this is all worth it.

Speaker 4: 1:14:32

Because I think the story resonates to everybody.

Speaker 9: 1:14:35

Yeah, I hope so, and I'm in such a unique position that I've been literally both ends of the extreme with being that person that was the last across finish lines and getting swapped and then winning the Boston Marathon, and so it gives me, I think, a very unique perspective that I don't know that anybody else really has.

Speaker 7: 1:15:00

So, it's kind of crazy?

Speaker 9: 1:15:03

I don't think so but yeah, so, hopefully, hopefully other people are able to see that and hear that and it encourages them to get out and move and be active.

Speaker 8: 1:15:17

Given your unique perspective on this and that you have done both. There's a lot of our listeners who may be doing their first marathon in January, or maybe their first half marathon, maybe the first 5K, maybe the first 10K. Do you have any advice, especially for people who are attempting long distances for the first time, of what you might say to them?

Speaker 9: 1:15:38

So the first thing I would say is be consistent in your training. That's the most important thing. You have to be consistent in your training. If you are consistent in your training, then the day of the race, that is your victory lap and then race day, that's the day you go out and you celebrate all of that hard work you put in during training. And that's really what the race is about. It's a celebration of all that hard work you put in.

Speaker 9: 1:16:07

So don't get nervous about the race, since dressed and to the point that you don't enjoy it. The point of the race is to go out and have fun, enjoy it and celebrate all that hard work you put in and just have fun with it. Have fun, especially if you're doing a Disney race oh my gosh, I mean, there's so much fun, there's so much going on and the run Disney community is amazing. I have met some of my very best friends through the run Disney community and just go out and have fun. But you have to be consistent in your training. If you're not consistent in your training and you don't put in the training runs, then race day is going to be miserable and you don't want that. I don't want that for you. Nobody wants that for you, so be consistent in your training.

Speaker 8: 1:16:56

I love that I hear you saying to me on race day get out of your own head and look around and have fun.

Speaker 9: 1:17:01

Yes, absolutely, absolutely. You just have to remember race day. That is your day to celebrate all the hard work you've put in. That's what race day is about.

Speaker 4: 1:17:13

That's the reward, Yep spot on. Spot. On Wendy, I agree 100%. I think we're kind of wrapping up, but we touched on you do some Disney races. You told us you did Princess in 2010. Any other memorable Disney races or anything coming up?

Speaker 9: 1:17:29

Oh my gosh. Well, I've done all of the Disney races at one point or another. I haven't been doing a lot of them over the last year year and a half, I guess. Really, since COVID, I've only done a couple just because I've gotten to a point in my racing career that the Ren Disney races just aren't fitting into my schedule and I've got other stuff I have to focus on. So, honestly, one of the most memorable ones, though, was Princess. This year, I just did the 10K, and I did it with a couple of friends, and I think I can't even remember. I think it was like an hour and a half 10K or something.

Speaker 4: 1:18:11

Yeah, fun.

Speaker 9: 1:18:12

So slow. We stopped for every single character and we just had so much fun. We rode together and my husband ran with us to try to help us maneuver around the character stops and we just had so much fun. And we put lights on our hand cycles and I had a speaker on the back of my hand cycle. We had wrapped all of these LED lights around the frame and I blasted Baroque Ho down from the speaker on my hand cycle.

Speaker 4: 1:18:43

Nice, it's the mainstream electrical parade.

Speaker 9: 1:18:46

It was so much fun, it was no pressure, it was just have fun, so that was a really fun one. Wine and Dine I just I love Wine and Dine. I love the after party at Epkeye, all of that. Dopey is dopey, it's just epic, and it's ridiculous to get up that early in the morning or mornings in a row, but it's just so, each one of them. My all time favorite, though, was Tinkerbell at Disneyland, because I just love Tinkerbell.

Speaker 9: 1:19:17

Tinkerbell's always been my favorite character and all of that. And I loved the Disneyland races and I still miss the Disneyland races but I'm excited they're coming back.

Speaker 7: 1:19:28

Coming back.

Speaker 9: 1:19:30

I might have to break my Disney hiatus to go do whatever Disneyland race they bring back. In the meantime, I'll just try to go cheer for everyone at the Disney races.

Speaker 4: 1:19:42

Cool, I hope to see you there. Ok, we're not going to let you go yet. We haven't done this for a little bit, but Allie's got a few rapid fire questions she wants to ask before we let you get out of here.

Speaker 9: 1:19:55

OK.

Speaker 8: 1:19:55

I know you're a Disney person. We just talked about that. What's your favorite Disney ride?

Speaker 9: 1:20:02

Well, I guess I have to say Guardians of the Galaxy. Now.

Speaker 10: 1:20:05

OK. Yeah, yeah, it's a good one Pretty awesome.

Speaker 8: 1:20:13

This is divided amongst us, so what's your favorite Disney snack?

Speaker 9: 1:20:16

The churros from Tiffin's or Nomad Lounge. Ok, because I'm allergic to gluten, I'm gluten free, but the churros at Nomad Lounge are gluten free and they are amazing, amazing.

Speaker 4: 1:20:32

That's a nice place in general. That Nomad Lounge is.

Speaker 9: 1:20:34

Oh, it is I spend way too much time there. But yes, if you've never had the churros from Nomad Lounge whether you're gluten free or not go try them. They are amazing.

Speaker 8: 1:20:45

I love that. I'm definitely going to try them.

Speaker 9: 1:20:47

What is?

Speaker 8: 1:20:47

your favorite race distance.

Speaker 9: 1:20:50

My favorite race distance 100K. I think Wow, Wow.

Speaker 5: 1:20:58

I was going to guess it. No, I was really excited.

Speaker 9: 1:21:00

When you were talking about it. I was like I bet it's an ultra. You know, yeah, I had so much fun doing that 100K a few weeks ago. It was, yeah, it was amazing. So right at the moment, now ask me, and if you mind, I may tell you what 200 mile or 500 mile is. No doubt, the longer the better, the longer the better.

Speaker 8: 1:21:25

So this is just kind of a sassy question, but I have to ask it. It's an age old debate Boston or New York? Boston?

Speaker 4: 1:21:34

Yeah. Ok, I don't even have to think about that when Boston OK, I kind of understand that, but you made Allie happy Allie's up in New Hampshire.

Speaker 8: 1:21:46

I am, yeah, so I'm a New England girl, but Greg and John are New York fans and live in that area.

Speaker 9: 1:21:54

So New York is amazing For me. I've had really good experiences in Boston and they didn't yell at me for going too fast in Boston and I got yelled at for going too fast in New York.

Speaker 4: 1:22:10

So, you want to tell us that before you go. You mentioned that at the very beginning, before we were recording.

Speaker 9: 1:22:16

Yeah, so New York is not as hand-cycle friendly as Boston is, and they don't let you go over or go under an hour in 35 minutes, and if you go too fast they yell at you, and I got yelled at twice. Oh my.

Speaker 9: 1:22:35

So what happened is, I told y'all, my break got messed up and I had to pull over and stop, and so then I had to try to catch back and they put a pace car in front of the hand-cyclist.

Speaker 9: 1:22:45

So New York has a huge, huge hand-cycle field and usually there's probably anywhere from five to 10 hand-cyclists that are able to keep up with the pace car. So my coach, like my whole race plan for New York was don't lose the pace car, go out fast, go out hard, stick with the pace car and just stay with the pace car until it turns off and then sprint to the finish. That was my whole race plan. So I had to pull over, I had to fix my break, I lost the pace car and then all I can think is oh my gosh. My coach Ollie told me, was don't lose the pace car. And there goes the pace car and I lost the lean pack. So then I had to go really fast to catch up to the lean pack and the pace car and I got yelled at by race officials for going too fast.

Speaker 4: 1:23:31

I didn't write.

Speaker 9: 1:23:32

I know it's not. I know that's why I like Boston better. They don't yell at me for going too fast, nice.

Speaker 8: 1:23:38

So what you're saying is you went from falling behind at the balloon ladies to being told that you're going way too fast.

Speaker 6: 1:23:46

I love that story.

Speaker 8: 1:23:47

That is like the ultimate champion story.

Speaker 9: 1:23:51

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nice, it's a weird. I have a weird crazy story.

Speaker 4: 1:23:58

It's a terrific story and we thank you for taking time out of what I'm sure is a busy schedule to share it with us. Wendy, if friends want to follow you, you want to drop your Instagram handle or any way you would like to be followed.

Speaker 9: 1:24:14

My Instagram is wendylarsonhandcyclist and that's Larson with an E L-A-R-S-E-N, so I'm pretty easy to find. If you just Google Wendy Larson Handcycle, it'll come up.

Speaker 4: 1:24:29

I can attest to that. I can attest to that and I have to say this one more time before I let you go the Boston Marathon Champion, the New York City Marathon Champion, wendy Larson, you're delightful, you're an inspiration, and we just so happy that you spend some time with us. Thanks again.

Speaker 9: 1:24:49

You're welcome and thank you for having me. I enjoyed chatting with y'all.

Speaker 4: 1:24:54

We've been in touch with Wendy. Wendy has done some remarkable things since that interview and we're hoping to have her back with us soon, maybe even sometime in April. Anasms, my friends, those of you who are going to be with us at Jeff Galloway's Weekend in Atlanta, which, by the time this releases, I'll be on my way up there. I'm hoping to see a bunch of you there. We've got a schedule. The Rise and Run podcast is scheduled for 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon. We really hope a bunch of you will visit. We'd like to get our friends involved in this to at least some level, but we sure do hope to see you there. Lexi, jack, do we have any idea what we're doing yet? I'm still trying to figure it out.

Speaker 6: 1:25:48

No idea.

Speaker 4: 1:25:49

OK yeah, we'll make it up, we'll get together, we'll grab a beer, probably at lunch on Saturday, and get a Make it fun.

Speaker 4: 1:25:57

On the back, we'll get a napkin and we'll write some notes down and, yeah, we'll make it fun. That's it, you got it. You got it. Let's see here, speaking of getting together, springtime meetup springtime, as we said, five weeks away. The meetup will be Saturday at 3 PM in the food truck area, as it has been for a while now. If you're new to this, that food truck area is in Disney Springs, it is. If you're looking at that big balloon, turn left. It's over there. It's kind of behind Starbucks, near that new restaurant, the Summer House, I believe it's called, or something like that.

Speaker 1: 1:26:40

Summer House on the lake.

Speaker 4: 1:26:41

That sounds right, alicia. Thank you, not hard to find. We haven't had anybody yet say to us gosh, I wanted to go to the meetup but I couldn't find it, so we really hope to see you there. We take a group photo at 3.30. So please try to be there by then. A lot of folks come early. Becky and I get there really pretty early. Becky is really good at securing a beach head. She grabs a table and then she starts to spread out and she grabs chairs the next thing. You know, we got a great place for a meetup, so hope to see you there. John, do we have any reviews this week? Yes, so, bob, we do have one by S Truman.

Speaker 7: 1:27:24

I love this podcast. I found it while training for Disneyland Half Marathon and I've been listening to two or three episodes a day to get caught up. The hosts have so much great info and funny stories. It's fun to hear all the race reports that. I hope to meet you all at Disney and Halloween or Dopey 2025.

Speaker 4: 1:27:41

Yeah, sounds great. I sure hope so too. I had to chuckle. If you're listening to two or three a day, you must still be early in the podcast history Before the podcast became two or two plus hours long. I cannot. As much as I love doing this podcast and as much as I like listening to it, I can't imagine listening to three of the more recent episodes in one day. It would take me all of that day, I think. But thank you so much. Thanks for the kind words, thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We do, honestly, goodness, appreciate it. We take it to heart. We love our friends and we love the fact that you get back to us and give us good, solid feedback.

Speaker 4: 1:28:30

Upcoming episodes. Friends, episode 130, you ask for it, you got it. Our new friends Allison and Penny will be joining us next week. We had a chance to chat with them just a little bit last night. They're really excited about it. We referred to this book earlier in the episode Run Disney, the official guide to racing around the parks. The author of that book, scott Douglas, will be with us for episode 131.

Speaker 4: 1:29:05

All right, my friends, it's time for the race report. All right, I need to go back a little bit Now. I don't normally do this, but I'll make exceptions in special cases because our buddy Megan did a race that she can only do once every four years and I don't want her to make her wait four more years to hear us talk about it. On the race report, she did a leap day race. I don't have the city, it's up where, it's somewhere in Northeast Ohio. They were having warm weather in Northeast Ohio until race day and at race day the race started at 36 degrees and ended at 30 degrees, so it was a little chilly. Megan went out a little bit too fast, said there were two divisions in this one, a running division and a walking division, and she ended up finishing last amongst the runners. But there's still some walkers behind her. That's fine, you finished and that's great.

Speaker 4: 1:30:07

Overall, nice race. Got a super cute little frog and a cute t-shirt, megan. Sorry I missed it last week. Thank you for pointing it out and I'm glad we got that up to date. Friends, let me, if I can, for just a moment, if you can put your race into the race report file. It's up in the featured section, it's pinned up there. If you can put your race in there. It helps a whole lot when it comes time to try and find them and compile the race report. But regardless, I'm going to do my best every week and I hope you can understand it's important to me. I don't want to miss any of them, but there are a lot of them and sometimes I goof up. I know my friends here are staring what Open mouth, what Bob goofs up. No, no, they're laughing, is what they're doing. All right, let's continue with this Saturday and let's head on over to England, our buddy, andy.

Speaker 4: 1:31:10

Andy did the running GP at Croft Motor Circuit, 10k. Now this race was run on a Speedway, a place where they have automobile races. British touring cars have raced on this track since the 1920s. Now. There were different distances up to a marathon, but Andy did the 10K. All of them were on the same course. There was three laps for the 10K, 13 laps for the marathon. Wet day in England. It did stop raining by the time the 10K started, but the longer races had started earlier, so they got soaked. Andy did OK, had enough left in the tank to make his last full mile the fastest of them all. That's always a good way to finish. That helps you finish. Positive and strong. Good experience. Neat track finished in under an hour. Not a PR, but a great effort.

Speaker 4: 1:32:19

Back in the States, in Batal Rouge, louisiana, the Colon Cancer Coalition gets your rearing gear. 5k yeah, managed to get that one out. That's a long title. Emily was there, great cause, great family outing. A very, very meaningful race for Emily, maybe her most meaningful to date, because not only did she set a new PR and was the first overall female finisher Way to go Emily but did it all in the name of her mom, who's been battling cancer and winning for the last two years. Mom walked the 5K with Emily's husband. Emily's dad was also in this I said a family affair. Dad finished second in his age group. What a great event, emily. Proud of you, way to go.

Speaker 4: 1:33:16

In Annapolis, maryland, the Annapolis Running Festival 10K. Our friends Tom and Diane from the Will Run For podcast, despite a little bit of wind and rain, turned out to be a great event. Hey, friends, the Will Run For gang have their virtual run. Registration is right now and I've done that before. They do a terrific job with their virtual run, so head on over to their website and look for a registration link for the Will Run For virtual. They get neat medals, they're wooden and they're really pretty, so it's kind of a virtually live type thing. I think they do a zoom during the race.

Speaker 7: 1:34:04

Well, run Good idea Will Run For guys Check it out, and you're getting socks this year too, bob.

Speaker 4: 1:34:11

Is that right?

Speaker 7: 1:34:12

Yep.

Speaker 4: 1:34:12

And they've had hats in the past. They just do a real fine job with it and so it's a neat thing, definitely worth looking into and a good group of people over there too. All right, in Oldsmore, florida, the Armadillo Run. Andrea was there. She did the 5K. They do a two-loop 10K and one-loop 5K. She picked the 5K Placed in her age group. Now, this is cool. You're a boy placing your age group even though you've run your slowest time 5K, but just moved into a new age group, so that's an age group PR. Finish line had pizza, chick-fil-a, watermelon, donuts, banana and beer a veritable smorgasbord. Good job, andrea.

Speaker 4: 1:35:06

The Indian Head 10K at the Indian Head Rail Trail a little bit south of Washington DC, kerry and Catherine were there, both of whom PRed with sub-90-minute 10Ks. Yeah, good job. Small local race on a rail trail. Rail trails are great to run on. Good way to start the weekend and support a whole lot of people and do a way to start the weekend and support a worthy cause. We will see them in five weeks at springtime surprise. Our friend Dylan ran the 5K at the Triple Crown Road Race in Aiken, south Carolina. On the Big Island, kona in Hawaii, the Kona Brewfest Run for Hops 5K, carolyn, was there no medals, but Kona light beer at the end. Hey, running in Kona is reward enough. Who needs medals, right? Nobody knows stinking medals, good job.

Speaker 5: 1:36:12

I would do it for first two, Bob. No medals necessary.

Speaker 4: 1:36:16

My first time running recreationally was in Hawaii. I was in the 80s. No medals at all. That just wasn't unique to Hawaii. There just weren't any medals at the time. Maybe finish first, that was about it. I don't know when running medals came to be for finishers, but it wasn't back then. But yeah, neat job, great stuff. We saw Carolyn. I'm almost positive she was at Princess weekend with her husband. So if not, I apologize but I'm pretty sure of that In Ovido, florida and I've got to admit I'm not sure I'm pronouncing that city name right. You think I would know since I live in the state. Anyway, the hopes sham rock and run 5k.

Speaker 4: 1:37:02

Emma did her first run of the 2024 season. Despite heading out in new shoes and tying them to tight, which made her feet kind of tingle, emma finished with a PR of 32, 29. Fourth out of 23 in her age group and had a great time. It's an excellent run, emma, congratulations.

Speaker 4: 1:37:28

Up in Binghamton, new York, the St Patrick's Day four-mile or Steve Steve says. Fortunately the rain held off. The on course hydration was nice. Water's normal, right Guinness and alcohol shots a little bit something extra for St Patrick's Day. Guinness seems perfectly appropriate. Great post-race celebration with the Celtic drum band. One beef sandwiches again Perfect refreshing drinks such as Sen Irish race. You got Guinness Good choice In St Charles, missouri. The time to patty, lucky 13.1. Chris was there to loop course around the beautiful Lakeside 370 Lake. Look back, a lot of memories for Chris because it was this site where he ran his 24 hour run a little more than a year ago. This time he knocked out a two hour and one minute half marathon. Great pace, chris. Congratulations on that one.

Speaker 4: 1:38:40

Lucy was in Vero Beach, florida, for the Citrus Classic 5K. This is the last in a series of races, race number four in the Vero Beach race series, trainings paying off for Lucy. She managed to get a post-college PR of 22 minutes 21 seconds. That's smoking. That's fast enough to finish first in her age group and seventh overall amongst the women. Her winnings for this first in age group finish included an insulated bag, three pounds of mandarins, and she did it all while dressed as a pomelo, in an orange shorts and a green top. A pomelo, my friends. I had to look it up. It is the largest of the Citrus fruits, with kind of an orangey, yellow exterior, kind of the size of a grapefruit, maybe a little bit bigger. I guess it's got to be bigger. It's the biggest of the Citrus Lucy's trying to bring some costuming out of the world of Disney into Vero Beach.

Speaker 4: 1:39:56

All right, here we go, our buddy Danny in the Netherlands. Danny ran the Rival Haguege's Hava Marathon in Dordrecht, the Netherlands. I'm going with that, saying that I nailed it On this one. Danny says the weather was good, just a little bit windy. 20 miles an hour, pretty breezy. Race went well for Danny. Lost a minute in the last two miles but reached his time goal of under an hour 40 minutes for this half marathon. Little slower than pre-Dopey but very happy with it. Great medal, great run. Danny Hour 40 half yeah, so I know you're capable of better, but that's a heck of a run. Congratulations on that one.

Speaker 4: 1:40:44

Let's wrap up Saturday with the Oceanatigans 5K in Southington, connecticut. Gretchen was there. Chili Day great race put on by the Hartford Marathon Foundation. A lot of the 169ers there. We haven't talked about this for a while. Refresh your memory Connecticut has local races in 169 towns or cities. You can keep track of them and there's an award if you finish all 169. We have some folks who are well on their way. Gretchen's just getting started but she's up to number 10. Hey, you got to start somewhere, right. So good job. Gretchen Banned afterwards beer, really good pizza, and now, as she writes the race report, she's sitting on her couch trying to warm up. Emily was also there. She posted in the Facebook thread Let us move now to Sunday and head to the West Coast, san Diego, california.

Speaker 4: 1:41:51

They have hot chocolate runs out there too. The hot chocolate 15K. Our friend Jackie did this one. Jackie somehow forgot just how hilly San Diego is. She didn't quite manage the finish time she was hoping for, but she got a 15K PR by about a minute and a half. Those runs are always worth it for the hot chocolate. Jackie says let's come back to the East Coast, baltimore, maryland. The St Patrick's Day, shamrock 5K. And we are excited to have with us in the race report spotlight our good friend Allie. Without any Allie, welcome to the Rise and Run podcast. Hi, how are you? We're all good. I think. I didn't check, but I think everybody's good. You know what Allie?

Speaker 4: 1:42:48

You've been a friend of the podcast for a long time, almost from the beginning, I think. Right it was pretty close.

Speaker 10: 1:42:55

I found you before Wine and Dine of 22.

Speaker 4: 1:42:58

So and I think that's Well, that's we started.

Speaker 10: 1:43:02

Yeah so everyone.

Speaker 4: 1:43:04

We started October 22nd of oh no, actually it was 21. So, okay, so it had been a little while yet. Okay, we've been around a little while.

Speaker 10: 1:43:13

It was probably this summer of 22 that I found you guys, okay, okay.

Speaker 4: 1:43:17

Well, that's still early. People were still discovering us then, for sure. I know I started it. I don't remember where the Allie without anything came from. I think it came from our Allie who uses an E, and the first time I saw your name pop up in the race report or maybe even a roll call maybe but I've had fun with it and I think you have too. I think. Yeah, I definitely like it.

Speaker 10: 1:43:43

I was telling my husband about it tonight. I was like you asked me one time if it was getting old and I said no, never. It makes me laugh every time.

Speaker 4: 1:43:52

That's cool, I like it, I like it, I appreciate that.

Speaker 10: 1:43:54

And now, when I introduce myself with the meetups, people are like oh hi, I'm her name.

Speaker 4: 1:44:00

Isn't that neat. And when I saw that you had run this week, I have a list of who we have had on the spotlight and it's about 75 people now. So it's been going for a while and I was surprised that your name wasn't in there. So I said, well, we got to fix this. Allie without a knee has to be in the race report spotlight. We're good to go. So, my friend, we're glad we finally got you here. Hey, let's do like we usually do, and let me ask you how you got started in running.

Speaker 10: 1:44:32

I've been a roller coaster runner since probably 2007. One of the instructors at the gym I was at got me to do a warrior dash with her, and then she had me do a local 5K with her. And then we did a year where we did a 5K Every month and then I kind of fizzled out and we stopped running. And then I would run again, and then I stopped running and COVID hit and I started running again. And then in 2022 in January 2022, I said to my husband I'm doing a half marathon this year and I had to train for it, so I got back into it. So I would say 2022 is when I got back into it and have consistently been running since then. I always wanted to do a half marathon, but I never wanted to train for it.

Speaker 10: 1:45:18

I left my job in 2022, and I was like now I have all the time in the world to train. For it, I don't have an excuse and I'm doing it, and the rest is history.

Speaker 4: 1:45:27

And you're training with our friend Alicia right I am training with Alicia yeah. Very good and that seems to be working out pretty well for you. That's nice.

Speaker 10: 1:45:38

I've been very happy that I like that I don't have to think about anything and I just get on my schedule. I look at my schedule and I, oh, four miles today done. I can do that before my training. You've been doing great, thank you. My training in 2022 was all over the place. I was like oh, I only feel like doing a three miles today. Oh, I'll do sex today, yeah. Yeah.

Speaker 10: 1:45:59

And I don't know if it was that year, it feels, because I was under trained, if it was hot, if it was, I was under fueled, if I was exhausted from being in Disney. But that marathon, that half marathon, was hard.

Speaker 4: 1:46:09

Yeah, I get it and I have to go way back to when I was kind of training myself. It's hard and we're generally not good at it. No, yeah, so it's certain it certainly does help to have somebody helping you.

Speaker 10: 1:46:25

Yes, I definitely feel more prepared having a coach and having Alicia help me figure out what I need to do when that's cool.

Speaker 4: 1:46:33

Now, I think you probably answered this, or at least part of it. When did you get started running at Disney?

Speaker 10: 1:46:39

That would be in 2022. Wine and Dine was my first run Disney weekend and it was my first half. It was my first challenge, everything. I just threw it all into one big lump sum go big or go home. So 2022 was my first run Disney weekend, so I'm still pretty new at run Disney. Yeah, yeah. I've only done four. Well, I did Disneyland, but I've only done four weekends.

Speaker 4: 1:47:00

Well, that's cool. I mean yeah, since 2014.

Speaker 10: 1:47:04

But I'm one of my. They're all on my schedule now. I like going. I miss not being able to see people throughout the year, so oh yeah, oh yeah. I understand that. Disneyland in September because I met some awesome people out there and they're going like ah so and it's hard for them to come to the East coast.

Speaker 4: 1:47:23

So yeah, yeah. I personally know I'm excited about getting out there in September. It'll be my first trip in many years.

Speaker 10: 1:47:33

I really liked it. I don't. I know a lot of people said that the half marathon course was terrible. I look at it as something that I'm not used to running. It's different scenery. Yeah, you're running out on the streets of Anaheim. There was nothing to look at, but it was different than the trails I normally run one and I liked it. I don't have really any complaints. I got stuck in that mile three bottleneck but I didn't get stuck too far back. I think I was only there for maybe three to five minutes, but I liked it. I think you'll have fun.

Speaker 4: 1:48:03

I trust they're going to fix that. In terms of running in a city. That's what we typically do when we're not at Disney.

Speaker 10: 1:48:11

Right. That's hell, I looked at it too. It's just a regular road race and I was okay with that. It was different for me. It was a change of scenery and I love that. I don't mind the highway miles in Disney World because it's different. It's a change of scenery for me, yeah.

Speaker 4: 1:48:24

Well, speaking of not running at Disney and running in cities, how was the St Patrick's Day? Shamrock 5K in Baltimore.

Speaker 10: 1:48:33

So last year my daughter and I did it also and we didn't realize that you needed to get there over two hours early because the traffic was so bad. So last year we missed the start. They were taking down the start line as we were getting there.

Speaker 4: 1:48:47

I remember that.

Speaker 10: 1:48:48

Uh-huh. They were yelling at us to hurry up to cross the start line, so I kind of put a damper on our whole run of this year. I think we stay down there overnight and we got there plenty of time. We were able to walk to the start line without rushing the finish line. There's different parking garages and we parked here on the finish line, so that gave us about a 20-minute walk to the start, which was fine when you're following a crowd of people, but it's hectic and stressful when you have no idea where you're going and nobody's there anymore.

Speaker 10: 1:49:16

Well, that's true, yeah, so we got to the start plenty of time. They had four corrals, a through D. They were loose corrals.

Speaker 10: 1:49:25

They had ropes separating each one but we could have hopped in A if we wanted to. There was nobody checking bibs, it was just people gathering and forming a corral. We were in C, which was fine I didn't see any need to try and be anywhere else and running with my daughter, so it was fine. They did the normal starts, the national anthem, and then they started. I think they had. They had a couple of minutes in between each corral and then it was time to go. The first three quarters of a mile is downhill, which is nice. You can kind of you, don't feel like you necessarily need to start your intervals, because you can.

Speaker 10: 1:50:03

You have that downhill and you can get a way with some people before you feel like you can need to start intervals. So we did that. We just kind of ran the downhill and then we started. We didn't. I always let. When I wrote with my daughter, I let her choose the intervals and she didn't want to use actual intervals this time. She just wanted to stop when she wanted to stop and I just let her pick. It's fine, it's not recent, I'm trying to win any PRs in. So we didn't, we just did random intervals. But she ended up getting a side cramp and that kind of put a damper in the rest of our run. So we did run when we could, but it wasn't as pleasant for her because she couldn't kick the side cramp.

Speaker 4: 1:50:40

Sorry about that.

Speaker 10: 1:50:41

But it's an awesome. I like the course. It's pretty minus that big downhill in the beginning, it's pretty flat. There's a slight incline when you're coming back, but it's pretty much a flat course. You run right along inner harbor, so you're right up against inner harbor and they have the after party is busy.

Speaker 10: 1:50:58

They have beer that you can get and they have decent snacks. They had cookies and chips and M&Ms at the end, but yeah, it was, I like it. I would definitely do it again. I like the course. I like that it's. I don't know if easy is the right word, I mean, of course, but but it's a flatter course.

Speaker 4: 1:51:22

There you go. Yeah, of course, maybe I would say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, good, I like that, yeah, but I like it.

Speaker 10: 1:51:29

I like, I like that I can dress up and I'm not the only one dressed up Cool. There was lots of people in two twos and sparkle skirts and and same Patrick. They had bands and stuff. Oh yeah, so it's a fun race. I'm not sure my daughter would agree with it because she didn't feel great because she had a side cramp. But I can usually try to do it again. Speaking of dressing up, is that something that you bring from run?

Speaker 1: 1:51:48

Disney and that you're encouraging her to do? Or is that her saying hey, mom, I want to dress up. Or is it a little bit of both? Oh no, she doesn't want to dress up, but they're so cute.

Speaker 10: 1:52:00

You guys looked adorable. She would not want to dress up.

Speaker 1: 1:52:04

She would rather us just wear like the shirt and whatever, like black leggings.

Speaker 10: 1:52:08

She does it because I'm not a fan of black leggings. She does it because I want to and I've always liked for stuff like that. I like to dress up. My friend and I years ago we did the turkey trot and we would like find like matching outfits. She found out that one of her friends from school was going to be there and she's like, oh my gosh, they can't see me looking.

Speaker 4: 1:52:29

All right, I understand that I do as a youngster, I do.

Speaker 10: 1:52:32

Oh no, she does not want to dress up. She does, does it? She takes one for the team.

Speaker 1: 1:52:36

Well, that's that's good that she does.

Speaker 4: 1:52:39

You're a good daughter, emily. And Emily, my apologies. I had it in my notes that you had run and I forgot to mention it at the very beginning. So, yeah, allie's daughter, emily was there too. That's, that's awesome. And speaking of wardrobe, I noticed you had properly dressed wristband style.

Speaker 10: 1:52:57

Absolutely I don't. I wear my rise and run wristband on every run, trainer or not, because it has my road idea on it. Yes but I've added the one that Alan had given me, one from Alan.

Speaker 4: 1:53:08

So my collection of ones I wear for my run, so, yes, I heard from Alan earlier today and he said that he has made now total about 1500 of those things. Wow.

Speaker 1: 1:53:22

Isn't that amazing.

Speaker 4: 1:53:23

He and his wife Grace between them.

Speaker 10: 1:53:25

Wow 1500. That's like my fingers would hurt.

Speaker 4: 1:53:30

Oh goodness, yes, well, put it in perspective. That's those rise and run wristbands that we have. We have, we purchased those. Of course, we, in the two years that we bought them, we haven't bought a total of 1500. I think we bought a total of maybe seven or 800. That's it, so, alan making 1500. Of course, alan's active in a lot of other groups, et cetera. He's pretty well known throughout the run Disney world. But we're here to talk with you, so sounds like a good race. So listen, what's coming up, what's in the future?

Speaker 10: 1:54:05

So I'm doing all three springtime Cool, that's the first time I've done springtime. I haven't done that one yet. I'm looking forward to that. I wanted to try it last year but it just didn't work out. In this year. I was like I'm going to get in that one and then went and dine. For sure, since I'm signed up for that one and actually I'm going to do my first marathon in January, I haven't done a full yet, so Alicia is going to get me through that one.

Speaker 4: 1:54:30

Yes, and training, training, training. That's the key Good for you, though, yeah.

Speaker 10: 1:54:35

And then Disneyland. I'm going to do that one to get my coast to coast, and then after that, I'm not sure Awesome.

Speaker 4: 1:54:42

Well, that's a pretty full schedule, Allie.

Speaker 10: 1:54:44

I know A little nerve wracking actually.

Speaker 4: 1:54:47

You're in good hands and I know you're going to do great. Well, listen my friend without an E. Well, friend has an E, allie doesn't have any. Thank you for spending some time with us. We enjoyed chatting with you and we look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks five weeks now.

Speaker 10: 1:55:06

Yeah, thanks for having me, it was fun.

Speaker 4: 1:55:09

One of the. Let you know that Jack was also at the St Patrick's Day Shamrock run, also commenting that it was really windy. In Spartanburg, south Carolina, the time to Patty. 5k and 10k. Nona and her daughter Elizabeth ran the 5k first trail race. For both of them Some tree branches took a couple of runners down. Now this is a Sunday morning run. On the first day we switched to daylight savings times it was still dark so fortunately neither Nona nor Elizabeth went down and in fact Elizabeth PR this race Also finished first in her age group. Awesome first trail run, awesome effort. Congratulations, elizabeth.

Speaker 4: 1:56:02

Way to go in New Orleans, louisiana, shamrock and run 10k. Mandy first time at this event. Nice, but really windy. Haven't been training so wasn't expecting to do well but didn't do too bad. Finish time was an hour 12. Not bad for a 10k Mandy, I agree. A few more weeks of training, hoping she'll have a better finish time at the Crescent City Classic. Christine said she was there too Showed a photo of the metal. Mira was there with our buddy Taryn and Taryn's friend Karen. Mira met Taryn for the first time on the wine and I 10k course last November. They were talking about how much they loved each other's costumes, realized a little bit later and they got home that they both lived in the New Orleans area so they kept in touch. Now they're running together in their hometown. Mira says run Disney, friends are the best and we think she's right. In I slip.

Speaker 4: 1:57:08

New York, the greater Long Island running club 25k Megan. Megan says this race is actually part of the USA track and field 50k road national championship. It's a 5k loop so of course the 25k is five times around, the 50k 10 times. Lots of rain during the week led to some flooding on the course. It was windy in New York also. Megan's first 25k, so that's a PR. Second inter age group. Well done, metals. To all race finishers as well as the top three in each age group. Had a great time and is looking forward to doing the 50k in the future.

Speaker 4: 1:58:00

Okay, started this Sunday with the San Diego hot chocolate 15k. I told you I mess up sometimes. There was also a San Diego hot chocolate 5k. Kate did that one. Kate said she hadn't been feeling the well the week before. She just wanted to finish mostly walked around a little bit Race, had all the hills you could want and even some you didn't want, but she finished anyway, jennifer was there. Jennifer also ran the 15k, so we had three folks. In San Diego, a split race. Report on the San Diego hot chocolate run. Sorry, friends, jennifer didn't leave them out. Jennifer kind of concurs on that Hills thing, but she still had a great time.

Speaker 4: 1:58:48

Portland, maine the Irish road rover 5k. Sean with his daughter Lily Heavy rains, ankle, deep water on some parts of the course Still a great time. Love to see families out running together. The photo Sean took of he and his daughter is epic. You need to see it on Facebook. But great job for both of you. And let's finish in Buenos Aires, argentina. The circuit of the last. As that's Jonas A tonio, that's what I'm going with my friends. I don't speak Spanish, but that's what I'm going for with what it is Is a series of races for the seasons, a season circuit.

Speaker 4: 1:59:43

This is the fall part of the race in the southern hemisphere. One race for each season. It's a 10k. Valerius, husband JJ. Jj ran this one Courses flat Run through a huge park, lots of trees and ponds. Jj finished this 10k in 42 minutes. Jj is One of our outstanding running friends, is aiming for 40 minutes, but it was pretty good considering he was down with the flu all of last week so he could only knock it out in 42. Jj, that's great, and that wraps up the race report for episode 129. Congratulations, friends. Hey, before we leave, our buddy Ian from the UK has left us another Poa and he does such a lovely job. We don't want to go without reading it. Lexie, would you take care of that for us?

Speaker 6: 2:00:48

I sure will. Hello, it's the fat bloke from England, again For some reason, inspired to pick up my pen. The podcast liked my last dopey tome and asked me to write yet another poem. So Princess weekend has arrived at last, with excitement high for the guests and the cast, but sadly I am stuck at home. Oh no, I wish I didn't have this wretched FOMO.

Speaker 6: 2:01:22

I stare at my dopey bling feeling so sad. I want to be out there so very bad To hear Carissa, john and the dapper dance. Not just announcers, but super fans, and Princess is a plenty too many to count. I hope Fluffy Fizzies gave them a discount. I so want to be there, but the budget's too small. So from afar I will be cheering y'all and the best part about it, even though my heart breaks. A quick blast of rise and run. That's all that it takes. The gang have a way of jogging my brain and reliving my dopey all over again or again. You have a unique gift the givers of joy, producing great content for us to enjoy. So as I raise an envious glass to you all, I hope that your princess weekend was an absolute ball. I can't keep away. Next year will be mine, so I look forward to seeing you bring on wine and dine yeah.

Speaker 6: 2:02:33

That was awesome.

Speaker 4: 2:02:34

Speaking of unique gifts, you rock dude. That's very cool.

Speaker 6: 2:02:40

I love it.

Speaker 4: 2:02:41

Very cool. Thank you so much for that effort between you and Jar, ox and Spoon. We've got a lot of talent out there. All right, my friends, and if you run, you know you are our friend. That's it for episode 129. This is not a Zoom week, but next week is, so we'll have the instructions on that pretty soon. Hope you got what you wanted for wine and dine registration. Hope to see a whole bunch of you at springtime surprise and until we do, happy running.

Speaker 2: 2:03:32

The Rise and Run podcast discusses general information about Run Disney and is in no way affiliated with Run Disney or the Walt Disney Company. Any information or advice discussed on this podcast should not be considered medical advice and should always consult with your healthcare provider or event organizer.