Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Updates

Exciting thing are on the horizon for Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend runners!

With just 22 days to go…omg that’s like three weeks…waivers are ready for printing and final race information/updates have been sent! It will be here before we know it!

Here’s a few resources that are now live:

• Official Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Event Guide
• Print your Jingle 5K/W&D Half Marathon Race Waivers
• iGift Bag goodies
• Runner Tracking

Tip: Print your waivers ahead of time so you won’t have to print them at the Expo. I don’t know about you, but when I arrive at the Expo, I’m ready to shop…I don’t want to spend time standing in line printing waivers.

Fun fact: When waivers for W&D were released, I spent about 30 minutes on the phone with runDisney trying to figure out why my waivers weren’t showing up online. Apparently the system made my birthday 8/26 instead of 8/27. My husband’s 5K waiver was available, but neither my 5K or Half waivers were there!  It’s now fixed, but I was in serious panic mode for a few minutes – I even checked my credit card statements from March to make sure I was charged for this race! Yikes! I read online that lots of birthdays were messed up in the system so if it happens to you, don’t panic. Just call runDisney and they will fix it for you!



Tip: Check out the online iGift bag! I browsed through it last week and found two fun deals inside (among many others)! Lasting Commemoratives is offering a free bookmark to anyone who prints the form and brings it to their table at the Expo. Also, Fit2Run is a running store located in Downtown Disney, right next to Splitsville. They are offering a free drawstring bag to anyone who prints their offer and brings it to their store! We are eating dinner in Downtown Disney on Friday night, so this offer works out perfectly for me!



Our official documents have also arrived! One problem – I didn’t receive any Magical Express tags. Whomp whomp. I contacted the company who said I should expect them in 2 weeks (which will be next week ,so I’m crossing my fingers that they arrive like they are supposed to)!



The final piece of the puzzle….MAGIC BANDS!



We decided to go with classic Disney colors this time around – I love them!

At the moment, I’m working on finishing up my race outfits – I hope to have them complete by the weekend!

Roll call! Who’s running during the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (including Mickey’s Jingle 5K)! I’ll be there for both events…stop by and say hi if you see me!

The Process of Planning a Race Part 2

Before we begin, please note – I am NOT an expert at race planning, I am a registered nurse who likes to run races. I’ve really enjoyed the process of planning a race, so that’s why I’m sharing with you. I hope you can learn from my mistakes, use the ideas and checklists given here, and create a race adventure of your own!

• The Process of Planning a Race Part 1: Pre-Race Planning
• The Process of Planning a Race Part 2: Final Race Day Checklist
• The Process of Planning a Race Part 3: Race Day

Part Two of planning a race covers the final race day checklist of things you’ll need for setup and event day.

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We’re finally here, today is officially race day! I spent most of yesterday working on registration charts and by the end of the day, my brain HURT. As of the final registration date, we had 550 people registered for the event and more to come today (at the event) I’m sure!

Since I’m super OCD (for real, it’s crazy y’all) and a sticky note nerd, I put together a checklist (or several) of items needed for event set up and race day. I’ve complied them all into one list, so here you go!

(Please note, we decided to make our 5K a “fun run”, so this isn’t a timed race. We are giving out awards to the top 2 male and female winners – no age division awards. If you decide to do so, your checklist will need a few things added to it.)



Event Items Checklist

Stage Items:

1. Script (included announcements and opening/closing ceremonies)
2. DJ/iPod/music
3. Sound equipment
4. Extension cord
5. Microphone
6. Banners for your event

Registration:

1. Signs directing people to registration, start line, etc.
2. Tables for registration and t-shirts
3. Tents to cover your registration tables and any additional areas at your event
4. Registration forms
5. Pens/highlighters
6. Race waivers
7. List of registered runners and their t-shirt sizes
8. T-shirts
9. Race packets/bags
10. Breakdown for registration if you have a large event (Ex: A-D, E-H, etc.)
11. Money/cash for day-of registration
12. Bibs for runners
13. Safety Pins

Event:

1. Start/Finish Line
2. Timer system
3. Noise maker or buzzer to begin the race
4. Banners for your event
5. Mile Marker Signs
6. Water on course – tables, cups, water jugs/coolers, ice, water, Gatorade if longer distance
7. Tables for post race food/water/Gatorade
8. Post race food/water Gatorade
9. Awards/medals for winners

Extra Items:

1. Packing Tape
2. Scissors
3. Scotch Tape
4. Highlighters/Pens
5. Sharpie
6. Clipboard
7. Box cutter

Can you think of anything I left off the list? Are you a race planner? If not, do you think you’ll ever plan a race?

Stay tuned for Part 3, THE Event! I’m vlogging our race process from beginning to end! Can’t wait to share it with you!! (Edited to add: Please see link above for Part 3!)

Princess Week Is Here & Plans!

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It’s crazy for me to think its finally here! In the back of my mind, I keep reminding myself of all I have to accomplish before we leave on Thursday and it almost stresses me out. Thankfully, most of my packing is complete (that’s one less thing to worry about)!

This week, I’ve been drinking coffee every morning out of my Princess Half Marathon mug from 2012! I might even hold my pinky up like a Princess while doing so…..or maybe I’m just kidding…

Coffee just tastes better from a Disney mug! :0)

This weekend (and last night), my mom and I spent our time putting the finishing touches on my costume for the Half Marathon. I’m so grateful my mom knows how to sew and is willing to help me out with my crazy projects! It all turned out great. I have one final thing to place and it will be complete!

Here’s a piece I made for my costume – I’m just not yet sure where I’m going to put it.

Just one bite, my dear!

Our plans for the weekend include:

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• A stay at this beautiful resort, Port Orleans Riverside. This is also where Jason and I  stayed for our Honeymoon, so it holds a special place in my heart. :0)

Dinner Reservations:

• Ohana
• Garden Grill
• Trail’s End
• Crystal Palace

Our Fast Pass + reservations are complete and we are already checked in to our resort online!  Now I’m praying for a safe trip there and we will be all set!

Oh yes, and one little thing I didn’t mention…

Following the Princess Half Marathon Weekend, we are boarding the Disney Magic for a cruise!

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You can bet I’m going to also run the Castaway Cay 5K, too! I ran it back in 2009 and I’m looking forward to seeing the changes since then (I know there’s been a lot)! 

Disclaimer: I have several people watching my house. So you better watch out if you are thinking of doing something crazy….just sayin.

Here’s a few last minute weekend reminders:

• Princess Half Marathon Meet-ups – Come out and meet up with your favorite runDisney friends! I’m planning on attending the RunnersLove meet-up and crossing my fingers it all works for me to make it there in time!
• Packing: For travel WITH a flight; for travel WITHOUT a flight. There’s also lots of great packing lists online – Google “Race Packing List” and lots of options appear!

Last but not least, if you’re running Princess, I hope you have a wonderful time in the happiest place on earth! See you soon, Princesses! :D

Are you attending any meet-ups this weekend? If so, which ones?

Finalizing Plans

Remember when I said that it was going to be “all Disney till Disney” around here? Well, I was right!

The majority of this week was spent finalizing plans for our upcoming San Diego and Disneyland vacay!

In 2008 for our 1st wedding Anniversary

Fact: I am a planner. When we travel to new locations, I tend to get stressed out…especially if I don’t know what I’m doing (this goes for San Diego, renting a car while there, Sea World, etc). I’m not going to lie, Disneyland had me a little stressed out for a few moments this week, too (it’s better now). Although I’ve been to Disneyland in the past, there’s a few new things I want to see while there (such as Cars Land and World of Color). After looking at our schedule, my brain was having a hard time fitting everything in. No worries though, I’m pretty sure it’s all going to be ok!

Here’s a further idea of sightseeing plans:

San Diego

• Sea World (purchased the tickets yesterday through Southwest….much better deal than through the Sea World website! Bonus – our tickets are 7 day passes!) Didn’t need 7 day passes, but they were still cheaper than any one day pass I could find! Score!
• San Diego Zoo
• Old Town
• La Jolla to watch the seals

Disneyland

• Downtown Disney: Tortilla Jo’s and Earl of Sandwich
• Grand Californian: Storytellers
• Disneyland Park: Carnation Café (wanted breakfast but it’s going to have to be lunch)
• Disneyland Hotel: Steakhouse 55 (our favorite from last trip! Can’t wait to eat here again!)
• Park time
• Expo/Races

A few of our dinners even include time with these lovely folks…Heather and Jen (and our husbands, of course)!

There are a few gaps in our schedule while in Disneyland for lunch/dinner. Anyone have suggestions for good quick service places to try?

Aren’t we a bunch of goof balls? If you think of anything ideas or things we need to do/see/eat, let me know! :0)  Have a fabulous day!

P.S. – Lacey Levine (the girl from yesterday’s blog about American Idol) did very well at her auditions in Austin, Texas. Let’s just say she’s a VERY happy girl right now! :0)