No, St. Patrick's Day is not yet upon us (not even close). But with St. Patrick's Day comes the promise of warmer weather, and that couldn't come soon enough for this stir-crazy being. With today also being Groundhog's Day, unfortunately the word on the street is that the groundhog saw his shadow. Apparently this predicts that there will be no early springtime in these drifts. Blugh.
It continues to be a very busy stretch for me in the office. I've been working 12-14 hour days, plus putting in considerable weekend hours. I did give myself a bit of a reprieve this current weekend, though, and it has been glorious. Yesterday my friend Kate posted on Facebook that, "In my opinion, a Saturday night on the couch is a treat, not a waste" and I couldn't agree more.
I'm going to Disneyland!!!
Registration for the Disneyland Half Marathon opened up this past Tuesday at 11 AM CST. I knew from prior years that it would sell out quickly - possibly within a matter of hours - so I set a calendar reminder for myself.
At 10:58 AM, armed with my credit card, I tried to click onto the RunDisney website... only to receive a "Gateway Timeout" error.
I tried refreshing my browser a few times, closed out all of my browser windows and reopened, switched between Internet Explorer and Google Chrome, asked Adam to try on his laptop. NOTHING!
The clock struck 11:00 AM. I frantically went onto Twitter to check the real-time state of the RunDisney union. The result? A landslide of tweets claiming successful registration. NO!!!!!
I continued scanning the tweets for any sign that the website outage wasn't just a singular conspiracy targeted directly at me. Thankfully, I came across this extremely helpful tweet from a previously-unknown resource:
The direct link to the Active registration site worked! A few minutes later, I was the happy (and relieved!) recipient of this in my inbox:
I had never crossed paths with Patrick of @WhatThe5K before, but I immediately tweeted him to say thank you for posting the direct registration link. He quickly responded that he was glad to help.
When social media works, it is a beautiful thing!!!
And now that the plans are official, I am ridiculously excited for the weekend's festivities. In addition to crossing California off of my list of states-raced-in, I'll also get to catch up with Kayla and Zenaida, who will both also be running Disneyland that weekend. It's gonna be great!
Race Calendar Updates
Beyond pulling the trigger on the Disneyland Half, I've got a couple of recently planned additions to my 2014 race calendar:
- After a disastrous running of the 2011 Chicago Spring Half Marathon, I'm going to give it another go this year. I'd mentioned previously that my plan is for the Illinois Half Marathon to be a PR-attempt. In short (this is a topic for another post), I have very high hopes for myself on the running front this year. Therefore, I won't kid you that I'm looking at the Chicago Spring Half as a backup goal race pending how things go at Illinois. The Chicago Spring Half is also logistically very easy for me and its timing works well in my calendar. Here we go!!!
- One of my intentions for 2014 was to run in more neighborhood races, since they are such a great showcase of Chicago's diversity. With this in mind, I am looking at running the Chinatown 5K this year. I was born in the year of the horse, so this is my year! Not to mention that unless the race organizers change the race date timeframe, it will take place right around my birthday. I can't think of anything more appropriate than to run a race in the neighborhood of my own ethnicity, right around my birthday, during my Chinese zodiac year!
Happy Lunar New Year, Happy Super Bowl Sunday, and Happy (or not so happy) Groundhog's Day to all!
Yay! Emmers is going to DISNEYLAND!!!!! So happy you got in :)
ReplyDeleteI also ran the chi spring half of 2011 and ended up with hypothermia. Not fun... But I hope it goes better for you this year... If I'm around maybe I'll join you for a few miles that day.
The Chinatown 5k looks perfect for you!! It is clearly your race :)
Speaking of weird weather, spring of 2011 was really strange! I remember it being 70 the day of the Shuffle, then being super cold on my birthday (in May, right around the time of the spring half). But hypothermia? Yikes :(
DeleteXaar, thank you so much! Gah, I have to admit that I had qualms about the Chicago Spring Half since the last few years the weather has been so hit or miss. You would think that mid-May would be a perfect time in Chicago, but it has SO not been the case! I remember back in 2011, the Chicago Spring Half was brutally cold but the 13.1 Half two weeks later was brutally hot. Total craziness!!! In any event - if you are around, it would be AWESOME to have your company during part of the race!!!
DeleteAnne - YES! The spring of 2011 was completely bizarre! (See my comment above on the Chicago Half and the 13.1 Half.) My junior high science teacher used to say that if you wanted boring weather, you should move to Florida... but if you wanted INTERESTING weather, you should live in Chicago. I don't know about you, but I will take boring weather over, uh, interesting weather anyday. =D
2011... sigh.. the year of like 40 degrees, 40 mph winds and sleet the entire race. I was shaking uncontrollably for a while after the race... should have taken a trip to the med tent after that one...too stubborn.
DeleteAnd yes- I remember the shuffle was the rogue 80 degree day in 2011, and then back to the 40's..
haha Florida weather is boring, minus the hurricanes and stuff ;) Chicago is definitely "interesting" weather wise :)
2011 was a total yo-yo, weather-wise, and if I recall correctly the 2012 Chicago Spring Half was also plagued by torrential thunderstorms and wind. I hear you on not wanting to go to the med tent, though - I would have done the exact same thing! In general, I don't like to go to the doctor or take medicine unless I really, really, really need it!!! I am very stubborn, too!
DeletePhew, glad the Disney race worked out! Social media can be super helpful on stuff like that! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear your plans for the IL half! And that Chinatown race sounds cool! I may invite myself along for that, as hanging out in Chinatown is on my Chicago Bucket List for the year.
(PS - we're commenting on each other's blogs at the same time LOL)
Thanks, Anne! Agreed, who ever knew that Twitter could be such a godsend in a moment of race registration despair!?!?!?
DeleteSo for the Illinois Half, this is also a topic for another post, but I'm thinking I may actually try to follow a real 12-week training plan this time around. No more of this 3-week crash-course preparation that I usually do. I know that you've been good about using real training plans in the past - which plan do you use!?!?
Oh my goodness, absolutely come run the Chinatown 5K!!! I think it's going to be a really fun local race, and the neighborhood will have so much to offer in the summertime! Plus, there is so much good food. Excellent options for post-race refueling. =D
Yes, I also saw that we were commenting on each other's blogs at the same time! Great minds think alike!!!
I use a modified Hal Higdon Novice 2 (basically just modified so I can get some of my classes in while training!). I'm a huge fan, I used Novice 1 for my half last year and I felt really confident on race day (you know, until the weather got "interesting" ha!). But if you do 12 weeks, wouldn't that start pretty soon? Mine starts next Monday and I think the races are a week apart (unless I messed up my dates...).
DeleteBob is considering signing up to do the IL half with his best friend, so if he does, I'll at least be there to spectate and cheer you on! :)
Also, I'm doing the 10k at the Chicago Spring Half, so I hope you do end up doing that race!
Nice! I am planning on using a modified version of Hal Higdon's Novice 2, also. I will probably only do two runs during the week, and then swap out the third day with some cross training. And YES - the training plan starts tomorrow!!!
DeleteOooh, I hope that Bob does run the Illinois Half - it would be awesome to have you there!!! You probably already know that Erin and Lindsay are also running Illinois, too. The more CRBs the better!
The Chicago Spring Half is already a done deal for me. I registered for it last Friday. =) So glad to hear that you'll be doing the 10K, it will be great to see you there!!!
That's my plan too - I have all the runs on my schedule, but definitely wouldn't feel bad swapping a short one out for cross/strength.
DeleteI happened to catch Erin on course a few times last year too, so I'll be more than happy to cheer for you ladies! Oh, and Bob and his friend too, I guess :) I considered doing the 5k or 10k, but I need 8 miles that Friday, so 5k is out, and am running the Ravenswood Run 5k on Sunday of that weekend and definitely don't want to do a double the week before my half. But I'll PR at spectating :)
YAY!!! It's a bummer that the Ravenswood 5K takes place that same weekend because I want to do more neighborhood races and I've heard such great things about that one. The last weekend of April and the first weekend of May are just PACKED with great races to choose from! I would so do the Wisconsin Half again this year if it didn't fall the very next weekend after Illinois. =(
DeleteHopefully work slows down for you soon!! I'm so glad that I haven't been doing 12 or 14 hour days lately. Those get old quick. Although I do have a 12 day stretch thanks to switching things around for my trip in a few week!
ReplyDeleteYay for Disneyland!!! I am actually trying to look at hotel information right now. I have no idea what I want to do as far as price/convenience etc. So many choices. My wallet is not going to like all the destination races this year but the memories will be worth it! :)
I think the Chi Spring half will be a great backup (if you need it) and if you don't it will just be another fun race!!
Thanks, Kayla! Likewise - it sounds like you have been working crazy, crazy hours yourself, so I hope things slow down soon for you also! Oh my goodness, a 12-day stretch? That sounds HEAVENLY!!!
DeleteFor Disneyland hotels, Adam and I are probably going to stay at the Anaheim Residence Inn Maingate (the rationale being that the rooms have kitchens, which I really like, plus free parking). They also offer free shuttles to the park - but I think there are a lot of places that do. Let me know what you are looking at - and maybe talk to Zenaida (seezenaidarun.com) too, since she just ran the Tinker Bell Half at Disneyland a few weeks ago. When do you plan on arriving/departing Anaheim, btw?
Thanks for the encouragement on the Chicago Spring Half! Racing can be so addicting, isn't it? Too bad the Disney races are so darned expensive otherwise I'd love to do more of them.
The kitchens definitely would be an added bonus. I've been looking at a lot of places. I am kind of thinking the the tropicana because the rooms do have a fridge and microwave and its right across the street. As for when I will be there...its really difficult to plan right now. I'm thinking Friday to Monday (maybe Tues) but there is no pharmacy mgr at my store right now and I don't know whose turn it will be to work Labor Day and I can't technically ask for it off soooo hopefully we get pharmacists soon so I can plan better.
DeleteAhhhh, that is nervewracking that you can't fully plan for the weekend yet! I really, really, really hope things work out for you to have that weekend off!!! If you by chance are able to stay beyond Monday, let me know. Not to sound like a comedian, but I will be there all week! =D
DeleteLooking forward to Illinois weekend!! I want it to be a PR for me, too, but I'm also okay with just doing a bunch of half marathons this year until it happens :-)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'd love to do the Chinatown 5K if it works with my schedule. And I really want to do the Day of the Dead one this year! No procrastinating this time!
I am super excited for Illinois weekend, too! We'll have to start planning the logistics soon (it'll help me think positively during the obscenely cold weather we've been having). And I just saw that you'll be heading to Puerto Rico to run the half there - SO AWESOME!!! Talk about a great way to get away from the Chicago winter. =)
DeleteYes, definitely do both the Chinatown 5K and the Carrera de los Muertos!!! I am keeping an eye out for when registration opens on both of them - no procrastinating for me, either!!!
So jealous of all your race plans! I'd love to do Disney and Chinatown some day... maybe next year... too many things going on for me in 2014!
ReplyDeleteLet's do either and/or both together sometime!!! After missing the chance to get a photo together at the Chicago Half Marathon last September, a future remedy is definitely needed! I'll let you know when registration opens for the Carrera de los Muertos, too. =D BTW - what is the latest on your plans to come run a race in Chicago sometime in April?
DeleteI get sweaty just thinking about trying to register for a race that popular and having technology issues. It takes me back to the days of registering for classes for college at the stroke of midnight. Haha! I'm glad it all worked out. Your running calendar sounds great. You are going to have a fantastic year!
ReplyDeleteSweaty and nervous is exactly right! I also remember those days of waiting for the exact moment that college class registration opened and frantically trying to get everything loaded in (not to mention all the time spent preparing in advance). Stress!!!
DeleteThank you so much for the vote of confidence, it is very much appreciated. =)
Phew! Glad you made it through the Disney registration process. I'll be at the Spring Half as well. The last time I ran it (2012) it was thru a nasty T'storm.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marcia! I actually went back and re-read your recap from the 2012 Spring Half this past weekend. I was curious if the race organization had changed from when I ran it. How awful that the race got pummeled by horrific rain conditions two years in a row - but way for you to push through!!! Here is hoping and praying that things will go much more smoothly this year. Can't wait to catch up with you there!!!
DeleteAhhh I'm so jealous of your Disney race!!! I have exactly zero races currently lined up for this year and am now scrambling to find some worthwhile ones here in NYC before they fill up (and they fill up here soooo fast it's crazy).
ReplyDeleteYour technology issues remind me of my feeble attempts to get Lollapalooza tickets last year - the entire website crashed and burned and I ended up with no tickets :( But get this - a tech-savvy friend of mine actually wrote a computer code that basically automatically refreshed and tried to buy tickets...and it worked! I wonder if we could use it for these difficult-to-get-into races :)
-Irina
Irina, I am so glad to hear that your MRI came back in the clear. Given what you were going through with the potential injury, I think it was very smart that you haven't signed up for anything until now. But now that you've got the green light, I am super excited to hear what you do line up!!!
DeleteUgh, so sorry to hear about the Lollapalooza ticket issues. It seems like more and more places are experiencing website crashes when tickets go on sale, which is really frustrating. It's hard to deal with when demand for certain events is so high! But WOW on your tech-savvy friend that wrote a computer code! That is unbelievable!!!!!!!!!
I am glad the Disney registration worked out. I got lucky and was done with registration in about 2 minutes. It did help that I was home that day or I don't think I would have been able to register at school.
ReplyDeleteDo you still want to do the relay race in Peoria on May 18th. Here is the link for more information: http://www.runrivercity.com/
It is really good you were home that day because registration sold out so quickly! I am glad that you did not experience the technical difficulties that I did!
DeleteOh my gosh! I JUST signed up for the Chicago Spring Half which also takes place on May 18. Bummer that the dates overlap because I would have LOVED to do the relay. Can we find another relay to run? I already started looking at other marathon relay options within driving distance and came up with Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, and Detroit. (The Milwaukee Lakefront was listed in one place as having a relay, but their official website doesn't say anything about it.) I saw that you haven't crossed Michigan off of your list so I was trying to see if we could kill a couple of birds with one stone for you with a marathon relay there!