A Pink Pixie Princess - Complete!

[Ariel484]

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. -Walt Disney

Well hello there...

Thanks for dropping by. My name is Shannon - I'm 31 years old and have been married to my love and best friend, Will (aka Mr. Ariel484, 30) for about 6.5 years now. We have one insane little dog named Archie, and we love him to pieces.

One other thing to know about me - I am fully addicted to running Disney.

I also really like writing. Hence, this PTR, combining a few of my favorite things...running, Disney, running AT Disney, writing, pictures of Disney, etc.

Lace up your running shoes - LET'S GO!!

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
My other runDisney Reports
2016 Race Calendar

**TRAINING**
Running
Not Running
Chunk 1 (Get Consistent Again!): October, 26, 2015 - November 22, 2015
A New Training Plan
Phase 1: Monday, November 23, 2015 - Sunday, December 20, 2016
Freakout
Princess Half Marathon Weekend Training
2016 Tinker Bell "15K" Training
Mission: Proof of Time (10-miler Training)
Blind Pacing - New 10-miler training plan
Dopey Challenge Training

**2016 PRINCESS HALF MARATHON WEEKEND TRIP PLANNING**
(DEFERRED TO 2017 - see this post)
Princess Half Marathon Weekend Trip Plans!
2016 Princess 5K - The Outfit!
2016 Princess 10K - The Outfit!
I like shiny things (medals!)

**2016 TINKER BELL HALF MARATHON WEEKEND TRIP PLANNING**
Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Trip Plans!
Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Trip Plans - Update!
2016 Never Land 5K - The Outfit!
2016 Tinker Bell 10K - The Outfit!...???
TRIP REPORT!

**2016 WINE & DINE HALF MARATHON WEEKEND TRIP PLANNING**
Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend - The Resort!
Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend - REGISTERED (mostly)!
Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend - REGISTERED (completely)!!!
Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Trip Plans!
2016 Mickey's Holiday 5K - The Outfit!
2016 Wine & Dine 10K - The Outfit!
2016 Wine & Dine Half Marathon - The Outfit!

**2017 WALT DISNEY WORLD MARATHON WEEKEND TRIP PLANNING**
Registered!
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend - Trip Plans!
2017 Walt Disney World 5K - The Outfit!
2017 Walt Disney World 10K - The Outfit!
2017 Walt Disney World Half Marathon - The Outfit!
2017 Walt Disney World Marathon - The Outfit!

**2017 PRINCESS HALF MARATHON WEEKEND TRIP PLANNING**
Redemption, Part 1 (Registered!)
2017 Princess 5K - The Outfit!
2017 Princess 10K - The Outfit!
2017 Princess Half Marathon - The Outfit!

**2017 TINKER BELL HALF MARATHON WEEKEND TRIP PLANNING**
Deferred!
2017 Never Land 5K - The Outfit!
2017 Tinker Bell 10K - The Outfit!
2017 Tinker Bell Half Marathon - The Outfit!

**DISNEY CRUISE LINE**
4-night Bahamian Dream (June)
June Cruise Planning!

5-night Bahamian Magic (December)

**Back Injury and Recovery**
2017 (Deferring 2016 Glass Slipper Challenge entry)
Guess Who's BACK...BACK Again (More info on back injury)
Back 2 Good (1-week progress update)
Back 2 Good (2nd weekly progress update)
Back 2 Good (3rd weekly progress update)
Back 2 Good (4th weekly progress update)
Back 2 Good (5th weekly progress update)
Back 2 Good (6th weekly progress update)
Back 2 Good (7th weekly progress update)
Back 2 Good (8th weekly progress update)
Status on upcoming races (1/23)
Status on upcoming races (1/31)
**FIRST RUN!!!**

**Goodbye Money!!**

INKnBURN (NOTE: As of February 27, 2016, I am an Ambassador for INKnBURN )
Goodbye Money! INKnBURN Pullovers
Goodbye Money! INKnBURN 2015 Holiday Kit
Goodbye Money! INKnBURN Steampunk Kit
Goodbye Money! INKnBURN Goodies! (New-to-me Pullover & Healing Mandala Kit)
Goodbye Money! INKnBURN Mystery Classics from the Vault (Camisoles and Short-Sleeved Tech Shirts)
Goodbye Money! INKnBURN: 6 New-To-Me Classics and Club INB
Goodbye Money! INKnBURN: Roses and Unicorns
Goodbye Money! INKnBURN: 2016 Club INKnBURN Black Box!
Goodbye Money! INKnBURN: Pixels and the Ultimate Unicorn
Goodbye Money! INKnBURN: Lucky Charm 2 Skirt and Miko 4 Arms
I'm an INKnBURN Ambassador!!!
April Fu!
Pre-Order For A Cause: Race For Reese
MERMAIDS!!! NAMASTE!!!
2016 Mystery Singlet Revealed!
#tbt Monarch Pullover and ISO Kit!

Handmade Minnie Mouse Ears
Goodbye Money! Handmade Minnie Mouse Ears, Part 1
Goodbye Money! Handmade Minnie Mouse Ears, Part 2
Goodbye Money! Handmade Minnie Mouse Ears, Part 3

Disney Dooney & Bourke
Goodbye Money! The One That Got Away (Disney Dooney & Bourke)
Goodbye Money (Sort Of)! Mickey Balloons (Disney Dooney & Bourke)
Goodbye Money! Harveys for Disney Couture and Disney Dooney & Bourke (More Balloons, WDW 40th Anniverary and DCL Sketch)

Running Gear
Goodbye Money! Garmin Forerunner 230 & Brooks Adrenalines GTS 16

Shopping Update! (October 2016)

**OTHER STUFF**
Christmas in California: Checking In (12/23)
California - Highs and Lows
Arriving at Coronado and going home - the &*$% hits the fan
Mini August 2016 WDW Trip Report!

 

[Ariel484]

My other runDisney Reports

Because I LUUURRRRVE writing runDisney trip reports.

2011 Princess Half Marathon - I ran this race with my brother. It was our first-ever half marathon AND our first ever runDisney race. The addiction began here!

2012 Walt Disney World Marathon - Again, ran this one with my brother. Our first-ever marathon!

2013 Marathon Weekend: Walt Disney World 5K + Goofy Challenge - My first-ever challenge weekend at Disney, and certainly not my last. I blabbed on about training for this weekend here.

2013 Jingle Jungle 5K + Wine & Dine Half Marathon - The first time I got Will to try a runDisney race and my favorite half marathon course at Disney World. Unfortunately I ran these races with an injury.

2014 Disney Princess 5K - fun race that I ran with my two BFFs before spectating the 2014 Princess Half Marathon

2014 Jingle Jungle 5K + Wine & Dine Half Marathon - The weekend I was the sickest I've ever been at Disney World (some my fault, some not my fault)...also, in case you haven't heard about it a thousand times, it rained. Like, a LOT.

2015 Dopey Challenge - The most perfect weekend of running I could have asked for. Training report found here.

2015 Disneyland 5K + Dumbo Double Dare - part 2 of me going Coast-to-Coast with my BFFs!

I've also run the Castaway Cay 5K 3 times (once each in 2013, 2014 and 2015). But I hate that race, so it’s barely worth talking about.

So what's next?...

 

[flvy]

Love it! So awesome. I always love the pics of people when they have all those Disney medals on their arm!!!

 

[Ariel484]

2016 Race Calendar

In past years I have loaded up my calendar with local races. My philosophy has been that I could try to PR (run a fast time and set a Personal Record) at my local races, and that Disney races would be where I could just frolick through the parks and have fun...while getting lots of character pictures, of course.

But earlier this year I had an epiphany that I'd started to put way too much pressure on myself to get fast (for me), and that it was sucking the joy out of running, to the point where I had to really work hard to convince myself to get out to run at all. I seriously contemplated quitting altogether. And that's a problem, because I LIKE running - I like doing it, I know it keeps me healthy, and I like that it makes me a little less jiggly (vain? Yes. Just being honest!).

So now I am trying really hard to not focus so much on my pace (for the most part) - and part of that is cutting back bigtime on local races.

With that said, here’s what is on my schedule for 2016...

Disney Princess 5K on February 19, 2016 (REGISTERED!)
Disney Princess Enchanted 10K on February 20, 2016 (REGISTERED!)
Disney Princess Half Marathon on February 21, 2016 (REGISTERED!)
(DEFERRED TO 2017 - see this post)

I have participated in this weekend twice (running the half in 2011 and the 5K in 2014). I'm not a super princess-y girl AT ALL, but my 3 BFFs were planning on doing this weekend, and where they go, I go! As I started to get excited about running Princess again, one by one, my BFFs had to drop out (nothing against them, obviously - they all had very legit reasons!). But I'd fully committed to doing the races by then, so I registered anyway - and thus this will be a mostly solo weekend for me. I was bummed about this at first, but now I'm sort of excited for it - an entire weekend at Disney to do things on MY terms might be pretty great! And I'm all about the runDisney bling, and acquiring as much of it as possible (see Tink weekend below and the fact that I have run the Castaway Cay 5K - a race I sort of hate - 3 times now for evidence of that), so I basically HAD to go for the Glass Slipper Challenge and the 5K. I mean...I'll be there the whole weekend anyway, right?! May as well get all of that bling.

And BONUS: the weekend will be Ariel-themed. And I mean...look at my user name. I'm pumped!

Sidenote: My 3 BFFs are ALL going to WDW for Star Wars Dark Side races in April...while Princess weekend doesn't work for them, that one does. Because of my already-full race calendar for 2016, I will not be joining them. So be prepared for me whining about that a few months from now!

Local Half Marathon on April 10, 2016 (PLANNED)
Using this as a check-in to see how marathon training is going. Registration hasn't opened yet! This will be a new-to-me race.

Never Land 5K on May 6, 2016 (REGISTERED!)
Tinker Bell 10K on May 7, 2016 (REGISTERED!)
Tinker Bell Half Marathon on May 8, 2016 (REGISTERED!)

So here's where you learn how much I love runDisney and runDisney bling...

...I do not like Tink. At all. And that is putting it mildly.

So why participate in this race weekend? Two reasons:

1. I just recently went to Disneyland for the first time, and I LOVE it there!
2. I have heard that the courses for this weekend are among the best of any of the runDisney races on either cost. I mean, the Never Land 5K starts IN DISNEYLAND. Madness!
3. If I'm already doing Princess...this will most likely be my one shot to get that pink coast-to-coast medal. See? Need the bling!

Now, when I originally started dreaming up this trip, I knew it would likely be solo (my BFFs also hate Tink). But then I remembered that Tink takes place over Mother's Day weekend...so I thought I'd ask my mom if she wanted to join me on this trip. And she said yes! She'll be participating in the Never Land 5K (my Mother's Day gift to her).

After many, many trips to WDW, this will be my third trip to Disneyland as an adult (first time was in September, second time is scheduled for over Christmas!...yeah, I'm hooked). Can't wait to go back!

Local Marathon on May 15, 2016 (REGISTERED!)
**Dropped down to half marathon

This is my hometown marathon and, as of right now, the only local race I have on my calendar for 2016 (EDIT: Added one local race above). I have participated in this weekend 5 times now - running the half marathon 3 times and the 10K twice. I've signed up for the marathon in past years and then have dropped down to a shorter race...this year I'm hoping that having Disney races in my calendar leading up to this marathon will actually help me follow through and complete the marathon.

This will be my first-ever non-Disney marathon after running the Walt Disney World Marathon 3 times. By now I know I can finish the marathon distance if I train for it, and for this race I'm hoping to PR big-time. My current marathon PR (2015 WDW Marathon) is 5:45ish - but that was at the end of Dopey AND I stopped for many, many character pictures. I think it's realistic to try to get under 5 hours at this local race...but we'll see. I’m trying not to think about it too much.

And sidenote...WORST TIMING EVER! Not only is this the weekend after Tink, it's the day before my and Mr. Ariel484's wedding anniversary! Woof!

Up next - training!

 

[Ariel484]

Love it! So awesome. I always love the pics of people when they have all those Disney medals on their arm!!!

Thanks!! Me too, those pictures are awesome. Love that Disney bling!

 

[Keels]

Yay!!

You know if you need a buddy during Princess weekend, I'll be around just looking for things to do!

 

[Ariel484]

Yay!!

You know if you need a buddy during Princess weekend, I'll be around just looking for things to do!

Yay! I will definitely keep that in mind - forgot that you were going to be there solo too.

 

[Keels]

Yay! I will definitely keep that in mind - forgot that you were going to be there solo too.

Yeah, it's hard for me to say I'm "solo" because I usually stay at my parents' house when I'm here. My mom is doing the 5K with me, but I'm doing the other two races by myself. I think Little Dog and I are going to fly in this time instead of making the drive just the two of us, though the weekend after Princess is RnR New Orleans.

Now that I type it all out, it looks like I have some logistics to work out!

Where are you thinking about staying for both race weekends?

 

[Ariel484]

**TRAINING**

Running

The biggest part of this journal...because if I'm getting ready for races, there will be lots of running!

My alternate title for this thread was "Beginning Again" - after getting in a running funk this year and then having a freak back injury that derailed my Disneyland Half Weekend training, I feel like I'm almost starting from scratch, with the marathon in May as my main goal.

Because marathons are big and scary, I'm breaking my training up from now to May into 3 chunks so that I'm thinking about one race (or race weekend) at a time. Hopefully my little brain can handle things a little better this way.

Chunk 1 - Get consistent again!

This is the smallest chunk and is all about getting myself back into a weekly routine for training while slowly building my mileage back up. When I said I was having trouble getting motivated to run earlier in the year, I wasn't kidding. I have kept track of every run I've done since 2011, so I know how much mileage I've done each year...

2011 - 732ish miles
2012 - 937ish miles (Goofy training)
2013 - 710ish miles (another running funk here, after Goofy in January!)
2014 - 841ish miles (Dopey training)
2015 (so far) - 500ish miles

So right now I am on pace for my lowest yearly total since I started keeping track of my runs (I have been running since 2008/2009). To say consistency has been a problem for me is an understatement.

Since Disneyland, I have been working on just getting 4 runs in per week - 5 seems to be too much for me, but I find I feel better and stronger doing 4 runs compared to doing 3 runs per week (something I experimented with earlier this year). And if I feel better and stronger, that makes me like running more...so it's easier for me to actually WANT to get my runs done. 4 it is.

Along with actually doing the runs I have been slooooooowly increasing my weekly mileage - by about 0.25-0.5 miles per week. I know that sounds like nothing, but hey - it's still progress! I started at a 10-mile week after Disneyland and am planning on getting up to a 12.5-mile week before...

Chunk 2 - Glass Slipper Challenge Training

...training begins!

For Glass Slipper Challenge Training I am planning on using a Hal Higdon's Novice 2 Training Plan. I've never actually used this plan before, because it's a newer one, but I have used one very similar to it with success. I'm leaning toward ignoring the goal pace runs (completing the mileage but not worrying about the pace - since I don't have a goal pace for Disney races beyond keeping things at/below 16:00/mile). But I think I will do one speedwork and one tempo run each week - while I'm not putting a ton of pressure on myself to get fast, I wouldn’t mind gaining back SOME of the speed I had last year. Plus, it might be nice to have a little variety in my runs, as in, not doing 4 runs each week where I just run at a steady pace. This is especially important since at least 2 of my runs each week are treadmill runs - I need to vary the speed to keep from going bonkers due to boredom!

Either way, it would be a 12-week plan that would begin on Monday, November 30. I should peak at a 25-mile week 2 weeks before GSC weekend.

Two big challenges with GSC training:

1. Winter in Ohio...enough said!
2. We have some fun travel planned in late December so I'll need to make sure to get my training in while we're out of town

Chunk 3 - Marathon Training

The big goal!

For the 3 marathons I have run (including those part of Goofy and Dopey), I have used Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Plan. At this point I figure...if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So that's what I'll use again this time.

After GSC I'm going to pick up the marathon plan in week 6 and hopefully follow it to the letter. I think it should be a pretty seamless transition as far as weekly mileage! The wrinkle will come in with Tink weekend. The plan has that week's mileage (the week before the marathon) at 21 miles and Tink weekend will have me at 22.4, so that's fine...but traveling is always tiring and I know I'm not just going to sit in my room in California and twiddle my thumbs while the parks are right there. So that's the challenge in addition to getting the runs in - to not be stupid about Tink weekend and break my marathon taper!

Continued in Next Post

 

[Ariel484]

**TRAINING**

Not Running

In addition to figuring out what training plans work for me, I have been running long enough to know that just running is not good for me - it's a recipe for injury. No good!

Three parts here!

Strength Training

Throwing my back out in July before Disneyland was a pretty low point for me - no one likes to be hurt, but beyond that I realized that I just felt so WEAK. I could not, and still cannot, explain how the back injury happened - it started out feeling little sore, and then the pain got worse and worse over the course of the day until I was at a point where it was spasming and I could barely move.

And for no reason?! This should not be happening!

Once upon a time I was pretty good about strength training, but I fell off the wagon bigtime - now I need to get back on. The thing is...while I'm familiar with weight equipment and how to use it, I just didn't know what to do to help my running and general health. I'd searched for runner-specific weight lifting plans online with no success.

After some digging, I realized that the hospital system where I work offers just the sort of program I was looking for - strength training for runners! After letting my back heal and getting a referral from my PCP, I had an appointment with an exercise physiologist at the beginning of October (who is also a runner, but MUCH faster than I am...like 6- and 7-minute miles ). It wasn't covered by insurance or an employee discount or anything, unfortunately, but for $60 I got an hour-long 1-on-1 assessment and an 8-week long lifting plan made just for me. So as part of Chunk 1 above, I have been following my personalized plan. My trainer (feels VERY weird to say that - "my trainer") indicated that while 2 days per week of lifting is good, 3 would be better...so that's what I have been trying to do. Unfortunately that means doubling up on workouts a few days each week (lifting + running or lifting + yoga), but if it'll keep me healthy...it's worth it!

Basically I have been doing a full-body plan 3 days per week - sometimes using dumbbells, sometimes using machines (at the gym at work), and sometimes using body weight...sometimes a combination of those things. I like it so far and am due to go back to see the trainer at the beginning of December to figure out my next step.

Yoga

The toughest part of training for me to stick to - I love yoga but if I run out of time in my week, this is what is on the chopping block. It helps build flexibility and core strength, though, and it just FEELS good - so I want to do my best to become a regular yogi. The goal here - 1 yoga class per week. Just one. Should be doable, especially since I have a great studio about 5-10 minutes from home. I wish I had time to fit in additional classes each week, but I just can't seem to make it work without sacrificing...

Rest

The final piece of the puzzle! One rest day per week - no exceptions!

Let the training begin!

 

[Ariel484]

Yeah, it's hard for me to say I'm "solo" because I usually stay at my parents' house when I'm here. My mom is doing the 5K with me, but I'm doing the other two races by myself. I think Little Dog and I are going to fly in this time instead of making the drive just the two of us, though the weekend after Princess is RnR New Orleans.

Now that I type it all out, it looks like I have some logistics to work out!

Where are you thinking about staying for both race weekends?

Ah, I see. I won't be 100% solo either - one of my BFFs lives in Orlando, so I'll see her some, but she has 2 young kids so I know she can't play in the parks all day.

Yeah, I'd say you have some planning to do!

For Princess I'm at French Quarter...for Tink I'm at Disneyland Hotel (for now, that may change).

 

[Ariel484]

**Chunk 1 - Get Consistent Again!**

COMPLETE

Week 1 (10/26 - 11/1): 11.25 miles completed
Monday: lifting/2.25-mile run
Tuesday: 2.5-mile run
Wednesday: lifting
Thursday: 3-mile run
Friday: yoga/lifting
Saturday: 3.5-mile run
Sunday: Rest

Week 2 (11/2 - 11/8): 11.25 miles completed
Monday: lifting/2.25-mile run
Tuesday: 2.5-mile run
Wednesday: lifting
Thursday: 3-mile run
Friday: yoga/lifting
Saturday: 3.5-mile run
Sunday: Rest

Week 3 (11/9 - 11/15): 11.75 miles completed
Monday: lifting/2.5-mile run
Tuesday: 2.5-mile run
Wednesday: lifting
Thursday: 3-mile run
Friday: yoga/lifting
Saturday: 3.75-mile run
Sunday: Rest

Week 4 (11/16 - 11/22): 12 miles planned, 9 miles completed
Monday: lifting/2.5-mile run
Tuesday: 2.75-mile run
Wednesday: lifting
Thursday: 3-mile run planned, lifting completed
Friday: yoga/lifting
Saturday: 3.75-mile run
Sunday: Rest


Continued in Next Post

 

[Dis5150]

Yay a new report! Following along. As I am constantly getting injuries, I probably should be doing some weight lifting/yoga/anything(!) too!

 

[roxymama]

Following as well! And now I will stalk your old TR's (well the ones I have not already stalked) !!!

And I get what you say about the post-race funk. I'm in my own little slacking off period after my PR in September. October has been a total bust so far. I need to get back to my routine since I have another race in 2 weeks!

 

[rpcvpanama]

Shannon - so glad you started a new "training" report! I too sort of fell of the bandwagon after Dopey this year. I really haven't run much but the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in April. I think I just go burnt out. I have a bunch of races planned for next year (including the Dark Side!) so I need to start my training again as well. I too have been looking into weight training programs as I consistently injure myself when the miles start racking up. I have started with the New Rules of Lifting for Women and so far like it. But, like you said they recommend 3 days of weight training a week and that has been hard for me. I shoot for 3 but usually end up with 2. Anyway, looking forward to following along!

 

[Ariel484]

Yay a new report! Following along. As I am constantly getting injuries, I probably should be doing some weight lifting/yoga/anything(!) too!

Yay!

I used to be so good with the cross training and never got injured. Once I wasn't quite as good about it, suddenly it was injury after injury. Hmm, what could that be telling me??

Following as well! And now I will stalk your old TR's (well the ones I have not already stalked) !!!

Yay! Stalk away!

And I get what you say about the post-race funk. I'm in my own little slacking off period after my PR in September. October has been a total bust so far. I need to get back to my routine since I have another race in 2 weeks!

Yep, I can totally relate. It's so hard to get back into a routine, even if you take just a little time off! Congrats on your PR!

Shannon - so glad you started a new "training" report! I too sort of fell of the bandwagon after Dopey this year. I really haven't run much but the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in April. I think I just go burnt out. I have a bunch of races planned for next year (including the Dark Side!) so I need to start my training again as well. I too have been looking into weight training programs as I consistently injure myself when the miles start racking up. I have started with the New Rules of Lifting for Women and so far like it. But, like you said they recommend 3 days of weight training a week and that has been hard for me. I shoot for 3 but usually end up with 2. Anyway, looking forward to following along!

I absolutely got burnt out. Dopey was really great for me, but the training is the hard part and I was in no hurry to get back to that!

Yay for getting to do the Dark Side! Wave to my BFFs for me.

I tried NROLFW long ago and I did like it. I hope you do too!!

 

[ZellyB]

Yay!! A training report. So excited to read about it. Jealous about your planned Disney races though. After we run W&D in a couple of weeks, we've got no Disney race plans for a while. Lots going on around here and spending lots of money on home improvements so I'm trying to be good and stick with some local runs. I'll happily live vicariously through you though.

Your plan sounds like a good one and I think it's great that you've broken it up the way you have. Seems like a good way to prevent some burnout. We are running three races in November and then thinking of taking a break from running in December. Not sure I can stop running that long, but we'll see. Chris is shooting for a PR in the marathon he is running Sunday and I'm hoping to PR the half. We'll see how it goes.

Looking forward to more about your training...and, of course, your Disney trip planning as well!!

 

[Ariel484]

Yay!! A training report. So excited to read about it. Jealous about your planned Disney races though. After we run W&D in a couple of weeks, we've got no Disney race plans for a while. Lots going on around here and spending lots of money on home improvements so I'm trying to be good and stick with some local runs. I'll happily live vicariously through you though.

Ahh, bummer. I think that'll be me after Tink in May. It's never good to not have your next Disney trip planned!

I guess making improvements to your home is a good thing though.

Your plan sounds like a good one and I think it's great that you've broken it up the way you have. Seems like a good way to prevent some burnout. We are running three races in November and then thinking of taking a break from running in December. Not sure I can stop running that long, but we'll see. Chris is shooting for a PR in the marathon he is running Sunday and I'm hoping to PR the half. We'll see how it goes.

Yeah, I think I need to do it that way. The mental aspect of running has been such a struggle for me lately!

Good luck to you guys this weekend, can't wait to hear about it - you're so close to Wine & Dine (jealous!)!!

Looking forward to more about your training...and, of course, your Disney trip planning as well!!

Thanks!

 

[Ariel484]

**TRIP PLANNING**

Princess Half Marathon Weekend

This trip is mostly planned out! I only have a couple of to-dos left on my list (which makes me think I'm forgetting something!).

TICKETS
Boom. None needed when you’ve got this baby!

And MAN am I glad I got this thing before the recent price increase! It wouldn't have made sense otherwise...

FLIGHTS

I am not 100% thrilled with my flights for this trip, but they're booked (since June!), so whatever...really, they aren't too bad.

I'll be flying Southwest this time around. Recently I had a not-so-great experience with them, but this trip was already booked and I don’t want to lose the money. It is what it is.

Unfortunately they don't fly direct to Orlando from my home airport, so I'll be leaving home early on Wednesday, 2/17...connecting in Chicago...and landing in Orlando at about 11:15AM. This leg of the trip cost $142, which, from my airport, is a decent but not excellent rate to Orlando. But at least I don't have to pay baggage fees!

Coming home (Monday, 2/22) is a different story - on opening day the price for the flight home that I wanted was something crazy, like $267! I'm pretty paranoid when it comes to booking flights - if I see a time I want, I start to get really anxious that it will sell out. So I went ahead and booked the flight at that crazy price - BUT, I booked it using Southwest Rewards points. So all I had to pay was the fuel surcharge and whatever else comes with booking on points - so $5.60 total or something. Since then, the flight has dropped about $60 and I've re-booked it to get about 3,000 of my points back. (In fact, writing out this post made me look again at prices and it dropped again - I just got 2 whole points back! Woohoo. ).

So factoring in the points, I'm getting my Princess Weekend flights for about $148 round-trip, with no baggage fees, and at times that are decent. If they were direct flights I would have zero complaints, but overall...not bad!

And here's hoping the weather cooperates...with Ohio winters, you just never know!

RESORT

Very, very early I booked a room at Art of Animation in the Little Mermaid section (how appropriate!). But then discounts came out, and it turned out that for a few hundred bucks I could upgrade to a moderate. I talked it over with Will, who said to go for it, and I am booked in a garden view room at French Quarter - my favorite moderate! I'm justifying the change since I saved a bit on my flights and I don't anticipate buying a ton of merchandise at the expo like I normally do (like I said earlier - I'm not a very princess-y girl!). Plus I am a resort snob, so this is a win in my book.

And now I will have easy access to benigts! Always a good thing. Nom nom nom nom nom nom piggy

ADRs

You'd better believe I was all over it right at the 180-day mark!

ADRs:
Be Our Guest (Breakfast)
Be Our Guest (Lunch)
Be Our Guest (Dinner) - notice a theme? Can't believe I got this dinner ADR during Princess weekend!
Sanaa (Dinner)
Via Napoli (Dinner)
Yachtsman Steakhouse (Dinner)

Yep, that's a lot of Be Our Guest! Of the above list, Be Our Guest dinner will be the only new-to-me meal. And of the above list, I think Via Napoli is the only reservation where I will have someone (my BFF who lives in Orlando) eating with me. Which I am totally fine with! I am one of those weirdos that is okay eating in a restaurant by myself. I've never done it at a Disney Table Service place, so that will be new. But I like my alone time!

To-do list:

- Add DME to my reservation (I wish I could just do this myself online!)
- Double-check my proof-of-time submission before it closes on November 17 (just to make sure it still looks right)
- Check-in online at the 60-day mark and get some FP+
- TRAIN
- Finalize my outfits! I am pretty sure I know what they are at this point, just need to decide if I want to be lazy or put in some effort (I'm leaning toward lazy)
- Collect throwaway clothes for the races - after the temperatures in January and at PHM this year, this is a must!

And pack! Always my biggest challenge as I am a chronic over-packer. I will have more posts about that later!

Am I forgetting anything?!

Continued in Next Post