Chris Yung Memorial Turkey Trot Recap and Review

This past Thursday I earned my turkey. I ran my first Turkey Trot, which also happened to be the first race in the BRATS Holiday 5K Series from Bristow Tri and Swim. The race was the Chris Yung Memorial Turkey Trot 10/5K. The race is in memorial of a police officer, Chris Yung, who was struck and killed by a vehicle while on duty. There were a large number of motorcycle cops present volunteering and honoring his memory, which was wonderful to see.

Gobble Gobble Run!

I was excited to run my first turkey trot. I can't really explain why, I just was. The race day weather was cool, but not as bad as expected. I wore long sleeves and tights under my shorts, but was not cold standing around pre-race other than my hands. Of course, the starting line was outside of a closed Target, mocking my cold hands with their gloves for sale inside any other day of the week. With that in mind, though, parking was ample and simple. Packet pick up was a breeze race day, just like my previous BRATS race experience. I walked right up to the table, gave them my name. One person checked me off, another grabbed my bib and a third got me my shirt. The swag was limited to the shirt, but it was a nice short sleeve tech shirt (in a bright orange that I enjoy).

Both courses were shared, with a simple out and back. For the 5K you just turned around sooner than the 10K racers. The start went in 2 waves, the first was the 10K starting at 8:30 followed by the 5K around 8:40. This leads to the only hiccup of the race. There was one speaker at the start / finish line that was playing music pre-race. This was also used for announcements just before the race, reminding everyone what the pre-race email mentioned (10K first, course highlights, two way traffic). However, with the large number of people, if you weren't up front, you didn't hear it. you didn't even know they were talking. Heck, back where I was before the race, we didn't even know they were doing the national anthem until the rockets were red glaring. Another speaker further down would have went a long way.

The course wasn't too difficult. It featured a slow uphill grade for a decent portion of the first half, but I hadn't even realized it until turning around and realizing how much downhill I was going. I had my run walk intervals going and apparently didn't even notice the uphill journey. I won't argue with that. My phone came in with a just over 12 and a half minute pace (with negative splits!), which I was very happy with accomplishing. After seeing my chip time, I found out I had a sub 12 minute pace, which makes me ecstatic!

Official time: 37:03.74

It actually turns out to be my 5K race PR. I probably could have pushed a little harder, but I'm happy with that.

Just after finishing.

After finishing the race, we were given a dog tag with the race logo on. It's not full on bling, but it was pretty cool. Plus, I have my special Holiday Series bling I'm working towards anyway. For the runger, there were bananas, granola bars and protein bars. Not a bad selection for a small 5K.

Race Review

I really enjoyed this race. The weather wasn't as cold as it could have been. Despite the small speaker issue, overall the race was well set up and run. It was also a great value. I registered at an early bird rate of $25. How many 5Ks give tech shirts as part of their swag? runDisney doesn't even do that as $60 (on the cheap end of the scale for their 5Ks). The race was simple but good.

Race grade: B

Check out my review on BibRave

Final Take Away

Was the race fun?
Yes.

Did I get my money's worth?
Absolutely.

Would I do it again?
Yes.

Bib and (semi) bling.

Did you run any Turkey Trot this year? How was it? Have you reviewed it on BibRave yet?

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Victorian Gingerbread House | Xmas@WDW | Mickey Monday

Welcome back to another edition of the Mickey Monday linkup: the linkup centering around a love for Disney, sharing that love and connecting with others. I hope this linkup will become a great place to turn to for Disney content each week and help all the bloggers participating out by helping readers find that great mouse-eared content. I'm co-hosting with Katie from Adventures by Katie, so of course check her blog out.

Now that we're past Thanksgiving, it's time to celebrate Christmas. Actually, as soon as it was past Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas is fair game. I hold off until then. One holiday at a time. However, man do I love Christmas. Do you know someplace that does Christmas great? Walt Disney World. Shocker, I know. I decided I'll take the next couple weeks to look at some of the amazing things you can see and do at Disney in Christmas time. This week I'll be talking about...

Victorian Gingerbread House

I'm leading off with something off the main path. I'm sure everyone has heard of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party as well as The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, but did you know you can find a 16 foot Victorian gingerbread house in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa? Well, you can. Now you know (and knowledge is power!). The house is incredible; carefully crafted with amazing detail. Words don't do justice to the level of detail, so instead, have some pictures.

Master gingerbread shingler needed.

Santa's got a view, and some massive detail.

This is the detail for the WINDOWS!

The porch is one thing, but look above it.

Style from my profile.

Makes you hungry, doesn't it? Well, you're in luck. Well, you're not right now, but when you're in Walt Disney World, you are. So if you're there, you're in luck. You can purchase tasty treats from inside the house. You're in Disney, indulge your sweet tooth... or two... or three.

What's your favorite off-the-beaten-path holiday activity?

Onto the Linkup

Here are the guidelines:

The post just needs to be about anything Disney related. There have been posts on runDisney, on the parks and even on the Moms Panel, so just give it some Disney and count it.

New posts are fantastic, but for now, if you have a great old post you want to share, drop it on in.

Try to visit as many of the posts that you can as time allows. The point of this is to share and support each other.

If you're going to be a regular, please link back to the host posts. It's just good etiquette and frankly, that's how others will get to your fellow Disney lovers content. Without that link back, they can't find the linkup and therefore the other blogs. Help me help you.

You also have the option to add the linkup code to your post if you'd like. It is not required, just another option. If not, please follow the above link back guideline. Get the InLinkz code

Have fun. Be a kid. Enjoy.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Gratitude | Friday Five

Did you know it's Friday? I almost didn't really put it together that it was Friday and that means Friday Five linkup. Absolutely did not realize it last night when I normally write my Friday Five. Instead, I'm writing it now, while it's still barely Friday. With that noted, it may be a little brief. This week we stick to the holiday we just past. This week's topic is

Gratitude

1. Wife

I have to start with being grateful for my wife. She's my love. We've made so many wonderful memories together and gone on so many fantastic journeys. I don't know where I'd be without her and wouldn't want to even imagine anyway. She's also given me #2 on my gratitude list.

2. Family

I have  a lovely little family of four now. I have my afore mentioned fantastic wife. Together we have a crazy little, wonderful super hero princess. She now has a little baby brother, who she will let you know that is her baby brother. Times in our house can be quite crazy right now, but wouldn't trade it for anything.

3. Technology

Next, I have to be grateful for technology. I love my technology but it is also my job. So without it, I wouldn't have a job that I love: writing code. I'm grateful for everything technology has given us all, from a computer in my pocket to crazy medical advances, from connecting across the world to wasting time pinning geeky humor. That's the beauty of technology.

4. Running

I'm very grateful for running. I enjoy getting out there and having my shoes hit the pavement. I'm also well aware to be grateful that I have the opportunity to run. That's something I hope I never take for granted.

5. Beer

Can't be too touchy feely. I'm grateful beer. There's the oft credited (though backed up my nothing) quote of Ben Franklin, "Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy." Hard to argue with that. A nice cold beer is a great way to relax or enjoy with a meal. I love most beers, but really enjoy them more the darker they get. Give me a stout and see a happy grateful me.

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

You Signed Up for What?!

Mar on the Run

Eat, Pray, Run DC

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Thankful Disney World Memories | Mickey Monday

Welcome back to another edition of the Mickey Monday linkup: the linkup centering around a love for Disney, sharing that love and connecting with others. I hope this linkup will become a great place to turn to for Disney content each week and help all the bloggers participating out by helping readers find that great mouse-eared content. I'm co-hosting with Katie from Adventures by Katie, so of course check her blog out.

With Thanksgiving forthcoming, I decided to take a Disney angle for on things I'm thankful for. I have so many memories growing up with a love of Disney. This week I'll be talking about...

Thankful Walt Disney World Memories

I will always be thankful for the memories I've made at Walt Disney World. I grew up taking a trip with my family about once every 4 years. It was the trip we would look forward to more than a year out; a time of some many great magic memories. Now, I have a Disney loving wife and two little ones to share the memories.

Childhood Memories

First, I'd like to share some of those childhood memories.

• I remember a bus driver discussing during a thunderstorm that Orlando was the lightning capital of the world, the home of the most lightning strikes. I also remember thinking that was so cool.
• I remember when Disney's Hollywood Studios was Disney MGM Studios. I remember before there was a giant Sorcerer's Hat and when there was fireworks over Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
• I remember seeing Cinderella Castle as a giant pink birthday cake.
• I remember watching fireworks from the pool of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel thanks to my dad being on a Disney trip.
• I remember when the dining plan used to include gratuity.
• I remember riding on the monorail from the front car with the driver.
• I'm thankful for all the amazing childhood memories.

Beyond My Childhood

I have so many memories I've made at Walt Disney World. I'd like to share more of those with you, all of which I am thankful for.

A spur of the moment trip for my wife's 24th birthday.

A magic filled honeymoon.

Getting to be an annual passholder due to lining up trips.

Several trips for my growing princess.

Including Disney at Christmas time.

Taking a birthday trip of my own to run my first half marathon.

What are your favorite memories from the Disney parks?

Onto the Linkup

Here are the guidelines:

The post just needs to be about anything Disney related. There have been posts on runDisney, on the parks and even on the Moms Panel, so just give it some Disney and count it.

New posts are fantastic, but for now, if you have a great old post you want to share, drop it on in.

Try to visit as many of the posts that you can as time allows. The point of this is to share and support each other.

If you're going to be a regular, please link back to the host posts. It's just good etiquette and frankly, that's how others will get to your fellow Disney lovers content. Without that link back, they can't find the linkup and therefore the other blogs. Help me help you.

You also have the option to add the linkup code to your post if you'd like. It is not required, just another option. If not, please follow the above link back guideline. Get the InLinkz code

Have fun. Be a kid. Enjoy.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Five Favorite Fall Foods | Friday Five

Fall means more than just a changing of the seasons and the wardrobe. It brings more than just the falling of the leaves. It also brings new recipes back. Certain things just work better in the cool crisp weather of fall (or even better in a cold snap). In this week's Friday Five linkup we take a look at some of the best of those "stick to your ribs, warm your innards to the bone" foods. This week's topic is

Five Favorite Fall Foods (and Drinks)

1. Cheese Beer Soup

My number one fall food is an easy one. It is cheese beer soup, as I so plainly call it. It is the recipe I use to make my own rendition of my recent number 1 appetizer in Walt Disney World, the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier. The recipe takes a good bit of work, but is completely worth it. I enjoy the labor of love and I think I'm starting to get pretty close on it. Just needs some more taste testing of the original, if you know what I mean. We've already made it 3 times since the weather cooled down in Virginia. The recipe starts with bacon and finishes with cheese and beer, so how can you really go wrong? The recipe is in my queue of posts to write (in fact, I even took pictures) but I haven't gotten around to writing it yet. Sorry. I'll leave you with a preview picture from the forthcoming post.

2. Hot Apple Cider

For my second favorite, I'm actually going to turn to a beverage. This made my list of favorite fall activities in a previous Friday Five. We've already been having our own cider at home, but I cannot wait for 2 more weeks until we are drinking it non-stop in Colonial Williamsburg. I'll certainly be fueling my 8K with apple cider that weekend.

3. Anything in a Crockpot

I love slow cooker meals. They're almost always very easy. Most come down to "throw the ingredients in and set to low for 8 hours". Slow cooking has lots of flavor and there are just so many options. Recently, we tried a chicken pot pie over biscuits that is delicious and sure to be a new favorite this fall and winter. We also will cook a roast, ribs, chili and chicken to name a few. I have  board on Pinterest dedicated to slow cooker recipes to try.

4. Macaroni and Cheese

For my daughter, this is a "year round every day food", but I'm placing it on my fall list. Now, I'm not talking about from the blue box (not that there is anything wrong with that). I'm particularly thinking about my wife's homemade mac and cheese. The "Mom's Macaroni and Cheese" secret family recipe kind. She makes the cheese sauce from scratch with a rue, adding until it gets just the right amount of creamy cheesy goodness. Don't have a wife with a secret recipe? Grab some of Panera's mac and cheese for some good comfort food style, which let's face it, fall food IS comfort food.

5. Specialty Coffee Drinks

As I have mentioned previously, I'm not a PSL kind of guy. I'm not a "Pumpkin Spice all the Foods!" guy. However, I do have my own personal favorite limited drinks, especially from a certain coffee shop that starts with "st" and ends with "arbucks". The first my wife got me hooked on this year, the Salted Caramel Mocha. This is the drink she waits for every fall to come back and stick around through winter. One random trip to the coffee shop, I decided to get myself one as well and they are delicous. The second, a slight cheat, is the Peppermint Mocha. I say cheat because I more think of it as "winter" but it's out now so it's fair game in my book. I love chocolate. I love mint. I love espresso. I love them all combined. This is always my "can't wait" beverage. Honorable mention (and available all year round) the Campfire Mocha (read: s'mores) with dark chocolate at Caribou Coffee.

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

You Signed Up for What?!

Mar on the Run

Eat, Pray, Run DC

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

Read More

Appetizers of Walt Disney World | Mickey Monday

Welcome back to another edition of the Mickey Monday linkup: the linkup centering around a love for Disney, sharing that love and connecting with others. I hope this linkup will become a great place to turn to for Disney content each week and help all the bloggers participating out by helping readers find that great mouse-eared content. I'm co-hosting with Katie from Adventures by Katie, so of course check her blog out.

I often play catch up with podcasts. Sometimes it's because I haven't listened in a long time and I want to hear what I've missed. Other times it's getting through some back content of new podcasts. One such podcast I've been trying to listen to quickly enough to catch up is the DISDads podcast. I recently posted about the DISDads on Mickey Monday: who they are, how awesome they are, how to know if you are one. This week I'll be talking about...

Appetizers of Walt Disney World

One of the more recent DISDads podcasts covered Appetizers Worth Paying For. The podcast featured a panel giving their top 5 appetizers worth paying for while dining at table service restaurants. I love dining in Walt Disney World. It's one of the best parts, with so many dining options. This podcast topic was right up my alley, so I decided to write up my own list.

5. Scotch Egg - Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room

While not the fanciest of dishes (or best for you) this is a tasty little treat. Heck, in England, it's a very common dish, even considered a "picnic food". When I first tried this dish, I wasn't actually sure I would enjoy it. The center of a scotch egg is a hard boiled egg, which I normally do not enjoy. The egg is then wrapped in sausage meat, covered in bread crumbs and deep fried. Frankly, a nice deep fried dish peeks my interest. I was not at all disappointed with this dish. It's simple, tasty and most importantly deep fried.

4. Crispy Rhode Island Calamari - Narcoossee's

This dish can be found at Narcoossee's, one of the signature dining experiences located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. This particular appetizer has a special place in my heart. This was a first place I tried fried calamari as a child, when deciding to branch out and try something new. Now, fried calamari is one of my favorite appetizers to enjoy, as something different. Here, it is a fantastic dish, with seasoning beyond your standard Italian restaurant fried calamari. It fits right in with the other seafood specialties of Narcoossee's and it worth your consideration.

3. Wings: Sticky Wings - Kona Cafe, Thai Chili Chicken Wings - Yak and Yeti Restaurant

For my number 3 choice I'm going with a combination choice and one of my favorite dishes in general - wings. Two of my favorite can be found in some of the possibly overlooked dining locations. First, the sticky wings can be found in Disney's Polynesian Resort. These glazed wings are a great starter with the little bit of Polynesian flair. The second are found tucked away in Disney's Animal Kingdom. I love the sweet flavor mixed with the Thai chili in these wings. Both are fantastic choices if you're looking for wonderful wings with a twist.

2. Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli - California Grill

The California Grill is one of the signature dining locations at Walt Disney World. You can find it atop Disney's Contemporary Resort. The menu, as any great restaurant often does, evolves. One of the appetizers that has managed to stay around is the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli. It is an example of how to make something so simple on a base level - cheese ravioli - into a dining delight.

1. Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup - Le Cellier

My top selection was an easy one. It actually require no thought. It is one dish I always look forward to, always enjoy and even look to replicate. The soup is no secret that it is good. A soup that includes cheese, beer and bacon is hard to pass up. There are many dishes I've thought of trying to make on my own, but only one that I have actually done so: this dish. I've found a recipe online a long time ago, it starts with bacon, ends with beer and cheese, so you know it's good. The recipe takes a while to cook, but is worth the effort. It's improved each time and is a reasonable facsimile. It will just take more trips for the real thing, which I am more than willing to do.

What are your favorite appetizers from the Disney parks?

Onto the Linkup

Here are the guidelines:

The post just needs to be about anything Disney related. There have been posts on runDisney, on the parks and even on the Moms Panel, so just give it some Disney and count it.

New posts are fantastic, but for now, if you have a great old post you want to share, drop it on in.

Try to visit as many of the posts that you can as time allows. The point of this is to share and support each other.

If you're going to be a regular, please link back to the host posts. It's just good etiquette and frankly, that's how others will get to your fellow Disney lovers content. Without that link back, they can't find the linkup and therefore the other blogs. Help me help you.

You also have the option to add the linkup code to your post if you'd like. It is not required, just another option. If not, please follow the above link back guideline. Get the InLinkz code

Have fun. Be a kid. Enjoy.

An InLinkz Link-up

Read More

Five Other Cold Weather Running Tips | Friday Five

The weather has started to turn here in northern Virginia. It's petering back-and-forth between nice & crisp and just the other side of cold, especially during early morning hours I enjoy running. Before too long, it will likely be just cold. In this week's Friday Five linkup we look at tips for dealing with that oncoming weather. But, it's not really my style to take the traditional route. This week's topic is

Five (Other) Cold Weather Running Tips

1. Run really really fast

When you run, you get warm. Run faster, get warmer. Run even faster, get even warmer. In theory, you should be able to run fast enough for it to feel like springtime. Cold weather adverted. For bonus points, run in corduroy pants and use the additional friction to your advantage.

2. Battery Powered Heated Clothing

Invest in some battery power. Heated socks, heated shirt, heated pants - it's the way to go. Go more power! Just don't go the way of Tim the Tool Man Taylor.

3. Rum run

Employ the secret abilities of the alcohol jacket. This comes from a recent conversation on #bibchat, where a typo led to an amazing idea of the rum run. That would, in fact, be a great way to fight the cold as well. If you went to college in the northeast, I'm sure you know the value of an alcohol jacket, so we'll just leave it at that.

4. Become a Snowbird

Simple solution. Live the way of the snowbird. Go away from the snow. Act like a retiree who has the option to spend the winter away from the winter. Florida, Arizona, Texas or maybe a little more exotic like the Caribbean if you're really feeling fancy. Sip mai tais and run in shorts until the spring comes. Just don't forget the sunscreen.

5. Hibernate until Spring

The bears may just have this one figured out. Go out, have a grand old time eating all the food, snuggle up in a cocoon of blankets and sleep it off until the weather thaws. Better yet, find a bear. You'll get a big snuggly cuddle partner who will also act as your alarm clock for spring. Granted, it's an alarm clock with claws, but an alarm clock none the less.

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

Eat Pray Run, DC

You Signed Up for What?!

Mar on the Run

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

Fairytales and Fitness

HoHo Runs

Lesley @ In Lesley's Corner

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