2019 Strawberry Strut 10K

When registration opened a few months back for this year's Wine & Dine Half Marathon in Walt Disney World, I realized that I did not currently own a "good" proof of time to submit for corral placement. My options were: a 10 mile trail run that I ran while I had the great lung plague, a handful of Rock n Roll races I didn't run to my full potential because I stopped to take pictures along the way, and the Princess Half Marathon weekend races which I definitely didn't run to my full potential! My previous "good" 10K time expired by 2 days for the cutoff for Wine & Dine. Whomp whomp.

This left me in a dilemma.  Should I submit the best proof of time from one those races or try to find a 10K that I could really run and try my hardest to get a better time? Once I decided on the later option, another dilemma arose. Races with mileage higher than a 5K don't really exist in the south past March because it's just getting too hot (they are definitely few and far between).

So, I spent an afternoon searching everywhere between Houston, north Louisiana, New Orleans...anywhere I could find that would work on a weekend when Jason was also off of work. Somehow (miraculously), the stars aligned and that's when I found the Strawberry Strut 10K in Ponchatoula, Louisiana (about 2 1/2 hours from home). I even loved how the timing worked out for this race to be on a Sunday morning, that way we could take Brayden to the church's Easter egg hunt before leaving for Ponchatoula. (More on the Easter egg hunt later.)

A crazy freak storm passed through the night before the race which left the temperatures incredibly chilly on the morning of the race. Guess what? We were NOT prepared!! Luckily, I had a pair of capri tights with me as well as a jacket, but poor Jason didn't have anything. Instead, he decided to wear jeans since he was planning on walking the 5K with Brayden. Whoops.

Our hotel was a short 5 minute drive to the start line, and we arrived in plenty of time to pick up our packets. We weren't sure we would receive official race t-shirts since we registered after the cutoff, but the shirts were in our packets! Yay!

We hung out in the car for a while and as usual, I looked up my previous 10K PR. I'd mentioned in a blog post last fall that I figured that 10K time was "it" for me and I'd never be able to reach that one again. After saying my thoughts out loud, Jason's response was "you never know"! How right he was!

We made our way to the start line, the National Anthem played, and before I knew it, we were off!

I was not sure how I would feel for this race since I pushed myself so hard the previous day. I realized during this race just how much of a difference the weather makes. With this race (as opposed to the day before with warm temps and humidity), I was able to push myself without my lungs burning! I also tried to stick as close to an 8 minute per mile pace as possible. I knew if I could do that, I would PR.

This race was also much easier for me to run when compared to the 5K the day before. It's truly amazing how much of a difference the weather makes!

By mile 4, I knew I needed water. I'd passed all the previous water stops and wanted to make sure I took a cup this time. In my head, I figured out that I was about 3 minutes ahead of my PR, so I decided if I grabbed a cup and walked for 20 seconds or so, I'd be ok.

That water break was just what I needed and I was able to find my groove once again.

As I approached the finish line, I spotted Jason and Brayden. I later learned that they'd taken a wrong turn (where the 10K and the 5K split...whoops) before realizing their mistake and turning around, so they technically did a little more than a 5K! 

Anyway, after crossing the finish line, I officially held a new 10K PR (by a minute and some change) and could NOT believe it! These PR's (from the 5K the day before and this 10K) were pre-baby PR's from 4-5 years ago! I didn't want to pinch myself for fear of waking up from a dream!!

After catching my breath for a second, I turned around and snapped this picture of Jason and Brayden crossing the finish line!

...and there it is! My new 10K PR!

My watch also told me that I ran the 5K portion of this race faster than I ran the 5K the day before! What?! 

Brayden wanted to wear "dad's medal", so of course we let him! I can't wait until he starts earning his own (apart from his few Disney ones)!

The post-race treat was strawberry shortcake and ya'll....it was SO GOOD!

We waited around for a few minutes to catch our breath and enjoy some strawberry shortcake when we heard the awards being called. I knew I had a decent time (for me) but definitely didn't think I placed! It's hard to tell these things when a course doesn't loop on itself, which this one did not.

Much to my surprise (again), I placed 2nd in my age group!! I seriously could not believe it!

What a weekend!

If you're ever thinking about heading over to Ponchatoula to run the Strawberry Strut, you should! They had adequate water stops along the course, the course was nice and flat, the medals and shirts are precious, and the strawberry shortcake after the race was a unique offering and it was delicious, too! After the race, you can head over to the Strawberry Festival and enjoy the rest of your day (like we did)!

Have you ever surprised yourself with a race PR?

2014 Inaugural Enchanted 10K

Happy Monday after Daylight Savings Time!  Although I’m not a fan of the loss of an hour of sleep, I do enjoy the extra daylight this time of year brings! Spring is on the way!

Back on the Disney Princess Weekend recaps, here’s my version of the Inaugural Enchanted 10K.

Also, if you missed prior recaps, here they are:

• Princess Half Marathon Weekend Expo & Vlog
• Cinderella Royal Family 5K & Vlog

My alarm was set for 2:30 a.m. the morning of the Enchanted 10K and I had plans to meet up with Pam at the bus stop to ride to the start line together. We ended up missing each other (totally my fault) and I arrived at the bus stop just as her bus was pulling away. Thankfully, another bus was right behind it so we didn’t spend much time waiting around.

Another perk of arriving that early – NO traffic!!

Thankfully Pam hadn’t gone far - we were able to meet up in the family reunion area and chat a little while before she left for her corral. She was focused and had big plans that morning…I am so proud of her – she placed second in her age group!!

After saying goodbye to Pam, I found Heather and her mom. We were able to chat for a while before the Team runDisney meet-up.

Such a fun group of people!

A short time later, my friend Melissa arrived. We took a few pictures, then headed on over into our corral. Similar to the 5K the day before, runners stood in marked groups until their corral was allowed into the starting area.

I can’t continue on with this recap without giving major props to my husband and Melissa’s husband – they both came out TWO mornings in a row to support us and cheer us on. They are such good sports…well, most of the time! :p

Ok back to the race…

Before long, we were off!

Perhaps one of the coolest features of the 10K was Queen Anna on an overpass, talking to all of the runners. An added bonus, we ran through SNOW as we crossed under the bridge! (Ok, so it was actually foam bubbles but whatever….)

My first character stop was actually the White Rabbit. As I got further up in line, I heard his handler say that he was going to take a 5 minute break. Wouldn’t you know (my luck), I was next in line before the White Rabbit departed…and although I snagged an official Marathon Foto picture, the cast member refused to take one with my handheld point and shoot. Hence, no White Rabbit photo. Basically, I wasted 5 minutes of my race in line for a picture I more than likely won’t ever own. Ah well.

Pocahontas and Meeko were next…Percy was in the photo, too!

The race continued on down this highway – it was a four lane roadway which yielded for plenty of room for runners and walkers alike. I loved being in such a wide open space (I’m so not used to that at Disney races).

As I continued on, I noticed a familiar costume…so I stopped over to say hi. This lady’s name is Kimberly and she is one tough, running, cancer fighting machine. I absolutely LOVE her positivity and her will to fight. As an oncology nurse, she inspires me on a daily basis and I’m glad I had the opportunity to tell her so. It was great meeting her!

Our first sighting of a theme park was around mile 3, when we reached the back roads into Epcot.

I absolutely love the Toy Solders from the Christmas parade!

I stopped for water at Japan and admired World Showcase – it was a beautiful sight!

…and always let your conscious be your guide….

I enjoyed being in Epcot as the sun made its appearance – it was neat to see the park go from dark to daylight and not the other way around.

Tiana, Louis, Prince Naveen were out to say hello!

Another favorite pavilion of mine is France. I think it’s gorgeous.

Marie!

I’ll admit, just that small section of World Showcase took a lot of time to get through. I was having fun though…so who cares! This was my first Disney race to run alone and although I didn’t have anyone to talk to while I ran/waited for pictures, it was fun to really “people watch”. Loved it!

After leaving World Showcase, runners were directed out of Epcot through the International Gateway and on to the Boardwalk area.

It was at the Boardwalk that I spotted my absolutely favorite character of the race – Baseball Goofy. A lady in front of me in line was joking that Goofy must be a Yankee because he was wearing pinstripes. I agreed and joked that above all else, I hoped he wasn’t a Brave – she agreed with me. (Sorry Brave fans…its all in good sport!)

As she approached Goofy, she asked if he was a Yankee or a Brave. Goofy shook his head and put his head in his hands (it was rather amusing). She asked again and he pointed at himself – he wasn’t a Brave OR a Yankee, he was “Just Goofy”!  :0)

We continued on through the Boardwalk, then out near the Yacht and Beach Clubs, before arriving back at Epcot.

As we were making our way back to Epcot, others were headed out for the Boardwalk.

Oh, Classic Donald. Where were you in January of 2013 when I needed you?

Mile 6, almost there!

…and done! Part one of the Glass Slipper Challenge complete!

I found my peeps, then headed back to Port Orleans Riverside for a breakfast of Mickey Waffles! After another hot and humid race, I really enjoyed the chance to relax and cool down.

Over all, I had a great time running the Enchanted 10K. I wasn’t sure what to expect because this was my first Disney World 10K (I ran the Disneyland 10K last Fall) but I was pleasantly surprised. Water was in decently supply and I felt as if there were plenty of characters on the course. I would run this race again in the future if the opportunity arose!

Have you run a Disney 10K in the past? If so, what did you think?