How to train for the 2011 Disneyland Half Marathon in less than a week

The 6th annual Disneyland Half Marathon is next weekend; Sunday, September 4. It's too late to enter, and if you aren't in shape yet you may not win, but it's never too late to get fired up for this incredible event.

A distance run can be intimidating and many will back out of race at the last minute, even one for which they have paid. For a Disney race, this need not apply. Disney races can be as competitive as any, and the thousand or so people up front will run you into the Main Street asphalt if you get in the way, but for the lay-runner, Disney Sports in general, and the Disneyland Half Marathon in particular is pleasurable, leisurely and as well conceived and orchestrated as anything that bears the Disney name.

Not convinced? Still a little nervous? Here are a few 11th-hour tips and suggestions for approaching and surviving the delightful, yet lengthy race:

Wear Good Shoes
You don't have to run the entire course. Disney even invites you to pause for photos with your favorite characters, and observe a local hula or marching band. 13.1 miles, though, is as far as it sounds, and walking, running or both, even the Happiest Race on Earth will become a chore in improper footwear.
One year we kept pace with three kids dressed as Huey, Dewey and Louie. They were good runners, but were miserable in their duck feet. Many participants don whimsical dress, though these three must have been paying off a bet or something. They weren't happy at all.

Arrive Early
 Disney wrote the book on organization, and knows a thing or two about crowd control. Runners are assigned separate "Corrals," and the race begins as smoothly as any in existence. However, there are reportedly 20-thousand entrants this year. That's a lot of people to squeeze into one place at 6:00 in the morning. Even the best laid plans get muddled in the face of the sleep deprived masses.
Give yourself plenty of time to park, if you have to, and get to your Corral. There's a stage, music, celebrites, a charming MC, and a bunch of people to watch. Mickey Mouse, Minnie and others will be there, so there's plenty to entertain you before the race.
Arrive late, or just in time, and run the genuine risk of getting stuck in, or behind, Corral W. With 20K people to siphon through the starting gate those relegated to the rear ranks are going to be standing around for a while, despite the entertainment.

Bring Your Camera
The characters, cast members, course and entire experience are well worth documenting. The whole thing is truly memorable, and you will want to return next year, but you will be pleased to have your camera along to capture the memories.
Besides, your lazy husband, and your kids you can't yet motivate into joining you can better appreciate the tale you will have to tell if you back it up with photos.

Enjoy Yourself
This last one is self explanatory, and really the whole point. See you there.


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Abercrombie & Fitch to pay The Situation to stop wearing Abercrombie & Fitch

What does it say when a company that created, marketed and sold push-up bikinis to preteen girls wants nothing to do with you? Plenty.

International image-poisoning clothing company Abercrombie & Fitch announced in a half-hearted, perhaps, but most certainly public statement, it would like Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, of MTV's reality show The Jersey Shore, to stop wearing its brand. The reverse-marketing proposal is aimed at protecting A&F's already dubious image.

"We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image.  We..believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans."

Abercrombie & Fitch either has a wonderful sense of humor, or irony. A&F surely understands the kids that constitute the majority of the MTV audience are the same easily influenced non-individuals gobbling up their slut-jeans and overpriced t-shirts. Not sure what Mr. Sorrentino can do to distress an Abercrombie & Fitch customer that they haven't done already. And as to the aspirational nature of their brand, surely the piles of naked A&F models aspire to rid the world of war and bronchitis.

Abercrombie & Fitch has done for individuality and adolescent self-esteem what the new season of The Jersey Shore is doing for international relations.  For a clothing company, its unrealistically physiqued models do not suffer from an excess of clothes. Still selling a padded bikini for seven-year-old girls, though no longer marketed as a push-up top, A&F has little room to point its condescending finger.

The Situation may exhibit some questionable social habits, but the women to whom he offers his sweaty, orange-skinned affection are at or above the age of consent. The same cannot be said for the Abercrombie & Fitch catalog.

In a related story, a prolific, but socially-sensitive German automaker has asked strippers to stop driving BMWs.

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