(Photo credit: Run Nike Women’s Series)

I can’t tell you how excited I was to get into the DC Nike Women’s Half! The Nike Half Marathon was a race that I had wanted to run for a while but it was out in San Francisco and I’m not a fan of hills or the cost of traveling to the west coast. So when Nike announced that it was organizing a race in Washington, DC, I figured it was perfect for me. I loved the idea of being a part of an inaugural race! 

The weekend started 5:00AM Friday morning. I decided I would be early for a change so that I could have breakfast and relax in the airport lounge before boarding my flight. Once I landed in DC, I headed straight to the hotel, checked in and was off to Georgetown.

Some of the NWM race merchandise

First stop was the Nike store to see if I could get a pair of the limited edition shoes that had been specially released for the race. With all the rumors of limited quantities, I had no expectations of getting the shoes. I was surprised to see that the store still had them in stock and I was so happy to get my hands on a pair!

Thanks to everyone who put up with me obsessing about these the shoes. To give you an idea of badly I wanted them – I had someone try to buy them online, someone else go to a store in New York and yet another person call stores in DC for me without any luck. I love you all! I looked at some of the other race merchandise they had available - t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags and shorts but didn’t like it enough to buy anything. I was just happy with my shoes!

I <3 my Nike Free 5.0

Shoes in hand, I headed to packet pick up expecting a long wait for the bibs. But I never encountered any lines – there were a ton of volunteers available and I was in and out within a matter of minutes. It was a breeze!

Packet pick up

Over at the expo, there were makeover sessions from Bare Minerals and Paul Mitchell, samples from Luna Bar and Nuun and clinics for gait analysis and bra fittings. It was pretty Nike product intensive but that was expected since they were the race sponsor.

The DC Nike Women’s Half Expotique

I did the gait analysis since there were only two other people in line. The person who did my analysis was from Toronto as well. She gave me information about my foot strike, how that affects my run and recommended some running shoes for me. We also chatted about local running routes and she invited me to attend the local Nike Run Club once I returned home.

Tammy and I outside the Nike Women’s Half Expo

Saturday morning, Tammy and I headed over to the expo since she hadn’t been there yet. We went in but left quickly as it was packed – there were lines everywhere! We were there long enough to get the Nike+ bracelets and to check her card to see if she had won shoes (neither of us had won). On our way to lunch, we stopped outside of the Nike store where they had giant mural with the names of everyone registered to run. Even with thousands of participants, we found our names and of course, I had to get a picture.

We met up with a few ladies from WISH – Lily, Katie and Wendy (psst… go check out Wendy’s blog - Wendy’s Not-So-Race-y-Reports) at a restaurant not too far from the expo called Old Glory. It was a BBQ joint and while everything on the menu looked mouth wateringly delicious, I didn’t feel like I’d run very well on a stomach full of ribs. It was so tempting but I couldn’t do it. I stuck with ordering brunch instead - great food and even better company!

Lunch at Old Glory (Photo credit: Wendy Sibley)

After lunch, Tammy and I decided on some shopping. You have to love a girls’ weekend! We made stops at both the Nike and Athleta stores. I thought about buying the studio wrap pack at Nike but hesitated at spending more money on shoes. I figured if I wanted them, I could buy them back home in Canada. Sadly, they’re not available here. Boo! But I did pick up a cute skirt at Athleta which is a new favorite! I was surprised by their generous return policy, compared to stores like Lululemon who don’t even allow for price adjustments or returns on sale items. I hope Athleta will eventually open stores in Canada.

Pre-race dinner at Founding Farmers

We went back to the hotel to drop our stuff off before heading out for dinner at Founding Farmers. I loved this place! The food was delicious and the service was wonderful! I had my first taste of fried green tomatoes and an amazing pasta dish of goat cheese ravioli which was served with chicken cutlets and a tangy ginger and squash puree. It was the perfect dish with just a touch of sweetness from the puree. I wish I had left room for dessert! I will definitely be back in October when I run the Marine Corps Marathon. After dinner, I laid out my running gear for the next day and was off to try and sleep; too bad about the noisy hotel neighbors who were up all night.

The start of the DC Nike Women’s Half (Photo credit: Tammy Rones)

Sunday morning started at 4:50AM – I wanted to make sure I had enough time to eat, get my stuff together, and not feel rushed. We made it to the start area by 6:15AM and got a quick group photo before we left for bag check and our corrals. The corrals were packed and it took me more than 10 minutes to squeeze in. I made it in just as the opening ceremonies were starting.

The organizers held a moment of silence for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. Even though there were 15,000 participants plus spectators, the area was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Next, was the national anthem and we were off!

View of the start line from my corral. So … squished.

Well, everyone except for me – Long story short, my phone was wiped and reset on Thursday evening and though I tried to fix it as best as I could, I wasn’t able to get it back 100%. That meant I wasn’t logged into my Nike+ app, my iPod settings were gone and the phone was giving me distances in kilometers and not miles. Great. I wish I had thought of checking it before I got to the start. I had enough time to log in to the app but not to fix anything else. Maybe it wasn’t a big deal to some but I felt like it threw me off which wasn’t the best way to start a race. I wasn’t happy but I let it go.

Blink and you would have missed me! (Photo Credit: Wendy Sibley)

Shortly after the start, I spotted Wendy in the crowds of spectators and I waved to her. She managed to get a picture of me running by. Who needs race photographers? This was one of my favorites of the entire race!

2013 DC Nike Women’s Half Course

The course itself was really flat and fast – it was a mix of city streets and park land. We ran around the Mall, passing landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial and the US Capital. Come to think of it, it’s not a bad way to see the city! Running through Hains Point was one of my favorite parts of the course because it’s by the water and really scenic. Nike also had several drum bands out to entertain us as well as some amusing signage. But for me, the best part of any race are the spectators! They always make me smile and give me that push to keep going! It felt like no matter where we ran, there was always a crowd gathered to cheer.

I <3 the spectators (Photo credits: Tammy Rones/Wendy Sibley)

As for the run itself, it turns out I didn’t need the pacing feedback from my Nike+ app. Why? While I’d love to say I ran like the wind and crushed my previous half marathon PB, I can’t. The course was SO crowded. There were walkers and ladies running side by side in groups of four or more. It was impossible to run at the pace I wanted to, but I finished in 2:08:06 which was still a PB for me.

Picking up my Tiffany necklace and finisher’s shirt

I walked through finish area and down a red carpet and to collect my Tiffany’s necklace – which is the race medal. I loved the guys standing there wearing tuxedos with piles of blue Tiffany boxes on silver trays. It was the perfect touch and different than any other race I had been to! Pretty awesome race swag if you ask me!

At the finish line – One of the only times I’ll use a Tiffany bag to carry food

After getting my necklace, I picked up water, a bagel and then headed off to get my finisher’s shirt. I knew I had some time before the rest of my friends finished so I decided I’d go and check out the finisher’s boutique. I saw the tent and there was a line not too far from the entrance and figured “How bad could it be?” I waited and waited … and I waited some more. I had waited for about 45 minutes when the girls behind me left. My foot cramped but I was still there. Quitters. I’m kidding – I’m just stubborn like that.

The finishers’ merchandise including the sweatshirt I didn’t get (grr!)

But seriously, standing still for more than an hour in the sun after a half marathon without shade or water was a bad idea. Other ladies in line were also complaining about the heat and the long wait. I made it into the tent only to discover that there was even longer line inside.

By then, Lily and Tammy were able to join me in line. And just as they did, we watched someone ahead of us pass out. Remember how I said standing around without food or water after a half marathon was a bad idea? When I finally did make it to the front of the line, the sweatshirt I wanted was sold out. It hadn’t been sold out for a while, it JUST sold out – someone in front of me bought the last one off the mannequin. Perhaps that was my karma for letting my friends cut in line. Ah well. I bought different shirts, took one more photo and headed back to my hotel to clean up.

We made it! We finished!

And what race is really complete without a post-run treat. I met Elizabeth and her family in Georgetown to celebrate with what else? Cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes!

Best post race treat – cupcakes!

Because the Nike Women’s Half was an inaugural race, there were few issues I encountered.

I thought the entire race was extremely crowded right from the start line corrals. I’ve run big races like Disney and Marine Corps and had never been so squished into a corral as I was here. I heard that people were hopping fences because they couldn’t get into their corrals. I can understand that because of how long it took me to get in. The problem was that there were runners in my corral who weren’t prepared to run that pace. I was passing a lot of people who were not running anywhere near a 9:59 m/m pace, or worse: they were walking right from the start. As for the course itself, the crowding issue was made worse by groups that were either running or walking side by side. I encountered many groups of four or more running together and it was impossible to continually weave around them for an entire race.  I realize that with 15,000 participants and the popularity of the race, crowding was going to be problematic. Perhaps, for future races Nike would consider increasing the number of corrals and using wave starts to alleviate some of the congestion at the start and on course.

My other issue was with the water stations. Many times, I watched runners scrambling to get from one side of the road to the other so they wouldn’t miss getting water. Runners shouldn’t have to play “frogger” to hydrate, especially on a warm day. Perhaps placing water tables on both sides of the roads would have helped.

Finally, I wished the finisher’s merchandise had been put online, even if it was just a pre-order to be picked up, it would have helped. Standing in line for that long was not only a waste of time but also unsafe as well. It would also help to clear out the finish area quickly and allowed for the chance to stretch out after running for a couple of hours.

The finisher’s necklace (aka race medal) for the Nike Women’s Half Marathon DC 2013

Overall, I had a fantastic weekend with friends new and old! I loved the atmosphere of the city and the merchandise Nike had created especially for the race. The course was flat, scenic and filled with spectators. The volunteers and Nike employees were also wonderful – everyone who was at the expo and especially at the Georgetown Nike store were incredibly high energy and patient dealing with everyone there. Despite the crowds, this is a race I’d definitely consider for next year.

Next up, the Sporting Life 10K!

Last year, when I ran the Disneyland Half Marathon, I figured it was a one and done race. I was there to get my Coast to Coast medal and had no plans on going back. That was until runDisney announced the Dumbo Double Dare – a 10K race on Saturday followed by a half marathon on Sunday. It’s an inaugural race and with a little bit of peer pressure, I found myself signed up. What else is new? 

Aside from spending time with friends, one of my favorite parts of traveling is trying new places to eat. So when a friend of mine asked me to find some cool places to eat in LA, I was more than happy to start the search. And that’s when I came across the Huckleberry Café in Santa Monica, best known for their maple bacon biscuits. Mmm… bacon! I love biscuits so throwing in some bacon and maple syrup was a no brainer! Unfortunately, Dumbo is months away in September and really I wasn’t sure if I could wait that long, and that’s when I decided to make a batch for myself.

A quick search on Google turned up a copy of the recipe which comes directly from Huckleberry’s pastry chef Zoe Nathan. They’re easy to make and let me say these biscuits really are quite amazing! They’ve got a wonderfully flakey and crumbly texture, perfectly moist and not at all greasy! There’s a hint of smokiness from the bacon and a nice balance of salty and sweet from the sprinkling of fleur de sel and maple syrup. They’re the perfect combination; like having breakfast in just two or three bites. Perfect for breakfast or anytime really. And try having just one when they’re warm out of the oven, I dare you!

What are some of your favorite breakfast foods?

Maple Bacon Biscuits
Yield: 24 biscuits

Ingredients:

• 1 pound bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (1/2 pound) chilled butter, cut into 1/2-cubes
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold buttermilk

Egg wash:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 whole egg
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Biscuit topping:

• Fleur de Sel Salt, sea salt, or coarse salt
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions:

• In a large frying pan, cook the bacon over a medium heat for approximately 10 to 12 minutes. The bacon should be cooked but not crispy. Make sure to stir the bacon frequently to ensure it cooks evenly. Use a paper-towel lined plate to remove the excess fat from the bacon.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper
• Whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add the diced butter to the flour mixture and use a pastry blender or a fork to mix the butter into the flour until it resembles small peas.
• Stir in the cooked bacon pieces to the flour and butter mixture and then add a 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and buttermilk to the mixture. Stir continue a dough just comes together (it will be clumpy).
• On a lightly floured surface, gently press or roll the dough to 1-inch thickness. Do not knead the dough or overwork the dough. Cut the dough using a 2-inch round biscuit cutter or drinking glass into 24 pieces.
• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Arrange 12 biscuits on each baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart and place into the freezer for approximately 10 minutes, until the biscuits are well chilled.
• To prepare the egg wash, add the egg yolk, whole egg and cream to a small bowl and whisk together.
• Remove the biscuits from the freezer, and brush each biscuit with the egg wash and sprinkle with a pinch of fleur de sel salt.
• Bake the biscuits for approximately 25 minutes or until they begin to brown. Remove the tray from the oven and quickly drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of maple syrup over the of each biscuit and place the tray back into the oven to bake for an additional 3 minutes.
• Remove the tray from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Source: WhatsCookingAmerica.com

I recently saw a quote that said “Sometimes the people who are thousands of miles away from you, can make you feel better than the people right beside you.”. I think that quote describes exactly how I feel about a lot of friends I have in my life. That is to say I miss the ones who don’t live close and have a greater appreciation for the time we spend together.

That brings me to my friend Debra who was in town for a conference with her husband last weekend. I was so excited! Debra is someone I’ve known for quite a few years but maybe only see once or twice a year (if I’m lucky). Like me, she’s a runner, Disney aficionado and a film buff. I love that she’s someone that I can talk to about anything and everything. She gets why things make me snarky and is great at cheering me up when I’m down. And when I’m wrong, she’ll set me straight.

And that’s where the cookies come in. You see, Debra’s birthday is tomorrow and I was thinking of what I could surprise her with. I really wanted to bake something, I just wasn’t sure what to make because it had to survive a plane ride and be relatively mess free. Then it dawned on me: cookies of course!

These are my favourite non-chocolate cookies! They’re loaded with toasted pecans, melted toffee chips and they’re rolled in a sugar and salt mixture to give them that extra crunch and depth of flavor. These cookies are the perfect balance of chewy, crispy, salty and sweet. They are out of this world when they’re eaten warm but they’re also perfect for dunking in your coffee. And they’re my way of wishing a happy birthday to a very special friend of mine! Enjoy!

PS – Stop by Kungaloosh and wish Debra a happy birthday, and give her page a like while you’re there.

Salty-Sweet Butter Pecan Cookies

Yield: about 4 dozen 3″ cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups toasted pecan halves
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon butter-rum flavor
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cups butterscotch chips
• 1 cup toffee bits

Sugar/Salt Topping:

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

• In a mixing bowl, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, shortening, salt, espresso powder, baking soda, vanilla, butter-rum flavoring and vinegar, beating the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add in the egg. Continue beating until the egg is combined.
• Add in the flour, then the butterscotch chips and toffee bits and finally the toasted pecans.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough approximately 4 to 5 hours or overnight.
• Once you’re ready to bake the cookies, line a baking tray with parchment paper and pre-heat the oven to 375F.
• For the topping, mix 1/3 cup of sugar with the salt in a bowl. Using a tablespoon, scoop out balls of dough and roll in the sugar/salt mixture to coat and then place the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave approximately 2″ of space between the dough as the cookies will spread once they begin to bake.
• Place the cookies into the oven for approximately 12 minutes. Keep an eye on the cookies, the edges will brown once they’re closer to done. Remove the baking tray from the oven and cool for several minutes before removing them from the trays. Repeat with the remaining dough.

(Source: King Arthur Flour)

Recipe notes: You can bake the cookies without refrigerating the dough, however the cookies will be flatter and crispier. Refrigerating the cookie helps to prevent spread which results in a puffier and chewier cookie. For those who enjoy the salty-sweet experience, the amount of salt in the topping can be increased to 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt.

Because you know, sometimes a girl just has to have her chocolate fix. That’s where this recipe for brownies comes in; they’re perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings. Did I mention this recipe is oh so easy to make? They’re perfect as a sweet treat, or as a pick me up for those times when, let’s say, you’re feeling down because you’ve been disappointed by a friend who commits to something and then doesn’t follow through. Personally, I don’t make promises I can’t keep but what I can tell you about these brownies is that if you’re craving chocolate, you’re in for a real treat! That I can promise!

These brownies are made with your basic ingredients – eggs, butter, flour, sugar and cocoa powder, but they all come together to make a truly exceptional dessert! We’re talking about a brownie loaded with a ton of chocolaty goodness– chocolate chunks and just the perfect fudgy texture. These are supremely smooth, moist and chewy, not crumbly or cake-like at all. They’re rich and decadent, but don’t worry, they’re not overly sweet. Enjoy them while they’re warm with a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream, or alone with a tall glass of milk!

Fudgy Chocolate Chunk Brownies

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups Dutch-process cocoa
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 2 cups dark chocolate chunks

Directions:

• Line the bottom of a 9″x13″ pan with a piece of parchment paper and lightly grease the sides with cooking spray or butter.
• Preheat your oven to 350F.
• Add the eggs into a mixing bowl and beat together with the cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, espresso powder and vanilla until smooth.
• In another bowl, add the sugar and butter and melt the butter in the microwave or over a water bath. Stir and heat the mixture until the butter has completely melted. Continue to heat the butter/sugar mixture until it reaches a temperature between 110F to 120F (make sure it doesn’t bubble or boil) – the heat will help to dissolve the sugar.
• Add the butter/sugar mixture to the egg/cocoa mixture and stir until smooth.
• Next, add the flour and the chocolate chips to the batter and continue stirring until smooth. If you want whole chocolate chunks in your brownies, allow the batter to cool for about 10-15 minutes. Otherwise, the chocolate will melt into the batter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 27-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean.
• Remove the tray from the oven and allow to cool for several minutes before cutting and serving.

Source: King Arthur Flour

Recipe notes: My brownies were done at 27 minutes so keep an eye on your tray closer to the end.

Is it really the first day of spring? Hard to believe.

The other day, someone asked me why I wasn’t posting recipes anymore. I didn’t think much of it until someone else asked me and then another person asked. So why haven’t I been baking? For starters, I’ve been trying to clean up my eating. Then I was also busy training for Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge in January. Training? What’s up with that? I know there have been recent blog posts that make it seem the races are a walk in the park (pardon the pun) and not a whole lot of training is required. But believe me, you do have to train to complete a marathon, Disney or otherwise. Behind the theme parks, characters and the fluff of the tutus, you are out there walking or running 13.1 miles for a half marathon and double that distance for the marathon. It’s not like you can wake up, jump into the race at mile 25 and claim that you’ve run an entire marathon. And while it is true that you’ll get a medal regardless of whether you officially finish a Disney race, that isn’t the point. Anyway, I digress. If you are seriously training, then you know how little time and energy you have on the weekend for things besides running and napping. That’s where I’ve been and that’s what I’ve been doing. And if you’re looking to start running, here’s a good spot – 10 Tips for New Runners.

But enough about that, let’s talk about the good stuff! The kind of stuff you can eat and not feel guilty about after a good long run – muffins.

I came across this muffin recipe through a good friend of mine – Debra. She makes a version of these for her husband. Lucky guy! She gave me a few tweaks she made to the original recipe. And … since I’m not one to follow directions in the first place, I decided to further tweak the recipe by throwing in some buttermilk and Speculoos spread. I remembered still had a jar or two from a recent road trip to the US so why not?

The result you get is a muffin that’s filled with a whole lot of banana and chocolaty goodness! You get an awesome crunch from the turbinado sugar with that first bite while the rest of the muffin is moist and tender and filled with gooey melted dark chocolate. Who doesn’t love that banana chocolate combination? The buttermilk gives the muffin an extra hint of tanginess and a soft and moist texture. And the Speculoos spread fills each bite with a kick of spice giving these muffins an extra little something, making them so much more than just your ordinary banana chocolate chip muffin.

Speculoos Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup Speculoos spread
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips, divided
• 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar

Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Coat a muffin tray with cooking spray.
• In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and mix together with a whisk.
• In a second bowl, add the white sugar, brown sugar and butter and beat.
• Add the mashed bananas, Speculoos spread, vanilla, egg and buttermilk and beat until combined with the butter and sugar mixture.
• Next, stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture, being careful not to over mix.
• Stir 3/4 cups of the chocolate chips into the muffin batter.
• Divide the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tins.
• Sprinkle each of the muffin tops evenly with the remaining chocolate chips and turbinado sugar.
• Bake the muffins in the pre-heated oven for 17-20 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
• Remove the muffins from the oven and allow the tray to cool for several minutes.
• Place the muffins on a wire rack to finish cooling.

Adapted from: For the Love of Cooking with suggestions from Debra Peterson

Recipe notes: I added half of a banana and some buttermilk upon suggestions from Debra about the original recipe created muffins that were on the dense side. She told me I’d have to increase my baking time accordingly. I found that 375 degrees was a little on the hot side and I had to tent my muffin tray because I was worried about the muffins browning too quickly. Next time, I might try starting off at 375 and then turning down the oven half way through to 350.

Photo Credit: NWM 26.2

I’m not sure if running a 10K on the Sunday of Daylight Savings Time was the best idea. I’m not a morning person on the best of days so trying to get those miles minus an hour and meet friends for brunch was a bit tricky. But that’s the beauty of a virtual 10K race – you run the miles WHERE you want and WHEN you want. After some unintentional peer pressure Friday morning, I decided at the last minute to register for the Nike Women’s 10K. Okay, I’m a sucker for a cute shirt too! So that was a plus too. There was just one problem – everyone was being asked to record their 10K times using Nike+ Running App.

I really had no idea what that was. I thought that I might end up having to purchase and extra gadget but it turns out Nike+ Running App is free and  available for both the iPhone and Android phones. Although there is a sensor available, you can run the app by itself on the phone. The only other requirement is that you sign up for a Nike+ account. According to the Nike+ site, the app uses a combination of the phone’s GPS and accelerometer to gather information such as your mileage, pace, calories burned and it works indoors or outdoors. You can then share stats from your run through various social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Nike+ Pre-run options

Before you start a run, you open the Nike+ app and click on the “run” button which gives you the option of several types of run – a basic run, a distance run, a timed run and a speed run. For my 10K, I chose a basic run but with the other options, you are given your previous personal best times or distances and encouraged to beat those times. Once you’re off on your run, you have the option of receiving feedback from the app which gives you your elapsed split time and pace, as well as the total distance of your run to that point. You can choose frequency at which you are given updates in time or mileage or choose to have them off completely. You can also take a peek at the map, in case you get lost and even program in a ‘Powersong’ list to give you a boost for those times you’re feeling low on energy or about to tackle a giant hill.

To complete your run, you simply touch the pause run and then end button. You can then record your feedback on the run and are given the option to share that information with friends through Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest before it’s uploaded to the Nike+ site.

Nike+ Run Summary Screen

I liked that the app was user friendly with lots of graphics – it was so easy to use that I installed it onto my mom’s iPhone so she could use it to keep track of her walks. I thought the voiceover giving me info on my pacing, time and total distance updates during my run were handy. It saved me from constantly looking at my Garmin and scrolling through the screens. I was also able to adjust the distance on my route post run which I found handy because the mileage recorded through the phone GPS system is sometimes slightly different than of my Garmin. I hadn’t seen that option on other running apps before. Nor had I seen an app that let me track the mileage on my shoes, that was definitely a nice touch! But my absolute favorite part of the app was the ‘get cheers’ option which put a post onto my Facebook page. Every time someone liked or commented on the post, I would hear a crowd cheering on my run. Each time I heard the cheering, it put a big smile on my face!

All of my awesome friends who cheered for me this morning!

I do wish that the app had an option to program in run/walk intervals as I’m not a continuous runner. I also would have liked see an auto pause option for the times when I had to stop unexpectedly. It wasn’t always easy to reach into my pocket and pause the run, only to restart it shortly after. I just let the clock keep running while I was stopped for traffic. Finally, even though I had connected my Facebook and Twitter, I couldn’t get the app to post a run summary to either account. I was able to do it once on my desktop but not from the app itself.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the Nike+ Running app which I’m going to keep using as a backup for my Garmin watch which has died on occasion after I’ve forgotten to charge it before my run. And it definitely gets a thumbs up for being free so that you can get into running without spending a lot of cash on gadgets. So for anyone thinking, they need to spend a lot of money on a GPS watch, no more excuses. Download the app and just get out there! Here’s how it compares to my Garmin 610.

As for the virtual 10K, I ended up running 7 miles because it was such a nice day out! And brunch was a blast and it’s especially nice to have friends who don’t mind waiting for you and eating around your training schedule!

Photo credit: runDisney.com

The second day of the Goofy Race and Half Challenge started at bright and early at 2:20AM. Originally, the plan was to be up by 2:00AM like I was for the half but I ended up hitting the snooze button more than once. Getting up that early is tough but getting up for 2AM twice in a row, on four hours of sleep was especially tricky. But I managed to get up, shower, dress and eat my breakfast.

I was out at the bus stop by 3:30AM, I boarded the bus and headed over to the pre-race start area to meet Rebecca and Robbie. Today, Rebecca and I were doing costumes again – we were Alice in Wonderland and the Queen of Hearts.

Rebecca and I in costume before the start of the full

The three of us met up, dropped off our gear in the bag check tents and started to make our way to the corrals. After the slow walk yesterday morning, I wanted to make sure we had enough time and weren’t rushing. I decided to skip the porta potty lines before bag check and figured I’d find one by the corrals instead. Unfortunately, it seemed like everyone else had the same idea making the porta potty lines near the corrals REALLY long. I wasn’t in the mood to line up so I grabbed Rebecca and she was nice enough to “stand guard” while I ran over to the bushes.  Hopefully, no one had their cameras out. After that, we headed back to the corrals to wait.

Corral B before the start of the marathon

The start of the full began with the singing of the national anthem, fireworks, a send off for the wheelchair athletes, followed by runners in Corral A and then it was our turn in Corral B. We were off!

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its marathon, Disney introduced a new course that had runners going through Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot as well as the Speedway and the Wide World of Sports. There was also the promise of a special surprise at mile 20.

Photo credit: runDisney.com

Robbie, Rebecca and I decided to keep our run/walk intervals to 3/1 and the first five miles of the race went smoothly. Because Rebecca and I were dressed as Alice and the Queen of Hearts, we were on the look out for characters from ‘Alice in Wonderland’. After running into Magic Kingdom, we spotted Alice and the Mad Hatter just outside of Fantasyland. The three of us got our photo and were on our way again.

Rebecca, myself, Alice, The Mad Hatter and Robbie (Photo credit: Rebecca Waldie)

Just outside of Cinderella’s Castle, Robbie said he wanted to take a photo with Mickey and Minnie. This was one of the longer lines and Rebecca and I decided that we would run ahead and meet him after he was done. We made stop in Frontierland for the bathrooms and Rebecca and I grabbed a picture with Bullseye from ‘Toy Stoy’. We waited a few minutes but didn’t see Robbie. We thought he might still be in line at the castle and decided to run ahead, hoping he would catch up with us.

Bullseye from ‘Toy Story’ in Frontierland

We continued through Magic Kingdom’s backstage area and headed out on the road toward the Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts but there was still no sign of Robbie. I’d send him a text every so often to let him know where we were.

At mile 8, we made a turn and headed toward the Speedway. Disney had placed a number of classic cars out on the racetrack along with the characters from the movie ‘Cars’. Though there had been concerns about the banking on this part of the course, Disney kept runners on the flat part of the track. In fact, it was easier to run on the Speedway than it was on some of the highway on ramps on other parts of the course. Just before we reached mile 9, Rebecca and I spotted a familiar face! Robbie had caught up with us!

The Speedway

Miles 10 to 12 would take us down a road toward Animal Kingdom. This part of the course was shady and cool and I was happy to be out of the sun! There were a few character stops here – the Disney villains, a Christmas scene, Peter Pan and the Country Bears which I had to get my picture with because I’m a fan!

The Country Bears!

By the time we made our way into the backstage area of Animal Kingdom, the sun was out and it was starting to get toasty. I was glad that Robbie had suggested early on that we stop at each water stop and drink a water and Powerade. It would have been easy to dehydrate with the temperatures and humidity as high as they were.

While running through the backstage area, we came across a few WISH’ers – Matt and Jenn. We got to run with them for a while but got separated after we made stops for pictures with characters. I took one with Baloo and King Louie from ‘The Jungle Book’ and I also stopped for a picture at the mile 13 marker. We passed Expedition Everest and noticed a line of runners waiting for the ride to open but decided we’d keep going.

Shortly after reaching the front of Animal Kingdom, Rebecca said she was having knee pain and that it hurt to run. The course outside the park was quite narrow – maybe three people wide and there was no way for us to stop. So the three of us walked for a few minutes before we were able to find a bench we could sit down on. I wasn’t really sure what I could do to help out nor was I sure where the next med tent was.

As we sat on the bench, a Japanese lady on the spectators’ side of the course waved to us. She had an aerosol can and motioned that we could spray it on Rebecca’s knee. The only word on the can in English was the word ‘COLD’ so I could only assume it was Biofreeze in aerosol format. I brought the can back to Rebecca and Robbie and explained what I thought it was. Rebecca was reluctant to try it – I wouldn’t want to use it either without knowing what it was.

Rebecca getting her knee treated outside of Animal Kingdom

We sat for another few minutes before the lady waved at us again and pointed at Rebecca to come over. I asked if she could come over to us but she couldn’t so Robbie and I walked Rebecca over. Through a series of gestures, we were able to explain that Rebecca was having knee issues. She sat Rebecca down on the grass and proceeded to give her a massage. I was completely surprised! Of all the places we could have stopped during the full, did we EVER luck out! After several minutes, Rebecca said she was good to go. We thanked the lady and headed on.

The wonderful WISH’ers outside of Animal Kingdom

Next, we came across the WISH scream team just before the bus stops at Animal Kingdom. This was an informal aid station that my running group WISH had set up. They were a welcome sight with licorice, pretzels, cold wash clothes and lots of encouraging words! I grabbed one of each and the sugar from the licorice was exactly what I needed to keep going! We continued on through the parking lot where Robbie stopped for the characters from Camp Minnie and Mickey. Rebecca and I continued on, passing mile 14 and onto Osceola Parkway.

The creepy gravediggers and Robbie taking a quick nap

We passed the gravediggers from The Haunted Mansion where you could take a picture lying down in front of gravestones. The line wasn’t too long but I didn’t want to leave Rebecca so I grabbed a picture with the gravediggers by themselves. Robbie caught back up to us just before the exit ramp for the McDonald’s on Buena Vista Drive. He had actually stopped for the Camp Minnie and Mickey and a photo with the gravediggers as well. Did I mention he was fast? I joked and asked if he was going to go to McDonald’s and get us McFlurries.

The long miles from Animal Kingdom to the Wide World of Sports

I found the trek down Osceola Parkway difficult. The sun was unrelenting and there was almost no shade on this section of the course. Maybe I should have gotten that McFlurry. It was a long three miles but eventually we reached mile 17 and the Wide World of Sports.

The marathon course as it wound through the Wide World of Sports

I was happy to see lots of spectators in the complex and Robbie was great at running ahead and getting the crowds to cheer on Rebecca! We also got to run through a baseball field – similar to the set up at the Disneyland Half. I spotted Anne sitting in the bleachers and she gave me a big smile and a few orange slices and sent me on my way. I loved that we got to see ourselves running on the jumbo screen TV. Very cool!

The final stop in Wide World of Sports was the mile 20 spectacular. There was a lot of build up to this surprise so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Disney had several live puppeteers with characters such as Genie from ‘Aladdin’, Sebastian from ‘Little Mermaid’, Mike Wazowski from ‘Monsters Inc.’, and a stage with Minnie, Pluto and Mickey. I loved the music playing but overall I found the whole experience underwhelming. Surprise! There was no surprise? I didn’t stop for any photos because the lines were long and I was just looking to finish at this point.

Walt Disney World 2013 Marathon – Mile 20

If you were fast or in one of the earlier corrals, then you also would have seen the Mickey hot air balloon. Sadly, it wasn’t anywhere to be found when the three of us passed through.

We exited the Wide World of Sports and headed back toward Hollywood Studios. This was another one mile stretch back out in the sun – funny how long a mile can seem in the heat. At mile 21, we came across the Green Army Men from ‘Toy Story’ and Sarge was looking for push-up volunteers. Robbie and I raced up and did 10 push-ups each because at what other race can you say you got a chance to do push-ups!

Push-ups with Sarge (Photo credit: Rebecca Waldie)

The next two miles would take us into Hollywood Studios and past the Hershey chocolate stop. I loved how the volunteers here had arranged the chocolates into their own mile marker. We also stopped for pictures with Ralph from “Wreck it Ralph” and Mike and Sully from “Monsters Inc.”. And just before we ran up the streets of New York, Rick and Kimberly had caught up to us! They had started in a different corral so it was exciting to see them!

Hollywood Studios

The five of us headed through the streets of Hollywood Studios and out into the park entrance where we came across the second WISH scream team. Kathy, Suzanne, Corinna, Maria, Jeanne and Kipp were all there to name a few! They had more treats like pretzels and cookies and frozen washcloths which felt amazing! Did I mention it was hot?

The awesome and amazing WISH’ers outside of Hollywood Studio!

We stopped briefly for a picture and continued on our way through the Boardwalk, Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts and back into Epcot. Robbie ran ahead to England, grabbed a beer and waited for us to catch up.

Robbie in Epcot – Drink around the world starts early!

We ran into World Showcase – through England, France, Morocco, Japan, America, Italy, Germany, China, Norway and Mexico – and after passing the gospel choir, I knew we were in the home stretch. We did make one last stop for photos with Mickey Mouse in his runDisney gear.

Woo-hoo! The finish line!

I crossed the finish at 7:00:13. Robbie, Rebecca and I took one more group photo! Then we headed to the med tent for some ice. For those of you curious, the med tent has ice, bandaids, Tylenol, Biofreeze and medical personnel. I was worried about Rebecca’s knee but she iced it and seemed to be okay.

After the med tent, we were off to get our Goofy medals,  water and food boxes. I was curious to see whether anyone would be checking our finish times before we got our Goofy medal but no one did. 

Robbie, myself and Rebecca after crossing the finish!

My Garmin was DOA after crossing the finish but honestly, I could have cared less about time that day. I have never had as much fun during a race as I did Sunday! We stopped for character pictures, did push-ups and Robbie and Rebecca were great at getting the crowds to cheer for everyone! I liked running through the Speedway and checking out the cars. The volunteers at the aid stations were fantastic and I loved seeing all of the WISH’ers out scream teaming, on course running or at the end waiting for everyone to get in!  These are a few of my favorite pics!

A few of my favorite pictures! Time? Who cares about time or a PB when you’re having this much fun!

I wasn’t sure whether I’d like the new changes to the course – the changes had us hitting the parks earlier and the 8 miles were identical to the half. But I didn’t mind the similiarities to the half, the Speedway nor hitting the parks earlier. But I know people who wanted to ride Expedition Everest had to do a bit of tweaking to their plans to make sure they ran through the park when it was opened. And while I’d like to see the Speedway stay for future races I could go either way on the Wide World of Sports.

One thing I could have done without with was the intense heat and humidity – I got sunburned across my neck, chest and arms which made it difficult to sleep or even wear my medal on Monday. The mile 20 surprise was a bit of a let down. Perhaps I was too hot to care at that point but I think it had been over-hyped. And while I liked the food boxes at the end, I wish the box had a little more food it in. This was the same box that we received yesterday for the half and the same one that was given out after the 5K.

Both sides of the finisher’s medal

There you have it – 39.3 miles over two days! Two races and three medals! Would I run Goofy’s Race and Half Challenge again? Absolutely! Big thanks to Rebecca, Robbie and Rick for letting me share in their first Goofy race and for putting up with me on Saturday and for more than seven hours on Sunday. You guys are awesome! Congrats on a fantastic finish, especially on such a hot day! I hope we can all run another race again sometime soon!

The medals for the half and full Disney marathons and Goofy.