The Rancho 5K, having now concluded its 3rd annual race, is a great way to get some of my students…read moreinto the running game. This year the course, instead of at Rancho Alamitos, was at Bolsa Grande, another one of our district's amazing high schools. The proceeds benefit Rancho's Track & Field team, and I am in complete support of that. In fact, it was not only nice to see some of my former students running, but many of them were volunteering as well, encouraging runners along the route and handing out medals at the finish. In either case, their being involved (and getting up extra early on a Saturday) was much appreciated and worthy of applause. Whether running or walking--students, family members, and teachers alike--came out pumped up and ready to run. An event that promises continued growth and popularity, the Rancho 5K is one race that I am always happy to attend. Go Vaqueros!

Well run event for a great cause. The first 2 were held at the high school, however due to…read moremodernization construction they have moved the venue. Last year it was at the Bolsa HS Track and this year it will be held at mile square park at the Forrest structure. Sign ups are up and early registration like in the past means discounts. This year Tom will be adding on an additional aspect utilizing Crowdrise to sign up and raise money for the kids. I'll be running again this year hope you will to. https://www.crowdrise.com/RanchoTrack5k

This place deserves more than 5 stars. I thought this was going to be an interactive video game…read moretype of thing but it was way more than that. I will 100% be back again and I will be telling all my friends about this. A truly unique experience. You really feel the true race car experience and I think you need to wear workout clothes cause I felt the sweat from trying to concentrate and control the car. The cost is so worth the 1 or 2 hour time slot. I'm sold and will be looking into a membership cause I'm addicted.

First time trying sim racing and I'm glad I chose the 2-hour Nordschleife experience - absolutely…read moreworth the $82! Even though I didn't use the full session (it's more physically demanding than expected - seriously, LOL), the experience was fantastic from start to finish. Shoutout to Jason on staff - super professional and welcoming. He guided me through check-in, helped set everything up, and even offered a bottle of water before giving me some helpful tips on handling the cars. Small touches like that really elevated the visit. For those curious, here's the YouTube link to my run - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzysPtCC5gE. I clocked in around 8 minutes from the pit, which I think is pretty decent for a first-timer!

Okay, seems as though the Renegade Race Series probably listened to all my fellow yelpers that gave…read morethis particular run only three stars. And it looks like they listened! Now personally I didn't experience anything overly negative that I could only give three stars, but it also didn't think it was perfect either. So, here's my four star review breakdown: Online Registration: ~ I was a last minute entry, two days prior to the day of the event, but I easily found all the information I needed. ~ General rules, cost, parking info, found the 10k course map, loved the 7am start time. ~ Entry fees (not including registration fees): 5k - $47 10k - $57, kinda pricey but I chose to run the extra miles. ~ Registration complete! Packet Pickup: ~ Friday March 4th at Road Runner Sports in Laguna Hills. Really? All the way out there? Pass. What about the LA County folks? I was in Newport Beach that day and was still about 13 miles away from the place. Didn't even bother picking up from this location. ~ Saturday March 5th at Buena Park Mall. Perfect! Not too busy two hours after the booths opened up at 11am. Easy to navigate. Looked up my racing bib number. Sign the waiver. Grabbed my t-shirt. I was on my way! ~ Not very many vendors, but I didn't really care about it anyways. Only wish they had at least a GU vendor. ~ The volunteers there were helpful. No issues. ~ And knowing it was going to rain, I didn't like the timing chip being held by a couple of twist-ties. Tacky in my opinion. ~ Organized? I thought it was. Race Day Sunday: ~ It was raining heavily at 5:45am, but it calmly slowed and stopped as the time inched closer and closer to 7am. Excellent! ~ Parking at Knott's went well. Plenty of signs, and parking attendants guiding us from space to space. Only idiot drivers will be idiots drivers when they think they can find a better spot. ~ At the corral, there were volunteers that only allowed you into your assigned corral. Something I don't normally see, as I'm use to half marathons and the corrals aren't usually monitored. This would be due to the high volume of cattle, (aHem) I mean attendees. ~ Although it was a 7am start time, it just seemed like forever for corral 7's to start running. I wanted to leave at exactly 7, not 7:15. Oh well, not a big deal. Volunteers: ~ Again, helpful. Encouraging and enthusiastic! Plenty of them at the water stations, and I didn't really see a lot of them messing around. ~ Plenty of security as well from the Buena Park Police. Thank you! 10k Course itself: ~ Loved the first 3 miles through the park obviously! Reminiscing about the days when I once worked here. I really enjoyed seeing the things that have changed, as well as the things that remained the same. ~ It's pretty much a flat run throughout. The elevation had a few dips, but that's about it. No major level change. ~ The last 3.2 miles, booooring! I mean, it's Buena Park. I was once a local here and also kicked it at Buena Park Mall when I was younger, so bleh! And to run halfway around it was simply a breeze. ~ Hustled to the finish. Grabbed my cool medal. Was given a Desani to rehydrate. Ate half a banana. Didn't care about the pie. Mission complete! ~ Organized? Yes, I felt it was. ~ Would I run it again? Eh, maybe. It IS a good run for beginners. Or if you're coming back from an injury like was.

This race remains a 5 star 5k "fun run" for me. The past three years I have registered a corporate…read moreteam to align with our companies healthy initiatives and have yet to be disappointed with this experience from start to finish and I'm not referring to only the course itself, but the entire experience from registration to the minute we pull out of the parking lot. This is a fun one! I'm not a big Knott's Berry Farm fan but running through their park and Soak city is just a bunch of fun. This is most definitely a family friendly event (my son always enjoys himself) and the crowd is always great. It's a quick run and the pay off is hands down, my all time favorite. Boysenberry Pie!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, please! What stood out this year were the volunteers and their energy. Most of them were so well spirited that it really gave us runners that extra boost of confidence that anyone needs after Springing Forward and waking up what feels to be an hour early to drive nearly 40 miles to run a 5k on a Sunday morning :) Parking is always a bit congested, some traffic control in the early hours could prove beneficial. How I managed to place in my age division for a 2nd time is a mystery to me because I felt my run had tons of room for improvement especially after just rehabbing from an injury but it's always fun to place. It also means you're stuck waiting around another hour plus for the awards presentation so I see highs and lows to placing and not, Not - I get to leave immediately - placing you get to wait around. Maybe a VIP area for those who placed to sip on some coffee and have a little light brekke wouldn't be a terrible idea ;) and those in attendance with them :) Another person on our team also placed, so that always makes it more exciting! The bibs and medals are both really cute and the t-shirts make excellent sleep shirts once washed a dried a couple times to make them a bit softer. All in all this is a fun run! It's one I'll support again in the future and the Kids of Speech and Language Development Center

5 stars for accessibility to the public…read more I am always on the search for public tracks and have been meaning to stop by. When I used to work closer to LA, this was out of the way, but now that work is closer, I had to just stop by to check it out. Parking - located on both streets (pay attention to no parking signs) Surface- asphalt, second best to rubber tracks. (Slight negative: didn't really like the random rocks that magically slip into your shoes but that is probably a me thing, and not a you thing.) Restrooms- close by/ convenient Overall, would definitely come back again.

A year later and I am still on these tracks couple times a week! I really appreciate that they…read moreleave it open to the public. I will say parking can get quite busy (the only parking I know is the street parking), but the tracks are never too crowded. I see many runners practicing track workouts, as well as casual walkers enjoying a nice stroll. And everyone seems very pleasant. Plenty of room for all to get their workout in, whatever that may be for their day.

This was my first time running the Santa Hustle. I found out about it through Groupon and decided…read moreto throw in one last race for the year. Packet pick-up: Nice and easy at the Buena Park Mall. You got your bib on one side of the table and went to the other to get your sweater. They warned people that the sweaters ran small and let people try them on. I thought about getting a small and there was no way I could fit in it. Goodies: They gave you a bear and a hat. I did not wear them while I ran. My goal was to try and place in the top 3 to earn a medal for the 5k. Participation medals were not given out. Plus the beard ran a little small. It was fun seeing everybody wearing their red outfits. Race: There was a 5k and half marathon. They need to be a little more clear on the start. Some 5k folks started because it seemed like they were supposed to go and it was for the half marathon race or 10k, it's been a while. You got to run out of the parking lot, into Knotts, back out onto the street and into the parking lot. It was cool to run into Knotts. They had chips and candy at the end with water. I'm used to bagels and bananas, and aside from that there wasn't much else. There were some booths, but not as many as other races. Cool things: They brought out two reindeers, so that was fun. Weather: Cold! For CA it was cold. It was below 60, so I had a hard time warming up.

This was my second 5K in several months and this one was pretty fun. The Santa Hustle had 2…read moreoptions, a 5K and a half marathon. Half marathoners received a special medal and a voucher for free admission to Knotts Berry Farm. I really wanted a medal, but knew there was no way I could do a half marathon. A 5K is just my speed, especially the fun run variety, where there's a silly theme and people come with friends and family to just have s good time. A word to the organizers...consider giving the 5K people a medal too...even if it's smaller. I'd gladly pay more for the entrance fee to get a medal! Back to the event itself...things I liked: it was very well organized. I liked the emails sent out by the organizers spelling out the details of the event (i.e., parking map, packet pick up map, etc.). I opted to pick up my packet the day before to avoid the crowd the day of. It was an easy process and took about 5 minutes. I loved the dri-fit hoodie that I got with my packet. Very high quality and super cute. The only "bad" thing about the hoodie was that it ran very small. I ordered a women's large and it fit more like a medium. My friend's hoodie ended up being too small for her so she couldn't use it and ended up giving it to her daughter. You also received a Santa hat and beard to go with your hoodie. Like the hoodie, the hat was small (or maybe my head is just way too big?). In any case, I had to use an extra Santa hat I had at home which fit better. Not a big deal but just be aware of the size issues here! Other positives: Parking was free and painless. All the volunteers working the event were friendly and would cheer you on as you made your way through the course. They generously gave out choc chip cookies, M and M's, water, and powerade as we sweated away...which is a total exaggeration. We didn't break a sweat at all as we leisurely strolled the entire 3 plus miles. That's the fun thing about this type of run...you can stroll, run, sprint, whatever. At the finish line, we were handed bottled water and a granola bar. Oh, and I really enjoyed the holiday music playing throughout the course. The volume was just perfect and helped get us in the holiday spirit. Some mild disappointments: I wish the after party was on site. Instead it was offsite at a Farrell's restaurant. It was sort of anticlimactic to finish and not be able to immediately gather with fellow Santas to celebrate, cheer and dance. The other 5K I did a few months ago had an onsite after party with a dj, stage and music and it really made a difference in keeping the excitement going for a bit longer. Also the start line prep was sort of uneventful as well. They just had an announcer guy telling us when to line up, when the thing was starting, etc. At the other 5K I did, the start line area was sort of a mini event, with music, several guys throwing swag out to the crowd, getting everyone fired up and excited. I have to say, these pre- and post- run details make a huge difference in the overall fun factor. I still had loads of fun, though. Happy Holidays!

I did it :D my first half marathon, and I couldn't have picked a more magical way to do it than…read moreRunDisney's Halloween weekend at Disneyland Most of my training happened on the treadmill, which honestly taught me a lot about consistency and mental endurance. I followed the official RunDisney training program from their website and trusted the process--even when life was busy and motivation was low. Race morning was early (very early), but the energy, costumes, music, and Disney magic made every mile worth it. Running through Disneyland in the dark, then heading outside the parks with rolling hills, the heat that I did not prepare for was challenging--but unforgettable. These are the things that really helped me: 1. Enlist a buddy to do it with you. I somehow managed to persuade my oldest son to come with his mama. My son who is in his prime, who at the time just came back from officer training school (boot camp). He was jumping, singing, running circles around me during the race, yelling out motivational pep talks. It was kinda annoying and motivating at the same time. 2. Use the free pacers There are multiple pacing groups, and sticking with one helps you stay calm, consistent, and confident. It really helped to see a whole group pushing through. Being next them reminded me about Dory..."Just keep swimming... Just keep running!" 3. Arrive early + move up in your corral We arrived around 4:15 AM, which gave us time to settle in and get closer to the front of the corral--huge stress reducer. 4. Stay close to the start line if possible We stayed at a hotel near the start, walked over, and later met my hubby near the mall. Less logistics = less stress. 5. Go to the Expo on Day 1 Exclusive merch sells out fast (RIP glow-in-the-dark shoes). The expo is free, fun, and has lots of freebies. Pro tip: go again on the last day for sales. 6. Practice in your costume This is non-negotiable. What feels cute for 10 minutes may not feel cute at mile 9. I practiced in my Ursula costume a handful of times. I saw people ditching parts of their costumes. 7. Hydration is covered Water and electrolytes are provided on course. I didn't need to carry water, but some people prefer to--do what works for you. 8, Know the course You start inside Disneyland, then head outside the parks where the hills show up. Save your energy for those miles. 9. Pictures Make sure your number is visible. Photos come free with it. There a a good number of photo opp in the parks. Unfortunately we couldn't stop since we were the last coral. So we did "passing" video shots. You should practice doing this. 10. Volunteers The volunteers outside of Disney were awesome! Seeing the signs, hearing the encouragement, and grabbing the sweets helped a ton. Soak it in and it will keep you motivated I discovered that I hate running long distance. At the same time I also realized I like doing it at Disney and after the race I told my son lets do the Dopey Challenge next. Where you run the 5k, 10 k and half marathon all in the same weekend. Of course my sweet son replied, "sure thing mom as long as your paying." This race reminded me that you don't have to be perfect--you just have to..... "just keep running, just keep running, running....running". If you're thinking about doing a RunDisney race, especially your first half marathon, do it. Train smart, trust the plan, and soak in every magical mile.

Just when we were in the swing of having them back, they're gone again. With the upcoming…read moreconstruction, it was announced there were not going to be anymore races for the foreseeable future here on the West Coast. This was the last race on Feb1 as the 5k and 10k took place the prior days. From what I gather from others, this can take many years to come back. I believe this was a new half marathon course at least new to me since the Star Wars Half days. This course was very refreshing, the stretch of it on Anaheim Blvd, running past the Packing District and the Ducks ice rink. The good thing about the "out and back" parts is seeing if you can spot the "balloon ladies" if it's a concern or maybe friends who run at a different pace or checking out their fits. I appreciated the DJ's and bands out there. They brought the energy! Everything was just so cute with the "It's a Small World Theme" but maybe I'm biased because I happen to love the color purple as in the bib, medal, and long sleeve tech t-shirt. It delighted me to see several runners dressed in this theme because I'm not creative enough to assemble my own costumes. PhotoPass photo opportunities were inside the park and some at the reunion area. These digital photos are included in registration and show up in the app same day. I must say the finish line replica photo op in the reunion area was a time consumer in the hot sun. Powerade was the electrolytes on course. I was wondering how they were able to get the taste and concentration consistent to realize they were being poured from the plastic bottles. Not too much to sample or any freebies at the expo if you compare that with other major race expos. The post-run snacks are not much nor memorable unless you count that nacho-like cheese from the box. IYKYK Yes, you pay a pretty penny just to participate but only you put a value on this experience. I would say if you're a Disney fan and have the means, to just do it one time for the experience but that dream has run out luck on this coast for now.

Okay so an arcade at a theme park should come with certain expectations, but C'MON!…read more The games here are new and working, which is great, but the PRICE is way too high. If you are here and you are absolutely itching to play at an arcade, it's fine for what it is, but the ticket redemptions and the price per play is a big rip off. In addition, they have claw machines that are all set to such a low rate of winning that it's totally not worth it at all. I wouldn't recommend it. If you are really in an arcade mood, there are plenty of spots outside of the theme park that you can go to.

In December, there was a super cute red plaid Snoopy plush doll that was being featured as the…read moreprize. However, there was only one way to get this prize, play twelve games at this arcade. Hubby asked someone working there about buying it, but it wasn't available in any of the stores. It seems that the prizes are always rotating, keeping the toy lust fresh. A lot of variety of games to play here.

My son did the diaper dash last year and the 1k this year. He really enjoys it and it's a fun local…read moreyearly event. The race costs $15 and he got a free t-shirt, a finishers medal, and a pedometer watch.

I lived in La Habra for a few years and never did this race until I moved out of the city. It's not…read morepromoted a ton (I've only read of this race from the Brea 8k), so it stays a medium-small sized meet. It was fun watching the 1k and diaper dash--the whole community was clapping for the finishers so that was really cute. 4 stars for keeping this professional for the size--it's Chipped timed with fast results. 3 stars for the course-- I felt like there were way too many rolling hills for the average runner (which seems to be what this meet draws the majority of the population of), You really don't catch many breaks with the hills, but luckily they aren't extreme inclines, just annoying and points out how out of shape you are. From the handful of people that ran this, they would not want to do the 10k--doing the same course twice means that much more hills! **Oh one more thing, there's no mile mark so you have no idea how far you've gone--something that can easily be changed hopefully! 5 stars for having this local race! and the support the local enforcement contributed to it as well. 4 stars for medals--they give medals to top 5 M&F runners in age divisions, so you have a decent chance of getting one if you ran pretty hard. Overall not too bad.

Better than Disneyland, yeah, I said it and I'll say it again. Better than Disneyland!!…read more Such a cute and convenient theme park for kids literally babies up to almost-big-kids. Every ride my son (4 years old at the time) rode on with myself or his auntie was so thrilling for him. He also experienced his first roller coaster here and he enjoyed it. We also ate lunch here and I'd have to say even the pricing for their food is decent for this day and age. Extremely grateful by how clean they keep the theme park and how friendly the staff are! Definitely a must-visit if you're ever in the OC area and need a fun spot to take your little ones where it won't break the bank for you.

Cant believe I have never heard of this place sooner! This place was so much fun I am so glad that…read moreI found out about it! We took my 7month old baby here and there is a couple of rides that we can take him on. The fun part was the carouseland the petting zoo. We definitely will be returning the Adventure City in the nearby future! Only reason I put 4 stars is because the food prices were high like all the other theme parks.

Gold n' Stuff is a great place for kids and teens. Some adults like to play miniature golf, but we…read morehave only seen them on rides with their kids. The place has been around quite some time and kids do tend to make a mess, but they keep up after it. Parking is for a fee, but sometimes you get a game card that comes with the parking. It can get crowded in the summer and on weekends. We go on week days and have been several times. Now, the prices in here add up fast so be mindful of that, but it is the same as other similar places. Miniature golf is about 16$, a go kart is about 12$, the arcade can really add up so get a card that you can use for the wide variety of games they have. The bumper boats and Disk Thrill Ride are about 12$ per person. We love their little train and that is about 5$. You can get a two hour wrist band and we do that and save a lot that way. All in all the prices are fair. The service there is nice and the place has a lot to offer, you don't have to do it all. There is a lot to do. They also have Birthday Parties there and that is great. It is super fun.

This is just a review of the mini golf. Sprawling! Tons of fun holes, a wild layout that requires…read moremultiple plays to see where each path goes. I've played all of them and enjoy all of them. The further you get from the main office, the less control there is and if you go at peak times, you'll deal with a lot of unattended kids. But the courses are fun, the layout is unique and it is definitely a fun date night. Bonus points for a cameo in Wreck It Ralph.