DisneylandHalf weekend bound

I am up in the air...somewhere over the Iowa/Missouri boarder! The runDisney banter on social media is fast and furious this morning as we all head to Disneyland for a big weekend of racing, shopping, meetups, and fun runs (of all distances)! 

12 days ago I was not going to DL for race weekend! You all know I was trying to save my $$$ for Wine & Dine and WDW Marathon weekend! Well that all changed when I got a special media invite two Mondays ago. I am footing most of the bill for this trip, but thanks to my Fairy Godmother Jessica and my forest friends on Team Muscle Makers (with Melissa's help) I was able to accept the invite and join so many of you at DLR! 

The media invitation was to participate in the runDisney social media fun run tomorrow morning! I am trilled that everything has come together so well and cannot wait to talk to so many of you in person and to share this amazing experience with everyone!

Previous runDisney fun run photo from @runDisney PR

Disneyland Half Marathon a racecation in the making

I can't wait to run right into the movie! runDisney FB photo

I really tried to resist! I was not going to go to Disneyland for the half. I am already committed to Wine & Dine and WDW Marathon Weekend. I was trying to be good...fiscally good.

Well that all went out the window this week! I got an email that set me wishing, planning and hoping all over again. Could I really go?

The possibility of this trip came up about a month ago when I "called out" to my Fairy Godmother on my FB page and to my surprise and delight "she" answered! I put the idea to rest at that point, but the events of this week put it all back into motion and the details are falling into place!

So I had a more than reasonable way to get there and a place to stay. I next turned toward the races. There are plenty of folks out there who find that for one reason or another they will not be able to runDisney as the event weekend approaches. Everyone knows that bibs are not transferable between runners. You can transfer them to another runDisney race or defer them to another year, but only until these options expire as well. After that point if you can't use them they are just a souvenir, that is if you can get someone to pick them up for you. Disney does not mail bibs, shirts or collectibles.

I needed to find a legitimate bib and boy was I lucky! Melissa from Team Muscle Makers had one bib left for the Disneyland Half. A teammate was not going to be able to run and runDisney was willing to transfer the bib for her despite the fact that it was beyond the date for charities to transfer bibs. Unlike individuals, charities are permitted to switch out runners if need be. I made a donation to one of Melissa's teammates fundraising efforts in exchange for the bib. Miguel was truly appreciative of the donation and wrote me a lovely thank you. We were all glad that we could help each other out in what really is a win-win situation! What they say about checking for charity entries really is true after the race sells out!

I don't know if this would work out quite so well a second time, but Team Muscle Makers was listed on Active.com for this race as were other charities. I happened to already know Melissa through FB and her incredible runDisney fundraising efforts. I did however also look into all of the travel companies listed on runDisney.com just to see if any of them had remaining bibs or last minute cancellations and I would have gone to other charities to inquire if I had too. It is the "leave no stone unturned" approach to life.

So now we are just days away for race weekend. I am flying out on Thursday, but I am not 100% sure what time. My cheap ticket is standby. Most of the weekend is going to be spent talking to other runners. At least that is my hope! If you see me, stop and chat! I will be posting like crazy! This is very much a social media event. I know it will fly by. I just hope I get to take it all in and see as many of you as possible!

Although I do not necessarily recommend waiting until 2 weeks before a runDisney race to decide to go for it...it is a rather exciting way of going about it!  

runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Countdown - the 80s

2012 Wine & Dine Half Course

80 characters on the course, 

80 characters, 

stop and chat, 

take pictures, 

#WineDineHalf @runDisney

memories to last forever!

81 days to go for a run, 

81 days to run, 

add them all up and you'll have more fun, 

if you go for another run! 

@runDisney #WineDineHalf

82 days until #WineDineHalf Weekend, 

in 82 days it begins, 

bring your @runDisney crew, 

we'll grab a brew, + celebrate another great weekend!

83 Dole Whips on a wall, 

83 Dole Whips, 

run the @runDisney #WineDineHalf, 

gather your pals, 

it's time for a Dole Whip finish line party!

84 tubs of @Dannon in a barrel, 

84 tubs of yogurt, 

take one out, 

eat it on the spot, 

you're powered up to shop! 

#WineDineHalf @runDisney

85 days until #WineDineHalf weekend, 

85 days until we run, 

@runDisney #funDisney, 

can't wait for some #yumDisney,

let's have a #partyDisney!

86 @runDisney trading pins for sale, 

86 trading pins, 

buy a few, 

pin them on your #runDisney lanyard, 

wear them at the #WineDineHalf party!

87 @ClifBar samples at the expo, 

87 Clif bars, 

grab a few, 

stick them in your bag, 

you've got #WineDineHalf @runDisney snacks for later on!

88 Mickey premium bars, 

88 Mickey ice creams, 

pull them from the cart, 

eat them all up, 

#WineDineHalf @runDisney runners celebrate!

89 days until #WineDineHalf weekend kicks off, 

89 days 'til it begins, 

we will hit the expo, 

don't ya know, 

@runDisney runners love expos!

Here's to Disney and the power of Orange!

Disney loves the color orange and so do I! 

Here are a few favorites! 

Which one is your favorite?

Can you think of any that I have missed?

runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Countdown - the 90s

90 special volunteers along the road,

90 amazing volunteers, 

passing out drinks, 

cheering us on,

‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney runners race on!

91 @Fitletic @runDisney belts on the wall, 

91 belts on the wall, 

take them down, 

put them on, 

91 ‪#‎WineDineHalf runners race strong!

92 pairs of ears on the shelf, 

92 pairs of ears, 

take a pair down, 

have them embroidered, 

you've got a ‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney costume!

93 pairs of shoes on the wall, 

93 pairs of @NBRunning, 

take a pair down, 

run at night if you dare @runDisney ‪#‎WineDineHalf, see you there!

94 bunches of bananas on the wall, 

94 bunches of @chiquita, 

take them down + pass them around,

‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney runners race strong!

95 packs of gel on the wall, 

95 packs of gel, 

chug one down, 

race through town 

@runDisney ‪#‎WineDineHalf races on!

96 jugs of wine on the wall, 

96 jugs of wine, 

take one down 

party in town, 

happy ‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney crew!

97 bottles of @Gatorade on the wall, 

97 bottles of fuel, 

you take one down 

and pass it around

‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney runners race on!

98 bottles of water on the wall, 

98 bottles of water, 

take one down 

and pass it around, 

@runDisney ‪#‎WineDineHalf for all!

99 bottles of beer on the wall, 

99 bottles of beer, 

you take one down 

and pass it around, 

the ‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney countdown has begun!

Night off from running = Disney Interactive game night

Disney Interactive launched a new Muppet game today My Muppets Show! My youngest has always wondered why I don't have any games on my phone. Well today I fixed that problem! 

I have always had a soft spot for the Muppets...I am a child of the 70's.  What else do I have to say?  I can remember watching the movies in the theaters in the early 80's and the Rainbow Connection still enters my running thoughts every now and then.

I played with the game a little at lunch to get the basics, before breaking it out this evening with my daughter. We played together for a while as we both learned more about how the game works.  Now she is on the other couch telling me what she is learning.  "Those suitcase require level 8."  When you start out there is garbage and debris around the stage that you need to clean up.  You get to pick Muppets to add to your band and their is plenty of great stuff to "buy" with which you can decorate the stage.  If you want to keep the band happy you need to keep them feed.

It will be interesting to see how often she asks to play the game.  She brought it over and said she was finished.  That lasted about 3 minutes and she wanted it back!  I would wager that if she hears me playing she is going to want to play.

We have made it to level 7 tonight.  Our band only has three players.  We really need to get some more to diversify the beat.  The good news for us is that we can resume play later without loosing our progress.

Although Disney did contact me about reviewing this new downloadable game, I was not compensated in any way for doing so.  All of my thoughts are my own.

Here is the core material from the press release.  You all can read it if you like for yourselves and/or just download the app and discover as you go along if you like!  That is more along the lines of what we did!

It's Time to Play the Music, It's Time to Light the Lights, It's Time to Meet the Muppets in My Muppets Show Tonight!

Players build their Muppets band in the latest free game from Disney Interactive for iOS and Android Devices

Launching today from Disney Interactive for iOS and Android devices, My Muppets Show has players joining Kermit, Animal, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppets to create their ultimate band in this free musical builder game. In My Muppets Show players collect and recruit popular Muppets, place them on stage to create songs, and put on the show of a lifetime.

Players clean up, fix up and manage the famous Muppet Theater stage in order to recruit an all-star cast of Muppets, and put on a show. Every Muppet that is recruited sings or plays a unique instrument in a larger musical number. Players need to unlock them all to complete their own Muppets Show in this all-new free mobile game.

Features:

·         Reunite the Muppets gang in this original game that’s full of irresistible music, humor and familiar performers.

·         Unlock and collect over 20 well-known Muppets including Kermit, Animal, Fozzie Bear, and many new Muppets as well.

·         Complete different songs across unique stages like the Muppet Theater, Swedish Chef’s Kitchen, and more.

·         Use Bunson & Beaker’s inventions to send Muppets on special missions to recruit star Muppets for the stage.

·         Visit friends’ stages to rate their performances and collect special gifts.