BE's Never Ending TR -- That kind of ... Ended? Or did it?

[WDWJonasGirl]

Yay!!! That's awesome!!

 

[JH87]

I did, I did! I am officially arriving on September 1st! Exactly 2 weeks from this moment, I will be 1/3 of the way through my drive (well, probably 1/4 considering traffic).

The sooner the better!

 

[blabbermouth]

And by now you'll be in the park! Yahoo!

(And I'll be at the airport )

 

[JH87]

Saw this on Alison's TR of the D23 Expo and thought you would like it!

TR: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2780875

 

[Belle Ella]

OMG!!! That is freaking awesome. I wants that hanging on my wall.

 

[Belle Ella]

Let's kick it up a notch!

​

Alright, so I may have missed a TR Tuesday update (or two, or three ... well, I lost count) but here's to hoping I can make up for it with a special edition TR Thursday update. I just needed to get one last PTR installment done before D-Day or else I would go crazy, and nobody wants me to go crazy. I have a few official changes to be made to the trip as a whole which have been talked about here, there, and nowhere in particular and I wanted to make sure my TR reflected said changes. The good news is, they are all for the better! The even better news? I leave in exactly one week! That is just boggling my mind right now. Here's to hoping that one week will go by super fast. It should considering I've got a full work schedule between now and then with my only 2 days off being today and Saturday. That means there is plenty to keep me busy between now and then, and that's without my long list of things to get done (more training, packing, taking recycling in, etc.). But who cares? I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel that spells out V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!

But first off I want to share how my training has been going, and don't worry, I wont go back and recap every run I've done for the past few weeks that I haven't been doing updates because there were a lot! Yes, I have kept up with my training and that's something I'm very proud of. No slacking off on my end this time. I did have a couple of so-so weeks thanks to small little injuries that are customary for a total klutz like myself, but nothing has hindered me from keeping on track. I'm now doing about 2 miles for my regular training runs, and over 3 for my long runs which I would say definitely has me ready for the 5K next Saturday. "Bring it on!" I say. And I feel good which is the best part of all. I'm able to keep up with the small distance increases in my long run and I'm not feeling as drained afterward as I was before. I even decided, on a whim, to try and run for a whole mile without stopping the other day which is something I haven't done since high school (and even then was a rare occurrence). It's not something I plan on doing often as I need to keep up my walk/run intervals in order to finish the longer distances, but it was nice to know that all of my hard work is paying off and is pushing me that much more.

All in all, I have a lot to be proud of in that department right now and I feel like kicking some butt on the course!

And now to move on to the (even more) fun stuff: Did I mention I leave for Disneyland in 1 week?

So first up let's cover the changes in dates and attendees!

(1)​

A couple of weeks ago I got a surprise in my mailbox in the form of a $100 check from the government for a tax adjustment. I hadn't been expecting it at all so it was a nice surprise. I had originally debated on using the money to treat myself to the Fantasmic Premium Viewing (or what we like to refer to as the "dessert seating") which I have done before and would love to do again, especially seeing as it costs a lot less when you only have yourself to pay for! But then I started to think about the drive from the Bay Area to Disneyland and how tired I would be with my 2am departure time. The HOJO was offering their Entertainment/AP "Retro Rate" for the night of the 1st which would mean that adding it to my existing reservation would only be costing me $59 more (plus taxes). Long story short, my desire for a good night's sleep before Disneyland won out.

Calling to make the change proved to be interesting though! It was actually the first time I have ever had a problem over the phone before, but I'm laughing about it now. When I got through, I asked to speak with in-house reservations but somehow got transferred to central reservations and it took me forever to realize it. You would think that (a) the accent and (b) the confusion over the specific rate would have made it obvious right away, but I must have been brain fried from a long day at work because it took me a fair while to realize it. No need to get frustrated though. I laughed about it with the woman on the phone and called the HOJO back and finally got to speak to the right person and from there the rest of the call probably took no more than 2 minutes as she made the change and emailed me a new confirmation to print out.

And just like that, I chopped off an entire day from my countdown!

The only downside is that I will be leaving sometime after I get off work at 2:30pm so I wont be arriving until late, but I'll still get to wake up after sleeping in a bed before hitting Disneyland.

(2)​

The Cast of Characters has also changed! I had been holding on to the hopes that a friend or two would be able to join me so I could celebrate my birthday at Disneyland with them, but as time kept moving along it was clear that wasn't going to be happening for monetary reasons - which I totally understand! I'll get them next time. Or maybe the time after that ... So when I got my final and official "no" I brought an idea to my mom and my sister. It's a Holiday weekend and the either have the time off from work (my mom) or don't have anything going on anyway (my sister) and so I invited them to come along. Neither one are huge on Disneyland as much as I am, especially in the summer, but I pitched the idea that even if they sat at the pool and read all weekend it would beat a few days at home doing nothing. I had a good feeling that selling the idea without focusing on Disneyland would be the best way to go about it.

I have officially been told that they will both be joining me!!

It's still unsure if they'll be doing any Disney days. I know my sister wants to for at least one day, and my mom mentioned possibly doing one day and us doing a birthday meal at Blue Bayou. She's looking into ticket prices through her Union and our Credit Union. The only problem with our CU is that they only sell 2, 3, 4, and 5 Day Park Hoppers and they are both leaning towards only one day. But our CU does sell those cheaper than anywhere else I have seen so that might sway them into doing 2 days. The rule is that I'm not allowed to ask them about it. They'll decide if and when they decide. I consider it a fair trade. If I keep badgering them about trip details they'll get frustrated and change their minds, and I don't want that. The only thing I wish I could get a concrete answer on is when my mom will be leaving her union meeting on Thursday since that will determine what time we leave and what time we arrive at the HOJO, although I have already conceded that it will be "late", even if we left right after I got off at 2:30pm.

I'm very excited about them coming along, even though I'm assuming we wont be together most of the time. It will be nice to have company for the drive (and the space in my mom's CRV as opposed to my Civic) and to have days where we don't have the after work stresses to decompress from when we're home. Oh, there's also that added bonus of extra drivers if needed!

Now I wish I had a photo of the three of us, but you'll have to wait for the actual TR for that.

OK, it looks like those are the only 2 changes to the plans as they stood. I think you'll agree though, they are 2 changes for the better!

Sorry, no pretty-pretty-pictures to accompany this update, but I have one more lined up for you on Tuesday (it really will happen) and then there are sure to be tons to come upon my return. Maybe if you're nice I'll even post some on the go. But you have to behave!

Thanks for sticking with me!

​

 

[packerbeth]

Coming out of lurkdom to say hi, and that I've enjoyed all of your trip reports! Great job on your training! I'll be at DLR doing the half marathon. Haven't been since a one-day trip in 1999, so I can't wait!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Yay!!! I'm so excited for you!!

 

[reyasmommy]

Thats great that your mom and sister are able to join you! And wonderful job on your training, you are an inspiration. I'm so excited to hear about how your trip went. Anxiously awaiting a TR.

 

[Belle Ella]

Sorry, no pretty-pretty-pictures to accompany this update, but I have one more lined up for you on Tuesday (it really will happen) and then there are sure to be tons to come upon my return. Maybe if you're nice I'll even post some on the go. But you have to behave!

I am such a lair!!

It's too late at this point, seeing as I am leaving tomorrow!!

I cant believe that D-day is finally withing my grasp. I am very, very ready for this trip. I'll try and get one last goodbye/going live post tomorrow and then I'll be at Disneyland.

Thanks for sticking around everyone.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Just wanted to wish you the best on your run this weekend!!!!! Have a fun time & say hi to all the divas you see!! Can't wait to hear how it goes & how you do!!

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

First off have a safe drive. Second have a great race. Third have mega fun in the parks solo and with friends.

I admire how you keep with the training program. You and all the Dis runners inspire so many of us. Keep up the good work and enjoy the moment.

Watching from a distance-- via yours and others photo's.

Patty

 

[Hawleys]

Have an amazing race and a great time at DLR!

Looking forward to your pictures as always.

 

[sierranevada]

See you Saturday!

 

[kaoden39]

Have a good run!! And have a great time with your mom!!

 

[kim3339]

If you haven't left already, have a safe drive down. Hope there isn't a lot of traffic. And have a great run on Saturday!! You're going to have so much fun. I know the course map says that we're not going through the castle, but if they change it and we do, there's photographers along the bridge that way you can get a great pic in front of the castle.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Have a great run!! Good luck.

 

[Belle Ella]

Checking in! We made it safe and sound (and in good time). The room at the HOJO is awesome and spacious. Now time for bed!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

How did it go?

 

[DizNee Luver]

GOOD LUCK JAZZ......run your heart out but also take in all the disney magic along the way!!!! I'm proud of you & know you'll do great!!!!

Send my love to the other divas running & meeting this weekend!!