Toy Story Half Marathon

Woke up at 2am this morning to get ready for the race. I drank my protein shake and taped up my feet and knees. I left for Disneyland before 3 am. Got to the parking lot before 3:30 am. I checked in my bag then waited for the race corral to open up. I was in the last corral and wanted to be in the front. They let us in at 4 am. My friend Angela came to join me up front. She did the 10K yesterday. We had to wait until almost 6 am for our race to start. Corral A started just after 5 am. It was already hot. The temperature was over 85 and humid. I had a cooling towel and bottle water 

We started out pretty good. Angela could not believe the big stride I have walking. I never jog. I've always walked in these races. She let me go at my pace. I saw her when I came out of the Alice bathroom. I walked with her a little bit. She was getting hot. Angela also had a cooling towel. They had water and Powerade stations every 2 miles or so. I always filled up my bottle with Powerade and poured the water on my head. And also got the cooling towel wet. At about mile 6 a spectator had a chest of ice. I got a few. Man was that great. Just to have something cold. 

I was slowing down as the miles went by. They had guys on bike telling us how much we were ahead of the pace before they could kick us off the course. I was at 10 minutes, then 6 minutes. When I came out of Angel Stadium it was down to a minute. I noticed Angela got out of the stadium. Then they had to take her off the course for heat exhaustion. 

I got a text from my friend Carlene asking where I was at. This was when I was just coming out of the stadium. I asked if she could bring me a cup of ice when I turned the corner at mile 11 by her apartment. Right before we crossed the bridge over the freeway, a nice lady was passing out small water bottles. And they were cold. That was great. I got to Carlene. She gave me the ice and rooted me on by saying "only 2 more miles". I was too beat up to try and get a photo with her. I also got texts from my friends Tara and David. They were following me on the Run Disney tracker. They both said "you're almost there". I was walking along side of the balloon lady. She was walking at a 16 minute mile pace.

And as I crossed the finish line I made sure to show the container that had the ice from Carlene. It really helped those last 2 miles. 

According to Disney, I completed the half marathon in 3 hours and 41 minutes for a pace of 16:56. My Nike app got me going for 13:31 miles at 3 hours 37 minutes for a pace of 16:20. The Nike app paused when I went to the restroom and stopped for water. 

It was a tough race. Very humid. The cooling towel did help. I even got water from sprinklers that were on along the course. I was glad when I was done. They gave us cold water, Powerade, a cooling towel, a box of goodies, bananas and bags of ice. 

Is there a race in the future? Tara posted about her and Carlene doing the Dumbo Double Dare 3 years ago. Then she said, she would love to do a race together in the future. I guess I might have to. But now I'm out to reach 10,000 rides on Racers. 

The finish line with Carlene's container

Coming out of the castle 

In DCA

My Nike stats 

Medal 

Angela before the race 

9000

I was 7 rides away from 9000 times on Radiator Springs Racers. I did not want to chance not getting those 7 rides today, so I came last night to get on the ride at least twice.

I left work at 5pm and arrived at the single rider entrance of Racers at 6:50pm. I was feeling a little nervous until I got on that first time. I met some nice ladies that recognized me. They wanted to get a couple pictures, which I always love taking. The single rider line got shorter, so I knew I could do at least 3 laps. On the 3rd ride, I was in a car with a couple families. They wanted to get pictures with me and their kids after we got out of the car. I was able to get back in line right before they closed the ride for the night. Four rides to reach 8997. 

I got to the Mickey and Friends Parking lot at 7:03am. The parking lot opens at 7:30am. Just a bit anxious today. Got to park entrance at 7:50am. Came to Racers after rope drop at 9am. Turned 2 laps by 9:51am. Now at 8999. Time to relax until the big ride tonight. It also gave me time to write about my friends who will be joining me tonight in the 9000 car.

I met Ken and Sandra W. at 5am, waiting to get in the 2013 D23 convention at the Anaheim Convention Center. We saw each other at panels during the convention and have been friends ever since. We've been to a few Disney Halloween parties and a friend of a friend of Sandra got us in Club 33. Dick Van Dyke was even eating when we were there. They were in the 2400 car and also the 7500 car. I think I've ridden the most times on Racers with Sandra.

I've been friends with Heather H., since we worked at HRTV together. Over 7 years now. Also friends with her mom, Dorise. Heather now works with the horses on Main Street in Disneyland. And at the off site ranch, were they stable the horses at night. Saw her and her boyfriend Jon, in Orlando at the Star Wars Celebration. They mainly went to get a photo with Sarah Michelle Gellar. They maybe bigger Buffy fans than me. But not by much. 

Katie H., was one of the first cast members at Racers that I became friends with. We hit it off from the start. She and her husband Glenn even invited me to their wedding. Katie had to leave Disney because of back issues. But I still see her from time to time. Glenn still works in the parks. She always had the best hugs. 

Carlene was also one of the first cast members I got to be friends with. By chance she was in the very first photo I got with the Racers crew. She is the only one who has been in every big lap car. 1000 and 2000 were by chance. But the day I reached 3000, she came in on her day off. We got in the single rider line. And she was in the front seat and me in the back. So ever since then, I make sure she is in the car. She is one of my favorite "sisters" at Racers. 

I also need to mention my other favorite "sister", Catalina S.. She came up to me a few months ago to tell me she would not be able to ride in the 9000 and 10000 cars. I knew immediately what that meant. She was pregnant. I'm so happy for her and Deane. They even told me they are having a girl before they told everyone. Catalina and Carlene have been my 2 buddies from the start. They really treat me like their big brother.

I went over to Disneyland and spent some time with my friends Lesa and Liz. I met them last night in the single rider line at Racers. We got a snack at Starbucks. We then went on Buzz Lightyear. I still have it. I scored over 1.4 million points. Liz and I then went on Hyper Space Mountain. And I did not lose my phone. I kept it in my tote bag. 

I then caught up with Heather driving the Horse "Lucky" on the Main Street Trolley. She is getting pretty good with the horses. 

I came back over to DCA at 2pm. I went by Hyperion to say hi to Amos. I also got to say hi to Sarah P. Always great to see one of my Tower favorites. I guess now it will be Guardians. Back to Racers to visit with the crew a little bit. I got to see the 10,000 showing of DJ. They have a show several times a day in front of Luigi's. 

I had a Fastpass for Soarin', so I went on the ride at 4:30pm.

Found out Ken got stuck at work and will not be able to join us tonight. So I asked Glenn to join us. 

Everyone showed up around 7pm. We got on the ride about 7:25pm. Heather's boyfriend Jon took video with my phone. On the ride, Carlene and Heather had my Go Pro cameras and Sandra took a much of Selfies. My friend David will put together a video for You Tube. 

Now 1000 more rides to reach 10,000. It took 4 months to go from 7000 to 8000 but 5 months to go from 8000 to 9000. I hope I can get to 10,000 by the end of August. Which would be 4 months. 

Katie, Heather, Sandra, Glenn and Katie

 

Sandra, Heather, Carlene, Katie and Glenn

 

The goofy shot 

 

Sandra and Ken 

 

Heather 

Katie

 

Katie and Glenn's wedding 

 

Carlene

 

Catalina

 

Liz and Lesa

Buzz Lightyear with Lesa

 

Liz on Hyper Space Mountain 

 

Sarah

 

DJ's 10,000 show 

 

My On Ride POV

Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade (1/28/17)

Tower 260 and Christmas Eve 2016

On Friday night, December 23, I came to Tower of Terror after work. I wanted to go on Tower for the 260th time, with the Bellhops. That was my goal for Tower. Why 260? The Bellhops said I should have a 13 in the number. 260 is 13 times 20. So at the end of the night, I got to ride with my friends. Sarah G. helped set up the ride. This was a great Christmas present from the Bellhops. Tower means a lot to me and I'll miss it when it closes after January 2nd. My Bellhop friends have been awesome and I love them all. I'll come on the last day and see if I can somehow be the last "guest" to ride. 

Left to right: Alex, Juston, Jose, Travi, Sarah, Walter, Brisa, Jeff, and Felix

Now for Christmas Eve. 

I got to Disney California Adventure at 7am. I was able to come it with the Extra Magic Morning guests. Radiator Springs Racers did not open until 7:30am. I was able to get in the first car out of the station. The goal was to get 40 rides to reach 8300 all time.

I got 3 rides before they had a minor issue. I got on Racers 10 times by 10am. Then 10 more by 12:45pm. I took a brief break at 2pm and had another 10 laps at 4:15pm. Only 10 more to reach 8300. Three more rides before a break from 5pm until 5:12pm. Three more rides by 6:10pm. I got another 2 rides before a 30 minute downtime because of a single car issue. After 2 more rides, I hit the 8300 mark at 8:21pm. I was in Silver 2, on Luigi's side for race, and lost the race. I got 40 laps for the day. That was enough for this day. 

Throughout the day, I also went by to see some of my cast member friends. I visited with Jess and Minerva at Mater's, Tracie at Luigi's,  Amanda working the shop by Grizzly River Run. I also saw Desiree at Disney Junior. At night, I went by to see Cameo at Flik's and Lisa at the Viva Navidad parade. I got Merry Christmas pictures with them and pictures with my friends at Racers. 

When I left Racers at 8:21pm, I walked over to Tower of Terror. I took 4 trips to the 13th floor. I'm now at 264 times on Tower. I also got photos with Jessica, Tyler and Aubree. 

It was a pretty good Christmas Eve. I got 2 presents at the park. Getting to ride with the Bellhops at 260 and reaching 8300 laps at Racers. 

One week to go for this year. I'll be at the park Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, New Year's Eve. I'd like to reach 8400 at Racers but also need to say goodbye to Tower. The friendship I've made at Tower has really been my Disney Magic.  The ride may go away but the relationships will last a lifetime. 

 

Minerva

 Jess

Tracie

Amanda

 

Desiree

Lisa

 

Jessica and Tyler

 

Aubree

 

Elizabeth, Amanda, Kristin, Lauryn and Wendy

 

Showing off the cookies I brought them: Amanda, Kristin, Wendy, Lauryn, Alex and Elizabeth

 

Cristian and Cidney

 

Rosy and Jackie

 

Jordan

 

Cameo

 

Bethanie

 

Megan

 

Jacob and Yafiet

 

Heather

 

Miguel

December 2016 week 2

This week I also have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off from work. I also have Friday off. 

Monday December 12th:

I got to Disney California Adventure at 9:30am. It appeared less crowded than last week. I was able to go on Radiator Springs Racers 14 times. I also got on Tower of Terror, 5 times. 

Desiree

 

Lisa 

 

Josie and Sarah

 

Emily

 

Tuesday December 13th:

I read a Facebook post from Tower Cast Member Holden, about today being the last 13th day, on the calendar, that Tower of Terror will ever see. That motivated me to try and ride Tower 13 times. I got to DCA before the gates opened. I was talking with a family from Utah. We talked about my love for Racers and Tower. The Dangerfield family are from Utah. The mom, Mary even went to BYU like I did. They also love Tower of Terror. Once before that got to be the First Family to go on Tower of Terror to start the day. They got picked again and said they wanted me to be part of their family. That was very cool. We got to ride down to Tower in the Red Car Trolley. We also signed the Tower log that the every First Family gets to sign. When we went on the ride, their oldest daughter Ellie, asked if I would sit next to her.

I also saw Racers cast members being re trained at Tower. Andrew and Mikey. I got to ride with friends Angela and Clark once. At the end of the night I was 1 away from 13. My friend Michelle came to Tower and we got on Tower for number 13. I even made a crude sign with the number 13. 

I got on Racers 10 times. The single rider got long in the afternoon. 

As I was leaving the park, I ran into my friends Heather and Jon. Heather took a selfie of the 3 of us.

The First Family ride on Tower of Terror with (from left to right) Ellie, Cole, Ollie, Mary and Addie Dangerfield

 

Post First Family Ride : Cole, Ellie, Mary, Addie and Ollie

 

Mikey and Andrew

Lisa in front of Tower.

Meli 

 

Clark and Angela sad about Tower coming to a end

 

Maria

 

Michelle and I on ride 13 for the day

 

Michelle

 

Wednesday December 14th:

Today I was feeling a little tired, with it being the 3rd day in a row getting to the park early. I was able to get on Racers 11 times and on Tower of Terror 4 times.

The fun part was visting and getting pictures with my  friends. I went to see Amanda working at Sea Side. She was feeling sick, but I still wanted to say hi. I got a picture with Carina at the single rider entrance to Racers. It has been awhile since I got a photo with her. I got a photo with Catalina at Luigi's and a normal and goofy photo with Carlene at Racers. I went by Mater's and saw Jess. She ran over when she saw me. She was wondering when I would come by to get a picture with her. See has seen my recent photos on Instagram and was a little jealous. And after my last ride at Tower, I saw Giselle working in the Tower gift shop. It is very humbling to me that people like getting photos with me.

At the end of the day, my totals were 8161 at Racers and 252 on Tower.

Catalina at Luigi's

 

Carlene 

Goofy pic with Carlene

Marie

 

Carina

 

Kristin

 

Jess at Mater's. 

 

Rochelle at Mater's

 

Giselle

 

Friday December 16th:

I got to DCA around 7am. The Extra Magic Morning crowd was small, because of the rain. They let the few of us "normal guests" in with them at 7:15am. I went to Tower of Terror and got on 2 times. On one of the rides I was in the back row, all by myself. Not a big crowd there either.

I then went to Racers. The ride was having a few issues getting going. When they opened at 8:39am, I was lucky enough to get in the first car, out of the station. It was a great day at Racers. I was there from 8:39 until 2:20pm. I got on 24 times. That is a little better than 4 per hour. I'll take that any day. I got some pictures with my friends before they opened and some during the racing day. I also went by Flik's Fun Fair to say hi to Cameo. She was trying to wave me down and I was looking every where else except where she was. And I got a photo with her.

I then went back to Tower of Terror. I got on one more time. One of the shafts went down and they were only running one. You could also see the new paint on the outside of the attraction today. They have already started changing the ride over to Guardians of The Galaxy: Mission Breakout. 

After leaving DCA, I met up with some friends. Amos and Carlene. Carlene and I got something to eat at Earl of Sandwich. Amos had already eaten. We then met up with Catalina and her husband Deane. The 5 of us went to see Rogue One. This is the 2nd year of our little Star Wars Movie Club. We all went to see The Force Awakens last year. Hopefully we can continue the tradition with episode 8 next December. On opening Thursday this time. 

Amos, Carlene, Catalina and Deane

 

For the week, I ended at 8185 at Racers and 255 on Tower. Hopefully next Monday I will hit the 8200 at Racers and 260 at Tower. I also reached 2618 total rides for the year at Racers. Still have a shot to break my 1 year total of 2795, which I got last year. 

Jovany

 

Analeen

 

Alessa and Teresa 

 

Carina

 

Ruth

 

Catalina

Cameo 

Guardians paint