Tink weekend is definitely one of my favorite race weekends. I absolutely love the courses, particularly the 10k course. You spend so much time in the park, vs running down random highways like you do in the world. I haven't done Tink since 2013, so the start line and course was a little different, but I still enjoyed it.
One thing I love about Tink weekend is being able to walk from the hotel to the race. No annoying 3am bus rides. Plus, being from the East, I don't feel like the race is overly early. The 10k morning started with a chance of rain, and of course it started to pour RIGHT AFTER I checked my gear. I hid under a tent, trying to wait it out. Of course I was wearing my new RunDisney Tink shoes, so I was kicking myself as I didn't want to destroy them the first day. Eventually the rain slowed and I made my way to the start line.
The first mile of the race has some overpasses and such before you enter the parks to loop around, so it's definitely my least favorite part of the race. And my shoe came untied! That never happens. Guess this is why you never wear something new on race day. I tied it and got back in my groove, entering the backstage area of the park. Less than a mile later the same shoe came undone again! I knotted it like four times and hurried along, knowing the PR I was eying had drifted out of reach.
The hubs ended up coming to the race unexpectedly, so he got a pic of my running through Downtown Disney. I loved how many people were out cheering us along.
After the race we changed and wandered back to the expo for a bit and then spent the afternoon in California Adventure. Needless to say, with all the walking, I was not anticipating a half PR.
The staging for the half was much more chaotic than the 10k. They had a narrow walkway to the start line area lined with not nearly enough portapotties... So you A.) walked into a brick wall of people waiting in line and B.) likely didn't have a chance to get through the lines if you were in a front corral. I found it very stressful. I eventually made it to corral A, with little time to spare.
I carried my phone in my hand for the race, which I don't normally do, but I had bought a RooSport pouch to carry my 10k medal in so I'd have it for finish line pictures. The RooSport worked really well. I liked how it was magnetic, so no belt, and it didn't move. Usually I'm messing with my belt every mile or so. It was also nice to have my phone in my hand because I kept getting text updates about how my husband was doing behind me, which motivated me to run a little faster at times.
We decided to do the photopass option for the day of the half. For $40 per day, we were able to link our bibs to the same account and get all our pics from the day. SO much better than their old system! Plus, I actually got decent castle shots for once.
I did stop for pictures with Goofy and at the water. I am not usually a big stopper, but I couldn't resist those two shots and there was no wait.
The roads of Anaheim were a little boring, but I knew the Red Hat Ladies were coming around mile 8. Talk about an energy boost! These women are amazing, sitting outside so early and cheering us along- I can't even describe it. They make you feel awesome, like you are famous or something.
Biggest complaint about the course was where mile 5 and mile 12 ran parallel to each other. As I was nearing the end I had to dodge walkers from mile 5 who decided to walk in the mile 12 area. I found that frustrating. Later, in the results, I also saw that so e women actually ended up cutting the course there and just finishing the race. Some even supposedly took some of the top places. RunDisney quickly altered the results, but behavior like this angers me. If you are going to sign up for a half then TRAIN. Don't cut the course, parade around in your medal, and live a lie. This may upset people, but I'm about integrity. If you can't earn it this time, try again next year. That's the end of my rant.
For some reason I really struggled in mile 11, but I finished strong, highfiving Mickey at the end. I then hovered, knowing my husband was only a few minutes behind. I walked as slow as possible and kept stopping in inconspicuous areas until someone would tell me to keep moving, then I would find another discreet spot to wait in. He eventually caught up and we got our pic together.
We got our medals engraved and hung out at the finish area for a bit before heading back to the hotel. That's when I realized I had checked all of my Glass Slipper Medals to do a full pink coast to coast picture. My husband helped me stage a nice picture, which had many people looking at me funny as I laid In he walkway with medals spread out all around me.
Tink is definitely a race weekend I can recommend to anyone who can make the trek out to California. I love how it is so much more relaxed than the World races. Starting from the expo, where there was no extreme chaos or nasty people, to being able to wander leisurely from the hotels to the start and enjoy the race courses. A few small issues didn't ruin the awesome experience and I hope I can save up enough money to do this race again sometime.
