Run Eat Drink Podcast
Welcome to the Run Eat Drink Podcast! This is the podcast where we embark on exciting adventures, combining our love for running, delicious food, and tasty beverages. Whether you’re an elite runner aiming for victory or just starting your “Couch to 5K” journey, we’ve got something for you. Let’s dive into the three pillars of our show:
Accomplish (Run): Accomplishment is deeply personal. Are you eyeing a race series win, planning your next “run-cation,” or hoping to set a personal record in your next half-marathon? Each week, we feature fantastic destination races from around the country. Discover scenic courses, learn about the charities they support, and get inspired to lace up those running shoes. And when we’re not on the road, we share interviews, training tips, and insights from our own running journey.
Explore (Eat): Running and traveling go hand in hand. As we explore new places, we also explore local cuisine. We seek out hidden gems—the eateries that locals rave about. Bold flavors, interesting dishes, and passion for food—that’s what we’re after. After each race, join us as we wander the city streets, discovering post-race refueling spots. Whether it’s a gastropub, a food truck, or a cozy café, we’ve got dining options to satisfy your cravings.
Indulge (Drink): When the running is done, it’s time to unwind. We raise our glasses to celebrate our accomplishments. Local breweries, coffee shops, speakeasies, and watering holes—these are our destinations. From craft beers to artisanal cocktails, we explore the beverage scene. Cheers to a well-deserved drink after crossing the finish line!
Join us on this journey of accomplishment, exploration, and indulgence. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a curious foodie, there’s a place for you at the Run Eat Drink Podcast.
Run Eat Drink Podcast
RED Episode 294 Disneyland Inaugurual Half Marathon Weekend Races with Emily O'Keefe
RED Episode 294 Disneyland Inaugural Half Marathon Weekend Races with Emily O’Keefe
SHOUT OUTS
If you want a shoutout on the show for you or someone you love, email us at info@runeatdrink.net or call us at 941-677-2733 and leave a message.
Thanks to all our patrons and everyone in the Runcation Nation for your support and encouragement. Because of you, we have kept the show going over the last two years, so thank you!
Thank you to Dean Gerber, Associate Producer of our show, and Josh Ozbirn, Executive Producer of the podcast, too!
RED Episode 294 Disneyland Inaugural Half Marathon Weekend Races with Emily O’Keefe
This week, we welcome back a member of the Runcation Nation, Emily O’Keefe, to recap the Inaugural Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend. From the best airports and places to stay to can’t-miss options for great food and beverages to celebrate in Disneyland, Emily has us covered! Thanks, Emily!
Patrons, we will have a bonus episode over on Patreon and Buy Me a Coffee as Emily stayed to chat with us after we wrapped up our recap!
https://www.patreon.com/Runeatdrinkpodcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/runeatdrinkpod
Connect with Emily
Emily’s Instagram as a Travel Agent @emilyo_kttwtravel
https://www.instagram.com/emilyo_kttwtravel?igsh=czd1d3h0YXY4cTFu
Emily’s Personal Instagram @ecofit13
https://www.instagram.com/ecofit13?igsh=cG9tZHM5Z2tqZ2Vu
Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend
https://www.rundisney.com/events/disneyland/disneyland-halloween-half-marathon-weekend/
Travel Options
John Wayne Airport
LAX Airport
https://www.flylax.com/ Disney’ss Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/grand-californian-hotel/ Emily’ss Food and Beverage Recommendations Goofy’ss Kitchen
(Mickey Waffles and Mimosa Flights, Oh my!)
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland-hotel/goofys-kitchen/menus
THAT’S A WRAP!
Thank you for listening! Because of your support, we are in our eighth year of the podcast! Don’t forget to follow us and tell us where to find you next on our website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Also, check out our store on the website and get some swag, thanks to Pure Creative Apparel. Thanks to www.PodcastMusic.com for providing the music for this episode, too!
Hi, I'm Emily, part of the Runcation Nation and you're listening to the Run Eat Drink Podcast.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the Run Eat Drink Podcast. We feature destination races from across the country and after the race, we take you on a tour of the best local food and beverage to celebrate. So, whether you are an elite runner or a back of the packer like us, you'll know the best places to accomplish, explore and indulge. On your next Runcation, dana. It's time for another Runcation recap.
Speaker 3:Yes, it is almost as if our guest heard my request and is granting my wish.
Speaker 2:Oh, it's like an Aladdin reference that you made, right there. See what I did there I see I see what it is and today we welcome back after her fabulous Mystic Half recap. We could not pass up another opportunity to have Emily O'Keefe on the show from the Runcation Nation. Welcome to our show, Emily, Welcome.
Speaker 3:Emily.
Speaker 2:Can you hear? Did you hear the applause? No, yeah, good, but it's okay, we'll insert it later. Just imagine that there is a stadium full of Runcation Nation members applauding you. Thank you for not being scared off and coming back to recap the Halloween races.
Speaker 3:Out at Walt Disneyland, disneyland the.
Speaker 2:OG Disneyland, yeah.
Speaker 3:I talked about this on a previous episode. We'd had an experience the last time we went there.
Speaker 2:And I feel like Emily heard us calling her when we did that.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and I said I'd love for somebody who ran that to come on the show. Yeah, and here you are here we are Yay.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I heard you guys on the last episode. I listen pretty regularly.
Speaker 2:Thank you, yeah, it's fun, yay, if you would. Yeah, yay.
Speaker 3:If you would.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Kind of give those who might be new to the show a little bit of a primer. Tell them a little bit about yourself, your background, who you are, where you're from, what you're drinking. In our chat today, if you're having anything, I'm we're having Disney, star Wars themed coffee dark side.
Speaker 2:Nice Dark side from thanks to expedition roasters and eric canter fabulous people over there been on the show before.
Speaker 1:That sounds delightful. I am not drinking coffee. I don't. I actually don't drink coffee, in fact, that's okay and interviews over oh my gosh no, I do drink tea, though, and I'm currently drinking the Harney and Sons Irish Breakfast Blend.
Speaker 3:Very nice. It's really delightful and.
Speaker 1:I'm actually using my brand new Disneyland race weekend mug.
Speaker 3:Oh yes, Look at that fanciness. A little bit Halloween themed there with it looks like coffin shapes and characters.
Speaker 2:Oh gosh, and a batwing handle. Yes, there's characters.
Speaker 3:It's all these characters, oh gosh and a batwing handle.
Speaker 2:Yes, there's characters, it's all these characters. And then, yeah, nightmare Before Christmas characters and all that Hocus Pocus.
Speaker 3:And for those that are watching the video, you may notice that she's also wearing some of the swag as well, so she's fully decked out.
Speaker 2:And I wore because you talked about it last week on the episode I wore the swag that Pure Creative Apparel designed for us for the welcome back or the return not the inaugural, but the return of the Disneyland races that we went to in January. Yeah, so I couldn't help it. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's a cute shirt too, yeah.
Speaker 2:I was inspired and look on the back. It says what does it say? Best runcation, best runcation ever. Yep, yeah. So did you have the best runcation ever at the inaugural Halloween races at Disneyland in California.
Speaker 3:Well, hold on. She's got to tell people who she is her background.
Speaker 1:Okay, well, I mean, she's excited.
Speaker 2:Yes, I am excited.
Speaker 1:So I'm Emily. I've been a runner for about seven, eight years now. My first race ever was the inaugural Star Wars Dark Side 5K back in 2016. That was actually when I was a cast member as well, so I ran and then went right back to work.
Speaker 2:Right afterwards.
Speaker 1:That's fun. I love that job, so I had a good time there.
Speaker 2:What did you do as a cast member?
Speaker 1:I had an engineering internship. It was really cool. No, I was under the project manager that handled all the road and parking lot maintenance across Disney property, so yeah. So my background. I'm a civil engineer too, so I get to do the best of both worlds now, where I'm an engineer at my local ZOT and then I'm also a travel advisor who does. Disney vacations and all sorts of vacations.
Speaker 2:And what is your? We can find you on Instagram as a travel agent.
Speaker 1:That's probably the easiest way to find me.
Speaker 2:Which we'll link to in the show notes. Yes, I know I jumped the gun and I got so excited and I just it's. We're not a Disney podcast, a Run Disney podcast, but we.
Speaker 3:We're Disney adjacent.
Speaker 2:We're Disney adjacent and that is Run. Disney gave us the bug, Just like it gave you the bug in the five K. We started when wine and dine was a relay race at night at night. Yeah, yeah, back in the day, kids, yeah.
Speaker 3:No, no, get off my lawn.
Speaker 2:No, would you? This was the inaugural, so it was the first time it was held. Would you say it is a must-do for the Rencation Nation?
Speaker 1:I'd say it's very different and it's very fun. They did a really good job with all the theming and the expo was good. All the in-park entertainment was great. It was a fun time, I'd go back Okay.
Speaker 3:And so this race is officially called what? What's the name of this race?
Speaker 1:Just the Halloween half marathon weekend.
Speaker 3:Okay, the weekend itself has a I see a 10K shirt on.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 3:And it has a half marathon as well. Did it have a 5K?
Speaker 2:Yes, it did.
Speaker 3:Okay.
Speaker 2:It's called the Disneyland. It also had yoga. Oh, it also had yoga. Sorry, I got distracted there for a moment. I mean, I know that they've been adding that here and there they have. Not to all of the race weekends, but to most of them, I think.
Speaker 3:Select ones. I think that started out, but I think it's gaining popularity.
Speaker 2:For Princess. They've got it, and I saw it, I think, for springtime surprise too out there. But okay, so did you do the yoga, did you do all of it?
Speaker 1:I only got into the challenge, unfortunately, because we all know how crazy from disney race registration day is so you got in the 10k and the half yeah, okay, everything else was already sold out.
Speaker 2:And that's the Disneyland Halloween half marathon weekend and it was the inaugural one.
Speaker 3:I guess that's a great segue into one of our questions If we could talk a little bit about your review and thoughts on the registration process. For those that have never been through it, our experience is that it's a registration process like no other. I feel like that's true. That's about the only way I can be positive about it, so I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Speaker 1:That is absolutely true. If you're not online by a certain time, then you're not getting in, and for most is racing, yeah, for most run disney race weekends, um although lately I've seen a couple that have not sold out, which is interesting.
Speaker 2:Usually they sell within an hour to registration opening it's been I I've noticed it across the board for the shorter distances, yes, but for the challenge and like hanging out there right now in springtime surprise, because we've just had registration, I think the challenge is still open and I want to say the 10 miler is still open as of this recording.
Speaker 3:Wow, that is actually surprising.
Speaker 2:But the shorter distances Very surprising, no, so do you? What are your registration tips for Matt for getting in there with that challenge the way that you did?
Speaker 1:So I typically recommend getting onto Linda Disney site around like nine 30, nine 45, make sure you're aren't like. You have your login information ready to go, because it's your normal Disney login. So the same login, which is nice, and then the second it hits 10 o'clock it'll automatically redirect you into the virtual queue and then it's just waiting game. Yeah.
Speaker 2:So it's not like not a whole lot you can do about that there's. It's not like back in the day when we started registration, where now there's a virtual queue and it tells you like you have two hours before you get in, or you have 10 minutes or you have I don't know if this is any better.
Speaker 3:The old way was have as many screens open as possible with as many different web browsers as possible logged in and refreshing and doing all of that stuff.
Speaker 2:And I think people still do that.
Speaker 3:I don't know that. I don't know what's better, I don't know.
Speaker 1:It depends because, like, it randomly places you in the queue to like in line of when you got into the website. It's random so and I still do have all the browsers up and everything too.
Speaker 2:So it's like a lottery.
Speaker 3:So you're still doing that, ok.
Speaker 2:So it's like a virtual lottery in a way, because it's random in the way that they put you in the queue. So it doesn't, and I agree with having multiple browsers and being in there like half an hour before and it's 10 am. Typically it's 10 am Eastern time.
Speaker 1:Usually on a Tuesday morning. It's pretty typical yeah.
Speaker 2:Unless you're like one of the lucky ones. It's like Alan Young is in. Alan and Grace, who have been on the show before, have been Club Run Disney, which is usually the week before.
Speaker 3:Are you just wanting to get my blood pressure up, talking about Club Run Disney, which is usually the week before?
Speaker 2:Are you just wanting to get my blood pressure up. Talking about Club Run Disney. I'm so sorry. No don't. No, that's a sore spot for me, I know.
Speaker 3:Okay, it's not just me then.
Speaker 2:Okay, we can't, it's not in our budget. I would say, well Same, it's Not a priority.
Speaker 3:For those that are not familiar, club Run Disney is a way for you to essentially buy your way into a race and bypass the queue and you get special corral placement. Basically, if you want to throw money at it, you can guarantee that you're going to get in there. But it's expensive and that's on top of the fee, and Disney is a premium race. Let's be fair.
Speaker 1:It is. It's not cheap. It's fun, don't get me wrong. It's a lot of fun, but it's not cheap.
Speaker 3:No, and I don't want to sound like I'm being negative.
Speaker 2:No, because it's a great time.
Speaker 3:But anytime we talk about a Disney race, this comes up. Some of the difficulty in registration always comes up. Club Run always comes up. Yeah, club run, disney and some discussion comes up and generally the overall cost because it is a premium race event. But they do and we've been very complimentary of disney as far as the event goes and the magic that they create it is.
Speaker 2:It is absolutely hard to beat and typically like that challenge that you have it. Typically it's $400 and some dollars Like $440.
Speaker 3:Do you remember what it was? I think it was $440 before taxes. Okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:The challenge.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and then the half is something like $260 itself. And there are kids races too, if you want to make it a family affair.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I had a friend who did their almost soon-to-be two-year-old kids races.
Speaker 3:The kids races are cute there.
Speaker 1:And they are.
Speaker 3:They do a good job with those.
Speaker 2:And they're the least expensive they're $40. Not that I can qualify by age or anything.
Speaker 1:I actually checked online because I was curious. Online because I was curious. Run Disney's website. The springtime surprise 10 miler yoga challenge and the after party at Typhoon Lagoon is still available as of now wow that is so surprising it's unexpected
Speaker 2:very surprising, because every other what's? The longer distances, and then the yoga. I think the yoga is still fairly new to people.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it is. It started pretty recently too.
Speaker 3:It wasn't available before COVID, and you would see it at just a couple of the on-property resorts would do something like that. Now it's becoming part of the event, which I think that's kind of cool.
Speaker 2:I like it at the castle, at Sleeping Beauty's castle out there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's really cool.
Speaker 2:And you get like a yoga mat, I think.
Speaker 1:I think this year at Springtime's Prize they did it in Hollywood Studios.
Speaker 3:Really, oh, that's cool. I think that's cool.
Speaker 1:So they did it in front of the Chinese Theater.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's cool. Yeah, where Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is.
Speaker 1:Yeah, out there. I saw a few people post out photos there.
Speaker 3:I have not seen any of the social media for this yet.
Speaker 2:I've seen some of it, like Carissa will post the race announcement yeah, Carissa was there this weekend.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And she also put out there that she's re-signed with Run Disney, so she'll be announcing the new season, which is excellent, because I think she and Fitz are our favorite race announcers.
Speaker 3:They're very good.
Speaker 1:Carissa Galloway. I agree, they're wonderful. Yeah, and her and John Pelkey peed off each other really well yeah. Riley.
Speaker 3:Caramon yeah, they're a great crew.
Speaker 1:I like that. I really like them a lot.
Speaker 3:They have good chemistry and that's important when you're getting up at 1 in the morning and you're getting there at 3, 3, 4 in the morning and getting lined up so early.
Speaker 1:Yes, and then having all that energy to keep the crowd going and runners awake, yeah, no, they're a great group, yeah no-transcript.
Speaker 2:Distances or challenges. Yeah, I would say they could try it, but dana, you're bling driven I am 100 bling driven you immediately when we started, bling, driven you immediately when we started, talked about her mug. Her tea mug, which could also hold coffee, could be a coffee mug, and your shirt? Just liquid, it's hot liquid.
Speaker 3:And it looks like a great shirt.
Speaker 2:And it looks like a great 10K shirt.
Speaker 3:I like this, but I'm curious what about the medals?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I actually brought them. The 10K is probably my favorite one. They did a really good job with it.
Speaker 2:And what was the theme for the 10K Haunted?
Speaker 1:Mansion Haunted Mansion.
Speaker 3:Oh, very cool.
Speaker 2:How could you not go for that?
Speaker 1:Yeah, so they have the Hitchhiking Ghosts on the ribbon on the other side.
Speaker 3:Oh, that's so cool. Yeah, like a black a turquoise, a blue theme, kind of going through it.
Speaker 1:And then they had it. Glows in the dark too, Does it? I was going to ask you that question I was going to ask. Yeah, it does. It glows in the dark and then it has the door knocker from the hood it actually has a little spiked ball on the end and it's magnetic so it doesn't clang all day.
Speaker 3:Oh, that's awesome.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so this is probably my favorite medal.
Speaker 3:What a great nod to the race Instead of a spinner.
Speaker 2:Instead of a spinner. It's got like the door knocker and everything. We missed that.
Speaker 3:That's awesome.
Speaker 1:Super fun. And then the half is. Here's the half you, here's the half. You can see the top here has a little like stained glass kind of effect.
Speaker 3:Which you love. I love the stained glass element.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And then yeah, the characters were the Sanderson sisters, but it was the mini, clarabelle and Daisy.
Speaker 2:So that's like Hocus Pcus kind of situation for anybody who is not familiar with the characters there yeah, and then the challenge metal oh a chills and thrills challenge.
Speaker 1:Chills and thrills, this one's a spinner that has jack on one side and sally on the other. Hey, I just have to say janine in the runcation nation, just celebrated a birthday.
Speaker 2:So it has Jack on one side and Sally on the other. Oh, that's really cool. Hey, I just have to say Janine in the Runcation Nation just celebrated a birthday, a big birthday that I won't name, like over the hill kind of birthday thing, and Jack and Sally and the whole Nightmare Before Christmas theme of that challenge. She, I think, would do whatever it takes to get the look at them, Jack and Sally on the ribbon.
Speaker 1:On the ribbon Super cute yes.
Speaker 3:And that color scheme on that ribbon is more black and purple.
Speaker 2:Halloween Keeping with the movie color palette.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:So cute. And then I finally earned my Coast to Coast medal. Oh the new one.
Speaker 2:Finally, this is the first time we've seen a version of the new Coast to Coast medals.
Speaker 1:Okay, it has two little spinners on it. One has a Disneyland castle and one has a Disney World castle on it and they spin to see a running.
Speaker 3:Oh, that is so cool and it's a nod to some of the classic Disney, like going back to the 60s 50s, 60s yeah, that is, oh look California.
Speaker 2:To the 60s, 50s, 60s yeah, that is, oh, look California. And Florida. Yep, disneyland, walt Disney World, oh, that's great. Oh, and it's got that blue and the yellow that is usually reminiscent of the coast or has been in the past Reminiscent of the coast colors.
Speaker 2:Yeah, did you. Okay. So you fell into the the coffee mug merch. You purchased that, but did you? Did you like the other shirt? Since we're talking about the bling, did you like the other? The 10k you said was your favorite one. What about the challenge shirt and the half shirt?
Speaker 1:they were really cute too. I liked all the shirts this year, which is really nice. Comfortable and they're all pretty comfy too. They're all short sleeve drive-it.
Speaker 3:That's very nice. Now did you get an opportunity to go through and look at the finisher merch and did any of that pique your interest?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I was a little bit more on a budget this time. We're actually going to Greece in a few weeks, whoops.
Speaker 3:You could have a nice meal in Greece or you could get a Disney shirt. Come on.
Speaker 1:Or I could bring back a bottle of wine from Greece. I'm actually planning on getting a tattoo in Greece, and so is my husband.
Speaker 3:Very nice.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we've started a whole travel tattoos thing, so that's been fun, that's cool. So I got the mug, I got the race weekend mug and then I also got a race weekend, like the car magnet and a pin.
Speaker 2:I like the magnets and the pins and those are like smaller, more affordable options when you're budgeting for Greece.
Speaker 1:Well that, and they take up a lot less suitcase space.
Speaker 3:They do that's true, and one thing I have recently seen I like I tend to prefer the race shirts to the finisher shirts.
Speaker 2:The finisher shirts are almost always cotton which I'm not really a big fan of cotton shirts and typically the design.
Speaker 3:recently I've liked the design of the shirts better for the races.
Speaker 2:The races that are included in the race entry. That are included in the race entry.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah yeah, you're already getting a shirt for every race, plus a challenge shirt and all that. Do you really need another shirt?
Speaker 2:I don't know. I guess if you just fell in love with it, right?
Speaker 1:Or maybe it's your first one, or you want to wear it to the parks afterwards.
Speaker 3:Yeah, or you want to tempt fate. You want to wear the finisher shirt.
Speaker 2:No way While you're running no absolutely not.
Speaker 1:There are people that do that. I did see a lot of people wearing the shirts that you get with your registration during the races.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I've done that.
Speaker 1:I saw a lot of people wear them Really.
Speaker 3:We've done that.
Speaker 2:Yes, generally, we have done that in the past before we got into Podcasting, before we that in the past, before we got into before, before we got into the podcast and before jojo said you want to wear a race skirt or a tutu or you want to do costumes, which, uh, leads me to ask you did you run in any special costume gear? What did you do for in terms of race outfits?
Speaker 1:so I brought out my old Star Wars race costumes.
Speaker 3:Nice yeah.
Speaker 1:So obviously you guys know I'm a big Star Wars fan. I love doing the Star Wars races. I did the dark side ones every year. I never made it out to California for the light side ones, which I'm kicking myself now, but it is what it is. It was cool. It was cool. Yeah, don't rub it anymore.
Speaker 2:Bring them back. Bring it was cool. It was cool. Yeah, don't rub it anymore. Bring them back, bring them back.
Speaker 1:Anyway, oh gosh, yeah, please bring them back. So for the 10K I wore my Mandalorian costume, where I made a headband and I had one of the t-shirts that had the printed armor on it.
Speaker 1:Okay, and then I did the same thing, but with Boba Fett for the half marathon day. And then I did the same thing, but with Boba Fett for the half marathon day, and then the 501st was actually out on the course. In Anaheim they're bringing the Star Wars race weekends bag. Of course I get pictures of all of them. No, they're great, I love them.
Speaker 3:They're great.
Speaker 2:They're awesome. Their stuff is incredible their chapter out.
Speaker 3:there is huge too, it is.
Speaker 1:They've got a really big chapter. The 501st is huge. It's so cool. I love that.
Speaker 2:And it doesn't matter what the race theme is. They're out there, which is awesome.
Speaker 3:And for those that don't know, the 501st is a charitable organization that does Star Wars-themed costuming and they do a lot of work for, like, children's hospitals. They bring some joy to kids when they need it the most.
Speaker 1:There's chapters all over the country cast and a couple disney. Yes, I think they were in the mandalorian they were in the mandalorian.
Speaker 3:They actually had a a scene where they needed a lot of stormtroopers and they were like we don't have enough and they put out a call to the 501st and they all showed it was like the season finale of the first season, right the big scene where they're all where moff, where moideon says you have something I want.
Speaker 1:Yes, that was such a good episode. I love that show. That was a great show.
Speaker 2:I love it. I love it and I love the themes of your costumes.
Speaker 3:Fabulous.
Speaker 2:Fantastic, fabulous.
Speaker 3:So I want to tap into your professional opinion on what people should do when they're traveling out there to Disneyland, because if you're used to Disney World, it's different, it's a completely different experience, in my opinion. They're both great, just different they're very different and I think that the way you tackle transportation and lodging is different for each one. So could you maybe give some tips and pointers to people who might be traveling to California for one of the Disneyland races, because it's a completely different show than if you're going to Orlando.
Speaker 1:True, and then this year because their start lines were actually in two different places. For so, for example, the 5k start line was actually in Disneyland park and then the 10 K and hatch start lines were outside the park on the eastern side, over by the um the good neighbor hotels. Yeah, it was really different this year.
Speaker 3:So that's what.
Speaker 2:That's what they did at the um race we went to, yeah, yeah, we didn't do the 5k though, so that's interesting to know that it was inside the park, but the others were outside the park?
Speaker 3:no, so would you recommend somebody like if you're going out there, should you rent a car, or would they be okay with doing uber or lyft? What did you do and what would you recommend for people for transportation like that?
Speaker 1:I think it depends on what you want to do and see if you're. I just want to stay in Zealand. Only you don't need to rent a car, I just Ubered. I actually didn't, I stayed at the Grand Californian.
Speaker 2:And.
Speaker 1:I did not rent a car. I just took an Uber from the airport to the hotel and then hotel back to the airport.
Speaker 3:And which airport did you fly into? Did you do LAX or did you go to John Wayne?
Speaker 1:I flew into LAX or did you go to John Wayne? I flew into LAX. I flew out of John Wayne.
Speaker 3:Okay, interesting, john Wayne, if you can get a flight in there, it's super convenient and a lot of people really talk up the. It's very close, how close it is. It's closer, yeah, it's like maybe 20, 30 minutes away. Yeah, lax is how we typically go and it's a commitment. Lax is how we typically go and it's a commitment. It's a distance and if you don't get it at the right time of day, you got to fight that LA traffic you do yeah.
Speaker 1:So I flew in late Thursday night, did you Okay? Thankfully, I had a direct flight from my home airport to LAX.
Speaker 2:That's why I flew into LAX, and what was your home airport?
Speaker 1:Just for everybody, it's Hartford connecticut, hartford, hartford. Yeah, okay, so that's my home airport. I flew direct with direct to lax with jet blue, which is really nice because I have an extra leg room for us oh yeah yeah, yay, which is really nice. And then on my way home I flew out of john lane, uh, had a layover and msp and then back to home, which wasn't bad, it was fine, but I was also trying to not have a red-eye flight which is I can't sleep on planes, which is really bad.
Speaker 1:No, it was fine, I flew. I think my first flight took off at 1 o'clock pm and I was fine, I made that no problem.
Speaker 2:So yeah, so those are some tips about airports that are excellent to keep in mind, because when you are on a budget and you're shopping for, there's budgeting time and then there's budgeting money in terms of like layovers, or when you have to be back at work, and all of the in terms of time. And then the money, and I I guess, if you get into miles and with a certain carrier and points and what have you.
Speaker 2:So those are some good tips, though, about time and if you're going to stay in the Disneyland bubble, not needing the car but if you want to go, and even if you stay at a nearby neighborhood hotel.
Speaker 1:that'd be fine too. You might actually be a little closer to the start line for the 10 and a half.
Speaker 3:I'd say yeah, because yeah, because we've not stayed on property and we're very jealous of your Grand Floridian, grand Californian. Sorry, I'm a little partial to Grand Floridian, but there are numerous hotels right in that neighborhood.
Speaker 2:Yes, we've stayed at the. Hilton, right literally across the street, the Hilton Anaheim, and that has been within walking distance to all of the different races that we registered for. But I want to know about the Grand Californian because it's. Is it the one that's out there? That's like the Wilderness Lodge.
Speaker 1:Wilderness Lodge, yep. It's very similar, but it's instead of so. Wilderness lodge is themed to the yellowstone lodge. This one is more themed for you're out in like joshua tree or yosemite, like that sort of thing. So a little bit more california themed yeah midwest, um, but it's gorgeous. It's so gorgeous. I'm spoiled now, which is no our problem. Sorry, husband.
Speaker 3:Those are great hotels I mean either one and they are beautiful.
Speaker 2:It's gorgeous. And we went and we had drinks at the bar there. Yes, we covered it on the show. It was fantastic, fancy, they were fancy and I just, and I can't remember Now it's escaping me I haven't had enough caffeine to remember the name of the bar there.
Speaker 3:We'll link to it in the show notes Several.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I like that you can just be in that hotel and then, like, a legit entrance to the park is right there.
Speaker 1:That was really a big game changer for me. So I did Disneyland Park by myself on friday and then I did california adventure on saturday, and saturday is the day before the half. If I wanted to go back to my room, hotel or the pool or whatever in the middle of the day because it was hot as heck, I couldn't. And it was really easy and convenient and I didn't have to walk three miles to get back to my hotel.
Speaker 2:So that was a big game changer for me. Or deal with bus transportation or Uber, lyft, taxi, whatever. Yeah, it was so easy and you saved your legs.
Speaker 1:Exactly. That was a big thing for me, but the expo was also at the Disneyland Hotel, so it's a little bit of a further walk. Grand California is going to be the closest one to, or the closest Disney hotel to, the bars. Then it's Disneyland hotel Then it's Pixar.
Speaker 3:Paradise Pier.
Speaker 2:Is it now Pixar or?
Speaker 3:Pixar, pixar.
Speaker 2:Pixar. They were in the middle of.
Speaker 3:They'd done the conversion when we were there last time.
Speaker 2:But they had Something changed lately.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but there were some kind of construction they were doing some of the theming, yeah yeah yeah, but and I had some friends stay at the design hotel so I got to see what their new rooms over there looked like, because they just added a whole new like towers and stuff. It's really, they're really pretty okay and you liked it.
Speaker 3:How did it compare to the great california?
Speaker 1:I'd say it's like an upper. It's riding the line between a deluxe and a moderate, if you will. It has a nicer, upscale, deluxe feel to it, but it's more of a moderate price point in terms of especially for disneyland, because you know how expensive disneyland can be, yeah, so, but it was really pretty, I really like what they did with it and I got to see their room too, which was really nice too.
Speaker 3:So it sounds like what they did with it and I got to see their room too, which was really nice too.
Speaker 2:Sounds like what they did at the Grandestino. Yeah, I was going to say people like when you say riding the line between Moderate and Deluxe, the tower makes Coronado Springs feel like Premium, moderate, lux, I don't know.
Speaker 1:No, I agree, I've stayed at the Grandestino before. I love stayed at the Grand Fist, you know before. Actually, I've stayed at almost every Disney World before. I'm just missing the Poly, the Grand and the Riviera for obvious reasons.
Speaker 2:Yes, they are celebratory, or you're spoiling your self-reservations, yeah?
Speaker 1:Yeah, like actually pretty recently I booked a couple or a family because they're going to Disney World. Like I actually pretty recently I booked a couple our family because they're going to Disney world. They're staying at the grand. Floridian for a celebration of one of their family members and of cancer treatments. Yeah, I was like, oh my gosh, my heart. So, yeah, that's. That was a cool in the book and I'm really excited for their trip next year.
Speaker 3:That's super cool.
Speaker 2:It's so cool when you're passionate about Disney and then you can be like a travel agent that's going to recommend, like the here's, a once in a lifetime celebration.
Speaker 1:Oh no, they picked it. I didn't. Oh really, but they're like. I want to stand to grant.
Speaker 2:And I said, ok, let's say for when you go to Disneyland versus Disney World, and what are the pros and cons for the runner and for the people who are cheering on the runner? And we've talked about the park entry from those hotels, but are there any other perks, like race day perks for the on property, like the grand californian or anything that they did? That?
Speaker 1:no, okay they had similar to disney world where they had a whole like board where they had welcome runners. We have runner specific activities for you guys, if you'd like. You don't have to, don't want to because we're all early or getting up early and are tired yeah, but they did have that. They didn't have any perks in terms because we're all early or getting up early and are tired yeah, but they did have that. They didn't have any perks in terms because it's all walkable. They didn't have to worry about transportation, which is nice right um, I've heard buses were available.
Speaker 1:I didn't use them, I just walked because it was fine.
Speaker 2:Close it's fine, yeah, yeah yeah, I don't know. I didn't know if they had like carb loading meals that they highlighted and all of that, or if it was. Since we've never stayed there, I mean ask, but yeah.
Speaker 3:You'd mentioned that the expo was over at the Disneyland.
Speaker 2:Hotel.
Speaker 3:So that seems to be just where they've decided that's going to be, because that's where it's always been when we've gone.
Speaker 2:And it was smaller when we were there.
Speaker 3:And the last time we went it had definitely, definitely downsized. Can you talk a little?
Speaker 1:bit about your expo experience. Yeah, yeah, I went to the expo on friday. I did not go on thursday because I flew in on thursday night. I think they landed around 11 o'clock or so pm west coast time. So obviously the expo is closed, which is good and bad, because I didn't really want to deal with first day of the expo chaos that it's been known to have.
Speaker 3:People swarm it for the merch yeah.
Speaker 1:I was like no, I don't need to, I don't really need a whole lot of merch this time. That's fine. So I went on Friday. I went in the afternoon because it was just so hot and I wanted to get inside, so I did that and it was nice. It was in their ballroom conference area, which was really cool. They had plenty of staff around directing people where to go, plenty of signs. I didn't really get lost, which was great.
Speaker 2:They've had big pickup in the past, like in the parking lower level.
Speaker 3:In the garage.
Speaker 2:But I don't know if they had it. And then this last time we were there they had it on like the second level in a ballroom in a ballroom. Where was it for you, okay?
Speaker 1:so yeah, that's nice yeah, I think because again they saw the weather and said no, let's do it inside, let's plus, you don't want your volunteers sitting out in the sun like that.
Speaker 3:That's that's a good way to not get as many volunteers the next year. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that was good and it was pretty much. Did they have a whole lot of vendors? I know you're always saying, if you get out there, I like to picture if I'm flying somewhere. Utter disaster.
Speaker 3:Complete chaos ensues and my bags get lost, luggage lost, Complete chaos ensues and my bags get lost, Luggage lost. Could I go there and get nutrition, hydration and replacement shoes and?
Speaker 1:something to wear to run in?
Speaker 3:Yeah, would I have been able to do that?
Speaker 1:Yeah, they had a few different vendors who had that sort of thing. They had some running stores there. They had apparel, everything you really needed.
Speaker 3:Would you say this was Say that again, I'm sorry, say that again. I'm sorry, say that again.
Speaker 1:It was like again, just in case you forgot something. They had it, which is nice.
Speaker 3:Good, would you say that? How did this compare to the Disney World Race?
Speaker 1:Expo. Oh, it was infinitely smaller, okay, but to be fair, disney World has the whole espn wide world of sports complex where they can spread out and they can do things in multiple buildings and they can do have a lot more. For sure, disneyland does not.
Speaker 1:They don't have that kind of space, but they make it work and they make it work really well so, like when the expo, I wasn't even in there for very long because it was so quick and easy. Yeah, and that yeah, but I find that's a lot easier too, because then you're not walking around as much, you're saving your legs a little bit more, which is nice yeah, and you're still in the ac the whole time too, because it was hot.
Speaker 1:So it was. That was really nice. I did enjoy the expo. It was smaller but again I saved my legs more. They still had all the merch, they still had a lot of vendors, it still had very much, still had the same Disney Expo feel Just smaller scale.
Speaker 3:Smaller scale. I think it's important for people to realize how much smaller Disneyland is.
Speaker 2:It is so small.
Speaker 3:All of Disneyland and California Adventure, I think, will fit in the footprint of disney world. It's. It's not probably nearly as big and people don't realize that. If you've come, if you grew up doing disney world, you're like you get out there. You're like this is it like yeah, it's all the same stuff nestled in with neighborhoods all around, and, but they are doing some big expansions according to the D23.
Speaker 2:Yes, Can't wait to see how that goes over there. Let's talk about race morning. I know I've been, I've delved into the expo and all of the lodging and I'm still back on the.
Speaker 3:Grand Floridian or California.
Speaker 2:Grand California, anyway. Floridian or California, grand California, anyway. So yeah, okay, so race morning. What was that?
Speaker 1:like for you, I think, because I didn't have to worry about getting on a bus, which was really nice, that kind of is a game changer for me. Like you're not, oh my gosh, I have to be on the first bus or I can't be on the last bus. There's no anxiety there, which was really nice. You just get up, get ready, get dressed, get your fuel, your fuel. If you need any, head out the door and walk to the start line yeah it's pretty convenient, a lot easier, a lot less anxiety driven.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that was really nice. It is a bit of a walk, I think, like if you've ever done Princess, where it's the walk from the buses where they drop you off, to the start line. It's far. I didn't clock it or anything, but I think it was probably around three-quarters of a mile or so.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I believe it. Yeah, yeah, and that's for the. You're talking about the walk to the start line for the 10K and the half. You said that the-.
Speaker 1:They started in the same spot Right. Those two started in the same spot.
Speaker 3:yeah, but the 5K started in the park.
Speaker 1:It started in the Disneyland park, which was really cool. I was kind of jealous, I didn't get into that, but that's okay.
Speaker 2:I know how was the corral placement in the 10K and the half Were you in the 10K and the half Were you in the. What corrals were you in?
Speaker 1:I was in F for both races. For the 10K specifically, they did corrals A through F and then for the half they did corrals A through I and they did not break up the corrals like they do for Disney World World, where they said B1, B2, B3.
Speaker 2:Mini waves no.
Speaker 1:Just B, just C, that's how they shot them off. They shot them off every five minutes or so give or take.
Speaker 2:And how was the communication? Did you have audio back there in the yeah yeah?
Speaker 1:we did. They had plenty of lighting and speakers and whatnot, so we could still hear Sounds like they corrected that. That's an improvement. That sounds like an improvement.
Speaker 3:How was the security situation when we were there for the half that they really that they? To be honest, they dropped the ball the first day they had the metal detector set up and then it just.
Speaker 2:Was a lot.
Speaker 3:They were walking a bomb sniffing dog in the crowd and it was very haphazard.
Speaker 2:There were some things that just from a professional they didn't have enough, they didn't have as many as they needed in terms of detectors, created a huge bottleneck and created a big delay getting people in and getting the corral ready to go.
Speaker 3:So how did that go?
Speaker 1:That was fine for me. So any Disney hotel if you stayed at any Disney hotel you had to go through security. You had to go through downtown Disney first and then you had to go through security again to get into the Corral starting area, and both were fine. I didn't wait very long for the first one. There was a little bit of a line just because of the number of people staying there and they only have two security points. That's five minutes maybe. That's good. That's good. Yeah, yeah, that was quick to go into downtown disney and then walking through the main entrance areas. That's fine. And then they had more security over by the start lines. You had to go through to the starting area and corrals. There was plenty of security there. I no issues. I don't even think there was a line for me when I went through them.
Speaker 3:Good.
Speaker 2:That's good to hear.
Speaker 3:I think they probably took a lot of that feedback because we weren't the only ones talking about that.
Speaker 2:That was all over social media last time they were just trying to feel out and get a cadence and it sounds like that they did. They got a lot of data that they could take back and improve between January and September.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Because this is what? Was it the Labor Day weekend that the races took place Weekend after, weekend after. So, yeah, yeah, so you don't have to combat the Labor Day vacationers. That's a good tip too, yeah, yeah, and it sounds like the security was, and you heard the announcers so that you knew in your corral.
Speaker 1:So so that's good. Yeah, there was no issue there. It was weird for me, though, because I'm typically not in the last corral normally. So that was odd for me going into that 10K just because when I got running I could. I didn't really have a chance to stretch my legs because the course was so crowded at that point. True, we've experienced that, and I was just for the 10K, not the half, just the 10.
Speaker 3:Okay, so this was going to lead me to some questions, since we're talking about improvements. From January to now, we had what?
Speaker 2:was Security, oh security security sounds like they fixed that.
Speaker 3:We had issues on that one with water stops uh, huge bottlenecks literally coming to a dead stand. Still, I had video just standing. Did that improve? What was your experience there?
Speaker 2:no it didn't, it didn't improve.
Speaker 1:Oh, no, especially the first water. Stop during the 10k it to your point, it came to a dead stand oh no, but at least with the 10k I wasn't worried about my time right, if that makes sense yes perfect.
Speaker 1:So that was fine. But, to your point, it wasn't the only water stop that had issues. So the first one was the worst. Um, in the 10k, yeah, in the 10k. Um, it just I don't know what happened. I don't know why. All I know is I oh gosh, there's a herd of people in front of me. I need to stop, yeah, and I went. I was actually carrying my running water bottle with me for both races, so I tried not to stop as much smart, and that way you have your nutrition with you if you need any.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you don't need to wait to a water. Stop to get something if you need it.
Speaker 2:That's what I like to do.
Speaker 1:Obviously, you don't need to do that if you don't want to.
Speaker 3:And in this case, if you are experiencing those stoppages, then you don't have to worry about it, because you can take the nutrition in them when they, when I don't know the crowds or the seas- when it starts to part, you can go catch up yeah, they had issues, I think, not only with not having the water ready and being able to keep up with the pace, but they also chose some odd choke points at which to do it last time, which I don't know what they were thinking so I don't know if it was small or if the water wasn't prepared or you experienced both in that bottleneck, I think it was a little bit of both, especially in the first one.
Speaker 1:The course got really narrow right beforehand. And then the first water stop. I think again, because it's been so long since they've had their last race weekend. It's been what? What? Almost seven years now? Yeah, so it's november 2017, so it's been a while since they've had a race weekend. These volunteers, they don't know what's going on. This is their second race weekend they've had, and it's been at least what? Eight months since the last one. Yes, you know what are you gonna do.
Speaker 1:Yeah there's only so much they can do yeah, we talked about that.
Speaker 3:They lost a lot of the institutional knowledge of the run Disney folks who moved on or moved out to other opportunities in that seven-year time frame and then when they brought them back. They were essentially starting fresh and they've made some changes that I think they're still having. It sounds like you're still having some logistical challenges.
Speaker 2:Yeah, did you find that on his?
Speaker 1:They were what the volunteers were doing in the water stops. I noticed was interesting, they had the single serve water bottles that you can buy in the park, like the bottled water. They were filling the cups with those instead of a bigger jug or something, which was like that's interesting, that's strange. Yeah, I was like you guys need something bigger, you know I'm like where are your coolers?
Speaker 2:where are your? Yeah, like they do in disney world, where they have the big giant coolers and then they have pitchers for people, and then they had people down, my guess, with water, water with the bottles for refill.
Speaker 3:To refill your water bottle, which is what I needed.
Speaker 1:I didn't want to grab a cup from somebody else who needed it. I had my bottle, exactly.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and you noticed that on the half as well, like a standstill at the first one.
Speaker 1:It was because I was seated in a better corral. For the half it wasn't as bad. It wasn't a standstill. For the first one I was seated in a better corral. For the half it wasn't as bad. It wasn't as stunted at all. For the first one I was able to keep moving, which is nice. I did skip it just because I had my bottle and I was like all right, I got it. Because of the weather too. I wanted to push a little bit harder and get more miles in before the heat really kicked in Done yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I tried to push it a little bit more before the sun came up.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I try to push it a little bit more before the sun came up and you've mentioned the weather a few times, so for the listeners, let them know what were the conditions like on the course.
Speaker 1:So very hot. So Friday morning the morning of the Friday morning, excuse me during the day the high for the day got up to 109 degrees Fahrenheit and every day that weekend reached over 100 degrees. The humidity wasn't bad. I did check my aptus for thawing and it was in the 30 percentile range-ish, so it wasn't terribly humid. And then I checked Florida's, just for comparison. The Florida at the time in Disney World area was in the 60 to 70 percentile range.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:So it wasn't as humid, which is nice, but it was in the 60 to 70 percentile range. Oh yeah, so it wasn't as humid, which is nice but it was hot, so very hot.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was toasty, so you have to make sure I try to.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I had to adjust a little bit there so I took the 10k a little bit slower, but the half in the morning, especially where before the sun came up, I tried to push it and get some more miles in before the sun came up not as many, I don't know.
Speaker 2:Do you do character stops at this one, did you?
Speaker 1:I did not again, just because it was so hot weather. I was like I didn't want to chance it but, the lines for the character stops were pretty short. I was very surprised, which is really nice. On disney world, you see these giant characters. Oh, those aren't long, but no, these are really short, honestly, which is I think it's a good thing yeah yeah, and people were moving pretty quickly too, and they didn't really spend too much time in there okay I'd see somebody in line and then maybe a couple minutes later I'd see them going.
Speaker 1:I'm like, oh, that's awesome great really great, very efficient. Yeah, and did you think?
Speaker 3:did they have enough or good quality? Character stops Were you some stuff that you thought was pretty cool?
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, they had some really good ones. I forgot which race they had, but they had Luca and who was friends names, so I had Luca characters they had. Mr Fredrickson was out. They had a bunch of really good ones. I had Mei Ling from turning red, a lot of different like Pixar ones which were really fun. They had some good character stops Pixar. I love Pixar.
Speaker 2:I want Big Hero 6.
Speaker 3:So they did have water stops, any nutrition stops? Or was there any on-course nutrition? Or was this not something you were worried about because you had your own?
Speaker 1:I did stop for some. They had sport beans, the jelly-bellied sport beans, so I grabbed a couple of those. I like to have extra nutrition on hand, just in case, or if I see a runner on the side of the road. Hey, you need anything here you go.
Speaker 3:I got something you never know.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's always best to be safe and sorry.
Speaker 3:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I like sport beans and pay it forward. Yeah, easy on the tummy and in that heat you have to have electrolytes, you have to have the salt. You have to have. Yeah, yep.
Speaker 1:I think I refilled my. So I typically, during a half-hour time, I'll fill my. I'll start off with a bottle with a noon tablet. So I'll start a half with my bottle filled with a noon tablet and then I'll typically refill it once during half. During this half I refilled it, I think, three times. Wow, I was not messing around with this heat.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and your pre-race, like your carb loading, I imagine, was like let's get some salt in there, let's get some carbs in there so that you have the fuel. Yeah.
Speaker 1:So the night before the half I went to the Pym Test Kitchen in California Adventure that was really cool.
Speaker 3:That's a neat place.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah. And I had the chicken sandwich where the chicken patty is like this big and the buns like this big. Yep, yeah, it was really cute. And then it came with tater tots too, so I got my salt in and everything that was really good.
Speaker 3:I was actually looking at noon to see about their salt content.
Speaker 2:Oh, you were. Is that what you were looking at? I was like, what on, Because he's so he just doesn't like it.
Speaker 3:We've experienced training in the heat here.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 3:Real bad cramping from time to time. So looking like I would be willing to give them a try again, but I've started using not a sponsor of the show Element L-M-N-T you like that. I like that. It's got a higher sodium and magnesium content. Really.
Speaker 1:Gotcha, I didn't know that I do, but it helps your stomach.
Speaker 3:It doesn't hurt it. Yeah, it doesn't hurt it. Yeah, it doesn't hurt. Exactly I don't know that it helps, but it doesn't yeah yeah, as long as it doesn't hurt it and I was going to ask did you our experience with october disney races here back when we go back to the tower of terror 10 miler when they used to host that? So humid it was awful here the heat caused so many people to drop out and have to get medical. Were you seeing that out there, with the heat that you were experiencing?
Speaker 1:Thankfully no. I really didn't, I only saw maybe one person trip because they have these little reflective markers for the lane markers.
Speaker 3:Oh, those things are dangerous.
Speaker 1:But they only tripped over that and then they got up almost immediately and kept going. I think that was it really that I? Saw, I didn't see anybody really need medical, which is good. Yeah, that was good to not see if that makes sense.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and how were the pacers Were they? Did you run into pace groups, were they? Pretty well, like they.
Speaker 1:you didn't encounter any bottlenecks because of that or like that so the thing about pace groups I they're a love hate for me. The pacers are always so nice, they're so kind they are playing jokes and like keeping spirits up and stuff. They're wonderful humans and I love them.
Speaker 2:Yeah, the people following them are not the people following them don't know like the etiquette the race etiquette for that.
Speaker 1:And the Pacers. They definitely try and they're like if you're going to walk, please keep to the right, if you're going to run, keep to the left, but stick to two by two if possible, which is great, and we certainly appreciate that. But people don't always either listen or know, so it tends to be a herd of people following the Pace group and it can really cause bottlenecks.
Speaker 3:Especially in the narrow areas.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, yeah, which is a pain, but other than that, those pacers are wonderful. I love them.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, they are, I think Chris Twiggs and his crew and how they post the pace groups and what they're going to do, the ratios before the race and in Runcation Nation on Facebook.
Speaker 3:On our Facebook group.
Speaker 2:I love that. I love that. Yeah, they're wonderful. You can see what the ratios are. More often than not, because I do some odd ratios of running and walking, I can't stay with pace groups.
Speaker 3:Because you'll do shorter intervals at maybe the same ratio, but your interval is different Okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:If it works for you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you do what works for you, but it's good to know that there are pace groups out there for first timers that are like nervous or flying solo and they may need a group and they just got to follow the etiquette. If you're running, then on the left, if you're walking, on the right, and two by two is always, and you have to navigate some tight corners and tight spaces, and can I just say that maybe a run Disney race is not the place for you to go to try to PR.
Speaker 2:We always say Absolutely not, it happens.
Speaker 3:But there's always that one super serious runner who's? Just they're ready to throw elbows and hip check a kid to get that PR. And you're right in the middle of Main Street and you're like maybe this isn't the race to do that at.
Speaker 1:No, there's people in costume.
Speaker 3:There's things to see, there are PR and fun.
Speaker 1:Yes, yeah, as the legendary Bill Stewart, there are pr and fun. Yes, yeah, as the legendary bill stewart says, you are in fun, that's it that's it.
Speaker 2:So you did the 10k, you did the half. What was the finish line experience like for you?
Speaker 1:eventually was pretty typical disney finish line.
Speaker 2:Did you get a selfie with Carissa or John? I got a high five with Carissa. Got a high five.
Speaker 1:Nice, Nice. And then Jeff was at. Jeff Galloway was at the finish of the half as well, giving out high fives and pictures and whatnot too. I love that. That was really cool. He's wonderful. I love him.
Speaker 2:I love it. He's so positive and motivating, and anybody he's so supportive of anybody trying to get it done.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he's wonderful. I love jeff. Yeah, but after the both the 10 and a half they had cooling towels at the end, so they had yeah, so that was really nice for the heat. And then you got your metal and you got your water, your powerade and all that stuff. So that was and the box. The box was there yep cheese plastic cheese yep, plastic, but they had pretzels this time and not chips. Pretzels, yeah, instead of the tortilla chips that they had.
Speaker 3:Nobody needs that negativity.
Speaker 1:You need the salt from the no I agree, you need the salt, but you need the chips and not pretzels to dip them. Yeah, that's the whole point.
Speaker 2:Right, If they're the pretzels. Were they like the sticks or were they like? The garlic-y ones, that's difficult.
Speaker 3:You can't get in there. It's harder to deliver the cheese to your mouth.
Speaker 2:You need the better delivery vehicle and I feel like you have the higher salt content in the chips.
Speaker 3:Those are some salty chips In the chips. The ones they normally have are salty.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they are salty, but you need them.
Speaker 2:And then you, you know they taste great in that parking lot after that race. They do, they hit so they hit the spot.
Speaker 3:So I was gonna ask on this race course, did this one take you? Uh, on the half course did you end up going out through angel stadium or just by angel stadium?
Speaker 1:no, so this time we went through it. It was really cool.
Speaker 3:That's my preferred version of the course.
Speaker 2:I'm so sad, so sad and so happy for you, happy for you.
Speaker 1:So the first five miles or so were through the parks and backstage and then after that you went to the streets of Anaheim and then I think it was around mile 10 and a half-ish to 11, you ran through Angel Stadium. You ran the stadium Right, so you hit the parking lot which really felt like it was their beach parking lot, and then you went to the stadium and you had everybody on the Jumbotron, you were on the warning track and everything.
Speaker 2:It was really cool.
Speaker 1:I actually really liked that. I wish I had that sooner in the course because some of those miles are really hot.
Speaker 3:And the miles leading up to Angel Stadium. Some of those are pretty straight and flat. They're paved. So you can spread out, assuming that they kept it on some of those same surface streets. So sounds like they did.
Speaker 1:There was one spot which I think is a concern, especially for our AWD friends and our role Disney athletes, friends where it's, I think it was. They were doing some construction on a rail, like a rail trail type of thing, bike trail uh, so it wasn't paved at the time and there was a really sharp switchback oh yes yeah. So you started going down onto this dirt pathway and then there's a really sharp switchback, but still going downhill, which is really concerning.
Speaker 3:For anybody in a wheelchair hand cycle that's dangerous because if you miss a turn, right, because it's a bit of a it's a bit of a drop and yeah, they that they had that portion of the course, I think on the same one from January. Yeah, and then it takes you along that it ends up turning into a mixed-use path.
Speaker 1:Yes, yeah, so it's the same one.
Speaker 3:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:Other than that, though, it was pretty flat, uneventful.
Speaker 2:Good, good, that's good, that's good. Yeah, so we talked about the finished light experience. I'm sure there were characters that in the after party where you could get pictures. No, no characters?
Speaker 1:I didn't see any, but I again I had to go around and catch a flight, so I didn't really stay too, long for the half and a half.
Speaker 2:Yeah, oh, yeah, okay. Okay, the cheese and the pretzels. You've got to have that. Okay, but was there?
Speaker 3:But that was it. That's not the food and drink experience we're looking for.
Speaker 2:No, I feel like we should talk about that.
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 2:Let's talk about that. What is? Where do you go to have a celebratory meal after these races? Where are you going to go?
Speaker 1:So after the 10K, me and a bunch of my bunnies actually went to goofy's kitchen. Yeah, big breakfast buffet, mickey. Who was it? It was mickey, minnie chip, dale and goofy oh characters for character folks. Yeah, things like chef mickey's but goofy's kitchen, and chip and dale instead of donald davey. Okay, interesting, yeah, and so nice big breakfast buffet. Everybody had mimosas. That was great good one after the race. And then there's another one at grand california called storytellers cafe.
Speaker 2:Similar characters but in different setting oh yeah, so you had the mickey waffles, the eggs, the bacon sausage.
Speaker 3:And I heard mimosas in there.
Speaker 2:And I heard, yeah, standard orange juice, mimosas, or did they vary it up?
Speaker 1:They had the standard ones and they had a couple other flavors, but then they had a mimosa flight that one of my friends got, so there was one with pomegranate juice and a couple other different juices which were quite yummy, delightful, very nice.
Speaker 2:Very good.
Speaker 3:Disney does know how to do a variety of mimosas. We've had them at a couple of Disney locations, of varying juice varieties. Yes, they know what they're doing there.
Speaker 2:Mm-hmm.
Speaker 3:Ooh, so are we going to call that the drink of choice to celebrate?
Speaker 2:your finish there, mimosa Is the drink of choice.
Speaker 3:That's your celebratory beverage.
Speaker 1:I love it Caffeine and mimosa, of course, but yeah.
Speaker 2:Oh yes, it's necessary, it's vitamin C. Yes, yes.
Speaker 3:We're going to go with it. It's a healthy thing.
Speaker 2:It's fine, it's healthy. Sure, yeah, okay, okay. So you did not escape to any off-property options. When it comes to food and beverage, you remained in the bubble. Yeah, this trip I stayed in the bubble. Good stuff, yeah.
Speaker 3:There's so many good options and such a small footprint.
Speaker 2:I know, I know, and we have now two options that we haven't been to.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that we need to. Yeah, so after the race I would do either of those two. Need after. Yeah, so after the race would. I would do either either of those two.
Speaker 2:Character breakfast breakfast for after the races yeah, you so this.
Speaker 1:You haven't been to any other disneyland races I've been to one one, and it was the avengers 10k back in 2017 and how does that compare?
Speaker 2:how does it?
Speaker 1:happen to be fair. I stayed off property that time and I was with a. I had a friend staying with me, so it was. It's just been so long. Yeah, to be fair, yeah, and I do miss the avengers theme that was. That was a lot of fun. I hope they bring that back, especially with their whole avengers canvas that they have. I know really cool.
Speaker 3:It seems like a missed opportunity if they don't do that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, same with the Star Wars.
Speaker 2:Galaxy, star Wars, pixar they did all these cool things.
Speaker 3:Don't even get me started on the Star Wars. Don't get me started on the Star Wars races, not running you through Star Wars land.
Speaker 1:I'm right there with you, Dana. You've got to do it Right there with you Come on.
Speaker 2:So then, where are you? First of all, where are you accomplishing, exploring and indulging? Next, we know you're going to Greece, but in terms of races, what do you have upcoming?
Speaker 1:Oh, I have. My next big race is Marine Corps.
Speaker 2:Oh, October, the end of October.
Speaker 3:Mm-hmm the 27th. I hope you have better weather at Marine Corps than you had out there in California.
Speaker 2:And it's a marathon or half marathon, marathon, marathon, yeah, oh those. That has some cutoff points and things like that. But I really do want to be someday. We've had that runcation recap on here where they where tanya talked about the penguin the last person in the race being the one that the last finisher that can stay on pace gets the penguin, yeah I would love to be that person that's so cool I want to be that. What if?
Speaker 1:I have multiple. There's a line. There's a line of them. It's a good question.
Speaker 2:It's a good question. If you see that at your race experience, please report back to us.
Speaker 1:I will, because I'm also a back of the packer.
Speaker 2:And where can members of the Runcation Nation connect with you?
Speaker 1:You can find me on Instagram. That's probably the easiest. My running Instagram slash normal lifestyle Instagram is ecofit13, E-C-O-F-I-T-1-3. And then my travel Instagram is emilyo__kttwtravel.
Speaker 3:And we will link to both of those in the show notes. So if you're looking for booking that Runcation, emily can help you out. Emily, thank you so much for joining us on this week's episode. Congratulations on completing this race week, and I am jealous because it's a new. It's a new race and that bling looks awesome, so yeah, they did a great job with it. Thank you for coming on and thank you for being part of the Runcation Nation.
Speaker 2:Thanks for having me. Emily can engineer a great runcation for runners in the Runcation Nation, so we hope to hook up with you to accomplish, explore and indulge really soon.
Speaker 1:Thanks guys.
