(Final 8/12)The WILDEST Ride in the Wilderness!" Princess Half Marathon TR/Feb.2014

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Another great report! What is the weather like in February? I am really hoping to pull off running in the 5K for the Princess Marathon next year with my older son. We have never been to Florida in February before.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Another great report! What is the weather like in February? I am really hoping to pull off running in the 5K for the Princess Marathon next year with my older son. We have never been to Florida in February before.

I have been TOLD it can be a mixed bag, but I have been personally at the end of January, beginning of February, and now the end of February and I think the weather is pretty fabulous! I have seen a couple chilly mornings, and some rain, but more days than any were sunny and around 70 degrees. In the sun it was warm and we have swam on every single trip!

 

[annmarieda]

Looks like a great time out by the pool with friends! And to have a friend coming to cheer you on! I know that was pretty special to me at the ToT last year. In all of the races I have done... both Disney and local - only 3 times have I had someone waiting for me at the finish to cheer me on. SO nice when that happens.

 

[momabaarjo]

The cave is a wonderful and dangerous place! They have so many different types of margaritas to try, you can get caught up in the flavors and forget the tequila!

I think we should do that for sure after the half on Sunday...where should we get our DRINK quote filled on Thursday?!?!

HMMM...I like dangerous places! But if I have a flight in there I might really be flying.

How much fun was all your meet ups... plus dancing too! Girls just wanna have fun!

 

[momabaarjo]

Should we wear them after the 10K? Saturday? That way we could keep our bows in too?!?!

HMMMM...and maybe matching sparkle skirts!

WRONG! 10 months and 19 days!

Is that all...I knew I like you girls...rope drops, crowd calendars, MATCHING OUTFITS...cupcakes and booze...

I am starting to forget I have my dd on the trip with me...she is going to have to take a friend to entertain!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Should we wear them after the 10K? Saturday? That way we could keep our bows in too?!?!

Yes! Tammie is going to figure our costumes out way before next February, btw!

Looks like a great time out by the pool with friends! And to have a friend coming to cheer you on! I know that was pretty special to me at the ToT last year. In all of the races I have done... both Disney and local - only 3 times have I had someone waiting for me at the finish to cheer me on. SO nice when that happens.

Yes, it was really great to have her come up. She didn't end up finding me at the finish, but more on that in the next few updates!

HMMMM...and maybe matching sparkle skirts!

You are sly, I can see you are trying to figure us out! We have matching skirts for the race and that's all I'll say!


Is that all...I knew I like you girls...rope drops, crowd calendars, MATCHING OUTFITS...cupcakes and booze...

I am starting to forget I have my dd on the trip with me...she is going to have to take a friend to entertain!

That about sums us up! She's planning on a friend, right? I'm sure they will have a blast! Cupcakes for everyone!!

 

[momabaarjo]

I already have my costumes figured out...just a matter of making them...now I am planning daily wear!

And looking for cute shirt ideas for our cupcake group! Plus trying to figure out how I can sparkle every day...without dh

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I already have my costumes figured out...just a matter of making them...now I am planning daily wear!

And looking for cute shirt ideas for our cupcake group! Plus trying to figure out how I can sparkle every day...without dh

I will definitely be Sparkling a LOT!

I have my costumes figured out too and I'm already working on putting them together!!!

I'm doing Alice for the half. I don't care that she's not a princess either! I don't think it will matter, so many people are dressed in just tutus and whatever they want, being a Princess isn't required. I just couldn't get excited about any of them and really wanted to do Alice, so that's what I'm doing!

I think we need a cupcake shirt for sure!!!

 

[Tinker326]

I already have my costumes figured out...just a matter of making them...now I am planning daily wear!

And looking for cute shirt ideas for our cupcake group! Plus trying to figure out how I can sparkle every day...without dh

YES- CUPCAKE SHIRTS ARE A MUST!!!

 

[stacy~**]

I found your report last night and finished getting caught up on it today! Really enjoying it!!

Your pictures are beautiful and I am excited to hear your take on the race since I am looking at doing the princess half or maybe glass slipper in February!

I really appreciate your love of rope drop and believe that you get stuff done but wow....being up before the store opens for coffee? Not sure about that....

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I found your report last night and finished getting caught up on it today! Really enjoying it!!

Your pictures are beautiful and I am excited to hear your take on the race since I am looking at doing the princess half or maybe glass slipper in February!

I really appreciate your love of rope drop and believe that you get stuff done but wow....being up before the store opens for coffee? Not sure about that....

Hi Stacy and WELCOME!!!

I have a bit of insomnia...well, it's not really insomnia, I just don't require a lot of sleep? I get about 6 hours tops and then I'm wide awake and can't sleep anymore. Most mornings I'm up by 4:30!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

In the last update, I was sitting by the pool with my runner blogger friends, waiting for Kim, an old friend of mine, to arrive at Pop. A little funny. We had JUST been talking about how we sometimes felt a little "famous" because of our blogs, sometimes you don't realize people are reading your blog...you just think you are writing to yourself. Anyway, we had just been talking about that and out of nowhere this woman walks up and is like "Are you KAREN from Losing the Glass Slippers?"

I was so blown away that someone recognized me! I chatted with Wendy a bit and she told me she loved my blog and how we had some things in common. It was so funny b/c she realized why the other ladies were giggling and said "Am I your FIRST?!?!?" I was like, YEP! First fangirl!

And as she turned to leave I had to stop her to get a photo! Who doesn't take a photo with their first fan?!?!

Around 3pm, Kim showed up and we sat by the pool a while longer talking and enjoying the afternoon. Before long it was time for me to say goodbye to Rachel and April, but have no fear, April and I had a date to meet at the bus stop at 3am to ride to the race together and I saw Rachel again as well!

Kim and I headed up to the room to get ready for dinner and get the girls (who had run to the room long before that when the rain had started). We all got cleaned up and ready to head to Animal Kingdom Lodge (my FAVORITE resort EVAH) for dinner! Yes, I wore that darn tiara all weekend!

The girls wore their ears!

It was nice and relaxing to just jump in Kim's van and drive to AKL. We thought we might not find a parking spot, the lot was pretty full, but we found one and headed inside. Ahhh, I love everything about this place from the bamboo to the woodwork, to the music.

edited to add: I looked in my notes and it says that at some point Savannah started giving me a HUGE attitude. I think it was just b/c everything seemed to be about ME...and in her world, that's not how it usually is! There was a lot of race/running related things going on and she is just used to DISNEY when we are at DISNEY. It must not have been too bad because I don't remember exactly what it was about and I think I just chalked it up to one of those things you let go and let the disney magic wash away. No use dwelling on it! (probably why I totally forgot until I looked in my notes!)

I have to share a few of my AKL shots from my trip with Rey. This trip was a princess trip and I really didn't spend a lot of time on my photography, but these are worth sharing b/c AKL is just a stunning resort to shoot. Stacy, you know how I was telling you that I have insomnia? That came in handy for this shot at 3am. I laid on the ground to take a few of these and I think the one person behind the desk must have thought I was nuts!

Ahhhh, I'm so excited to stay here again for PHM 2015!!! One more, my favorite Savanna shot from that trip with Rey:

OMG, I'm going to use up all my images and not be able to make this the last update before my race updates! No more smilies. I'll refrain. I.can.do.it. (resisting the eyerolling smiley right here)

So, we took a few photos and headed out to look at the savanna before dinner since we were a bit early.
My girl!!!

Giraffe's are my favorite. ever. Did I already tell you that? (resisting the urge to pull close-up shots of giraffe's from previous trips now!)

They had just fed them, so that was nice!

They were also roasting marshmallows and Kim had one, but I didn't get a shot. We headed back in and down to Boma. I checked in while Kim headed to the bathroom. I told them we were a bit early and they had called our name before Kim even came out! Fast!

I LOVE Boma. This was my third time eating there, and it did not disappoint. Everyone loved dinner and I did take one shot with my phone because my camera didn't have a wide enough lens to get all this food! Bwhahahaaaaa! Don't judge, I was carb-loading for the race!!

I didn't eat all of it. I came close though and we waddled out of there with stuffed bellies! We looked in the gift shop a bit and then spent 10 minutes looking for the car. Savannah & Kim bantered on about who was right and where the car was. I gave up because her van looked like every other van on that lot! We did find it and had no problems popping right back to Pop. When we got back, it was time to lay out my flat-me and get everything ready for the morning! EEK!!!!

I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be, but I was ready to go to bed at 8pm. Kim laid down with me and the girls went off to the arcade for a bit. In hindsight that was probably a mistake, I couldn't sleep heavy wondering where Savannah was...but I'm used to no sleep!

Up next!!!!!! Whooooo!!!!! Princess Half Marathon morning!!!!!!!

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

That food looks so delicious! Our family loves Boma as well. We will be going for the second time on our trip in August. When I started reading this entry and I saw that you were headed to AKL, I really thought you would be eating at Sanaa.

I love your costume for the race. I am not going to lie. The costume is the real reason I want to go next February. I really want to wear a tutu and dress up. I think I am leaning towards Snow White (I don't think she is technically a princess) because I really like the colors. My son has embraced his inner Princess and is looking forward to making a costume as well.

It must have been so exciting to meet a Fan!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

That food looks so delicious! Our family loves Boma as well. We will be going for the second time on our trip in August. When I started reading this entry and I saw that you were headed to AKL, I really thought you would be eating at Sanaa.

I love your costume for the race. I am not going to lie. The costume is the real reason I want to go next February. I really want to wear a tutu and dress up. I think I am leaning towards Snow White (I don't think she is technically a princess) because I really like the colors. My son has embraced his inner Princess and is looking forward to making a costume as well.

It must have been so exciting to meet a Fan!

Rey and I went to Sanaa in November 2012 when we went alone and I LOVED IT! OMG, that food was so fabulous! It was actually hard to go to Boma instead of Sanaa, I liked it that much, BUT, I knew the choices would be better for the girls at Boma. I hope to get back to Sanaa in 2015 but I'm unsure b/c Rey might pout if I went without him!

The dressing up (and everyone else being dressed up!) was a HUGE HUGE HUGE factor for me choosing PHM as my first half and why I want to go back. I planned all year for that costume...and I'm already planning for next year! It's a big part of the fun for me!

Snow White will be awesome and I think she IS a princess, you can certainly pick her for your bib and many people dress as her, so you'll fit right in!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

All caught up! Can't wait to get to the race!

I love your AKL pictures!!! I love the resort!

 

[Trentmom]

All Caught up. Looks like you had a fun meet at the pool.

How cool you met a fan

Your pics at AKL are gorgeous. In the one pic, looks like there is a reflection of a womens face in the floor

 

[momabaarjo]

I like the Alice idea...we all need to dress up as what we want...forget the princess...anyone can be a princess...right?

Boma looks great...I have had it planned now for all 3 trips to WDW and never have made it once. Maybe this time?

I so understand not being able to sleep...I tried before ToT, but it was pointless!

 

[Tinker326]

Rey and I went to Sanaa in November 2012 when we went alone and I LOVED IT! OMG, that food was so fabulous! It was actually hard to go to Boma instead of Sanaa, I liked it that much, BUT, I knew the choices would be better for the girls at Boma. I hope to get back to Sanaa in 2015 but I'm unsure b/c Rey might pout if I went without him!

If you want, I'll pretend I'm Rey so you can go to Saana again. Just don't try to put too many Rico Suave moves on me...

I like the Alice idea...we all need to dress up as what we want...forget the princess...anyone can be a princess...right?

Boma looks great...I have had it planned now for all 3 trips to WDW and never have made it once. Maybe this time?

I so understand not being able to sleep...I tried before ToT, but it was pointless!

Totally agree about the costumes!

Karen and I are staying at AKL - so you can come visit us & eat at Boma... or Saana with Karen and me pretending to be Rey.

I can't sleep when I'm nervous or excited! Karen and I already have made peace with the fact that we don't plan on much sleep PHM weekend!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

All caught up! Can't wait to get to the race!

I love your AKL pictures!!! I love the resort!

Thanks! I'm excited to share the race!

All Caught up. Looks like you had a fun meet at the pool.

How cool you met a fan

Your pics at AKL are gorgeous. In the one pic, looks like there is a reflection of a womens face in the floor

I can't see it?? Which pic?

I like the Alice idea...we all need to dress up as what we want...forget the princess...anyone can be a princess...right?

Boma looks great...I have had it planned now for all 3 trips to WDW and never have made it once. Maybe this time?

I so understand not being able to sleep...I tried before ToT, but it was pointless!

I don't sleep well to begin with, so the night before a race...not so much!

I'm really excited about doing Alice! You should find a way to come visit Nicole and I at AKL and eat at Boma!

If you want, I'll pretend I'm Rey so you can go to Saana again. Just don't try to put too many Rico Suave moves on me...

Bwahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa!



Totally agree about the costumes!

Karen and I are staying at AKL - so you can come visit us & eat at Boma... or Saana with Karen and me pretending to be Rey.

I can't sleep when I'm nervous or excited! Karen and I already have made peace with the fact that we don't plan on much sleep PHM weekend!!!

No sleeping at Disney! We can sleep at home!!!! You are so Jazzirit on this one Nicole!

 

[momabaarjo]

Thanks! I'm excited to share the race!



I can't see it?? Which pic?



I don't sleep well to begin with, so the night before a race...not so much!

I'm really excited about doing Alice! You should find a way to come visit Nicole and I at AKL and eat at Boma!





No sleeping at Disney! We can sleep at home!!!! You are so Jazzirit on this one Nicole!

I have not decided where to stay, but AKL is on my list...that is if there are rooms to rent DVC points still in August...this darn Europe trip is sure messing with my Disney! LOL I think you have me leaning your direction now...and I have also decided to run on little sleep all PHM weekend too...I will be your Rey!