13.1 Before I Hit 40 - Running my 1st 1/2 Marathon at Disney uptd 09/30

[If U Had Wings]

My daughter thought we should go as Simpsons characters. I thought, naw. But I do like some of their episodes. (the earlier ones)

The Simpsons is a great idea for a group. I love Maggie!

 

[carissanboys]

On our last trip, my boys were wearing Phineas and Ferb t-shirts and one of the cast members said something like, "Don't let Mickey see you wearing those." He must have thought they were Nickelodean characters. Like we would ever do that!

 

[If U Had Wings]

On our last trip, my boys were wearing Phineas and Ferb t-shirts and one of the cast members said something like, "Don't let Mickey see you wearing those." He must have thought they were Nickelodean characters. Like we would ever do that!

Nickelodian characters? Seriously, Disney should quiz these people to be sure they know the Disney characters. I love Phineas & Ferb. I wish they had more stuff around the parks. I'd love a meet and great. I'd be the dork running to be there first.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I've been a bit of a mess lately. I sat down to do my taxes last week, only to realize that the W2 for my fomer part time job, that I had put someplace super safe, wasn't where I thought it was. I tore my place apart looking for it this weekend, but couldn't find it anywhere. I had to fax them a release to get a replacement, so I'm hoping it gets here in time to do my taxes.

As if that wasn't stressing me out enough, I managed to bounce my checkbook. Luckily someone was watching out for me and a check showed up in my mailbox the day it happened. It's still awfully low, but at least I should be okay until my next payday. I'm having company for dinner this weekend, so like it or not I'm going to have to charge the food I need to pick up. I'm just going to have to go more budget than I usually do. I don't think I realized how much I relied on my part time job's paycheck on those in-between weeks. It's going to really be a test making ends meet without it. It makes me realize how much I need to find a job closer to home. My pay would be fine, if I wasn't shelling out $350 a month just for the train ticket. I might love working in NYC, but at some point I need to face up to the fact that I can't really afford it on what I get paid.

Back to my PTR news, with all this going on, as well as the holiday, I completely forgot to make my ADRs on Sunday. It dawned on me Monday morning on my way to work, that there was something I forgot to do. Still completely unprepared I went online once I got to work and booked some ADRs. It was a pretty good method to force myself to come up with a game plan - STAT! I pretty much got everything that I wanted with one exception. I had to be a bit flexible with times, but nothing was really far off from my original request. We'll have to call this itinerary V 1.1.

Day 1 - Fri 10/1
7:50 pm - Dinner at California Grill - I still can't make up my mind about making this a park day or not, so I went with a resort restaurant at a time that will still allow up to take in a park if we like. I would have liked an 8:30 ADR, but the closest they would give me was the 7:50 or 9:30. I love Cali Grill, and am excited about going there again.

Day 2 - Sat. 10/2 - Race Day
7:30 am - Breakfast at Captains Grille
Morning at Magic Kingdom
2:05 pm - Lunch at Sci-Fi Dine In
Rest at Hotel
Dinner to go from Marketplace Cafe (fruit, bagel)
10:00 pm - Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon

I'm thinking of changing my breakfast ADR to either Kona or Grand Floridan Cafe. I'm thinking it would just be easier to eat closer to the park that we are going to. I love the Tonga Toast at Kona, but the pics that Heidi posted from the GF looked really good.

Day 3 - Sunday 10/03 Recooperation Day
Possibly Room Service for Breakfast, otherwise the Marketplace
Stormalong Bay in the Early Afternoon
Ice Cream from Beaches and Cream for lunch in the afternoon
4:25 pm - Dinner at the Crystal Palace
MNSSHP

I had been thinking of a meal at CRT, but after looking at the menus and the prices I really can't justify it. Nothing on the menu really appeals to me, and the prices are so crazy expensive it makes my eye twitch. I would have loved to do a breakfast this year, but I refuse to pay $32 for breakfast. That's just crazy.

I had really wanted to do LTT for dinner, but the only available time that was coming up was at 6:00. It was doable, but I don't want to chance missing prime party time at a restaurant. I was surprised that CP was available. I haven't been there since before it became a character meal, so it should be fun, especially with us all dressed up in costumes ourselves.

Day 4 - Monday 10/4
7:30 am - Breakfast at Captains Grille
Morning at MGM
Head over to Epcot
3:25 pm Lunch at Le Cellier
Dinner noshing around F&W fest
Possibly Jellyrolls in the Evening

I may try to get a slightly earlier time for the Le Cellier ADR.

Day 5 - Tuesday 10/5
Breakfast at Marketplace or Boardwalk Bakery
Day at Animal Kingdom
6:10 pm Dinner at the Brown Derby

This day will really depend on what we do the day before. If we go to Jellyrollls I know we are going to want to sleep in a bit and miss rope drop. I hated missing Boma this trip, but my plans came down to Boma or Brown Derby on this night, and I prefer the Derby just a little bit more.

Day 6 - Wed. 10/6
7:30 am - Breakfast at Cape May
Morning at Epcot
Float Between parks/DTD as we like
5:05 pm - Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
Catch Wishes and Spectro

Day 7 - 10/07
Check Out of Beachclub
Breakfast at Marketplace
Head to our next (as of yet unbooked) Universal Hotel
Universal Studios
Dinner at Citywalk - I'm leaning towards HR Cafe

Day 8 - 10/08/10
Islands of Adventure - Harry Potterland!
Dinner at Citywalk - I'd like to try Jimmy Buffet's restaurant

Day 9 - Home!

I need to do a bit more research about meals at US. I need to find out what's available for breakfast.

 

[carissanboys]

Hold the phone. The Wine and Dine half-marathon starts at 10 p.m.?????

 

[If U Had Wings]

Hold the phone. The Wine and Dine half-marathon starts at 10 p.m.?????

Yep, the wine and dine is a night race. I'm guessing the humidity would be too rough earlier this time of the year in Fl. I'm actually more of a night person, so I don't think that it will bother me. I'd much rather run at night than get up before the sun comes out.

 

[carissanboys]

Yep, the wine and dine is a night race. I'm guessing the humidity would be too rough earlier this time of the year in Fl. I'm actually more of a night person, so I don't think that it will bother me. I'd much rather run at night than get up before the sun comes out.

That is true. But, man - I'm normally getting ready for bed at 10 p.m.!

 

[MRYPPNS]

GF Cafe....yum!

 

[micandminforever]

I second the GF Cafe, I have always had good service and good food there.

 

[If U Had Wings]

That is true. But, man - I'm normally getting ready for bed at 10 p.m.!

Luckily I'm usually wide awake in the middle of the night.

GF Cafe....yum!

I second the GF Cafe, I have always had good service and good food there.

I think that's what I'm going to do. I love Kona, but I don't know if I'll want to run after eating Tonga Toast. Plus I love trying new things.

 

[All7OfUs]

I LOVE the idea of a night race too. I'm a total night owl and would think running a course at night would be super fun!

AND, who wouldn't want to be at EPCOT partying with desserts at 2:00AM??



Have you been to Jellyrolls before, Crissy?? Does anyone have pix? Is it worth the $10 cover charge?? TEll me all!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I LOVE the idea of a night race too. I'm a total night owl and would think running a course at night would be super fun!

AND, who wouldn't want to be at EPCOT partying with desserts at 2:00AM??

Being a night owl is the curse of my life. I'm wide awake in the middle of the night, then I don't want to get up for work in the morning. To be there at Epcot will be wonderful!

Have you been to Jellyrolls before, Crissy?? Does anyone have pix? Is it worth the $10 cover charge?? TEll me all!

I went to Jellyrolls one night at my last trip. Both my BFF and I had so much fun. We both thought it was well worth the cover charge. No pictures though, it was a bit dark in there, and I doubt anythinging would have come out very well.

It's nothing fancy in there. There is a big stage at the front with two pianos. In front of the stage are a bunch of small tables and chairs, with a row of stools lining the back edge. There is then one step up to the level the two bars are on with a few more higher tables and stools.

If you want the them to play a song you write your request down on a piece of paper or napkin and drop it off on one of the pianos with a $1 or so. They seem to divy the songs up by type. One guy seemed to sing more of the ballads and the other one was a bit more rock and roll. Every so many songs they would switch out with another pair to take a break. Both pairs were wonderful. One guy sang a fantastic version of "The Rainbow Connection" exactly like Kermit. They will only sing a particular song oncea night, although one guy repeated the song "Proud to be an American" when someone tipped him $20. Other than that they will sing just about anything. We heard show tunes, rock and roll, country and pop. We even heard a few Christmas carols. One of the waitresses did "All I Want for Christmas" and was phenomenal.

We had such a good time singing along and laughing that we didn't realize how late it had got. I finally hit the wall at about 1:30 am. I think they were open until 2am, as I heard them mentioning last call.

One thing though was that they don't have any food. I would have liked a few appetizers or something after I had a few drinks. They do have a popcorn maker, so you can go get a basket of popcorn to munch on.

It was niced to have a fun adult evening out.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Hey pretty lady, just wanted you to know I'm subscribed, caught up, and SO on board.

I am probably the least athletic person you will ever meet.

Are you my other long lost sister?

I'd participate in the select few activities I could do without embarassing myself (swimming and floor hockey)

My gym classes consisted of: badminton, archery, swimming, volleyball, and tennis, with weight training occasionally sprinkled in. NO team sports, though (other than the volleyball, which I was decent at).

Maybe it's the point in my life that I'm at. I feel like I've failed at so many things. At age 39 I'm nowhere were I thought I'd be in my life. I feel like I'm passing through life, failing at most things, and skimming by on the rest. I never thought I'd end up alone, in a brainless job, living paycheck to paycheck, finding nothing that really fullfills me.

I want to cross a finish line. I want to have that moment when I actually succeed and do what I set out to do. I don't think I ever really realized how much I need to feel that. I have no delusions of winning. I don't even care if I'm dead last. (Honestly I expect to be dead last). I just want to cross that finish line. For me, because I always told myself I couldn't do it.

Sweetie, this SO made me tear up. I'm happy for you. And proud of you. And we've never even "met". You have my best wishes and all my luck and I KNOW you'll cross that finish line.

Also, that book is now on my Paperbackswap wishlist.

 

[All7OfUs]

Crissy!! THis is sooooooooo what I was hoping for in a review!! Thanks, ever so much. Now I MUST go there and have a long evening; and I will definitely think of some tunes before hand! Are the drinks resonable prices?? Like 8-10 for a cocktail??

 

[If U Had Wings]

Hey pretty lady, just wanted you to know I'm subscribed, caught up, and SO on board.

Welcome back!

Are you my other long lost sister?

Must be! Truthfully I am just wicked. I have no athletic skills at all. It's not pretty.

My gym classes consisted of: badminton, archery, swimming, volleyball, and tennis, with weight training occasionally sprinkled in. NO team sports, though (other than the volleyball, which I was decent at).

I like some of those things better. Ours were all co-ed team activities. I use to dread it, especially when they'd make us play things like flag football and they'd have rules where a girl had to be involved in every play for it to count. Ugh! I think now they don't have co-ed gym classes in the high schools around here anymore.

Sweetie, this SO made me tear up. I'm happy for you. And proud of you. And we've never even "met". You have my best wishes and all my luck and I KNOW you'll cross that finish line.

Also, that book is now on my Paperbackswap wishlist.

His books are so wonderful and motivating. I just need to be able to do this for me. It's one of the first things I've every really felt that way about.

Crissy!! THis is sooooooooo what I was hoping for in a review!! Thanks, ever so much. Now I MUST go there and have a long evening; and I will definitely think of some tunes before hand! Are the drinks resonable prices?? Like 8-10 for a cocktail??

We loved it there. We were staying at the Boardwalk when we went, but I believe that at the end of the night if you go to the Boardwalk resort's bus stop the buses will take you back to the other resorts.

I was drinking Blue Moon beer while I was there, but I think the cocktail prices were just about the same as they are at the restaurants on property. I was definitely well entertained for that $10. Both pairs of men were great.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Must be! Truthfully I am just wicked. I have no athletic skills at all. It's not pretty.

I have to tell you that you're totally inspiring. A friend (the girl I co-write my blog with) is starting the couch to 5K this week and I'm starting next week (I need a week to warm up) and we're doing our first 5k June 12th. Then...

we're training for the January 2011 Disney 1/2 Marathon!!!!!!

I'll be starting a PTR soon and will include all the details but we'll likely run it together, but, worse case scenario we'll do it as a relay.

I may be coming to you for advice...

His books are so wonderful and motivating. I just need to be able to do this for me. It's one of the first things I've every really felt that way about.

I'll be picking this up soon.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I have to tell you that you're totally inspiring. A friend (the girl I co-write my blog with) is starting the couch to 5K this week and I'm starting next week (I need a week to warm up) and we're doing our first 5k June 12th. Then...

we're training for the January 2011 Disney 1/2 Marathon!!!!!!

I'll be starting a PTR soon and will include all the details but we'll likely run it together, but, worse case scenario we'll do it as a relay.

I may be coming to you for advice...

So excited for you! I can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Training for the Wine and Dine Marathon has been going badly for me. Badly, as in practically non-existent. Since the beginning of the year I've been stopped by pains in my right foot, and several bouts of bronchitis, one of which I'm hopefully wrapping up now. I don't know which is has been worse - the pains in the ball of my right foot that made it practically impossible to roll through the ball of my foot with, the swelling that was occuring or the bronchitis that was causing me to cough continually.

Right now I'm feeling pretty good. The foot seems to be back to normal, and I haven't caused strangers on the train to start handing me cough drops in a few days.

I need to get back to training. I haven't been doing anything. I had started back up when my foot was feeling better, only to have the bronchits hit again. I went to Zumba again this week, and didn't have any flair ups of either problem afterwards so I'm hoping to start running again tomorrow. I'm getting worried that I’m not going to be able to be ready for the 10K in June with all the problems. I'm not panicking about the 1/2 yet, but the thought is always there in the back of my mind.

As I've been laid up with sickness and injuries, my weight has been creeping back up. I don't think I realized how much until I was getting ready to go to Disney last month and a couple pairs of shorts that I had worn in December were a bit too tight to wear. I was a bit horrified. I knew that I had been snacking too much, and was feeling icky about it, but it was a slap in the face and a rude wake up call. If the too tight shorts weren't a big enough wake up call a photo taken of me and my nieces about two weeks ago cemented it.

Words cannot express quite how horrified I am looking at this. I need to get my act together and get rid of this weight.

A few years ago, I had modified my eating habits and lost nearly 50 lbs. Again, it was a picture that horrified me enough to do something. It was this one -

And the after -

I want to get back to the after. I want to wear those pants again this fall. So there's my second little goal. Finish the 1/2 marathon before I turn 40, and be able to wear those pants for my 40th birthday. I hate myself for putting the weight back on, but I need to accept that it happened and move on. I need to reestablish the good patterns again. The last time I lost the weight without any exercise, so the training for the 1/2 should do nothing but help the efforts. I want to be able to completely shake myself of the bad habits I keep falling back on.

Anyways, enough of that. I've been doing some minor plan tweaking. We'll call it version 2.0 of my trip. I'm still thinking of changing one thing, as well.

Saturday 10/2 - Race Day
8:05 am Breakfast at Grand Floridian Café
I had previously made an ADR for the Captains Grill, but started thinking that an ADR closer to the Magic Kingdom would be a better idea since that's where we are spending the morning. I was originally going to try for Kona at the Poly, but started thinking that tonga toast might not be the best thing to eat on race day. Heidi had posted some great pictures of her meal at the GF Café, so I decided to give it a try.

Sunday 10/3 - MNSSHP
5:35 pm Dinner at Crystal Palace
This is the one I'm thinking of changing yet again. I originally had a 4:25 pm ADR, but changed it once I started thinking of how we'd be coming in costume. Usually I haven't entered the parks on party days until right near the official start time. Has anyone who's been to the Halloween party know how they look at you entering in costume at the unofficial 4 pm entry time? I'm thinking of just cancelling an ADR altogether and just eating at a counter service place.

Monday 10/4
1:55 pm lunch at Le Cellier
ADR was originally for 3:25 pm. I changed it because I wanted to be sure we were still getting the lunch menu, and because I wanted to be sure that we'd have some kind of appetite later for the Food & Wine Festival.

That's been it on the changes so far, although I'm toying with making a breakfast ADR for our last morning before we head over to Universal. That really depends on how we end up going from Disney to Universal.

Coming soon - some possible costume changes

 

[aprilisis]

I went to CP at the unofficial entry time one year in costume. People start filtering in at 4 or 5 in costume, so don't sweat it. I wish I was there early enough to go with you!
I'm glad you're feeling better & that your foot is starting to feel better, too. Do you train on a treadmill or outdoors?
When is your 40th?
I have one of those pictures of myself, but I don't want to post it! I'm too chicken.

 

[aprilisis]

By the way- you look great just the way you are now! Neither of those photos of you are bad!!!