100 Days of Tiaras and Tutus: A Princess Half PTR updtd 2/17 Leaving tomorrow!

[creativeamanda]

This past week, I did something I had not had to do thus far in training: dress for cold weather. It was such a foreign concept to me, that I had to buy cold weather running clothes. Of course, I had to shop. So, I got all dressed up, went to the gym, and ran out on the road. . .



Facebook post from that day. . ."This is either dedicated or crazy. Haven't figured out which but if it's crazy I sure look the part."

And just a thought regarding the weight room. . .dontcha think it's time for the football team to clean the mirrors? Maybe I'll bring some windex this week when I go back.

I ran in the cold (all 40 degrees of it. . .on second thought, I may have been over dressed) and put in one of the fastest 2 miles ever. It was dark and I was ready to get back into the gym and then home.

On the same vibe as shopping, I got some Bondi bands from the recommendation of the princess half facebook group.


For the 5k--I know this is my tiara race, but I think that I'm going to have to hold the tiara in. It also matches my socks, which I haven't posted a picture of, but they are very similar to this Bondi band.


For the half marathon. I'm excited about this whimsical little one!

I also have picked up a few energy-type items everytime I have been to Dick's Sporting Goods. Which leaves me with this:



and this


and this


You know, I may have enough!

In other news, I'm currently packing.

Yes, packing. For a trip that is a little over 7 weeks away.

What can I say?!? I'm ready to go.

[Ariel484]

Hi Amanda! Sounds like things are going well so far!

I'm so sorry to read about your student... That's so nice of you to run the race in his honor.

Love your outfits! Have you taken them out on test runs yet?

[creativeamanda]

Originally Posted by Ariel484

Hi Amanda! Sounds like things are going well so far!

I'm so sorry to read about your student... That's so nice of you to run the race in his honor.

Love your outfits! Have you taken them out on test runs yet?

I have not taken them on test runs yet, but the half outfit is the exact same as the outfit I typically wear running, so I think that one will be fine. I am worried about the whole tiara/tutu thing. That one concerns me that it'll chafe or something and I really don't want to be chafed. The pants I'm wearing and the fuel belt are all what I wore for the half. And of course, I'm breaking the shoes in! Thanks for dropping by!

[pooh'smate]

Joining in. I didn't know you had started a PTR or I would have been here sooner.

[creativeamanda]

Originally Posted by pooh'smate

Joining in. I didn't know you had started a PTR or I would have been here sooner.

It's all right, and thanks for joining in!

[Disney9.9.10]

I love your motivation! I probably would have gone shopping too - you NEED gear to run in the cold, so why not?! And no judging about the packing here, I also pack really really early for my trips!

[creativeamanda]

Originally Posted by Disney9.9.10

I love your motivation! I probably would have gone shopping too - you NEED gear to run in the cold, so why not?! And no judging about the packing here, I also pack really really early for my trips!

Ha--only Disers really understand the need for packing so early! What if I forget something?

[creativeamanda]

Many have asked me what kind of training methods I have used. For my first 5K, I used the Couch to 5K method. This is truly a great program, and I would recommend it to anyone. For the Half Marathons, I have used this:



This is a run-walk method of running. Currently, I am doing 3 minutes run/1 minutes walk.



And it adds in your music and changes to BPM to match your pace:



This application was a little pricey at $14.99. This is the most I have ever paid for an ap, but it has been worth it. I used it for the Myrtle Beach Mini before training went awry. But I knew how to finish the half by then, and even though by that time, I had only run at most 7 miles at a time, I was able to do the mini.

On Saturday, I will only have 50 days left (see)



So it's time to start packing. Here is how I do it. About 3 months out, I typically throw everything in a bag. 2 months out, I repack, and determine what I think I will need to still buy. Since I'm at two months out, I'm at the repack segment.

I have three bags--one for the IOA/CSR part of the trip, one for BWV, and one for the races.

Bag 1:



Bag 2:



Racing Bag:



And today, I had someone else decide she needed to be in my racing bag:



So, what do I need to get?

Absolutely nothing. No shopping needed! Which is kind of happy and sad at the same time. In a couple of weeks, I'll go through again, and then the week before seriously repack everything.

Oh, and ya know what?!? 51 DAYS!!!!

[creativeamanda]

Severl of my Facebook friends have asked to see my 5 K outfit in full force. A couple of days after Christmas, I had Sweetie take a picture for me.



I also traded in my iPhone and Nike+ application for this:
or


I know many people like the Garmin, but I like how the interface is with Nike on this watch. After syncing the run with the computer, I was able to pull it up:



It's been no secret that I have been battling ITBS, also known as Iliotibial band syndrome. It's a common knee injury for runners. The best form of treatment is the use of a foam roller to loosen the iliotibial band. The treatment is actually quite painful, but less painful than ITBS after a run. I got a foam roller about a month ago:



The verdict? For the Myrtle Beach mini marathon, I had pain between miles 5 and 6. Yesterday for the 9.5 mile run, I started having pain at mile 8. While I'm still having pain, it's less intense and takes longer. I have to say, too, that this was after inflaming it 3 days before in the gym doing squats.

Hey, and you know what?! I go to Disney next month!!!

[Ariel484]

Cute 5K outfit! Love the colors.

And yes, a foam roller is a MUST. I still don't use mine as much as I should, but I can definitely tell a difference when I do. Glad you are getting some benefit out of it!

[creativeamanda]

Originally Posted by Ariel484

Cute 5K outfit! Love the colors.

And yes, a foam roller is a MUST. I still don't use mine as much as I should, but I can definitely tell a difference when I do. Glad you are getting some benefit out of it!

Thanks! I also ordered some KT Tape for that knee and I hope that will help a lot. It would help to take some weight off, because the extra 15 pounds I'm carrying around is not helping at all.

[creativeamanda]

Ahem, or woman, whichever.

This has been the running week ahead of all others.

Monday: 9.5 miles
Tuesday: 2.5 miles
Wednesday: 0.5 miles between weightlifting circuits
Thursday: 2.25 miles
Friday: leg day, no running. I think 50 squats with 70 pounds plus the bar (45 pounds) was enough
Saturday: rest day
Sunday: Planned 3 miles

So, if I add correctly, that's 17.5 miles for the week. Whew. That really is a lot.

This is the last week before work starts back after winter break, and I'm really not looking forward to returning to work on Monday. I've said I couldn't be a stay at home mom. I lied. I definitely could be a stay at home mom. I just wouldn't be able to go to Disney at all. Ever. Ever. Ever.

So, I work, to feed my addiction, so to speak.

Anyhow, I have really begun to work on my trip plans and get them finalized. I have set up a tentative time to meet up with Tink the arrival night that we move over to Boardwalk.

Let's move back to the first day, though. The arrival day, I'll check into the Wingate



That morning I will have gone to church and then driven in, so it will be sort of late. On Feb 18 (President's day--omg I am going to be in CROWDS), I will head on to


Courtesy Orlando Sentinel

I know for certain that I'm going to do all I can there that day until lunchtime, when I will be heading over to Coronado Springs Resort.




I have dinner reservations that night at Wolfgang Puck, and I'll be doing a little shopping for my son at the Lego Store before Hollywood Studios that night.

As of now, I have 42 days!

[TarzansKat]

I'm here, I'm here, I'm here!

Going back to read.

[TarzansKat]

First, I just wanted to say how sorry I am about the student you lost. I think running the half for him is an awesome way to honor him. When I did my first Disney 5K, I did it for me, but I also did it to honor my mother. The memories are even more special to me because of that.

I love that you're going to Universal! Is that wrong? I'm dying to see the Harry Potter theming and can't wait to be able to take my family there. Sadly, it is so difficult to work into our Disney trips, I always get sidetracked by all the stuff to do in the World.

Thanks for sharing all your training. As you already know, I'm having knee surgery in a couple of weeks, and it's really nice to live vicariously through you as you train and run!

Looks like this going to be an awesome trip! I look forward to reading more.

[creativeamanda]

Originally Posted by TarzansKat

I'm here, I'm here, I'm here!

Going back to read.

Originally Posted by TarzansKat

First, I just wanted to say how sorry I am about the student you lost. I think running the half for him is an awesome way to honor him. When I did my first Disney 5K, I did it for me, but I also did it to honor my mother. The memories are even more special to me because of that.

At first, I thought I'd make a t-shirt in honor of him, but I want this to be kind of private. So I've decided to write 34 on each of my hands--his basketball jersey number.

I love that you're going to Universal! Is that wrong? I'm dying to see the Harry Potter theming and can't wait to be able to take my family there. Sadly, it is so difficult to work into our Disney trips, I always get sidetracked by all the stuff to do in the World.

The only way I could do it was to throw it at the beginning, but I promise lots of FB pictures and TR pictures!

Thanks for sharing all your training. As you already know, I'm having knee surgery in a couple of weeks, and it's really nice to live vicariously through you as you train and run!

I hope and pray your surgery goes well. I've been reading up on meniscus tears and man, hon, you have really been in some pain! I'm sorry.

Looks like this going to be an awesome trip! I look forward to reading more.

Thanks, Kat!