Sunday, January 14, 2024

runDisney debrief

Arriving at the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend 5k in January 2024
This being our first runcation of 2024, with the added pressure of bidding farewell to our annual park passes (magic keys), we were bound to have some hiccups. The RunDisney 5k runcation also had lots of quality moments.

$108.99 per 5k x 2 adults +
$35 per kids run
$252.98

$629.48 hotel (because I made the mistake of choosing flexible rate instead of pre-paying) which includes two nights of parking at $20/day.

We had the car packed the night before, except the coolers, which made it easier to get up and go. We left our house at 5am to avoid hitting traffic through downtown LA.

Thursday 1/11/24

  • 6am arrive
  • 7am security
  • 730am coffee
  • 8am DCA rope drop
  • Monsters Inc
  • Cars Land - Junkyard Jam
  • Bakery Tour
  • Little Mermaid 
  • Pixar Pier walkthrough
  • 1030 Baymax bread + mac
  • Grand Cal (nap fail)
  • Disneyland hotel + Expo (nap)
  • Check-in to La Quinta 
  • Target run
  • 6pm asleep

Friday 1/12/24

  • 3am wake
  • 4am security
  • 5am race
  • 6am finish
  • 7am Grand Cal to change
  • 8am Disneyland rope drop
  • Castle walkthrough
  • Carousel
  • 9am Coffee
  • Pirates
  • Adventureland Treehouse
  • 10am Beignet + mint julep
  • Canoes
  • Pretzel cart
  • 11am Alien pizza planet
  • 1pm Grey stuff
  • Castle photos
  • Disneyana
  • Strawberry popsicle
  • 2pm Character pics / hugs
  • 3-6pm nap at hotel
  • Dinner and walk to CVS
  • 9:30pm fireworks from room

Saturday 1/13/24

  • 6am wake
  • 7am breakfast
  • 8am pack car and checkout
  • 9am activities zone
  • 10am race
  • 11am Chicken nuggets

Next time we would make a box of macaroni and cheese and split it in half. We would take half with us and leave half in the fridge so that we can eat it on the trip and right when we get back. Having the pre-made meals with meatballs slider sandwiches and meatloaf made us very happy eating dinner in the room every night. We definitely could have split the pasta at Alien pizza planet, it was too much for one person. Our goal was to keep spending under $100 per day and I think we achieved it.

Thurs = $94.50
  • Coffee and cake pops $15
  • Garden Walk parking $28
  • Bing Bong candy $7
  • Bakery Mac lunch $12
  • Bread cart Baymax $12
  • Target fruits and cars $31.50
Fri = $98
  • Genie+ $24
  • Coffee $7
  • Fruit cart $4
  • Beignet all day $12
  • Pretzel cart $7.50
  • Pizza Planet $32
  • Red rose $6
  • Popsicle $5.50
Sat = $82
  • McDonald's $32
  • CVS $50 ($20 tip for hotel)

I will add our packing list here. 

Backpack/diaper bag (take it into the park)
  • three hats
  • three sunglasses 
  • change of clothes 
  • flour sack towel
  • Think sunscreen bag
  • five diapers x3
  • wetbag for dirty laundry
  • battery + cable
  • glasses lens cleaner
  • bubble fidget toy
  • bubble wand + bubbles (SUPER CLUTCH) I refilled this 3x
  • batteries + screwdriver
  • Tow Mater + remote control (SUPER CLUTCH)
Diaper change kit (take it into the park)
  • two diapers (didn't need as many diapers b/c potty training)
  • wipes
  • poop bags
Overnight Duffel Bags (leave it in the car or hotel)
  • first aid kit
  • 10 toy cars + cars book
  • vitamins/medications
  • phone charger
  • Ponchos (didn't use)
  • Stroller rain cover (didn't use)
  • Slippers / Flip Flops (ALBERT STOLE MY COZY SOCKS)
  • Long-sleeved shirts
  • Walking shoes (wear it)
  • Yoga pants or shorts
  • Comfy Bras
  • Jacket / coat
  • underwear, clean socks
  • PJs for mom, dad, Albie (MIKE STOLE MY PJ PANTS)
  • Eye mask / Earplugs Anti-snoring device (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • Toiletry bag w/ toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, face lotion, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, baby body wash, dental floss, deodorant
  • Albert Pajamas (3)
  • Albert Jacket / coat
  • Albert Shirts (3)
  • Albert Long pants (2)
  • Albert Socks (4)
  • Swimsuits (did not bring, but wish we had)
  • Pool floatie (did not bring, but wish we had)
  • Swim diapers (did not bring, but wish we had)
Running stuff (leave it in the car or hotel)
  • Running shoes
  • running socks
  • Running shorts
  • Running pants
  • Running skirt
  • Running belt (did not use)
  • Running jacket
  • Running watch charger
  • Sports bra
  • Tank top 
  • Ibuprofen
  • Bounce Back Bliss 
  • Winter hat and scarf
  • Gloves
  • Throwaway sweats
  • Fleece Vest (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • Running underwear 
  • Flip-flops aka recovery shoes
  • Ziploc bags, quart size (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • Arm warmers (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • Electrolyte tabs (did not use)
  • Kleenex (did not bring but wish I had)
  • Anti-chafe (did not bring, but would have needed if it had rained)
  • trash bag / mylar blanket
  • Extra safety pins
  • Foam roller (did not bring, did not need)
  • Bandaids (I put one on a toe but it fell off)
  • glow sticks (did not bring, did not need)
(non-insulated) Snack Bag (leave it in the car or hotel)
  • Ramen noodles
  • Easy Mac (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • cheez-it
  • Ruffles (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • raisins
  • milk (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • juice
  • goldfish
  • cheerios
  • pretzels 
  • three fruit pouches
  • Dish Soap
Insulated Coolers (leave it in the car or hotel)
  • cucumber, carrots (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • apple
  • bell pepper
  • grapes
  • hummus  (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • granola bar
  • protein bar
  • plastic silverware, knife  (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • reusable straw  (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • string cheese
  • hard-boiled eggs  (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • bagel + cream cheese (oops forgot to bring this)
  • Meatloaf  (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • Turkey meatballs  (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • Slider sandwiches   (SUPER CLUTCH)
BOB stroller (take it into the park)
  • Minnie ears
  • sippy cup  (SUPER CLUTCH)
  • 40 oz Hydroflask
  • 34 oz Ceres Chill
As you pack, consider the following:
  1. What foods do you need as fuel?
  2. Are your headphones and music devices charged with entertainment downloaded?
  3. Are your clothing items washed and ready?
  4. Do you have all of your water bottles?
  5. Are you going to be racing with your stroller? If so, have you checked it for needed maintenance?
  6. If you are racing with your kiddos, do they have all they need to be packed, such as snacks, water, and entertainment? 
  7. According to the forecast, do you need to pack any additional weather clothing for race day?
  8. Does your event require pre-registration?
  9. Are you familiar with the race path?
There were no snacks at the kids race. No food available for purchase. In the future I would have advised myself to bring snacks. Anywhere you take a toddler, you must bring snacks!

Here's a clip of me happily running 

If we're talking strictly money, it was a lot to spend on a runcation. Based on the cost, I think we can try other destinations and get by at a lower cost.

I will say that it was worth all the money to get me off the couch and back into training mode. I'm super proud of myself for the growth that I experienced through this process. I'm so grateful to RunDisney for providing a training plan. I'm so grateful for the Rise and Run podcast for keeping me inspired by interviewing a bunch of Disnerds that are also runners. It got me really looking forward to the event, which got me out training. It's about progress, not perfection. I didn't do every single thing in the training plan, but I did improve. And I'm motivated to keep going, so that says something.


I was able to get a new pair of running shoes. I actually had my foot assessed at Fleet Feet in Encino. The ones I bought last, my "winter whites," were great and got me through the Disneyland 5k. But I needed a second pair to start rotating in. I hope these can take me to the next finish line. I ended up with a size 9 instead of 8.5 and a wide instead of medium.


I put together an Amazon wish list of stuff that I like for running. 
I wanted to hit "publish" on this blog before February, so here goes... Woo-hoo!

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