First things first!! It’s time to do a drawing!! Stephanie from www.catladyruns.com you are the winner of the book, Runner’s Guide To WDW 2014!!! Send me a message with your address and we will get it to you ASAP! Congratulations!!

Now onto other pressing matters. Like this:

This pic is a tad deceptive since Scott and I will only be earning 2 Donald Medals, One Mickey Marathon Medal and one Goofy Medal and not the full gorgeous Dopey group seen here, but I’ll be cheering for Dopey runners, so figured it was OK to post the pic anyway:). Remember, it’s not to late to donate to the Rally Foundation! We’re only about 66 percent of the way to our goal and every dime goes to fund children’s cancer research, so truly, why wouldn’t you go donate right now?? Here’s our page: DONATE HERE! RALLY FOUNDATION TEAM LEFFORGE

Since we leave a week from Friday, it’s definitely time for me to start thinking about what I’m bringing. Now, I am ONLY running the half this time, but with Scott running the Goofy I will be cheering for the marathon for the first time and that requires some packing all it’s own. And, I sort of maybe promised on twitter that I would be cheering for the Dopey folks as well (just in case you’re unaware, these are the crazies that are running a 5K, a 10K, a half and a full all in four days) and so that’s a lot of cheering. And will require some stuff.

Our Flat Runners From Last Year’s Marathon! I’ll be wearing almost exactly the same thing. New hair bow;).

So for me, here’s what I’ll need (I’m sparing you the regular packing stuff and just listing the race specific things. I know, right? This is a crazy list!):

• Paperwork including signed waivers, our annual passes (both for park admission and for discounts!) our Tables in Wonderland Card and our Disney Visa Rewards card
• Magic Bands! (FYI if you forget these it’s not the end of the world but you’ll end up wearing the ugly grey ones they give you at check-in and not the cute ones you picked out on line)
• Garmin and charger (and power strip!)
• Compression shorts (I wear these beauties from Athleta and love them – they have pockets!)
• My Flip Belt (love this thing!) and Scott’s Roo Belt (bought this for me at the Wine and Dine Expo, loaned it to him once and he won’t give it back! The nerve;)
• Running capris (in case it’s colder than expected)
• Running bra (2)
• Minnie Mouse Sparkle Skirt (yes, I’m pulling out the old MM outfit. No school like the old school)
• Black tank
• Black sleeves (in case it’s chilly and bonus they look adorbs;)
• Minnie Mouse hair bow
• Running shoes
• Park Touring Shoes (these are actually just my older running shoes)
• Running Socks (3 pairs just in case)
• Body Glide
• Safety Pins (years ago I got a bag without safety pins and nearly had a nervous breakdown the night before the race when I went to pin my bib on. Now I bring plenty of my own just in case!)
• Throw away gloves, jacket and pants (I just cleaned out my closet and found all of these! Very important as I cannot stand being chilled waiting for a race start. And at the start of the half it will very likely be cold and definitely be dark)
• Orange Dumbo Double Dare T-Shirt to cheer in for the marathon (totally stole this idea from Mike Scopa over at the Mickey Miles Podcast – he said he figured he would stand out and be easy to see. I agree. But don’t get Mike and I confused because that would be awkward for us both)
• Cheer Squad clapper thingy (got this a couple years ago when Scott did Chear Squad and never used it!)
• Signs for Scott and his running friend, Larry, and signs for everybody else (never made cheering signs before. Going to try to be really cleaver. We shall see. OH WAIT! I know! POST SIGN IDEAS IN THE COMMENT SECTION! Yes, please!)
• Various running shirts to wear around the parks and to the expo (to subtly display that this is not my first rodeo;)
• Draw String Back Pack (to wear for Expo and to stick in drop bag to carry stuff after the race – the drop bags are uncomfortable to wear especially when they’re heavy!)
• Brita Water Bottles (this way we don’t have to buy a case of water and they work really well and take the funk out of Florida tap water)
• Energy Bits for race day
• Nuun tables for pre and post race hydration
• Immodium (just in case – I have a nervous stomach)
• Laundry Tablets (there is NO WAY I’m taking disgusting race stuff home in our suitcases. Will be doing a load or two while we’re there)

Wow. Yes, I’m definitely going to need to check a bag. Can I be honest? I love that some of you race at the beginning or end of a family vacation, but I cannot imagine having to pack for my kids in addition to all this stuff for racing!! I bow to your amazingness!

If you’re going to be there please look for us! Would love to say hi! Dopey and marathon friends, don’t forget to look for me at The Boardwalk cheering wildly!! That’s also where we’ll be staying so I’ll have an easy commute;).

So the training’s done and now all there is to do is ring in the new year and wait.

If you’re getting ready to go, check my list and see if I’m missing anything and don’t forget, Everyone, to give me some good sign ideas in the comments below.

Happy Running, Disney and Otherwise! And Happy 2014, Everybody!!

Jen