This was it. This was my day. My 40th birthday spent doing a half marathon in Disneyland.

Packet Pick Up & Expo

I was so excited doing my first half marathon during the Tinkerbell weekend I took a similar photo on the carpet. Then, I took one during the Star Wars weekend. So now apparently it’s my thing.

Here’s my Disneyland Half Weekend shot:

The Start

The start, as always, had an excited vibe. However, it was hot. Too hot. The announcer said the feels like temperature was 87°. It wasn’t even 5am yet. Blech!

Running through California Adventure

I stopped a number of times throughout DCA.

• I had seen Mike & Sully during the previous 2 races, but didn’t stop. I’m glad I stopped this time.

• Since my daughter is a gymnast, I stopped to take a pic of the girl flying around the Toy Story bar.

• The crowd of runners on Hollywood Blvd.

• Cowgirl Jessie must stop for a photo op with a horse.

Running Through Disneyland

• One of my favorite photos from the entire weekend is this one with Minnie & Mickey

• At one point, I was hoping to get my Castle to Chateau medal and run the event later in the month in Paris. This pic with Remy will have to do instead.

• I was slightly disappointed that my only photo op with Woody, during a Toy Story themed race, was this one of him up on the balcony of The Golden Horseshoe.

• Runners on Main Street

Running the Streets of Anaheim

•  It was crazy hot, but the sunrise was lovely.

• After stopping for all my pics in the parks, I ended up with the corral I run/walk 3 hour pacer. I kept with them for awhile, but eventually went about my own pace. I did enjoy the bit I was with them. I will have to keep it in mind for another event.

• During the run, the red flag came out.

• As always, I enjoyed all the entertainment along the way. This time we had a Polynesian group, a Mexican group, and a car show featuring Lightning McQueen.

• The Hogwarts Running Club had ice in a cooler for the runners. So, so awesome! I was sweaty and obnoxiously hot. I grabbed a refreshing handful of ice and shoved it down the back of my shirt.

• I can’t stop for every sign that catches my attention, but I had to stop for this one with Chandler.

• This was a different course than my previous RunDisney half marathons. This time, we ran through Angel Stadium. I’m not really a fan of ball sports, but it was a nice change to run through the stadium.

The Finish!

I’m always happy when the finish line is in sight. But, I was especially thrilled this time. Given the choice, I would absolutely run on a 30° day before running on a 90° day. Run/walk/jogging for 13 miles in high temps and high humidity is not my idea of a good time. To be nearing the finish line was a huge relief.

I love/hate the photo on the left. It’s one of my favorite finish line photos ever. I typically look like a dufus. This one, though, is a lie. I appear to be in great spirits – in reality I feel miserable and half dead.

After finishing the race, I headed to the medic tents for ice. I walked more during this half marathon than I ever have before. Unfortunately, I’m not a good fast walker and I know my posture was horrible – resulting in back shoulder pain. I placed the ice on my achy back shoulder and also on my face to cool me down.

By the time I got a pic with my medals I felt much better and ready to conquer the rest of the day.

I earned 4 medals that weekend: a 5k, 10k, half marathon and the double dare challenge medal for completing both the 10k and half.

— More than Running —

My 40th Birthday

I don’t usually celebrate my birthday, not even with a family dinner. That works well for me.

However… I was in Disneyland and somehow 40 seems like such a milestone. I totally enjoyed the day in every way I could.

• I got my birthday button, which looks amazing.

• I found a cake and balloons in Mickey’s house and pretended they were for me.

• By coincidence, we were having a little snack break at Refreshment Corner when Alice & the Mad Hatter came by to play musical chairs. I absolutely talked my friends into participating with me. One of my favorite moments ever! To top it off, the Mad Hatter sang me a short, silly birthday song.

• I made us shirts for the occasion. Mine said, A Very Merry 40th Birthday to Me. The others said, A Very Merry Unbirthday to Me.

• A friend of mine had her 35th birthday during the trip. We celebrated our special days with a margarita from Rita’s Baja Blenders in California Adventure. I like margarita’s, but I didn’t really care for this one. I did enjoy the company and atmosphere, though.

This was certainly a RunDisney event / Birthday I will never forget.

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Last year I took the plunge and decided to try the Helvetia Half Marathon. I had such a good time, I did it again this year.

The Start

My friend and I had been training together, so we started the race together.

The Course

The course was similar to last year – first the flats, then up the hills, down the hills and back to flattish.

Since my friend is a bit faster than me I thought at some point we would separate and meet back up at the end. But, due to health concerns she didn’t mind slowing her pace a little. Also, I felt good and was able to keep a decent pace the entire course. I did less walking than is typical for me. And, my friend encouraged me out of my comfort zone to really fly down the hills.

This pic cracks me up. I felt like I was going strong and looking good… then I saw this pic of how I really looked…

The Finish

Wowee! That last mile was tough. Had I been by myself I totally would have walked a bunch of it. Thankfully, I had a good friend pushing me through all the way to the end.

I PR’d last month on a flat course. It didn’t even cross my mind I could PR on this hilly course. Thanks to Darci, I did! It was an amazing feeling.

Beer and burgers were waiting at the end.

The Swag

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This is me dreaming big.

I love to travel. I run. I could really never have too many Runcations.

On my bucket list is traveling to all 50 states in the US. Add in the running thing and I have one more reason to visit the states, with the added bonus of keeping fit.

We have 3 busy kids and a farm, is it realistic to think I can actually accomplish this goal? I don’t know. But, it doesn’t hurt to dream and try. I’m turning the big 4-0 this year. I figure I still have a good 40 more years to cross off every state.

I’m off to a slow start with checking off 4 states. But, a slow start is better than not starting.

I have found at least one half marathon in each state as a possibility. Some are events I’ve been wanting to participate in for awhile. Some I found while researching for this list. Also, I’m not against doing a virtual run, if that what works. It’s my bucket list; my rules.

Alabama
Mercedes

Alaska
Alaska

Arizona
Sedona
Rock n Roll Arizona

Arkansas
Little Rock

✓ California
✓ 2015 – RunDisney Tinker Bell
✓ 2016 – RunDisney Star Wars
✓ 2017 – RunDisney Disneyland
Surf City
San Francisco
Big Sur
Yosemite
Humboldt Redwoods
Carlsbad

Colorado
Run the Rockies
Steamboat Springs
Estes Park
Rock n Roll Denver

Connecticut
Faxon Law Fairfield

Delaware
Rehoboth Beach

Florida
Fort Lauderdale A1A
Key West
Space Coast
RunDisney Princess
RunDisney Wine & Dine

Georgia
Thanksgiving Day
The AthHalf
Rock n Roll Savannah

Hawaii
Maui
Kauai
The Hapalua

Idaho
Famous Idaho Potato
Redfish Lake Lodge
Idaho Falls
Sun Valley

Illinois
Lincoln Presidential
Rock n Roll Chicago
Chicago
Run Mag Mile

Indiana
500 Festival

Iowa
Marathon to Marathon

Kansas
Garmin In the Land of Oz

Kentucky
Run the Bluegrass

Louisiana
Rock n Roll New Orleans

Maine
Bar Harbor
Shipyard Old Port

Maryland
Baltimore

Massachusetts
Boston’s Run to Remember
Martha’s Vineyard

Michigan
International

Minnesota
Minnesota
Garry Bjorklund

Mississippi
Mississippi River

Missouri
Rock n Roll St. Louis
Rock the Parkway

Montana
Missoula

Nebraska
Lincoln

✓ Nevada
✓ 2015 – Rock n Roll Las Vegas

New Hampshire
Rockfest

New Jersey
New Jersey
ORC Seaside

New Mexico
Santa Fe Thunder

New York
United Airlines NYC
Rock n Roll Brooklyn

North Carolina
Southern Fried
Rock n Roll Raleigh

North Dakota
Fargo

Ohio
Capital City
Akron
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus

Oklahoma
Route 66

✓ Oregon
✓ 2016 – Vernonia
✓ 2016 – Helvetia
✓ 2016 – Bridge of the Gods
✓ 2017 – Hippie Chick Half Marathon
✓ 2017 – Helvetia

Pennsylvania
Hershey
Rock n Roll Philadelphia

Rhode Island
Providence
Jamestown

South Carolina
Kiawah Golf Resort

South Dakota
Run Crazy Horse

Tennessee
Rock n Roll Nashville

Texas
3M
Alamo 13.1
Chevron Houston
Rock n Roll Dallas

Utah
Salt Lake City
Ogden

Vermont
Covered Bridges

Virginia
Rock n Roll Virginia Beach

✓ Washington
✓ 2016 – Virtual National Park Service 100th Birthday
Rock n Roll Seattle

West Virginia
Hatfield McCoy
Parkersburg

Wisconsin
Madison Mini

Wyoming
Jackson Hole

Bonus:
Washington DC
Rock n Roll DC

4 Down, 46 to Go

More Places, More Races
Disneyland Paris
Victoria

Well, this outta keep me busy for awhile.

ALWAYS DREAM BIG!

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In August I completed the Bridge of the Gods Half Marathon. It was an event I’d heard about and thought about doing. So, when my friend, Molly, asked if I would do it with her for her first half marathon, I said, “Of course!”

The actual Bridge of the Gods spans the Columbia River connecting Washington & Oregon. Recently the bridge has gained popularity due to Cheryl Strayed ending her Pacific Crest Trail journey here as she describes in her book, Wild.

THE SHUTTLE

Parking for the event was on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. However, the start line was on the Washington side. Near the parking areas were buses to shuttle us across the bridge.

THE START

The start line, in Washington. We met Molly’s cousin there and gave our well wishes and awesome race vibes to each other.

This was a first sight for me. There was a drone taking pics at the start line.

THE COURSE

And, we’re off.

The openness of the metal grates while running across the bridge was an odd feeling. It was my favorite part of the race.

That small island off to the left is the finish line location.

Running past the Bridge of the Gods Trailhead along the Pacific Crest Trail.

I wasn’t aware there was such a nice trail along this section of the Columbia River. It was great.

We made it to the Stairway of Heaven. Not gonna lie, this was about the point where the fun ended.

The trail was well marked and well maintained. But, I was just not feeling it that day. Well… I should say I was feeling it too much. I’d been hill training, but those elevation changes hit me hard. I didn’t sleep well the night before. I didn’t eat quite as many calories that morning as I typically do on race days. I started my period that day. Possibly a combination of all these things contributed to the rougher than normal race. I’m not sure. But after the first few miles, it sucked and my body was paying for it.

The view of the Columbia Gorge was beautiful. The weather was perfect.
In the top photo you can see I-84 & the powerhouse at Bonneville Dam.

Oh, thank goodness we made it to the half way mark! I’m smiling, but cringing inside.
I did/do love the new tank I bought from Sparkle Athletic. I don’t often run in tanks, but I kinda liked it.

I didn’t take any photos on the way back to Cascade Locks. I was too busy struggling to get myself up and back down those damn hills.

Once, though, we saw the bridge it was such a beautiful sight I had to snap a pic.

This place has the best ice cream cones. It’s a must to stop and enjoy one anytime you travel through Cascade Locks. I absolutely thought about getting one and continuing the race with it. I wasn’t going to get a PR. I might as well have enjoyed some ice cream. But, I didn’t.

Crossing the pedestrian bridge to Marine Park and the finish line!

THE FINISH

I always run across the finish line, but this time I was too tired to even care.

It was a challenge, but we did it!

This event goes down as my worst half ever. I felt horrible and my finish time was slower than even my first half at Disney.

The good news is that we never gave up and we finished.

I’m so ticked off at my performance that I want to go back and kick this course in the ass next year.

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The Helvetia Half Marathon had been on my bucket list for awhile now. However, the course made me nervous. I had heard it’s hilly and difficult.

A friend was interested in doing it and asked if I would do it with her. Of course, I said I would do it – hills and all.

Since I knew there were hills, I did a bit of hill training prior to the event. Not a lot – just about once a week.

This was my first half marathon completed with a running partner. I thought we were well matched, pace wise. Although it was still a workout, the time seemed to pass more quickly having a partner to chit chat with.

THE START

The start was at the stadium in Hillsboro and began like any other start. As far as I could tell, things ran smoothly.

THE COURSE

The first mile or two were fairly flat.

Then gradually the hills came. We did run/walk intervals, walking up the majority of the hill sections. The course meandered passed Helvetia Tavern, Roloff Farms and the picture perfect country church. It was a beautiful place to run.

I was thrilled when we made it to mile 10 and I still felt good.

THE FINISH

We did it! This was my 6th and my friend’s first half marathon. I am proud of how we did. The course was challenging, but we handled it well. I’m certain our hill training helped us power through.

At the end of the race, we were rewarded with a Helvetia burger. I was starving and it was fabulous.

I was worried about this event mainly due to the hills. But, I had trained and felt good through the entire race.

For the first time, I completed a half marathon distance and wasn’t sore the next day. My body was tired. I could tell it had a good workout, but I wasn’t sore. That’s amazing.

Woo hoo, another successful half for the record books!

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