Princess Tea Party meet-up and more!

Friday afternoon of Princess Half Marathon weekend, I had a very exciting event planned! Erin of For the Love of Disney Running had organized a Princess Tea at the Grand Floridian. Nearly 30 Princesses and one Prince, Dennis Marsico, of runDisneyTV invaded the Garden View Tea Room.  Here is our Host and Hostess for the Princess Tea. Dennis looked particularly dapper with sash and bow tie.  Erin rocked her trademark Minnie ears, and gotta love their runDisney New Balance!

We had a special souvenir menu and Erin had even prepared cute name tags and party favors: truffle chocolates and Princess pens! It was such a fun girly time, catching up with old friends and making new ones! Our Prince, Dennis visited all of the tables, chatted, and posed for photos.

Here is the menu. 

We had three types of tea, and there were three courses! The delicious treats just kept on coming.

Course 1: an assortment of sandwiches.  The watercress was my favorite.

Course 2: Scones, creme fraiche, and jam

Course 3: Desserts

I was very excited to finally get to have tea at this location. Before my wedding, I was really hoping to have a Bachelorette tea party for just the girls, both family and friends. Sadly, it did not come together. Note: Disney brides looking for a fun girly afternoon with your bridesmaids, sisters, mothers, grannies, future in-laws, etc – this is a great option.

Erin told me later that several husbands thanked her profusely for planning this tea event. I was puzzled at first, but DG explained that he was relieved that now I would finally stop asking HIM to have tea with me. Ah... now it makes sense. :)

Immediately after, the Run Disney So I Can Eat Disney meetup was happening, in the GF lobby. Here I am with the group's fearless leader, Linda.

DG and I hung around and chatted with some members of the group and picked up a fantastic swag bag! I swear I don't know how Linda does it. She finds several sponsors to send her free stuff and we get the best goodies. The bag this time was a large zippered cooler sack with the RDSICED logo. Awesome, huh?

DG and I had said we would go to one more meet-up that night, Pacebook Running Club (PbRC) at the Polynesian Resort beach for cocktails and Wishes fireworks viewing. A quick monorail ride and moments later, DG and I were cuddled up on lounge chairs enjoying the view of the lagoon, with the castle off in the distance. The movie screening that night was Tangled, and we watched that until the fireworks began.

A perfect, romantic end to a fun day with my handsome DisneyGroom.

The next day, we knew we needed to be well rested for Sunday morning, so Saturday was a lazy day. Slept in and did some outlet shopping. The local Disney outlets had several runDisney items from the WDW Marathon and Wine & Dine weekends. Items were marked down 60-75% off expo prices, so we picked up a few shirts.

There were a few more meet-ups scheduled, but we didn't make it to those. We called it an early night and were in bed by 8pm, with alarm set for 2:45am! Am glad I got plenty of sleep this week, because I was so excited I kept waking up all night.

How does one find these great runDisney-loving fan groups and meet-ups?  These groups actually found me on twitter and invited me to join their Facebook groups.  At our first runDisney event, last year's Wine and Dine weekend, we went to a few meetups, and again at Marathon weekend, and now Princess, we have really enjoyed seeing our runner friends again and again, in addition to meeting new friends.

You can find them though.  I've compiled a list here: http://disneyrunnersnetwork.wordpress.com/fb-pages/  Join a few, dive into some of the conversations, and you will make some great new online friends.  And you will also find out about many awesome events and meet-ups for other Disney-loving runners like you.  Hope to see you at a future meet-up!

Next Up: Race Day at last! Close Encounters of the Sweeper Kind

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Navigating the Princess Half Marathon Expo

Friday, Feb 22^nd, we left Tallahassee around 6:30 am, arriving in Lake Buena Vista 4 hours later. Was worried about the change of venue from ESPN WWOS to Coronado Springs. With Atlanta Braves spring training, runDisney had no choice but to move the Expo. But with no expo parking at Coronado Springs, I prepared myself to wait a long time for the shuttle buses.

We get to the Downtown Disney West End parking, and surprise - Lots of buses! No waiting!

We got on the bus, I put on my tiara, and we set off.

There was a line to get into the expo itself, but the line moved quickly. Arrived about 11am and the place was PACKED. (By the time we left, 2pm – the crowds had thinned considerably.)

No line to get our bibs and my pin. Separate line for the necklace (commemorative items) only 3 ppl deep. This is where the speediness ended. The line for race shirts snaked around the aisles and back out the entrance doors. The beginning of the line was just a mass of people pushing and shoving - some were just coming into the expo, some trying to get 5K shirts, some trying to get Half shirts. In one word: chaos. A staff member came over and pointed people in the right direction. This did the trick and the line began to move forward. I'm estimating about 250 ppl deep when I got in line.  I knew it could be a while. 

DG doesn't do well in crowds and said to me, “Just forget the shirts. We don't need them.” Well, if the expo was this packed now – I wasn't looking forward to coming back on Saturday – and I wanted my race shirt! So I decided to stick it out. I was so grateful DG was with me. He patiently stood in the line for our race shirts, and sent me to get in line for the runDisney merchandise booth. Yes, there was a long line to get in there too. I had also wanted to pick him up a pair of the runDisney New Balance shoes... but you guessed it... the line for that booth was the longest of all!

He gets our race packets and I am still in the line for the runDisney Merchandise booth. I still need my Dooney bag, so DG goes off to find out where that pickup is. When he gets back, I am inside. Turns out that the Dooney bag pickup was inside this booth all along. I could've avoided the wait to enter completely. (sigh) Well, now I know for next time.

The runDisney Merchandise booth was like a Macy's Black Friday sale: eager shoppers and items were literally flying off the shelves. DG stood in line for me while I shopped and we got out in a decent amount of time. He had also stopped at the SPIBelt booth and got me a Minnie print belt to wear on Sunday.

The contents of the race packet, plus Dooney bag, pin, and necklace.

This is my haul from the Expo.

I wandered back towards the New Balance booth and now there was no line at all! This is a peek of the stock area.

So before our luck turned, I found one of the employees and got DG to try on some shoes. He loved them and I could tell he was glad we came back when we did! He traded in his old Mickey adidas for the new runDisney Mickey shoes.

DG had run into our Run Disney So I Can Eat Disney buddy, Linda, and she had prepared a little surprise for me. A little bag contained a Princess Monica sash and a hot pink boa. LOVED IT! I wore them the rest of the day!

We made a brief stop at the runDisney Races booth and said hello to Jeff Galloway, again. Having first met him at Wine & Dine, then again at Marathon Weekend, and more recently at our local Galloway Training Group kickoff, it was like greeting an old friend. He is such a nice guy.

It was past lunchtime and we were starving, so we started to work our way out. I had spent more $ than I intended, so I didn't browse too many other booths. I noticed Team Sparkle had some new shirts: one style had our blog name printed on it. Cute and very tempting, but I already own too many cotton tees.

Got some pics with the footmen. Handsome, aren't they?

One last line for the buses and that was it.

The change to a smaller venue and parking shuttles was not ideal, but I can see it was necessary. I think runDisney did the best they could with the situation. The place was full of runners, and we were all pumped up and excited for the weekend. Yes, it was crowded, but overall, most people were just happy to be there, and were polite and cooperative with the crowd situation.

My experience was a positive one. I got some good shopping done, but like my previous two expos, I felt like there was so much to see and do, I could never get to it all.  I still have yet to hear a speaker!  So, will definitely make time for that in the next expo.

My best tip for future runDisney expos: Divide and Conquer. Bring a buddy and take turns standing in line for each other.

Next up: Princess Tea Party meet-up and more!

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A Frog in a Sea of Princesses

This past weekend, Disney Bride and I ran our first half marathon, the runDisney Princess Half Marathon. The event was an absolute blast. While we did not run the event side-by-side,Disney Bride’s determination was an inspiration to me. I did not quite reach my time goal, but I finished the race feeling good and looking forward to the next. I think I finally experienced the “runners high” that I have heard so much about.

In our corral, waiting for the fireworks

I had planned on running the race straight through to achieve a time goal, however a few character stops and several bottlenecks quickly ended that desire. Coming out of the gate, and for about the first 5 miles, I was running far faster that I had expected. The first several character stops did not appeal to me or were far too packed to stop. However, once I turned onto Main Street, I had to get a picture with the Cinderella's Castle in the background. I had to ask a couple of spectators to take the picture before I found a kind woman who would take the picture for me. Given my place on the street, the picture is not the greatest. The woman did an amazing job given the crowd. Thank you mystery lady.

Running through the Magic Kingdom was a really neat experience. After running down Mainstreet, next up was my favorite place in the park-Tomorrow Land. Buzz Lightyear never disappoints and was in front of my favorite ride, Space Ranger Spin. Of course, I had to stop and get a photo, we are BFFs after all. 

I was truly amazed at the speed with which people moved through the line. What looked like would take 15 minutes, probably only took 7. Next, running out in front of the Castle to a mob of ecstatic ChEAR squad spectators was an experience I will not soon forget. Finally,  running out of Frontier Land right in front of the WDW Railroad was a nice touch. Nothing motivates you to run like the thought of a train coming after you.

 

The rest of the course was full of entertainment, far more than I had expected. While many of the stops were very much female focused, there were plenty of opportunities for a Prince to have a great time. The short run through Epcot was a nice end to the course. Unfortunately, I did not see Peggy Sue (it was extremely crowded when I went through), however Disney Bride did get a picture with her.

Exiting the park and hearing the Gospel choir provided the final bit of inspiration to cross the finish line.

One last thing, I had heard that some of the women running can be harsh towards men in the Princess Half Marathon. (There were 1499 guys total that crossed the finish line, and the ladies outnumbered the guys more than 20 to 1.) I did not have that experience. Everyone was very supportive and encouraged their fellow runners throughout the entire course. I would definitely be up for running Princess again in the future. 

-DG aka DisneyGroom

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DisneyGroom Breaks his Silence

DisneyBride suggested I break up my initial incoherent ramblings into smaller pieces.  Here is the 1^st installment.

 

Since this a couple’s blog, I guess it is time that I chime in.  Since the days when she was DisneyGirlfriend, I have been bugging DisneyBride for an outdoor activity that we could do together.  After about 1 year and 9 months of trying to find that activity, last September she convinced me to do the Princess Half Marathon.  I did fight the idea at first; the idea of running with a bib that says “Princess” doesn’t really appeal to me.  

I was (still am) overweight, very slow, not a distance runner, or a runner period.  However, running has given us that activity, and Disney Bride has even been suggesting going to state parks for trail runs. (The first time this happened I may or may not have surreptitiously sprinkled some holy water on her - just to make sure this was REALLY my wife.)

 

We will both be running our first half marathon in a few weeks.  Long runs and lengthy workouts have taken their toll on our bodies.  We have both cursed the training and had doubts about race day performance.  It seems like each week we take turns being the one to trick  bribe  blackmail motivate the other to go out and complete the training runs. 

 

On the bright side, we have both physically benefited from the training.  DisneyBride is looking hotter every day (How youuu doin?).  Also, as of this week I am closing in on an amazing/scary milestone; in the last 16 months - losing 60lbs (that’s 640 Oreos, or J-Lo’s butt times 3- if you trust Google). 

 

Training for the half has introduced me to many things I never would have imagined.  Who would have thought that one needs to eat while running?  Silly me, I thought you ran so that you could justify the huge post-run meal.   I have experienced chafing in places I had never considered possible.  Don’t worry, I won’t elaborate or post pictures.  Purchasing running-specific clothing and shoes; I had always run in basketball shoes in the past.  Finally, when thinking about vacations, we discuss the possibility of doing a race at the same time.  Why would any sane person interrupt eating and sleeping in with a long run?     

    

We have made many new running friends either at work, on Facebook, and twitter.  I never thought that I would enter and run a 13.1 mile race, or consider doing even longer distances. (I have decided that I will attempt Goofy in 2014).  RunDisney has made it easy to enjoy Disney and running together, and I look forward to many more years of Running Happily Ever After with DisneyBride.

Look for both of us at the Princess Half Marathon.  I will be in a black tuxedo tech shirt that has DisneyGroom written across the back. Disney Bride will have some sort of a white shirt dress looking thing on (DB's edit:  white sparkle skirt, white tech top, bride mouse ears fascinator) that will have DisneyBride printed on the back.

I hope you are all successful in your race regardless of what you are running for.  Me, I will be running for bacon, and to build up an appetite for our reservations at 'Ohana. 

 

-DG

Just 26 days to go!   

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WDW Marathon Weekend Day 4: Here Piggy Piggy Piggy

Sunday, the BIG day. The marathon day!  Woo hoo!  Even though we weren't running, DG was in absolute raptures over "BACON DAY!"  (Someday we should share with you how obsessed he is with bacon - and how everyone back home knows him as the 'bacon guy'. But I digress.) By now, many of you runDisneyers have heard tell of the infamous "Three Little Pigs" Challenge.  Well, it was every bit as glorious as you heard - I'd be willing to bet more so.

We awoke early and checked out of our hotel by 5:30am.  We expected to be at the tent until the marathon was over - so we would be unable to check out later that morning.  We loaded up the Jeep, dressed in our "Bacon attire" and made the 10 min drive over to the Beach Club.  We got there a few minutes before the "Pig Crew" and scoped out a spot to set up the tent, tables, and chairs.  Then began the set up of the dozens of bags of candy, chips, pretzels, chocolates, and drinks.  Water, gatorade, sodas, beer, margarita mix, chocolate milk, etc.  Signs, lists, the 'bacon wall' for signatures and photos, whew... lots to do.

The challenge is this:  Pre-registered runners stop at the tent. Eat three slices of bacon. Get an awesome medal.  Finish the last 1.5 miles of your marathon with fresh pep in your step, powered by bacon. 

The bacon arrived.  It was donated by Indiana Kitchen Bacon and was prepared piping hot and crispy at one of the resort kitchens.  It was quickly loaded into individual baggies and cups for runners that wanted their Three Little Pigs "to go".  Non-meat eaters or those not trusting their tummies with bacon - had the option of eating candy or another snack instead of the three slices of bacon.  Either way - you had a snack and got your beautiful medal!

  

DisneyGroom shows off the bling - the highly coveted Three Little Pigs Challenge Inaugural Medal.  I say Inaugural, because this turned into a mega-hit and future challenges are forthcoming at other runDisney events.

Check out the Run Disney So I Can Eat Disney page on Facebook for info on upcoming food challenges at the 2013 Disneyland Half, and others as they develop.  I've proposed a Pirate themed medal for eating a Rum Cake (cupcake) at Princess next year, so I hope that one takes off.  Everyone wants a Pirate medal!!!  Think Gasparilla... but with Disney flair!

Here is some of the Pig Crew doing last minute set up and hanging out waiting for our runners.

The sun is just coming up, but here at mile 24.5, here come the two leaders of the WDW Marathon, Adrian Bastos and Fredison Costa. These Brazilians were not bacon runners - so we just watched them fly by.

Here is a goofy pic of DG and myself.  In piggy attire.  If you look close (click to enlarge photo) - both are bacon-themed shirts by Disney.  They were not easy to find - so I was excited to get them for this day.  

DG wanted to show off the Bacon socks I got him.

Our tent's 'unofficial' mascot

First bacon runner!

Second and third bacon runners!

Bacon runners now began to arrive one after the other.  I couldn't get pics of them all - but we had another person at the tent taking photos and she posted several on the FB page.

Those of us designated cheerleaders would spot the identifying pink wristbands from a distance, and as soon as we saw one - we excitedly began yelling "BACON RUNNER - INCOMING!" to alert the table - clanging cowbells and waving pompoms.  The looks on the runners' faces was priceless.  Exhausted, overheated, thirsty, and hungry - they lit up completely when they saw the Bacon Tent.

Dennis Marsico of runDisneyTV came to our tent and hung out with the Pig Crew for over an hour. He was waiting for Linda, organizer of this challenge and founder of the RDSICED group, to interview her.

At last, Linda, with her pace group in tow - arrived, resplendent as Princess Leia.

We also had some great runners in costume run past the tent.  They were not bacon runners - but probably will be next year!

My Absolute fave:  RICHARD SIMMONS!!!

 DG's fave:  Pregnant Tinkerbell!

The famous marathoner, Santa Steve

Now things are winding down...

A last glimpse of the scary 'balloon lady'.  (look closely on the left for the green mylar balloon) She is the one that keeps the 16 min/mile pace.  If you stay ahead of her, you are safe from sweepers.

Several runners were behind the balloon lady.  Many were walking alongside the guys on bikes, the ones that tell you to get on the bus.  I hope that here at Mile 24.5 these folks were safe at last from sweeping.

Here is the very last of the sweepers.

And with that - we began to pack up the tent.  I am super grateful to have been allowed to be a part of this terrific event.  We are so excited for upcoming events - and have been telling everyone about the BACON TENT at the Marathon!

We were almost ready to go, DG was just waiting for a bellman to load the last of the items, when who should come strolling along??? No entourage, no waiting in line for a photo, just him casually strolling along the nearly empty Boardwalk. The ONE runner I was most excited to see all weekend.  The one I had given up hope of spotting at all.  The worst part was I had been in the hot sun for eight hours! I was a disgusting mess.  AHHH!  Why couldn't I have looked cute for JOEY FATONE!!! He was so nice. I asked him if he was still cooking (referencing Celebrity Cook Off on Food Network) and he told me he is filming a new cooking show. I babbled on all kinds of fangirl nonsense, and DisneyGroom embarassed me by saying quite loudly "Hey watch where you put your hands on Joey" while taking a photo! ahh!!!! Still it was the icing on the cake of a great day!

The Jeep was loaded and ready for our long drive back home, but we had one more stop.  We headed to Splitsville at Downtown Disney for a late lunch.  We had feasted on candy all day and needed real food.

Downtown Disney was ready to receive the runners for a big Marathon Weekend block party.

Logo of the super amazing group: Run Disney So I Can Eat Disney

What a GREAT WEEKEND!

Thanks for reading my long recaps!

See you all at PRINCESS!

My complete 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon recaps are here:

Day 1 http://www.runninghappilyeverafter.com/2013/01/wdw-marathon-weekend-day-1-expo-shop.html

Day 2 http://www.runninghappilyeverafter.com/2013/01/wdw-marathon-weekend-day-2-family-5k.html
Day 3 http://www.runninghappilyeverafter.com/2013/01/wdw-marathon-weekend-day-3-water-get.html
Day 4 http://www.runninghappilyeverafter.com/2013/01/wdw-marathon-weekend-day-4-here-piggy.html

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