Confessions of a reluctant runner, a DL 1/2 & PHM PTR. 7/5 race recaps and final thoughts

[Pinkocto]

Let us know which side wins out, crazy or not crazy I think it's fabulous youre considering the race with your co-worker. You're feeling stronger and it doesn't seem like you dislike running as much as before.

The foggy picture is quite beautiful.

Bummer the DL races will be too much, but there's always next time.

 

[Chilly]

Love the foggy photo. Glad the ankle is improving each week. In related news I joined the gym on Dec 29th, i've been once so far

All your plans are coming together well. I am just starting to think about my trip now that flights and accommodation are booked. I will probably start at PTR in around May so watch out for that.

 

[Poolrat]

I will say things seems like you are pretty much back on track. Just listen to your body and you will be fine.


I kept that picture of different lacing techniques and actually adjusted my running shoes and WOW it worked!!! Yup - my running shoes.

Hopefully I will be back running on a more regular basis soon. This cold snap has forced me to do the very minimum.

The last EE challenge pushed me into signing up.

I tell you - you make crazy schedules work. For that I you.

 

[Leshaface]

Jealous of spring break in Hawaii! And on Hawaiian too. Awesome!

PT - Personal Torture That sounds about right

The foggy picture is really pretty.

You look so happy running through Cars Land. Like, ecstatic! Love it!

 

[eandesmom]

I'm glad training has been good this week, despite the rain and the fog.

I don't mind the rain unless it's torrential or there is a lot of wind. The fog is weird. If it's really thick it freaks me out to run in as there is no visibility but luckily it had lifted enough next to the lake (I think it was lake effect, it was heavier at my house) to just be really pretty.

I somehow either never subscribed or lost my subscription to the DL TR, so I have now gone over there and subscribed and will read the whole thing tonight.

No worries at all!

I like the foggy picture, it's pretty
We've got lots of snow...I like it when it's falling, not so much once it's on the ground!
Funny you didn't notice the bike! You're in the zone!!

It was a really pretty run, I don't often stop and take pictures but I couldn't resist.

Love snow when it is falling and I'm inside. Not so much if I have to drive.

I do NOT recall that bike. That cracks me up! I can be SO oblivious at times it is a little scary.

YAY for getting in some great training in the foggy soggy conditions. It looks lovely!

Six weeks to go.

It was lovely.

6 weeks from now, I will be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Way to go on your training! Glad to hear your ankle is doing ok. It is always a good sign with the PT moves from therapy to personal training mode. I joke around I have a love hate relationship with my PT. He loves to torture me, and I hate him.

I have a love hate with mine too. She is MEAN! More new stuff this week and UGH UGH UGH. lol. She of course is confident she can fix the ultimate biggie (my neck) but I am not buying it.

I have been struggling with outdoor miles. It has been so cold out here I cannot breathe. I had to do my 9.5 miles on the treadmill on Saturday. Will probably have to do my 10 indoors again this Saturday. We are expecting a high of 30. I need it to be at least 35 to be able to breathe.

Yeah, I don't know that I've had to deal with below 30 yet. I do think I had a run or 2 in the mid/low 30's in the past few months but it's not been bad. I might shoot myself if I had to do 10 indoors. I had a major fail on my 1600 speedwork inside this week. SO much happier on my 5 outside this morning.

Glad to hear your costume is coming along nicely! I don't think I will be wearing one this year. I hear you though on not knowing what to pack! The weather swings so much! Last year I think it was 60 degrees but felt like 87 with the humidity. Took me 3:35 to finish.........although I DID stop for every single character I saw after the 5 mile point.

At this point I plan to pack everything. As far as costumes go, ours are pretty mild and the base is regular running stuff. I plan to have options for any temperature. I don't expect to stop for pictures unless there is a really special character. As a general rule it's just not a big deal to me, I am more interested in the actual race pics. That sounds like how the DL half felt. It wasn't that hot but SO humid, especially early. Once the sun came up the humidity went down and it was better. Except I was done soon thereafter. lol.

I am starting to have my marathon anxiety. I had a dream last night I forgot my marathon bag on the plane. Yah know the one with my shoes, clothes etc. then got lost during the half! None of the CMs knew which way to get to the finish line!

Best of luck on the remainder of your training! It is getting so close!

GAH, I have course confusion anxiety after my one fiasco. Not really but it has crossed my mind especially when it happened to Jeff as well this year.

That is a BAD dream. Carry it all on to be safe and then leave it on the plane! YIKES

I find this report very eye opening. There are so many concerns that I have never even known about. I'm glad youre able to get back into things and hopefully the PHM goes off without a hitch!

Well......there are very probably not as many concerns as I make it out to have. I am an over-thinker by nature. Jeff just shakes his head and laughs.

 

[eandesmom]

Let us know which side wins out, crazy or not crazy I think it's fabulous youre considering the race with your co-worker. You're feeling stronger and it doesn't seem like you dislike running as much as before.

Still not sure which side will when. I thought the crazy side was winning but then had a small set back mid week and was leaning towards not doing it. I'm still probably more on that side than not but my arm may get twisted. I have been out of the office the bulk of the week so haven't even seen him to know if they are doing it.

The foggy picture is quite beautiful.

When I left the house I was concerned as it was very thick and poor visibility but once down to the trail it was just lovely! A very pretty run. I have a love/hate relationship with running as I think most do. Dislike may be strong but it certainly isn't always my favorite thing to do. However, you do get some pretty cool moments and times and feel a bazillion times better after.

Much of the time anyway. Not always. Sometimes it flat out sucks rocks.

Bummer the DL races will be too much, but there's always next time.

Biggest bummer is it is DL's 60th so will be really cool. It's just not in the cards though.

Love the foggy photo. Glad the ankle is improving each week. In related news I joined the gym on Dec 29th, i've been once so far

Ok, one time makes for a very expensive visit to the gym! LOL.

Getting into a routine is the hardest part but if you can figure out a set schedule it is easier to stick to.

It was a very pretty foggy run

All your plans are coming together well. I am just starting to think about my trip now that flights and accommodation are booked. I will probably start at PTR in around May so watch out for that.

YAY for flights, that makes it real. I can't wait for a PTR and will definitely be watching.

I will say things seems like you are pretty much back on track. Just listen to your body and you will be fine.

Ankle isn't 100% but it is markedly better and certainly livable. I do have to stay on top of all the PT junk and be religious about the foam roller. I paid for it on Wednesday. It is really annoying!

I kept that picture of different lacing techniques and actually adjusted my running shoes and WOW it worked!!! Yup - my running shoes.

It's crazy what a difference it can make huh!

Hopefully I will be back running on a more regular basis soon. This cold snap has forced me to do the very minimum.

YAY for getting out there and lacing up. You can do this!

The last EE challenge pushed me into signing up.

I tell you - you make crazy schedules work. For that I you.

I think it is so great you guys are doing EE and it will be a blast!!!!!!!!!!!

Whose schedule isn't crazy?

Jealous of spring break in Hawaii! And on Hawaiian too. Awesome!

I'd actually prefer to fly Alaska but I'm super biased. Hawaiian is nice we will get free fruit, cheese and crackers but no free mai tai and I'll have to pay to check a bag but it was a decent savings. If the Alaska flights end up going as low as the Hawaiian I will be a bit bummed but on the flip side, these are nice flight times from a comfort of travel standpoint.

PT - Personal Torture That sounds about right

Seriously. She's mean!

The foggy picture is really pretty.

It was a lovely run!

You look so happy running through Cars Land. Like, ecstatic! Love it!

It's funny, I had the opportunity to pre buy a gift certificate for the race pictures and would have saved some $$. I opted not to as I heard from so many that they didn't get that many pictures or that they weren't good. I was surprisingly pleased with mine. I didn't have as many in the parks as I would like but that is due to being in an early corral and it being in the dark. Not all shots that were taken were set up for the darker times of day. So I missed a few cool ones. However, I have a ton at the finish light and in every single picture, I am smiling like an idiot. I don't know if it's what many call "race face" which is the face you make when you think the race photographer might be there. Either way, all I know is that when I look at my pictures, from start to finish, I am smiling and it makes me smile.

I vividly remember carsland and the whole pier area, it was just magical running through there and I knew I was grinning like an idiot. I have to admit that I liked that part better than the actual main street and castle. It's just a cool race!

 

[eandesmom]

Ch ch changes!

Five weeks from now I will hopefully be mostly packed for our trip!

In 30 days I will be at the airport!

Six weeks from now I will have run through a castle and hopefully be off getting a massage.



We have made some exciting tweaks to our plans.

First up though, quick training update for last week.

Monday: Rest Day

Tuesday: I attempted to do my interval runs this day. Normally it would be on the Wednesday but I had a conflict. I am not sure if it was the overheated gym, the treadmill, the fact that I had done back to back runs sat/sun, the fact that I hadn't foam rolled or stretched since before my Sunday run, or the fact I was fighting something off…whatever it was it meant for a disastrous run. I was supposed to do 3x1600 ( 3, 1 mile interval runs with walk breaks in between). They are supposed to be fast. I managed to do the first mile at an 8:20 pace. Didn't feel great though, on many levels. I attempted the 2nd mile and...quit at .75. Kept the 8:20 pace but really was overheated, legs hurt, just not good all around. Felt like a major set back. I did however test out the new shorts I bought as a PHM option in case it is warmer and they seemed to do ok. So yay for that.

Wednesday: I woke up and felt like crudola. I stayed home the bulk of the day and then went to a scouting event that night.

Thursday: was a big work day. Not a good day at all, had a speaker completely not show up and the other 3 speakers bomb as a result. Super duper stressful day though almost all completely out of my control. I blew off the gym I was so crabby but really, should have gone.

Friday: I stayed home in the morning to be able to do my 5 mile tempo run in the daylight. I did do my foam rolling before as I did not want a repeat of the interval fiasco. It was a lovely run! Something pretty cool happened. The tempo runs are hard and this was the longest one yet. I went into it in a pretty crummy mood based on the previous days events and the earlier interval run. I was NOT interested in pushing it at the speed I am supposed to for a tempo run. And yet….I managed to come in on target. 5 in 45 or a 9:02 pace so on the lower side of my target range (8:54-9:15). It felt good. It felt "easier". And…I felt a LOT better. The first time I’ve had a run really distress me like that. Not to say I don't find relief in exercise but usually it's just because I haven't exercised in a few days and really need to. This was different. Plus, the sun was out and I got to wear sunglasses for the first time in quite a while! I was actually only supposed to run 4 miles but thought it was 5. Which is good, makes up sorta for the mile I totally skipped on my intervals!

On that note though....please send healing vibes to Jeff. His knee is still not better, he still can't run and MAN is he a stress monster as a result. Major endorphin build up. Yikes. The fear of never being able to run again doesn't help matters.

Saturday: Went to the gym. Did all my dumb exercises, stretching and rolling. After the fiasco earlier I wasn't going to take a chance.

Sunday: Did a 10 mile long run. It was a bit of an odd morning, had planned to get up, have coffee and then go out. Instead we lost power at 8am and the beeping of the carbon monoxide detector woke us. It had been torrential rain the day before and that was supposed to continue along with the high winds that had howled all night. Thanks to the wake up call I could see a break in the clouds and since I couldn't brew coffee, I just got up and left! A nice 10 in 1:36 or at a 9:35 pace which is under my target range of 9:39-9:55 and slightly under my previous 10 miler 2 weeks prior. It was only a minute faster but hey, a minute is a minute! It was a little bit of everything kind of run. A little bit of wind (ok, 20mph winds lol) a little bit of rain and a little bit of sun. Check it out. Whitecaps!



We then saw an amazing football game and then hit the gym so I could do more stupid foam rolling. Man is that stuff a time suck!

As of today I am officially HALF WAY through my training plan! YAY!

3 more fairly sucky weeks and then it lightens up for the taper. 3 weeks. I can do 3 weeks! I am kind of dreading this week, I have an 8 mile tempo run which will be the longest tempo I have ever done that wasn't a race. I will likely have to play hooky again to get it done (I do make up the work mind you). I cannot fathom training for a marathon, at least not on the kind of plan I am doing now and not in the winter. I am having a hard time fitting in these kinds of runs in daylight.

On that note. I have decided NOT to do the half marathon that is this weekend. Between what felt like a set back last week and the reality that my ankle was a bit sore yesterday(fine today but did wear compression all afternoon)...I just don't want to push it. If I did it, I would want to go all out and not only does it mess with my training plan it may be a recipe for injury that just isn't worth the risk. I could do it and take it easy but really, who wants to pay $85 for a training run and not do their best when it’s timed like that? Not me. My co-worker did decide to do it but he’s not happy about it as they have a full marathon the following weekend. WAY crazier than me.

Given some recent tweaks to our plans, I thought I would update what it looks like now.

2/18. Red Eye to Orlando via LAX.

2/19. Land before 5am. DME to BWV, check in, probably by 5:30-6 am or so. Am 100% sure our room will not be ready. It is president’s week. I don’t expect our room until 4pm. Nap in the Belle Vue lounge until Captain’s Grille opens at 7:30. We may eat elsewhere, aren't making an ADR but I think it’s the likely candidate. FP's at DHS, head to the Expo, then to Boatwrights for dinner. I have a feeling after Boatwrights we will be back to the villa to pass out. We aren't making an ADR there either though we can on the fly during the day. As you never know how long the expo will take we didn’t want to be too tied down. I do have a shopping list for the expo and sadly one of those items will be a travel foam roller. I figured it is just as easy to buy it there and only haul it one way, versus two.

2/20. Coffee on the balcony! Rope drop and FP’s at MK. Head to Fort Wilderness and do an easy 2 mile run on the path between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. Late lunch at Trails End. Evening…whatever we feel like doing! Not likely to be a late night. We had originally planned breakfast at CP but I like this plan much better!

2/21. Watch/cheer OR Volunteer at the PHM 10K! Both Ann and I have signed up to volunteer for the race. We are waitlisted so I don’t know that we will be called to help but I hope we are, it would be really neat to be on the other side. If we aren't, we will be on our balcony with our coffee cheering as runners go by. FP’s at AK. Dinner with Mary Ellen and Denny at Artist Point. We may end up doing to the expo again with Mary Ellen before AK but I am sure will play that by ear. I suspect we may also have a meet in the afternoon this day with a FB group we are part of but it’s not organized as of yet. I moved our dinner a little earlier so I can try a strategy I think will help me avoid bio breaks during the race.

2/22. PHM!

I'll get to run down the OTHER main street!



Depending on what time we finish we may have time for the table massage, medal engraving, a glass of bubbly or...nothing at all! I don't expect any of us to actually finish together but I also don't think it's a huge spread.

We hope to walk through Epcot after the race. It will be a bit tight. Epcot opens at 9 and our ADR is at 10:30. It is doable but it does mean a fast walk to BWV, fast shower, and fast walk back! I may be eating breakfast with wet hair . A lot of it will depend on corral assignments and when each corral starts as that will determine when we will all finish. We want to cheer everyone on!!! FP’s in Epcot. Tentative DISmeet at the Ditch, time TBD. Dinner for Ann and I at B&C. BED! Ok, maybe hot tub and then bed. LOL.

2/23 DHS FP's, massage for me at SSR. Or at least I hope so, if the budget allows! Dinner at Tony’s.

2/24. Lunch at The Plaza, MK FP's.

2/25, Epcot FP’s. Magical Depress.


This has us with FP's in all parks twice except AK which is only once. Definite flexibility for pool time on most days if the weather is willing and a fair amoung of counter service walk up for whatever we feel like on most days as well. I did place a small grocery order to cover breakfasts and snacks (and water) and will be packing coffee.

A bit more work commenced on the costume front. I did a trial run/mock up on one of the pieces I am making and think it is going to work well. I now need to actually really make them but I have most of the supplies. Mary Ellen is in the best shape of all of us, with all her pieces (other than what I am making) and Ann and I are close. It is pretty funny to see our families reactions to the whole costume thing. Jeff thought what I was making was the bomb, Mary Ellen's son though….didn't quite get the whole thing and thought it demeaned all her hard work. Which is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO does not!


Now we wait for the corral assignments. Generally they come out a month before so they could be as early as tomorrow or Thursday. Last year for Princess they didn't come out until the 30th and I really hope we don't have to wait that long, it's just exciting to know! There is a decent chance that Ann and I may drop back one corral to run/hang with another friend who will be there solo. She is likely to either be in our corral, or one behind, assuming Ann and I end up in the same one. Hanging by yourself isn't ideal and since she should be so close, we may just drop back. But we will see. I am predicting C or D based on last years charts but you just never know.

 

[MEK]

There is no way I am going to be finishing anywhere close to you with a 10 mile time like that. Very nice work! YAY!

Your tempo and speed work is paying off nicely. That is great!

And ugh to running in the wind. I had the best weather run day on Saturday. It was just outstanding. It may have only been 35 or so degrees but the sun was shining and there was next to no wind. What is the chance of getting that lucky for the next 4 weekends?????

 

[KatMark]

Sending prayers and for Jeff's knee.

Sorry to hear about the fiasco with the speaker not showing up and you not feeling well one day.

Love the plans.

Soon you'll be running through that other castle.

 

[Poolrat]

You are doing great!!!!

As for sucks rocks .... Yup that was me today.

100 yards in and the wheezing started. Trudged on but man I needed the inhaler.



Plans sound great and I cannot believe we are at the 30 day mark already.



Hoping Jeff can heal enough to start running again- it sucks when you can do what you want because your body won't let you.

 

[eandesmom]

There is no way I am going to be finishing anywhere close to you with a 10 mile time like that. Very nice work! YAY!

Not so. You had a great 12 mile time!

Bear in mind too that this is under pretty great running weather conditions, I do not expect the same to be true at PHM. I really think it is not a huge spread at all.

Your tempo and speed work is paying off nicely. That is great!

It is hard to tell if it is paying off or not. I am certainly running a bit faster than this summer, however not all that much faster than I was last spring. So is it the weather or the training or did I just lose mojo over the summer? It isn't inconsistent with previous race times, the question will be whether that translates into faster race times since the training is a bit faster. I will say, that as much as I really despise a lot of this plan, it actually does seem to work in the sense of pushing me and breathing getting easier at certain paces, etc. Absolutely no clue how that will translate in warmer weather or humidity (so I'll pray for it to be 48 and sunny lol).

And ugh to running in the wind. I had the best weather run day on Saturday. It was just outstanding. It may have only been 35 or so degrees but the sun was shining and there was next to no wind. What is the chance of getting that lucky for the next 4 weekends?????

Nice! The wind was a bit ugh as was the rain but it was 48 out so pretty nice all things considered.

Sending prayers and for Jeff's knee.

Thanks, I really hope he can see some progress soon, it's wearing on him.

Sorry to hear about the fiasco with the speaker not showing up and you not feeling well one day.

It really was a bad work week

Love the plans.

I am excited about them

Soon you'll be running through that other castle.

I can't wait!

You are doing great!!!!

Thanks! One day at a time...

As for sucks rocks .... Yup that was me today.

100 yards in and the wheezing started. Trudged on but man I needed the inhaler.

do you run with it? I know many folks do. Jeff has issues at certain times of the year with seasonal allergies, seems to be able to control it with Claritin and a home spray (forget what though).

Plans sound great and I cannot believe we are at the 30 day mark already.

I know, crazy!

Hoping Jeff can heal enough to start running again- it sucks when you can do what you want because your body won't let you.

I know how frustrating it is and wish I could fix it for him!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hope Jeff is getting better.


You're almost there now. Can't wait to see what your final time is and what your costumes look like.

 

[Chilly]

Your plans sound good especially the massage. Hope you get picked to volunteer as that would be good fun. I upped my gyming and have just been 3 days on the trot.

 

[afwdwfan]

I'm glad to see that things are progressing in a more positive way with your ankle and training. I think you probably made the right call to decline the extra race though. It would be awful to have a setback ahead of the PHM just because you added a last second race to the mix.

I hope that Jeff's knee gets better, and soon. The 2 of you just don't seem to be having much luck.

 

[eandesmom]

Hope Jeff is getting better.

It felt better yesterday, not sure yet how he is doing today. He did go for a long walk on Sunday while I ran and I have a feeling it may have helped and he needs to do more of that. We will see.

You're almost there now. Can't wait to see what your final time is and what your costumes look like.

Ah final time. Who knows. So many variables. Weather, hydration, bio breaks, ankles...LOL! I do feel it is likely I will come in under 2:10 unless it's massively hot or humid. However how much below? That is really a crap shoot. I don't actually expect to hit that magic sub 2 mark. But...how close I can get to it remains to be seen.

Your plans sound good especially the massage. Hope you get picked to volunteer as that would be good fun. I upped my gyming and have just been 3 days on the trot.

Good for you!

I understand volunteer stuff has been mailed, we may have actually missed a cut off but who knows. It really would be fun. Oh I need that massage!

I'm glad to see that things are progressing in a more positive way with your ankle and training. I think you probably made the right call to decline the extra race though. It would be awful to have a setback ahead of the PHM just because you added a last second race to the mix.

Yes it would! Not worth the risk. I know I'd want to go all out to see how I could do in cooler weather and it's just not worth messing with my plan.

I hope that Jeff's knee gets better, and soon. The 2 of you just don't seem to be having much luck.

I know, it's a bit pathetic. The joys of getting old! BLEH, it pretty much sucks rocks.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Plans are really starting to come together. I can't believe it is getting so close!!!

Healing thoughts being sent Jeff's way!!! Along with some

 

[Pinkocto]

Sounds like a good call not doing the race, especially for $85. And it would be terrible to hurt something before WDW. Not that you'd actually hurt yourself but I understand the potential is there.

That's so sad about Jeff, has he been doing the intense PT you have? I imagine a man used to exercising a lot is very grouchy when he can't.

 

[Leshaface]

Hoping Jeff feels better quickly! That stinks.

We then saw an amazing football game

About your check-in on the arrival day - we took a red-eye back in 2010, arriving at CSR at 6ish am and our room was ready And this was when there was a very large convention being held at that Resort, so you just never know!

 

[eandesmom]

Plans are really starting to come together. I can't believe it is getting so close!!!

Healing thoughts being sent Jeff's way!!! Along with some

Thanks! He has had a pretty good week with the knee. PT and Chiro wanted
at least one more week of no running but hopefully he will get good news this week.

Sounds like a good call not doing the race, especially for $85. And it would be terrible to hurt something before WDW. Not that you'd actually hurt yourself but I understand the potential is there.

I am really glad I didn't do it. It was unseasonably warm yesterday and is again today. For some reason I had thought it was a Sunday race but it was actually yesterday. I ran yesterday on my own. Normally it would be friday but it was too many miles to do on a work day and somehow get it done outside, in daylight so I am doing back to back runs this weekend instead.

It was not my best run. Then again, a little too much beer, not enough water and a LOT of truffle fries Friday night, combined with 2 cups of coffee and running far later in the day on an empty stomach (other than the coffee) might have been the culprit. A lot of dumb little things that added up to a big MEH. Seriously though, adding the race to the mix after a very stressful week wouldn't have been good and I am glad I didn't. I have a feeling the warmer weather (57 and 90% humidity) impacted my co worker, I saw his results and they were not close to his best. Neither was his wife's. Then again, they are crazy and doing a full next weekend so they may have been taking it easy.

That's so sad about Jeff, has he been doing the intense PT you have? I imagine a man used to exercising a lot is very grouchy when he can't.

Yes he has. I finally got him to go in over the holidays. He is only able to go 1x a week now that the holidays are over which is a bummer as twice a week does help it improve faster but it's a challenge for him to fit it in with work.

Hoping Jeff feels better quickly! That stinks.

It does!

About your check-in on the arrival day - we took a red-eye back in 2010, arriving at CSR at 6ish am and our room was ready And this was when there was a very large convention being held at that Resort, so you just never know!

If it was a resort stay, we might have a chance. However it is DVC. I've taken several red eyes now with DVC and only once has the room been ready early. Given that it is DVC and President's week + PHM....I think our chances are low to non existent but I can hope!

 

[eandesmom]

Ah, the difference a week can make. Injuries, Sickness and….Weather!

Thankfully only one came into play this week.

It has been a productive week overall but definitely with a few highs and lows.

Training update.

Monday: Rest Day.

Tuesday: PT in the am and YAY, continued improvement (which means more mean new exercises) Had planned to go to the gym but OH the drama of HS final week. Stayed home to calm the natives.

Wednesday: Speedwork. 4x800. After the fiasco of last weeks speedwork I went into this nervous. I also went into it testing out my potential race day shorts and potential race day tank. It was a good/bad run.

The good. Did my speedwork runs at an average pace at 8:04 which is the target for the low range I am working with! Very excited about that, it’s the first speedwork run that has actually hit that lower target.

The bad. While the shorts and the tank felt ok during the run (tank didn’t wick as well as I would like but wicked as well as I would expect for the kind of fabric it is) when I got home and went to shower, my skin was VERY irritated and red. Both from the shorts and the tank. It calmed down after a shower and lotion but it kind of freaked me out. I had such a major reaction at DL that I do not want a repeat in any way shape or form. It also kind of freaked me out that I noticed a spot on the back of the tank that looked like a stain. This was a brand new tank, ebay but allegedly new without tags and the idea of a stain grossed me out. After some emails with the seller and a photo exchange, I was given a 50% refund.

I am SO annoyed by this problem not to mention it's expensive!

Thursday: Found a new tank option online (ebay again lol) and ordered it. This should be fine fabric wise if the color works. Should arrive on Thursday (and has tags!). Also got the last of our costume supplies ordered, they should arrive today! Spent the bulk of the day dealing with Evan stuff, both for finals and some medical things (ADHD testing stuff…sigh). So, skipped the gym.

Friday: Had planned to do my 8 mile tempo run. However, doing so would have meant going into work quite late so I could run in the daylight. It was POURING in the morning. I decided to bag it and run the next day instead. Rest day.

Saturday: Gym in the morning and then did my 8 mile tempo run. Did the run much later than normal to try and tie into a later than normal trombone lesson. This was a problem for several reasons.

1. I hadn't eaten anything since dinner the night before. Which, while fine for anything up to 10 or 10:30 am run, starting at noon on empty wasn’t ideal.
2. I had actually eaten dinner earlier than normal for a Friday/Weekend or even a weekday night.
3. I had 2, not one, cups of coffee
4. It was 58 degrees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​

All of these factors added up to my slowest ever tempo run for this training plan. Of course it was the longest tempo run I had ever done so that could have had something to do with it. It also meant some salty sweat which surprised me as the amount of truffle fries I had eaten the night before should have given me enough salt to go on but apparently not. 8 miles in 1:14:xx or at a 9:15 pace. Which while in the range, was at the very tippy top of the range. Livable though and close to my 15K pace from last spring so that was actually encouraging as I've not done that kind of pace in a training run that long, ever. Unfortunately for the first time in a few weeks I didn't have negative splits. I did have some watch fiasco's during the run, largely due to stopping to text Jeff and Evan since I was running behind on pace I'd also be behind in picking Evan up! Thankfully, Jeff handled it.

While it was a nice run in some ways, it was harder in others and I felt the extra 10 degrees and increased humidity.

Sunday: 8 mile long run and then gym in the evening. I have only done back to back running once, and that was a couple of weeks ago when I did a 6 mile tempo and a 6 mile long. The idea of back to back 8's, with one fast had given me a bit of anxiety all week but I didn't really have any other good options.

Unfortunately as we got out of the car I realized something. I was missing the cover to one of my earbuds. Which really aren't mine. Jeff's died and I got him some yurbuds for xmas. He didn't like them so we traded. They really don't fit me right but I figured I could have them looked at at the expo and can live with them until then. Apparently I'll be living with them in only one ear until then. BLEH.

Again, it was 58 out! And GORGEOUS.





I had made sure to drink a lot of water all day Saturday after my run so I would be in better shape. I also had a little water in the morning and kept it to one cup of coffee. In addition I decided to err on the safe side and take a shot block. I had a half about 2 miles in and the other half at the 5 mile mark.

Overall it was better than the day before. Slower to be sure but it was supposed to be. I did still notice the increased humidity and temps but had shorts instead of knickers and that helped. My legs did tell me at the end....HEY, you did 8 yesterday, what are you thinking? LOL.

This could be similar to what race conditions are like weather wise that day so it was a good test from that standpoint.

I was so in the zone at the end I ran by a good friend who literally had to wave her arms like a crazy person for me to notice her. I really need to work on situational awareness! The shorts, which have irritated me in the gym both times didn't bug me other than the left side riding up a little. I think the gym is quite a bit warmer though and the extra sweat makes it worse which, depending on race day conditions could be a real issue. They are livable though. Not ideal, but livable and sometimes that's about as good as I can get.

I really didn't feel like going to the gym but Jeff wanted cardio (he had walked while I ran but it is not the same) but you know what, I went. I did all my stupid rolling and stretching and…felt better for it. It is supremely annoying and depressing to have to dedicate so much time to that stuff but...it works.

In other news (and in no particular order)

Neither Ann or I have received any paperwork for volunteering so I suspect we may not be called. Sadness. However if we aren’t, we are going to make a big ole sign to hang from our balcony and cheer our little hearts out for the 10K/GSC runners!

I did find yet another pair of shorts that may work. YAY for social media! I plan to order them Friday (aka payday lol). This particular brand, and owner has given me some of the best, if not THE best, customer service ever and I haven’t even ordered yet. Immediate responses to all my fabric questions. Just amazing!

Another family we know may be headed to Aulani at the same time as our spring break trip which would be really fun for all involved, kids and parents.

It would appear that PHM and Aulani will in fact not be my only 2015 Disney trips.

Jeff and I did decide to do a destination race in May. We are hoping he gets the green light to run this week, he is doing a LOT better.

And…..

We have Bib numbers (aka waivers)! Another YAY for social media as Disney has not officially released anything yet lol.




We do not have corral assignments yet but can make some educated guesses based on last year. Hopefully the corrals will be out soon.

I am very very happy with my number and once again, Ann and I are less than 100 numbers apart. We will both be very surprised if we are in different corrals. Based on last year chart and our numbers I think we are pretty solidly in C. I expect the corrals to be a bit different but think we have a pretty good idea of where we are.

I really hope they come out soon as I've been entirely unproductive today for no good reason. It doesn't matter and it will be what it will be but I still keep looking to see if they have leaked!

2 more sucky weeks of my training plan and then happiness, things slow down and the trip really gets close! The next 2 weekends should be a bit brutal as I think I will have to do the back to back thing again both times. This weekend is a 6 mile tempo, and a 10 mile long. The following (and on my birthday to boot, BOO) will be an 8 mile tempo and a 12 mile long.

That one may kill me.