Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend 2024

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It never gets old.

This past weekend we participated in the inaugural Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon weekend. Presented here, in no particular order, are my thoughts on the weekend as a whole.

The elephant in the room. Let's get it out of the way up front and talk about it: Temperatures. To say it was warm would be a total understatement. It was hot. Hella hot. If you've been around this community for any amount of time, Labor day weekend was usually the time when the Disneyland Half Marathon events took place. The heat would have a dramatic effect on the races and even how we navigated the parks with Asher the whole weekend. Walking to the start line from the hotel I could already feel the heat and humidity. As runners, we know that extreme heat can be dangerous when racing especially for those who may be out on the course longer than others. Extra precaution must be taken.

Expo. It was smaller than I remember. Same location in the Disneyland Hotel but it seemed like there were less vendors than in years past. You can definitely sense that a post pandemic recovery is still in effect. I was a bit disappointed in the lack of merchandise for this weekend even though we're not ones to buy the themed race merch. The official merchandise area displayed a lot of the same products just spread out on different racks. I guess i'll chalk it up to it being the inaugural event. Here's to hoping that future races bring a wider variety of official race merchandise to the table.

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Disneyland Halloween 10k. My first RunDisney race since 2019 where I ran the Wine and Dine Half Marathon with Jacob in Walt Disney World. I was already hot and sweaty before the race because of the weather but also I was a bit late getting out so i had to briskly walk to the security area and find my corral. My bad! I had to wait outside of the corral because it was already too full. Which turned out to be a blessing because I'd hate to be packed in too tightly for too long. I even saw someone get taken out of the corral in a wheelchair before the race started. Hope they feel better!! Once the race started, it felt like old times running the Disneyland Half Marathon. The miles inside the Parks and backstage felt familiar and I couldn't help but smile that i was running here again. I ran the race with a couple of long time running friends Michael and Julie and we had a blast taking pics and catching up. The theme of the 10k race was the Haunted Mansion and the most popular picture spot was with the Hitchhiking Ghosts. Unfortunately the queue was closed (likely due to getting the park ready for opening) so i settled for a selfie just outside of their spot. We finished the race sweating but smiling. Whew!

Disneyland Halloween Half. I can't speak to this race too much since Asher and I were asleep the entire time Paula was running the race. She did an excellent job of staying extremely quiet while getting ready as to not wake Asher and he stayed asleep until she was already walking back to the hotel room. What she did tell me was that towards the end of the race, she felt that she stopped sweating - which is NEVER a good sign. Luckily she was able to hydrate post race and did not suffer any major illnesses. I'm proud of her and will always be her biggest cheerleader along with the boys whether we're there on the race course or not.

The time we spent not racing was spent playing in the Parks. As stated earlier, it was extremely hot the entire weekend and we promised ourselves that we would not get carried away trying to cram all of the things into each day. Ok, i know, having Magic Keys is a very first world problem and we are very fortunate to have them. We took advantage of this and each day we rode 1 or 2 attractions in the morning, took a break back at the hotel and then rode 1 attraction in the evening. And you know what? Asher did sooooo fine with that. And i even rode Radiator Springs Racers with him, accommodating his request. So fun. This routine allowed him to be in bed around his usual bedtime which helped keep him regulated a bit. Traveling home, we discussed how smoothly this trip went with Asher and his behaviors.

The weekend was a success. I toed the start line after a loooooong hiatus and I let some butterflies out of the old stomach. Paula kicked ass as usual and Asher had a good time in one of his favorite places. He'll remember this one for sure.

Running a Race in Disneyland Again→

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It's been such a long time since I've raced a RunDisney event. The last time was in 2019 when Jacob and I ran the Wine and Dine Half Marathon out in Walt Disney World. RunDisney recently brought their races back to the West Coast after a long hiatus and I'm excited to dip my toes back in the water. I'll be running the 10k on Saturday and Paula will be running the Half on Sunday. What I'm excited about, other than the race itself, is running (no pun intended) into old friends from the running community. Let's Go!!!!

RZA and GOOD HUMOR Collab For a New Ice Cream Truck Jingle→

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I’m a fan of the Wu-Tang Clan. Founder, RZA, is a musical genius. I’m also a fan of ice cream. It’s totally better than cake on birthdays. Ice cream company GOOD HUMOR approached RZA about creating a new ice cream truck jingle to replace the current popular version played in trucks everywhere.

“Turkey in the Straw” is one of the most iconic ice cream truck jingles today. However, many people don’t realize that this familiar tune has racist roots.

 Turkey in the Straw’s melody originated from British and Irish folk songs, which had no racial connotations. But the song itself was first performed (and gained popularity) in American minstrel shows in the 1800s. Some songs using its same melody contained highly offensive, racist lyrics.

 Throughout the 19th century, minstrel songs like Turkey in the Straw were commonly played in ice cream parlors, and later, adapted as ice cream truck jingles.

 While these associations of “Turkey in the Straw” are not the only part of its legacy, it is undeniable that this melody conjures memories of its racist iterations.

Listen:

I’m hoping to hear this in our neighborhoods soon.

The Oprah Magazine Cover features Breonna Taylor

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Oprah has been on every cover of her O, The Oprah Magazine, since it first published 20 years ago. This September, an amazing illustration of Breonna Taylor will be featured. There’s even a cool article on how the illustration was made.

Oprah:

Only in the wake of George Floyd’s filmed execution was national attention brought to the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, two and a half months after she was killed. Pleas for justice have fallen on deaf ears. As I write this, in early July, just one of the three officers involved has been dismissed from the police force. This officer blindly fired ten rounds from his gun, some of which went into the adjoining apartment.

We have made it a point to discuss her story in our home. We wonder if the officers will ever be dismissed.

I think about Breonna Taylor often. She was the same age as the two daughter-girls from my school in South Africa who’ve been quarantining with Stedman and me since March. In all their conversations I feel the promise of possibilities.

Their whole lives shine with the light of hopefulness. That was taken away from Breonna in such a horrifying manner.

Imagine if three unidentified men burst into your home while you were sleeping. And your partner fired a gun to protect you. And then mayhem.

What I know for sure: We can’t be silent. We have to use whatever megaphone we have to cry for justice.

And that is why Breonna Taylor is on the cover of O magazine. 

I cry for justice in her name. 

If there was ever a time to set aside tradition, it’s now. Very appropriate.

Black Lives Matter Protest

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Last Saturday, I joined my two oldest sons at their first protest. We marched from the Golden 1 Center through downtown, ended at nearby Cesar Chavez Plaza and rallied. All peaceful, all powerful. On the ride home, “Thanks Dad for letting us go. This is an important issue.” 

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Sacramento isn’t a small city by any means but protests in smaller cities and towns are just as important. Remember, Racism happens in small towns and cities too. 

Brooks Run Happy Team

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I never got a chance to write about it here but receiving a big package in the mail today reminded me that I should. More on that package in a little bit. 😉

I am honored to announce that I’m a member of the Brooks Running #RunHappyTeam this year. I’m lucky to represent a brand that is as passionate about running as we are. Their philosophy is that any day is better with a run and if their slogan is “Run Happy”, then I'm here for it.

The other team members, past and present, are like-minded individuals who get cranky if the span between runs gets too long. I’m proud to say I’m a part of that group. I can even remember starting out running way back in 2010 and picking up my first pair of Ghost running shoes. Ghost 2 maybe? If you can believe it, they’re on the 12th version of them. They were “real” running shoes, that made me feel like a “real” runner.

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It’s not that hard to miss Brooks if you’re in the running community. Des Linden, HELLOOOOO? The special editions, colors and prints of their recent shoe lines showcases their creativity. They are forward in their marketing and have a playful style on social media. I know it’s tough not being able to race or run with friends during this pandemic but I’m hoping that our Run Happy Team members can inspire you all to keep getting outside to run safely. It’ll be better than ever when we do get back to running together and racing!

Now about that package…

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Close to Home

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The boys are home from school this week. The district made a decision - one that I’m still trying to decide if rash or appropriate - to close all of it’s schools for the week and make it their official Spring Break. 

Our local Target and grocery stores have run out of water, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. This makes me wonder what they were doing before this pandemic hit? For the amount of people out in the streets it doesn’t seem like people are holing themselves up in their homes.

We aren’t. We are going to work still and going outside to run after work and on weekends. We need to be doing that. Asher would go stir crazy if he didn’t get outside. 

The boys’ field trips and band competitions have been cancelled. I feel sorry for them. 

I hope it doesn’t come down to us having to hunker down and stock up. We have the means to do so, we have a roof and we’re relatively healthy. I worry about those who don’t have these things. 

JV’s First Half: 2019 WDW Wine and Dine Half Marathon

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When we heard new that runDisney would eventually be leaving Disneyland we were a bit sad because because we wouldn’t get to run around our favorite Disney parks with close friends any longer. Luckily we were able to sign up our oldest son for his very first half marathon at the last Disneyland race.

You see, it’s become sort of tradition that all of our first half marathons be runDisney races. Paula and I told each other that if Jacob were still into running and would want to run a half himself, that it would have to be a Walt Disney World race since that’s where most of the other runDisney races are held now. 

Fast forward to Jacobs birthday this past summer. I surprised him by registering him for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. He was confused at first but once he realized that he would be taking a cross country trip to WDW with his Dad to run a race and galavant around the parks, he quickly got his jaw up off the floor and became super stoked. 😂 

He trained all summer long, mostly with Paula and complained a lot less than we had expected. She did so well prepping him for this race that all I had to do was get him to the starting line. But not before talking him into running in costume with me. When Gabriel and I ran the Disneyland half we Disney bounded as retro Mr. Incredible and retro Incrediboy. 

This was Wine and Dine and Paula had a great idea for us to go as Goofy and Max wearing chef hats. We didn’t go all out with pants, gloves and vests but wore the characters identifying colors. You get it. 

Expo

It had been so long since we’ve been to a runDisney expo, especially at WDW, and I almost forgot what an excursion it was to get bibs, shirts etc. all the way out at ESPN Wide World of Sports. 

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After walking around for a bit we shuttled over to take a Skyliner ride to Epcot and back. The attraction was fairly new and we wanted to check it out. Fun!

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Disney Springs

We got recommendations from a friend about Chef Art Smith’s HomeComin’ restaurant at Disney Springs. Let’s just say that they were spot on. Jacob and I absolutely loved what we had which were the thigh high chicken biscuits. Google it. With images. You’re welcome. 

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We shopped around Disney Springs for a bit - so much has changed since we were last here a few years ago for Marathon Weekend. 

#Werunsocial meetup!

#Werunsocial meetup!

We went back to the hotel for a light dinner and to get ready for the race. What I didn’t forget about were the early wake up calls for runDisney races. Now try telling a teenager who’s playing hooky from school, running his first half marathon and is at WDW to go to bed early! 

#flatrunners ready

#flatrunners ready

We woke up, got ready and set out to catch the shuttle to the start. Signage all over stated that runners should be on the bus at 330am which made it seem like that was the last bus to leave. Not wanting to be “that guy” who missed the race because we missed the bus, we were on the bus at 330am. Of course there plenty of shuttles AFTER that time but I’m glad that we were on the early bus. 

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This allowed us time to stand in line for a pre-race character pic with none other than Chef Goofy! Because there is so much space at WDW, they have plenty of character photo opportunities PRE-Race. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc. Nice.

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We knew going in that we would be taking ALL the photos with this being his first half. We didn’t want to run for any sort of time but wanted to savor every moment. 

He did extremely well running. And because there were so many picture spots, there weren’t too many long running stretches in between so we were good. 

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The course was amazing and running through the parks was a blast. The sun was up and we finished with huge smiles on our faces with fuel left in the tank to boot. 

Post Race Party

We cleaned up, got some food and rested before going back to Epcot for the post race party. Included with your registration is a ticket to a runners-only party in Epcot where they close the park for regular guests and keep it open for runners and anyone else who purchased a post race party ticket. We also received a  $15 gift card to use for anything we wanted, including merchandise at the parks outside of the party. Score!

While walking around Epcot, we utilized those gift cards to partake in the International Food & Wine Festival. So many good eats. And drinks. Cheers! Once the official post race party got underway, we spent a good amount of time waiting in line for a picture with the 3 Caballeros. It was extra long this year because they were on the challenge medal for the race. We hung with friends @blingwhore and @ironbeastjacky and made the best of it. 

We rode a couple of attractions that were open and took more pics with characters. Jacob was living it up, reveling in the evening, staying up waaaay too late. 

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I can’t be more proud of him. He enjoyed his first half marathon experience, feeling good throughout. We discussed our favorite parts of the race and he even said he wants to run another half marathon (non rundisney) soon. 

We spent the rest of the trip wearing our race medals proudly and the cherry on top of everything was a WDW VIP Tour the day after the race. That could be an entire post on its own but for now just enjoy some pics from that crazy whirlwind adventure. 

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Jacobs first half marathon. Mission accomplished. 

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Ultra Crazies

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This past weekend, a few friends did something spectacular. Let’s start out by saying that running a marathon is hard. Now running two in a row, back-to-back, is insane! The San Francisco Marathon event happened on Sunday and a handful of participants, who were crazy enough to register for the Ultra - 52.4 miles - ran the Marathon course backwards from finish line to start line at Midnight and then toed the line with the rest of the field to run the course from the Start line to finish line.

@pavementrunner, @carleemcdot and @almeen8dv (17 weeks pregnant, HELLO?!) trained hard and completed what seems like an impossible feat if you ask me. And the best part? They looked liked they had a blast doing it.

I’m sure they’ll have words to say and write about their Ultra experience - after they recover, of course - but I just wanted to send a huge congratulations to my friends (and the other Ultra participants) who completed this amazing challenge. I’m in awe.

Lego

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As a kid I loved building LEGO. I’m happy to see that the boys enjoy it too. I’m honored that they ask me to help them build even the smallest sets. Knowing that they can build them on their own - pretty quickly I might add - yet they still indulge me in wishing I was a kid again. The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. 

#Dirt2Strip Race Weekend Recap

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Race #1 of 3. Let’s do this.

I’m not a gambler by any means but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything else to do in Las Vegas. There’s good food, lot’s of beer, shows and of course running. Las Vegas is by far one of the best places to run especially when the Strip is shut down for one night of the year just for the annual @runrocknroll #RnRLasVegas half marathon. 

This last weekend, a bunch of friends and I decided we’d do something outrageous and take on a self-imposed #Dirt2Strip challenge. You see, running the RnRLV has been a tradition for quite a while now. This would be my 5th year running it in a row. But before I get too deep into Las Vegas, let’s start from the beginning of this #Dirt2Strip challenge. 

The weekend started off with a flight down to Ontario to meet up with Brian and Richard. While Richard was busy working, we strolled around locally and met up with beloved friends Andrea, Michael, Linzie and Laurie. Chilling with coffee and Cranberry Bliss Bars was delightful. I wish we could do this weekly. We would then spend Friday evening just hanging, playing video games, eating pizza, drinking beer (Carb loading FTW!), you know, the usual Friday night stuff. 

Coffee with the Crew.

On a more serious tip, if you all didn’t know, the entire State has been on fire. Seriously, from Nor Cal to So Cal, it seems like everywhere you turn, there’s a wildfire burning and causing damage. Be safe out there, people!

There was a fire in Griffith Park which caused a direct effect on the trail race. We weren’t sure if our race was going to be cancelled or not. We got an email from the race director that the race was still on and we were all relieved that we didn’t have to run 13.1 miles out on the streets of Ontario, Burbank or wherever we were going to be. 

Flatrunner #1. @lululemon, @garminfitness, @procompression, @brooksrunning

We had a very early wake up call on Saturday morning to toe the line of our first race of the weekend - The Griffith Park Trail Half Marathon. We caught an early Lyft ride and set out to the park. With ample parking and real bathrooms (yasss), we met up with other’s who were also taking on this #Dirt2Strip challenge. 

Jane, Carlee, her husband Ryan and our friend Almi were all geared up and ready to roll. After the tremendously sweet and caring race director, Keira, made announcements, and after taking a few pre-race photos (duh!) we were off. 

The views were worth the climb(s)!

If you know me, you’ve likely not seen many running pics of us out on any gnarly trails so I admit that I was a bit out of my element on this one. I was prepared, don’t get me wrong, but maybe not prepared for all of the hiking we had to do. You see, this course is a beast with what felt like a million feet of elevation. There were huge hills (I’m calling them mountains) to climb and we would hike up those and run the flats and downhills. I had my trusty gopro to capture the views we were seeing from the tops of those mountains. They were stunning. 

We anticipated taking 3 hours to complete this race which allowed us ample time to get to he airport and not have to rush. Although the course was fairly short (there were fires all over the place which caused havoc for the race director / organization) it was still a freakin’ blast and didn’t detract from the race experience at all. We retreated back to our vehicles and cleaned up just a bit and then headed to the Burbank Airport to catch a flight to Vegas. We said our goodbye’s to Carlee’s husband Ryan and I was truly sad that he wasn’t going to Las Vegas with us. 

Look at those smiles. Very proud of tackling those ⛰!

You know the flight to LV was short when 5 minutes after the flight attendants gave you your drinks, they tell you to “chug, chug, chug!” We landed and made the smart choice to head straight to the Race Expo. We’ve gotten so accustomed to picking up our race packets that we were in and out of the expo in no time. After stopping at the PRO Compression booth, we got a ride back to our hotels to clean up and post our #FlatRunner photos for Race #2 of the Day: The #RnRLasVegas 5k. 

AWWW YEAH! We’re in Vegas Baby!

Oh and before I move on, be sure to check your shirt sizes prior to leaving the expo. I received a women’s small instead of a men’s shirt. I guess when you’ve been up since 3 in the morning and are crunched for time for another race in a couple hours, you forget things like that. 

There was a #werunsocial meetup prior to the 5k that evening and it’s always fun to see BRF (Best Running Friends) that you haven’t seen in about a year. Catching up and snapping all the photos is so much fun. 

@werunsocial 5k Meetup

We jumped into our corral and started the 5k. This isn’t the most scenic 5k you’ll run but it’s part of a weekend of races so you just kinda “do it.” We run as a group (which is a major theme of the weekend) and converse about what we’re going to eat / drink after the race. #priorities

Race #2 of 3 done. Notice the custom bibs…..DOH!

Wait til you see our Half Marathon shorts. 🔦🌟

We made our way back down to the Linq Promenade and sat down for Mexican food and beer. Since it was a long day, we called it a somewhat early night and crashed knowing that tomorrow’s race would be long. 

Food, beer and SLEEP! It was such a loooong day!

After waking up ridiculously early when you know the race isn’t until 430pm that day, it’s all worth it when your breakfast from Hash House A Go Go comes to your table. #thisishowwedo We then hit up the outlet mall for a shopping distraction when we knew darn well we should be off of our feet. Again, #priorities. 

OMG! Get in my belly.

Since the Race started earlier than the 5k the night before, the meetup began early as well at 215pm at the Bellagio Fountains. Because a bunch of PRO Compression ambassadors and enthusiasts love running Vegas, you know that the turnout for the meetup and the wearing of the unofficial race sock would be epic. This year, the awesome choice of sock was the pink and black stripe which stood out beautifully. 

Reflective.

Deuces ya’ll.

#werunsocial crew rolls deeeeep

So much happens in such little time during these weekends and time flies by so fast. You hardly get to take pics with people you follow on social because there are just so many people there. We made our way over to the start area after checking our bags and then we were let out to the corrals by color / wave. We were in the first wave and had to walk quite a ways (which was puzzling how things were laid out logistically) to get to the start line. Anyway, we committed to run at a party pace because that’s what we do when we run Vegas. This race is never about time. You’ll see why in a minute. 

EPIC Welcome to LV sign photo op. If you don’t stop here, you’re doing it ALL WRONG!!

Our group was double digits strong at the start and we nearly managed to keep it that way for the entire race. We only lost a few of our peeps along the way. The course was changed up a bit from last year, which was a good change btw, and it wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t run past the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign. What I did notice though was the lack of port-o-potties along the course. Now, normally I’m pretty good about not having to go while I’m out not the race course but somehow having to pee just came outta nowhere. Since there are a million and one people running this race and only 1 port-o-potty sprinkled on the course at a time, you can imagine how long the line was for that 1 stall. 

We finally found a bunch of them lined up in a row after almost 6 miles of running. Whew! I’d say that made for a very uncomfortable 4 miles or so. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always say it - running on the Las Vegas is a very unique and exciting experience. The energy is unmatched. They only close the Strip down a couple times a year and this is one of them. I am very lucky to get to do this. After turning around near Downtown Las Vegas, we made our way back down the strip and we still had a core group intact. This is actually pretty tough to do. 

Our Traditional Beer / Shot Stop along the course. I told you. PARTY PACE!

We, of course, hit up our now traditional beer / liquor stop at around mile 12. We stopped, not our Garmin’s of course, to buy corona’s while a few strong crew members took shots of Fireball. Hot! As we were exiting the bar, we ran into Brianne and Steve, a couple of the original starting line crew. We ran / walked / jogged the last mile of the race with beers in our hands and crossed the finish line feeling very fine. Cheers! 

There’s nothing like standing in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip. Told you about those @lululemon shorts (SW 2018).

And with that, the 3rd and final race of our EPIC #Dirt2Strip adventure was complete. We absolutely love getting together to do this and mixing it up with additional races prior to coming to Las Vegas has always made the weekend something to look forward to all year long. Until the next one. Peace.

Let's Chat a Minute: Stroller Running and the Bumbleride Speed

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Basket works great for shopping.  Easy access to put things in and take out.

Basket works great for shopping.  Easy access to put things in and take out.

Let's chat about a stroller for a hot minute.  It's not a secret that 99% of all my running is done with a stroller.  Fact.  However what I don't share enough about is that I have tried quite a few strollers, either because I own quite a few (ummmm Dave thinks I have a stroller hoarding problem.  I refuse to talk about it) or I have been able to borrow a stroller.  I use the stroller for running errands to long runs to all kinds of training workouts.  My strollers get put through a lot! Not only with the miles that I put on them, but also with Asher and his behaviors that come along with his disability.  Let's not forget that he was able to literally break a stroller seat less than a year ago because of said behaviors.  For a 25lb-ish 5 year old he seems to have Hulk type strength.  

Ok ok, back to strollers and why I even wanted to revisited this topic.  Recently I was fortunate enough to get my running stroller hands on a Bumbleride Speed.  I would be lying if I haven't been trying to hint to Dave to get me one for over a year.  After trying it out more than once for a quick second at a couple races, seeing it as the ultimate prize for the awesome and empowering race series She Is Beautiful, having Mother Runner friends who shared how much they loved their Bumbleride and the power couple behind the brand has done something amazing with this stroller, I not so subtly kept dropping hints to Dave.  Well, fail and I should of known.  This is the guy who took about 6 years to even ask me out and I dropped some big hints from middle school to high school.  Yup, Dave I'm calling you out.  What girl will ask to wear a 49ers bomber jacket near the beginning of summer and walk home wearing it, sweating, hoping you notice that I had a huge crush on you?!?!?  (story for another day)

Founders Matt and Emily. These two are inspiring. The saw a need to create an ethical, well developed product and made it happen!  

Founders Matt and Emily. These two are inspiring. The saw a need to create an ethical, well developed product and made it happen!  

Lucky for me, the awesome geniuses behind the Bumbleride stroller gave me the chance to give the Speed 8 a go!  I've had the stroller for nearly 3 weeks now and it has not disappointed.  Here's the thing about this stroller that I must address first, the biggest reason I wanted to try Bumbleride has everything to do with the innovative technology Emily and Matt have utilized in creating this stroller.  Their Speed stroller is made from 100% recycled PET that have kept over half a million water bottles out of landfills since 2011.  How AMAZING is that?  A running stroller to any parent is a life line.  It is a mental, a physical and a relationship building vital tool.  It gives parents the freedom to still make themselves a priority.  This stroller is no exception to all that goodness but it also is good for the environment.  That in itself spoke to Dave and I.  We have been trying for awhile now to be more mindful with our purchases.  We have shared in the past our love of supporting small and local businesses (Bumbleride is California local.  Right in beautiful San Diego!), supporting business that support a cause close to our heart (Special needs, inclusion and acceptance are big on our list) and now we want to make sure we are supporting businesses that focus on environmentally friendly practices and products.  

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If recycled fabrics and keeping plastics from the landfill doesn't get you, then this is the ONLY stroller with 3 front wheel options.  I am a big supporter of safe stroller running which means locked wheel.  It offers better stability and handling.  However the Speed offers something they call Speed3 steering or run/jog/walk.  I just had to give this a try.  Obviously the walk was full swivel.  Its easy to push and light.  The "jog" is where we opt for the 30 degree swivel function.  The front wheel can be locked to turn slightly for only 30 degrees in either direction.  My jog days I interpreted to be my easy runs days, where I am trying to keep my paces 90 seconds to 2 mins slower than my half marathon goal pace.  I was doubtful at first, I won't lie, but when I used it I really enjoyed it.  It not only made turning easier, but it also kept me in check for my paces.  If I sped up too fast (for me) the wheel was not as stable meaning it would easily shake over certain terrain.  It's almost like a secret trainer partner wagging a finger at me when I try to do more than I should be doing.  I of course keep the wheel completely fixed on any hard runs and even then the stroller handled great.  Easy to push and maneuver.  Also made easy by a tremendous amount of possible stroller handle heights. I have never seen a stroller with so many possible angles for the stroller handle and they all come in handy for Dave and me (if you didn't know, um Dave is shorter than me).

Putting that wheel into Speed3 Mode on my shake out run before Rock n Roll San Diego. 

Putting that wheel into Speed3 Mode on my shake out run before Rock n Roll San Diego. 

Ok this stroller is great.  Eco-friendly fabrics and production ✅.  A variety of front wheel options that actually make stroller running more accessible to a wide variety of running levels ✅.  A huge shade canopy with multiple levels of shade for the stroller rider (the most I’ve seen from any stroller since it has an additional pop out extension piece) ✅ A bell to ring letting others know that you are coming ✅.  Ok - this feature to most people won't be that important, but I'm a sucker for novelty.  I sure did ring that bell when I took it out on its first test drive and I still use it when I run with the stroller.  Is it loud enough when the person has ear pods in?  No, but it brings me joy.  However, here’s a pro-tip: the bell is for running only.  Using it in a crowded amusement park aka Disneyland, it isn't well received and people don't tend to move.  Go figure.  🤷🏽‍♀️  

With every stroller I have tried, I find something valuable that contributes to my running.  However, in all honesty I also look at each stroller in terms of Asher: his needs and his behaviors.  With all the positives this stroller has we have noticed some challenges in terms of Asher's full body hyper extension episodes or as some might call it when they see it - fits.  The canopy clips in easily to the side but with that it also clips OUT easily.  Asher, in his moments, pulls out the canopy a lot and sometimes unintentionally aggressively.  It is something that we worry one day he might break.  Cross fingers for us.  I think if it actually clipped in with a latch of some sort it might be "Asher proof".  Also, the stroller comes with a belly bar.  This is great for perhaps typical children to clip on toys or to use their snack tray.  For Asher we had to take it off (it does come off and is not needed to use the stroller).  It only caused a big obstacle in getting to him when he was having an episode or a health issue.  Also we are working on Asher being more independent with a goal of getting in and out of his stroller independently and eventually buckling himself in (we won't be teaching him to UNBUCKLE anytime soon.  lol).  The belly bar proved problematic.  He couldn't understand how to get in or out with it attached.  

When visiting Bumbleride’s hometown, running in scenic San Diego is a must!

When visiting Bumbleride’s hometown, running in scenic San Diego is a must!

As I said in the beginning, I have been very fortunate to try many strollers.  Also if you have been following my family for awhile you know I fell in love with one particular stroller nearly 3 years ago.  It was the stroller that changed everything for Asher and me, but the season of that stroller has passed and we can no longer use it.  For awhile now I have been trying to find the next winner winner chicken dinner.  Now in a perfect world, where money isn't a factor (so fantasy really) strollers would be treated like running shoes.  It is normal for a runner to have shoes in rotation: racing, workout, long run, etc.  Strollers really are the same.  Depending on weight, dimensions and the front wheel stability, certain strollers work best for certain types of running.  But running strollers are EXPENSIVE ($$$$$) and not many people exclusively run with a stroller.  I do though and money IS a factor.  With the signing off of the first stroller Asher grew to love, this stroller has become a viable replacement.  Eco friendly, light weight, easy to clean, comfortable (for him), pockets for all my stuff and his (the back seat pocket actually is two!) and the Speed3 front wheel really is an option that I didn't know all strollers should have.  It opens up more training options for the frequent stroller runner or heck, all levels/paces of runners.  I get a lot of messages asking me about strollers.  They often start out with: "If you could pick one stroller..." and I always give a long thought out reply asking them about what type of runner they are, frequency and even their height (it makes a difference when picking a stroller) and then I give my opinion because it is just that, an opinion.  Most recently someone reached out and she was very detailed on her needs, upcoming races and so on.  I did my long spiel but in the end I did something I don't typically do and I gave a one stroller recommendation: the Bumbleride Speed.  This stroller is a strong choice for an avid stroller runner and a once in a while stroller runner.  It is multi-purpose, filling this gap in stroller running thinking.  Stroller running is not all-or-nothing where you either run with a stroller and try to get faster, better, stronger or you just don't like it at all.  This stroller welcomes in those runners who don't necessarily want to be a stroller runner, but perhaps need it for necessity on certain days or for easy runs.  With all the running strollers on the market, this stroller checks a lot of boxes that no other stroller I have seen or tried addresses and when I was recently asked "If you could pick one stroller..." my answer was confidently Bumbleride.

 

Eco friendly fabrics, multiple front wheel options, affordable accessories and a breeze to use makes this stroller a winner. 

Eco friendly fabrics, multiple front wheel options, affordable accessories and a breeze to use makes this stroller a winner. 

* Disclaimer: Bumbleride supplied me with a Speed stroller.  I was not financially compensated for this post.  The opinions are completely my own based on my personal experience with this product.

Thank You and Happy Holidays

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Another year is almost over and before it ends, we’d love to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year. 

Thank you all for reading the site and following along on our family’s journey. We may not post much, but when we do, know that it means something to us. Our year was full of adventures, highs, lows and everything in between. And we were glad to share it with you. 

Be safe and take care this holiday season. 

Race Recap: Run Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Weekend

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I used to - I’m not saying it’s never going to happen again - run a half marathon the same day as the RnRLV Half Marathon. For the past couple of years, I’ve spent the entire weekend in Las Vegas with best running friends (BRFs) and it’s still been a blast. This year was certainly no exception. 

I always consider myself a very lucky person in that I am able to get away to Vegas to run with friends. As much as I’d love Paula to come out, it’s still very challenging to fly with the entire family, no matter how short the distance or length of stay. 

I got in to Vegas on Saturday morning and connected with friends for brunch after they finished a quick shakeout run that morning. I quickly hit up the expo and took the monorail down to the City Center. If you’ve never been to Vegas, just know that the blocks and casinos are huge and you’ll do a lot of walking even with a monorail shuttling you up and down the Strip. 

Showing the world.....#VegasStrong

Brunch was delish and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get a drink with my soon to be ex-pat buddy, Dani, before she leaves for Amsterdam in a couple months.

We'll miss you Dani! 

Seeing Kat and Gary made our day. Happy Bday to their little one!!

The group split up and we had plenty of time to do a little shopping before we got ready for the 5k that evening. While we didn’t find the deal at the Lululemon outlet like we did last year (no $25 shorts this time), we still got a chance to hang and chill. 

#Flatrunner for 5k: ProCompression, Lululemon, Garmin, Brooks and WeRunSocial. A little RWB for Veteran's Day. 

As usual, there’s a @WeRunSocial pre-race meet up before the 5k which is held out at the Las Vegas Fairgrounds next to the SLS hotel. We actually almost didn’t make it to the meet up since the monorail to the 5k area was such a hot mess and once we got there the security was extremely tight. There are just so many people trying to get to one place and the capacity on the monorail trains isn’t that high. I’m not sure how they could remedy this but I guess it beats spending money on a cab or walking.

running and donuts, they're so good together! With Briana, @matmilesmedals

This year, instead of full-on Donuts, there were donut holes which were perfect bites for everyone to enjoy while we waited for the race to start. The race itself is run as an out and back on a very dark road. We ran with a good group and picked up more cool glowing light sticks along the way. 

If you recall, at last year’s 5k, both Brian (@pavementrunner) and I both raced to “beat the sign” but were unsuccessful. You see, Carlee (@carleemcdot) dressed up as the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. Well this year’s theme was “beat the wig” because she came dressed up in full on Elvis attire with a souped up wig to complete the look. 

There was a tie. So we officially didn't "Beat the Wig"

We had such a blast running and we stayed a bit to listen to the Headliner which was moved to Saturday night because of the change in Start Venue of the Half Marathon the next day. Due to the horrible event that took place last month, the Rock ’n’ Roll staff decided to move things around a bit which included the start line of the Half Marathon and this included the usual pre-race concert. Nonetheless, the crowd was just as excited to see the concert and enjoy their Saturday night. 

Sunday we had plenty of time to chill, relax and SLEEP IN! So many miles are put on your feet out there in Vegas. Once we were able to get coffee and something to eat, Brian and I headed out to do a little shopping. Do you get the theme here? We heard that the local Lululemon shops were heat pressing special edition graphics for the race weekend in support of the tragic event last month and also to celebrate the races that weekend. We grabbed a couple limited edition items and felt totally redeemed from the lame shopping experience from Saturday. 

Reflective running gear. Because VEGAS!

After grabbing a quick bite and getting dressed we headed out towards the Start line area. Here at the Half Marathon, there weren't bag checks, or metal wands. There were Las Vegas police and sheriffs patrolling the area though. We just thought it was a bit strange.

It's @pinkcupcakegirl and @steph1583. They look amazing after just running Disney Super Heroes Half that morning!

Best suits on the Strip! 

The meet up was fun and Brian handed out a bunch of #WeRunSocial multi-use “thingys” and that got the mood started off right. Who doesn’t like free running stuff?

There were a bunch of folks who had just came in from running the Disneyland Super Heroes Half marathon weekend events including our two other deck of cards suits, Richard @Blingwhore and Niles @Nilesdvu. 

One of the highlights (no pun intended) of the weekend was coordinating race outfits with these guys. Let’s say the theme of the night was wearing reflective gear. From visors down to shoes, we definitely lit up the Strip (scroll down to see how)!

After saying excuse me a million times and fighting our way to the front of the corral, we set up to run/walk/jog/PARTY for 13.1 miles! We don’t run this course for time. As a matter of fact, one of the group actually wanted to run the half marathon OVER three hours! I’m sure we could make that happen. 

Source: @blingwhore

While running down the Strip, we noticed that we were running together as a group of 10. This is no easy feat as there are thousands of other runners on the course. We communicated extremely well with each other and even gave ourselves numbers to count off so we wouldn’t lose anyone. This turned out to be a wonderful idea and we got quite a few looks as we counted off randomly if we felt like we were losing anyone. I was #8 if you were wondering. 

With @ellej8200. Welcome to Las Vegas. PC: @PavementRunner

We had to show the @ProCompression sock in the blacklight! So cool!

with Kylo Ren. Had to. 

with Kylo Ren. Had to. 

Beer Stop #1! Cheers!

Last year, we stopped for $3 beers at mile 12 and this year we vowed to get them earlier in the race. We made our first beer stop at mile 5.5 and ran/walked as we downed the drinks. We even met a couple that got married that day and shared a drink with them. How fitting. They were even dressed up as bride and groom. Only in Vegas. 

Traditions. It's a THING! Its eerie how similar this is to last year's pic.

We hit mile 12 and another beer stop (same as last year). By this point, my GoPro had died and we relied on Richard’s to capture the pics. We ran across the finish line with beers in hand and celebrated our 3+ hour trek along the Las Vegas Strip!

I love this weekend as it signifies the end to another year of running. You can call it your victory lap for all of the hard work and training you put in during the year. This is my 4th year running Vegas and I will always say, take the chance to run this race if you can. The Strip never closes down like this and it’s truly a unique running experience that you’ll never forget. 

Las Vegas 10: @carleemcdot, @matmilesmedals, @Pavementrunner, @Purple_kaye, @barbchung, @nilesdvu, @blingwore, @irisheyes1982, @hereforthewine

#theghostrace BRIDGE THE BAY Recap

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When @Lululemon and @Strava get together, it’s usually pretty epic. Remember the last challenge where you ran XX number of miles and got a little something for your achievements?!? Yeah, I remember it vividly because I missed out on it. Luckily Paula was able to participate and loves her “prize” and wears it often. 

Well, they did it again and it’s called The Ghost Race. Throughout cities in the U.S. and Canada, routes have been mapped out as courses for the ghost race. The Ghost Race is taking place from October 13-22. It’s about an 8k for each course, which for my metric adverse folks, is 4.97 miles. You begin by registering on theghostrace.com and joining the Strava club and you’re all set! You run the course, make sure that run is recorded in Strava and that’s pretty much it. 

In the lovely Bay Area of my home state of California, we are lucky enough to have 4 cities to choose from. The folks at Lululemon, especially @LululemonSF, decided to throw out a challenge of completing all four courses. This is where the wacky, crazy, hijinks come in. I text my boy Brian, @pavementrunner - on a Friday night because what else would dads of multiple kids be doing on a Friday night? - to ask him if he would be down to tackle a couple of the routes in the Bay Area. Remember, there are 4, in diff. cities which are pretty spread out. 

Now if you’ve followed us for any amount of time, you know we’re not ones to shy away from running challenges, especially ones that involve multiple races in the same day, different states, etc. So, guess what happened? Yup! All 4 cities in one day. Why. The. Hell. Not. 😜🤣 The folks at Lululemon have deemed this “BRIDGE THE BAY.” Only we’re doing it all in one day.

So after quick planning, mapping and texting, we virtually shake hands on completing this crazy, hopefully, more fun than painful, challenge. We decided to use Instagram Stories to document the day so if you followed along this past Sunday, we hope you enjoyed some of the sights (and sounds) of the adventure.

Serious. #sockgametight

We started out in Walnut Creek, a lovely city in the East Bay (our previous home), at the butt crack of dawn. It was cold and dark but we were prepared with trusty headlamps. The routes are mainly out and backs and this one led us along the Iron Horse Trail. It was eerily quiet and Brian casually made a joke about a mountain lion that I freakin' couldn't get out of my head the entire time we were out there. Yeah, thanks, Bro!

Oh and did I tell you that we brought different outfits to change into for each of the 4 cities? Nuts. Completely bananas but that was the best part about scheming this whole thing out.

The run wasn't that bad and it was over before we knew it. We obviously didn't rush since we knew we had a long day ahead of us and about 15 more miles to go. We changed into outfit number 2 before jumping in the car and driving to the next city, San Jose. But first, Dunkin!

Outfit #2. #keepittight

We arrived in San Jose and the sun was up and shining bright. We took a bit of time eating parts of our energy bars, pb&j sandwiches, etc. Then we set off. If I had to pick a favorite course of the 4, it would have to be this one. We ran along a shared paved path with tons of runners and bikers. It reminded me of the parkway we have out here in Sacramento. 

 

We kept posting to social at the completion of each course. Again, we changed, set the map on the GPS, hopped in the car and drove. This was probably the longest drive of the day. We made good time into the City and surprisingly found an awesome parking spot near the start of the 3rd course. 

Outfit #3. I told you!

We found the start and I kept remarking how beautiful the day was in San Francisco. If you're not aware, September and October are San Francisco's summer months. It even got pretty warm out there along the marina. If you've run The San Francisco Marathon before, you'll be familiar with this route as it follows pretty much the same path and turns you around back to the start. 

No fun. No fun AT ALL. Pumpkins at Ghirardelli Square, No @Karlthefog in sight and we even saw friends along the marina! We talked the entire time about doing this again next year and we totally fell off the rails. We see you, #THEGHOSTRACE 2018, we see you!

Peace out SF 

15 miles down and to be honest, we were really feeling it. Getting in and out of the car, driving for long stretches, and maybe knowing that we had 5 more miles to go made that 3rd course hard to swallow. 

We changed again, and set off for the last course to finish off and "BRIDGE THE BAY." 

The car ride wasn't that bad from SF to Marin. Oh to be a fly on the window of the car on this day....

I didn't know what to expect for the last course and that was a good thing. You see, i've never really run on trails before and little did I know, I was about to get a crash course in trail running 101.

 

I look like a natural trail runner, no?

It was very pretty up on that hill and when Brian showed me where we'd be running and ending up at, I was a bit nervous. I was motivated only by food, the imaginary "finish line" and the sheer joy of completing another crazy running challenge. 

We found the starting point of the loop course which took us along the Miwok Trail. Right off the bat we started climbing and walking. It was breezy and warm. As we ascended we decided that we would try to run along the somewhat flatter portions of the course and the downhills. This was just so we wouldn't take more than the time we allotted ourselves to complete the loop. 

The views on this last course were AMAZING! I was hurting, yes, but i kept going up because I wanted to see more. The Sutro tower, the top of the Golden Gate Bridge, the freakin' Pacific Ocean?!? Man, it was so worth the climb. I got schooled on running trails and had a blast.

We were so happy to be finished, still standing and with smiles on our faces. Hey, guess what? I didn't die! If you click on the pic of Brian above, one wrong move, and you're taking the hard(er) way down the mountain. Yikes! 

Dat view tho!

I must say the 20 miles was daunting back when we were scheming about this whole crazy adventure but chunking it up in 5 mile bites, wasn't so bad. Was it tough, hell yes. Yet it turned out to be very rewarding as well. I spent a good part of a day, with a really good friend, doing what we both love. Thanks LululemonSF and Strava for putting on yet another fun challenge. 

This Is Yog....#THEGHOSTRACE

runDisney cancels West Coast races→

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RunDisney blog:

After careful consideration and weighing all possibilities, we have made the very difficult decision to place all runDisney race weekends at Disneyland Resort on hiatus beginning in 2018. This includes the associated Coast to Coast Race Challenges.

The Disneyland Half Marathon was my first Half Marathon. My wife also chose to run it as her first. Last month I ran it with my oldest son - you guessed it - for his first Half Marathon as well. I just hope the City of Anaheim and runDisney can see eye to eye and the series of races comes back. If our other boys' choose to continue running, we hope they get to run the Disneyland Half Marathon as their first also. 

A.O.K -Acts of Kindness!

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You'll be hard pressed to find a bigger smile than Carlee's.

You'll be hard pressed to find a bigger smile than Carlee's.

Today, a pretty awesome person is celebrating her birthday. Someone who, on the daily, makes it her goal to help others, big or small. She is a beautiful person inside and out and we are beyond fortunate to call her a friend. Who is this rad individual?!?!  None other than Carlee, from  CarleeMcdot.com fame!  You can catch her on IG here and Twitter here.

A couple years ago Carlee decided to dedicate the 31 days leading up to her 31st birthday to completing intentional acts of kindness. This year she put out the challenge to all her friends and followers to do their own acts of kindness, aka A.O.K. Well she didn't have to ask us twice, and we gladly have participated in small ways daily and tomorrow we will spend the entire day completing A.O.K in her name and to celebrate her 33 years making a difference. If you want to read her suggestions give it a click. As she said, it can be small intentions to help anyone, it doesn't need to cost a lot of money or any money at all. Yet, we also couldn't let the day pass without sharing a few companies that we feel deserve a little spotlight. Companies whose philosophy is to do good. As we always say, we love to support small business AND we loveto support businesses with heart. 

1. Cotopaxi

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This company's mission is to #dogood so they make #gearforgood.  The scraps of fabric that other companies throw away or see as useless, Cotopaxi uses that material to make all their products.  They are a company making a global impact, concerned more with fostering adventure in individuals rather than money. The remnant material is sewn together by employees in the Philippines and their jacket insulation and sweaters are made of llama fiber from farmers in Bolivia.  Their message of gear for good is about making quality products but also encouraging others to do good in the world. Check them out, they have some really great gear.

2. Rad Camp

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This company caught our eye obviously due to our son Asher.  Children and adults with disabilities often times do not get to experience many things everyone else takes for granted.  RAD camp is this project based out of Southern California that gives children and adults with disabilities the chance to go to summer camp.  How freakin' cool is that?!?!?  Even more, it gives respite to those carrying for these individuals.  We hope one day Asher can attend.  The waitlist is long, like 2-3 years long, but we figured out he might have a chance when he is around 8.  #fingerscrossed.  This isn't necessarily a product, but you can certainly donate to help make this dream a reality for so many families and make sure this experience continues to be offered.

3. Musubi

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Just another company that pulls at our heart strings.  Although the products' prices are not cheap, the mission of this wonderful company should encourage you to save your pennies to support.  They collaborate with an organization dedicated to helping mainstream individuals with disabilities.  Their notebooks are handcrafted in Singapore by a person who has a physical disability.  This company along with those who purchase their products are supporting these individuals, helping give opportunities and giving their artistry a world stage.  The notebooks are beautiful, made with the highest quality and I know you won't be disappointed.  

4. Lionel's Place

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The Little Lemon That Leapt.  A funny title with a big message.  As parents of 4 boys our hope in sending them out in the world everyday is for them to be kind to others and for others to be kind to them.  With all the negative that happens around our children, with this culture of people feeling empowered hiding behind a computer screen to hurt others, as parents, we take any opportunity to encourage our children to celebrate their own uniqueness and value that in others.  The Little Lemon is all about the anti-bullying movement and showing children that it is okay to be different or as they say "spreading the message that weird is wonderful".  

Happiest of Birthdays Carlee!  Thank you for sharing your passion for being the good in world with others, to remind and inspire us that one small act truly does make a difference.  

 

(Note: All opinions expressed in this post are our own.  We have received no incentive, reimbursement or compensation in exchange for sharing information on the products)