2-20-2015 - Elsa give us a Break - the Frozen - Frozen 5k

Today we learn that Disney really can control the weather.  

When I signed up for the Frozen themed 5k back in July I never dreamed it would really be Frozen.  It is Central Florida in January after all.  It isn't supposed to have a real feel of 22°F at the start of the race.  

One thing you should know about all Disney Races - they are really early in the morning or really late at night.  The start time is early enough but when you realize how early you actually have to get up to get to the race start on time it is really, really, insanely early, especially when it is freezing cold outside.  

The 5k has a relatively late start - 6:15am.  I decided to drive to the race start instead of taking the resort transportation because I could sit in my nice warm car for a few extra minutes.  Bus transportation started at 4:15 this morning so my plan was to leave by 4:30am.  

Of course the power was out when my alarm went off, so I was trying to get dressed by the light of my cell phone.  Fortunately it came back on about 15 minutes after I woke up so I was able to get ready and get out the door without too much difficulty.  It would have been really nice to have been able to get some hot water for some hot tea to warm me up but that was not to be found at that hour (and no microwave or coffee pot in the room).  

So I set up the Mickey Milers Meet but couldn't find where we were supposed to meet.  Fortunately I ran into Donna in her Bright Green Monster Shirt and she pointed me in the right direction.  

And I found Jill, Dale and Amy.  Jen was crazy enough to come out to cheer us on in the freezing cold temperatures.  

 we made our way to the Corrals 

And found this awesome Cristof and Sven costume.

And the First Wave was Off

 Obligatory Prerace Selfie

Backstage at Epcot - the Power Substation (Doesn't everyone collect pictures of substations - no just me? :) )

And we entered into the World Showcase where someone thought it would be fun to play Let it Go on a nonstop loop in 6 different languages (they were wrong by the way)

 My husband's favorite spot in the World Showcase ;) I had to take a picture to send to him.

 This little Olaf figured knows how to run a 5k.

The closest I'll get to Cristof, Anna and Elsa.  

The lines were crazy long for the characters and it was way too cold to wait for them.  For the 5k they had the Fab 5 out (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald) dressed in Frozen Sweaters and Dresses.  Minnie Mouse was especially cute, but the line looked to be about 20 minutes long.  

After the race we round Donna again.  

We had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun despite the cold but it was time to rush back to the resort to get ready for the Magic Kingdom (and we still had 2 more races to go).  

I think I needed something else on my wrist.  (Garmin Vivofit, Mickey Band, Garmin Forerunner 220, gloves)

Post race with my medal - juggling my food box.  

I think I'll continue with race recaps and then recap the fun time so next up - and Enchanted 10k.

The Quest for the Triple Crown Begins 2-19-2015

The Quest for the Triple Crown begins with early morning number 1 of 4 as I had a 6:00am flight out of Houston Hobby.  

I got up early, snuck upstairs to kiss the girls goodbye and left for the airport.  I had no issues getting to the airport (It was 4am after all - even in Houston there isn't much traffic at that hour), parking,checking my bag and getting my breakfast.  

I had an uneventful flight (the best kind) and arrived in Orlando early even.  I picked up my tiny rental car and I was on my way.

(No complaints even after taxes I paid less than $85 for this car for the week and there were only the 2 of us.)

After a stop at Bonnet Creek to pick up a Universal Ticket for Diane it was Expo time.  

First stop the HP Field House for Packet Pick up.  It was very easy and took no time at all to pick up both my Glass Slipper Challenge Bib and my Frozen 5k Bib.  Then I went downstairs to get my 3 Glass Slipper Challenge shirts (One each for the 10k, half marathon and the Glass Slipper Challenge).  The merchandise area in the HP Field house was a crowded mess with lines going every which way (For Dooney and Burke and other merchandise) so I left to head to the Jostens Center for my 5k shirt and the rest of the exhibitors.  

Again there were no lines for the Frozen 5k shirt pick up for the size exchange (my shirt was too big as the 5k Shirts were unisex t-shirts and not women's technical shirts).  The Disney Merchandise area was not as bad as the HP Field house so I was able to pick up a couple of things.  I wandered around the booths in the Josten's center and then ordered my lunch before going to the Jeff Galloway talk in the speaker series.  I am currently doing e-coaching with Jeff which is great (I'll talk about that in a separate blog some day) and have heard him speak several times but I always enjoy listening to him.

After Jeff was done, it was time to go check into our resort so I could get groceries and pick up my sister at the airport.  

Outside the Expo with the Glass Slipper Challenge Banner

My expo loot 

After picking Diane up at the airport it was back to the Expo to get her race packet (I could have waited and only gone once, but since I had the 5k the next morning, if her flight was late I wanted to make sure I could get there on time).  

It was just as easy to pick up Diane's race packet as it was mine earlier in the day. It was much less crowded now.  

After Diane had her race bib, her Glass Slipper Challenge Picture and her race shirts, we walked around the expo.  

And of course had our picture taken with the Glass Slipper.  

And we stopped by the RunDisney Booth so I could get the obligatory picture with Jeff Galloway.

It was then time to head back to the resort.  We were staying at All Star Sports in the Baseball section.  It was fine for the 2 of us, but I wouldn't want to try to stay in that room with 2 adults and 2 kids for a week at Disney.  

We had dinner in the food court and then went back to the room for an early night.  

There was a sign that they would be turning the power off that night which I was less than thrilled about.  I got all my running gear laid out for the 5k in the morning.  It was going to be cold so I was packing everything and anything I could think of to keep warm for the wait before the race started.  (Trash bags, and old mylar blanket from a previous race, gloves, hat, lots of layers.)

And now for some sleep before the fun begins.    

NEXT up - I didn't know Disney Could Control the Weather - the Frozen 5k