All It Takes Is Faith & Trust....

....and one more thing, just a little bit of pixie dust!

When I heard the announcement for the Tinkerbell 1/2 I knew I had to do it!  I've always loved Tink!  I'd already done California in my quest to complete the 50 states, but I didn't care...it'd still count towards my 100 1/2s anywhere challenge!  - Oh...did I forget to mention that I'm working on that.... ;)   But after Maui and having already run both Disneyland and Disneyworld & Disneyworld being the Princess 1/2, I wasn't so fired up about Tink once we were there.  My knee was bothering me a bit (didn't realize how many miles were on my shoes & orthotics until 1/2 way thru Maui when they started feeling flat and I put a bit of a pounding on my joints as a result) and it appeared as though the field was mostly first timers - & they were seriously into the Disney hype. 

I couldn't quite figure out how my number was only 509 and I was in the A corral...I'm not that fast!  I'm certainly not a front of the pack runner...but at packet pick up Friday morning, that's exactly where I landed.  We literally buzzed through pick up and the expo...it was just a small scale version of the Princess expo...nice, but nothing new after as many expos as I've hit - mainly just all of the big names.   We then immediately headed on the Hard Rock Cafe tour mentioned in the last post.  We wound up back in Anaheim just in time for a quick dinner and to crash Saturday night.  Race morning was another "drag your butt out of bed" morning, but I wanted my wings so no worries.  I stay at the Courtyard Disneyland (it's a short walk from the startline wo the Disneyland Resort prices), so a quick walk through the crowds headed to the start and I found the well policed corrals.  As folks were being turned back for trying to jump corrals I kept plugging along, conscious of the "bouncers" eyeing the letter on my bib to ensure I was legit.  I couldn't blame them for doubting it, I didn't feel like I belonged up there!  I ended up literally on the start line, front row, with the elites.  I wasn't terribly impressed with the startline festivities, which included "releasing" Tinkerbell...

But I did notice Sean Astin standing just a few yards away.  It was still terribly dark out, but I knew Jackie Tripp (a friend from back home) would die to be that close to him so I pulled out the iPhone and snapped a few pix for her (the biggest Goonies fan ever!).

Of course there was a lot of hype surrounding him running the race and he plugged his #run3rd campaign - which is a neat concept...he runs 1st for himself, 2nd for his family, and 3rd for "you".  Anyone can go to his Twitter and post someone they would like him to run for and he runs for them 3rd. 

Continuing with the celebrity hype of the morning there was much hoopla surrounding the fact that Megyn Price was running.  She did a quick interview before joining us in the corrals...

This was her first 1/2.  And I suppose I shouldn't admit that I had NO clue who she was.  She literally was elbow to elbow with me in the corral and knowing it was her first and having run Disneyland before I leaned over and gave her a few tips about the course narrowing, etc prior to the starting gun.  She was really nice and seemed to be a genuine person, not just Hollywood hype, but even after Googling her and finding the sitcoms she has starred in...I'm not much of a TV person, so still clueless.  I know both she and Sean ran solid races, him finishing just before me and her just after (yes, I looked up their times out of curiosity afterwards), but otherwise they were just other runners on the course in my mind.

When the gun went off I experienced my first true starting line start (I'm usually at least a wave or two or seven back...depending on the size of the field), but toeing the line scores you some killer elbows as the serious competitors go out and fight for position!  I don't care to be that close to the front ever again!   (My start was a mere 11 seconds after the clock start.)

Unlike Disney World courses which have the benefit of huge parks, Disneyland takes you through the park and onto the streets of Anaheim in a hurry!  We headed through Downtown Disney while it was still pitch black out

And unlike my other Disney races were I have pictures of myself running through the castle (the selling point for most Disney races), it was still so dark at that point that you cannot tell WHERE I'm running!

And I found the castle uneventful having done it before.

I was having a strong race though and was quite surprised by that fact given the active week prior, the lack of training, and the dead shoes.  But I was feeling great.  I did enjoy the Anaheim portion of this race as it was completely different than the Disneyland course.  I don't know if I could truly say I prefer one over the other as they both had their pluses and minuses.  I did make mental note of the lack of "Disney" entertain through the Anaheim portions of the course, but the crowds were out in force providing support.  As always I noticed a few posters along the course that I found amusing including the typical "You feet hurt because you're kicking so much a**" and "Chuck Norris never ran a 1/2 marathon", but also a new one..."Why do all the cute ones always run away?"  Entertainment was fairly scarce on the Anaheim portion of the course, but Disneyland portion there were characters and photographers everywhere.  I didn't stop as I was running strong and while I knew I wouldn't set a PR I wanted to see if I could beat my Disney PR (2:13). 

We eventually wound our way back into the park and I plugged through Disney's California Adventure, remembering running the Fantastic Five 5K here a little more than a year ago.

I'd just started feeling the energy levels drop when I realized I was doing quite well and was nearing the line.  I kept at it and crossed the line in 2:08:48...5 mins slower than my PR but 5 mins faster than my Disney PR.

 I felt great all things considered and I'd earned my wings...

While others enjoyed a day at the park (something I've done several times), I scored a shower and a nap before heading to the airport to catch a flight home!  The verdict...if you truly enjoy the Disney race experience and can't get enough, then sure, run it.  If you've never run Disney, run it at least once (perferrable once in each park to score your Coast to Coast).  If you've run Disney and enjoyed it but aren't mad about the mouse...spend your money on another race.  I've enjoyed all three of my Disney races, but personally, I'm done with Disney races...I'd rather see the sites of other cities and towns and experience less commercial locales. 

Maui to Tinkerbell...what to do with the time?

When planning the trip it seemed like the best idea to get into Southern California on Friday to allow ample time to pick up my packet on Friday afternoon, relax on Saturday, and run on Sunday before catching a red eye home.  However, when it came time to leave Maui I found myself wishing I'd pushed it to the last minute!  (I actually found myself wondering why I cared about running Tink!!)  Having been to SoCal many times there was really nothing left to do, so I got to thinking...why spend the time there?  We didn't have the Hard Rock shot glass from San Fran....it was just a 6 1/2 hour drive from LAX.  We could do that on Friday and be back in time Saturday to pick up my packet.  Shoot...Lake Tahoe was only another 3 hours from San Fran, another glass, and an 8 hour drive back to Anaheim...hmmm.  As this thought process developed I wondered what would happen if we didn't make it back to Anaheim to pick up my packet by 5PM when the expo closed Saturday.  So, we landed in LAX Friday morning after a red eye from Maui (and 11 hours in the car during the road to Hana...my butt and back were toast!), drove to Anaheim, had breakfast, grabbed my packet, and hit the road to San Fran!  We had dinner at the Hard Rock in San Fran, drove to Sacremento and stayed the night, then got up the next morning and drove to Lake for lunch at the Hard Rock there!  I was the only idiot in a ski resort town in January wearing flip flops, a tank top, and a thin hoodie!  But, I hadn't brought thicker clothes as the trip was Maui and SoCal and I was comfy so I didn't care...but boy did I get some looks!  After lunch we hit the road and drove back down to Anaheim.  After a quick dinner it was lights out as Tink was in the AM!

Maui Oceanfront Marathon

In my perfect world everything could be tracked in a spreadsheet or a 3 ring, tabbed out binder.  Yes, I'm an organization freak.  Prior to departing for a race (any race) I prepare a trip folder that contains my flight information, rental car information, hotel information, mapquest directions from the airport to the hotel, hotel to expo, hotel to start line, finish line to hotel, hotel to any points of interest I plan to visit, and return for each of those (even though I always travel with my GPS), as well as course maps, packet pickup instructions, packet pickup waiver, parking info, and any race day info.  Given that the Maui trip/race was tying into the Tinkerbell race I prepared two trip folders, one for Maui and one for California.  It's a good thing that California was tagged onto the end, otherwise I may have been more stressed about the lack on info for the Maui folder...there just wasn't much info to be had about the race!  It was a bit of a stress point for me, but I figured things would be explained well upon arrival and the race organizer had by far been the best about updates so far, so I was sure it would all work out. 

We got to Maui late on Friday night after a long day of flights with a connection in Atlanta and again in LA...by the time we rolled up to the hotel at nearly 11PM local time I was flat exhausted and sick of sitting in planes and cars.  We checked in and headed up and passed out for the night.  I slept in Saturday but woke up to an amazing view.

We headed to packet pickup - a 26.2 mile drive away...yes, the hotel was at the start line for the marathon (something I was happy about when planning the trip)....but I'd somehow missed that the Half actually started at the Full's finish line and was an out and back!  The hotel had a GREAT rate for race participants, so I'm not complaining, but the start/finish area seemed to be more of the center of activity so it may have saved us a bit of time to find something closer...of course the race also had a great rate with Hertz and we got a sweet little convertible so the drive wasn't so bad.  :) 

I quickly found more info would've made things much easier for packet pickup.  We didn't mind wandering through the quaint little town looking for the Pioneer Inn across from the Banyan Tree (which was all the information we had about pick up), but many others were in the same boat and we all just seemed to be mulling about looking at store names and hoping to catch a glimpse of someone with a race tee or bib and head the direction they were coming from.  It didn't take long to do just that, then bib and shirt in hand we continued to wonder through town checking out gift shops and taking in the local crafts under the banyan tree.  As with any race that has a Hard Rock Cafe nearby, that was the plan for pre-race dinner, so as the day turned into evening we headed to the HRC for my typical NY strip with double mashed potatoes and a side salad, followed up with a creme brulee.  (it's a wonder I can run in the morning after all of that!)

While dining I noticed the bartender with his bright blue mohawk...given the fact that we were in a HR, I immediately thought of George.  Murph was nice enough to pose for a pic so I could send it to George.

After dinner I was beat so it was back to the hotel to get some sleep before the race.  I'd made some mental notes throughout the day due to the lack on info on the race website and tried to mentally prep as I dozed off...mile markers count down instead of tracking your mileage like my other races, there's a VERY narrow strip on the side of the road to run and traffic will be flowing as usual just beside you...I was out.

 I don' tknow if it was jet lag, the fact that I was fighting a cold, or just flat laziness, but for the first time EVER I seriously contemplated skipping the race when the alarm went off.  I drug my butt out of bed, got ready, and headed out...but was not awake.   We found out way to the parking lot suggested (turns out it was where we had parked the day before) but couldn't really tell where the start line was.  We wondered around the open area with the other runners for a bit and I sat...in a stuper...half asleep...until just before the start time.

The course site did start there were ample fluid stations along the route, but just off of the Mississippi race that catered to the Full runners and only seeing 1 definite stop at mile 4, I was concerned there wouldn't be any others so I opted to run with a water bottle...and was quite annoyed with myself that I hadn't figured this out before leaving home and brought my hydration belt, but oh well! 
The run traveled along the waterfront and was a gorgeous course.  As the sun came up over the mountains I was awed my it's beauty, then immediately reminded to pick up my pace so I'd finish before it got too brutal.

It turned out there were water stops every 1 1/2 - 2 miles, however, it still didn't seem like nearly enough.  It would be easy to blame the heat/humidity, but I ran Zooma Annapolis under the most extreme heat conditions I've ever dealt with and didn't have an issue.  I didn't feel like the cups were very full at the stops so that may have been a factor, but I really think though I never did get sick, that I was actually fighting off a cold and it had me rather dried out.  I finished my 16.9 oz water bottle before the turn around point...and that was WITH taking cups at the fluid stops as well.

I definitely suggest bringing your own hydration for this race.
I also can't stress enough that while this race is gorgeous and Maui itself is amazing, it is not a race for those that don't like to run with traffic around.  The running area is very narrow, it's on the main highway, and traffic is not stopped for the race.  You have to be constantly aware of your surroundings and there's often no where to go should there be an emergency (though thankfully there wasn't one!).

All in all the traffic wasn't heavy and once you pulled a few miles you got used to it.  I will say the Race Director did a great job with alternating start times and start locations to be able to have as many races as he did without having major runner congestion anywhere on the course.  At times it was easy to get lost in your own thoughts and the gorgeous scenery and just enjoy your morning run (despite the sweat pouring off of you).

With 3 miles to go I started struggling a bit.  I'd been pretty well parched since the turn around point and despite taking water at each stop I was starting to feel the effects of dehydration.  My heart rate was soaring, trying to pump enough oxygen through my body despite my decrease blood volume.  I trying slowing my pace and it helped for a bit, but ultimately I knew I need major amounts of fluid and would have to really push through the last few miles.  By mile 11 I knew I would have to walk some to finish but I held out as long as I could.  With about a mile and a half to go I walked for 30 seconds, then picked it back up.  I barely made a few strides and knew I was done...I walked until the 12 mile mark, then pushed through to bring it in. 

 2:27:58 is nothing to cheer about, but 22 states completed and 28 1/2s in 2 years is nothing to sneeze at either! 

By far, the best part of the race was the water feature just past the finish line!

By far the worst part was whatever that NASTY stuff was they had as an electrolyte drink at the water stops!  It took me a while to get used to Cytomax at the Rock N Roll races and I'm still not a major fan, but compared to this stuff it's heaven!  I tried 1 sip at the first water stop and thought I was going to vomit!  Definitely bring your own sports drink for this race!

With the race over we had the rest of the week to relax and enjoy Maui before heading to Southern California for the Tinkerbell half...and that we did...after the race, it was back to the hotel for a quick shower, then the afternoon on the beach with my feet up...

The next four days flew by with scuba diving

 Horseback riding...

and ziplining...

I didn't do any surfing because everywhere we went was basically flat.  We had been all over the western, northern, and southern sides of the island and the only waves were at the northern most point...and you had to paddle out forever from this cove down in a valley and then you had to pull off the wave before it slammed into a sheer rock mountain...not my idea of fun, so I passed.  I spent plenty of time on the beach, so I enjoyed it, just didn't get any surfing in as I would've basically had to stand up paddle board or nothing.

Of course on the last day we planned to drive the road to Hana...once on the eastern side of the island, I found where the waves are!

But we had planned to do the road to Hana and knew there wasn't time to play here as well.  The road to Hana was beautiful with plenty of interesting stops and gorgeous sights.  I definitely recommend buying the audio CD tour and listening to it as you go...we would've missed a lot of things otherwise.  Our first stop on the drive was a short hike up to a waterfall, nothing major, just a pretty little fall.  The second stop was a nice hike that actually functioned as a bit of a workout...and even moreso if you ignored the signs.  :)

If you take the trail to the upper picnic area you get a bit of a workout...

After going through the eucalyptus forrest...

you reach the upper picnic area...if you ignore the signs and follow the trail (it's HUGE, not like you're off roading)...

you are rewarded by coming out at the top of a gorgeous waterfall with an incredible view! 

Thought I'm sure the signs are to keep idiot tourist (like me) from getting too close to the edge (like this)...

After returning to the car, as you drive around the very next corner you can pull over and walk just down a little path to the bottom of the same waterfall...if you choose to swim, be careful entering the water...the rocks are slippery and if you aren't careful you will be down on your butt...this was a near miss...I managed to catch my balance, but as you see from my hair swinging wildly, I nearly went down.

After swimming at the bottom of the fall...

We walked a little further up the path and found that the top of this fall actually leveled out to another flat area with a little stream coming down from the upper fall we'd been at earlier.  Hiking along the rocks was fun and a beautiful sight, but ridiculously slippery.  After just a few minutes we reached the middle pool which was fed by the fall I'd sat atop earlier.  I swam out to the fall for a better picture with the underwater camera...

Having been at both the top and the bottom of this fall and seeing all of its beauty I was content and hiked back down to the car.  The rest of the road to Hana was equally beautiful, but nothing compared to this little jaunt (at least for me).  Though the opportunity to visit Charles Lindberg's grave was neat. 

After completing the drive, we headed into town for one last dinner on Maui (the food was amazing everywhere we ate....incredible fish and veggies!), then it was back to the airport to head to California and the Tinkerbell 1/2. 

I definitely recommend Maui to those working on 50 states...I've been to Oahu several times and it pales in comparison.  I also recommend planning enough time on the island to really enjoy the trip and not just run the race if at all possible.   

Mississippi Blues Half Marathon

Despite not training, I was getting antsy for a race and ready to start 2012 out right I signed up for the Mississippi Blues Half.  George decided to join me, but it was a REALLY quick trip...as in fly in, grab my packet, crash, run, shower, fly out...barely 24 hours on the ground including packet pickup, sleeping, and running.  But I was still looking forward to seeing George and to running again. 

As soon as I got off the plane I was greeted by a race banner welcoming runners to Jackson (a tiny airport where this sort of thing is feasible).

I knew the majority of the folks on the plane were other runners just based on their conversations and duffle bags.  One of them approached me at the taxi stand and asked to share a ride to the hotel, so we chatted on the way there about running.  She was my first taste of "oh...you're JUST doing the half?"  An atttitude I've not really encountered much through my races.  I brushed her off, checked into the hotel, dumped by duffle bad, and headed the couple of blocks to the expo.  The expo wasn't much more than 4 or 5 vendors with their tables set up and packet pickup.  Again with the "just" the half attitude from the folks there as well.  Not to be bothered I headed back to the hotel to wait for George (who's bus was delayed due to Carnival in New Orleans and college football games along the way) and to grab a quick dinner.  During dinner (hotel restaurant) there were several runners and about the time I'd finished up a table of ladies right next to me invited me to join them thinking I was just starting.  The conversation was good (races) so I joined for a bit and we all chatted about our favorite races, 50 state progress, and race wishlists.  There were three of them and they'd obviously met in the hotel, airport, and/or expo and 2 quickly exposed their "just the half" attitudes.  This was getting old quickly.  I actually was beginning to feel like I needed to justify running "just the half"...I've never felt this way before.  George finally arrived and we gracefully bowed out and headed to our room to catch up. 

We had a great visit (albeit short) and after catching up a bit and laying out our stuff for the morning we flipped through the race day materials before bed.  Even the race day materials advised "slower half marathon runners" to yield the right of way and move to the right for "faster marathon runners".  I was a bit put out by this as it is typical race ettiquette and usually goes without saying.  If someone is running twice the distance I am in the (or less) time than I am I certainly don't want to hold them up...I don't need a race director to tell me that.  No time for hurt feelings though...we crashed for the night.

Race morning we walked the couple of blocks to the startline, said our good lucks and headed to the corrals.  The field was small compared to other races we've run so there wasn't much in the way of startline hoopla.

Before we knew it we were off.  George had mentioned he heard the course was hilly, but I didn't anticipate that much in the way of hills.  I was feeling good so I just kept tackling them...and they just kept coming.  I honestly don't think there was a single flat spot anywhere on that course!  As soon as I crested one hill I was heading down, as soon as I hit bottom it was back up!  They were by no means killer hills, but it was a constant rolling and I knew I was going to be feeling my legs after this one.  Having not trained I got my mind locked on the challenge of beating the hills and refused to walk at all.  I was having a strong race though so it wasn't a problem. 

Around the halfway point I was snapped out of my zone by a large sign on the course instructing slower 1/2 runners to keep right and yield the right of way to faster full runners.  I have NEVER seen a sign on a course like this and personally felt it was a bit of a slap to the 1/2 runners.  I was beginning to get aggravated that this race was so obviously biased to the full and wonder why they even opened the field to a half, if we are this inferior why take our money?  ...exactly...it's a business...it's all about the dollar. 

I was still having a strong race, so I refused to let it get in my head and kept plugging along.  As I came into the last 3/4 of a mile I was snapped out of my zone again, this time by a bike...I don't recall if it was a horn or a bell, but it was there quickly.  I realized it was course support and moved right, then I immediately heard the bicyclist shouting to get out of the way for the marathoners.  Over the last 3/4 mile I really don't know if I was more impressed by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishers of the full as they each strode past me or more aggravated at each cyclist that announced the first three and instructed us mere 1/2ers to get out of the way.  Either way I bounded across the line in 2:23:40, collected my medal, and followed the herd to the finisher's tents.  After a quick snack I headed to the hotel and showered then came back to wait and cheer George across the line.  An hour or so later he showed up, the hills obviously affecting him as well, and I was there to snap a few pictures and cheer him on.

After his finish, a few fan photos, and a snack we headed back to the hotel to pack and head our separate ways.  Again at the taxi stand a runner ask to share a cab and we headed to the airport. 

All in all, the Blues was a good course with a decent amount of crowd support.  There were ample fluid stops, but while the course map showed a GU stop I never did see any GU.  I carry my own so it wasn't a problem and I may have somehow missed it, but I advise folks running it to take their own just in case.  The course was well marked (better than any I've done yet) with signs indicating upcoming poor road conditions.  The weather was great for a January race without the chill, the swag was neat (a blues CD and Blues harmonica), and the medal was great... 

But if you are thin skinned or don't like having your accomplishments of a 13.1 miles belittled, this might not be the race for you.  If you are content with your running and don't mind what others may think then I say go for it!  Apparently a lot of folks use the Blues to check Mississippi off their lists for both the full and half 50 states club, which says a lot for the Blues.  However, I was once again reminded of the fact that I was "just" running the half when a few days after the race the photos were posted...depsite having passed MANY photographers on the course there was literally only 1 photo of me...it was a finishline photo and I wasn't even crossing the line...it was well after I'd crossed, shut off the garmin, and was walking away.

I couldn't help but wonder if it was because I was "just" running the half...but that, of course, is just speculation on my part.  Perhaps the photographers didn't notice the different bib colors and perhap, just maybe, it was purely chance so many of them had for whatever reason not pressed their shutter button as I passed.  Bottom line, for me, I had a STRONG run despite the hills and I felt good about it, I got to visit with George briefly, I got a nice medal, and I checked off another state....20 states and 24 1/2s complete!