I am IN for the Disneyland Half Marathon Meet-Up!

This is my first runDisney Meet-Up. I still can't believe I made it! I was "just" planning on celebrating my big 40th birthday with +20,000 friends at the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge. This is a 10k on Saturday followed by the Disneyland Half Marathon on Sunday.

To enter and be selected to be part of this event is just mind blowing and the best 40-birthday present EVER! 

For those who don't know what a runDisney "Meet-Up" is, let me explain. It's a social event hosted by runDisney. It usually takes place the Friday before race weekend. It's announced through Twitter and the Disney Parks Blogs. It's limited to a number of qualified runners, usually the first ones to RSVP to the runDisney message. What does the  "Meet-Up" entail? We run through Disneyland and California Adventure with Olympian Jeff Galloway and other celebrity runners. The run starts at 6:00 am before the park opens to the public. Yes, the Disneyland park is all ours! How cool is that! We also have the opportunity to meet Disney characters, possibly take some rides and socialize with many runDisney fans and social media fanatics. Not bad, huh? *wink* I am sure you understand my enthusiasm now. 

This is Disney's official announcement from their website: 

"To get runners warmed up for Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, an early morning runDisney meet-up is planned for Friday, August 30, at the Disneyland Resort.

In case you’re “curiouser and curiouser” as to the details, we’re planning to have a couple of special guests, along with a teacup-ful of friends from Wonderland to help get the weekend started in a rather un-birthday-like manner. Of course, along with a few surprises, there will be a full deck of training experts, including Jeff Galloway and Tara Gidua"

This makes me smile cause this is nothing un-birthday-like for me, quiet the contrary. Happy 40th birthday to me!

Stay tune for my full report after the event!

2013 RnR Seattle Half Marathon Race Recap

It's been a crazy month and I haven't been able to update my blog. What have I been up to? Six days after the San Francisco Marathon, I flew with my mom to the NW to run the RnR Seattle Half Marathon. For those who don't know,  I purchased a Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Tour Pass earlier this year. My goal is to complete seven Rock 'n' Roll races before December 31st and become a Rock Legend. Seattle was race #6.

View of Mt. Rainier from the airplane

We took a late flight from San Diego and arrived at Sea-Tac around 11:30 pm. This airport is quite far from Seattle downtown but fortunately they have great transportation. The Central Link light rail took us from the airport to Seattle/Westlake after making 11 stops along the way. Since we arrived so late, the monorail from Westlake to the Space Needle was already closed. We ended up taking a taxi to our hotel, the Hilton Homewood Suites. It was a good choice. Very close to the race start line.


Friday,  June 21st - Expo 
  

After a quick but delicious breakfast at our hotel, we slowly walked to the running expo. It was probably 2.5 miles away but it took us at least 4 hours to get there.  First we stopped by the Space Needle, only a few blocks away.

The city is getting ready for the race. Porta potties everywhere!

We walked to Seattle's famous Pike's Market.

We tried some vegetarian coconut chowder at award winning  Pike Place Chowder. I personally didn't like it but perhaps their other meatier options were better.

 

For dessert, we purchased 2 packs of chewing gum. You might wonder what it was for. I think this picture explains it all. I wanted to immortalize by love for my sister, Heidi, on the wall. hahaha. You see, she has a chewing gum phobia since she was a kid. We are now best friends when we were little, like all siblings, we used to fight a lot. To annoy her back in the days, I would chew gum non-stop. In return, she would do the same thing that I am doing in this picture but with cheese strings which is the thing I dislike the most in this world. It's pay back, little sis!  :-)

Seattle's Bubble Gum Wall

After a thousand and one stops, we arrived at the running Expo. It was located at the Century Link Field, home field for the football team the Seattle Seahawks.

We grew mustaches over there waiting for my running friends, the Medal Whores, to arrive!

In the meantime, I picked up my bib, exchanged my technical shirt twice and tried to win some Brooks' shoes with no luck. We were at the expo for one hour or so when my friends made their appearance. We took pictures at the Brooks Run Happy Cavalcade of Curiosities booth ( the same one that we saw at the RnR Portland expo) and left soon after. We walked together to our hotel, another 2.5 miles, with a quick stop to grab a bite.

It was the day of solstice and the skies were pink and bright until 10:30 pm. 


Saturday,  June 22nd - Race 

I can't recall at what time we woke up for this race but I know that the hotel opened their kitchen very early for us runners. Very nice!

We walked 10 minutes to the starting line and took more pictures.

It's time to stretch! Yes, I was wearing my Boston inspired tutu.  On your marks ready get set go...

My mom arrived at the corrals just before we took off to wish us good luck. We decided then that we will meet at family reunion D right after the race if not sooner. We didn't know Seattle that well so it was hard to coordinate, but I had the feeling I would see her somehow somewhere along the course.  My mom is awesome. What can I say! She is always full of energy and life.

As the gun went off, my friend May took off. I tried to follow her but she was too fast or maybe I was too slow or maybe I needed more time to recover. That's it! I ran the San Francisco Marathon just 6 days before. Oh, I was tired at mile 1. This never happened to me before. Quickly, I changed gears and decided to really enjoy the race and forget about the clock.

As we approached mile 1.5, I realized that this race was not going to be flat. I thought the hills would start at mile 4. I was wrong. My right foot was hurting. I was having a hard time. "Should I quit? No!" My negative thoughts were interrupted by the most beautiful sight of Mt. Rainier in the background. At mile 4-5, I saw Joe Taricani of the Marathon Show at a water station. I screamed "Joe, Viva Espana!". He replied "Ciry, Viva L'Italia". It's a joke between us. We are both soccer fanatics and love our teams, of course! Around mile 6, we entered Lake Washington. We ran north towards I-90. At one point, I had to come to a full stop as the roads narrowed to a single lane and thousands of runners were trying to make it through a small climb. This was just before entering the highway.

Military Tribute at Lake Washington

At mile 9-10, we ran on some nasty sewage smelling long tunnels. Oh, I truly disliked this part of the course. On top of this, they had a DJ blasting music uber loud. Not the best experience in the world. I felt claustrophobic. I was happy to leave the tunnels and see the city soon after.

We ran on top of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. We could see the Seahawks Stadium,  the Mariner's Safeco Field and the ocean right in front of us. "Yahoooo,  we are almost done ... but the Space Needle looks so far!"

At mile 11, I heard "Ciiiiiiry". It was my mom screaming from the top of Seattle's Pike's Market. She found me! She made my day. She took a picture too. Can you spot me? Of course, how many runners are wearing tutus?

Only 2 miles to go! I thought "easy peasy" but I was wrong. There was another tunnel and then a rather steep hill to the finish line. I think this is the first time I had run a course where the finish line was on a hill. Almost everyone was walking but I was sprinting.  I crossed the finished line in 2:16:52. Not a fast time for me but I could have been worse. I had just run the San Francisco Marathon 6 days before.

Soon after, I met my friend May who had arrived 10 minutes before me. We waited for our friends and picked up our preciousssss. Two Heavy Medals for me:1 for completing Portland and Seattle in the same year (Rock The Pacifics Peaks Heavy Medal) and 1 for completing six RnR ( Rock Star heavy Medal).

I am leaving you with some interesting picture I took at the race. Ha, the bodysuits are back! Question for you - would you wear this if it would make you faster?

Nice suit, men!

What's next? The Dumbo Double Dare. It's the Disneyland 10k on Saturday followed by the Disneyland Half marathon on Sunday. What are you training for?

2013 The WiPro San Francisco Marathon - Race Recap

Race Date: Sunday, June 16th, 2013
Start Time: 5:30 am
Start & Finish: Embarcadero
Expo: Concourse Exhibition Center

The San Francisco Marathon is usually held at the end of July. This year it was moved to June due to a conflict with the America's Cup, which is taking over the city later in the summer.


This was my third race in San Francisco . The first one was the Nike Women's (Half) Marathon last year. The second one was the Rock 'n' Roll San Francisco Half Marathon last April. To say that I LOVE this city is an understatement!


Saturday,  June 15th

My friend Tessa and I arrived in San Francisco at 8:35 am, after a short flight from San Diego.

Virgin America airlines never disappoints, 

We ran into Leslie and her husband from West Coast Road Runners and made a quick stop at at The Plant Cafe Organic for a healthy sunrise drink ( carrot, beet, orange, apple lemon). I love that they have healthy options at SFO Terminal 2.

We took the BART train to Montgomery Street Station where our friend Leo was meeting us. We dropped our backpacks at his apartment, where we were staying for the weekend, and walked one mile to the Expo.

We quickly picked up our bib, shirts and bags.  I like the design and color of our technical shirts and bag. However, the shirt's sleeves were 1 1/2 inches too short in all sizes.  I usually wear XS or SM, I ended up exchange it for a medium. I am glad I was able to do so without any issues. I must say they had great customer service!

I met Catra Corbett (DirtDiva) at the RunningSkirts both. She is running her 100th 100-mile race in a couple of months. Can you imagine running just one 100-miles (160 km)? Now multiple that by 100 times. What's her special diet? She is a frutarian. She eats fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, without animal products and grains. Amazing, huh?

I purchased a sterling silver replica of the 2013 Wipro San Francisco Marathon Finisher's Medal and the Signature Shoe Pendant from Engaged Running. They are very well made and simply beautiful! I love it! They also make pendants for other races. Check it out!

At the expo, we meet the rest of the group, the Medal Whores. We probably spent 2 hours there. It must be my new PR. No worries! I only purchased a pair of socks and this awesome necklace. Afterwards, we walked and walked and then we walked some more to the bus stop, which took us to my friend's Leo and Febry's Japanese restaurant, Kirimachi.

Miso soup with cabbage, mushrooms and bamboo shots,

After lunch, we walked to Little Italy and had some coffee at my favorite bakery.

Afterwards, we walked all over town in search for some arm warmers to wear at the race next day. I was freezing. I should have bought a pair at the expo. We stopped in Lululemon and Nike Town but they didn't sell them. I was ready to give up on the idea of wearing arm warmers when I spotted the perfect pair of men socks at Uniqlo, a popular Japanese clothing store similar to Gap. Bingo! Oh, we spent too much time at this store too!

My friend Venus at her own Uniqlo Marathon :)

For dinner, we carb-loaded at King of Thai Noodle House. I ate eggplant with curry sauce. I skipped the rice and pasta since I am following an NSNG lifestyle or No Sugars No Grains. I am pretty sure there was some sugar in the curry but it's ok. Everything in moderation! By the way, the food was superb.

It was a quick walk from this restaurant to the apartment.  See a pattern? walking, walking, walking everywhere.  I didn't go to bed until 1:00 am. I was excited. I was nervous. I was ready!

Sunday,  June 16th - Race Day

We woke up at 4:30 and left the apartment around 5:15 after a quick breakfast (2 boiled eggs. almond butter and yogurt).

The start of the race was at Embarcadero a nice walk from our apartment. We were supposed to start with corral 4 but ended up with corral 6.

When I arrived at my corral, I noticed that my Garmin was low on battery. How was that possible? No problem. I turned the RunKeeper app on my iPhone. Few minutes later, I noticed that my iPhone was also running low in battery. "WTH! Nooooooo!". This was my only source of music.  "No electronic devices for me! This is going to be a loooong race! Let's not panic!. You can do it!". I knew I could run without music but without knowing my pace I'd be lost. I told myself that I will rely on the clocks on the course, the ones that they usually have at the start line and then at each mile marker.

Soon after, we crossed the starting line. I ran side by side with my friend Febry for the first few miles, through the Fisherman's Wharf and the Marina. As we passed a couple of mile markers, I realize that there were no clocks available anywhere. I was totally bummed about this but I didn't let it get to me. I quickly shift gears. After all, my #1 goal for this race was to run it from beginning to end without any stops except for water. If I was able to do this, I'd be more than happy.

Miles 1-5  We ran through Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Mason, the Marina Blvd and up to the Golden Gate Bridge. It is the same route as the RnR San Francisco Half Marathon with the only difference that the RnR started a the bottom of the Fort Mason, which is mile 2 into the WinPro race. This hill is steep but very short. The real hill came at mile 4 -5.5 when we climbed to the Golden Gate bridge. It was hard. I was ready to stop at one point but I kept going while thinking about my goal.

Mile 6-8 - We were in the Golden Gate Bridge. This time around, we ran in the middle of the bridge (at the RnR SF Half we ran on the narrow sidewalks). This experience was again surreal. Every time I am here I think of ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes. Then the most amazing thing happened. He was there, running in front of me, on the other side of the bridge. Was I hallucinating? Maybe! Noooo, I was able to confirm yesterday that it was him indeed.  He signed up for the Worth The Hurt challenge this year which is 2 San Francisco Marathons back to back. "Grgrgr where is the camera when you need it". I also met my friend Tessa at the bridge and another friend from San Diego.

Miles 9-13 - I can't remember much except for hills, hills, hills, hills. At mile 13, I spotted a Pasadena Pacer who was carrying a 4:40 sign. "Great! I'll follow him to the end". He stopped few minutes later and started walking the hills. "WTH!". Soon after I reached the part of the course where the full marathoners and second half marathoners meet. At this race, you can choose to run the first half, the second half of the full marathon. It suddenly got very crowded.

Mile 14-18 were the toughest. I was struggling for a while. I spotted a fellow Marathon Maniac and followed her for a few miles around Lake Stow. I've already been warned that it was hilly around Golden Gate Park but I underestimated the hills. It was beautiful but hard!

Photo Credit: Inetours.com

Mile 19 - I was happy to finally exit the Golden Gate Park.

Miles 20-23 - We ran through Haight Street, Mission, Potrero and Mission Bay Districts. I saw Pretty, Venus and Julius at mile 21. They were doing the second half. They looked very fresh. It was mile 6-7 for them. I, on the other hand, was exhausted but happy to see them.

Mile 24 and beyond - As we passed behind the Giant's Stadium, I knew we were very close. I could see the Bay Bridge in the background and my friend May nearby. She had driven from San Jose to see me run. She was waiting for me with oranges and honeydew. What a friend! The oranges tasted amazing, needless to say. May ran with me for a mile and a half. I could now see the finish line. I had no clue what was my overall finishing time but I was super excited! I couldn't believe it. I've ran hilly San Francisco without a single stop. Hill after hill after hill after hill. When I crossed the finish line, I finally saw a clock marking 5:24. I knew I had crossed the start line at least 30 min after the first wave.  My official time was actually 4:51:07. It's not my fastest but I am very happy. Could I have ran it faster with a watch? Maybe or maybe not.

Today I ran the toughest 26.2 of my (short but intensive) running career. It was hillier than expected but I managed to accomplish my #1 goal without Garmin, without music. Today I ran by feeling! Did I mention that I am in LOVE with this city?

Thanks May for all the support!

BIG congrats to all my friends that participated in this race this weekend!


Race Summary

PROS
- Perfect running weather (mid 50s)
- Well-organized
- Most beautiful course I've ran so far!
- Lots of water stations.
- Great expo.
- Nice Finisher's Medal
-The Volunteers

CONS
- No clocks available. It would be nice if they had clocks at the mile markers or next to the time mats.
- (2013) Technical shirt's sleeves were too short