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

[If U Had Wings]

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.

That's good to know. Thanks. I think pics with the characters, while in costume will be pretty neat.

I do all my running outside. I suffer from a bit of treadmill phobia. I don't know if there's a name for that or not. About a year ago I fell off a treadmill twice in the matter of a few minutes. I didn't injure myself badly, but since then I can't get past walking at a brisk pace on it. I keep trying to get over the fear, but it's definitely a block for me now.

You should do the picture. For me it helps give me some accountability.

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

Thank you. When I gain weight it always hits my face. I hate it. At least once I start losing, it comes off of there first.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I was on Main Street at about 4-5pm once on an MNSSHP night and lots of people come in dressed up then...no worries...everyone knows it's for the party.

I don't think you can go wrong with a hearty American breakfast at the GF Cafe....I hope to make it back there next trip.

 

[cdotla]

OMG - how did I miss this report??? I have only read your 1st post, but I can't wait to get caught up.

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi Crissy!!

I think you've set some good and reasonable goals!! Don't be too hard on yourself- you're letting it affect your heart rather deeply. You know you can lose the weight, you've done it before. Slow and steady wins the race- one day at a time!

YOu've made a good move in changing to the GF! Closer to MK is better, and will give you more park time. I WAS planning to show up at 4:00 to the party; I don't think it'll be a problem whatsoever.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I was on Main Street at about 4-5pm once on an MNSSHP night and lots of people come in dressed up then...no worries...everyone knows it's for the party.

I don't think you can go wrong with a hearty American breakfast at the GF Cafe....I hope to make it back there next trip.

I'm happy to know I won't stick out being dressed up that early. I want to be sure that we can enjoy the entire party this time. I don't want any repeats of my MVMCP fiasco.

I'm looking forward to the GF Cafe. I checked out the menu, and alot of things appealed to me. I think it will be a better choice for a race day.

OMG - how did I miss this report??? I have only read your 1st post, but I can't wait to get caught up.

Welcome! It promises to be an interesting trip.

Hi Crissy!!

I think you've set some good and reasonable goals!! Don't be too hard on yourself- you're letting it affect your heart rather deeply. You know you can lose the weight, you've done it before. Slow and steady wins the race- one day at a time!

Thanks. My weight has always been a big issue for me. My biggest issue is that I'm an emotional eater, which ends up being a vicious cycle for me. The more things in my life get off kilter, the more I eat, the more depressed I get, the more I eat, etc. Breaking the cycle is the toughest part.

YOu've made a good move in changing to the GF! Closer to MK is better, and will give you more park time. I WAS planning to show up at 4:00 to the party; I don't think it'll be a problem whatsoever.

I was worrying that we'd miss rope drop having breakfast at the Captains Grill. I'll feel more comfortable being closer to the MK. I want our morning to be relaxing for later that night. No stress!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I finally got my lazy butt in gear today and called to make our Universal reservations on my lunch hour today. I had momentarily toyed with the idea of staying at the Royal Pacific to save the most money, but in the end went with where I really wanted to stay - The Hard Rock Hotel.



I was able to get an AAA discount, so I was happy. The price difference between the two resorts was only about $20 or so a night so I went with it. Since I'm splitting the cost of the two nights I only had to pay for one night anyways, so the $20 was nothing. I'm thinking of joining the Hard Rock All Access Program for a possible room upgrade at check in. It's $25 for a life time membership, with a bunch of different perks - like front of the line priority seating at the restaurants. I do go to the Hard Rock Cafe at Yankee Stadium a few times a year, and the one in Manhattan occasionally so I think I'd get my money's worth. You can join online, but if I walk down to the Time Square location I can avoid the shipping fees (and get some exercise to boot).

I feel comforted knowing all my major reservations are made now. Disney rooms - check. Universal room - check. Flights - check. Disney ADRs - check. I will need to pick up my Universal tickets at some point, but I'm going to do some checking around to find a good deal. I'm still debating on a spa treatment this trip too. I should try to save some money, but a nice pedicure the day after the race is very tempting.

 

[All7OfUs]

A nice pedi does sound nice! Especially if they give you a bit of a food massage too.

$20 is nothing to go for the nicer hotel. I'm so glad you did that!

 

[If U Had Wings]

A nice pedi does sound nice! Especially if they give you a bit of a food massage too.

$20 is nothing to go for the nicer hotel. I'm so glad you did that!

I think a pedi might be just what I need afterwards. I really would like to do something to have a little bit of alone time that week.

Hard Rock was my first choice for Universal hotels. I can't wait to check it out.

 

[carissanboys]

Awesome for having all of your reservations taken care of - such a great feeling!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Awesome for having all of your reservations taken care of - such a great feeling!

Thanks! It feels like such a relief! Now I just need to come up with a plan for the Universal parks. I haven't been there in over 10 years, so really I feel like it's the first time I've been there.

 

[aprilisis]

Yay for having everything booked!!! Don't skip the Mummy or the Simpsons rides in Universal. I pretty much love everything in IOA, too! Are you going to do HHN while you are there?

 

[All7OfUs]

10 years IS a long time to have not been to a park. I'm so excited that you get to have a fresh go at it, and it will be like a brand new thing. And yet, you still know the basic layout.

 

[micandminforever]

I finally got my lazy butt in gear today and called to make our Universal reservations on my lunch hour today. I had momentarily toyed with the idea of staying at the Royal Pacific to save the most money, but in the end went with where I really wanted to stay - The Hard Rock Hotel.



I was able to get an AAA discount, so I was happy. The price difference between the two resorts was only about $20 or so a night so I went with it. Since I'm splitting the cost of the two nights I only had to pay for one night anyways, so the $20 was nothing. I'm thinking of joining the Hard Rock All Access Program for a possible room upgrade at check in. It's $25 for a life time membership, with a bunch of different perks - like front of the line priority seating at the restaurants.
.

The last time we to Universal the best ticket price I found was at Costco if you belong to one. In fact it was a 3 month deal that was cheaper than the reg ticket price. Have you looked into eating at Universal yet their City Walk has wonderful places to eat.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Yay for having everything booked!!! Don't skip the Mummy or the Simpsons rides in Universal. I pretty much love everything in IOA, too! Are you going to do HHN while you are there?

I can't wait to do both of those rides, plus I can't wait for Harry Potter. My friend and I both love rides so it should be alot of fun.

What's HHN?

10 years IS a long time to have not been to a park. I'm so excited that you get to have a fresh go at it, and it will be like a brand new thing. And yet, you still know the basic layout.

I know. The last time I went it was just Universal. A bunch of the rides are gone now too. We'll have the universal front of the line passes too so we should be able to tour really easily.

The last time we to Universal the best ticket price I found was at Costco if you belong to one. In fact it was a 3 month deal that was cheaper than the reg ticket price. Have you looked into eating at Universal yet their City Walk has wonderful places to eat.

I didn't even know they sold the tickets at Costco. I'll have to have my parents check it out. They have a membership there.

I've done a bit of looking at the restaurants at Citywalk. Way too many things look really good. It makes me sad I only have two days.

 

[aprilisis]

What's HHN?

Halloween Horror Nights! It is fun, but you DEFINITELY need the express pass!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Halloween Horror Nights! It is fun, but you DEFINITELY need the express pass!

I wasn't planning on it, but we'll have to see. My concern will be that we'll both be dragging by this point. We might just hang out somewhere at Citywalk.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I've been quiet over here lately, but not too much planning is going on. I've been feeling a bit blue, and just trying to deal with that the best I can. Tomorrow tickets should be going on sale for MNSSHP, so I'm a bit excited to have another part of my planning done. Which reminds me of my costume quandry.

The Pirates of the Caribbean redhead is my first choice. I picked up a pattern at Jo-Anns, and need to go over it with my mother to see how difficult it will be to sew. (She's the sewer not me). I'll probably put together a Candace (Phineas & Ferb) costume as a back up. It will be easy enough to do - just a red sleeveless tank, a white short, red socks and white Keds. I think the only thing I don't own already is the socks. In case it's pouring rain or something, I don't want to be stuck wearing a full length dress.

I have another option now too. A couple of weeks ago I voluntered a day through Disney's Give a Day program. There was a mix up with the organization I voluntered with, and since Disney had already shut the program down by the time I did my service I knew going in to the event that I would probably not be able to actually get the free ticket, but I really wanted to volunteer so I went anyways. (And I didn't end up getting the day).

It was al ot of fun though. I worked with a CT group called The Fairy Godmother Initiative. They collect donated prom dresses and then give them away to girls who can't afford them. Most of the work was hanging the dresses up at the begining of the event, and assisting the girls when they needed help. At the end of the event they told us we could keep any of the dresses that we wanted, as they were just going to be donated to local churches or put away for the next year. My eye caught on this one, and thought it would make a great Cinderella dress.

The other people who were working through the Disney program talked me into taking it home with me. One of them found a great yellow dress in her size that was absolutely perfect for Belle.

I love it, but I'm not sure a slightly poofy dress is what I want to be wearing around the MK all night. It would have to be shortened a bit, but since it was free that's definitely doable.

 

[TarzansKat]

Okay. I like your options, you've got some good choices there.

I say go with your gut. And don't worry about wearing a poofy dress around. Trust me, I've worn one, and it's more the long sleeves that make it hot than the actual length of the dress.

Obviously, my favorite would be the red head, just because it's pirates and sounds like so much fun, but I am rather partial to that Cindy dress too. I think you should just pack the Candace outfit as your backup, and then pick between the other two. As long as you have a backup in case it's super hot, or raining (EEK, NO RAIN!!!!) you'll be fine.

 

[aprilisis]

Just dropping in to say hi! I hope you had a good weekend.

 

[All7OfUs]

I definitely think the Cinderella poofy dress is absolutely YOU!! YOu would look ravishing in it, and I don't think it will be too hot to really wear.

Again, you could go with 2 choices and go with what suits the weather (and your mood) best on the day of.