Andrews University Alumni Weekend – Harvest Run

We went up to Andrews University for alumni weekend for the 20th anniversary of AFIA. When I was looking at the events on campus and saw that there was a 5 and 10k on Sunday. Looking at my training schedule it fit in with what mileage that I would need to do.

It was drizzling and cold when we woke up so dressed appropriately. Once we got to the campus the rain stopped and the weather was perfect for running. The race course went through the campus so it was interesting going through it. There was a little snag in at registration sowe started a little late.

Once we were off we ran towards the back entrance of the campus and ran towards PMC and ran on the outskirts road towards Meier Hall, the ran through apportion of where we started and went through the university apartments. There was a little confusion at that point some people kept going and I heard that they ran all the way to kephart. Since I was towards the back I went to the correct course. This course then brought us to the academy and then brought us down the main entrance to the campus. We then ran past PMC and Meier Hall again but the we went through the dairy. At first I thought that would get neat, but didn’t realize how it would smell. So I ran faster to get out of there! At the main road there was another confusion of where the 10 and 5k runners were supposed to go. I did see a sign on where the 10k was going to go which went through the middle of campus and turning where the flag court was then turning left of the library and then right towards the science building. But once I got to the science building I couldn’t find any signs and didn’t see any more signs so I just went towards the finish line. According to my nike+ watch it wasn’t quite a 10k. It came out to be 5.89 miles, which I finished at 1hr 11min 39sec.

Not a very well planned race, but it was fun going through the campus and not running because I am late for class!

Update: apparently I came in 3rd in my age group so hey sent me a bronze medal.

Chicago Half Marathon 2013

A little overcast and a little humid, not too bad for this run. Even though it started at 7 we got up early to go down to Hyde Park since we were not familiar of where the start was. It was a good thing because I forgot my running watch, so we went back to go get it. We arrived in Hyde Park in enough time to find parking and walked to the starting line. It was a good thing that there was a bunch of people that parked where we were because we could of easily got lost.

The race started in Jefferson Park promptly at 7. I believe they had to do that because they closed of south Lake Shore Drive for the race and had to to open it at a certain time. I’ve noticed. That there were a lot of aid stations, I wonder if they were planning for the humidity. Which is a good idea, but I had to be aware of how the liquid effected my body, because at the Disneyland Half I stated to feel water logged from all the stations. So I skipped a couple of them.

I did better at this race. I finished at 2hrs. 42min. 21sec. At the after party they had a cover band that was pretty good, and had free pizza and beer. I just got the pizza and we walked back to the car. We took at detour through the Japanese Garden and took some pictures there.

Overall I thought it was a well organized race and a good run. This race will qualify me to get a membership into the Half Fanatics. My cousin Nanette just joined and I will be inquiring on membership tomorrow.

Disneyland Half Marathon 2013

This is my favorite race to run. This year they developed a new challenge the Dumbo Double Dare (DDD). It was very popular and highly sought for because at the day they released the registration it filled upon 20 min. I was not able to register for that, but was very happy to get into the half.

We arrived in Disneyland on Saturday, so once we dropped off our bags at the hotel we went directly to the expo. Within minutes of stepping into the exhibitors area I hear “Chaddie!” which was my cousin Nanette. She got into the DDD so she was wearing her first medal, which was really nice! I definitely want to participate next year. I also saw Dave Mari and my cousins Dave (Dodong), Nanette’s husband Todd and their kids Taylor and Nathan. It was a fun expo and I got my commemorative vinylmation for the race. We met up for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then went back to to hotel to rest before the race.

Woke up early to get ready, my cousin Debbie stayed at a nearby hotel so she met us an we went to meet up with the rest of our group. While we walked to the corrals my cousin Nanette found Vivian Cook who we’ve went to school with a long time ago. Once we got into our corral, the wait wasn’t too long and away we go!

I started running with Jean, once we got to California Adventure she went ahead and took pictures. I took a lot of pictures this year and found Snow White again! We ran through Paradise Pier, Pacific Wharf, Cars Land, Hollywood Land and Buena Vista Street…then off to the Magic Kingdom!

Once we entered the park we turned on to Main Street U.S.A. and got to see Sleeping Beauty’s castle. From there we ran through Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tommorowland and Mickey’s Toontown…then we were off to the streets of Anaheim.

I got reunited with Jean where the cars were and we ran the rest of the way through the parking lot of the Honda Stadium, the A’s Stadium and back to the Disneyland Resort.

The morning was hot and humid. I utilized the water stations to douse myself to keep myself cool. I finished the race in 3hrs. 1min. and 28sec. Not my best time, but I had a great time.

We waited for everyone to finish to take our finishers photo together. It was a great run, the first half for Debbie, Nanette’s 50th bday coming up, seeing the sights, it was just a fun experience.

Next year I will be going for my coast to coast medal. Starting with my first full marathon in January and this in sept!

The next day we spent the day at the parks where I sported my medal, I got to spend most of the day with Nanette and Taylor, took pictures with Mickey Mouse. This was a really fun weekend.

Till next year for this race!