From a Panda to a Mouse and a Marathon along the way About This Page:

[MinnieJen]

Day Four - Sunday:

After I wrote this out I decided to do two separate posts for the race and for day four so if you do not care about the race itself skip this post, after all I will never know.

I got up at 4:14 (yes very very am) and it was dark and quiet. I had set out my clothes the day before and so I just pulled my hair up and got dressed. I put extra layers of sunscreen on. I had planned to eat a little bit but I was way too nervous and could only drink. I did some stretching, kissed a sleeping hubby goodbye and off I went. Downtown Disney was pretty quiet only a few runners walking towards the finish line area were we all were supposed to hang out until they start to stage us. There was something like 13,700 runners so it is not just ready set go, it is a whole process. The finish/reunion area was packed with people runners and support staff. They were doing Disney trivia and the green army guys were all over posing for pics. There was a gear check if you wanted to drop things off to pick up after the race but I had hubby for that. Everyone seemed to be there with a team or group or at least a friend to run with . I was alone and super nervous. Many people asked me to take pictures of them since I was just standing there like a dork; it did give me a distraction. After a bit they asked us to head out to the staging area by the starting line. It was not far but it was cold. I did not want to wear a long sleeve layer and have to just leave it on the side of the road once I warmed up during the race so I just shivered along with many others. As we waited they would give us tidbits like the number of runners, that all 50 states were represented, that 67% of the runners were women, that the average age was 37 (mine own age). That was a nice way to pass the time as we all tried t stay warm and loose. The part I had not expected and was really neat, the National Anthem was sung for us. I have been at many events where I have heard it for other people but never for me. They keep referring to the athletes and I would have to remind myself that it was me they are talking to. Finally they had the runners start and we left in stages to be sure it we didn’t trample each other. It felt good to get started at last. We ran into DCA first and there were tons of CMs cheering us on. The sun was hardly up but they were so happy and excited to be there for us. Lots of Pixar characters and the HS Musical kids all came out to wave and cheer. Next we ran into DLR and that was what I had been waiting for since I signed up for the race. Again CMs and characters galore, music being played, a few people out in suits and I still wonder who they were, execs of some sort. Running through the castle was awesome.

All too quickly we are out of the parks and onto the real work of the race. we ran through some cool back areas though, some kind of gardening area with a bunch of topiaries in various stages of growth, the rather pungent stables for the horses, and lots of backstage CMs telling us to keep it up. The next 9 miles would just be the streets of Anaheim. The race was very well planned, prepared and staffed, lots of water stations and medical stations., many high school bands and local cheer squads. We ran through Angel Stadium and I saw myself on the jumbo-tron. There were troops of boy and girl scouts all cheering and high fiving. That was just before mile 10 just before I hit the wall, after mile 11 I was having a very hard time. We ran back through DCA at the very end and I was only thinking of my beautiful boys and husband waiting and cheering for me, having unwavering faith that mommy would make it to the finish line.

I saw a few people lying on the ground being assisted by race and medical staff and that is so hard to see anytime but especially so close to the end. I hope they are all ok. Finally I made it to the end got my medal and was so close to tears that when I saw my family I have to admit I lost it a little bit. They are absolutely what got me to the end. I am so very blessed.

Stay tuned for the rest of Day 4.....

[Nicole626Stitch]

The race sounds awesome!! I've heard about it before but never done it. It sounds like an awesome experience! Congrats on your accomplishment!

[disney_duke]

I love your details of the race! Makes me excited for it next year. I remember that wall around mile 10 at WDW too... who puts that wall up anyway?? You finished, and that's what matters. Congratulations on your fantastic voyage!!!! It's no small accomplishment!!!

[MinnieJen]

Originally Posted by disney_duke

I love your details of the race! Makes me excited for it next year. I remember that wall around mile 10 at WDW too... who puts that wall up anyway?? You finished, and that's what matters. Congratulations on your fantastic voyage!!!! It's no small accomplishment!!!

I don't know who put up the wall but it was very well built and not so easy to get around or over! I grew up in Madison do you live near there?

[MinnieJen]

Originally Posted by Nicole626Stitch

The race sounds awesome!! I've heard about it before but never done it. It sounds like an awesome experience! Congrats on your accomplishment!

If I can do it anybody can!

[disney_duke]

Originally Posted by MinnieJen

I don't know who put up the wall but it was very well built and not so easy to get around or over! I grew up in Madison do you live near there?

I live in suburban Milwaukee. But my DH went to Edgewood High school to play hockey. So we know Madison fairly well.... at least we did 15 years ago!!!

[MinnieJen]

Day 4 continued…

So I have finished my race and legs felt like a huge bowl of jello. My husband was so amazing after my race and told me what a great job I did and how proud he was of me and repeatedly said today was my day to do whatever I wanted. All I wanted at that point was to take a shower, a really hot shower. So we walked, very slowly, back to our room so I could clean up and stretch some more and drink a ton of water!

Once I got all set I needed to eat because I was starting to feeling woozy. So I decided I could eat anything I wanted today and not even think about it and I wanted to start with a corndog!!! Hubby was thrilled because I don’t eat like that very often and he loves corndogs. He loved the corndogs they used to have at Corn Dog Castle in DCA but they are not there due to the construction. We heard they made them in the Famers Market now but he was not sure if they were the same. So although I was sore I knew walking would be good as long as I did not over do it. I also knew at some point I would crash. So anyway onto the corndogs, they were good but apparently they old ones were crispier on the outside and slightly sweet cornbread these were very much the standard savory batter and could have been crunchier. I was still happy. Now I had read that the runners wear their medals around the parks the day of the race and CMs will congratulate you. They all did, it was very cool after such a hard race.

So if you know DCA, the Farmer’s Market if right next to Bug’s Land and I bet you can guess that my 3y old knows that too. My sweet hubby took the boys over there and sent me into the pin store to look for more shoes pins. Can I please tell you that the people working at the PT Fleas are awesome. They take time to talk to every person in there and really help them. I asked them how many of the shoe pins there were so I know which ones to look for. They went in the back grabbed the “book” and looked them up. Then they also went around and grabbed the ones they had available. They had the most of them so far and maybe because DCa is not as busy? Who knows. I had half of them so I just had to pick out the ones I needed. I had them all! Yay! I traded a few pins with and thanked them so much and on my way they all said congrats on my race medal!

The boys were, no big surprise, over at the Chew Chew Train! One more round of Flik’s Flyers (Sorry my boys know what they like) and then we the Monsters inc ride again. This time there was quite a line and a much nicer person loading the cars. On the way out of the ride I stated feeling dizzy again and I realized I need to rest for a little bit. So Hubby said he would take the boys to see the playhouse Disney show and maybe give them snack time and come back for me. I was asleep the second I hit the pillow.

I was pretty sore when I woke up but stretching helped some again. The boys came back and the 3y old was asleep in the stroller so we let him rest. Apparently they got into the show and right before the Handy Manny part of the show they had some stage malfunction and it was canceled right then. Boys were not happy. Poor daddy. I believe some ice cream bribes may have taken place at this point.

I ate a quick snack in the room and once we had two conscious boys we headed out to see the Pixar Parade in DCA. We saw it last year and knew the boys would love it all over again. We stopped at the candy store and I looked for the coconut chocolate Mickeys that I fell in love with in WDW in April. So yummy, boys must be kept away from these at all costs.

We found a nice spot in the shade for the parade and the boys were very happy, jumping and pointing and getting all wet! We had early reservations at Storytellers Café for me to stuff my face because let me tell you I was starving. Hubby asked if I had gotten all the pins I wanted. I said I wanted to do a bunch of trading the next day and maybe find a special DLR one to remember my race being here without being a race pin. Hmm he had a plan I guess, I should know when he asks questions about stuff that is not “his” thing.

We got to dinner and we were seated right away. There were a few people coming in and getting upset as they did not have ADRs and had to wait. I guess they thought early dining would not require an ADR. Under normal circumstances maybe but it was a holiday weekend with a big event going on that day. We went with the buffet option and it was very good. The corn chowder was very flavorful in particular. I will also praise the mashed potatoes and the New York strip with the au jus, a great meal to fill me up with a few extra servings. We called it an early night for mommy to rest and hit the parks running for our last day.

Stay tuned for Day 5 Goofy’s Kitchen and our final day in the Land of Disney….

[Nicole626Stitch]

I LOVE PT Flea!!! It's my fave pin store, and your right, the CM's in there are super friendly and willing and ABLE to help. Sometimes you go in a pin store and ask a question and you get a dumb founded look and answer, not PT Flea! They always have pins in there too that I've been looking for that I cannot find anywhere else...
Glad you found all your shoes! How many are there anyways? I saw those, but never all together.
Can't wait to hear more!

[chezp]

Congrats on the race! I don't know how, but I missed that installment, so I've only just caught up now. You did great!

[Colexis Mom]

More great updates! Congrats on finishing the race!

[MinnieJen]

Originally Posted by disney_duke

I live in suburban Milwaukee. But my DH went to Edgewood High school to play hockey. So we know Madison fairly well.... at least we did 15 years ago!!!

Oh Edgewood is in such a beautiful area of Madison. We are trying to work out a quick trip home before winter sets in. I love the fall weather and the colors. We get colors here but not as bright. Mostly yellow from the aspen trees, not very many maples here at all. Enjoy it!

[MinnieJen]

Originally Posted by Nicole626Stitch

I LOVE PT Flea!!! It's my fave pin store, and your right, the CM's in there are super friendly and willing and ABLE to help. Sometimes you go in a pin store and ask a question and you get a dumb founded look and answer, not PT Flea! They always have pins in there too that I've been looking for that I cannot find anywhere else...
Glad you found all your shoes! How many are there anyways? I saw those, but never all together.
Can't wait to hear more!

I am so glad to hear you say that you like PT Flea as well. I have not been trading for very long so I really like how helpful they are. A year ago when I started I bought my very first pins there and I remember them being so nice and giving me some good tips. Then they were so great this trip too!

Yes I asked another pin store how many and they were confused by the question. Not that hard of a question IMHO. There were nine shoes in all, eight plus a "special" Jack Skellington one.

[MinnieJen]

Day Five - Monday:

I went back and forth as to which Character Breakfast to do. We decided on Goofy’s Kitchen and the boys were very excited. The meal was included in our package so we just had to show up and smile for our breakfast. Breakfast is the fav meal of my boys and a buffet with all the choices takes it to a whole new level. We settled in and saw Goofy, Chip and Dale, and Cinderella. I though it would be bigger but the only other Character meal I have done is Crystal Palace in WDW. Either way we had a ball and it was a great beginning to our last day. We headed out to Toon Town. The boys loved Goofy’s house and the garden play area next to it. They played out there until we pulled them away. They also liked Donald’s Boat quite a bit. We saw Goofy again and got some more great pictures. We played around some more and then my husband mentioned how much he used to liked going on the Columbia when he was a little boys so that was next for sure. We got on the first run of the day and it was way cooler then I expected. I liked getting to see Tom Sawyers Island all the way around. Hubby had many stories to tell about him exploring there with his brothers. I always forget how much my husband loves Disney, especially in comparison to some husbands, and how really cool it is that we all can go and love it together.

Hubby wanted to buy me a pin bag so we headed over to Westward Ho Trading company and he let me pick out the one I wanted! I noticed as we went in there were CMs outside with big pins books and a line in front of each. We asked about them and they were to be there trading for a few hours I guess. As we finished up our little started to fall asleep and so my husband went to go sit in the shade so he would fall sleep faster. I waited in one of the lines. It was very slow going and I had my older son in the stroller, I glanced down and he was sound asleep as well. I finally got to the front of the line with several people cutting and taking a very long time to look. I quickly traded my two with the first lady but did not want to be rude like others and cut to the front of the other line and I went to find my husband. He kept telling me to go back but I was hot and hungry. Since both our little guys were sleeping we had the chance to eat our lunch in relative peace and have our meals be hot and fresh! We went to Rancho del Zolcalo since it was close and my husband remembered it being good. I got a salad and Hubby got the enchilada platter. He also bought some chips con limon and he is still wanting more of them. His lunch was very good and mine was fresh and yummy. The boys woke up just as we finished, it was perfect timing.

There were new CMs out with the pins books now and a shorter line. So we waited and with my hubby there we could trade 4 pins in the one line I did not wait in before. We got some good ones. We really wanted to get some new family pics of us at the entrance area or maybe on Main street with the Castle in the background. We decided on the entrance since we did that last year. We found a really great and patient photopass CM and used our camera and took a bunch for us to choose from. She was the best and we got some great photos. It seems a lot of them are not very patient and not that willing to really make sure you get a good one of the little kids. Next we went over to DCA and the boys and daddy did some games in the Boardwalk area. They also went on the Carousel a few times. I did some pin trading. We stopped at Pizza Omm Mow Mow for the boys since we were still full from our lunch. There were a bunch of huge leaves falling off the tree out front as they ate and my 3y old had fun collecting them. So cute! My husband really wanted me to get to ride on Soarin’ the day before but I was too wiped, so I went on the single rider and it was amazing. I was worried since I am afraid of heights that it would not be good but after the initial lift up I was fine. I knew I was going to have to make sure my sweet husband got a chance to ride this. When I got back outside my boys were waiting for me with a Mickey Bar!!! What more could I ask for? We just walked around and I ate my bar and we chatted about our trip and how it all played out. It was a good time and I was so happy our boys enjoyed it even more then before. We decided to get back to the room so I could start to pack some. Once we got the boys settled with a movie I told Hubby to go and try to do Soarin’ quickly. He needed no pushing, off he ran. I started packing and getting boys ready for bed. I also looked at the room service menu since I had not had dinner and t was getting late. I wanted something light. Soup and salad sounded good but I wanted to wait for Hubby in case he was hungry too. He had been gone for a while but I thought maybe the line was longer. He arrived a little later and had a big long box too! He had run to PT Flea and talked to the amazing staff and picked out a pin collection for me that spelled out Disneyland. He wanted to show me how proud he of me finishing the race! I have the most amazing and sweet husband. I was worried about the money with us being on a tighter budget until Hubby gets a new job but he insisted I had saved more then enough on this trip and I deserved it. He said the pin CM was super helpful and was very excited to help pick out a special gift. Hubby said she was very invested in making sure they got the right one. I love PTs!!

We ordered dinner as our older son fell asleep on our bed. We would move him later. We got our little guy to sleep and dinner arrived. We ate and discussed what my hubby thought about Soarin’ and how much I liked it. We agreed it was a good trip. I finished packing us up and set out what we needed for the next day and first day of driving back to Colorado.

It is always sad to leave WDW or DLR but we were also very much looking forward to being home after a month away. We have been discussing a couple weeks at the condo in February so maybe we can add a few days in DLR again. We also have kicked around doing a Disney cruise but that could be on hold until we know more about Hubby’s job situation. At least I will have a glimmer of the Mouse in my near future…..

[Colexis Mom]

What a great last day! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

[MinnieJen]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

What a great last day! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

Thank you for being such a great and positive member of these boards! You take the time to post for all us newbies trying to figure stuff out.