Run HOW FAR?! Disney 1/2 & Solo fun! Jan PTR...omg leave Thurs! Itinerary posted 1/5

[disneygirlinnj]

First off...thank you to the mods who put up with me! Way back when I started this, it was originally in the pre-trip reports. Then I asked to move it to the WISH Journals because it was just going to be a training journal for me. Then umm... planning of the trip started and I decided it should be back in the pre-trip section! SORRY!


Table of Contents

**note to readers...if you get bored easily reading about mileage/time/pace/etc... you can skip most of the Training links. I'm using this to record how far I run and stuff too so it's all going to be mixed in!

Planning 1: I've officially lost my mind and registered for the Disney Half! (this post)
Planning 2:All About Yours Truly and my Running Escapade
Training 1: Short Update...5 mile Run
Training 2: Small 4mi Run, new sneaks and...I have another victim signed up for the Half...my BFF!
Training 3: Change of sneaks, little training...and yet ANOTHER victim registers!
Training 4: 40 min run and I'm in LOVE with my Garmin!
Training 5: We survived the Jersey Shore Marathon Relay! (and met another Disney runner!
Training 6: Broke my 5k time..happy dance!
Training 7: My first official 10k...and I didn't die!
Training 8: Slacking in training..boo!
Training 9: Survived 8 miles on my own!
Planning 3: Extending my stay so I can do a little solo touring!
Planning 4: Flight is BOOKED!
Planning 5: A little about the others coming along for the fun, a fellow Disney-holic and a Disney newbie!
Planning 6: Our VERY tentative itinerary
Planning 7: Take me backstage!!!
Training 10: Quick 6 mile morning run
Training 11: 9 Miles...slowly but surely!
Training 12: One fast mile down...a lot more to go!
Planning 8: Tweet Tweet!
Training 13: 10 Miles Completed!
Planning 9: Hmm...DVC Rental?
Planning 10: Boardwalk Villas Here I Come!!
Planning 11: ADRs, Itinerary, change in hotel?
Training 14: My happy 10k time, not must other training though..boo!
Planning 12: ADR Fiasco
Planning 13: Adding in a new PTR here!!!!
Training 15: Unsuccessfull 10 mile run and I want to rip my knee off
Training 16: Up to 12 miles and working around my knee problems!
Planning 14: Itinerary needs input! and OMG I leave in 2 days!


Now back to the show...

*Back in January*
So yup... I've got a new Disney trip hiding up my sleeve. Well..in my running shoes I guess you could say. A little background story...*que the cheesy music please!*

A week or so ago my friends and I decided to make Bucket Lists..you know...the List of things you wanna do before you..kick the bucket. Just like in the movie. Most of mine includes traveling to far off lands. It also included 'Running in a Half Marathon'. Hmm... ok. Maybe one day.

Fast forward to about a week ago. I get an email from a crazy runner friend and he says 'I remember you saying something about a marathon? half marathon? Remember when I did the Disney full marathon 2 years ago? Well the Disney marathon registration opens up tomorrow. and the half fills up within like a month a lot of times. So um... do it. I'm doing the Goofy Challenge. We'll meet up down there and it'll be fun!' I write back saying he's nuts. Then sit and think... hmmm... I'm almost 30... I have nothing holding me back. No fam to approve this with or raise..hm. If I'm ever to run in a half marathon, I guess this would be the time to do it, right?

So I toy with the idea for a bit. Put on my Facebook that I'm thinking about running the half. The response was pretty overwhelming. Some 'you're CRAZY!' and others 'omg..awesome... and if you do it, I'll do it!'

The other day...I took the plunge. Went to the site, threw my credit card info in there and voila! I'm registered for the half!

I figure I have a year to train, right?

Now I can get started on planning my trip too!!!

I definitely need to stay down at Disney for a few days before and after. So I've decided on Jan 7-13th. Race is on Saturday. Probably won't be doing tooo much prior to the race. Arrive Thursday, pick up my race packet, wander either MK or Epcot, have a yummy meal and call it a night. Friday pretty much still the same thing. Nothing crazy. Have a yummy carb filled dinner and get to bed EARLY! Race is on Saturday morning... then try to hobble around the parks after I recover a little.

I called yesterday and booked just a room at Pop. Only me so far but I know for a fact I will have either more racers with me or a cheering section. Didn't buy park passes or anything yet, just wanted to reserve the room! And when I was on the phone...did you guys know that they can tell you how many days you've actually stayed on Disney property? She didn't tell me exact but said 'wow! you've been here over 100 days!' I would LOVE to get a detailed print out of that! haha! too funny!

So that's it for now! I've already started running...ran 4 miles last week. Knee hurt a little bit but not sure if it's just cause I've been wearing heels every day to work lately. We'll see how it goes!

I still can't believe I'm doing this.... lol

 

[Twingle]

Wanted to let you know that I'm following you from the pre-trippes down here to the WISH Journals.

Good luck with everything! Glad to follow you on your way to the half

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Thanks Twingle! Glad to see you're over here too!


So I guess I should tell a little bit about me?

I'm 28 years old...and have hated running for quite some time now. I had never run a mile and hated the treadmill with a passion. I had joined a gym about 3 years ago and the owner was big into getting people to all run together and run small races. So he convinced me to run the local 5k in town and helped a lot of us get in running shape for it.

3 years later I've run that 5k 3 times, run another 5k in NJ, as well as participated in the Jersey Shore relay twice and did the 4mile leg both times (teams of 5 run a total of 26 miles from Seaside Heights to Asbury Park...for all you NJians).

I'm still not a huge fan of running but I enjoy the small dose of competition. By NO means am I a speed racer though....I just take my time and want to finish! It's a tiny competition against myself to try to beat my last time, even by a few seconds. I know it's good for me (I seriously tell myself that when I start to hate running!) so I keep doing it to try to stay in shape and lose a few extra pounds. I'm still waiting to hit that 'euphoria' that some runners talk about.. you guys are crazy!

Running on the treadmill is pretty boring for me so I try to run outside as much as possible. Sadly there's a deep freeze here in NJ and I haven't even gone outside in the past few months to run at all. I'm hoping it warms up soon though and in Feb I'll definitely get out.

I also ordered 'Marathons for Mortals' based on reviews on here, hoping to gain some knowledge about training for this. When I set my mind to something, I try to jump completely in! haha!

I'm hoping to do some running today at the gym...we'll see!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Just a quick update so i can remember

Went to the gym today and ran... in 64 mins I ran 5 miles. Walked a little bit here and there. I was just bored I think. My knees didn't really hurt...it just kinda felt like pressure was building around my knee cap? Hard to explain!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

another update!

Just finished reading "Marathons for Mortals" and thought it was really informative. Now I just have to write down my training plans and get to running some more. I'm probably going to mix and match the half-marathon and full marathon training plans since there's SO much time from now until January.

Also bought new sneakers. My knees started getting more sore then usual in my old ones and it was time for a new pair anyways.

Ran 4 miles yesterday and I feel pretty good today. Knees slightly sore but nothing bad. No pain.

My friend Christina also officially signed up for the Donald as well. So I at least have one running partner for my training.

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

Keep up the good work! I was going to do the full next year but now I am doing the half, I don't think my knees will agree with me to train for the full and lose the weight that I need (about 85 lbs to lose altogether). You will be able to do the half, you have plenty of time to train for it. I'm going with my 2007 plan, the 5 mile shamrock run on March 14th, the Boilermaker 15K in July, the Race for the Taste 10K at Epcot in October and then the half marathon in Jan 2010 Hoping to do the full in 2011. Once you get into running you really do get a runner's "high" after so many miles. I don't run fast but I just keep on plugging. And there is always someone slower than me. Besides if you finish dead last they usually put your picture in the paper or something The important thing is FINISHING! My other thing is that the first two miles I run in a distance run feel horrible but once I get those out of the way I am cruising.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Keep up the good work! I was going to do the full next year but now I am doing the half, I don't think my knees will agree with me to train for the full and lose the weight that I need (about 85 lbs to lose altogether). You will be able to do the half, you have plenty of time to train for it. I'm going with my 2007 plan, the 5 mile shamrock run on March 14th, the Boilermaker 15K in July, the Race for the Taste 10K at Epcot in October and then the half marathon in Jan 2010 Hoping to do the full in 2011. Once you get into running you really do get a runner's "high" after so many miles. I don't run fast but I just keep on plugging. And there is always someone slower than me. Besides if you finish dead last they usually put your picture in the paper or something The important thing is FINISHING! My other thing is that the first two miles I run in a distance run feel horrible but once I get those out of the way I am cruising.

thanks tinkerbell! I'm by NO means fast! I'm completely ok with just plugging along. My goal is just to finish. I was looking online yesterday to find some races to run in throughout the year. Found a million 5ks, a few 10k's here and there, etc. I have to start planning these all out!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Haven't updated in awhile so here's a little info..

I finally got a chance to run outside a week ago. Did 3 miles and sadly my knees started hurting REALLY bad. I realllly hope it's the sneakers throwing me off...so I went and I exchanged them for my old trusty Nike's that haven't hurt my knees. Ran on the treadmill in them and no pain but the true test will be outside. Hopefully this weekend I can test them out but it's supposed to be COLD!!!!

I also got my triaining schedule somewhat set up. I only have it filled out until the end of april. Baby steps! signed up for the Jersey Shore Relay Marathon for a 6 mile leg mid april. Kinda scared! EEEK!

Also recruited a new half marathoner with us! Our friend from the gym we go to is going to be joining us.

ANDDDD a little off topic...I booked another Disney trip! Sept I want to go for my birthday so keep an eye out for a pre-trippie starting for that one...link willl eventually be in my sig.

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi There,
I am doing the 1/2 in WDW as well.Last year did the full and as you know being from the Northeast winters are not fun.Training and doing LRs in the sleet was not a blast.Next winter at least the LR are no more than 13.

You were thinking about signing up for other races.In September the Applefest is in Hollis,NH.Some Disboard people went last year.It was a great and beautiful course.It is a 1/2 as well.I believe I will be doing it again.

Oh I just saw that you were going to Disney in September- oh well given the choice so would I.

Hope the knees are getting better.I suffer from plantar faciitis- ouch!Keep going is what I say.

Have a good one,

Linda

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Hi Linda!

I swear I had written back to you... I'm not sure where the post when! Yikes!

A lot of people I know keep telling me to do the full as well and the thought of running those distances in NJ winters is NOT fun! And I can't even imagine up by you...BRRRRR!

An update on the knees... they are actually doing much better! I was running 4 miles with my best friend (who is also running the 1/2) and my knees started hurting after about 3 miles. I was complaining and she mentioned that I should really focus on my form and foot strikes and see if that helps..maybe I was just getting tired and careless.

Well...i did it... I reeeallllyy concentrated.. and it worked! I was definitely just getting lazy picking up and placing my feet correctly. Instantly when I fixed that, the pain went away. Yes, they were sore again afterwards but no pain.

A week after that I went to DC for work and a co-worker and I ran 5miles. NO pain in my knees! Sore... oh definitely but I have never run 5 miles outside before.

I also ran a 5k this past weekend (wow...I defintiely have NO updated here in a long time!) and ran my best time ever!!! And I felt great after it. No pain, not tired, etc. I was trying to pace myself but now that I know I can do it, I'll push myself even harder next 5k.

2 more weeks until my 10k! yikes!

 

[momof2minnies]

Great job on the 5k and good luck on the 10k!

Gald to hear about the knees.When you want to get in shape and pain holds you back it stinks.

Linda

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Got a pretty good run in yesterday...ran with the gang that I'm doing the Jersey Shore Relay with so we ran for 40 mins...got in 3.75 miles. Ran faster than normal so my knees are just a little sore today but not horrible.

Also, I am LOVING my Garmin 405!!! I love downloading the runs and checking them out online. Since I run with usually one other person, I send them the links and it's fun to compare past runs. Plus I don't ever need a set course with a specific distance already mapped out. We just weave in and out of streets and when we hit our goal distance or time, we're done!

I think I might start posting the links of each run as I do them in here too... I'm going to send my friend who's doing the 1/2 with me the link to the boards so now she can keep track too..

40 Min Run on March 31

 

[disneygirlinnj]

oops...double post...

 

[momof2minnies]

I love that about my Garmin too, no set route. It gets boring after a while.

 

[TennHokies]

disneygirlinnj, first off good luck with your training - I think it takes a ton of courage to sign up for your first half marathon. In addition to my new found WDW obsession, I'm already obsessed with the sport of Triathalon. I've only done sprint races so far, which require only a 5K run, so I'm in awe of your 13 mile race!

When you mentioned your knee pain while training I thought about a book I've found helpful on running technique. It's called Chi Running in case you want to check it out. When someone first recommended it to me I thought, that's crazy I don't need someone to teach me how to run, but it actually have some great tips.

Now I need to go research that Garim 405 - sounds like a great new toy!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I love that about my Garmin too, no set route. It gets boring after a while.

I really can't stress enough how much I LOVE not having a set route!

disneygirlinnj, first off good luck with your training - I think it takes a ton of courage to sign up for your first half marathon. In addition to my new found WDW obsession, I'm already obsessed with the sport of Triathalon. I've only done sprint races so far, which require only a 5K run, so I'm in awe of your 13 mile race!

When you mentioned your knee pain while training I thought about a book I've found helpful on running technique. It's called Chi Running in case you want to check it out. When someone first recommended it to me I thought, that's crazy I don't need someone to teach me how to run, but it actually have some great tips.

Now I need to go research that Garim 405 - sounds like a great new toy!

Thank you so much! The whole idea of a Tri scares me... I'm NOT a huge swimmer (although I do know how). After I accomplish this lovely half though who knows what my crazy mind will tell me to do!

I'll definitely check out Chi Running. My knee has been kinda iffy more often then usual lately so I'll take any help I can get! My friends trainer said it sounds like it's my IT Band and gave me stretches for it but it hasn't really helped yet.

Tomorrow I'm running in the Jersey Shore Relay, teams of 5 runs a marathon...I'm running the 6.2 mile leg..my longest run ever!! Yikes! The most I've run so far is 6 miles a week ago and it wasn't that bad! I'll come back with a full report!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

This past Saturday I ran in the Jersey Shore Relay Marathon...A 26.2 Mile Relay Race rom Seaside Heights, NJ to Asbury Park, NJ along the scenic Atlantic Ocean held the third Saturday in April. Teams of 5, 4, 3, 2 or individuals run the marathon distance mostly on world famous boardwalks. (we had a team of 5)

We had a great time and it was SUCH a beautiful day out! It did get hot towards the end of the run so I'm secretly happy that I ran the 2nd leg and missed the 75-80 degree weather during my run.

I joined with my old gym and we actually had 9 or 12 teams registered for the race so the support we had throughout the whole day was amazing. Everywhere we turned we'd see at least a few of our race shirts wandering around. I was our team captain since I was the only one on my individual team that had run this race before. And... small world... I found out a few weeks ago that one of the ladies on my team is a disney nut and ran the last two halfs and is registered for the full this year. Can't wait to cheer her on down in Disney!

So I had originally signed up for one of the 6.1 or 6.2 mile legs and on the way down there when I was looking at the race info, I realized it was changed to 6.5 miles! I've never run more than 6 miles in one shot. Didn't have a problem with that but luckily I found out before I started running or I would have been so confused looking at my Garmin.

Overall I'm very very happy with my time and how my portion went. I finished the 6.5 mi (6.57 according to Garmin but whos counting..lol) in 1:11:43. One of my best times yet! I was worried about my knee though and it did of course start acting up. Almost right after the first mile it started hurting but I kept trying to adjust my form and make improvements and by about mile 2.5 I didn't feel any pain, just a tightness. Don't remember much pain from miles 2.5 to 6.5 so that's a good thing! However my knees are NOT liking me today. I've been icing them all night and this morning and will have another big stretch session in a little bit. I really think thats part of my problem...I don't stretch and warm up as much as I should. I do the 'normal' but I'm thinking my knees need more than that!

I believe our whole team finished the marathon in just barely over 4hrs30min and I couldn't be happier! Now I just need to find an 'official' 10k and start improving.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

OK So I've been a complete slacker in terms of running. The relay was the last big run I've had. I did do a 4 miler I think in the park about two weeks ago but that's it. I need to get back into it but I've been lazy!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Small little update.... I've barely been running but did get a chance to run my fasted 5k time ever on Saturday in the park! happy dance! I also registered for a 10k this Sunday coming up so hopefully my horrible back ache will go away by then. I have NO idea why my back hurts Ugh!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Hello!! So I tried to start off June with a bang and worked out fabulously June 1st. Apparently something I did though didn't agree with my back AT ALL so I was gym-less from then until this past Sunday when I ran my first official 10k. I didn't want to stress my back too much beforehand so I took it easy and just tried to stretch as much as possible.

We couldn't have asked for better weather for the Montclair YMCA 10k. It was slightly hotter than I'm used to but I didn't mind it too much. I ran it with my two friends and had a great day. One of my friends (Jaime) is Speedy Gonzalez and finished it in 57 minutes, I think. I finished it in my personal best of 1:05:and change and my best friend Christina also finished in her personal best of 1:10 possibly? I actually forgot to stop my watch when I ran through the finish line and didn't realize it until a minute later.

The actual run for me went well for the most part. Christina and I started out together and kept under a 10min mile for mile1. Slowed down a bit after that and then I believe I lost Christina after about mile 3.5-ish. Luckily there were water stops at every mile for me to grab a few sips and douse my arms and neck to cool down. At around mile 4.75 I found a new running partner and finished the race with a nice guy from Peru. I couldn't really chit-chat but it was nice to have someone running next to you and giving small words of wisdom and encouragement.

My knee held up pretty well. Slight tightness and discomfort on and off but it wasn't bad. At around mile 5.75 though I got a HORRIBLE pain on the outer side of my right foot (same side as my knee). I honestly even thought of stopping and walking for the remainder but my new friend kept telling me to dig on. I have no idea where the pain came from, I've never had pain like that before. I thought maybe it was due to running on only one side of the road but this race was fairly mixed and I didn't stick to one side. It's still pretty painful to walk today at work and hobbling into the building today was no fun. Anyone else have experience with this? So annoying!

So that was my fun day. Even with the pain I still had a great time and really hope I can run again in a day or two.

After all my aches and pains I'm thinking of making an appointment with an Orthopedic and Sports Medicine practice that I found right by my house. It's three doctors that only specialize in sports injuries and rehab. I want to get to the bottom of this knee discomfort (and now my lovely new foot pain! ).

Ok...I've babbled enough...