Heading to Disney World for the Springtime Surprise Challenge!

 

The countdown is over—tomorrow, I’m heading to Disney World for the Springtime Surprise Challenge! That means three races over three days: a 5K, 10K, and a 10-miler. But before the running begins, I’ll be getting my Zen on with Sunrise Yoga in Hollywood Studios, right in front of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Talk about a magical way to start the weekend!

Four early wake-up calls? Actually, make that six, if you count my fly-in and fly-out days. Who needs sleep when there’s magic to be had?

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Disney trip without some extra fun along the way. Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival is in full bloom, which means gorgeous topiaries, fresh food booths, and—most importantly—Orange Bird merchandise! I already know I won’t be able to resist bringing home a few souvenirs (okay, maybe more than a few).

Costumes are made, bags are packed, and now all that’s left is attempting to sleep before my early morning flight. Easier said than done when you’re about to run Disney! Let the magic (and the miles) begin!

2025 Springtime Surprise Costume reveal

So, here I am getting ready for another runDisney race weekend. Underprepared, but costume ready. Springtime Surprise is less than 2 weeks away and I can’t wait.

I have to say, I’m really surprised that the yoga event hasn’t sold out yet. Yoga at Disney is the best, in my opinion. Possibly the location is a factor this time. We all love yoga in Magic Kingdom in front of Cinderella's Castle or at Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle (which, by the way, was amazing during Dumbo Dare weekend). Disney’s Hollywood Studios just doesn’t quite have that same magic. The view of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is fine, but it’s just not as iconic, even though it’s still the classic Chinese Theatre from The Great Movie Ride days.

Not so surprised the Splash party was cancelled. It was kind of a dud last year.

Here’s my suggestion, Disney: How about some yoga in Galaxy’s Edge? That would definitely get all of us Star Wars nerds to sell out the event in record time!

But I digress. I’m really here to talk about costuming for this upcoming race weekend. Because let’s be honest, that’s what all of us runDisney participants love about these races.

The 5K is Guardians of the Galaxy-themed, hosted by Groot. My original plan was to reuse my Baby Groot costume from Dumbo weekend. However, I quickly discarded that idea when I realized I wouldn’t be able to sit down on the bus ride to the start. That costume worked perfectly at Disneyland because the start line was within walking distance of my hotel.

                             

So, I pivoted. For this race, I’ve decided to run as Rocket Raccoon and carry a potted Baby Groot. Problem solved!

The 10K is Hercules-themed. I honestly can’t remember ever watching this movie, so I fired up Disney+ and watched it — maybe for the first time? I quickly decided that Hades was the perfect character for me. This costume is going to be so much fun.

The 10-miler is Incredible-themed. Conveniently, I already have a Mrs. Incredible costume I made for the summer virtual series a few years ago. I love when I can reuse a good costume!

So, there you have it: Rocket, Hades, and the mother who can stretch for miles. Watch my costume reveal on Youtube, click here!

Hope to see you all soon! If you spot me on the course, be sure to say hello!

A Sweet and Slightly Lost Adventure at Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long

My love of s’mores and those feisty little chipmunks, Chip and Dale, made Disney’s Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds an absolute must-do for me. Getting there was easy thanks to Disney’s bus transportation, but finding the exact location of the event? That was a different story. Maybe it was my lack of a sense of direction, but let’s just say Fort Wilderness is huge—with multiple trails, breathtaking scenery, and golf carts zipping around like they own the place. I was tempted to stick out my thumb for a ride more than once.

After wandering a bit, I finally found the Meadow
Trading Post area, where the fun would take place. And, true to my usual habits, I arrived way too early—a solid 30 minutes before anything even started. Better early than late, right? 

This same area is also where they show the outdoor movies, and there was plenty of stadium-style seating available.

I had assumed that marshmallows were complimentary and that you only had to purchase the chocolate. So, I came prepared with some leftover Ghirardelli Easter squares, thinking I was about to make the most gourmet s’mores imaginable. Spoiler alert: I was wrong—nothing is free, not even the marshmallows.

If you want to participate in making s’mores, you need to buy a s’mores kit for ten dollars. It comes with everything: a stick, marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers—enough to feed half the campground. Since I couldn’t possibly eat it all, I ended up giving my extras to a family with several kids, which felt like a win-win.

Before the fire was lit, Chip and Dale led a game of Charades, which was hilarious to watch. The kids had a blast guessing, and those chipmunks were just as mischievous as ever.

Once the campfire was ready, everyone who had s’mores kits headed over to roast marshmallows. There is nothing better than a s’more made over an open fire. Absolutely nothing.

Then, the Sing-A-Long began. Our entertainer, a very talented guitar player, led the crowd in fun, familiar tunes before Chip and Dale took the stage for a short comedy routine. It was classic Disney charm at its finest.

After the show, the movie under the stars started, but I had to head out early. Why? Because I had to be up at one in the morning for the 10K race of the Springtime Surprise race challenge. What was I thinking? My plan was simple: head to the buses and get back to my resort.

Well… it would have been simple if I had any sense of direction.

Now that it was dark, finding my way back was even worse. After wandering aimlessly for thirty minutes, I finally stumbled upon one of the Outposts and begged a Cast Member for help. She suggested I take the boat across Seven Seas Lagoon to Magic Kingdom and then catch a bus back to my resort.

Great. Except… I then spent another fifteen minutes trying to find the boat launch.

Eventually, I made it out of Fort Wilderness, but let’s just say next time, I’m bringing a map or a GPS.

Despite my navigational struggles, the Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long was an absolute delight. If you love s’mores, Disney magic, and a little chipmunk mischief, it’s definitely worth checking out—just be sure to know how to get back when it’s over. 

To watch all the campfire fun on my YouTube channel, just click here

Discovering the Magic of Garden Rocks Concert at Epcot

As many times as I’ve been to Epcot, I never knew they had concerts—free concerts, no less! During the International Flower and Garden Festival, they host a fantastic lineup of performances known as the Garden Rocks Concert Series.

I happened to be at Epcot during the 2024 Springtime Surprise Race Weekend, and the featured performers were none other than Plain White T’s. The concerts take place at the America Gardens Theatre, located right in front of The American Adventure attraction. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. However, I opted for the Garden Rocks Concert Dining Package, which offers preferred seating when you dine at one of the participating restaurants in Epcot. The cost is just under $100 and you have many restaurants to choose from.

My concert time was 6:45 PM, and my dinner reservation was at 4:10 PM, giving me plenty of time to enjoy my meal at Rose & Crown in the United Kingdom pavilion. The package included an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage. Of course, I also indulged in a Cider & Blackcurrant Imperial Pint, and it was absolutely delicious!

Here’s what I ordered:

• Appetizer: Scotch Egg – A golden-fried, hard-boiled cage-free egg wrapped in sausage with mustard sauce. Since I’ve had it before and loved it, this was an easy choice!

• Entrée: Bangers and Mash – English sausage with colcannon potatoes, mushrooms, onions, and red wine demi. I usually go for the Shepherd’s Pie, but this was a great alternative. I’d order it again and again!

• Dessert: Sticky Toffee Pudding – Steamed pudding 'cake' served with warm vanilla custard and hot butter-rum sauce. No hesitation here—this was a must!

After dinner, I headed over to the theater, where I received a wristband for my dining package. This wristband granted me early entry—a full 30 minutes before general admission. For the first time ever, I had front-row seating at a concert, and it was incredible!

The 30-minute performance flew by, but it was beyond enjoyable. To my surprise, I found myself thinking that Tim Lopez was the standout vocalist of the night. Sorry, Tom Higgenson, you’re still great, but Tim’s performance, especially a song he wrote during a tough time in his life, gave me goosebumps. Of course, they ended the night with their iconic hit, “Hey There Delilah”, which had the entire audience singing along.   

If you’ve never attended one of these concerts, you absolutely should! It’s included with your theme park admission, unless you opt for the dining package. The best part? These aren’t just local, unknown artists—they bring in top-tier bands and vocalists. While there are no bad seats in the house, seating is limited, making the dining package well worth it for priority access.

Next year, when I return for the races in April, I’ll definitely be booking the Garden Rocks Dining Package again.

Want to see my concert experience? Click here to watch it on YouTube! 

My Success Story!

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2022, I had fully intended to blog my entire journey. I had heard that writing down your thoughts and feelings is very healing. Well, that never happened. However, I did vlog the whole process on my YouTube channel. That playlist can be found here Race to Recovery. Doing this seemed to take my mind off what I was going through. Setting up cameras, thinking up content, editing, and posting took so much time that it distracted me from the reality of my situation.

 Now that it is all behind me and my recovery is over—minus the bi-yearly oncology appointments and daily medications—I have time to reflect on my journey to recovery. It was seven months from diagnosis to recovery. In the grand scheme of things, this is a blink of an eye. While some cancer patients undergo long treatments of chemotherapy and radiation after their surgeries, I somehow escaped these procedures and was able to return to normal life relatively quickly.

 I learned two things from this terrifying event. First, early detection is the key to survival. I will never again be afraid of or delay my breast exams and oncology appointments. Secondly, love and support come from the most unexpected places. Most people, if asked, would say the time they spent dealing with cancer was the most terrifying time of their life. For me, I can’t say that. I look back on those months confined to my house with fondness, almost a happy feeling. I say this because there was not a day that went by that I didn’t receive a phone call, text, Facebook message, card, or package in the mail. People I had never met but who knew me from social media reached out to me. People as far away as Europe sent thoughts, prayers, and gifts to cheer me up and help me through the sad days of waiting for test results. They rejoiced with me during the good times and consoled me during the bad times. For this, I will be eternally grateful.

 Here is my heartfelt thank you to everyone who reached out to me. I truly believe the success of my recovery was made possible by those who kept me motivated to continue moving forward and to never give up. For this, I will be forever grateful.

 To watch my recovery journey, check out the playlist on YouTube just Click here!

2024 Ta Ta Dash

 

This is the first year for the Beyond Pink Ta Ta Dash. The proceeds will fund advanced breast screening technologies. This is something very dear to me since my own battle with breast cancer last year. This race is non-competitive, however there are prizes for the overall winners. So if you want to compete, make sure to start in the front of the pack. Runners are encouraged to dress in pink and have fun. This is a very relaxed race. Distances offered are 5K, 10K and a kids 1/3 miler.

I was so happy my friend and her granddaughter could join me. It' always more fun to run (walk) with other people, especially someone as fun as her!!!!

There was very little in terms of pre-race activities and no photo opportunities. The swag included a cotton t-shirt (very much appreciated since it was freezing this morning). And the color matched perfect with all the Pink.

You also received your bid this morning as there was no day before packet pickup. There was also a pen from one of the sponsors and a refrigerator magnet with measurement conversions. This I really liked, and it went on my frig immediately.

I don’t believe there was much planning regarding the restrooms since the porta’s we used last month for the Shamrock race had not been cleaned and were unavailable. The alternative was to use the parks’ facilities which were limited to three unisex restrooms. I stood in line for 15 minutes pre-race.

The race was on time (always a plus) and as soon as the count down began, the sun appeared. Hooray! This was the same course as the Shamrock shuffle and the 5K had one aid station handing out small bottle waters. I love this course in Riverfront  park, all the bridges and the river was beautiful this morning.

As with all breast cancer runs, many did wore pink, some had tutu’s and more.  I of course was all decked out in my pink attire.

This was a timed race, and overall winners did receive an award. The race registration was affordable at $35 with the option to contribute additional funds for cancer research.

There were no post race refreshments, but again this was their first event and getting sponsorship can be difficult. I didn't mind since we headed over to Kendal Yards and had a late breakfast at the Crepe Cafe. Can't beat a good crepe and mimosa, plus I am all for supporting local businesses.

For being their first year, I thought this was a wonderful experience and talking with the participants most were breast cancer survivors or currently going through treatment.  

Good cause, great people and anytime I can wear a pink tutu, I AM IN!

Check out my race recap on my Youtube channel, Click here!

 

2024 Shamrock Shuffle

There are a couple of race options in Spokane for St. Patrick's Day. I usually run the 5 miler put on by BRRC, this is the same organization that puts on our annual Bloomsday race. This year however, I decided to try a different race and boy am I glad I did.

The Shamrock Shuffle is organized by Negative Split and registration is through runsignup.com. They offered a 5K, 10K and Half marathon. I did the 5K, but next year I may do the 10K or half only because the route is so beautiful.

The race start and finish is located at the North Bank Shelter of Spokane's Riverfront Park. This is also where Gear check was located for those that needed it.

Pre-race entertainment was provided by local mascots, I snapped a photo of Doris the Spokansaurus from our baseball team, the Spokane Indians, I actually took some video of her as she did a little dance and blew me a kiss.

There were also some inflatables for photo ops. Just ask a runner to snap your photo, everyone was so friendly.

Prior to sending us off, we did a pre-race workout with stretches and a little cardio to get us warmed up. There were no aid stations for the 5K and that's fine for me. If you are doing the 5K and need hydration make sure to bring your own. There were two aid stations for the 10K and five for the Half Marathon. There were ample portable toilets at the start and for those longer distances, there were facilities at each aid station. One thing that made me extra happy, we started ON TIME!

When I say this race course was gorgeous, I really mean it. 

The entire course of the 5K ran around the Spokane River which flows through the middle of Riverfront park. With the weather being sunning and warm it was the best!

And can we talk about medals................

Early race registration was $35.00, I think this is a steal. Especially since we receive a really nice finishers tech shirt and a great looking metal along with the post race food. There was so much food; bagels, bananas, scones, chips, coffee, hot chocolate and more. 

If you want to check out my video recap of the race on YouTube, Click Here!

I highly recommend this race, and then go enjoy some green beer!