When I got the email I was THRILLED to do the Meet-Up on that SATURDAY morning... "but hey, wait a minute" (I thought) "the email they sent said it was on FRIDAY" (oopsies). I could do it but it would mean a crazy weekend for me. My initial plan was Saturday morning go up for the 5k (to cheer for 2 of the kids I coach) and the Meet-Up. Since the Meet-Up was in fact on Friday this meant I would have to drive 1.5 hours to get there and then turn back around afterwards so I could make it to my High School Soccer game for the team I coach. I could swing it!
What sounded like an amazing idea- was slightly less amazing when I woke up at 3:15am to get out of the door by 4:15am (we needed to check in around 6am). It takes me an hour in the morning to function so I need that hour to slowly drink my coffee and wake up. I'm a happy person when I wake up (I wouldn't say I am not a morning person) I just move slow :)
I arrived at Disneyland around 5:45am and was so excited to get going! I walked over to the meeting spot under the sorcerer mickey hat and saw a few other really excited women (and a handful of men). I received my RunDisney t-shirt, put it on, and stashed my bag with them. I was cold (hey, I am a SoCal girl now!) but the nervous excitement helped warm me up! They gathered us all together. Introduced us to Sean Astin (who needed no introduction!), Ali Vincent- the first female winner of The Biggest Loser and RunDisney running guru Jeff Galloway- then we were off!
(photo credit RunDisney)
Off we ran through Downtown Disney and headed towards the main gates. I have done Disneyland 5k 2008, Disneyland Half in 2009 and 2010, and last years Tink Half- so this was not my first time running through the parks BUT this was my first experience with it so empty! It was amazing, I was geeking out a little (shh don't tell anyone).
I'm a tiny little speck in a yellow team sparkle skirt on the left (photo credit RunDisney)
a brief glance at an empty castle as we ran through.
We ran around a bit- I tried to take pictures but then realized (since they were mostly blurry) I would just take it all in. When do you get a chance to run around a very very empty Disneyland?? Our next stop was Pixie Hollow to meet the guest of honor- Tinker Bell!
No, I didn't know anyone in this group- but I do have to give a shout out to the 2 other people wearing the Newton Running shoes! (I wore mine too- I wear them for short distances)
(photo credit RunDisney)
Then we were off to Disney's California Adventure- just across the esplanade. We stopped a the fountain on Buena Vista Street and they announced we had some "visitors". Out came Mickey, Minnie and Goofy for a photo op with us! We gathered together for this group photo:
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| I'm a tiny head in the back on the right. (photo credit RunDisney)
Everyone then lined up to take a picture with their favorite characters. There was a big rush for Mickey/Minnie and a smaller line for Goofy. I decided I would wait til the lines got short and ended up standing to the side with a few people including Sean Astin. He really is a down to earth nice guy. I was a fan before- I am definitely a bigger fan now. Once the lines shortened it was time for my picture with the fabulous 3.
  
I met Heather at the start of the Meet-Up and turns out we have a mutual friend! I loved hanging out with her :)
Then we were off to Cars Land! I had a good feeling we would be heading there since it had just opened in the Summer of 2012. For many people attending the Meet-Up this was their first experience there. I had been a few times previously- but it's done so amazing- with attention to detail- that every time I go I love it! We even got to ride on Radiator Springs Racers!
  (photo credit RunDisney)
They then brought us into Napa Rose in the Grand Californian Hotel. I have only dreamed about eating at this fancy restaurant! They fed us breakfast and I grabbed some coffee (I needed it!) and some fruit and yogurt. I happened (by chance) to sit at a table with Victoria (upstate NY) and Meridith (NJ)- yay East Coast people! My new friend Heather and I sat with them- and I left with 3 very cool new friends.
Sean Astin, Ali Vincent and Jeff Galloway all got a chance to talk about themselves a bit. Sean has this great #Run3rd campaign where you dedicate your runs to someone in need. Ali Vincent has a new show starting up- Live Big with Ali Vincent. Jeff Galloway is just an all around inspirational running coach (with a passion for running Disney).
They had a few giveaways- entry into Disneyland Half Marathon Dumbo Double Dare (10k and half marathon), New Balance special RunDisney shoes and a few duffle bags. A few selections in and nobody at our table had won- so I commented how I have bad luck. THEN they called MY name! Well, it was at least my first name- and they joked how my last name was a mouthful (I wasn't lying about that!). I won a duffle bag! I don't care if it's "just" a duffle bag- I love it!!
They finished with a cooking demonstration of some black bean cakes and poached eggs. OMG were they delicious! I love food- I LOVE good food!
I left that day and almost skipped to my car! I was on such an adrenaline high from such a wonderful electric group of people and an amazing experience! I grabbed another coffee (the Disney one was weak) and headed back to my car to begin my treck back to San Diego. I tried to explain how awesome my day was to my fiancee but I was all over the place- too excited/ADD to genuinely explain everything.
Nothing could bring me down! And then my High School team played awful and lost 0-3 (and I am a very passionate coach, so it's hard to see them like that). Oh well, at least the morning was unforgettable!!
Tink Half Recap- coming soon! |
Love this!!! I was totally geeking out when we ran through the parks too. :) xo
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