Avengers Half Marathon Race Recap

I was super excited to run this race, and Captain America was ready to go!

Captain America, ready to run!

I decided to take it easy at the parks on Saturday, arriving at about 11am and leaving around 4. I used the rest of the afternoon to go for a swim, have a spa and basically just relax, knowing full well that the 3:30 am wake up call was not going to be pretty. I settled into bed around 8:30 and fell asleep quickly- SUCCESS! Well, not quite. I woke up about an hour later and then after being awake for a few hours, slept on and off until 3:30. I put it down to excitement!

I jumped out of bed and got dressed- I always lay everything out the night before and compare it to previous pictures of 'flat Ashleigh' to check that I haven't forgotten anything. Staying on property at Disneyland meant it was only about a 10minute walk to the race start, which was super convenient. I would definitely recommend looking at staying on property if it is within your budget, at least for race day/pre race night. The start area was pretty calm when I arrived, and to be honest I never noticed it getting as hectic as Wine and Dine. I made my way to my corral with ease at about 4:15, and sat down and waited for the start. Rudy and Carissa, the race MC's kept me entertained until race start.

Flat Ashleigh.

I was in corral F, but corral E and F had a joint start, so even though I was at the front of my corral, I ended up being in the middle of the 2 corrals when we were released. I didn't notice too much congestion, and I settled into an easy pace, running 4:1 Galloway intervals (just like Wine and Dine). The first few miles through the parks were awesome, there was lots of people cheering, lots to keep me distracted and a few character stops. I didn't stop for Captain America, Black Widow or Hawkeye, because as much as I would have loved to- the lines were huge! I mean, I am not running right on 16 min miles so I have some leeway, but with those lines I just didn't feel confident enough to wait for 10-15minutes so early in the race. I ended up stopping for Minnie and Mickey inside Disneyland, as they had a super short line- which was excellent. I also stopped for a photo with the Green Army Men, at the front of Disneyland, with some of the mile markers and at Angel Stadium. In retrospect, I would have had time for one or two character stops, but it was too early in the race to know that at the time.

Race start!

Mickey and Minnie and Captain America!

The next few miles through Anaheim were less eventful. I don't want to say boring, but it didn't compare to Wine and Dine. Maybe it peaked to early, with the first 3 miles being so action packed and then the next 6 being a little lacklustre. There were cheerleaders and school bands out, which was really cool, but these next 6 miles were also where the winds picked up, and I was struggling. I needed all the moral support I could get. I hi fived everyone that was offering, I really needed the pick me up. Mile markers were blown down left, right and centre. Some were missing clocks, some were missing the art and were just empty frames. This wind was brutual. It stung my eyes and when dirt hit my legs it hurt. I was so happy when I saw Angel Stadium in the distance.

Mile 6 marker missing its clock. Sorry for the random guy in the photo!

I found the Green Army Men after missing them at Wine and Dine!

The mile in and around Angel Stadium went too quickly, the energy was awesome and there was lots going on. We then ran through the Clif Shot station where I grabbed a Razz Clif Shot (yummy!), and then there was a stretch of service men and women down the street. I hi fived them too- it was just the mental boost I needed for those last 3 miles. As I ran back I was so excited to make it back to Disney property.

Angel Stadium!

I speeded up as I approached the chute, knowing that my Coast to Coast medal was only about 160 metres away. When I crossed the finish line I was beyond happy. 2 weeks. 2 coasts. 2 halves. 2 races with crazy weather. I recieved my Avengers medal and made my way down the chute to pick up my Coast to Coast medal. It was a super short line, and they just put my bib number in the computer, checked me against my photo from the expo (I presume), and I was on my merry way with my medal in hand.

The family reunion area had been closed due to high winds, so I decided to just make my way back to my room, when my lovely boyfriend spotted me. It was a relief. I was just so mentally drained from the race, it was nice to have someone there to help me out. I got back to my room and showered, and then hit the parks with all 3 medals (Wine and Dine, Avengers and Coast to Coast). It was time to celebrate!

How do you deal with racing in less than ideal conditions?

Ash :)

Avengers Expo Recap

We arrived in California on Wednesday night, and the expo was scheduled for Friday/Saturday, so we took a little bit of time to do some research and made sure we knew exactly where we would be heading on Friday morning. After having already got my shoes at Wine and Dine I decided to give the New Balance stall a miss (which meant a sleep in as I didn't have to register for the virtual queue). I had seen some pictures on Facebook of some really cute merchandise- I smashed the half Hulk t shirts and some really brightly coloured jumpers and I was determined to get them. However, I had also heard really bad stories about super hectic Disneyland expos, so we decided to head down to the expo at 9 (one hour earlier than opening) to ensure we wouldn't miss out.

IT WAS CRAZY. I mean it was organised crazy, but it was still crazy. The lines were massive. We jumped in line for the official merchandise and I decided I would head down and pick up my race number later (it's not like it can sell out). By about 9:30 the line started moving, and we managed to make it into the official merchandise by 10:15. I ended up choosing the Hulk I smashed the half tech shirt, an Avengers half jumper, an I did it cotton t shirt, medal pin and I smashed the half drink bottle. I felt like a lot of the merchandise, although very similar to Wine and Dine was a little more expensive, and it was also a lot busier in there so I wasn't really interested in browsing. I basically picked up what I wanted and left. There was lots to choose from though- a big selection of tech shirts, jumpers, jackets, mugs, glasses, tumblers, head bands etc- but I did hear a lot was gone by the end of the first day. I was really happy (and fortunate) to be on holidays and have the freedom to be able arrive at the expo early Friday morning. I really felt for all the runners who couldn't make it till late Friday or Saturday and may have potentially missed out on what they wanted.

My expo haul! I think I have an addiction!

I had a quick look around the expo but most of the vendors were the same as were at Wine and Dine the week before. I picked up another Team Sparkle visor (blue), a SparkleSkirt, some ProCompression socks, Feetures socks, GU gels and stopped off the the Clif stall where they were sampling a few of the their bars and gels. I had a chat to the guys running the stall and they were really helpful and arranged a couple of samples for me for non-Australian products so I can test them and buy them in January if I like them. That pretty much made my day- it's so hard when I see awesome new products that I want to try but they are only avaliable overseas. The guys at Clif gave me a couple of sachets of their electrolyte products, Shot bloks, gels, as well as their Orange Mango recovery drink which I have been dying to try. On my way out of the expo I stopped at a cool Avengers back drop Disney had set up and stopped for a photo with my bib. I really enjoy all the photo opportunities Disney provides both at the parks and with their races.

Awesome Avengers photo!

A huge thanks to the crew at Clif Bar! I can't wait to try everything!

 After exploring the expo, I headed over to packet pick up and there was no line! YAY! I picked up my packet and recieved the best bracelet of my life. Who thought a yellow wristband would mean so much to me. I am still wearing it now. I headed over and got my photo taken for my coast to coast medal and then I was finished. On my way out I had a quick look at the Dooney and Bourke bags, but the line was giant and to be completely honest I am not a huge handbag person anyway. I thought I would leave the Dooney and Bourkes to the true handbag fans.

The awesome, the amazing, the Coast to Coast wristband!

In total we were at the expo for about 3 hours including all the time in lines which wasn't too bad. It was well set out and organised, the only downside being the huge lines, however Disney did a great job managing everyone and the lines moved relatively quickly.

Do you enjoy shopping at expos? What do you normally look for at a race expo?

Ash :)

One week until I leave for the USA and Wine and Dine and Avengers Half!

The countdown is on! Well the countdown has been on since registration, but it is so close now I can practically taste it. Because we are coming over from Australia, we arrive at WDW on the Monday and stay until the Wednesday after Wine and Dine, before travelling across to Disney Land for the Avengers Half. This means 9 more sleeps until we leave for the trip! To say I am excited is a massive understatement.

I haven't raced in a long time, and Wine and Dine is part redemption, part birthday fun and part bucket load of excitement. I have been to WDW once before but only for a day, so going this time with a Premier Passport will give me a lot more freedom to explore the parks. Wine and Dine falls on my birthday so I am hoping to squeeze in a couple of fun birthday activities- and if you see me on course please stop and say hello (and happy birthday!) :) 

I was fortunate enough to have Avengers fall the weekend after Wine and Dine which has allowed me to a) extend my holiday a little b) earn my coast to coast and c) have double as much runDisney fun in one holiday!

I am super excited to see if this round of intense training has paid off, and looking forward to just having fun. I live in remote Australia as a teacher and haven't seen my partner in 15 weeks (as he stayed in Melbourne for his work), so a big part of me is excited for the holiday just because it will be with him. 

Second last hard run before I leave for America! YAYYAYAYA! :) 

Any tips for touring the parks while on a runcation?

Ash :) 

Less than 3 months until Wine and Dine Half Marathon!

As I write this my excitement levels are rising, because there is officially less than 3 months until the beginning of the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Race Weekend.

Wine and Dine half will be my first official RunDisney race and to say I am looking forward to it is a huuuuge understatement! Ever since I found out about the RunDisney race events I have had an interest, but living in Australia and the thought of taking on a half marathon made it seem like a fantasy. I started running, and by running I mean run/walking (which has worked an absolute treat) and built my way up to half marathon distance. After finishing uni and not securing a full time job straight away, the registration for Wine and Dine seemed too tempting to refuse (and it's on my birthday!). So when it opened I registered, and the week after I registered for Avengers Half and a month later I was registering for Dopey. I definitely caught the RunDisney bug!

The hard training is starting to get going, with a big focus on Dopey training, which will nonetheless prepare me for both of my halves in November. I am seriously so pumped and just waiting to board that plane and be on the way to Disney to make my dreams come true!

What is your dream race?

Ash :)