There's Always Too Much Sauce - A July 2022 TR *Updated 3/23

[amazingact21]

As a mom of three sons in their early 20's, I would say you are always a mom. When you have an opportunity to do something kind and caring for them you want to do it.

I'm sure I'll act the same way once my kids are grown, too, so I'm not sure why I still feel a little guilty when my mom "mothers" me. But I did appreciate all the little touches she helped me with on this trip. That pumpkin bread tasted divine in the mornings before my races.

Ummm, you are describing my perfect day. I could spend the whole day in AK without going on any rides and be perfectly happy.

I love that we share a deep love of DAK. I wish I could go on longer trips and spend more time in the park. I feel like I could go there everyday and not feel like I've wasted my time.

We love Satuli! I’m sure you know that, lol always in my reports and I know we will be eating there again on our trip coming up!

I've never tried the hot dog before, but I really want to one day. It's just so hard not to order my go-to dishes.
Do you know what days you're going to which parks yet? I'm trying to figure out my plans before dining opens next month.

 

[amazingact21]

Mom's always try to take care of all their kids, even the adult ones.

I'm sure I'll be just the same with Landon and Evie. If not worse. Landon's so spacey and forgetful, I've been known to tell Alex, "We're going to have to keep an eye out for him even once he's an adult."

This stinks. I would have bailed if I was alone, but I would stay if I was with someone who had never ridden.

I thought about bailing, but I didn't want my mom to miss out on one of the few attractions she made a point of saying she wanted to ride.

I remember thinking the same thing when I was a kid. I was an L, so somewhere in the middle. I wanted to upgrade to earlier in the alphabet but ended up with a M and taking a step back.

I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one who had this wish as a kid.

 

[amazingact21]

April 13th Part 2:


The Expo complete, my mom and I headed back to Wilderness Lodge for a break. The early afternoons were the best time to catch Alex and the kids, since it was between activities and dinnertime for them. Alex’s excitement over seeing my bib and shirts helped keep the anxiety at bay.

It’s hard to hear the panic when you’re being flooded with: “I’m so happy for you. Weren’t all those cold months of training worth it to be in Disney? You’re going to have a blast. You’re awesome.”

I’ve said it a million times, but it warrants saying again.

My hubs is the best.



Around three thirty, my mom and I were ready to head to Epcot to look at the Flower and Garden Festival and eat at some of the food booths.

It was starting to look dark and cloudy outside, but my mom looked at her weather app and said we should be fine.

“Don’t worry about lugging around your umbrella, Alicia. I’m pretty sure you won’t need it.”


Doesn’t take a detective to see where this is going…



The two of us used a bus to get to the park and no sooner had we made it past security than a shower rolled through. We took cover under an overhang and waited about ten minutes for it to pass.

Okay.

One quick shower.

We were good.



Time to look at some topiaries!

I loved the Encanto theme this year:







My only complaint is that I wish it were somewhere else in the park. There was always a long line of guests queueing up for pictures, and it created a backlog with others trying to get past the ticket scanner and into the park.



The rain that had just passed threatened to return. We needed to find some cover for awhile.

Fortunately for my mom, her favorite attraction is in Epcot. So, without much convincing, I took my mom over to the Land where we joined a 20 minute line for Soarin’.

I wish I could have seen Over California when it came back for a few weeks last year. I find it a superior video (not even counting the curved buildings).



My mom’s favorite knocked out, I noticed Living with the Land had a short wait, and it had been far too long since I’d experienced the attraction. I’m so glad we went on it, because all the Flower and Garden touches were wonderful.




I wouldn’t mind this swing at home – pillows included – but between kids and birds, I know my days of white cushions have not quite arrived yet.



I absolutely loved the Figment and Imagination pavilion:



Our time in the Land allowed for the system to move on.

Well…that system.



And the sun was shining again. It was a great time to walk over to the World Showcase and start trying some food.


The floating flowerpots are my mom’s favorite part of the festival:




Let’s be honest, it’s hard to get a bad photo of Epcot during this time of year:





Our first food stop was Jardin de Fiestas, located in Mexico.

(I’m a firm left to right-er in the World Showcase.)



We got the Quesadilla de Flor de Calabaza: House-made masa tortillas with squash blossoms, bacon, onion, zucchini, and cheese and the Taco Vampiro: Barbacoa Beef in a Corn Tortilla with crispy grilled monterey jack cheese, salsa ranchera, and esquites.


My mom and I agreed, the quesadilla was really, really good. It was my mom’s favorite item that we tried. Unfortunately, I think we got a bad vampiro taco. The cheese on the outside of the tortilla was burnt, and the oil needed to be changed.


Next up was the Citrus Blossom stand. The Cast Member taking my order was friendly and talked with me while I waited for our items. He was a College Program kid, and I could tell he was trying his hardest to make every guest have a nice time. It was conversing with him that I realized a lot of the CMs we’d interacted with had been more upbeat and happy than I’d seen them in a while. It made me wonder if traveling during the summertime affects the CMs’ moods. The heat and bigger crowds drains them.

Who knows, I was just pleasantly surprised by the change.






My mom and I tried several items at this booth.

The Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy, which I don’t know why I ordered. I’m not a big orange creamsicle fan, the dessert most often compared to this drink. And I’m not a big sweet drinks person. And this drink was so sweet it hurt my teeth. I hated wasting it, but I could only drink a third before giving up. It was my least favorite thing I bought.


The other items, though. They were solid wins.

The Lemon Meringue Pie had a good texture combination of the smooth lemon curd and crunchy, flaky tart. I gave it a 7/10, only because I could have done with a little more zest in the lemon. I want my lemon desserts to make my mouth pucker. One of them was perfect for sharing, too.

The Citrus Baked Brie was delicious. My mom and I regretted having to split this dish. I thought the limoncello-macerated blueberries were fantastic and paired great with the brie. It was light and flavorful and my favorite dish from the festival.



Shortly after we left the Citrus Blossom and made it to Norway, the rain returned. It was a slow, light patter, and I really didn’t want to duck inside yet again, so I told my mom I would deal with the moisture.

I was living in England. If my hair wasn’t getting damp from a light drizzle, it was a rarity.



We meandered over to the Lotus House booth and picked up the Pan Fried Vegetable Dumplings and the Cheesy Crab Wontons. No pictures of our food, because it was wet and I was starting to become water logged.

We bit into the dumplings first and realized they were cold. Like, ice cold.


It’s not that they had a bad taste, we were both caught off guard because we thought they would be served warm. The wontons, though, were everything we hoped and dreamed they’d be. Packed full of crab and cream cheese and lightly coated with sweet and sour sauce. I liked them so much I got them again later in the summer with Alex and the kids.



At this point, I was stretching and prepping my stomach for more delicacies. We were just getting started!

But my mom declared that she was full. Completely stuffed. Couldn’t eat another bite.

Oh.
Hmm.

(Again, we now know why my mom had no appetite.)



I looked ahead to Germany and Italy. I looked up at the rain.


I sighed.


With me getting rained on and it already being six o’clock and the race the following morning, I knew it was smart to head back to the resort with my mom. Inwardly, I was a little sad to be missing more food booths, but I also told myself it was best to give my stomach a break. Too many varying flavors and spices before running might not go well.


So the two of us trekked back to the front and returned to the Wilderness Lodge. We relaxed in the room, reading and watching tv. I got my race outfit ready, pinning the bib on ahead of time and laying out everything I would need in the morning. I put my clothes, shoes, snacks, Flipbelt, BodyGlide, etc in the bathroom so that I could wake up and go straight into the room in the morning, hopefully not disturbing my mom too much.

All that was left to do was go to sleep and let the first race morning arrive!




Up Next: Epcot Can Be My Favorite During Races

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Your poor mum

Sounds like you did have a nice time in Epcot even if it was a wee bit shorter than you’d have liked

 

[vamassey1]

My hubs is the best.

I agree!

It was starting to look dark and cloudy outside, but my mom looked at her weather app and said we should be fine.

“Don’t worry about lugging around your umbrella, Alicia. I’m pretty sure you won’t need it.”

Oh dear!

I loved the Encanto theme this year:

I did too!

Great Selfie!

My mom’s favorite knocked out, I noticed Living with the Land had a short wait, and it had been far too long since I’d experienced the attraction. I’m so glad we went on it, because all the Flower and Garden touches were wonderful.

I love all the extra touches they have been adding to LWTL.

The floating flowerpots are my mom’s favorite part of the festival:

Great photo!

Let’s be honest, it’s hard to get a bad photo of Epcot during this time of year:

So true!

All your food is making me so hungry.

 

[amazingact21]

Your poor mum

Sounds like you did have a nice time in Epcot even if it was a wee bit shorter than you’d have liked

It's kind of funny, because between the races and park time, my mom and I ended up spending the most time in Epcot this trip. Which, knowing me, I'm not sure how that happened.

I did too!

I'm looking forward to seeing the Wish topiaries this year.

I love all the extra touches they have been adding to LWTL.

I really want to go on LwtL during the holidays!

 

[amazingact21]

April 14th:


It was 5K Day!

After months of training, the big day had officially arrived. The Springtime Surprise Challenge was ready to start!



I had no issue getting up and out of bed this morning. My watch says I slept for 6 hours, 45 minutes. Not as long as I typically get, but still really good considering I was getting up at 2 in the morning.


My mom heard me up and moving and got up long enough to wish me luck. I felt bad about waking her, but she assured me. “Oh, don’t worry, I’m going right back to sleep the moment you leave.”


I left my room at 2:50 and promptly got lost trying to find the race bus.

Geez.

I really am hopeless with directions.

The bus – they use charter buses for runDisney events – was parked in the same area that Mears picks up, and once I boarded, we pulled out a few minutes after 3 a.m. Being on the first bus to leave took a lot of my anxiety away, because it wasn’t full and I knew I would be getting there in time.

Honestly, that was my biggest stress. Worrying about making it to the starting line. Running the race was in my realm of possibility, I just had to make it there.



The bus dropped us off at the bus drop loop, and everyone walked over to security. The lines were open and getting through was easy. I started to see a lot of costumes and enjoy the other runners’ creativity. The theme was Cars and there were a lot of people dressed as traffic cones.

I’m not a costume person, but I did channel Filmore with my clothes. (You’ll see a few pictures down.)

Once through security, participants walked past the ticket scanners to the other end of walkway and then towards the parking lot. I had to stop a grab a selfie in front of the Epcot globe as I went:





The worst part about this morning – as well as every morning – was that my phone couldn’t pick up the park WiFi outside the parks, so I was all alone for a few hours. Couldn’t have Alex or my friends help settle my nerves or distract me from what I was about to do. The same for when I finished. I couldn’t share the good news with anyone until I got back to my resort!



Getting into the parking lot, there is a pre-corral staging area with music, gear check tents, informational booths, bleachers, and porta potties. So. Many. Toilets.

A sea of them.

I’d never seen so many in one place before in my life.

Necessary, though.

Since the corrals didn’t open until 3:45/3:50, people needed to make sure they were…comfortable.






Because I was solo, I took a lot of group photos for people. My lack of being able to be on my phone left me free to look around and observe everything, so lots of people took that as an opening. I just hope they all turned out all right.



With so much time to kill, I hopped in line for Needleman:



Monsters Inc. is my favorite Pixar film, so when I saw a rare character meet opportunity, I knew I had to take it.



Eventually, the corrals were opened and everyone filtered through to their correct placement. Anyone who is not familiar with races, this meant another hour or so of sitting and standing around.

They show interviews on a stage, sing the National Anthem, release the AWD (athletes with disabilities) and go through the process of sending tens of thousands of runner across the starting mat. Once your corral starts moving towards the front, it becomes chaos.

Like animals in a pen, people are shoulder to shoulder, pushing and shoving their way to a better position.

I hate that part.

Really, really hate it.

You can’t even walk by that point. You’re just shuffling along, getting bumped and jostled by dozens of other people. Groups hold on to one another with death grips, yell at others to stop stepping on their shoes, tuck elbows in as tight as possible.


Both Landon and Evie are old enough to run a Disney 5K (Landon’s old enough to do the 10K, too) but I don’t think I could handle that madness with them. Alex would have to carry Evie lest she be trampled.



All the insanity, though, led to here:



The starting line!



Cheesy as it might sound, there was nothing quite like hearing Carissa Galloway count down, “Three, two, one!” for me. (And thousands of others, but you get the drift.) I watched countless vlogs covering race weekends throughout my training, and it felt great to be there in person. No more experiencing the events through a screen on my treadmill.

I was there. Live.

Feeling the ridiculous humidity in real time.


My goal for the 5K was to take it easy. It’s not a timed event, and I knew I had a long weekend ahead of me. This was a run to stretch my legs, look around at the entertainment, get a feel for what running around Epcot was like.


I started off a little fast during Mile 1 and had to remind myself to slow it down. Completing the first mile in the parking lot makes you antsy to get to the good stuff, though. I wanted to be in Epcot!


The course had us enter between Mexico and Norway, where a lit up World Showcase was waiting.





Let me tell you, Epcot is my least favorite Disney park. That’s the hill I will die on.

But running through it when there are no crowds and the Flower and Garden Festival is set up?

Perfection.

I was able to see so many topiaries, I could pause and look out across the lagoon and see empty sidewalks, I saw the globe lit up like a beacon.

I absolutely loved running through Epcot.





So many times, I pulled off to the side and looked around me, marveling that I was lucky enough to experience the park in this way. In Japan, I snapped a picture and texted Alex, “You can get me to like Epcot if it’s like this.”

Before the WiFi went away I also let him know:

“You have to experience this at least once. It’s so much fun.”



I was having a blast.





The course briefly took us out of the park near the Skyliner station and then back inside by the UK pavilion.





I had not had any desire to stop for character meets up to this point, but this guy almost changed my mind:



It was Slim, from A Bug’s Life.

I’d never seen him before! However, his line was insane, and I didn’t want to wait.





CONTINUED IN NEXT POST:

 

[amazingact21]

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST:



Around the last World Showcase booth, the route brought me to the globe:





Past Creations and between Mission: Space and Test Track then into a backstage area.





Near the last turn, right before you get into the finish line chute, there was a choir singing Queen songs.

I was running. At Walt Disney World. Listening to We Are the Champions.


How did I ever get so lucky?


Simply thinking back to that morning brings a massive smile to my face.



And just like that, I was crossing the finish line:







The finish area is set up perfect, with volunteers handing out medals in plastic wrap right after you cross the mat. Then there were more people farther down handing out your choice of Powerades. Then bottles of water. Then a snack box and banana.



After passing the tents with food, runners were dumped back into the morning staging corrals, where the characters were still out meeting and greeting. That was also where the buses were to take people back to their resorts.


One advantage of staying at the Wilderness Lodge is that the race bus was pretty close to the front. Number 4, I believe. So I didn’t have to walk far to reach it.

The bus went to Ft. Wilderness first, and while I rode I sat next to a nice runner who had come down from Pennsylvania for race weekend.



Eventually, I got back to my room and reunited with my mom, who was so excited to see my medal and hear about my run.





Because the race was so early in the morning, I had time to shower and eat the banana and pretzels and cheese dip from my box and still make it Hollywood Studios before it got too late in the day.



My mom loves the Frozen Sing A Long, so we caught the first show of the day. Then it was time to head over to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy to take some photos with my medal.








I know ABC Commissary isn’t the cream of the crop for Disney food, especially when you compare it to Satuli Canteen, but I really love their pork tacos.

And after running all I wanted was a good taco.

All right, let’s be serious.

Even if I hadn’t run, I would still have wanted a taco.


Most of my days are surrounded by tacos or burritos.

Yes, living in Texas has been food nirvana for me.





The Commissary didn’t fail me with their lunch. A tried and true favorite.



Afterwards, my mom and I went and watched Muppet Vision, where I promptly got the main song stuck in my head for the next three weeks. Does this happen to anyone else?


With something savory in our bellies, it was time for something sweet.

I’d heard many things about the Wookie Cookie at the Backlot Express and wanted to try it for myself:



The cookie was good, it was very much like an oatmeal crème pie, but it was way too much for my mom and me. This would have been much better if Alex and the kids were with us to share.



The crowd levels were starting to pick up by this point, and we did not have Genie Plus this day so the attractions were longer than we were willing to wait. So with that, we left the park and went back to our resort, where we relaxed by the pool and read. We grabbed dinner again at Roaring Forks, salads this time, and ate them on the patio.

The weather was beautiful, and my mom and I spent a lot of time outside, chatting and watching the happenings of others.


Before I knew it, it was time to get to bed and prepare myself for another race!



Up Next: How’d I Do? Someone Tell Me How I Did?

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

What a fab race day! I’m smiling from ear to ear just reading about it all
Love all the photos. You guys need to run a Disney 5k as a family one day even if it means Evie has to sit on her days shoulders until the start line ( that bit sounds a wee bit chaotic).
Pool time with your mum sounds just perfect too

 

[suse66]

Because I was solo, I took a lot of group photos for people. My lack of being able to be on my phone left me free to look around and observe everything, so lots of people took that as an opening. I just hope they all turned out all right.



With so much time to kill, I hopped in line for Needleman:

Such a great meet!

They show interviews on a stage, sing the National Anthem, release the AWD (athletes with disabilities) and go through the process of sending tens of thousands of runner across the starting mat. Once your corral starts moving towards the front, it becomes chaos.

Like animals in a pen, people are shoulder to shoulder, pushing and shoving their way to a better position.

I hate that part.

Really, really hate it.

You can’t even walk by that point. You’re just shuffling along, getting bumped and jostled by dozens of other people. Groups hold on to one another with death grips, yell at others to stop stepping on their shoes, tuck elbows in as tight as possible.

Yikes! That would not be pleasant!

Let me tell you, Epcot is my least favorite Disney park. That’s the hill I will die on.

But running through it when there are no crowds and the Flower and Garden Festival is set up?

Perfection.

I was able to see so many topiaries, I could pause and look out across the lagoon and see empty sidewalks, I saw the globe lit up like a beacon.

I absolutely loved running through Epcot.

That looked incredible. What an awesome experience.

Near the last turn, right before you get into the finish line chute, there was a choir singing Queen songs.

I was running. At Walt Disney World. Listening to We Are the Champions.


How did I ever get so lucky?


Simply thinking back to that morning brings a massive smile to my face.

Love!

Because the race was so early in the morning, I had time to shower and eat the banana and pretzels and cheese dip from my box and still make it Hollywood Studios before it got too late in the day.



My mom loves the Frozen Sing A Long, so we caught the first show of the day. Then it was time to head over to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy to take some photos with my medal.

So fun!

The cookie was good, it was very much like an oatmeal crème pie, but it was way too much for my mom and me. This would have been much better if Alex and the kids were with us to share.

Your cookie looked much better than mine from the summer.

The crowd levels were starting to pick up by this point, and we did not have Genie Plus this day so the attractions were longer than we were willing to wait. So with that, we left the park and went back to our resort, where we relaxed by the pool and read. We grabbed dinner again at Roaring Forks, salads this time, and ate them on the patio.

The weather was beautiful, and my mom and I spent a lot of time outside, chatting and watching the happenings of others.

Perfection!

 

[rdkeim]

Loved reading about your race day! The lead up to the starting line not so fun but the race itself sounded like a lot of fun! Spending time in a park afterward then some rest and relaxation sounds perfect. Another race the next day - yikes. Hope it goes as well as race #1!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Yay Race Day!!!! I haven't done a 5K but I really think I might do one sometime soon. Maybe. But it looks like you had a great time!!!

 

[vamassey1]

I really am hopeless with directions.

This is me.

I’m not a costume person, but I did channel Filmore with my clothes. (You’ll see a few pictures down.)

Love it!

The worst part about this morning – as well as every morning – was that my phone couldn’t pick up the park WiFi outside the parks, so I was all alone for a few hours. Couldn’t have Alex or my friends help settle my nerves or distract me from what I was about to do. The same for when I finished. I couldn’t share the good news with anyone until I got back to my resort!

That would be hard.

Like animals in a pen, people are shoulder to shoulder, pushing and shoving their way to a better position.

I hate that part.

Really, really hate it.

I would hate this too.

Beautiful site.

But running through it when there are no crowds and the Flower and Garden Festival is set up?

Perfection.

I was having a blast.

I love reading this.

I was running. At Walt Disney World. Listening to We Are the Champions.


How did I ever get so lucky?

You're inspiring me.

Great photo! You look so happy.

Then it was time to head over to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy to take some photos with my medal.

This was a great idea.

The Commissary didn’t fail me with their lunch. A tried and true favorite.

I've never had the tacos but I think I need to try them.


You've really got me thinking about doing the 5K sometime in the future.

 

[suse66]

Missed the eralier post so replying to it now....

It’s hard to hear the panic when you’re being flooded with: “I’m so happy for you. Weren’t all those cold months of training worth it to be in Disney? You’re going to have a blast. You’re awesome.”

Yay for Alex! So supportive and awesome!

Fortunately for my mom, her favorite attraction is in Epcot. So, without much convincing, I took my mom over to the Land where we joined a 20 minute line for Soarin’.

I wish I could have seen Over California when it came back for a few weeks last year. I find it a superior video (not even counting the curved buildings).

It is SO much better!

My mom’s favorite knocked out, I noticed Living with the Land had a short wait, and it had been far too long since I’d experienced the attraction. I’m so glad we went on it, because all the Flower and Garden touches were wonderful.

The Festival touches on LwtL are always amazing!

Let’s be honest, it’s hard to get a bad photo of Epcot during this time of year:

(I’m a firm left to right-er in the World Showcase.)

This is the way.

At this point, I was stretching and prepping my stomach for more delicacies. We were just getting started!

But my mom declared that she was full. Completely stuffed. Couldn’t eat another bite.

Oh.
Hmm.

(Again, we now know why my mom had no appetite.)

Awww, your sweet momma. So glad that is all behind you now.

 

[piglet1979]

The 5k sounds awesome. I need to do one of these at some point. They seem so much fun.

 

[amazingact21]

What a fab race day! I’m smiling from ear to ear just reading about it all
Love all the photos. You guys need to run a Disney 5k as a family one day even if it means Evie has to sit on her days shoulders until the start line ( that bit sounds a wee bit chaotic).
Pool time with your mum sounds just perfect too

I'd love to have the whole family run a Disney 5K one day. Unfortunately, living so far away it'll be hard with their school schedules. I keep hoping one of our next bases will be in Florida again, and we can make it happen.

Yikes! That would not be pleasant!

I hate those starting corrals where everyone is pushing and shoving their way to the starting line. I think if I ever get placed in an earlier corral, I'll keep to the back that way I can let everyone else go ahead of me. But the farther corral you're in, the more people already on the course and more weaving you have to do, so every little bit helps in terms of placement.

Your cookie looked much better than mine from the summer.

It was a decent cookie, just way too much for the two of us!

Loved reading about your race day! The lead up to the starting line not so fun but the race itself sounded like a lot of fun! Spending time in a park afterward then some rest and relaxation sounds perfect. Another race the next day - yikes. Hope it goes as well as race #1!

I really enjoyed the 5K day. Because it was a the shortest race, I got done earlier and had more time to enjoy the "Disney" part of my trip.

 

[amazingact21]

Yay Race Day!!!! I haven't done a 5K but I really think I might do one sometime soon. Maybe. But it looks like you had a great time!!!

I try all the time to convince my friends to do a Disney 5K with me, because they are more about having fun and seeing the parks than they are about running. I saw so many families with kids that were more focused on capturing photos with their themed outfits than going fast. Besides, most people knock out a 5K on an easy Epcot day.

That would be hard.

I can't believe I used to drive around and go places all the time without a phone. Now I make sure I bring my phone upstairs with me.

Great photo! You look so happy.

runDisney really is one of my favorite things to do at Disney.

You've really got me thinking about doing the 5K sometime in the future.

I would never say never. The 5K races are more about having fun, getting some great photos, and enjoying the parks when they're typically closed. I say if you can get other people to do it with you, that's the best. And while 3 miles sounds intimidating, you tend to walk a lot more in a typical Disney day.

It is SO much better!

I wish they would make DL's the California version permanently that way there's an opportunity to go either one.

The Festival touches on LwtL are always amazing!

I really want to see it during the holidays.

The 5k sounds awesome. I need to do one of these at some point. They seem so much fun.

The virtuals are the first step. So you're almost there. Like I said, when the kids are both in college, it can be your "empty nester" gift to yourself.

 

[Disney102015]

This looks so fun!! It’s making this non-runner want to try a run Disney race!

 

[amazingact21]

This looks so fun!! It’s making this non-runner want to try a run Disney race!

The races were a blast! I always tell people even if you don't like local 5Ks or races, Disney ones are a lot more fun. I just wish they weren't so hard to get into. Registration days are ridiculous!

 

[amazingact21]

April 15th:


It was 10K Day.


This was the big one for me.

I went into race weekend with a plan. Run the 5K easy. Keep a good, steady pace for the 10-Miler. And try hard at the 10K. I was making it my A race, which means the 10K was the race I was running for time.

Now, here’s the thing about me. I can’t run fast, but I can run all day. Most people are faster than me, and I’m okay with that. Would I like to be faster? Absolutely.

But a few years ago, I switched to Zone 2 running, and it’s been a game changer. This means I run slower, keeping my heart rate lower. This also means my pace has increased by almost 2 minutes.

It’s harder to maintain. However, I am never sore, never get headaches post runs, and have never obtained an injury. It’s been a wonderful method for me, but it comes at the sacrifice of me being slow.

So for my 10K today, I was going to be running a tempo pace (meaning fast but still able to hold a conversation) and I really, really wanted to see a 1:25 time.


I knew completing the race would be an accomplishment in and of itself, but I also knew I would feel disappointed if I didn’t get the time I wanted.

Therefore, I woke up this morning feeling very nervous and focused. The theme was Monsters Inc., my favorite Pixar film, and I think that added to my determination. I wanted to do well and have wonderful memories with my Monsters pals.

I caught the first bus from WL again and made it through security and the starting area with no issues.


Again, lots of people asked me to take their photos. Lots of Boos, lots of CDA costumes, one or two Randalls.

The time in the corrals was again…not fun. It was probably my least favorite morning, if only because I was in my head and could’ve used some distraction. I barely remember starting the race:





Since I was going for time, I kept my phone in my pocket almost the entire race, so I don’t have any photos of the mile markers or the parks. Which was fine the first half of the course, because it was all road. Having the highway to stretch out on was pivotal to my run, I believe.

I focused on my pace, my posture, and found a way to quiet my mind. I was able to remind myself that I’d been doing 10Ks for months, that I had the tools in my belt, and that no matter what, I was going to finish, so I needed to let go of my time and soak up what was happening around me.



I don’t remember much from those first few miles, but one thing I distinctly do remember is that I told myself to stop checking my watch. My time was what it was. I was feeling strong, and I needed to let everything else go and trust my legs to do their job.



And just like that a flip switched, and I started having a lot more fun. The course entered Epcot near the Imagination pavilion where a lot of people were taking selfies with the Figment topiary. Then it cut right to the World Showcase and out to the Epcot resort loop.

I became really excited by that point, because I’d watched so many videos and read so many reports over the years about this loop, and I was finally running it myself! It was a runDisney bucket list item for me that I was able to cross off.

One of the best moments of the race.

Even with the constant loop of: “Caution, athletes, wet ground ahead.”






It was on Mile 4 that the course re-entered Epcot and took everyone around the World Showcase in the opposite direction as the 5K. I pulled out my phone to text Alex around France and let him know I was on Mile 4, and that’s when I saw my time.

I was doing well.

I was under 45 minutes.

This could happen.



Alex knew my time goal, too, and he sent me back one of our favorite gifs. (Raymond Holt from Brooklyn 99 going, “Hot D**”) Seeing it made me laugh out loud and gave me the burst of energy I needed.

I began flying past the countries.

As I crossed over the bridge past the Africa outpost, hundreds of birds left their roost and flew overhead.

Birds!

My favorite animal!

Like the gif, it was just what I needed to see.

I kept pushing.

I was doing it!

And then…

I had to pee.

Noooooo!

Apologies if this is too much information, friends, but when I have to pee when I’m running, I have to stop and go. There’s no holding it until the end of my run.

Thanks, children.



So, sadly, I stopped near a set of bathrooms on the way to the Creations gift shop, and the line was out the door. I’m so frustrated with myself for not going back in Norway where there were more stalls.

The delay cost me at least five minutes.

I wish I could say I should’ve stopped hydrating earlier or gone once more before the start, but it was probably going to happen no matter what. I don’t make it more than 4-5 miles on my runs without a potty break. It was inevitable, I just could have been wiser in where I stopped.

Oh well, lesson learned for the following morning.


Once I got back on the course, I saw that I was going to be cutting it close. I had paused my watch when I stopped, so I wasn’t sure what my actual time was, but I knew I needed to kick it up another gear.


That last mile, as I passed Mission: Space and Test Track and the backstage area were tough. I was going hard, trying to make it to that finish mat before 1:25.

I was giving it everything I had.




You can see it in my finish line photo that I was beat.



So did I do it?


I had no idea!!! I didn’t have any WiFi so Alex and my mom couldn’t let me know what my official time was.

GAH!



I just had to get my post-race items and hop on a bus and get back as quick as possible.


And my oh my:



The medal was gorgeous!

I loved it so much. It’s my second favorite medal now, hanging in the front of my medal rack. The door opens to Mike and Sully.



The downside to being alone for the races was that I had to rely on selfies to show off my new bling:




I hopped on a bus, rested while it took runners to Fort Wilderness and then to the Wilderness Lodge.

The anticipation was killing me. How’d I do?!?!



Finally, I debarked and saw my mom standing at the entrance. She was smiling from ear to ear.

“Are you so proud of yourself?”



Well, yes. But tell me!!!

“You don’t know?”

“No, I don’t have internet!!!”

“Oh, hold on, let me try to find it on my phone.”



“Mom!!!”

It was around this moment that I got Alex’s message. It was a screenshot of my time.

1:24:47


I did it!


With 13 seconds to spare. Holy moly. I was so glad I pushed myself that last half mile and really went for it. It would have driven me mad being so close and missing it by seconds.

I celebrated with my mom, called Alex and the kids, who were so supportive of me. Landon couldn’t wait to tell me, “We watched you, Mom!” (There’s a runner tracking page.) “We saw you were going fast!”

And in the midst of my euphoria…I had to help my mom get breakfast.

She couldn’t figure out the mobile ordering on her phone and wasn’t sure where to order.

Ahhh.


My mom and I parted ways after that. She was going to eat her breakfast and then head into the Magic Kingdom for a little while.

I was going back to the room to shower and nap.



I really needed those few hours of rest, but when I got moving again and my mom returned, I was more than ready for my celebratory lunch.

It was at my favorite restaurant.

You all know, right?

Need I say the name?



If I was going to be running 6.2 miles to the best of my ability, there was no other food I wanted as a reward than the dishes at Steakhouse 71.


Hello, beautiful onion rings:


The breading on them was perfect this afternoon. They were gone in seconds.



And then the big prize:



I swear the Stack Burger never tasted better. It was perfection.


Best meal my whole trip.

And even better, my mom loved her lunch, as well.



I didn’t have a park ticket today, mainly because I knew if I did I would feel compelled to walk around the parks. And I was trying really hard to rest my legs and keep them fresh for my final run the following morning.

Instead, my mom and I headed to Disney Springs. There was only one thing that could top my lunch, and it just so happened that Saturday was the only day it was available at Gideon’s.

When my mom and I got to the bakehouse, we had to join the virtual queue and wait 4 hours for our callback.

Ouch!

That was the worst wait I’ve ever had.

My mom and I ended up looking in pretty much every store in Disney Springs, finding a couple cute pieces of jewelry and some pretty tshirts.

I saw this at the Art of Disney:


And loved it.

Fortunately, I saw on shopDisney last weekend that the same print is in puzzle format, along with the other three parks. Guess I know whose going to be placing an order soon.



It was hanging around the shops that runDisney sent out a heat advisory warning for the 10-Miler, and I started to stress. As someone in one of the later corrals, I worried about running on the highway when it was extremely hot.

And unfortunately, Miles 5 through 8 were pretty much all road and overpasses.



I started to get in my head about the heat, and the worry, once planted, refused to budge. It was like a mosquito bite, its presence constantly felt and distracting. I kept texting Alex: “The sun! I’ve spent four years in England; I’m not used to heat!”

Eventually, my mom and I walked over to Pizza Ponte and split a slice of pepperoni as an early dinner. As we were finishing up, and I was having my third or fourth crises about the heat, we were notified that we could go to Gideon’s.

Come on sweets, distract me!



My primary focus was to obtain the Peanut Butter Chocolate cake, my favorite Disney dessert. But I also had to grab a cold brew, too:



My mom convinced me to buy a second one and save it for the following morning.

My mom was a genius!

We set it in our mini fridge with a bucket of ice, just to be sure it stayed cold, and then I attempted to go to bed.

It was not successful.

No matter what I tried, I could not shut off my brain.

I kept hearing, “The heat, the heat, it’s going to be so hot,” in my head, over and over again.

I would tell myself, “Think about that time you visited York. Go through the day step by step.” Or, “List your favorite Disney trips by order.” I even got desperate enough to start trying, “Make a grocery list for when you return.”

Each would work for a minute or two and then I would find myself back on World Drive, the sun beating down on me, my head beginning to hurt.

The night humbled me.

I was confident about the races going into them. I didn’t think anything could mess with me, psychologically, but dang if I was wrong.

It was a rough night.

My watch didn’t even record me as having slept at all!

Yikes.

I guess ready or not, no matter the temperature, it was time to run 10 miles.



Up Next: Don’t Let It End