Welcome to the "Top 3 Thursday" Link-up! This week's theme is Top 3 Races: What are your 3 favorite races? What are 3 races on your bucket list or your favorite 3 races to spectate? I would like to share 3 favorites that I have participated in. If you have a post to add, just click the "Add Link" button at the bottom of the page!
Here are my Top 3:
#1- Ironman Mont Tremblant- This
Ironman Event was absolutely amazing! The venue was beautiful, scenic, and family friendly. Not to mention, the entire Village of Mont Tremblant welcomed the athletes with open arms! They were out cheering every one on until Midnight! The bike & volunteer support was extraordinary!! I had a very tough day, starting the event with some significant injuries, then having major bike mechanical problems, but I finished with a smile on my face! Of course, it helped to have the infamous Mike Reilly call me across the Finish Line!
My family loved the area and my young children even requested that I do another race there! In the words of my 6 year old daughter, "Mommy, you should do another race here, but not that big long one that takes all day!" Anyway, I'm all registered for Ironman Mont Tremblant 70.3 next June, per popular demand! :-)
#2- Walt Disney World Marathon- Speaking of family friendly, what kid isn't excited when they "have to go to Disney World" for their crazy parents race?
The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is a wonderful event filled with something for everyone! On Thursday, they hold the Family Fun Run 5 K where your entire family can run together with the backdrop of Epcot in view. Friday is the 10 k, that takes runners through the World Show Case at Epcot. On Saturday, the Half Marathon takes place and runners get to enjoy hitting the pavement in Magic Kingdom with a finish near Spaceship Earth in Epcot. The grande finale of the weekend is the marathon on Sunday, which starts off with bursting fireworks, then takes participants through all 4 theme parks! Do all these events sound wonderful? Well, there is an option to do all 4 events called the Dopey Challenge, where you get a medal at each event and then a fifth one for completing the Challenge. Their is also the Goofy Challenge, where you can do the 1/2 marathon on Saturday & full marathon on Sunday. My husband did this back in 2013 and loved it!! He's been eyeing the Dopey ever since... The Goofy & Dopey are not for me (says the lady who just finished an Ironman with a broken arm & broken bike), so I have kept it low key and *just* run the marathon in 2012 & 2013. I loved it both times! There is some form of Disney-esque entertainment at every mile, the aid stations are great, and the course is pancake flat! I am very excited to be taking part of it again on January 10, 2016. My kids are also in training for the "Magic Mile" run on January, 9th!
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| The Race Start in traditional Disney Style with a Grand Fireworks Display! |
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| My first Marathon in 2012 running through the castle in Magic Kingdom |
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| My son before doing the 400 yard dash at the Disney Kid's Races |
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| The awesome Mickey Medals from 2012 & 2013! |
#3- Peaks 2 Portland Open Water Swim- This is a 2.4 mile swim starting at Peaks Island, Maine and finishing at the East End Beach in Portland, Maine. It is a local favorite and has taken place for over 30 years! It is also a fundraiser for the YMCA. I had the opportunity to participate in 2014 and loved it! I have to admit that it was a "facing my fears" event. I have done quite a bit of open water swimming, but to be out in the deep water and not able to see my end point was frightening at first, despite having a kayaker at my side! The other major obstacle when I did it was the temperature, it was around 53 degrees, so very chilly even with a wetsuit and 2 caps! However, it was a beautiful & well-organized event! I had a a wonderful time training for it and hope to participate in it again in the next few years!
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| The kayak that spotted me across the channel, I decorated it with Mickey & Minnie balloons so it was easy to spot! |
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| Heading into the Finish! |
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| Entering the Finisher's Chute, I had some mild hypothermia and had a hard time getting out of the water! |
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| Happy & Proud to have finished the very cold 2.4 mile swim! |
What are your Top 3? The theme for next week will be: Running Gear, but any variations on the topic are welcome! Have a Great Week!!
I never participated in an Ironman race - wow - good for you. Congrats! I will be running the Walt Disney Marathon in January, so I'm really excited, my kids can't wait! A 2.4 m open swim is so hard, especially in such cold water. You did awesome! Great posts!
ReplyDeleteYou will love the Disney Marathon, so much fun! I'm so excited to be going back & of course, my kids can't wait!! :-)
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