A Pink Pixie Princess - Complete!

[Ariel484]

Congrats on finishing! I followed along on Instagram and it sounded like it was quite a journey!

I have some serious FOMO right now, and I am not sure why. I had no interest in running another marathon and I thought the medals were ugly. Yet, here I am...jealous! I actually considered signing up for 2018, but I have a cruise planned for the end of Jan I definitely do not want to cancel, and I can't swing 2 weeks of vacation time that month. Oh well!

Thanks for following along!

I thought the medals were weird this year. There's a clear cohesiveness with the shirts, but the medals were just so random! Different shapes, finishes, etc. I wasn't too excited by the pictures (except the marathon medal, LOVE) but they did look better in person.

 

[steph0808]

Thanks Steph! Unfortunately I don't think 2018 is going to happen for me

Nooooooooo! 2018 Marathon Weekend or any runDisney races in 2018?

 

[Ariel484]

Nooooooooo! 2018 Marathon Weekend or any runDisney races in 2018?

Not sure yet...I'm not liking the trend of them having registrations soooooo early. It's too hard for me to plan stuff!!

Right now I'm not planning on Marathon Weekend in 2018 but i'm not sure what I'll do beyond that.

 

[Ariel484]

Princess Half Marathon Weekend!

Alright! The Dopey monkey is off my back so it's time to *keep moving forward* and on to the next event...PHM!

(These are pics of the medals I got at the expo last week! The medals are shiny and hard to photograph.)

Unlike my Marathon Weekend trip, this one will NOT be solo. I have two friends coming with me this time...we were all in the same graduate school program wayyyy back in 2006/2007. One will be running the Princess 10K, while the other is along purely for fun. I went back through my thread here and found where I first mentioned the possibility of them coming along for this trip back in July..."I'm a little nervous for [them] to come on this trip and see just how much of a Disney freak I truly am. I mean, they have an idea, but they’ve never seen me in my natural habitat. On the other hand, I AM excited to hang out with them for an extended period of time! Grad school would have been a complete nightmare if not for my friendship with these two ladies."

All still true! I think each of them have been to Disney a couple of times but don't get the level of planning that's involved. They JUST confirmed to me a few weeks ago that they wanted to split a room (which I had already booked in, you know...March) and just booked their flights. Now I'm working on getting them to buy tickets so we can make FP+...but am trying not to be too pushy or nutso about it! They seem pretty excited for the trip.

The only planning things I have left are the above ticket/FP+ thing (and figuring out how to link my buddies to me in MDE) and finding a deal on a rental car...both proving to be difficult right now. But I'd booked the room and ADRs thinking they would be coming on this trip, so those are all set!

SO - let's talk about training!

I am, very surprisingly, almost completely recovered from Marathon Weekend. I can still feel it a tiny bit in my hamstrings and quads when I get up after sitting for awhile, but I 100% do not feel like I just ran a marathon on Sunday. Which is stupendous, and definitely something I attribute to my super-slow pace and the cold temperatures we had that day! I'm still taking the rest of this week off from running, but I have signed up for yoga on Friday. And I'm trying to get my eating habits back to normal (since I’m not running 30MPW anymore, thus not burning as many calories)/get rid of the marathon training weight gain. Sigh.

For the next few weeks, I'm going to try to be better about doing non-running activities (one of my goals for 2017): my PT exercises (definitely fell off the wagon with that, but I picked it up again in earnest around Thanksgiving and noticed a definite improvement) and regular yoga and lifting. I'm going to try to commit to both yoga and lifting 2x per week for the next 5 weeks and see if it helps me significantly in Princess. I think it will.

Normally for half marathon training I would use Hal Higdon's Novice 2 plan ("if it's not baroque, don't fix it!"), which is a 12-week plan (and what I will be using for Tink weekend). But I only have 5 full weeks between now and Princess (YAY), so I'm using this plan as a guide but will be modifying/condensing it.

I'm looking forward to getting into lifting again, and hopefully yoga a little more consistently. And having less weekly mileage after my burnout last month. Having a half as the ultimate goal rather than the marathon is pretty darn refreshing right now!

"You must be bold, daring!" Look out PHM, I'm coming for you!!

Week 1 (1/16 - 1/22): 13 miles planned
MO: lifting/yoga
TU: 3-mile run
WE: 3-mile run
TH: lifting
FR: 3-mile run/yoga
SA: 4-mile run
SU: rest

Week 2 (1/16 - 1/22): 16 miles planned
MO: lifting/yoga
TU: 3-mile run
WE: 3-mile run
TH: lifting
FR: 4-mile run/yoga
SA: 6-mile run
SU: rest

Week 3 (1/16 - 1/22): 18 miles planned
MO: lifting/yoga
TU: 3-mile run
WE: 3-mile run
TH: lifting
FR: 4-mile run/yoga
SA: 8-mile run
SU: rest

Week 4 (1/16 - 1/22): 21 miles planned
MO: lifting/yoga
TU: 3-mile run
WE: 3-mile run
TH: lifting
FR: 5-mile run/yoga
SA: 10-mile run
SU: rest

Week 5 (1/16 - 1/22): 23 miles planned
MO: lifting/yoga
TU: 3-mile run
WE: lifting
TH: 3-mile run
FR: 5-mile run/yoga
SA: 12-mile run
SU: rest

Week 6 (1/16 - 1/22): 24.4 miles planned
MO: yoga
TU: 2-mile run
WE: rest
TH: rest
FR: Princess 5K!
SA: Princess 10K!
SU: Princess Half Marathon!

 

[Sailormoon2]

I actually really like those medals, but then Beauty and Beast would be my all time favorite Disney film.

 

[steph0808]

Not sure yet...I'm not liking the trend of them having registrations soooooo early. It's too hard for me to plan stuff!!

Right now I'm not planning on Marathon Weekend in 2018 but i'm not sure what I'll do beyond that.

Very true - I'm shocked registration opens in February. When I did the 20th, I signed up in July, and I think it was only like 60% full.

I'm glad that I'm done having kids and the littlest is almost 1. Hopefully that means I can do a runDisney event once a year or every other year now instead of having to cancel because of pregnancy and/or babies that don't like Dad as much as Mom!

 

[SarahDisney]

Shiny medals may not make for good photography, but they do make excellent bling. The medals look awesome ... can you believe you'll be getting all 4 of those in just over a month???

The plan looks great! I think the decreased mileage will definitely be a good thing and will keep away some of that burnout you've been feeling.

 

[TeeterTots]

I was totally going to ask what your training looks like after putting in the miles you did last weekend. Having ran so many races, do you find that running more MPW prepares you any more than just staying active all week and running less miles? I hope this makes sense? Still trying to figure things out. You know you can go the distance...obviously you're a dopey superwoman...lol, so I'm trying to determine if 12-13 miles is necessary vs say 9-10? Thanks for your input!!

 

[BigEeyore]

Love the medals for princess!
I think your training schedule looks great - conservative enough to let you recover from Dopey but still rigorous enough to get through the GSC next month!

 

[roxymama]

Came here to ask your thoughts on that new Lotus outfit from iNb. The colors are so in my wheelhouse but I'm just not sure about the long shorts. I kind of want to see them on non models to see how long/short they are. And do you think they'd "go" with my cherry blossom tech?

Ps InB liked one of my non running IG today so that means they must have sensed in the universe I was almost ready to make a purchase...haha!

Sorry for bombarding you with clothes question so early in the morning

 

[Ariel484]

Came here to ask your thoughts on that new Lotus outfit from iNb. The colors are so in my wheelhouse but I'm just not sure about the long shorts. I kind of want to see them on non models to see how long/short they are. And do you think they'd "go" with my cherry blossom tech?

Ps InB liked one of my non running IG today so that means they must have sensed in the universe I was almost ready to make a purchase...haha!

Sorry for bombarding you with clothes question so early in the morning

My shorts come on Wednesday so I'll post a pic in them and pair them with Cherry Blossom. I'm pretty excited for those shorts and I love that they have 2 pockets!

Maybe they did sense you!! INB Magic!

 

[ZellyB]

Well crap. I've been doing so well resisting any new InB and then they have to come out with those shorts. I'm going to wait to hear what you think about them first though, Shannon.

 

[Ariel484]

Well crap. I've been doing so well resisting any new InB and then they have to come out with those shorts. I'm going to wait to hear what you think about them first though, Shannon.

I thought of you when I saw these because you had those SparkleSkirts shorts, right? I'm so excited for these.

 

[ZellyB]

I thought of you when I saw these because you had those SparkleSkirts shorts, right? I'm so excited for these.

Right and these look very similar. Love that they added a second pocket.

 

[Ariel484]

I actually really like those medals, but then Beauty and Beast would be my all time favorite Disney film.

I do too, but they photograph TERRIBLY!

I do think that they are small compared to the other runDisney medals...

Very true - I'm shocked registration opens in February. When I did the 20th, I signed up in July, and I think it was only like 60% full.

I'm glad that I'm done having kids and the littlest is almost 1. Hopefully that means I can do a runDisney event once a year or every other year now instead of having to cancel because of pregnancy and/or babies that don't like Dad as much as Mom!

Yeah, it's just way too far out for me to commit to something like Dopey or a marathon...you just never knows what can happen in 11 months. I hope they change that somewhere down the line.

Shiny medals may not make for good photography, but they do make excellent bling. The medals look awesome ... can you believe you'll be getting all 4 of those in just over a month???

Yes! I am sure I will be thrilled to get them! I really like them 5K, 10K and GSC. The half I like but not as much as the rest.

No, I can't. I feel a little ridiculous going back so soon! But not so ridiculous that I'd cancel or anything.

The plan looks great! I think the decreased mileage will definitely be a good thing and will keep away some of that burnout you've been feeling.

I sure hope so!!

I was totally going to ask what your training looks like after putting in the miles you did last weekend. Having ran so many races, do you find that running more MPW prepares you any more than just staying active all week and running less miles? I hope this makes sense? Still trying to figure things out. You know you can go the distance...obviously you're a dopey superwoman...lol, so I'm trying to determine if 12-13 miles is necessary vs say 9-10? Thanks for your input!!

I think that the extra "base miles" I did each week really helped me last week at WDW. I think it just makes me stronger all around, but I guess it's different for everyone! I think the cross training helps too, so a little bit of both is best for me.

For a long run, personally I like to get to at least 12 miles. I have done half training getting to a 10-mile long run though.

Love the medals for princess!
I think your training schedule looks great - conservative enough to let you recover from Dopey but still rigorous enough to get through the GSC next month!

Thanks! I'm excited to get started!

Right and these look very similar. Love that they added a second pocket.

Me too! That's my one big complaint with the capris and tights, and part of why I like the skirts so much - the second pocket is so helpful!

 

[TeeterTots]

Thank you! I was feeling so whiny last week. I think I was just having a mental block! I'm back on track and ready to rock and roll (I mean run!)

 

[Ariel484]

Thank you! I was feeling so whiny last week. I think I was just having a mental block! I'm back on track and ready to rock and roll (I mean run!)

No worries! I've been there before...like, 2 weeks ago!

 

[Ariel484]

Zero Week!

Monday, January 9 - Sunday, January 15

0 miles completed!

I'm feeling good after WDW - totally recovered from the marathon by about Wednesday. So just a couple of little updates this week:

1. Princess trip updates! In MDE I have linked myself to my friends that are coming on the trip and one has a ticket purchased and is all ready to go for FP+. The other said she needs to wait for her ticket to come in the mail...I could have sworn there was some way to link the ticket before actually physically receiving it, but I don't want to be pushy...

Also, another big shot-out to @bananabean (after the one on the Princess thread) for suggesting checking the Chase Card Services travel portal for rental car deals - this is something I totally forgot about! Not only did I find the car I wanted from the company I wanted for just $30 more than what I paid last week (about $70 better than I was finding anywhere else), I was able to pay for it with credit card points - woohoo for a free car rental! Thanks bananabean!

So I just need my friend's ticket all linked up, FP+ fixed and I'll be all set! Except for, you know...training and outfits!

2. Semi-related to (1) above - I got my gift card for the WDW half marathon refund in my email on Friday. So that will be coming with me to Princess!

3. I want to start hitting core work hard in preparation for Princess and Tink weekends...I think this will help prevent some of the back soreness I've been feeling during longer runs. So lately I have been doing 8-minute abs (just about the cheesiest thing ever) and may go on from there to Ab Ripper X (from P90X) or look for some sort of plank routine to do each day.

4. I went to yoga on Friday - that's the only exercise I have done this week outside of (3) above. It was a good class and I kept up fairly well, but...

WARNING: Gross story ahead!

Spoiler: gross

...I noticed about halfway through the class that my mat was covered with dead skin!! EUUUUWWWWW! I was pretty sure that this was from my feet after the abuse I have been putting them through for the last few months, so I booked myself a pedicure for yesterday. I almost never get these things done but it did help a lot! I'm planning on booking another for after Princess and Tink Weekends are done.

So thats it! Excited to start week 1 of Princess training tomorrow! Have a great week!

 

[bananabean]

Zero Week!

Monday, January 9 - Sunday, January 15

0 miles completed!

I'm feeling good after WDW - totally recovered from the marathon by about Wednesday. So just a couple of little updates this week:

1. Princess trip updates! In MDE I have linked myself to my friends that are coming on the trip and one has a ticket purchased and is all ready to go for FP+. The other said she needs to wait for her ticket to come in the mail...I could have sworn there was some way to link the ticket before actually physically receiving it, but I don't want to be pushy...

Also, another big shot-out to @bananabean (after the one on the Princess thread) for suggesting checking the Chase Card Services travel portal for rental car deals - this is something I totally forgot about! Not only did I find the car I wanted from the company I wanted for just $30 more than what I paid last week (about $70 better than I was finding anywhere else), I was able to pay for it with credit card points - woohoo for a free car rental! Thanks bananabean!

So I just need my friend's ticket all linked up, FP+ fixed and I'll be all set! Except for, you know...training and outfits!

2. Semi-related to (1) above - I got my gift card for the WDW half marathon refund in my email on Friday. So that will be coming with me to Princess!

3. I want to start hitting core work hard in preparation for Princess and Tink weekends...I think this will help prevent some of the back soreness I've been feeling during longer runs. So lately I have been doing 8-minute abs (just about the cheesiest thing ever) and may go on from there to Ab Ripper X (from P90X) or look for some sort of plank routine to do each day.

4. I went to yoga on Friday - that's the only exercise I have done this week outside of (3) above. It was a good class and I kept up fairly well, but...

WARNING: Gross story ahead!

Spoiler: gross

...I noticed about halfway through the class that my mat was covered with dead skin!! EUUUUWWWWW! I was pretty sure that this was from my feet after the abuse I have been putting them through for the last few months, so I booked myself a pedicure for yesterday. I almost never get these things done but it did help a lot! I'm planning on booking another for after Princess and Tink Weekends are done.

So thats it! Excited to start week 1 of Princess training tomorrow! Have a great week!

Yay to free cars!!

 

[SarahDisney]

Yay for a free car rental! You've gotta use those points for something, the car is an excellent use of points!

I love the pedicure! You definitely deserved that after everything your feet have been through lately!