Tinkerbell 1/2 Marathon. The good, the bad, and the sweaty!

As I mentioned in a previous blog I was a bit on the nervous side with my first ever 1/2 marathon coming up.  I'm not the running type, never have been. A very very long time ago I told someone I was going to run in something like this one day and he laughed at me! He had a good reason to doubt me, it was years and years after that I actually started to run along with my diet to loose some weight. It was a very short time ago I went from never running to 5k, then got a wild hair one day to registrar for my first 1/2 marathon. 

I was so very nervous all last week building up to run day.  My stomach was in knots and I wasn't sleeping well.  Since my birthday happened to be 3 days before the run it helped take my mind off it a little and it made for a great mini vacation from work.

Thursday I celebrated my 32nd birthday with friends and family.  Had a great amount of birthday treats and an awesome dinner, good timing because it was all about watching what I ate the few days after. I didn't wanna get sick on run day.  I also received the perfect running headphones as a birthday gift from the Cochran/McGee fams.  They were so great for the run.   

New Beats by Dre sport headphones!!!

 
Friday Eric and I laid around the house all day, resting the legs of course.  Saturday morning while Eric had a meeting I downloaded my run play list to my phone and went out to grab a few last minute items.  11am and we were on the way to Anaheim to meet up with my running partners and personal cheering section.  Lisa, Lindsi, Sandra and Andrea had all decided to join in the run with me and we had all been training for months.  Aubrey, the kids, Ma, Tom and Nicole were awesome and came down to watch and support!

We got down to Anaheim Saturday afternoon and checked into the hotel, then walked over to the registration and expo to meet Lisa and Lindsi.  Picked up our race bibs, tracking devices, and T-shirts then walked around the expo for a bit looking at all the nifty running gear.  Then while Lisa and Lindsi rested, Eric and I met up with the cheering section for dinner and hung out for a bit.  At 8ish it was time to head back to the room for a shower and some rest.  It was gonna be an early early morning to get to the race on time.

 Lisa, Lindsi and I at the expo!

Sleep did not come easy, to nervous and excited I laid down close to 9pm and woke up thinking oh sheesh I bet I have to be up in just a few minutes to start getting ready, checked the clock and it was 9:44pm WTH.  Slept off and on like that the rest of the night, until I was woke by a light in the room.  "What time is it?" I asked Lisa and Lindsi who were over by the mirror getting ready.  3:30am!  "Oh hell, the time had come."  So my nervous belly and I got into the shower.  Getting dressed and ready to head out I really did have to ask myself WTH was I thinking signing up for this.  :-)

4:05am and we were ready.  A quick before picture we headed off to meet Aubrey and Ma, the brave souls who were going to join Eric in seeing us off at the crack of dawn.  We all walked to the starting area in a parking lot next to Paradise Pier Hotel, where we met up with Sandra, Andrea and Travis.  Then it was jittery chatting until they announced we needed to start making our way to our corral.  

 

We can fly, we can fly, we can fly!

 Walking through Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney to the starting line!

Sandra, Misty, Andrea, Lisa and Lindsi. We are ready to run!

 On the way to my corral!

Once we were in our corral E on Disneyland Dr. right in between Paradise Pier and Grand CA, it seemed as if we stood there forever, chatting and stretching, watching all the other runners do the same.  Finally we saw the fireworks to start the race, but we didn't move.  It was still almost 30 minutes before our corral made it to the start line and we could hear the announcers and see the Ready, Set, GO! sign.

 There were 13,000 runners! Only 900 guys. 

We had to be there at 4:30, in our corral by 5:15 and the run started at 5:45am, still very dark.

Then just like that we were off, still walking at first until the crowd of runners started to break up and move a little faster. I lost all the girls as soon as we started to pick up the pace, so the music went on and I just started running. Up Disneyland Dr. to Ball rd and I hit our first mile marker.  It seemed like nothing.  Ball rd down to Harbor and then a quick right into the employee area of Disneyland and there was mile marker 2.  We continued to run through the back lots of Disneyland which was super exciting for a Disney freak like me.

 Super secret back area of Disneyland!

Then we popped out next to its a small world, ran past the teacups (my favorite ride) and Alice in Wonderland where I saw Lisa waiting on Lindsi to take a quick bathroom break. Then it was back into the unseen parts of the park again until we made our way to main street, running right up main street and through the castle was just about as worth it as that medal was.  Through Fantasyland, and Frontierland got me to mile marker 3.  Then on to New Orleans square, past the haunted mansion and into Pooh's corner where we again went behind the scenes until we were through a gate and into Downtown Disney. 

Lisa waiting for Lindsi inside the park, because we heard those bathrooms were cleaner. 

 

Running down Main Street Disneyland, CA!

 

Through the castle! My favorite parts of the run, besides the finish of course. 

 

New Orleans Square. Look at all those runners!

 

There go Lisa and Lindsi!

Close to the End of Downtown Disney by Rainforest Cafe was mile marker 4 and my cheering section signs and all! This gave me the boost I needed and passing mile markers 5 and 6 which had me on Manchester Ave and seemed like nothing. 

 Looking disheveled and sweaty, but happy at mile marker 4!

After mile 6 is where it got a little boring and I focused on a girl ahead of me wearing the same team sparkle running skirt to make sure I was keeping a good pace and not slowing down.  We were running through residential neighborhoods and people were on their porches, or in law chairs with their children like we were a damn parade.  Then again with the outfits everyone had on, I guess we kinda were.  It was very cool because at ever big intersection or mile marker there were local high school bands and cheerleaders as well as spectators yelling encouragement.  Since our names were printed on our race bibs they would even use our names, it was a great motivator.

Mile 7 is where my first blister popped up. I knew it because it was in the same spot (baby toe) as the last time I had trained on a long run.  I kept telling myself I would stop at the next mile marker and get a band aid, but to afraid I would loose my pace, I just kept going.  Mile 8 and I felt the other baby toe blister. I had read a medical tent would be at mile marker 9 but if it was I must have missed it.  So I passed mile marker 9 blisters and all, grabbed a Cliff shot for energy and listened as the announcer told my pack of runners we were 6 minutes ahead of pace. 

By this time we were in the Cerritos Ave and Lewis St area, very industrial looking, not much fun at this point.  I had passed my skirt twin girl, my body was hurting, my feet and blisters were no bueno but damn if I had come this far I was not stopping now.  So I pushed, all I kept thinking was how awesome it was gonna be to see that finish line and to see my cheer sections faces when I finally finished. 

Aubrey and Jack Jack waiting at the finish line!

Everyone at the finish line. 

Nicole made this adorable sign, since Clara calls me aunt Fishy. They said all the runners thought it was just a random sign and liked her random encouragement. :-)

Mile marker 10 had some military people and a band but the best part was hearing I was 16 minutes ahead of pace.  Woo Hoo I only had 3 to go and even if I had to slow down a bit I would still make it.  About 10 1/2 miles I saw Andrea, she was hurting just as bad a I was so we slowed it down and walked a bit. Passed mile marker 11 on Disney Way and we could see the Grand CA, so we sped up and headed into the park through an employee gate close to Tower of Terror.  Down the Hollywood back lot around Sunshine Plaza and up past Soaring Over Ca and Grizzly Run.  That is were I saw the churro cart and thought wouldn't it be nice to sit down and eat a churro right now. NOOOOOO run fatty RUUUUNNNNNNN!!! :-) 

We made our way past the wharf and hit mile marker 12 before heading into a bugs land which then spit us out next to Tower of Terror again and we ended up behind the park in another employee area close to CA Screaming.  Andrea and I just kept telling each other how close we were and how amazing that we were about to finish this thing.  Other runners had the same idea because I could hear them doing the same thing, some talking about what they were gonna have for lunch after. :-)  So close to Mile 13 we could see Paradise Pier Hotel in front of us.  We rounded the corner at Disneyland Way and Katella and Ta-Da mile marker 13.

 Andrea and I snapped a quick picture with our very last mile marker 13!!!!!

Since a 1/2 marathon is 13.1 miles we had about a block to go until we could see the finish line so of course we picked it up and jogged in for our VICTORY!  It's so hard to describe the way hitting that finish line felt.  I teared up, either from the excitement that I had finished or from the pain of that 3rd blister and body soreness. :-) 

 Yay I made it!

Andrea and I headed to get our medals!

Either way once my medal was collected, they took what I'm sure will be a hideous finisher photo and we got some water, I felt so accomplished!  I thought to myself as I made my way to the reunion area, remember this feeling because no matter how many runs I do, it will never feel like this again. 

 So tired after I just had to sit down and I did not care where. 

So proud of my first ever 1/2 marathon medal! 

 Andrea, Sandra and I at the finish area. 

All of us together at last after 13.1 miles and over 3 hours. 

My Chocolate Bear told me about 6 times that afternoon how proud he was of me. Awe so sweet. 

We all met up and congratulated each other, took photos and then said goodbye to our fellow runners Sandra, Andrea and their families.  Then came the worst part of the day, the walk back to the hotel uhhhh it was awful and it only got worse.  After a shower and check out we headed to Glendale for some Cheesecake Factory. Lisa and Lindsi had to head home so Eric and I ate with Aubrey and the fam, then headed home.

 With Jack at Cheesecake factory, look a little less beat than I feel!

I was so sore, that I'm sure people watching me try to walk thought I just had surgery or something.  I looked very similar to someone who just gave birth C-section style. :-)  Once home I took a long hot bath, ate some dinner and passed out on the couch watching TV about 7:15pm. Over 12 hours of sleep later and I am feeling much better, not in any shape to talk about my next run, but at least better enough to write this blog.  :-)  

  There she is, my favorite Disney character and a magnificent reward for my hard work!

My search for the world's largest things.

One winterish day a few years ago I was bored searching the Internet when I came across an interesting tidbit of information. A city, not far from Bakersfield had the world's largest olive. When I say this most think real olive, but no this is just a statue. Either way I was intrigued and wanted to see it. I asked Eric if he wanted to see the worlds largest olive and although he didn't really care, he is always down for something new. (why I love him so) Once I had my photographer (Eric) on board we jumped in the car and headed to Lindsay, CA to find the olive. Lindsay Olives.... ring a bell?  

Seeing the olive was new and interesting, but it did not stop there, I became a little obsessed with the worlds largest/weird things. I am now on the hunt where ever I go to find something close that is GIANT/weird/interesting.  This is not an exact science, the items don't have to be in the Guinness Book of World Records, although they can be. They don't have to be real, such as foods. They just have to be GIANT and interesting. So it was this day of the olive I set off to find more GIANT things during my travels.

Olives of any size are delicious, but GIANT olives are the best. Lindsay, CA

A second day trip to Kingsburg found the worlds largest Teapot and Raisin Box. They have two items, lucky them.

I'm a GIANT tea pot neither short or stout. Kingsburg, CA

Sadly because we went on a Saturday the Sunmaid raisin plant was not open, so we couldn't get inside the gate to stand close to the GIANT raisin box. Eric knowing I was sad about this even tried to convince the security guard to let us in for one picture, but the guard wasn't buying it. So outside the fence had to work.

Wish I could have gotten closer to the GIANT raisin box. Kingsburg, CA

After spending a weekend in San Diego, we took a quick drive to Lemon Grove for a picture with a GIANT lemon. Some lady walking by as were snapping pictures asked if we would both like to be in it, of course we would.

When life gives you a GIANT lemon, you stand in front of it and take photos. Lemon Grove, CA

Pismo Beach, a place we visit all the time has a GIANT clam. I have seen it many times, but now I have the picture to prove it.

Mimicking Eric's picture with the GIANT clam. Pismo Beach, CA

A few years ago when Melissa came for a visit from GA, we took a trip to Venice Beach and got a 2fer. She got to see the crazies in Venice Beach and I got to see GIANT binoculars which double as the entrance to a parking garage.

I wonder if I could see through clothing with these GIANT binoculars. Venice Beach, CA

The next few items were from our trip to Las Vegas to see Blink 182's first show after being on hiatus for 5 years.  The thermometer I had seen many times on trips to Vegas, however the flashlight was a new site.

The GIANT thermometer said it was gettin hot out heeeerrrrrrreeee.  Baker, CA

I would attend UNLV just because they have a GIANT flashlight on campus. Las Vegas, NV

Eric flew back to GA in June of 2010 to help drive Melissa (who was pregnant with AJ) and all her belongs back to CA to live with us for a while.  Aubrey decided to take a short mommy vacation and come with, so after we dropped him at LAX for his red eye to GA we could have a slumber party.  The next day we ate and shopped and Aubrey saw her first GIANT item.

A breakfast of donuts at the GIANT donut was good times. Inglewood, CA

Eric and I went to a Kings game in LA one night and darn it if we didn't fall prey to a time share presentation.  So we set the appointment to correspond with a birthday trip to Disneyland and Seaworld and stopped by for our free goodies at the Lawrence Welk Resort in Escondido, CA. One reason I didn't cancel the lame presentation is because I found out they had a GIANT item.

Nothing but champagne wishes and caviar dreams outta this GIANT champagne glass. Escondido, CA

A trip to the Lego store in Downtown Disney and you have got yourself a picture in front of the GIANT Lego.  I will see it again shortly as I run past during my Tinkerbell 1/2 Marathon.  

I could build Hogwarts out of the Harry Potter Legos, if they were all GIANT.  Anaheim, CA

I had to be in Sacramento for work in December and since I have friends and family there Eric met me there and we got to do some fun stuff like find the GIANT sewing needle in a rather shisty part of town.

It was a little easier to find this GIANT needle in a haystack. Sacramento, CA

As my previous blog showed we took a trip to GA over Christmas and I googled a few GIANT items, however 2 of the 3 were much to far off course so I had to settle on just the one.

I got this GIANT dog in his (you know it is a him if you look closely) Christmas hat. Savannah, GA

On a big big list of world's largest items, I still have many more to see.  I hope to see the Artichoke next, or maybe the yo-yo, or maybe the peanut, or maybe, well you get the picture. I am not done with my collection yet!! :-)

Misty's Favorite Things

Driving home from the post office there is this old Christmas billboard advertising some store and it reads "My Favorite Things, blah blah blah."  However seeing it made me want to blog about my favorite things and by "things" I mean material items. So that is what this blog is alllll about. Stuff I love and stuff I need to purchase, so I can love it.  Shoot Oprah did it, so can I! :-)

Although these are in no specific order a nice start would be my own Macbook pro!  Eric got one a year ago and since sometimes I like to Facebook while sitting on the couch I occasionally use it.  I love love love it.  I am definitely on the Mac side in the Mac/PC war. (WANT IT!)

The Teamsparkle sequined running skirt.  The blog I was reading when I found out my destiny would be the Disney Tinkerbell 1/2 marathon listed these fun running skirts as one of her favorite accessories.  Well if I am going to run along side of all the other fairies in this marathon, I must look my best. So over my black running tights my booty will sparkle in this adorable running skirt in "gunmetal!"  (HAVE IT!) 

Ahhh another jealousy of mine is Eric's Beats by Dre headphones, (he has the DJ giant over the ear style.) They are by far the best headphones EVER.  Bose are great to, but the difference is the Beats have a lot more bass and when I run I gotta have that booty shaking music to keep me going.   However the design I want are the perfect workout headphones with the over the ear piece so they don't shake loose.  I currently run in a Phillips brand that have this ear hook and love that they don't move. I think I have abnormally large ear holes, so those in ear ones never stay in place. :-) These would be great to have at the Tinkerbell 1/2 marathon, but I doubt that happens in time cause they cost a ridiculous fortune. :-)  (WANT IT!) 

Mmmmmm the Mocha Frapp, my favorite coffee treat for anytime.  I have tried em all but the good ol mocha is by far my favorite.  I think the best Starbucks in town just happens to be on 7th Standard close to my house, their frapps always taste perfect and I have noticed that when the ladies make it they put so much whipped cream that it spills out of the straw hole.  I call this a PEAK and because of my fatty ways I get very excited when I get a peak.  (ALWAYS WANT!)

Oooooo look at all the pretty colors!  Gotta love MAC eyeshadow.  They make so many fun colors, that actually look the same on as they do in the container.  I have my favorites that I wear often like Woodwinked, Smoke & Diamonds, or Shroom.  But they are always releasing new fun colors and even thought I don't wear them much I love them all the same. (ALWAYS WANT IT!)

Oh yes not only does Dr. Dre make some awesome headphones but he also makes a docking station and although I have not heard it yet, if it is anything like the headphones I must have it. (WANT IT!)

I am normally not into designers and purses, I'm usually happy with something black, not to big, with some pockets & zippers and on sale at Kohl's.  However I did own a Coach purse once and that thing lasted FOR-EV-OOOOR!  Something about this Burberry purse caught my eye.  I usually like the normal tan/red plaid of Burberry, but this one just so happens to be super cute and my favorite color (gray) yeah yeah, I know, gray is so adventurous. :-) (WANT IT!)

 

I don't care if they are boys shoes. I have a gray and red pair and they are sooooooo very comfy!  Feel just like a slipper, but the skate shoe bottom lets ya take em on outside strolls to.  I love the white/pink girl versions to, but sadly they don't make those in size yeti (11.) So the boy versions will have to do. (WANT IT!) 

It's my favorite kinda cherry blossom, the Japanese kind.  My favorite scent at Bath and Body Works by far.  I do love almost any smell they make, minus the baked goods/vanilla types. I think I smell to much of that at home baking.  But this one is great, I wanna fill the tub with the bubble bath, wash myself in the body wash, then lotion up after and spray a little body spray just in case I missed a spot. (ALWAYS WANT IT!)  

So a few years ago my friends Matt and Kara gave me this awesome book for my birthday.  They fed my obsession with worlds largest and other weird things.  There is some awesomely weird stuff in this book and it also looks super cool on my end table. (HAVE IT!)   

Kellen!!!!  Being a big fan of the Canon Elph for many years when the time came to upgrade to something with a little more, I asked around and was happy with the information I received. I could expand my Canon family.  So I purchase Kellen just in time for our trip to GA and if you have seen any of the blogs about that trip I don't have to tell you what awesome pictures he takes. (HAVE IT!)

Once I had Kellen I needed something to carry him around in.  I didn't want the same old black boring camera bag so I went online and looked up cute girly

Ahhh the Iphone 4s.  I'm an OG when it comes to the Iphone and still have the 3.  Which I was perfectly happy with until.... while in GA my phone messed up and un-installed my Facebook app.  When I went to reinstall it an error message came up that said it was unable to install Facebook to my phone because I didn't have the OS4.  Installing the OS4 to my old ass phone will probably be the death of it.  My only other option is to upgrade to the new 4s.  I gotta have Facebook right? What else will I do in class! (WANT IT!) 

The Cricut Expression is every scrapbookers dream.  A graduation present from some of my favorite people. This little computer cutting system can do all kinds of fun letters and shapes.  I have used it to create birthday banners, tons of scrapbook pages and recently Christmas presents. (HAVE IT!)

Last but not least I must express my love for the Calla diamond!! A few years ago I discovered a new stone that was cut into the shape of my favorite flower, the Calla Lilly.  They are uncommon because to perfect this cut they have to waste a lot of the stone. This also makes them extremely expensive.  But since this is a shallow materialistic blog I can say I don't give a rats...  I love it and I want it.  The one above is my favorite in the collection and one day it will be mine. Oh it will be mine.  (WANT IT!)