If you just got here, go read part one first or you won’t know what the heck is going on with this next update. OK, that’s not actually true as I’m sure you’re highly intelligent and can figure it out, but go read it anyway.

For the rest of you, where was I? Oh yes, I went to bed early;). But not before I heard from Selma what time I should leave the room. Here’s the thing about my friend, Selma – she’s the most disciplined, well organized person I know. I make fun of her for it quite a bit but it’s only because I’m jealous! She always knows precisely when we should leave for races and I trust her implicitly. She said I didn’t need to leave the room until 5:30 but I left at 5:15  just to be on the safe side, so I set my alarm for 4:15 so I could fix my coffee and get something to eat first.

The 5K start time was 5:30 and the 10K 6:15. This seemed awfully close to me but what do I know. So we heard the 5K start (and got to watch it on the video you can see here)

I found a few of my friends and we chatted for a bit but we were all a little unsure as to where we were supposed to go! But we looked cute while we waited:

But then something went awry. Some cast members were telling people to go out of the staging area one way and some another way. I actually chatted with a very sweet cast member (who’s name I will take to my grave so she doesn’t get in Disney time-out and have to work the canoes or something) and she said that they put them out there to answer questions but didn’t really give them any information. And honestly, people were starting to get mad and I was almost afraid for her!

Finally, after being re-routed several times, we were allowed through a very small opening to get to the corrals. So small, in fact, that I told my friend, Darcy, that it must be what it’s like to be born. (if you don’t get that, don’t worry)

Once we got to the corrals I took this great pic of Darcy’s husband, Tim – this was his VERY FIRST race and he was doing this and the half! He looked a little nervous but I knew he would be fine (he repaid my concern by soundly beating me in both events. Turkey.)

The course itself was very fun as we were in either CA Adventure or Disneyland for most of it! We also ran a section near the Convention Center. There were TONS of character stops and I could tell they really pulled out all the stops for this inaugural event.

I ran into this fun woman who’s blog I’ve been reading for awhile (we also have a mutual real life friend so I wasn’t being a total stalker;). It’s Heather from http://throughheatherslookingglass.com/, Everybody!!

She was of course very sweet and also very tall. Or maybe I’m just short? Either way, great meeting you in person, Girl!

But there were some problems . . .

1. The miserable humidity and heat – this is, of course, not Run Disney’s fault in any way. It was a ridiculously humid morning that felt far more like Florida than CA. And there was little to no breeze so that sort of added to the misery. It was honestly hard to enjoy because it was so yucky.

2.  They had 2 water stops the entire route. Which on a normal day would have been fine for a 10K, but considering the weather was NOT sufficient. Many of us started using the water fountains in the parks and that worked fine but they were also easy to miss if you weren’t looking for them.

3. See number one. Yeah, it totally sucked.

But I tried to have a good attitude and did enjoy myself! At the very end I had started to walk just for a bit to adjust my skirt for finish line pics (yes, this is how I roll;) and this great guy came up and said “stop walking and run with me. I feel like I’m going to die and I need you to get me across the finish line.” Well OK! I teased him and asked if he was afraid he might be beat by a girl;)! We were flying across the finish line and I was so glad we did it together! I have no idea who he is but thanks, awesome new friend I don’t really know! You were just who I needed.

I finished with a time I was OK with, texted my husband and then Coach Natalie and headed back to shower. Did I mention how convenient the DL Hotel is? On the walk back I ran into some great peeps and got a few pics – I’m so proud of all of us!!

me and my friend, Katie!

Lynn and Nikki! Finally, some friends that are shorter than me;)

It was a fun race day but I must say a very hard earned 10K medal. It was not a day for the faint of heart or those who train in cooler climates FOR SURE. I was, for once, glad I train in TX and that the humidity feels normal. Still stinks, but normal.

I had originally not planned on park touring after the race but when you’re done and showered by 9am, seems like you have the whole day, right? So I did what I swore I WOULDN’T do and spent too much time in the parks with my friend, Tonja, who wasn’t running but was a BLAST to room with. We hit lots of fun things and laughed hysterically multiple times and ran into lots of peeps along the way!

For some reason, I have zero pics from the fun at CA Adventure and Disneyland, but I do remember I had fun;). Need to check with peeps for photo documentation . . .:). I do know we ate at the pizza and pasta place by Space Mountain with Lynn and Nikki and Suzanne and it was actually perfect. Ate super early (I think 4:30?) which is a must for me before a half. It was strange trying to figure out my food today as I’ve never done a 10K the day before a half, but I think I did OK because I had zero GI problems for the half (thank GOD!)

But I’m getting ahead of myself!! Next up – Part THREE – The Disneyland Half and the after party!