This day I love.......: America

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We are currently in an unknown territory, the coronavirus has taken hold of the world and changed the way in which we live. Travel has stopped and we have been requested to stay at home. The right choice, the right decision. I for one cannot wait for all this to be over. For normality to return again. It doesn’t stop us dreaming though, dreaming of far away places. Dreaming of making memories. Dreaming of travel. Our favourite holiday aboard is the Disney Cruise. We love them and even though we will need to renew our ESTA for next year or for the next time we travel, this hasn’t stopped us planning our next adventure.

A little about the ESTA

An ESTA is valid for travel to and from the USA. We last went on a Disney cruise in 2019 which means when we travel again after this virus has settled down it is likely to be 2021. Given an ESTA has a two year validity we are going to need to apply for our ESTA again. The good news is that once you have your ESTA approved you can travel as many times as you like within that two year period without having to apply each time for another ESTA.

Always check before you travel though that your ESTA is still in date. We have made the mistake of transit through America and not having a valid ESTA. Luckily we managed to fill the ESTA form in whilst waiting to check in and the approval was almost immediate. It was a rather lucky escape and stopped the meltdown of three children who wanted to go on holiday.

I have always done our ESTA application for the USA online. Make sure you have your passport to hand as you will need the information within it. The ESTA, once approved, will be valid for two years unless your passport expires in which case you will need to apply for another ESTA for your new passport.

Travel plans

I am currently watching the news and keeping my eye on the latest travel advice from the government. At the moment there seems to be no change and no end in sight. An unknown and unprecedented era has arrived. As soon as the ban is lifted I shall be booking our holiday.

We have been very fortunate to travel several times on board the Disney cruise line ships and were looking forward to sailing on their new ships once they arrive in the fleet. The destinations for these ships have not been released so it is an exciting wait to find out where they will be destined to travel to.

Our favourite destination so far has been Mexico. Maybe because we visited over Halloween and got to learn so much about the Mexican culture. Perhaps it was the variety of beaches and environment, whatever it was we absolutely loved visiting there. The majority of Disney cruises sail from America. I have seen one that sails to New York and round Canada. I would love for us to do this.

For now I guess it is all just a dream. I would love to be sat on the beaches in Disney Castaway Cay again. Watching the fish swim through the crystal blue ocean. Feeling the warm sun on my skin. Instead for the foreseeable future I shall be thankful that we have a garden to play in and whilst the weather is no where near comparable to that of the Caribbean it is at least decent enough for the kids to play outside. As soon as the travel ban is lifted and life can return to normal I shall be filling out the ESTA application ready to start our adventures again.

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I remember opening the email to say I had been successful in the ballot for Chicago and thinking wow. I never thought I would be successful in obtaining a place, yet here I was looking at this email and feeling how lucky I was to receive it. The logistics came next, a family weekend in Chicago was booked.

I don't think I quite believed I was actually going to run the Chicago marathon even when we arrived in Chicago. I had booked a hotel that was walking distance to the start line, to make things a little easier and it really was in the perfect spot. The hotel was a 45 minute ride from the airport and could not have been better. We stayed at the Omni, for those interested, and they went out of their way to welcome the children. They were each handed a little drawstring bag containing games, puzzles, crayons, activity book and binoculars! The girls loved this, and I thought it was a great touch. We opened the door to our hotel room and the girls had each received a letter welcoming them to the hotel and wishing them a nice stay.

Straight to the expo to collect the race numbers, I worry until I have that number in my hand so wanted to get it out the way. Opposite our hotel was the Nike shop and a block down was a free shuttle bus to the expo. This got all 3 children very excited, a ride on the bus. Funny how children love the really simple things like a bus ride. Only this time I was quite excited too as it was an American school bus, one of the yellow ones! How cool!

The expo was huge, not quite as big as Berlin but bigger than London and of course there were plenty of deals to be had. I found an amazing deal on a watch but it was still a fair amount of money. My youngest loved that people were giving her free sweets and I think my eldest was just amazed at all the running gear! I now had my marathon number and t shirt and also mine and my daughters 5km numbers. It still felt very surreal, was I really about to do this?

Perhaps unsurprisingly from a 9 hour flight and a 6 hour time difference all the children had fallen asleep by 6pm. It had been a busy day. My eldest and I had an early start as we were running the Chicago International 5km in the morning.

Early to bed meant early to rise, all children were awake by 4am, never mind our race started at 7.30 and we needed to walk to the start and be there by 6.30. We left the hotel ready for the walk to the start, then the rain came. The rain was relentless. Heavy, but warm rain. Thunder and lightening. My daughter started to panic about getting struck by lightening. We took shelter under a building with a few other runners. The start was delayed in a bid to let the worst of the weather to pass.

By now we were soaked to the skin, wet shoes from the many puddles. My daughter was certainly not very happy and did not want to be put down. The rain cleared and we were called to the start line.

The race was so much fun. My eldest was running really well and at one point I was pretty convinced I might have got a PB on the course. We had covered 3.5km in 20minutes! The streets of Chicago were well supported and my daughter seemed to like that people were cheering for her. She couldn't quite understand that we were running on the actual road. The last 1.5km though I think the wet shoes finally got to her and she was starting to get cold. It took 7minutes to get to just over 4km and with it my PB was no more, but there was still a chance for her.

I was encouraging her to keep going, the other runners keep cheering for her and she really tried. It took another 10minutes for us to reach the finish line. Then she did what she always does when she spots the finish, starts sprinting. We had a sprint to the finish line. We were handed a medal, goody bag and a hat. The smile on her face was fantastic. Grinning from ear to ear. She loved it but was just annoyed about wet feet. On our walk home we stopped at Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, well it had to be done!

My daughter was buzzing with excitement so a quick stop to dry her shoes and pick up her siblings from the hotel and we were straight back out to explore the city. It hadn't gone 10am yet and so many of the shops were still shut. We simply walked around looking at the architecture. The buildings in Chicago are stunning. The weather was bad, cloudy and raining so we decided not to climb the towers as the bad weather would have restricted the views. Instead we took shelter in shops and walked around the city when we could.

Our adventures took us to the Navy pier. This was all indoors and just perfect for the bad weather. There was so much to explore and do and the girls loved the interactive wall.

After lunch and a little bit of shopping we headed into the Children's museum, it was amazing. I wish we had found it earlier in the day because we really could have spent all day there, in fact we ended up getting kicked out because they were closing and we hadn't gone round all the exhibits.

We started in construction where my eldest designed and made a chair from scratch. Even working out how to overcome stability issues. My youngest built a thingy, I have no idea what it was but she took great pride in building it. Little Man however let his OCD go into overdrive. He had to collect up all the screws and neatly place them in every hole.

The museum is divided into sections. A water play section, where my youngest discovered water painting. A section on emergency services, where you could have a go at escaping a room filled with smoke, and this section was about animals so there were areas to climb and tunnels to scamper through.

I quite enjoyed the dinosaur section where we had to use tools to uncover the hidden dinosaur bones.

Little Man seemed to enjoy the village area, as he could drive a bus and a car. He likes his vehicles!

Time flew by as before we knew it staff came and said the museum was closing and we had to leave. Little Man really wasn't very happy by this idea and to be honest neither was the girls. It was however dinner time and time therefore to start our walk back to the hotel.

As a special treat on our way back to the hotel we stopped at Dylan's candy bar. I don't think I have ever seen the girls quite so excited. They really were kids in a sweet shop. Every single type of sweet you can imagine. Every flavour chocolate. There was candy floss that was almost as big as the girls. It was amazing and the girls wanted everything.

When we arrived back at the hotel the girls made signs so they could cheer me on the next morning. I found the route in a magazine and the girls helped me draw on the hotel and worked out places they could stand to cheer me on the run. All that was left to do now was get my running kit ready for the morning.

It perhaps goes without saying that I didn't sleep very well that night. I kept waking up to check the clock. That nervous panic of missing your race.

An early start, it was still dark outside, I opened the blinds and saw the rain. The tough decision of should I take a coat or not began. I opted to take one knowing I would be seeing my family on route and I could always pass it on to them. It was a short walk to the start line and as I got closed the number of runners increased until slowly it became a sea of runners nervously all walking in the same direction.

I found my starting block and went through several levels of security in order to enter the runners area. I don't think I have ever gone through so much security before a race, although I can fully understand it was a slight surprise. The temperature had dropped and I was starting to get cold. A fine mist was covering the tops of all the buildings and rain started and stopped. It was almost perfect running weather, almost.

The wait in the starting pen seemed to take forever to begin to move. We heard them start the elite runners but there were no screens to watch any of the race like their had been in Berlin. Eventually we began to move forward and it was our time to start. I was here on the start line of the Chicago marathon.

Crossing the start line didn't feel real, it was a total out of body experience. Here I was running the Chicago marathon. I knew the girls and Little Man would be somewhere on course within the first 3 mile and so I kept my eyes open looking for them. Experience now tells me to set off steady, and I have a mini laugh as I watch others set off far too quickly around me. I know full well I will catch them later on.

The streets were lined with people. All cheering and clapping, the support was amazing especially considering the weather. I felt good and I could see a 4.40 pacer behind me. I wondered how long I could keep them there for.

The weather was rubbish, cold and raining but in some ways it made running a little easier. I spotted my children just after the mile marker seeking shelter in the underpass and it was great to get some high 5s from them. I knew they were out and so I kept looking for them on the way round. The road travelled up and out towards the zoo. The signs were rather amusing 'Run fast, we haven't yet located the missing Lion' and similar signs. It made me chuckle and running felt good. In fact it felt great, the best I have felt in a long time.

The different districts brought about different music and different types of people. All cheering and all supporting. I loved the change in scenery it kept things so interesting and it also gave you a sense of Chicago. Drink stations were really regular, it seemed to be every mile or thereabouts. Each had water and Gatorade. I was a little disappointed that the only flavour available was orange, I rather like the lemon and lime gatorade!

At half way Gatorade also had chews which I also really like so took a packet to keep me going, but I was feeling good and taking in the scenery. An almost out and back followed which the turn around seem to take forever but once again the crowd support was amazing and really got you through. At mile 20 we hit a dance station and the vast majority of runners, myself included, started doing the YMCA. I mean why not!!

My favourite sign I have ever seen was on a dog near here, it said 'Run as if I saw a squirrel' I mean you can't argue with that. China town saw the only real incline in the whole race, just a shame it is near mile 21. Then it hit me. I went really dizzy and a wave of nausea came over me. I couldn't shift it. I steadied myself and started walking in the hope it would clear. The smell of the fried chicken place near did not help. I panicked that I would not finish. I had come so far and was doing so well. I felt shocking.

One foot in front of the other that's all I had to do.

I kept going and around mile 23 I started to run a little. Although slowly. I had to finish this.

One of my favourite Instagram accounts and an amazing runner was waiting at mile 25. My plan was to get to him and then all that was left was the final mile home. Streets were becoming more crowded now and people were out cheering, clapping and making noise. It was utterly amazing. The atmosphere was buzzing. I was approaching mile 25 and looking for a person who I had only ever met online. I thought I saw them, I ran to them and gave them a hug. Turns out it wasn't them but I did make a random strangers day and it gave me a rather funny boost to get me through that last mile.

It seemed to work. I turned a corner and I was back near the start again, in fact I could see the finish. A lady behind me was crying in pain and I told her we could both do this, the finish was there in sight, almost touching distance. I ran, or at least I tried to. The finish getting closer and closer.

Relief.

Pure and utter relief that I had crossed that line. Relief that I hadn't collapsed when I came so close to and just pure relief I kept the contents of my stomach in!

I had done it, star number 3!

I started walking over to where they were handing out medals, joined a queue and then heard two girls say 'Aren't you a famous runner?' I looked up and laughed to myself, as the lady responded 'I used to be an elite athlete' I then almost kind of answered for her in a oh my goodness look who gave me my medal kind of way.

I did wonder at this point if I had actually collapsed and this was some kind of weird dream and did actually pinch myself to make sure!

I wandered through the sea of people. Tired runners. Family members looking for their loved ones and out the park. After a 5 minute walk I found my family sat waiting for me. They hadn't seen me again on course, and hadn't seen me finish but at least they were close by.

After a walk back to the hotel talking to the girls about all things running, followed by an ice bath and a change of clothes we headed out for dinner at the House of Blues. Which was the perfect after marathon treat. Our flight home was in the morning and I was said to be leaving Chicago, it is a truly beautiful city.

Before leaving I collected a newspaper with a special marathon edition print, well I had to check to make sure it really happened!

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Looking over my posts from last year I realised that I had written about our Florida holiday when we had visited attractions other than Disney, and also our experience of running in Florida but had not yet written our Disney experience.

We learnt very quickly that the Disney app was a must have item and that planning was essential to make the most of our visit. Before heading to Florida we had planned which parks to visit on which days, and used our Fastpass to dictate the times we would start our Disney day.

The Fastpass experience was certainly a must have. We would book in advance the rides, or shows, and turn up at those times. Having a baby also meant that one of us would have a baby pass out card, so the adult sat waiting would get to rejoin the fastpass queue and the girls could ride the rides twice if they wanted to, once with each adult. This was a great feature and made using the park much easier especially with young children. It was unfortunate that we could not use this on every ride, as some do book out very quickly, but the girls loved their experience and loved the rides they did get to use it on. We even used it on shows and got some amazing seats for some of the night time shows.

A daily fitbit step count averaged 15,000 steps and with 3 young children in tow this can be very tiring. Disney days are long but magical days. The food is all Mickey mouse shaped, and the kids are just hyper from excitement. My 1 year old really didn't understand what was happening but he loved all the characters and spending time with us and of course all the ice cream.

It is worth booking some restaurants in advance and I can highly recommend the meet and greet breakfast at Chef Mickey. A buffet style breakfast with plenty of choice, and of course you get to meet the characters. We also had a character dinner at the Garden Grill which was just as good but we preferred the breakfast. The Garden Grill restaurant rotates which was an amazing experience. The Coral reef restaurant at Epcot had to be our favourite place to eat, it was just amazing watching the fish swim past in the giant windows. Such an unforgettable experience and probably one of the few times my children have been quiet whilst eating. This was closely followed by our dinner at the Sci-Fi dine in. Here you sit in cars and watch a movie as if in a drive thru. Another unforgettable experience.

No matter where you looked at Disney there are Mickey ears. From sometimes quite subtle finds on furniture and the gardens to the more obvious balloons and food, the ears are everywhere.

Whilst I have visited Florida and Disney quite a few times in the past, this was the first visit for the girls and Little Man. They each had First visit badges, which they loved. They joined in the games on main street, loved riding the rides and for me watching their faces light up when they saw the Princess castle was a real highlight. Although one of my personal highlights was marching with the stormtroopers in Disney Hollywood Studios.

Disney seem to go out of their way to make you have a magical time. From the games in the main street, to bubbles randomly in the street. Trying their hardest to keep queue times to a minimum. Constantly updating the app so you can see queue times, where the characters are and wait times for restaurants, everything seemed to be taken care of.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much Epcot has changed since I last visited. Additions of new rides and the queue time to meet characters here seemed to be the shortest. The girls loved walking round and looking at the giant ball. We also found it really easy to navigate between parks. There are free shuttle bus, monorail, and even boats to take you between parks should you wish to park hop. The Disney app also had maps of each park meaning you could also navigate where you were to where you wanted to be.

Visiting Disney World in Florida had been planned and saved for for a number of years. It was a once in a lifetime holiday for us and one we wanted to make the most of. It was about making wishes come true for the girls and for them to meet their favourite Disney characters. It is moments like these that we will remember forever.

To our surprise Princess Aurora is not well known, she is better known as Sleeping beauty, so the queue to see her is non existent. This made for an over excited youngest daughter as her favourite princess is Aurora. Just look at her face, she is completely star struck.

Belle, however, is one of the most popular princess to see so it was a long wait to see her but ever so worth it.

There are some characters you meet and you will never forget the experience. King Louie and Baloo for example were just fantastic. Playing with the waiting crowd, joking and making everyone laugh. The Toy Story characters kept getting told off by the photographer as they wouldn't behave but it was such an amazing experience for the girls to see the characters come to life and stay true to their onscreen identities.

I could write several posts on our experience to Disney World Florida but I wanted to just capture the highlights. It was such a wonderful 10 days and an experience that the girls still talk about. They are longing to go back again and see some of the other characters and rides. I would love to take them back one day, but I think it is going to take a lot of saving up again. Disney World is like no where else on earth. There is just something about it, a magic in the air. A truly special place for both big and small kids!

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Upon arrival at Florida I visited the Fit2Run store. If you have never visited one you must! It is a runners superstore and they also publish a monthly timetable of runs in the local area. I saw a run on the timetable that really caught my attention, the Pig Run. After emailing the organisers I had secured my place and was excited to be taking part.

The race takes part in Lake Nona. Lake Nona is a beautiful community. Modern houses, tress and lakes, such a pretty American suburb of Orlando. We were directed to our parking bay by Elvis and enjoyed a short but beautiful walk through the streets of Lake Nona to the local high school playing field.

On the playing field we were greeted with stalls. Some for charities raising money and others selling a variety of running related items. Some stalls had free popcorn, coffee, candy floss and other treats all for a charitable donation. The girls loved this. They loved they had popcorn and candy floss in an unlimited supply. There was a great atmosphere around the football ground as the runners gathered ready for the start. I have never experienced that buzz before on a start line, but it was certainly there at Lake Nona.

As we lined up on the start line we stood to sing the American anthem, unfortunately my knowledge of the lyrics stems to the version Eddie Izzard sings so I opted to simply pay my respects. Then we were off.

The warm morning Florida sunshine coming over the trees and glistening over the Lake as we ran around and through to the houses. Families sitting on chairs in their front gardens cheering us on. Cheerleaders performing routines on the way around. Families running and giggling as we ran past the picturesque houses. Runners asking how far we were going, as it was listed as a 3.1 mile race, in my head I had 5km. The fun however began at 2 miles.

At the 2 mile mark we run into the village square. White picket fences and gazebos and tables and tables of donuts. Upon entering the 'pig pen' you are directed to either spin a wheel or to the table to eat donuts. Spinning the wheel indicates how many donuts you eat and what flavour. Everything from 1 to 12 donuts! Once you have eaten your donuts you are free to leave the pen and continue the run.

It was amazing watching some of the faster runners eating a large quantity of donuts, or the kids who opted for 12 realising it was probably not such a good idea. The final mile runs back to the entrance of the park and a wonderful straight path back into the football pitch.

The Pig Run at Lake Nona has to be on the must do races if you visit Florida. Not only is it well organised, the atmosphere is electric, the route is flat and so picturesque and you get to eat donuts. What more could you ask for?

Oh yes, a medal the size of your head!

Once the main race had finished it was time for the kids race. They were given a technical t shirt, as were adults who took part and they then lined up at the edge of the football field. They had to run from one edge to the other. The race was split into the under 5s and the over 5s. My eldest even though 6 took part with her sister, and actually was the first person back!

Upon finishing the race they were given a medal and a bag of donuts!

I am hoping to recover some footage from my GoPro to put a video together of the day, I have since got a new GoPro so this shouldn't happen again!

The Pig Run at Lake Nona is incredible. It has such a warm, positive community spirit and feel to it. There is a real buzz of excitement and of course plenty of donuts!

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